"The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism — ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. ” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
Monday, March 31, 2008
Yes, I know..
Despite the fact that Kerry Wood gave up three runs in the top of the 9th to their chief rivals for the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers (sorry, Jody, the Cardinals are going to suck this year), newly arrived outfielder Kosuke Fukudome hit a game-tying three-run homer in the bottom half to send the game to extra innings. However, the Cubs bullpen couldn't handle the newly-found prosperity, losing to the Brew Crew, 4-3.
The Southsiders were in Cleveland, and lost, 10-8, despite TWO Jim Thome homers. It's going to be a LOONNNGGG season at the Cell, I fear, because the pitching just isn't there.
As for you Cardinal fans, The Birds took a 5-1 lead, complete with an Albert Pujols homer, before the rain washed it way; Opening Day is now opening night on Tuesday. It's just as well, with the exception of Wainwright, Pujols and Rick Ankiel, they're old and they're going to stink on ice; 4th place would be over-achieving for this bunch. Think I'm kidding? How have their AAA Redbirds done recently? Uh-huh, it's not pretty.
That's OK, I've got the Braves on HD, thanks to CSS, so I'm going to go watch some more baseball.
Later, I will speak my piece about how, if she wanted to, Hillary could still campaign and actually HELP the Democratic Party, instead of trying to ensure the defeat of its' strongest candidate, Barack Obama. Back to Tommy G and his return to Turner Field!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
It's BAAACK
• 10,000 Monkeys and a Camera: Five Years. 4000 Dead.
• 55-40 Memphis: So the Clintons want Obama to lose to McCain, so Bill is still in power and Hillary has a shot at the presidency in four years.
• Aunt B.: Why, you may ask, are toll roads in Tennessee a stupid idea?
• BlountViews: Our education system is preparing students for jobs that do not even exist.
• Carole Borges: At a time when our economy is grinding to a halt, why outsource this plum contract to a foreign firm?
• The Crone Speaks: Shorter version, protect the companies, screw the people, and let’s not deal with correcting the economic bubble.
• Cup of Joe Powell: My Congressman thinks I'm an idiot.
• Don Williams: How Arthur C. Clarke’s voice of cosmic wonder changed OUR lives.
• The Donkey's Mouth: The scurrilous claims made by a fellow Republican about the inappropriate use of campaign funds could be a problem for Blackburn further on down the road.
• Enclave: The voters are leaving party leaders in the dust today, in the rodeo dust of a Ft. Worth Coliseum.
• Fletch: The Tao of Dinghy
• KnoxViews: Scenic Vista Act update (Bonus: Spirited Democratic primary strengthens candidates and the party)
• Lean Left: But, aside from setting the Republican double standard in concrete for all to see, Rice’s remarks are kind of amusingly pathetic.
• Left of the Dial: More lottery suspicions
• Left Wing Cracker: After this, it doesn't matter. She can win in Pennsylvania but it doesn't matter, her campaign will end unsuccessfully.
• Liberadio: Dana Perino is so uncomfortable answering for President Bush’s crimes against humanity that I almost feel sorry for her.
• Loose TN Canon: Hobbs deleted my comments!
• NewsComa: Newspapers, this is the new world of communication and how news is evolving.
• Pesky Fly: The only credible conclusion I can come to is that Mark Penn, whose lobbying firm is run by one of McCain's top advisors, is simply teeing up Obama for a general election sweep.
• Progressive Nashville: Insurance companies don't want you to use the insurance. They just want you to pay for it.
• Resonance: What's the point in holding elections if the delegates need not honor the results?
• RoaneViews: Congressman Lincoln Davis... Relaxed
• Russ McBee: In Dick Cheney's mind, the misguided and mendacious decisions made by his "boss" are somehow more of a burden than the loss felt by those 4,000 families.
• Sean Braisted: Now, in an effort to show that Hillary Clinton is the only person left running for President who can answer a phone past 2:30AM, she tries to tie the economy to late-night/early-morning phone calls:
• Sharon Cobb: Another day, another lie from Hillary
• Silence Isn't Golden: (W)ine in the grocery store won't drive the big-spending customers away from the retailers.
