COMMENTARY: Don't Vote With A Democrat!

Comment   Email   Print
Related Articles

Don't ever vote the same way a Democrats does.

That's the message Cannon County and state Republicans are sending.

Local Republican Louise Mayo did, on one issue, and she's paying the price.

Her party and some fellow Republicans have cast her aside.

The State Election Commission cast her aside.

State Senator Mae Beavers cast her aside.

State Representative Mark Pody cast her aside.

The Cannon County Republican Party cast her aside.

Fellow local Election Commissioners Lindbergh Dennis and Matt Studd cast her aside.

Former Administrator of Elections Stan Dobson cast her aside.

Stray one foot off the new Republican reservation, and you will be called hostile and branded as a traitor.

Even Gov. Bill Haslam is getting caught up in the battle between Republicans. The Republican Party chapters of two West Tennessee counties recently voted to impose “sanctions” against the Republican governor. A third passed a resolution criticizing him. 

Haslam’s supposed transgressions? According to reports, “policies that include the hiring of gay individuals, Democrats and a Muslim-American lawyer.”

These actions by local and state Republicans remind me of some lyrics from a song popular in the 1970s:

(What they do!)

(They smile in your face)

All the time they want to take your place

The back stabbers (back stabbers)

(They smile in your face)

All the time they want to take your place

The back stabbers (back stabbers)

Read more from:
OPINIONS
Tags: 
None
Share: 
Comment   Email   Print
Members Opinions:
July 18, 2012 at 7:58am
It seems the "dictator" mentality is taking over the country.
July 18, 2012 at 8:40am
Kevin, Kerr's article in this AM's Tennessean captures that precisely, as she says, "The newest political technique of the right segment of the Grand old Party: If you can't beat 'em, bully them."

Cannon County is not immune to that bullying rhetoric. We see it now. We saw it a couple a of years ago with the comments made at meetings, we felt it present when discussions of the near-by mosque took place and we have seen it even in internet posting sites.

As Kerr said "The target (of this bullying agenda): anyone with a brain who look, worship or love differently from themselves."

Thank you Kevin and the Courier. for getting this out front for all to see.
[Delete]
July 18, 2012 at 9:43am
both parties continuously spend millions to try to win the swing voters vote. as a true independent/swing voter i believe this "bully" tactic can be fatal. i fear as the right and left move to the extremes many voters will feel marginalized and disconnected in november and stay home and those that will vote will be picking the least of two evils. in this case the "bullies" will likely lose.
[Delete]
July 18, 2012 at 10:32am
Well Kevin, you are moving in the right direction here. Let's take it a little further and reject all of those playing in the false left/right paradigm.

If you look closely you will find that much of this divide and conquer crap is being stirred up by people from outside our state, particularly the far right neocon warmonger Frank Gaffney of the Center for Security Policy. This is what he is paid to do and most likely is getting money passed around to certain state politicians to advance his agenda of hate and perpetual war towards our current manufactured enemies.

As far as the Election Commission goes, perhaps it's time to have only independents with no party affiliation. Isn't their only job to be objective and have fair, honest and well run elections? For them to think or act at all along party lines is a recipe to pervert the process.


Back stabbers indeed.
July 18, 2012 at 10:37am
It appears the writer of this COMMENTARY failed to read the entire story on this cite. It was clearly stated that Mrs. Mayo was removed for only the fact that she voted to fire Mr. Dobson in retaliation for his a complaint to the State Election Commission.

I fail to understand how retaliation has any place in local Government, but then this is where party politics rears it ugly head and pits US against. THEM. Government should be for the people by the people at the very least in local government.


Had Mrs. Mayo let the complaint play out the state level she could very well still have her job.

Kevin the lyrics form the song could very well apply to the actions of Mrs. Mayo.


I have pasted below the heart of the story on the States action on Mrs. Mayo Please read close the last two paragraphs

Jack



All five of the seven State Election Commissioners present voted in favor of Mayo's removal. Chairman Kent Younce has appointed Corey Davenport as the Cannon County Republican member to replace Mayo.

The agenda for the State Election Commission meeting called for a discussion of a comment made by Mayo during a Cannon County Election Commission meeting regarding the termination of former Administrator of Elections (AOE) Stan Dobson. The item was listed under new business on the agenda.

