WTF.

TN Dem. Superdelegate Davis slow to endorse Obama
[camp suggests terrorist connections...I kid you not]
Nashville City Paper
By John Rodgers
jrodgers@nashvillecitypaper.com
Updated: Friday, June 13, 2008 2:33 am

Some Tennesseans wonder why Congressman Lincoln Davis (D-Pall Mall) is waiting until the Democratic National Convention in August before endorsing his party’s nominee for President. Courtesy of lincolndavis.com

The rise of Sen. Barack Obama, to become the Democrats’ presidential nominee has put most of his party’s faithful on his bandwagon — but not Lincoln Davis, a rural Tennessee Congressman with gubernatorial ambitions.

Davis (D-Pall Mall) is not yet endorsing the presumptive nominee in Obama, saying he’ll wait until the late August Democratic Party national convention.

In Davis’ sprawling 4th Congressional District — which ranges from as far west as Hickman County to as far east as the upper Cumberland Plateau — less than a quarter of Democrats in the largely rural district voted for Obama, the nation’s first African-American presidential candidate nominated by a major party, in Tennessee’s presidential primary.

Davis, a rural white Congressman, represents two-dozen counties — 21 in their entirety and three in part — including Williamson’s southwestern corner.

In February’s Tennessee Democratic primary, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) won 23 of those 24 counties, garnering 68 percent of the vote compared to Obama’s 23 percent. Obama won only Williamson County.

When examining the 21 counties resting entirely within Davis’ district, Clinton’s numbers rise from 68 percent to winning 73 percent of the vote. Obama won a meager 18 percent.

The situation presents perhaps a unique political situation for Davis. He is withholding his endorsement of Obama while he prepares to face a Republican challenge for his conservative “swing” district that overwhelmingly supported Obama’s rival.

Meanwhile, Davis has gubernatorial ambitions for 2010, in which Tennessee political history strongly suggests the Democratic strongholds of Shelby and Davidson counties with their large groups of black voters are a must for his or any Democrat’s aspirations for statewide office.

Fred Hobbs, a state Democratic Party Executive Committee member representing part of Davis’ district, said he understands why Davis is not endorsing Obama and is “skeptical” of the Illinois senator himself.

“Maybe [it’s] the same reason I don’t want to — I don’t exactly approve of a lot of the things he stands for and I’m not sure we know enough about him,” Hobbs said when asked why he thought Davis wasn’t endorsing Obama. “He’s got some bad connections, and he may be terrorist connected for all I can tell. It sounds kind of like he may be.”

Davis was not made available for comment.

His chief of staff, Beecher Frasier, said he doesn’t know for sure if Obama is “terrorist connected” but he assumes he’s not.

Frasier denied that Davis was withholding his endorsement of Obama for political reasons, saying Davis believed that was how the superdelegate system was intended to work.

(story continued)

So I'm Moving to East Nash.

...Am I part of the problem?

The following is in response to this previous '06 blog post:
http://matthewryanward.blogspot.com/2006/09/i-cant-be-only-one-whod-like-to-see.html

Report: Nation's Gentrified Neighborhoods Threatened By Aristocratization

"According to a report released Tuesday by the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank, the recent influx of exceedingly affluent powder-wigged aristocrats into the nation's gentrified urban areas is pushing out young white professionals, some of whom have lived in these neighborhoods for as many as seven years.

Maureen Kennedy, a housing policy expert and lead author of the report, said that the enormous treasure-based wealth of the aristocracy makes it impossible for those living on modest trust funds to hold onto their co-ops and converted factory loft spaces.

"When you have a bejeweled, buckle-shoed duke willing to pay 11 or 12 times the asking price for a block of renovated brownstones—and usually up front with satchels of solid gold guineas—hardworking white-collar people who only make a few hundred thousand dollars a year simply cannot compete," Kennedy said. "If this trend continues, these exclusive, vibrant communities with their sidewalk cafés and faux dive bars will soon be a thing of the past."

story continued:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/report_nations_gentrified

As Requested: 101 Nashville Restaurants

Some of you asked me to post this. So here's my list of 101 Nashville Restaurants I think are worth the return trip. They're mostly all independent, though there are a few quality chains listed. It's divided by borough and then classified. Enjoy, and if you visit any of these places, Call Me.

