Yesterday, Gossips learned that Marc Molinaro, likely the Republican candidate to represent the new 19th Congressional District, has agreed to a debate and a bowling match with Ọṣun Zotique, who is vying with at least two other hopefuls to be the Democratic candidate for Congress. When and where these events will take place has not yet been announced. The congressional primary will take place on Tuesday, August 23.
A "bowling match"?? Are you serious?? I don't know who proposed that but whoever it was is telegraphing how important they think the job congressman is. Not a good luck.
ReplyDeleteI've heard from reliable sources that they will follow the debate with thumb wrestling, too.
ReplyDeletePolitical bowling matches actually a reference to presidential history (namely Nixon and Obama)
DeleteI get that this Zotique fellow is not a serious person. But I always thought Molinaro sought to be taken seriously. He started young and lacks certain credentials most (even Zotique) seem to possess -- I surprised that he'd agree to anything that demeans and devalues the office of congressman as much as bowling with a clown.
ReplyDeleteAs our nation's first transgender nonbinary person to stand for federal elected office, my pronouns are they/them/theirs...... I've already corrected you on this once before... Also, the joke's on you, John, for inspiring me to run for HCSD Board of Education. I thought we'd be running against each other. But alas, once my neighbor Calvin Lewis was sworn in, I was able to continue looking for ways to serve our community... see what you unleashed? A young transformative leader with many years of service ahead. Bravo.
DeleteI look forward to a friendly bowling match which signifies the unity, respect, and civility which is so needed in our national discourse.
Any further questions regarding my qualifications to excel in this role can be directed to the campaign team at osunforny@gmail and we'll be delighted to speak with folks. There will also be candidate forums at each of the counties of this Congressional District.
PS - What are your pronouns?
I'm glad I could inspire you, Zotique. I still think you're a gadfly. As for pronouns, they are neither "yours" or "mine"; they are the language we share (or not). I think of language as something that hopefully clarifies; I don't find the use of multiple pronouns for single individuals to be clarifying so much as it's confusing -- kind of obviates the purpose of pronouns to begin with I think. You feel a need to express the duality of your nature. Knock yourself out. But don't expect everyone to adhere to your confusing use of the language in referring to yourself. Some folks will, some won't.
DeleteTo the contrary. Gender-inclusive language is the law of the City of Hudson (R13) and the it's also in the DEI Policy of the City School District.
Delete"I get that this Zotique fellow is not a serious person."
DeleteDo you, John? That's quite an assumption to make about someone's humanity? You must know Osun very well to make that judgment, or are you just not used to being held responsible for your gross sense of entitlement? No worries, let me remind you. Again, that Zotique "Fellow" clearly communicated their pronouns and gender identity, which you seem to disregard continuously. My guess is you value ego-driven power struggles over human decency? What a shame.
The greatest irony I find in your commentary and behavior is the staggering misalignment with your value system. Let me explain. As a grief specialist and certified Thanatologist here in Hudson and a former mental health counselor specializing in grief and trauma, I couldn't help but notice your website mentioning grief.
"We work with individuals and organizations of any size provided what they themselves do is sustainable, puts people to work, grows strong communities and local economies, and generally doesn't add to the overall grief in the world."
For someone who claims to care about not adding to the overall grief in the world, you seem to have no issues eliciting potential grief in people. By that, I mean, you seem to have no problems stripping people of their humanity through blunt disrespect, humiliation, and degrading language on a public forum, of a community where you hold a position of power. Yikes, John — you can do better than that, come on. To prove my point, for someone who claims not to be adding more grief into the world, what business do you have calling another human being a clown? For someone who claims not to be adding more grief into the world, surely you must know that the suicide rate has increased by 50%, and language continues to push many people over the edge? For someone who holds power and privilege in the community, you seem to display the traits of poor emotional intelligence, which I hope is just poor judgment on your part. I will give you the benefit of the doubt. However, studies show people in positions of influence with low EQ's, create more disintegration in their community than harmony — ironically, a narrative Osun is fighting tirelessly to shift. If you care about not adding to overall grief in the world, surely you must know empathy holds the key to those doors? It's astronomically clear that you do not lead from a place of empathy in your behavior. Thus, where is the integrity in your mission statement? Did you forget the few businesses/clients you have listed on your website, such as Basilica Hudson, deeply value the diverse expression of human duality you so ungracefully detest? John, your behavior harms our community, especially marginalized communities that nurture a large portion of our youth — the youth of Hudson's tomorrow. Since you care so much about mitigating grief, you must know that grief is universal and connects us all, no matter our differences, which calls into action the responsibility to invest in community care.
