Members of the Common Council Respond to Ald. Dudzik’s Remarks
Joint Statement from members of the Common Council
Well thought-out and well-chosen words can heal and enlighten. Unfortunately, not-so-well-chosen words can also spread fear and ignorance.
The hurtful and divisive comments Alderman Joe Dudzik made on a radio program yesterday regarding the streetcar project were baseless and do not warrant repeating. However, we must address them because we believe we cannot move Milwaukee forward by dismissing or avoiding the message they carry.
The message of fear and divisiveness at the heart of the comments is not what we stand for as members of the Common Council, nor does the message resonate in our community. We stand together and embrace our rich and diverse city, built by generations of good and hardworking people, and we celebrate our neighborhoods where people of all colors, religions, and ethnicities live, work and play together. We are united in our belief that our city’s best days lie ahead.
In addition, Alderman Dudzik’s reference to sexual assault — used as a scare tactic in a political debate about a transportation project — is disappointing and completely devoid of any factual basis. Rape and sexual assault should never be used to advance a political position or to stir fear in the hearts of our citizens.
Going forward, we will continue to focus the debate on the merits of the project, in hopes of cultivating an informative conversation about the streetcar. We fully expect our colleagues and others to do the same.
Signed,
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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i very glad the Common Council has released a statement to counter the hurtful statement from Alderman Joe Dudzick.
I TRUELY hope that the Council will debate any project omits merits and not result to using fear tactics to scare the residents of the City of Milwaukee.
I find Alderman Dudzek’s remarks shameful & extremely hateful. Discuss the merits. It is unfortunate that he has resorted to fear mongering to oppose this project. He should be ashamed.
Roger Quindel
He needs to apologize to the citizens of Milwaukee. Shameful remarks.
Donovan and Puente – by not signing this letter condemning Dudzik’s comments you are agreeing with his remark. The three of you are not looking out for the best interests of Milwaukee. You need to make amends to the citizens of Milwaukee.
the three should be forced to resign!
There comes a time to do whats right— Period!!!
Portion of an email I sent to Ald. Dudzik after his comments on WTMJ: “There’s going to be a couple of assaults, maybe a rape, or a shooting on one of these streetcars,” Dudzik told WTMJ’s Wisconsin’s Afternoon News.
You know how at the airport you can’t joke about or even talk about having a bomb in your suitcase or you are arrested as a potential terrorist? It’s the same thing. You may pretend you were “joking” or simply stating assaults, rape or a shooting “could” happen, not that you were going to do it. But, just like joking about a bomb at the airport, you can’t pass it off as simply citing a possibility. By making that statement, you were, in fact, inciting violence, putting out a call for violence. That, my good alderman, is what a threat is. And in this country, we call such threats terrorism.
Best regards,
Maggie
“Threat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Threats can be subtle or overt. A threat is an act of coercion wherein an act is proposed to elicit a negative response. It is a communicated intent to inflict harm or loss on another person. It can be a crime in many jurisdictions. Some of the more common types of threats forbidden by law are those made with an intent to obtain a pecuniary advantage or to compel a person to act against his or her will. In all states, it is an offense to threaten to (1) use a deadly weapon on another person; (2) injure another’s person or property; or (3) injure another’s reputation.”
It’s interesting that his words are the issue and not the possibility that he may be right. One side of the political football is notorious for these kinds of statements (google Scott Walker and your screen will fill with left wing invective) however, when a remark is made (perhaps poorly worded) by someone who is on the other side of the left, woe unto him.
What truth is there in Dudzik’s statement PJ? And idiotic statements are regularly spewed from all over the political spectrum. Claiming that one side is notorious for them is partisan nonsense.
The word “truth” implies that there is a fact (some event that has occurred). I won’t presume to put words in his mouth but I believe that his implication is that there is a potential for public transportation to be dangerous. There have been instances that have occurred on public buses that would lend credence to this assertion (perhaps mine, not his).
I think the problem here is the “quick draw” revulsion of his comments when we all know that comments are often made off the cuff that are taken out of context.
…and I’m sorry but I do feel that one side has a propensity for outlandish hyperbole more so than the other.
OF COURSE there’s a potential for public transportation to be dangerous. Anything can be dangerous. Driving is dangerous. Riding your bike can be dangerous. Walking can be dangerous. Do you never drive or walk?
Well I’m sorry but you are flat-out wrong, and your belief reeks of selective partisan outrage.
PJ, his words weren’t taken out of context, you’re making excuses and they aren’t convincing.
“outrage”….hmmmm… which of my words imply any mood at all? I think my comments were far more attitude neutral than the other comments against Mr. Dudzik….hmmmm….
As for the context of his comments, he can do a much better job than I explaining what he meant. I just find it interesting how his comments or any comments that are anti-street car are met with an over the top, hyper-emotional cacophony of shrill invective.
Over the top like claiming people will be raped and murdered on the streetcar?