MEETING WAS A JOKE

[tester]

Im sure a lot of people tuned into the council meeting last night. It looked like a bunch of 1st graders arguing over a ball.

I dont think Benjamin's threats are necessary to get his point across "I dont care who you are either, you know what I'm talkin about"

[guest]

there is no doubt that martin luther king jr. fought a very noble cause by noble means- and should be honored in some fashion- two thoughts- first before everyone gets into an argument, or biggot calling ect... ect... (the meeting was not impressive) if people feel so strongly about it- all people need to get his message through to thier kids- to many young african american males are involved in violence, narcotics, crimes, not to mention shootings which are becoming all too popular- and for what- the biggest memorial to dr. king would be for a reduction in all violence in all are young population from all races and creeds in our diverse society- NOW- for all the councilmen- here is a thought- if no business want to change for financial reasons fine, if community members do not want to petetion for the 51% fine- the solution is simple- i porpose that the next time the the council needs to goto some b.s. meeting in the tropics- be the better man- don't go, and donate the expense to a memorial for dr. king- for which he deserves

[disgusted citizen]

It's amazing how every time the majority's will is not accepted, and the minority speaks up forcefully, then it becomes a problem.

I do fault Mr. Benjamin, and Dr. Williams for one thing, that being, not recognizing where they are. Lafayette is a city where they want their good "COLORED" folks to behave in subservient manner. And if you don't, then you have to feel the wrath of the majority, and be put in your place.

What Mr. Benjamin and Dr. Williams should also know is that there are other NEGRO'S who are standing in line to take their place, and are willing to dance to the Cajun Two Step, to receive their 30 pieces of silver to be accepted, not RESPECTED by them.

I hope you CRABS can sleep with yourselves at night, I know that Benjamin and Williams can.

WARNING FROM ADMIN: NO BASHING OTHER POSTERS OR YOUR IP WILL BE BANNED.

[Confused]

I agree about the meeting being a joke.... I read the article that Bruce Conques wrote that said that Williams and Benjamin plays the race card. I can only assume that the race card is used when blacks bring controversial issues to the fore front. Explain to what is the RACE CARD? I can only assume that is something invented to side step issues and to put blame on blacks to make them look guilty. Again, this is the game that is played to keep blacks in their place. Mr. Conques please tell me what you mean by saying the RACE CARD?

[cwhite]

I'm confused as well. I think that most council members, regardless of color, act like a bunch of scavenging idiots.

Disgusted Citizen referred to something I've continually come across and never understood. Having worked in grass roots efforts, having been thrown from meetings with senators, having been ostracized, I understand how upsetting the status quo is a sure fire way to witness the majority's inane but sometimes violent, always over the top, reactions. What I don't understand is when we'll come to a point that those breakdowns don't occur along racial lines. I'm curious as to when we'll sit down and talk to one another, when we'll ALL be willing to admit fault, dole out credit where it is due and agree to walk forward.

God knows I'm not gonna dance for anybody and I don't expect anyone else to do so. And I realize that sometimes, bitterness errupts because you just can't take anymore. But as long as we are all willing to put up with dishonestly and posturing and one-liners to protect our egos (individual or community), we're not gonna get chit done.

You call a meeting of the minds and I swear I'll be there. I've already been to one communication workshop where we were about 55% ethnic minority and the rest (mostly, as far as I could tell) white and do you know that people who were at each others throats at workshop's beginning were on the same page at the end?

It's possible. But as long as everyone's walking around being indignant and self-righteous, NOTHING will EVER get done.

[tester]

To disgusted citizen, I was not making any comments regarding the race issue, all i was stating was that they "all" looked like a bunch of school children.

And I still think if Mr Benjamin wants respect from anyone, he needs to stop threatening people because it is ridiculous to do that in his poistion.

[friend]

disgusted said:

It's amazing how every time the majority's will is not accepted, and the minority speaks up forcefully, then it becomes a problem.

The Majority rules.

[theman]

you might not agree with what the majority want but this is the USA. if you do not agree with the majority, do something about it. GET GUTS and run for office and get your voice heard

[zoe10850]

Confused said:

I agree about the meeting being a joke.... I read the article that Bruce Conques wrote that said that Williams and Benjamin plays the race card. I can only assume that the race card is used when blacks bring controversial issues to the fore front. Explain to what is the RACE CARD? I can only assume that is something invented to side step issues and to put blame on blacks to make them look guilty. Again, this is the game that is played to keep blacks in their place. Mr. Conques please tell me what you mean by saying the RACE CARD?