• Southern Beale: President Bush and his economic advisers assume that people will rush off to WalMart to load up on more cheap Chinese-made crap they don’t need as soon as the check arrives.
• Tennessee Guerilla Women: If the old guard Democrats were to succeed at pushing the woman off the Democratic ticket only to face a Black woman on the Republican ticket, that would mean there really is a goddess and she really is pissed.
• TennViews: New challenger in TN Senate 4th District
• Vibinc: No one is going to heal the divisions, fix the crime, educate our kids, stop the cycle of poverty, or lower teen pregnancy and infant mortality for us Memphis, we have to do it for ourselves.
• Whites Creek Journal: There is a serious problem for both Clinton and McCain in this election cycle... They are both up against an honest person.
• Women's Health News: Nipple Ring as National Security Threat
It was a good time...
Your Cracker with Carol Chumney and Senator Marrero
Friday, March 28, 2008
Yes, Kerry, you're right, I should have posted sooner.
The Sox have looked shaky in the Spring, but that often portends a strong season. However, in the AL Central, where Cleveland and Detroit have a hammerlock, it could be problematic for the South Siders.
As for the Mets, I happened to be in the Philly area when the Mets blew the NL East, and they are hoping that the acquisition of Johan Santana will bring them back from the depths of despair.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Let's forget about politics for a minute..
Otis at Monterey. Enjoy....
Hey you! Yeah, you, You live in House 93 or Senate 30?
It should be fun, so come on out and meet with our legislators this Saturday. No, the Tigers play Friday night (and hopefully, Sunday afternoon!), so you won't miss it (they have big screeen TVs in any event.
As always, for more information, contact Jody Hurt at 901-283-5528 or Memphisjody40 at aol.com
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
This sums the whole Herenton situation up beautifully
Henry Loeb was mayor when I was a teen, developing my political views. In addition to being a racist, Loeb was a narcissistic elitist who put his own ego above the welfare of the City. He made me gravitate towards the Democratic Party. His successor, Wyeth Chandler, was similar in philosophy to Loeb but more laid back. In fact, downtown and much of the rest of the City stagnated under his rein. Dick Hackett came after him. Hackett was a petty and immature micromanager who managed to let Holiday Inn and almost St. Jude go.
While Herenton did well for his first two terms, I believe his own personal character flaws have affected both his administration and the self image of many Memphians. He seems to adopted many of the same characteristics of his last three predecessors, especially Loeb, with similar polarizing effects. The white community is unified against him as was the black community against Loeb. Like Loeb, Herenton has lost many moderates of both races and relies on the race card for support. Like Chandler and Hackett, he has adopted a crony system versus reaching out to talented innovators in Memphis and beyond.
This administration is spent. The only question is when will he be gone - this July or later.
It's over, and the time for a graceful withdrawal has come.
After this, it doesn't matter. She can win in Pennsylvania but it doesn't matter, her campaign will end unsuccessfully. She still has a great career in the Senate ahead, and hopefully she'll work with the Obama administration to achieve the goals that Democrats need to achieve in order to change this country.
Monday, March 24, 2008
OK, enough about Herenton for the moment...
More on all of this stuff...
I am presuming that he listens to few, if any, of his closest confidantes. For, if he did, here's how he SHOULD have handled this situation:
My fellow Memphians, I want to thank you again for returning me to office for an unprecented fifth turn, it is very humbling for me and I appreciate it. However, as you know, I have grown more concerned by the day about the Memphis City School system, which I headed for many years before becoming your Mayor. I have watched as superintendent after superintendent has come into this system with a vaunted record, used the system to pad resumes, all while our children's achievements plummet.
Therefore, after deep thought and prayer, I have decided to apply for the open position of Superintendent of the Memphis City Schools. I believe that I have an understanding of this system that no one outside it can provide, and I have the skills to make the necessary changes that it so desperately needs, and I am prepared to work with the School Board, if they are prepared to work with me.
