tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post1402457775052874400..comments2024-03-23T12:05:23.537-05:00Comments on The Wild Reed: All Those Community Organizers? Who Needs Them!Michael J. Baylyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03087458490602152648noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-76283961515928126912008-09-05T19:21:00.000-05:002008-09-05T19:21:00.000-05:00I find it dreadfully hysterical that those Catholi...I find it dreadfully hysterical that those Catholics who so often invoke the Catholic doctrine of subsidiarity against governmental involvement (where they think private charity should suffice) have the chutzpah to denigrate community organizers. <BR/><BR/>There is a long tradition of venom against community organizers in the American South, where white paternalism refused to confront the reality that it had deluded itself about how much "our colored folk" actually supported that paternalism.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-78677484129255686402008-09-05T15:38:00.000-05:002008-09-05T15:38:00.000-05:00I detect racism, as well as ignorance, in Sarah Pa...I detect racism, as well as ignorance, in Sarah Palin's trashing of community organizers. Most community organizers work in inner city areas with people of color. <BR/><BR/>Palin and her brand of politics are not what this country needs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-70639886105166553242008-09-05T13:51:00.000-05:002008-09-05T13:51:00.000-05:00Hi Mark,I don't think people are saying there isn'...Hi Mark,<BR/><BR/>I don't think people are saying there isn't a difference between community organizers and elected officials.<BR/><BR/>What they're pissed off about, and I think rightly so, is the demeaning and dismissive way in which both Guiliani and Palin referred to the important work of community organizing - work that clearly involves dedication and responsibility.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I found Palin's sarcastic tone a total turn-off, though, without doubt, many find her blunt and honest style to be refreshing, even enjoyable to listen to.<BR/><BR/>Yet this style is, for the moment, eclipsing her record and the fact that she's a far-right ideologue. <BR/><BR/>My hope is that in the next few weeks the things that Palin believes in and hopes to advance will be the things that the American people will focus upon and decide against.<BR/><BR/>Peace,<BR/><BR/>MichaelMichael J. Baylyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03087458490602152648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-81904870218986937912008-09-05T13:18:00.000-05:002008-09-05T13:18:00.000-05:00http://gayspecies.blogspot.com/2008/09/subsidiarit...<A>http://gayspecies.blogspot.com/2008/09/subsidiarity-versus-hierarchy-political.html</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-41844718772451518092008-09-05T08:58:00.000-05:002008-09-05T08:58:00.000-05:00I am sorry the IAF crowd has its undies in a bunch...I am sorry the IAF crowd has its undies in a bunch over this, but here is the difference between community organization and elected office:<BR/><BR/> * a poor community organizer loses the confidence of the community they seek to serve. With nothing to show for their organizational efforts, or poor results from those efforts, a community loses its voice in the political process, and the organizer loses his or her job.<BR/><BR/> * if an elected official, like a mayor of a small town, does a poor job of providing basic services to an entire community - which includes everyone, those who voted for the mayor and those who voted against the mayor - then the whole community suffers. If the garbage is not picked up, if the fire department doesn't answer calls, if there's not a cop when you need one, if the pot holes aren't filled, if there are no teachers in the schools, if the heat or lights or water is not working, then everyone rightfully gets upset, regardless of their politics. And then the mayor is either recalled and thrown out of office, or fails to be re-elected at the next election.<BR/><BR/>So yes, while we need community organizers to bring representation - and needed services - to under-served *parts* of the community, its elected officials that have to deliver. Similar, but not the same. My limited involvement in IAF activities on California's Central Coast taught me that it's not a hammer for every nail.<BR/><BR/>And, to finish, I would love to see, say, the Green's elected as a majority on a city council or a county board of supervisors. Nothing clears the mind faster of ideology than actually being responsible for providing basic services - and paying the price when the electorate doesn't get what it pays taxes for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com