Personal votes are well and good in a small community…I’m living in some odd, lonely Utopia if I don’t admit that. But I believe that a community is healthier, not only when it knows it’s candidates, but has heard them discuss and promote their positions on issues. Many towns across this country vote based on personal alliances…but I’m not sure they are any better for not also taking a step back and thinking about the community a bit.

The other great side-effect of discussing issues, instead of having a popularity contest, is that it dilutes the personal side a bit.

Talking about issues is the responsibility of the populous and the candidates. But maybe Decatur is becoming a victim of its own success. Issues are few and satisfaction is high. Why take the time to analyze a system that already gives you everything you want?

James had nothing to do with that video, and the people who made it have been very clear about that.

I found it petty that bloggers attacked Fred’s lack of graciousness about Mr. Radford, and lauded Mr. Radford’s graciousness, when during the campaign, his opponents persistently tried to mischaracterize his position on school issues.

Now, Mr. Radford is free to campaign as he sees fit. But please don’t tell me that kind of campaigning is gracious and noble and honorable. In my opinion, and the opinion of others, Mr Radford and his campaign took a comment made to biased supporters and spread it around with the clear implication that he supports something that he doesn’t support (dismantling or taking over the school system). They continued to do this even after Fred said he supports the school. And, when Mr. Boykin tried to refute some of the comments on Mr. Radford’s blog, Mr. R. refused to allow him to do that, from what I understand. And from the comments on this blog, they think that’s fair game, and they’re not ashamed of operating that way. Maybe that’s one of the reasons they lost?

They also produced a YouTube Video ridiculing Mr. Boykin, perfectly legal, if more than a trifle sophomoric.

Here’s the link. Is this something Mr. Radford is proud of? Is this “gracious.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrldWG6mpag

(By the way, Fred emailed the link to all his supporters. He says the Monty Python Lumberjack skit is one of his favorites!)

So, Decatur Metro readers, judge for yourselves. Do you think this is what any reasonable person would call honorable campaigning? It’s a free country. You’re free to take pot shots at Fred Boykin all you want.

But don’t start lauding Mr. Radford as being gracious and honorable, at the same time belittling Fred for not being more gracious and thanking Mr. Radford for this kind of campaigning.