Friday, December 23, 2011
Blood Feud? Or: The Art of Shelby County Redistricting (Cont'd)
Posted by Jackson Baker on Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 12:28 AM
- JB
- Commissioner Terry Roland
Ford would beat Roland in the 2006 re-run, but bad feeling remains. Roland, now a Shelby County Commissioner, clashed this week with Senator Ford’s nephew Justin Ford, also a Commissioner, over rival plans for redistricting, with Roland saying at one point, “I don’t need a Ford to tell me how to lead. I’ve been in that boat before, and I’ve got the T-shirt to prove it. You know what I’m saying?”
Demonstrating that he knew full well, Ford promptly re-drew his version of a re-districting plan, one of two which remains under consideration. The only apparent change is a modest adjustment in district lines which shifts Roland’s residence from a proposed majority-white suburban district into a majority-black inner-city district.
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Suburban Shelby County voters, be assured that, from now on, we, the Memphis voters and elected officials, will use our power and majority to shape policy, not only in Memphis, but county-wide. This is just the beginning.
This will be pure democracy, like you practiced it for years, from now on; the majority rules.
You can lambast Fords, and all of the other Memphis elected officials, but, it won't matter. It is, what it is; the majority will set the agenda and policies for all of Shelby County. That is what the founding fathers and the framers of the Tennessee State Constitution envisioned. They just never envisioned that, slaves would one day be free and able to become a majority of anywhere in the country.
What you are seeing in Shelby County is happening all over the U.S.. Minorities are quickly becoming the majority in states and local municipalities. This will not stop, but, will continue to grow. All that is left to do is to merge the minorities together into one cohesive voting bloc.
If you look at the politics, nationally, you see Obama approaching 50% approval in the national polls. He is leading every individual republican challenger in head to head match-ups. The national republican party is in shambles, as evidenced by the payroll tax debacle, just recently concluded. Newt is on his way down, Romney is disliked by the conservatives in his own party.
Join the bandwagon; if not, get out of the way. You are going to be steamrolled.
I am a student of history. History does repeat itself, it just takes different forms and with different people. You, in Shelby County had hundreds of years to use your power, albeit legally and constitutionally. The constitution was written for all, with the majority calling the shots, as long as they didn't infringe on the guaranteed rights of each individual.
It is the same now as it was then. The majority, according to democratic principles, will work its will today; History repeated. The only difference is, we are not a vindictive people. We don't want to put you and your children in chains and enslave them. We don't want to punish you by trying to take what you have gained, under an unequal system, away from you. All we want is the same oppotunity to rule as you had.
You can either work with us to try and get bipartisan agreements on things, or you can move. There will not be a middle ground. The state legislature can't save you, because of the federal protections that guard our individual rights. Any restrictive legislation passed, by the state will have to be general in terms. In other words, it must apply to all of us equally; so, if it hurts us, it will also hurt you.
I will admit that some of our elected officials are not that good, some are terrible. But, just like you had the time to work through it, we will do the same. The same thing with crime. Actually, the crime rate for Memphis has fallen greatly. But, again, you had your days of lawlessness. You worked through it and so will we.
What I am asking you to do is: look forward, not backward.
Good to know that none of you like my post. When that happens, it usually mean that you can't stand the truth.
I am telling you true facts, I am not looking for your approval. If you think that my post is erroneous, please correct me.
As far as your dislikes, we felt dislike for many, many, many years, when you called all of the shots and made sure that your policies were mainly for your benefit. Now, when the shoe is on the other foot, you, all of a sudden, don't like it. Well, if you don't like it, either move or get busy in the bedroom to increase your kind, so that you can, once again, be the majority in Shelby County.
Remember, while you frown, I smile. Have a blessed day!
In reality, the General Assembly rules the state - and will continue to do so for the rest of our lives, and that body really does not care what Memphis wants. Ulysses Jones isn't chairman of the Education Committee anymore.
Your bandwagon... the wheels are square.
Richard, you are still misled. It is true that the state legislature rules the state. I have never denied this, however, I have tried to put it in proper context.
The state rules, albeit, they must rule generally, with rules that all tennesseans must abide by. They cannot make rules that only apply to special groups, entities, etc. The legislature must also adhere to the United States Constitution, which guarantees the individual rights of all persons in this country.
