Marion Barry has passed away

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those big buildings you see lining Pennsylvania Ave are attributable to Marion Barry. In many ways, there could not have been an Anthony Williams had there not first been a Marion Barry.

It has always been sad to me that the second half of his life will overshadow the first. A cautionary tale about the dangers of believing your own press and surrounding yourself with yes men.

Yes PP. This part KILLS me. I am a DC native and have mixed emotions. Through his youth leadership program now called summer youth employment - he saved many, many lives of young black men I knew back in the day. He had an incredible mathematical mind - hence all the Chemistry degrees. It's also what allowed him to remember ladies phone numbers by heart. Even though he had many, many personal flaws, he really believed in helping lift others up. You can't question his commitment to public service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those big buildings you see lining Pennsylvania Ave are attributable to Marion Barry. In many ways, there could not have been an Anthony Williams had there not first been a Marion Barry.

It has always been sad to me that the second half of his life will overshadow the first. A cautionary tale about the dangers of believing your own press and surrounding yourself with yes men.

Perfect statement. RIP Marion.

[Anonymous]

flaws and all... I am really sad by this news. He made DC a gay friendly city and frist big gave minority business owners their first big break.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you going to censor me again Jeff?

You did not censor people who said horrible things here when Margaret Thatcher died. And only I chided those who seem to be attached to the disreputable among us (not my exact words but i said nothing foul of offensive). For at the end of the day Marion Barry was a public figure and and deserves public scrutiny. Yet during his life time to offer scrutiny was to risk being libeled a racist by many who post here. And now in death you won't even allow the discussion. I won't play the hagiography game but if you censor this its far worse than hagiography you are playing at. This is the Political Discussion Forum Jeff, please allow the discourse.

There will be plenty of time in the future for discussion of all aspects of Barry's life. Today is a day for those who grieve. Those who don't can go to the Expectant Moms forum and discuss baby names.

Jeff I'm starting to see how important you are to this city. Thank you for being responsible with this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you going to censor me again Jeff?

You did not censor people who said horrible things here when Margaret Thatcher died. And only I chided those who seem to be attached to the disreputable among us (not my exact words but i said nothing foul of offensive). For at the end of the day Marion Barry was a public figure and and deserves public scrutiny. Yet during his life time to offer scrutiny was to risk being libeled a racist by many who post here. And now in death you won't even allow the discussion. I won't play the hagiography game but if you censor this its far worse than hagiography you are playing at. This is the Political Discussion Forum Jeff, please allow the discourse.

I agree wholeheartedly with Jeff. You will eventually have your 15-minutes for vehemence ...

I'm not seeing any vehemence in this thread so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you going to censor me again Jeff?

You did not censor people who said horrible things here when Margaret Thatcher died. And only I chided those who seem to be attached to the disreputable among us (not my exact words but i said nothing foul of offensive). For at the end of the day Marion Barry was a public figure and and deserves public scrutiny. Yet during his life time to offer scrutiny was to risk being libeled a racist by many who post here. And now in death you won't even allow the discussion. I won't play the hagiography game but if you censor this its far worse than hagiography you are playing at. This is the Political Discussion Forum Jeff, please allow the discourse.

I agree wholeheartedly with Jeff. You will eventually have your 15-minutes for vehemence ...

I'm not seeing any vehemence in this thread so far.

Jeff has been deleting inappropriate comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you going to censor me again Jeff?

You did not censor people who said horrible things here when Margaret Thatcher died. And only I chided those who seem to be attached to the disreputable among us (not my exact words but i said nothing foul of offensive). For at the end of the day Marion Barry was a public figure and and deserves public scrutiny. Yet during his life time to offer scrutiny was to risk being libeled a racist by many who post here. And now in death you won't even allow the discussion. I won't play the hagiography game but if you censor this its far worse than hagiography you are playing at. This is the Political Discussion Forum Jeff, please allow the discourse.

I agree wholeheartedly with Jeff. You will eventually have your 15-minutes for vehemence ...

I'm not seeing any vehemence in this thread so far.

Jeff has been deleting inappropriate comments.

Hope this thread continues to be moderated for inappropriate comments. A man has just died. Have some respect for at least a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those big buildings you see lining Pennsylvania Ave are attributable to Marion Barry. In many ways, there could not have been an Anthony Williams had there not first been a Marion Barry.

It has always been sad to me that the second half of his life will overshadow the first. A cautionary tale about the dangers of believing your own press and surrounding yourself with yes men.

Well said, pp. Regardless of my feelings about his behavior in recent years, it feels strange this morning to think of DC without Marion Barry. I'm much sadder than I expected to be. While it's more of a symbolic loss at this point, it's a loss nevertheless and a big one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you going to censor me again Jeff?

You did not censor people who said horrible things here when Margaret Thatcher died. And only I chided those who seem to be attached to the disreputable among us (not my exact words but i said nothing foul of offensive). For at the end of the day Marion Barry was a public figure and and deserves public scrutiny. Yet during his life time to offer scrutiny was to risk being libeled a racist by many who post here. And now in death you won't even allow the discussion. I won't play the hagiography game but if you censor this its far worse than hagiography you are playing at. This is the Political Discussion Forum Jeff, please allow the discourse.

I just read the Margaret Thatcher thread. I fail to see anything "horrible" in it. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/299723.page This, despite the fact that she is a foreign political figure, not American much less DC's former mayor.

Maybe you could point out what you think is worthy of deletion for being "horrible". I don't think you are showing much perspective here.

[Anonymous]

sound like nbc pat collins was crying a bit

[Anonymous]

The censorship is unfortunate but probably necessary.

It doesnt seem Barry operated for personal gain - he was basically bankrupt. Did he enrage others? Probanly. But his legacy is pretty amazing. Last of the biggest city bosses to go. Now we get hacks like Gray, diblasio, etc.

The city will move on, and maybe faster than it otherwise w/o have. But it may lose some of the unique character Barry nurtured.

[Anonymous]

RIP Mayor for Life

[Anonymous]

Jim Vance telling some great stories on NBC4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you going to censor me again Jeff?

You did not censor people who said horrible things here when Margaret Thatcher died. And only I chided those who seem to be attached to the disreputable among us (not my exact words but i said nothing foul of offensive). For at the end of the day Marion Barry was a public figure and and deserves public scrutiny. Yet during his life time to offer scrutiny was to risk being libeled a racist by many who post here. And now in death you won't even allow the discussion. I won't play the hagiography game but if you censor this its far worse than hagiography you are playing at. This is the Political Discussion Forum Jeff, please allow the discourse.

There will be plenty of time in the future for discussion of all aspects of Barry's life. Today is a day for those who grieve. Those who don't can go to the Expectant Moms forum and discuss baby names.

Jeff I'm starting to see how important you are to this city. Thank you for being responsible with this forum.

Yes welcome to the new world… its important that only those with whom you agree with you hear from, must let anything disagreeable to our sensitivities sneak in…

For my part, may the man RIP but to simply remember the good and remove the bad is a disservice to all the citizens. I grew up in Detroit and experienced first hand what happens when Mayors are placed upon a pedestal and deigned beyond reproach. Not comparing M. Barry to Detroit as I didn't live in DC during his tenure just surprised that honest discussion is being discouraged.

[Anonymous]

I don't think most of the posts above are ignoring the bad. The issue is probably with posts that are ignoring everything else but the bad.