The Official Community for Tennessee's Democrats
Madison County Democratic Party
Information
Putting a new face on the Democratic Party in Madison County, Jackson and West Tennessee!
Website: http://democratsofmadisoncounty.org
Location: Jackson, TN
Members: 41
Latest Activity: Jan 25
Republicans Are In Charge by T. Robert Hill, MCDP
We reflect on the 2009 Tennessee Legislative Session with very mixed emotions. We won’t miss the daily briefings during the session outlining ‘whose ox would be gored next’ or what precious legal rights would be trampled in the name of ‘the right wing leadership’ or some other wedge issue group, like the nursing home industry or the gun lobby. But we will miss the hilarious ‘circus’ that began with the election of a second term (two years of experience) representative (Rep. Keith Williams) to “Speaker of the House of Representatives”, arguably the top leadership position in the Legislature. We will miss the summary ‘beheading’ of Representative Mumpower, who thought he had the Speakership sewn up until the votes were cast. We reckon they don’t teach one ‘how to cipher’ in upper east Tennessee. We will miss the daily ‘whine’ of Rep. Brian Kelsey of Memphis moaning and groaning over the election of the allegedly incompetent Republican Williams adding to the amusement during the first few weeks of the Session.
We watched the ‘ Republican wedge groups as they jockeyed to become the primary recipient of ‘favors’ from the right wing dominated Republican Legislature, relegating declining education status and skyrocketing unemployment to back of the proverbial line. Abortion bills flew into the legislative hopper like flies to a watermelon. Gays and Lesbians were bashed regularly as ‘family values’ were touted daily by such stalwart moralists as Sen. Paul Stanley from Memphis, who after the Session ended confessed an adulterous relationship with a 22 year old state intern that worked for the Legislature in Nashville. Tennessee was entertained by Sen. Stanley’s attacks on the godless left until the young intern’s boy friend publically ‘outed’ the illicit and likely illegal relationship.
I guess the words that best describes the Republican controlled 2009 Legislature: hypocritical and leaderless, a perfect reflection of the last 8 years of the Bush Administration in Washington.
The very best example of the 2009 Republican Legislature’s poor leadership has to be the triptych of special interest gun bills: loaded guns in the truck (HB 390), loaded guns in the parks (HB 716) and loaded guns in bars and restaurants (HB 962), three examples of the complete and utter abdication of leadership and hypocritical to boot. All three bills were sponsored and pushed by Republican representatives and the Republican leadership in both the House and the Senate. All three bills are now the law of Tennessee. Representative Jimmy Eldridge voted for all three. Representative Johnny Shaw did not, calling the ‘guns in bars bill’ a bad bill.
The issue is public safety. The interest group groping for its share of favors from the lunatic right was the arms manufacturers. Now before you jump to any ‘anti-gun’ conclusions, let me say in my defense, I own 8 long guns and two hand guns and shoot fairly well and often with all 10 firearms. My collection includes a 12 gauge pump shotgun, a rifle with scope, a 9mm pistol and a beautiful antique 16 gauge side by side shotgun. I am building a trap and skeet range on my farm where I hunt along with several of my lifelong friends for deer and turkey.
But I have never felt I needed, even in today’s sometimes dangerous environment, to have a loaded shotgun or high powered rifle in my pickup truck (a 1999 Ford 150). I love our city, state and national parks but find it beyond comprehension that I might want to carry a loaded shotgun or my 9mm pistol to the local ballpark to watch my 11 year old play baseball or to North Park to watch one of my eight grandchildren play soccer. Finally, I love country music and the blues but doubt if I will ever again go to a club where one already often finds a volatile mix of alcohol and testosterone. Now that volatile mix may have a deadly companion: a loaded 44 magnum, or as Dirty Harry said: “The most powerful handgun every made. Do you feel lucky?” Frankly, I don’t feel lucky and I don’t feel any more safe.
In a nutshell, the Republican Legislature rolled over for the gun lobby and, get this, less than 4% of the six million Tennesseans who call this State home and who actually have ‘gun carry permits.’ Public safety was cast aside as the Republicans ignored the valid concerns of every police chief and sheriff in Tennessee.
Many, perhaps a majority of ‘permit’ holders will tell you they believe this new expansion of gun carry rights was unnecessary and is downright dangerous. I’ll leave you with something to ponder. You are sitting at Outback with your wife wondering if the couple arguing loudly in the next booth is ‘packing loaded heat’. Don’t worry; be happy, the loud mouth bully drinking at the bar has a loaded 12 gauge shotgun in his vehicle just outside the front door. Now don’t you feel a lot better already?
Frankly, I am scared by the kind of irresponsible, hypocritical leadership offered our State by the Republicans if the 2009 Legislative session is an example.
