Sunday, November 01, 2009

The Gazette's Poor Guide

The Kalamazoo Gazette's election guide is curiously lacking when it comes to informing readers of the opinions of city commission candidates opposed to the Kalamazoo discrimination ordinance.

First of all, here is the link to the Gazette's online election guide.
Kalamazoo City Commission: Questions and answers

The link to question 3, on the ordinance, originally directed readers to another question, but this has since been fixed.

Perusing the responses of the candidates, we find the following.

Kai Phillips: The candidate’s answer could not be published as submitted.
It's anyone's guess what this somewhat cryptic statement means. This is the only answer from any candidate to any question to have such a disclaimer.

It was reported in the Western Herald that candidate Nicholas Boyd opposes the ordinance.
Kalamazoo City Commission stumps at WMU

Aaron Davis, Nicholas Boyd and Kai Phillips oppose it.

“I’ll be voting no, even though I’m happy that it is on the ballot,” Boyd said. “It’s more important to focus on the budget and try and stem the job loss.”Davis was even more adamant about the ordinance.

“I don’t think men should be able to go in the women’s bathroom,” Davis said, adding even more questions about the ordinance.

“Nobody’s ever been pulled over for being gay in Kalamazoo.”
But what does the Gazette guide report?

Nicholas Boyd: I fully support this ordinance and am actively helping the One Kalamazoo campaign. One side of the issue that is often neglected is the effect on youth. I personally know gay, lesbian, and transgender teenagers — right here in Kalamazoo — who have been kicked out of their homes by their parents. This ordinance would help to keep them from becoming homeless.
This is the exact same answer given for Kyle Boyer, the candidate directly below, strongly suggesting that the Gazette simply copied his answer into the wrong position.

The Gazette did manage to report Aaron Davis' answer opposing the ordinance.

Was this just the usual sloppiness, or is is something more?

4 comments:

Conservative Second said...

I think it is something more! Do you know that at the Gazette they don't even have separate restrooms for men and women?!?! They have two doors with question marks on them; under the question marks is the phrase, "What Sex Do You Feel Like Today?". The women aren't allowed to sit when they pee, and all the men have to tuck their penises behind their legs! No one is allowed to have pictures of their families on their desk. Instead, they are only permitted to show photos of Nathan Lane. Elton John is played ALL DAY, and the first question on their employment application is, "What is your favorite restaurant in Saugatuck?"

Kalamazoo ♥ Google! said...

Just a quick correction: I think you're mixing up Nick Boyd and Kyle Boyer.

You say the Herald quotes Boyer as being opposed to Kalamazoo's anti-discrimination ordinance. But your citation doesn't mention Boyer; it quotes Boyd as being opposed. Meanwhile, your citation in the Gazette (correctly) indicates Boyer is in support of the ordinance.

Additionally, this would be a reasonable assumption anyway, as Boyer is a local gay rights activist, a bartender at a local gay bar and a staff member at the National Center for Transgender Equality.

Just sayin'.

Conservative First said...

Fixed. Thanks, BCJ.

Conservative Second said...

I'M SO EXCITED, I FINALLY HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO INTO BOTH RESTROOMS. WOMEN, GET READY TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IT IS LIKE TO HAVE PEE ON THE SEAT.