Part 1 is located here, if you care.
The City Paper has an extremely revealing look into the two camps on either side of the English-only debate. The title of the article sums it up perfectly: 'English Only' issue presses forward while opponents play waiting game.
Once again, Eric Crafton has dominated the coverage. He has already gathered half the signatures he needs to put the measure on the ballot and more post cards are going out this week. He comes across as optimistic and organized.
“I’m very happy at the tremendous level of support,” Crafton said. “I’ve gotten a lot of donations and a lot of very nice letters. I’m very, very appreciative of all the support we’re getting. This is a citizen-wide effort.”
I'm not sure whether Crafton's opponents come across as naive, disorganized, or what. Here's what Mark Walwyn, chair of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce had to say:
“We don’t feel it’s necessary for us to try to prevent people from signing it or for us to mobilize our individual members at this point,” Walwyn said. “I think the issue is pretty clear to those who have been following this. I really believe it will fail as it has in the past.“At the right time, we’ll make the right steps and do the right things.”
Translation: There is no plan.
Stephen Fotopulos, the executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, wasn't much more encouraging:
Stephen Fotopulos, the newly named executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, anticipates a “broad and outspoken coalition” against the initiative, should the issue find its way onto the ballot. Fotopulos pointed to the groups who spoke out against the measure when it was before Metro Council a year ago — the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, not to mention then-Mayor Bill Purcell who eventually vetoed legislation.“There are sort of informal conversations of what we’ll do if it is on the ballot,” Fotopulos said. “I think you’ll see leaders all over the city that understand what a negative reflection this will be for the city. Pretty much everyone but Eric Crafton thinks this is a bad idea.
Translation: No one is responsible for leading the fight against the amendment, but a lot of people are talking about how awful it is.
Do Crafton's opponents honestly believe he's the only one who thinks the amendment is a good idea? At this rate, the amendment will not only make it to the ballot, but it will pass. When it does, progressives will be left with their embarrassment over the amendment. But the embarrassment will be all their own for not fighting it when they could have. If they're relying on lawsuits to dismantle the amendment after it passes, then they're in for a fight. Crafton says he already has a D.C. law firm "that will be more than happy to defend any lawsuit for free."
Let's check the score. Crafton has the only mechanism to persuade citizens to sign or not to get the measure on the ballot. Crafton has the only organized effort to engage voters once it gets on the ballot. Crafton has lined up attorneys to defend the amendment once he wins at the ballot. Crafton 3, opponents 0.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sher delivers on state legislative races
Just when I had about given up hope that anyone in the press realized we have state legislative races coming up, Andy Sher of the Chattanooga Times Free Press delivers a goldmine of comprehensive coverage. I shouldn't be surprised.
Quoting leaders in both major parties and noting the independents who are running, Sher touches on the possible effects of the presidential election on state races. He also notes some unusual energy in the primaries as well.
Quoting leaders in both major parties and noting the independents who are running, Sher touches on the possible effects of the presidential election on state races. He also notes some unusual energy in the primaries as well.
Even before the fall contests between Democrats and Republicans, however, there are a number of contested party primaries where Democrats and Republicans are going after their own. For example, in the House District 31 race, which includes Hamilton County, Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, faces a challenge from former Rep. Jim Vincent, R-Soddy-Daisy, who is attempting a political comeback. “That does seem to be a trend this year, more so than I can remember in the past,” Mr. Cromer said. [Ed Cromer of the Tennessee Journal]
The piece also includes a good discussion of the races that both parties are targeting. The conclusion is that this is a critical year for legislative races. With the two major parties so evenly balanced, the outcome is unpredictable at this point. That is even more reason for Tennessee media to give these races the attention they deserve.
Hey, let's run a press release!
If you want news about state legislative races, you have to dig hard. So if anything appears, I usually have to blink my eyes a couple of times to make sure it's real. Once I get over my shock and gratitude, I am quickly brought back down to earth when I realize that what usually gets written doesn't amount to coverage. Such is the case of the Daily News Journal's profile of Tim Tipps. This is no slight to Mr. Tipps. Good for him for getting word out about his campaign. That's his job. And let me tell you, he and his campaign got it done with this release. It ran in the Sunday edition complete with an active link to his site and an email address.
By the way, has anyone else noticed that very few candidates for Legislature have websites or websites that are easy to find or websites that have good contact information on them? Oh, and if you sign up for email updates from the candidates, don't hold your breath waiting for them. I think I've received one campaign email in the month of June out of the dozen sites where I signed up for "news."
