For those watching this race closely, you’ve already seen what’s on the scoreboard. R-candidate Scott DesJarlais released an internal poll showing him and D-Lincoln Davis tied at 42 percent. They had to show the internals because no one else wants to poll this race. ( Much like the Miller/Murky race and the Djou/Hanabusa battle there are some races pollsters just don’t want go to. But I digress )

You are also keenly aware of the attack ads Davis is running based on a past wife’s false claims. The Chattanooga Times Free Press already has already pointed out the same ex wife was the one found in contempt and the judge found no fault with the good Dr. D. But not everybody in this sprawling district gets the Chat TFP. So undecided voters may be left with Davis’ lies being the last thing they hear. Unless we help him now.

And I’m confident you already know the NRC recently bestowed on the good doctor full “Young Gun” status and Nate Silver at fivethirty eight.com gives Desjarlais a 57.8 percent chance of a win over Davis’ 42.2. They actually rate the district as lean-R.

So, lets see –a total unknown conservative, who has had smears and lies tossed at him by an entrenched opponent still manages to keep his head above water. TN-04 voters know Davis’ record and know why he has to go. But if you need one more reason its this:

The Tennessean endorsed him yesterday. When the shock of discovering the Tennrag endorsed yet another lefty politician, please consider a gift to the good doctor.

www.scottdesjarlais.com

http://blogs.tennessean.com/opinion/2010/10/10/davis-wants-to-hold-congress-accountable-on-spending/

www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/oct/03/barrett-stimulus-happy-davis-has-good-reason-avoid/

http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/forecasts/house/tennessee/4

Everyone here it seems has written a diary on their take regarding the Ground Zero Mosque. The ‘cultural center’ thats a place for ‘healing’. Obviously, putting the mosque there is not going to “heal” anybody and the idea just poured salt on a very deep wound, which I suspect was their idea all along.

Rather than rant off about why we shouldn’t have it there which has been done ad nauseum, I wandered off a different trail and thought to examine what could be put in that spot instead. Something to provide a similar service but without any of the 9/11 stigma attached.

Today I found the answer, thanks to Matt Drudge. Drudge led me to a story where the Federal Bureau of Prisons is looking to employ a medicine man. He has to be Native American and has to be adept at teaching and guiding the inmates in:

1. Red Road 2. All My Relation 3. Medicine Wheel 4. The Sacred Pipe 5. Sweat Lodge 6. Elders
7. Circle of Life 8. Traditions/Rituals 9. Prayers 10. Ceremonies 11. Fasting 12. Smudging
13. The Drum 14. Grandfather/Grandmother 15. Dances 16. The Medicine Pouch 17. Offerings
18. Decision-making 19. Ritual Objects 20. Eagle 21. Eagle Feathers 22. Nature Lessons
23. Family Relations 24. Parenting 25. Learning 26. Healthy Relationships 27. Culture
28. Healing Traditions 29. Herbal Medicines 30. Understanding Self 31. Respect 32. Traditional Games
33. Traditional Foods 34. Seasons 35. Healing Self 36. A Grateful Heart 37. Cleansing Ceremonies
38. What is the role of faith and Community Re-entry?

Just look at all that stuff! Talk about healing. I don’t have a clue what some of the stuff is but it sounds awsome. Remember this is for a medicine man to work with inmates at a federal prison. But consider this–suppose a structure would be put up at ground zero that was a place for healing and a cultural center focused on the Native American culture. God knows they were maligned enough during the history of this great country and it wouldn’t kill this country to offer up a little something in return. I could envision a very large building to include a sweat lodge. Instead of an imam, it would be a medicine man. Instead of teaching where the best jihadist training camps are located, the lessons could be about smudging or the eagle feather. It would provide a tremendous teaching opportunity for the community at large and be a center for persons who have native american ancestry to connect.

I’ve read there are a number of mosques around New York, apparently some are just a few blocks away from where they want to build this one. So its not like there’s nowhere for Muslims to connect. How many spiritual buildings are available in downtown New York for Native Americans?

No, I am not Native American, this isn’t my culture, don’t smoke peyote, and never claimed to be 1/64th anything, so I don’t have a dog in the fight. But I’d much rather go and learn and absorb what this type of cultural center offers than what a mosque would put forth. The Native Americans are as much a part of this country’s history as 9/11. If anything could help cleanse and heal that area this just might be it.

Ps. If your interested in applying for the job as medicine man at the prison here’s the government website.

