I am just as shocked as you, my friends. I have been opposed to this person holding office, well, ever since he has HELD office. I now admit freely that I took pictures used in a TV spot for EC Jones when Mr. Bunker ran for a City Council position from a storage space on Highway 64. Mr. Bunker lost that race, but was elected to other offices, including the one he is vacating on the County Commission and the one he is moving to as the newly-elected Mayor of Lakeland.
So, why, pray tell, am I leading hosannas for someone whose politics I find abhorrent 99.9% of the time? Because only he, among all elected Republicans in Shelby County, realizes the damage that Shelby County Elections Administrator Richard Holden is doing to the elective process, and secondarily, to the image of the Shelby County Republican Party. On his way out the County Commission door to Lakeland, Mr. Bunker is trying to get a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE from the Commission in the abilities of Mr. Holden as Administrator.
One can speculate at will as to Commissioner/Mayor Bunker's motives all you want, but I salute him for doing what no other Republican has had the guts to do: recognize the absolute mess that Holden has made of the Election Commission, resulting in a lack of confidence that they can hold an election free of doubt and controversy.
Of course, getting the SCEC to do something about Holden is another matter entirely. Election Commissioner Dee Nollner, per the linked Jackson Baker article above, has attacked Bunker and defended the indefensible Holden, leading Bunker to suggest that Nollner has "drunk the Kool-Aid". One expects in an Election Commission populated by three Republicans and two Democrats that the GOP will receive the benefit of the doubt. However, when the Commission has been shown to be downright incompetent and inept, and the SCEC ignores its Democratic members and does what it wants, that does NOT provide confidence to the public that they know what they are doing or that we will have safe, secure and accurate elections.
For whatever reason Commissioner/Mayor Bunker is doing this, I still salute him for his actions, because this needs to happen, and YESTERDAY, if possible.
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Reflections on 50 years ago, a loss and a win
I was four years old that Friday afternoon a half-century ago, and my mother had As The World Turns on TV when Walter Cronkite broke in with the news that President Kennedy had been shot, and he stayed on the air for hours, announcing the President's death. My mother cried and cried, as she and my grandparents had worked for Kennedy's campaign in my hometown of Dixon, Illinois. A picture of John F. Kennedy stayed in my grandparents and parents' house in Dixon and in Trumann, Arkansas until I sold it after their death.
In many ways, the US has not recovered from that assassination, which ended a bubble of good feelings that had begun after the end of World War II. The Warren Commission reports, rather than clarify the situation, created more confusion and doubt than it solved, and we may never know what really happened. It started the distrust of government that leads to where we are as a people today, fueled by 30 plus years of right-wing propaganda that began with the end of the Fairness Doctrine, which would have kept right-wing hacks like Rush Limbaugh and Fox News off the air. Because of this, real government problem solving, which can and has happened (NEW DEAL, FAIR DEAL, etc.) is no longer considered to be an option.
All of this means that when you DO propose a governmental solution to a problem, such as the supporters of the Pre-K Initiative, you had damned well better do it right. That is NOT what happened, and that's why it went down to defeat last night despite a campaign funded primarily by the Chamber of Commerce and retired AutoZone founder Pitt Hyde.
Reverend Kenneth T. Whalum, Jr. led the campaign against the initiative, not because he was against pre-K, but because he correctly pointed out that this would be funded by raising the SALES TAX option one half cent, essentially maxing it out under state law. Sales Taxes are clearly the most regressive, because on a percentage basis, the poorer you are, the higher percentage of your income is paid out for basic necessities that cannot be avoided. In short, the benefit would be paid by the people supposedly benefiting from this the most but WHO COULD AFFORD IT THE LEAST. Reverend Whalum had little or no money behind him, but he didn't need much help to defeat this measure; the way this campaign went about its business did most of the work for him.
As Reverend Whalum pointed out, NO ONE is opposed to Universal Pre-K; it was against the funding mechanism, for the reasons listed above. So, where did the supporters make their mistake(s)? Where DIDN'T they make a mistake?
Jim Strickland and Shea Flinn are good people and I respect and admire them. Truth be told, it was Shea Flinn who finally convinced me to vote for it yesterday after having lots of questions about it. I appreciate Jim Strickland listening to my concerns and trying to answer those concerns, many of which can be found in my comments here at the Smart City Memphis blog a week ago.