DOWNTOWN
THE STANDARD – Southern Gourmet - $$
PARCO – Sushi/French Fusion - $$
COPPER KETTLE – Southern/Brunch - $
FLYING SAUCER – Brewhouse - $
CHILE BURRITO – Tex/Mex - $
SOLE MIO – Italian - $$
CAFÉ CREMA – Café - $
ANDREW CHADWICK's – New American – Fine - $$$
CAPITOL GRILLE – New American – Fine - $$$
GERST HAUS – German - $$
HERMITAGE CAFE - Meat&3/Diner - $
CREMA- Café - $

EAST NASH
FAMILY WASH – Pub/Gourmet - $$
ROSEPEPPER – Mexican - $
EASTLAND CAFE – New American – Fine - $$+
MARCHE – Gourmet Café - $$
MARGOT – New American/French – Fine - $$$
CALYPSO CAFE – (*West End & Berry Hill) – Caribbean/Chicken - $
I DREAM OF WEANIE – Hotdogs - $
MAD DONNA's - All-American - $
BLUE SKY BISTRO - Café/American - $
MITCHELL'S DELI - Gourmet Deli - $
WATANABE - Sushi - $$

MIDTOWN
LIME – Latin - $$
VIRAGO – Asian Fusion/Sushi - $$$
MAMBU – New American/Fusion – Fine - $$$
CAFE COCO – Café/24hr - $
DA VINCI’s – Pizza - $$
CHAPPY’s – Cajun/Southern – Fine - $$
BETHEL – Ethiopian - $
SOUTH STREET SEAFOOD SHACK – Seafood - $
BOUND’RY – New American – Fine - $
GIGI'S CUPCAKES - Bakery - $

WEST END/VANDY
RUMBA – Tapas - Equatorial/Indonesian/Caribbean - $$
ROTIER’s – Diner/Burgers - $
ROYAL THAI EXPRESS – Thai - $
ACORN – New American – Fine - $$$
ZOLA – French/New American/Seafood – Fine - $$$+
TED’s MONTANA – American/Burgers - $$
FATTOUSH CAFE – Greek - $
WOODLANDS – Indian Vegetarian - $
HOG HEAVEN – Barbecue - $

SYLVAN PARK
PARK CAFE – New American – Fine - $$$
SYLVAN PARK – Southern/Meat & 3 - $
CAFÉ NONNA – Italian - $$
BOBBIE’s DAIRY DIP – Burgers/Shakes - $
MIEL - French - $$

BELMONT
PM – Sushi/Thai/New American Fusion - $$
CHA-CHA - Tapas - $$
BONGO JAVA – (*East Nash) – Café - $
FAT STRAW – Bubble Tea - $
DULCE DESSERTS – Bakery - $

BERRY HILL
YELLOW PORCH – New American – Fine - $$
SAM & ZOE’s – Café/Deli - $
BAJA BURRITO – Tex/Mex - $
ATHEN’S – Greek – Breakfast - $

12th SOUTH
THE TAPROOM – Brewhouse/American - $
FROTHY MONKEY – Café - $
RUMOURS – (*East Nash) – Winebar/ New American – Fine - $$$
PORTLAND BREW – (*East Nash/West End) – Café - $
MIRROR – Tapas / New American – Fine - $$$
LAS PALETAS – Popsicles - $
CORRIERI'S FORMAGGERIA – Italian / Deli - $$

GULCH
FLYTE – New American – Fine - $$$
WATERMARK – New American – Fine - $$$+
RU SAN's – Sushi - $$
CHRISTOPHER’s PIZZA – Pizza/Pub - $
AGAVE TEQUILA LOUNGE – Tex/Mex - $

