Letter to the Editor
Smart aleck
Published Friday, September 12, 2008
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To the editor:
In this republican (small “r” ) country of ours, the road to legal change at the ballot box is a road filled with the unpaid (or poorly paid) efforts of thousands of community volunteers. Community organizers and volunteers of whom there are hundreds in Fairbanks throw themselves out the door selflessly day after day to promote literacy, clean air and clean water, adoption services, soup kitchens, shelter for the homeless, the arts, protection of the first 10 amendments to our Constitution including free speech and the right to bear arms — the list goes on. People do this in addition to making a living and raising their own families.
During Sarah Palin’s convention speech, I was appalled by her crack about how the difference between activists and mayors is that “mayors have actual responsibilities.”
Our governor tossed the efforts of thousands of socially engaged American citizens to one side with the kind of smart-aleck crack parents scold their kids for making. She not only lowers the level of discourse but deflects our attention from the fact that as mayor, she made a mighty nice salary and had a staff around her to execute her decisions.
In “Dreams from My Father,” Obama describes his years of struggle with racism and rootlessness in America’s inner cities. Like Jacob in the Old Testament, he does some serious wrestling with these forces. He does not try come across like some natural born alpha dog. He is one player among many and recognizes that everyone’s trying to motivate and encourage one another against overwhelming odds to build that most elusive and precious thing — team spirit. A spirit that sustains you even when you lose, as the residents of Chicago’s poor neighborhoods so often do.
Palin doesn’t choose to wrestle with issues that run deep in American society and American history. If the issue is not black and white, she wants nothing to do with it, nor does her running mate, who’s now playing second-fiddle on the ticket. Is this going to be typical of his leadership?
Community Discussion
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Not to mention that after taking on the mayor's position in Wasilla, I believe that Sarah hired a city manager to fulfill most of those 'real responsibilities'.. ;^>)
The first rule of (modern) bueaucratic survival seems to be the creation of as many layers of insulation between yourself and the unwashed masses as possible. Fall-guys are mighty important in a loose-cannon kinda' world...
"You're doing a great job there, Brownie..."
Dirk, I see you were up late again! Canning all night or something?
That also depends on how the city manager is allowed to do their job. In theory, they are there to assist in day-to-day operations while preparing for the future of the city. I seem to remember in the late 90's the once prominent mall at the corner of Parks and Palmer-Wasilla Highway being left to rot in the wake of new, huge box stores. The only thing positive I can say is that the construction along the Parks through the city was eventually completed and allows Fairbanksans to hasten their journey through Wasilla on their way to wherever it is they actually WANT to go. While many Wasilla residents commute to Anchorage for work, more positive community development projects by a city manager may have encouraged positive long-term effects such as promoting a healthy town center where economic development could provide local jobs and a local economy.
It is quite clear that 0bama has been running for office at least since he left college. The community organizer stint and joining the black activist church were well planned avenues to get elect to state office from the south side of Chicago. And he was the one who drew first blood diminishing her service as a small town mayor.
I have work as a volunteer much of my adult life. And I find 0bamas plan to have paid volunteers to be an insult. Just as in charity there is a personal reward that comes from giving freely. Also there is no connection between the giver and those who receive when there is a forced or paid giving.
The issue is not black and white, it is behavior. Inner City America is what it is because of the people who live there. It reminds me of a group of people who got together to stop speeders on their street in my home town. They forced the police to set speed traps and THEY all got tickets. Problem solved? (LOL) Americans make America what it is. Typical left attitude, somebody else is going to make it all better for me. If my life is messed up someone will fix it. News Flash, if you think any politician is going make your life better, think again! They just set the rules of the game, you have to step up and play.
Wow, when is the election? I'm simply tired of hearing it all. The election is between McCain & Obama, why so much on Palin? This is one of the 1st years I can think of that the VP made such a huge ruckus! Haven't heard a thing about Biden, and I honestly don't know anything more about him than his name?
