Haslam Cracks Down on Occupy Nashville

I shouldn't be surprised, I suppose, that this came down from Governor Haslam via the Tennessee Department of General Services, who is trying to drive the Occupy Nashville group off the Legislative Plaza:

Effective immediately and until further notice, all assemblies and gatherings of persons on the State of Tennessee Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard and Capitol grounds areas in Nashville, Tennessee shall require a use permit from the Tennessee Department of General Services.  Use of any portion of the Capitol grounds also requires the approval of the Tennessee Capitol Commission.

The Department of General Services may issue permits upon proper application and satisfaction of use fees, security and liability insurance requirements for use of the Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard and Capitol grounds between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  

Special use permits for the Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard and Capitol grounds during hours outside of the 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. period may be approved at the discretion of the Department on a case by case basis.

Notwithstanding the above, the Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard and Capitol grounds areas are closed to the public from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. daily and no person shall enter upon those premises during this curfew period without specific authorization by the State of Tennessee.  In no event shall overnight occupancy of the Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard or Capitol grounds areas be permitted by any group or individual.

The foregoing policy is issued under the authority of T. C. A.  § 4-8-101 and in the interest of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public.  Issued this 27^th day of October, 2011 by the Tennessee Department of General Services.

 Is this constitutional?   I don't think so, but I'm not a constitutional lawyer.  I hope Occupy Nashville has one advising them so as to fight this attempt to keep Tennesseeans from lawfully assembling and protesting.

More here from Sean Braisted and Mike Byrd.

Van Turner Responds

The SCDP Chair takes issue with my post below; I offer his response, unedited:


Steve:

I appreciate our criticism, but I believe it is one-sided and horribly misplaced.  I believe your blog should read more along the lines of asking Carol Chumney or Glenn Wright to step-up.  As we had discussed before, these two candidates have been identified.  I have personally met with both and asked for them to step-up because I knew Amy was working hard.  Jackson Baker in his article even mentioned the fact these were the two possibilities on our side.  Numerous calls have been made to both Carol and Glenn to get one to step-up. 

Now, I also believe you shot down the convention idea.  The convention would have least identified a candidate in about two weeks because it would have forced Glenn and Carol to get off their respective fences and participate in the process.  Now, what you can expect is more fence-riding until the December 8th filing deadline unless one of them makes up their minds to announce soon. This is exactly what we were attempting to prevent.  As it stands now, Amy will have another month and a half to campaign and raise monies without an announced Democratic contender.  Hopefully, this public discussion will prompt either Glenn or Carol to expedite a decision. 

So, on one end you fault us for the convention idea.  On the other end, you fault us for not getting off our rear-ends and having a candidate by now.  Also, I take issue with your last comment.  I believe we need to run candidates who appeal in a general-wide election.  What happens too often is that the primaries are like municipal races which are typically dominated by African-American voters, but unlike the primary,  independents and moderates are the swing votes in the general election.  A quick review of the results from 2002, 2006 and 2010 support what I am saying.  Now, this still does not mean issues at the Election Commission have not been a factor, but we have to at some point recognize that a county-wide race (general) is different from a city-wide race (primary). 

The idea behind the convention was to attempt to present candidates who are electable in a general-wide election.  When Democrats won overwhelmingly in 2008, we had just those types of candidates back then:  (1) Judge John Fowlkes, (2) Paul Mattila, (3) Cheyenne Johnson, and (4) Otis Jackson.  I believe the data indicates the type of candidate who can win county-wide and the type of candidate who cannot. 

In conclusion, I again take issue with you blaming us for everything when we have presented ideas and presented potential candidates and have been shot down.  I think a more constructive approach would be to urge Glenn or Carol to make up their minds and run because they have been identified and both have demonstrated an interest in running.  I am copying my Executive Committee on this response, and if you can, please post my response.

Thanks,

Van Turner, Chair
Shelby County Democratic Party

So much for THAT idea.

Hey, y'all, remember THIS?  It was from December 9. 2010 begging, pleading with the SCDP to get off their collective butts and get a candidate for District Attorney General going and raising money.

