Yesterday Joel Connelly gave The Stranger a little heat for their coverage of the Seattle City Council race between incumbent David Della and challenger Tim Burgess. I didn’t really understand Joel’s First Amendment argument, but I suppose I kinda-sorta got his outrage at political purity, even if I disagree with it.
Should Burgess’ less than firmly pro-choice history, and past record of working for vehemently anti-choice groups disqualify him from serving on the city council? Joel says no. The Stranger apparently says yes. Well now WA’s leading advocate for reproductive rights comes in on the side of The Stranger, endorsing Della over Burgess.
“Typically we don’t make endorsements in Seattle City Council races because, in the past, all candidates were clearly pro-choice,” explained Karen Cooper, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “But questions and concerns arose over this specific race after we learned of Tim Burgess’s longtime association with Concerned Women for America, a virulently anti-choice, anti-woman organization,” Cooper added.
I talked with Cooper this afternoon, and she went even further than the press release, describing Concerned Women for America as “a hate group.”
The couple of times I’ve met Burgess I liked him. He seems like a reasonable, competent guy. But in the end we tend to vote for people who reflect our values, and when we don’t we’re bound to be disappointed.
Should Burgess’ years of working for Concerned Women for America absolutely disqualify him from office in this very blue city? I suppose not… at least not absolutely. But voters have a right to know the candidate’s entire biography, and our local media has a responsibility to report it. My guess is that if voters understood about Burgess what The Stranger and NARAL Pro-Choice WA understand about Burgess, he wouldn’t stand a chance in November. Perhaps that’s unfair to Burgess. But to keep that information from the public would be unfair to voters, and counter to the Democratic process.
When I and my Farmesse saw Burgess at DL, all we heard was ‘Vote for me ‘cuz my opponent is so bad. Then we heard his attack ad regarding Della’s involvement with the last Parks levy and felt it was basically dishonest.
Now this. We can’t escape feeling he is being deceptive.
We’ve had enough of ‘stealth’ candidates. We’ll be voting for Della.
I don’t get what the issue is here. Surely, Burgess’ record will be available in the campaign, and people will vote their consciences. This is a big enough issue that nobody’s going to keep it quiet.
Am I missing something?
It’s a race for city council, not for some constitutional convention. All things being equal, I suppose I might consider a council candidate’s views on abortion in determining who to vote for, but I think otherwise I’m just going to consider those views that impact what the council actually has jurisdiction over.
I talked with Cooper this afternoon, and she went even further than the press release, describing Concerned Women for America as “a hate group.”
“Typically we don’t make endorsements in Seattle City Council races because, in the past, all candidates were clearly pro-choice,” explained Karen Cooper, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “But questions and concerns arose over this specific race after we learned of Tim Burgess’s longtime association with Concerned Women for America, a virulently anti-choice, anti-woman organization,” Cooper added.
But to keep that information from the public would be unfair to voters, and counter to the Democratic process.
Goldy your web site today supports an anti-social, anti-women, no choice and supporting a large hate group. Your could consider using different words that would be more appropriate for the Political Correct folks. Like difference of opinion, and would not support that candidate because we could not come to a win-win solution on this subject matter. From my side of the mountain many folks in Seattle only accepts rainbow type of opinions which makes it a win lose solution to the problem. Now you know why people in the surrounding areas really do not like communicating with a bunch of left wing zealots. Your friends do not like other peoples input on many subject matters so they prefer to be today’s silent majority when they show up at the polls. The only one thing I would ask Karen Cooper, who put you in charge to represent all concern women in Washington? The other question I have for you is how you came about being the know it all on information, and what is fair for the voters? OH by the way this is not a Democratic process but a Republic one where you elect someone to represent your point of views. That is why you’re elected friends who voted for the Iraq War. They were to dumb to think for themselves about what was right or wrong. They also claim there was WMD’s and the oil was going to pay for the war. Yep how many poor defenseless fools died because they did not listen to you Goldy? Maybe more children died in the doctor’s office because they did listen or read your rhetoric. Nice twist when you claim to be defenders of the defenseless in this glories world today. NOT!!!!
@3 Next time you visit, could you bring a translator?
Hey, Klake,
Give me your address and I’ll send you the nearest location for pursuing your diploma for English as a Second Language. If you can’t write coherently, you can’t think coherently. That, my friend, is a reliable rule.
It’s a race for city council, not for some constitutional convention. All things being equal, I suppose I might consider a council candidate’s views on abortion in determining who to vote for, but I think otherwise I’m just going to consider those views that impact what the council actually has jurisdiction over.
