TN 6th District Congressional race

The Tennessean takes a look at the Democratic 6th District congressional primary today. The piece makes the standard comparisons of Ben Leming and Brett Carter--the two young veterans and family men.

Some contrasts emerge, too. One is the fundraising gap favoring Carter. Another is campaigning style. Carter's approach has been less visible, although he has been hitting the campaign trail. Leming, on the other hand, has engaged in a marathon across the district from day one of his campaign. But it's not just his omnipresence. It's the fact that he's consistently showing his engagement with voters around Middle TN in the press, on Facebook, and in his regular email communications. The third difference is approach on issues. As the Tennessean piece notes:

Leming says he wants to fight for traditional Democratic values, such as tolerance and helping others, and has publicly expressed support for a mosque project in Rutherford County that is drawing heavy criticism from the Republican candidates. Carter says he would be a moderate in Congress and demonstrates a reluctance to criticize the policies of either party on issues such as health care, immigration and the economy.

From what I can tell that distinction rings true. I haven't met Brett Carter, but I have met Ben Leming and had the opportunity to talk with him for about an hour. At a time when politics on the Right is often defined by who the enemy is, Leming is comfortable navigating those discussions. Both he and Carter have seen the enemy up close. For Leming that has resulted in a clarity about his politics. He knows that the enemy is not the Muslims in Murfreesboro who want to build a mosque. The enemy is also not GLBT military servicemembers who want to serve their country openly. He's not afraid to say so and it comes from a deep sense of the Constitution he's fought to protect.

On the whole, GLBT/family values issues are not pronounced this year in the district. On the Republican side, I didn't find anything directly referencing marriage or Don't Ask, Don't Tell on the web sites of Sen. Jim Tracy, Sen. Diane Black, or Lou Ann Zelenik. That doesn't mean we can expect them to be equality advocates. It's just that the federal deficit, health care reform, and immigration are the big issues on the Right.

If Republicans increase their margin in the Legislature and hence control over the redistricting process, this might be the last year that a Democrat can expect to make a case for holding Congressman Bart Gordon's seat. But at least this year, the people of the 6th district will have a clear choice in November.

Where is the love for Sen. Black and Rep. Dunn's bullying bill?

Jonathan posted earlier today about a horrible bullying incident in Massachusetts that led to the suicide of a child. He connected such incidents to the encouraging legislation sponsored by Sen. Diane Black and Rep. Bill Dunn to make school bullying policies consistent and effective.

While I'm not going to pretend that we've always agreed with these legislators, I have to say that we have praised their work for this bill in our emails and on this blog. But what strikes me is that I am completely missing any praise for this legislation on the right. I readily admit my research has not been as thorough as it should be. I'm glad conservatives are moving this legislation, but where are the public conservative voices backing it?

This issue is not merely one of sentiment. It hits issues of student attendance and performance as well as the health and well being of children. And if you don't like looking at issues from the "It's for the children" point of view, consider this. There is a huge liability issue. Local school systems don't have the money to defend bullying lawsuits.

Now I'm going to go down memory lane for a minute. If you grew up in the 70s and 80s as I did, you probably remember those goofy after-school specials that dealt with issues like bullying. Do you remember how they went? The whole drama of a bullied child wanting to learn to defend him- or herself and then sappy lessons about how to diffuse the conflict and make friends, sprinkled with a bit about the bully often not having self-esteem. Why did it take us so long to figure out that school officials ought to step in and make schools safe for children? Why did we not realize sooner that the damage done by bullying is the result of a lack of leadership by adults in authority?

The fact that progressives and conservatives can agree on this legislation says a lot for how far we've come on this issue in just a few years. But it would be good to see some public backing for this bill on the right. It ought to be touted as a conservative achievement.

GLSEN report on gay-bullying victim

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) reports that an 11-Year-Old Massachusetts boy hung himself after enduring daily anti-gay bullying in school. Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover is at least the fourth suicide of a middle-school aged child linked to bullying this year.

Despite the fact that younger generations are more tolerant of their GLBT brothers and sisters, students still harrass and bully peers who do not fit within perceived gender or sexual norms. This happens regardless of whether someone is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Without support from school teachers and adminstration, students have few options in avoiding such harrassment. Two Memphis students were "outed"to parents and peers last year at Hollis F. Price High School when their names were posted as a couple on a list in the Principal's Office. Luckily, neither student experienced the same fate as Carl.

Let's do our part to ensure strong anti-bullying policies in Tennessee schools. Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) and Senator Diane Black (R-Gallatin) are sponsoring bills (HB0451/SB0283) that require, rather than encourage, school districts to include certain criteria in policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying. TEP SUPPORTS THIS LEGISLATION. The Senate has passed its version of the bill and the House is still considering their version. In memory of Carl, contact your House representative to let him or her know that you support this bill.

Sen. Black's bullying passes Senate

Sen. Diane Black's (R-Gallatin) bullying bill has passed the Senate. The bill standardizes the procedures for dealing with bullying in Tennessee schools. While we don't always agree with Sen. Black on matters of policy, this is is a good bill. TEP congratulates Sen. Black on the unanimous passage of this important bill. We urge the House to take it up quickly and do the same. Our public schools ought to be places that are safe for all children to pursue their education without violence or intimidation.