Fresno City Council Member gives war opponent the boot

I've had my problems with Jerry Duncan in the past but this is very cool! Let's roll. For victory & freedom!!!

Go, Jerry Duncan!! This took some guts. For victory & freedom!!!

Okay, so I spelled "council" wrong. So sue me! For victory & freedom!!!

Fresno has a Human Relations Commission ??????????

"I know Duncan has the right to do it, but this is still America. People have the right to voice their opinion"

Once again, the Left doesn't get it. Yes, in America people have the right to freely express their opinion. However, that doesn't mean they are free from being held ACCOUNTABLE and RESPONSIBLE for their opinions (and actions). Leftists and Liberals want to live in a consequence-free environment. Sorry, but that is not what America is about.

Fresno City Council Member Jerry Duncan kicked Fresno State professor Sudarshan Kapoor off the Human Relations Commission for publicly opposing America's war with Iraq

Misleading.

Ducan looked out his office window the other day and saw city commission members protesting the war "on company time" in front of city hall. Kapoor was not at the demostration.

Ducan wanted the commission disbanded because of their political statements while "on the clock" but was advised by the city attorney that all he could do was to withdraw his appointment from the commission.

He promptly exercised his only option, withdraw his appointee, Kapoor, from the commission. Obviuosly Ducan respects Kapoor since Ducan appointed Kapoor to the commission.

Locals can read between the lines because we have to live with McClatchy and Lopez.

Gotta love you guys in FResno!

I never took a class from Kapoor but I remember him. I think he is a Hindu Sikh. Also, last I was there the Muslims has built a mosque near the University. It's been several years.

I can't figure out what's going on with the Hindus. They should understand the Muslim problem as much as anyone.

My husband is from Fresno and I remember when they tried to change the name of Kings Canyon to Chavez. I remember a couple of things about Chavez. When he died they tried to make it look like he died as a poor person. The man made millions and lived like he did. And the only thing Chavez ever did for his people was give them outhouses. So don't believe all the bs. Hooray for Jerry Duncan.

Well, I certainly agree with Duncan on this one! For victory & freedom!!!

Fresno - home of Jim Robinson HIMSELF - yahoo! Go, Jerry Duncan! For victory & freedom!!!

Hooray for Jerry Duncan, indeed. Why don't you folks move back here. We could sure use some more Fresno FReepers! For victory & freedom!!!

Kapoor is toast. Thanks for your post. Do you know who Fresno's mayor is these days? He's none other than Alan Autry, the actor who played "Bubba" on "In the Heat of the Night" TV show. No kidding. And he's a Republican!!!! For victory & freedom!!!

I heard on the news this morning that this creep might be getting his job back. All they need is a City Council member to appoint him back to the post and I think there are two who might just do that. Sheeeesh!

Now, here's a report from a GOP legislator on what went on in Sacramento yesterday:

March 26, 2003

Dear Friends,

President Ronald Reagan said, "It is up to us...to work together for progress and humanity so that our grandchildren, when they look back at us, can truly say that we not only preserved the flame of freedom, but cast its warmth and light further than those who came before us."

Currently, our men and women of the armed forces are defending our freedom and safety in Iraq, and cultivating the opportunity for the Iraqi people to experience the freedoms we enjoy. It is for that reason that I stand wholeheartedly behind our troops and our Commander-In-Chief.

Last night, we debated for hours on a House Resolution regarding the conflict in Iraq. The Democrats proposed a resolution that stated Californians have the hope of a peaceful world, free of war, and that the Assembly proclaims its fervent hope that hostilities in Iraq end as soon as possible and that America's servicemen and servicewomen return home quickly, safely, and uninjured. While this statement is true, it does not clearly state the support for our troops. The Republicans, after heated debate, were able to get the Democrats to add the words, "we support our troops."

Two amendments were proposed and rejected last night. I introduced a set of amendments that would replace the proposed resolution with the resolution passed unanimously by the United States Senate, that supported the President and the United States Armed Forces. It was defeated. Assemblyman Ray Haynes also introduced a set that called for stronger words of support for the U.S. war effort and the President. It was also defeated.

