Disrespect doesn’t deserve respect

I commented on last week’s sermon from the Budgeteer on Respect. It came out along with the Doty column disrespecting my “hooligans” at the recent Duluth School Board meeting. I raised my children to ignore the taunts of school yard bullies and in an attempt to practice what I preached I confined my reply to the blog. (Not that I’m above riposting in a letter to the editor)

I must admit that two letters to this morning’s Budgeteer were gratifying reading.

Here’s an excerpt from Derek Alexander:

The Duluth School Board has disrespected the citizens of Duluth by not allowing a vote on the Red Plan in the first place – to see if it is what the majority really wants and can afford, or is willing to pay for.

But now, I am sure, [the school board] would like some respect and civility from those who have already been disrespected. I certainly feel disrespected.

To the Budgeteer’s “Our View” on May 3, a tenth “Tools of Civility” can and should be added: “Let people vote.” Especially on matters that affect them the most. It is democracy.

And an excerpt from Loren Martell who then proceeded to show he (she?) had given a lot more thought to the consequences of the Red Plan than any of the existing School Board members other than Gary Glass:

I just read another lecture in the media (the Budgeteer’s May 3 editorial) about how undemocratically the Red Plan’s opponents acted at the last school board meeting.

I’ll tell you what was undemocratic about that meeting: It was a group of elected officials supposedly taking in feedback from their constituents in a sham exhibit of weighing opposing opinions.

About the author

Harry is a ferociously good natured eccentric in Duluth Minnesota who detests traitors dressed up as Uncle Sam. You can find somewhat better edited writings of his at the Duluth Reader "contributors." page. The URL is:

https://duluthreader.com/contributors/h/84/284-harry-welty