Rosalind Kurita has come to town to kick ass and take names! In town for a fundraiser tonight (which I will be attending), she held a press conference on the steps of the US Bankruptcy Court to remind everyone who voted for the bankruptcy bill that will decimate his own constituency. Here's a hint; he's running for the Senate, too.
In addition, the Clarksville Democrat challenged the 9th District Congressman to a debate on the issues. I particularly liked this comment in the Flyer article:
Referring to the widely ballyhooed joint appearance in Memphis this week of Ford and Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama, Kurita, a state senator from Clarksville, took note of the fact that Obama had used the line, “I believe we are our brother’s keeper,” in defining the mission of the Democratic Party. Kurita herself had featured the line on the stump in explaining her candidacy, usually adding, as she did in Memphis on Friday, We’re a nation of souls, not a multinational corporation focused on the bottom line.”
Kurita said that, in contrast to her own emphasis on traditional Democratic principles, Ford seemed intent on sounding as Republican as possible.
Enough said.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Yet ANOTHER Ford in our future?
I received an email that contained a press release from Joe Ford JUNIOR, son of the County Commissioner and erstwhile City Mayoral candidate, announcing to one and all that he was moving back to his hometown from Los Angeles and filing for his cousin's old US House seat.
Essentially, he hasn't lived here since he graduated from Kirby High in 1991. After a two year stint at the U (University of Miami, FL for those who don't watch SportsCenter), he transferred to UCSB, where he got a degree in Computer Science. He then changed courses, got a MS in Sports Management from Georgia State, then got his JD from Pepperdine Law School.
He's been in LA until now, where he apparently deemed in necessary to return home to save the seat, I guess.
Look, I've always liked Joe Senior, he's a very nice, unassuming fellow who could presumably have been an damn good Mayor of Memphis. I also presume that he has kept his son abreast of all the political madness in this town.
What makes this guy think he can waltz into town on short notice and claim the seat? Where has he been for the last 15 years? Not here.
End of rant.
Essentially, he hasn't lived here since he graduated from Kirby High in 1991. After a two year stint at the U (University of Miami, FL for those who don't watch SportsCenter), he transferred to UCSB, where he got a degree in Computer Science. He then changed courses, got a MS in Sports Management from Georgia State, then got his JD from Pepperdine Law School.
He's been in LA until now, where he apparently deemed in necessary to return home to save the seat, I guess.
Look, I've always liked Joe Senior, he's a very nice, unassuming fellow who could presumably have been an damn good Mayor of Memphis. I also presume that he has kept his son abreast of all the political madness in this town.
What makes this guy think he can waltz into town on short notice and claim the seat? Where has he been for the last 15 years? Not here.
End of rant.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
I got your Lifestyle Center right here, mofo!
The killer crew at Smart City Consulting delivers a broadside here about what "lifestyle centers" are doing to downtowns all over the USA. Here's a tidbit:
Lifestyle centers are simply the latest incarnation of shopping malls cleverly masquerading as public town centers or public main streets. In fact, many developers incorporate the name “town center” or “village” into the development’s name and brand. They offer visitors shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities that are often marketed as urban, unique, historic and even European-style shopping experiences. The truth is that these centers are solely created to attract national chain stores and restaurants such as the Pottery Barn, Ann Taylor Loft and California Pizza Kitchen, anchor retailers that would better serve the community if located in downtowns or town centers.
They're talking about potentially turning the Highland Strip, five blocks from my house, into a "lifestyle center". Great, just what we need in the 'hood, a mall-like atmosphere. I'd rather have the Highland Street Church of Christ myself, and I'm not even Christian. It's a more stable part of the community, though.
Lifestyle centers are simply the latest incarnation of shopping malls cleverly masquerading as public town centers or public main streets. In fact, many developers incorporate the name “town center” or “village” into the development’s name and brand. They offer visitors shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities that are often marketed as urban, unique, historic and even European-style shopping experiences. The truth is that these centers are solely created to attract national chain stores and restaurants such as the Pottery Barn, Ann Taylor Loft and California Pizza Kitchen, anchor retailers that would better serve the community if located in downtowns or town centers.
They're talking about potentially turning the Highland Strip, five blocks from my house, into a "lifestyle center". Great, just what we need in the 'hood, a mall-like atmosphere. I'd rather have the Highland Street Church of Christ myself, and I'm not even Christian. It's a more stable part of the community, though.
The NRA Shoots Itself In The Ass
Wow. According to this MyDD post, the NRA went after businesses in Florida because some of them wouldn't allow their employees to keep guns in their cars while at work. In so doing, they forced the Republicans in the Florida legislature to choose between the NRA and the Chamber of Commerce.
The result? Fuck you, NRA! Here's an excerpt:
Lakeland Republican Rep. Dennis Ross could speak from both sides.
"I'm sorry that we have to come to this crossroad where I have to make a decision between what I think are two very fundamental rights," said Ross, who said he belongs to the NRA, numerous hunting organizations and even holds a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
But he couldn't support the NRA's bill.
"While I believe that my Second Amendment rights are very important to me, as a business owner my private property rights are (paramount)," said Ross, a lawyer.
Look, I grew up around weapons; I hunted as a boy and my father was a gunsmith. Let's face it, the NRA doesn't give a rat's ass about gun owners, they represent gun manufacturers. Nobody I know who hunts takes a damned AK-47 deer hunting; that weapon is for hunting PEOPLE.
Yet, when the assault weapon ban was considered, one would have thought we are being disarmed, to hear the NRA tell it.
If the NRA really gave a shit about guns and gun safety, they would push for licensing, with someone having to pass a gun safety course before you could own one. Incidentally, the NRA Gun Safety course, IIRC, is one of the best.
However, they want nothing to do with anything that restricts ANYONE'S right to purchase a weapon, no matter what; that would hurt the precious gun MANUFACTURERS.
I think it's hilarious that when the NRA forced Goopers to make a choice, they stuck with business rather than the NRA. Fuck 'em!
The result? Fuck you, NRA! Here's an excerpt:
Lakeland Republican Rep. Dennis Ross could speak from both sides.
"I'm sorry that we have to come to this crossroad where I have to make a decision between what I think are two very fundamental rights," said Ross, who said he belongs to the NRA, numerous hunting organizations and even holds a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
But he couldn't support the NRA's bill.
"While I believe that my Second Amendment rights are very important to me, as a business owner my private property rights are (paramount)," said Ross, a lawyer.
Look, I grew up around weapons; I hunted as a boy and my father was a gunsmith. Let's face it, the NRA doesn't give a rat's ass about gun owners, they represent gun manufacturers. Nobody I know who hunts takes a damned AK-47 deer hunting; that weapon is for hunting PEOPLE.
Yet, when the assault weapon ban was considered, one would have thought we are being disarmed, to hear the NRA tell it.
If the NRA really gave a shit about guns and gun safety, they would push for licensing, with someone having to pass a gun safety course before you could own one. Incidentally, the NRA Gun Safety course, IIRC, is one of the best.
However, they want nothing to do with anything that restricts ANYONE'S right to purchase a weapon, no matter what; that would hurt the precious gun MANUFACTURERS.
I think it's hilarious that when the NRA forced Goopers to make a choice, they stuck with business rather than the NRA. Fuck 'em!
Talk about lobbing a grenade!
The unexpected withdrawal of County Commissioner Bruce Thompson from the District 5 race has thrown a monkeywrench into the works.
As the Flyer article notes, Thompson's retreat leaves the Republicans (temporarily) without a candidate for that seat, which would shift the balance of power to the Democrats. However, it should also trigger the state's anti-skulduggery law, causing the filing deadline to be reopened for another week.
(Note - as always, Jackson Baker and the Flyer beat the CA like a red-headed stepchild to this story. This would not happen if we had a fully functioning daily newspaper that cared about hard NEWS.)
The reopening of the filing deadline also should render moot any of Joe Cooper's arguments regarding Steve Mulroy's residence (NOTE: It's at 755 SOUTH GRAHAM in the heart of precinct 46-2, in the northwestern corner of District 5, shown in yellow in the link!) which will be grandfathered in and he will probably allowed to run.
Who will run on the Gooper side? The flyer article indicates it might well be Thompson's 2002 opponent in the Gooper primary, John Ryder, a former Republican National Committeeman and one of Terry Roland's attorneys. Think he might try to make this an Ophelia Ford referendum?
Given that Ryder has been one of the ultimate Republican insiders for more years than I can remember, he will fight the Democratic nominee like a rabid badger, and will use ANYTHING to win.
This is THE BATTLE in Shelby County this fall, especially if Mulroy beats Cooper.
As the Flyer article notes, Thompson's retreat leaves the Republicans (temporarily) without a candidate for that seat, which would shift the balance of power to the Democrats. However, it should also trigger the state's anti-skulduggery law, causing the filing deadline to be reopened for another week.
(Note - as always, Jackson Baker and the Flyer beat the CA like a red-headed stepchild to this story. This would not happen if we had a fully functioning daily newspaper that cared about hard NEWS.)
The reopening of the filing deadline also should render moot any of Joe Cooper's arguments regarding Steve Mulroy's residence (NOTE: It's at 755 SOUTH GRAHAM in the heart of precinct 46-2, in the northwestern corner of District 5, shown in yellow in the link!) which will be grandfathered in and he will probably allowed to run.
Who will run on the Gooper side? The flyer article indicates it might well be Thompson's 2002 opponent in the Gooper primary, John Ryder, a former Republican National Committeeman and one of Terry Roland's attorneys. Think he might try to make this an Ophelia Ford referendum?
Given that Ryder has been one of the ultimate Republican insiders for more years than I can remember, he will fight the Democratic nominee like a rabid badger, and will use ANYTHING to win.
This is THE BATTLE in Shelby County this fall, especially if Mulroy beats Cooper.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Uh, let's not blow up the building just yet...
There apparently has been a hatchet job on Steve Mulroy by Andy Wise of Channel 3 (Andy Wise? Hatchet job? who knew?) regarding the fact that he is renting (for the time being, until his wife finds a house to buy) a home in District 5.
As Greg Duckett points out, it is about INTENT TO LIVE. He's selling his house, for heaven's sakes, and NOW LIVES at 755 South Graham, in 46-2, in District 5.
Joe Cooper is desperate to get Mulroy out of the race, because he knows Mulroy is the candidate who can beat him, thus, the phony lawsuit designed to get him out. It won't work, either. Cooper, a convicted felon (yes, it happened in the 70s) wants to get on the Commission so that he can sell off Shelby Farms to his developer friends.
Thompson wants to sell off the Jail to private interests, screwing over the workers at the jail.
Yet, as Mike Kernell notes, all Mulroy wants to sell is his old house in District 1 so that he can represent the people of District 5 and not the developers or the privateers.
As Greg Duckett points out, it is about INTENT TO LIVE. He's selling his house, for heaven's sakes, and NOW LIVES at 755 South Graham, in 46-2, in District 5.
Joe Cooper is desperate to get Mulroy out of the race, because he knows Mulroy is the candidate who can beat him, thus, the phony lawsuit designed to get him out. It won't work, either. Cooper, a convicted felon (yes, it happened in the 70s) wants to get on the Commission so that he can sell off Shelby Farms to his developer friends.
Thompson wants to sell off the Jail to private interests, screwing over the workers at the jail.
Yet, as Mike Kernell notes, all Mulroy wants to sell is his old house in District 1 so that he can represent the people of District 5 and not the developers or the privateers.
Here are two terrific comments on the Obama visit.
A. I had to work and B. i didn't want to appear at ANYTHING that was a rally for that sellout Junior.
However, the mighty Brassmask went, took pictures, and wrote a killer review of the proceedings. Then. riffing on the Brassmask report, Autoegocrat puts a Charles Oakley-like hurting on Chuck Schumer, the DSCC, and the Man Who Would Be Senator.
However, the mighty Brassmask went, took pictures, and wrote a killer review of the proceedings. Then. riffing on the Brassmask report, Autoegocrat puts a Charles Oakley-like hurting on Chuck Schumer, the DSCC, and the Man Who Would Be Senator.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Did he REALLY say this??
I am enclosing the entirety of a Junior press release sent out today. I deleted the phone number so Schuermann wouldn't be besieged by phone calls; it's not his fault his boss is an idiot.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Schuermann
Friday, February 17, 2006 (202) XXX-XXXX
Ford: "We must have an honest budget that ends wasteful pork barrel spending,
finds savings in every federal agency and includes the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan"
WASHINGTON - Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., a member of the House Budget Committee, today urged Congress to find budget cuts in every federal agency, end wasteful earmark spending and include the President's emergency war and Hurricane Katrina relief funding in the regular budget, not as off-budget spending items.
"Today, the President asked Congress to appropriate $72 billion more for Iraq and Afghanistan and almost $20 billion more for hurricane relief, both of which I will support. However, if we expect to keep the American people fully behind the war, we should have an honest budget that ends wasteful pork barrel spending, finds savings in every federal agency and includes the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the past, I have not supported an across the board spending cut, however, the federal budget situation we find ourselves in today is indefensible," Ford said.