During the July meeting of the Cannon County Election Commission Mayo, a Republican member, voted in favor of Dobson's termination, which passed by a 3-2 vote of the Election Commission.

During the State Election Commission Meeting Monday, a tape from the Cannon County meeting was played.

According to Blake Fontenay, Communication Director for the Tennessee Department of State, Mayo is heard discussing the the reason she voted to terminate Dobson was that (Dobson) had made a complaint to the State Election Commission (regarding) Mayo earlier this year.

As a result, the State Election Commission voted to remove Mayo for cause. The cause was retaliation in regards to Dobson's complaint filed with the State Election Commission in which Mayo was accused of creating a "hostile work environment."
July 18, 2012 at 11:25am
I agree mkeller.
July 18, 2012 at 11:58am
Well just to throw my two cents in. I am ashamed of both parties. It seems they are more worried about party power than they are the real issues at hand. For this reason have become a true independent. My view on the parties is you put them in pot and mix them up you can't tell the difference in them. They both have good and bad policies and both really don't care about mankind. The only time a common man gets anything in the mail or a phone call from any candidate is when they are wanting money or wanting my vote. What happened to calling and hearing my concerns. I feel that all political parties are out for control and power for thier party and don't really care about the betterment for mankind. I live in rural Cannon County and I am just curious to how many local government candidates actually cared enough about you to come and shake your hand and ask for your support. I will tell you the only one I have had in the last few years was Debbie Morris. One more thing for the candidates in the future, just because a candidate has my parents or my in laws vote does not mean you have mine.
July 18, 2012 at 12:38pm
Preacha


Amen!

Jack
[Delete]
July 19, 2012 at 2:08pm
Mae Beavers came to Cannon County and had Dobson installed. With Beavers, Pody, and Dobson not living in Cannon County this is not a local "Good Ole Boy" political mess, this is Nashville telling us in little Cannon County how it WILL be. Please vote to keep Beavers & Pody out of Cannon County!
July 19, 2012 at 4:00pm
Good Call---political corruption in High Places---and when a new crew comes in and breaks the law the first meeting, it's down hill from there.
July 19, 2012 at 6:30pm
What law is going to be broken and by who ?

DO you have this information from a reliable source or perhaps you are psychic ?

My understanding is that Mr. Dobson was hired by the Election Commission. I am sure I heard Mrs. Patrick declare in the last meeting "we hired him we can fire him".

Mrs.Mayo was removed for cause, petty retaliation. Whether or not Mr. Dobson was fired for cause will be settled in court.

I would say that Nashville is saying to Cannon County enough with "GOOD OLE BOY" politics.
Jack
July 19, 2012 at 7:22pm
I'm talking about the first meeting 3 years ago---sorry for the misunderstanding.
July 20, 2012 at 7:34am
Please enlighten me. What law was broken and by who ?
Jack
July 20, 2012 at 1:08pm
They call it the sunshine law----It was obviously broken because the replacement for Bush was already decided and he (the replacement person) just happened to show up? These are quick thinking people if they can sit there for 30 minutes or so and decide AND AGREE on all these decisions and come up with a replacement that 3 people agree on. WOW!
I try to believe in people but there is no way---Maybe, that this is just a NEW set of the "good ole boys"
July 20, 2012 at 1:20pm
If she had not tried to seek her own revenge she wouldn't have been fired. Not good ole boy politics just common sense. As I have said before the rest of them need to be evaluated as well. They should all be held accountable as with all positions in government.
July 20, 2012 at 5:11pm
IF you had been at the last commission meeting you would have heard the question raised by the chairman as to the proper public notification under the sunshine law as to the risk of Mr.Dobson's job, and if he was fired in a legal manner. When this was posed to the County attorney he stated it was unsettled law and the legality of it was questionable.

The day after Dobson was fired it was all over the County that Mrs. Bush would be returning to the job.

When Mrs.Mankin's name and Mrs.Bush's name was brought up at the last meeting the total discussion lasted less than 2 min.

Surly not ALREADY decided AND AGREED on by 3 people as to the replacement.
Jack
[Delete]
July 20, 2012 at 6:14pm
The Cannon County public was not given notice in 2009 that Mrs. Bush would be fired.

