I am not a Christian but I deeply respect Christianity. Ananon tells us the her father was Jewish and I tell you that, while my father was at war, I was raised by a wonderful, loving Christian lady. However, Dave has been subject to two ugly anti-Semitic attacks by a close relative of the subject defendant as the subject defendant well knows. Aside from that, in the 18+ years Dave has operated in Manassas Park there have been numerous anti-Semitic incidents directed against him. The experience has led me to believe that there is an anti-Semitic element in Manassas Park (becoming, I believe, a minority as the Washington suburbs spread to Manassas) that thinks we are still living in the ’60s. Jews and other “evil” outsiders are not welcome in their midst .

Jewish father or not, I became suspicious that Ananon’s comments were in truth an attempt to rally the “good real Americans” against the outsider, David. When she followed her initial comments by accusing David of demanding “a pound of flesh,” a code that alludes to perhaps the most well known and infamous anti-Semitic attack in literature, I became convinced. When I made that point on this blog, Greg L. removed it.

The Federal District Court suit continues. If the City’s motion to dismiss is defeated, the City and the other defendants will be subject to discovery andmuch will become public. I anxiously await that day as I think it would be a great victory for the Constitution and the people.

Loyal Patron, while I doubt it, I hope you will get a chance to read this before its also removed.

Besides, the discussion of the issues here has been tremendous, and I hope we can stay focused. Nowhere else is there such in-depth coverage of the legitimate concerns of both sides as you commenters are establishing here. Let’s protect the quality of what has been established on this thread!

Now that this is in litigation, we’re not going to get much in the way of informative public comments from the key players in this drama. This discussion is all the coverage there really is on this for right now.

I know David Ruttenberg. He is a sweet, caring individual. At the last public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals a young man, a patron of Rack N Roll, testilfied that Mr. Ruttenberg had been like a father to him and that he cared for and counseled the young people that patronized the place.

I don’t know you Anonon and I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. But you’re kidding yourself if you think that (1) acting out of ignorance; (2) demonstrating hostility based on xenophobia; and (3) justifying the destruction of a man’s hard won business because he had the audacity to fight for his rights, even if your friends, public servants, are made to justify their actions is, in my humble opinion, far from noble.

Good luck Mr. Anonon. You’re going to have to live with yourself.

Golem, it’s easy when it is about money. This isn’t. This is about a community I love, where I raise my family and have my home. Love - it’s a more noble motivation than anything you, Balko, or Ruttenberg have got going for you in this case.

Whether he is right or wrong, I don’t want a businessman in my community who’s colleagues, one Mr. Balko above, seem to think that he should “bankrupt the town of Manassas Park.” I can’t think of a homeowner or a parent who would want to live under those circumstances. Can you, Golem? Can you see, on the basis of what Mr. Balko said above, why I don’t want him as a neighbor?

What is alleged, and we’ll let the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia decide, is that your wonderful public servants, i.e., investigative officers acting under color of state law, fabricated evidence in order to destroy Mr. Ruttenberg’s business.

Consider, Anonon, that Mr. Ruttenberg, a small business man and, I believe, a Republican to boot, has spent almost 20 years, in Manassas Park, working day and night to build a business. That’s the American dream Anonon. I’d think you’d want him to fight for that dream Anonon. I’d think you’d want him to be able to take care of his children Mr. Anonon. Or maybe he’s not Christian enough for you.

Well Anonon, I’ve got news for you. I think Mr. Ruttenberg is going to fight this thing as long and as hard as he can. I’m confident that the good people of Manassas Park will stand up for his defense of the Constitution and, if he’s proven right before a jury, will wish him well.

I do not know the details of this case and I wouldn’t care to comment on them, but I know these men, as well as the fire chief and the Governing Board and the School Board. They are outstanding people and, whether I voted for them or not or I agree with every decision the city makes, I appreciate their service to this community. If anything, I am afraid that situations like this would discourage good people from serving our community in the future. It would be a tragedy if it did.

I am not happy about this suit, but I would encourage people not judge the people involved until the facts of the case are heard in open court.

And Mr. Balko, until then - kindly keep their names and that of my city out of your mouth. Thank you so much.

http://www.cityofmanassaspark.us/Public_Documents/ManassasParkVA_CouncilMin/S0095A635-0095A63A.0/MinFeb282006.doc

“The lawsuit alleges that the decision to deny the permit was based on fabricated evidence given to the council by Evans.”