What Local Issues Matter to You in 2007

In the coming weeks and months, the candidates for Metro Council, Vice-Mayor, and Mayor are going to be meeting and greeting with the people to explain why they deserve our votes this summer. Of registered voters in Nashville, over 1/3 are under the age of 35, meaning that young voters are an important part of the voting population.

So we want to know what's important to you. A better, more accessible mass transit system? Protection of more historic areas of town? Better schools with adequate funding? Public access WiFi for all? Kyoto protocols applied on the local level? More tourist focus? More sports teams? More affordable housing? We want to know what you want?

Tell us what issues matter this year and what questions you'll be wanting answered before you push the button in August. Write us your questions and concerns at davidsoncountyyoungdem@gmail.com and help us hold the candidates accountable in 2007.

Shall We Play A Game?

The Iranians continue to play games with the 15 British soldiers captured in Iraqi waters last week. First it was about letting the female soldier go, then she was shown apologizing, then a letter from her asks Tony Blair to pull out troops, now another soldier goes on TV to apologize. All of this with a backdrop of Iran building "the bomb" and attempting to take over the area south of Baghdad.

This is what 3,200+ brave American men and women died for? This is why 20,000+ have been injured? This is the reason we are now at our lowest state of readiness in modern history? So Iran can play American Idol with 15 British troops and stoke the fires of anger with America and the UK?

Attempting to put the reasons we went to war in context to today seems almost absurd. The three major people groups (Sunni, Shite, and Kurd) don't want to live together. They would much rather wipe the other one off the face of this Earth. So bringing "democracy" to the region ain't happening anytime soon.

Splitting them up into three separate provinces like Bosnia seems equally absurd, since only two sections of Iraq are habitable for some large masses of people. Plus, once we separate them, Iran will gladly absorb the southern province while the Kurds may look to expand their territory and take back what was taken from them by Turkey and Iran. Of course, Saudi Arabia or Syria may just look to take a bit for themselves.

Actually ... sure ... why not let them just take the scraps and let's just end this experiment that was forged out of World War I? ... And then we are reminded of the fundamental issue that has kept us in Iraq far longer than anyone ever thought.

Oil.

Looked at gas prices lately? That little skirmish and a lack of long-term stability, combined with some good ol' fashioned world market price gouging, has started pushing gas prices back into the ceiling here in America. We can't leave because it will mean that those countries we don't get along with very much will have us by the throat when it comes to oil.

So everyday more soldiers die so that we can try to enjoy gas below $3.00 a gallon. Everyday our friends, our family, they go and try to put the pieces of Iraq back together so we can keep feeding our oil addiction.

President Bush, in his 2007 State of the Union, talked of a serious push towards alternative energy sources with a target of 20 years. Just how many soldiers will die between now and then for oil? How weak will we have become in those 20 years? Mr. Bush, shall we continue to play this game or is it finally time to start acting like a president?

Banks Invites the DCYDs to Mafiaoza's

At-Large Metro Council Candidate and DCYD Member Brady Banks has personally invited the DCYDs out for a reception at Mafiaoza's Pizzeria and Pub. This is a great opportunity to get to know the candidate and learn more about the issues that are driving him to run. The invitation is below along with a brief biography.

A Quick Biography

As a Nashville native, Brady cares deeply for our city, its citizens, and its families. He wants to work to find ways to make our city better for everyone in Davidson County.

He envisions a Nashville with the best schools, safest communities, most affordable neighborhoods, and access to opportunity for every Davidson county resident. These goals are the essential cornerstones of a high quality of life.

Brady was born at the old Donelson Hospital in the Hermitage-Donelson area. It is in Nashville where he played, learned, and worshipped. Much of his early life was centered around community, school, and church. He attended Dodson Elementary, Wharton Middle, Dupont-Tyler Junior, and McGavock High schools. And whenever the doors were open, Brady was with his family at Hermitage Hills Baptist Church, singing in choir or participating in youth activities. It is in school and in church that he learned the values of hard work, civic participation, and caring for one’s neighbors.

After high school, Brady pursued studies in religion and hoped to become a minister. It is during this time that Brady ministered to youth groups and churches stateside and on mission to churches and communities in Brazil and the Middle East. But as he completed his Bachelor of Arts at Mercer University and began his studies for Master of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School, he was called to public service.

