Happy New Year

Wow, our birthdays are coming up, and if I won a boat trip, I would take Lauren.....

and T-Pain!

Yeah, yeah, I know

I haven't written anything lately. It's the freakin' HOLIDAYS, folks, you should go read our beloved Newscoma or River City Mud, they are en fuego these days.

We've got New Year's coming up and of course, the holiest of days, January 5. Why so, you ask? that is my birthday (1959) and that of the Lovely Lauren (19??). I will post periodically, but we are in a holiday mood right now.

Oh, and how about those BEARS last night, eh? BWAHAHAHA.

Enjoy!

Here's your Christmas Feel Good Friday

My friends Ann & Pete love this song, and I do, too. Janetta reminded me of this, so have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the Pogues with Kirsty McColl with Fairytale of New York!

Well, I'm closing out Christmas Eve with the best

It's MY favorite rendition of my favorite Christmas song, which just turned 65. Here's a nice story on how this came to be in 1944, in the middle of SUMMER!

Here's Nat, Merry Christmas everyone, and check back tomorrow for a nice Feel Good Friday!

One more for Christmas!

The Lovely Lauren has been bombarding me with YouTubes of the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, and this was too good to pass up.

Here's a version of The Little Drummer Boy that you've never heard before, I assure you.

Enjoy.

Now, it's time for Santa to YODEL!

Oh, I'm not done yet, not a bit.

From the remarkable Christmas playlist of Chris Davis comes the heartwarming rendition of Jingle Bells from the Sex Pistols. More coming later!

A very soulful Christmas

What says Christmas more than James Brown, except maybe THIS?

And MORE Christmas!

here's Robert Earl Keen!

Now, THIS is Christmas!

Ah, the reason for the season!

Welcome back to River City Mud

On THE Endless Blogroll, and now found here, I hope that you will add River City Mud to your feeds and bookmarks as well. This is a terrific blog, and we are glad DMH is up and writing again!

Watch Kos punk Chris Matthews on the Ed Show

Lance Mannion explains it all

He understands the problem with this Administration and the Senate Democrats, go read him now.

H/T to Janetta.

Christmas FGF - Tom Waits

with thanks to @WillT83 and @MightyOCD from Twitter, I present the legendary Tom Waits with Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis.

Gmail is at it again

If you are on my email list and you wondered why they stopped coming, Gmail is trying once again to force me into Google Groups and has shut me down. I believe it's because i'm sending liberal-oriented pieces.

More on this as it develops.

Woe is us!!!

Ross is viciously funny today, go read him!

YO! Tennessee Democrats! There's a Gubernatorial poll up at KnoxViews!

Go over there and vote for your candidate, I know I did.

More thoughts on Bart Gordon abandoning ship

But not so much from me.

First, Aunt B:

I don’t know how many times bloggers can say this, but if people want to vote for Republicans, they can vote for Republicans. If you’ve got George Dickel and and a whiskey that tastes like George Dickel sitting in front of you, you don’t go for the imitation.

The fact is that the conservatives in this state are fractured, too. And our running to the right has provided enough pressure that those fissures have stayed somewhat closed. But they’re there. The libertarian-inclined folks and the nutjob faction sit together very uneasily. You think libertarians, who usually pride themselves on being smart, feel comfortable with the kind of “we hate book-learnin’” stuff that goes on in the nutjob faction? Do you think folks who can smartly and astutely argue about what the implications of the presence or absence of a comma between “militia” and “being” is and who can rattle off all sides of a 200 year old argument have any respect for people who don’t have any intellectual curiosity?

Then, Mary Mancini:

Why is it really important for us to try and be “Democrats, actual Democrats, who stand for something other than being like the Republicans, but not?”

Because Democrats have been running ever-increasingly conservative candidates strictly on the social issues that divide Democrats. Because they’ve been supporting ever-increasingly conservative legislation on social issues that divide Democrats. And they’ve been losing.

