LeftWingCracker

We are going dark today. Here's why.

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-06:00

On This Day..

2012-01-16T09:51:00.000-06:00

When we remember a great man and the single worst event this city has ever experienced (we recovered from the Yellow Fever, we have NEVER recovered from the King assassination), let us never forget that it was only when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began to critically address ECONOMIC inequality in addition to racial inequality, that he was assassinated.

Remember him always.

I am not fond of Democrat on Democrat violence

2012-01-14T10:34:00.000-06:00

Because the Republicans are screwing us hard enough in redistricting, I hate when Democrats turn on other Democrats. That is what has happened TWICE the last two days, by male Democrats on female Democrats. First, if you haven't seen it, go over to Ross' place to watch Antonio Parkinson table a DEMOCRATIC amendment by Jeanne Richardson adding precincts to the district which they share for the moment. I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say it was a rookie mistake, at least I hope so, for his sake. And, as Jeanne pointed out, it's not HIS district, it belongs to the voters.

Jeanne is a fearless voice for women's rights and LGBTQ rights, and I want her to run SOMEWHERE this year.

However, there is another situation where someone who knew better made a crap move on a fellow Democrat, a COLLEAGUE, and is forcing out yet another voice for women's rights, children's health, safety and protection and the LGBT community, Beverly Marrero. Yes, Jim Kyle, I am talking to YOU.

Kyle had been targeted for ouster by the GOP for a while once the disaster known as the 2010 elections occurred, so it was no surprise when his District 28 was moved east and included Senator Brian Kelsey of Germantown. This would have meant they would face off this year, which Kelsey apparently agreed with. The GOP, not apparently fond of either, felt that no matter who left, they won.

Then, Kelsey apparently whined, so Senate 28 was shifted to Middle Tennessee (we were going to lose a seat anyway due to population shift) and the District was renumbered 31. THIS meant that now the election was shifted back to 2014 and Kyle, with 28 shipped off to the hinterlands, would be forced out of the legislature. Well, that's what happens when you let your majority go.

Now, why the GOP didn't tell Kyle to go piss up a rope, I don't know. Kyle apparently plead his case to the point where they essentially OK, shut the hell up, here's your district back, go beat Marrero. I presume the GOP's thinking was that they were getting rid of another liberal AND a woman, two things they hate. They even gave him back some of his old District, which Beverly was preparing to run for this year. It will still be called District 30, but it more closely resembles the old 28.

Before you come at me with that "but he's the senior Democrat" business, I respond, SO WHAT? What's he done with it? He protected John Wilder to the point he didn't see it coming when Rosalind Kurita voted for Ron Ramsey to flip the Senate into GOP Control in 2007.

Whenever he has attempted any moves to break his mold in the past, Jim Kyle has backed out. In 2002, he ran, for a while, for County Mayor, then backed out when rumors that AC Wharton would enter the race. Then, he ran for Governor, and ran hard for what, just a few months? Then he announced that he didn't see a way forward even if he won the Democratic nomination because of the wealth of GOP eventual nominee Bill Haslam and was dropping out, AGAIN. I hate to point out that Bill Haslam was just as much a candidate when Jim Kyle announced he was running as when Senator Kyle withdrew. I still don't know what the hell changed.

Then, as you'll recall, many of us asked him to consider a run for Attorney General in Shelby County, since we knew he was going to be run out of the Senate. After a while he said no, his duties to his law firm prevented another candidacy. And another Senate race won't be a candidacy?

All in all, he may well go back to the Senate, and since I am now in District 33, I can't vote, but I will tell you this much: Beverly, if you want to run for that seat, I will go walk that district with you, because we can't afford to lose YOU. It looks like she is ready to do it, judging by this quote from today's CA:

Said Marrero: "It's my district, 30, and I'm going to run. It will be interesting. Those days of women just saying, 'You take it and I'll go home,' are over."

I will be there with you, Beverly, and I won't be alone; go also read this terrific post from Tennessee Talking Points!

Maybe we need to take another look at the Redistricting Map.

2012-01-08T13:57:00.000-06:00

Go take a look at the Congressional redistricting map again. Especially Shelby County, of course.

Notice that little finger from Stephen "Gospel-Singing Farmer" Fincher's 8th District that looks like it comes into Memphis? I had thought, as others had, that it stopped at I-240 on the West and snaked around to Walnut Grove Road and the Wolf River. We haven't seen the precinct list yet (the GOP won't release it yet), so we have had to make guesses as to where it went.

