Niles4334
Member since Mar 3, 2011
Recent Comments
Re: “Letters to The Editor”
Kingsley, what you wrote was fine, but Memphis is, by most measures and many sources, a lousy place to live in all of the key factors that matter (economy, labor force, schools, crime, amenities). It's not that these sources don't "get" Memphis. It's not that they're racist. Memphis is the problem, not Forbes.
Memphis is like a job applicant that shows up 45 minutes late, unwashed, breaking wind, cursing and without a clue what the job entails, though he can cook great BBQ. Upon hearing the applicant was passed over for another applicant who did what was expected, our applicant calls the interviewer a racist and leaves furious that he wasn't picked because, after all, hasn't the interviewer heard he makes great BBQ? That's Memphis and its delusional apologists.
Empty happy talk is a waste of time, Kingsley. So is trying to expect much from such a city as Memphis. It's just too late. Memphians are simply reaping what they've sown while blaming everyone but themselves.
Re: “Bellevue Pastor Asks Members to Vote Against Equality”
A big mistake for Bellevue to get into politics. Politics, a very dirty business, always undermines faith. The same also goes for Idlewild Presbyterian Church, a heavily left-wing and politically-active church that, in my opinion based on news stories and knowing some of their members, seems to believe in political correctness and little else.
Bellevue should believe that Christ is the greatest agent for changing minds and hearts and live accordingly, staying out of fights like this. They say they believe it. Live it, then, and stay out of the dead-end of politics.
Also has to be said that the hatred of Christians is certainly escalating, here and elsewhere. Many of the posters on this site break their arms patting themselves on the back for their tolerance and openness and should check themselves. Over the past few years, the most intolerant, most shrill, most hateful, and most ignorant people I've encountered are mostly those of the 'progressive' left.
Re: “Letter From the Editor”
Job creators are not necessarily slacking. They're tired of literally being harrassed at their homes by union goons, regulated into a corner, threatened with devastating health care legislation and viewed as the enemy for being successful. Some have let greed get the best of them and so have hurt the economy, but businesses are holding onto their cash until Obama is landslided in 2012 and regulatory uncertainty is removed.
Read Atlas Shrugged.
Re: “Statement from Kroger on Schnucks Purchase”
You Midtown liberal snobs are hilarious...and delusional. You have no reason to be snobbish about the suburbs. "My car won't go there", Marty? Really? For the record, yes, it's good to have character, but Midtown Memphis does not have as much character as it has bums, filth, empty buildings and general misery.
Little Five Points in Atlanta has character, nice amenities and a layer of alternative and artisitic grit that's endearing. Politically, these people are insane know-nothings, but they are nice, friendly, love their area for good reason and make it attractive to visit.
Midtown Memphis is largely a wasteland frozen in time since the 1970's by comparison, except for Bhan Thai and Cafe 1912, which are excellent. You can thank, in part, June West and Memphis Heritage for the lack of progress. (Ms. West, if you want to change Midtown for the better, either be quiet or put your own money on the line.) You can also look to the fact that developers realize in the end your beloved Midtown is not a desirable market for anything other than a CVS or similar. Deal with it.
Suburban amenities may be uniform, unoriginal, even plastic at times, but they are clean, well-stocked and convenient. To me, that beats a depressing, dirty Midtown Memphis where the most often-seen words are FOR LEASE.
Re: “How Memphis Should Play the Rankings Game”
Memphis cannot compete with Chattanooga's natural assets. Bike lanes, greenlines, etc. are fine but, in my opinon, not worth doing. Memphis is not an oudoors city by any reasonable measure. I guess you have to make do with what you have, but it's almost laughable to suggest Memphis as an outdoor city. Having been to Chattanooga several times in recent years for fun (as well as thirty years ago when it wasn't very appealing), I can tell you Chattanooga today has a cleaner, livelier, younger downtown than Memphis, mountains that bring in rock climbers from around the nation, and plenty of water you can actually use. The Missisippi River is a recreationally-useless muddy cauldron for most people unwilling to take the kind of risk required to use it. Just come to the river and watch it "roll"? No, thanks.
Sorry, Memphis cannot play this game and shouldn't try. Stick to great BBQ, some good restaurants generally, a dead Elvis and Beale Street, a monument to a genre of music with no future.
Re: “Planned Parenthood Denied Funding from County”
Abortion specifically as a form as birth control is murder and a shame on humanity. Otherwise, it's no one's business.
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Re: “Letters to The Editor”
Someone named OldHippieChick who's up at 2:55 am posting has zero credibility, in my opinion.
But you do serve one purpose. You typify what's wrong with Memphis. If you don't like what you hear, then tell productive citizens to move. I already have but grew up in Memphis and had some residual warm feelings about the City and am appalled at what it's become. People who care and want things to improve take the time to write and speak up.
As I write this, I now realize nothing is going to change. Tell you what. You can have it. You can have every stinking, lazy, trash-strewn square inch of it. I will never post about Memphis again. I'll never post on this or any other Memphis-related site again. I'll stop wasting my time. Memphis deserves you and so many others like you who are happy with second-rate tourism, more Elvis, more BBQ.
For those who believe the suburbs are to blame for Memphis' self-inflicted wounds and are doing everything they can to force the suburbs to pay for the ills of the City, you will fail. You will be fought at every point for as long as it takes. They are not going to put up with being robbed.
Spending time in Nashville is a reminder of what it's like to be in a place where the City doesn't resent and hate the suburbs, and the suburbs are proud of the City. Metro government has nothing to do with it since Brentwood and Franklin are in Williamson County. Nashville is not perfect but addresses its problems and keeps focused on fundamentals.
Memphis will fail. Print this off and save it. There are good folks swimming against the tide, trying to help, but the City is doing little or nothing sensible overall that makes for a decent place to live and raise kids. Memphis will remain a City of low standards and even lower expectations.
It will fail. I will now proceed to enjoy the day.