Confirmation of my suspicions

I now have confirmation of my suspicions that the unaffiliated Utah Green Group was lobbying delegates throughout the conference in Tucson to vote “no” for Tom King for GPUS Steering Committee.

Many delegates shared with me that this group of people circulated myths (a nice word for lie) about Tom and were able to convince many that he said things in his speeches that he in fact did not. Many of these delegates were angry that their states dictated to them, then, to vote “no” on Tom’s candidacy for this seat, after their delegations had already decided to vote for him. (It was close race. Tom missed winning a seat by a narrow margin, I have heard.) These delegates have offered their assistance to us in the upcoming effort to present our case to the NC.

Someone on Green Commons commented to one of my posts that one of the other group’s members “presented the key values very well in Tucson”. Nothing could be further from the truth with the type of behavior he and members of his group displayed in Tucson. While Tom and I and Kathy participated in every aspect of the convention, helping with the set up of projectors and other equipment, helping to set up tables for the plenary, presenting and attending workshops, attending committee meetings, etc., these folks were in fact NOT participating except by cornering very delegate they could to plant myths in their minds about the Desert Greens and our delegation present in Tucson. Additionally, they, along with their California allies, held closed door meetings during events at the convention to discuss strategy to perpetuate these myths. As stated in an earlier post, only when confronted with inquiries about this did we talk about the issue (in other words, we were there to participate in a convention and party business and education, not to backstab other delegates).

By virtue of these behaviors, I think it is obvious which people were displaying green values at this event and which people presented key values to the press but failed to do so during the workings of the convention itself.

As this case continues and the truth again unfolds I will provide updates.

For a page of linked documents to what happened in 2004 in Utah, go to 2004.