An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Archive for 21 July 2008
Press Conference
Some members of the press started coming in around 10:15.
This fellow was from Fox 17:
Channel 4 also was setting up a camera. There was also print media and photographers. One photographer in particular is on my list of weasels. Hint: When someone says, “Excuse me, can I get a picture, please.” The proper response would be to scooch over to the opposite side, NOT move even MORE in the way. sigh.. Especially if you are in the range of 10 feet tall, and the person asking is an inch taller than a two year old. 
Ok, perhaps that’s a slight exaggeration, but…..
The lawyer from Institute for Justice, Scott Bullock, spoke a bit about the history of the case. It seems that the big developer from Houston, Lionstone Development Group, who is at the bottom of this whole eminent domain issue, along with the MDHA. Unfortunately, the MDHA are ending up looking like complete morons. The definition of blight they are trying to impose is from a 1999 definition. The law was changed in 2006, thanks to the ridiculous finding of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Kelo VS City of New London case. From the WPLN website:
Despite her objections, MDHA development director Joe Cain says it’s only a matter of time before the agency acquires Ford’s property.
In Cain’s words:
“I mean obviously we feel like we have the, um, you know, that this is what we have done in past redevelopment districts and have the ability to go ahead and acquire this piece of property and redevelop the area so that we can eliminate any deleterious uses and blighted properties in the area and get the area redeveloped.”
You’d think a guy that goes out of his way to use a word like ‘deleterious’, could refrain from the “um, you know” syndrome. Sorry, that’s just something that annoys me.
Oh, in case you’re wondering: harmful often in a subtle or unexpected way
I’m not making any accusations, but I would question the real motives behind this whole fiasco.
Carroll Ford, Miss Joy’s stepson, spoke for a few minutes, standing behind his stepmother and her desire to save the business she built with his father.
Miss Joy spoke, expressing gratitude for all those who came to show support, which included the sons of two rather famous artists, Waylon Jennings and Joe Stampley.
Contrary to what some might believe, Joy Ford is not fighting to get more money from the development company, or the city. She is fighting to keep the business she and her late husband built. Fighting to keep the government from stealing her property, but every other citizen who holds the rights granted in the U.S. Constitution dear.
This is far from over. Papers have been filed, and the battle will rage on.
After speaking, all were invited outside to partake in quite a spread. I love quiche! I spoke to several more folks outside, even in the heat. I always question why men don’t take their suit jackets off when they step outside. I tend to actually ask them this question, and always get the same answer….”I don’t know!” sigh…
There was a very talented young lady who sang the National Anthem, and I will find out her name. I didn’t have my scrap paper and pen handy, so didn’t write it down.
Unfortunately, she turned her head when someone spoke to her. sigh….
Pre-Press Conference
I left my motel room thinking I would likely get lost, and the intent of hunting down a notepad. I turned out the back entrance and BOOM! I was there. I could have walked in less than 60 seconds! sigh… Well, I still had a mission on my mind, so I turned on to the main road, in search of a drug store, a grocery store….anything that sold something besides cars. I was sadly disillusioned. There is NOTHING in the area that sold what I was looking for. Oh, I found a convenience store, alright. Half of said store was dedicated to the caffeine needs of it’s customers. The other half dedicated to junk food and quarts of oil. No help. Oh well, I decided to abandon my quest, and make do with print outs of maps and motel confirmations that were floating around my car due to my complete laziness. I take that back, it’s not a 100% laziness….I’m blaming the excess heat in the garage. 
Hey, sounds good to me!
Down to business!
This is my idea of “blight”….
This is not:
I couldn’t get a shot of the whole building because, well, I value my life, and didn’t want to be standing in the middle of the street. Kay Brooks has some much better pictures of the property, and the surrounding area, taken just a couple of weeks ago.
I walked into Country International Records not knowing what to expect. What greeted me was an extremely well kept, modern reception area, with two just as nice, if not nicer offices off to the left.
To the right, there is a hallway filled with can only be called history. Here’s just a small section:
Such pictures and framed country charts line the 20 foot hallway. The young lady in the photo is Miss Joy, just a few years ago. I learned she performed at the Grand Old Opry herself at one time. There were pictures covering the walls of various country stars, some names all too familiar to me, and admittedly, some not, but all signed by the stars.
The lady who put this all together, Marla Sitten of Radio Active Promotions, and two lawyers(Scott Bullock, and still hunting other name). The one on the right is from the Institute for Justice: (here is their press release)
This is NOT a “blighted” building! This is a VERY well kept business. I was a bit baffled by the chain link fence with barbed wire on top. I was told later that had been put there when the area was a bit “rougher”. Across the street are cute little shops and businesses, but all around Miss Joy’s property is land owned by the company who wants to take her life’s business. The business she started with her husband, who passed away in 1999.
I spoke to several people while waiting for the actual press conference to start. ALL there in support of Miss Joy. I also had the opportunity to speak to the lady of the hour herself. Honestly, she is the epitome of the “steel magnolia”. A true Southern lady. Gracious, friendly, and obviously moved by those who came out in support of her. As she spoke to the various people, it was obvious that tears were close to spilling at any minute. Then, she would laugh at something someone said, and her whole face would light up, with an inner glow that lit up the room.
FINALLY, fellow bloggers, Ken (Blue Collar Muse) and Kay (Kay Brooks) showed up!
Miss Kay there had this neat little gadget with her to record the entire event. I’ve gotta get one! It was about the size of an iPod. Her daughter was in charge of recording, and I hope she got it cuz I’m going to be linking, copying and pasting, and whatever else needed. 
