Thursday, December 8th 2005
Problem Solved
From the SF Chronicle:
Berkeley has renamed its historic old City Hall in tribute to longtime Councilmember Maudelle Shirek, bestowing an honor denied by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives who blocked a move earlier this year to name a post office after the progressive activist.
The Berkeley City Council unanimously adopted the resolution Tuesday after spending months trying to find a way to recognize Shirek, 94, who left the city council last year after serving for 20 years…
Berkeley officials were dismayed when the House voted 215-190 to reject the symbolic tribute to Shirek. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, led the opposition, accusing Shirek of failing to represent American values. He also said she had ties to the Communist Party because of her support for an Oakland Marxist Library.
King did not respond to calls yesterday for his reaction to Berkeley’s decision to honor Shirek.
Lee, who spent two years trying to have the Post Office named after Shirek, said she was thrilled by the Berkeley resolution.
The Berkeley blogosphere covered this issue when it first came up.
I think that this is the best possible outcome (besides the fantasy of not having our politicians waste time on this stuff). The left-wing got a building named after their hero. The right-wing can applaud this demonstration of federalism. There’s a reason why our government is divided into many different levels, each one assigned to a certain sphere of duties. In theory, when governments stay within their proper realm, the most effective solutions are put into place and the most people are pleased. It’s a wonder why we don’t try it more often.
Perfect solution. Berkeley names one of its own buildings after someone who utterly unknown outside the city limits. As it should be.
Comment by Scott — 12/9/2005 @ 8:13 am
Berkeley City Council staying within its realm? So what are you saying you fascist, that we should lift the Berkeley sanctions against South Africa?
Well, OK, I’ll retract the “we”. I’m not one of those alums with such a hard-on for the city that I don’t move away.
Comment by Jihad Jimmy, Minister of War Crimes and Chief Defender of the Faith — 12/9/2005 @ 11:26 am