Comments on: Why I’m running for City Council

By: China

China — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:31:28 +0000

I have heard of the “Bob and Rick” show, and I think I’m watching it.

Out with the old, in with the new! Let’s move this city forward with fresh blood, new ideas.

Not 1 person, not even 2 or 3, led the marriage equality efforts in this City. It was an effort by hundreds and it continues on. Why on earth would you not think Clark Ray would not support moving legislation that is important to the LGBT community through the Council?

By: China

China — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:03:38 +0000

I have heard of the “Bob and Rick” show, and I think I’m watching it.

Out with the old, in with the new! Let’s move this city forward with fresh blood, new ideas.

By: Bob Summersgill

Bob Summersgill — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:29:48 +0000

Seriously? You don’t know about Rick Rosendall or any of his so-called activism?

That can only mean that you have never been involved in any form of gay rights activism in DC in the past 20 years. You must never have read the Blade, or st least not the local news articles.

Rick is one of the main, if not main gay rights activist in DC, for our history under home rule. Only Frank Kameny has done more to advance our rights.

Rick is quite correct that while Carania and Graham are very good advocates for our community, Mendelson, Evans, and Kathy Patterson have all done much more.

Being gay should not be seen as a qualification for office. Leading the marriage equality effort on the Council is a qualification for our great thanks and our votes. Mendelson has been our champion. Ray has never been involved in local political issues of importance to the LGBT community.

By: DC John

DC John — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:29:34 +0000

While China and Rosendall are hurling dishes at each other, I challenge all DC voters, straight and LBGT, to think about whom is best for our city and beyond just our own interests. Phil has been around a long long time. Are three and four terms more than enough? Under Phil’s watch, lots has gone wrong..budget issues, Office of Tax and Revenue debacles, juvenile crime etc etc. Do you want the same old thinking/actions or should we says “Thanks!” and move on to individuals who hopefully bring new ideas to the table?

By: China

China — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:30:20 +0000

Mr. Rosendall, I don’t know you or anything about your so-called activism, but what I do know is (1) that you HAVE brought Wilson up in every post here, and that (2) you appear to be a person that somehow needs the last laugh (posting). I stand by my words — our strongest alley is our own. Have a good weekend!

By: Rick Rosendall

Rick Rosendall — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:05:11 +0000

@China, if you know anything about my work as an activist, you know how absurd your characterization of me is. I did not just focus on Willie Wilson, nor has anyone been discussing Wilson except that Clark Ray brought him up. There’s another example of your dishonesty. Your stating as dogma that “our strongest ally is one of our own” (meaning a gay person) sets aside a great deal of evidence including the records of Councilmembers Mendelson and Evans, than whom our community could not have had a more reliable ally on the Council. There are facts here, and they are well known, say what you will.

By: China

China — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:17:21 +0000

Rubbish to you Mr. Rosendall and how dare you accuse me of being dishonest. Dishonesty from a Phil supporter, however, is predictable. While your tiny little mind can only focus on the Rev Wilson, the rest of us are looking at the bigger picture. Our strongest ally is one of our own. Period.

By: Rick Rosendall

Rick Rosendall — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:44:35 +0000

@Chin: BTW, if you really didn’t know the “two seats” at the table to which I was referring, they are openly gay Council members David Catania and Jim Graham.

By: Rick Rosendall

Rick Rosendall — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:23:28 +0000

@China: rubbish. I did not say that Phil Mendelson is another “seat at the table.” I said he is our strongest ally on the Council. I did not say that Willie Wilson was a candidate in this election, as you well know. Such dishonesty from Ray supporters is sadly unsurprising. You also well know that Clark Ray is the one touting his endorsement by Wilson, which makes Wilson a legitimate issue–indeed, Clark is effectively endorsing Wilson, which is what is troubling. You have not begun to make the case that Clark’s being gay somehow trumps Phil’s long record of championing GLBT equality.

By: China

China — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:26:52 +0000

Willie Wilson is not running for City Council, Clark Ray is. And while you think Phil Mendelson is another “seat at the table”, Phil is not a gay man, Clark is and Clark’s perspective as a gay man is far more valuable in this election.