Mike Pirtle: People suffer enough without politics on The Murfreesboro Post

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Mike Pirtle: People suffer enough without politics

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Posted: Sunday, March 14, 2010 8:21 am

Seems some folk were surprised when a recent MTSU opinion poll revealed only 19 percent of the general public could identify a candidate in this year’s state governor’s race.

Look the economy is awful and the weather has been historically bad, so why would people want to suffer anymore than they already are?

As noted here a couple of weeks ago with the state’s dire financial situation, why anyone would want to be the governor is unfathomable. The new governor could do a great job getting us through the mess but the political wounds will be grotesque.

And, most candidates are simply skirting around the issue or giving senseless “good management” or “setting priorities” answers that generally indicate they don’t recognize the problem.

While most of the campaign rhethoric has had little of substance a couple seem intent to go out of their way to say goofy stuff – like blowing the tops off mountains to get coal is good for birds and wildlife ( swear I did not make that up).

Under the best of circumstances, most voters recognize the primary election isn’t until August for goodness sake. The Democratic field has already been winnowed down, and it seems inevitable the GOP race will thin.

Why listen to a bunch of political blah, blah, blah from folks who may not even end up on the ballot?

People will start paying attention when it is time to pay attention.

The poll did note something interesting. Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam was the frontrunner.

Disregarding all else, he was genius to run a bunch of TV ads during the recent Winter Olympics when nothing else was on the tube and the nasty winter weather had everyone inside.

But, February is a long way from the primary and whether people will remember then is debatable. I know I’m trying to forget this winter.

If you are paying attention to the race:

Middle Tennessee State University, in cooperation with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, will play host to a gubernatorial forum Thursday, April 29. The program will begin promptly at 7 p.m. in the university’s Murphy Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

•••

Guess we don’t need to make fun of people in trouble with the law (well, OK, maybe they deserve it), but I chuckled about the TBI release last week concerning the former La Vergne resident who apparently is on the run from fraud charges.

You see, the guy is on the lam with his wife and nine children (yeah, I wonder how he had time to scam anyone, too).

You’d think the lawmen could track that tribe down by the dust trail.

•••

The United Way ended its 2009 campaign Tuesday with a Community Celebration at World Outreach Church, finishing just over 80 percent of goal

The fundraising organization gathered $2,339,460.19 in the 2009 campaign. Its goal was $2.8 million.

Usually, 80 percent of goal is not very good. For 2009’s economy is was amazing. Way to go, Rutherford County folk.

One thing’s for sure: No other United Way celebration had the national championship cheerleaders to spark things. UWRCC was cheered by the national high school champion Blackman Blaze.

Tagged under Just Sain', Mike Pirtle, Voices

Member Opinions:

By: Farmall on 3/18/10
Mike,

I see you have decided that instead of going in a different direction and doing something with the paper, you have decided to continue with being the Murfreesboro paper lite. I used to work for newspaper in another small town, they got bought out same as here. A paper like yours started up, they lasted for about 2 years. I don't know if you have time left to try something different or not. I just wish you would. I personally like the muck raking stories, but any direction would be worth the attempt. I wish all of you well, and hopefully success.

By: MboroBlueEyes on 3/18/10
What has happened to the Post? Did the News tab go away at the top? Three RCSO officers were assaulted last night, and the story hasn't shown up here. This used to be my favorite place to read the local news, and either I'm missing something... or the news isn't being reported here. Is the News tab going to make a comeback??