Nashville News Blog

That not why the Democrats lost the legislature. They lost the Tennessee legislature for the same reasons that Tennessee is rank as one of the five fattest and unhealthiest states, and one of the top two in credit card debt.

So I guess the Democratic agenda to reclaim the state should be to institute a tax on fast food and use it to build free gyms across the state.

"2009 Decision: female circumcision?"

If this is the best Forrester can do, we Republicans should pray he become Democrat Party chair. Let's hold "salon" sessions to discuss the latest topic from Oprah while real Tennesseans are fighting to pay their mortgages. I'm sure there was plenty of arugula and white wine spritzers on those potluck tables.

Another name for arugula is rocket. It's actually the most badass of salad greens.

Female circumcision is an egregious practice conducted in Third World countries on minor girls resulting in mutilation, permanent scarring and in some cases death. This horrible practice has migrated to some immigrant communities in the US and a Balloon society member chose to make that the topic of her talk at one of our gatherings. Her intent was to raise awareness and consciences about this egregious practice citing horrifying numbers as she made her case about what is happening in the US.

Balloon Society (which no longer meets) was founded by Avon Williams III (deceased), John Spence, Lisa Chapman, Charlie Sell and myself to provide a forum to discuss ideas of the day on a monthly basis. We were a broad mix of Democrats, Republicans and independents brought together over home cooked food with an interest in hearing ideas about our community and world.

What relevance this topic has to my race for Tennessee Democratic Party chair is beyond me but I at least wanted to clarify this for the record.

Chip Forrester
Treasurer
Tennessee Democratic Party

By definition, a "salon" implies robust debate and discussion. Or, as Chairman Chip described in his Tennessean article, "intriguing and different kinds of ideas." So was this a session to just bash female circumcision, which has been derided by the World Health Organization among many other global interests. Or was this a meeting that provided a forum for the so-called "upside" of this issue. Did Chairman Chip entertain pro-female circumcision perspectives in this salon? Or was it strictly anti-mutilation? Do tell Chip?

GOP Glee, you know nothing about me. I don't look down on people in Bell Buckle or Winchester, and you have no reason to assume I do.

I have no fear of taking action, and I've never been to a salon.

Which begs the question (that I think many on here are wondering about): What the f@%k are you talking about?

Seriously, why were these people chatting over dinner about clipping anyone's genitalia? Didn't they have anything more productive to do? And then making snarky remarks about Big Gulps and Whoppers shows what elitists they really are. If these are the people Democrats put in charge, they can kiss Tennessee good bye for a long time.