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Ole1kanobe 
Group: Members
Posts: 1360
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 20 2003,5:54 pm |
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I happen to live in Glenville (right now) and I for one think that Behling's article is an excellent example of how the Tribune seems to work under Dylan's rule. You can alienate anyone that you want as long as they are not a buddy of his.
If you look back at Behling's column, (don't try to look for it on the Trib's site, it seems they have already removed it) he feels that pretty much anyone in Belshan's district will be the ruination of the entire County. Is this guy that far off his rocker?!? Can you say PARANOID?
I posted this on the Trib's board before the plug was pulled, and I'll post again here;
Behling, I would highly advise you to stay in rural AL, because I have done some talking to people in this area and you have made yourself a few enemies already by generalizing about everyone in Belshan’s district. I wouldn't condone physical violence over something of this nature, but I also would not doubt what some people may want to do after your statements about them in print.
Perhaps you should keep a low profile and stay away from the small-town bars.
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The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.
-Albert Einstein-
Some of what is said here (myself included) is about as tolerable as listening to someone vacuum a cat.
-nphilbro-
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hoosier
Group: Members
Posts: 1476
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 20 2003,7:03 pm |
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Nice post Ole1. I agree, I am also glad you put some of the blame on Belden, after all, he would have had to of read it first, then approved it. I guess its ok to piss off a whole town, but it aint ok to piss off a county administrator or any elected officials. I agree Ole1, it shows just what the Tribune is all about under Beldens leadership.
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The power of accurate obsvervation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw
The devil begins with froth on the lips of an angel entering into battle for a holy and just cause. Grigory Pomerants
We have crossed the boundary that lies between Republic and Empire. Garet Garrett
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 20 2003,7:19 pm |
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I first found out the Forum was down when I attempted to post the parts of my letter that WEREN'T PUBLISHED. I had them all highlighted in red--don't know if we can do color on this Forum.
I have heard from many County Residents today, outraged at Behlings characterization of rural residents. I posted on the Trib Forum, right before it was shut down, that I hoped the Counterpoint section where they printed the abbreviated portion of my letter would be a permanent fixture--that it could be an alternative way to get other viewpoints out that were not filtered by official press releases or PC Police. I hoped they would save enough room for all the letters people would write.
I suggest that each offended person write a letter to the editor. If your letter isn't published, bring it down to the Tribune to talk with the Publisher. She will be scheduling appointments on Wednesday and Thursday. Call and schedule your appointment--just ask for the Publisher.
Here's a chance to make your voice heard--either in a group, or one-on-one. Take it!
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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i_am_back
Group: Members
Posts: 37
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 20 2003,9:44 pm |
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As a former employee of this particular newspaper group (in Austin), I would recommend just what Jim does. America'media is controlled by a small segment of the population - although it is supposed to be the voice of the people. Some of you may remember me as someone who also let those who posted on the Austin forums prior to February of this year have a voice, and in my time there I deleted one post only because it contained a link to a rather objectionable site. As I said, I am no longer with the company but agree that anyone who openly criticizes a large segment of the population in any form of mainstream press should be held accountable for their actions. Ms. Moser will see to it that this happens as I have seen her in action a number of times during my association with the company.
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hoosier
Group: Members
Posts: 1476
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 20 2003,10:35 pm |
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I am back, thanks for the info. I have to say that in my conversations with Ms. Moser, she did truely seem like she wanted to hear what I had to say. Most would just say thanks for the info, not her, she wants to meet with you and discuss your complaints. My only hope is that we can put enough pressure on her and Boone that they will see the light and send little Belden backing.
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The power of accurate obsvervation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw
The devil begins with froth on the lips of an angel entering into battle for a holy and just cause. Grigory Pomerants
We have crossed the boundary that lies between Republic and Empire. Garet Garrett
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Grinning_Dragon
rideo draconigena
Group: Members
Posts: 2622
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 20 2003,10:58 pm |
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Yeah that dave dude is one real piece of work.
