Marion Barry has passed away

[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 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.

That an entire thread is a debate about her politics and whether it was good or bad for the UK and the world. Plenty of negative comments about her. If Jeff is deleting anything negative about Barry in this, he's showing a double standard.

So now we're down from "horrible" to discussing thatchers legacy. I think there are plenty of similar comments on this thread.

Stop looking for persecution. This forum is chock full of crazy posts of all political persuasions. And I'm sure you can say what you want without any problem. My guess is that if you had posted something remotely respectful you never would have been censored in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Being from Chicago and home of one of the biggest, baddest late bosses, Richard J Daley (1955-1976), I can appreciate your statement.

Daley, like Barry, was never in it for personal gain and both had dubious moments. I remember my grandfather saying he never really liked or trusted Daley but always voted for him "because my trash gets picked up, the street lights are on, and the precinct captain always checks in to make sure everything is alright."

Sounds like bosses Daley and Barry had much in common.

Are you kidding me? Clearly you didn't live in ward three during the 90s. Our trash got picked up maybe twice a month and if you called with a service request like fixing a streetlight the city would retaliate against you by fining your house for a minor infraction.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:Let me give a few of my own thoughts on the passing of Marion Barry. When I was a student at Georgetown University, Barry introduced Ronald Reagan who had come to the University to launch its bicentennial celebration. It was a beautiful day with lots of sun and a moderate temperature. Noting the weather, Barry asked, "will you give me credit for the sun? I know you all blame me for the snow." That was in reference to DC being buried under nearly 2 ft. of snow while Barry was in southern California attending the Super Bowl.

Barry was correct that his critics often focused on the negative while seeing the positive as natural or inevitable. He was quickly blamed for anything that went wrong, but credit for successes was frequently placed elsewhere. At the same time, to both Barry and his defenders, his successes were of such a magnitude that they excused any failures. Barry knew that those in the crowd at Georgetown did not blame him for the snow. We blamed him for his administration's failure to remove the snow. We saw Barry as a source of incompetence and corruption. Politics, especially local politics, is very much a situation of "what have you done for me lately?" and, lately, Barry hadn't done much good for us at all.

But, for others, Barry had done a lot. He had done life-changing things. However, there was no way that someone like me -- a young university student in only my second year of living in DC -- could understand the importance of those things. Frankly, I didn't even know about them. I would learn later that Barry had started a summer job program for youth. In the environment in which I grew up, youth had no problem finding summer employment. I couldn't understand why such a program was important. Then, I would start hearing a phrase that would become almost synonymous with "native Washingtonian" and that was "Marion Barry got me my first job". I think it is very important -- especially after decades of black people being associated with welfare -- that Barry was a proponent of work. He didn't ask for handouts, he asked for -- demanded, in fact -- jobs. Barry didn't create Washington, DC's middle class. But, he sure as hell helped create it and his efforts were -- as I said -- life-changing for many people. When someone has changed your life for the better, it is natural and understandable that you will forgive them their faults. Not surprisingly, therefore, there is another phrase I've heard frequently over the past few years, "That's our Barry". Warts and all, Barry made the kind of positive impact on others of which few can ever dream.

A lot more can be said about Barry, both good and bad. But, on this day, I am glad that I came to understand that a first job and a better lot in life is a much more important than a few days of snowed-in streets. So, on this day, Mr. Mayor, I am giving you credit for the sun.

Jeff - I think you are right to moderate here, and I appreciate your insight. But this is a hopelessly naive viewing of Barry's time in office. It sounds like you came here for college, but maybe didn't grow up in the city.

Barry got vilified for things that went wrong because more often than not he was to blame, either directly or because he had installed an unqualified friend or family member in a no show job. And when things went right, more often than not it was in spite of his governance. You are right - without his reckless spending and over employment Williams wouldn't have been brought in by congress to fix his mess.

His civil rights history is genuine, his desire to improve the life of his constituents is unquestioned, but even as we celebrate that we can remember that as an executive of the nations capital he was at best a dud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Being from Chicago and home of one of the biggest, baddest late bosses, Richard J Daley (1955-1976), I can appreciate your statement.

