Are We Becoming Them?

Minnesota Monitor has an article up about the reaction to the Giuliani campaign picking Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek for law enforcement outreach in Minnesota. Now, I understand the need to beat the Republican's this upcoming election. But do we need to do it in a manner similar to the Republican's, such as when they hamstrung an administration with old news, screeching like harpies until an investigation resulted in the Monica Lewinsky debacle?

Look, I never approved of the lies President Clinton told over the whole situation. Nor do I think he has honestly admitted to what happened. And there in lays the difference between Clinton and Stanek. Stanek obviously made great efforts to correct what was no doubt an inexperienced and naive officer's verbal mistake.

Stanek then spent a considerable effort to mend the hurt that some said was caused by the remarks in that deposition.

During the 2006 election for Hennepin County Sheriff, Republican candidate Stanek garnered the support of many traditionally DFL voters. Insight News, one of Minneapolis' largest African American newspapers endorsed him. "We believe in redemption," publisher Al McFarlane said. "We believe that people change. We believe that people can grow and we appreciate and we applaud people who are willing to say I was wrong and I stand before you asking for forgiveness. Rich Stanek is a model for white people. He really is."

As a police officer, Stanek met repeatedly with members of the African American community to make amends for the hurtful comments of a decade ago. Al Flowers, a prominent communty activist said, "I believe he was sincere in his apology." And Stanek was backed by African-American Leadership Summit and Black Church Coalition in his campaign.

He also won by a large margin in the largest and most diverse county in Minnesota with 65 percent of the vote.

Also, while Clinton may have been dishonest about a private matter, Stanek has, in fact, been upfront and honest about a professional matter. He has shown integrity and honor. He has been human, made a mistake, and worked at correcting that mistake. He obviously does not deserve the title of racist.

Now, should he start popping oxy's, sending his maid to empty parking lots, and generally making all sorts of ignorant, stupid comments about breeding and what not, then we can hang the title racists on the man. However, I'd say that title's already been taken by someone else.

Oh, and just because Stanek was picked to work for Giuliani's campaign does not mean he was picked by Giuliani himself. In fact, considering all the above facts, I'd lay odds Giuliani was completely out of the loop on this one. Especially when these are the type of people Giuliani personally handpicks.