The rational is that Tennessee is a “conservative” state. But whose definition of conservative are they using here? They’re using the extreme right-wing talk radio Conservative definition of conservative. And not only that, but they’re using the the extreme right-wing talk radio definition of the word and applying to every Tennessean instead of the 25-30% to whom it actually applies.

And, dude, let me tell ya, those twenty-five percenters ain’t never gonna vote for a candidate with a “D” beside their name anyhow. So what are you doing?

Preach it, sisters, preach it.

The canary in the coal mine is singing - LOUDLY

Well, I didn't think much about it when John Tanner retired because I knew Roy Herron or someone like him would jump in and win the TN-08 seat. It's a rural Democratic seat that voted for McCain in 2008, much like AR-01 across the river.

However, Bart Gordon's stunning retirement this morning has sent shockwaves all over the state, and not good ones if you are a Democrat. His seat is a R +13 seat that has trended more Republican each year for the last decade. His outstanding constituent service kept him in office, and he will be missed.

I suspect, just as in Tanner's case, the prospect of a very tough but winnable race figured into his decision. The prospect that he would win in 2010 but be re-districted out in 2012 figured even more into his thought processes, I suspect.

Folks, we are in serious re-alignment in the South; Democrats may be soon as extinct here as Republicans are in the Northeast. Whether we realize it or not, the only way the Democratic Party in Tennessee has a chance to be saved is for Democrats to re-take the state House. If so, there is a reasonable chance that Congressional and General Assembly districts can be drawn so as not to heavily favor the GOP.

If not, it will soon be 7 Republicans and 2 Democrats representing Tennessee in the US House; not even the GOP could take away TN-09 from Cohen or TN-05 from Cooper (or any Democrat, for that matter).

However, if you love the idea of the Brian Kelseys of the world running the Tennessee General Assembly, passing more guns bills while the rest of the state crumbles around you, I guess you could sit back and let it happen.

I'd rather not see that happen. What I haven't seen, however, is a plan from the State House Democratic Caucus to prevent that from happening. All they have tried to do is stay just barely to the left of the GOP so as not to offend their preachers or cousins. I guess they have forgotten President Truman's message(found at the top of this blog), which is no less true today than it was when he uttered it.

Give people a CHOICE, not an echo, dammit! (Gee, how'd that Goldwater get in there? :)) Give them A REASON to vote Democratic and stop being so TIMID. Make this about money and not lifestyle, make this election about real ideas and stop trying to be nice to the very Republicans who would roast you over a spit if they got the chance.

This is a war for the soul of Tennessee, and I will admonish you of the House Democratic Caucus the way Spartan mothers used to send their sons into battle: come back WITH your shield, or ON it.

A short post on sports

First, my hope is that both the Saints and the Colts go into the Super Bowl 18-0, so Don Shula and Mercury Morris have to throw away that damned champagne bottle.

Next, the Grizzlies are for REAL, people. Yes, they are only 10-13 after their whipping of Miami on Sunday night. However, since their horrible 1-8 start, they are 9-5. Taken at that pace for the 73 games after the 1-8 start, they are playing at a pace to finish with 47 wins. That COULD get them a playoff spot in the West, if they were in the East, they would be a LOCK.

Speaking of the East, the Celtics come to town Monday night, it would be great to see as close to a full house as is possible. The Griz are for real, and if it all works out, they could be playing into May, barring unforeseen injuries.

Ok, so I'm a day late, sue me

Here's my FGF on Saturday, and it's Bob Dylan doing a Christmas POLKA, Must Be Santa.

Yes, a Christmas POLKA. H/t to Jeannette!

Meeting with FCC Commissioners THIS MONDAY

Dear Steve,

FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Michael Copps are coming to town, and so am I! We’ll all be in Memphis on Monday, Dec. 14, to attend the FCC’s field hearing on digital inclusion. Will I see you there, too?

