Joe Starsia  🌹

20 minutes were set aside to discuss the topic and Danny had the microphone the entire time. 2/

He mostly repeated the things he said in his statement in support of himself, his record, the great work he's done, etc. 3/

As an aside, he also said that there is a conspiracy against him among other DSA chapters. The evidence for this claim seems... scant. 4/

At one point, a young man asked Danny if he thinks @DemSocialists should be organizing cops. DF gave an affirmative non-answer. 5/

Shortly after, I raised a strong objection to organizing cops and said that we needed to have a discussion about it not moderated by DF. 6/

In response, DF and several of his older, white allies became belligerent and angry and re-emphasized that this is a conspiracy vs. DF. 7/

At that point, Danny, who, again, had the mic the entire time, demanded that we call the question of his resolution in support of himself 8/

The resolution passed and now I guess ATX DSA is demanding that we seat an NPC who apparently is open to organizing with cops. 9/

I'm new to Austin and relatively new to DSA, but not new to organizing. You cannot organize with folx who make everything about them. 10/

You cannot organize for racial justice with white folx who become defensive whenever they are criticized. 11/

All that is to say, after that meeting, I don't want Danny Fetonte on NPC. That meeting was white supremacy culture in action. Fin/

This is the Danny Fetonte I know.

Whatever the outcome, plz don't leave DSA. There's always new elections forthcoming. BTW at 44 I guess I'm old guard too, or just old

counterpoint: organize with people who actually show you solidarity, not just demand it

Abandoning the only socialist org with a chance of actually affecting US politics strikes me as short-sighted, if that's what you're saying

This is exactly the Democrat line of thinking

No, it isn't. Apples and oranges. DP isn't dues-paying membership org.

That's not what I meant. I'm talking about being like "we're the only game in town, if you're not with us you're hurting us"

thanks for this. pretty concerning. if you know of similar accounts lmk and i'll try to collect.

I was there. What he says is accurate. Joe's anger was palpable and I don't blame him. I felt too new to say anything though.

No one I know was saying the words "cult of personality" in public until today but that dynamic is a powerful thing