Recently, the Paris Texas Chamber of Commerce posted “The Objective” on our website; explaining that our purpose was simply to be a voice in the community for those who, otherwise, would have no voice.
To lend weight to our point, we asked: “Where else will you see, read or hear anything that dissents from or even question what citizens are told that relates to a City of Paris program?”
What we didn’t know then, that we know now, is that “hear” is a really big word – in more ways than one.
Now, we are well aware that we were wrong in saying “hear” : There’s a lot of griping going on about how complaining doesn’t do a bit of good.
We apologize . . .
We should have simply expressed disappointment over the lack of Dissidence –
Taxpayers would be better served by dissidence, as expressing opposition to is much better than hearing about wasting money. Dissidence is needed.
So, please, show some mercy!
Other examples of needed dissidence is on allowing weeds to grow, and allowing most areas inside the city limits to be used as a dump ground. If nothing else, cut the weeds and stop the littering.
Even “”artificial intelligence” might agree –-–
But it is seeming that the human programmers of AI have a personal opinion or bias that may or may not agree, as it seems to accept that even plunder is a right of government. But plunder is taking by force the assets of others, whether its by law or at the point of a gun. All of which make one question (or should) the intelligence of the creators, developers, and programmers of Artificial Intelligence. Some of the answers it provides dumb or even intelligent questions need questioning.
Dissidence is always a needed quality when facts are hard to find or mugged so badly that they are unrecognizable without questions.
How can we, in good consciousness, call Paris “a good city” or a “good place to live,” when too many policies and programs benefit some citizens, but not all? When the same policies and programs that are used as weapons against some citizens become favors granted to others? When public tax money (collected from all citizens) is given to a private endeavor or used to fund some socialist “public-private partnership”? And when and how did it occur that all data and information about some important endeavor or project be ignored and words be carefully crafted so that supporters can play “Whack-a-Mole” with any fact that might raise its intelligent head?
Dissidence requires questions. Without it, the idea may or may not have merit or value, and it certainly has no need for transparency. IF so, it certainly does not need public tax money.
Ideas are not the enemy.
The lack of dissidence, not questioning every idea, is . . . (whether it is about control of litter or government plunder).
Actually, the verdict on Paris is in: Weeds and litter are everywhere; ordinances and policies are selectively enforced or ignored or in conflict with other laws or lawful policies; too many of our neighborhoods are full of blight, decay, rot, and historical obsolescence; there are more rental properties than single-family home ownership; and more empty houses and vacant business-buildings than ever.
IF we really wanted to make Paris beautiful, we’d be taking down utility poles instead of putting them up and butchering trees.
Paris had the potential to be a good city and a good place to live. Once upon a time, Paris was the largest city in a 100-mile circle of NE Texas and SE Oklahoma; the North Star of Texas. But that was, as the song says, “Once Upon a Time, So Very Long Ago … “
Lamar County population is growing; the population inside the city limits of Paris, isn’t – and years of not questioning the ideas have made this the reality.
The lack of dissidence is the reason why.
return to the Paris Texas Chamber
people.