Blue Collar Muse

January 22^nd is the official day for voting on the “English First” Charter Amendment proposed for Nashville Government by Metro Councilman (CM) Eric Crafton. Early voting began last week and runs through the 17^th.

But controversy over the legislation has been running through the community for years. Supporters claim it only insists official Nashville government business be conducted in English. Detractors argue “It’s racist!”, “It’s unsafe!”, “It’s bad for business!” and everything in between.

A recent luncheon featured CM Crafton and Nathan Moore, a local attorney, political blogger and activist, presenting quick summaries of their support for and opposition to the legislation with a later Q&A.

The event’s promo promised to strip emotion from the discussion and expose the bill’s real consequences for Nashvillians. Yet it was clear from the presentations, questions and answers that people are passionate about the matter.

Please read the rest of this post here …

Popularity: 2% [?]

Connerly’s new book, “Lessons from My Uncle James”. Ward will be signing copies later today.

“Something wrong with giving people extra points just because they were Latino or black.”

“If you give people a chance to vote for the principle of Fairness, they will do it.”

“Since no governmental body anywhere that would take a stand against Racial Preferences, we had to take it directly to the people.”

“Why do we check those little boxes about our heritage, anyway?  What business is it of the Government who my ancestors are?”

SCOTUS Justice Sandra Day O’Conner, in an opinion on a similar case, stated she hoped racial preferences would be unnecessary in 25 years. If it would be bad then, why isn’t it bad now?

In every poll over last 5 years, by at least a 60/40 margin, Americans have indicated they are against racial preferences.

Ballot Initiatives face horrendous obstacles to getting on ballots.  States like OK have particularly odious requirements.  In OK one must get a number of signatures equal to 15% of the total of the highest vote getter in the previous election.  And you only have 90 days to do it.  Then you have blockers …

Legal challenges are swift and ludicrous.  Disallowing a signature of “Jim Smith” if a voter is registered as “James Smith” is proper how?

When we utilize goods and services, we don’t care about race, butabout the competence of those providing the good or service.

Some preferences are acceptable.  Preferences for veterans are acceptable as “Vet” status, unlike skin color, is something one earns.

“Blocking” in context of the 1st Amendment needs to be considered. Voter education is one thing, harassment and thuggery is another.

Affirmative Action and racial preferences marginalize the very people they are intended to benefit.

Popularity: 25% [?]