HILLSBORO VILLAGE
FIDO – Gourmet Café - $
PROVENCE – (*Downtown) – French Bakery/Deli - $
SUNSET GRILL – New American – Fine - $$$ / Late Night - $
PANCAKE PANTRY – Breakfast - $$
CABANA – Bar – New American/Fusion - $$
JACKSON’s - New American - Casual - $

GREEN HILLS
DONUT DEN – Bakery - $
BRONTE BISTRO – Gourmet Café - $
CHINATOWN – Chinese - $
PEI WEI – Asian - $
SHALIMAR – Indian - $$
WHOLE FOODS GRILL – Gourmet Café - $$
F. SCOTT’s – New American –Fine - $$$+ / After 9pm - $$
THE FOOD COMPANY – Gourmet Café - $
KALAMATA's - Greek - $

COOL SPRINGS
BASIL ASIAN BISTRO – Thai - $
MANIAC’s – Chicken - $
WOLFGANG PUCK – Gourmet Café - $
TASTE OF RUSSIA - Russian - $

FRANKLIN
SOL – Latin - $$
SAFFIRE – New American – Fine - $$$
COCO TREE – Dessert - $
MERCHANTILE – Deli - $
DOTSON’s - Southern/Meat&3 - $

GERMANTOWN
GERMANTOWN CAFÉ – Germantown – New American - Fine - Brunch - $
THE MAD PLATTER - Germantown - New American - Fine - $
JAMAICAWAY - Caribbean - $

CRIEVE HALL
MAMA MIA's – Italian - $$
BACK TO CUBA – Cuban - $
TOMMY BOY SAUSAGE CO. – Italian/Southern - $

OTHER
RI'CHARD's - White's Creek – Cajun/Southern - $
LA HACIENDA – South Nashville - Mexican - $
LAS AMERICAS - South Nashville - Mexican - $
PENN STATION – Bellevue – Subs - $
LOVELESS CAFE – Bellevue – Breakfast/Southern - $$
HOT KABOB's - White Bridge – Persian - $
ANATOLIA – White Bridge – Turkish - $$
PICNIC's - Belle Meade – Sounthern/Deli - $
THE GRAPE - Belle Meade - Wine Bar - New American - $$
WHITE TRASH CAFÉ – Fairgrounds – Southern/Meat&3 - $
PRINCE’s HOT CHICKEN – North Nash – Chicken - $
CHINA CHEF – Hickory Hollow – Chinese - $
COCK OF THE WALK – Opryland – Southern - $

Yet To Try (hint, hint):
RADIUS10 - Gulch - New American/Fusion - Fine - $$$
SAMBUCA - Gulch - New American/Fusion - Fine - $$$
SAVANNAH TEA HOUSE - 8th South - Tea/Southern - $$
TAYST - Hillsboro - New American/Wine Bar - $$$
MACKE's - Green Hills - New American - Fine - $$$

After meeting with the Baptist director today...(Baptists dig their own grave Pt. 2)

So we (a group of concerned students) met with James Porch, the Executive Director for the TBC today. Maybe you saw me on the news. (I sure hope not.)


Anyway, here are my afterthoughts expressed in an email to a TBC staffer:

Thanks,

It would be great to meet next Tuesday. I'll clear the time. Essentially, I would just like to discuss questions that were related to the heart issues behind the matters, questions on philosophy of action, biblical connections, questions on how the parties were communicating or not communicating, etc (which is really all students are concerned about anyway). James wouldn't go into any of that and in fact said it was irrelevant.

He was very hospitable, but not in the areas that mattered. We wanted him to be candid and prove that there was more to this than a shouting match and cold legality, but he wouldn't discuss any of it and was patronizing on top of it. He also divorced himself from responsibility and from the ethical and mission based questions, basically saying that his hands were tied, and that there were no choices but what was happening, cause effect, cause effect, etc, and that it's all in Belmont's hands and that there's no other reason we're here today except for Belmont's supposed betrayal of their trust. In fact, in response to questions raised regarding Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 he said, "I am well aware that Scripture says we should not sue. But sometimes circumstances and other parties leave no alternative." Scripture can just be sooo inconvenient sometimes, can't it Dr. Porch?