Strickland has pointed out, quite correctly, that you pay property taxes whether you own or rent your residence, and that Memphis has the highest property taxes in the state. However, what is not mentioned here is that when property tax relief is given to property owners, the landlords, rarely, if ever, pass those savings to their tenants; they put the money in their pockets. And the RENTERS are the very people who were being asked to subsidize this relief for their landlords under the guise that the money would go to PreK. Given that ANY tax increase at this time faces an uphill battle with voters, is it any wonder why this went down to defeat?
So, tying this vote to property tax relief (even if I personally believe that Pre-K would have taken ALL the money raised and then some, but we'll get to that in a minute) was a HUGE mistake. However, it was not the only one, as we will see.
Drinking Liberally Memphis hosted Strickland, Kathy Buckman Gibson and Steven Reid in October to discuss the matter, and we all agreed that the concept of Universal Pre-K was unassailable as a benefit for the city's 4-year-olds. However, I noticed that when I asked what would happen if the money raised by the sales-tax increase was not sufficient, since there would be no way to raise that tax any higher, I was told that would be a great problem to have, but not how it would be solved.
Also, as my Smart City questions noted, while a Pre-K commission was created by the Mayor and appointed by him, there was no public accountability to anyone OTHER than the Mayor. I don't care how great these people were and are, you cannot ask the citizens of the city to appropriate funds without direct accountability.
I asked Kathy Gibson that night what the criteria for selecting the vendors for Pre-K, and if I remember correctly, she said that there were criteria but that it had not been written down. Further questioning revealed that while they had established the NEED for Pre-K, they did not have many of the details on how it would be operated or WHO would be operating the Pre-K centers. The general response that I received was that they would take care of that AFTER they got the money.
This approach reminds me of an old Memphis recording term: "We'll fix it in the mix!" That may work great when you're recording an album, if if you are asking the citizens to spend money, you had damned well better have your plans up front and center. As my wife Susan noted, it was like asking for a business loan without having a BUSINESS PLAN to show your funders. How'd that work out, eh?
Next, in campaigning for the measure, Steven Reid said that they wanted a low turnout, as it was the voters who voted most often (which, frankly, are usually higher-income people) who would be more likely to vote for this measure. Well, hell yeah, as it was THEIR property taxes being reduced! Notice that the very people who were supposed to be benefiting from this measure (lower-income people with young children) were NOT being targeted and were NOT being encouraged to vote for this proposal. Can you see now how that led credence to the idea that this was more about tax relief for the wealthy and less about Pre-K for poorer children? They couldn't have sabotaged their own campaign any better if they had PLANNED it that way.
Personally, I truly believe that Flinn and Strickland deeply wanted Universal Pre-K for our city and perhaps thought this was the only way it could be done; I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
Now that we are here, with the referendum having gone down in flames, where do we go from here? Even Reverend Whalum supports Universal Pre-K, so, I am issuing a call to him, as well as to the erstwhile Pre-K Commission and the City Council, to sit down and figure this out. I want ground rules. First, to the Pre-K supporters, you need to go out and LISTEN to the people that you want to help and spend more time among people unlike yourselves and your social circles, and listen to Reverend Whalum, too.
Reverend Whalum, two things: NO GLOATING, and do not mention the $57 million, because that is in the courts, and they will take care of it. And ALL of you, bring SPECIFICS to the table, and realize that while Universal Pre-K is a terrific idea, it is only a BEGINNING for what needs to be done to address poverty in this city.
Also, understand that until the day comes when we have a new legislature that will blow up our tax system and institute a state income tax, we are going to have high property taxes. PERIOD.
I want to end by offering my congratulations to newly elected State Representative Raumesh Akbari, who succeeeds the late, incomparable Lois Deberry in House 91. She defeated Libertarian Jim Tomasik with 89 percent of the vote. Great work, folks!
UPDATE: Stop what you are doing and go read Steve Ross at VIBINC; you can thank me later!