If you look at judicial history, you will find a myriad of laws, passed by the tennessee state legislature, that were successfully struck down by the federal courts. Under the commerce clause of the U. S. Constitution, many federal rules were instituted by the state, in order to receive federal funds. It is commonly called the carrot and stick. The state needs money, the federal government says, we will give you the money, however, you must abide by certain conditions, in order to receive it. This is the case where states voluntarily give up their states rights on certain issues to get the federal help. This is not the federal government usurping states rights, it is the states that are voluntarily giving the federal government certain states rights. Please study your civics.
So, I am not worried about what laws the state can pass; they can only go so far, and most importantly, any law will be just as punitive for me as it will be for you. I can live with that.
So, as you have done on numerous occasions, you only tell one side of an equation. You err; the state does not have unlimited power to rule.
Richard Cranium, back to you. You seem to take solace in the fact that the general assembly of tennessee rules. Let me remind you, that the states are not all powerful. Depending on the 10th amendment to the constitution can lead you into a false sense of security. In essence, the 10th amendment says that all rights not claimed by the federal government remains with the several states. But that same constitution says that the federal constitution is the final arbiter of citizens individual rights. Any other words, no states can't trample upon the rights given by the federal constitution.
Using the phrase, states rights, by southerners is usually code language. The southerners really mean that the state has the right to do as it pleases, segregation, separate, but equal, partialitly when it comes to states funds and the distribution thereof, etc. States rights was the premise that the south used to justify slavery and all kind of other restrictive and punitive laws designed primarily at minorities, african americans, in particular. By saying today, we want our states rights back, is saying that we want to go back to the days of old. I am afraid that won't happen.
Take the fight over school merger in shelby county. Since money was used, to whatever degree, paid by everyone in the county, including memphians, to build the counties schools, you people want to infer that since they were built within the boundaries of respective municipalities, the schools should be automatically given to those municipalities. Under strictly, states rights, that could be true, but, alas that darnn federal constitution, with its 14th amendment comes into play. This is a good example of how federal constitutional rights of equity comes into play with state laws.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
A longtime friend and associate, shelby county resident, told me that I was being too hard on the shelby county suburban residents. My friend is a staunch republican and an avowed conservative. I like him because he is also a pragmatist and believes in telling the truth.
He doesn't dispute what I wrote, he has a problem with me dashing the hopes, however ill conceived, that county suburban residents have. He thinks that I should leave them with a way out, instead of hitting them hard with factual reality, leaving them no way to turn. He may be right, however, I am not one who likes to cuddle grownups, just to make them feel better.
I will apologize if I made these readers think that I am blaming them for things in the past or for wanting things to go their way. The suburban residents of today are not responsible for what happened in the past. It is human nature to want things to go ones way.
What I don't apologize for is people, when confronted with the facts and realities, continue to believe something that is wrong. I refuse to cuddle peoples hope, when it fails to adhere to the principle of turnabout is fair play. They had their time in the sun, why complain when it is another groups turn?
Happy New Year.
More on the school situation. A lot of suburban residents ask the question, why do you want to take over our school district, especially since you had your own? This is in line with the topic of the majority rules in a democratic society.
You must remember that Memphis became a special school district, by special act of the legislature, in 1869. Minorities were not allowed to vote then, so early removed from the civil war. It was all white officials voted into office by all white people. African Americans were not even counted in the minority; it was as though we didn't exist when it came to governance.
The MCS was operated as a white entity until the 1970's or so, with a separate Negro Board of Education. After being forced to become a unitary school district, it was still ran by whites, with little or no input from the african american community. When the majority of voters, in Memphis, became african americans, practically all of the white support and white students left the district.
Mainly the african american voters of Memphis decided to surrender the charter, special school district, that was forced on us by the white majority.
So when you ask why did we vote to give up the charter and try to take over your schools, the answer is: they were your schools until you surrendered by moving to the suburbs. We didn't start the special school district in Memphis in the first place. Once we got it, it was a natural progression that we desired to be a county-wide unitary system. That is what the civil war was about, that is what the Brown v Board of education was all about. That is what people marched, protested, was jailed, beaten and some died for.
Like I have told you before, know your history before you comment on things.
