Quote:
Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum
Seconded. I consider Friends of the Parks to be on par with 9-11 Truthers and anti-vaccine organizations. A decent citizen wouldn't shake the hand of a member. They haven't ever expressed the kind of subject-matter expertise that would warrant even a casual opinion to be seriously considered. When they are gone, hopefully soon, they will be remembered fondly by no one.
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These reactions are bordering on the juvenile. And again even though I need not have to explain myself I am definitely not a fan of the FOTPL's or the impracticality or hypocrisy regarding Lucas/Obama. They obviously just didn't have the stomach to try to challenge and be the impediment to the first Presidential Library of the nations first African American President. Yet the blow back by some here borders on the dogmatic and myopic themselves that borders on trolling and running an authoritarian streak limiting debate of valid concerns about public policy and dog barking at anyone who doesn't join the chorus of their mob. It's actually disgraceful that some who have contributed much less are trying to in fact call for an effective ban of other members who seem to be posting forthrightly, earnestly, and without any seemingly malicious intent merely because they post sober opinions and public information/news that doesn't jive with their narrow narrative. Grow a spine and don't act like a myopic mob. SSP already suffers enough from that in the politics/news section and I would hate to see that seep even into the other forums.
The issues that FOTP bring up are valid. Even if you ultimately don't agree with their position in regard to Lucas or the Obama Library case the issues they tackle are definitely worthy even of debate and public airing. I find it scary the idea that some here seem to insinuate that big power players should have unreserved right to free public park space without critique or address.
Why is it wrong to dare say publicaly that it is regrettable that the Obama's are needlessly using precious park space when there are such great options elsewhere? Why is it beyond the pale to dare suggest that there are other great options for Lucas other then his parking lot with water views he felt entitled to. In both cases it was the setting/views that stoked the ego's of those putting forth the museums. Choices that trumped any concern or regards for present of future park space or really sparking urban renewal and growth in adjacent areas to the fullest potential. Mellody Hobson even had the gall to play the brown/black children card when they deemed only ONE location, far away from any poor black/brown areas , as their only sufficient location in this whole entire city worthy of their edifice. The rest of you find nothing the least bit insulting or bewildering in that? It's sure as heck find it insulting if one dares to take a sober minute to consider that these planet sized ego's basically said that the only way they will lay down their monuments to themselves is if they have their choice of prime public park space from the get go (the threat was there by Obama surrogates before the city announcement and the proceded to make a threat to move it to NYC which was leaked out). At least admit that.
Now if we should cede to them because that is just how the wheel of power and influence rolls and we don't have much choice if we want to receive such "gifts" as a public then so be it. But to spout ALL the outrage at the advocacy groups (who we will very much want and need for other battles after we have haphazardly dismantled them after our mob outrage) all the while the oversize ego's of huge media/political players skate free as they eat up public space when there is plentiful notable alternative private/public lots to ready to be utilized all around this city that would hold absolutely no controversy and would in many regards be even arguably better choices really baffles me. I don't know if its DC partisan/Hollywood worship or what but I would have to agree that if this was say the Bush Library that wanted to eat up part of Grant or Jackson Parks for his library the tone of appeasement would not be so muted. So really are the FOTPL's being the only ones who are hypocritical and arbitrary? Hardly.