Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
I Want To Watch It Again...
...Even with the screwed up oath. After four days I still can't believe Bush is finally out of office. His eight years felt more like eighty for those of us who think the Constitution shouldn't be ignored because Big Business is your true master and a rigid, out-of-touch neoconservative ideology is your fervent guide.
I don't expect miracles from Obama or any politician, but I seriously doubt that anyone could be a bigger disaster at home and abroad than W. Our new president has the temperament to make a fine leader. We'll obviously see what the future holds, but like many I am very hopeful.
I don't expect miracles from Obama or any politician, but I seriously doubt that anyone could be a bigger disaster at home and abroad than W. Our new president has the temperament to make a fine leader. We'll obviously see what the future holds, but like many I am very hopeful.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thanks
Thanks to all the well-known and not-so-well-known people who worked and voted to defeat two proposed amendments our Metro Nashville Charter did not need.
Jim Hester and his colleagues at Nashville For All of Us did an excellent job of organizing wide-spread opposition that helped to soundly defeat these proposals.
Mayor Karl Dean and Governor Phil Bredesen stepped up and put their political clout on the line for this vote. I'm thankful to them too.
And a story from The Tennessean about what my former boss Howard Gentry did after returning from Barack Obama's inauguration reminds me - though no reminder is needed - of why he has inspired me for many years. I don't expect or demand that everyone agree with either of us on this issue. But his work to keep us mindful of what we can achieve when our better natures rule the day is commendable.
I know those who supported English-Only want newcomers from other countries to learn our language. I do too - my Russian-born daughter has been doing that since she arrived here in 2007. But this was not the way to go about it. Let's work together to find constructive ways to welcome folks to Nashville and make them part of this wonderful community.
I hope Jim Roberts will reconsider his apparent desire to bring up Amendment 2 again. We don't need to have more amendment votes than we've historically had over the past 45 years.
He had a fair shot to get his case out and we had an "up-or-down" vote on the matter that clearly went against him. Eric Crafton apparently understands that the people have spoken and it's time to go on. I hope Mr. Roberts will make that wise choice too. There are other far more important matters for our city to focus on in these challenging times.
Jim Hester and his colleagues at Nashville For All of Us did an excellent job of organizing wide-spread opposition that helped to soundly defeat these proposals.
Mayor Karl Dean and Governor Phil Bredesen stepped up and put their political clout on the line for this vote. I'm thankful to them too.
And a story from The Tennessean about what my former boss Howard Gentry did after returning from Barack Obama's inauguration reminds me - though no reminder is needed - of why he has inspired me for many years. I don't expect or demand that everyone agree with either of us on this issue. But his work to keep us mindful of what we can achieve when our better natures rule the day is commendable.
I know those who supported English-Only want newcomers from other countries to learn our language. I do too - my Russian-born daughter has been doing that since she arrived here in 2007. But this was not the way to go about it. Let's work together to find constructive ways to welcome folks to Nashville and make them part of this wonderful community.
I hope Jim Roberts will reconsider his apparent desire to bring up Amendment 2 again. We don't need to have more amendment votes than we've historically had over the past 45 years.
He had a fair shot to get his case out and we had an "up-or-down" vote on the matter that clearly went against him. Eric Crafton apparently understands that the people have spoken and it's time to go on. I hope Mr. Roberts will make that wise choice too. There are other far more important matters for our city to focus on in these challenging times.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Prayer HBO Didn't Broadcast
I guess "We Are One" doesn't apply if you're a gay bishop. The right-wingers may have complained about Gene Robinson's participation but I doubt their beloved Rick Warren will have his prayer omitted from coverage tomorrow.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Just Say No
Early Voting begins today for the two proposed Metro Charter amendments that will either be ratified or rejected on Jan. 22.
The English-Only measure is bad. It's grounded in narrow-mindedness, it's unnecessary, it will be costly to taxpayers (it already is if you consider spending six figures for a special election) and it will be a business and tourism "black eye" for Nashville. The good folks at Nashville for All of Us have the facts here.
The second amendment is bad too. We don't need to make the charter easier to change. Metro's founding fathers wisely understood that we shouldn't alter the document that forms the backbone of our local government every time a special interest group has a burr in its saddle, and we don't need to pave the way for costly special elections every year on whatever topic 1 percent of Davidson County voters think we need to address.
We've got a 40-person Metro Council to represent us already. People concerned about a particular issue can lobby their council members or run for office. Otherwise, how about spending public money on more important priorities? Our government's budget is too tight to be wasting tax dollars on symbolic statements and capricious reactionary whims like English-Only.
The English-Only measure is bad. It's grounded in narrow-mindedness, it's unnecessary, it will be costly to taxpayers (it already is if you consider spending six figures for a special election) and it will be a business and tourism "black eye" for Nashville. The good folks at Nashville for All of Us have the facts here.
The second amendment is bad too. We don't need to make the charter easier to change. Metro's founding fathers wisely understood that we shouldn't alter the document that forms the backbone of our local government every time a special interest group has a burr in its saddle, and we don't need to pave the way for costly special elections every year on whatever topic 1 percent of Davidson County voters think we need to address.
We've got a 40-person Metro Council to represent us already. People concerned about a particular issue can lobby their council members or run for office. Otherwise, how about spending public money on more important priorities? Our government's budget is too tight to be wasting tax dollars on symbolic statements and capricious reactionary whims like English-Only.
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