(My bolding - LWC)
Ahem. An across-the-board spending cut? Would that not mean cutting social spending even beyond the draconian cuts it has already experienced under King George II? WTF????
Harold Senior, you did your son a serious disservice by letting him stay in DC all these years. If he had stayed home and learned the mortuary business and dealt with REAL people all these years, he wouldn't come up with this garbage.
I can hardly wait until he's out and we get a REAL Democrat to represent the 9th District.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Schuermann
Friday, February 17, 2006 (202) XXX-XXXX
Ford: "We must have an honest budget that ends wasteful pork barrel spending,
finds savings in every federal agency and includes the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan"
WASHINGTON - Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., a member of the House Budget Committee, today urged Congress to find budget cuts in every federal agency, end wasteful earmark spending and include the President's emergency war and Hurricane Katrina relief funding in the regular budget, not as off-budget spending items.
"Today, the President asked Congress to appropriate $72 billion more for Iraq and Afghanistan and almost $20 billion more for hurricane relief, both of which I will support. However, if we expect to keep the American people fully behind the war, we should have an honest budget that ends wasteful pork barrel spending, finds savings in every federal agency and includes the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the past, I have not supported an across the board spending cut, however, the federal budget situation we find ourselves in today is indefensible," Ford said.
(My bolding - LWC)
Ahem. An across-the-board spending cut? Would that not mean cutting social spending even beyond the draconian cuts it has already experienced under King George II? WTF????
Harold Senior, you did your son a serious disservice by letting him stay in DC all these years. If he had stayed home and learned the mortuary business and dealt with REAL people all these years, he wouldn't come up with this garbage.
I can hardly wait until he's out and we get a REAL Democrat to represent the 9th District.
It's all campaign mud-slinging, but....
When a Republican calls you an unethical whore, that's saying something. Who would know better?
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Howard Dean is not pleased
with the DSCC's undercutting of the Paul Hackett campaign, and he spoke out in Miami.
The AP story notes that "Dean told a student audience in Miami that "some skulduggery in Washington" improperly led to Hackett's decision to end his bid. And he said Democrats will have a tough time winning if similar things happen to others."
That's why I wanted him to be chair, to stop this garbage in DC. That's why I signed up for a Democracy Bond, so we can build the party from the ground up and tell the elected officials what to do, not vice versa.
Hat tip to Jeff over at Pesky's site!
The AP story notes that "Dean told a student audience in Miami that "some skulduggery in Washington" improperly led to Hackett's decision to end his bid. And he said Democrats will have a tough time winning if similar things happen to others."
That's why I wanted him to be chair, to stop this garbage in DC. That's why I signed up for a Democracy Bond, so we can build the party from the ground up and tell the elected officials what to do, not vice versa.
Hat tip to Jeff over at Pesky's site!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
I feel like I'm waiting for the the Party to die after a long illness.
I'm not talking about at the local level, there are still more of us (D) than THEM (R) in Shelby County, but after what happened to Paul Hackett in Ohio, I wonder how even Howard Dean can turn the national Democratic Party around.
As you may have read in Autoegocrat's post, Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid called Paul Hackett's donors and asked them to cut him off. Yes, that's right, they saw to it that his money dried up. This is NOT the DSCC's job; their job is to stay the fuck out until AFTER the primary and THEN help who ever the VOTERS decide should be the Democratic nominee.
You can see that here, as the DSCC refuses to even recognize that Rosalind Kurita's Senate campaign exists; they have attached themselves to Junior like baby hogs to their mother's tit.
I, for one, am tired of it. It is mighty damned infuriating to be told who I can and can't support by some moron in Washington who is afraid to stand up to a would-be dictator like Bush.
I have made the following decision: I will NEVER vote for a Republican unless Lincoln or Winthrop Rockefeller comes back from the dead. But I'll be damned if I EVER vote for another Democrat who doesn't live up to what a Democrat is supposed to be: Pro-labor, Pro-working and middle-class, pro-FAIR trade.
If things don't turn around and quick, I might be going to the polls just to vote for Mike Kernell this November, and then go home. I hope that's not the case.
As you may have read in Autoegocrat's post, Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid called Paul Hackett's donors and asked them to cut him off. Yes, that's right, they saw to it that his money dried up. This is NOT the DSCC's job; their job is to stay the fuck out until AFTER the primary and THEN help who ever the VOTERS decide should be the Democratic nominee.
You can see that here, as the DSCC refuses to even recognize that Rosalind Kurita's Senate campaign exists; they have attached themselves to Junior like baby hogs to their mother's tit.
I, for one, am tired of it. It is mighty damned infuriating to be told who I can and can't support by some moron in Washington who is afraid to stand up to a would-be dictator like Bush.
I have made the following decision: I will NEVER vote for a Republican unless Lincoln or Winthrop Rockefeller comes back from the dead. But I'll be damned if I EVER vote for another Democrat who doesn't live up to what a Democrat is supposed to be: Pro-labor, Pro-working and middle-class, pro-FAIR trade.
If things don't turn around and quick, I might be going to the polls just to vote for Mike Kernell this November, and then go home. I hope that's not the case.
The DSCC throws Paul Hackett under the bus
Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid threw Paul Hackett and his Ohio Senate campaign under the bus, even calling his donors and asking them to stop giving. These same people, who refuse to recognize the Kurita for Senate campaign here in Tennessee, are killing our Party.
I'm not the only one that's mad, though; go read Autoegocrat at the Flypaper Theory:
It's bad enough that the government is in the hands of murderous sociopaths, but the situation almost becomes dreadfully poetic when you stop to consider that the biggest obstacle to a return to normalcy and decency in this country is the gang of runaway court eunuchs in charge of the opposition party. It's not even that they're afraid of losing, they're simply afraid to take any risks at all.
With the DLC doing absolutely everything possible to squash every single outbreak of democracy coming up from the liberal grassroots, it's hard for me to believe that they are actually this incompetent. If some jackass blogger in Memphis can figure this stuff out, it isn't exactly rocket science. Either the DLC works for the GOP, or they are the most spineless bunch of invertebrates this planet has seen since the Paleozoic Era.
I'm not the only one that's mad, though; go read Autoegocrat at the Flypaper Theory:
It's bad enough that the government is in the hands of murderous sociopaths, but the situation almost becomes dreadfully poetic when you stop to consider that the biggest obstacle to a return to normalcy and decency in this country is the gang of runaway court eunuchs in charge of the opposition party. It's not even that they're afraid of losing, they're simply afraid to take any risks at all.
With the DLC doing absolutely everything possible to squash every single outbreak of democracy coming up from the liberal grassroots, it's hard for me to believe that they are actually this incompetent. If some jackass blogger in Memphis can figure this stuff out, it isn't exactly rocket science. Either the DLC works for the GOP, or they are the most spineless bunch of invertebrates this planet has seen since the Paleozoic Era.
This is not the best idea, I believe..
I have always liked Shep Wilbun. He carries himself with dignity and grace and there is good reason why I supported his mayoral campaign in 1999, unsuccessful though it was.
He is running for his old job of Juvenile Court Clerk, which puts him in the primary against School Board commissioner Wanda Halbert. He was cleared of criminal wrongdoing that occurred under his watch, which the Commercial Appeal blew out of proportion. I am certain he believes that he was wronged, and is now asking for a second chance, which everyone deserves.
On the other hand....
While he may very well win the Democratic primary, it is difficult for me to see how he could defeat Steve Stamson in the August general election. While it is true that he did not commit any criminal acts, things occurred under his watch that had to be either a lapse of judgement or a lack of oversight, and you can bet that Stamson would throw them into Wilbun's face. It's not difficult to envision a TV commercial from Stamson that suggested that Stamson "cleaned up" the office of JC Clerk.
Wanda Halbert carries no such baggage, and could argue that Stamson has merely acted to perpetuate a sluggish JC system in tandem with the retiring Kenneth Turner. She should do that, if she hasn't planned to, anyway.
I believe Shep Wilbun could win a district County Commission or City Council race right now without much trouble; this would enable him to rejuvenate his political career in short order.
However, to run for his old office now would only ensure Steve Stamson's eventual re-election, and I don't think any of us want that, do we?
He is running for his old job of Juvenile Court Clerk, which puts him in the primary against School Board commissioner Wanda Halbert. He was cleared of criminal wrongdoing that occurred under his watch, which the Commercial Appeal blew out of proportion. I am certain he believes that he was wronged, and is now asking for a second chance, which everyone deserves.
On the other hand....
While he may very well win the Democratic primary, it is difficult for me to see how he could defeat Steve Stamson in the August general election. While it is true that he did not commit any criminal acts, things occurred under his watch that had to be either a lapse of judgement or a lack of oversight, and you can bet that Stamson would throw them into Wilbun's face. It's not difficult to envision a TV commercial from Stamson that suggested that Stamson "cleaned up" the office of JC Clerk.
Wanda Halbert carries no such baggage, and could argue that Stamson has merely acted to perpetuate a sluggish JC system in tandem with the retiring Kenneth Turner. She should do that, if she hasn't planned to, anyway.
I believe Shep Wilbun could win a district County Commission or City Council race right now without much trouble; this would enable him to rejuvenate his political career in short order.
However, to run for his old office now would only ensure Steve Stamson's eventual re-election, and I don't think any of us want that, do we?
Saturday, February 11, 2006
It's Official! Joe Young is IN the race for County Clerk
Here is Joe filing his petition yesterday at the Election Commission offices. I am hoping we will know more soon, as I believe has had an excellent chance to regain this office from the Republicans. Watch this space for more information as it comes down the pike. Let's help Joe become the next Shelby County Clerk!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!
My friend Joe Young, who as you know I supported for SCDP Chair last summer, has decided to run for the Democratic nomination for Shelby County Clerk, and I am supporting him for this office as well.
Republican Jayne Creson is retiring from the office, and since it appears that there is a potentially brutal GOP primary between Debbie Stamson (WIFE of JC Court Clerk Steve Stamson) and outgoing County Commissioner Marilyn Loeffel (she of FLARE fame), this is a PRIME opportunity for the Democrats to pick up a County office.
Joe is just the person to do this, in my opinion. He is a terrific administrator, is goal-oriented, and would be outstanding in this job.
As soon as I know more about logistics (HQ, how to help, any fundraising, etc) I will let you know!
Republican Jayne Creson is retiring from the office, and since it appears that there is a potentially brutal GOP primary between Debbie Stamson (WIFE of JC Court Clerk Steve Stamson) and outgoing County Commissioner Marilyn Loeffel (she of FLARE fame), this is a PRIME opportunity for the Democrats to pick up a County office.
Joe is just the person to do this, in my opinion. He is a terrific administrator, is goal-oriented, and would be outstanding in this job.
As soon as I know more about logistics (HQ, how to help, any fundraising, etc) I will let you know!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
They're having an interesting discussion on the LIVING WAGE
Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal...: Living Wage
at the West Tennessee Liberal's site, and a tip of the hat to the Pesky Fly for pointing it out!
DFM, along with the Mid-South Interfaith Network, has set up several townhall meetings and encourages everyone to turn out in support of the Living Wage for full-time city workers.
One of the interesting questions is whether SCDP Chair Matt Kuhn will show up for the Thursday night Town Hall meeting, as he has promised to do. Note: I had said earlier that it was the City Council meeting tonight, but thankfully Brad Watkins' post below corrected my error. Mea culpa!
I cannot imagine why he wouldn't, this is a DEMOCRATIC issue if there ever was one. If not, it will certainly look like he was pressured not to show up by those who are opposed to the amendment.
One thing; do NOT confuse LIVING WAGE with LIVABLE WAGE, as some may try to do; LIVING WAGE has been researched heavily to ensure that full-time workers are paid fairly for their work, which is not always the case.
Go read the post and see what the fuss is about.
at the West Tennessee Liberal's site, and a tip of the hat to the Pesky Fly for pointing it out!
DFM, along with the Mid-South Interfaith Network, has set up several townhall meetings and encourages everyone to turn out in support of the Living Wage for full-time city workers.
One of the interesting questions is whether SCDP Chair Matt Kuhn will show up for the Thursday night Town Hall meeting, as he has promised to do. Note: I had said earlier that it was the City Council meeting tonight, but thankfully Brad Watkins' post below corrected my error. Mea culpa!
I cannot imagine why he wouldn't, this is a DEMOCRATIC issue if there ever was one. If not, it will certainly look like he was pressured not to show up by those who are opposed to the amendment.
One thing; do NOT confuse LIVING WAGE with LIVABLE WAGE, as some may try to do; LIVING WAGE has been researched heavily to ensure that full-time workers are paid fairly for their work, which is not always the case.
Go read the post and see what the fuss is about.
A matter of clarification...
It seems that NBC anchor Brian Williams became confused during the State of the Union speech, and identified Harold Ford Junior as Barack Obama. Our friend the Pesky Fly clarifies the difference in his post; go read it!
