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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.