Now I understand that he's just the public voice to it and that the issues are mostly being decided by a consortium of pastors, but what disturbs me most is that individual courage and allegiance to scripture and mission seems to be so easily separated from "just business." Everything was directed as "this is just business"...issues driven business mind you, but still just business. He simply equated it to defaulting on a mortgage! And that's that! He went so far as to say in response to a student's question, that if we're concerned about the future of the university and its students we should take that up with Belmont and not them, b/c it won't be their fault if there are casualties.

I tell you, I realize the TBC has legitimate concerns and that some of our administration at Belmont is unfairly playing the victim and that both sides need to strive for reconciliation equally. However, based on what I've seen and heard in legal circles an in documents, I don't think you have a winnable legal case [http://www.tnbaptist.org/BRArticle.asp?ID=1486]& [http://forum.belmont.edu/umac/archives/005880.html](to cite a few), but I can't emphasize enough how much that is besides the point. There seems to be a bunch of religiosity divorced from the gospel; hearts held hostage by shallow compartmentalized faith that only reaches so deep. I want to hear your thoughts on these matters, the heart matters. Assuage my doubts. Let me know that a bunch of old men are not playing chess with other people's lives. Let me know that they're pondering both grace and justice in light of God's Word alone and not secular wisdom. Let me know that there is hope in joining the world of adults and not just more of which to despair. Since James Porch won't try to do this, are you up for giving the conversation a go?

thanks,
matt

"When I was a child, I thought like a child; I played like a child; I was a child. And now, thanks to the adults, I've had to join the world of adults, and I am appalled-- by how easy they thought it was to bribe me." - Frederick the Wise (play on 1 Cor. 13:11)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Just wanted to let you all know how I was feeling in retrospect. I'll be emailing Dr. Porch next week after a few meetings and time to get my head around things. I'll keep anyone interested posted (and since you read this far you must be interested).

grace and peace (two things very much so needed),
matt

Baptists dig their own grave...

I sent this to everyone on the Tennesse Baptist Convention staff. If you wish to do so as well you may use any part of it you'd like and there is a full list of email addresses at the bottom of this note. News story links are at the bottom as well, and I would encourage you to write to the Tennessean and City Paper if you're so inclined.

Members of the TBC "Belmont Study" Committee and extended members,

If you care a single bit about the opinion of the students of Belmont University, who you are going to so negatively effect, then you'll extend the courtesy to hear us out:

1 Corinthians 6:1-8
"[1] If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? [2] Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? [3] Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! [4] Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! [5] I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? [6] But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers!

[7] The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? [8] Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers."

Even while directly contradicting this belief in the "inerrancy" of scripture by disobeying the command to not sue your Christian family, I find it ironic Belmont's endowment is approximately the amount the TBC is asking.

In the case of a TBC victory, how many scholarships will be cut? How many programs will be lost? How many people will lose their job? But the truest question and maybe the only one that matters is how many non-Christians will be completely repulsed by this action of selfishness and greed. How many non-Christians on our campus will swear off Jesus Christ forever because of pettiness of the Christian church.

Members of the TBC, you are so far removed from this university that you have no idea of the great things that students are accomplishing here and the impact that this campus is making on Nashville and beyond. How can a group of people who call themselves Christians go about resolving this situation in such a legalistic, greedy and power-hungry way? I recognize that it is true that both sides bear at least a portion of the responsibility for the conflict; and second, these sides have an equal share in both the responsibility to act with respect and grace in accordance with each party's deep-seated beliefs and values, and the opportunity to turn the situation around. Yet, it is more certain that the harder you put your foot down the less love and grace you display, and the less dialogue you will create. You have no high ground. You have no claim to justice. You seek to humiliate your opponent rather than win his understanding; you seek to annihilate rather than convert. This is about power and vengeance rather than love and working for reconciliation. Your actions are destroying community and making brotherhood impossible. There will be no dialogue; there will only be a monologue and students will continue to flee from your churches and your point of view. Your actions here are shameful and in conflict with right Christian action. TBC, from the voices of the students, who have made and will continue to make this university the great institution that it is (no thanks to you), wake up; call off this ridiculous and meritless lawsuit; seek reconciliation; do the right thing before it's too late!

