The Anniston Star website has been down and I missed this earlier today. Many thanks to BW for sending it.
Getting Unwanted Information
by The Anniston Star Editorial Board
Give some credit to Alabama gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Artur Davis. On his campaign Web site, he recently asked residents to post ideas about how to improve the state and then comment and vote on those they thought were most important.
However, Davis should have remembered why kindergarten teachers know never to ask a bunch of 5-year-olds if they have any questions. As sure as you do, one will ask, "why is the sky blue?" Another will ask "why do dogs chase cats?" And a third will ask, "can I go to the bathroom?" Open the floor and folks will ask anything.
In Davis' case, they did.
The issue that topped the online list of comments and votes favored the legalization of marijuana in Alabama.
Seeing this, Davis (who opposes legalization) should have thanked those who supported the idea, reiterated his opposition and used the opportunity to explain why he is taking that stand.
But he didn't. Instead, he thanked the more than 2,300 people who voted for the 80 different ideas, didn't mention the top vote-getter and took down the site.
Loretta Nall, who contributed the idea, was outraged. You may remember Nall, who ran as an independent gubernatorial candidate in 2006 and whose "busty" picture caught the eye of some dedicated followers of Alabama politics. She wanted to legalize marijuana then and wants to legalize it now.
Nall's contribution to Davis's Web site received more votes than any other issue (reportedly 118). However, if all the votes on suggestions relating to rewriting Alabama's antiquated state Constitution were tallied, constitutional reform — and not legalizing marijuana — would have come in first.
But that is not the point.
Candidate Davis missed a golden opportunity to underscore his willingness to listen to different ideas and highlight his determination to reject those that he does not consider good for the state and its people.
It's a lesson to remember for the coming campaign.
Saturday Afternoon or Evening
6 hours ago
5 comments:
I think the lesson here is that Artur Davis is a lying sack of sh1t just like every other politician in Alabama.
I think the lesson here is that politicians still have to answer to the people, even if its the people they believe belongs in a prison cell.
I think this is a perfect example of how Mr. Davis will address the rest of his campaign. If it's something he doesn't agree with...well the just hit 'delete' and make it go away. I think not!
In Davis' case, they did.
Is this writer saying that asking why not legalize is a stupid question or not pertinent to the conversation. If a 5 year old asked why ceo's make millions while teachers only make hundreds a week would be a better analogy. Our priorities are what's at question here. I wish children would ask their dare officer why cannabis is illeagal and get an honest answer.
Anon...I was a bit irked when I first read that line in the editorial too. But, I think what they are saying is that Artur Davis was unprepared for that question and he should have been prepared for any question from the public, since he was asking for questions from the public.
Overall I think this was an excellent editorial. They pointed out that he was unprepared, unconcerned (because he didn't acknowledge the question), that he missed an excellent opportunity for dialogue with the public and that despite what he says his campaign looks like politics as usual.
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