Monday, February 06, 2006
Bolton Jumps in to the 9th District Race
Longtime Shelby County Commissioner Julian Bolton is now a candidate for the 9th Congressional District being vacated by whats-his-name.
One can only imaginer how this might affect the race, and who might opt not to run because of this announcement. Frankly, I hope EVERYBODY who is announced runs, because we ought to have a choice, and I believe that whether or not Steve Cohen gets in the race that they ought to stay.
Frankly, we could use new blood around here; let's see what happens with this new crop of candidates and see if they can withstand the rigors of campaigning.
Flame away.
One can only imaginer how this might affect the race, and who might opt not to run because of this announcement. Frankly, I hope EVERYBODY who is announced runs, because we ought to have a choice, and I believe that whether or not Steve Cohen gets in the race that they ought to stay.
Frankly, we could use new blood around here; let's see what happens with this new crop of candidates and see if they can withstand the rigors of campaigning.
Flame away.
Friday, February 03, 2006
That gurgling sound you hear
is probably the reign of John Wilder going down the drain. As Sgt. Larry commented in the post below this one, Democratic Senator Don McLeary of Humboldt announced today that he is now a Republican. Counting still-seated Senator Ophelia Ford, that makes the GOP advantage in the State Senate 18-15.
If McLeary is re-elected this fall as a Gooper, combined with the retirement of Senator Curtis Person, this will ensure that, come next January, Tennessee will elect a new Lieutenant Governor/Senate Speaker for the first time since John Wilder ascended in 1971. Gone will be any Democratic chairmanships, such as Steve Cohen (if he's not already in Congress) at State and Local Government, Jerry Cooper at Commerce, Thelma Harper at Government Operations, Jim Kyle at Rules, Roy Herron at General Welfare, and, perhaps most importantly, Douglas Henry at Finance, Ways and Means. Henry has long been regarded as the Senate's finance guru, and this will hurt Bredesen deeply should he actually attempt to govern as a Democrat.
OK, cheap shot, but not undeserved.
What this will do is allow the state GOP to focus on taking the State House of Representatives, where the Democrats have a precarious 53-46 advantage at this time. Every remotely vulnerable Democrat will be attacked repeatedly in order to gain a hammerlock on the General Assembly.
I know many of you who read this have a less than stellar view of our legislators. Outside of Shelby County, I would agree with you. Despite the unfortunate unpleasantness that is Tennessee Waltz, our delegation has fought like hell for Shelby County; if the Goopers get the House on top of the Senate, Shelby County may as well not exist in Nashville. If you think we're treated badly now, just wait until they seize complete power; it won't be pretty.
If McLeary is re-elected this fall as a Gooper, combined with the retirement of Senator Curtis Person, this will ensure that, come next January, Tennessee will elect a new Lieutenant Governor/Senate Speaker for the first time since John Wilder ascended in 1971. Gone will be any Democratic chairmanships, such as Steve Cohen (if he's not already in Congress) at State and Local Government, Jerry Cooper at Commerce, Thelma Harper at Government Operations, Jim Kyle at Rules, Roy Herron at General Welfare, and, perhaps most importantly, Douglas Henry at Finance, Ways and Means. Henry has long been regarded as the Senate's finance guru, and this will hurt Bredesen deeply should he actually attempt to govern as a Democrat.
OK, cheap shot, but not undeserved.
What this will do is allow the state GOP to focus on taking the State House of Representatives, where the Democrats have a precarious 53-46 advantage at this time. Every remotely vulnerable Democrat will be attacked repeatedly in order to gain a hammerlock on the General Assembly.
I know many of you who read this have a less than stellar view of our legislators. Outside of Shelby County, I would agree with you. Despite the unfortunate unpleasantness that is Tennessee Waltz, our delegation has fought like hell for Shelby County; if the Goopers get the House on top of the Senate, Shelby County may as well not exist in Nashville. If you think we're treated badly now, just wait until they seize complete power; it won't be pretty.
Another domino falls...
The Republican takeover of the State Senate got one step closer today with the announcement that Senator Curtis Person would not seek re-election to the District 31 seat that he has held since November 1968.
Person, who served two years in the House as a Democrat prior to switching parties and running for the Senate, is a close ally of Lt. Governor John Wilder, something that has gotten him in trouble with his GOP brethren in the past. He was reportedly threatened with primary opposition if he hadn't voted for Sen. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) for Speaker prior to the 2005 session.
He voted for Ramsey, but not before making sure there were at least two GOP votes for Wilder in the form of Senator Mike Williams of Maynardville and Senator Randy McNally of Oak Ridge.
Person, who may run for Juvenile Court judge if his friend Kenneth Turner decides to step down, will no longer be there to help his friend Wilder. And it is a given that NONE of the candidates listed in the CA story linked in the title will vote for Wilder, who the Republicans have been trying to remove for years.
As for Williams and McNally, they may well receive the same pressure that Person got last winter; only this time, there's no room for error and Wilder might well be toppled. Should that occur, don't be surprised if Wilder were to abruptly resign his seat; after 36 years as Lt. Governor, the longest unbroken term in the country, he may well pack it in and go home to Mason. If Wilder leaves, the seat would almost certainly go GOP and that, my friends, would be that.
This would almost certainly cause Shelby County to take yet another hit in power, as Steve Cohen (if he's not in Congress by then) would lose his chairmanship of State and Local Government. That on top of the loss of John Ford would be a punch in the gut for the County.
Do you see NOW why there is a brawl over the seating of Ophelia Ford? This is about far more than Ford, it's about preserving what little power the state's largest county has left in Nashville. Given that the rest of the state has never forgiven us for the Crump years, Shelby County may soon get the Ned Beatty treatment from a GOP-led Senate.
Person, who served two years in the House as a Democrat prior to switching parties and running for the Senate, is a close ally of Lt. Governor John Wilder, something that has gotten him in trouble with his GOP brethren in the past. He was reportedly threatened with primary opposition if he hadn't voted for Sen. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) for Speaker prior to the 2005 session.
He voted for Ramsey, but not before making sure there were at least two GOP votes for Wilder in the form of Senator Mike Williams of Maynardville and Senator Randy McNally of Oak Ridge.
Person, who may run for Juvenile Court judge if his friend Kenneth Turner decides to step down, will no longer be there to help his friend Wilder. And it is a given that NONE of the candidates listed in the CA story linked in the title will vote for Wilder, who the Republicans have been trying to remove for years.
As for Williams and McNally, they may well receive the same pressure that Person got last winter; only this time, there's no room for error and Wilder might well be toppled. Should that occur, don't be surprised if Wilder were to abruptly resign his seat; after 36 years as Lt. Governor, the longest unbroken term in the country, he may well pack it in and go home to Mason. If Wilder leaves, the seat would almost certainly go GOP and that, my friends, would be that.
This would almost certainly cause Shelby County to take yet another hit in power, as Steve Cohen (if he's not in Congress by then) would lose his chairmanship of State and Local Government. That on top of the loss of John Ford would be a punch in the gut for the County.
Do you see NOW why there is a brawl over the seating of Ophelia Ford? This is about far more than Ford, it's about preserving what little power the state's largest county has left in Nashville. Given that the rest of the state has never forgiven us for the Crump years, Shelby County may soon get the Ned Beatty treatment from a GOP-led Senate.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Steve Gilliard, I am stealing your post!
Because it's SO good! What starts out as a fund-raising quest turns into a great column about our relationship with the Democratic Party and its' elected officials. By the way, if you like his stuff, go to his site (linked in the blog roll) and give him some $$. He's worth it!
Chris Bowers , Matt Stoller and Kevin Hayden are all doing post-mortums on the Alito fight. And they all make good points, but miss something.
First, we, the netroots, didn't do anything wrong. We created a campaign out of whole cloth and forced the Senate to respond. While that didn't work, it's a powerful tool to have on tap. We did what we could and we did it well, better than I imagined, but.......
The problem is that we're outsiders. People for the American Way, after sitting on their hands, is now raising money after not fighting Alito, using him as a boogieman. NARAL is still backing Lincoln Chafee, despite his refusal to vote for a filibuster, and the rest remain mute as French mimes. PFAW now says "we did all we could" to stop Alito, which is, excuse my French, utter and complete bullshit. Ralph Neas must think we're idiots.
We were the only people in the fight, and they want to collect the money for it.
Second, the Washington insiders think we're their bitches. We exist to raise money, do field work and shut up. Many bloggers are stunned when they get on a conference call with the 527 people and pols.
People were pissed when I went after Tim Kaine last year, and now Matt Stoller is saying we need to stop being starstuck by pols. Well, being a bit older than my friend Matt, I waill say this: as long as you go along to get along, you won't be respected. As long as you rely on pols to transmit your message, you will be constrained by them.
I value my self-respect far more than party loyalty. It nauseates me to see all the right bloggers defending Bush at any price. What? Did they stop thinking? Power groupies, the lot of them.
What Matt is getting at is that people have to stop genulfecting because Ted Kennedy is on a conference call, which is true. Respect often morphs into synchophantic behavior when confronted by the famous. It takes a lot of time to get that hard nose that you learn in J school.
But it's more than that. The old liberal structure is basically founded on the condescening idea that an elite is needed to protect our basic rights and promote progressive ideas, and you can see that from the Nation to NARAL.
The reason I harp on the Nation is that it is the most liberal magazine published, yet it is a preserve of the rich and white in a city which is black and hispanic. NARAL backed Chafee despite pro-choice Dems running, and both come to us, hat in hand, saying they're fighting for us.
Well, that day should end. We don't need people to fight for us, we need people to fight with us. Steve Elmendorf, one of Kerry's former consultants, said basically, well, let's figure out a way to take their money and not respond to their demands.
The sad part is people defended him because they knew him.
My response to that is "so fucking what."
Anytime someone disrespects you, you have to defend yourself. Even if you like him.
The reason we raise money, not just here, but at most other sites, because we have no choice. There is no liberal structure to support us, to fund our research. I hate asking for money, I don't think any blogger likes asking for money, but George Soros isn't dolling out research grants and sending us around the US to write on issues.
When bloggers went to New Orleans after Katrina, we did that. When they went to DeLay's indictment, we paid for that. There wasn't a call we could make and a project officer to talk to.
Despite that, we, collectively have a lot of power.
The problem is that we lack the institutional support the right has. Their bloggers may be hacks for the most part, but they are part of a larger team.
We need more from those rich liberals we see in the media. What, exactly, are they waiting for, another election, another 527? The more people who do this full-time, the better the work becomes.
It isn't that your support isn't great, it is. It makes things possible, but unless someone has an endowment of $2m to kick in, our activities are limited.
I mean, we can see how the right treats their young people, and how you still have to have a rich father to work on the left. The left has gotten use to cheap, subsidized labor and then wonders why they aren't effective. Because the best and the brightest wind up in government, with unions, with people who can pay their bills.
But I think the problem is that a lot of bloggers like politics and wanted to be inside the game. Well, not me, but that's not the point here.
You are either an insurgent or not. If you want to change the Democratic Party, you have to be serious about it. No more talk about the Greens, no stomping off. We have to be serious about getting rid of the dead wood at every level and pushing our arguments relentlessly.
We did that last weekend. We need to keep doing it.
As usual:
Stephen Gilliard
217 E 86th St
NMB 112
New York, NY 10028
posted by Steve @ 10:55:00 AM
Chris Bowers , Matt Stoller and Kevin Hayden are all doing post-mortums on the Alito fight. And they all make good points, but miss something.
First, we, the netroots, didn't do anything wrong. We created a campaign out of whole cloth and forced the Senate to respond. While that didn't work, it's a powerful tool to have on tap. We did what we could and we did it well, better than I imagined, but.......
The problem is that we're outsiders. People for the American Way, after sitting on their hands, is now raising money after not fighting Alito, using him as a boogieman. NARAL is still backing Lincoln Chafee, despite his refusal to vote for a filibuster, and the rest remain mute as French mimes. PFAW now says "we did all we could" to stop Alito, which is, excuse my French, utter and complete bullshit. Ralph Neas must think we're idiots.
We were the only people in the fight, and they want to collect the money for it.
Second, the Washington insiders think we're their bitches. We exist to raise money, do field work and shut up. Many bloggers are stunned when they get on a conference call with the 527 people and pols.
People were pissed when I went after Tim Kaine last year, and now Matt Stoller is saying we need to stop being starstuck by pols. Well, being a bit older than my friend Matt, I waill say this: as long as you go along to get along, you won't be respected. As long as you rely on pols to transmit your message, you will be constrained by them.
I value my self-respect far more than party loyalty. It nauseates me to see all the right bloggers defending Bush at any price. What? Did they stop thinking? Power groupies, the lot of them.
What Matt is getting at is that people have to stop genulfecting because Ted Kennedy is on a conference call, which is true. Respect often morphs into synchophantic behavior when confronted by the famous. It takes a lot of time to get that hard nose that you learn in J school.
