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October 20, 2005

Clarification on City Council Stuff

By Andrew Dobbs

The other day on the post about Danny Thomas' position on Prop 2, I left a comment going against a couple of people who suggested that his support for this Proposition (which I, of course, oppose) should disqualify him for the City Council or Mayor in the future. Here's part of what I said:

Second, I wasn't aware of his desiring to run for Mayor, but I don't understand why this should be a litmus test for Mayor or City Council. They don't have the power to decide these things anyways, so its not like gay rights are doomed with him up there. He's good on environmental, public safety and economic development issues. He is one of the most consistently liberal voices on city council. He is also an evangelical pastor, which means that on a handful of issues he'll probably come down on a different side as everyone else. One bad issue does not a bad councilman make.

In other words, which would you rather have: a George W. Bush/Tom Craddick type with a pro-gay marriage stance or a Paul Wellstone type with an anti-gay marriage stance? Before you answer that question, remember that Wellstone voted FOR the Defense of Marriage Act and was generally more conservative on this issue than others. This is one issue, and it should not be a litmus test. Danny Thomas has been a wonderful city councilman, and this issue notwithstanding its a shame he won't be on our council any more.

Today I got an email from a dear friend of mine who works closely with Mayor Will Wynn and he thought that the "George W. Bush/Tom Craddick type" who supports gay rights referenced in my post might refer to the mayor. I want to make it clear that it DOES NOT. Mayor Wynn is a great leader, and has shown tremendous leadership. There are some things I disagree with him about, but he has my full support.

I was simply referring to a theoretical situation. If you had a hypothetical right wing jerk who just happened to have a decent position on gay rights (like maybe Barry Goldwater) versus a good liberal who happens to have a not-so-great position on the issue (like Danny Thomas or Paul Wellstone), who would you choose? Perhaps if it was for the US Senate or something in that regard you could reasonably make this one issue a litmus test. But what about for the City Council, where issues of development are much more pertinent and gay rights aren't a big issue on the docket? I was simply saying that we should not yank the plug on Danny Thomas because of one bad issue.

On that same note, I support Mayor Wynn and am proud that the mayor of my city stands against a hateful amendment like Prop 2. Don't want to confuse anybody, and sorry if I caused any bad feelings.

Posted by Andrew Dobbs at October 20, 2005 03:18 PM | TrackBack

Comments

I personally would not consider any person who supports Prop. 2 a "good liberal." Not being in favor of gay marriage is one thing, but supporting something as mean-spirited and absurd as Prop. 2 is quite different.

So, yes, I would and will vote whole-heartedly for any politician that supports Prop. 2, no matter how "good" they may otherwise seem.

Posted by: Brady at October 20, 2005 04:45 PM

"They don't have the power to decide these things anyways, so its not like gay rights are doomed with him up there."

Oh, but they do, Andrew. City Councils are the ones who passed the anti-discrimination ordinances for housing, accomodations, and employment in the City of Austin.

Council members are EXACTLY the people who grant domestic partnership benefits to employees.

Danny Thomas needs to go. Thank God for term limits, and thank God his race for Mayor is now really doomed.

Glen

Posted by: Glen Maxey at October 21, 2005 03:35 AM

Since Im gay and a moderate, Id probably take the "right wing jerk" who favored gay rights over the "liberal" who doesnt.

But personally, I dont think many politicians at the city level have such broad agendas usually (unless its Dallas where they think they're God's gift to the city).

**See you Saturday Glen**

Posted by: John at October 21, 2005 10:15 AM

As usual, Glen gets it EXACTLY right.

Posted by: Tom Coleman at October 21, 2005 12:26 PM

It's not clear to me whether Andrew is referring to the city council in Austin, Texas or in Austin, Minnesota. While good intentioned, his perception seems quite different from reality.

Posted by: Insider at October 21, 2005 04:17 PM

Andrew- please consider that all action orginates on a local level. That is why City Council Persons so influence the quality of our lives and , accordingly, each of us and our families . Anyone who votes to TAKE AWAY rights from another human being is the equivalent of a facist . If anything, we should be extending human rights...voting to support hate or homophobia in any form is unacceptable. Can't hardly wait for those 4 city council seats coming up in the spring ! time for some changes.

Posted by: sylvia at October 22, 2005 04:07 PM
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