The Democrats of Madison County offer new leadership and new hope for our State. Please join us. Check us out at www.democratsofmadisoncounty.org and at www.tndp.org
We watched the ‘ Republican wedge groups as they jockeyed to become the primary recipient of ‘favors’ from the right wing dominated Republican Legislature, relegating declining education status and skyrocketing unemployment to back of the proverbial line. Abortion bills flew into the legislative hopper like flies to a watermelon. Gays and Lesbians were bashed regularly as ‘family values’ were touted daily by such stalwart moralists as Sen. Paul Stanley from Memphis, who after the Session ended confessed an adulterous relationship with a 22 year old state intern that worked for the Legislature in Nashville. Tennessee was entertained by Sen. Stanley’s attacks on the godless left until the young intern’s boy friend publically ‘outed’ the illicit and likely illegal relationship.
I guess the words that best describes the Republican controlled 2009 Legislature: hypocritical and leaderless, a perfect reflection of the last 8 years of the Bush Administration in Washington.
The very best example of the 2009 Republican Legislature’s poor leadership has to be the triptych of special interest gun bills: loaded guns in the truck (HB 390), loaded guns in the parks (HB 716) and loaded guns in bars and restaurants (HB 962), three examples of the complete and utter abdication of leadership and hypocritical to boot. All three bills were sponsored and pushed by Republican representatives and the Republican leadership in both the House and the Senate. All three bills are now the law of Tennessee. Representative Jimmy Eldridge voted for all three. Representative Johnny Shaw did not, calling the ‘guns in bars bill’ a bad bill.
The issue is public safety. The interest group groping for its share of favors from the lunatic right was the arms manufacturers. Now before you jump to any ‘anti-gun’ conclusions, let me say in my defense, I own 8 long guns and two hand guns and shoot fairly well and often with all 10 firearms. My collection includes a 12 gauge pump shotgun, a rifle with scope, a 9mm pistol and a beautiful antique 16 gauge side by side shotgun. I am building a trap and skeet range on my farm where I hunt along with several of my lifelong friends for deer and turkey.
But I have never felt I needed, even in today’s sometimes dangerous environment, to have a loaded shotgun or high powered rifle in my pickup truck (a 1999 Ford 150). I love our city, state and national parks but find it beyond comprehension that I might want to carry a loaded shotgun or my 9mm pistol to the local ballpark to watch my 11 year old play baseball or to North Park to watch one of my eight grandchildren play soccer. Finally, I love country music and the blues but doubt if I will ever again go to a club where one already often finds a volatile mix of alcohol and testosterone. Now that volatile mix may have a deadly companion: a loaded 44 magnum, or as Dirty Harry said: “The most powerful handgun every made. Do you feel lucky?” Frankly, I don’t feel lucky and I don’t feel any more safe.
In a nutshell, the Republican Legislature rolled over for the gun lobby and, get this, less than 4% of the six million Tennesseans who call this State home and who actually have ‘gun carry permits.’ Public safety was cast aside as the Republicans ignored the valid concerns of every police chief and sheriff in Tennessee.
Many, perhaps a majority of ‘permit’ holders will tell you they believe this new expansion of gun carry rights was unnecessary and is downright dangerous. I’ll leave you with something to ponder. You are sitting at Outback with your wife wondering if the couple arguing loudly in the next booth is ‘packing loaded heat’. Don’t worry; be happy, the loud mouth bully drinking at the bar has a loaded 12 gauge shotgun in his vehicle just outside the front door. Now don’t you feel a lot better already?
Frankly, I am scared by the kind of irresponsible, hypocritical leadership offered our State by the Republicans if the 2009 Legislative session is an example.
The Democrats of Madison County offer new leadership and new hope for our State. Please join us. Check us out at www.democratsofmadisoncounty.org and at www.tndp.org
Discussion Forum
HODGE-PODGE: the decline of the great state of Tennessee to ‘backwater’ status by T. Robert Hill, MCDP 1 Reply
Started by Susan Walton Banks. Last reply by Nicolle Crist Oct. 15, 2009.
The New Vision by MCDP Chair T. Robert Hill
Started by Susan Walton Banks Jul. 28, 2009.
Sarah Palin Resigns as Governor 1 Reply
Started by Susan Walton Banks. Last reply by Susan Walton Banks Jul. 5, 2009.
Right-Wing Hate Rears Its Ugly Head 1 Reply
Started by Susan Walton Banks. Last reply by Brenda V. Autry Jun. 12, 2009.
New Gallup Poll Finds 89% of Republicans White and Right-Wing 1 Reply
Started by Susan Walton Banks. Last reply by Angelia Jun. 2, 2009.
Democratic Party banned on Jerry Falwell's Liberty University Campus 3 Replies
Started by Susan Walton Banks. Last reply by Angelia May. 28, 2009.