Memphis and Shelby County are in it's own little world. The rest of the state could really care less what Memphis wants. Just look at how much job growth and population growth are in the rest of the major cities in Tennessee. And how Memphis is losing both. It doesn't matter in the end who is really in control of Memphis politics. Memphis may be in control of the Shelby County borders from here on out...but that's about as far as the reach of Memphis politics will go. People are moving to Olive Branch (the fastest growing city in the US due to Memphis defectors) and Nashville and beyond. All of the big plant openings (cars, Amazon, etc...) are all in Middle and East Tennessee. Memphis is left picking up smaller projects like Electrolux. And the average pay of the new Amazon plants is well above the average pay of the Electrolux plant. So I don't see population loss changing anytime soon when the new jobs that are going to Memphis are less pay than the new jobs in Middle Tennessee. If you spend too much time in history, you neglect the future. And the future of Memphis is not as bright as the rest of the state....unless Memphis can do something to change the perception and reality of the problems it's facing. And with the current attitude of Memphis leaders, I don't see that happening.
Andy, people in east and middle Tennessee have never liked Memphis, even when Memphis was the biggest economic engine in the state, not so long ago. They've always hated Memphis. If you've ever lived in that part of the state you'd know exactly why.
I live in "that part of the state" now and I don't get the sense that people hate Memphis. Andy's summary is closer to the reality where I live. Tennesseans, outside of Memphis mostly are indifferent to Memphis and are basically tired of hearing about Memphis problems.
Having said all that, how did this board get so far off topic? I thought this article was about redistricting the county commission.
No not everyone feels the same way, obviously. But I lived there long enough to say that my experience wasn't the same as yours.
Andy Morris, you are correct on the part that middle and east tennessee could care less about Memphis. This goes all the way back to the 1800's. Memphis was considered a backwater, crime riddled city. But that is because tennessee was first settled in east tennessee. People came from virginia, maryland, ohio, etc to settle tennessee. The true bluebloods of tennessee lived there.
You are wrong, however, in putting Memphis down. Memphis has the potential to be the largest economic area in the state. It is ideal for a transportation hub, warehousing, lite industrial manufacturing, and the centerpiece is the Medical Center. Tourism is also going to play a major role in Memphis.
The political leaders of now will eventually be weeded and the ineffective ones thrown out. It is already beginning to evolve. If the democratic trend, nationally continue, and according to changing demographics, it will, Memphis will become one of the largest federal centers in the south.
Don't be too quick to diss memphis; everything takes time.
I wasn't dissing Memphis. I lived in Memphis most of my life. But the current trend of Memphis is going down and has been for the last 30 years. Memphis population today is only 500 more people than it had in 1980. Even with all of the annexations and Mexican immigration (at least captured in the Census). I hope Memphis can rebound. I'm not too concerned about the political leaders... they have changed over the last 30 years but the results are the same. The main problem I see is that Memphis has not captured any of the high paying high tech jobs out there...and seems to be satisfied with the Fed Ex type labor jobs. The high tech jobs are feeding the job growth (Nashville, Charlotte, Austin, Dallas, etc)....not the Federal jobs. Federal jobs may keep people employed who are already here...but they will not bring in people from the rest of the United States to move here and create new business.
"But that is because tennessee was first settled in east tennessee. People came from virginia, maryland, ohio, etc to settle tennessee. The true bluebloods of tennessee lived there. "
Nope. The first people to settle TN were as far from being "bluebloods" as is possible. They were the dispossessed Scotch-Irish backcountry people of VA and NC. And Ohio was NEVER a source of settlers for TN. Ohio was somewhat behind TN in settlement initially, and most of its settlers came from PA, MD, VA and New England.
The "blueblood" settlers in TN funnelled towards Middle and West TN, b/c that's where the most fertile and available large areas of farmland was, and they brought their slaves with them to cultivate it.
You say you're a student of history? Time to study some more, amigo.
Packrat , you don't know what you are talking about.
Tennessee was first settled, permanently, in the Watauga River Valley, in east Tennessee, by John Sevier, born in New Market, Va. Along with him and some carolinians, they started the settlement. This was in 1769. Most of the inhabitants was from North Carolina. North Carolina didn't want to keep supporting the non profitable settlements and ceded the land back to the U.S. The U. S. balked at this and didn't want to take it. This created a vacuum, so, John Sevier took advantage and named the area the State of Franklin. Eventually the U. S. accepted the land and then ceded it back to North Carolina. Before the 1800's, most settlers and land speculators came from the carolinas, virginia, pa and even new england. This was because of land grants given to them by the U.S. for their service in the revolutionary war. The important people, the bluebloods, at the time was the seviers, blounts and carrolls. I am correct, mostly on where they came from.