But back to Tim Tipps. In reading the profile at the Daily News Journal, you'd never know his political party. He's a Democrat, by the way. You also wouldn't know that he faces Rick Parks in the primary. And whoever wins in the primary will face Joe Carr, Jon Jaques, or Lou Ann Zelenik. The 48th District might be one of the hottest to watch in the state.
Let me repeat. This is not the problem of Tim Tipps. If anything, he should be praised for getting information out and making his site so accessible. Let's hope we see some coverage as the race heats up.
By the way, has anyone else noticed that very few candidates for Legislature have websites or websites that are easy to find or websites that have good contact information on them? Oh, and if you sign up for email updates from the candidates, don't hold your breath waiting for them. I think I've received one campaign email in the month of June out of the dozen sites where I signed up for "news."
But back to Tim Tipps. In reading the profile at the Daily News Journal, you'd never know his political party. He's a Democrat, by the way. You also wouldn't know that he faces Rick Parks in the primary. And whoever wins in the primary will face Joe Carr, Jon Jaques, or Lou Ann Zelenik. The 48th District might be one of the hottest to watch in the state.
Let me repeat. This is not the problem of Tim Tipps. If anything, he should be praised for getting information out and making his site so accessible. Let's hope we see some coverage as the race heats up.
The deafening silence of African American civil rights organizations and churches
In this morning's Commercial Appeal, Wendi C. Thomas asks important questions about race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression with regard to the police beating of Duanna Johnson. Thomas hit the nail on the head:
It's time to recognize that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" (Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963).
For Johnson, neither Rev. Jesse Jackson nor Rev. Al Sharpton have brought the national spotlight to town, and I think I know why.
Those who can be counted on to look out for the civil rights of black people are highly unreliable if that black person is gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender.
It's time to recognize that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" (Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963).
Poor Marsha
Since the Senate recently confirmed a full complement of Commissioners on the Federal Election Commission, the complaint against Marsh Blackburn by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Government and Germantown resident Barbara Kaye Ginsburg could now move forward.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
With friends like these...
Ron Hart, a former member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, is a "Southern humorist." I'm not sure whether that means he's Southern and a humorist or he believes he's writing Southern humor. In this piece, he hits as many stereotypes and stock images as possible--Liza Minnelli's marriage, leather chaps, Indigo Girls CD collections, activist judges, liberal elitists, gay priests, Richard Simmons, "hot lesbians," and references to the "mechanics of gay male relationships."
Sorry I had to stop typing for a moment because I was slapping my knees so hard.
Despite the carnival that our community apparently presents, Mr. Hart still manages to say that he agrees with the California Supreme Court's recent ruling on marriage. The libertarian stuff at the end supposedly supplies the justification for his view.
Thanks for the help, Ron. I can hear our fellow Southerners laughing all the way to the voting booth. I can't wait for your piece on race relations.
Sorry I had to stop typing for a moment because I was slapping my knees so hard.
Despite the carnival that our community apparently presents, Mr. Hart still manages to say that he agrees with the California Supreme Court's recent ruling on marriage. The libertarian stuff at the end supposedly supplies the justification for his view.
Thanks for the help, Ron. I can hear our fellow Southerners laughing all the way to the voting booth. I can't wait for your piece on race relations.
TN Congressmen defend traditonal marriage in June
Speaking of Marsha Blackburn...she and three other members of Tennessee's congressional delegation signed on as cosponsors of H.J.RES. 89, another version of the federal marriage amendment. Joining Congressman Blackburn are David Davis of the 1st District, John Duncan of the 2nd District, and Zach Wamp of the 3rd District. They had all added their names to the effort by June 10, although Congressman Wamp gets the prize for being first on June 5.
It's important, after all, to protect the month of June for man-woman weddings. Tradition! Granted, it might be a pagan tradition. But why ask historical questions?
It's important, after all, to protect the month of June for man-woman weddings. Tradition! Granted, it might be a pagan tradition. But why ask historical questions?
More Marsha, Marsha, Marsha
The Memphis Daily News has a short story about Marsha Blackburn warning her supporters about Tom Leatherwood's challenge to her in the Republican Primary for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District: Marsha Blackburn is telling her supporters that she is facing her most serious challenger this year since her first run at elected office in 2002.
The U.S. representative for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District is facing Shelby County Register of Deeds Tom Leatherwood in the Republican primary for her congressional seat. The primary election is Aug. 7.
In a note to supporters, Blackburn calls Leatherwood a “very serious opponent” who nonetheless “knows he can’t out-conservative someone with my voting record, so he kicked off his campaign with a negative attack on me and has never let up.”
