(Community Matters) Just to remind readers, I’m AGAINST Prop 2, the so-called Stop Domain Subsidies referendum. Retail subsidies have already been prohibited going forward and it punishes the Domain and Robert Mueller developers who have met each of their contractual conditions despite Brian Rodgers misleading (I say libelous) statements otherwise. It would force the City of Austin to renege on it’s contractual commitments, risking our triple A bond rating and certainly our reputation among enlightened metropolitan areas.
Anyhow, the Austin Chronicle endorsed AGAINST Prop 2. Louis recently wrote about the savage reader reaction. Excerpts from his column:
There were some commenters who were just vicious; they accused us of being corrupt and of actually selling the endorsement. There was a clear indication from some that, by making an endorsement they did not agree with, we had rendered the Chronicle – past, present, and future – worthless. A lot of the charges were contradictory, none was true, and many accusers sounded very pleased with their own viciousness.
By denying those you oppose humanity, a sense of decency, and a commitment to principles, you are demonizing them into a consciously evil force. Therefore, just about anything you do to them is justified. This lack of respect, disinterest in compromise, and firm conviction that anyone with opposite ideas is one-dimensional and holds dishonest beliefs and bad intentions – this stance allows all sides to trivialize other ideas while granting a benediction to those they support. The beginnings of genocide and the end of constitutional law is dehumanization.
If the starting premise is that you are right and anyone with a different position is wrong, that really doesn’t leave room for much discussion.
Although I was not engaged in the endorsement process, my concern is that the unintended consequences will be much worse than the subsidies. Some of my fears include the following: The city will be taken to court and will lose. This will not only cost more than just the subsidies but potentially will impact the city’s restrictive options. There will be a negative impact on other projects. Businesses will not come to Austin. The Legislature will use this as an excuse to beat up on Austin.
I’ve written before, I think Brian Rodgers is deploying Bush/Cheney/McCain/Palin campaign tactics in his campaign, i.e., damn the truth and simply make up 7 points. Repeat it enough and people with no time or inclination to fact check will adopt it as the truth. Kinda interesting, the result is he too is eliciting Sarah Palin-ish (intolerant and vicious) reaction from his base of support.
So adding to count against: former council member Betty Dunkerley, Austin Chronicle, Austin American Statesman, Burnt Orange Report . . .
Community Matters 