alanwright wrote:
Thank you for your disclosure. It is only in that context that we know either that you know their work personally, or benefit from it, or neither. Directly or indirectly.

Quote:

A critical mind discerns that one might do good irrespective of other problems they may have relative to other areas, particularly politics and government. That's why Obama, unlike Bush, sees the world as not "black & white" and that idealism, plus transparency, plus pragmatism is necessary to accomplish good that benefits all. Only a naif sees it as black and white.

The concerns stated about double-dipping are procedural. The "results" may or may not be good, but double-dipping and nepotism are bad practices notwithstanding the results.

I agree that nepotism in all cases constitutes "bad practices" with no exception, and particularly with political office-holders.
[...]

I'm not quite sure what you're driving at through your obscure point above. But, I'll take a closer look.

1) You needn't patronize others by snidely suggesting their minds do not act as "critical[ly]" as does yours.

I assume the "critical mind" you're referring to is your own.

I need not tell you what "ass-u-me" means.

You sound defensive as to my "statement" in the general about "critical minds", not the particular or a pjeroative as to your own noggin'; it was not directed at you or others specifically, only my belief that "critical minds" make choices and statements based on a myriad of info.

This is a homunculus in a self-regarding pose: it sees itself as the reasoner.

Your declarative statement above, is itself a homunculus, in that you see yourself as the "reasoner" (the eyes inner vision of my mind) attempting to parse the meaning of what I stated in general. Jung, Gregory and many other writers would have much to say about your description of my statement as being a "self-regarding pose", perhaps your own transference to moi? :-8

To wit:
Quote:

Philosophy Dictionary: homunculus

Philosophy Dictionary

A small person. A bad idea in the philosophy of mind is to explain a person's agency, or intelligence, or experience, as if there were a smaller agent, or intelligent thing, or experiencing subject ?inside the head?. But homuncular functionalism decomposes complex functions into simpler ones, thereby avoiding the obvious regress.

In fact, I succinctly use a common descriptive metaphor, "black & white" to indicate that such decisions are not "simpler ones" but in fact (suggested0 more "complex functions" than the "homunculus" you ascribe to my statements and your own assignation and assumptions.

2) The dissenters here are not naifs, and shame on you for an ad hominem.

Again, your parsing of my statement, not what I stated in the general about "critical minds" and "naifs". However, I wonder at your use of the latin, "ad hominem". Why do I suspect you are a recently admitted to the bar? :-8


It did not go unnoticed.

I suspect nothing escapes your NON-critical eyes.

Thus, I read your response as a thinly-veiled criticism of your dissenters:

Nope. Only your parsing suggest it as "thinly-veiled criticism of your(my) dissenters".

Again your misreading of what I stated. I don't consider replies about Gaughan's daughters "your (my)dissenters", they are simply the reader's opinion, not my own and each of us entitled to opine.

we are unrealistic (non-pragmatic) because we disdain nepotism

Your own conjecture, as I also "disdain nepotism" and your conclusion I don't is your own homunculus reading

and insider tactics (non-transparency) even where the result is a "good that benefits all" (non-ideal).

Nope. it was I who pointed out that Cory Booker, who you equated with Steven Fulop ("Cory Booker/Steve Fulop"), when I said that it was in fact the so-called "outsider" (your word) Cory Booker, that was using "insider tactics" in approving Mayor Healy for re-election since Healy wields great power as HCDO power head. Yet, even so, I support Booker for his Mayorship of Newark , despite his support of Healy that is "non-ideal".

a. Again: proper procedure and ethically clean hands guides us to oppose nepotism. Especially in this town.

Yes, that is true and there we agree.

b. I dispute that the good benefits all.

I was speaking about Cory Booker by example, that even though he endorsed the head of the machine, HCDO's Mayor Healy, the overall "good"he does, and that yes, Mayor Healy's support of the Embankment for his own agenda, still accomplishes it's preservation by his own argument, even if you "dispute that the good benefits all". Open space is a "good that benefits all", IMO.

I have little knowledge of what work these council aids do,

Yet you are ready to damn same without knowing or speaking to one of them? Have you ever called Steve Fulop's Aide, Althea, and found what wonderful work she does for Ward E and beyond for not only constituents of Fulop's but for JC as one example of what "these council aides do"?

or what cultural events they put on, and I still wonder how and to what extent it benefits R_P and BM.