In many ways, the US has not recovered from that assassination, which ended a bubble of good feelings that had begun after the end of World War II. The Warren Commission reports, rather than clarify the situation, created more confusion and doubt than it solved, and we may never know what really happened. It started the distrust of government that leads to where we are as a people today, fueled by 30 plus years of right-wing propaganda that began with the end of the Fairness Doctrine, which would have kept right-wing hacks like Rush Limbaugh and Fox News off the air. Because of this, real government problem solving, which can and has happened (NEW DEAL, FAIR DEAL, etc.) is no longer considered to be an option.
All of this means that when you DO propose a governmental solution to a problem, such as the supporters of the Pre-K Initiative, you had damned well better do it right. That is NOT what happened, and that's why it went down to defeat last night despite a campaign funded primarily by the Chamber of Commerce and retired AutoZone founder Pitt Hyde.
Reverend Kenneth T. Whalum, Jr. led the campaign against the initiative, not because he was against pre-K, but because he correctly pointed out that this would be funded by raising the SALES TAX option one half cent, essentially maxing it out under state law. Sales Taxes are clearly the most regressive, because on a percentage basis, the poorer you are, the higher percentage of your income is paid out for basic necessities that cannot be avoided. In short, the benefit would be paid by the people supposedly benefiting from this the most but WHO COULD AFFORD IT THE LEAST. Reverend Whalum had little or no money behind him, but he didn't need much help to defeat this measure; the way this campaign went about its business did most of the work for him.
As Reverend Whalum pointed out, NO ONE is opposed to Universal Pre-K; it was against the funding mechanism, for the reasons listed above. So, where did the supporters make their mistake(s)? Where DIDN'T they make a mistake?
Jim Strickland and Shea Flinn are good people and I respect and admire them. Truth be told, it was Shea Flinn who finally convinced me to vote for it yesterday after having lots of questions about it. I appreciate Jim Strickland listening to my concerns and trying to answer those concerns, many of which can be found in my comments here at the Smart City Memphis blog a week ago.
Strickland has pointed out, quite correctly, that you pay property taxes whether you own or rent your residence, and that Memphis has the highest property taxes in the state. However, what is not mentioned here is that when property tax relief is given to property owners, the landlords, rarely, if ever, pass those savings to their tenants; they put the money in their pockets. And the RENTERS are the very people who were being asked to subsidize this relief for their landlords under the guise that the money would go to PreK. Given that ANY tax increase at this time faces an uphill battle with voters, is it any wonder why this went down to defeat?
So, tying this vote to property tax relief (even if I personally believe that Pre-K would have taken ALL the money raised and then some, but we'll get to that in a minute) was a HUGE mistake. However, it was not the only one, as we will see.
Drinking Liberally Memphis hosted Strickland, Kathy Buckman Gibson and Steven Reid in October to discuss the matter, and we all agreed that the concept of Universal Pre-K was unassailable as a benefit for the city's 4-year-olds. However, I noticed that when I asked what would happen if the money raised by the sales-tax increase was not sufficient, since there would be no way to raise that tax any higher, I was told that would be a great problem to have, but not how it would be solved.
Also, as my Smart City questions noted, while a Pre-K commission was created by the Mayor and appointed by him, there was no public accountability to anyone OTHER than the Mayor. I don't care how great these people were and are, you cannot ask the citizens of the city to appropriate funds without direct accountability.
I asked Kathy Gibson that night what the criteria for selecting the vendors for Pre-K, and if I remember correctly, she said that there were criteria but that it had not been written down. Further questioning revealed that while they had established the NEED for Pre-K, they did not have many of the details on how it would be operated or WHO would be operating the Pre-K centers. The general response that I received was that they would take care of that AFTER they got the money.
This approach reminds me of an old Memphis recording term: "We'll fix it in the mix!" That may work great when you're recording an album, if if you are asking the citizens to spend money, you had damned well better have your plans up front and center. As my wife Susan noted, it was like asking for a business loan without having a BUSINESS PLAN to show your funders. How'd that work out, eh?
Next, in campaigning for the measure, Steven Reid said that they wanted a low turnout, as it was the voters who voted most often (which, frankly, are usually higher-income people) who would be more likely to vote for this measure. Well, hell yeah, as it was THEIR property taxes being reduced! Notice that the very people who were supposed to be benefiting from this measure (lower-income people with young children) were NOT being targeted and were NOT being encouraged to vote for this proposal. Can you see now how that led credence to the idea that this was more about tax relief for the wealthy and less about Pre-K for poorer children? They couldn't have sabotaged their own campaign any better if they had PLANNED it that way.