If I am hired, I will then resign as your Mayor in order to solve the
problems that this system faces. Thank you again for your support.
Now then, do you think that the citizens of this City might have responded just a wee bit differently? Yes, there are haters, but I'm not one of them, as I remember his first two terms, which, aside from some scuffles with Harold Senior, were probably the two best terms of any Mayor in the City's history.
The Mayor's problem is that he is his own worst enemy from a PR standpoint; if he paid attention to his friend across the Mall and emulated him, he might have found that there were far less haters than he thought.
I understand that he was falsely accused of serious crimes as a youth, and the mere fact of being an imposing, intelligent black man in the South scared the living shit out of the white power structure when he was young. I cannot imagine what he went through, but he overcame it and became the first black Superintendent of MCS and then the first elected black Mayor of his hometown.
I have even forgiven him (partially, any way) for serving as co-chair of the 2002 Coordinated Democratic Campaign while privately helping Lamar Alexander, with whom he had been friends for years.
We're all past that now, Mr. Mayor. Running for a term that you DID NOT APPARENTLY WANT but doing so just to piss people off is not the action of a grown man. You know better, yet you ask us to understand that you want to go back to MCS, which apparently pays better.
You really need to think about US, Mr. Mayor, the people who stay in Memphis because they love it and know what it is capable of achieving. At one time, sir, you helped move us forward; now, you are our biggest obstacle. Please remove yourself so that we can move on, whether you can or not.
Hire me as Superintendent or I'll kill this dog!
How about some CONTEXT, people???
Sunday, March 23, 2008
An Easter Gift for you..
Friday, March 21, 2008
You know, I'm not going there...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
WOW. What a day.
HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Does this have anything to do with the Grand Jury investigation, or is it just that he wanted one last electoral victory to say F--- YOU to those who wanted him out?
Here we go again!!!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
A Different View
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
UPDATE on Mike Williams
Monday, March 17, 2008
I really hope the Post is wrong
If this is true, we are in deep, deep, doo-doo, as Rep. Delores Gresham (R-Somerville) will be favored to win in November; she has already announced her candidacy for the District 27 seat.
This will solidify the GOP lock on the State Senate, as word from the East is that Independent Mike William of Maynardville is also looking at retirement. The combination of these events would turn a 16-16-1 Senate to an 18-15 GOP Senate, blocking ANYTHING progressive from getting through the legislature.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Why TV news is Dying: WKRN SCREWS UP BÅDLY
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
stAte fans, meet your new logo..
ASU NEWS RELEASE
The wait is over. Today at 11 a.m. on the east side of the Student Union, a roll-out ceremony for Arkansas State University’s newly adopted mascot, the Red Wolves, revealed the new face of ASU athletics.
The decision to bid farewell to ASU’s Indians and Indian Family was not an easy one, but it was a collaborative decision at every level. The
decision-making process was begun about a year ago in response to NCAA sanctions.
At the urging of administrators, notably ASU Chancellor Dr. Robert L
Potts, a Mascot Selection Steering Committee was appointed and charged with gathering ideas for a mascot change from an extremely broad-based constituency that included current students, alumni, representatives from student athletics, athletic administration representation, and members of the community. Jim Pickens, emeritus trustee, was appointed committee chair to oversee the process
and keep it representative of all constituencies.
Pickens remarked, “It was a pleasure playing a small role in the
future of our university, and all concerned played a significant part in helping our institution move forward. On behalf of the Mascot Selection Committee, we wish to thank the administration, Board of Trustees, and various constituencies for the trust, confidence, and support we eceived as we went about this historic process of selecting a new mascot and mark for our university. I commend the Mascot Selection ommittee for their dedication, professionalism, and hard work as we attempted to select a new mascot that is in keeping with the highest standards of our great university. Hopefully, the new mascot and imagery will serve to broaden and unify our base as together we strive for continued excellence in all aspects of our students' experience at Arkansas State
University. I’m thankful for the opportunity to participate in what I hope is a great new beginning for A-State.”
