In a recent candidate forum at Mandarin's St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, February 21, mayoral candidate Mike Hogan said he would do anything to appeal Roe v. Wade but bomb an abortion clinic, but "it would cross [his] mind". It may have been a joke that he thought would go well in a church-related forum, but for me it was a tasteless one. For details on his full comment read the full Times Union article. Hogan classifies himself as a baptist and his website says that he is or has been a deacon, Sunday school teacher, department director, church officer and director at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville for the last 36 years. Baptists do not traditionally support the practice of abortion, and I respect that belief, but it would be despicable for any pastor or church leader to make light of such a violent and hateful act that Jesus - a devout pacifist - would never support.
At the same event, Hogan also said he would have opposed the appointment of Dr. Parvez Ahmed to the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission and that as mayor he would be in favor of abolishing the commission altogether. (An e-mail has been sent through Hogan's campaign website asking for details on this position on Wed., Feb. 23.)
When asked about his abortion clinic bombing comments after the forum he told the Times Union:
Recently, the local Firefighter and Police Unions in a puzzling move have given endorsements to Mike Hogan's bid for the Mayor's office. Though Hogan is certainly not as vocal about it as Mullaney and Moran, he is still critical of the Police and Fire Pension Fund as quoted in this Times Union candidate profile. He sees these pensions as, "the biggest issue the city will face over the next 20 to 30 years." Hogan makes no mention of the real problem behind the pension plans - the city's practice of "pension holidays" where the municipal government did not pay their contractual portion of pension contributions. Alvin Brown, a democratic candidate for Mayor, is the only candidate to mention and criticize this practice. To add to my confusion of the union endorsement there's this statement by Hogan:
At the same event, Hogan also said he would have opposed the appointment of Dr. Parvez Ahmed to the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission and that as mayor he would be in favor of abolishing the commission altogether. (An e-mail has been sent through Hogan's campaign website asking for details on this position on Wed., Feb. 23.)
When asked about his abortion clinic bombing comments after the forum he told the Times Union:
"If I've got to measure everything I say, I mean, I'm not going to be politically correct," Hogan said. "That was a joke. This was an audience for this. This is a Catholic Church. I guarantee you they are 110 percent pro-life."In another Times Union article released Wed., Feb. 23, more people spoke up about their displeasure with Hogan's comments. Pete Kelley, moderator and president of St. Joseph's mens club, pointed out that truly being "pro-life" goes beyond being against abortions, but also against murder, capital punishment, and any other action barring a natural end to one's life. Even City Council President Jack Webb admonished Hogan saying, "I do not support radical elements that advocate violence as a means of societal reform, nor do I find any attempted humor in that regard appropriate."
Recently, the local Firefighter and Police Unions in a puzzling move have given endorsements to Mike Hogan's bid for the Mayor's office. Though Hogan is certainly not as vocal about it as Mullaney and Moran, he is still critical of the Police and Fire Pension Fund as quoted in this Times Union candidate profile. He sees these pensions as, "the biggest issue the city will face over the next 20 to 30 years." Hogan makes no mention of the real problem behind the pension plans - the city's practice of "pension holidays" where the municipal government did not pay their contractual portion of pension contributions. Alvin Brown, a democratic candidate for Mayor, is the only candidate to mention and criticize this practice. To add to my confusion of the union endorsement there's this statement by Hogan:
"Any candidate who tells you what changes they would make simply does not fully understand the nature of collective bargaining. When at the negotiating table, you never show all your cards."Does that sound like someone the Unions can trust and bargain with? It does not to me. And if they picked him only because they believe that he has a better chance of winning than Alvin Brown, I see that as ignoring their principles.
First, Hogan's comment was a joke. Yes, it was inappropriate but, nevertheless, it was just a joke. If I thought he was serious, I'd be concerned. He wasn't, so I'm not.
ReplyDeleteOn that note, who among us can say they have never found themselves in a similar situation? "Open mouth, insert foot" is something we've all experienced at one time or another.
Second, the Human Rights Commission is a total and complete waste of taxpayer dollars and it should be abolished.
Third, more than anything else, the police and fire unions are looking for a Mayor who will listen to their concerns. They're not looking for blanket approval for everything they want. They just want the opportunity to state their case.
In his years as a City Councilman and as a State Representative, Mike Hogan always listened and his door was always open. That means he has a track record these organizations can depend on.
Then there's the issue of loyalty. Mike Hogan has always been a friend to the police and fire unions. He has been loyal to them, so they, in turn, are loyal to him.
It's that simple.
Thank you for your comment, Anonymous. It is my hope that this site becomes a venue for meaningful dialogue between individuals of a myriad of political persuasions. Thank you for your contribution.
ReplyDeleteIn response:
First, on Mike Hogan's joke. Yes, it was a joke. I agree it was inappropriate. It may have been a gaffe. I have had those, and am sure to have more if I continue publishing this blog. But maybe it was not a gaffe, but an attempt to push a hot wedge issue to garner more support from the base. I would hope not, but there is a possibility.
Secondly, I disagree on your stance on the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission. The controversy stirred up over Dr. Parvez Ahmed's appointment to the commission almost justifies the need for the commission itself. The Human Rights Commission is an enforcement agency that investigates claims of discrimination in employment, housing and and public accommodations. They do this for everyone; black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Christian, Muslim, atheist, Buddhist, democrat, republican, rich, poor and anyone else who files a complaint. I believe that this is a worthy cause for taxpayers to fund, as I believe everyone deserves a fair chance.
Finally, on the point of the Police and Fire Union endorsements. Open doors and ears are great, but policies are what matters. Looking at the policies and issues discussed on the Florida Times Union Candidate Profile (I could find no issue statements on the Hogan campaign website) his stances didn't seems to reflect what I would interpret as what the Union's would be looking for.
But I'm not in the Union so I can't speak for their motivations. Maybe you are, but it's hard to determine all the motivations behind a membership vote. Maybe the Unions feel he is the best candidate to represent them, or maybe the simply feel he is the best bet. Maybe he was selected because he is the most likely winner and they want to start of his term on his good side.
Thank you again for your comment.
On the Hogan gaffe... How are you going to "push a hot wedge issue" if the only other candidate in attendance takes the same position?
ReplyDeleteOn the Human Rights Commission... What they are and what they are supposed to be are not necessarily the same thing.
On the union endorsements... Read again where I mentioned he has a track record. If the unions are supporting him, he must have a pretty good track record.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteRick Mullaney and Mike Hogan do have the same, if not very similar stances, on the issue of abortion. However, just because they do have the same view, does not prevent one from pushing a wedge issue. Frankly, discussion of abortion in a municipal race is meaningless unless building support from it is the goal. City governments have no control over federal law.
In regard to what something says it is and what it is supposed to be: John Peyton. He went to every station, talked a good game, replaced Ray Alfred, recruited a Chief from with in and then replaced him with CAO Dan Kleman when Barrett got sick. He also vilified the Police and Fire Pension Fund when his administration was continuing the Austin and Delaney practice of "pension holidays" and avoided the city's contractual obligation to the pension fund. He got the Police and Fire endorsements in 2003. He didn't have a track record. Perhaps that's why the Union is going with one now.
I'm not familiar with Hogan's track record. The newly designed City website doesn't make that an easy task to pull his voting record from his council terms. I'm going off what is being said in this campaign. If you have specific items in Hogan's record you would like to mention, feel free to share.