Reader Disapproves of Velazquez's Rhetoric

I have faith Seattle voters will ignore City Council candidate Venus Velazquez's advice at the June 21st Hate Free Zone Candidates' Forum (link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzEGpzGMgss). Ms. Velazquez wants us to "look at" the candidates "and decide 'Are we the people who look like you, who come from you? And if we're not, don't vote for us.'"

By her admonition Ron Sims would not be King County Executive (under six percent in King County are African-American), Gary Locke would not have been Governor (under seven percent in the state are Asian), we would be denied having a very qualified Maria Ramirez serve on the Seattle School Board (under seven percent in Seattle are Latino), and every office throughout the state would be held by Caucasians because whites are by far the majority of voters. (Source: US Census Bureau, 2005 American Community Survey.)

The last time Ms. Velazquez made race an issue she aligned with the other minority finalists for Jim Compton's vacated City Council position, leaving Sally Clark out in the cold because Ms. Clark had the misfortune of being white. (See Seattle Times "Sisterhood" article 1/26/06.) Was that a hate free alliance?

Seattle voters have proved themselves above simply "looking" at candidates. As it should be in a hate free zone, we judge candidates on their qualifications and strength of character. We want elected officials to look out for the best interests of everyone living in Seattle, not just the interests of those that "look like" us. We are a better city because we choose instead to examine the candidates' values, work ethic, competency, and willingness to be a good public servant.

--Pat Murakami, SE Seattle Activist, President of MCOM (Many Cultures, One Message)

Crowley Memorial Irks Godden Campaign Manager

To Jeff Stevens and ETS! staff,

Regarding your article "Walt Crowley Will Have His Revenge on Seattle". First, shame on you for using the tragic death of one of Seattle's icons to advance your political agenda (i.e. the candidacy of Joe Szwaja).

Second, get your facts straight. Walt Crowley was a big supporter, and a dear friend, of Jean Godden and donated to her campaign for reelection. I had the pleasure of meeting Walt for the first time at Councilmember Godden's reelection kick-off. If there was one thing Walt certainly did not want it was the election of Joe Szwaja. He was a proud Godden backer.

I'm asking for a retraction or apology for your completely misleading piece, but I'm not holding my breath.

Sincerely,

Carlo Davis, Manager of Campaign to Reelect Jean Godden (Seattle City Council Pos. One)

PS--This is what a proper tribute to a great man looks like: http:// crosscut.com/history/7689/Jean+Godden%3A+Saying+goodbye+to+our+friend% 2C+Walt+Crowley/ Notice how Jean had the decency not to use his death to advance her candidacy?

J.S. replies: Carlo, trust me, there's plenty of shame in this town to go around-not to mention, apparently, disingenuousness.

Allow me to quote here John Fox of the Seattle Displacement Coalition, who has stated publicly that Godden has "consistently voted against the interests of neighborhoods [and] low-income and working people while routinely catering to the likes of Paul Allen, downtown, and the corporate establishment." I'll quote as well the Beacon Hill News/South District Journal, which recently said of Godden, "there isn't a subsidy or a zoning change requested by Paul Allen's Vulcan Inc. that she hasn't fully supported."

Which leads to another question, of vintage lefty legend: Which side are you on?