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25 Comments:
I predict a 70% chance of lies with light winds coming from the north. I can't rule out a call for more charter schools.
4/27/2007 8:04 AM
Slay should be a painter,because today he is going to paint a picture showing St.Louis has improved so much under his "leadership".It will be a pack of lies!
4/27/2007 8:13 AM
The city has obviously improved in the past 6 years. Slay does deserve much of the credit. The past couple of mayors had no vision at all and stood in the way of major development. At least give Mayor Slay credit for not being an obstructionist.
4/27/2007 8:28 AM
From my viewpoint the city has improved. I cannot vouch for how much was due to the mayor's influence, but there were several large project that I believe will be extremely beneficial over the course of time: stadium, new casino on the landing, metro extension and forest park pkwy revamp, etc. The moves are positive.
4/27/2007 9:31 AM
This comment has been removed by the author.
4/27/2007 12:12 PM
By in large, our accomplishments have been done in many other US cities. Moreover, those like Neil Peirce, and other academics or journalists, have been warning us for decades that we have serious issues. The biggest warning, from the Rand Report, prompted the misguided and overly racist Team Four Plan. Its legacy still lingers today as some neighborhoods receive massive investment while others decay.
These large projects are really nothing special, except "look what I did, vote for me" projects. The economic benefits of such large projects are questionable according to many academics and economists, regardless of what the RCGA, and its lack of peer reviewed studies, indicate.
Certainly, Slay has done some good things, while some equally horrible like the SLPS, the Century Demolition, McRee Town, and the upcoming Paul McKee project.
Moreover, not calling for local control of the Police Department, after the Board of Police Commissioners went against his request for a delay until after the peoples vote, shows a lack of fortitude.
Regarding Civilian Review. Mayor Slay is probably correct that Board Bill 69 would have been overruled. Granting this CRB subpoena power is something not allowed under 590.650 RSMo. "The board shall have the power to receive, investigate, make findings and recommend disciplinary action..." Subpoena power would be considered beyond the authority of simple investigations. When you look in Missouri Revised Statutes, one sees that subpoenas, who can issue them and how, is clearly enumerated. This is to prevent arbitrary action. As 590.650 does not enumerate subpoena as a method of investigation, I doubt a court would permit its usage.
Moreover, the CRB makes "recommendations." Slay made his recommendation to delay the vote, yet the Board ignored him. Why would they listen to a CRB? We need direct local control and I believe the CRB issue is misguided. I understand the wishes of the Black Caucus, however the CRB simply does not go far enough. The CRB has no authority to do anything.
Slay promised: "As a result, I am vetoing BB #69 and will immediately begin work to implement a civilian review board that will stand up to a court challenge."
He needs to lobby for local control instead of lobbying for State control of the SLPS.
Besides that, what I want to see is improvements within neighborhoods. Incentives for Joe Sixpack to rehab his home, rather than huge subsidy for out of town developers, or local billionaires. We need to promote bottom up growth. Our existing residents should be empowered. Our City already has some of these programs in place like, 5k forgivable loans for homeowners, historical tax credits, and the healthy home repair program. They should be expanded as much as possible! The City should put itself on the line for its residents, not extremely questionable projects like the St. Louis Centre deal.
Also, we need to direct more CDBG funds to local neighborhood associations or groups like the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group. These groups have a greater capacity to deal with derelict buildings that the LRA, given the LRA only transitioned 22 properties to private use in FY06. This means it would take about 520 years for them to expel their holdings!
The City needs serious review of the LRA, however it has no authority to do so, given the LRA is under the umbrella of the non-for-profit SLDC. We need to get LRA property off the rolls and into private usage. There is no reason we should spend from what I can tell by the FY07 budget, $ 3,400,000 on grass cutting and debris removal! The LRA claims it does not have the capacity to transition property, yet this is simply an excuse. The goal of the LRA is self-preservation. The reason they do not maintain property adequately is because people would buy them. If people bought them then there would be no reason for the LRA to exist!
I find St. Louis' leadership, by in large, lacking innovation and also fortitude. Yet, realistically, it is not their fault completely as this is politics! Our citizens, by in large, do not pressure for innovation. When the people do not speak, politicians will listen to those that do. Developers are a huge lobby, and without an opposing interest group, politicians are beholden to their goals. If we expect change then people need to proactively engage and lobby, rather than take reactionary positions which are uphill battles.
4/27/2007 12:25 PM
Compare the school problems with detroit, and St. Louis does not seem so bad----yet. What happens after June 15th will be challenging. It could dramatically affect everything, especially the tax structure.