As Chancellor Potts noted at the historic Friday, March 7 ASU Board of
Trustees meeting, “on Jan. 30, the Mascot Selection Steering Committee concluded its work by recommending that ASU adopt Wolves or a variation thereof, such as Red Wolves, as the new mascot and nickname for our athletic team.” After ascertaining that the nickname “Red Wolves” was unique among four-year universities, Potts brought it before the trustees, who ratified his selection. Potts remarked, “The Red Wolf is a noble species of wolf that once inhabited Arkansas and still exists in small numbers in other states. They are vicious and very aggressive, and they run in packs. I believe that Red Wolves is the best
choice…”
ASU Board of Trustees chair Mike Gibson addressed the Mascot Selection Steering Committee’s work at the historic board meeting marking the ratification of the adoption of Red Wolves as the new mascot. Gibson noted of the committee’s recommendation to the chancellor, “It was done with class; it was done well, it was a tough job done well. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank Jim Pickens, who agreed to serve as chairman of this committee and did a
wonderful job, Dr. Robert L. Potts, chancellor of the Jonesboro campus who worked so hard to bring us to this point and to those committee members who were there and offered their input…they all loved ASU…everybody wanted the best, and I feel like…you have come up with the best selection that anybody could find.” Shortly after these comments, and as the meeting broke up, Gibson led the assembled company of ASU administrators and their legal counsel, board members, and members of the media, in a rousing wolf howl, in a satisfactory conclusion of the laborious process.
Gibson and the assembled company weren’t the only ones howling with
joy. Kim Wheeler, executive director of the Red Wolf Coalition, a nonprofit conservation group based in eastern North Carolina, wrote the following message to Chancellor Potts. Wheeler wrote, “The Red Wolf Coalition, Inc., and the many supporters of red wolf conservation are thrilled and send their “howling” congratulations to ASU on your choice of the red wolf as your mascot. I have passed along your mascot announcement to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Red Wolf Recovery Program and to the captive management facilities across the United States with great enthusiasm. We consider our red wolf supporters and captive management facilities to be one big family, and we welcome the students, staff, and alumni of Arkansas State University to the family.”
Wheeler “can’t wait” to see the imagery, either, but she won’t have to
wait much longer. The team from ASU's Publications and creative Services department is ready to roll out the imagery that they created in-house for the new visage of ASU. According to Ron Looney, director, Department of Publications and Creative Services, all four of the department’s staff artists collaborated in the creation of the Red Wolves imagery. Initial sketches of the wolf mascot were created by art director Mark Reeves and designer Mary Williams. Graphic designer Heath Kelly developed a unique lettering style, and staff artist Michael Johnson assisted with conceptual suggestions and digital manipulation of the art forms. The staff then combined their efforts to create the versions necessary for production of various types of university media. The
Publications and Creative Services team look upon the project as entirely collaborative, and as a great experience for them all.
ASU will promote that ASU-generated Red Wolves imagery, according to Gleen Hart, assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions, in many ways. Hart says, “We will try to be as visible as possible with the new imagery being displayed via billboards, the student body, print material, commercials, newspaper ads, and merchandising. The new imagery will be a vital part of the new student group. We will continue to provide prizes, promotions, and incentives to increase student involvement in athletic-related activities.”
Doug Doggett, associate athletic director for external operations and Indian Club director, says that the name change, even for his own organization, “obviously represents a significant impact on the athletic program and the university. We will continue to give thorough consideration to the switch from Indian names and imagery to Red Wolves throughout the process.”ASU’s athletic teams will begin competing as Red Wolves next fall at the beginning of the academic year.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Geraldine
Statements like what Ferraro has said, what Bill said in South Carolina has cost Hillary the election. As VibInc pointed out to me today, these statements have undone twenty years of good feelings Bill had built up with the African-American community. She could have won polling around 25-30% of the African-American vote. She won't now and she will start to lose super delegates unless she can get out front and repudiate these remarks either now or before she runs for reelection for Senate because she will massively vulnerable.
