Get Right to Work if You Have any Sense
Hi, Pundits and Pundettes.
A question for you this fine Friday.
Which is dumber?
Carl Paladino saying future expat James Williams only got his job because of he’s black?
or…
Brian Davis helping organize a 5-4 condemnation of that statement in the Buffalo Common Council, punctuating it by saying that Carl Paladino “really needs to be run out of Buffalo?” Evidently, the irony of that comment is lost on Councilman Davis.
Carl Paladino isn’t elected to anything. Don’t we elect legislators to focus on important policy matters, and to uphold the law? So why would they so eagerly rush towards passing something so patently violative of the law.
Or should legislatures take precious time up to debate whenever a private citizen says something stupid? Because in that case, they should be in session 24/7.
UPDATE: Here’s a link to a .pdf of Paladino’s reply to the Council. Looks like they just bought themselves a lawsuit. What a colossal waste of time and resources.
Paul Jonson Says:May 9th, 2008 at 10:00 am
This is probably the only instance in which I will vote for anything the Common Council does, but in this case I cast my vote for Brian Davis and company for Dumb Ass Move of the Spring.
I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
When are they going to vote to run Dr. James Williams out of town for seeking another job? It’s just as ridiculous.
hank Says:May 9th, 2008 at 10:12 am
The Antics of the local and state pols have run hundreds of thousands of NY’ers out of the state in search of the jobs that left before them.
This one’s just getting more attention.
These School Superintendents don’t stay in one place long. Considering the importance of the position, they move around like Radio DJ’s. Dr Manch was Superintendent for a LONG time compared to most of these people. Charlotte/Mecklenburg has had 3 in the 11 years I’ve lived here, with each requesting and spending more money than the last. Glad I don’t pay taxes in Mecklenburg county.
For a city that has lost over 50% of its population in the last 25 odd years, for a councilman to want to “Run” someone out of town is simply hilarious. When does the mediocrity finally reach a zenith up there?
steve Says:May 9th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Pundit — You asked which is dumber?
Why does it have to be a contest? Can’t both instances be considered dumb? Clearly, what Mr. Paladino claims in his letter as fact is opinion. So, he has the right to that opinion and the right to express it.
Some might say the council should have thanked him for his opinion and moved on. But, does the Council not have the right to condemn such a statement? I don’t think a condemnation carries any real weight. Does Mr. Davis not have the right to his opinion, that such a statement is racist?
My opinion? Saying one action is dumber than the other is a distinction without difference.
Besides, Carl Paladino making a potentially inflammatory statement and someone or a collection of someone’s taking offense is hardly a sruprise. Even less surprising is the Buffalo City Council over-reacting to a statement from the audience. And least surprising of all is Carl Paladino threatening to litigate.
“You suck.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, I condemn thee?”
“OK, I’ll see your condemnation and raise you a legal action.”
Progress…Buffalo style.
shopitall Says:May 9th, 2008 at 11:39 am
As my friend’s mother used to say………Honey, you can’t fix stupid!
Mike Says:May 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
You know the one thing we need is a left handed monkey wrench. This is truly the Greatest Story Ever Told!
Brian Davis needs a real challanger next election cycle, he simply has to go. He does nothing but file meaningless amendments and stoke racial tensions, downtown Buffalo deserves a professional Councilmember.
Dan Says:May 9th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I was not present for Mr. Paladino’s words, but if they are untrue, they would constitute slander (as far as i know..pre-med/pre-law, whatever..)
So, if Mr. Williams is correct in his belief that race was not a factor in his hiring, he should have a very strong case, I would think. If he is not, it would seem foolish to file suit against Mr. Paladino.
Paladino clearly feels that he has a strong enough case to file suit against the council, and he is not a man of empty threats in my observation.
Russell Says:May 9th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
A number of people, including Phil Rumore this morning on WBEN, have said that race was a factor in hiring Dr. Williams. That’s been stated as a matter of fact by people involved in the hiring process. The difference is that Mr. Paladino stated that it was the determining factor. I don’t get what the big deal is. If some of the people that did the hiring concede it was a factor they considered, than it seems reasonable to think it tipped the balance in Williams’ favor. Therefore, I don’t understand what’s so horrible about what Paladino said.
The Council, on the other hand, is way out of line to condemn the statements of a private citizen. You really have to wonder why this time against this man?
hank Says:May 9th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Russell-Not to argue with a fellow Conservative, but considering the “Sicilian Thing” between Dr Williams and “Big Phil” Rumore, and the lack of love between Dr Willams and the BTF Loonion, I wouldn’t put any credence in ANYTHING Big Phil has to say about Dr Williams. It would be akin to asking Stalin his opinion about Trotsky.
Was his race a factor? Could be–I’m sure African American men with PhD’s in Education Administration aren’t hanging from every branch of the tree. The Deciding Factor? Again, could be but I doubt it.
If so, the board figured they were hiring someone they could control.
OOPS. Nobody controls this man, it’s obvious.
The Council and Paladino? A fight best left unfought.
Russell Says:May 9th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hank, I get what you’re saying and it’s not everyday I quote a union president to back up my view. I’m just saying that it’s out there. Paladino isn’t the first to say something along these lines and he’s not the last. Yes, what he said is slightly stronger, but it’s really just splitting hairs. I just don’t get why all the outrage when Paladino says it, but it’s fine for others to say it.
Look, it came down to Williams and two other candidates. He was black and the others were not and we’re told race was a factor. I think it’s a reasonable jump to think it was a determining factor. Even if others are comfortable going that far, we’ve been told it was a factor.
al-alo Says:May 9th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
frankly i just wish they would break up the district (by CC districts, whatever). Its too big. its too clunkly, slow and bureaucratic.
and as we all know, schools are what draw residents with families. if we could get areas of the city with better schools, it would create a stronger urban core. stronger realestate. stronger neighborhoods. more population.
sadly, there are areas in the city that would undoubtedly have more difficulties in providing a quality education. but at least these areas could be freer to create new curricula or approaches to better meet their needs.
i know, i know. it sounds neo-segregationist. but really is it any different than a school district that stops at the city line?
Mr. Pink Says:May 9th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I choose Paladino since he has been spewing the nonsensical crap for years and I take issue with Paladino being a private citizen…after all, who has benefited more from taxpayer largess than he?
Seriously, it was a stupid comment and the only reason I can fathom Carl would do this (for he is not a stupid man) is that he hadn’t been in the press for some time and missed seeing his mug all over the place.
Brian Davis should have used his bully pulpit OUTSIDE the actual Council Meeting to hammer away at Paladino but taking official government action in the form of a resolution is pretty stupid too and a waste of time.
Mike In WNY Says:May 10th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Who cares what Paladino said. The Buffalo Public School system is screwed up and more than one person is to blame.