I couldn't have said it any better

Charlie Brooker of NewsWipe shows you HOW TO REPORT THE NEWS!

We have a new blog for THE ENDLESS BLOGROLL

Please go check out a new leftie blog from Midstate (with Hoots roots, I am told) called Your Liberal Friends. It can always be found down and to the right on THE ENDLESS BLOGROLL.

Aunt B is on fire!!!

First, under her real name, she eviscerates the TNDP for using time and money that could have been spent promoting real candidates on a goofy attack on Sarah Palin that does little but promote the very people we need to ignore.

Then she backs that up with a post at Tiny Cat Pants that reinforces her point, and advises the TNDP what they need to do to make this sort of thing work, so they can do what they are supposed to, like, I don't know, HELP DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES?

In unrelated news, Daily Kos shows you just what our Congresscritters need to get healthcare reform passed, you'll appreciate it!

Yes, it's election season AGAIN

County election season that is, friends. Not to be left behind, my County Commissioner, Steve Mulroy, has his website up and running, so go check it out.

Oh, and hell yes I support him for re-election, are you kidding? I'm sure somebody will think they can beat him and foolishly run against him.

However, he has busted his behind from day 1 for District 5 and we need to KEEP HIM THERE, so go hit his website, and if you want to and are in a position to do so, throw him some coin!

WOW. You have to read this

Janetta read this and said that "well, it goes back to messaging. they get their lies out, we don't get the truth out."

Josh Marshall at TPM put out this letter from an anonymous DC Democratic staffer, and you have to read it.

The money quote:

This is my life and I simply can't answer the fundamental question: "what do Democrats stand for?" Voters don't know, and we can't make the case, so they're reacting exactly as you'd expect (just as they did in 1994, 2000, and 2004). We either find the voice to answer that question and exercise the strongest majority and voter mandate we've had since Watergate, or we suffer a bloodbath in November. History shows we're likely to choose the latter.

GDC asks Bredesen to VETO HB0614

Just got this from Dick Klenz, you need to see this:

THE GERMANTOWN

DEMOCRATIC CLUB

Governor Phil Bredesen,

The Germantown Democratic Club requests your attention to the following resolution:

Whereas, the Tennessee General Assembly passed HB0614 on January 12, 2010 which delays implementation of the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act and allows the continued use of discredited direct-recording electronic (DRE) voting machines in the state, and

Whereas, as stated without refutation on the floor of the Tennessee Senate, our DRE voting machines have recorded votes inaccurately in Tennessee and many other states and can easily be corrupted to report falsified election results, and

Whereas, such alteration of results is impossible to detect or trace and our DRE machines do not allow any verification of the intent of the voter nor recount of the same resulting in there being no way to adjudicate election disputes through independent counting of the ballots; no way to determine if ballots or counts have been altered either inadvertently, accidentally or intentionally and no way to resolve discrepancies in number of voters or ballots cast. Thus the often cited claim by election officials that our current DRE machines work fine and we have never had any problems is meaningless and the inability to verify voter intent and recount ballots could be cataclysmic in a close election for a major office such as occurred in the presidential ballot in Florida in 2000, and

Whereas, Senator Bill Ketron, the sponsor of HB0614, still maintained on the floor of the Senate on January 12, 2010 that the TVCA required the purchase of optical scanners meeting 2005 voluntary national standards despite the finding of a Davidson County Chancery Court judge that this was not true and the same court's ruling making clear that optical scanners meeting 2002 standards also satisfy the TVCA, and

Whereas, the main rationales for delay was stated on the floor of the Senate to be the cost to the counties for the implementation and utilization of paper ballots and the necessity to purchase optical scan machines which may be soon obsolete, and

Whereas, these costs were previously shown to be inflated and inaccurate, other states have experienced savings by converting to a paper ballot system, and 2002 scanners can be later upgraded to subsequent standards with a simple software upgrade, and

Whereas, Optical scanners meeting those same 2005 standards have now been approved by the United States Elections Assistance Commission (EAC), and the EAC was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to act as the independent, bipartisan commission in order to develop guidance to meet HAVA requirements, to adopt voluntary voting system guidelines, to serve as a national clearinghouse of information about election administration, to accredit testing laboratories, to certify voting systems, and to audit the use of HAVA funds, and