The Cannon County public was not given notice by Mae Beavers, Matt Studd or Stan Dobson that they were going before the State Election Commission in April to have Mrs. Mayo removed as a commission for voting with Democrats. Their planned request of the State Election Commission was not discussed at a meeting of the local election commission before it was made.

Matt Studd did not bring his plan to take the tape before the State Election Commission before the local election commission.

The Cannon County public has not been provided a transcript of the tape or the minutes of the meeting which directly quote Mrs. Mayo's statements with respect to Mr. Dobson.

Mae Beavers did not inform the Cannon County public of her plan to have Mrs. Mayo removed.

Mae Beavers did not inform the Cannon County public or the local election commission of her plan to have Corey Davenport replace Mrs. Mayo at Monday's meeting of the State Election Commission.

Chairman Kent Younce had no knowledge of Corey Davenport before he was recommended by Mae Beavers.

The outcome of Monday's meeting was already decided before the meeting, the tape was heard, and Davenport was named as Mayo's replacement.
July 20, 2012 at 7:59pm
Mrs.Bush was never fired. She worked in an appointed position. She was simply not reappointed. This works the same with all Government appointed positions. This was so noted at the last meeting. I am sure there is a tape of this meeting.

This same thing applies to elected positions.When a candidate wins an election he is appointed or reappointed. If they lose they ore NOT reappointed, or no longer have the job.

Anyone working in an appointed job works at the pleasure of who ever made the appointment. Be it a committee,a commission, a board, or a person, or the voting public.

Jack
July 21, 2012 at 4:43am
Thank You Kevin
[Delete]
July 21, 2012 at 7:24am
Kevin, I believe you have found a new sparring partner in Jack.

Has the state commissioner or board requested or ordered corey to quit having opinions on the courier?

Think they may have discussed the future of Mrs Bush?

Think they may have discussed the future of Mr Dobson?

Think they may have discussed assisting and aiding Mr. Dobson with a lawsuit against the citizens of Cannon County.

Think they may have discussed the future of current polling locations?
July 21, 2012 at 8:39am
AMEN KEVIN!!!

I agree with you 100%! There has been all this talk of Mrs Mayo and "retaliation" as they call it, but look at what Studd and Dobson have done? They tried to sneak around and get Mrs Mayo removed because she wouldn't vote how they wanted? This is absolutely ridiculous! Why would they even need to hold a vote on anything or even have a voting governing body in place if everyone is gonna vote like Studd and Dobson wants? Why not just let them run it all and everybody else just sit down and be quiet? I identify myself as a Republican and I applaud Mrs Mayo for having the ability to think for herself and the courage to vote what she feels is right and not follow the rest of the herd off the cliff so to speak. If Mrs Mayo was removed from the commission for retaliation, Matt Studd should definitely be removed for the things he's done as of late. He reminds me of a little kid that's gonna get the last lick in. Rumor has it now that there's a special called meeting for Monday night? Speaking of the sunshine law, isn't this a violation? I thought the meeting had to be posted and advertised?
[Delete]
July 21, 2012 at 8:42am
The most shameful aspect of all this is that those who were so eager to close the polling places (Beavers, Dennis, Studd, Dobson) could have waited a reasonable period of time and brought the matter up again. Perhaps minds could have been changed. Instead they chose to retaliate against Mrs. Mayo by going before the State Election Commission and publicly denigrate and embarrass her.
July 21, 2012 at 10:28am
First I am not trying to be a sparring partner to, for or against Mr.Halpern.

To once again quote Mr.Gannon "This Commission is a joke". I will also again call for the replacing of the entire commission.

I am not trying to be on the side of the Democrats or the Republicans, unlike some on this site appear to be. I try to be on the side of the facts and the people.

As I have said before on this site the major problem with politics in our great Country is the us against them. The attitude of do for Me then do for my party and work hard to keep my job and my power then all should be OK maybe !If not THE PEOPLE will have to make do and understand.

As to the tape that cost Mrs.Mayo her job has anyone ask for a transcript of this tape ?? The tape its self was made public on YouTube and so noted on this site.

If memory serves me after former aoe Jason Melton resigned there were no resumes take and no other names considered. I am not sure of the seasons for this but I am sure someone on the commission could expand on this.