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=4ae63efa9ed0702f10e22485cde970e9&tab=core&_cview=0

Cook political report now projects republicans can pick up between 35 to 45 seats, three higher than the last time it came out with a forecast. And it probably had something to do with some of the individual district changes that were made, with a number of those shifts moving into the toss up catagory. 10 districts that were likely or lean Dem have moved over to the lean dem or toss up catagories. It boils down to either we’re doing a lot right or the other side is doing a lot wrong.

I must confess to getting lightheaded when I noticed TN-04 getting the shift from Likely D to Lean D. TN 04 is currently held by blue dog Dem Lincoln Davis. His republican opponent is Dr. Scott DesJarlais – a no nonsense, no amnesty, repeal o care, pro term limit, conservative. Cook’s moving this district to a lean D, is welcome news. DesJarlais does not have Davis’ war chest nor the name recognition but hopefully he will overcome those obstacles and pull it out for us come November.

Here’s the other districts which have made a shift and note the biggest move came from GA 08, going from a likely D to a toss up. Here’s hoping you find something to get lightheaded about as well.

CA-47 Loretta Sanchez Likely D to Lean D
FL-02 Allen Boyd Lean D to Toss Up
GA-08 Jim Marshall Likely D to Toss Up
IA-03 Leonard Boswell Lean D to Toss Up
IL-11 Debbie Halvorson Lean D to Toss Up
OH-16 John Boccieri Lean D to Toss Up
PA-08 Patrick Murphy Lean D to Toss Up
PA-10 Chris Carney Likely D to Lean D
SD-AL Stephanie Herseth Sandlin Lean D to Toss Up

http://www.cookpolitical.com/

http://www.scottdesjarlais.com

Petrokey News has the latest on the MI-01 race and gives us an insight into what’s to come. For those interested in the race, you’ll enjoy the whole story and where Allen’s mindset is. All info regarding money. The link’s at the bottom.

Here’s a nice line from Allen: “My priorities right now are to the more than 27,000 people who voted for me in this primary.”

I would interject that Benishek’s priorities are with HIS more than 27k people. But, I digress. BTW, An Allen spokesman said a decision as to whether or not he’ll ask for a recount will “likely” come Sunday night.

Now, the swolen ballot thing. Apparently there’s a lot of humidity in MI right now and that caused ballots to gum up the machines so to speak. And then there’s this bit:

“In Oscoda County, Greenwood Township’s votes had to be “thrown out” because the ballots were stored in a canvasser’s bag, said Jeri Winton, Oscoda County clerk. Because they were stored improperly, if there is a recount these votes could not be included. Greenwood Township, totaled 74 votes for Allen and 43 for Benishek, meaning both candidates would have to make up for these votes in others areas in any recount.”

(I want that guy from Florida. You know the one, with the magnifying glass straining to understand the meaning behind the hanging chad. )

On the other side of the tracks…. Dem nominee Gary McDowell is out running his race and campaigning.

http://www.petoskeynews.com/news/article_63e8e2c6-a6e1-11df-841f-001cc4c002e0.html

Here is the Tn Secretary of State’s website where you can peek at SOME early vote totals. Just a few counties offered up their early vote totals.

http://tnsos.org/elections/Results1/20100805Reports.php

If you’ve got a good site post it.

“The accusations range from helping tea party activists circulate candidate petition sheets to underwriting the creation of official Tea Parties, which then put forth slates of candidates that local conservatives accuse of being rife with Democratic plants. ”

That’s a quote from a Politico story concerning more than 6 races in 4 states; MI, FL, NJ, PA. These are not the typical “he stole my yard sign” accusations. Straw man candidates have been used before but there appears to be a concerted effort to undermine some very close races and the lid is coming off.

Its a 3 page story but well worth the read if you are involved in any of these races or in the tea parties. Be mindful it doesn’t happen in your states.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/40699.html#ixzz0vl9BwUXd

Every few weeks we get a Cinderella story and today it unfolds in Michigan, one of three states holding primaries. I’m not going to get into the Kansas or Missouri races but in Michigan Dr. Dan Benishek is on the ballot to take the place of Bart Stupak. This is one candidate who really deserves a seat in Washington. He’s genuine and a true conservative.

He’s not alone on the ballot. Six other Republicans are hoping to win this primary, so its a bit of a fight. Dr. Dan got thrust in the limelight the day Stupak fell from grace. He was actually in the race before Stupak announced his retirement so this isn’t about opportunity. He’s lived in the district and didn’t have to move into it to get on the ballot.

When he first started, there wasn’t even a website for him. Just a facebook page. Now he’s got a website, lots of volunteers and hopefully the backing of the majority of voters in his district. Good luck today Dr. Dan. Help us take back Washington.