Well, there has been lots of hemming and hawing but NO REAL ACTION.  It's too damn late now, people.  A friend of mine passed on a fundraiser invitation on behalf of Atty. General Amy Weirich, a $500 a head event hosted by Governor Bill Haslam.

On the list of the Host Committee are FIVE well-known Democrats, THREE of them former SCDP Chairs: John Farris, City Councilor Jim Strickland and Rev. Keith Norman.  Also on the list are current Councilor Shea Flinn (as is his father, former GOP Commissioner George Flinn) and former Councilor John Vergos, no one's idea of a conservative.

They make sure to note that there is a LIMIT per donation of $2800, so you can gather that the current AG will have a HUGE war chest that will be difficult for any Democrat to overcome.  Way to go, SCDP, great work!

If this doesn't send a message to those who think that all we have to do is turn out enough African-Americans and we will win, I don't know what to say.  How's that working for you, anyway?

Bad news for the University District: Mason YMCA to close at end of year

This email was just sent to members of the YMCA, and was forwarded to me by a member:

The Mason YMCA will close on December 31, 2011.

Our Metro Board of Directors made the decision after commissioning a comprehensive study by A2H & Associates of the building's maintenance and repair needs. It was determined that renovations would cost approximately $2.6 million to complete these repairs, plus another $2-3 million to bring the facility to contemporary Y standards.

"Because the Mason Y has been a Memphis institution for more than five decades, this is a particularly tough decision, yet it is one that is prudent for maintaining the financial health of the overall YMCA of Memphis and Mid-South," says Keith Johnson, President & CEO.

Mason Y patrons are members of our entire YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South system, so they can attend any of the other eight Ys located throughout the city.

One of the strengths of the Mason Y is its community development programs that have been such an integral part of our mission, programs such as English as a Second Language, Conversational Spanish and Multi-Cultural Achievers College Readiness, as well as other Y fitness and wellness programs.

We want to assure you that we remain committed to these programs and will offer them in the community and integrate them into other branches so that they continue to be accessible to those who enjoy them.

We are pleased that the Mason Y has been successful in engaging the Latino community and will continue to be committed to multi-cultural programming through other branches.

Our roots are very deep in the community surrounding the Mason Y and we have worked hard to provide services and programs that are meaningful and contribute to the greater good of the neighborhood.

"We regret that it is too costly to maintain upkeep and operations of this building, but we will remain dedicated to providing community outreach and fitness programs that will be accessible through other branches," said Johnson. "For the good of the neighborhood as well as the YMCA, we hope that suitable developers can be found who will make the highest and best use of the real estate while complementing the neighborhood's needs and environment."

Please don't hesitate to call us at any of our branches if you have questions and we assure you that the great traditions of the Mason Y will continue to build strong communities throughout Memphis and the Mid-South.

 This is a punch in the gut for the University District, which had seen some hope with the demolition of Highland Street Church of Christ, a sign that construction will eventually begin on Highland Row.

This, however, removes an institution of a half-century for the area.  As a former member, this leaves a gaping hole in the neighborhood, and I would rather they had built a new facility than leave it completely.  Additionally, this means there are NO YMCA facilities within the 240 loop.  Like so many of the churches in Memphis, the YMCA has abandoned the inner city, except for the Downtown Y.  It is a sad day for Memphis.

CCHC is talking out of both sides of their mouth

Obviously stinging from public rebuke of their receipt of a contract which they are unable to fulfill, Dr. Rick Donlon of CCHC put a op-ed piece in today's CA. 

Let's address this point by point, shall we?

But what about the other concern? Will Christ Community improperly use public money to propagate a Christian viewpoint on abortion or other sexual issues?

First, we've stated publicly that we'll comply with the Title X regulations. It's no secret that we have profound moral and ethical objections to abortion, but we believe we can fulfill our contractual responsibilities without violating our consciences. Title X is not about abortion; it's about the provision of reproductive health services to the poor and uninsured. We have a solid 16-year record of providing those services to Memphis' most underserved communities.

While he is right, that is what it is SUPPOSED to be about, I am not aware that they have provided reproductive health services to the community.  Assuming that they have, they certainly have not done so with the depth and breadth that Planned Parenthood has done for many years.

