[Mpls] Mpls Politics

[Michael Atherton]

David Shove wrote:

>  This is the Smoker's Body Condom. It's like a regular 
>  condom, only much bigger, able to slip over the smoker's 
>  head, a big air bubble around the head, cinched tight at 
>  the waist, with room for both arms inside. 

Tim Bonham wrote:

>  If Mr. Atherton represents the "normal" population, I'm 
>  glad I ain't one of them! In so many ways!.

Liz Greenbaum wrote:

>  Okay, let's go for it and start lobbying to ban fast food then! 

Andy Driscoll wrote:

>  More idiocy. I don't believe this. 

Jim Graham wrote:

I just returned after attending a funeral and must admit 
that Mr. Atherton's post, with it's humor, lightened my mood.

There is a repeating pattern that I've observed over and over
again in Minneapolis politics.  Many people fail to provide
courteous counter arguments to facts, objections, suggestions,
or complaints from other citizens.  This is exactly same
same pattern I've observed in my neighborhood meetings.  People
try to marginalize you by discussing your "tone" rather than
addressing your arguments.  This is really glaring in relation
to the smoking ban when, rather than attempting to show why
the smoking rooms used in Vancouver, BC won't work in Minneapolis
opponents would rather post about condoms or banning fast food.
Which only tends to reinforce my opinion that there is little
substance to their arguments and that Minneapolis politics
is more about pushing opponents out of the spotlight of liberal grace,
that it is about providing rational foundations for their policies.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park