Tomorrow, citizens in Arizona could wake up to a brand new law helping them regain control of their state. At midnight tonight, SB 1070 is set to take effect…unless Judge Susan Bolton grants an injunction stopping the whole thing in its tracks. Which could happen today. So today is a very exciting day for those of us who have the illegal immigration at, or near, the top of our issues list. If you skim the net you’ll see stories where activists and law enforcement are already gearing up today for an expected ruling.
Whether she allows the law go through unscathed, guts part of it, or puts a stop to the whole thing expect yelling, kicking and screaming, from sea to shining sea. (As well as the good possibility of more legal action depending on today’s outcome.)
So grab the popcorn. Sit back in your favorite easy chair and watch the events unfold. Should prove to be a very interesting day.

We’ve got a week through next Saturday for early voting. Lots of races so lets throw out some info and see what the mood is. How ’bout Gov? I’m wanting to go with Ron Ramsey, although I know Zach Wamp has some followers out there. Not a fan of Haslam unless someone can give me a real good reason why I should stick out my neck for this guy. A story in the Tennessean today says Haslam’s leading by double digits. (Hope their poll is way off.)

Dem Jim Cooper’s District (4th Cong).The fact that Cooper has to go is a no brainer. He only voted against hc because his vote was not needed. Often the high ticket candidates will forget the more rural/less populated counties. This district stretches from the Alabama to the Kentucky borders. I’m liking where Scott Dejarlais stands on the issues I also appreciate the fact he’s willing to get out and campaign in these areas. But if you got a better candidate, speak up.

All districts and races welcome! Toss them in here. A fast check on the net kind of separates the mods from the conservatives but in some races there are several “true” conservatives running so the water gets murky. The usual tell tale buzzwords like pro-gun rights, anti-abortion, no longer help as even the dems support those. The good news early voting numbers are said to be up, hopefully a plus for us. If we don’t get it right in the primaries, we’ll be forced to hold our noses come November.

Boy, I really didn’t want to go this route, but….

Back in the 90′s the KKK decided it was going to march in my small town, the “supposed” birthplace of the KKK. (I know you all are good googlers so let’s leave it at that without mentioning names, please. )Since the first march we have been visited every couple of years by either the KKK, Skinheads, Arayan Nations, or others of their beliefs. There are some differences in the groups but their message is the same.

After word came that “they” were going to gather the first time, that’s when emotions started bubbling forth. It came from ordinary everyday citizens, white and black, outraged how this came about. Why were they coming here disrupting our lives and bringing unwanted publicity to our town? It would send the wrong impression of us. Can’t we keep them out? We’re not like that! What can we do? Look at the media, they’re coming from other countries! And indeed the media came from everywhere. In the end it came down to “The Paper”. By that I mean, the Constitution. They have rights as do any other citizen or group. So the groups are permitted to gather and speak within legal guidelines.

The first couple of times things were a bit tense. Ordinary people would gather on the square, not because they wanted to join or espouse the views of the marchers, but because they wanted to see. Its human nature to be curious about things you only hear or read about and they were curious. They wanted to see if there were really people that actually wore the white costumes and the pointy hats and wooden shields. The marchers would yell through a bullhorn about their beliefs, and some onlookers would yell back how wrong the marchers were. And I have no doubt some onlookers wanted to see if it was going to get out of hand. How bad was the rhetoric going to get? And what was law enforcement going to do if it escalated? It never did.

Well, the groups continue to come and plans are made accordingly. Numerous state and local law enforcement gather to ensure everything stays calm. Everyone knows the drill. At first residents did things things to show our displeasure of the marchers and and their message. Black and white leaders in our community, as well as churches, would gather in a show of support against the marchers but in the end it was the individuals who were just curious, that just got bored. The onlookers who came early on now just avoid the area on the day the group is expected. The pointy hats or heavily tattooed kids with shaved heads are no longer a curiousity. Without a crowd to talk to, the marchers end up just talking to each other.

The point of this rambling is that throughout the years we have battled this perception of racism even though, we the residents, did nothing to warrant it. Much like many of us here are feeling with all of the journolist talk. We are not racists and have done nothing to deserve the title. The journolisters have a right to free speech and to gather. We, as informed individuals, know what their message is. We’ve known for a couple of years. We were curious yes, to see exactly who started this mess and now we know. We can be onlookers who keep coming back to yell at them or we can simply ignore.

True racism is out there. I’ve seen it. For reference, I’m not black. I am white so I will not even pretend to speak of what a person of color may have personally felt or experienced at any time in their lives. I know what I’ve seen and know how many in our community feel. We continue to support each other while turning our backs on that which would strive to erode our unity.

Putting up my soapbox now.