| Area residents state concerns over direction of the nation |
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Posted: Friday, August 14, 2009 9:37 pm
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By GLENDA H. CAUDLE
Special Features Editor
Mike Slater, conservative radio talk show host from Jackson who organized Thursday afternoon’s gathering at Kiwanis Park in downtown Union City, estimated the crowd at about 500 people. Local estimates were slightly higher for the rally that was staged two blocks from Congressman John Tanner’s Union City office. Its stated purpose was to call attention to what Slater and his “Slater Raiders” say is the congressman’s failure to set up face-to-face townhall meetings to discuss pending healthcare legislation and the direction in which the country is moving.
Slater was surrounded, overwhelmingly, by supporters who say their political beliefs are grounded in the eternal principles embodied in the nation’s founding documents. During the course of the 90-minute rally, a small band of Tanner’s supporters circled the park chanting, “We love Tanner.” Inside the park, crowds boomed back, “U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!”
Speakers from the park’s landmark gazebo included Col. James Harding of Huntingdon, the 19th most decorated veteran in U.S. military history; Bill Denman of Hornbeak, the Slater Raiders’ “chief economist and top environmentalist”; Brian Cisco of Jackson, the Slater Raiders’ “chief special master of philosophy czar”; and Ben Cunningham of Nashville, who led the revolt against the proposed Tennessee state income tax a few years ago.
Also present, but as an observer only and one who was learning first hand the value of paying attention to the voters, was Donn Janes. Janes recently announced his intention to take part in the 2010 GOP primary as a first step in what he hopes will be the ousting of Tanner from his long-held Eighth Congressional District seat.
“This was such a good representation,” Janes said, “of the need of the people to air their grievances, which repudiates a lot said in the media about the ‘angry mobs.’ Clearly angry mobs were not the case today. We have been under the same leadership for 20 years and it’s leadership that has lost touch with local communities. The only person truly represented in West Tennessee is Nancy Pelosi, and she doesn’t’ have our best interest in mind.”
Tuesday’s rally was both opened and closed with prayer and American flags were much in evidence. Two thick volumes that spelled out the current House of Representatives proposed healthcare legislation were displayed on a table in front of the gazebo. The 1,000-page plus H.R. 3200, printed on both sides of each page, required the two volumes to be physically manageable by potential readers.
While the bill may have been the impetus for local residents’ determination to have Tanner face them and respond to their concerns, little was actually said about the bill at the rally. Instead, speakers talked about their general concerns over the direction in which the nation is headed and tried to send a strong message that they are extremely disappointed with what they view as Tanner’s refusal to hear their concerns.
Tanner, who was in Dover Thursday afternoon visiting a veteran’s medical facility, has said he will speak to his constituents as often as possible at his office in Union City and through two telephone town hall meetings. These are set for Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. and Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. Those interested in participating may sign up by calling 885-7070 or by going online to www.house.gov/tanner and completing the registration process.
For an editorial view of Thursday’s rally, see Page Four.
Mrs. Caudle may be contacted at glendacaudle@ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 8.14.09
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