I've clearly stated what knowledge I have of Eileen Gaughn, and any "wonder" on your part is a purposeful ad hominem attack of your own, attempting to conjure conspiracy of motive and speculating as to what I have clearly stated. I hold no position either by salary, group, or volunteer that benefits from my meager acquaintance with Ms. Gaughn and have spoken to her only a few times in toto.

c. A "black-white" dichotomy misrepresents the position,

Not in my statement in the general it does not, nor in the specifics I related to Cory Booker's support of Healy for re-election or Healy's support of the Embankment for his own agenda, which again, while I disagree with, I support his preservation of the Embankment. Your declaration of misrepresentation is a classic debater's attempt of fallacy.[b]

though seeking procedural and ethical integrity in hiring is, in my mind, an important ideal which may require a very specific rule... as there is at the state level.

[b]Yes, I agree that rule of law and "ethical integrity in hiring" are both important for ALL of JC Government and Hudson County Government as well.

[...]

3."Idealism" and "pragmatism" are value-laden words which have different meaning to all of us.

True. However, in the context of my using those words, I consider Booker to be both an idealist yet a pragmatist by knowing that he had to support Healy as Healy wields great power in NJ as head of HCDO (the 'machine' in Hudson County) and JC will likely be shown in the 2010 Census to be NJ's largest city and in command of yet more monies and power relative to Obama's administration. I also consider Obama to practice both "idealism" and "pragmatism" as well, both domestically and in foreign affairs, even though I have major disagreements with major programs and policies of his own, I still support him for "the good that benefits us all" .

Corey Booker is on leave from his partnership in the BOOKER, RABINOWITZ, TRENK, LUBETKIN, TULLY, DiPASQUALE & WEBSTER in Newark. This law firm holds numerous contracts in both Jersey City government [ like the incinerator and housing authority to name two] along with numerous financial firms like Goldman Sachs and developers. Elnardo Webster was Bobby Jackson, Joe Cardwell?s, Glen Cunningham?s attorney.

alanwright wrote:
BrightMoment wrote:

Quote:

So should I damn Booker's "insider" support for Mayor Healy even though Booker is doing good for Newark? Not black & white is it alanwright?

Leave the black/white dichotomy aside. Nobody holds that position. Certainly not me.

Booker is not a Jersey City insider because he does not derive benefits from JC in the way we're considering: relatives being hired, no-show jobs, parking ticket scams, etc.

He may be a political or party ally, but not an insider. Thus, his support for Healy and whatever he's doing good for Newark have no bearing on this.

So should I damn Booker's "insider" support for Mayor Healy even though Booker is doing good for Newark? Not black & white is it alanwright?

A critical mind discerns that one might do good irrespective of other problems they may have relative to other areas, particularly politics and government. That's why Obama, unlike Bush, sees the world as not "black & white" and that idealism, plus transparency, plus pragmatism is necessary to accomplish good that benefits all. Only a naif sees it as black and white.

jimmy wrote:
Bright Moment,

So you don't think nepotism is an issue with Bill Gaughan?

alanwright wrote:

Sad, but true. Until we have a Cory Booker/ Steve Fulop "outsider" candidate on the ballot... and it has to be one who has a chance... it will be "insider" tactics for JC politics.
[...]

alanwright on 2009/5/3 18:09:32
Quote:

by jimmy on 2009/5/3 17:24:33
[...] Bright "Back off" Moment,

Please spare us your rationalizations. It sounds like you know and/or work with some of these "kids" and feel the need to defend them...[...]

Agreed 100%.

Just because the daughters are serving your interest groups doesn't mean it's not nepotism.

[...]

The burden is on THEM (and now, YOU, pinko/bright) to demonstrate their chops to non-interested parties. i.e., not those who benefit from the relationship, as pinko and bright apparently do.

Top to bottom, welcome the new boss, same as the old...

Please spare us your rationalizations. It sounds like you know and/or work with some of these "kids" and feel the need to defend them...

r_pinkowitz wrote:
Quote:

Yahoo wrote:


Ward D Councilman BILL GAUGHAN- City Council Salary
ONE DAUGHTER WORKS ON COUNTY PAYROLL AND
ONE DAUGHTER WORKS ON CITY PAYROLL AT CITY HALL.

ONE DAUGHTER WORKS ON CITY PAYROLL AT CITY HALL. makes 15,000 a year as a council aide.

ONE DAUGHTER WORKS ON COUNTY PAYROLL works her tail off in the county and happens to be very liked and respected within our arts community. She works a gazillion hours doing all of the cultural events which includes the very popular Brennan Coffee House.

Yahoo,
leave the kids out of this.

Yahoo wrote:


Ward D Councilman BILL GAUGHAN- City Council Salary
ONE DAUGHTER WORKS ON COUNTY PAYROLL AND
ONE DAUGHTER WORKS ON CITY PAYROLL AT CITY HALL.