Former Oshkosh Mayor Melanie Bloechl will be the guest on this Friday's Radio Commentary. The show airs from 6:20 - 7:00 p.m. on WRST 90.3 FM. Radio Commentary is a live call-in show. You can call 424-0444 or 424-3113 to participate. I'll ask Melanie about whether she is still considering a run for the 54th assembly district. We'll also get her take on the common council race, the latest 100 block news, and whatever other issues we have time for. Feel free to post a comment or question for Bloechl here on the blog. Past Radio Commentary shows can be found here. --Tony
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Melanie Bloechl on Friday Radio Commentary
Former Oshkosh Mayor Melanie Bloechl will be the guest on this Friday's Radio Commentary. The show airs from 6:20 - 7:00 p.m. on WRST 90.3 FM. Radio Commentary is a live call-in show. You can call 424-0444 or 424-3113 to participate. I'll ask Melanie about whether she is still considering a run for the 54th assembly district. We'll also get her take on the common council race, the latest 100 block news, and whatever other issues we have time for. Feel free to post a comment or question for Bloechl here on the blog. Past Radio Commentary shows can be found here. --Tony
I teach Communication Studies (First Amendment, Classical Rhetoric, Civic Engagement, Rhetoric of Rock Music) at UW Oshkosh. Served two terms on Oshkosh City Council. Originally from Brooklyn, NY.
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7 comments:
Hi Melanie,
I was recently at a political rally during which a female assembly candidate spoke. She made the observation that women are hesitant to get involved in politics because the game is too rough, that women are deterred by the personal attacks. The comments that followed centered around the belief that women are made of gentler stuff and should more of them become involved in politics there would be warm fuzzies all around.
I think we both know what nonsense that is on so many levels.
But, I have learned that is does matter if you are politically active and also female. People keep telling me this, so it must be true, for a good number of them anyway.
Do YOU think your being female alters the way people relate to you as a politician?
Do you think men really have it easier? (I don't)
And, without getting too personal, how have your political experiences changed the way you view yourself and your place in your community?
Many Thanks,
Jody Thompson
Hi Jody,
Hey thanks for asking the questions. My first thought was WOW! There is a female POLITICAN out there that makes comments in public like this?! Let me guess, Carol Roessler? She is also the one that has said ther is NO glass ceiling for woman. YIKES!
(Q)I believe your first question was something like: being a woman does it alter the way people relate to me as a politican?
(A) First, and last I hate the word politican. It has a smell to it that just gets caught in ones throat. I would like to believe that I was a representative for the people of Oshkosh. Secondly, being a woman does come with baggage especially in the arena of local representation. I have never pulled punches with anyone regardless of their standing in the community. I am not intimidated by very much, and my charge was to be a voice for the voters in Oshkosh. That voice was at times very unwelcome to certain power brokers in town. As far as being a woman, let me just say...if I had been a man that was tough, brash, balls to the wall, and committed, I would have had revered, respected, my opinions sought out in the press, printed for all times. As a woman with those traits. I was considered by some, a loud mouth bitch, that was camera hungry, and was upset that I wasn't invited to the ole boys club.
(Q) You also asked if men have it easier? Easier, not sure, but certainly different. When your gender has been in charge, has been able to make all the rules, change all the rules, and break all the rules. It must be "DIFFERENT" to see your way clear to willingly turn over any of that heady bully pulpit to someone that doesn't look like you, think like you or talk like you.
(Q) How have my experiences changed the way I view myself, and my place in the community?
(A) I have learned that I CAN handle anything. I developed a Steel spine and a cast iron ass! You had better because their going to kick it in every chance they get. I also learned a great deal about how things and people work in this community both in front of a camera and in closed meetings.I have learned that when you are given an opportunity to learn and grow, to have had the trust and faith of others, that when you know in your gut things are wrong, that you must speak, you are honor bound to ACT. You can no longer fain ignorance. You DO KNOW.
(Q) What about my place in the community?
(A)There are those out there that are possers, want to be's, phonies! The one thing I have that some other citizens don't, I have been there, I have seen who they are. They can protest all day long, but they don't fool me. My place is and will continue to be A VOICE, for the people of Oshkosh, because this is my community and I have a responsibility to speak and act if I see something wrong or right. Just like everyone in this city.
Sorry about the sermon, but passion is what life is all about.
Oshkosh IS my passion!
Thanks a Million Jody.
Melanie Bloechl
I enjoyed your comments. Would you consider supporting the only candidate in the race not a member of the courthouse establishment? You can respond through my website.
Being a woman did not keep Mrs Bloechls opinions out of the press. They were sought out on more occassions than they should have been. But they were so because she was usually readily available and always good for something provocative and controversial. Those comments are still in the archives somewhere and will be a blessing but also a curse for her. They paint the picture better than any artist could.
Melanie Bloechl sounded as negative as she ever did. This woman actually still thinks she might run for office? The competition will bury her in an election. She needs to stay out of politics until she learns to work with people and build concensus.
Oshkosh is Melanie Bloechl's passion? It may be but unfortunately for her Oshkosh is no longer passionate about her. Her attitudes about others are still the same. The only thing that's changed is her political affiliations. All so she can get elected and be our savior. Spare us the bullcrap. I hear she's still out of work after her business went under practically a year ago and needs a job. That's not a good enough reason to eelct someone to office. Isn't that what she accused Gordon of when he ran?
After listening to the Melanie Bloechl interview and the pre-show banter on Wild Eyed Radio, alls I can say is this woman sure has a high opinion of herself. She sounded ridiculous trying to fit in with the students and her words about everyone not on her A-list of friends showed how biased she is. Outspoken? No. This woman is just plain rude. Better she stay out of politics.
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