She goes on to say of Leatherwood that “he is being encouraged by some of his pals in the courthouse in Memphis who resent the fact that I don’t spend more time catering to their wishes” and that she believes Democrats are urging other Democrats to vote in the Republican primary for Leatherwood.
UPDATE: Turns out that Leatherwood has also been accused of FEC abuses.
Sidney Chism Community Picnic
Today is the 8th Annual Sidney Chism Community Picnic. For many years, candidates for local elected office descended on St. Peter's Picnic in Midtown each year to gladhand, kiss babies, and campaign. The St. Peter's Picnic is no more and Sidney Chism's annual picnic has essentially taken its place. While the host is a Democrat on the Shelby County Commission, the event attracts Republicans and Democrats alike. The picnic includes voter registration, free food and plenty of activities for kids. It's a rare opportunity to speak with many elected officials at one place and time.
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Debra and Bob Show
State Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) is having a little fundraiser in Gallatin on July 11 and the "special guest" star is Sen. Bob Corker.
Congress hears from transgenders about job discrimination
Don't know if you can find the cspan footage on youtube but one of my favorite news sources these days since the news is broken... From McClatchy news...the latest from a hearing Thursday before Congress and the house subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor Pensions.
Read the story here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/257/story/42306.html
Kurita's green thumb
Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Rosalind Kurita (D-Clarksville) received high marks on this year's Tennessee Conservation Voters scorecard. My first question was, "What about her opponent in the primary, Tim Barnes?" But it's a scorecard that assesses the records of legislators; it's not a complete voter guide.
Shelby
There's a mixture of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, but all we have are Democrats at the top in the House. Maybe the Senate is the Senate, after all, as former Lt. Gov. John Wilder would have it.
There's a mixture of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, but all we have are Democrats at the top in the House. Maybe the Senate is the Senate, after all, as former Lt. Gov. John Wilder would have it.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Ain't lookin' for trouble
Tim McGraw helped remove a fan who apparently was looking for trouble at a recent concert. Given Bill Purcell's new gig at Harvard and the problems of the other Democratic candidates for governor in 2010, it just makes you wonder whether the Democrats might need a celebrity like McGraw to take on some of the Republican powerhouses considering a run.
As I noted in another post, there hasn't been much talk of Tim McGraw as a gubernatorial candidate in a few months, but we'll see if the speculation grows this year.
Crafton in the lead
Just over 20 days after the Crafton amendment went public, we're in about the same position we were at day one. While editorials and blogs have called him names and speculated about his motives, Councilman Eric Crafton has outcampaigned his opponents and continues to dominate the coverage of the amendment. The other side is too busy mocking him to admit that, of course. But it's true. Remember the website, the robo-calls, and the postcards? Think of any story about the issue. All Eric all the time!
Three lines of counterattack have been opened, but they haven't been developed. Here they are waiting for flesh to be joined to bone.
1. Getting the opposition organized. June 9 was the last time we heard anything about who might be leading the opposition to the amendment. Can you hear the crickets in the background? It's kind of quiet right now.
2. The money trail. Further exploration of this issue might really knock the credibility of the campaign.
3. A stark discussion of the harms that the amendment might bring about. While it's true that Gail Kerr hurts her argument by being so insulting personally to Crafton in the piece, she paints the most vivid picture of the potential harms that the amendment would bring about.
The editorials and the letters and the blog discussions have been helpful and entertaining. But Crafton's amendment will not die the death of a thousand (paper) cuts. Someone is going to have to step up and lead the opposition's campaign.
Three lines of counterattack have been opened, but they haven't been developed. Here they are waiting for flesh to be joined to bone.
1. Getting the opposition organized. June 9 was the last time we heard anything about who might be leading the opposition to the amendment. Can you hear the crickets in the background? It's kind of quiet right now.
2. The money trail. Further exploration of this issue might really knock the credibility of the campaign.
3. A stark discussion of the harms that the amendment might bring about. While it's true that Gail Kerr hurts her argument by being so insulting personally to Crafton in the piece, she paints the most vivid picture of the potential harms that the amendment would bring about.
The editorials and the letters and the blog discussions have been helpful and entertaining. But Crafton's amendment will not die the death of a thousand (paper) cuts. Someone is going to have to step up and lead the opposition's campaign.
MGLCC supports Duanna Johnson and Community
A chorus of many speaks with one voice. The Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center issued this statement today:
The MGLCC board of directors has been following the events surrounding the brutal beating of a transgender woman by two Memphis police officers. We find these events unacceptable and we hope the police department will continue taking appropriate corrective action beyond the firing of the police officers involved. This kind of behavior can never be tolerated and must be addressed in a comprehensive way.
