CINCINNATI, Oh -- From Twitter to Michael Jackson, the
NAACP is criticizing Cincinnati City Council member Leslie Ghiz's comments.
They are speaking out because Ghiz told WLW radio show host Bill Cunningham there is no moment of silence on her agenda. She made the comment in response to a question over the idea of holding a moment of silence for pop icon Michael Jackson.
During an interview on WLW Thursday Ghiz said, "Well let me tell you this, I promise you that if we were still in session, I can nearly guarantee someone would have come up with that."
Cunningham replied, "Now would you stand and show respect to a drug addict and a pedophile?"
Ghiz responded, "No, I would absolutely hit the ceiling. I would absolutely hit the ceiling"
President of the local chapter of the NAACP Chris Smitherman says, "I think she would have no problems extending any honor to Pete Rose, which includes the dedication of any street in Cincinnati. The only issue remaining is will Council member Ghiz extend the same respect and humanity to Michael Jackson based on his legacy to the world by standing."
The answer from Ghiz is clear. She says, "The bottom line is we we've got bigger issues to be dealing with in the city than these types of things. These are silly, this, the issue over Twitter, are absolutely comical. We need to focus on what's important, and right now that's making sure that fundamental services aren't jeopardized by the fact that we don't have any money right now in the city, and apparently certain people aren't paying attention to that."
Ghiz says with the city budget the way it is, spending time and energy focusing on these situations is wasteful.
