Monday Open Thread [6.25.12]
Framing wizards George Lakoff and Elisabeth Wehling, authors of The Little Blue Book: The Essential Guide to Thinking and Talking Democratic, have some advice for the Obama campaign, and really, for all liberals, Democrats and progressives everywhere:
Obama’s strategy is to pin the Bush economic disaster on Romney, with good reason, since Romney has essentially the same policies as Bush. Since Obama has not consistently pinned the blame on Bush over the past four years, he comes off as defensive.
…Pinning the disaster on Bush is possible, but it will take a lot of repetition, not just by the president, but by Democrats in general. Not just a repetition of economic facts, but of the moral differences that led to both the Bush disaster and the Obama attempt to recoup.
Perhaps the most important omission from the Obama speech was any overt mention of The Public — everything that our citizenry as a whole provides to all, e.g., roads, bridges, infrastructure, education, protection, a health system, and systems for communication, energy development and supply, and so on. The Private — private life and private enterprise — depends on The Public. There is no economic freedom without all of this. So-called “free enterprise” is not free. A free market economy depends on a strong Public. This is a deep truth, easy to recognize. It undercuts Romney’s central pitch, that is it private enterprise alone that has made our country great, and that as much as possible of The Public should be eliminated. […]
Frame everything from his own moral perspective, including Romney’s positions and assumptions. Avoid the Romney language. Start with his own moral position, which he stated beautifully in his 2008 campaign but has since dropped: That democracy is based on empathy (citizens caring about fellow citizens), responsibility both for oneself and others, and an ethic of excellence (doing one’s best not just for oneself, but for one’s family, community, and country).
…Repeat the truth that The Private depends on The Public. It is The Public that provides economic freedom. Give a vision of responsible, progressive business. Talk freedom — as well as fairness. Point out that the hoarding of wealth by the 1 percent kills opportunity, as Joseph Stieglitz has discussed at length. Speak of an “Economy for All — not just rich bankers, managers, and job killers like private equity firms.” Yes, Romney and those like him are job killers. Say it. Point out that during the economic recovery of 2010, 93 percent of the additional income went to the richest 1 percent of taxpayers. Stop using “top” to mean rich. “Top” suggests high morality, merit, and ability. “Bottom” signifies the opposite.
As Lakoff and Wehling conclude, “We are now in a situation where conservatives have framed almost every issue. The least Democrats can do is to refuse to repeat their language and so help them.”
Mitch Crane Fundraiser tonight at 5:30 at Firestone
https://www.facebook.com/events/425148630858997/
or for anyone without Facebook
http://www.deldems.org/events/firestone-fundraiser-mitch-crane
Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan from FL is at the center of a bunch of federal investigations into possible fundraising fraud:
And this is the guy who is the chief fundraiser for the RCCC. And he is on the Ways and Means Committee.
DFPC (Delaware Family Policy Counsel) is trying to amass hundreds of Delawareans to descend on Legislative Mall in an attempt to force their personal morals on our legislatures.
They want to pressure our representatives in government to sign the “DELAWARE MARRIAGE PLEDGE” which would deny equal marriage rights for the GLBT community in Delaware.
Let’s amass as many members of the GLBT community and other advocates in the Green Party, Libertarian Party and other progressive-minded people on June 30 4:00 to 7:00pm at Leg. Hall to show up and send a clear message that we will not stand for having their morals forced on this community and let them know that we will fight for equality.
In other news: Connections, CSP, INC. employs rude, presumptuous, trespassing film crews. It was hilarious watching the Connections employees dig the beer cans & Crystal Palace gin bottles out of their shrubs as the film crew set up. Those poor guys will probably reek of urine for several days. The entire west side of the 700 block of Washington street reeks of urine, most of which has been excreted by “clients” of Connections.
Praise the lord and pass the State “pass-through” money!