But it's more than that. The old liberal structure is basically founded on the condescening idea that an elite is needed to protect our basic rights and promote progressive ideas, and you can see that from the Nation to NARAL.
The reason I harp on the Nation is that it is the most liberal magazine published, yet it is a preserve of the rich and white in a city which is black and hispanic. NARAL backed Chafee despite pro-choice Dems running, and both come to us, hat in hand, saying they're fighting for us.
Well, that day should end. We don't need people to fight for us, we need people to fight with us. Steve Elmendorf, one of Kerry's former consultants, said basically, well, let's figure out a way to take their money and not respond to their demands.
The sad part is people defended him because they knew him.
My response to that is "so fucking what."
Anytime someone disrespects you, you have to defend yourself. Even if you like him.
The reason we raise money, not just here, but at most other sites, because we have no choice. There is no liberal structure to support us, to fund our research. I hate asking for money, I don't think any blogger likes asking for money, but George Soros isn't dolling out research grants and sending us around the US to write on issues.
When bloggers went to New Orleans after Katrina, we did that. When they went to DeLay's indictment, we paid for that. There wasn't a call we could make and a project officer to talk to.
Despite that, we, collectively have a lot of power.
The problem is that we lack the institutional support the right has. Their bloggers may be hacks for the most part, but they are part of a larger team.
We need more from those rich liberals we see in the media. What, exactly, are they waiting for, another election, another 527? The more people who do this full-time, the better the work becomes.
It isn't that your support isn't great, it is. It makes things possible, but unless someone has an endowment of $2m to kick in, our activities are limited.
I mean, we can see how the right treats their young people, and how you still have to have a rich father to work on the left. The left has gotten use to cheap, subsidized labor and then wonders why they aren't effective. Because the best and the brightest wind up in government, with unions, with people who can pay their bills.
But I think the problem is that a lot of bloggers like politics and wanted to be inside the game. Well, not me, but that's not the point here.
You are either an insurgent or not. If you want to change the Democratic Party, you have to be serious about it. No more talk about the Greens, no stomping off. We have to be serious about getting rid of the dead wood at every level and pushing our arguments relentlessly.
We did that last weekend. We need to keep doing it.
As usual:
Stephen Gilliard
217 E 86th St
NMB 112
New York, NY 10028
posted by Steve @ 10:55:00 AM
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Is this like splitting the baby?
And if so, where? Federal District Judge Bernice Donald refused to grant Ophelia Ford relief from a possible removal from her District 29 Senate seat.
However, she advised the Senate that they cannot take any action which violates Federal or state voting laws. Here is the full text of the 32-page ruling; tip of the hat to David Holt for sending the link from WMC-TV.
I'm not a lawyer, and I don't even play one on TV, but it appears that Judge Donald is warning the Senate to have their ducks in a row before they toss her to the street.
The question remains this; if she is removed, do the Republicans on the County Commission risk out-and-out war by attempting to name Terry Roland as the interim Senator? We have elections coming up, and ANY Democrat on the Commission who doesn't fight this tooth and toenail will face a fight in the primary. This COULD be war!
However, she advised the Senate that they cannot take any action which violates Federal or state voting laws. Here is the full text of the 32-page ruling; tip of the hat to David Holt for sending the link from WMC-TV.
I'm not a lawyer, and I don't even play one on TV, but it appears that Judge Donald is warning the Senate to have their ducks in a row before they toss her to the street.
The question remains this; if she is removed, do the Republicans on the County Commission risk out-and-out war by attempting to name Terry Roland as the interim Senator? We have elections coming up, and ANY Democrat on the Commission who doesn't fight this tooth and toenail will face a fight in the primary. This COULD be war!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
So Harold's our best bet, eh?
There is a huge post from Kos his own self showing Rasmussen poll numbers for the Senate race. yes, it also has Minnesota numbers, but half the comments are about Tennessee and how the race is shaping up.
By the way, here are the numbers from Rasmussen:
Rasmussen Reports. 1/17. Likely voters. MoE 4.5% (12/12 results)
Corker (R) 42 (36)
Ford (D) 40 (42)
Bryant (R) 42 (41)
Ford (D) 40 (38)
Hilleary (R) 43 (41)
Ford (D) 37 (39)
::
I feel more confident already...
Tip of the hat to Bryan at Brassmask for letting me know about this, and to Frank at Polar Donkey for linking to several of us so people around the country can learn about the race!
By the way, here are the numbers from Rasmussen:
Rasmussen Reports. 1/17. Likely voters. MoE 4.5% (12/12 results)
Corker (R) 42 (36)
Ford (D) 40 (42)
Bryant (R) 42 (41)
Ford (D) 40 (38)
Hilleary (R) 43 (41)
Ford (D) 37 (39)
::
I feel more confident already...
Tip of the hat to Bryan at Brassmask for letting me know about this, and to Frank at Polar Donkey for linking to several of us so people around the country can learn about the race!
The Rude One gets it right
Today's Rude Pundit offering shows how pathetic many of the Democratic Senators have become. Here's a sample:
Today, Senators who voted for cloture are going to vote against the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. And when Lincoln Chafee, Maria Cantwell, Herbert Kohl, Blanche Lincoln, and Jay Rockefeller, as well as all the others run for re-election, they can say, "Look, I said 'No.'" But that "no" matters so little as the very issues they say caused them to vote that way - the power of the presidency, abortion rights, the right to privacy, the favoring of corporations - are turned against them time and again. Yeah, they voted against Alito, but there's a starving, beaten prisoner in Gitmo, a pregnant teenage girl in Nebraska, a coal mining family in West Virginia who are all gonna be the ones fucked because of such cowardly courage. And when they say they voted against Alito, someone's gonna be smart enough to say, "Hey, Maria, if it's such a big fuckin' deal, why didn't you join the filibuster?"
'Nuff said; go read the rest of it.
Today, Senators who voted for cloture are going to vote against the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. And when Lincoln Chafee, Maria Cantwell, Herbert Kohl, Blanche Lincoln, and Jay Rockefeller, as well as all the others run for re-election, they can say, "Look, I said 'No.'" But that "no" matters so little as the very issues they say caused them to vote that way - the power of the presidency, abortion rights, the right to privacy, the favoring of corporations - are turned against them time and again. Yeah, they voted against Alito, but there's a starving, beaten prisoner in Gitmo, a pregnant teenage girl in Nebraska, a coal mining family in West Virginia who are all gonna be the ones fucked because of such cowardly courage. And when they say they voted against Alito, someone's gonna be smart enough to say, "Hey, Maria, if it's such a big fuckin' deal, why didn't you join the filibuster?"
'Nuff said; go read the rest of it.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Another new member of the Posse!
David Holt, who also serves as 3rd Vice Chair of the SCDP, has taken up blogging at CONFESSIONS OF A WEST TENNESSEE LIBERAL. You will note that I have linked to it down in the blogroll, go check it out.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Back to the 9th District for a moment.
As you can tell from the bloggers and the posters out there, there was a good turnout Tuesday night for the DFM Forum (BIG props to Brad Watkins, Frank Burhart, David Holt, Bob Hayes and the rest of DFM for pulling that off as well as they did!)
I don't think that I need to remind the candidates of this, judging from their answers, but I will anyway: PRIMARIES ARE WON BY CONNECTING TO THE BASE. I think MOST of you understand that issues are what drive the base. Some of you apparently DON'T and that will come back to haunt you.
This Forum was a great idea, and it connected faces to names for a lot of Democratic activists, who can be VERY helpful to you, especially if this is your first race. UPDATE: Stanton wins the SCDP Straw Poll with 56 votes, full report from Jackson Baker right here.
Remember, you can go chasing to the center AFTER you win the nomination, not BEFORE.
I don't think that I need to remind the candidates of this, judging from their answers, but I will anyway: PRIMARIES ARE WON BY CONNECTING TO THE BASE. I think MOST of you understand that issues are what drive the base. Some of you apparently DON'T and that will come back to haunt you.
This Forum was a great idea, and it connected faces to names for a lot of Democratic activists, who can be VERY helpful to you, especially if this is your first race. UPDATE: Stanton wins the SCDP Straw Poll with 56 votes, full report from Jackson Baker right here.
Remember, you can go chasing to the center AFTER you win the nomination, not BEFORE.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
On the other hand...
While I did not support Ophelia Ford in the District 29 Primary for the Senate, and I, like 3/4 of everyone in Shelby County, happen to be curious about the election that she won over Terry Roland, I have no problems supporting her in her battle to be seated in the State Senate.
First, the Republican Party stole at least one and possibly two Presidential elections. Second, if this election is declared null and void, the Republican-controlled County Commission will almost certainly appoint Terry Roland to the seat.
It has been said that you can't hold speaker elections in mid-session; however, if Roland gets that Senate seat, I wouldn't put it past them to try. Then, Democrats lose their chairmanships and any Democratic agenda (such as REAL TennCare reform) goes into the toilet.
This also would create gridlock as the Senate killed bills by the Democratic-controlled House.
Do I wish Ophelia Ford would have primary opposition this year? Yes, because her candidacy drove a lot of hardcore Democrats to vote for Roland (and not just in the white community, bubba!) because they simply do not believe that this seat is anyone's property other than the voters.
However, the risk to the Democratic control of the State Senate is too great not to hold your nose and support the fight, because, in the long run, this is about a hell of a lot more than any one person.
First, the Republican Party stole at least one and possibly two Presidential elections. Second, if this election is declared null and void, the Republican-controlled County Commission will almost certainly appoint Terry Roland to the seat.
It has been said that you can't hold speaker elections in mid-session; however, if Roland gets that Senate seat, I wouldn't put it past them to try. Then, Democrats lose their chairmanships and any Democratic agenda (such as REAL TennCare reform) goes into the toilet.
This also would create gridlock as the Senate killed bills by the Democratic-controlled House.
Do I wish Ophelia Ford would have primary opposition this year? Yes, because her candidacy drove a lot of hardcore Democrats to vote for Roland (and not just in the white community, bubba!) because they simply do not believe that this seat is anyone's property other than the voters.
However, the risk to the Democratic control of the State Senate is too great not to hold your nose and support the fight, because, in the long run, this is about a hell of a lot more than any one person.
I obviously need to clarify something here.
I have received notes and posts as to why I crack down on my own Democratic Party more than I do the Republicans.
First, if you have to come here to learn that the Republican Party is filled with greedy, incompetent boobs with the expressed intention of destroying government as we know it, then you just haven't been paying attention. Besides, most of those lovely national blogs over in the blogroll do a much better job of it than I ever could.
Second, I have to crack back because of things like this. Why is the DSCC crapping on Rosalind Kurita by refusing to even acknowledge her candidacy? This is the sort of thing that caused me to support Howard Dean first for President, then for DNC Chair.
These Washington morons, who have NEVER gotten a President elected (Clinton was smart enough to keep them miles away from his campaigns) have no clue what goes on outside the Beltway. All they see is that Harold the Younger has a pretty smile (not to mention pedicures!) and has raised lots of Washington $$$.
Never mind that he is about as electable statewide as Otis Campbell is in Mayberry. Despite Jackson Baker's comments about the race (see about halfway down the page) being pushed by the national media, I have my doubts that he can carry more than Shelby and Davidson Counties.
Can't you imagine what sort of evil commercials are already in the can at TRP headquarters? Not to mention that it's possible that Uncle John's trial may be taking place during the general election campaign, and Ford's nomination is a recipe for disaster.
If he weren't such a sellout, it would be easy to buy into the narrative of the proud, articulate African-American from the South (bring in choir here, please) fighting those nasty old racists and his less-than-perfect family to be the first elected Black (or at least 3/4 black, if you ask him) Senator from here since Reconstruction. It kind of gets you right here, eh?
This, however, is about Junior, not Barack Obama, the guy who voted for a bankruptcy bill that hurt his own constituency, not some proud warrior for the common good. For crying out loud, he grew up in Washington, not South Memphis!
So, dear friends and gentle readers, it's this sort of thing that makes me crack out the verbal 2X4 on my own party. With the help of you, Howard Dean, DFM, MSDIA and any other initials you may want to bring, we'll clean this bad boy up or die trying!
First, if you have to come here to learn that the Republican Party is filled with greedy, incompetent boobs with the expressed intention of destroying government as we know it, then you just haven't been paying attention. Besides, most of those lovely national blogs over in the blogroll do a much better job of it than I ever could.
Second, I have to crack back because of things like this. Why is the DSCC crapping on Rosalind Kurita by refusing to even acknowledge her candidacy? This is the sort of thing that caused me to support Howard Dean first for President, then for DNC Chair.
These Washington morons, who have NEVER gotten a President elected (Clinton was smart enough to keep them miles away from his campaigns) have no clue what goes on outside the Beltway. All they see is that Harold the Younger has a pretty smile (not to mention pedicures!) and has raised lots of Washington $$$.
Never mind that he is about as electable statewide as Otis Campbell is in Mayberry. Despite Jackson Baker's comments about the race (see about halfway down the page) being pushed by the national media, I have my doubts that he can carry more than Shelby and Davidson Counties.