Personally, I truly believe that Flinn and Strickland deeply wanted Universal Pre-K for our city and perhaps thought this was the only way it could be done; I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
Now that we are here, with the referendum having gone down in flames, where do we go from here? Even Reverend Whalum supports Universal Pre-K, so, I am issuing a call to him, as well as to the erstwhile Pre-K Commission and the City Council, to sit down and figure this out. I want ground rules. First, to the Pre-K supporters, you need to go out and LISTEN to the people that you want to help and spend more time among people unlike yourselves and your social circles, and listen to Reverend Whalum, too.
Reverend Whalum, two things: NO GLOATING, and do not mention the $57 million, because that is in the courts, and they will take care of it. And ALL of you, bring SPECIFICS to the table, and realize that while Universal Pre-K is a terrific idea, it is only a BEGINNING for what needs to be done to address poverty in this city.
Also, understand that until the day comes when we have a new legislature that will blow up our tax system and institute a state income tax, we are going to have high property taxes. PERIOD.
I want to end by offering my congratulations to newly elected State Representative Raumesh Akbari, who succeeeds the late, incomparable Lois Deberry in House 91. She defeated Libertarian Jim Tomasik with 89 percent of the vote. Great work, folks!
UPDATE: Stop what you are doing and go read Steve Ross at VIBINC; you can thank me later!
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
This, my friends, is how you LEAD.
BRAVO to the House Democratic Caucus for working with the Nashville LGBT community for a fundraiser for the Caucus. They correctly perceived that the community should be natural supporters of the Democratic Party and that by standing with your friends, your friends will stand with you.
Now it's time to do that here in Memphis and other urban areas across the state. This is a sign that SOME PEOPLE in the Democratic Party understand where our future lies and where the population is growing.
Great work, House Democratic Caucus, big props to Leader Fitzhugh, Caucus Chair Mike Turner and the entire Caucus for their forward-thinking leadership!
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
The news gets worse: Lowe Finney is not running for re-election to the Senate
Senator Lowe Finney (D-Jackson, District 27) sent out an announcement that he is not seeking re-election to his seat, which used to represent Madison, Gibson and Carroll Counties, but now represents Madison, Crockett, Dyer, Lake and Lauderdale Counties. If this is for a run for higher office, then this may be a good thing. However, from the tone of this letter to his constituents, it appears as though he is leaving politics, and that is NOT of the good:
Dear Friend,
Today I am making an important announcement, one that I wanted to share with you - one of my friends and strongest supporters - before it’s out in the news media. After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to seek a third term to the state Senate.
I have had no higher honor than representing West Tennessee families in the state legislature. I am proud to have worked to improve health care for senior citizens, cut the sales tax on food and provide great opportunities for young students and veterans to attend college. I thank my wife, Tiffany, for her support all these years.
Although I am leaving the Senate at the end of next year, I will remain your Senator for Dyer, Crockett, Lake, Lauderdale and Madison counties until the November election. I will work even harder in my last session, and I will be available to serve you in any way I can. I remain,
Respectfully yours,
Paid for by Friends of Lowe Finney | Teresa Luna, Treasurer
PO Box 1432 | Jackson, TN 38302
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
The sad times continue with news of the Ethics Complaint
As we are still mourning the passing of the legend that was Rep. Lois DeBerry, it was rather sad to see that the long-rumored House Ethics Committee complaint against Randy Wade had to be filed by our Congressman, Steve Cohen.
If you read the complaint at this link, you will see that what Randy did was in fact a violation of House Ethics rules, a violation that the Congressman himself warned Randy about. Randy, who retired in February as a staffer, can face no penalties, as he is no longer a staffer.
He used his title as a Congressional staffer to endorse a candidate (G A Hardaway in House District 93), which is against House rules. Period. If Randy had endorsed Mike Kernell, it would have been just as much of a violation of House rules. Period.