Dear Mr. Lebay,
My name is Monica Alvarez, and I am the VP of Strategic Development at Connections Community Support Programs. I was very interested to read your post, and I am thankful for this public forum on which I can respond.
It was my pleasure to spend the entire day yesterday (Monday, June 25th) with the film crews which you reference. I am surprised to read your descriptions of “rude” and “presumptuous”, as I found them to be professional, courteous, and responsive to the community. Red Thread Productions, hired BY Bank of America FOR a Bank of America project, is a nationally recognized and award-winning production company. Please, do let me know how they were “rude” and “presumptuous”, as I am positive both Bank of America and Red Thread Productions would like to be aware of such behavior. Like Connections, Bank of America continues to invest in the West Center City area of Wilmington, and any investment they make in Connections is one for our shared community.
As you are probably aware, the very large majority of Connections’ consumers suffer with mental illness, developmental delays or disabilities, and/or substance addiction. As neighbors, we ask that you remain patient with our clients, as we diligently work with each individual resident to become productive and responsible members of the community. This is not always quick, nor easy. Through community-based supportive services, we are working to tackle huge issues – intergenerational poverty, adverse reactions to mental illness, institutional racism, etc. – and we need the cooperation and assistance from community leaders, neighbors, and concerned citizens such as yourself.
Connections continues to strive to be a good neighbor, and we are always looking for avenues of constructive communication with the communities in which we work. If you see litter originating from a Connections’ consumer(s) collecting, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can facilitate a near immediate response to address the issue. I only ask that you remain respectful, properly gauge your complaints, and serve as a source of assistance towards creating a better West Center City. Please note, Connections is always looking for volunteers to serve as mentors, life-coaches, and peer-support to help our “clients” become desirable neighbors.
I look forward to your response. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly at malvarez@connectionscsp.org. Thank you.
Like Connections, Bank of America continues to invest in the West Center City area of Wilmington, and any investment they make in Connections is one for our shared community.
Actually, this isn’t quite true. Connections makes investments in *Connections* — the *shared community* is not something that is on their larger agenda. Your neighbors shouldn’t have to contact you about your litter problem or any of the other issues presented on the 700 block of Washington. They are there pretty much everyday and concern for the *shared community* would usually translate into some proactiveness on this issue.
Sorry, what’s the problem here, exactly? Is the complaint that people who are homeless and suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues (a) drink alcohol, (b) litter and (c) use the street as their toilet?
Or is it (d) the agency which offers “support” to these people doesn’t take responsibility for the mess its “clients” leave behind in such a concentrated area?
A + B + C = the price of living in any large city in America. Suck it up.
D = a problem that Connections should address.
Or have I misunderstood the issue?
E= that there are so many homeless, addicted, and suffering people, and how is THAT problem addressed?
Maybe Connections could divert a little money away from the $166,000 its president makes to street patrol.
Whoops, sorry. I’m not allowed to say things like that to a vice president of strategic development. Manners, boy.
Well Ben what we don’t hear from the Connections haters led by Cass. At the corner of 7th and Washington we have a liquor store that has a line Every morning waiting for a 9 am opening and supplies it’s customers who use the block as the neighborhood bar. Then accros the street we have a “convenience” store with nice variety of grape and cherry cigars along with chore boy and glass roses for your blunt and. Crack smoking pleasure and you Sussex if you can read salary info in public documents you can read budgets and perhaps analysis of executive compensation in non profit organizations and I can say that to a pair of sanctimonious A******s cheers
well – its on – Jeff Christopher has found AG Biden guilty of Sedition
what is next – is he going to arrest the AG on his next trip to Sussex?
from Barbi Christopher:
Barbi Christopher Thanks! That article is pretty powerful in its content, isn’t it?! “They are playing a treasonous game to try to eliminate the arrest powers of a sheriff because, right now, today or tomorrow morning, any Delaware Sheriff has grounds to arrest the Attorney General and some of the legislators of Delaware for Fraud, Sedition and Treason, because of Biden’s and your legislators attempt to circumvent the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Delaware and lying about it. That is deadly business and they know it. That is why they must get rid of the sheriffs.”