I hate that man with every fibre in my body, gov't lovin boot licker. That man thinks gov't should run just about everything in society. I think he should be taken out back and shot for treason, but thats just my opinon.. but then again it may not be worth the price of a bullet :P
Frellin' socialist..
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*SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS / MOLON LABE / Se Defendendo
memoria of cado frater ,Semper fidelis
*The object of war is NOT to DIE for YOUR Country, but to make the OTHER BASTARD DIE for HIS....Patton
*Ut subsequens vires of Iugum , exsisto optimus si obama intereo ex a pectus pectoris tentatio
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Grinning_Dragon
rideo draconigena
Group: Members
Posts: 2622
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 20 2003,11:14 pm |
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BTW- What did he write?
LCS needs his head re-adjusted
I don't get the paper, aint worth the paper its printed on, for real news Wall Street Journal, and WorldNetDaily
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*SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS / MOLON LABE / Se Defendendo
memoria of cado frater ,Semper fidelis
*The object of war is NOT to DIE for YOUR Country, but to make the OTHER BASTARD DIE for HIS....Patton
*Ut subsequens vires of Iugum , exsisto optimus si obama intereo ex a pectus pectoris tentatio
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 21 2003,8:44 am |
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Grinning Dragon--here is the Behling piece--I'll post my response.
Column: Spirit of non-cooperation causes problems in government
By David Rask Behling, Tribune columnist
"Anyone can become angry - that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - this is not easy."
-Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
It's no secret that Dan Belshan is not my favorite person. He ranks right up there with Bill Gates and George Bush on my list of anti-heroes, mainly because he refuses to compromise on anything. Appointed by God, apparently, to his current position, he makes it clear that it's his way or no way. His talents are wasted here in Freeborn County; he should start working for the Bush administration, where he could antagonize people to his heart's content (especially if they weren't Americans).
Apparently he makes others angry, too, as we saw during last week's budget meeting. I think Ron Gabrielsen probably should read Aristotle's advice about how to be angry. He might find ways to neutralize Belshan's poison without having to break things. Offering this advice is easy, of course, after the fact. It's easy for me to go on and on about how letting our anger take control of our behavior is a bad idea. But this also is true: If I had been in Gabrielsen's place at that meeting, I doubt I would have acted any differently. Sometimes people can only take so much abuse from someone before the lid blows off their temper.
Dan Belshan, of course, doesn't lose his temper in public; he's usually in control and in the spotlight. On the other hand, he is someone who pushes people into anger. Acting in his role as the taxpayer's messiah, he often treats county employees as if they're idiots and does his best to alienate himself from the rest of the commissioners. Unlike those who might think Gabrielsen is "out of his depth" in his current position, I challenge anyone who has been singled out by Belshan to not be pushed past the edge of frustration by his grandstanding and nitpicking. He's an obstacle to good government, not its true defender.
Last week Belshan made sure to point out that had Gabrielsen been a member of the public, he would have been banned from future county board meetings. Unfortunately, he neglected to point out that had the same standard been applied to Belshan's own behavior at many other meetings, it might have lead to the same punishment. Belshan picks and picks at people, until they are left with the two basic instincts: fight or flight. He may not go around messing with other people's tape recorders, but there's nothing noble or praiseworthy in his own behavior.
But focusing on Dan Belshan as a problem misses the point. He was elected by people in this county, with whom he is still pretty popular. So I think it's only fair to start asking questions about why they think his approach is worth supporting. Are we to assume that the people of Glenville and the surrounding countryside are more-or-less like him, unable to compromise and interested only in their own ideas? Do they really see civil servants as their enemies? Is the price tag the only thing they pay attention to when paying for something? If the answer to these questions is yes, then Dan Belshan could leave the scene, only to be replaced by someone just like him.
For me, the issue isn't that Dan Belshan doesn't know how to get along with others. The real issue - or problem - may be that a significant number of Freeborn County residents don't know how to get along with others. If that is true, then their attitude is making the county commission's work more difficult, may eventually destroy the Glenville-Emmons school district and will only lead to the slow decay of Albert Lea and the surrounding communities.
