Targeted

The Tribune is on my mind, forgive or indulge. The Tribune has a sad recent history of attacking individuals and groups in the Duluth area. The politics of personal destruction practiced by the Tribune is the height of hypocrisy, considering their frequent, empty pleas for civility in Duluth.

Consider the case of Betty George. Three days of headlines were devoted to what can only be characterized as wholesale character assassination. Her organization was accused of various types of malfeasance and misuse of public funds. Ultimately, following a very complete audit by the State, "irregularities" were the worst of the findings. Consider your own checkbook and unless you are the most meticulous bookkeeper, there will be "irregularities". The only small business that doesn't have irregularities would be one featured in a fiction novel. However, these irregularities justified the unmitigated, shameless assault on Ms. George's character complete with three front page headlines. I can only imagine if the same audit was conducted at the Tribune.

The politics of personal destruction reared it's ugly head again during the most recent City Council election. A "Routine background check" that has never been conducted on a DFL candidate for local office, was selectively performed on one candidate for an at large seat. This not so "routine background check" revealed a speeding ticket and a dismissed assault charge. While having never posted anything about any other candidates' criminal record, they chose to publish this information in another repugnant, selatious display of character assassination. This information had to be reviewed and approved by somebody prior to being published. It is not only repugnant but embarrassing to say the least. How the person responsible for publishing this garbage can look at themselves in the mirror every day is beyond comprehension.

Any hint of dissention has been ruthlessly and relentlessly attacked. Connect Duluth, a small group of thoughtful Duluthians attempting to stem the tide of leftist propaganda and bring the discussion to the Center has been subjected to attack and libel as well. They have never taken a stand on traditional, more controversial subjects such as abortion, national defense, death penalty, union labor, etc. Instead, they have examined and presented facts, figures and extremely well though out, local, issues based opinions and editorials. The opinions and editorials can hardly be characterized as right or left, in-fact, they are very centrist in nature and content.

For this presentation of fact, figures and truths, they have been ruthlessly and relentlessly attacked as a fringe, right-wing organization. Within the group, they agree on some subjects and disagree on some. They are a cross-section of Duluthians made up of small business people, union labor, a banker, a lawyer, a computer consultant, wives, husbands, sons, daughters, young and old. Based on the Tribune articles, you walk away with the impression they are right-wing, crazed, fascist, capitalist pigs. Quite the contrary, they are some of the best and brightest Duluth has to offer. Among them are people who have run for and both prevailed and suffered defeat in bids for public office. They are a passionate bunch with the future of Duluth and it's children their greatest concern.

For this they have been branded right-wing kooks by the Tribune and a small core of the left-wing elite in Duluth. Fortunately, they are undaunted and are forging ahead and growing. The group has touched many nerves for Duluthians City wide as they continue to gain in numbers and influence. Rank and file through upper management, thinking people City wide are seeing the Connect Duluth website for themselves, reading it and seeing that this group, in-fact, represents their views more than, perhaps any other group, anywhere. Regular folks who drive older cars and have only seen the inside of a limosine the day they got married.

On the other hand, a handful of limosine liberals in Duluth, wield their sword of personal attack and truth bending with ruthless precision. They strike fear into the hearts of anyone who disagrees with them, creating a cult of personality right here in little old Duluth. So, take care what you say or you will become their next mark. The sword will almost certainly swing this way if any of the power elite discover the author. Truth and Civility be damned. Until the hypocrisy ends, when those in leadership at the Tribune, other publications and within the institutions typically inhabited by the liberal leadership grow a conscience, we will continue to be subjected to their ruthless, repugnant politics of personal destruction. Until then, people are simply stepping stones, obstacles to be stepped on and crushed out and pawns in their game of power mongering.