WOW – she is as crazy as he is….two nuts in a pod or something like that
wonder if Biden’s security detail knows this ??? – someone…give them a hint
Also, Sussex has dropped the contract for serving Family Court documents: http://www.wgmd.com/?p=61421
Joe,
It’s about priorities. If an organization’s clients create a mess, they should clean it up. If the clients refuse to or are incapable of doing so, the organization should step in. The problem would not exist at that location if not for the presence of the organization. If the president can’t find cash in the budget for a cleanup, she should look closer to home.
A public street is not a public bathroom. Even small children understand that.
Aoine: Where did that quote come from?
JP, im not quite sure i understand you point. (sincere, not snark) I get that the neighborhood is a hole…. Im saying we all should feel responsible. Not COnnections alone, not The City alone….. not our feelings, as sussexwatcher would have us do.
*you feeling bad about it is the problem, not that it is happening* how humane…
So a bunch of people are getting high and drunk to escape from the misery that is their daily lives…STILL not the main problem.
S.W if the city shits on you, it is only fair that you return the favor.
Ben,
I never said I didn’t care about the underlying problem. But ignoring the symptoms and making excuses doesn’t help anyone. Other than the severely mentally ill and the homeless who lack overnight access to restroom facilities, there is no reason why anyone should be whipping out their wangs and pissing all over the place. We require dog owners to clean up after their dogs, but it’s considered not humane to tell a bunch of drunks and druggies to stop urinating on the sidewalk? Forgive me, but that’s f’ing stupid.
Ben, I don’t agree.
Every day I’m waking up in a world increasingly devoted to “Eye for an eye.” and “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Look around here. When I first started reading (and posting) here there was a sense of community, and a place for respectful disagreement and debate. Sure, everyone has their soapboxes and their hobby horses, but an exchange of ideas was at the center.
Now it seems like every thread, including the Open Threads, devolves almost immediately into personal attacks and name-calling. The heated stuff around COD’s candidacy was NOTHING compared to what we’ll get into over… well, anything.
And this is still more civil than most places. People are honking and flipping each other off in front of my house, and I promise you, that, although it’s a thoroughfare, there isn’t anything terribly exciting at EITHER end of it. Nothing worth getting in such a lather about. 😉
So I disagree that if the city shits on you you should return the favor. I think people (in general) should just take a deep breath and think of the Golden Rule, occasionally.
/sermonette
I hope everyone has a good day, in this lovely weather.
SussexW, you said it was what comes a long with living in a city and to “suck it up” forgive me if i took that to mean a dismissal of the whole thing. I also bet you’ve “whipped your wang out” on a camping trip. why is a tree so much less worthy than a lamp post? AND dog owners arent required to pick up urine. I have spent all my life in major cities and i rarely see “twosies” other than from a dog.
Heragain, Im not advocating an eye for an eye…. Im simply refusing to blame people who have been totally failed by the system for not having any respect for the city and community that has cast them aside.
The tenor of some of these responses is “damn crack heads pissing all over the city i never visit and always trashtalk, someone should do something about them”
@Geezer
The comment was from Sheriff Jeff Christopher Facebook page. It comes from an article Barbie linked that is batshit crazy. It advocates the arrest and execution by hanging of any elected official that supported HB 325. You really should read it to see what the crazies read and believe.
https://www.facebook.com/SupportSheriffJeffChristopher?filter=2
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/25-06-2012/121468-Delaware_Attorney_General_Beau_Biden-0/
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/26-06-2012/121470-Delaware_Attorney_General-0/
I wonder if the state police or even secret service would perceive that as a threat. I also wonder why the sheriff and his wife would encourage people to read that unless they feel the same way.