I like Randy and Steve is a friend of mine going back over 30 years, I am proud to say. They were a terrific team together, and I know Steve did all he could within the law to help Randy in his Sheriff's race in 2010, but it just was not to be. That's why this is a sad situation, reminiscent of a divorce more than anything else.
Supposedly Randy is going to work against Steve Cohen next year if someone is silly enough to try to do what no one since Harold Ford Jr. in 1996 has been able to do, which is to beat Steve in a primary. That, too, is sad, because it just looks petty, and Randy is a better person than that, or so I have always believed. Besides, if the 18-year Mayor of Memphis, Dr. W.W. Herenton, couldn't beat Steve, how will anyone else?
This has not been the best of years for Steve Cohen, and I know all of this has taken its toll on him. I would urge him to continue to fight for our city, as he has done since 1982 (24 years in Nashville, 6 in Washington. We will have your back, Congressman, as you have had ours.
If you read the complaint at this link, you will see that what Randy did was in fact a violation of House Ethics rules, a violation that the Congressman himself warned Randy about. Randy, who retired in February as a staffer, can face no penalties, as he is no longer a staffer.
He used his title as a Congressional staffer to endorse a candidate (G A Hardaway in House District 93), which is against House rules. Period. If Randy had endorsed Mike Kernell, it would have been just as much of a violation of House rules. Period.
I like Randy and Steve is a friend of mine going back over 30 years, I am proud to say. They were a terrific team together, and I know Steve did all he could within the law to help Randy in his Sheriff's race in 2010, but it just was not to be. That's why this is a sad situation, reminiscent of a divorce more than anything else.
Supposedly Randy is going to work against Steve Cohen next year if someone is silly enough to try to do what no one since Harold Ford Jr. in 1996 has been able to do, which is to beat Steve in a primary. That, too, is sad, because it just looks petty, and Randy is a better person than that, or so I have always believed. Besides, if the 18-year Mayor of Memphis, Dr. W.W. Herenton, couldn't beat Steve, how will anyone else?
This has not been the best of years for Steve Cohen, and I know all of this has taken its toll on him. I would urge him to continue to fight for our city, as he has done since 1982 (24 years in Nashville, 6 in Washington. We will have your back, Congressman, as you have had ours.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Two things of note today!
One, if you are in the Memphis area, go to the Germantown Democratic Club meeting tonight at Coletta's Restaurant, 2850 Appling Road; Dinner will begin at 6 P.M. and the speaker starts at 6:45. Who's the speaker, you ask? None other than our own VIBINC, Steve Ross, who will discuss the new County Commission districts. Nobody is more prepared than he is, so it will be informative and fun.. I gotta work late tonight, so I can't be there, but you should go!
Next, stop what you are doing and go read NEWSCOMA right now. Go ahead, I'll wait.
Again, she asks the right questions, but will the TNDP have the right answers? I like this part right here:
Ok, that's all for the moment, I will try to get back here more often.
Next, stop what you are doing and go read NEWSCOMA right now. Go ahead, I'll wait.
Again, she asks the right questions, but will the TNDP have the right answers? I like this part right here:
A lot of folks I talk to discuss the wealth of Haslam and it is a fair discussion. He has a great deal of money and how much is something that no one truly knows. It’s hard to fathom what kind of money would be needed to set up a serious gubernatorial challenger. And it’s not just democrats raising eyebrows but moderate republicans as well.Bingo. It's time for the TNDP to wake up and realize that GOP-lite will not work any more. Until we find candidates that EXCITE and INSPIRE people, we are screwed.
And then I think about Wendy Davis from Texas. I think that what it really takes is someone opposing what is happening in this state right now just as she did. She stood up for something she believed in.
Ok, that's all for the moment, I will try to get back here more often.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Mark your calendars for TWO upcoming events this Thursday and NEXT Tuesday!
First, from the SCDP, comes an event this coming Thursday Night at Pearl's Oyster House on South Main:
Then, Drinking Liberally Memphis announces their Guest Speaker for next week's meeting, to be held on TUESDAY, JUNE 18 instead of Thursday, at Frida's on Madison (upstairs):
We are moving next weeks' DL to TUESDAY NIGHT, JUNE 18 at 7 PM as we have the new Director of Planned Parenthood's Greater Memphis Region, Ashley Coffield, coming to speak to Drinking Liberally Memphis!