Daley, like Barry, was never in it for personal gain and both had dubious moments. I remember my grandfather saying he never really liked or trusted Daley but always voted for him "because my trash gets picked up, the street lights are on, and the precinct captain always checks in to make sure everything is alright."

Sounds like bosses Daley and Barry had much in common.

Are you kidding me? Clearly you didn't live in ward three during the 90s. Our trash got picked up maybe twice a month and if you called with a service request like fixing a streetlight the city would retaliate against you by fining your house for a minor infraction.

Looks like you missed the point which is many benefited from the bosses and those who did, voted for them.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:Let me give a few of my own thoughts on the passing of Marion Barry. When I was a student at Georgetown University, Barry introduced Ronald Reagan who had come to the University to launch its bicentennial celebration. It was a beautiful day with lots of sun and a moderate temperature. Noting the weather, Barry asked, "will you give me credit for the sun? I know you all blame me for the snow." That was in reference to DC being buried under nearly 2 ft. of snow while Barry was in southern California attending the Super Bowl.

Barry was correct that his critics often focused on the negative while seeing the positive as natural or inevitable. He was quickly blamed for anything that went wrong, but credit for successes was frequently placed elsewhere. At the same time, to both Barry and his defenders, his successes were of such a magnitude that they excused any failures. Barry knew that those in the crowd at Georgetown did not blame him for the snow. We blamed him for his administration's failure to remove the snow. We saw Barry as a source of incompetence and corruption. Politics, especially local politics, is very much a situation of "what have you done for me lately?" and, lately, Barry hadn't done much good for us at all.

But, for others, Barry had done a lot. He had done life-changing things. However, there was no way that someone like me -- a young university student in only my second year of living in DC -- could understand the importance of those things. Frankly, I didn't even know about them. I would learn later that Barry had started a summer job program for youth. In the environment in which I grew up, youth had no problem finding summer employment. I couldn't understand why such a program was important. Then, I would start hearing a phrase that would become almost synonymous with "native Washingtonian" and that was "Marion Barry got me my first job". I think it is very important -- especially after decades of black people being associated with welfare -- that Barry was a proponent of work. He didn't ask for handouts, he asked for -- demanded, in fact -- jobs. Barry didn't create Washington, DC's middle class. But, he sure as hell helped create it and his efforts were -- as I said -- life-changing for many people. When someone has changed your life for the better, it is natural and understandable that you will forgive them their faults. Not surprisingly, therefore, there is another phrase I've heard frequently over the past few years, "That's our Barry". Warts and all, Barry made the kind of positive impact on others of which few can ever dream.

A lot more can be said about Barry, both good and bad. But, on this day, I am glad that I came to understand that a first job and a better lot in life is a much more important than a few days of snowed-in streets. So, on this day, Mr. Mayor, I am giving you credit for the sun.

Good and unbiased perspective that many African Americans in DC share with you on this day.

I'm not a Washingtonian, past or present, but thank you for showing class when you get up and speak at a funeral.

[Anonymous]

He was a reliable loyal democrat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Being from Chicago and home of one of the biggest, baddest late bosses, Richard J Daley (1955-1976), I can appreciate your statement.

Daley, like Barry, was never in it for personal gain and both had dubious moments. I remember my grandfather saying he never really liked or trusted Daley but always voted for him "because my trash gets picked up, the street lights are on, and the precinct captain always checks in to make sure everything is alright."

Sounds like bosses Daley and Barry had much in common.

Are you kidding me? Clearly you didn't live in ward three during the 90s. Our trash got picked up maybe twice a month and if you called with a service request like fixing a streetlight the city would retaliate against you by fining your house for a minor infraction.

Looks like you missed the point which is many benefited from the bosses and those who did, voted for them.

