Verbal Judo

[knowgangs]

Did you hear about the Cleveland councilman who wrote the profanity filled letter to a local drug dealing gang member? If not, you can view the letter by click here.

What did you think of it?

[DUSJ1716]

Not only does the letter contain inappropriate language, it isn't intelligently written. It's very far from what someone would expect from a public official. I have to admit though, it would be great to be able to express ourselves like that occasionally without repercussion.

[GREENBULL]

Not only is the letter unprofessional, but he basically revealed a possible Confidential Source.

[Steven L. Sachs]

I have to agree with everyone else here. It's one thing to muse about the stupidity and wayward behavior of an individual, but it's another thing to put it in writing. Councilman Polensek may have sealed his fate when he CC: a copy to the local newspaper, The Plain Dealer.

Surely he knew the letter would find it's way to the Internet.

If I had written a letter like that (and I could have written hundreds) about one of the offenders I have worked with over the years---my job would have been "ADIOS".

Working in any government capacity---we have to be held to higher standards.

[Dorothy Young]

He was doing what he thought was right. When you live in that kind of area and its your home you do what you got to do. All of the neighbors should have sign the letter with him to show the young man that, they didn't like what was going on either. You don't have a choice when dealers are in your area. Right on "SIR" you did a good thing. God bless you!

[duaneyb]

I admire his effort in defending and protecting his neighborhoods. Sounds like his heart is not interested in what sounds right to everyone else, as long as his message has a chance of getting through to a person with no interest but to harm his community. Awesome.

[The Sentinel]

When dealing with idiots, it's only common courtesy to speak in their language, so they understand the message being conveyed.