National pundit day

Today we'll hear all sorts of excuses and crowing.

For my part --

I'm thankful that the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman was written into the state constitution. I'm thankful that 7 out of 8 of these amendments across the nation got voter approval yesterday and that it won by a decisive 4 to 1 margin here. I know that some people see this as discrimination and hateful--for my part it's not intended to be. Man + Woman = marriage is foundational to my faith. I can't compromise on it. My thanks to David Fowler and Bobbie Patray for what has been years of behind the scene effort and struggle.

I'm thankful the US Senate remains in the hands of the Republicans. I suggest that they consider their losses as a serious wakeup call to get about being different from the Dems and start leading boldly and decisively.

I'm thankful that the Tennessee Senate remains, barely, in the hands of the Republicans. I've got the same message for you. And if you don't oust John Wilder as speaker this time around you don't deserve to lead.

I'm thankful that Bob Corker beat Harold Ford, Jr. Ed Bryant was my preference but I'll take Corker over a Ford any day. I can only hope this loss is a severe blow to the Ford political machine. I will confess that I have a hard time understanding Memphis politics. Common sense seems completely absent or submissive to a culture that I view as enabling further dependence for Memphians. I'm looking forward to the day when the very freedom that Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of actually comes to Memphis.

I'm thankful that Mae Beavers won over Bob Rochelle -- the man who wins my award for most idiotic campaign ads -- and that's saying something this election cycle.

I'm thankful for Ben Cunningham and his efforts to control taxes. He's stood firmly between money hungry legislators and our family budget. We appreciate his help.

I'm thankful that fellow Nashvillians agree that people who oversee our city ought to live here and suffer/benefit from the consequences of their decisions. Now if we could extend that to employees and the Deputy Mayor...

I'm thankful for several people who ran and didn't win --

Jim Bryson enabled Tennessee to have a legitimate choice in this election. I hope he doesn't fade away but stays involved and continues to voice an important point of view and helps hold Mr. Bredesen accountable. I dare say that Gov. Bredesen wouldn't have said boo about immigration or an income tax if Jim hadn't been dogging him about these very important issues.

Bob Krumm is another man we need to stay involved in our political arena. Doug Henry has had a nearly free ride for too long. Keep asking the questions Bob. One day Mr. Henry's voters will begin to require him to answer them.

Surely Terry Roland deserves some sort of award for being the point man in the battle to bring Memphis into the light of political accountability. I suspect law enforcement agencies will have their hands full going through the shenanigans that have gone on during Memphis voting. Obviously the Ford machine isn't dead yet but it took a heavy hit in no small part to Terry's willingness to serve the entire State in this manner. Thank you Terry.

What I've learned after my own election defeat is that I don't have to walk in defeat. I may not have a job with the school board but that doesn't mean I can't still speak and work for the changes I know need to occur. Further, I've got more freedom to speak than I did being on the BOE. And so it can be for these 'losers'. I'm soooo looking forward to reading Bob Krumm's blog this legislative season.

I'm very concerned for our troops in Iraq and the Iraqi people. With Nancy Pelosi in charge of the purse strings this is when Iraq could become another Vietnam. We can't let our troops down or the freedom loving Iraqi people. I don't want to look at the Afghanis if we let them down again. And I'm very concerned that the woman representing a city so far from the mainstream is now in charge of the House of Representatives and third in line for presidential succession.

I'm certain that without serious pressure on Congress my family will shortly be required to live on less as this new House will start redistributing the wealth they think we have.

And a question or two --

How is it that Opehlia Ford and Doug Henry both won their seats without being required to meet the public and debate the issues?

Or how can Mary Pruitt win with Phil Williams and his powerful video and revelations of her own Memphian mindset?

What are the election commissions going to do to ensure that campaign shenanigans are further minimized and that voting can end at 7:00 p.m. because there were enough resources to accomplish mission one? I can't imagine how frustrating it is to be in line to vote and have the election being called. Talk about disenfranchising voters!

Finally --

Go ahead and remove the yard signs and bumper stickers. You may be very proud that you publicly supported one side or the other--but from where I sit it's unsportsmanlike conduct to leave that sign fading in the sun for months while you grieve your loss or rub your neighbor's nose in your win. The only thing tackier is a "Don't blame me I voted for ___" bumper sticker. Move on folks.

One last thing--if you spent a lot of time standing in line yesterday and will spend a good bit of today complaining about it--seriously consider stepping up and being a poll worker next time . Obviously they could use the help and you know from first hand experience what shouldn't be done. Here's the application form. Print it and fill it in now while you're emotionally motivated.