The split between east, middle tennessee vs west tennessee came in the years preceding the civil war. Tennessee, because of the east and middle tennessee influences was pro union and defeated the first referendum on breaking away from the union. Even after much agitation from pro confederate forces, after the second referendum passed, this was after Fort Sumpter was fired upon, east tennessee remained mostly loyal to the union.
This is why, even to this day, there is a divide between east tennessee and west tennessee. As the fertile lands along the mississippi was settled, more and more people settled here and the influence of east tennessee waned. That is why east tennesseans don't care about west tennessee.
Packrat, I know my history, it is you that don't have a clue.
otp, there's one thing for sure; you're incapable of admitting you're wrong. Which you were. Ohioans settled Tennessee? Seriously? "Bluebloods" were the stock that settled east TN??? Sure the land speculators were the bluebloods, but the people who actually did the settling weren't. Frankly, most of the white settlers of the entire state of TN did not come from the colonial aristocracy, but certainly of the 3 grand divisions, East TN had the fewest of them.
You're wrong on this count. "Knowing" history is one thing, drawing specious conclusions is another.
Packrat, you are pathetic. Not once have you disputed what I have written with fact. What I have writtened is easily fact-checked. In the early 1800's, middle tennessee was settled by many ohios, who came via the cumberland pass. That is in tennessee history. I was talking about the initial founding of tennessee.
To tell me that the , Seviers, Blounts, Carrolls, Knoxs, Johnson, all from east tennessee were not the blue bloods, you are out of your mind. Oh, I forgot about the Polks.
The divide between the regions explains why the western division of tennessee suffered greater than the eastern division. The eastern division of the state was always pro union and therefore troops were never sent there during reconstruction.
You may have had a lot of posters confused, but, by challenging me, they will see how little knowledge you really have.
Packrat,
I know you don't know me but I have just one favor to ask of you. And no, I don't need three steps. I'm begging here, please don't engage oldtimeplayer. He's all seeing, all knowing, all powerful, and can leap tall buildings in a single bound. You can't win so do yourself and everyone else on these boards a huge favor. Ignore him. Let him talk to himself if he wants but don't spar with him. I can't stand the sight of any more blood.
Thanks,
Drift Boat
Andy Morris, you are only looking a one slice of the pie. East tennessee is mountainous and therefore not suited for agrarian ways of making a living. In order to survive and prosper, they had to become skilled. The foundation, geology of the land is hard rock, close to the surface. It is ideal for mining, and heavy manufacturing. Its nuclear program was positioned there because of the protection afforded it by the terrain and it was, somewhat, isolated.
West tennessee is in the alluvial plain, the delta. The foundation of the land is spongy and bedrock is around 1500 feet down. This makes it too expensive to do heavy manufacturing. Being in one of the worlds richest agrarian areas, technology was not needed to prosper. All you needed was the forced labor of the slaves and knowledge of planting. So, technical skills was always at the bottom of the rung of what schools taught.
I also beg to differ with you on high tech jobs saving anyones economy. There are not enough high tech positions to satisfy the population, even if everyone was qualified. You are partially right about FED EX. The one thing that you missed is that FED EX is an anomaly. It fills a need that is not crucial, at least, not at the scope that they are operating. Overnight, there can be a turnaroud, where it is absolutely not necessary to have it overnite.
The so called low paying jobs, 9 and 10 dollars an hour jobs are crucial to a cities and regions economy. This is because these people spend 100% of their income, every payday, in the economy. A person in the upper income brackets, may initially spend, to get what is needed. After that, they spend very little.
Memphis' problem is the same as the rest of the united states. We don't manufacture anything. Staples, such as clothing, utensils, etc are made overseas. Until we start making our own basic items, the U. S. economy and Memphis will be stagnant.
What say you?
Driftboat, he can't ignore me. He knows this, because the moment he posts one of his non factual, idiotic ramblings, I'm going to tear him down.
