EVOLUTION PROCESS - POLITICIAN TO LOBBYISTThe Gainesville Sun Editorial Cartoon, October 9, 2007: One little boy to the other: "When I grow up I'm gonna be part of a gang. Then I can intimidate and bribe my way to a position of power. People will fear me and my influence will be felt by all!" Other Boy answers: "Awesome! You're gonna be a Tallahassee lobbyist?" Well, being relatively new to the blogs and like many others, getting involved in political matters only when they affect me personally, I was intrigued by the resonance of disdain for Thrasher throughout the blogs. My only vague recollection of him was meeting him in the Orange Park Town Hall at the beginning of his political career. My recollection of that meeting was that he was "well oiled" (too slick for my liking). I probably was one of the few back then that did not vote for him and so did not follow his career. After seeing all the comments about him in the blogs, I did a search on his name. The most interesting fact that grabbed me was that the most he made as a politician was $200,000 a year. Since becoming a lobbyist, his reported income is now in the millions! Which answers another question I have often pondered. Why in the world would any individual strive to be a politician and subject themselves to the public scrutiny and plucking apart that comes with the job? In a politician's career, on any issue he will cast a vote that will alienate half of his constituents. And, if he stays in politics, in time he eventually will alienate all of his constituents. And, again, the question who other than a masochist would do this to themselves? Well, my research has dismissed the masochist theory. I now see a career as a politician as an investment in the future for those who so choose to take the lumps and bumps along the road. If a candidate can ingratiate him/herself to the voters, get elected, gain clout among legislative politicians, and along the way develop relationships with special interest groups, he is complying with the greed theory so prevalent in today's society of "following the money". The goal being to evolve from a local or state politician with a rather paltry salary (in comparison) to a big time lobbyist representing special interest groups willing to pay large sums to get what they want, usually to the detriment of those same constituents he laid his foundation on while a politician. The boldest example today is the gambling industry's push in Florida. And that same guy, Thrasher, is shown linked to that special interest group. NOW I UNDERSTAND! Submitted by OneMann on Mon, 10/15/2007 - 5:41pm.
Germanfrau and Finder, don't worry about John Thrasher. He has just taken advantage of a system of government that obviously has flaws. Don't blame a person for doing his job well. If Thrasher didn't exist, someone else would have taken his place and played by the same rules and been just as wealthy. Lobbyists have usurped the power of Congress, the State Legislature and even the County Commission. They control and bundle campaign contributions, consult on the preparation of and even write legislation, and worst of all - they conduct business outside the glare of Sunshine Laws. Lobbyists are the shadow government, created when elected officials relinquished the power they were elected to use. They start out as candidates beholden to the lobbyist-fundraisers and then "play by the rules" once elected, forsaking the people they are sworn to represent. It is all done legally, well within the law. So no use worrying about John Thrasher. It ain't the man that's the problem. It's the system.
Submitted by finder on Mon, 10/15/2007 - 6:03pm.
OneMann; You are absolutely correct about where the blame lies for having these people doing what they do. And, that is real unfortunate! There isn't a whole lot we can do about them, but if it's OK with you, I'll keep worrying about them. Isn't going to do any good, but it will make me feel a whole lot better. Finder Submitted by OneMann on Mon, 10/15/2007 - 6:18pm.
Worry away, finder, if it makes you feel better. Today's government doesn't remind you much of the one you started studying about in elementary school, does it? The sad thing is, the only way it will change is if more and more people insist on meaningful change. How 'bout this, finder? Instead of worrying, devote all that energy to figuring out how to change the system that allows it?
Submitted by Key2life on Mon, 10/15/2007 - 8:48pm.
OneMann, Thank you for being the voice of sanity on this blog. You're absolutely right. This has nothing to do with specific lobbyists, but is a systemwide cancer for which deep discussion and debate is demanded. I find it interesting when you initiate political topics in a group of people, many will respond, "Oh, I'm not political." My response is, "If you have a pulse, you're a political animal. Somewhere in the world, someone is representing your interests in some way, shape or form." Better to be armed and dangerous and in charge of your own opinions than ignorant and unarmed. What you don't know, will ultimately hurt you at some point. Let's say, you are not paid (as lobbyists are). Let's say you know your stuff and talk to your representatives at many levels, often presenting the other side of the coin in a convincing fashion. Is it more honorable to be an activist and be unpaid or a lobbyist and be paid for services rendered? Submitted by Angela on Tue, 10/16/2007 - 7:26am.