I have learned today that this is wrong. REAL WRONG. As in, the western edge of the 8th District is GOODLETT ROAD. As in, the EASTERN EDGE of my precinct. As in, almost all of the primarily Jewish neighborhoods of the city will lose the representation of the first Jewish Congressman ever elected in Tennessee.

Temple Israel? Represented by a gospel-singing farmer whose district is 75% rural. Beth El Sholom? No more Cohen. Jewish Community Center? Represented by the man from Frog Jump.

And, to insult to injury, MIllington, which is as non-urban as you can get in this county, now is represented by Steve Cohen. Yes, the home of the Political Cesspool is now in Steve Cohen's district but not any of the Jewish institutions of Memphis. That's not fair to Millingtonians, either.

Now, Steve Cohen is not in any danger of losing his seat, despite what some would have you believe, and I know he realizes that, too, although he is running for a fourth term like he is twenty points behind, because he ALWAYS runs that way. This is how he managed to receive 75% of the African-American vote in 2010 against the City's first African-American Mayor.

However, what the GOP has done is to crap on those people who have supported Steve the most over the years. It is frightening to me that the 8th District is only six blocks away from my house and not ten miles away, as it SHOULD be. Stephen Fincher should have NO part of the City of Memphis; the eastern suburbs will vote for a GOP candidate even if it were RuPaul, but not the CITY.

Given that the GOP did this in secret, they need to be held accountable. The West Tennessee regional coordinator for the Congressional redistricting effort is Senator Mark Norris of Collierville. Please call his office at 615-741-1967 and let him know how you feel about Steve Cohen being taken from you.

Redistricting, the TNDP, and other bidness

2012-01-05T10:43:00.000-06:00

Steve Ross, in the middle of a campaign, still has managed to write two really good pieces about redistricting and about the TNDP's ill-advised plans to create a 4-year term for their Chair (relax, it would NOT apply to Chip, unless he decided to run again).

The redistricting piece has great links to other posts by Sean Braisted, Tennessee Talking Points and the magnificent Aunt B. Read them all.

Oh, and I'm 53 today, yay me! Thanks to Susan, this is a great birthday; thanks, too, to all of you for continuing to read my posts.

Tomorrow, we find out how badly the Democrats in the TGA are screwed

2012-01-03T17:35:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow morning, the new legislative maps are to be unveiled at the Capitol, and the result of the GOP getting control of both Houses for the first time in 140 years will be gruesome for Democrats, who hold only 34 of 99 House seats and 13 of 33 Senate seats.

The goal for the GOP is to get to 66 House seats and 22 Senate seats; this could theoretically result in a General Assembly where Democrats can be steamrolled and ignored. We will have to wait and see how bad it will be and if it falls within Voting Rights Act guidelines (here's betting that it DOES, John Ryder is no fool, and here's betting that we challenge it in court any way).

Just from sheer numbers, Shelby County, which had stagnant growth in the last decade, will lose one Senate seat (expected to be that of Senate leader Jim Kyle) and two House seats. While nothing will be confirmed tomorrow, what we are hearing is that Barbara Cooper (D-86) and G.A. Hardaway will be thrown into a district together, and that Jeanne Richardson's (D-89) district has been split between John Deberry (D-90) and Antonio Parkinson (D-98).

Rural West Tennessee, which has experienced serious reductions in population as jobs have left the area, is expected to be equally hard-hit. Given that this was once the heart of the Democratic brain trust of the late Governor Ned McWherter (Dresden), the late Lt. Governor John Wilder (Mason), and Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh (Covington), this will be rather depressing news.

Democrats have to find a way back. One of those ways, in my opinion, is to stop trying to govern and start OPPOSING. I realize that, after 140 years of power, it is still very difficult to come to grips with a reduced station in life. However, that cold, hard reality is still better than being deluded that you have any voice at all right now.

What Democrats need to do is show how they are DIFFERENT. Nobody really likes the GOP all that much, and you have to show how you are DIFFERENT, and how you want to work for working people and small businesses, and not be a tool of Wall Street. Newt Gingrich worked on opposing the Democrats and supporting the right-wing philosophy for a long time in preparation for the day when they would get control of Congress.

Have a consistent philosophy of supporting PEOPLE over MONEY, and you may regain enough support to get power back. Then, once you do, tell the lobbyists to go to hell, and you'll never lose that support.

See you tomorrow!

Merry Christmas from your Cracker, and read Charlie Pierce

2011-12-25T10:41:00.001-06:00

We will all muddle through somehow, as I go through a wonderful Christmas, which will be even more wonderful when my Susan gets back from Jackson this afternoon.

Charlie Pierce speaks of Judy Garland, muddling through, and I believe, hope, which is what we all need. Just remember, we can get through this, and we will endure.