Sincerely,

Matt Ward (Belmont Senior)

P.S. Please read the following two articles in connection with my letter:

Ø There is a connection. We're not dropping out; you're sending us away:

SBC Leader Alarmed Over Young Adults 'Dropping Out' of Churches

By Jim Brown
August 7, 2006

(AgapePress) - The new president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) says he is disturbed that many students in both public and private schools -- even Christian private schools -- are leaving the church once they graduate.

In 2002, the SBC's Council on Family Life reported that roughly 88 percent of evangelical children are leaving the church shortly after they graduate from high school. Dr. Frank Page, the denomination's new president, says SBC churches need to counter that statistic by finding ways to make themselves more relatable, more pertinent and significant to students before they graduate.

"We're seeing a societal trend where a large number of young people are opting out of the church," Page notes. "Estimates of 15 to 20 million people now in America have said they are Christians but they simply don't want to be a part of the church," he says.

Some blame the church "drop-out rate" among young people after they graduate on the secularist influence of America's public schools. However, the SBC's president observes, "The sad thing is that we're seeing that number of dropouts from church [among] those who went to public school and private school, and that's an unfortunate trend."

Although he admits he has no "hard numbers" to back up his contention that graduates from private Christian schools are leaving the church almost as rapidly as others, Page says he is referencing anecdotal information heard from this year's Resolutions Committee at the recent SBC meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina. "It is a disturbing trend," he asserts, "and part of it is that our churches have become one- or two-generation churches, and we've failed to learn how to reach out to this younger generation."

Ø Finally, if you don't care about the opinions of the students then read this from one of your own members:

I may be a new blogger, but I am not new to the TBC:

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

http://refugeebaptist.blogspot.com/2006/10/not-pleased-with-tbc-suit-against.html

"I read all of the articles in the papers about the TBC's actions against Belmont University. I am not pleased at the failure of the two parties to settle this mess. There are Christian friends of mine on both sides of this issue and I read from both sides that they still believe that this can be resolved in a manner that will glorify God. From my view as of today, my Christian brothers, that is a load of manure...I know that's not a Biblical term, but is the most "amicable" term I can think of for now.

Maybe I wasn't at the same May TBC meeting that everyone else went to at Two Rivers Baptist Church, but I distinctly remember much being said about legal action against Belmont being a last resort. [http://www.tnbaptist.org/BRArticle.asp?ID=1486]. If what I hear is true about the minimal amount of contact by Clay Austin and the committee of 14 with the university, I believe there are some accountability questions than need to be answered. Mocking the convention's intentions by not actively engaging the university represents a gross failure of TBC leadership, in my opinion. Please prove me wrong. Soon.

To my TBC attorney friends (and I have known Tad Harris since he was a teenager), just who do you think you are suing? If you draw blood from Belmont (financially speaking) have you even thought about who you will be hurting? You may not like Bob Fisher, but he isn't going to write you a check for 50+ million dollars. If the track record of litigation against other Baptist colleges is a barometer, he may be retirement age before this is settled. If you think the trustees will write that check, just remember: you vacated their positions several months ago without ever bringing their original proposal for a new covenant to the convention. Do you really expect a board full of Baptist pastors and Christian lay people to write that check? You think the students will pay this bill...some 25% who happen to be Baptists? Would you like for me to pay this? Just so we are clear on that question: the monies that I gave personally to the cooperative program that ended up at Belmont were intended to be a GIFT. I do not take gifts back and I will not pay the TBC back money that I already gave the TBC to give to Belmont!