I submit that it is not just his views that are the issue. The fact that he chose to affiliate himself with CWfA is a reflection on his judgment, and he doesn’t come out looking good at all.
I encourage everyone to find out what you can about this group; they are creepy at best and, yes, a hate group at worst.
Klake,
Stop posting while drunk.
proud leftist says:
Hey, Klake,
Give me your address and I’ll send you the nearest location for pursuing your diploma for English as a Second Language. If you can’t write coherently, you can’t think coherently. That, my friend, is a reliable rule.
09/11/2007 at 6:02 pm
Not a requirement for living in Seattle, you have to learn Spanish and carry your little red book.
If NARAL is for Della, that’s all I need to vote for his opponent.
OneMan says:
Klake,
Stop posting while drunk.
That is a requirement to get any meaning out of the crap written on this site. Man how dry am I, how dry am I,isn’t that an Irish drinking song?
stalinistas….thats what you lefties are.
He’s blacklisted cuz he veers from the party….
I’m impressed by Joel; normally he’s more doctrinaire…must be his old New Deal roots
Well righton and Marky, better prepare to live with quite a few years of abortion rights, because the holier-than-thou wingnuts are done, not least because of the hypocrisy of the Craigs, Vitters, Foleys and like-minded righteous republicrats.
Your campaign to run the country as a Christian theocracy has failed.
And take Klake with you, he’s one of yours.
Haven’t we A:: seen the pernicious effevts of Rovian Political Orthodoxy?
Judging Mr. Burgess in this way is uttelry unfair. Esp., fomr my POV, given the less than stellar impression Mr. Della has made when he visited DL por cmapaigned with Cheryl Chow.
PULEEZ can we avoid acting like
Republicansthem.I don’t get it. Groups like Concerned Women for America have been the shock troops for the Bush/Cheney take over that led to the current military, economic, and social crises we are facing right now, which very much impact Seattle local issues.
Burgess is a high powered PR guy. He had to have known very well what function Concerned Women for America type groups serve in working up hate and passion in support of the right wing, in addition to their specific issue.
The Bush ascendancy HAS hurt Washington and Seattle right down to their punishing WA for wanting to insure more children.
All I need to know is that David Della ran a dirty campaign 4 years ago where he attacked Heidi Wills for the problems at City Light, then when he was given the chance to Chair the Energy Committee (which oversees the utility) he declined. He’s a mealy-mouthed wimp, and doesn’t deserve anyone’s support.
Willis – you have repeated this blah blah over and over and over.
Were you screwing her? gOOFY hEIDI …
NEW election, new issues.
Concerned Women of America is the slime of slime. Burgess took 2 plus million of their money to write the hate mail they send out. Seven year contract with the business he owned.
Who needs to know more than that to understand he TAKES BLOOD money and sold his soul to HATE Mongers – geez, hard choice.
Not for me and my friends.
And, the Seattle Gay News did a strong endorsement for Della last Friday as well. Well written, it set the same tone as the NARAL endorsement issued today. SGN usually does not endorse, supporting SEAMEC ratings for decades.
Concerned Women of America and their hate messages have helped to kill gay folks in this country.
Goldy says – kinda silly Goldy – “he is a nice guy” – Course, he makes millions as a hire PR hack. Paid liar. Very practiced Goldy, dig a little deeper next time.
Flaming Fag for David Della’s re election, my money and my vote.
Is ARS now afflicting liberals too?
Look at all the flames on Wipes because of CWA.
Why does this scare libtards? “US coalition of conservative women which promotes Biblical values and family traditions.”
Because conservative women think? They are against abortion? Think the Bible has meaning? Care about the family? All antithetical to the NEW PROGRESSIVE ideals of the Donkocraptic party?
I guess Moonbat!s like em barefoot toothless and empty bunned
Puddybud, I can see how you would agree with CWA, as you appear to view women as mere objects for the purposes of your entertainment and reproduction. Think? That’s fine, I suppose, as long as they agree with you.
Although Mr. Burgess’s former work for CWA is a telling indication of his adherence to his principles, I find his libertarian cant even more distressing. He doesn’t believe government should be involved in a multitude of areas which are the EXACT province of the City Council. Why would any one vote for some one who thinks the government shouldn’t act? Sort of like Bolton at the UN, isn’t it?
@19
Keep ranting, Pudtard. You’re a voice crying in the wilderness.
It’ll get worse. Look forward to it.
You theocracy is dead. Aborted. HEHEHE.