Now, to the meat of the argument:

Second, while we make no apologies for our faith in Jesus Christ (it's the reason we do what we do), we never force that faith on our patients. Any discussion about religious or philosophical issues is conducted respectfully and only after obtaining the permission of the patient.

Through surveys, we've found that a significant majority of our patients are interested in discussing faith as part of their health. To exclude such an important aspect of their lives is at best an oversight and at worst medical malpractice. Those who say that conversations touching on religion between doctors and patients are always improper are effectively trying to muzzle people of faith.

Sir, you are accepting a contract from a secular organization, Shelby County Government.  It is NOT your job as a contractor of services for Shelby County Government to evangelize.  If one of your patients ask YOU about religion, that's one thing; to evangelize to someone who may not want or need it is a violation of TITLE X regulations. 

How do I know this will happen?  David Fowler of Family Action Council of Tennessee says they are working to put a "crisis pregnancy center" in CCHC.  This is a DIRECT VIOLATION of TITLE X regulations.  Supposedly Drs. Donlon and Waller have denied this, but there's the proof.  In fact, I called on Dr. Donlon in the comments to ask him about this:

• October 22, 2011
• 10:59 a.m.
• Suggest removal
• Reply to this post

LeftWingCracker writes:

Dr. Donlon, if this is so, why is David Fowler of the Family Action Council of Tennessee stating that they are working with you to put a "crisis pregnancy center" in your facility, which is a violation of Title X regulations? Here is the link, lest anyone think I am making this up -

http://www.citizenlink.com/2011/10/18...#.Tp7-mVJFtvY

 I await his response.

CCHC is going to need more than prayers

This came to me today from a friend, it appears that Christ Community is afraid that they may lose the contract for reproductive health services that, frankly, they are unprepared to provide:

Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2011 7:14 PM
Subject: Prayer Request - please forward

Friends, 

We would appreciate your prayers for the work of Christ Community in our efforts to serve those in low income areas of Memphis.  Our staff is composed of doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, and support staff who have responded to God’s call to serve the poor.  Our highly talented and committed professionals choose to work here instead of pursuing more personally lucrative opportunities; in fact, nearly half of our professional staff live with their families in the neighborhoods we serve, including Binghampton, Orange Mound, and Frayser.  Ministry is 24/7 for them.

If you follow the local news, you are probably aware that Christ Community  competed for a family planning grant to provide services to low income uninsured people; these funds were previously awarded to Planned Parenthood.  Our application scored highest, we have been offered the program and we are now gearing up to begin the program in early November.  Please pray that we will have the endurance and integrity to withstand the onslaught of those who are intent on our failure.  Daily, we are confronted with refuting the half-truths and misstatements coming primarily for the leadership of Planned Parenthood.  Daily, we have needy people intentionally sent to us by Planned Parenthood  even though they are fully aware that we are not yet able to deliver the services. Their intent is to embarrass us and report to the local media that Christ Community is unable to deliver the care.  Today, we spent a goodly amount of time defending ourselves to a CA columnist questioning the correctness and legality of any member of our staff inviting a patient to attend church.   We expect these tactics will continue with the intent of damaging our reputation and ability to serve. 

We are strengthened by the prayers of others on our behalf.  Even though our days now appear troubled, we are comforted by the love of Christ, by the remembrance of His suffering on our behalf, and the knowledge that God will prevail.

Please pray for Christ Community. If you have a network of prayer warriors, feel free to pass this along and ask them to pray on our behalf, too.

Thanks,

Burt (and Sandra, too)

Burt  Waller

Executive Director

Christ Community Health Services

2595 Central Ave.

Memphis, TN    38104

Understand here, outside of reproductive health issues, I have heard they do a fine job of providing care to those who cannot access other means of healthcare.  I would not question their commitment in areas other than reproductive health.

However, when it comes to reproductive health, their beliefs, no matter how deeply held, prevent them from providing the type of care REQUIRED BY FEDERAL TITLE X REGULATIONS.

