Councilman Don Redman: An Embarrassment

[finehoe]

There is a long standing rumor that the councilman is functionally illiterate

His COJ webpage bio gives credence to this rumor:

Don Redman
District 4
Don Redman is a successful business man, operating a small business for over 40 years.  He and his wife, Debbie, have two daughters, three sons and 11 grandchildren.  Each of their children attended local public schools and graduated from Englewood High School.  Don has been an active member of First Baptist Church Jacksonville for 32 years, serving as an usher for 27 years.  Don is a race director in his spare time, involved in producing a number of local triathlons, (races involving biking, running, and swimming).

Active in Little League, River City Swimming, Master Swimming, Biking and running events, Don has entered and finished every Jacksonville River Run.

Member of Mayor's Council on Fitness & Well-Being, since appointment by Former Mayor John Delaney, including 3-years as Chairman.

Kinda sounds like the dumb jock type.

[Shwaz]

Don has been an active member of First Baptist Church Jacksonville for 32 years, serving as an usher for 27 years.

I would say this excerpt is a little more telling.

[sheclown]

^Certainly not; however, he should be publicly asked to apologize.

[cityimrov]

Is the problem with Redman and Co or do we have a bigger problem with the people of this city?  The council is suppose to represent the citizens of this city.  If Redman is just a fringe person who is accidentally voted into council, that's one thing.  However if Redman truly represents the voters of his district and acts exactly the way those voters want, why are people here blaming him instead of focusing on a much bigger issue - the people of his district?  

Looking at the comments at FirstCoastNews.com, Jacksonville.com, News4jax.com, and the Jaxobserver.com - I'm not so sure Redman is the real cause of this problem.  

[Dog Walker]

Ouch!  That's too close to the truth to be comfortable, but even people who don't want a Muslim in any city position would find his behavior rude and inexcusable even if they voted for him.

[TheProfessor]

Don Redman's comments are inexcusable regardless of who he represents and his thoughts are not the majority.

[Tripoli1711]

Is the problem with Redman and Co or do we have a bigger problem with the people of this city?  The council is suppose to represent the citizens of this city.  If Redman is just a fringe person who is accidentally voted into council, that's one thing.  However if Redman truly represents the voters of his district and acts exactly the way those voters want, why are people here blaming him instead of focusing on a much bigger issue - the people of his district?  

Looking at the comments at FirstCoastNews.com, Jacksonville.com, News4jax.com, and the Jaxobserver.com - I'm not so sure Redman is the real cause of this problem.  

I think often times Councilmen are elected just because "He seems like a good guy."  People don't treat that position seriously.  They don't treat it like a congressman.  It's further illustration of the lingering "small-town" mentality in Jacksonville.  You don't know anything about your council candidates, somebody who has done little league with him says "Don's a good fella, seems like a nice guy and seems pretty smart" so you decide to vote for him.  That kind of stuff gets you elected in non-sensational city council elections.

[TheProfessor]

I am disappointed by Glorious Johnson.  You would think she would fight the good fight.  If people didn't take a position just because it caused drama then we would never have change.  Did Glorious forget Rosa Parks??

[finehoe]

I think often times Councilmen are elected just because "He seems like a good guy."  

Many people have this attitude for anyone running for office, not just something as low on the totem pole as city councilperson.  Remember hearing about people voting for a certain presidential candidate because they thought they'd "like to have a beer with him"?

[Tripoli1711]

Exactly.  There is nothing so dangerous as an uninformed electorate.  (well, very little)

[Dog Walker]

Next election I'm going to enlist you guys in my "Don't Get Out The Vote" campaign.

[RiversideLoki]

Next election I'm going to enlist you guys in my "Don't Get Out The Vote" campaign.

What's the slogan gonna be? "Rise up and do nothing!"

[urbanlibertarian]

Remember this incident involving Dr. Jerry Vines of FBC?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Vines

Vines sparked controversy in June 2002 for remarks he made at a Southern Baptist Convention conference that were critical of Islam. Referencing Ergun and Emir Caner's book Unveiling Islam, Vines said that "Allah is not Jehovah… Jehovah's not going to turn you into a terrorist that'll try to bomb people and take the lives of thousands and thousands of people," and that "Christianity was founded by the virgin-born Jesus Christ" while "Islam was founded by Muhammad, a demon-possessed pedophile who had 12 wives, and his last one was a 9-year-old girl."[1] This reference was to Aisha, who is said to have been about nine when her marriage to Muhammad was consummated, according to several hadith, or stories of Muhammad.[2] The comments stirred a brief national debate on "Islamophobia" and the demonization of Islam in relation to the War on Terrorism. Vines initially defended his comments and invited "Muslim scholars to explain their own documents to us all."[3] He also refused to apologize for the statements or to meet with local Muslim leaders.[3] He was heavily criticized, but was defended by fellow Baptist preacher Jerry Falwell, who wrote a letter supporting him. Falwell was asked about the letter during a 60 Minutes interview in October, and sparked an even greater outrage by declaring that he considered Muhammad a terrorist.[4] He later apologized for his comments.[5] When the story was covered by NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw on February 25, 2003, Vines finally broke his silence on the issue, claiming that his statements had been overemphasized in media reports, and that he had not intended to evoke hate.[6]

[sheclown]

Thanks for posting that^

I was reminded of that today. 

Now is the time for Jacksonville to act like the city it wants to become or it will remain the confused exclusive trailer park it often acts like.

[stjr]

Our forefathers knew what they were doing when they set up the separation of church and state.

After comments like Redman's, one can easily understand that another Hitler could some day come to power, elected by a dumbed-down, uncaring, cynical, superficial electorate falling for the latest slick political promise.

As for Suzanne Jenkins using the hiring of an aide as a litmus test for here support, that is exactly why the RIGHT thing for the community rarely gets done - it's all about personal agendas and what's in it for me.

Unfortunately, I think it is nigh impossible for a thinking, altruistic, honest, sincere, truly caring, less-than-charismatic citizen to get elected now a days.  Abraham Lincoln couldn't win an election today for dog catcher.  THIS is what will ultimately doom our country if it continues.  Education is our only way out.  Yet, these entrenched idiots continue to debase it which only insures their continued ability to stay in power.  I am very concerned about our future.