I hope this is one of those trick questions you posed key2life. If not, you need to get out of Keystone more often girl. "Is it more honorable to be an activist and be unpaid or a lobbyist and be paid for services rendered?" I have never been able to equate the word honorable and lobbyist in the same sentence. An activist is an unpaid advocate for a person or a cause in my opinion. A lobbyist is a paid vulture. Submitted by JonBoy on Thu, 10/18/2007 - 8:01am.
Sorry to be weighing in late, But this issue is going to be in our face for a long time, Mr Thrasher and Mr. Horne have demonstated a new career path that provides riches without risk or comtribution. Using public "service" as a beard they have skillfully positioned themselves to gain at the expense of smucks like us. From Duval it looks like Clay county has at least two Thrasher-Horn wannabe's in Bradley and Cummings. More than likely you will elect these bookends to the County Commision and create a new generation of Thrasher-Horne clones. JonBoy
Submitted by Key2life on Thu, 10/18/2007 - 9:18am.
Angela, It's not a "trick" question per se...More of a moral and ethical discussion on value systems. On the one hand, what I hear you saying is that we (a collective "we") value individuals who actively influence people who are in decision-making positions - especially, if it is percieved that this influencing activity is making strides to right a wrong. As long as the greater public benefits, this is morally and ethically a good use of influence. On the other hand, if an individual actively influences people who are in decision-making positions for the good of a smaller number of people, then that activity is considered less valuable to the public and therefore not a morally and ethically good use of influence. The bigger question is: If both activities were equally valued, is the question of money the deciding factor in how we perceive lobbyists versus activitists? Because there are many paid activitists in the world. Submitted by germanfrau on Thu, 10/18/2007 - 9:31am.
JonBoy: Better late than never. How observant of you! If it walks like a duck.......etc. Cummings has already "turned over his cards" to show the special interest group he works for. Bradley, by firm association, with the same special interest group. Both campaigns will be no doubt be "well-financed", have the endorsement of the Chamber and the Economic Growth and Development Committee (funded by taxpayers) who apparently feel beholden to the same special interest group based on past endorsements. Mix all these ingredients together, and your prediction of a win-win for both these candidates will most likely become a reality due to the lack of an easily accessible means for voters to find out which candidates receive campaign donations from special interest groups. Submitted by OneMann on Thu, 10/18/2007 - 11:47am.
Germanfrau, there is an easily accessible way for voters to find out who is financially backing the candidacy of any particular candidate. That information is available online through the Supervisor of Elections' website. That site also lists the financial ccontributors to political action committees in Clay County. Key2Life, as posed within the context of this particular blog, your question could be considered tricky. Why not start a new blog on the subject and see what kind of response you get? Submitted by JonBoy on Thu, 10/18/2007 - 5:42pm.
OneMan: I am a brand new contributor to your blog but as an observer I have seen signs of the "C" words (censorship and caution) The question is would the Times Union allow the re-publication of this information and not consider it a personal attack ? Some time it is necessarry to do a little reasearch to tell the difference between bundled money, straw donors and legit contributions. Recently I saw a study of contributions to Orange Park Town Council Members, This study made the connections all too clear. but to my knowledge it has never been published. I asssume this information was made available to the papers. The "donors" were connected to powerful and influential people not to the council members. JonBoy
Submitted by Key2life on Thu, 10/18/2007 - 10:28pm.
JonBoy, You say you're watching Clay County politics from afar and yet you seem to be intimately entrenched in what is going on in Clay County. So what is it? Duval? Clay County? River Road? Coward? Submitted by OneMann on Thu, 10/18/2007 - 11:48pm.
JonBoy, I haven't seen the report you refer to, nor could I speak for any newspaper's editorial judgment even if I had. I wouldn't mind seeing it myself. I can't imagine anything that would shock me, because the report as you portrayed it is simply how party politics (any party) works. Big donors are bigger donors than a casual glance reveals. Ideological differences between parties have disappeared. Sponsored candidates are all the same, chasing the same campaign dollars to fund their personal dreams of holding office, and then realizing quickly that those campaign dollars weren't without strings attached. Almost everyone thinks government in America is the finest in the world. I'm one of them. But we're still a long way from perfect, and party politics as practiced today is taking us farther and farther away from what it could be. Also JonBoy, to challenge someone by calling them coward in the context of a blog that guarantees her own right to anonymity and protects her personal information is incredibly crass and rude. If I were you, I'd respond to Key2Life's comment with what it deserves - nothing.
Submitted by Marsha on Fri, 10/19/2007 - 10:13am.
JonBoy welcome to the blogs, and I'm sorry that you're the recepient of a personal attack so soon. For the life of me I don't understand why anything you said resulted in such a mean spirited attack. If it was said in defense of a name mentioned, the response certainly did nothing to bolster their posistion. Off the top of my head I can think of several legitimate reasons someone may be watching from "afar". It's unfortunate that someone else did not take the time to think before they spoke in more ways then one. Submitted by OneMann on Fri, 10/19/2007 - 11:16am.
