Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Politics Occupy Nashville: the Little Encampment That Could
Posted by Jeff Woods on Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 1:37 PM
Media MSNBC Visits Occupy Nashville, Finds Bridge-Building Southern Hospitality
Posted by Steve Haruch on Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 1:10 PM
Compared to “Occupy” protests on the coasts, the rebel encampment tucked between Tennessee’s War Memorial Plaza and the Statehouse — a few dozen tents adorned with American flags and even a libertarian one — has a decidedly Southern feel.While protesters in New York, California and elsewhere may often pass their downtime playing drums, meditating or knitting, their Tennessee counterparts could be playing football, hosting a square dance, flying kites, skateboarding or welcoming opponents with cookies.
And if conversations on the coasts tend toward left-wing political theory, such as anarchy, Marxism and socialism, protesters here work on bridging a different divide: uniting the “blue” and “red” factions in their local audience.
Square dancing? Really? In any case, Leitsinger — who kindly links to Jeff Woods' coverage of the Vandy Young Republicans' visit to Legislative Plaza — finds a different tone emanating from the Nashville encampment. And considering the fact that, during the late-October crackdown by the Haslam administration, our local occupiers inspired support from folks as politically far-flung as Stacey Campfield and Mary Mancini, she's probably onto something.
Books The Tennessee State Library and Archives Makes Life Easier for Libraries Across the State
Posted by Betsy Phillips on Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 5:56 AM
The TSLA has purchased an electronic cataloging program that will allow participating libraries across the state to share cataloging information and make inter-library loans much easier.
From The Chattanoogan's website:
“The electronic card catalog is another example of how we can use technology to deliver better service to Tennesseans more efficiently and cost effectively,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “This service should make life better for patrons and library staff. It is the type of service that TSLA should be providing to libraries across our state.”
I'm convinced there are two types of genius ideas: One is the idea that is so weird you can't imagine how anyone thought it up; the other is the idea that seems so obvious once you hear about it that you can't imagine it hasn't always been in place.
The idea of the TSLA acting like a kind of hub for libraries across the state to share information is one of the latter. This is a great way for even very small public libraries to easily provide their patrons with a wealth of material. Kudos to the TSLA.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Law and Order Haslam Administration Reveled in Occupy Nashville Crackdown: 'Fun Time Has Started'
Posted by Jeff Woods on Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 10:17 AM
"Fun time has started," Watkins wrote.
Yes, the laughter is killing us! Jailing idealistic young demonstrators and trampling on free-speech rights — it doesn't get any more hilarious than that. Fun times!
Also according to the newly released documents, General Services billed protesters $1,045 for security the night before the troopers swept in to roust the encampment. That's a good one. Another General Services official joked about punching protesters. At least we think he was joking. From today's story by the AP's Travis Loller:
After the curfew policy was made public, two facility administrators with General Services exchanged emails about distributing copies of the policy to protesters on the plaza. Don Johnson asked how he could help."We should be able to handle it, unless you want to come for moral support!" David Carpenter responds.
"I'll get in trouble and punch one in the head," is the reply from Johnson.
Obituary Services for Vic Varallo, Former Councilman, Today at 2 p.m.
Posted by Steve Haruch on Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 9:21 AM
Vic Varallo, the longtime local high school sports coach who also served on the Metro Council from 1991-1999, died Friday night in Gallatin at age 89. From The City Paper:
Born Angelo Vic Varallo on April 11, 1922, to parents J.B. and Catherine Varallo, Vic attended Holy Name Catholic School in East Nashville and Father Ryan High School. He began college at Ole Miss where he played both football and basketball. But World War II intervened and he found himself in the Pacific theatre from 1942 to 1945, assigned to be an aerial gunner in the back of a B-25. He was shot down twice and received four different medals for his service, including the American Campaign medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.He resumed his studies at what is now known as Middle Tennessee State University following the war and again played multiple sports, captaining the football team. After graduation, he was recalled to service to become part of the 306th Air Base Group during the Korean War.
Following his discharge, Varallo found his calling. He became a teacher at East High School and for more than two decades became a force in prep track and field as a coach. Along with Edgar Allen, he started the Banner Relays, for decades one of the most elite track events in the state. His teams won the Banner and Optimist Relays and twice won state championships. He also taught at Pearl, Hillsboro, Dupont, Hunters Lane and Overton high schools before he retired in the early 1990s. He was also a successful football and basketball coach and was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2005.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. today in the chapel at Spring Hill Funeral Home, 5110 Gallatin Pk., followed by internment with military honors at Spring Hill Cemetery.
Phillips The Tennessee Republican Drinking Game
Posted by Betsy Phillips on Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 7:36 AM
Let's face it, folks. Tennessee Democrats are going to be in political exile a long, long time. But it doesn't have to be all bad. In fact, I've invented a drinking game to help the time pass in a more tolerable manner. It's very simple — you just take a shot every time a Republican politician says he heard something from someone who doesn't want to be named.
Like this example from Southern Beale:
“The ironic part about this is we will have some people get on the Web site and call us and then we will ask ‘Can we use this publicly?’” Ramsey said of the information collected by the Web site. “Most people don’t want to be cited publicly.