This will be your chance to meet her and hear what is happening at PPGMR, our thanks to PPGMR's (and DL regular member) Joan Carr for making these arrangements. So come to DL on TUESDAY, JUNE 18 at Frida's at 7 PM!Looks like a busy few days for us all!
Thursday, June 06, 2013
The RETURN of the Sidney Chism Picnic (a NEWER version) is this Saturday!
From the desk of Leon Gray comes this press release:
For Immediate Release:
June 6, 2013
The Annual Sidney Chism Political Picnic returns this Saturday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. with a new look and swagger.
For 13-years County Commissioner Sidney Chism; who has held office in the Tennessee Senate, is past Chairman of the local Democratic Party, and spent 40-years as a labor leader and Teamsters administrator; held a political meet & greet in a 12-acre park located behind the family owned Horn Lake Road Learning Center @ 3657 Horn lake Road in Southwest Memphis. The annual event allowed members of the community to meet local elected officials and candidates for local offices in an informal setting while enjoying food of the grill and various cold beverages.
Chism did not host the picnic last year but instead took the year off to restructure the event. On Saturday, June 8, 2013, the new “Sidney Chism Annual Non-Partisan Community Picnic” returns with a new look which allows citizens of Memphis and Shelby County the same access to local leaders and candidates plus more FREE FOOD & DRINKS and more LIVE ENTERTAINMENT and some surprises we’re saving for Saturday.
“We’re getting ready for the biggest non-presidential election year in the history of Shelby County and the campaign kicks-off this Saturday”.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Tennessee Democrats, you need to be a part of this!
Next weekend, the Tennessee Democratic County Chairs Association is sponsoring a two-day event in Spring Hill, the Statewide County Party Conference. The great news is that even if you are NOT on any county's Executive Committee, you can still take part in this event. Here's a list of what will take place:
Statewide Democratic County Party Conference
Statewide Democratic County Party Conference Friday & Saturday, June 7 & 8, 2013 at Spring Hill, TN
(scroll down to register)
Register now for this great opportunity to come together as Democrats, share with each other, and learn from each other!
Building and connecting effective networks of Hometown Democrats in every county across Tennessee is the theme of our "Keep Calm and County Party On" conference.*
This two day event begins Friday, June 7th at 6:00 pm with Make it Blue Tennessee: Evening Meet & Greet with live music, food & drink. On Saturday, June 8th the conference opens at 9:00 am and will feature round-table discussions, interactive workshops, luncheon, and presentations to help us move Tennessee forward, followed by dinner with Keynote Speaker, State Representative and former Knox County Chair, Gloria Johnson. All Democrats are welcome and encouraged to attend!
The Tennessee Democratic County Chairs Association will hold our biennial election of Officers. See our conference agenda for more information.
WHEN
June 07, 2013 at 6pm - June 08, 2013
WHERE
UAW Local 1853 Banquet/Conference Center
125 Stephen P Yokich Pkwy
Spring Hill, TN 37174
United States
Google map and directions
125 Stephen P Yokich Pkwy
Spring Hill, TN 37174
United States
Google map and directions
Click on the link for the conference at the top for contact information.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Taking a little break for LIFE
Well, I realized that I hadn't been here for a couple of weeks and thought I needed to put something up. As you may or may not know, I got married for the first time two weeks ago today at the tender age of 54.
I am deeply fortunate to have Susan, who puts up with me and my foibles and seems to understand me very well, which is a good thing. I have been paying attention to things going on in Tennessee (thank you Daily Buzz, if you aren't a subscriber for free, for heaven's sakes, SIGN UP, will ya?) but due to my wedded bliss, I haven't gotten worked up enough to write.
Something I noticed is that Mike Carpenter announced on Facebook today that he is going to work for the Plough Foundation; last I knew, he was working for Mayor Wharton. He will do a great job at Plough, he is a Republican who works with Democrats, even if he doesn't agree with us very much. Because he would work with us on the County Commission, he is a pariah in his own party. Sad. Mike Ritz, who would criticize Carpenter for doing that, now has taken that same path of bipartisanship on his own, to the point that some in his own party tried to recall him, with no success.