Heck, yeah, Marsha, casting an eye on government and in Clay County is worthwhile from any perspective. I wish more people, like JonBoy, would give it a shot. If nothing else, there would be the comedic relief from real life's unpleasant chores, Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs." There are the edge-of-your-seat roller coaster emotions Steve Irwin represented as the "Crocodile Hunter" wrestled reptiles. And there's all the backstabbin', connivin', lyin' and cheatin' as any loyal "Survivor" fan loves to watch. Watching government isn't for someone who's hyperactive or bipolar and manic at the time. (Come to think of it, probably not good to watch on the downside of the cycle either.) Government usually moves at a pace slow enough to require dedication to start picking up on the subtleties. Got all those acronyms and such to learn, too. Like a new season with brand new episodes (well, not "Crocodile Hunter") you gotta learn the personality of the show. And then you can experience some real entertainment. Doesn't matter where your personal view originates - it's freakin' funny to watch. Of course, there's also the by-product of seeing where your tax dollars are being spent or discovering why it takes you 90 minutes to get to work and another 90 getting back home. And, JonBoy, term limits may help end the stranglehold some politicians have, severely limiting the potential of those term-limited positions from becoming careers. Of course, there are still careers available in the constitutional officers. As to your question about why anyone would consider seeking office, I can only speak for one person and the answer's not simple. For me, personally considering running for the District 3 seat on the County Commission next year, it involves things as specific as managing growth while catching up with mismanaged growth. As broad as to offer a candidate who is not backed, and beholden to, those in power behind the scenes, who is not afraid to change the status quo. If I do decide to run (and don't hold your breath waiting for an announcement, 'cause there ain't one coming anytime soon) it will be discuss real issues in the campaign, and force any possible opponent to do the same. That may, in fact, be my primary reason to run - to give the voters of District 3 a chance to listen to and talk things that will affect their lives without having to settle for the same ol' family values kind of campaign talk. If, by some chance, the folks of District 3 are interested enough, dissatisfied enough or whatever-enough for the majority to cast votes for me, then I'll have a four-year contract at whatever the prescribed benefits are. But a career in politics? No, thanks. And especially not as a lobbyist. Heck, I don't want to go to the trouble of having to worry about how to spend that much personal money. I don't even play the Lotto, 'cause I'm afraid I'd win. I have very simple long-term desires and have never been desirous of fancy material things (you should see my truck and, unless it breaks down, it'll be the same one I'm driving year from now). Besides, I've already thought of myself this morning as a paid lobbyist in the context of another blog, and it created a very unpleasant feeling. Sorry it took so long to offer you what is in essence a brief answer, JonBoy.
Submitted by RonRaymond on Fri, 10/19/2007 - 12:48pm.
OneMann: I have been out of the countrty for a while and see by the blog not much has changed, JonBoy must have hit a nerve . Although reading his reply to you I also can't find the barb. Was there some thing I missed ? often I don't have time or access to the blog maybe key2 life will enlighten us. I did the research of public records to generate the campaign contribution report you mentioned. sending copies to MCS and Clay today. Where is district three? regardless I hope you run, we need citizen legislators not career pols RonRaymond
Submitted by Angela on Fri, 10/19/2007 - 1:27pm.
Clay County Politics will never change until (borrowing a word from the rap industry) the "playas" change. The county where the playa's be spinnin a lot of dough. OneMann, I hope you do decide to run for office. We need some new playas, if we ever hope to have change. I think you bring that and more to the table. Citizens we have a golden opportunity here with the upcoming elections and many open positions up for election to make some real changes. I encourage you to listen, learn, and ask questions. Then VOTE. Let's all work together to take steps in the right direction because I can see stars lining up for a new version of the same ole game. Citizens Wake Up, If you are not part of the solutions, then you are one of the problems. VOTE
Submitted by OneMann on Fri, 10/19/2007 - 2:48pm.