To continue with this contract means that there is a real likelihood that Shelby County will LOSE these funds, ensuring that more generations of working and indigent women will NOT receive the healthcare necessary to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Forget the abortion issue; the Hyde Amendment prevents Federal funds from being spent to provide abortion.  This is about reducing working and indigent women's access to birth control, which will only result in MORE unwanted pregnancies, not less.  THIS is why so many of us are enraged at the actions of the County Commission.

Simply put, Christ Community needs to withdraw from this contract for which they are unable to provide necessary services.  To do any less would be antithetical to what they have stood for prior to this contract.

UPDATE: Aunt B has a great follow-up to this post, pointing out something I had overlooked.

Democrats sink Planned Parenthood; so what do we do about this?

I presume you are all in shock, as I am, that THREE Democrats voted to take the Title X contract to provide reproductive health services away from Planned Parenthood and give them to Christ Community Health Centers. 

First, let's give props where they are due: Chairman Sidney Chism, along with Commissioners Henri Brooks, Walter Bailey and Melvin Burgess stood with Planned Parenthood and voted not to do this.  Sidney, if you run for General Sessions Court Clerk, I want a sign for my yard.

Who split and voted with the GOP contingent? James Harvey (apparently still looking for relevance after having been soundly rejected for Mayor of Memphis), Justin Ford (who apparently was LYING to Planned Parenthood supporters), and.........

Steve Mulroy.

Let that sink in for a minute.

Steve Mulroy.

How many progressive women (and men) worked their asses off to elect him TWICE to this Commission, gave him money, stood behind him when he made curious votes, and thought he would be a great candidate for higher office?  A hell of a lot.

He put a note on Facebook last night explaining his decision.  Go read it, I will wait.  Also, read the comments afterward.  He called me last night; I won't go into what we said, and I didn't ream him out, I was still in shock.

What he says is interesting, what he DOESN'T say moreso.  He does NOT say that he voted for the prevailing side in order to maintain vigilance in monitoring so that the contract may be revisited.  What does that tell me?

That he hedged.

On arguably the most important vote he has made as a Commissioner, he hedged, turning his back on women who supported him, many of them former (and, in some cases, CURRENT) patients of Planned Parenthood.  This is not going to be forgotten any time soon, if ever.

I understand his vote would not have flipped the result, and that he and James Harvey are term-limited, and we really have to live with them for the next three years.  But the symbolism of Steve Mulroy, darling of the Democrats, voting to pull the contract away from Planned Parenthood, is overwhelming.

And Steve is a smart enough guy to understand this.  THAT'S why a lot of us are stunned and hurt right now.

Oh, and Justin Ford? Do not EVER run for anything outside your little corner of Southwest Memphis again, pal; we will come AFTER you.

Why the hubbub about CCHC? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FOLLOW TITLE X REGULATIONS AND WE MAY LOSE THAT MONEY, THAT'S WHY.

Given that Mayor Mark Luttrell (who is taking his cues from ALEC, the Koch Brothers-funded plan to gut government) is telling the Health Department what to do, it would not surprise me if it is their plan to do this so that the funds will be lost.  (Hey Democrats that voted for Luttrell, how ya feelin' right now? Sick as a dog? GOOD, because it's YOUR fault he is in there.)

My Aunt Kathy noted very succinctly that "many supporters of Planned Parenthood were there and their concerns do not seem to have been heard."  Exactly.  They and the thousands of women who depend on Planned Parenthood were cast out yesterday, with people who asked for their vote (and GOT IT) helping to cast them out.

This will not be forgotten, Commissioners.

UPDATE: Preach it, Aunt B.

I haven't said anything to this point about Curry Todd, and his DUI, but...

Well, as you know, Rep. Curry Todd (R- Collierville) was arrested for DUI in Nashville the other day.  He has become a national joke as the legislator who passed the Guns In Bars bill yet gets pulled over for DUI with a loaded weapon in the car.

Todd WAS the chair of a guns task force that had yet to meet, and he resigned from it.  Yet, as of this writing, he remains the Chair of the powerful State and Local Government committee, which controls redistricting.  Todd, to his credit, said he would discuss with Speaker Beth Harwell to see if he should leave that chairmanship as well.  Harwell, apparently on a trip with her daughter, has made little or no comment.