If he fails to respond, readers will take that to me that he is wrong as two left shoes. I don't know everything, but, I know what I know and will look up what I don't know. I can also make statements that are purely my personal thoughts, just like everyone else. I don't agree with everyones thoughts and feeling, but I can respect the fact that they are legitimate. The difference is when people spout something as fact that is wrong, it brings out the beast in me. I will not le it stand without responding. If a person say something is purely their personal thoughts and/or feelings, I don't have a problem with it.
As far as ignoring me, I could care less than a damn. When I post, I am informing, not asking for approval.
You might not respond, but, you do read it.
For all of the people here OTFOOL WAS an avid commenter on the CA. That was until he couldn't afford to read the comments and posts. It's only $15 a month but all the hundreds of thousands of dollars he has must be going for something else. His lying, racist, bigoted, spinning, venom, that he is always spewing is not missed there in the least. He is a mean old man that hates white people with a passion. Everything he writes are lies with no proof. He English is terrible. And he is a true moron. He even had the nerve to say he was in the military which was proven to be a lie yet he continues on. Do not take my word for it. Go to the CA and read his past posts. They are very depressing. I am truly sorry that he has leeched himself onto to nice comment section. Just charge a nickel for every post and his racist rants will disappear and things will get back to normal conversations. It is that way now at the CA without his rants and lies. And his number one reply to people that stand up to his lies is "YOU A LIE". And by the way OTFOOL no matter where you go you always spoil the water.
harley 1953, the truth is often depressing, especially to the ones it has an adverse impact on. In todays polarized environment, anyone who disagrees with the wishes, aspirations and dreams of another, is considered a moron. Everyone is for everything, that is, until it takes something away from them.
In this area, mid-south, particularly shelby county, every government action, regardless of how innocent it is conceived, has an element of race involved. The Overton Park Project, innocently tries to upgrade the park. Is it innocent and doesn't have a racial component when you want to build a, pay for park facility, which some of the poor people, mainly african americans, can't afford? When you try to instill themes of a public facility, the park, with amenities that mainly cater to one group, soccer, tennis, golf, maybe innocently, but, in reality, you are making that public facility less attractive to some, in this case the majority of citizens of memphis,.
When the municipalities, in the county, innocently want their own school districts, which, would, of course ,make each municipal school district, over 95% white. This may be innocent, however, it has an adverse affect on the majority citizens of shelby county, which happen to be african american. Privatizing garbage collections, which is over 90% staffed by african americans. Innocent, but the racial element is there.
How about what this article is talking about, redistricting? The few white county commissioners are trying to redistrict in such a way as to maximize their representation. The black commissioners, which we are the majority of shelby county, is trying to maximize our representation. Which is right. Should the majority subvert their rights to appease the minority? It has, never in history, been done before, why now? There was an idea, last summer, to change the structure of shelby farms to a more based fee based public park. If this had been allowed to pass, a large segment, which is the majority of shelby county, would have not been able to avail themselves of this beautiful county park.
So, as you can see, in this county, everything, regardless of how innocent it sounds, has a racial element to it.
I rest my case.
OTFOOL! That's your problem. You see race in EVERYTHING. You see mean 'ol whitey EVERYWHERE. It's thinking like that that is keeping Memphis and Shelby county down. You want everything free because there are a lot of poor people in the county. The last time Memphis had a free day was at the zoo. It turned into a riot. If you have everything free, like you and Obama want you might as well call this China. We are headed that way because of your take away from the rich and give to the poor mentality. WE, the people in the suburbs, want Municipal School Districts to stay away from the disaster called MCS. You say it is because we want to hate on the blacks because that is what you see. You have the majority, there is no questioning that. Just because you have the majority does not make it right. You want some sort of "payback" for something that happened hundreds of years ago and you can't let it go. So as you have said NUMEROUS TIMES at the CA you will stuff everything down the 'whites' throat to show what it was like when the blacks were the minority. You are a racist, bigoted and mean old man that is a pathological liar. You have already proven that yourself here in the less than one month you have been here and EVERYBODY KNOWS IT.
Also what do you see when you see a bi-racial couple? You see black and white and hate. Most people see two people that most likely love each other and their children. You can't see that. And it is a shame. And no there are no 'CODE WORDS' in my statements meaning racism. Life's too short dude to hate 24/7/365. But you will anyway
I don't know about any of the rest of these people, but I prefer single-member districts myself.