Merry Christmas.

Carol Chumney is the Democratic nominee for AG

2011-12-15T13:46:00.001-06:00

Courtesy Steve Mulroy; this picture of Carol with Jackson Baker and Steve Mulroy was taken on my back porch.

I have received texts confirming that Linda Nettles Harris and Glenn Wright have withdrawn their petitions for the Democratic primary for Attorney General, leaving Carol Chumney as our standard-bearer. Now is the time to get behind Carol, who is running against interim Attorney General Amy Weirich, who was hand-picked by former AG Bill Gibbons.

Weirich, who is apparently too ashamed of the GOP to list on her signs that she is a Republican, is a career prosecutor. The question that needs to be asked, however, is this: does a long list of prosecutions equal JUSTICE? I am hoping that Carol makes JUSTICE FOR ALL a key part of her campaign.

Yes, of course I am supporting her, as should you, unless you LIKE the idea of an AG who only sees one side of an issue.

Carol's in for AG

2011-12-07T16:28:00.001-06:00

Just sent to me in email:

CHUMNEY VOWS TO BRING EQUAL JUSTICE TO ALL AS D.A.

-Chumney Files to Run for District Attorney

Contact: 634-6540

Today, Carol Chumney, trial attorney, former Tennessee state legislator, and Memphis City Council woman, filed to be the next D.A. vowing to bring equal justice to all—including white collar criminals, and to enforce the highest standards of professionalism.

“At the local courthouse, the lady holding the scales of justice, is a symbol that in our country noone is above the law.”, says Chumney. “I vow to protect our community from those who prey on the vulnerable, such as senior citizens who are scammed by con artists, children and youth from sexual predators, families from domestic abuse, workers who are not paid equally for their work, and the trusting public that suffer abuses from even the most prominent professionals in our community—lawyers, doctors, and bankers . When I take office as D.A. noone will be above the law anymore.”

As D.A. , Chumney will enforce the highest standards of professionalism to those who serve the public, starting with that office. The D.A. will serve the citizens equally and provide justice for all.

Chumney brings over 25 years of experience as an attorney in state and federal courts, along with 13 years of state legislative experience passing laws to protect citizens from criminals. She is the former President of the Memphis Federal Bar Association, served as an appointee to two Tennessee Supreme Court Commissions, and as an office of the House Judiciary and Children & Family Affairs Committees.

During her career, Chumney has been recognized for her outstanding service by the local women’s bar, and earned statewide awards for her work to protect victims of domestic violence, and for consumer protection.

Well, Mr. Jackson, we have a small problem here...

2011-12-05T20:01:00.001-06:00

Otis Jackson, currently on suspension from his job as General Sessions Court Clerk due to the fact that he was indicted back in July, has apparently decided that it would be an admission of guilt NOT to run for re-election to his position. Toward that end, he has pulled and FILED a petition for re-election.

My question to Mr. Jackson would be this: Why are you not focusing on preparing for your defense in your trial? In putting up a fight for re-election, are you not placing your liberty and the security of your family in jeopardy? What on earth are you thinking?

Sir, you are entitled to the presumption of innocence until and unless you are proven guilty in a court of law. However, the perception that occurs when ANY office-holder is indicted renders moot their ability to perform their duties. I am rooting for your acquittal, Mr. Jackson; if and when that day comes, you would then be welcomed back as a candidate.

Until that day comes, you should NOT be involved in any elective campaign; you need to think of your family, your workers in that office, and your obligation to the County of Shelby to remove that cloud which now hangs over you. Then, and only then, should you consider seeking office again.

Toward that end, if you do not withdraw your petition prior to the end of the withdrawal deadline of December 15 at noon, I will then petition the Shelby County Democratic Party to decertify you as a candidate in the Democratic primary. The potential that you could take the entire Democratic ticket down with you, should you be renominated in March, is too great. You may not be thinking of your party, sir, but I am.

I do not take this action lightly; however, as a Shelby Countian, I am tired of the endless problems with office-holders, especially those who run under the Democratic banner.

Enough is enough, Mr. Jackson. Put your liberty first, and withdraw your candidacy.

Like I don't have ENOUGH going on..

2011-12-05T18:33:00.001-06:00

At the suggestion of our beloved NEWSCOMA, I have followed her to Tumblr. No, this is not going away; in fact, I have something to say about Otis Jackson later tonight.

Tumblr is for people who are too ADHD for Twitter. Need I say more? :-)

Watch this space later tonight, as long as Zippy doesn't pee in the floor!

I have a favorite new website...