Hi there, Ron. No, JonBoy hasn't been throwing barbs, although he was the target of another contributor. I've got no problem with what he's written, even read it with the sort of journalistic glee that arrives with the prospect of gettin' my hands on something something good to read. How 'bout one of you e-mailing me at michaelsmann@comcast.net and let's see if you can get me a copy? He asked why anyone would consider subjecting themselves to the scrutiny of politics, so I gave JonBoy some of my own thoughts as to why I may do that. Actually, there would only be a handful of people who knew I was even kicking around the idea of running if a blogger who's earned my respect hadn't asked the question. Like I said, my decision's a long way off. Qualifying for a spot on the ballot doesn't even officially begin until June. And I guess I'd need some time prior to that so I could try to gather whatever number (see how far along I am?) of signatures required to qualify, and some other paperwork that might need to be filed in advance if I want to start accepting donations. All that kind of stuff will be done as late as possible, if I decide to do it at all. I'm still having trouble with Mark Twain's observation that "politician" and "idiot" are redundant. So, I appreciate your good thoughts, along with those of Angela. As I tell all my friends now, start saving eight quarters a week for 25 weeks. That'll be the maximum contribution I accept from anyone if I do run. If I haven't asked for it buy July 1, take the money and help finance a night out with the family 'cause I won't be needing it. Won't be seeing the same names on my financial reports, either. Those two Real Estate PACs in Orlando couldn't convince me to accept their pair of $5 checks, much less the $500 they each contribute to help the campaigns of so many Clay County politicians. How's that for some long-term campaign strategy, Ron? And, Angela, the real new playas needed in the game are the regular folks who haven't been getting involved, before, during and after Election Day. Shake 'em up out there, guys, not for me but for themselves. If they come out in force, they have the power to demand better representation from whoever they elect in any election. I certainly wouldn't have to run for office to enjoy seeing that happen.
Submitted by winn1955 on Fri, 10/19/2007 - 11:51pm.
Key2life Question?? Why did you call JonBoy a coward? Just curious, And why does it matter where he is from?
Submitted by Key2life on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 12:30am.
Winn1955, JonBoy says he's from Duval County. I'm a trained reporter. I don't buy it. I've been very open and honest about the fact that I live in Keystone Heights. Most people know I was appointed to the Charter Review Commission. I know that Marsha lives in the Ravines. I know that Baxley lives in Clay Hill. It matters, winn1955 because I believe JonBoy is a member of a small group of people who opposed the poker room expansion in Orange Park. And rather than stand up and be accountable for that fact, he's hiding behind a Duval County address. He wants people to focus on a one-time $500 contribution to OP Town Council Member Travis Cummings from the Jax Kennel Club rather than a cummulative body of works from this council member. There was NO WAY this town council member could have known when he accepted this campaign donation that he would be deciding - 5 years later - on an the expansion of a poker room in OP. Everyone wants to believe there is collusion between the Town of OP and the Kennel Club. There is NONE. It's over. Let the candidates in District 3 debate the real issues. What's good for Orange Park? Politics is a world in and of itself. Don't get all self-righteous on me because I call a spade a spade. Because it is. A spade is a spade. Submitted by finder on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 7:55am.
Sorry, but I can understand why Lilyslore won't respond to your blogs. Trained reporter? I thought reporters verified their information before they formed an opinion and went to print with their story. Unless of course you trained to be a tabloid reporter then you can print anything you want. 'I believe' is not verification enough for me. "Most people know I was appointed to the Charter Review Commission." Wow! I'm impressed! NOT! If that makes you feel more important, good for you. "Politics is a world in and of itself." That, in and of itself, is the biggest problem we have in our leadership today. People get elected or appointed to something and suddenly they think that people should listen to them because of their position or title, rather than who and what they are. They forget from whence they came and forget that 'fame' is fleeting. And from another post, "Let them hate as long as they fear - Caligula", get a grip on reality. You aren't that big of a frog in the pond of life no matter how high an opinion you have of yourself. I think you may need to go back and check your reporter training notes. Loud and obnoxious does not equal right. It just means loud and obnoxious. Too many people get tired of hearing that type of response from you, and you become irrelevant. I think you may have reached that exalted position with a lot of people already. Finder Submitted by JonBoy on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 8:49am.
Key2Life Why do you care where I live ? I don't give a rats behind about the poker room. Clay county Good ole boy Politics have always been of interest to me. Believe me You still have it"in spades" . I also watch National, Duval and St Johns with interest. I thought your blogs were about Politics. I apologize for contributing without being a resident member of your parochial club or a trained reporter. I will keep my impressions of Clay County to myself in the future JonBoy Submitted by OneMann on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 10:53am.
