[Vision2020] real economic development in Moscow

[Bruce and Jean Livingston]

Jeff,

I appreciate your only calling my "ostriches" comment a "mild" derogatory 
remark.  I suppose that is a fair criticism, because it was certainly not 
meant to be complimentary.  But how can you be complimentary of a group of 
politicians' stand on an issue that seems not just short-sighted, but 
ignores or under-estimates the extent of a significant problem?

"Ostriches" still seems like a good metaphor to me.  Ostriches are known to 
bury their head in the sand and impair their vision.  That describes in 
fairly vivid "picture" terms those who minimize the extent of our water 
problem, characterize it as a management problem and "not an emergency," 
even when wells are going dry around us in the county.  I suppose I could 
have compared these "we don't have a water emergency" candidates to pacers 
at the track who have "blinders on," or I could have suggested that they are 
playing Nero and "fiddling while Rome burns."

Those of us who express concern about water have been called "Chicken 
Littles," by the "it's not an emergency" side.  Both "ostriches" and 
"Chicken Little" are vivid satirical devices.  I would applaud the good 
writing on both sides, except that I'm not here to applaud myself.

Any way you cut it, I think that while all candidates recognize that there 
is a problem, the GMA candidates minimize the problem and act irresponsibly 
when they suggest that there is "no emergency."  And being upset about 
people voluntarily conserving and letting their lawns go dry, because then 
our town is not as attractive?  Or suggesting that we ought not conserve 
here, since Pullman isn't saving downstream?  Well, I'm sorry but that does 
seem to not take the water issue seriously.  That does seem like being a 
"poor steward of the environment."

Bruce


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Harkins" <jeffh at moscow.com>
To: "Sunil Ramalingam" <sunilramalingam at hotmail.com>; 
<vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 10:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] real economic development in Moscow


|
|
| You wrote
|
| >'Entrepreneurs are willing to take risks, provided there is a probable 
and
| >appropriate return for those risks.  An important element for them is a
| >relative predictability of the business climate.  Divisiveness and social
| >conflict are generally not good indicators of a stable market place.'
| >
| >How do you define 'social conflicts?'
|
| Social conflicts - groups of people don't agree - and when the
| rhetoric heightens, members resort to name calling, derogatory
| remarks and the like.  Here is a mild example from recent a
| contributor to Vision2020:
|
|         "The GMA candidates are "ostriches" with their collective
| heads in the sand.  And they are very poor stewards of the environment."
|
| >And I guess I'm curious why would
| >you raise specific issues here, call them pollutants, and then want to
| >discuss them off-list?
|
|  I raised the issues because Joe Campbell challenged me to identify
| factors relative to our challenges with economic development and the
| current city council
|
| Because I think the time invested in a dialogue with Bruce
| Livingstone would be better served if he and I clarified our
| positions to each other rather than serve as kindling to
| to the fire.
|
| >Finally, do conservatives never question their opponents' honesty 'to
| >obfuscate issues?'
|
| I won't speak for other conservatives.  I try my level best to avoid
| that tactic.
|
| Does that answer your questions?
|
|
|
|
| >Sunil
| >
| >
| > >From: Jeff Harkins <jeffh at moscow.com>
| > >To: "Bruce and Jean Livingston" <jeanlivingston at turbonet.com>;,
| > ><vision2020 at moscow.com>
| > >Subject: Re: [Vision2020] real economic development in Moscow
| > >Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:22:17 -0700
| > >
| > >Thanks for weighing in Bruce.
| > >
| > >Frankly, the most important element of your post was your closing
| > >comment - and I will respond to that first.  I have not discussed my
| > >comments with Wayne - he is the kind of fellow that can allow me to
| > >have my own point of view and if he disagrees, we discuss it and move
| > >on.  Just the sort of person that we need in a leadership position in
| > >the City of Moscow.  He has experience and judgment. We would do well
| > >to elect him.
| > >
| > >As to where Wayne stands on these various issues - ask him - I am
| > >certain he has his positions and he would be pleased to share them with
| > >you.
| > >
| > >You might have missed the closing paragraph of my post. My post was
| > >to highlight for Joe Campbell some of the issues that lead to a
| > >conclusion that the current city government (or the current climate
| > >in Moscow) is anti-growth or anti business.  The point was not to
| > >revisit the "right or wrong" of those decisions.  I thought I made it
| > >rather clear that the issues are necessarily philosophical and
| > >ideological in tenor - thus the outcomes are necessarily divisive.  I
| > >do have positions and opinions on many of the issues - others I don't
| > >have much interest in.  But, I stand by my conclusion that each of
| > >these issues casts a shadow or cloud on Moscow as a place for an
| > >entrepreneur to invest his or her capital.  Entrepreneurs are willing
| > >to take risks, provided there is a probable and appropriate return
| > >for those risks.  An important element for them is a relative
| > >predictability of the business climate.  Divisiveness and social
| > >conflict are generally not good indicators of a stable market place.
| > >
| > >Hopefully, that clarifies the list of issues and their importance to
| > >this upcoming election.  Collectively, the climate is murky - quite
| > >polluted.
| > >
| > >Now if you wish to discuss any of the issues cited as to our relative
| > >positions, I would be pleased to do that.  It would likely be
| > >interesting and productive.  Probably best to have that dialogue
| > >offlist so that we don't add excess murkiness to the already murky
| > >situation.
| > >
| > >
| >
| >
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| >  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
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| >           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
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