2011-12-01T08:18:00.001-06:00

It's VoteSteveRoss.com, the website for my friend and now County Commission Candidate Steve Ross, who is running as a Democrat to fill the seat of Mike Carpenter. Carpenter resigned to take a job in Nashville.

Ross, for those of you who are regular readers here, is the author of the Vibinc blog, and a stellar observer of local policy and politics and would be a terrific Commissioner, and I will support him. I hope that you will as well.

As promised, here I am on FOX 13

2011-11-23T11:11:00.001-06:00

Occupying Occupy Memphis: MyFoxMEMPHIS.com

Heads up! I am on Fox 13 News tonight!

2011-11-22T19:54:00.001-06:00

I am on during the 9-10 hour discussing the OCCUPY MEMPHIS movement with Darrell Greene and Mark Skoda of the Tea Party.

I think I did well; watch and decide for yourself!

Jim Kyle Says NO To A Run For AG

2011-11-18T13:27:00.001-06:00

I received this in email, as many of you did this morning:

BREAKING NEWS: State Senator Eric Stewart Announces Run for Congress in Tennessee’s 4th District

2011-11-17T12:26:00.001-06:00

Eric Stewart Announces Run for Congress in Tennessee’s 4^th District

Will put small business and political experience to work creating jobs and balancing budgets

Winchester, TN – State Senator Eric Stewart announced today that he will run to represent Tennessee’s 4th district in the U.S. House of Representatives, pledging to put partisanship aside so we can protect our nation’s commitment to seniors, create jobs to revive our economy and reduce our massive deficit.

“Congress is broken and all we see is fighting, political posturing and gridlock from the folks we sent there to work on our behalf and solve the serious problems we face,” said Eric Stewart. “People are struggling. Unemployment remains too high, and our economy is sluggish at best. Illegal drug problems continue to increase and many small businesses are hanging on by a thread, if at all. All the while, Congress is only focused on slinging mud and pointing fingers instead of taking action to create jobs and reduce our debt. I’m running for Congress to bring common sense back to Washington and put the needs of the people ahead of special interests, rigid ideology and petty partisanship.”

Born and raised in Franklin County, Stewart has owned a small business, ran his family’s business and served as s county commissioner and state Senator. In 2002 Stewart defeated a 12-year incumbent to win a seat on the Franklin County Commission and won a hotly contested seat for the State Senate in 2008. That year, Stewart defeated a well-financed Republican in the General Election despite large Democratic losses in the district.

As a county commissioner, Eric Stewart pushed for budget cuts within county departments, pay cuts for county commissioners, and he supported tax relief for senior citizens. In the State Senate, Stewart championed tax relief for small businesses that put Tennesseans back to work as well as breaks for military families. He has supported measures to reduce and eventually eliminate the sales taxes on food. Focused on cutting government waste, Stewart has only voted for balanced budgets. Stewart is also a staunch supporter of public education in Tennessee. He has worked diligently to improve the public education system in Tennessee and fought for the rights of teachers, students and parents.

“I come from a family of small business owners, educators and people who give back,” Stewart said. “We need representatives in Washington who understand that the people of this district are struggling, and are willing to roll up their sleeves and find common ground to solve the problems our families, children and small businesses face. My focus has always been on helping people, creating jobs and improving public education in a common sense, fiscally responsible way. You can’t reach these goals when folks in Washington care more about toeing the party line and keeping their job than they do about helping folks back home. I look forward to listening to the hopes and dreams of the voters in Tennessee’s 4^th Congressional district, and taking their voice to Washington.”
For more information on the campaign or to sign up for the newsletter to receive regular updates, please visit the campaign website, www.votestewart.com.

SCDP Voter Registration Drive

2011-11-04T08:42:00.001-05:00

Are you registered?

This weekend the Shelby County Democratic Party will be out in the community conducting a voter registration drive. SCDP volunteers will be staffing locations all over Shelby County as part of the Tennessee Democratic Party’s “Drive to 200,000″ program.

Volunteers will gather at the IBEW Hall, 1870 Madison Ave. at 9 am on Saturday November 5th, and fan out to locations all over the county from there.

If you would like to help with this program, simply show up at the IBEW hall on Saturday at 9am.

The state party has set a goal of registering 200,000 voters statewide to help increase participation in elections, and inform the public about the newly passed Voter ID law. For more information about this law, and other voting requirements click here.

Might THIS be what Kroger plans for their new stores?

2011-11-01T23:43:00.001-05:00

My pal Mike Brester took this picture today of a billboard at Shelby Drive and Getwell Road. The board on the left is for Fry's Food Stores, a grocery store chain primarily in the Southwest, particularly in Arizona, but NOT YET FOUND in the Memphis area.