We have been in contact with and support the lead of local organizations such as Tennessee Equality Project, Women's Action Coalition, and the Midsouth Peace and Justice Center, who've made and continue working on several requests for change and accountability.
On Monday, June 23 these groups along with many people from the community met at First Congregational Church to discuss a plan for action. Many of our board members were in attendance.
MGLCC plans to be actively involved in helping formulate the next steps by having representatives attend and be supportive at the next meeting.
The 2nd Community Assembly will be held next Monday, June 30th at 6PM at the First Congregational Church. We strongly encourage our community to come show their support for this GLBT and civil rights injustice.
The Old Testament Prophet Amos said it best: "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." - Amos 5:24 NRSV
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
MPD fires Officer Bridges McRae, but what about past complaints?
The Memphis Police Department fired Officer Bridges McRae for his misconduct immediately after an administrative hearing this afternoon. McRae is the officer who used handcuffs in his fist like brass knuckles to beat Duanna Johnson in the face on Feb. 12 at 201 Poplar. James Swain, another officer who held Johnson in her chair while McRae beat her, was immediately fired after the incident since he was still on probation.
WMC-TV uncovered five past complaints against McRae in his personnel file that were investigated by Internal Affairs and included racial slurs and a reference to the Aryan Nation.
The City of Memphis has a Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board that reviews civilian complaints after Internal Affairs completes investigations. The mission of the Board is to investigate citizen complaints of police misconduct in order to enhance and promote a better working relationship between the City of Memphis Police Department and the citizens of Memphis. The Board has the power to receive, investigate, hear cases, make findings and recommend action on complaints concerning the City of Memphis Police Officers. The Board is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.
What is really surprising is that Internal Affairs determined that all five complaints against McRae were "Not Sustained." Guess who Internal Affairs works for? The Director of Police.
If the Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board has to rely on the evidence and results of investigations completed by Internal Affairs, is there any wonder why all five complaints against McRae were "Not Sustained?" How can the Board truly conduct an unbiased hearing of a complaint against officers when they are basing decisions on evidence and internal investigations provided to them by the Memphis Police Department?
When you watch the video of McRae beating Duanna Johnson and you look at the types of complaints filed against McRae in the past, it begs the question: was McRae a ticking time bomb?
How many other investigations of police misconduct have been found to be "Not Sustained?"
It may be time to suggest reforms that call for the function of Internal Affairs to be removed from the Memphis Police Department to ensure that investigations remain independent. A new Office of Alleged Misconduct Review - answerable to the Mayor instead of the Director of Police - might have a better chance of catching the bad apples in the bunch before more serious incidents occur.
UPDATE on today's local media coverage of McRae's firing:
- Commercial Appeal - includes a poll question: Has justice been served with the firing of the officer caught on video beating a transgendered suspect in the booking area?
- WREG News Channel 3
- WMCTV 5 News - Memphis Police Association president J.D. Sewell disrespectfully refers to Duanna Johnson as "Mr. Johnson" in this coverage.
- Fox 13
- The Memphis Flyer has a story on last Monday's community meeting at First Congregational Church and an updated story on McRae's firing.
Arizona Senate rejects marriage amendment...for now
A hat tip to Jim Grinstead at Progressive Nashville for alerting me to this development hours before many GLBT news outlets were carrying the story. The 14-11 vote means that the marriage amendment will not appear on the November ballot in John McCain's home state. The Senate will reconsider the move at a later date.
So how does this play out for the presidential election? On the one hand, it won't be there to fire up social conservatives in Arizona. Since McCain has said he backs the move at the state level, he loses an opportunity to shore up his credibility with the Evangelicals across the country for whom the issue matters a great deal. On the other hand, he is free to address the issue or not as he sees fit. He really wouldn't have much choice but to address it if it were on the Arizona ballot. I wonder whether that will allow him the ambiguity he needs to pick up more moderates and even members of the GLBT community.
Some estimates say that George W. Bush got 23% of the gay vote in 2000 and 2004 with 4% of the electorate identifying as gay. If the election turns out to be close, that might matter. McCain is viewed as more moderate on GLBT issues than Bush, which is why the Human Rights Campaign released this report attempting to show that McCain is no maverick or moderate on issues or sexual orientation and gender identity.
UPDATE: Mr. Kleinheider notes a report the Log Cabin Republicans have recently met with McCain. Future meetings are anticipated. The McCain campaign must be aware of how startlingly well Bush did with the gay vote. He has a real chance to improve on those numbers. It will be interesting to see how much that matters to him.