Any way, the Grizz are in the Western Conference Finals for the first time ever, it's BBQ Fest weekend and life is good. I'll be back in a couple of weeks or so with more news, go enjoy what's left of May!
I am deeply fortunate to have Susan, who puts up with me and my foibles and seems to understand me very well, which is a good thing. I have been paying attention to things going on in Tennessee (thank you Daily Buzz, if you aren't a subscriber for free, for heaven's sakes, SIGN UP, will ya?) but due to my wedded bliss, I haven't gotten worked up enough to write.
Something I noticed is that Mike Carpenter announced on Facebook today that he is going to work for the Plough Foundation; last I knew, he was working for Mayor Wharton. He will do a great job at Plough, he is a Republican who works with Democrats, even if he doesn't agree with us very much. Because he would work with us on the County Commission, he is a pariah in his own party. Sad. Mike Ritz, who would criticize Carpenter for doing that, now has taken that same path of bipartisanship on his own, to the point that some in his own party tried to recall him, with no success.
Any way, the Grizz are in the Western Conference Finals for the first time ever, it's BBQ Fest weekend and life is good. I'll be back in a couple of weeks or so with more news, go enjoy what's left of May!
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Sid Selvidge has left us far too soon
It seems like all I've done lately is put up memorials. Another giant of this city has passed away, the amazing Sid Selvidge, who died of cancer earlier today. While you younger folks know him as the host and producer of BEALE STREET CARAVAN, those of us of a certain age remember him with Mud Boy and the Neutrons, and as a solo act. That voice was stunning, and his love of Memphis music was unending. He leaves a deep mark on the musical history of this town, and we shall miss him greatly.
Here's Sid in London a few years ago singing BOLL WEEVIL, thanks to Scott Banbury for the link:
In addition to the Bill Dries post linked above, here's Chris Davis with more.
Here's Sid in London a few years ago singing BOLL WEEVIL, thanks to Scott Banbury for the link:
In addition to the Bill Dries post linked above, here's Chris Davis with more.
Friday, April 26, 2013
And now we lose ANOTHER legend - Maxine Smith.
And my friend and Congressman, Steve Cohen, remembers her on the floor of the House this morning. As you can see, this hit him rather hard, as it does all friends of justice and equality.
UPDATE: Here's Jackson Baker's obituary of this legend and Memphis icon.
UPDATE: Here's Jackson Baker's obituary of this legend and Memphis icon.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Monday, April 08, 2013
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
So now they want to INCREASE the size of the ExecCom
Heh. So the plan all along was to INCREASE the size of the ExecCom? Suuuure it was.
In any event, it had the desired effect of shaking the TNDP ExecCom up and making everyone think about how things are going over there, so it WORKED. So, what's the NEW plan, you ask? here you go:
In any event, it had the desired effect of shaking the TNDP ExecCom up and making everyone think about how things are going over there, so it WORKED. So, what's the NEW plan, you ask? here you go:
- No changes are being made to the 66 members of the Executive Committee that are elected as one man and one woman from each state senate district;
- The amendment states that the House Democratic Leader shall appoint six members to the Executive Committee, two from each of Tennessee's grand divisions, for a term of two years;
- The amendment states that the Senate Democratic Leader shall appoint six members to the Executive Committee, two from each of Tennessee's grand divisions, for a term of two years;
- The amendment says each U.S. Congressman, if a Democrat, shall serve on the Executive Committee or appoint a member to the Executive Committee;
- The amendment says each U.S. Senator, if a Democrat, shall serve on the Executive Committee or appoint a member to the Executive Committee;
- The amendment says Tennessee's governor, if a Democrat, shall serve on the Executive Committee or appoint a member to the Executive Committee;
- The amendment states that the Executive Committee may create ex-officio voting positions, provided that the number of such positions shall not exceed nine members.
Figuring in 12 appointed by the Caucuses, one each from Steve Cohen and Jim Cooper (with more to be added if we take Congressional seats back) and ex-officio seats from College Dems, YDs and TDFW and we are now up to 83 members of the ExecCom.
That could be unwieldy, but if you get some of the older folks out and replace them with younger folks, it might just work, as long as they DO work.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
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