I'm with you Auto. Single seat districts drawn with a bit of common sense.
Harley1953, I have never said that anyone, today, owes me anything for what transpired in the past. Want, I only want what the constitutions of the U.S. and Tennessee allows me. I am 66 years old and have never used any government programs, welfare, foodstamps, rent subsidy, etc. I never took advantage of affirmative action, I was born too early for that. Even retired, I am a tax paying middle, yes middle class citizen.
In the U.S., the majority make the rules; in Shelby County, all I want is for the majority to be able to make the rules, just as you were able to, when you were in the majority. That is not asking for anything free. We fought in every war that this country had, starting with the revolutionary war. Yes, we fought, bled and died, just like you. We are not asking for anything free; we are not asking for a handout from you or anyone else, even though the past policies afforded you a legacy better than we ever had.
So what, if one day in many, many, many years, there was fighting at the zoo? Are you trying to tell me that all african americans go to free public facilities and riot? How is a few people fighting once in 50 or more years considered a riot? That was a true racist statement that you made. Look at what happened at columbine, I didn't and don't call all white teenagers mass murderers.
When I see two people, regardless of color, all I see is two people. If I see a bi-racial couple getting married and they are from the same socio and especially economic bracket, I call it love. When I see one rich and the other one dirt poor, I wonder if there isn't some gold-digging going on.
YES, WE EARNED THE RIGHT TO RULE, ALONG WITH THE RIGHT TO MAKE MISTAKES TOO, JUST LIKE YOU.
Harley1953, by the way my granddaughter is bi-racial. Yes, my son n law is not african american and I love him to death, not because of color, but because of the type of man that he is.
That goes to show how misguided and racist you are.
Remember Oklahoma City, Timothy McVea? You don't see me calling all young, white, male, adults, bombers and terrorist. Harley1953, you have a serious problem.
OTFOOL you flip flop more than a fish out of water. You constantly lie. And the proof is in your posts. I've lost count on how many times you have said you wanted to 'stick it' to the whites. You and Chism. Or 'now you know how we have felt for 300 years'. And the list goes on and on. Look at the other comments about YOU. You don't fool anyone here. What's the matter with you posting at the CA. I know you being 'middle class' you just couldn't afford the money to post your racist crap. It was just a coincidence you stopped posting when the paywall started. This is FREE so you came here. And you keep putting race into this. Did I say AA at the zoo? No you did. What about the Barbeque Cook Off? It used to be free to watch until undesirables, ie bums, thugz and trash started going there a lot. And you always preach majority rule when it suits you. Majority does not rule in our society you moron. The legislature makes the laws and the SUPREME COURT, not the majority of citizens, say whether it is a just law. THE majority did not want busing but it happens, they don't want this high debt but it's here. Look at Arizona the majority voted for the tougher immigration laws as did other states but YOUR prez didn't want it. Look at all the laws voted on by referendum in California which have been overturned. Don't come back with "YOU A LIE". All anyone has to do is go to the CA and look up your posts and see I'm telling the truth about you. People here have said the same thing.
Harley1953, so, so ignorant. You mistake state laws from federal laws, which are the supreme law of the land. Immigration control is a function of the federal government, not the states. States cannot take control of federal functions.
If the southern, racist states had followed the federal constitution, in the first place, there would not have been any need for busing to try to correct injustices done by the majority, segregation, separate schools and public facilities, restricting civil rights afforded to every one under the bill of rights. That is just a fact.
The safeguards built into the constitution is for everyone, but especially to protect the rights of the minority. Since the majority rules, there is no special need to protect their rights because they are in control. The bill of rights was designed so that the majority could not run over the fundamental rights of the minority.
Not only are you a racist, but you are also ignorant of civics, the way our government works.
You and the other racists may not like what I write, but, at least I know civics and how the system is supposed to work. You are dumb, dumb, dumb! Your own people read your posts, with its lack of knowledge, that they wince.
Read or ask someone before you keep showing your ignorance.
OTFOOL Moron of the decade. First off it was not just the Southern states against busing. For once in your life do just a little bit of reading and not what you just pull out of your ass. Why don't you tell us why was there rioting in the streets up north about busing? Go to the library and look at what happened in Boston and other LARGE cities.