Ben that was my point;) thanks for helping clarify. Connections is on the “solve the problem” side of the equation . I was pointing out the primary factors for the conditions at 7th and Washington. A block and 2 blocks from there connections offers physical and mental health treatment, housing counseling job counseling the Rick van story center is housed in a connections building at 8th and west as is my agency. Ms alveraz made a thoughtful comment and as usual hate is spewed ant this is the “liberal” blog?????
Interesting that the link from Barbi Christopher is from a RUSSIAN newspaper, you know, the one that used to be the official newspaper of the COMMUNISTS. LOL
Connections is on the “solve the problem” side of the equation.
This would be news to Connections neighbors. But it is part of their PR and marketing spin. 7th and Washington is no doubt a problem. But you can sit at that corner or at 8th and Washington and watch an interesting traffic flow — from those two stores up to Connections’ buildings. Especially the old West Presbyterian Church. Owners of properties across the street have multiple tales of folks buying their stuff from the liquor store, walking up the block drinking whatever it is, throwing their cans and bottles towards the houses across the street, then moving on to the church. And it isn’t just me and my neighbors who observe this — our local WPD officers are well aware of this issue. Connections imports a population they claim to serve into WCC and then disavows any responsibility for their behavior in the neighborhood.
The West Presbyterian site has had its use totally changed almost 2 months ago so you are NOT watching because what you describe was not the norm and now the building is apportionment only. Where exactly were these people imported from? Westover Hills? Trolley Square? If you have police reports singling out Connections lets see them? An embittered person who blames Connections for perceived loss in Real estate value is about as objective as Joe Arpio. I can see the 7th and Washington Liquor store from my office window the foot traffic flow from the store is diffuse and for the most part to the south and west where the drug corners are. But hey I wouldn’t want to interrupt a nice nasty smear:)
“Connections imports a population they claim to serve into WCC and then disavows any responsibility for their behavior in the neighborhood.”
Not to speak for Connections, but perhaps that’s because they are NOT legally responsible for their clients’ behavior in the neighborhood.
Geez, good point. Notwithstanding what we see here Connections did not invent homelessness, alcohol and drug abuse or mental illness. They provide treatment to folks that have those issues. This stale imported argument remains ludicrous. When I was 17 I helped my dad clean up a property that was fire bombed and trashed on w 7th st as a result of the 68 riots. This area sadly needed then nor needs now any importing to have a disproportionate share of sick and disadvantaged souls.
So what do you do to keep those sick and disadvantaged souls from ruining a neighborhood for everyone else with their pissing and boozing?
Joe, I know you work with addictions groups. What’s the success rate? Is there a population that is by definition unhelpable?
maybe if there wasnt a palce for the homless people to go, they wouldnt offend our eyes by collecting in the same spot.
sorry SW, but once you start labeling people “unhelpable”, you’ve given up the fight.
Ben, if you read my QUESTION, you’ll see I wasn’t labeling, I was asking.
You enforce the law like anywhere else. We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior by our Newspaper vendors. As a part of the neighborhood quite frankly i worry more about bullets than piss. You haven’t lived until you go to your bedroom window and see a guy firing a tech 9 50 feet away. No population is beyond treatment but their are individuals who are chronic relapsers. That is well documented in the medical literature. They gravitate to where there are homeless shelters and food available, Connections, Ministry of Caring, Sunday Breakfast Mission, Friendship house Salvation Army most of these are in or within blocks of the area being discussed. Connections is not alone. It is not these agencies fault it is society’s problem
that was my answer to your question. in my HUMBLE, oft wrong, opinion, “unhelpable” is a cop out. If your goal is to help the homeless/addicted/suffering, you should be prepared for some intense challenges.
it’s entirely possible that there just arent the resources to deal with everything. Perhaps they have enough money/resources to make sure people have meals and various treatments. If you think they should do more, volunteer and DO IT!.