While at Harvard, Brady studied religion and public policy. He worked with multiple nonprofit organizations, focusing primarily on faith-based affordable housing efforts. During the summer of 2003, Brady received a grant from the Hauser Center for Nonprofits at Harvard to draft a paper on Nashville’s faith- and community-based affordable housing efforts through the Mayor’s Office of Affordable Housing under Mayor Purcell. This paper eventually was used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s “Unlocking Doors” initiative nationwide as a case study for best practices.

Brady graduated with his master’s degree from Harvard in 2005. That same year, he was chosen as a grant recipient for a program at Dartmouth’s Tuck Business School for emerging community leaders across the United States.

Brady has also worked on multiple national and state campaigns. He most recently managed a campaign for a Tennessee State Senate race in 2004. He has continued his work in affordable housing, first working with a local housing nonprofit in Nashville and now as the Appeals Coordinator for Tennessee Housing Development Agency, the State of Tennessee’s affordable housing authority.

When he is not on the campaign trail, Brady enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, reading, listening to music, playing tennis and playing his guitar. He especially enjoys the company of his girlfriend, Kristin Clark, a minister a Christ United Methodist Church in Franklin.

Brady is actively involved in a number or organizations in Nashville, including Habitat for Humanity, Edgehill Center, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Generation TN and the Nashville Symphony. He teaches Sunday School and participates in worship at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Belle Meade.

Understanding the Iraq War

Usually on this blog we deal with local and state issues that affect us here in Nashville and in Tennessee. Occasionally we go federal with those kooky kids in Washington. But one issue that all Americans have been dealing with for over four years now is the Iraq War. Most people have an opinion, but many do not have an educated one.

MSNBC just put out what can only be described as an educational piece about what's happening in Iraq. No spin, no left or right perspective, just a flat out description of the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the now in Iraq as told by Richard Engel, NBC Middle East Correspondant.

Take a look, learn a few more facts you may not have known, and use this to better your discussions about the war. Like the continuing fall out of global climate change or the rising cost of our basic needs (health care, education and affordable housing to name a few), the war in Iraq looks to be something our generation will have to deal with for a very long time.

Whether we pull out tomorrow or not, this crisis is here and will be here for a while. At some point we, the American public, have to move on from the blaming and move towards resolution. We know who to blame. President Bush did a bad, bad thing. The neoconservative theory of spreading democracy with military power has failed. This much 60-plus percent of the American public knows now and the rest are continuing to learn.

But what are we going to do about it? How do we fix this problem? When we get past the name calling, what solutions do we have? And if there are no quality solutions from our leaders, then what does that mean on Election Day 2008? Consider these questions as you watch the piece.

Wine and Cheese with Gentry

Big turn out for March Membership Mixer at Flyte

Another successful Membership Mixer took place last night at Flyte. Over 50 people turned out and 14 new members joined. The DCYDs give a big thanks to the candidates and representatives who came out including Juvenile Court Clerk Vic Lineweaver, Metro Council At-Large candidate Ronnie Steine, Metro Council At-Large candidate Brady Banks, and Metro Council At-Large candidate Peter Westerholm. Also attending was District 19 Council candidate Freda Player.

Be sure to visit our website at www.dcyd.org and our MySpace page at www.myspace.com/dcyd to find out more about what's coming next!

Maynard Invites the DCYDs Out to Cabana

Jamie Qualk, Jason Powell and Shawntaz Crawford

Cordially Invite the Davidson County Young Democrats

to an Event Celebrating the Candidacy of

Jerry Maynard for

City Council At Large

Thursday

March 22nd

from 5 - 7 p.m.

at Cabana

No RSVP required

"Suggested" Donation of $25.00

Weekend Movie Suggestions

With all the wacky antics going on in Washington, it seems a good weekend to rent a couple movies from the ol' Blockbuster. Or you could just watch these clips and laugh about how, no matter what the year, the same rules apply. Funny, ain't it? Enjoy!

Man of the Year (2006)


Good Will Hunting (1997)


Wag the Dog (1997)


Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Sean McGuire Invites the DCYDs Out to Celebrate His Irish Heritage

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Sean Patrick McGuire

Candidate for Metro Council – District 25 (Green Hills)

Thursday, March 15th, from 5-7 p.m.

at The Greenhouse in Green Hills

Check out our website at www.mcguireforcouncil.com

Megan Barry Wants to Know What We Think

The campaign for Megan Barry just sent an e-mail over to the Davidson County Young Democrats and asked for some opinions from DCYD members and supporters. Take a look and be sure to give her some feedback as to whether or not her reasons matter to you. If we are to make a difference, we MUST take part in the process!

