Quote:
Originally Posted by casden
...but Handsome - from what I've read on this forum, the threads that tend to make people most defensive are the ones where the members are responding to a remark that has an obvious tone of discrimination.
Take a look at some of these threads where they call ABQ "dirty" and "brown" and then in the very next sentence begin making almost derogatory statements about "Mexicans". Postings like that are typically what start the "flaming on".
Just my 2 cents worth.
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Casden,
I have read some of the racist statements by some posters on forums;
usually persons from the Upper Midwest ie Minnesota or Wisconsin.
However, I have also read forums where posters say the crime stats
are overblown and simply are hyped by the media. An FBI UCR
saying a city is at least in the Top 10th percentile for violent crime
is not exaggeration. Ray Schultz can spin all he wants but even when
he has to admit an increase in homicides and robberies and talks
about outrage at a knife wielding robber getting probation, he
gives away his own lies right there.
When I have written about the lawsuits that we as taxpayers have had
to absorb because of the acts of the city's finest, I have come under
fire, even when I am referring to matters easily accessed via
public media or public record. Officer Tom Sholtis did commit fals
arrest of a former Air Police officer, Oscar Davis. The jury awarded
Davis $120,000 plus legal fees (ABQ Journal, April 2003). Later
in 2003, a jury did give Dimas Barela $300,000 because the cops
used flex cuffs and gave him carpal tunnel. All for soliciting a hooker
for God's sake! Was ANYONE FIRED?! NO!
With the APD evidence room disaster, Schultz came in and covered
everything up and the only ones disciplined were Captain Ron Paiz
and Captain Marie Miranda, the ones who blew the whistle (Abq Journal,
July 2005).
The city did screw the landowner of the land near Vista Del Norte. He
had a sale contract with Wal-Mart. The city, through eminent domain
(and tortious interference in any other world) stepped in and agreed
to buy him out for $6 million. Then, it turned out the city only had $1.5
million. The matter is still in limbo and now is even further clouded
because the state was to give the city some capital outlay cash to
buy the land but now the blowup between King Bill and Duke Marty
has thrown a monkey into that wrench. The only thing that gave that
fraud any semblanec of legality was the vote by the Environmental
Planning Commission; AFTER the city had approved a $6 million
purchase, which in October was learned the city did not have
$6 million.
The El Vado motel issue is another extortion attempt by the city. Gee,
its is PRIVATE PROPERTY! It is dilapitaded and the owner
believes it no longer serves its original use or no longer meets
its highest and best use potential. Yet, Marty, in another blatant
attempt to curry favor with yet another special interest faction, wants
to threaten condemnation unless the owner accepts a lowball
buyout. This is nothing more than reverse greenmail or blockbusting.
Yet, I think ILOVEAUSTIN was trying to say that even pointing out
FACTS that portray the city in a not so great light cause defensiveness.
I can understand getting defensive if someone is coming onto the
forums and spewing racist venom about Hispanics or Native Americans.
I can readily agree pointing out one's ethnicity has no bearing or merit
in an argument. There have been people pointing out Bruce Perlman
is Jewish and somehow gets special treatment over misrepresenting
his resume. I say the reason he gets special treatment has nothing to
do with his creed, race, religion or ethnicity but the political
position he holds with respect to the city. I agree, racism or
ethnic sneers have no place in a well reasoned debate.
However, to be hostile to even just an opposing view or perspective is
what I think ILOVEAUSTIN was trying to get at. He (or she) obviously
feels that Albuquerqueans do not want an honest discussion about
the city and refer to a few racist postings to justify not having an
honest debate about the city. I am sorry but no state or city is
above criticism.
I apologize for my long post. I suppose you want me to offer some
solutions or proposals to make the city better. Here they are, in rough
form:
1: Abolish the mayoral system and return to 1960s City Manager
format. The City Council needs to "hire" an executive who is not
part of any one faction of city politics. Right now, the mayor is beholden
to various special interests, whether that be developers, contractors,
red ligh camera owners, etc. The old City Manager was a neutral
executive not aligned with any one faction.
2: Accountability: Any time a city employee ie a cop causes the city
to lose money, they need to be terminated immediately and sued
for back restitution. The union should only be able to halt wrongful
firings and retaliatory firings ie firing whistleblowers; not firing for
cause ie causing carpal tunnel and false arrest.
3: Stop the Tax Increment Development Districts. These violate a
cardinal rule of free enterprise. If developers believe the concept
is viable, it should be able to stand upon its merits. If they want
tax breaks, I want take-back provisions saying the city can
take back the property if the developer defaults on the bonds.
4: Independent audits: There should be an out of state auditor that
is totally independent of the city that comes in every quarter and
looks at the books and writes an objective and candid review of
what is happening.
As for lucky sperm clubs, I am afraid those will always be part of
the landscape. However, if people are willing to call it what it is
out loud (I have in recent letters to newspapers), then there can
at least be acknowledgement of it and from knowledge solutions
may come.
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