Whereas, Senator Mark Norris cited opposition to paper ballots by advocates for disabled citizens based on a letter from the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), but he failed to mention that many other advocates for disabled persons disagree with the AAPD, believe paper ballots are acceptable, and that accuracy and transparency in vote counting are essential for disabled voters, and

Whereas, actions by the office of the Secretary of State caused Senator Jim Kyle, the Democratic Leader in the Senate, to question the integrity of that office to administer this easily corrupted DRE election technology, and

Whereas, for reason known only to itself, the majority party has chosen the convenience and comfort of election officials over the sanctity and purity of the ballot and the rights of the citizens for fair, honest, and accurate administration of elections,

IT IS RESOLVED:

The Germantown Tennessee Democratic Club, representing voters and residents of East Shelby County, including Bartlett, Bolton, Collierville, Cordova, East Memphis, Germantown, Lakeland, Rosemark, Millington and unincorporated areas find no valid or truthful reason for delaying the implementation of the TVCA of 2008.

The Germantown Democratic Club members beseech and implore Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen to veto HB0614.

Old Forest State Natural Area?

Hell yes, why not? Naomi Van Tol explains here.

Thanks also to Jeanne Richardson and my Senator, Beverly Marrero, for filing the bill.

And another thing

What Jon Stewart says...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Mass Backwards
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Ok, this and that...

First, I'm doing OK. I still have my moments, when I think about someplace I wanted to take Lauren and now can't, or think of a place she wanted to go, but then I pull myself together and go on.

Second, you are all wonderful, and I appreciate your good thoughts and prayers, they are always appreciated.

Third, it's about time for me to start annoying you again, so let's get on it. We're going to lose Ted Kennedy's seat to a GOOPER? WTF???? Who are the morons who thought this would be a good idea?

It is very apparent that the Washington Beltway crowd learned NOTHING from Howard Dean or the 50-state strategy or the people behind it. One gets the feeling that the only reason the Democrats wanted the majority was so they could suck the money tit of the lobbyists, and that was NOT why we voted for them.

Failure to do the right thing evaporated the base vote in 1994 and will do the same in 2010, and we do NOT need another GOP Congress that will destroy whatever is left of the American government due to ineptitude and outright malfeasance.

Rahm Emanuel, I'm talking to you. If you don't get your head out of your ass and realize it's not 1992 any more, I hope you quit and run for Mayor of Chicago, losing to Spanky the Clown or whatever he calls himself these days..

Mr. President, why are you listening to this SOB? We voted for you because you WEREN'T a Clintonista (and I say that even though I still like Bill Clinton). Sir, you HAVE to take on the moneyed interests, because that is the default Democratic belief. You HAVE heard of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, right?

EMBRACE THEIR HATRED, MR. PRESIDENT. Show us all that you really meant those things you said all of 2008 and weren't just bullshitting us. Show us some of FDR's guts and remind us what a Democratic President is supposed to be, and not a weak imitation.

THIS is what I am talking about, the SECOND BILL OF RIGHTS from FDR's 1944 State of the Union:

We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.” People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.

Among these are:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation; The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America’s own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens.

Get the picture, DC Democrats?

Rant over, I feel better and, what's more...

I'M BACK.

New post from Vvixen

sends CHILLS down my spine. It's about how a woman's rights were taken from her because she happened to be with child, read it here.

Gee, think this might hurt HFJ in NY State?

OOPS.

I'm so glad this day is over

So far this month we've lost Lauren, Poppa Willie Mitchell, tens of thousands have died in the horrific earthquake in Haiti, and today was no better.

First, the stunning news of the death of Jay Reatard hit this afternoon, blowing out GonerRecords' server in the process, as they were the initial source of the news. He was just this side of 30, so SO much promise unfulfilled.

Then, tonight, after returning home from DL, I was hit with the news that one of the greatest soul singers NOT from Memphis to have ever sung, Teddy Pendergrass, had died in suburban Philadelphia after surgery to fight colon cancer. He was only 59, but he was one the dominant voices of the 1970s, first with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and then on his own.

Damn damn damn, all too young. Hell, I hope we make it to February, I'm not so sure at this rate.