To my Belmont University friends responsible for negotiating this situation. I commend you for bringing forth THE document that now is forcing you into legal action (I still think the question is worth asking of our TBC stewards, "Where is your copy of such a critical document?") There are a few things in the way this issue reached a boiling point that make me wonder if the new generation of Belmont leadership learned as much as they needed from their esteemed Baptist statesman and Chancelor, Dr. Gabhart. I have heard the timeline regarding the submission of the new charter...say what you will, but filing that document without letting the people (not just the leaders) of the Tennessee Baptist Convention know of your intentions looks like spite. The university's leadership should accept their share of the responsibility for turning this situation into a crisis. The many good things you have done will be forgotten if this crisis ends up adversely affecting the students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community. You may be legally right, and you may not like the TBC leadership, but your institution is supported by individuals (including Baptists) who have higher expectations of their university leaders. I beg you at this juncture to negotiate in good faith with your TBC brothers. Demonstrate that you are not spiteful men playing chess with the future of the university.

Taking notes from how some of our "less-than-cooperative" churches give to the TBC, should this action move into litigation: I am fully prepared to go to my church and recommend that all future cooperative program funds going to the Tennessee Baptist Convention be designated exclusively for the missions and ministries of the convention, and that NO monies sent by our church are to be used to support the litigation against Belmont University... consider it my personal campaign to encourage the two sides to settle this "amicably".

Finally, I am disgusted that the TBC is already recommending that three quarters of a million dollars be diverted from missions and ministries to pay for this litigation for the Belmont Study Committee. [http://www.tnbaptist.org/BRARticle.asp?ID=1668] That is nearly HALF of the statewide, 2005 Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions amount ($1,501,811 ). Will the 2006 gift envelopes be labeled more truthfully, "Golden Offering and Belmont Litigation Fund?"

This is my first blog post, ever. I hate that it was on this topic. I have loved being a Baptist for over sixty years now and would prefer that we were celebrating victories over evil in the world than wasting precious time distracted from His kingdom's work. Thanks to friends who helped me tone down my first, angry draft."

Here are the addresses of the TBC staff members if you would like to drop them a line. Note that those are the TBC staffers, not the church members who voted in the convention. I'm still working on getting the committee's email addresses. In the meantime, have fun.