Political affiliation aside, we are all Americans, and Americans are losing their lives to defend and promote freedom. Sometimes, Legislators think they are only speaking for their own interests and ignore the fact that they were elected by, and represent the people of California. I was passionate about making sure our troops receive the support of the people of this great state. One of my Democratic colleagues is quoted as saying Californians with family members overseas "don't give a rip" about the resolution anyway. I, however, like to think that Californians fighting overseas appreciate the fact that we support them and their families most certainly "give a rip".

Sincerely,

Dave Cogdill Assemblyman, 25th Assembly District

The guy is going to get his job back. Here's today's article in Fresno Bee:

Kapoor offered seat back
He considers rejoining the Human Relations Commission.
By Pablo Lopez
The Fresno Bee
(Published Thursday, March 27, 2003, 8:32 AM)

Fresno State professor Sudarshan Kapoor is weighing an offer of reappointment to the Human Relations Commission on which he served for 12 years before being ousted by Council Member Jerry Duncan.
Council Member Brad Castillo made the offer, saying he respects Kapoor and his ability to bring people together.

Kapoor, 69, said he would confer with his wife, Veena, before deciding whether to accept the offer. He admitted: "I would like another chance."

Kapoor, a co-founder of the Fresno Center for Non-Violence, was removed by Duncan after the commission supported a local organization's proclamation calling for a peaceful resolution between the United States and Iraq.

_____ Related item _____

• Read City Council member Jerry Duncan's letter and commentary to Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor regarding his dismissal.

On Wednesday, more than 150 people rallied at City Hall in support of Kapoor and expressed displeasure toward Duncan. People at the gathering, which included former Council Members Les Kimber and Chris Peterson, held signs that said "Fresno needs Kapoor" and chanted "Reappoint Kapoor." Some shouted "recall," in reference to Duncan.

Gail Gaston, the commission's chairwoman, wiped a tear as she introduced Kapoor to his supporters, who jammed City Hall's second-floor lobby.

Kapoor tried to soothe his supporters' anger, saying he would continue to work for peace and harmony either as a commission member or a private citizen. He also said he is not angry at Duncan, but he questioned the council member's motives.

"I plan to continue on my journey, and that journey is a lifelong journey of nonviolence and peace," he said. "If I have to pay the price for my belief system, I will pay."

Each City Council member can appoint two members to the committee. The mayor gets three appointments. All appointments must be approved by a council majority.

Duncan informed Kapoor of his ouster in a letter March 19, a day after the commission told the City Council that it unanimously supported the resolution.

Duncan said after Wednesday's rally that his decision to remove Kapoor had nothing to do with the professor's beliefs. He said he was concerned that the commission had abandoned its mission and became an organization with "a very narrow political agenda."

Recently, the commission supported Jesse Jackson's rally in Fresno and expressed a desire to name a street after labor leader Cesar Chavez. In 1993, the City Council approved changing Kings Canyon Road to honor Chavez but later reversed its decision.

The document, sponsored by Peace Fresno and written before the war with Iraq began, says there is no substantial proof that Iraq poses an imminent threat to the United States and that war would result in a loss of American lives and severely damage the U.S. economy. Duncan, an influential Republican in local politics, said the resolution is "anti-war."

Duncan said he has received a number of "ugly" e-mails. "But I'm not changing my mind," he said.

Kapoor has taught at California State University, Fresno, since 1967 as a professor of social work education. He is the founding director of the university's peace and conflict studies program.

"I have a lot of respect for Dr. Kapoor, but this is not about him," Duncan said. "The commission's actions today prove my point. They lost sight of their mission. They are not bringing people together, but their politics is dividing them."

Mayor Alan Autry said he agrees with Duncan: "We have to clarify what the commission is and its function, because right now it means different things to different people."

The commission was formed in 1986 to monitor discrimination and hate crimes, develop programs to address these issues, mediate disputes, educate for cultural awareness, and celebrate cultural diversity. It is made up of 17 members, but only 10 positions are filled.

Kapoor was initially appointed to the commission in 1991. When Duncan took office in January 2001, he retained Kapoor as his appointee. Duncan's other appointment remains vacant.

Autry said he respects Kapoor's beliefs and Duncan's right to remove an appointee. "People have a right to speak freely, protest and have a healthy debate," he said.