@23 can you please be specific?
Burgess is a lying sack of shit – just decided gay marriage is OK – mystical quasi religious experience – LATE to the party sir. Where were you when 20 states voted against gay marriage as the R.s ( your blood money clients) were using it as a wedge issue? You remember, circa 2004 … the country was buzzing on the issue for months.
You just decided, too late, too late. Sure don’t want you at my back, ever.
And ex cops, nothing in there work builds political skills.
20 Pud
Here’s why…
The group advocates:
– The elimination of homosexuality from society
– The belief that homosexuals are sick and need to be cured[18][19][20]
– The assertion that most forms of birth control – and all forms of hormonal birth control – are actually abortifacients, triggering chemical abortions[21]
– Official prayer in public schools[22]
– The teaching of intelligent design as a science in public schools[23]
– Abstinence-only sex education in public and private schools
– “A la carte” cable and satellite television purchasing plans, allowing individuals to purchase access to individual channels, rather than in programming packages[24]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.....or_America
I personally don’t want people who believe that their personal little cosmological fairy tale is a basis for morality and who wish to legislate based on that fairy tale anywhere in government.
Daddy Love, while I may not agree with all their tenets, this is a free country and they are free to believe their beliefs. It’s your side that always claims “tolerance” yet explode into fire engine color rage when someone disagrees with you.
And amazingly when you enter Concerned Women For America you navigated past their web site for WikiPedia, so since you skipped this you must be for them:
Human trafficking in all forms, particularly of women for sexual purposes.[16]
I am also glad you support these Daddy Love:
Education – CWA supports reform of public education by returning authority to parents.
Pornography – CWA endeavors to fight all pornography and obscenity.
Religious Liberty – CWA supports the God-given rights of individuals in the United States and other nations to pray, worship and express their beliefs without fear of discrimination or persecution.
National Sovereignty – CWA believes that neither the United Nations nor any other international organization should have authority over the United States in any area. We also believe the United States has the right and duty to protect and secure our national borders.
Daddy Love wrote: “I personally don’t want people who believe that their personal little cosmological fairy tale is a basis for morality and who wish to legislate based on that fairy tale anywhere in government.”
So you are saying you have issues with the Gay people trying to shove their beliefs down my throat? Wow thanks for the vote of support!
Let’s create a 51st state and call it Gay Land State. I’m sure you’ll tax all of us to redo the flags, money etc.
@29 Puddytard,
Your theocracy has been stabbed in the head. It’s dying on the table.
HEHEHE
Silly churchbat!s…..
Chadt: I see your wife has been working with you on Wipes commentary.
Where is the United States Government a theocracy?
Federal Law
Executive Order
Edict
I’ll wait while you search.
Chadt why are you just another poster child for birth control?
@Puddytard:
You people were sure as hell trying to make the US into a theocracy.
Your sapphire throne is getting a little moldy, you need to refurbish it if you’re going to continue your trolling.
Better get some other churchbat!s in here to help you. Your ranks seem to be thinning out a little. Could it be that you’ve discovered the simian-in-chief has been feeding shit to you folks too?
On that, at least, I can sympathize. Maybe things will be better for you when Clinton takes office.
Chadt: Answer the question in #32 or STFU.
Got it?
I realize you are naturally stoooooopid, and you prove it more and more everyday.
Puddytard;
Yawn…..
Stuff your throne, Pud. Your kind is done. The republicans gave you hope of a theocracy, used you, and now they, and you, are rapidly becoming totally irrelevant. Troll on into the sunset.
It’s fun to watch.
Chadt: Again answer the question in #32 or STFU.
Got it?
Now I realize you are an idiot savant.
Keep up the good work.
You see chadt you made the assertion in #31 but there is no evidence to back it up. You bloviate with the best ‘Tards here.
#38
You must be desperate for a life to come here and try to convince yourself that you’re demolishing the liberals. Since you have such oft-repeated contempt for people here, what kind of victory would it be if, indeed, any ,of your points were valid?
You are a joke. Your long history here reveals that you are the archetypical hypocrite. Even conservatives, other than your brain-dead buddies MTR and Rather, would be repulsed if your dreck were posted where they could see it.
You can sneer and hiss and shriek all you want; we know what you are. We alternate between disgust and amusement, but nobody that I know has any respect for you , and nothing but contempt for your hate and pustulent conversation.
Have a wonderful day.
Chadt: You can’t answer the question because you are a dead man walking.
You make assertions without any proof!
As Paul Harvey says: “good day!”