I’ve seen firsthand how access to a fast, affordable and open Internet can benefit communities across the United States. The Internet has made it possible for me to stay connected with friends and family, to follow the latest news, to start my own blog and to remain up to date on the issues I care about.

For me, closing the digital divide is essential. That’s why I’m coming to Memphis -- so I can make my voice heard as the FCC discusses its national broadband strategy.

If you want to share your thoughts on how the Internet has had an impact on your life, you should attend the hearing, too.

Here are the event details:

What: FCC Field Hearing on Digital Inclusion
When: Monday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: National Civil Rights Museum, Rose Room, 450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN

We’ve set up a Facebook event for this hearing, so please add yourself if you plan on attending, and be sure to share the event with your friends in the area.

I hope you’ll come to the hearing to share your thoughts, listen to what the FCC has to say or just to say hello.

Thanks,

Jordan Berg Powers
Outreach Coordinator
Free Press
www.freepress.net

P.S. For more information on the digital divide, check out America Offline: Stories from the Digital Divide, our multimedia report.

AIDS HIV Awareness Day on December 19

You Are Invited!

Several Women Groups Spearheaded by The Shelby County Democratic Women in collaboration with St.Jude Hospital, Friends For Life, LeBonheur Community Outreach, and Bloomfield Baptist Church have joined together to extend

A Special Invitation to attend an Aids Awareness Workshop

The purpose of this workshop is to educate, test and remove the stigma of HIV/AIDS

All Community Leaders, Elected Officials and Media Professionals are encouraged to lead the charge by attending and being tested.

AIDS/HIV Awareness Day

Hosted by Rev. Keith Norman

First Baptist Broad Church

2835 Broad St

Memphis, TN

Saturday, December 19, 2009

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Get Educated Get Tested Get Involved Get Treated

No Needles Test Results are Confidential

State Representative G.A. HARDAWAY, SR., State Senator BEVERLY MARRERO, State Representatives BARBARA COOPER & KAREN CAMPER & members of the BAPTIST MINISTERIAL ASSOC have taken advantage of AIDS testing to raise awareness, remove stigma and encourage HIV/AIDS education. Please join these Legislators & Religions leaders with your participation in AIDS/HIV Awareness Day

******ATTENDANCE IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC*****

For questions contact Felicia Boyd @ 486-1666 or Norma Lester @ 484-7767

I'm stealing this post from Memphis Heritage

and with good reason!

Overton Square Updates

Important Notice

From Memphis Heritage

To Memphis Overton Square Supporters

As many of you have heard, the owners of Overton Square,

Univest/Fisher Capital, have applied for a demolition permit for Overton Square.

They have asked that the Memphis City Council approve their request on Tuesday,

December 15th.

Before the City Council hears the owners request for this demo permit, Councilman Shea Flinn, sponsor of the Resolution that passed requiring council approval of any demo permit for the Overton Square area, would like interested parties to meet.

This meeting is being held this Wed. Dec. 9th at 4pm at

City Hall 125 N. Main in the 5th floor conference room.

We want our supporters and the community to know about this important meeting. This is an open meeting. The public is welcome to attend.

Sooner Investments, the proposed developers, have not submitted a plan for the site. Instead the owners' plan to demolish the buildings at Overton Square before a plan is approved. It is a possibility that the proposed development

might not move forward and there would be an even larger parking lot.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

June

June Waddell West

Executive Director

Memphis Heritage, Inc.

901-272-2727

Are you unemployed?

Hat tip to PD.

I know there are hockey fans in Memphis, but

Are there any fans of the Chicago Blackhawks in Memphis? BergsiefromKFR and I want to know!

IS there a group of supporters here? If not, would you like to be a part of one? Email me at sjs1959 at gmail dot com if you are interested and we may try to organize one. If you KNOW of a Hawks group already formed here, let me know about it at the above address!

GO HAWKS!

No, I don't know what the hell happened

But we're back now.

