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'Cheap Moral Swagger' Comment Cheapened Argument |
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by Dr. Carl Mumpower
Letter to the Editor
Mountain Xpress
May 28, 2002
In the [May 8] commentary
"Panhandling the Public," Dr. Milton Ready provided us with an
articulate view of the panhandling issue in Asheville. His gifts of
insight and word-crafting were clearly in evidence. Unfortunately, in
accusing the City Council of "cheap moral swagger," Dr. Ready may have
lessened the credibility of his reflections.
Dr. Ready notes
that the Council "wasted little time in hastening to eliminate
panhandling" while "retreating and procrastinating on much tougher
decisions about zoning, city services, development, annexation and the
budget." I am not sure where these conclusions originated, but the view
is dramatically different on this side of the table. The ordinance
passed was not Council-initiated, and it served only to address the
issue of predatory panhandling on city streets and roadways. Anyone who
has spent a little time downtown of late will note that the dubious
freedom to panhandle is alive and well.
As regards "retreating
and procrastinating on much tougher issues," a review of Council
activities since December will note a steady parade of the agenda items
Dr. Ready believes have been dodged. We have a City Council, for better
or worse, that is willing to step directly into harms way when the
tough issues come into view. We have the bruises to prove it, and I
personally believe this pattern of leadership courage has strong legs.
!
Dr.
R
eady brings a wealth of talent and experience to the political arena
of Asheville. I would encourage him to note that simplistic criticism
serves the process poorly. Such comments come out easily, feed those
who thrive on cynical and obstructive negativity and, all too often,
come back to rest on the doorstep of the initiator. We will all get to
a better place if we can resist the deceptive temptations of this
cheap, or more likely, expensive moral swagger. I invite Dr. Ready to
use that knowledgeable and creative mind to assist us in finding ways
to improve our efforts–we could certainly use his good help.
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