The Observation Deck

John Farina wrote:Mike's assertion that CSD does not support women of color is false, a lie even.

I stand by my original statement. John has yet to offer an example of CSD endorsing a woman of color in a contested race outside of a majority-minority district or city.
Naturally CSD endorses women of color in predominantly black areas. Heck, even "The Parma Boys" do that.

Didn’t John Farina run for Lakewood City Council in the late 90’s?

He was a Republican - he ran as one.

But he’s complaining someone backs Trump, the darling of the Republican Party.

Hmmmm

Bridget Conant wrote:Didn’t John Farina run for Lakewood City Council in the late 90’s?

He was a Republican - he ran as one.

But he’s complaining someone backs Trump, the darling of the Republican Party.

Hmmmm

Yes, he was a Republican. However, to be fair, he switched parties because of the rising anti-gay fervor in the GOP...it was during the Karl Rove Era of coast to coast gay marriage bans.

Yes Bridget, I ran in 1995, 1999 and 2003. I haven't been a republican since 2004 and have more than shown my commitment to the Democratic party. Saying I was a republican in the 90's isn't really a bold statement. It's pretty well known.

Even if I were a republican, I'd be railing against Trump and those who support him.

Thanks Michael, I appreciate your recognition of that moment in my political life. Yes, I left the party because of their awful rightward movement.

I don't have every endorsement for the last 20 years in front of me. We have endorsed many minority candidates in districts all over the county. Personally, I'm disappointed that we didn't endorse Laura and I voted to endorse her. This does not at all reflect on our commitment to diversify. As I've said numerous times, if you want to see the candidates you support, show up and help give them the support they need.

John Farina wrote:Thanks Michael, I appreciate your recognition of that moment in my political life. Yes, I left the party because of their awful rightward movement.

I don't have every endorsement for the last 20 years in front of me. We have endorsed many minority candidates in districts all over the county. Personally, I'm disappointed that we didn't endorse Laura and I voted to endorse her. This does not at all reflect on our commitment to diversify. As I've said numerous times, if you want to see the candidates you support, show up and help give them the support they need.

This is a remarkable post Mr. Farina given that you've spent the better part of a day attempting to link Laura Rodriguez Carbone to a "homophobic racist Trump supporter" (your words). Which having read Ms. Carbone's post turns out to be total bullsh*t.
You get my take?

What is so hard to take Mr. Buckley? Until I spoke to Laura, I didn't know she was unaware of Mr. Egerts horrible bias. In fact, she didn't know about it until I brought it to her attention. You all here were so busy attacking a Democratic organization to even notice the misstep.

I didn't attempt to link Laura to Egert, I did link them. It was also not bullshit at all. It was the truth and Laura basically said so, except that she wasn't aware and she's willing to fix the situation. None of you lovely people here even had the courtesy to help her make that connection. I stand by what I've said about you and a few others, you're full of it and you're hypocrites.

So guess what, you're take is still wrong.

Gosh, calling everyone here a hypocrite because we called out your organization, yet you admit YOU were a Republican.

You were all OK with their platform and policies until one of them directly affected YOU negatively.

Hmmmm

Sounds pretty self centered and hypocritical to me.

Keep your nonsense up Bridget. You continue to be wrong. You can keep trying to make me look like the bad one, but you're looking pretty ridiculous.

I have all week with nothing better to do, and this is all very entertaining to me. Please Bridget, keep showing me how upset you are. You really can't let this go. And, you're wrong.

I'd like to know what the Stonewall Democrats have against gay men? Just checked their endorsements and their endorsement for Ward 3 is John Litten over an openly gay candidate, Jeff Wise.

Just a note of appreciation. This long discussion, which made me cringe at times, was generally accepting of the LGBTQ community's role in our local politics.

I would even say that the criticisms come from taking te Stonewall Democrats very seriously.

Amy Martin wrote:I'd like to know what the Stonewall Democrats have against gay men? Just checked their endorsements and their endorsement for Ward 3 is John Litten over an openly gay candidate, Jeff Wise.

That is truly remarkable and utterly contemptible.

What possible reason could they give for endorsing an establishment candidate, one with a strong conservative Catholic worldview, over an actively involved LGBTQ candidate?

This goes completely against their stated mission and just boggles a rational person’s mind.

Great point, Amy.
I think the Jeff Wise snub deserves its own thread....that decision is even more inexplicable than the Neff endorsement.

My, there seems to be some dissension in the Democrat ranks. I’m confused, is the proposal that the endorsement of a candidate and the Lakewood voters elected their representative for racial/sex diversity on the city council and not who they think will be the most effective as a councilperson? It appears if you don’t, then you are a racist, bigot, or worse, politically incorrect.

what is a CSD? How many of them are there registered in lakewood? why is there endorsement significant?