As a side conversation to the illuminating occurrence of Councilmember Kingsbury's Public Comment Facebooking session, I have thought about my own handling of such racist, derogatory and hurtful comments as the ones Moses brings to the Council.

First, instead of gaveling - interrupt him at first mention. As politely as possible, again (importantly) - at first mention of a racist or derogatory term - interrupt him and ask him whether or not he knows that the term in question, for example, "mulatto," is offensive, derogatory and hurtful.

If he says no - that is - that he did not know the term is derogatory, then ask him to refrain from using it.

If he says yes - that he is aware of the racist and derogatory nature of the term, then ask him if he knows that the use of such a term is hurtful and harmful. Then inform, clearly, him of the hurtful nature of his commentary.

Ask him if he intends to put others down. If no, ask for an apology, and that he refrain from doing it anymore. If yes, then ask him why. Show him that someone, at least, cares about him. - That may be what he really needs. Maybe he is just horribly lonely, and sick, and doesn't know positive ways to reach out to people.

I am not a psychologist, but maybe I'll even venture to make a diagnosis.

Maybe Moses is sick - maybe he is wounded. Maybe he is injured, hurt by society. It's obvious that he needs attention. Maybe people can help him to find a positive, mutually beneficial, way to get that attention. As humans, we (almost all of us) need attention.

This society could benefit from a heaping dose of nonviolent communication. City Council would be a great place to start.

So that's a sort of an along the lines picture of how I would intend to handle a situation as it presented itself.

9 image composite

3389 x 591: www.flickr.com/photos/rwhitlock/2932940186/sizes/o/

Tumwater Overlook Park Panorama and a slideshow of recent photos await below the fold:

Deep Lake, Millersylvania State Park

The park was established and built in the 1930s under the aegis and economic backing of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

13 image composite 180º panorama
4433 x 567 version: www.flickr.com/photos/rwhitlock/2930162340/sizes/o/

Chad. Think about this quote. I gleaned it from someone who posts on this blog. Do you think it applies to our situation. Also with Guglielmo, for example, and others - whom I know I agree with on most of the basics.

"Indeed in nothing is the power of the Dark Lord more clearly shown than in the estrangement that divides all those who still oppose him."

- Haldir of Lothlorien
(The Lord of the Rings trilogy; The Fellowship of the Ring)

Tough Talking Interview with Naomi Wolf:

My America Project

Why only two parties in the debate?

be informed

Three Way Vice Presidential Debate - Palin, Biden, Gonzalez

Matt Gonzales

Nancy Pelosi: Why won't you debate Cindy? Please debate Cindy. from email:

We are seeing several clear indications that Nancy Pelosi is feeling the heat of our campaign.

Two weeks ago, the Harvey Milk Democratic Club invited Cindy for Congress to their meeting to vote on un-endorsing Nancy Pelosi and endorsing US. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor to have a vote on the two questions. The energy at the meeting was incredible and we felt that we won a victory for the people that night.

Last night, the vote was held at the Milk Club meeting. Nancy Pelosi sent a handful of staffers and her SF Chief of Staff. In what everyone said was an unprecedented move, she even wrote a letter to the club touting her dubious accomplishments. Her staffers acted like right-wing Republicans by shouting down our supporters (which numbered in the dozens) whenever one of them wanted to discuss the issues. To each one of our questions regarding Pelosi's support of torture, off-shore drilling, war, warrantless wire tapping, letting George Bush and Dick Cheney escape without being held accountable, and to the banker's 700 billion dollar welfare plan, her staff would yell: "You want McCain to win." Well, no we don't but we sure don't want Pelosi to win, either, and their bellicosity proved to US how they cannot defend their boss' awful record so they have to shout absurdities a la Bill O'Reilly.

The vote went against US, but we were able to at least get a hearing and we were able to take heart that their are many, many people in San Francisco who do care about democracy over faux-progressive Democrats. Our thanks go to the Harvey Milk Club for taking the courageous step of at least considering supporting US.

Another sign that Pelosi is afraid of US is her refusal to answer our campaign on a candidate's debate in California's 8th District. We have sent her office requests and have asked her Chief of Staff about it twice (face to face) and we can't even get an answer. They are trying to run out the clock on debating as Pelosi unconscionably and inconceivably ran out the clock on impeachment.

The third indicator of Pelosi's fear is that today she announced (from Denver) that she was going to bring Congress back to DC after the elections to work on a 150 billion dollar "stimulus" plan for US. This is a completely transparent political ploy to win back some of the votes that she and her colleagues lost when they bailed out the banksters for 700 billion dollars. That stunt has proven to have had horrible consequences already and her last stimulus plan also failed miserably. We can't allow these crumbs that the elite want to toss US deter US from voting out the corrupt elite in less than four weeks.

Cindy for Congress is demanding that Nancy Pelosi show respect for her constituents and the democratic process by agreeing to debate her challengers. Not only do we deserve to air our visions but she needs to answer to the people of the 8th for her questionable record.

Please call her office to encourage her to debate her opponents: 415.556.4862

Today, Cindy for Congress received a significant endorsement from the SF Bay Guardian. Please read it!

Please donate for our final push so we can get the People's Message out to the 8th District! This has been an incredible year. We have come so far and we need your help to cross the finish line!

Anyone else getting repeatedly flown over by an airplane tonight?

It must have flown over near my house almost 20 times now. Seems to be getting lower too. What's up with that?

bert

Interesting and informative news article:

Chinese Muslims Ordered Released From Guantanamo

By Del Quentin Wilber
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 8, 2008; A01

A federal judge yesterday ordered a small band of Chinese Muslims being held at the Guantanamo Bay military prison released into the United States by Friday, rejecting the Bush administration's contention that it could detain them indefinitely without cause.

It was the first time a U.S. judge has ordered the release of a Guantanamo Bay detainee, and the first time a foreign national held at the facility in Cuba has been ordered transferred to the United States.

U.S. District Judge Ricardo M. Urbina issued his ruling in dramatic fashion from the bench in a packed courtroom, saying he was ordering the release of 17 Uighurs because the government provided no proof that they were enemy combatants or security risks. Under the order, the men will live with Uighur families in the Washington area until a more permanent situation can be found.

...

Read More: Chinese Muslims Ordered Released From Guantanamo