Far and away, the biggest problem I see is the state of the media. Other cities get by with just one major newspaper, and there are enough sources available for national coverage. The shortcomings of the pd permeate the entire state, because of the lack of in depth state and local coverage.
Nothing defines this problem so clearly as the murder of Tim bacon and the total lack of demand for answers as to just what the hell happened.
Lazy and easily intimidated is the state of the media in Missouri.
They are doing a lousay job, so far of holding this attention ho archbishop Burke accountable---whether you are catholic or not---his bizarre idiocy needs to be noted and examined.
If St. Louis is lucky, he will be promoted to cardinal for his little publicity stunt and shuffled off to Buffalo or somewhere.
4/27/2007 12:28 PM
St. Louis is an old, once-beautiful woman who has been forced to trade the elegance and grace that should bejewel her age for expensive and colorful cosmetics. Those who rule over her paint them on lavishly, and hold the eyes of the public at a distance. They keep the lighting dim, for in the sunshine one can see the deceptiveness of her facade.
Although she has been dressed up and painted, her hunger, disease and despair have been ignored. Those who are her make-up artists parade her around and force her to smile for the cameras. They do not care about her pain. They do not know her heart.
There is a sadness that hangs about her in spite of all the efforts of her "handlers" to hide it. Those who truly love her can feel it. She longs to lay aside the pretense and fall into loving hands that will tend her wounds, not just cover them up.
She cries for the turmoil in her heart; the angry and broken and neglected within her. She wonders if anyone can see. She wonders if anyone cares.
4/27/2007 5:06 PM
All good points. Doug, I kind of like the idea of grass cutting and debris removal, though. It is a lot of money, but (as I'm sure you know) landfill fees, labor costs, etc. are high...plus it makes things look a lot nicer.
We should make our selves known for at least ONE thing! If you are not going to commit to doing what it takes to have the BEST PUBLIC SCHOOLS, than build a big fancy bridge to match the Arch and maybe bring in some tax/tourism/road use money.
I would choose to make the city known for having the best public schools. Other successes (including financial) would naturally follow. Forget casinos unless profits are steered to education.
4/27/2007 8:24 PM
Per KJOE, "They are doing a lousay [sic]job, so far of holding this attention ho [sic] archbishop Burke accountable---whether you are catholic or not---his bizarre idiocy needs to be noted and examined. If St. Louis is lucky, he will be promoted to cardinal for his little publicity stunt and shuffled off to Buffalo or somewhere."
I am not Roman Catholic. But I am a fellow Christian who has come to the place where she feels whenever any Christian or Christian cleric is unkindly or unjustly mocked or called into question, those of us who believe Christ called us to love one another have an obligation to support one another regardless of some of our lesser differences. Both Presbyterian Christians (which I am) and Roman Catholic Christians believe in the cardinal, orthodox doctrines handed down from the first century of the Christian Church, as well as from Scripture.
Archbishop Burke has been the object of some very negative, unknowledgeable press. Perhaps more men and women need to understand the intricacies of ecclesiastical law, canons, ordinances, and traditions. They would recognize the archbishop's faithfulness and consistency in many of the issues that have arisen where he has been publicly abused for either his stances or actions. Ignorance fails to hone in on the genuine issues at stake.
I would be hard pressed to believe I would ever see an Imam Abdullah or a Rabbi Rabinovitz portrayed in any light other than a positive one. I'm sure cries of bias and prejudice or even racism would arise if they were portrayed as negatively as the archbishop is.
An Imam Abdullah would not abide a Muslim medical group engaging an entertainer/activist promoting alcoholic beverages, Israeli causes, or scanty women's wear.
A Rabbi Rabinovitz would not abide a Jewish medical group engaging an entertainer/activist promoting pork products or cessation of circumcision of male babies.
All would recognize the imam and rabbi as being consistent with their religion and traditional beliefs and practices, right?
So why is a prelate of the Catholic Church mocked and abused, called a bully by some, and accused of being political when all he is doing is upholding the teachings and doctrines of his church, religion, and traditional beliefs? This is what a shepherd in the biblical sense is called to do.
Therefore, I would like to say that I hope in the future all religious personalities and parties who act or articulate consistently with their faith be allowed the same respect and dignity. Isn't this a win-win proposition for all?
4/28/2007 2:02 PM
Timing of begging for the attention, and inconsistencies of who he singles out---and a history of arrogance.
Jessee Jackson is mocked daily on KMOX. All part of their show.
4/28/2007 6:47 PM
Tegarding Burke, timing of begging for the attention, and inconsistencies of who he singles out, while ignoring others---and a history of arrogance.
Jesse Jackson is mocked daily on KMOX. All part of their show. It does not particularly bother me, considering the source.