Comment Wall
Comment
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Comment by Nicolle Crist on October 14, 2009 at 6:51pm - Madison County Folks - Thank so much for hosting the S.O.S training. It was very helpful and informative and very well organized.
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Comment by Tamara L. Hill on July 31, 2009 at 2:21pm - We are pleased to confirm that Congressman John Tanner will be one of the speakers for the opening session of the 8th District SOS Campaign Training in Jackson, TN at Lane College on Septermber 26. Other leading Democrats from west Tennessee (Rep. Johnny Shaw and Sen. Lowe Finney) are expected to attend. Democratic Candidates for Governor (Kyle, McMillian, McWherter, Herron and Cammack) have indicated they intend to attend and speak at a picnic lunch on the grounds of the College. We invite all Democrats to attend the SOS Training and spend a great day learning, sharing and visiting. Registration is filling up fast. To register go to www.tndp.org today. Also be sure to sign up with the Madison County Group @ www.tndp.org. Be our friend. Visit us at www.democratsofmadisoncounty.org to 'be a member' of the fastest growing County organization in Tennessee. Be involved. Be a Democrat.
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Comment by Susan Walton Banks on July 11, 2009 at 1:12am - OMG, Sarah Palin thinks there is a Department of Law in the Executive.
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Comment by T. Robert Hill on June 25, 2009 at 10:17pm - Democrats of Madison County are pleased to announce that Lane College, a historical African-American College in Jackson, Tennessee, will host the TnDP 8th District SOS Training College, September 26. The Madison County Democratic Party will be the Host Committee. Registration for the Campaign Training College is available on TnDP website under Events. Thank you Lane College and President Wesley McClure for opening your campus to the Democratic Party.
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Comment by T. Robert Hill on June 7, 2009 at 10:16pm
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The MCDP (or Democrats of Madison County, new domain name) met Thursday night. Forty (40) EC members and several vistors enjoyed some good food and great fellowship at the Party Barn as we began our work of saving Tennessee and saving Madison County together. After the meeting, I felt....Yep, I can go to war with these Democrats. And to war we will go in 2010.
Just a few notes of what is going on in Jackson and Madison County. Our new website should be up this week:
www.democratsofmadisoncounty.org.
Facebook page is up and going. We have a growing group on TnDP (over 30). We have started a search for a permanent MC Democratic Headquarters Office in Jackson. We want a presence in Jackson/MC the year round. We voted to Host the 8th District Training College (TnDP program) September 26 in Jackson.
MCDP is planning a large fund raiser in the Fall to prepare for 2010.
Our Exec. Comm. will be meeting in each County Commission District over the next 10 months to reintroduce the Democratic Party to the community.
Our Party has recently received donations of a new computer, printer and a refurbished copier....hopefully for our new Headquarters.
MCDP has taken first steps to get a College Democrat organization at Lambuth University and Lane College to join active club at Union University. Finally, we are hopeful of getting an intern program started. Our next official meetin will be in September; however, committees and officers will meet often throughout the Summer. Hope every Tennessee Democrat has a wonderful and productive Summer. Oh, we are taking a bus full or a caravan to Jackson Day....see you all there.
Robert Hill, MCDP Chairman
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Comment by Brenda V. Autry on June 4, 2009 at 10:50pm - Awesome "Democrats Of Madison County" Executive Committee Meeting tonight! Great job! Chairman T. Robert Hill, and all Madison County Democrats in attendance.
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Comment by Jesse Mclevain on May 30, 2009 at 10:12am - Please, if time allows, post any ideas that relate to "some plans for 2010" during the June 4 meeting that might be adapted for use by other county parties. Thanks. Jesse
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Comment by Yvonne Thompson on May 29, 2009 at 10:31am - Proud to be a member of MCDP. All of my support is behind the recently elected president, T. Robert Hill and all the new officers.
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Comment by T. Robert Hill on May 5, 2009 at 7:17pm
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Union University College Democrats have worked very hard to make the Celebration a success. Three of the four Democratic candidates for Governor will be present and speaking. Sen. Lowe Finney, newly elected Senate Floor Leader for Democrats will also be there and speak. Our terrific TnDP Chairman, Chip Forrester, is coming and will speak. I'll likely say a few words......but the really exciting turn is that there will be prayers, praise and music to celebrate our President's first 100 Days. Join us. We're on the move in Madison County. Join now and avoid the Fall rush!!!!
Robert Hill, Chair MCDP
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Comment by Susan Walton Banks on April 12, 2009 at 1:19pm
- Why be a Democrat? Truth, Justice, and the American Way. Corny, yeah maybe but I believe in the rule of law. We have suffered through eight long years of a government operating outside the law, sixteen if you include the Reagan years. Now, there is hope, the kind of hope I personally have not experienced since the Peace Movement of the sixties. President Obama against all odds has shown that progressive ideas do resonate with the majority of Americans. Yes, we can make a difference. Come join us!
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