BiddiesInMyBrain

Unreal

I just got around to reading this wonderful editorial in the Memphis Flyer and was, once again, mightily disturbed at the idea that has been expressed of late Democrats are somehow wasterful and out of touch, while Republicans are of the people and somehow ready to lead this country again for the next 4 or 8 years. The Obamas do not own 7 homes, nor do they run their personal AmEx accounts to half a million dollars at a pop. But I know who does, and it's infuriating.

Phil Gramm was bad enough... a PhD in Economics and he resorts to his own brand of whining and remonstrance... but John McCain is really the limit. He brazenly raps the knuckles of Obama for being a tax-and-spend Democrat who doesn't know what the public really wants and needs, when he cannot possibly know what is going on with the general public; the only mingling he does with us is at rallies. He claims to feel the pulse of the country yet he doesn't shop for groceries or other necessities, doesn't buy his own gas... doesn't do anything that would put him in touch with what's going on - and hasn't in decades.

Let McCain eat cake. But don't expect me to vote for him.

Why Is This Acceptable?

I am in a bloody rage right now.

We lived through the Civil Rights Movement years ago - and, at least in the classes I teach, we celebrate it for what it was - and still is - in our collective memories. Race, color, creed, handicaps, sexuality - all these things are fruits of that Movement that make us both unique and part of a coherent and vibrant whole - I thought we were embracing these issues and moving forward. At least that has been my hope.

But I have recently heard some of the most racist crap I have ever heard in my life.

Take, for instance, the absolutely horrid joke about the White House Rose Garden being pulled up and replaced with a watermelon patch. @@

Or the cover of the New Yorker this week. Satire? I think not.  

Or the Oreo coment of John McLaughlin this weekend. A provocative slip of the tongue? No way.

What the hell is happening to this country that these things are somehow mainstream and acceptable?

The vitriol I see is completely out of whack with the object of its attention. Disagree with policies. Challenge viewpoints. Even argue past issues and records. BUT do not *ever* resort to name-calling, hateful sterotypical jokes and cartoons, and personal attacks of the nature we have been seeing the past several weeks and months.

The misinformation out there is appalling: the idea that Obama is somehow a terrorist; the nastiness that calls him by his race rather than by his deeds and record; the assertions that somehow, some way, Obama's association - however limited or expansive - with Muslims is a horrible thing and will lead this country down a path toward destruction (look around you, folks; we're already in that situation, and gee, it didn't take Obama to do it).

And the thing is, I get these e-mails and statements from people I have loved and cherished and called my dear friends, as well as previously trustworthy news sources. The world has truly gone topsy turvy.

What is it about this election cycle and this day and age that people - embodied in this one man - can be yet again marginalized and reviled with such acrimony and spite? How do people find it within themselves to think such horrors, much less give voice to them? Why are so many onlookers just accepting this situation as "business as usual" in politics and society at large?

It is long past time to speak out and do something about this. Write editorials. Respond directly to e-mails debunking this crap. Refuse to pander to the lowest common denominator in our political spectrum. Speak up regardless of whether your circle finds your view unpopular for the time being. Don't cater to these monstrous affairs.

After all, this is the home of the brave, right? So be brave and do the right thing. Stand up and be counted, even if you are not voting for Obama. Do it because it's the right thing to do. You'll feel better you did - and your country will be a better place for your courage and fortitude.

Communist Manifestoon

Interesting. I know someone who will be apoplectic with this :::waving cheerfully at P:::... but it *is* an interesting twist on Marxism...

Obama in 30 Seconds, Redux

OH MAN!! I *love, love, love* this one, too!!! CHECK IT OUT! And go vote on the other ones at Obama in 30 Seconds sponsored by MoveOn.org.

Obama in 30 Seconds

I am just loving this contest, this ad in particular:

Bushisms

If It's Been Such a Good Day...

... then why do I feel so blah?

I mean - I got 12 hours of sleep - almost - and only had two meetings and a couple of errands to run. But, I feel really, really blah at this point.

The absolutely amazing thing today is that, while I haven't been able to get out in the backyard due to the rain and soggy conditions, a good long peek out of the window confirms that we have at least double yesterday's blooms on the roses - again. Stunning. I can't help it, but I can't wait to get in the yard again tomorrow.

Went over to the University and met with the geography professor to see what I need to do to finish the semester. Actually, I am a lot closer than I thought; we went through all the power points for the rest of the semester - I went through the ones on which I had questions and he got in-depth on those - then we talked about my final project. I might even be able to get this done before grades are due, if I really apply myself next week. Hmmm. That's a thought. ::pondering::

Deciding whether I need to take a statistics class in the fall. I think I do, but need to figure out how to work it in. ::sigh:: The prof is really good, though.

I just saw John McCain say "I want to be on the record stating that I condemn remarks that are in any way anti-anything." WTF??? How about anti-racist? Let's just start there and ponder THAT for a minute. What a jerk.

Oh. No. Oh no no no...

I just found out a dear friend of mine - same age as I - passed away from a brain aneurysm a few days ago. I had just sent her an e-mail, thinking we were supposed to get together for lunch next week, and was wondering why I hadn't heard from her. :::sob::: Poor Adrian. What will he do without her? They only got married two years ago, and were so happy. I'm stunned.

For the people on the UU list, she was a old church member from Neshoba. E-me if you want more info. I don't have anything up-to-date from Adrian, but I do know what was going on health-wise with her. The memorial service is tomorrow in Munford.

And what about her family of greyhounds?

This is just awful.

I'm sorry. I have to sign off.

Just So You Know I'm Not the Only One...

...thinking that the mayor is looney tunes. I think Wendi Thomas is *right* on-track with this brilliant column from this past Sunday. I couldn't figure where on earth to cut it, so you get it in its entirety, with the caveat that you must, must, must credit Wendi Thomas with this wonderful bit of journalistic fortitude. I think I am in love.

From the Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN, all rights reserved to them:

Herenton, Whalum in business of distractions

By Wendi C. Thomas (Contact)
Sunday, April 20, 2008

Apparently craziness, like misery, loves company.

Witness our latest pair of elected loonies -- Mayor Willie Herenton and Memphis City Schools board member Rev. Kenneth Whalum Jr.

Over the last few weeks, Herenton had the city by its collective tender bits when he threatened to remain mayor, and not resign in July as he'd indicated he would, unless he was handed the job of city schools superintendent. Now, he says he doesn't want the job he held from 1979 to 1991 because of the big, bad media.

In a letter to Whalum, Herenton wrote: "I regret that local media have highly politicized my sincere interest in helping the Memphis City Schools overcome its present challenges.

"Despite my passion for public education, I cannot consider becoming an applicant for the schools' superintendent position at this time."

Whalum, who never met a position on which he couldn't take a combative stance, wanted the board to abandon its search for a new superintendent. He even submitted Herenton's name to the firm charged with doing a national search.

Unlike Whalum, the rest of the school board has not indicated any interest in throwing good sense to the wind and giving Herenton an opportunity to replicate the cronyism at board headquarters that he has birthed at City Hall. The board is sticking by its decision to look far and wide for a superintendent.

Meanwhile, Whalum is sticking fast to his tactic of being a rebel on the board, which is good for nothing but TV sound bites.

"I think it's very unfortunate that my colleagues, apparently, cannot get past the mayor's personality," said a grinning Whalum on WMC-TV Channel 5's news Friday -- as if the board was ignoring the best choice just because Herenton can occasionally be prickly.

Come again?

Actually, don't come again. Instead, go. Now, please.

To be sure, Herenton's personality is a problem. He is arrogant and antagonizing, and in increasingly unnecessary ways.

I mean, did he have to say that he ran for a fifth term because he had to protect the city from the alternatives, challengers Carol Chumney and Herman Morris?

Of course he didn't.

But he must get a high from creating drama and drawing attention to himself. And if so, he's been higher than he'd like our property taxes to be.

But worse than his personality is his lack of leadership.

Remember Herenton's stunning display of compassion following the killings of the six people on Lester Street?

Of course you don't. In the days of communitywide grieving after that horrible March day, Herenton was not to be found.

Remember the fine example Herenton set by making sure his taxes were paid on time before he suggested a 17 percent property tax increase?

Of course you don't. Because Herenton couldn't even be bothered to pay months-late taxes until his tardy trifling was exposed last week.

Remember how Herenton held a press conference to declare the last thing he'd ever recommend is closing libraries and community centers because what we need are more places for children to play safely and more places for citizens to expand their minds, not fewer?

You don't remember that either, because instead, Herenton wants to shutter five libraries and four community centers.

It's like the soap opera that never ends, and we're stuck with a TV with one channel -- all Herenton drama, all the time.

It's been rumored that Whalum has mayoral aspirations, but when I've queried him, he's been coy, acknowledging only that others have suggested he seek the city's highest office.

I'm not sure if Whalum and Herenton have entered into some unholy pact that ends with Herenton back at the school district and Whalum on a path to City Hall.

But I do know this -- right now, both of them serve primarily as distractions from the business of improving the city and its schools.

The two are just bizarre enough to deserve each other, but Memphis deserves better.

Contact Wendi C. Thomas at (901) 529-5896 or e-mail thomasw@commercialappeal.com.

Hizzoner... HUH?

Mayor Willie is proposing a 17% property tax hike... and still insists he is closing five libraries and four community centers. AND, he's suggesting that somehow this is all good for the educational system in Memphis... the same education system he has all but stated he is going to run next year. We already have a 9.25% sales tax... WTH?

Methinks Willie is snorting something more volatile than the regular white stuff he's been rumor to have been into.

The 67-year-old mayor has things in a wild state downtown - to the point that the school board and the city council are not on speaking terms at all; a conference was called with the city school board and city council yesterday and the only person who showed up from the school board was Willie's right hand (I want so badly to say reacharound, but I won't) man, Kenneth Whalum. The rest of the school board and top staff were under orders from the school board president to be no-shows and city council was left holding the bag. ADDENDUM: Here is a rather good, but short article about the bruhaha, including an e-mail between the president of the school board and the city council.

