...Lebanon is confounded and withers away... (Isaiah 33:9)
It looks as if the developers of Bible Park USA are looking at locating in Lebanon after their failed bid for land in Rutherford County.
Showing posts with label Bible Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible Park. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Uncivil war in Rutherford County
Executive Editor Jimmy Hart of the Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro) comments about the exciting level of civic involvement in the failed campaign to bring Bible Park USA to Rutherford County, but he also describes the uncivil nature of the debate.
But it seemed a "win at all cost" mentality developed among small, yet vocal factions of both groups, and what resulted was an atmosphere unbecoming a great Southern community in the buckle of the Bible Belt.
It's hard to do what Hart commends. I was rereading Robert's Rules this weekend to prepare for TEP's annual meeting, and I was struck by the number of safeguards there are in the rules to maintain not only order but civility. The rules, in other words, assume that the members of deliberative bodies would eat one another alive, left to their own devices.
Hart (and Robert, for that matter) would like us to debate the issues rather than the motives and character of those presenting the issues. But it seems difficult to do so in light of 19th and 20th century developments in high and low culture. Whether we are Marxists or not (are there any left?), we live in the wake of Marx's "false consciousness" thesis and Freud's discussion of repression and the role of the unconscious (sometimes capitalized). Feminist theory argues that "the personal is the political." Americans have also seen the rise of personal religious confessionalism in politics that makes public debate tricky. On the low side, we have the constant tabloid focus on the personal lives of politicians and endless stories about anything other than the issues themselves. Taken together, all of these developments shape citizens with a mixture of healthy skepticism and unhealthy suspicion.
We're unlikely to undo the intellectual and cultural forces of the last two centuries. They emerged with modern democracy. But calling people to a different kind of debate that brackets personalities is a good check on the worst tendencies of contemporary political discussion. There is increasing discussion of the "moderation" of comments in online forums. I doubt that the medium will allow those checks to be successful, but it's an experiment that's worth trying and so is the attempt to hold a civil public meeting on a contentious issue.
But it seemed a "win at all cost" mentality developed among small, yet vocal factions of both groups, and what resulted was an atmosphere unbecoming a great Southern community in the buckle of the Bible Belt.
It's hard to do what Hart commends. I was rereading Robert's Rules this weekend to prepare for TEP's annual meeting, and I was struck by the number of safeguards there are in the rules to maintain not only order but civility. The rules, in other words, assume that the members of deliberative bodies would eat one another alive, left to their own devices.
Hart (and Robert, for that matter) would like us to debate the issues rather than the motives and character of those presenting the issues. But it seems difficult to do so in light of 19th and 20th century developments in high and low culture. Whether we are Marxists or not (are there any left?), we live in the wake of Marx's "false consciousness" thesis and Freud's discussion of repression and the role of the unconscious (sometimes capitalized). Feminist theory argues that "the personal is the political." Americans have also seen the rise of personal religious confessionalism in politics that makes public debate tricky. On the low side, we have the constant tabloid focus on the personal lives of politicians and endless stories about anything other than the issues themselves. Taken together, all of these developments shape citizens with a mixture of healthy skepticism and unhealthy suspicion.
We're unlikely to undo the intellectual and cultural forces of the last two centuries. They emerged with modern democracy. But calling people to a different kind of debate that brackets personalities is a good check on the worst tendencies of contemporary political discussion. There is increasing discussion of the "moderation" of comments in online forums. I doubt that the medium will allow those checks to be successful, but it's an experiment that's worth trying and so is the attempt to hold a civil public meeting on a contentious issue.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Bible Park's latest roller coaster, WWJD?--the jokes are just too obvious
It's really hard to know where to begin with this story in today's Tennessean about Bible Park USA. I'm trying to contain the sarcasm, but I think I've already failed. An Israeli former Penthouse photographer is a major force in the company that is trying to launch the theme park with scenes from the Bible.
It's just the latest public disaster for the project, which has already failed a close zoning vote. The developers have had to walk carefully through the Church-state minefield on the bond issue as well. And now this?
Here's what the county mayor had to say, "I am not going to judge what any person did 35 years ago that might not be appropriate," Burgess said. "It isn't illegal, but it was not anything I would have participated in."
The Mayor's in a tough spot, no doubt. He might have acknowledged the appearance of hypocrisy, but then that would have become the headline, of course.
So far, lots of sin. I can't wait to see where the redemption comes from on this one.
It's just the latest public disaster for the project, which has already failed a close zoning vote. The developers have had to walk carefully through the Church-state minefield on the bond issue as well. And now this?
Here's what the county mayor had to say, "I am not going to judge what any person did 35 years ago that might not be appropriate," Burgess said. "It isn't illegal, but it was not anything I would have participated in."
The Mayor's in a tough spot, no doubt. He might have acknowledged the appearance of hypocrisy, but then that would have become the headline, of course.
So far, lots of sin. I can't wait to see where the redemption comes from on this one.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
County Commission members need more info on Bible Park
Many members of the Rutherford County Commission say that they don't yet know enough about the proposed Bible Park USA to announce their votes at the upcoming meeting next month. About a third are either opposed or leaning against it. The developers have not finished their proposal on tax breaks and other details. Earlier this month, the Regional Planning Commission voted 8-7 against the park's rezoning proposal.
Objectively, it looks pretty bad for the park. But why does something tell me the developers have a miracle in their pocket and will end up getting the deal? Stay tuned.
Objectively, it looks pretty bad for the park. But why does something tell me the developers have a miracle in their pocket and will end up getting the deal? Stay tuned.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Close vote in Rutherford Co on Bible Park
In an 8-7 vote, the Rutherford County Planning Commission rejected a zoning change that would pave the way for a proposed Bible Park. http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/NEWS01/804150322/1002
The proposal will still go before the Rutherford County Commission in one month. I've heard a rumor that the City of Murfreesboro may try to annex more land if the County doesn't approve the move.
No word yet on the Attorney General's opinion that Rep. Donna Rowland (R-Murfreesboro) has requested.
The proposal will still go before the Rutherford County Commission in one month. I've heard a rumor that the City of Murfreesboro may try to annex more land if the County doesn't approve the move.
No word yet on the Attorney General's opinion that Rep. Donna Rowland (R-Murfreesboro) has requested.
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