Can't you imagine what sort of evil commercials are already in the can at TRP headquarters? Not to mention that it's possible that Uncle John's trial may be taking place during the general election campaign, and Ford's nomination is a recipe for disaster.
If he weren't such a sellout, it would be easy to buy into the narrative of the proud, articulate African-American from the South (bring in choir here, please) fighting those nasty old racists and his less-than-perfect family to be the first elected Black (or at least 3/4 black, if you ask him) Senator from here since Reconstruction. It kind of gets you right here, eh?
This, however, is about Junior, not Barack Obama, the guy who voted for a bankruptcy bill that hurt his own constituency, not some proud warrior for the common good. For crying out loud, he grew up in Washington, not South Memphis!
So, dear friends and gentle readers, it's this sort of thing that makes me crack out the verbal 2X4 on my own party. With the help of you, Howard Dean, DFM, MSDIA and any other initials you may want to bring, we'll clean this bad boy up or die trying!
There's LOTS to read about last night's 9th District Forum
For good solid analysis, there's Jackson Baker's column in the Flyer here. Then, you have the CA's slightly bizarre column here, with this odd note:
Rev. Ralph White, pastor of the Bloomfield Full Gospel Baptist Church, drew chuckles for his folksy language and for referring to the other candidates as "fine young men" who reminded him of his sons.
But he was also the only candidate willing to criticize organized labor, which he said could be corrupt, and the only one who talked about prison reform.
Dude, if you're in a UNION HALL, why would you say that???? Why does Oliver Staley make it sound like it's a great thing for a DEMOCRAT to do? If Angus MacEachran were still alive, by God, they'd know how to write a story.
What? He's not dead, just retired? Hell, go get him back NOW!!!
However, for hard-hitting coverage with just a slight hint of opinion, go read Polar Donkey, who applies the serious smackdown on Nikki Tinker for ducking the event. Also, Autoegocrat advises that he RECORDED the entire event on audio tape, with a report to come tomorrow at Flypaper Theory.
Yours truly had to work late and missed the spectacle, which had a terrific attendance in my book, and everyone seemed happy with the event. There is a SCDP fundraiser and 9th District Straw Poll at the Rendezvous on Thursday night, but you have to shell out $50 to vote, if my understanding is correct. What the hell, it IS a fundraiser!
Rev. Ralph White, pastor of the Bloomfield Full Gospel Baptist Church, drew chuckles for his folksy language and for referring to the other candidates as "fine young men" who reminded him of his sons.
But he was also the only candidate willing to criticize organized labor, which he said could be corrupt, and the only one who talked about prison reform.
Dude, if you're in a UNION HALL, why would you say that???? Why does Oliver Staley make it sound like it's a great thing for a DEMOCRAT to do? If Angus MacEachran were still alive, by God, they'd know how to write a story.
What? He's not dead, just retired? Hell, go get him back NOW!!!
However, for hard-hitting coverage with just a slight hint of opinion, go read Polar Donkey, who applies the serious smackdown on Nikki Tinker for ducking the event. Also, Autoegocrat advises that he RECORDED the entire event on audio tape, with a report to come tomorrow at Flypaper Theory.
Yours truly had to work late and missed the spectacle, which had a terrific attendance in my book, and everyone seemed happy with the event. There is a SCDP fundraiser and 9th District Straw Poll at the Rendezvous on Thursday night, but you have to shell out $50 to vote, if my understanding is correct. What the hell, it IS a fundraiser!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
9th District Candidate Forum on the 24th
ATTENTION: This is an update as of 7:40 PM CST on January 20! Please note that we have a NEW venue and more candidates have signed up!
Hello-
Democracy For Memphis wants to invite you to the first of several candidate forums for the upcoming 2006 elections. On Tuesday, January 24th Democracy For Memphis and our good friends at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (special thanks to Paul Shaffer), will host a question and answer forum with five of the current candidates for United States Representative of District Nine.
In attendance will be Lee Harris, Tyson Pratcher, Ron Redwing, Nikki Tinker, Ralph White, Ed Stanton and Joseph B. Kyles. We decided to open this meeting up to the public so that the greater community of Labor and Progressives could become better informed about this exciting and historic race in local politics. We also want to know your questions; DFM members, please submit your questions to Brad@democracyformemphis.com. Please label your email Forum Questions.
Any Non-DFM member questions should be sent to Steve Steffens at sjs1959 at earthlink dot net.
We also want to add that while we attempted to contact all candidates in this primary there were some whom we could not obtain contact information for. We want to make sure EVERY candidate has an opportunity to attend this event and want to extend an invite to any in this race who we have not spoken to.
I hope as many of you as possible can attend, this is a great opportunity for the voters of District Nine to meet and get to know their next Representative.
DFM Candidate Forum
Tuesday, Jan 24th, 1870 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104 at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall.
6:30pm
Free Admission
Brad Watkins
Organizer
Democracy For Memphis
Hello-
Democracy For Memphis wants to invite you to the first of several candidate forums for the upcoming 2006 elections. On Tuesday, January 24th Democracy For Memphis and our good friends at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (special thanks to Paul Shaffer), will host a question and answer forum with five of the current candidates for United States Representative of District Nine.
In attendance will be Lee Harris, Tyson Pratcher, Ron Redwing, Nikki Tinker, Ralph White, Ed Stanton and Joseph B. Kyles. We decided to open this meeting up to the public so that the greater community of Labor and Progressives could become better informed about this exciting and historic race in local politics. We also want to know your questions; DFM members, please submit your questions to Brad@democracyformemphis.com. Please label your email Forum Questions.
Any Non-DFM member questions should be sent to Steve Steffens at sjs1959 at earthlink dot net.
We also want to add that while we attempted to contact all candidates in this primary there were some whom we could not obtain contact information for. We want to make sure EVERY candidate has an opportunity to attend this event and want to extend an invite to any in this race who we have not spoken to.
I hope as many of you as possible can attend, this is a great opportunity for the voters of District Nine to meet and get to know their next Representative.
DFM Candidate Forum
Tuesday, Jan 24th, 1870 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104 at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall.
6:30pm
Free Admission
Brad Watkins
Organizer
Democracy For Memphis
Say it isn't so!
Mike Hollihan, local libertarian blogger at Half-Bakered, is apparently calling it quits.
While I usually disagreed with him, whether I commented there or he commented here, I always enjoyed reading him. On local politics, we agreed more often that you might think and we always had fun arguing.
Now, he says he's taking a walkabout; don't make it too long, Mike, as you will be missed.
While I usually disagreed with him, whether I commented there or he commented here, I always enjoyed reading him. On local politics, we agreed more often that you might think and we always had fun arguing.
Now, he says he's taking a walkabout; don't make it too long, Mike, as you will be missed.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Jack Murtha is being SwiftBoated!
A so-called worthless piece of $#it "news service" is attempting to attack the good name of Congressman Jack Murtha, Marine war hero. These chickenhawks have the gall to attack someone who has faced enemy fire in defense of our freedoms.
These people have the morals of hyenas; however, BUZZFLASH goes into more background on who and what's behind this unwarranted attack. Thanks to Jeannette Warren for letting me know about this!
These people have the morals of hyenas; however, BUZZFLASH goes into more background on who and what's behind this unwarranted attack. Thanks to Jeannette Warren for letting me know about this!
The CHAIRMAN is coming! The CHAIRMAN is coming!
Howard Dean is coming to MEMPHIS!!!! He will be here in Memphis on Tuesday, January 17 from 2 P.M. to 3 P.M. at the Hunt-Phelan Home, and you can meet him!
Click on the above link, which will take you to MemphisDemocrats.com (David Upton's website) and you can sign up to meet the Chairman, who is changing the way Democrats fight and win (and it's damn sure time for that!).
TDP Chair Bob Tuke will be there as well, and we look forward to a great turnout, but do this quickly, seating is LIMITED.
Click on the above link, which will take you to MemphisDemocrats.com (David Upton's website) and you can sign up to meet the Chairman, who is changing the way Democrats fight and win (and it's damn sure time for that!).
TDP Chair Bob Tuke will be there as well, and we look forward to a great turnout, but do this quickly, seating is LIMITED.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Somehow I had failed to notice that...
The SCDP website is up and rolling, and since they have been kind enough to link to this blog, I have returned the favor in the blogroll to the right.
Go check it out, it's still somewhat under construction but it's coming along pretty well, nice work, folks!!
Go check it out, it's still somewhat under construction but it's coming along pretty well, nice work, folks!!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
This would change EVERYTHING.
Jackson Baker reports in the Flyer column above(click on the title for the story) something that I had figured would happen after I spoke with my Senator at the Shelby County Democratic Women's Christmas party - that Steve Cohen is a likely candidate for the 9th Congressional District seat being vacated by Harold Ford Junior.
Unlike 1996, when he lost to Harold the Younger, he would be facing a group of largely unknown candidates, with the possible exception of Rev. Ralph White, the former candidate for Criminal Court Clerk who was unsuccessful in 1998 and 2002 against GOP incumbent Bill Key.
Newer candidates like Lee Harris, Ed Stanton III, Nikki Tinker, and Tyson Pratcher could find it tough sledding against Cohen, who has served since 1982 in the Senate representing what was then mostly Midtown, but now extends further east and southeast into the city.
Ron Redwing, who is close to many of those folks in the Sidney Chism sphere of the SCDP, is also among those raising money right now and seems to be making solid progress as well.
However, should Cohen, with his years of service to the area and a very devoted base of support (both of volunteers and money) make the race, it would be difficult to see how he could lose, UNLESS..........
Some of the younger candidates get together, draw straws, and pick one candidate. Even then, it would be hard to stop Cohen, especially if the Man Who Would Be Senator holds fast to his stated neutrality in that race, which I suspect that he would.
What would a Cohen in Congress look like? I suspect he would go after the Bu$h policies like a rabid badger, and represent the 9th District like it hasn't been since, oh, 1996?
Look, I've known Steve Cohen since, well, longer than either of us would admit. I haven't always agreed with him, and I've let him know it. However, if he makes this race, I can't imagine supporting anyone else.
That's my bias, and you might as well know it up front.
Unlike 1996, when he lost to Harold the Younger, he would be facing a group of largely unknown candidates, with the possible exception of Rev. Ralph White, the former candidate for Criminal Court Clerk who was unsuccessful in 1998 and 2002 against GOP incumbent Bill Key.
Newer candidates like Lee Harris, Ed Stanton III, Nikki Tinker, and Tyson Pratcher could find it tough sledding against Cohen, who has served since 1982 in the Senate representing what was then mostly Midtown, but now extends further east and southeast into the city.
Ron Redwing, who is close to many of those folks in the Sidney Chism sphere of the SCDP, is also among those raising money right now and seems to be making solid progress as well.
However, should Cohen, with his years of service to the area and a very devoted base of support (both of volunteers and money) make the race, it would be difficult to see how he could lose, UNLESS..........
Some of the younger candidates get together, draw straws, and pick one candidate. Even then, it would be hard to stop Cohen, especially if the Man Who Would Be Senator holds fast to his stated neutrality in that race, which I suspect that he would.
What would a Cohen in Congress look like? I suspect he would go after the Bu$h policies like a rabid badger, and represent the 9th District like it hasn't been since, oh, 1996?
Look, I've known Steve Cohen since, well, longer than either of us would admit. I haven't always agreed with him, and I've let him know it. However, if he makes this race, I can't imagine supporting anyone else.
That's my bias, and you might as well know it up front.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Sad news
Thanks to Len Cleavelin for letting me know that CG, blogger of Mama Said There'd be Days Like These, apparently passed away last month from cancer.
CG was an astute observer of local life who occassionally graced these pages with his comments, and he will be missed.
CG was an astute observer of local life who occassionally graced these pages with his comments, and he will be missed.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Everything old is new again...
Friday, December 23, 2005
See you in January!
Unless all hell breaks loose and someone else is indicted or someone unexpected announces for Congress, Senator, Governor or something big like that, The Cracker is taking a holiday break until at least January 3 (two days before birthday #47). So...
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Chanukah, Happy Ramadan, Happy Yule, Happy Saturnalia, and, last but not least, have a Festive Festivus for the rest of us!
Just don't let the Airing of Grievances get out of control, eh? Save that for here!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Chanukah, Happy Ramadan, Happy Yule, Happy Saturnalia, and, last but not least, have a Festive Festivus for the rest of us!
Just don't let the Airing of Grievances get out of control, eh? Save that for here!
The money must be coming in now...
or else Nikki Tinker wouldn't have a huge billboard on I-240 westbound between Getwell & Lamar that includes a picture (good idea, no one has said she wasn't telegenic) and her URL,
http://www.TinkerForCongress.com/.
It looks like she spent some money on the website, as well, although several sections are still under construction. Interesting splash, and it's not even January yet. That's a lot of money to spend now, unless you're pretty sure you will be able to keep raising it through August, at least.
http://www.TinkerForCongress.com/.
It looks like she spent some money on the website, as well, although several sections are still under construction. Interesting splash, and it's not even January yet. That's a lot of money to spend now, unless you're pretty sure you will be able to keep raising it through August, at least.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Charter review, here we come!!!!!
Since Janet Hooks resigned her seat on the City Council and created a need for a special election to fill that seat, the City Attorney's office has indicated that a Charter Review Commission can be elected during that election, which will take place in conjunction with the August County general election and State & Federal primaries.
While this is a great thing in many ways, one problem that this presents is that the largest ballot in County history just got even larger. How many people are going to work their way down that monstrous ballot in order to elect Charter Commission members, and who will they elect?
Unfortunately, if they make it that far, they are more likely to vote for a name that they know unless they just don't like that person. Which, of course, favors old hands who are likely to make few changes, which is NOT what we need here.
I am now going to shamelessly use this forum to request of our Election Commissioners that, if legally possible, that the time frame for early voting for next August's elections be expanded by at least a week. If there is a legal prohibition against it, then I will ask my legislators to change that law this spring.
It's too critical to do otherwise.
While this is a great thing in many ways, one problem that this presents is that the largest ballot in County history just got even larger. How many people are going to work their way down that monstrous ballot in order to elect Charter Commission members, and who will they elect?
Unfortunately, if they make it that far, they are more likely to vote for a name that they know unless they just don't like that person. Which, of course, favors old hands who are likely to make few changes, which is NOT what we need here.
I am now going to shamelessly use this forum to request of our Election Commissioners that, if legally possible, that the time frame for early voting for next August's elections be expanded by at least a week. If there is a legal prohibition against it, then I will ask my legislators to change that law this spring.
It's too critical to do otherwise.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Well, there's your answer.
Did anyone happen to notice the last paragraph of the CA story on the District 29 investigation? Here's what it says:
Both Ford and Roland attended the hearing. Ford said she wants the investigation completed to end the controversy. But both she and her attorney, David Cocke, said they do not fear a new election because they believe she would win.
As South Knox Bubba would say, ok then. Let's find out if they mean what they say here; I've known David Cocke long enough that I would take his word at face value any time. If Ophelia said, fine, VOID the election, I can wait until an August primary and a November election, does anyone else here think that Terry Roland and Richard Fields (not to mention our old pal Thaddeus Matthews) would suddenly have to change their undergarments from the shock?
We WOULD have to put pressure on the County Commission to not undercut the process by appointing Roland to the seat, something the state GOP might pressure them to do. However, the prospect of having the next Commission meeting jammed to the rafters with demonstrators might dissuade them from that action.
Remember, we're going to be talking about A) the biggest ballot in Shelby County history this August, with every County and Judicial general election race on the ballot, plus the State and Federal primaries, so there could be an interesting turnout. This would be doubly so with Harold the Younger in a primary battle for the Senate.
While, I'll grant you that the GOP has an interesting Senate primary on their hands as well, with Junior attempting to capture the Democratic nomination, no stone will be unturned getting people out.
Uh, maybe I should rephrase that a little bit! :-)
Both Ford and Roland attended the hearing. Ford said she wants the investigation completed to end the controversy. But both she and her attorney, David Cocke, said they do not fear a new election because they believe she would win.
As South Knox Bubba would say, ok then. Let's find out if they mean what they say here; I've known David Cocke long enough that I would take his word at face value any time. If Ophelia said, fine, VOID the election, I can wait until an August primary and a November election, does anyone else here think that Terry Roland and Richard Fields (not to mention our old pal Thaddeus Matthews) would suddenly have to change their undergarments from the shock?
We WOULD have to put pressure on the County Commission to not undercut the process by appointing Roland to the seat, something the state GOP might pressure them to do. However, the prospect of having the next Commission meeting jammed to the rafters with demonstrators might dissuade them from that action.
Remember, we're going to be talking about A) the biggest ballot in Shelby County history this August, with every County and Judicial general election race on the ballot, plus the State and Federal primaries, so there could be an interesting turnout. This would be doubly so with Harold the Younger in a primary battle for the Senate.
While, I'll grant you that the GOP has an interesting Senate primary on their hands as well, with Junior attempting to capture the Democratic nomination, no stone will be unturned getting people out.
Uh, maybe I should rephrase that a little bit! :-)
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
I'm stealing, but it's worth it
Autoegocrat at Flypaper Theory has put up a full post from Eleanor A at Daily Kos which goes into great detail about the Tennessee Democratic situation.
There are great comments, but I too am reprinting her post in its entirety because it's well worth reading for ALL local Democrats. Here we go:
There are great comments, but I too am reprinting her post in its entirety because it's well worth reading for ALL local Democrats. Here we go:
Hey everyone, it took me a while to compose this for a thread about the Ford race, which disappeared from the front page while I was writing it...I didn't want to hog up the new Ford thread with such a long post, so I'm reposting the whole thing here. It's a bit of background on the whole Tennessee situation, as perceived by yours truly.
Obviously others will disagree, which is fine, but I know how it is for me to try to read something about an Ohio or Pennsylvania race without knowing the dynamics or all the players...so I've tried to include more detail than some of the other comments. Thanks in advance for reading.
I'm not sure people who don't live in Tennessee (I'm in Nashville) have a real grasp on what's going on here.
It's true that Tennessee is not Kansas or Nebraska. The state has voted for every Presidential contest winner since 1960, including Clinton and Gore twice. Many people will tell you Gore lost here in 2000 because he totally took the state for granted and didn't even campaign, except for one last minute appearance in east Tennessee. Meanwhile, the GOP brought in Charlton Heston and whipped up the rural white vote, telling 'em the Dems would take away their guns. (Gore's failure can be put somewhat in context by the knowledge that Gore won his most recent Senate races (1982, 1988) by 80-percent margins.) The conventional wisdom hereabouts is that he left the state once he became VP and didn't work hard enough to stay in touch with his constituents.
Memphis is hugely important in Tennessee politics (for Dems anyway), because it's 600,000 votes out of the state's 4 million or so registered voters. Nashville weighs in second at about 3, 4 hundred thousand, depending on turnout. However, the Republican Party in the state is smart and has gone after the Nashville Republican suburbs (Williamson County) with a vengeance.
There are other dynamics at play. For decades, the state House and Senate were held by the Democrats. There are widespread allegations of abuse, capped this year by an attempt at ethics reform by Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen (more on him later). The Dems lost the state Senate in 2004, after Bredesen campaigned heavily for three candidates - and all three of them lost.
In a nutshell, the state party is in serious disarray. There are six DNC members - several of which are so old they don't even attend DNC meetings or do much of anything. The state executive committee is moribund. In fairness, it's a tough coalition to put together. Democrats in Memphis are either urban blacks or progressive whites. Nashville has a huge creative community of songwriters, artists, college students and employees (there are seven colleges, with a sum total of a few hundred thousand students, staff and administrators - Vanderbilt, Belmont, Tennessee State). So issues that play in rural Tennessee, such as God and guns, are way too conservative for voters in Memphis and Nashville. Usually statewide candidates take the Republican-lite approach, and suffer when Democratic voters in Memphis and Nashville stay home in droves.
Bredesen stands to be re-elected in 2006. Right now, he's unopposed, and is rumored to be considering New Hampshire in 2008. However, here in Nashville, many Democrats are deeply angry with him. In 2003, his first year in office, he hired the former head of the state AFL-CIO to gut workman's comp regulations, a rift which is still out in the open between the governor and the labor community. More recently, he threw 300,000 people off the state's health insurance plan while his Administration concealed information from the state legislature about the true condition of the program and the people who stood to be removed. (He campaigned on TennCare reform - his reforms seemed to involve the acceptance of money from the health care industry and no attempt at all to curb allegations of fraud and abuse on the part of that same industry.) The solution for him was removal of the sickest enrollees, many of whom are now dying. There's talk of a 'safety net', but there are allegations that insurance companies have been discouraged from participating. This culminated with a group of sick individuals camping out in his office for a period of weeks.
Most recently, Bredesen has been embroiled in a scandal involving his deputy governor, Dave Cooley, who's been promoting state troopers based on campaign contributions. Check out www.tennessean.com for more info on that one, it's been all over the front page this week.
Long story short, some party activists have pledged to sit out 2006 and some expect the turnout in Nashville not to be terrifically good. Memphis will come out for Ford, but there is no energized base in other areas to speak of. Bredesen is not involved with Nashville politics, despite having been mayor of the city - he didn't even send a representative to the county's first annual major fundraiser, the Gore Dinner held last July. Knoxville and Chattanooga are the only other cities in the state approaching any shade of blue in local elections, and both of them went for Bush by 60-40 margins in '04.
Here's a strange one for you, though - the Republicans LOVE Bredesen. Some argue that's why they won't run a candidate against him, although the conventional wisdom is that nobody wants to go up against his hundreds of millions of personal fortune he made from a durable health care products business he sold some years ago. So many Republicans will show up to vote for Bredesen...and that may bode badly for Ford, since you can bet they'll split their ticket.
Recently I heard a rumor that former GOP Chair Beth Harwell is salivating to run against Bredesen, but the GOP won't let her, intending instead to keep their powder dry and take control of the state House. Again, Bredesen campaigned hard for three Senate candidates in 2004 (Larry Trail, Joann Graves, and one other)...all three of them lost. The TN Republicans are very smart, and this might not be a bad strategy for them.
As much as it pains me to say this, I suspect there are still many rural whites who won't consider voting for a black man. Ford is not perceived as a hard worker statewide (he was on Kerry's national steering committee and did nothing to help him in Tennessee other than a couple of appearances.) Most of his money is coming from out of state. He's a darling in Washington, which has his campaign employees in thrall thinking they can get him elected here. And worst of all, his uncle John Ford, who resigned from the state Senate this year, has been broadcast all over the state on tape accepting bribes from an FBI undercover agent. You can bet your bottom dollar the Republicans will time John Ford's trial for September 2006, and the airwaves will be full of the Ford name in conjunction with ethics violations.
Now, if the Republicans nominate Van Hilleary - a conservative extremist who is perceived as an intellectual lightweight - there may be some hope. But what Ford would have to do, as mentioned above, is not make speeches in which he talks about his love for the Iraq war and his generally conservative social philosophies in order to appeal to the hardcore Democratic vote in Memphis and Nashville. Doing so would alienate the rural whites - who probably aren't going to vote for him anyway. So you have to feel for the guy. In a sense he's damned whatever he does.
DO NOT FORGET that this state is the home of Bill Frist, who will do whatever he has to do to ensure massive fundage for Tennessee from the national GOP. This goes double since he's got 2008 aspirations.
In short, I think this is a really long shot. Y'all go on and get excited about it, because miracles do happen, but it'd take a major scandal on the part of the state GOP to blow this out of the water for either Ed Bryant or Corker. It would have helped had Kerry run a real campaign here - see the "Tennessee has voted for every Presidential winner since 1960" maxim - but no amount of entreaties to the national staff would make them see this as a state in play. So in a way the national party reaps what it sows here.
A few clarifying details...
The state AFL-CIO has endorsed Ford, but they're still pissed at Bredesen, so that'll most likely cut back on what they're willing to do for the joint ticket.
Nashville is the state capital, so much of what makes the news here about state doings affects local turnout.
Memphis, three hours west, is the largest city in the state, at about twice the size of Nashville. It's also where Harold Ford is from; Bredesen is from Nashville; there's a historic rivalry between the two cities, tho it's usually not bad enough to stop Democrats in either city from turning out to vote for the guy from the other town (and I do mean guy. Tennessee ranks 49 out of the 50 states for women's participation in politics, with a whopping 14% of our state House and Senate being women. This is just not a progressive state - and the state Democratic Party is partly to blame for that, since they don't put any premium at all on helping young, female or diverse candidates gain a toehold. The good-ol-boy network is living large here, mostly in the person of Jimmy Naifeh and some other scions in charge of the state legislature.
State Sen. Rosalind Kurita, Harold Ford's primary opponent, has been in the Senate for a dozen years - she's got plenty of experience and is a credible candidate. The state Party has held several events without even inviting her. It's been a foregone conclusion Ford would be the nominee, I suspect due to his status as a national party darling. However, you'd think SOMEBODY in the state Democratic power structure would care this state has never had a woman governor, or senator...only four women have ever served in Congress from here, and the only one who's in now is ultraconservative Marsha Blackburn. It's just repugnant.)
p.s. I neglected to mention another kiss of death: the Tennessee legislature is seriously considering the purchase of Diebold voting machines. My beloved Davidson County (Nashville) is considering ES&S, implicated in the Ohio 2004 debacle.
Yep. Some days it's just hard to get up with too much enthusiasm for anything happening here...
Monday, December 19, 2005
Bush is trying to exponentially increase executive power
Martin Garbus has a terrific column today at Huffington Post regarding Bush's repeated insistence that his dodging of the FISA Court and authorization of wiretaps for domestic spying.
He believes that, with the current make up of the Supreme Court, that they will override the 8-0 ruling against Richard Nixon from the 1970s.
Please take time to read it, it's chilling. NO EXECUTIVE should have the rights he is seeking for the Presidency.
He believes that, with the current make up of the Supreme Court, that they will override the 8-0 ruling against Richard Nixon from the 1970s.
Please take time to read it, it's chilling. NO EXECUTIVE should have the rights he is seeking for the Presidency.
Friday, December 16, 2005
9th District Candidates, listen up, I have a question:
Given that the President of the United States may well have committed a verifiable IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE by ordering covert DOMESTIC spying on American citizens, would you, if elected, be willing to introduce (or at least, vote for) Articles of Impeachment against George Walker Bush?
By the way, Rep. George Miller (D-CA) is now calling for a special prosecutor to look into this matter. Here' s an excerpt:
"I am deeply troubled that the President of the United States may have secretly ordered his intelligence agents to spy on Americans without obtaining court orders," said Miller, Chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee. "Congress had already broadened the powers of the Administration to fight terrorism through the gathering of intelligence, but now it is alleged that the President went even further and secretly ordered the NSA to conduct domestic spying in a manner that may be both unconstitutional and illegal.
So, 9th District hopefuls, what do you think? Let's hear from you, even though we haven't hit the filing deadline yet.
By the way, Rep. George Miller (D-CA) is now calling for a special prosecutor to look into this matter. Here' s an excerpt:
"I am deeply troubled that the President of the United States may have secretly ordered his intelligence agents to spy on Americans without obtaining court orders," said Miller, Chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee. "Congress had already broadened the powers of the Administration to fight terrorism through the gathering of intelligence, but now it is alleged that the President went even further and secretly ordered the NSA to conduct domestic spying in a manner that may be both unconstitutional and illegal.
So, 9th District hopefuls, what do you think? Let's hear from you, even though we haven't hit the filing deadline yet.
Somebody tell me again why he's running as a Democrat?
Frank over at Polar Donkey has an interesting post about Harold the Younger's voting record with regards to repeal the Estate Tax, which nationally affects only the wealthiest Americans. Yet, despite the fact that his district is urban and lower-to-medium income, he gleefully has supported this "reform", until he recently modified his stance.
The fact that he has been receiving campaign contributions from Wal-Mart's PACs I'm sure has NOTHING to do with it.
Also, Frank points out that Sam Walton himself RARELY, if ever made contributions to candidates of either party. However, since his death, his descendants have given heavily to right wing candidates and think tanks.
Just another reason not buy anything from Wal-Mart, up to and including your Senator.
The fact that he has been receiving campaign contributions from Wal-Mart's PACs I'm sure has NOTHING to do with it.
Also, Frank points out that Sam Walton himself RARELY, if ever made contributions to candidates of either party. However, since his death, his descendants have given heavily to right wing candidates and think tanks.
Just another reason not buy anything from Wal-Mart, up to and including your Senator.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Frist and his staff are feeling the heat...
After repeated questions regarding how much Senator Bill Frist knew about his "blind"trust, Chief of Staff Eric Ueland went off on AP reporter Jonathan Katz yesterday, according to this story in THE HILL newspaper.
It appears that the state's senior Senator sold his HCA stock (a company founded by his family) just before a precipitous decline in the stock price. Katz had been following the story closely, apparently more closely than Frist and his office liked.
Josh Marshall also comments on the story here.
It appears that the state's senior Senator sold his HCA stock (a company founded by his family) just before a precipitous decline in the stock price. Katz had been following the story closely, apparently more closely than Frist and his office liked.
Josh Marshall also comments on the story here.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
The Bloggers Bash is coming! The Bloggers bash is coming!
Yes, indeedy, Memphis bloggers of ALL shapes, sizes and political viewpoints, the Bloggers Bash will be taking place at Quetzal, 668 Union Avenue on Wednesday, December 21 at 7 PM.
Please show up to shoot the breeze and celebrate whatever holiday you like!
Thanks to Mr. Mike for the graphics!
Friday, December 09, 2005
One of our best is gone......
Terry Keeter, legendary former political correspondent for the Commercial Appeal, passed away on Thursday at the age of 66 at Methodist-University Hospital after a long illness.
If you were involved in politics or journalism in this town over the last 30 years, you knew Terry Keeter, and like so many of us, there are a lot of fond memories. He was tough on EVERYBODY, but he was FAIR, and more importantly, he was ACCURATE.
He was also responsible, along with Larry Williams, for raising thousands of dollars for journalism scholarships in the Mid-South as the backbone behind the Gridiron Dinner in Memphis, which gleefully (but hilariously) skewered local politicos and celebrities with abandon.
Please remember Terry in your thoughts and prayers today.
If you were involved in politics or journalism in this town over the last 30 years, you knew Terry Keeter, and like so many of us, there are a lot of fond memories. He was tough on EVERYBODY, but he was FAIR, and more importantly, he was ACCURATE.
He was also responsible, along with Larry Williams, for raising thousands of dollars for journalism scholarships in the Mid-South as the backbone behind the Gridiron Dinner in Memphis, which gleefully (but hilariously) skewered local politicos and celebrities with abandon.
Please remember Terry in your thoughts and prayers today.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Time to kick it up a notch
As Emeril Lagasse might say. I have been quiet for a while, but with filing deadlines for county races getting near, it's interesting to see who's picking up petitions.
Wanda Halbert has picked up petitions for THREE different races, Register (Inc - Tom Leatherwood - R), Criminal Court Clerk (Inc - Bill Key - R) and Juvenile Court Clerk (Inc - Steve Samson - R). it will be interesting to see which, if any, of those seats causes her to file.
Despite the recent ruling against term limits for county officials by the State Court of Appeals, Sidney Chism is going full speed ahead with his race for County Commissioner (IIRC, I believe he's pulled a petition for Cleo Kirk's seat) with a fundraiser scheduled for New Year's Eve.
That will be an interesting race should Commissioner Kirk be allowed to run again by the State Supreme Court; it will be one of the hottest Democratic primary races this May.
In unrelated news, The Cracker is now hooked up to the Tennessee BlogWire through LeftyBlogs.com, down and to the right; please peruse the links and the fine writers linked there.
Wanda Halbert has picked up petitions for THREE different races, Register (Inc - Tom Leatherwood - R), Criminal Court Clerk (Inc - Bill Key - R) and Juvenile Court Clerk (Inc - Steve Samson - R). it will be interesting to see which, if any, of those seats causes her to file.
Despite the recent ruling against term limits for county officials by the State Court of Appeals, Sidney Chism is going full speed ahead with his race for County Commissioner (IIRC, I believe he's pulled a petition for Cleo Kirk's seat) with a fundraiser scheduled for New Year's Eve.
That will be an interesting race should Commissioner Kirk be allowed to run again by the State Supreme Court; it will be one of the hottest Democratic primary races this May.
In unrelated news, The Cracker is now hooked up to the Tennessee BlogWire through LeftyBlogs.com, down and to the right; please peruse the links and the fine writers linked there.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Lee Harris reads my blog!
9th District candidate Lee Harris called me to answer questions about who he is and why he's running for Congress.
He was enjoyable to speak with, as we talked about some of the issues that had been raised, such as charter schools, which he feels have been successful in some instances that he has seen, but added that he is committed to public education.
The website, linked above, has more information.
Ralph White opened his campaign this week with a meet and greet at the U of M Holiday Inn, Nikki Tinker is out raising money and talking to people, and Ron Redwing had a fundraiser this week, so the 9th district race is taking shape.
He was enjoyable to speak with, as we talked about some of the issues that had been raised, such as charter schools, which he feels have been successful in some instances that he has seen, but added that he is committed to public education.
The website, linked above, has more information.
Ralph White opened his campaign this week with a meet and greet at the U of M Holiday Inn, Nikki Tinker is out raising money and talking to people, and Ron Redwing had a fundraiser this week, so the 9th district race is taking shape.
Friday, November 18, 2005
It's about damn time!
As expected, the whiny bitches that are the Republican House attempted to attack Rep. John Murtha today on the floor of the House. When Rep. Jean Schmidt (Idiot-OH) made the following comments: she was nearly booed off the House floor by Democrats:
The fiery, emotional debate climaxed when Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, the most junior member of the House, told of a phone call she received from a Marine colonel."He asked me to send Congress a message _ stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message _ that cowards cut and run, Marines never do," Schmidt said.
However, what happened next is a cause for surprise. Per the AP article,
Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn., charged across the chamber's center aisle screaming that it was an uncalled for personal attack.
Really? Congressman, are you now ready to step up and admit you were bamboozled by the lies from the White House?
I know, I know, baby steps, baby steps. Maybe it's a sign that he has realized it's time to fight the real enemy, the Republican Party.
The fiery, emotional debate climaxed when Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, the most junior member of the House, told of a phone call she received from a Marine colonel."He asked me to send Congress a message _ stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message _ that cowards cut and run, Marines never do," Schmidt said.
However, what happened next is a cause for surprise. Per the AP article,
Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn., charged across the chamber's center aisle screaming that it was an uncalled for personal attack.
Really? Congressman, are you now ready to step up and admit you were bamboozled by the lies from the White House?
I know, I know, baby steps, baby steps. Maybe it's a sign that he has realized it's time to fight the real enemy, the Republican Party.
Here's what a REAL Patriot sounds like
These are the remarks of Rep. John J. Murtha (D-PA12) regarding the Iraq War:
The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion. The American public is way ahead of us. The United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq, but it is time for a change in direction. Our military is suffering. The future of our country is at risk. We can not continue on the present course. It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interest of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region.
General Casey said in a September 2005 Hearing, “the perception of occupation in Iraq is a major driving force behind the insurgency.” General Abizaid said on the same date, “Reducing the size and visibility of the coalition forces in Iraq is a part of our counterinsurgency strategy.”
For 2 ½ years I have been concerned about the U.S. policy and the plan in Iraq. I have addressed my concerns with the Administration and the Pentagon and have spoken out in public about my concerns. The main reason for going to war has been discredited. A few days before the start of the war I was in Kuwait – the military drew a red line around Baghdad and said when U.S. forces cross that line they will be attacked by the Iraqis with Weapons of Mass Destruction – but the US forces said they were prepared. They had well trained forces with the appropriate protective gear.
We spend more money on Intelligence than all the countries in the world together, and more on Intelligence than most countries GDP. But the intelligence concerning Iraq was wrong. It is not a world intelligence failure. It is a U.S. intelligence failure and the way that intelligence was misused.
I have been visiting our wounded troops at Bethesda and Walter Reed hospitals almost every week since the beginning of the War. And what demoralizes them is going to war with not enough troops and equipment to make the transition to peace; the devastation caused by IEDs; being deployed to Iraq when their homes have been ravaged by hurricanes; being on their second or third deployment and leaving their families behind without a network of support.
The threat posed by terrorism is real, but we have other threats that cannot be ignored. We must be prepared to face all threats. The future of our military is at risk. Our military and their families are stretched thin. Many say that the Army is broken. Some of our troops are on their third deployment. Recruitment is down, even as our military has lowered its standards. Defense budgets are being cut. Personnel costs are skyrocketing, particularly in health care.
Choices will have to be made. We can not allow promises we have made to our military families in terms of service benefits, in terms of their health care, to be negotiated away. Procurement programs that ensure our military dominance cannot be negotiated away. We must be prepared. The war in Iraq has caused huge shortfalls at our bases in the U.S. Much of our ground equipment is worn out and in need of either serious overhaul or replacement. George Washington said, “To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.” We must rebuild our Army. Our deficit is growing out of control. The Director of the Congressional Budget Office recently admitted to being “terrified” about the budget deficit in the coming decades. This is the first prolonged war we have fought with three years of tax cuts, without full mobilization of American industry and without a draft. The burden of this war has not been shared equally; the military and their families are shouldering this burden.
Our military has been fighting a war in Iraq for over two and a half years. Our military has accomplished its mission and done its duty. Our military captured Saddam Hussein, and captured or killed his closest associates. But the war continues to intensify. Deaths and injuries are growing, with over 2,079 confirmed American deaths. Over 15,500 have been seriously injured and it is estimated that over 50,000 will suffer from battle fatigue. There have been reports of at least 30,000 Iraqi civilian deaths.
I just recently visited Anbar Province Iraq in order to assess the conditions on the ground. Last May 2005, as part of the Emergency Supplemental Spending Bill, the House included the Moran Amendment, which was accepted in Conference, and which required the Secretary of Defense to submit quarterly reports to Congress in order to more accurately measure stability and security in Iraq. We have now received two reports. I am disturbed by the findings in key indicator areas. Oil production and energy production are below pre-war levels. Our reconstruction efforts have been crippled by the security situation. Only $9 billion of the $18 billion appropriated for reconstruction has been spent. Unemployment remains at about 60 percent. Clean water is scarce. Only $500 million of the $2.2 billion appropriated for water projects has been spent. And most importantly, insurgent incidents have increased from about 150 per week to over 700 in the last year. Instead of attacks going down over time and with the addition of more troops, attacks have grown dramatically. Since the revelations at Abu Ghraib, American casualties have doubled. An annual State Department report in 2004 indicated a sharp increase in global terrorism.
I said over a year ago, and now the military and the Administration agrees, Iraq can not be won “militarily.” I said two years ago, the key to progress in Iraq is to Iraqitize, Internationalize and Energize. I believe the same today. But I have concluded that the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq is impeding this progress.
Our troops have become the primary target of the insurgency. They are united against U.S. forces and we have become a catalyst for violence. U.S. troops are the common enemy of the Sunnis, Saddamists and foreign jihadists. I believe with a U.S. troop redeployment, the Iraqi security forces will be incentivized to take control. A poll recently conducted shows that over 80% of Iraqis are strongly opposed to the presence of coalition troops, and about 45% of the Iraqi population believe attacks against American troops are justified. I believe we need to turn Iraq over to the Iraqis. I believe before the Iraqi elections, scheduled for mid December, the Iraqi people and the emerging government must be put on notice that the United States will immediately redeploy. All of Iraq must know that Iraq is free. Free from United States occupation. I believe this will send a signal to the Sunnis to join the political process for the good of a “free” Iraq.
My plan calls:
To immediately redeploy U.S. troops consistent with the safety of U.S. forces. To create a quick reaction force in the region.To create an over- the- horizon presence of Marines. To diplomatically pursue security and stability in Iraq
This war needs to be personalized. As I said before I have visited with the severely wounded of this war. They are suffering.
Because we in Congress are charged with sending our sons and daughters into battle, it is our responsibility, our OBLIGATION to speak out for them. That’s why I am speaking out.
Our military has done everything that has been asked of them, the U.S. can not accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. IT IS TIME TO BRING THEM HOME.
This is no wimp, no appeaser. Rep. Murtha is a 37-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He was decorated in Vietnam, and has far more integrity on this subject than the chickenhawks who are in the Bu$h Administration. Let's give him the support he needs; call your Congressman NOW and demand that they get behind this plan to bring our troops home.
The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion. The American public is way ahead of us. The United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq, but it is time for a change in direction. Our military is suffering. The future of our country is at risk. We can not continue on the present course. It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interest of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region.
General Casey said in a September 2005 Hearing, “the perception of occupation in Iraq is a major driving force behind the insurgency.” General Abizaid said on the same date, “Reducing the size and visibility of the coalition forces in Iraq is a part of our counterinsurgency strategy.”
For 2 ½ years I have been concerned about the U.S. policy and the plan in Iraq. I have addressed my concerns with the Administration and the Pentagon and have spoken out in public about my concerns. The main reason for going to war has been discredited. A few days before the start of the war I was in Kuwait – the military drew a red line around Baghdad and said when U.S. forces cross that line they will be attacked by the Iraqis with Weapons of Mass Destruction – but the US forces said they were prepared. They had well trained forces with the appropriate protective gear.
We spend more money on Intelligence than all the countries in the world together, and more on Intelligence than most countries GDP. But the intelligence concerning Iraq was wrong. It is not a world intelligence failure. It is a U.S. intelligence failure and the way that intelligence was misused.
I have been visiting our wounded troops at Bethesda and Walter Reed hospitals almost every week since the beginning of the War. And what demoralizes them is going to war with not enough troops and equipment to make the transition to peace; the devastation caused by IEDs; being deployed to Iraq when their homes have been ravaged by hurricanes; being on their second or third deployment and leaving their families behind without a network of support.
The threat posed by terrorism is real, but we have other threats that cannot be ignored. We must be prepared to face all threats. The future of our military is at risk. Our military and their families are stretched thin. Many say that the Army is broken. Some of our troops are on their third deployment. Recruitment is down, even as our military has lowered its standards. Defense budgets are being cut. Personnel costs are skyrocketing, particularly in health care.
Choices will have to be made. We can not allow promises we have made to our military families in terms of service benefits, in terms of their health care, to be negotiated away. Procurement programs that ensure our military dominance cannot be negotiated away. We must be prepared. The war in Iraq has caused huge shortfalls at our bases in the U.S. Much of our ground equipment is worn out and in need of either serious overhaul or replacement. George Washington said, “To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.” We must rebuild our Army. Our deficit is growing out of control. The Director of the Congressional Budget Office recently admitted to being “terrified” about the budget deficit in the coming decades. This is the first prolonged war we have fought with three years of tax cuts, without full mobilization of American industry and without a draft. The burden of this war has not been shared equally; the military and their families are shouldering this burden.
Our military has been fighting a war in Iraq for over two and a half years. Our military has accomplished its mission and done its duty. Our military captured Saddam Hussein, and captured or killed his closest associates. But the war continues to intensify. Deaths and injuries are growing, with over 2,079 confirmed American deaths. Over 15,500 have been seriously injured and it is estimated that over 50,000 will suffer from battle fatigue. There have been reports of at least 30,000 Iraqi civilian deaths.
I just recently visited Anbar Province Iraq in order to assess the conditions on the ground. Last May 2005, as part of the Emergency Supplemental Spending Bill, the House included the Moran Amendment, which was accepted in Conference, and which required the Secretary of Defense to submit quarterly reports to Congress in order to more accurately measure stability and security in Iraq. We have now received two reports. I am disturbed by the findings in key indicator areas. Oil production and energy production are below pre-war levels. Our reconstruction efforts have been crippled by the security situation. Only $9 billion of the $18 billion appropriated for reconstruction has been spent. Unemployment remains at about 60 percent. Clean water is scarce. Only $500 million of the $2.2 billion appropriated for water projects has been spent. And most importantly, insurgent incidents have increased from about 150 per week to over 700 in the last year. Instead of attacks going down over time and with the addition of more troops, attacks have grown dramatically. Since the revelations at Abu Ghraib, American casualties have doubled. An annual State Department report in 2004 indicated a sharp increase in global terrorism.
I said over a year ago, and now the military and the Administration agrees, Iraq can not be won “militarily.” I said two years ago, the key to progress in Iraq is to Iraqitize, Internationalize and Energize. I believe the same today. But I have concluded that the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq is impeding this progress.
Our troops have become the primary target of the insurgency. They are united against U.S. forces and we have become a catalyst for violence. U.S. troops are the common enemy of the Sunnis, Saddamists and foreign jihadists. I believe with a U.S. troop redeployment, the Iraqi security forces will be incentivized to take control. A poll recently conducted shows that over 80% of Iraqis are strongly opposed to the presence of coalition troops, and about 45% of the Iraqi population believe attacks against American troops are justified. I believe we need to turn Iraq over to the Iraqis. I believe before the Iraqi elections, scheduled for mid December, the Iraqi people and the emerging government must be put on notice that the United States will immediately redeploy. All of Iraq must know that Iraq is free. Free from United States occupation. I believe this will send a signal to the Sunnis to join the political process for the good of a “free” Iraq.
My plan calls:
To immediately redeploy U.S. troops consistent with the safety of U.S. forces. To create a quick reaction force in the region.To create an over- the- horizon presence of Marines. To diplomatically pursue security and stability in Iraq
This war needs to be personalized. As I said before I have visited with the severely wounded of this war. They are suffering.
Because we in Congress are charged with sending our sons and daughters into battle, it is our responsibility, our OBLIGATION to speak out for them. That’s why I am speaking out.
Our military has done everything that has been asked of them, the U.S. can not accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. IT IS TIME TO BRING THEM HOME.
This is no wimp, no appeaser. Rep. Murtha is a 37-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He was decorated in Vietnam, and has far more integrity on this subject than the chickenhawks who are in the Bu$h Administration. Let's give him the support he needs; call your Congressman NOW and demand that they get behind this plan to bring our troops home.
The 9th District field gets bigger, but I see no winners yet
OK. I've heard of Ron Redwing, kind of. I met Ed Stanton (Jr? III?) in my precinct caucus earlier this year, and I saw Nikki Tinker at the Ford post-convention breakfast (oops, the PARTY breakfast, I get confused sometimes).
So, who the hell is THIS GUY? Lee Harris, a UM law professor, has announced his candidacy to succeed Harold Junior in Congress. According to the article, he's anti-choice, pro-voucher, pro-charter school. THAT should help him in the Democratic primary, shouldn't it?
Stanton seems ok, and I've never met Redwing that I remember, so they might be OK. Tinker is sweet and gorgeous, but she's a corporate lawyer. Harris is anti-choice, so we're still looking for a winner here. Jim Maynard, you ran as a write-in two years ago and got nowhere. You could get in this primary and maybe even win it.
'Nuff said.
So, who the hell is THIS GUY? Lee Harris, a UM law professor, has announced his candidacy to succeed Harold Junior in Congress. According to the article, he's anti-choice, pro-voucher, pro-charter school. THAT should help him in the Democratic primary, shouldn't it?
Stanton seems ok, and I've never met Redwing that I remember, so they might be OK. Tinker is sweet and gorgeous, but she's a corporate lawyer. Harris is anti-choice, so we're still looking for a winner here. Jim Maynard, you ran as a write-in two years ago and got nowhere. You could get in this primary and maybe even win it.
'Nuff said.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
First, I want to thank Jackson Baker
for his inclusion of this locale as one of the best blogs in THE BEST OF MEMPHIS - 2005, found in the Flyer. I also can't argue with his selections on three of the other four; The Flypaper Theory and Smart City Memphis are found on my blogroll. Also, Mike Hollihan's Half-Bakered is usually a fun read, even if I only agree with him about 15% of the time. I haven't read Fishkite, another GOP-leaning blog, so I can't tell you what that's about.
Again, thank you for the mention; I'll try to live up to that in the coming months.
Again, thank you for the mention; I'll try to live up to that in the coming months.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Friday, November 04, 2005
Yes, I took down the last post.
The last thing that I want to do is make a bad situation worse, because David deserves better and here's hoping this helps.
That's all I'm saying for now, I was not at all pressured and did this of my own accord.
I'm STILL not spending any money north of Stage Road, though!
That's all I'm saying for now, I was not at all pressured and did this of my own accord.
I'm STILL not spending any money north of Stage Road, though!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
You might wonder..
why I have not written much about the national situation. Well, if you look down and to the right, you will see DailyKos, MyDD, BOPnews, and the Rude One himself listed with links. They do a terrific job commenting on what rat-fuckers the Bu$h Adminstration happen to be.
I stick to state and local because that's what I feel I do best. Draw a 300-mile radius around Memphis, and I can write about it (with a touch of Illinois thrown in for good measure). That's where I can give you something you can't get anywhere else. (No, soandsodem, NOT nausea!)
So, hopefully that's a start. That doesn't mean I won't do a 180 at a later point, though!
I stick to state and local because that's what I feel I do best. Draw a 300-mile radius around Memphis, and I can write about it (with a touch of Illinois thrown in for good measure). That's where I can give you something you can't get anywhere else. (No, soandsodem, NOT nausea!)
So, hopefully that's a start. That doesn't mean I won't do a 180 at a later point, though!
OK, I'm back and I have a question:
Given the continuing incompetence of the Herenton Administration with regards to the city's financial problems, why is the majority of the City Council opposed to Carol Chumney's idea that an independent auditor should be brought in to look at the books?
(Full disclosure; many, if not most, of my readers know that I have worked in every Chumney campaign, win or lose, and is a long-time friend as well).
While it's easy to dismiss this as a campaign ploy, the fact remains that it's the right thing to do. The city, which for years could look down its nose at Shelby County regarding budgetary matters, can do so no longer.
And, if in fact, many of these problems occurred when Joseph Lee was CFO of the city, given that he is now in charge of MLGW, isn't this something we as a citizenry should have been told SOONER???
I served with Joseph Lee on the ExecCom, he is as nice and kind a human being as you are likely to find, and I do not enjoy what appears to be happening right now. However, we're beyond that at this point, and we need to find out A) what the hell happened, and B) how we can keep this problem from happening again.
Regardless of whether you like or dislike Carol, an independent audit may be the only way we get the straight news on the city's budget crisis. if you live here, you need to get behind this and call your Councilman ASAP.
(Full disclosure; many, if not most, of my readers know that I have worked in every Chumney campaign, win or lose, and is a long-time friend as well).
While it's easy to dismiss this as a campaign ploy, the fact remains that it's the right thing to do. The city, which for years could look down its nose at Shelby County regarding budgetary matters, can do so no longer.
And, if in fact, many of these problems occurred when Joseph Lee was CFO of the city, given that he is now in charge of MLGW, isn't this something we as a citizenry should have been told SOONER???
I served with Joseph Lee on the ExecCom, he is as nice and kind a human being as you are likely to find, and I do not enjoy what appears to be happening right now. However, we're beyond that at this point, and we need to find out A) what the hell happened, and B) how we can keep this problem from happening again.
Regardless of whether you like or dislike Carol, an independent audit may be the only way we get the straight news on the city's budget crisis. if you live here, you need to get behind this and call your Councilman ASAP.
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