Info@tnbaptist.org, alexanderj@apsu.edu, mallen@tnbaptist.org, dacres@tnbaptist.org, scott.allen@vanderbilt.edu, vanderson@tnbaptist.org, javila@tnbaptist.org, jbailey@tnbaptist.org, bbaker@tnbaptist.org, pbates@tnbaptist.org, tbearden@tnbaptist.org, iambillings@yahoo.com, tbowden@tnbaptist.org, eboyer@tnbaptist.org, tbrady@uu.edu, dbronaugh@tnbaptist.org, nbrooks@tnbaptist.org, cbrown@tnbaptist.org, jburke@tnbaptist.org, bcarr@tnbaptist.org, bsudscc@ecsis.net, cynthia.chanin@volstate.edu, dchavers@tnbaptist.org, bchoate@tnbaptist.org, pclark@tnbaptist.org, jclaycorby@tnbaptist.org, jcoblentz@tnbaptist.org, dcox@tnbaptist.org, rdavenport@tnbaptist.org, cdavidson@tnbaptist.org, fdavis@tnbaptist.org, cdavis@tnbaptist.org, sdockrey@tnbaptist.org, tdubes@tnbaptist.org, leaton@tnbaptist.org, bedwards@tnbaptist.org, sedwards@tnbaptist.org, jessary@tnbaptist.org, lestey@tnbaptist.org, jferguson@tnbaptist.org, dferrell@tnbaptist.org, kgarland@tnbaptist.org, bgeorge@tnbaptist.org, rgilder@tnbaptist.org, lgilmore@tnbaptist.org, agunn@tnbaptist.org, rhall9@utk.edu, nhamilton@tnbaptist.org, chanson@tnbaptist.org, tharris@tnbaptist.org, jharvey@tnbaptist.org, bcmmuthsc@cs.com, jheath@tnbaptist.org, thill@tnbaptist.org, stevehixson@mindspring.com, ghogan@tnbaptist.org, etsubcm@chartertn.net, tholcomb@tnbaptist.org, eholmes@tnbaptist.org, smholt@charter.net, sholt@tnbaptist.org, vhulsey@tnbaptist.org, rhall9@utk.edu, gingram@tnbaptist.org, fjohnson@tnbaptist.org, rjohnson@tnbaptist.org, jeffandjan@networksplus.net, akinney@tnbaptist.org, aknight@tnbaptist.org, mknox@tnbaptist.org, blackey@tnbaptist.org, bleague@tnbaptist.org, mlemay@tnbaptist.org, rloxley@tnbaptist.org, amaer@tnbaptist.org, rmanor@tnbaptist.org, kmargrave@tnbaptist.org, smason@tnbaptist.org, wmaxwell@tnbaptist.org, ohbc@frontiernet.net, dmckinney@tnbaptist.org, kmckinney@tnbaptist.org, wmclaurin@tnbaptist.org, mmiller@tnbaptist.org, cmorton@tnbaptist.org, smurphree@tnbaptist.org, mnimmo@tnbaptist.org, anin@tnbaptist.org, clnored@comcast.net, bnorthcott@tnbaptist.org, boldham@tnbaptist.org, mowen@utm.edu, bowens@tnbaptist.org, spearson@tnbaptist.org, cphillips@tnbaptist.org, dpierson@tnbaptist.org, jporch@tnbaptist.org, bpowers@tnbaptist.org, bepowers@tnbaptist.org, lrader@tnbaptist.org, trankin@tnbaptist.org, grickman@tnbaptist.org, deniko14@hotmail.com, campusminister@chattanoogabcm.com, lrose@tnbaptist.org, msalva@tnbaptist.org, kshingleton@tnbaptist.org, csinger@tnbaptist.org, rskidmore@tnbaptist.org, rsmith@tnbaptist.org, bsmothers@tnbaptist.org, kstorts@tnbaptist.org, dtaylor@tnbaptist.org, rtaylor@sewanee.edu, alanteel@hotmail.com, wterry@tnbaptist.org, athorpe@tnbaptist.org, tramcubsu@aol.com, ktrundle@tnbaptist.org, ambervaden9@hotmail.com, mwaddey@tnbaptist.org, rwales@tnbaptist.org, ttubsu@multipro.com, lwilkey@tnbaptist.org, lwilliams@tnbaptist.org, gwilliams@tnbaptist.org, hwilson@tnbaptist.org, jwilson@cn.edu, rwilsonmjs@hotmail.com, swinfield@tnbaptist.org, rsccbsu@msn.com

Also, Here are links if you don't know what's going on yet:

Belmont's response to the lawsuit (10/3/06):
http://forum.belmont.edu/umac/archives/005880.html

Baptists sue Belmont (10/3/06): http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/NEWS04/610030356

News Release from TBC with official complaint:
http://www.tnbaptist.org/BRARticle.asp?ID=1690

Another TBC post (2 Views):
http://www.tnbaptist.org/BRArticle.asp?ID=1486

UPDATE:
Please consider attending the TBC Peaceful Procession of Protest
on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 4pm. Click on the link for more details.

I can't be the only one who'd like to see a community garden and dog run around here, can I?

Sometimes I Feel Like I'm The Only One Trying To Gentrify This Neighborhood

When I moved into this neighborhood, I fell in love right away. Not with the actual neighborhood, but with its potential: It's affordable, there are nice row houses all around just waiting to be filled up by my friends, there's lot of open space to be exploited, and plenty of parking. Plus, this area has got a great authentic feel and, with a little work, it could be even more authentic. Perfect, right?

So why am I the only one doing anything about it?

I am always telling my other struggling artist, freelance graphic designer, and independent T-shirt-maker friends that this is the neighborhood to take it to. It's the next big thing. Sure, it's an hour from my day job and right next to a stinky canal and a power station, but that's the whole charm—it keeps the yuppies out.