Enough already! We all have our minds made up and this is getting ridiculous! Did anyone see how many things there are in the Newsminer devoted to Palin? We live in Alaska and as far as that goes all our our votes really don't add up to much in the election anyhow!
It's become Palin, because the Democrats have lost their personality over policy campaign to her. Why do you think Obama is running to Bill Clinton, he hasn't any policies that make sense. Stop taxation, but spend billions on programs and pay of the debt. This is policy. Elect Obama and get Bill Clinton. Or as Hillary said two for one. This is the new change?
Nobody steps up and takes responsibility better than a dedicated community service volunteer. The key words: service and VOLUNTEER. These people care and they work hard to make a difference in their communities. They don't sit around expecting somebody else to make it all better for them. They get involved and try to make it better for others. They don't get paid and generally don't want to. They should never be disparaged for any reason, but especially not to further one's own political career.
akjak, Again somebody doing something for others and people not doing it for themselves. I've seen these political volunteers working on their resumes time and time again. I'm not impressed. True Volunteers help people in real need, or good causes and never speak of it. They are to busy to waste time being self-promoters. If their life path is to straight it is planned and phoney. Hmmm, who does that remind you of?
Sarah Palin, tombo? Except that she didn't distinguish herself nearly so much on the way.
tombo.....I'd be willing to bet you have NEVER volunteered for any organization that helps folks in need....and there are dozens of them in Fairbanks alone. That, sir, is the difference between you and your ilk and progressive folks who spend many selfless hours helping folks in need and, more importantly, helping them to help themselves.
Your disparaging remarks about community organizers and volunteers speaks volumes!
There are plenty of volunteers who are conservative PK and flyer. In fact most feel that it's a conservative thing to do. People helping people directly and trough charity instead of working toward getting the government to fix things like a community organizer does.
Patrick you are right, never have for an "Organization". That gets your name in the papers and looks good on your resumes. Ego based. People who know me would laugh at you. The minute you use your volunteering for personal gain or to push your agenda it is no longer volunteering.
THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BUDDY BARAK!!!!!!
You can climb off your high horse now and read what I said "True volunteers help people in real need or good causes and never speak of it." Tough for ego-maniac, narcissistic, selfpromoters to understand.
We are a country that has the luxury of volunteering. The majority of people in this world face a daily struggle to survive. I sometimes think we take for granted what the majority of the people in the world can not even comprehend. Do a reality check once in awhile and see what is happening in the rest of the world. We are truly a blessed people. Poverty levels in this country are considered wealthy people in other countries.
Real nice, tombo.....you've just trashed the many hundreds of good folks of Fairbanks who selflessly volunteer a combined tens of thousands of hours per year for organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Literacy Council, United Way, Fairbanks Community Food Bank, Fairbanks Rescue Mission and dozens more! Real "ego based" outfits, to be sure! You are hereby awarded the Attaboy Award for the day!
Yo....BigMike.....a totally innaccurate and ignorant statement. Funny.....the organizations I've volunteered for in the past are made up of mostly progressive folks.....yeah, that's right.....those nasty Democrats and Greenies! Not to say that Republicans or other conservatives do not volunteer....far from it. But they are in the minority, by a long stretch.
"Paid for volunteering"? Do you understand the word oxymoron? I didn't think so.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2682...
Patrick: I don't think that Republicans or conservatives "...are in the minority, by a long stretch."
To all of those who do volunteer and donate, there are many who are thankful for what you do - regardless of your political affiliations.
Have you all been watching the news? Who is EVERYONE talking about? How many points did McCain just get? I've never seen any think like this and nether have you!
Haven't trashed anybody who volunteers for the right reason. HELP OTHERS. Just the lowlifes that do it for personal gains. Learn to read Patrick! I don't see anybodies name in the paper except some idiot running for president. Figure it out or do I need a community orginizer to come explain it to you?
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