From Kim McMillan's event last night in Midtown

Jackson Baker has the story and provides this video:

Whose side are you on?

With a hat tip to Left in Alabama..

TNDP does SOS Training in Memphis Saturday

From the TNDP:

S.O.S. Trainings in Memphis This Saturday

If you live in Memphis and want to get involved in turning Tennessee Blue in 2010, we want to remind you that our Memphis training event is only three days away. Click here to see the agenda. If you don't live in Memphis but know someone there who might be interested in this training please forward this message on. Gubernatorial candidates Roy Herron, Jim Kyle, and Mike McWherter, U.S. House candidate Greg Rabidoux, and Shelby County Democratic Party Chair Van Turner will speak at the training. Training is FREE if you register before the event. If you do not pre-register the cost at the door is $20.00. Space is limited so SIGN UP TODAY. Lunch will be provided for attendees at cost. December 5th: Memphis Location: Memphis City Board of Education 2597 Avery Ave, Memphis, TN 38112 (map) Time: 9AM-5:00PM Click here for details & agendas

What a night!

We're all sorry that the voters in Senate 31 chose that pompous, arrogant punk (I'm not the candidate, and I'll say what I damn well please about him) Kelsey to represent them. They deserve what they get.

That, however, is not even close to the BIG news of the evening: Rep. John Tanner is retiring at the end of his term. UPDATE: WREG and the AP report that Roy Herron is getting out of the Governor's race to run for Congress in the 8th District!

Tanner, who will have completed 22 years and 11 terms at the end of 2010 released this statement:

Rep. Tanner's official statement released after initial publication:

"Other than wearing the military uniform of my country, I can think of no higher privilege than serving in public office with the consent of free men and women. Betty Ann and I have been honored and humbled by the support granted us through the years. The many kindnesses and friendships extended to us are something we cherish and for which we will be forever grateful.

"When we were first elected to Congress some 21 years ago, I agreed, as I do now, with our predecessor, Ed Jones, that 20 years was an appropriate amount of time to serve, with the voters' consent.

"Betty Ann and I had considered retiring in 2007 at the end of the 110th Congress, were it not for the fact that our nation had the chance to elect an American as President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly at this critical moment in the war in Afghanistan. However, we believed we owed it to our country to stay and fulfill this term of office as NATO PA President. This mandate expires in November 2010, and therefore, we have made the decision not to seek re-election to Congress.

"No one could have asked for a more dedicated staff to help countless thousands of our constituents. Long hours, nights and weekends are not uncommon in our offices. We look forward to continuing this service to the 8th District next year through the end of the 111th Congress.

"Our nation faces many severe and unrelenting problems. I will stay active on these matters and continue my efforts with the Blue Dogs and others of good will to help our citizens come together for the future of our children and grandchildren.

"No road in public life is travelled alone. Betty Ann and our children have sacrificed much over these years, and for them and for me, we say a simple and heartfelt 'thank you.' It has truly been our friends and supporters who have made this journey possible."

We remember Alzada Clark

David Cocke has forwarded this sad news of the passing of Ms. Clark:

Alzada Clark, a long time civil rights, union and Democratic Party activist, died on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009. She was 86 years old.

Alzada and her husband Leroy, who died in 1987, were partners in the labor movement and engaged in organizing activities in North Carolina, New York, Chicago and Memphis. They both were active in the Memphis Chapter of the NAACP. In 1988, Alzada was honored by the Women of Achievement for her courage in civil rights and union organizing.

Alzada was a long time member of the Democratic Women of Shelby County and was an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1980. She also served on the staff of Harold Ford, Sr.

Her husband Leroy was President of the Local Chapter of the NAACP and Chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party.

Visitation will be at M J Edwards Funeral Home, 1165 Airways Boulevard, Memphis, TN, on Wednesday from 5-7 PM. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM on Thursday at Whitestone Baptist Church, 187 South Parkway East, Memphis, TN.

Are we sure this is fake?

zombie reagan