From Charlie

Listener,

Answering your question from last night - you were correct. The motion was the CIty's motion to dismiss.

I wouldn't was over the fairness of this judge. I have real problems with this judge and his commitment to law. I have a case on appeal from him in which he acted very inappropriately.

In this matter, however, I have to treat him as if he were going to be fair and impartial.

What the implications of the ruling are for yesterday on this we don't know. The fact of the matter is that the City was just WRONG about the law that they tried to rely on for the motion to dismiss. The judge really couldn't rule in their favor (of course he could have - but in this case it would have looked ridiculous to anyone familiar with the law).

I hope that this means this judge will rule fairly in this matter in the future. But only time will tell.

One thing is that we have not seen the ruling yet - and how far he went - and what he said.

We may be back before him with another motion to dismiss unless he ruled comprehensively and not just to the City's legal error.

We will see.

Other than that - much to discuss about yesterday - interesting events.

Take a look at the Alachua Project site to see some of it.

Charlie, you're "friend" showed up again in the old thread.

I haven't had time to read everything. Is that his real name? When I see someone posting in blog comments with the first name Hugh, I'm kind of expecting the last name to be something like Jassole.
Renee in Ohio | Homepage | 06.23.06 - 1:27 pm | #

Renee,

That is indeed his real name. He also goes by "Bud". He is the mayor's husband. He was the "behind the scenes" man in the James Lewis campaign. I do not like this man's views of politics and his approach to the political process.

That being said - I have a request for assistance. Someone asked who they could write to in assistance with our efforts.

I want to ask that you - and anyone else you can get to do so - write a post on THREE sites:

1. http://freealachua.org/blog/weblog.php
2. http://www.ala-chua.com/messageboard/list.php?f=1
3. http://thetruthabouttheala.blogspot.com/

What I am calling for is for those on our side in Alachua to come forward - into the public arena openly as themselves - and assert their concerns and claims honestly and directly. To do so without the temptation to ad hominem attacks; and without getting off the focus of the PRINCIPLES of this nation - and the FACTS of Alachua and its failure to achieve and live up to that standard. And then to suggest ways to get back onto the path toward democracy.

THere is a method to my madness. Really. I have gone toe-to-toe with City Hall - and I have to this point beaten them. I have not won the war - but I cannot win the war - only WE can win the war together. But my actions, as one actor (although with the support of many wonderful people in Alachua and across the nation), have brought the City Hall to a point of critical awareness and openness. People are watching. And the actors inside know this. They are now vulnerable.

But the true victory will now come as we, as truly concerned citizens, voice our HONESTLY felt concerns forcefully but respectfully. This will get us to the next level - and we will have made substantial progress - and we will then be able to move forward to the even further next level.

So I need YOUR help. The citizens of Alachua, who have been concerned with the corruption within their government, also feel powerless. They stood up for many years - and were beaten down with personal attacks and even threats. They feel vulnerable. And they have been generally fearful of coming forward and speaking out openly.

But this is what we need them to do right now. I have done all I can as a single actor - as a "gadfly" - and it has worked. But now we must join together into a team - with each member being a leader unto themselves.

I believe that the Sunshine that you have helped bring - by taking this issue nationally - and showing that others are looking in that will not be conned or mislead by some of the traditional tactics - that you have given us the opportunity that has been missing in Alachua for several years.

Please go to those sites - and encourage others in the blogosphere to do so - and state who you are and where you are from and what your concerns are - and what you would like to see. Don't let them get you into any personal attacks (i.e. Rocket tactics) - just state that you are here, you are watching, and you care.

This will give others in the community the feeling of support that they need to come back out into the open and to confront those in the government as to what their actual concerns and complaints are - and what they want to do about it.

We want to restore democracy to Alachua - and then to the rest of the country. We need your help - to show support for those who feel individually vulnerable - to know they are not alone and that others "have their backs."

You guys have been awesome and amazing in your support for me and my activities - and I can never begin to express my personal gratitude for that.

But we have also shown that WE DO HAVE THE POWER ... and we are learning to use it. THis community, having grown in the past few years, holds the key to our future as a nation.

I thank you so much for all that you do.

Thanks again,
Charlie

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