The TNDP, finally showing the fight many of us have been waiting to see, demanded Todd's resignation not only from his chairmanship, but from his seat.  Well, we can let the votes decide the latter, but their heart was absolutely in the right place.

Then, surprisingly, Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory), the Democratic House Caucus Chair, came out in a defense of Todd, for which he was smacked hard by the Nashville Scene's Jeff Woods.

Woods was not alone; my friend Steve Ross called out Turner, whom he respects, in this spot-on post.  For that, he received criticism from several people, directly and indirectly.  However, Ross, who had been in a wreck in his youth when he and his family were hit by a drunk driver, wrote back strongly:

The reality is, this probably wasn’t Curry Todd’s first time behind the wheel drunk either. It was the first time he got caught. Studies suggest drunk drivers get behind around 100 times before getting caught. Anything that minimizes this is a disservice to society.

It hurts my soul to say I agree with Ron Ramsey, but I do. Throw the book at him. I don’t have any pity for Curry Todd. He made a choice, a really bad choice, and he’ll have to live with the consequences. But don’t call it a mistake. That sounds way to accidental to me. This was no accident.

I don’t usually do these emotional outbursts. I like to try to be the rational one.

This pissed me off to my core, and my experience with drunk drivers is why.

In short, CURRY TODD COULD WELL HAVE KILLED SOMEONE.  WREG is reporting that Todd no longer lives in his district and that he recently underwent a divorce.   You know, I don't want to kick a man when he is down, but if his personal problems are preventing him from representing his district, then he has decisions to make.

And to my friends in the Legislature on both sides who are protecting him, don't.  Curry Todd is a grown man who willfully accepted the responsibilities of a public servant.  He made CHOICES, as Steve Ross noted, and he made bad ones.

This is beyond politics; one reason that people are giving up on politics in these parts is that they see absolutely NO ACCOUNTABILITY in Government any more.

Curry Todd must pay for what he did, with his chairmanship, if not his seat, and hopefully that will send a message to everyone in BOTH houses and the Governor's Mansion that people are sick of this crap.

Don't worry about Todd; he has a pension as a retired MPD officer, and in a few months he will probably get a cozy job in the Haslam Administration if he is forced to leave the General Assembly.

Legislators, it's time to stop protecting each other and start protecting your constituents.  Understand?

The One Where Some Of Us Try To Prevent The SCDP From Doing Something Stupid And Costly

First, I want you to read this post from my friend Gale Jones Carson, former SCDP Chair, longtime secretary of the TNDP and also a Democratic National Committeewoman.  In short, folks need to read this and pay attention; I will comment further afterward:

The Shelby County Democratic Party will be voting this Thursday night, October 13, 2011, to have a Convention rather than a Democratic Primary in March 2012? 

This is a major problem for several reasons: 

     The Party would have to have the Convention next month so that they can meet the Election Commission's Dec. 8 deadline for names of the Democratic nominees to go on the March 2012 ballot.

     Pulling together a Convention in ONE month is not practical -- no rules already established, location, money for public notices that many will not see, etc.

   Thousands of Democrats vote in every election and normally there's only about 200 to less than 400 people who become delegates for a Convention (about 350 for the 2011 Reorganization Convention) with only 30 plus to about 80 plus people/delegates actually being able to vote for the Party Chairman and Officers.

     Thousands of people vote in our Democratic Primaries but never participate in Democratic Party Conventions or other events/activities -- this right should not be taken away from them. During the 2008 primaries, 96,430 votes were cast in the Democratic column – President Barack Obama received 68,516 votes and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton received 27,914 votes. This election is used as an apples to apples comparison because if we are to have a Primary in 2012, it would be during the March Presidential Primary in which the same candidate (President O'bama) would be on the ballot.

     During a Primary, Democratic Voters have 10 days to vote early and participate in absentee voting if needed -- not so with a Convention. These two rights alone are taken away with a Convention.

     Having a Convention rather than a Democratic Primary is unprecedented in Shelby County.

Democrats all over the Country are complaining that right to vote is being taken away from senior citizens, minorities and many Democrats, how is that different from what the Shelby County Democratic Party will be doing if the Executive Committee votes to have a Convention as opposed to giving all Democrats in Shelby County the right to vote in March 2012?

