ICLEI not noble organization
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
2 of 3 free articles.
Editor,
I always enjoy reading my weekly edition of the Valley Journal, especially the “letters” section. Occasionally, something sparks my interest, recognizing that the publication of it is a broadcast of individual thoughts and open to rebuttal. The recent running input over ICLEI’s incursion into our valley, via an Orten Family Foundation grant won by the Envision Polson group, has raised some issues which center around intentional fallacies of speech. Mr. Hess denounces his “opponent” with an allegation that “Backs and others have failed to make their case” – while he makes no case at all, supports his view with no facts, but rather with warm and fuzzy words and condemns Polson and the Mission Valley to outside influence and control.
The United Nations evolved from the failed “League of Nations” at a convention in San Francisco in 1945. Its charter was to stop wars between countries and to provide a platform for dialogue. So far, it has failed – miserably – even with a membership of 193 nations. Now, based on Mr. Hess’ opinion, we should trust an arm of the U.N. to provide Polson with a “noble attempt in assisting local municipalities in dealing with the increasing complex factors involved with urban planning.” Mr. Hess has made no attempt to substantiate that anything ICLEI does is noble in action or results. He states that “most responsible mayors and city planners” would be glad for the input, inferring that those who wouldn’t be glad must not be “responsible.”
Sweeping a social travesty under the rug as “much ado about nothing” is misdirection.
The people of Polson and the Mission Valley deserve better, and they need to begin asking some hard questions concerning any outside influence in their lives.
ICLEI is not a noble organization with noble intentions, and it has obvious ulterior motives; it’s a business and not a philanthropic event. Attend local community meetings; talk with neighbors; use the Internet to educate ourselves; share that knowledge and then finally come to some conclusions, based on factual information, rather than sweet words. That is the mark of an advanced society vs. the alternative: useful idiots.
Michael Gale
Ronan