Whatcha doin for St. Pat's?
Crossposted from the Craichead:
Legacy is returning this coming Saturday to Celtic Crossing to play for us from 3Pm-8Pm as part of the Crossing's St. Patrick's Day Weekend. it will be a great time; they recently played the North Texas irish Festival and wowed the crowd as usual.
The complete Crossing weekend is as follows:
Friday March 14
Kick Off Bash with Irish Bagpipers
DJ Aaron until close
Saturday March 15
3pm Legacy: Traditional Irish Band
Kings of the Delta at 9pm
DJ Aaron 11pm till close
Sunday March 16
Reel McCoys 11.30am
Irish Dancers 1pm
Bob & Susie Salley 3pm
West Tennessee Swappers 8pm
Monday March 17
Reel McCoys 1pm
Irish Dancers
Punching Nicholas 3pm
Bagpipes with Dave Corbett 6pm
Corn-fed Mafia 7pm
Rusty Lemon 10pm
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
I am telling you, that he may NOT be going!
Dude, you gotta go, and as quickly as possible so David Paterson can get the state rolling. You're not going to do time (unless it's WORSE than originally reported), you'll probably just pay a fine and be suspended from your law license.
You have to go, and sooner rather than later, you're not surviving this stupidity. And, you SHOULDN'T.
Monday, March 10, 2008
What a maroon!
This was a man who just a short time ago was thought to be a potential Presidential candidate, now he looks like the biggest idiot in the Empire State. He'll be lucky to finish out his term...
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Saturday, March 08, 2008
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Elect John McCain and we'll BEAT those filthy Huns, by Jiminy!
Friday, March 07, 2008
I Don't Like Your Milkshake
Second thing that made me mad. Lets face it, Hillary is running a campaign that we all knew she would. One that the Republicans will run starting in August against Obama should he win. This primary battle prepares both sides for the upcoming war. If she wins, yes she is polarizing, but the election will turn on whether or not Obama decides his ego is worth more than helping her win. If he doesn't try to get his new voters out, we will probably win, but it will be close. A lot of her voters are going to vote for him whether or not they are inspired, but he holds the key for her.
Last, we, and by that I mean all local Dems, need to come together and replace Keith Norman. I realize what happened in Binghampton affected his attendence, but he needs to be more involved then he has to this point in his chairmanship. Even Jackson called him out for a leadership style that is at best poor. We have a changing election upcoming, and we deserve a local leader that is going to be out front in the community and at the state, inspiring voters. Tennessee is in play in this election. We need a leader that is going to fight to get us a Hillary or Obama headquarters and a good deal of money. A leader that will tell Jr. to go away because he campaigns for REPUBLICANS to win.
Okay, not short, but not too long. Thoughts?
Thursday, March 06, 2008
A $120 Million OCS for UM? Are you nuts?
I live in the U of M neighborhood, and this is not going to work, period. The SHC is the single largest sporting event in the City in terms of $$$, more than the Liberty Bowl, the RMKC or the Stanford-St. Jude. If we upset them, they may leave town, and that would HURT us financially.
People, the University of Memphis is an URBAN COMMUTER SCHOOL. It's NOT Harvard, Princeton, or Arkansas State, for that matter. It's not a huge school in a small town where the University means everything, it's a place where the vast majority of students are only on campus for classes and then go to their homes scattered across the counties.
I hate to say all this while Harold Byrd is fighting serious illness, as he is a good man who gives his heart to the community, but an OCS makes no sense whatsoever for the U of M when they have so many other needs, and when you consider that our legislative delegation has to force the rest of the lege to give UM money at gunpoint, this just does not work.
We are who we are.
I'm not really worried about this...
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
We have all forgotten, and shame on us for doing so
Enough said.
Monday, March 03, 2008
All right, I'm home, and we will be rocking this week
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Quick note
Hillary had a big event down here across the walkway from the North Texas Irish Festival, I think it went well.
More later from this Station!