Ah, but the salaries of the people who work there. THEY should give up their salaries so someone canbe paid to shoe away people peeing on a building NOT on their property.
@MJ.
I noticed that as well. I wonder if Barbi Christopher has connections that are…well of interest to those who are concerned with national security. The author of that article (and others just as interesting) is Mark S. McGrew, a writer for Pravda, who aspires to be Sheriff of El Paso County.
Jeff and Barbi are pulling more and more of these strange characters out of the woodwork! Before long I expect we will see an evolution of the 9/12 Patriots into the 9/12 Patriotic Militia. We live in interesting times.
On a related note there is a meeting going on in Georgetown as I type this regarding Christopher’s suit against the county. It may be there is a mediated solution in the works.
Sorry folks- other duties so i didnt get to answer
Yes- barbi pulled it from pravda the russian pape
I WOULD perceive it as a threat and i hope someone lets the Secret Service know or DSP EP Detail know
There is no negotiating with.a madman- the sheriff bill is signed- i did see the sheriff also wanted the contract from Family court dropped. Interesting – a private process server did it before the last sheriff took the contract to save the county money
Jeff and barbi are definately so far on the fringe i fear the cliff crumbled amd left them hamging
Have some VERY disturbing stories regarding Deputy Torres abuses in the Latino community while the sheriff employed him- but lucky if there r not at least some civil rights cases coming – that population is so vulnerable to abuse just loom at Jeffs hero Arpiao
Notwithstanding what we see here Connections did not invent homelessness, alcohol and drug abuse or mental illness.
This is the slick argument that Connections likes to purvey. Even though — you’ll notice — that no one actually accuses them of inventing homelessness, alcohol, drug abuse or mental illness, but getting your victim on when you don’t have any other argument is par for the course. The only complaints about Connections relate to what horrible neighbors they are. But since we’re in WCC, we have to live with the patronizing assumption that we don’t deserve that and wouldn’t know it anyway. Even though we all understand that if this facility was located where its management lives, they would understand beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is behavior that is unacceptable.
Contrast this with Ministry of Caring, who also has multiple facilities in WCC. They maintain their properties well, they have high expectations of the people they serve for respect for each other and the neighborhood and they basically go about their business with the attitude of being a productive part of the neighborhood.
But hey, don’t let me get in the way of your victimization train. You can sell that stuff — and this is the Connections MO — to the people who don’t have to live with it. Even most of the folks who run Connections flee to the suburbs where they get to claim that they don’t see any of the problems during the day.
To compare the Ministry of Caring, with a budget in the multi-millions and many deep-pocketed contributors, to Connections actually makes your opponents’ point better than yours.
Ministry of Caring is like a private school — it can enforce its rules with the threat of kicking out anyone who doesn’t comply. When a private school kicks out students, where do they go? Public school. Or, in this case, Connections.
That is a pretty silly metaphor. Both Ministry of Caring and Connections are private agencies. Both get a combination of public and private monies. I have no idea if Ministry of Caring is wealthier. But I don’t imagine that how much money you have is a factor in whether or not you care about being a good neighbor.
On the other hand, an agency who wants people to believe that they aren’t wealthy enough to afford good behavior needs to live with the fact that its neighbors are going to be a permanent thorn in their side.
Im with heragain.
the pissing contest… no pun intended… that some of the regulars on this blog (myself included at times) engage in, has made it impossible to have a real, honest discussion. DL is becomming “who can hurl the more witty insult”… just devoid of wit most of the time.
How cynical do you have to be to get into an argument over which charitable organization designed to help homless people is doing it “wronger”?
You are a serial basher. Lets try a few facts Ministry of Caring is a fine agency and we cooperate and partner with them. Also to their credit they probably have the most folks living in West Center City in two convents. But, they provide no homeless services east of 95 or west of Market street. Your building maintenance premise is bogus. The fact is Friendship House at St Andrews and Salvation Army on Orange are the other homeless providers in the neighborhood. Good behavior is encouraged not bought that is beyond ridiculous. You can not prove what you allege with any facts. You are bitter angry shrew. Good luck sweetheart….oops patronizing:)
I agree. I think everyone (from our regular commenters to our irregular commenters to even our contributors (i.e. people like myself) need to tone it down a little bit. Not everything needs to be a fight.