Me, on the other hand was making do with scrap paper. Well, I guess I could claim to be recycling.
I’m Off!
Yeah yeah…. but this time, physically! I’m on my way to see if I can manage not to get lost, driving about a tenth of a mile! Heh.
I’ve learned there are no outlets whatsoever, so live blogging will be out of the question. I do have camera in hand, but have to go hunt down a note pad. I’ve got about 20 at home, but of course, I always forget leave one in my computer case. Yep, I use to be blonde! A LONG time ago….when I was about 25!
Obamarama
Morning Coffee 07/21/08 – Short Cup
Fees, fewer flights ground business travel
Business travelers are beginning to reminisce about the days when red-eye flights and early-morning meetings were their primary sources of distress.
In recent months, they have been overwhelmed by a cascade of increased costs, canceled flights and fees tacked on by airlines that are struggling to offset soaring fuel costs.
I guess it’s a good thing the Mr and I have decided not to go anywhere we would have to fly. Although, there is that ONE trip….. Unless the intent of the Dhimmis in D.C. is to totally ruin our economy, which runs on businesses by the way, they might want to remove their collective heads from their collective hind ends, and give the word…….DRILL! This would see a sharp decline in price of a barrel, which in turn, reduces all other fuels. Psst….it’s called common sense!
Pro-choice spiritual left brings a new voice
“It’s not the liberty of doing whatever you want, it’s the liberty of coming to the decision of your own sacred conscience,” Fox said. “A very big important part of that is distinguishing what religious people might think is right or wrong, and what the law is going to decide is legal or illegal.”
While Fox does not want the government to make determinations about abortion’s morality, he does believe it has a role in sex education. “Abstinence only is criminal negligence,” said Fox, who is also a supporter of comprehensive sex education.
This clown is a minister? Well, his church may be called “Church of Christ”, but his words sure don’t reflect it! I wonder if he would have tried to justify the Holocaust with is twisted ideology? Too many churches have forgotten the Word of God, or choose to ignore the bits and pieces that aren’t politically correct.
Gordon Brown promises backing for Israel in face of Iran nuclear threat
In the first speech by a British prime minister to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, Brown declared Britain would stand by the country when its “very right to exist” was under threat.
Brown’s remarks will be seen as a signal that Britain could be prepared to support a military strike against Iran if all other diplomatic routes fail, including a tightening of sanctions.
I wonder how many extremists attacks we’ll see in Britain in the not too distant future.
Jobless may have to work for benefits
The long-term unemployed could be forced to work for their benefit payments under plans for the biggest reform of the welfare system in 60 years, the government said on Monday.
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said he wanted to help those on state benefits to return to work rather than relying on long-term handouts.
“The longer you claim, the more you’ll be expected to do,” he told Sky News. “After a year … you’ll be required to do at least four weeks’ full-time work in return for your benefits.”
Whoa! What a novel concept! Actually having to do something constructive to receive benefits from the gubmint. Wonder why no one thought of this before? Hmmmm….. (sarcasm)
Rice: Iran Not Serious at Nuke Meeting, Could Face New Sanctions
At the meeting, Iran had been expected to respond to a package of incentives offered in exchange for halting enrichment of uranium, which can be used to fuel atomic weapons. The Bush administration broke with long-standing policy to send a top diplomat to support the offer.
However, Rice said that instead of a coherent answer, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili delivered a “meandering” monologue full of irrelevant “small talk about culture” that appeared to annoy many of the others present at the table in Geneva.
The only ‘serious’ answer that anyone will get from Iran is when they test a nuke. They aren’t going to back down because they really do want to destroy Israel and the West. How else will that imman in the well make a showing?
Jalili returns home from Geneva
“No word was mentioned about suspension. What happened in Geneva was some discussions about the two sides approaches to the nuclear talks and their timing,” Jalili told reporters who asked him if the issue of suspending Iran’s nuclear activities was raised during the talks.
Commenting on a reportedly two-week deadline for Iran, Jalili said, “Based on a primitive agreement, they presented an offer for the resumption of nuclear talks and we had also an initiative to this end. The two sides are expected to consider the issue for two weeks and comment about it.”
Jalili added that “good discussions” were held about how to proceed with the nuclear talks.
Considering the report from others who were at that same meeting, (see above) I’d say Jalili was blowing smoke up someone’s skirt. When things seriously start falling apart from the lack of cooperation, who are the Iranian people going to blame? Well, not their politicians of course, since they’ve been told that things went well. This is gonna get ugly!
Tinker, Cohen invoke Obama in fight for congressional seat
The office building at 4230 Elvis Presley Blvd., right next to the Krispy Kreme, is the official Nikki Tinker for Congress headquarters, but a passerby might easily mistake it for a Memphis outpost of Barack Obama’s campaign for president.
(…)
“Barack Obama, A C Wharton and Steve Cohen are in the same boat, and it’s a boat that’s moving forward,” Cohen said, also invoking Shelby County’s popular African-American mayor.
Although Cohen has been vocal as an Obama superdelegate since before Tennessee’s presidential primary in February — and has made appearances on behalf of the Obama campaign, according to Cohen — Tinker is unimpressed.
I’ll grant ya, Tinker is a whole lot easier to look at than Cohen, from a female perspective of course, but I wonder how fast both of them are going to back track if/when the B. Hussein kool aid drinkers finally snap out of their coma?
Verse of the Day
Psalm 119:29-34
29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