My name is Megan Barry and I’m running for Metro Council At-Large.

For many years I’ve been actively involved here in Nashville in civic and community activities that range from schools and neighborhoods to arts and politics. Now I’m ready to take my involvement in our city to a new level.

I’m asking you for your vote, and here’s why:

Leadership Matters: I will tackle the complex issues that confront Nashville – education, public safety, the environment, and social justice – with a bias toward action.

Community Matters: I am a businessperson who understands that a dynamic city needs strong neighborhoods and expanding economic opportunities. As a public school parent, I also understand that those opportunities demand a first-rate public education system.

Integrity Matters: I am an ethics professional and I have mserved on the Metro Council’s Board of Ethical Conduct.

As Nashville grows more economically and culturally vibrant, it confronts both opportunities and challenges. I want to help Nashville continue its forward progress by drawing on my professional experience and my personal commitment to the city’s future.

Feel free to contact me directly anytime at megan@meganbarry.com. Thanks very much for your consideration!

Megan Barry

Megan Barry
for Metro Council At-Large

When Did Being an American Capitalist...

...mean serving yourself was far more important than honoring, supporting, and protecting the land that gave you your chance at success?

Halliburton will move HQ to Dubai
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Oil services giant Halliburton Co. will soon shift its corporate headquarters from Houston to the Mideast financial powerhouse of Dubai, chief executive Dave Lesar announced Sunday.

"Halliburton is opening its corporate headquarters in Dubai while maintaining a corporate office in Houston," spokeswoman Cathy Mann said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "The chairman, president and CEO will office from and be based in Dubai to run the company from the UAE."

Lesar's announcement appears to signal one of the highest-profile moves by a U.S. corporate leader to Dubai, an Arab boomtown where free-market capitalism has been paired with some of the world's most liberal tax, investment and residency laws.

So instead of paying a fair share of taxes, Halliburton is heading off to the UAE to enjoy the benefits of working with an oil-happy Arab nation. Benefits that include:

- 100% foreign ownership of the enterprise;
- 100% import and export tax exemptions;
- 100% repatriation of capital and profits;
- No corporate taxes for 15 years, renewable for an additional 15 years;
- No personal income taxes; and
- Assistance with labor recruitment, and additional support services, such as sponsorship and housing.
- To learn more visit http://www.mideastlaw.com/middle_eastern_laws_uae.html

So the company that our current Vice-President was the former CEO of...a company that holds a slew of contracts to support our troops over in Iraq..a company that has been accused by the federal government of wasting nearly $3 billion dollars of tax payer money...that company is now heading off to Dubai to enjoy a tax-free life in an oil rich nation that needs no taxes because we pay $3 a gallon for gas to the oil-rich Arabs and literally billions of our tax dollars to wealthy Republican CEOs.

Boys and girls, why does it feel like the American people, both Democrats and Republicans, are going to be left holding the check for the capitalists' eating binge? The storm is coming, boys and girls, and I don't know if the levies are going to hold.

At-Large Council Candidate Peter Westerholm Invites the DCYD to his 30th Birthday Bash

At-Large Metro Council Candidate and DCYD Member Peter Westerholm is turning 30 and inviting DCYD members out to celebrate. Take a moment to read about Peter below and be sure to stop by on Saturday to wish him a happy birthday and to ask him where he stands on issues important to Young Democrats.

A Quick Biography

Born in Texas on March 13, 1977, Peter Westerholm was raised in a civic-minded family that valued service and involvement in the community.

Peter began calling Nashville his home in 1995, when he began attending Lipscomb University to study public administration. Following graduation, he worked for a law firm before pursuing a Master of Public Policy at Pepperdine University. Shortly after completing his masters' degree, Peter returned to Nashville where he was worked with budget and strategic planning for the State of Tennessee.

As a community-oriented citizen, Peter has been involved in many projects and organizations, including the Nashville Adult Literacy Council, the Arthritis Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the Nashville Symphony, and many others.

Leave It to Keith to Clean Up the Mess ...

Yeah, so that whole Vice-President Al Gore's big electric bill issue ... well take a look at this fine piece of work from the ever steady Keith Olbermann.



Is this really the kind of politics we want to have in 2008? Sort-of, but not-really non-partisan think tanks making clearly partisan attacks on candidates with "fuzzy facts" similar to the "fuzzy math" of old.