I work a couple blocks from 7th and Washington and I can see both sides of this argument. Has the Connections staff/administration had any meetings with the community to discuss what the problems are? These clients are certainly in need of help which I would like to think Connections offers, although I am not always sure how well the population is monitored. But, this area of the city is often dominated by the mentally ill and they are not all Connections clients. So, is it possible the community is assuming every troublesome person is a Connections client?
You have a point Ben but I hit send before I read your post.
Del Dem I will if she will 🙂
Actually, reading through this thread, it seems quite civil on all sides. Elsewhere, not so much. Just generally though, argue the facts and your opinion and what is wrong with someone else’s opinion, and try to avoid ad hominems. Teabaggers are the exception, though. You can’t really be civil with them.
yea, fuck those fucking fuckers.
Geezer: Check your facts. The Ministry of Caring has an $8 million budget. Connections? $25 million.
As to the tone: This whole blog is based on conflict. Telling people to play nice and not fight is ridiculous.
“So a bunch of people are getting high and drunk to escape from the misery that is their daily lives”- and so are so many in the burbs, they just know how to hide it better and when they hit rock bottom, their families can often afford rehab. The prescription drug epidemic is skyrocketing.
Education– anyone going to the Pencader Board mtg to see the response to the bogus PH.D stories in Journal? Also, anyone heard the buzz that Pat Harker may be interviewing for Princeton Prez job?
JJ, I think I’m going. I wonder if the topic will come up. 🙂
on the drug thing- I do know someone, and I’m sure he’s not the only person in the area, who just lost a $200,000 house due to a pain killer addiction. He is homeless and refusing help. When I read about all the convenience store and liquour store robberies, home invasions, and parking lot muggings, I can’t help but wonder what percentage is by a desperate drug addict. It might not be throwing out trash and pissing on the streets, but it’s getting really bad.
But, they provide no homeless services east of 95 or west of Market street.
So what? I’m not the one focusing on homeless services here. What I know about Ministry of Caring is that their facilities are well kept, the trash is picked up around their buildings, they don’t tolerate crowds of people drinking cans of something wrapped in a bag congregating around their facilities and they generally work at being an improvement to the neighborhood. Not exactly actions that need any wealth to accomplish.
Has the Connections staff/administration had any meetings with the community to discuss what the problems are?
Yes. Multiple times.
These clients are certainly in need of help which I would like to think Connections offers, although I am not always sure how well the population is monitored.
Bingo.
But Downtown and WCC have an astonishing concentration of service agencies — most of which do not serve people from WCC really. But no one is faulting Connections or anyone else for their clientele, although it is clear that their defenders want people to think that. We started this conversation talking about a specific building that Connections owns, which is how they’ve been ground zero of this conversation. But WCC shoulders more than its fair share of these agencies, which isn’t healthy. Or fair — since there isn’t one single neighborhood in the city that doesn’t need many of these services too.
SW: Thanks for the correction. I didn’t realize how many offices Connections has around the state.
Given that they have facilities in so many locations, it might be instructive to find out if these problems — and I’m not entirely sure what they consist of — are unique to the location under discussion.
As best I can tell, we’re talking about a littering problem. The notion that this single block of the city has a unique littering problem seems far-fetched to me.
If you took a week to try to get an actual picture of a “crowd” drinking in close proximity of a Connections building you woulld fail. By the way Connections and the Rick Van Story Center are having a 4th of July party in the enclosed courtyard at 801 west Street. All are welcome.
The specific building 500 West 8th St West Presby Church site is NO longer used as a gathering site.