Pretending that we agree about everything is not healthy, but neither is constant discord and bickering. We need to strike a balance between the need to debate and the need to live together as a community. Once decisions about the things that matter have been made, we should move on together and confront the next issue that needs to be resolved through discussion and debate. As I tell my students at the beginning of each new semester: In this classroom - or community - we can disagree without being disagreeable.
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 9
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 21 2003,9:22 am |
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This is the edited version of my response--I'll post the full response, with the items Dylan didn't see fit to print, later.
Counterpoint: Attack on Belshan lacked any specifics
By Jim Hanson, For the Tribune
While I rarely agree with any opinion expressed by David Behling, the Tribune's resident liberal, this week's column was so far out in left field that it requires response.
The subject of Behling's vitriol this week is Freeborn County Commissioner Dan Belshan. Not content to bash Belshan, Behling also manages to work in Bill Gates, President Bush, the residents of Belshan's district, the Glenville-Emmons school district and anybody else who doesn't subscribe to Behling's warped sense of reality - that is, all but about a dozen people in the county!
He bashes Belshan for provoking County Administrator Ron Gabrielson into losing his temper in yet another childish display of not getting his way. According to the Tribune article, the provocation was Belshan's asking Gabrielson whether he supported combining certain city/county government functions - Gabrielson, ever the politician, is on record as favoring and not favoring combinations. After being asked the question, Gabrielson walked over to the seated Belshan, got one foot from his face, accused him of "not knowing his rear end from a hole in the ground," then picked up Belshan's tape recorder and smashed it onto the desk. Behling not only condones this action, but defends it. What a classic case of "blame the victim," reminiscent of the Nazi party blaming the Jews for not surrendering fast enough!
Behling is, as usual, long on rhetoric and short on specifics. He vilifies Belshan with non-specific charges, using words like "someone who pushes people into anger," "treats county employees as if they're idiots," "does his best to alienate himself from the rest of the commissioners." Not a specific example in the lot.
Not content to bash Belshan, Behling turns his ire on those who elected him. Here is where we get down to the root of the problem - a significant number of Freeborn County residents no longer want "business as usual" at the county level. They dare to disagree with the county administrator and the county board that has abused their power, disregarded the will of their constituents and acted arrogantly to prevent their constituents from asking for a referendum on the largest construction project in the history of the county, or even speaking about it! Like most liberals, they feel they must rule in your best interests, and that you are not knowledgeable enough to make an intelligent decision. This is what Behling supports!
Let's get down to some specifics, something that Behling is loath to do.
Do you believe it was ethical for the county board to table the courthouse vote, then reconvene and vote it in after the estimated 160 citizens protesting it left?
Do you believe it was ethical for the county to use lease-revenue bonds to prevent a referendum, even if those bonds came at a higher cost?
Do you believe that citizens had their say in the layout of the judicial center, the decision to tear down the 1954 building, the decision to keep the 1880 building and the escalation of costs from $10-12 million to over $25,000,000 - or nearly $40,000,000 over the life of the project?
Do you believe that the County Attorney should have been given a raise of 14 percent, when other county departments were asked to cut 15 percent - even though the judge only ordered six percent? (more of that "penny-pinching," right?)
Do you believe that Rule 19 has the best interests of the citizens at heart? We saw an example of an attempt by Chairman Mark Behrends to gag Brian Bashans at the last board meeting, based also on what he might say.
How about the issue of Mr. Gabrielson's bizarre, combative behavior? It's all on tape - a matter of record.
Mr. Belshan has staked out a position on every one of these issues. Mr. Behling has not. I, for one, am glad that someone is "minding the store" - questioning votes, questioning expenditures, just plain asking questions.
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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hoosier
Group: Members
Posts: 1476
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 21 2003,9:35 am |
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Jim, very nice article. I take it from Behlings article that he must do some teaching, god I hope it isnt journalism.
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The power of accurate obsvervation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw
The devil begins with froth on the lips of an angel entering into battle for a holy and just cause. Grigory Pomerants
We have crossed the boundary that lies between Republic and Empire. Garet Garrett
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