He questioned the appropriateness of the commission taking a position on national issues. He said the commission should focus on local issues, such as whether the city should hire a police auditor, or name a street after late labor leader Cesar Chavez, or combat the dropout rate in schools.

Duncan said he would reappoint Kapoor "in a heartbeat" if the commission adhered to its mission statement of promoting peace and harmonious relations among the city's people and cultures.

Castillo may beat Duncan to the punch.

He offered the reappointment because he felt Kapoor was being punished unfairly. Castillo said the commission's leadership of Gaston and vice chair Debbie Reyes should be examined.

The reporter can be reached at plopez@fresnobee.com or 441-6259.

We're screwed (as usual). From today's Fresno Bee:

Duncan's move was deliberate

By Bill McEwen
The Fresno Bee
(Published Thursday, March 27, 2003, 4:35 AM)

When Jerry Duncan's time on the Fresno City Council is done, I'm hoping someone has the smarts to put him in charge of the Human Relations Commission.
Others say Duncan is intolerant of commission members who don't march in lock step to his conservative political agenda. They say Duncan's a divider. And they say he went off half-cocked when he booted the esteemed Su Kapoor from the commission after Kapoor and others publicly denounced the war with Iraq.

Shame on those of you who don't recognize Duncan's heavenly healing aura.

Maybe 20 people in Fresno had heard of the Human Relations Commission a week ago. It was struggling for an identity. It had a ton of unfilled slots.

Duncan could have done the obvious and the ordinary: Chat up reporters and assignment editors. The response universally would have been a big yawn.

Only a genius analyzes the problem and decides the best way to empower the commission is to fire Kapoor, an internationally known peace activist who has been honored by dozens of groups, including the City Council.

Kapoor enters a room radiating tranquility. He is humble, earnest and spiritual. Give Kapoor five minutes with KMJ's Bill Manders and he'd turn the bombs-away chat host into an incense-burning peacenik.

Duncan's plan was so inspired it must have come in a vision.

Fire the one person on the Human Relations Commission people have heard of.

Fire someone revered by young and old, black and white, rich and poor.

Fire Kapoor.

That's how you get the media interested. That's how you guarantee face time for Fresnans opposed to America's attack on Iraq. That's how you deliver television cameras for when Kapoor says of the war, "We should not become the evil that we want to overcome."

You've got to see the genius in this. Duncan -- a conservative Republican businessman who worships at the blue lapels of George Dubya -- accomplished what liberal activists couldn't. He turned the little-known commission into a story and filled the City Hall foyer for a news conference Wednesday that otherwise would have drawn a half-dozen people.

Don't call Duncan a divider. Not in my presence, anyway. He does this stuff all of the time.

Two years ago, when People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals visited a Fresno middle school and told students that drinking cow's milk could harm their health, Duncan responded by trying to make milk the city's official beverage.

Duncan didn't do this because he believes PETA is a wacko radical group. Nor was he showing off for dairy interests. He simply was following the lead of the Human Relations Commission, which seeks to include all major stakeholders in important community debates.

A few of you might be thinking I'm making fun of Duncan. You couldn't be more wrong if you mistook our war-backing council member for Tom Daschle.

When Duncan dumps a bottle of barbecue sauce all over his starched white shirt, it's because he meant to.

Saving the Human Relations Commission from obscurity is a messy business -- something only the Great Uniter could pull off.

The columnist can be reached at bmcewen@fresnobee.com or 441-6632.

Saundra I don't share your view.

This is McClatchy. Nothing more.

Case in point. This morning Sarah Reyes blasted the California legislature for wasting everyone's time on the "Troop" resolution folly. My guess is that Sarah's press interview will either be on page B3 or Sarah will get good coverage and Samuelian will be widely and justifyibly chriticized for taking part in the time wasting debate and politcal backroom shenanigans.

Let me know what is printed in tomorrow morning's edition.

Amazing isn't it? I am completely in awe of all of the loopholes. Wouldn't it be nice; it these people could be decent and honest?

He's getting his job back. Duncan got good press. End of story. For victory & freedom!!!

He's getting his job back. Duncan got good press. End of story. Oh, and some people had another chance to stab Steve Samuelian in the back. For victory & freedom!!!