Jim Bailey: Enough is Enough.

[Metro Jacksonville]

Jim Bailey: Enough is Enough.



We have an African-American mayor and the owner of our NFL team is from Pakistan. Yet, for whatever reasons, Jacksonville seems to go out of its way to carry a brand of intolerance like a badge of honor. Perhaps other cities are faced with similar issues and we just seem to find a way to receive most of the attention. I don't know whether they do or not, but it really doesn't matter. We just seem to be caught up in the game of "gotcha" an awful lot.


Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-feb-jim-bailey-enough-is-enough

[brainstormer]

Thank you Mr. Bailey for showing your leadership in this community and speaking up.  I would love see people like yourself on our city council.  :-)

[dougskiles]

Amen, brother!

[Charles Hunter]

Extremely well said.

[sheclown]

Of course, the intolerance is a huge embarrassment for the city.  It speaks loudly about our ignorance and discourages growth. 

However, what bothers me equally about this issue is the fact that the city council is so cowardly that they lack the conviction of their belief.  If in fact, they feel that the Dr. is a threat to Jacksonville's security, why not say so?  Why hide behind the BS? 

I am frightened to think that our city is being led by a bunch of little girls.

And if they are too embarrassed to be honest -- well, that speaks rather loudly too.

[sandyshoes]

I'll be honest - intolerance is not just about nationality, race, religion, creed - it is also about SIZE.  I happen to be fat.  It seem that fat people are not protected, and even the cool "tolerant" people don't include us as diverse and deserving of tolerance.  Instead, it's more cool to treat us like crap and discriminate against us for jobs.  I had a job offer rescinded because they brough up my weight and asked how I was going to do my job because I was heavy - how I wished I had a recorder in my purse at that moment.  I've had other people come out and remove the forms from my hands as I was completing them so I could get at least a temp job - they told me "we have enough information...we'll call you".  And, of course, if you've ever watched those exposes on 20/20 an the like, you see how they treat models who are dressed up in "fat suits".  Why is it ok to put down people because of their size?  Just like the recent remarks made to Governor Christie, and Melissa McCarthy.  Where is your tolerance NOW? 

[Koula]

Thanks for this post, Mr. Bailey. I attended last week's City Council meeting, and witnessed a great amount of people standing up for Parvez Ahmed. This attempt to block Dr. Ahmed from the commission and the rejection of the HRO a few months ago are actions that seem very out of touch with a majority of Jacksonville's residents. 

[urbanlibertarian]

I think we all need to be more tolerant of intolerant people.  ;-)

[KenFSU]

I'll be honest - intolerance is not just about nationality, race, religion, creed - it is also about SIZE.  I happen to be fat.  It seem that fat people are not protected, and even the cool "tolerant" people don't include us as diverse and deserving of tolerance.  Instead, it's more cool to treat us like crap and discriminate against us for jobs.  I had a job offer rescinded because they brough up my weight and asked how I was going to do my job because I was heavy - how I wished I had a recorder in my purse at that moment.  I've had other people come out and remove the forms from my hands as I was completing them so I could get at least a temp job - they told me "we have enough information...we'll call you".  And, of course, if you've ever watched those exposes on 20/20 an the like, you see how they treat models who are dressed up in "fat suits".  Why is it ok to put down people because of their size?  Just like the recent remarks made to Governor Christie, and Melissa McCarthy.  Where is your tolerance NOW? 

I'm really sorry you've had to experience that, and it's brave of you to discuss it so openly. You're completely right, sizeism is every bit as unacceptable as any other form of discrimination. It's my opinion that it's probably the most prevalent, overt form of discrimination out there right now. Normally civil people who wouldn't dare make discriminatory remarks about blacks or hispanics, for example, have no problem openly mocking the obese. Though my sympathies still do lie with the self-inflicted obese who lack the self discipline to control their intake, I truly feel terrible for those who are predisposed to obesity, whether by genetics or medical circumstance, and just can never find comfort within their own skin. I exercise regularly, but I'm also one of those assholes who never seems to put on weight, regardless of a weakness for Mellow Mushroom and CamiCakes. Yet I see people out jogging daily and having salad for lunch every day that just can't seem to lose a pound. In a perfect world, I'd be the chubby one and they'd have a body they liked.

I think the world would be an infinite better place if people lived by the opening line of the Great Gatsby:

In my younger and more venerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.

"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."

[Cheshire Cat]

SC, you meant to say little boys and girls on council right?  lol  Actually I know quite a few little girls that would lead far more effectively than some on the current council.  For starters, the little girls I am speaking of are not bigots 

[tufsu1]

I'll be honest - intolerance is not just about nationality, race, religion, creed - it is also about SIZE.  I happen to be fat.  It seem that fat people are not protected, and even the cool "tolerant" people don't include us as diverse and deserving of tolerance. 

and Mr. Schellenberg used just this as an example of why the HRO wasn't necessary...his mindset is where will it end....discrimination about height, hair color, big nose, etc.

[tufsu1]

I wasn't stating an opinion Stephen...just repeating what the CM said

[Jimmy]

Good news.

"The Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee voted Tuesday to support reappointing Parvez Ahmed to the city's Human Rights Commission..."

Source: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/steve-patterson/2013-02-19/jacksonville-council-panel-confirms-parvez-ahmed?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Tacachale]

^Great news. FTU says the vote was 4-3; what was the breakdown?

[Bill Hoff]

I believe it was Boyer, Jones, Cresembini, & Love for, Lumb, Holt & Yarborough against.

The discussion was quite lively, as the vote was unexpected.