[Vision2020] real economic development in Moscow

[Sunil Ramalingam]

Jeff,

I guess you've answered my questions to a degree.  I have trouble agreeing 
that investors are going to be unwilling to invest in a place where 
differences are resolved at polling places instead of in the streets.  Your 
definition of social conflicts can be applied to any city in the U.S. whose 
residents have more than one political view.  Look at the letters to the 
editor page in just about any paper, and you will find people making harsh 
comments about their opponents; are investors going to hold back from New 
York state because some voters don't like H. Clinton?  I doubt it.

Seems to me if you're willing to make value judgments on issues you raise 
here, you should be ready to publicly defend your views.  In for a dime, in 
for a dollar.

Finally, you made an accusation that suggested partisans of a particular 
point of view make certain sorts of attacks.  I think it's indefensible to 
suggest that's limited to one set of advocates, and I think you know that 
too.

Sunil


>From: Jeff Harkins <jeffh at moscow.com>
>To: "Sunil Ramalingam" <sunilramalingam at hotmail.com>;, 
><vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] real economic development in Moscow
>Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:53:38 -0700
>
>
>
>You wrote
>
>>'Entrepreneurs are willing to take risks, provided there is a probable and
>>appropriate return for those risks.  An important element for them is a
>>relative predictability of the business climate.  Divisiveness and social
>>conflict are generally not good indicators of a stable market place.'
>>
>>How do you define 'social conflicts?'
>
>Social conflicts - groups of people don't agree - and when the rhetoric 
>heightens, members resort to name calling, derogatory remarks and the like. 
>  Here is a mild example from recent a contributor to Vision2020:
>
>         "The GMA candidates are "ostriches" with their collective heads in 
>the sand.  And they are very poor stewards of the environment."
>
>>And I guess I'm curious why would
>>you raise specific issues here, call them pollutants, and then want to
>>discuss them off-list?
>
>  I raised the issues because Joe Campbell challenged me to identify 
>factors relative to our challenges with economic development and the 
>current city council
>
>Because I think the time invested in a dialogue with Bruce Livingstone 
>would be better served if he and I clarified our positions to each other 
>rather than serve as kindling to
>to the fire.
>
>>Finally, do conservatives never question their opponents' honesty 'to
>>obfuscate issues?'
>
>I won't speak for other conservatives.  I try my level best to avoid that 
>tactic.
>
>Does that answer your questions?
>
>
>
>
>>Sunil
>>
>>
>> >From: Jeff Harkins <jeffh at moscow.com>
>> >To: "Bruce and Jean Livingston" <jeanlivingston at turbonet.com>;,
>> ><vision2020 at moscow.com>
>> >Subject: Re: [Vision2020] real economic development in Moscow
>> >Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:22:17 -0700
>> >
>> >Thanks for weighing in Bruce.
>> >
>> >Frankly, the most important element of your post was your closing
>> >comment - and I will respond to that first.  I have not discussed my
>> >comments with Wayne - he is the kind of fellow that can allow me to
>> >have my own point of view and if he disagrees, we discuss it and move
>> >on.  Just the sort of person that we need in a leadership position in
>> >the City of Moscow.  He has experience and judgment. We would do well
>> >to elect him.
>> >
>> >As to where Wayne stands on these various issues - ask him - I am
>> >certain he has his positions and he would be pleased to share them with
>> >you.
>> >
>> >You might have missed the closing paragraph of my post. My post was
>> >to highlight for Joe Campbell some of the issues that lead to a
>> >conclusion that the current city government (or the current climate
>> >in Moscow) is anti-growth or anti business.  The point was not to
>> >revisit the "right or wrong" of those decisions.  I thought I made it
>> >rather clear that the issues are necessarily philosophical and
>> >ideological in tenor - thus the outcomes are necessarily divisive.  I
>> >do have positions and opinions on many of the issues - others I don't
>> >have much interest in.  But, I stand by my conclusion that each of
>> >these issues casts a shadow or cloud on Moscow as a place for an
>> >entrepreneur to invest his or her capital.  Entrepreneurs are willing
>> >to take risks, provided there is a probable and appropriate return
>> >for those risks.  An important element for them is a relative
>> >predictability of the business climate.  Divisiveness and social
>> >conflict are generally not good indicators of a stable market place.
>> >
>> >Hopefully, that clarifies the list of issues and their importance to
>> >this upcoming election.  Collectively, the climate is murky - quite
>> >polluted.
>> >
>> >Now if you wish to discuss any of the issues cited as to our relative
>> >positions, I would be pleased to do that.  It would likely be
>> >interesting and productive.  Probably best to have that dialogue
>> >offlist so that we don't add excess murkiness to the already murky
>> >situation.
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>=======================================================
>>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
>>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>>                http://www.fsr.net
>>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>>=======================================================
>