[Durham INC] Darius' Thoughts on Miller's Letter:

Mon Sep 12 07:26:45 EDT 2011

While I have no personal qualms with Mr. Miller's letter, one of Mr. Ford's points which did touch me significantly is the factual assertion that:

1. INC passed a resolution;

2. The record clearly shows that while some will go to war over the matter, the issue was nowhere near being "amazingly, overwhelmingly" unanimous, as most INC matters end up being;

3. INC should welcome a diversity in thought, just as those who support same-sex marriage argue to its opponents that they should;

4. INC is an organization that needs growth (40 Neighborhoods) and making extremely divisive remarks, publicly, on behalf of "the organization" doesn't encourage currently non-participating neighborhoods (probably around 600-plus neighborhoods in Durham County??) from joining us. Besides that, "the organization" approved the language of a resolution (which is what the supporting neighborhoods approved, not Mr. Miller's personal statement, which was sent on behalf of "the organization);

5. Send the Approved Resolution to the delegation - without all of the extra gravy, pepper and onions.

6. Mr. Miller can send any personal statement he wants, just not as an expression of INC.

Mr. Ford: is that the crux of what you're saying?

Now, on Mr. Miller's behalf:  

1. The letter Mr. Miller sent, while letterheaded as being from INC, was not to "the delegation," but only to Representative Leubke.  

2. This would support the position that Mr. Miller was sending the Representative communication outlining the tenor of discussion, as it related to the matter at-hand.

3. Mr. Miller's letter is clearly encouraging the Representative to "not just vote against it" but to argue against it heavily.  As such, I feel that Miller was simply trying to help outline the points of debate, for a busy Representative. 

For the record:  as someone who has worked for the Senate, as well as House of Representatives, it is VERY COMMON for a Representative/Senator to receive such type of communication.

4. Mr. Miller is the elected President of INC and as such, I personally feel that a President should always be given lead-way, in his/her advocacy for already-approved matters of business.

Tom is a nice fellow, and I've enjoyed getting to know him and his encouraging my participation in INC.  He quickly identifies individual talent and puts people in position to contribute to the group.  He's not bossy, he doesn't put down, insult, or accost the membership when they don't agree with him. And he doesn't leak your past transgressions to the media, in an effort to intimidate members when they question him on something.  Lastly, he always provides financial reports....I'm in one group where we haven't had a financial report in over 12 years, and if you question leadership, you get personally attacked, or find yourself in the newspaper all of a sudden.

I support Miller.

Yours,

Darius Little

--------------------
Darius M. Little
Executive Business Consultant  and
Strategic Marketing Analyst

(web) www.linkedin.com/in/dariuslittle

Manta Business Profile/Report: 
http://www.manta.com/c/mtlwj1m/little-s-business-consulting

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." [Matt 21:22]

-----Original Message-----
From: "Darius Mercedes Little" <Darius.M.Little at alumni.unc.edu>
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Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:54:54 
To: <TheOcean1 at aol.com>; <inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org>; <mbrooks at nc.rr.com>; <inc-list at rtpnet.org>
Reply-To: Darius.M.Little at alumni.unc.edu
Subject: Re: [Durham INC] Letter re INC Marriage Resolution

Bill:

"THE INTERNEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL OF DURHAM

September 10, 2011

Representative Paul Luebke                                                                                                       North Carolina House of Representatives                                                                                                                                     300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 513                                                                                               Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Dear Representative Luebke:

The InterNeighborhood Council of Durham believes that our gay and lesbian neighbors deserve the same civil rights their heterosexual neighbors enjoy.  We oppose any measure to amend the constitution to prevent marriage between persons of the same sex.  We urge you not merely to vote against any such measure, but to speak and argue forcefully against it.

In 1961, it was unlawful for a black person to marry a white person while it was lawful for a white seller or landlord to refuse to sell or rent a home to a black buyer or tenant.  There was no public policy reason to support such laws.  Their only foundation was hate and bigotry.  And even though that hate and bigotry was sometimes clothed in a thin disguise of religion or science, right-thinking people saw through it.  Following a supreme struggle involving bitter tears and even bloodshed, these laws were overthrown.

In 2011, it is unlawful for a gay man or woman to marry his or her life partner while is lawful for a home seller or landlord to refuse to sell or rent a home to a homosexual buyer or tenant.  There is no public policy reason to support such laws.  Their only foundation is hate and bigotry.  Have we not learned that hate and bigotry are unworthy of the people of a great nation and that they can never provide the firm foundation which every law that restricts human liberty must have if it is to stand?  Surely the tears and bloodshed of past struggles for human rights and dignity were payment enough to overcome hate and to secure the rights of every citizen.

In diverse and progressive Durham, gay and lesbian people are part of the warp and weft of the fabric of our community.  They are businessmen and women. They are presidents of the PTA and charitable organizations.  They read the lesson in church on Sunday.  They serve on their neighborhood boards.  They are our neighbors.  They are not second-class citizens.  They live and love.  They are us and we are them.

Please see the current attempt to stain our constitution with hateful distinctions between homosexual and heterosexual people for what it is – the desperate last stand of bigotry.  Take this attempt as the opportunity to speak out for justice and charity; not only to defeat the current 

Legis. Ltr.                                                                                                                                     September 10, 2011                                                                                                                      page 2.

desperate measure, but to sweep aside all the laws that treat gay and lesbian citizens differently from their heterosexual neighbors.

The InterNeighborhood Council is an organization founded in 1985 to promote the residential quality of life in Durham.  It counts 40 neighborhood organizations among its constituent members.  You may count on the InterNeighborhood Council for assistance.

Tom Miller

President

1110 Virginia Avenue                                                                                                                     Durham, NC  27705"

--------------------
Darius M. Little
Executive Business Consultant  and
Strategic Marketing Analyst

(web) www.linkedin.com/in/dariuslittle

Manta Business Profile/Report: 
http://www.manta.com/c/mtlwj1m/little-s-business-consulting

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." [Matt 21:22]

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Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 23:16:47 
To: <mbrooks at nc.rr.com>; <inc-list at rtpnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Durham INC] Letter re INC Marriage Resolution

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