Monday, November 16, 2009

Ping-Pong Diplomacy Comes to the City Council!

Posted by Jackson Baker on Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 12:06 PM

With the Memphis City Council preparing to reorganize this week, what better means of resolving the council pecking order could there be than some organized mano-a-mano like...er, ping pong?

In any case, Saturday night found current council chairman Harold Collins facing a challenge from colleague Jim Strickland. Strickland himself does not aspire to the chairmanship but has been known to cross swords with Collins on some issues and to have worked hand-in-glove with him on others. The outcome of their set-to Saturday night could well affect the balance of power.

As of Saturday night, there were rumors — taken seriously by Collins — that Myron Lowery, the former chairman who yielded the position to Collins when Lowery became acting mayor at the end of July, might want the job back now that his interim mayoral tenure is over. Lowery, however, did not compete in Strickland's garage Saturday night.

In any case, and whatever its import, the suspenseful Strickland-Collins match went down to the wire.

Commentators' voices on this video are those of Ed Ford Jr., and Jackson Baker. The score as given is shorthand (i.e., the video begins late in the game and a score of "eight," say, actually means 18. It saves breath to call it out that way. Or something. Quite the opposite of the prolix commentaries heard in your average city council meeting.)

For best effect, watch match in full screen mode.

Comments (7)

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riveting - can I have that 3 minutes of my life back?

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Posted by mkf on November 16, 2009 at 1:26 PM

never, ever cross swords

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Posted by 38103 on November 16, 2009 at 1:48 PM

This looks like a gang hideout to me. I am calling CRIME STOPPERS to close this place down. I am with Shea Flinn, we need to move these types of places onto President Island. This is a gateway activity. It starts with ping pong, then dice, then you hit rock bottom and find yourself on the city council. Pretty soon you are wandering Channel or Harbor Drive on President's Island looking for trouble. Give peace a chance and do it for the children.

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Posted by tomguleff on November 16, 2009 at 2:08 PM

Once again, Jackson Baker gets the scoop!

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Posted by MemphisRun on November 16, 2009 at 3:30 PM

Holds up very well on my 19" widescreen. I may have to dust off my Boys Club championship and show both these guys what real spin looks like.

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Posted by Wintermute on November 16, 2009 at 4:30 PM

I believe beer pong could have more interesting results!

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Posted by HollyHollyHello on November 17, 2009 at 8:20 AM

Don't the open records laws require that Jim invite the public to these get togethers? I'd have brought the beer.

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Posted by sbanbury on November 17, 2009 at 8:21 AM
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