It's frustrating, though. My friends insist they're happy where they are. But if they only saw the idealized neighborhood I see, where that rundown old health clinic is turned into a tattoo parlor, and that Last Supper mural is replaced with one featuring Radiohead or a stylized corporate octopus, they'd come around.

The problem is that the property owners here are clueless. They fill their yards with pavement and statues of the Virgin Mary, when all they have to do is clear that brush and we'd have a great beer garden or bocce court. They're spending all this money to renovate the old church, when it'd be put to better use split it up into condos. My landlord has no idea this apartment—hell, every apartment in this building—is undervalued. He could quadruple his profits by cutting my place in half. So I give him an extra 20 bucks a month hoping he gets the hint, but he just takes it out of the next month's rent.

Do any of these people appreciate what the neighborhood they're living in could be?

I'm trying to convince the owners of that taqueria on the corner to change their décor to incorporate some more of that funky Day Of The Dead motif I really like. But they insist on bland white walls. Ugh! I can barely pronounce the name, let alone enjoy its delicious, reasonably priced meals. Plus, you could take all the cool stuff from the five thrift stores and make one really great vintage shop. They'd make a fortune! And, you know, we would all have a fantastic view of downtown if only they'd tear down that dilapidated garage by the waterfront. Or, better yet, they could turn it into a restaurant with a roof deck. Can you say "brunch on the harbor"?

I can't be the only one who'd like to see a community garden and dog run around here, can I?

It sure would help attract people like me if there was a record store, too, and not the one with the giant Shakira cutout in the window. I mean a decent one. I went in to see if they had the new Fiery Furnaces, and they had never heard of it. They said they'd see if they could order it for me, but I declined. I mean, what's the point of supporting a local business if it's not cool?

It feels like I'm the only one trying to do any good around here.

When I first moved in, I loved the 50-cent coffees—it was like living in the '80s—but I wish they'd listen to me and start making lattes. I know I'd pay the extra three bucks, and I'm sure everyone else around here would, too.

I've tried being proactive. But none of the locals I've talked to about bringing in a co-op health-food grocery store have seemed excited at all. Nor have I gotten any of them to take part in my community open-house idea for hip young people to come see what this neighborhood is capable of. What did they do instead? They had a barbecue. With very loud music.

I mean, I don't want the people here to leave. I just want them to stay inside more. Especially if they're not going to do anything to bring this community to life. But they're always out on their stoops, just playing dominoes or talking. I like talking, but I do it inside, where it was meant to be done. It makes me uncomfortable to have people watching me all the time. Not that I think they'd do anything, but I just like to be a little more private.

Also, their dogs stay outside and bark all day. I like dogs just fine, but why can't their dogs be smaller and more nervous?

It's getting to the point where I feel like I'm tilting at windmills. But I can't give up—I know this neighborhood would benefit from the diversity of more people like me moving in. If you need a good place to live, come check out my 'hood. It's quirky, but it could use a few more creative types to get it jumping. But no developers—those guys just ruin it for the rest of us.

ACTING!!!

My Acting Debut Has Finally Premiered:
Can you pick out which robot I am? I knew you could.
Good Monsters Music Video

...So, I'm partial to the first because of Kristin's and my brilliance, but this one is truly so much more A-MAZ-ING (especially toward the end):
Mirrors and Smoke Music Video


You can view the videos, some really funny shorts and more at www.good-monsters.com
Enjoy!

Monsters vs..Robots!!!

Jars of Clay "Good Monsters" Video Shoot
& some photos of me in a robot costume.
Enjoy.














And you can read more about it here.

Shelby Bottoms Park - Day Hike

I love this greenway park in the marshy tree-lined lows along the banks of the Cumberland in East Nashville, especially on a day like this in winter. A lot of people are bored by photos of landscape, but I typically prefer them and would seriously love some feedback on these shots.

a bit of fun and a thanks for reading down this far