At stake? The education of many many thousands of students, the role of teachers in the classroom ... and a nearly $100 million proposed budget. Willie thinks he can do better with metal detectors in every school, an increased police presence in every school, no real raises for teachers, no real budget for new books and classroom upgrades... and his AWESOME, DUDE presence (with no increase in the budget, which stands this year at roughly $93 million). But of course, he plans to draw his retirement from the years he taught and was super before, the mayoral retirement, AND the salary he would be gaining from the new superintendency. Um. Triple dipping, anyone?? What need has *he* to think of anyone else?? He'd be SET. Forget the peons and the kids - he can just sit upon high and make pronouncements and pretend to be the right hand of God, smashing the tablets as he goes.

This is the single most dysfunctional city I have seen since ... well, I've studied a lot of dysfunctional cities in the past, but even Boston or New York under the graft at least got things done, even if it was piecemeal and in fits and starts. This?? Who knows what anyone is doing. I think Willie wants to be part Boss Tweed, and part Boss Crump (our local political Boss from back in the day)... and part, well, Boss Willie. But he doesn't realize he is pretty much universally - and derisively - laughed at these days.

We also have a County Mayor, A.C. Wharton, who plays his politics much closer to his chest - and frankly doesn't personify Teh Stupid. I would like to see City/County consolidation and get this mess straightened out. Wharton at least doesn't have a Messiah complex - and he is an easy guy to get along with, even when he is making hard choices (I've met him on several occasions, and am impressed with him as a person, as well as with his politics. I don't always agree with him, but geez, as a politician goes, he's not bad - and he has a passion for the county as a whole that is unmistakable and inspiring.).

Anyway. We need to boot Mayor Messiah out of his comfy throne and... well, I am back to the idea of a swirly, but am reconsidering my house as a suitable location. I think there are sewage treatment plants around town better able to handle the waste.

Hizzoner is a "Pistol Packin' Mayor?"

Get this news story from WREG.com. All rights reserved to WREG (and kudos to Mike Matthews for getting the story!):

Pistol Packing Mayor Says Big News Is Coming

Fast Facts:

• Mayor's Budget Plans Include closing some libraries and community centers
• Possible property tax increase
• Education overview on May 6th

mike.matthews@wreg.com

(Memphis, TN 4/14/2008) When you can get all six feet five or six inches of him to relax, Willie W. Herenton will talk about anything. 

Recently, before Leadership Memphis, the words were flowing out of him like the waters of the Mississippi.  He talked about crime, and how he's a pistol packing PhD.  "I do have a permit," he said.  "When I go to the gas station, I've got my pistol with me.  And I'm the Mayor."

That's right.  He's the Mayor.  He's still the Mayor.  Herenton has said he'd leave the job if he could get his hands on running Memphis City Schools.  At at times, it seems as though he's already left the office.  Mayor Herenton kept referring to himself as Superintendent during an interview with the New York Times.  And while speaking to Leadership Memphis he said, "But at the time I was Mayor and...uh...I still am Mayor."

Yes he is.  And he's got a huge budget that is expected to include plans on closing several branch libraries and community centers.  And three weeks from now, something even bigger is coming.  It's his stand on education.  "I"m gong to be making the most important presentation of my public life on May 6th," he said.  We tried to pin him down on specifics and got nowhere.  Herenton said "It will focus on education.  It will focus on some of the critical needs of this community."

Not only will City Council members hear his plans.  They Mayor wants you folks to show up.  And he especially wants the members of the School  Board to be there.  "The school board's going to get a special invitation," he said.  "We'll even send them cards."

::rolling eyes:: Oh honey, you really are spechul. You're so visionary that your eyes are bigger than a whale's stomach - and about as attractive. You're so humble that pie was created just to soothe your ego.

Packing a pistol?? Uh. WHY? He's got more bodyguards than Elvis did in his heyday... why does Hizzoner need a pistol?? Is this a Wild West town? .....If it is, Willie, it's of your own creation!

And what's with this Superintendent Schizophrenia he's evidencing with the New York Times? He's NOT THE FLIPPING SUPER. And the Superintendency does not carry with it the name of the Presidency... like once president, always an honorary "Mr. President." Yes, he was once the superintendent. Now he's the mayor. Hizzoner can't seem to keep things straight ...Willie, have you been in the white powder lately?

Most important presentation of his public life on May 6? Oh why not May 1? ... Let's do it right and proper and have a rollicking May Day speech, Willie.

And finally, he wants to raise our taxes YET AGAIN ... but close our libraries and community centers. Jackass. Really. .... Willie, you should be cleaning up after the equestrian squad of the police department, not running the city. You haven't a clue.

ARRRGH. Really. Hizzoner isn't fit for the job he's currently in... why should we entrust him with our children... or our confidence in any other position? Let a private firm hire him and deal with his ego - bet he'd be out on the street in no time flat. ... Having never worked in the private sector, I think you would have a lot to learn, Willie.

Now that's education I can believe in. ::smirk::