Or from this City Paper story by Jeff Woods, where Gov. Bill Haslam tries to act like tons of unnamed people supported his crackdown on Occupy Nashville — "I’ve had a whole lot of people say I can’t believe that’s happening on that property" — though none of them are named.
Or from Woods again, at Pith, quoting State Rep. Rick Womick:
"I’ve gotten multiple phone calls of support and text messages of support. Those who are not wanting to speak out publicly are not wanting to come out and condemn me either. They are quietly supporting me in the background."
And now Ron Ramsey again in the Times Free Press:
Ramsey said he has been "inundated" by employers who tell him they try to hire unemployed workers."And they'll say, 'Well, my benefits don't run out for six more weeks, eight more weeks and I don't want to be hired until then.' I know it is tough times. I'm not downplaying that at all. But I also know that in some cases there are jobs available if people would be willing to do it," he said.
That's worth two shots because you have the nameless employers we just have to take Ramsey's word exist and the nameless unemployed workers that the nameless employers supposedly told Ramsey about.
Lord, it's enough to make you wonder if anyone in this state is willing to put their name to what they say. The Tennessean is doing away with anonymous commenters. Maybe we should ask our politicians to do the same. If it's important enough for the state to address, it's important enough for us to know who thinks it needs addressing.
Phillips In One Tweet the Tennessee Tea Party Proves Why We Need Anti-Discrimination Ordinances
Posted by Betsy Phillips on Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 6:08 AM
Because nothing says "serious political movement" like calling a prominent politician (in this case the retiring Barney Frank) a perverted sodomite piece of shit. I looked at the Tennessee Tea Party's website to see how homophobic cussing aligns with their stated goals, but I just can't tell.
A return to Constitutional values and a reaffirmation of state sovereignty
A call for fiscal conservatism and a low tax burden
Limited Government
Individual liberty and personal responsibility
To encourage and assist those who hold these values to seek elected office at all levels of government.
Is deriding someone for being a perverted piece of shit an example of individual liberty and personal responsibility? Maybe it's an example of Constitutional values? I wonder other things, too, like what a non-perverted sodomite piece of shit would look like. Would it be unfair to ask all politicians who work with the Tennessee Tea Party after this if they also believe gay people are perverted sodomite pieces of shit?
You'll be unsurprised to learn that the Tennessee Tea Party encouraged followers on Facebook to thank their representatives and senators for passing HB 600/SB 632, you know the bill that keeps Nashville from protecting the perverted sodomite pieces of shit employed by city contractors.
The fact that a major political player in the state feels free to dehumanize a whole group of people and call them perverts and sodomites and pieces of shit in public without giving it a second though exactly illustrates why gay people need legal protections from discrimination. Some people in this state have trouble even viewing them as human.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Red State Update Michelle Obama Booed at NASCAR Race
Posted by Jeff Woods on Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Phillips Richland Park: A Review
Posted by Betsy Phillips on Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 7:30 AM
Size of Park: Large
Crowds: Light
Approximate Age of Patrons: My age
Topics of Conversation: "Pooping again? But I already used up all the plastic baggies!"
Stray Dogs Seen: None
Types of Vehicles in Parking Lots: Mostly sedans
Perceived Safety: Medium high
Number of Gunshots Heard: None
Dog Friendliness: My dog loved it
Number of pitbulls sighted: Possibly two! If not, then a small boxer or small American bulldog, and my dog.
Accessibility: Fine
Incorporation of Local History: None
Recommended Patrons: Especially people who like trees.
Film The Anti-Casablanca: Nicholas Ray's Bitter Victory Tonight at Belcourt
Posted by Jim Ridley on Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 6:08 AM
Cinematic Conversations: Bitter Victory
Where: The Belcourt
When: 7 p.m. Mon., Nov. 28
See this movie, and you may wonder why it isn’t as much a part of the shorthand of cinema history as Kubrick’s Paths of Glory or Lawrence of Arabia. At the very least, you’ll wonder why it isn’t more famous. In spite of casting clashes, script confusion and his own offscreen demons, director Nicholas Ray delivered a harrowing masterpiece in this bleak 1957 anti-war drama — which, as Jonathan Rosenbaum suggested, amounts in some ways to an anti-Casablanca that questions Rick’s stoic machismo as well as Victor Laszlo’s strictly patriotic motivation.
Richard Burton, radiating scorched-earth cynicism, plays the British captain dispatched to steal secret documents from Rommel’s Libyan headquarters; Curt Jurgens (intended for another role by Ray) is the commanding officer who married Burton’s former lover (Ruth Roman). As the men get lost in the Libyan desert with an increasingly disgruntled detail (including a young Christopher Lee), the mission disintegrates into chaos, while director Ray turns the blinding sandscapes into a sci-fi wasteland — the black-and-white CinemaScope frame becomes a white void dotted with scared, mutinous astronauts.
The movie offers plenty to discuss at The Belcourt’s “Cinematic Conversatons” series, a sort of cinematic book club that convenes immediately after each film. Tonight’s meets at Fido for the post-film talk after the 7 p.m. show.