[zoe10850]

well , the "race card" is when anyone has an opinion that differs from yours, you then call him a racist because you lack intellectual ability to articulate why that person may be incorrect or flawed in their conclusion. Example: Physical and circumstantial evidence indicates that O J Simpson murdered 2 people. The evidence only indicates that because OJ is black, the police were white and the victems were white, therefore you are a racist. That is using the "race card".

mr Williams is looking to move into another elected position and needs the support of "his" community, and he apparently is unable to come up with another way to unite people behind him except by creating racial mistrust and conflict. I am not a racist because I do not agree that Willow, Evangeline Thruway, or Johnston Streete need to be renamed MLK Blvd.
I see nothing constructive in Williams comments. Why don't Williams/Benjamin raise funds to build a statue of MLK to be placed somewhere deemed appropriate if he is actually concerned that this community recognize the civil rights leader.

I suppose that next we will rename Jefferson Street because Jefferson owned slaves or Johnston was a confederate general. How about the statue of Mouton on Jefferson Street - wasn't he a slave owner also? Let's rip that puppy down now lest we be perceived as condoning enslavement of people.

[GUEST]

I WOULD HOPE THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS WATCH THE TAPE OF THE MEETING, SIT DOWN, AND REALIZE HOW SILLY, IMMATURE, AND UNPROFESSIONAL THE WHOLE MEETING WAS. IF I UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY, RANDY MENARD MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT ROBERT RULES, (MODIFIED), THEN LATER WHEN ASKED BY WILLIAMS WHAT THAT PERTAINED TO ECT... RANDY MENARD SAID I DON'T KNOW...THEY ALL LOOKED LIKE A BUNCH OF FIRST GRADERS, IN AN OPEN BOOK TEST ATTEMPTING TO FIND AN ANSWER- I WOULD ASSUME ALL OF THEM WOULD BE SOMEWHAT FAMILAIR WITH THE RULES, - EVEN BENJAMIN DID BETTER THEN OTHERS TO HIS CREDIT PERTAINING TO THE KNOWLDGE OF ROBERT RULES- AS A TAX PAYING PERSON FOR LAFAYETTE PARISH, I WOULD WANT A REFUND 9PRO-RATED OF COURSE) FOR THE TIME SPENT ON THAT MEETING FROM ALL THE COUNCIL MEMNBERS SALARY- THANK GOD THE CHAIR HAD THE GUTS TO CALL HIMSELF OUT OF ORDER, AND ATTEMPT TO RECTIFY THE ISSUES, HAS HE STATED CORRECTLY (PARAPHRAZING) " IF THERE WAS A BUSINESS LOOKING TO MOVE TO LAFAYETTE, AND SAW THIS MEETING...DO THINK THEY WOULD STAY?...". IT WAS TOTALY EMBARRISING, - HOWEVER FOR THE TENTH TIME, I LEARNED THAT BENJAMIN ISN'T SCARED, (WHATEVER), WILLIAMS IS TIRED OF A 7-2 VOTE, ECT... ECT... ECT... IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE IF THERE COULD BE MEETING THAT ARE PROFESSIONAL, THAT INCLUDE INTELLIGENT DEBATE, WITHOUT RACE REED, ECT... COMING INTO THE DISCUSSION. IF THAT BEHAVIOR CONTINUES, I WOULD PROPOSE A MOTION THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS WRITE THE PARISH GOVERNMENT A CHECK FOR THEIR SALARY, OR GET THE HELL OFF THE COUNCIL- OR IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT- INSTEAD OF NAME CALLING AND STATING IM NOT SCARED, MAKE A INTELLIGENT REBUTTLE OR ARGUMENT- IF NOT, LEAVE THE COUNCIL, OR GO SEE A THERAPIST- THAT IS TO ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS- THE PEOPLE OF LAFAYETTE DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT BUSHLEAGUE COUNCIL

[citizen]

Our government is not functioning, abolish it now. Start passing the petition around now, Send all those folks home and let's elect some people who want to solve the problems our community faces.