tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post6754454168974441383..comments2023-09-27T03:58:56.646-06:00Comments on Bessemer Opinions: Birmingham "Falls Flat On Its Face"Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10842576168520693461noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post-90317648098483962152007-04-23T23:06:00.000-06:002007-04-23T23:06:00.000-06:00Abbott will reintroduce the resolution and says sh...<A HREF="http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2007/04/23/exclusive-abbott-to-run-for-mayor/ " REL="nofollow">Abbott will reintroduce the resolution</A> and says she has the votes to pass it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post-16803133586645320622007-03-30T14:02:00.000-06:002007-03-30T14:02:00.000-06:00I have been a resident of the Birmingham area my e...I have been a resident of the Birmingham area my entire life, and, after reading Dr. Openshaw’s comments, I am not going to lie; I was ashamed. My shame, however, was not directed toward the city council, who routinely spews hypocrisy and close minded messages without any threat of consequences. Rather my shame was pointed toward myself for allowing this. I was not aware of this resolution until after it was already voted down. As a resident of a suburb of Birmingham, I often ignore the “hiccups” in judgment that the city council regularly seems to make. To ignore what they do seems easier (and is definitely less frustrating), but it is important to remember that by ignoring what our lawmakers are doing in office, we are condoning their actions. On the Birmingham City Council web site they portray Birmingham as an area that is sensitive to the beliefs and issues of the gay and lesbian community. They list homophobic abuse, and equality in the work place as key issues; yet when the ball comes into there court, and they are presented with an opportunity to send a message that Birmingham is a place of open mindedness and acceptance, our city council throws the ball away so fast one would assume it was paid for with profits from a state lottery (I'm still bitter about the fact that I had to pay for college, because some ignorant people decided buying a state lottery ticket was like signing your name on the VIP list to Hell)<BR/> As a non-Birmingham resident it is easy to think that I am not affected by the actions (or lack there of) of the Birmingham City council, but, despite how scary it is, we are very dependant on the city of Birmingham. The suburbs and surrounding cities can not prosper without a thriving, and healthy Birmingham. As businesses and opportunities routinely pass our city and state by, we as concerned citizens must stand up and ask “why?” Because, the fact is, the “magic city” has lost its magic. Our neighboring city to the east (the city Doctor Openshaw referred to as “the city too busy to hate”) has outshined us in more areas than just social tolerance. Atlanta has a mass transportation system (make all the jokes you want about the MARTA but if you don’t have a car in Atlanta you can still get to work) and routinely hosts major events (such as the final four which will be played tomorrow). Birmingham has a couple busses that we can’t even afford to keep filled up with gas, and routinely hosts major (events such as the SWAC basketball championships). Birmingham has a number of problems that need to be addressed, including the issue of tolerance, and I, personally intend on doing a better job on seeing that the city council actually tries to do something about solving these problems instead of just listing them on their website.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post-58387634509911403312007-03-28T07:42:00.000-06:002007-03-28T07:42:00.000-06:00Great that you're around saying this. I hope there...Great that you're around saying this. I hope there are enough of you actually to influence events. Keep it up!Christine McIntoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198224025775398453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1677108722778516534.post-63077096667347126282007-03-28T06:25:00.000-06:002007-03-28T06:25:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com