This is amazing...

Knowing Lauren, she would have been embarrassed by all the fuss, but she was worth every bit of it, and Jackson Baker notes her passing at the Flyer. Please take time to read it, it is awesome.

Here's some Overton Square news

Mary Wilder sent this out, thanks to Jeannette for forwarding to me:

Then....

I am taking a short, but NOT permanent break, from LWC, maybe about a week. I am trying to keep things as normal as possible for my four-legged children, and it seems to be working.

I am going back to work tomorrow, and I am sure I will have moments, I have them here, but they subside and I go on.

All of you who were there at the hospital, who sent messages of love and concern when you couldn't be at the hospital, you who have kept my refrigerator filled, but more than anything else you who have kept my heart filled with love and support, you have kept me going and shown me that I am the most fortunate human alive to have you for friends. No matter if you live in Memphis, Hoots, Bristol, Nashville, upstate New York, South Korea, Jackson, TN and MS, Little Rock, or wherever you reside, I love and cherish all of you for enveloping our family in love and support.

It will not be forgotten.

I'm taking a few days, then I will be back with interesting news about a new project, but this blog WILL continue, because, as I told Jim Strickland at the wake, I will be back to annoy everyone soon.

Back in a week.

First...

What Newscoma said.

As today begins the new year, the new world, the new life none of us chose but the only one I have, I want to end the old one with this incredible video I just saw at the 9513, Rosanne Cash singing Black Cadillac for her father's memory.

Well, it's not feel good Friday, but.....

I wanted to put this up today for Lauren, as she loved Ed Miller and this rendition of the old ballad Crooked Jack.

Information on the services for Lauren Hesse

Visitation for Lauren Hesse will be held from 5-7 PM on Friday, January 8 at Canale Funeral Directors at 2700 Union Avenue Extended.

Her funeral will be on Saturday, January 9 at St. Anne's Catholic Church at 706 South Highland at 10:30 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, our family asks that donations be made either to the Center for Southern Folklore or the Church Health Center.

Our deepest thanks to all of you

As Patrick updated on Facebook earlier today, we learned late Monday night that our Lauren no longer had function of her brain, the very thing that made her her. We have kept her going so that her father could see her tonight, as well as her Aunt Cherie and Uncle John.

In the morning, she will begin saving the lives of other people ...as her organs are taken for transplant, and tonight, we said goodbye to her for the last time.

While we have not been able to respond as we would have liked, know that your outpourings of love and prayers and support mean more to our family (and not just those related by blood) that we can ever express. She gave us so much that she is always with us, in spirit if not in body, and by doing those things we do of which she was such a major part, her memory shall never leave us.

This will be my last update for a while, please go to our friend Trace Sharp's website, www.newscoma.com, for more updates.

We as a family need a little bit of time to prepare for the celebration of her life, and we will make sure that you know when and where these will take place.

On behalf of the family, thank you for all you have done for us, it will never be forgotten.

Steve

we thank you from the bottom of our hearts

as you may know, my Lauren is fighting for her life at St. Francis Hospital, i sit here in the waiting room typing this on Rick Maynard's laptop. The support you have all given us means more than I can ever say. I will be doing most updates on Twitter and facebook, but when I can, I will post here. Thank you so very much.

We begin 2010 with the loss of a giant

Sadly, WMC and the Nashville Post are both reporting this morning that former Lt. Governor John S. Wilder passed away shortly after midnight at Baptist-East at the age of 88.

Wilder served as Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the Senate for 36 years, longer than any person has ever served as the presiding officer of ANY legislature in this country. He was a kind, gentle and courtly man, but one who was never afraid to use the massive power that he accumulated over those years. He used to say, "The Senate is the Senate", and, as goofy as it may have sounded, everyone knew what he meant.

He was stunned in 2007 when former Senator Rosalind Kurita, who had VOTED FOR HIM in the Caucus election, then turned around and voted for Republican Ron Ramsey of Blountville for Speaker, a position Ramsey has held ever since. This aided Ramsey in building a 19-14 GOP edge in the Senate. It also would cost Kurita her Senate seat.

John S. Wilder was a giant in Tennessee politics, and he will be deeply missed, especially by the people of his district.

See Also:

Commercial Appeal
WREG