Dear Piece of Trash ~ Cleveland Councilman Sounds Off Against a Drug Dealer

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

I think the councilman's comments were out of line. If that's how he feels and wants to express his sentiment in those terms, then do so via personal means. Call him, write him personally.

But as a ward represenative of the city, he owes it to his constitutency, and by extention, to the rest of Cleveland, to conduct himself on a higher level.

No matter the noble indignation of his intent, his letter was beneath the dignity of his office.

Which goes to my point. I would rather have a council representative who isn't too dignify or high and mighty to still do the dirty work. But then maybe it is because in certain wards here in the city we tend elect representatives who do just that.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Which goes to my point. I would rather have a council representative who isn't too dignify or high and mighty to still do the dirty work. But then maybe it is because in certain wards here in the city we tend elect representatives who do just that.

ok, let's shift the representative parallel a bit.

how many people would be comfortable if the head of their NPHC organization authored a similar letter, under approximate circumstances?

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

ok, let's shift the representative parallel a bit.

how many people would be comfortable if the head of their NPHC organization authored a similar letter, under approximate circumstances?

Apples and oranges.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Apples and oranges.

how?

The representation theme remains constant, just substitute fraternity/sorority for ward. How many members of GC would be comfortable with the president of their national org. writing to someone in this format?

Leadership has to set a higher standard ....that's why they're leadership.

[Jody]

Tony06,

FYI, the president of my organization has written a letter that was beneath her office and I haven't been active since. But she wasn't dealing with someone who has made a career out of engaging in illegal acts.

And the mother is as stupid as the kid, she's obviously not familiar with freedom of speech or libel laws, the only defense against libel is the truth.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

how?

The representation theme remains constant, just substitute fraternity/sorority for ward. How many members of GC would be comfortable with the president of their national org. writing to someone in this format?

Leadership has to set a higher standard ....that's why they're leadership.

Come on TonyB, you are stretching it to make your point. The president of my org and my city council member are in two different positions with two different purposes, and two different election modes.

But if you want to compare Darryl Matthews (btw, nice fellow--I met him during the Kappa Klave) to your city council member then go ahead. Personally I wouldn't do that with Soror Rice.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

Come on TonyB, you are stretching it to make your point. The president of my org and my city council member are in two different positions with two different purposes, and two different election modes.

But if you want to compare Darryl Matthews (btw, nice fellow--I met him during the Kappa Klave) to your city council member then go ahead. Personally I wouldn't do that with Soror Rice.

LG,
I'm not stretching at all, because my point is about the standard of representation, not the group of people being represented. Would you ever approve of Ms/Mrs. Rice, in her capacity as sorority president, penning a letter like the councilman's to anyone? For any reason? I doubt it.

My comparison of frat/sorority leadership to councilman is not a comparison of job function, but of representative leadership. Mode of election has nothing to do with anything.

I've met Bro. Matthews several times, most recently a few months ago. He's a good brother. However, I suspect that if he ever wrote a letter like that in his capacity as general president of Alpha Phi Alpha, (which I'd seriously doubt he'd ever do) he'd hear about it. Quickly. And Repeatedly.

[Jody]

Tony06

I don't know what you consider "beneath the leadership" but your President's letter (publicy distributed) directed to the members of the fraternity who produced Stomp the Yard was WAY WORSE than a locally elected politician's rant against someone with whom they obviously have history.

The president of your fraternity boo hoo ing to the public about a movie was a &^*ch move if I've ever seen one.

[mulattogyrl]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

LG,
I'm not stretching at all, because my point is about the standard of representation, not the group of people being represented. Would you ever approve of Ms/Mrs. Rice, in her capacity as sorority president, penning a letter like the councilman's to anyone? For any reason? I doubt it.

My comparison of frat/sorority leadership to councilman is not a comparison of job function, but of representative leadership. Mode of election has nothing to do with anything.

I've met Bro. Matthews several times, most recently a few months ago. He's a good brother. However, I suspect that if he ever wrote a letter like that in his capacity as general president of Alpha Phi Alpha, (which I'd seriously doubt he'd ever do) he'd hear about it. Quickly. And Repeatedly.

I do understand what you're saying Tony. I didn't think the letter was 'professional', but I also think that's what that person needed to hear in this situation.

I'm interested to know too though, how would we feel if one of our leaders addressed us this way? I'm really asking, why shouldn't our councilmen be held to the same standards as our organizational leaders?

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

LG,
I'm not stretching at all, because my point is about the standard of representation, not the group of people being represented. Would you ever approve of Ms/Mrs. Rice, in her capacity as sorority president, penning a letter like the councilman's to anyone? For any reason? I doubt it.

My comparison of frat/sorority leadership to councilman is not a comparison of job function, but of representative leadership. Mode of election has nothing to do with anything.

I've met Bro. Matthews several times, most recently a few months ago. He's a good brother. However, I suspect that if he ever wrote a letter like that in his capacity as general president of Alpha Phi Alpha, (which I'd seriously doubt he'd ever do) he'd hear about it. Quickly. And Repeatedly.

Again, sorority/fraternity leadership is different than city council leadership. And it IS all about the group being represented. That is their constituency.

Job function and mode of election has everything to do with your comparison which is why it is apples to oranges. I will vote for a grassroots city council member over a bureaucrat any day--I am radical like that. But then like I said that is the way it is here in the Twin Cities. Heck we elected Jesse Ventura as governor.