Outside of the chambers, Hollin confronted Claiborne, cursing at him and accusing him of objecting to the resolution on biblical grounds ....
Hollin then went to the parking garage, where he waited for the councilmen.
During a confrontation with Gotto, Hollin continued to pelt Gotto with expletives that echoed through the garage.
“That’s it. There is no next meeting. That is it,” Hollin said of the resolution that he later said would effectively die. “Does that make you feel good?”
“I was just exercising my right,” Gotto said, denying that there were personal motivations for his objection.
Gotto refused to comment after the altercation, saying only that he was sorry Hollin was upset.
Claiborne could not be reached for comment.
After the arguments died down, Hollin said the objections from Gotto and Claiborne were examples of bias against homosexuals.
“They collectively represent the worst in us,” Hollin said.
UPDATE: CM Hollin shares his side of the altercation at his blog:
If you know me, you know I have horrible and awful habit of using cuss words. I regret that I do, but sometimes that’s the type of language necessary to convey a point. I am not writing to make you accept it, please don’t.
The tipping point
Honorary and memorializing resolutions are for us council members to recognize someone for their civic engagement. No matter the cause or issue. No matter if it’s popular or unpopular. No matter if it’s a winning or losing cause. It’s the one limited opportunity we have to show our appreciation in a formal manner. We, as a group, recognize just about anyone for their civic participation ....
Jim Gotto and Phil Claiborne objected. Claiborne wasn’t a surprise considering he is a legislative prowess. Gotto was the surprise considering his years on the Council and years in age and experience ....
[Hollin addresses Gotto and Claiborne directly:] But wait. You won the war and the battle. The only thing left for you to do was poke your finger in the eye of high school students from some of the best high schools in Nashville. Now, you’ve done that too. Congratulations! You both now have a perfect score in the category of Best Bigot. Before, I thought it was just a difference of political philosophy or public policy. Now I know you will stop at nothing to see to it that your views prevail. You couldn’t keep 21 from adopting BL2011-838, but when only 2 are needed, you’re there ready willing and able for the cause of discrimination.
UPDATE: Since the original story broke, the editors at the Tennessean have changed the title, deleting the pejorative term "rant". The headline now reads: "Councilman Hollin curses at peers after his resolution is killed". Sounds more neutral to me.
This is a non-story. Or at least, it should be.
ReplyDeleteI for one, am glad to see some honest emotion when it comes to Metro Council.
It beats the behind-the-scenes activities that are currently driving much of council voting.
I applaud CM Jamie Hollin for sticking to his guns and showing some true grit.