Hopefully, the Shelby County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee will vote to give ALL Shelby County Democrats the right to vote in the March 2012 Primary.

BINGO.


In addition, there is a precedent for moving the County primary to the date of the Presidential Primary in Presidential years: this has been done since our first County primary in 1996.  It costs the SCDP ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do this.  Repeat, it costs the SCDP ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do this.


Now, in order to hold this convention, a building will have to be rented, costing the SCDP money that it needs to do little things like HAVE A HEADQUARTERS, or SUPPORT THEIR NOMINEES IN AUGUST AND NOVEMBER. Little, unimportant things like that.  Why, then, should there be a Convention (when, in fact, they are going to have to spend money on a separate Convention to pick Obama and uncommitted delegates to Charlotte 2012?) when a primary that has worked in the past can and will work again?


Are you as concerned about this as we are?  GOOD.  Find your Executive Committee member here, and call or email them and tell them to stop this foolishness NOW.


PS. If you don't know what State House District you live in (AND WHY DON'T YOU?) go here to find out.

From Senator Jim Kyle and the LWV

As you may know, the Tennessee General Assembly is undergoing the once-a-decade process of redrawing the statewide districts to reflect the growing and shifting population. In order to raise awareness about this important process, the League of Women Voters of Tennessee is currently holding a contest to see which citizen of Tennessee can draw the best Congressional, State Senate and State House maps. Below is an invitation to a screening of the documentary Gerrymandering this Wednesday at The Evergreen Theater in Memphis. I encourage you to attend, and to explore www.tnmapitout.org. 

 

 

The League of Women Voters of Tennessee invites the public to a free screening of Gerrymandering, a documentary that takes a nonpartisan approach to educating citizens about the implications of redistricting – the redrawing of congressional and state electoral boundaries based on new census data. The documentary will be screened on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP to info@tnmapitout.org.   

 

 

Location:         The Evergreen Theatre           

1705 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, Tenn.

 

 

Time:               Wednesday, Oct. 12

                        Film – 6:30 p.m.

 

 

Cost:                The event is free and open to the public.

 

Heads up!

I just received this from newly re-elected Councilor Myron Lowery -

Was anyone really surprised at the election results?

I wasn't; AC Wharton got 65% of the vote, but I am really curious to see what his percentage was in primarily African-American precincts; I suspect Ed Ford Sr. did a lot better than any of us expected in those precincts.  He might have gotten 50% of the African-American vote. 

ALL Incumbents won in the Council races; Paul Shaffer was out raised in 9-1 by a 2-1 margin, and he lost by a 2-1 margin.  Of course, it can also be successfully argued that SD 9 contains one part Midtown, one part East Memphis and one part Cordova, and that favors more right-leaning candidates like Conrad.  So, sadly, Mr. Real Estate was returned.

The fun part of the night for me was watching Kemba Ford lead in District 7 for all but the last part, trailing presumptive favorite Lee Harris by a mere four votes at the end but ensuring that they will face each other in a runoff.  Harris, who had supporters ranging from Mayor Wharton to County Commissioner (and fellow UM law professor) Steve Mulroy, did not do as well as expected.

Indeed, the main question for many of us was whether Harris would avoid a runoff.  Now, he is in a runoff with someone with higher name recognition, which is critical in an election that will have an even lower turnout percentage than this one.  Both Ford and Harris need to spend most of their time between now and the election day knocking on doors and pleading with their people to turn out.  That will determine the Council's 13th member for the next four years.

DRINKING LIBERALLY MEMPHIS RETURNS TO MIDTOWN, MOVES BACK TO THURSDAY NIGHTS, CHOOSES DUBLIN HOUSE AS NEW VENUE.

From Drinking Liberally - Memphis:

OPENING NIGHT IS TONIGHT- WATCH ELECTION NIGHT RETURNS WITH DRINKING LIBERALLY!
The hosts of Drinking Liberally Memphis announce that they have made the decision to return to Midtown as requested by many of the regulars and will begin meeting at the Dublin House at 2021 Madison Avenue at Morrison Street Thursday, October 6 at 7 PM. 

