Linda Thompson: Champion of Diversity!

Linda responded to Chuck Ardo's charges that she uses homophobic and racial slurs behind closed doors by posting a statement on the city's website. 

Glaringly absent from the statement is any condemnation of homophobia, racism or antisemitism.  Also missing is any denial that "Mayor for all people" Linda Deliah Thompson is prone to making such remarks.

 

Statement from the Mayor

“I have a passion for all people and have surrounded myself with a diverse group of people, both in my personal and professional life.

I value my responsibility for diversity and will let my work, as the Mayor of the City of Harrisburg, prove that I am a Mayor for all people.

The work that I have begun, the initiatives I have started, and the coalitions I have built around these initiatives represent diversity.

Those who have a relationship with me, both personally and professionally, know that I care about our City and all people.

Chuck Ardo may say what he wants, but the people elected me as Mayor and I will faithfully discharge my duties and let the people decide.”

Mayor Linda D. Thompson

Um, Linda?   We hate to point this out to you for fear you may throw your eyeglasses at us or whip your weave back and forth . . . but you didn't answer the charges. You may think you've cleared all that up, but nowhere do you actually deny you're a homophobic, racist, antisemitic asshole. To be fair, Chuck didn't actually use those words, but that's what we are all thinking.

You do use "diversity" as kind of a catch all code word hoping that we'll just assume your definition of "diversity" includes gay, white, Jewish atheists. But we're, well . . . skeptical. Having heard you mangle English everytime you open your yap, we never assume you say what you mean or know what the hell you're talking about.

Keeping the story alive, Chuck has revealed  further details, telling the Patriot News you habitually referred to City Controller Dan Miller as "that homosexual, evil little man."

Chuck also told the Patriot you have issues with Jews relating an instance where you talked about  the "Israel money" a developer was bringing to town.

Are you sure you want to "let the people decide?"  We could believe Chuck who came out of retirement to temporarily take the Thompson translator job and has no apparent motivation for lying.  Or we could believe you. Gotta tell you Linda, at this point many of us are convinced you don't even know when you're lying.  It's like you just start speaking in tongues.

As far as faithfully discharging your duties, any idea on when you'll be starting?  How's that audit coming?  It must have been awkward for you to request the assistance of "that homosexual, evil little man."

Lending credence to Chuck's allegations are the tales of horror other former high level staffers are telling.  Joyce Davis.  Phil Harper.  It's only a matter of time before other Lindacaust survivors tell their war stories.  It's not like we haven't heard horror stories starring you since you first pranced into City Hall.  The difference is now the allegations are sourced. 

We're guessing you'll not be riding on the lead float in Harrisburg's Gay Pride Parade this year.  That's a shame since you've worked so hard on your "queen wave."