I just don't think it is appropriate to compare basic city services like trash pickup that Daley was good at in Chicago to the same services that barry provided. Daley is known for being very good at providing those services; barry is known for being bad at services like trash pickup and fixing lights. Not fair to Daley.
Yes, the summer jobs program was a good initiative, but you need more than that to be a good mayor.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the summer jobs program was a good initiative, but you need more than that to be a good mayor.

How about completely transforming the Georgetown waterfront?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Being from Chicago and home of one of the biggest, baddest late bosses, Richard J Daley (1955-1976), I can appreciate your statement.

Daley, like Barry, was never in it for personal gain and both had dubious moments. I remember my grandfather saying he never really liked or trusted Daley but always voted for him "because my trash gets picked up, the street lights are on, and the precinct captain always checks in to make sure everything is alright."

Sounds like bosses Daley and Barry had much in common.

Are you kidding me? Clearly you didn't live in ward three during the 90s. Our trash got picked up maybe twice a month and if you called with a service request like fixing a streetlight the city would retaliate against you by fining your house for a minor infraction.

Looks like you missed the point which is many benefited from the bosses and those who did, voted for them.

I just don't think it is appropriate to compare basic city services like trash pickup that Daley was good at in Chicago to the same services that barry provided. Daley is known for being very good at providing those services; barry is known for being bad at services like trash pickup and fixing lights. Not fair to Daley.
Yes, the summer jobs program was a good initiative, but you need more than that to be a good mayor.

You folks don't understand the definition of a 'boss' in politics. This isn't about trash pickup. It's about political control, effective or not. Never make a regional political comment where people really don't understand.

[Anonymous]

I always feel sorry for the family and friends of the deceased, regardless of how the deceased conducted himself while alive.

But, I also recognize that most folks tend to focus on the positive aspects of a person's life and invariably exclude or gloss over (often sugarcoating or justifying) the negative actions. Sometimes that's okay...especially if the negative actions were merely alleged rather than proven. Other times, it's absurd...particularly when the media romanticizes the actions and rewrites history to honor a persona that never really existed.

I think it's probably okay to remember the good aspects of Marion Barry. As a comparison: I don't think it will be appropriate to honor the good aspects of Cosby once his criminal behavior has been proven.

[Anonymous]

I give him credit for being the first to do a lunch counter sit-in in Nashville. It takes guts to sit there and turn your back to an angry mob that might take a bat to you at any moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always feel sorry for the family and friends of the deceased, regardless of how the deceased conducted himself while alive.

But, I also recognize that most folks tend to focus on the positive aspects of a person's life and invariably exclude or gloss over (often sugarcoating or justifying) the negative actions. Sometimes that's okay...especially if the negative actions were merely alleged rather than proven. Other times, it's absurd...particularly when the media romanticizes the actions and rewrites history to honor a persona that never really existed.

I think it's probably okay to remember the good aspects of Marion Barry. As a comparison: I don't think it will be appropriate to honor the good aspects of Cosby once his criminal behavior has been proven.

This not about Cosby and to bring this up while the death of Barry is being discussed is petty and classless. Period.

[Anonymous]

I disagree, pp. If you read the post closely, you should have realized that I was merely using Cosby as a contrasting example to highlight the fact that despite his checkered past, Barry was a decent human being. And if you bothered to read my entire post along with the entire thread, I think you would understand why I posted the comment in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like others, I was unexpectedly sad to hear the news. One does not have to be blind to his flaws to have an emotional feeling of loss.

This thread is like our DCUM funeral for him, and I agree with Jeff that those who mourn deserve, at least in this one thread, to have our moment to look back without vilification.

His faults are part of the story, and Jeff has not demanded a whitewash, just a tone that recognizes that a giant, albeit a very imperfect one, has passed out of our lives.

+1 God uses imperfect people to spread his word and take up the cause of people in need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree, pp. If you read the post closely, you should have realized that I was merely using Cosby as a contrasting example to highlight the fact that despite his checkered past, Barry was a decent human being. And if you bothered to read my entire post along with the entire thread, I think you would understand why I posted the comment in the first place.

This is not about Cosby regardless how you persist. I hold to my opinion and you have yours. Leave it at that today.