4/28/2007 6:50 PM
Slay should not be a painter for he has neither the skill or heart.
For his supporters, Slay is refreshing change as compared to his predecessors. However, he like the apathetic public he represents, continues the StL tradition of spinning instead of facing the facts.
The takeover of the city that cannot manage its own affairs is being shifted into high gear. No amount of TIF jewelry can save the old lady as she is feeble and in desperate need of help.
4/29/2007 7:55 AM
with the takeover on June 15th, Slay and Blunt will be providing the old lady with a very expensive "boob" job.
One likely to rupture.
4/29/2007 12:38 PM
"Tegarding [sic] Burke, timing of begging for the attention, and inconsistencies of who he singles out, while ignoring others---and a history of arrogance."
???? Don't see how this answers or responds to anything. Singling out comes up when the issues are raised.
Has there been arrogance in the past--perhaps on the part of some. That doesn't change the stance of the Church Universal (including Orthodox and Protestants) from teachings of the very first century of the Christian Church (Didache).
4/30/2007 11:33 AM
In (Mt. 5:20), Jesus said, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
There are a lot of threads on Burke on stltoday current affairs. This guy
Iacobus B. has practically written a book in the last four or five days kissing up to Burke---man, does he spew out a lot of words, almost all of which are condescending and holier than thou. We smack him right back.
"So why is a prelate of the Catholic Church mocked and abused, called a bully by some, and accused of being political when all he is doing is upholding the teachings and doctrines of his church, religion, and traditional beliefs?"
nothing wrong with him upholding the teachings----but those of us who examine closely just what he is doing, and have opinions about him playing the race card, about singling out an extremely well educated and artistic woman among the male performers who also violate his "morals", about generally playing up to an audience which could elevate him to cardinal----well---in spite of his arrogant defender who orders us to not talk smack, but to be polite and respectful----sorry--we are going to call him on his hypocritical bs as long as there is a first amendment to protect our right to do so.
I don't buy the idea that he is hurting crippled children---there has been a helpful backlash against him, and he will take competing measures to add to the resources. He has to, because with him, it all about his show.
4/30/2007 1:44 PM
"In (Mt. 5:20), Jesus said, 'For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.'”
I completely concur with the above. The gritty part comes to the judging. Slow to learn as I am, I have finally learned that many judgments are not mine to make but God Who knows the heart.
All I can do is discern if an issue or action coincides with Scripture. Since no one is all good or all bad, I can only deal with the particular issue that is current. There are politicians that I disagree with on most issues but have to recognize when we do agree. However, in the end I can't judge them per se, just discern if I think their stance pleases God according to His divine revelation.
That's where I'm at.
4/30/2007 4:27 PM
kjoe, I agree that it is interesting that only the woman performer's views were of concern to Burke. Also, I wonder if Burke has ever attended, or observed on television, a sports event like baseball, golf, football, etc. Sports fans help those "stars" to earn their millions, so if he disagrees with the stance that any of them have taken toward moral/immoral choices in life, I hope he does not add to their fan base. It is naive to believe that we can control others views by shunning them.
Also, Helen Louise, I recall a Boy Scout troop in our congregation attending a baseball game where pork hot dogs and meat/cheese nachos were served, but I don't recall any parents being outraged by the thought of their children seeing others eating those things. Kosher laws are just something we live with and know that others do not choose to follow. These are individual decisions we each need to make with the spiritual guidance we trust. By the way, the Rabinovitz reference was trite when Archie Bunker used it, so consider using another way to get your point across.
Leah S.
4/30/2007 4:42 PM
Leah, I think you have missed the point entirely with all due respect.
This is about an in-house religion issue. Cardinal Glennon Hospital and the foundation are Roman Catholic organizations, not public organizations like a ball club or at a public ballgame.
My illustrations stand and aren't really trite if you read carefully.
If a Jewish or Muslim organization was holding a fund raiser for a group that is a part of their religion, they would act according to their religion.
To me, that is exactly what the archbishop did. He was not speaking about a Riverfront, Fox, or St. Louis shindig. He was dealing with an event representing his religion.
Can you possibly see yourself understanding the difference? What synagogue or temple would put on a fundraiser with someone (an avid activist) promoting pork or opposing circumcision of baby boys? Remember, this is not a secular or public organization. It is an authentic Jewish religious organization.
Likewise, apply the same principle to a Muslim group holding a fundraiser for a Muslim organization. What do you think they would permit and what would they prohibit?