By pointing one finger at Osun for not being a "serious person," you're pointing three fingers back at yourself. The irony here is that you call Osun a clown, but what "serious person" puts others down by assassinating their unique personhood? Again, yikes, John. I hope you cultivate compassion towards yourself one day so people don't have to be on the receiving end of your bigotry. The earth knows the last thing we need is more of that — and by that, I mean unnecessary grief at the hands of prejudice. Do you have kids? Grandkids? What example are you setting for them? What example are you setting in our community? We need you to do better, John.
DeleteI'm sorry you are hurting, clearly, at a level deep enough to call a goodhearted member of your community, whom you've never met, a gadfly. Since you strongly believe language is a finite construct, I'll pretend linguistical phenomenology doesn't exist.
Your website expresses your appreciation of an economic ecosystem approach in communities like Hudson. You should know that Gadflies play a critical role in ecosystems by decomposing animal carcasses and making space for life. If Osun is a gadfly, then perhaps you are the decaying flesh Hudson's ecosystem is decomposing to make room for more respectful, heart-centered, and self-aware leaders in our community.
If Osun is a gadfly, consider me one, too. What an honor.
I don’t consider you a gadfly. I consider you loose with your grammar. Bye now.
DeleteWhere I come from, a DEBATE between 2 candidates for any public office is considered a GOOD thing - but none of the comments above makes any mention of it.
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems horrified at the notion of a friendly game of Bowling as a Bi-partisan activity. Where I grew up, opposing candidates at every level of public office frequently engaged in non-political activities, in good faith and to build community. IMO, Hudson could use more of both.
Full disclosure: I believe that Zotique is indeed a very serious person... based on their Bio, on their recent appointment as a consultant to the City of Hudson Board of Education, on my personal experience and finally, on their ernest desire to serve as an elected public official. May the best person win.
Why can't Zotique just outline their qualifications here?
ReplyDeleteFYI...the following link is a good introduction to Osun Zotique.... https://hudsonvalleystylemagazine.com/o-osun-zotique-for-congress-press-realease/
DeleteI'm a little busy these days, my friend! Candidate Forum should be coming up in the next few days. Policy and qualifications outlines via the interim site: www.osunforny.com. Namely, I am a highly-educated leader in this community and I understand the region's needs from living here for many years and working with hundreds if not thousands of local residents in various capacities.
DeleteJohn, It appears Osun isn't just too busy to list their qualifications here, they simply don't appear to have any. In tonight's Candidate Forum, the space held for candidates to sell themselves and their policies, Osun spoke in vague buzz words about their future in Congress but even when directly asked they didn't speak about qualifications or experience.
DeleteIt is worth watching if you have the time, it was enlightening to see the options we have as voters in the 19th. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pw2EV_s0LA
I'm glad to hear that you came away with more questions than answers. Everyone can free to attend the official Meet+Greet tonight. If anyone have any serious questions about my qualifications or experience, then please be brave and ask directly during the Q+A! Love, ~OZ https://www.trixieslist.com/events/official-congressional-meet-and-greet/
DeleteWhat is good about a constituent leaving candidate forum with more questions than answers? I left with no unanswered questions about the serious candidates in this race, Jamie & Joshua.
DeleteYou stressed the importance of virtual events during this campaign so suggesting a voter attends an in person event to hear what they should have heard during the online forum is disrespectful.
My remark about virtual events was primarily directed to rural outreach in this 11-county district. Luckily, many of us share the privilege of being neighbors in this City. I can ask my team to think about how to make yesterday's event more accessible online/ asynchronous. Great idea! Thanks. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M6VrhG9E0DIBo_wZaJ2uTybo4Oav7GKE/view?usp=sharing
DeleteIt will surely be challenging to push against the machine, Osun. Thank you for your efforts and best of luck. Representation matters and your voice matters.
ReplyDelete- another they/them
the work of gender education is an ongoing enterprise! as i'm sure you know
DeleteQuestion: What is the plural of "they/them?
ReplyDelete