After looking them up, it appears that they are owned by the Kroger Company, who just bought out the Memphis stores of Schnucks. I don't know much about Fry's; however, the question has arisen as to whether some of the Schnucks-turned-Kroger stores might wind up as Fry's.

That would certainly make sense for the old Schnucks/New Kroger on Truse Parkway, around the corner from Kroger's recently renovated Mendenhall store and down the street from the "Baby Kroger" on Perkins at Poplar. At the every least, it would be a new brand of store in the market, and would hopefully increase the choices for Memphis grocery shoppers.

SCDP Chair Turner Regarding Title X Funding and the Start of the Contract with Christ Community Health Services

2011-11-01T15:58:00.000-05:00

Chairman Turner Regarding Title X Funding and the Start of the Contract with Christ Community Health Services

MEMPHIS – Shelby County Democratic Party Chairman Van Turner released the following statement regarding the beginning of the contract with Christ Community Health Services (CCHS) for Title X services:

“For over 35 years Planned Parenthood of Greater Memphis (PPGMR) has served the people of Shelby County by providing comprehensive Family Planning Services to families in need. Despite their expertise and years of dedicated service to the community, politics has once again invaded the issue of reproductive health, endangering the future of thousands of people who have come to rely on their services.”

“Starting in February with Republicans in the State Legislature, and continuing with political pressure from Governor Bill Haslam’s Office, the County Administration of Mayor Mark Luttrell and County Commission, Republicans have declared war on Planned Parenthood in a misguided crusade against a procedure not even covered by Title X funds.”

“Ignoring evidence and the requirements of their very own RFP regarding personnel, Mayor Luttrell’s Administration engaged in a bid evaluation process determined to ensure that no Title X funds would flow to the most experienced provider of said services for a purely partisan political purpose.”

“Adding insult to injury, the County Commission, including three Democratic members, voted to affirm the contract with Christ Community Health Services (CCHS), despite mountains of evidence found both in the response to the RFP and public statements made by high ranking officials in the organization that they were either unprepared or unwilling to abide by all the requirements of Title X. This outcome is unacceptable.”

“This week marks the beginning of the contract with CCHS. We hope they will abide by the terms of the contract to the same high standards set by PPGMR, but we are also outraged that our government officials, from the State down to the County level would place the people of this county in a position of relying on hope alone rather than evidence and experience.”

“The stakes of this decision are high. Taking into account the rate of teen sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, infant mortality, and high poverty rates associated with unplanned pregnancies, we feel this decision is irresponsible, tone deaf and reckless considering the challenges facing our community.”

--

References– Page 15 of County RFP# 12-007-02 states: “Provider’s Personnel. The Provider certifies that it presently has adequate qualified personnel to perform all services required under this Contract…

Page 13 and 14 of CCHS’s proposal notes that it will have to hire 7 people to carry out the contract including 1- Women’s Health Services Director and 6 – Family Planning Coordinators.

Here's an idea: Draft Jim Kyle for District AG

2011-11-01T10:33:00.000-05:00

There are, at this point, only three people in Shelby County who have the name recognition, legal background and ability to raise money to beat Amy Weirich in the District Attorney General's race.

AC Wharton is staying Mayor of Memphis, and Steve Cohen is quite happy being our Congressman. That leaves Senator Jim Kyle, who in all probability will lose his Senate District in redistricting, and he should consider it.

Carol Chumney and Glenn Wright have been considering the race for some time now, but to start now would put either of them at a financial disadvantage that would be almost impossible to overcome. (Full disclosure: I have been talking to Carol about a race for a few months now.)

However, given that the Governor and the state GOP have made this race a priority, we as Democrats have but one Shelby Countian to turn to at this time, and that's Jim Kyle.

He is well-known and well liked in this county, and has a deep track record of public service. Jim Kyle would make a great Attorney General, and I urge him to run.

Haslam Cracks Down on Occupy Nashville

2011-10-27T17:23:00.000-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More here from Sean Braisted and Mike Byrd.

Van Turner Responds

2011-10-27T15:00:00.001-05:00

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

Steve:

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks,

Van Turner, Chair
Shelby County Democratic Party

So much for THAT idea.

2011-10-27T11:28:00.000-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

2011-10-27T09:53:00.002-05:00

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

The Mason YMCA will close on December 31, 2011.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CCHC is talking out of both sides of their mouth

2011-10-22T11:22:00.002-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

Now, to the meat of the argument:

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

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

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

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

October 22, 2011

10:59 a.m.

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Reply to this post

LeftWingCracker writes:

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

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

I await his response.