MEMPHIS TENN. RUNNERS

Look, all I am saying is that Memphis is not a bad place to live. No, it is not for everybody. Yes, there are better places to live. But again, it is not a shit hole. If you are looking for a small, progressive community, Memphis is not for you. Hell, the south is not for you if you are looking for a progressive community.

I really like living in Memphis. I would love living in Memphis if, and it's a big if, we could get our dictator/God chosen leader/mayor out of office this time around. I am not holding my breath.

Today, like every day, Memphis has its fill of racial machinations. It's not unlike many cities where the innercity has taken over and "it's my turn".

These two stories come from the Memphis Commercial Appeal today

The John Ford story

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2007/aug/29/29ford/

And the Steve Cohen story

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2007/aug/29/e29cohen/

They're not long so I urge you to skim them. On one hand you have the uncle of Harold Ford Jr, and a key member of the Ford Democrat political machine of Memphis, sentenced to prison for just one of the many illegal and corrupt things he did in TN, getting the blessing of his pastor...

On the other you have liberal Steve Cohen, a learned veteran Democrat TN politician now a member of US Congress (by quirk of of the political Gods having taken over Harold Ford Jr's seat) being raked over the coals by a bunch of preachers and community leaders who hate the idea that a white man represents them.

Final point...a recent poll shows John Ford would be re-elected for State Senate by a wide margin. On the other hand Cohen is slated to be shown the door because he's not black.

America at it's most prejudiced, illiterate and NOT diverse. Soon to be coming to your town.

I grew up in the suburbs (collierville/germantown). Graduated from Houston High. also lived in Orange mound for 2 years as well as other parts of the city. I have since moved out to a small town in Colorado, its different here to say the least. I definatley do not miss the heat (god does it get hot there) But I do miss the running community.

I have traveled to all the major running cities in the USA and lived in some, and I would say memphis does have one of the best. After I graduate from college I do hope to return to memphis (germantown) and reunite with my second family (Houston cross country/track). I also miss shelby farms very much.

The young rich families have to live somewhere near the city, and Germantown is that place. I too will move there and turn a blind eye to memphis and act like the problems they have just dont exist.

It wasnt the crime that bothered me most, but the religious fundamentalist that were the most annoying.

Hope to see all yall memphians when I get back in two short years. Till than I trust Bryan Baddorf and Hoot Gibson to watch over the running scene till I get back.

Cheers