And there again you just kind of pick and choose what you answer. Nothing about places charging now instead of being free. You not posting anymore at CA. You and Chism wanting to 'stick it' to 'ol whitey. Everyone here does not know you are a jail house lawyer, with a degree in Business, political science, history, and hundreds of other degrees we are waiting for you to educate us poor stupid people on. As I have said before all of my comments are a matter of record and I stand by all of them as FACT not like yours being bull$hit. No one ever comes back to say my posts are incorrect. I did make the mistake of saying I fought for your right to say what you say. BUT I APOLOGIZED AND SAID I WAS WRONG TO SAY THAT. The "CONFLICT" was not about our rights. BUT I said I was wrong. If you ever did that I think your racist, bigoted, moronic head would explode. Look at ALL the people here that have handed your hat to you and you keep spewing your lies. You are just too stupid to learn.
Harley1953, there you go again. I don't know about Chism, however, I don't want to stick it to whitey, I don't want to stick it to anybody. You seem to, mistakenly, think that a person trying to avail themselves of all of the rights of this country is trying to stick it to someone else. I have never advocated this. I have said that when people have been systematically discriminated against, there has to be a form of redress for it. To get ahead, as a people, on the backs of other people, unlawfully and then throw up your hands and say, okay, it is done now, let us start anew, is fantasy. There has to be remedies formulated to correct the past injustices and to level the playing field before one can start anew.
Being able to use ones majority of voting to affect change, in a lawful way, is not sticking it to anyone. It is the process that a republic, based on democratic principles, uses. It seemed to be okay when you were the majority, even though a lot of your policies were disliked by the minority. Why can't it be the same when another group assumes the majority? The laws and governmental polices that were contrary to the guaranteed rights of individuals, by the federal constitution were supposed to be struck down, abolished. Would you and others want it any different?
I am not considered an expert in any of the fields that you so mentioned, in a degrading way. The difference between you and I, is, I don't listen to others talking points to arrive at a chain of thought. I listen at everyone, then, I research to find the facts. I also try to keep my personal sentiment out of the way of facts. There is a vast chasm between my wishes, my thoughts and feelings, compared to truth.
You have constantly railed against the federal government and want to defer to states rights on everything. This is your wishes and personal feelings. The truth is that the federal government has a pre-eminent role in some things and the states others. The individual constitutional rights of persons, in this country, is ultimately decided and protected by the federal government. This is also true of foreign policy, including the absolute power to make laws concerning and the control of immigration. States have the power to control the laws and policies strictly concerning their states. The states cannot legislate or enact laws and policies that restricts the rights of persons guaranteed under the federal constitution. The states also have no power over inter-state commerce. That is a federal function.
So, harley1953, when you get through with all of your ranting and twisting the truth about the functions of government, you and the others that support you, know that you are wrong.
We welcome all civil discussion on the Memphis Flyer website. It appears that a couple of you have dragged an ongoing feud from the CA site to this one. For the record, most long-time Flyer readers/commenters have no interest in your fight and probably tuned it out days ago. Writing long (very long) posts on here is self-indulgent. Flyer readers will soon stop reading them and will stop responding, once they figure out you're only here to bloviate and draw attention to yourself.
To the readers and posters on this forum, I notice that I get mostly dislikes on my posts. This is a very good thing. It reflects on the race and ethnicity of the readers of this paper. It is, in no way, reflective of the population, as a whole, that can receive this paper.
I notice, also, that the dislikes are, either too timid or lack facts to dispute what I write. What this means, to me, is that these people know that my writings are based in truth, but they personally don't like it because it conflicts with the way they want things to be. If my posts were in, say the Tri-State Defender, I dare say that the ratio of people who liked them versus the ones who didn't, would run about 8 to 1, on liking them.
You readers should broaden your horizons and take heed to what I say. I am nowhere in the minority with my thoughts.
The facts I have alluded to concerning the powers of the states versus the federal constitution concerning the guarantee and protection of an individuals rights are indisputable, yet you still dislike it. The way a country, state, county, municipality is governed, the majority rules, is also nothing but pure true facts. SO, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? Is it that you don't like the constitution to be administered in a fair and equitable way? Even if that is the case, don't dislike it, try to form a majority of the affected individuals and vote to change the constitution. That is the way our government works. Other than that, suck it up and follow the law..