I await your response. By the way, I was out of the country qhen and if Archie Bunker used a Rabinovitz (was it a rabbi?) reference. So I did not utilize anything from Archie Bunker. Abdullah is a common Muslim name and Rabinovitz is a common Jewish name.
Do they serve pork hotdogs at Jewish gatherings? I can assure you they don't at Muslim gatherings either because I lived in a Muslim North Africa country and never ate pork the whole time I lived there. It just wasn't available.
4/30/2007 7:37 PM
Also, Leah, there is a difference between how one lives one's life and someone being an activist for causes going against the stance or convictions of the group hosting the event. If Tim McGraw was an activist for abortion, embryonic stem cell research and possibly capital punishment, the archbishop probably would have voiced his convictions as a church leader as adamantly.
The key is the person being a vocal "activist" for a cause in direct opposition to the relgion involved.
These are nuances, but nuances that are powerful enough to render a group hypocritical for believing one way and acting another for the sake of raising money.
4/30/2007 7:42 PM
"...Rabinovitz is a common Jewish name." Yes, Archie Bunker used that name as a made up Jewish person, too. Do you really need to add to the trite stereotyping that even a decades old show knew was laughable?
Sorry, but I still disagree with you on the benefit. The event was held at the Fox, a public venue, and people of all denominations were in attendance and supplied donations and entertainment. The hospital employs and helps people of many denominations. It is his (and apparently your) attitude that an entertainer needs to hold his (your) views to be allowed to donate their talent to help a good cause that makes no sense to me. She came to sing, not to make political statements, and she (and all the other entertainers) did a wonderful job and generated a large amount of money for the hospital.
4/30/2007 9:32 PM
Since when is the use of common names stereotyping? Kelly or Mahoney are Irish names. Campbell is a common Scottish name. Using such names does not stereotype. Abdullah is an Arab and common Muslim name. Use of names does not stereotype; it identifies ethnicity or possibly religion.
Public venues do not change who is hosting a fundraiser. You have not addressed Jewish or Muslim fundraisers. Coptic and Orthodox Christians would have guidelines for fundraisers for their organizations.
Yes, Cardinal Glennon Hospital treats children of various religions or denominations. That doesn't change the fact, however, that it is a Catholic hospital or that the Foundation is a Catholic entity.
If B'nai Brith initiated a fundraiser, who would they allow? Don't you think whomever would be compatible with its roots, mission, and purpose?
This is not about an entertainer's talent or willingness to volunteer it. It's about the core beliefs of the organization hosting the event.
I think you are ignoring comparable events and faith-based organizations raising money for their particular organizations.
Assuming someone is using a reference from a long defunct television sitcom is also just a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to someone you don't know.
One last stab at rational reason and comparable situations. There is an Oral Roberts Hospital; whom do you think that particular charismatic group would allow to entertain for a fundrasing event? Do you think they would use a rapper known for explicit lyrics? It doesn't go with Oral Roberts and his followers core beliefs.
Finally, I am not Roman Catholic. I am just saying I understand the position of that church's local leader in this incidence, just as I would understand a Jewish religious leader's or a Muslim religious leader's stance and convictions. Understanding isn't based on agreement, but on knowledge of the faith and practices of a particular religion and group.
4/30/2007 9:54 PM
Well, dearie, no matter how combative you get, I'll still believe that the hospital board did the right thing in accepting a generous offer from the singer to help them. I'm sorry that it upsets you so much not to be able to change my mind on this, but I just agree with the thousands of other people involved who chose not to make an issue of Ms. Crow's politics.
5/01/2007 11:25 AM
None of this religious debate has anything to do with the state of our city.
5/01/2007 1:16 PM
Slay is a political liar and a thief in my opinion. The so called renovations of the city are nothing more than gentrification in it's ugliest sense. Pushing out low and middle income families to make room for affluent ones slumming temporarily on the tax dollar is not an improvement--it's institutional racism and economic classism beyond all bound of decency. Consequently, the school system had to be prematurely 'unaccredited' in order to provide tuition to affluent families so they can send their children to Clayton or Ladue Schools--again all on the public dollar. Ironically, these same new homeowners will not contribute to the tax base as they usually recieve a 5 to 10 year abatement on local property taxes. This means the modest incomed citizens will be subsidizing the wealthy, while their children go without adequate school funding or even adequate health care. So much for the 'decency' of Slay and his coven. For those of you who claim that a citizen does not have the right to critisize or insult a public figure--you're wrong. The US Constitution gives all of us that very right. SO,while some of you who object to this posting practice your goosestepping and prepare your stormtroopers, keep in mind--there's more of us than all of you. I hope you choke on your little Nazi sentiments.
Let the Revolution Begin
5/14/2007 1:47 PM
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