Our hosts made this decision after hearing from former attendees and from current regulars who felt this was the right decision.

Dublin House has a great menu and great staff ready to serve you.  We have space for speakers and plenty of room for new members as well as old regulars who will be rejoining us.

Please be sure to join us for our Opening Night/Election Night party with Drinking Liberally Memphis Thursday Night, October 6 at 7 PM!

Wait, there's an election today?

Yeah, it sure hasn't seemed like it, has it?

Ok, here's who I voted for and who I would have voted for if I lived in their district:

Mayor - AC Wharton (reluctantly)

District 5 - write-in (sorry, Jim Strickland, can't let you just walk in!)

SD 9-1 - Paul Shaffer, because he is the best man for the job and I am tired of developers running everything.

SD 9-2 - Shea Flinn, despite voting with the White Brigade so often, does a very good job and asks the right questions.

SD 9-3 - I wrote in Steve Ross, because Reid Hedgepeth was inexplicably unopposed.  And we wonder why there was low turnout.

City Court Clerk - Thomas Long -the most underrated public servant we have, needs to think about higher office.

RACES IN WHICH I HAVE NO VOTE

Council 1 - Kendrick Sneed - because Bill Morrison turned his back on those who got him elected, and began to suck up to Steve Gaines.  Fool me once, maybe, but not twice.

Council 2 - Sylvia Cox - she would be a progressive voice in the hinterlands, she faces an uphill battle against Bill Boyd, who knows where the bodies AREN'T buried.

Council 4 - Wanda Halbert - cringe all you want to, but look at her challengers and tell me there's someone better.  Every time I ask her about something, she responds, whether I necessarily agree.  She is the best in her field.

Council 6 - Edmund Ford, Jr. - if it were HIM running for Mayor instead of his father, I would be leading the parade on his behalf.  A thoughtful, hardworking Councilor, he deserves as many terms as the law will allow.

Council 7 - Scott Banbury - He lives and works in the district, and in Cypress Creek, not Harbor Town.  He may not be the candidate of the Poplar Corridor, but he's the right choice for this district.

SD 8-1 - sorry, I just can't recommend anyone here.

SD 8-2 - Janis Fullilove - Yes, we are all sadly aware of Janis's personal problems, how can we miss them?  At the end of the day, she votes correctly more often than not.  I wish she could get past her past, this is her last chance.

Harold Collins (3), Jim Strickland (5), Myron Lowery (8-3) and Reid Hedgepeth (9-3), as well as the City Court Judges were unopposed.  For the record, Lowery would get my vote in a heartbeat, and probably Strickland too, despite voting with the White Brigade.

Good writing everywhere that you should read

First, Steve Ross (who is seeking appointment to Mike Carpenter's vacated Commission seat, by the way) has a series on the war on Planned Parenthood.  Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here to see how all of this is an effort to hurt the women who relying on their NON-ABORTION services, which make up 97% of what they do.  Part 3 is in the pipeline.

Next, our beloved Newscoma writes of shared sacrifice and the real villains who are out there pillaging the 99% of us who are struggling to make a living.  It is, as one would expect, a terrific piece of writing.

Take the time to read all of them; it reminds us that there are those who are fighting back against the internal evil that is trying to destroy us and turn the USA into a third-world nation.

Koch Brothers Destroyed By Bloomberg Report

From Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks:

Mike Turner 2015!

Re. Mike Turner of Old Hickory has indicated that he is considering a run for Mayor of Metro Nashville in 2015, as recently re-elected Mayor Karl Dean is term-limited and unable to seek a third term, according to reports from Mike Morrow of TN Report and TNYD President Sean Braisted.

Turner, House Democratic Caucus chair, also noted that he plans to run for re-election next year despite efforts by the GOP to re-district him into an unwinnable district.  He is outspoken, stands up for working people and small businesses, and is never afraid to call out members of the GOP publicly (and, on occasion, members of his OWN party, albeit privately). I think he would be a great Mayor, and maybe some day, a great Governor, in my not-so-humble opinion.

Keep an eye on Rep. Turner!