Sweet Wounded Jesus! I can understand why the CA put up the paywall.
mad merc, the CA put up the paywall because it was losing money in its circulation and, most importantly, from its advertisers.
The memphis flyer has a very sparse readership, usually the same race, ethnicity and socio economic people. Therefore, you had very little disagreement on the articles written. When a more diverse readership comes to this paper, it is were you get the controversy.
Papers, magazines, etc, make money in two ways. They charge for subscribers and they receive advertising fees based on the demographics and total number of people reading and/or subscribing to it. Non-controversial news does not sell newspapers. It is only the sensational, controversial, and highly charged subjects that increase and sustain readership.
So, I beg to differ with those, and say, newspapers welcome controversial and acrimonious viewpoints. Intellectual feuding is the most peaceful way of settling differing opinions The news outlets love it and the general public is improved by intellectual venting and feuding.
You can dislike this too, however, you will find that it is correct.
PS: I am a retired 66 year old, with a family of four. I am considered in the middle-middle income group. The only bill that I have, I just bought a new Crossover for the wife. I can easily afford the subscription fee for the CA. I refuse because the CA does spotty and callous reporting. They don't even get locations right where crimes, etc happen. There research is often juvenile with no depth and only one side of the equation.
When it does a better job of reporting, I will resume my subscription.
OTP, I am about to dispute one of your primary premises and demonstrate how wrong you are. You wrongly assert that "federal laws" are the "supreme laws of the land". This is flatly and unequivocally wrong. Instead of wasting your time trying to agitate white people reading The Flyer....
I was going to suggest that you start out with something simple - read the Declaration of Independence, but I sincerely doubt that your MCS education has equipped you with the ability to comprehend what you're reading. Maybe you could find some decent SCS graduate to explain it to you though.
HTH. :o)
Mr. VanWyngarden ,
I couldn't agree more with your post. You have several on this board that delight in race baiting and name calling. Packrat and I have figured out a solution. If everyone would please just IGNORE them. It does take some self restraint but it works. Pretty soon they will be reduced to talking to themselves and maybe they will even go away.
Thanks for all the good reporting, particularly on politics, and Happy New Year.
Drift Boat
Yes, let's just IGNORE viewpoints that we find to be abhorrent. This way, noone ($1 to Carol Chumney) will upset our quaint little echo chamber.
And, speaking of bloviators: Tommy V has a LTE in the CA today, and guess what: he's still the same one-trick pony we once knew and loved.
Scott,
I'm not suggesting we ignore VIEWPOINTS, I suggesting we ignore PEOPLE that engage in race baiting, name calling, and personal attacks. Of course if you enjoy that sort of thing, well knock yourself out.
I apologize. I quit. Have fun with him. I will read but will not post. Sorry for the problem.
Richard Craniun, the declaration is not and have never been an official part of the federal constitution of the united states of america. It is what it is. The actual constitution does not and have never included the declaration of independence.
Richard Cranium, sorry about the short answer. The declaration of independence, at the time, was the most important document of its time. It still is relevant today as one of the greatest documents written.
It was never made a part of the constitution. Compromises had to be made in order to form this union. I am not trying to bring race into this, however, in discussing the declaration of independence, it is essential to discuss it, for it was the thing that almost stopped the United States from being formed.
Here is a link to an article that you and others should read. It will enlighten you on the founding of the United States of America.
http://thehistoricpresent.wordpress.com/20…
Readers, I hope that you go to the link I provided earlier. I want you to read it because it is a testament to the good will of most americans at the time. I am not race baiting, however, I would hope that you understand how the words in the declaration of independence was finally made true to everyone and the thinking of, not just the founding fathers, but the majority of all of the early americans.
Thank you and Happy New Year
It is ironic, in 1787, southerners didn't have a clue as to the true meaning of equal, the declaration of independence, and now, over 225 years later, they still don't.
They were ready, then, to stop the United States from being formed over an issue, that, frankly, was morally wrong and against the very declaration they had signed, just to have their own way. Today, you don't care what federal law and/or the constitution says, as long as you can do as you please, regardless of whose rights you trample.
Just to think, you say I am sad, I really feel sorry for you.
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