So how does this play out for the presidential election? On the one hand, it won't be there to fire up social conservatives in Arizona. Since McCain has said he backs the move at the state level, he loses an opportunity to shore up his credibility with the Evangelicals across the country for whom the issue matters a great deal. On the other hand, he is free to address the issue or not as he sees fit. He really wouldn't have much choice but to address it if it were on the Arizona ballot. I wonder whether that will allow him the ambiguity he needs to pick up more moderates and even members of the GLBT community.
Some estimates say that George W. Bush got 23% of the gay vote in 2000 and 2004 with 4% of the electorate identifying as gay. If the election turns out to be close, that might matter. McCain is viewed as more moderate on GLBT issues than Bush, which is why the Human Rights Campaign released this report attempting to show that McCain is no maverick or moderate on issues or sexual orientation and gender identity.
UPDATE: Mr. Kleinheider notes a report the Log Cabin Republicans have recently met with McCain. Future meetings are anticipated. The McCain campaign must be aware of how startlingly well Bush did with the gay vote. He has a real chance to improve on those numbers. It will be interesting to see how much that matters to him.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Can anyone justify a vote based on marriage this November?
That's what John Fite Rebrovick is asking the readers of the Tennessean to do.
You can bet that now with the California decision, advocates of homosexual marriage will push harder for acceptance in other states that have rejected the notion through referenda like Tennessee. It's not time for proponents of traditional marriage to sit idly by. If we do not feel that our government should be telling children that homosexuality and polygamy are acceptable practices, then we can sit on our logic and let overreaching courts and California set the trend on this issue for the rest of the nation. Or, in the next elections, we can make sure we know where our candidates at every level of government stand on this issue and vote accordingly.
If he means the presidential election, then I think there are some problems with his proposal. John McCain has not been a supporter of the federal marriage amendment, but he was in favor of his home state of Arizona adopting one. That's not exactly what most social conservatives want to hear. Barack Obama has supported giving most of the same rights of marriage to same-sex couples, but he continues to resist using the word marriage. He recently reiterated his view that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's not exactly what the GLBT community wants to hear.
As for the "every level of government" part, I'm not aware of one candidate of a major party running for office in Tennessee who has come out publicly in favor of full marriage equality. Candidates for the legislature wouldn't have any reason to do so. No matter what side of the issue they come down on, they won't be voting on it in the next two or even four years. Perhaps he means the Senate race or the House races, but I haven't seen much talk about it there either. Maybe there will be a vote on a federal marriage amendment, but House and Senate aren't likely to allow much movement on that issue soon.
To be sure, all kinds of GLBT/equality/family issues will come up in the next two to four years, but I don't think it makes sense for Tennesseans of any political stripe to be single-issue voters on marriage in November.
You can bet that now with the California decision, advocates of homosexual marriage will push harder for acceptance in other states that have rejected the notion through referenda like Tennessee. It's not time for proponents of traditional marriage to sit idly by. If we do not feel that our government should be telling children that homosexuality and polygamy are acceptable practices, then we can sit on our logic and let overreaching courts and California set the trend on this issue for the rest of the nation. Or, in the next elections, we can make sure we know where our candidates at every level of government stand on this issue and vote accordingly.
If he means the presidential election, then I think there are some problems with his proposal. John McCain has not been a supporter of the federal marriage amendment, but he was in favor of his home state of Arizona adopting one. That's not exactly what most social conservatives want to hear. Barack Obama has supported giving most of the same rights of marriage to same-sex couples, but he continues to resist using the word marriage. He recently reiterated his view that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's not exactly what the GLBT community wants to hear.
As for the "every level of government" part, I'm not aware of one candidate of a major party running for office in Tennessee who has come out publicly in favor of full marriage equality. Candidates for the legislature wouldn't have any reason to do so. No matter what side of the issue they come down on, they won't be voting on it in the next two or even four years. Perhaps he means the Senate race or the House races, but I haven't seen much talk about it there either. Maybe there will be a vote on a federal marriage amendment, but House and Senate aren't likely to allow much movement on that issue soon.
To be sure, all kinds of GLBT/equality/family issues will come up in the next two to four years, but I don't think it makes sense for Tennesseans of any political stripe to be single-issue voters on marriage in November.
The Gay Goodfellas
The Advocate has a must-read article on the Gill Action Fund. Their quiet work behind the scenes appears to be changing local and state politics in favor of LGBT equality.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Memphis GLBT community calls for changes in Police Deparment
Fox 13 ran this story about the growing response of the Memphis GLBT and allied community to the February beating of Duanna Johnson. Johnson appeared grateful for the community support. Jonathan Cole, co-chair of the TEP Shelby County Committee, discussed some of the changes the community is calling for as outlined in the letter he sent to the City Council.
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