Let me say in closing that a news paper sould write a news story without adding opinion and save this for commentary.
SEE EXCERPT FROM STORY BELOW

Dennis Resigns; Election Commission Chaos Continues
Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 7:31 am
Print
Signs continue to point to the fact the leadership of the Cannon County Election Commission, currently in control of the Republican Party, has no clue as to what it is doing from one day to the next.

Jack
[Delete]
July 21, 2012 at 3:06pm
When clueless acts are occurring daily it is not commentary, it is the fact of the situation.
July 21, 2012 at 4:20pm
Mr. Halpern has anyone asked Mr.Dennis why he resigned? Has anyone ask why a special meeting is being called with the only item on the agenda being to Appoint Interim AOE? Has Mrs. Bush been fired, resigned? Does anyone have any facts that might help to your readers to understand any of this?

More facts please.
Jack
[Delete]
July 21, 2012 at 4:26pm
Courier Co-Editor Tony Stinnett continues to work on the ever-evolving story. When additional information is available it will be published.
July 21, 2012 at 5:53pm
I fear that publishing only partials FACTS will cause confusion over nothing or even WORSE cause confusion over the wrong thing.

One would think The Cannon Courier would have been able to make contact with at least one of the commissioners or the Administrator sometime today. The election office was open today for early voting if I have my facts right.
Jack
[Delete]
July 21, 2012 at 6:00pm
Neither the Election Commissioners nor the Administrator are denied access to The Cannon Courier. It is their responsibility and obligation to inform the public of election office activities. The Courier only provides one vehicle for them to do so.
[Delete]
July 21, 2012 at 11:04pm
Let me begin by saying I am here Bud. I have been all week. And to answer your question, no one has told me I could not post or have an opinion.

I simply chose not to for several different reasons. Primarily because I have been on vacation in Washington D.C. with my beautiful wife and daughter since last Sunday and chose to enjoy them and ignore the bickerings of most of this nonsense. I do want to clear some things up that are to say the very least inaccurate.
1. I was at a 7-11 store looking at the Washington Monument when I got the call asking if I would consider joining this board.
2. Until that moment I knew nothing of Louise Mayo being dismissed from the board.
3. Until that moment I knew nothing of my name being considered as a board member.
4. At no time was I ever asked to vote a certain way or choose any person as a condition of my joining the board. That has never been discussed in any way, at any time, by anyone. Had there been any conditions suggested to me I would not have accepted the position.
5. Mae Beavers did not appoint me. The State of Tennessee Election Commission is the only authority that can appoint individuals to the board. I strongly suggest you call the State Election Commission and ask them yourself.
6. Mark Pody did not appoint me. As he stated Friday night that would be a direct conflict of interest and unethical since he is currently running for re-election.
7. Mr. Lindberg's decision to resign are his own as are Mary Lynn Bush's as well. As I have not talked either of them, I will respect their choice and their right to make that decision.
8. There is enough blame to go around for everyone for this mess, but what good does it do? That was yesterday and nothing any of you can say or do will change it. The time has come to move forward.

I have not had a chance to attend one meeting yet and many of you have already determined who I will be and how I will vote. That is your right to do so and one I also respect as well. It is what makes America so great I think.

We can run polls, quote song lyrics, call people names, make comments that have no merit, not allow people to comment on other extremely serious issues because that doesn't look good on others and bicker until we are blue in the face and it will not solve a single issue we face.

If you want to know me, if you want to know what I am about, if you want to understand my ideas then I strongly urge you to attend the meeting and see for yourself.

Everyone makes the choice to either be part of the problem or help find the solution. Sit here in judgement or join me and we will solve our issues together.

This is only comment I will make on this particular post. If you want to know more then come join me Monday at 5:30 pm.

Corey Davenport
[Delete]
July 22, 2012 at 4:56am
"1. I was at a 7-11 store looking at the Washington Monument when I got the call asking if I would consider joining this board."

Interesting that the name of the caller was not mentioned. If it was from Kent Younce, it would be interesting to know from whom he obtained the cell phone number of the callee?
July 22, 2012 at 6:23am
Remember that old Frankie Carle top ten song "Rumors are flying":

Bush, saw handwriting on the wall (why be fired again), opted out?

Patrick, in disgust, opts out?

Mankin back in?

Dobson back in?

Far right Republican from Houston Hills area in mix?

Rumors?

Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: