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June 27, 2005
San Francisco: Intersecting Cultures
San Francisco shined with a light so blue and wispy yesterday, my family and I got lost in the beauty. We intersected multiple cultures, inadvertently climbing out of the BART station at Market & Main to a roaring throng of GLBT pride paraders. Like an elliptical moon over the bay, a multicolored blimp looped round and round. We climbed aboard a MUNI transport to Pier 39, spooned a couple of sourdough bowls of fine chowder, sipped three shots of espresso, and sucked up the fresh breeze off the bay. The voices were global--French, German, Spanish, Russian, etc.--and the people were full of life and color. By the time we walked past Fisherman's Wharf, we had taken in Jackson's favorites, Ripley's Believe or Not and In and Out Burger. I picked up some novel instruments at the Lark music store. We headed up to North Beach for Sunday Mass and authentic Italian dining. On the way back to our South San Fran hotel, we stuffed ourselves like sardines on another MUNI with a hundred Chinese. The whole day was beautiful. It is what Josiah Q seeketh. Openness and tolerance.
Posted by wjbailes at 11:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 24, 2005
The TIME Draweth Nigh
Jean Logan, who once helped Albert Gore Sr. run a political campaign, attended a "guaging the interest" meeting for my possible run for District 8 County Commission at Eidson's Family Restaurant last night on Ringgold Road. Jean is a gracious and gentlemanly fellow up in age. He has resisted involving himself in politics over the last ten years, but here he was, stepping up to say he cared about this race and wanted to support our movement. I was immensely touched.
Also in the audience was a young mother who is worried about her children's education. There was pain in her eyes as she spoke. Although I cannot say I deserved it, she begged me to "Please RUN." What could I say?
I mention these two people among the fifty who were there last night to tell you that the results are in and the running will soon be upon us. The time to declare draweth nigh. So let's all take a breath and move forward without fear. And we will keep you posted about the "when."
Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in supporting me and my team. Email me at info@dailybailout.com.
Posted by wjbailes at 07:51 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
June 23, 2005
Press Release: John Bailes rallies support at Eidson's Restaurant for District 8 Hamilton County Commission race
PRESS RELEASE
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION
Contact: John Bailes
Telephone: 423-493-0266
E-mail: info@dailybailout.com
Date: June 23, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Bailes rallies support at Eidson's Restaurant for District 8 Hamilton County Commission race
EAST RIDGE - John Bailes, a longtime resident of East Ridge, is meeting with supporters Thursday evening, June 23rd, at 7 pm at Eidson’s Restaurant in East Ridge to gauge community support for a potential bid as the Democratic candidate for the District 8 seat on the Hamilton County Commission in 2006. Mr. Bailes has lived and worked in District 8 much of his life. He is a college professor, a professional writer, and a small businessman.
He has been married to his wife Dinah Means-Bailes for 21 years and has an eleven-year-old son who attends school in East Ridge. Mr. Bailes' parents also live in East Ridge. They are Dr. John F. Bailes and Sandra Bailes, who are missionaries with Baptist International Missions, Inc. Dr. Bailes is the BIMI's Director of Missions to the United States. Dinah Means-Bailes' mother, Pauline Means, also lives in East Ridge with her daughter and family.
All residents of District 8 and Hamilton County who are interested in a new generation of leadership on the Hamilton County Commission are cordially invited to attend.
For more info on John at the Daily Bailout, click here.
Posted by wjbailes at 12:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Roger, Roger! There's really not a "liberal media" bias!
Matt Estes corresponds with Roger at the Daily Bailout:
Dear Roger . . . I'm so weary of hearing conservatives speak about the "liberal media." Some media is politically spun, but I don't think it's going up against President Bush all that much. It's obvious to me a large amount of the broadcasters lean in Bush's favor! The powerhouse of Fox News is informative and entertaining but no one can deny that the talking personalities fight for President Bush in their commentary. Anchoring the straight facts takes a second seat to their political scripted examination. Most people that supported the war in Iraq truly believed Saddam had a connection to the September 11th attacks, a continuing opinion held by most Fox News personalities. There's a large majority of Americans that are politically ignorant and just let the news soak in their mind as the absolute truth. Most people believe the spin. But do you really believe that it's a liberal spin? It's apparent to me that the Bush administration has a whole network that leans their way and CNN doesn't stand for the "Clinton News Network."
CLICK HERE 'CAUSE YOU GOTTA KEEP READIN'
Posted by wjbailes at 12:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 21, 2005
Yes, I Would Like to Run for District 8
Although I am not a "declared" candidate yet, I am tossing my name out there to be considered for the Democratic Party's pick to run for District 8. The story by Kathleen Baydala in the Times Free Press this morning does a good job outlining what is happening, with quotes from Commissioner Adams and Democratic Party Chair Stuart James. The story also includes key information about the meeting Thursday night, June 23. Email me here if you would like to join us Thursday.
Posted by wjbailes at 07:56 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
June 20, 2005
Connecting City Sprawl~Urban Forests, Trails & Riverparks
Another from At the Threshold:
Two dimensions of sustainability and forests interrelate with each other.
1. One is the contribution that forests make to an overall, holistic vision of sustainability and the practical manner in which they provide much of the natural elements within a sustainable world. Healthy woodlands swarm and teem with wildlife and a wide variety of biota. The interaction among them-from breathing to food to waste-forms an unimaginable abundance of activity that range from subatomic to species.
2. The other is sustainable forestry itself in which specific, long-range sustainable practices of managing a woodland, large or small, insure that one leaves at least as much as one began with.
One is a sustainable society. The other is a sustainable forest. They intertwine and reinforce each other.
CLICK TO STAY ON TRAIL
Posted by wjbailes at 10:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 19, 2005
Rice Says that White House has Been Clear with Americans~Iraq is a "GENERATIONAL COMMITMENT"
Rice in her own words on television today:
And so the administration, I think, has said to the American people that it is a generational commitment to Iraq. But it is not a generational commitment in military terms; it is a commitment of our support to them, our political support and an understanding that democracy takes time. But they're making very rapid progress.
But how long militarily?
Click Fox News Transcript to see entire transcript.
Posted by wjbailes at 05:15 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
230 Years Ago~Remembering the Battle of Bunker Hill
It was June 17, 1775, and two thousand or so British Red Coats were storming up a hill in Boston, attacking the pesky Americans (and certainly some were friends of the Sons of Liberty) during our first American Revolution. The Battle of Bunker Hill was the first major conflict between our American troops and the British, although the actual location of the battle was Breed's Hill. American fighters were ordered to hold fire until they saw "the whites of their eyes." It has been reported that by the time the British were within 15 paces of the American line, a fatal volley of rifle fire burst across the British advance, halting it. Although the American Revolution had begun as a fight in Lexington and Concord, it was from now on a major war.
CONTINUE REMEMBERING BUNKER HILL
Posted by wjbailes at 09:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 18, 2005
COINGATE: Unethical Ohio Republicans Make Tennessee Politicians Look Like Sweet Boys
Paul Krugman's column today outlines the developing problems for cronyistic Republicans in Ohio. Republicans don't play around with thousand of dollars; they gamble or steal millions. If political ethicists are serious, they should eye not only Tom Delay and his systematic abuse, but also Washington Republican machine the "K Street Project" and Ohio's Tom Noe. Where's the outrage, REPUBLICANS & INDEPENDENTS?
Posted by wjbailes at 11:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Desegregation in Little Rock~Standing up to intimidation & racism
SUPPORT SENATE BILL 582
[The Little Rock Nine. Courtesy of Library of Congress. To read about these nine click here.]
Senate Bill 582 will "require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of the Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and for other purposes."
Posted by wjbailes at 09:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 17, 2005
Blogjammin' ~ Chattanooga Times Free Press Starts...a...kind...of...blog?
Late come the bloggers to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Starting the day of this year’s Riverbend and Bonnaroo festivals, Times Free Press reporters M. Trevor Higgins, Dorie Turner, and Michael Davis were assigned to blog for the local newspaper. And they are up and running. I think.
I mean, is it a blog?
Posted by wjbailes at 10:47 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
June 16, 2005
Matt Estes' Response to Progressives on Reagan: It's Just One Layer of an Onion
Here's an excerpt from Matt Estes' response:
Although I don't claim to know everything about progressive-minded political thinkers, I now have the impression that many of you who were "stunned and livid" after reading my tribute to President Ronald Reagan may have a personal defect that stops you from seeing someone's personality beyond the politics they practice.
Do you not believe that someone's life as a whole is really like an onion, several personality layers that you can both like and dislike at the same time? Surely you know it's possible to like one aspect of someone's character and despise some of the actions of that personality at the same time?
Posted by wjbailes at 05:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 15, 2005
Dick Cheney Goes Over the Top, says Jim Dean
I received this email from Democracy for America today. And guess what? Cheney actually went over the top, not Dean. Here it is:
Dear John,
"Maybe his mother loved him, but I've never met anybody who does." That's what Dick Cheney had to say about my brother, Howard Dean, on Monday.
This wasn't a quote from an insecure schoolyard bully at recess -- this was our vice president speaking on prime time television. It's outrageous!
But then again, this is a guy who has no regrets about misleading America into a war with Iraq and the deaths of over 1,700 brave men and women in uniform. He has no remorse over mismanaging our nation's economy and running up the biggest deficit in history. He wants to destroy Social Security. And he has given away billions to his corporate cronies at Halliburton.
Howard has said a lot of things about Republicans, but he was wrong about Dick Cheney. Dick Cheney has worked a day in his life -- and the nation is worse off because of it.
Vice President Cheney says he has never met anyone who likes Howard - well, it's time for us to re-introduce ourselves to him.
What Cheney said was over the top.
After 10 straight victorious elections in Vermont, battling the left and the right to balance budgets and enact Civil Unions, running a transformative presidential primary campaign and winning the chair of the Democratic National Committee - and now transforming it into a bottom-up operation, Howard has grown some pretty thick skin. He's fair game for Dick Cheney and the Republican shock troops. But, Howard can and will continue to do what he does best: speak truth to power.
We need to let Dick Cheney know that even his penchant for putting innocent family members in his cross hairs will never stop us from speaking truth to power either.
So the bat is back:
Democracy for America will use the funds raised to spread the word about the Downing Street Memo and the Secret UK Eyes Only briefing paper that definitively prove that the Bush administration "fixed" the facts leading to the Iraq war -- and that they made virtually no plans for what would come after the military victory.
American soldiers and innocent Iraqi civilians die every day because of this travesty. And it was Dick Cheney who was and remains one of the war's biggest cheerleaders.
Help Democracy for America get the Downing Street Memo into the hands of high school students, hair dressers, clergy and the news director at your local television station.
Thank you for all that you do,
Jim Dean
Democracy for America
Posted by wjbailes at 02:25 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
South Brainerd Neighborhood Association: A New & Energized Brainerd
Brainerd wants change. And it's getting it!
I sensed that this week as I attended the SBNA meeting and heard Captain Mike Williams, Candy Corneliuseen, and Councilwoman Marti Rutherford speak. Here's a recap of the night, and then a history of the SBNA by Corneliuseen.
Posted by wjbailes at 09:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 14, 2005
Ruy Teixeira's Message to Radical Progressives: "Forget the South"
I'm a New Southerner but not the way Walker Percy defines one (Do you want a portrait of the New Southerner? He is Billy Graham on Sunday and Richard Nixon the rest of the week. He calls on Jesus and steals; he's in business, he's in politics.). But as a Clintonian New Southerner, I have to agree with Dr. Teixeira in one of his recent blogs called More on the Democrats' Southern Problem :
Radical Progressives: Forget the South. More radical thinkers question the continued logic of nationwide, regionally apportioned parties pandering to eclectic blocs; they claim that, in today’s setting, there is no sense trying to craft a hoary geo-national majority. These creative Democrats, armed with intellectual theory and think-tank resources, reject the politics of philosophical accommodation; instead, they imagine a differently defined, differently based, truly progressive agenda for Democratic America. Expectedly, many of them urge their party to forget the South altogether.
Posted by wjbailes at 05:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
My Son Wants a Blog Here & Those Girlie Identities Revealed, Kinda
As you might guess, one of the girl's blogs is called It's all about me. But don't let that fool you. See a kindakida profile at Bookieboo.
I can't believe I'm writing about this stuff, but - hey - I've got an eleven year old boy and I'm looking out for him. His blog by the way is called the kid blog.
Posted by wjbailes at 04:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Is Mark Warner our Southern Star in the Democratic Party?
That's what Salon is talking about. He appeals to NASCAR fans, blue grass types, and gun lovers. Is this the way to win in the South? It has worked for Gov. Mark Warner of Virginia.
Posted by wjbailes at 02:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Talking with Repblicans about Dean in a Red State: Must we care what they say?
I've talked with a lot of Republicans over the last few days - good Americans - such as policemen, a federal agent, businessmen and women, a councilwoman and others. As I talked with these Republicans, I kept discovering that one of their biggest problems lately is Howard Dean. Now, we must understand that they would deny that Dean bothers them or consumes them. But we must also understand that with any of these Republicans, Dean popped into the conversation not because I brought him up. They brought him up. And everyone of them did. And what did they say? They said that Dean has gone "over the top" (a phrase coming right out of the White House), that he is good for bringing more people to the Republican Party, that he is un-American, etc.
Since I never brought up Dean in these conversations, I had to ask myself, why is Howard Dean so irritating to Republicans? I mean, look, they have all branches of government right now. So why is Howard Dean at the top of their discussion? This is important, folks. Don't underestimate how important. Here's what I'm asking in effect, If Dean really is good for the GOP, why are Republicans all talking about Dean? Let's try to answer that.
Posted by wjbailes at 08:12 AM | Comments (38) | TrackBack
June 13, 2005
Republicans Act Like "Mean Kids" in Attempts to Stop Funding PBS Altogether
Not only are Republicans acting like drunks in managing money by running our government into bankruptcy - on trade and on domestic matters - now they are acting like spiteful kids by cutting funding to PBS. And how? By calling cutting $23.4 million for children's educational shows, such as "Sesame Street," "Clifford the Big Red Dog," and "Arthur."
As responsible parents and citizens who pay our taxes, my wife and I are absolutely outraged by this REPUG-LICAN proposal (I use that epithet because that's how conservatives are acting). Not only has PBS children's shows been wonderful educational opportunities for our son as he has been growing up, but PBS stations already have to raise money for a major chunk of their costs.
For those REPUGs who really believe that such cuts lead to better educational programming through privatization, just look around. How silly. Privatization creates lots of amusement and very little enlightenment. Why? Its bottom line is profit.
And so the REPUGs get even more repulsive as they are also proposing to zero out ALL FEDERAL MONEY to PBS within two years, a loss that would That loss would be about 15 percent of public broadcasting's total revenues. And let me emphasize again that this elimination of PBS has nothing to do with fiscal conservativism since we are running HUGE deficits both domestically and in trade, and are literally throwing billions of dollars at our military.
If you would like to call those in charge of this IRRESPONSIBLE & STUPID decision to cut children's progamming at PBS and phase out funding altogether to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, here's a list of two key members. Call them today:
Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA): (202) 225-5861
Vice-Chairman Ralph Regula (R-OH): (202) 225-3876
Posted by wjbailes at 04:33 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
At the Threshold: Scared of the Forest?
Dr. Olin Ivey has found his niche with the Daily Bailout. His column this week focues on sustaining urban forests. Here's an excerpt:
For several years I was on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Land Preservation Trust (SLPT) and its offspring, Big Trees. Now officially known as The John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve, named after the man who led the fight to save this 30-acre forested land in Sandy Springs, Georgia, Big Trees in the middle 1980’s felt the hot breath of the bulldozer as it geared up to raze this land for development. Through the sometimes almost frantic efforts of Dr. Forbes to beat the developer’s clock, a cooperative partnership was forged with SLPT, Fulton County, the State of Georgia, financial institutions, and private citizens to purchase the land.
Since then, the Forbes and especially the staff of both SLPT and Big Trees have worked to develop and promote Big Trees Forest as a tree, plant and Wildlife Sanctuary and Urban Forest Education Center, a model in urban forest preservation, management, stewardship, education, semi-passive recreation walks, and other uses.
Posted by wjbailes at 01:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 12, 2005
Bailout Response to Matt Estes' Column Praising Reagan
I've heard from many readers of the Daily Bailout who were stunned or livid that Matt Estes' column praising Ronald Reagan appeared on this website yesterday, a website that typically supports and promotes Progressive causes. So let me explain our decision to allow Matt Estes' column and hopefully answer some doubts that some progressives are having.
One of the basic characteristics about being American is openness. We may not have as much as we would like now in our White House or Capitol, but it is still true that openness is critical to our American identity. And I say this, knowing full well that openness is a key tenet of being a progressive. This is often taken to mean being of a mindset that is welcoming of others, an opposite frame of reference from the right-wing dogmatism that has dominated our country's debate over the last year. Still some progressives would say we must be pragmatic and careful about whom we allow into our group.
I have always rejected that kind of paranoia and secrecy.
Posted by wjbailes at 10:09 AM | Comments (13) | TrackBack
June 11, 2005
Ronald Reagan: Not just a President, A Great American LEADER
Honestly, I've had mixed feelings about Matt Estes' tribute to Ronald Reagan because while on the one hand I admittedly felt so good with Reagan as a personality, but on the other I have to intellectually admit that he ran the country into huge (and I mean HUGE!) deficit territory from which Democrat Bill Clinton had to recover. Conservatives will claim that deficits were necessary to chase away the evil empire, the USSR, as they may argue now for ridding the world of terrorism. Nonetheless, conservatives went on to press Clinton for budget restraints to which no Republican would ever live up. Enough. Here's the beginning of Matt's tribute to Reagan.
Nancy Reagan recently visited her late husband and kissed her hand to touch the final resting place of the last virtuous President of the United States of America. I'd like to remember the late great President Ronald Reagan who passed away a year ago, not the absolute best LEADER of the free world but perhaps something more important.
He was the one that refueled our pride for being Americans and uprooted an old spirit of patriotism that changed the country. Ever since we pushed our military forces towards Iraq I've often thought of President Reagan, wondering how he would have reacted if given a 9/11. Totally different probably, but I'll still continue to pray President Bush would look toward Reagan's example.
CLICK TO CONTINUE THIS TRIBUTE
Posted by wjbailes at 10:48 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
June 10, 2005
Dickensian Tennessee: The Inhumanity of TennCare Cuts (We Can Go Into Debt Fighting a War, But Will Keep Health Care From Those Who Need It Here)
One of thousands, Suzane Klein will soon find it almost impossible to keep up a farm and finish a degree at ETSU. Suffering from MS, she will go blind first. Next she will lose mobility, confined to her home. Her life will degenerate from there. Did she ask for MS? For TennCare Cuts?
Posted by wjbailes at 07:23 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Patriot Act Expansion is Un-American
[Courtesy of ACLU]
Whether you're Democrat or Republican, it is good to know that there are organizations like the ACLU watching the hen house. In this case the hen house is full of Americans - Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Every one of us will be affected as citizens by the Bush plans to expand the Patriot Act. The new "provisions . . . are nothing less than an end-run around the Constitution." That quote is from a letter by Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU. I would like to share his letter sent out yesterday.
CLICK TO READ LETTER & TAKE ACTION
Posted by wjbailes at 08:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 09, 2005
Union in Our Multiverse: Mysterium Conjunctionis
This is from Rev. Martha White of Nashville:
Power will live in the hearts and minds of individuals who have come into union with themselves, one another, and the creative, compassionate, loving energy of the multiverse. I believe that that was the primal intention of the Creator - for Creator and Creation to Know and to be Known - for both to be mirrors for the other and to engage in a very real erotic dance which is the expression of Divine Union.
Posted by wjbailes at 11:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 08, 2005
Chattanooga Times Free Press Starts Its BLOG Friday for Riverbend/Bonnaroo
As reported in the Chattanooga Times Free Press today, Trevor Higgins writes that "bloggers will be staff writers convering the Bonnaroo and Riverbend festivals."
The higher ed reporter, Dorie Turner, and enterprise reporter, Michael Davis, will be our special bloggers.
Not to rush in where we bloggers have, he adds that "a Times Free Press blog isn't as important as, say, the merging of the city's newspapers or discovery of the letter R."
The webblog url will be www.timesfreepress.com/blog/.
Posted by wjbailes at 08:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Democracy for Chattanooga Draws Crowd at Mudpies
[Mark Naccarato with Howard Dean. Naccarato is President of Democracy for Tennessee, a state affiliate of Democracy for America.]
"I can't understand where our country is going, and that's why I'm here," said Nancy Caldwell when she stood up to introduce herself. Background noise swirled around the group at Mudpies in North Chattanooga, but that did not deter those attending from listening to each other intently.
For the more than 25 Chattanoogans attending the Democracy for Chattanooga, the meetup was a reminder that politics is always local. While there are about 235 members in the Chattanooga area who are part of Democracy for America, the new Democracy for Chattanooga will begin a fresh focus on local issues and races.
"This is what the right wing has been doing for 30 years," explained Mark Naccarato, President of DFT. "We have to realize that the most important races for us are local, whether they be school boards or city councils. And DFT will help with those races."
Posted by wjbailes at 07:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 07, 2005
Are you listening? Matt on Media
Matt on Media takes up 14 Chattanooga radio stations and discusses their merits and weaknesses. Are you listening?
Posted by wjbailes at 08:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 06, 2005
Of Chickens and Cows~a parable for our times
Dr. Olin Ivey has written a parable for us; it begins this way . . .
Once upon a Sunday, a Chick-fil-A truck was found parked in front of a Burger King on Ringgold Road. Inside, employees of Chick-fil-A waited eagerly for their gleeful ingestion of Whoppers.
As often happens when incongruity creates bedfellows, the rumor soon went out that Chick-fil-A was neither taking over Burger King nor merging with it but enjoying at its own expense a feast of burgers.
CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS CLUCKING TALE
Posted by wjbailes at 09:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 05, 2005
WHAT ABOUT THE 18 CITIES IN HAMILTON COUNTY? Code of Ethics: Part 5
As far as I can tell, none of these Hamilton County towns or cities have a Code of Ethics except for two - Chattanooga and Red Bank. And I am surprised I could not find one for Signal Mountain. While Chattanooga's code is weak and meaningless and mainly about being nice to each other in council meetings (see link below), Red Bank's code is not "codified" as a "Code of Ethics" but is part of the entire ordinance for the city. More importantly, Red Bank actually has the tougher language for an ethical standard. See list below:
1. Apison
2. Bakewell
3. Birchwood
4. Chattanooga (County Seat)
5. Collegedale
6. East Ridge
7. Harrison
8. Hixson
9. Lakesite
10. Lookout Mountain (RE: this city - some might consider income the indicator of high ethical behavior, a point of view I've never accepted; to the contrary, higher income may in fact shield oneself from being selected as a potential "bad" person.)
11. Lupton City
12. Ooltewah
13. Red Bank (Here's the city's charter with some biting conditions for elected or employed officials.)
14. Ridgeside
15. Sale Creek
16. Signal Mountain (Again, does income matter?)
17. Soddy-Daisy
18. Walden (Ditto: check out the income.)
Posted by wjbailes at 05:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Code of Ethics: Part 4
Some agencies of the public have had to following legal guidelines while our county commission has seemed above ethical necessity. Here's a code of ethics as part of the 2004 Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority Compliance. It is a critical legal document for health care provider Erlanger Hospital as they act in compliance with state and federal guidelines. This document includes a code of conduct as well as ethics.
Posted by wjbailes at 08:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 04, 2005
Code of Ethics: Part 3
Here's a Code of Ethics that guides behavior in a largely populated county with almost 1.8 million citizens. It is King County, Washington, whose county seat is Seattle. Talk about sophistication. Here's an example of large government doing good. Just look at this excerpt about county commissioners from the "Summary of the King County Code of Ethics":
Members of County Boards, Commissions and Multimember Bodies
Members of county boards, commissions, committees or other multimember bodies are considered "county employees" while engaged in service on behalf of the county. For a period of two years after leaving county service, former members are prohibited from appearing before the board or commission on which he or she served or from providing services to any business or person in any action in which the member participated in while serving on the board or commission. This restriction also applies to individuals who are partners or associates of businesses or persons in which the member has a financial interest. For example, you sit on a board that made recommendations about land purchases by the county. You resign from the board, but one year later wish come before the board to testify on behalf of a developer in whom you have a financial interest. The member must wait two full years before taking such an action. (3.04.035).
Posted by wjbailes at 03:38 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Code of Ethics: Part 2
This Code of Ethics comes from Lumpkin County, Georgia. Its county seat is Dahlonega, GA, about 45 miles south of the North Carolina border on Route 19. This county is smaller in population than Hamilton County. Lumpkinites number about 24,000 while Hamilton Countians number about 310,000. Maybe this is the example for which Joe Lance has been looking, for it is his contention that smaller governments increase ethically correct behavior in politicians (if I'm wrong about his position, I'm sure he will correct me).
I like this Code because of its emphasis on civility and openness. Could be a good model, eh?
Posted by wjbailes at 03:16 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Code of Ethics: Part 1
As I begin searching for examples of Code of Ethics, examples that will help us in the state, but more importantly in the county, I will highlight ones I think deserve merit, as well as demerit.
Here's one to begin this search for a good Code of Ethics for our county: A Code of Ethics Lesson for Law Enforcement Officers by Illinois Association of School Administrators. I wanted to start with this one since it emphasizes the wrongness of bribery.
Posted by wjbailes at 02:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Another KID BLOG: What sports do you play?
You can comment on my son's KID BLOG, since Josiah hasn't set one up yet for Jackson. Or maybe I was supposed to do something for Josiah first?
Posted by wjbailes at 02:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hundreds of Young People Emerging as Progressive Leaders~Another Take on Washington D.C.'s Take Back America
Jonathan M. Morgenstein (above left) is a National Security and Foreign Policy Analyst for the military. And, yes, he is an Emerging Progressive Leader. This may seem surprising to some, but not to George Lakoff (above right), who is Goldman Professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley. Indeed, Lakoff (Take Back America's most popular figure - you can see his talk at that link) explained how fear and trembling are used to frame the war in Republican terms, and Morgenstein (a veteran of the Iraq War) agreed. Morgenstein and Lakoff have said that they will speak with me at length later this next week.
If you'd like to read more about how young people are joining the progressive movement (whether Republican or Democrat), READ ON.
Posted by wjbailes at 01:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 02, 2005
Blog Report from Washington D.C.
After hours of workshops and some fascinating breakfast speakers (Dean, Huffington) and luncheon speakers (Sweeny, Edwards) at the Take Back America conference (see videos at that link), I can now proudly say that it is the Democratic Party that shall take all the blame for the Kerry/Edwards loss and U.S. Senate loss.
Most of the day has been a litany of attacks that would make even the most hardened Dem melt. There is one silver lining: Rebuild. And this is the time for new progressives to come into the party and change it, YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE MANY OF YOU OUT THERE.
The door is wide open, the whipped dogs are listening. I have no doubt that the new Democrat will be forever more sensitive to religious and moral issues from now on.
On the other hand, the new progressive is going to stand up for morality when it comes to economic justice and health care. Whether we like it or not, there is something called a class war--and it's going on right now against us by the Bush party. If you don't believe that, send me an inquiry for more information.
I met Anooj, an Asian Indian who grew up in Bristol (TN). He was walking around the lobby of the Washington Hilton when a couple of white businessmen asked him to carry their luggage. The moment was made more ironic by Anooj's reaction: He asked them how much they would pay to get his help. Good entrepreneuer!
As Anooj said to me, "I'm either a door man or a terrorist to most of these types of people."
Posted by wjbailes at 05:47 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
June 01, 2005
Reporting from the TAKE BACK AMERICA Conference in Wash D.C.
What do you get when you put progressives and a formal dinner together?
You get a tux & gown smashing party, actually called the Take Back America Gala Dinner. And it's been great party with lively people whose ideals--equality, peace, and responsibility--I share.
Other than the prime rib and chocolate fudge cake, my favorite moment was honoring John Kenneth Galbraith with America's Future Lifetime Achievement Award.
You don't have to be a progressive to love Galbraith's intellect. Although he could not be here tonight (he's 96 and in ill health), his son John Jr. accepted the award for his father. Robert L. Borosage, co-director of Campaign for America's Future, introduced Galbraith's son. Borosage is author of Taking Back America.
Galbraith's written work, of course, is huge. And he was advisor to four presidents. He is the most eloquent of our progressives, to be sure.
As his son was finishing his speech, he said this: "My father had a visitor three weeks ago. His name is Bill Clinton. He told Clinton, "Mr. President, we don't need another Republican Party. We already have one." The crowd roared.
I was sitting with Elizabeth Minnich and Si Kahn who are co-authors of the upcoming The Fox in the Henhouse: How Privatization Threatens Democracy. I suggested my twisted theory for explaining Bushites problem with women, from a Melanie Klein viewpoint: Namely, these conservative guys (insecure and therefore pretending to be more macho than necessary) have never got over the MOTHER. For more information on Klein, send me at info@dailybailout.com.
Also at my table was Jim Driscoll, author of a blog Deep Democracy and a website Deep-Democracy.US. Very important activist here.
Next to me was Sean from Albany, New YorK, a youngster to say the least. He worked for Dean in Iowa. Now he's here on a scholarship (yes, progressives pay better = we believe in fair wages for all).
More to come tomorrow as I network, listen, and learn. My mama taught me well, see.
Posted by wjbailes at 09:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Florida Family Lands in Chatt ER
[Floridians Dan & Carolina with children. The oldest child had the fall.]
Thanksgiving 2004, a turkey of a problem arose before Dan and his family could ever sit down with out-of-state relatives to have a Thanksgiving meal.
What state were they visiting? Tennessee, of course.
Thanksgiving morning, Floridians Dan and wife Carolina’s oldest child fell and appeared to break his arm off a fence at an East Ridge playground. It seemed that x-rays would be necessary. But Dan and Carolina were without medical insurance. They were operating a thriving marketing business in Tampa, Florida, but could not afford insurance yet.
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