Hang in there, JonBoy, we're all trying to get Ke2Life back on her meds. It's a good thing Key2Life didn't play Catwoman on television or we'd know that Batman is really Bruce Wayne. Key'd have ripped the mask off the Caped Wonder as soon as she purred him into a bed and slapped the feather-boa handcuffs on him. Again, Key, what's so important about exposing who JonBoy is, where he lives, if he's in a "small group" or anything else about him? I really don't care if JonBoy's his real name, he lives on Walton Mountain, his small group consists only of direct ancestors and siblings, and we're reading some of those notes he was always scribblin' down when everybody else was turnin' out lights and yellin' good night. Why not consider what he writes? If proving the identity of an author is so important, dedicate yourself to something interesting, like proving who the Bard really was. Just keep talking about that long enough and loud enough and maybe everybody will forget that most of the politicians in his plays were freakin' insane. If you consider JonBoy's issue unworthy of discussion, then stop discussing it. Frankly, that'd be my personal preference. Key, you wrote: "Let the candidates in District 3 debate the real issues." I sure hope you'll feel the same way about this time next year and urge your preferred candidate to not ignore the opportunities such debates present to stand beside his fellow candidates and convince citizens he is the one most worthy of their vote. I'd like to see all the candidates going face-to-face in open debate as often as there is a group of citizens willing to listen. Open and often. That's my idea of campaign debates. Anyway, I'll try to remember to check back next October and see how successful you've been in convincing your candidate to participate.
Submitted by Marsha on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 11:11am.
Finder you hit on so many excellent points in your last entry I am beyond impressed, like Pioneer said "Bravo". Starting to point fingers at who is who and where who is and what who is doing for whom in this forum can be like a dog chasing its own tail. How do you know I live in the Ravines? You know it only because I've said so. I've given no address to verify, I've given no references to verify. All anyone knows is what I have said, and for all anyone knows I could be lying through my teeth. Maybe I am not even a woman. The only people who can truly substantiate that what I say is the truth are my family and friends, or those few residents in the Ravines who at least know who I am. There can be a wide canyon between what I truly "know" and what I "believe" If people learn to make that distinction perhaps there would be less aggravation, irritation, accusation etc etc etc. Submitted by OneMann on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 11:16am.
I knew you were a man. Even accused you before, hadn't I? Oh, Lord, please forgive me for the impure thoughts I had glancing at this man's blog photograph.
Submitted by winn1955 on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 11:58am.
All I can say Key2 is that; sure is a lot of assumptions. Do you really know that Bax lives in clay hill? Do you know for a fact that the story I laid out about my life is true, or could it be fiction? Another Question, Who should JonBoy stand up and be accountable too, and why? One of the cool things about this blog is; you can say as much, or as little about your personnel life as you choose and still make your opinion and thoughts known without fear of reprisal from mean spirited individuals. I chose to let the fellow blogger know about my personnel life up to that point no one had a clue who I was. Who knows maybe I’m GhostWriter also. It takes an unsatisfied person to make things satisfactory: winn1955
Submitted by RonRaymond on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 12:31pm.
Key2life: Cummings may have the face of a choir boy but his heart is Machiavelian Do not believe for one minute that he did not remain cozy with the powers that be and the dog track. I have copies of e-mail where he went as a go between for other candidates and the Dog track. I also have the statement of a candidate that declared Cunmmings had delivered dog track money to him. I am a one time supporter of Travis I now know him to be blinded with political ambition and not worthy of the public trust As a member of the Orange Park Town Council I did not accept Dog Track campaign money knowing full well there ain't no free lunch Submitted by germanfrau on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 1:20pm.
JonBoy: As a new blogger, I was also pounced upon by key2life. She advised me in so many words, that I was not in her class and needed to brush-up on my blogging skills if I wished to gain her "respect". My observation reading the postings to my original blog, is that she may have more than the "key2life". Her inference almost makes it sound as though with the aid of her "reporter training" she may be able to discover our "true identies" even though they purportedly are confidential. (SCAREEEY) Also, for one who purports to live in Keystone, she seems to be overly involved in what's happening in Orange Park, and in particular the "River Road" area, where she point blankly insinuated you may live. Her tone almost sounded as though she (or perhaps her chummy Orange Park politicos) deem anyone living on River Road to be less than entitled to have an opinion on Orange Park politics. Her remark regarding there being a collusion between the Town of Orange Park and the Kennel club did not evolve from one casually involved with Clay County politics as a whole, in my humble opinion. Further, for one who insists on calling a "spade a spade", she is overly sensitive and post haste attacks anyone who mentions the names of "Cummings" or "Bradley", even if they are casually mentioned or based on fact. She may be related to either (guess I am allowed to make assumptions just as she did about where you are REALLY from). Her defense of Cummings regarding the 5 year period of receiving contributions from the dog track is correct only because during his second term, he ran without opposition and therefore did not need to fluff up the ole campaign war chest. But, had he needed it, daddy warbucks would have been there and I'd bet my last dollar, will be in his upcoming run for commissioner. BOING! I already can feel the lump on my head coming from printing the "C" word! In conclusion, if you note her wording on the blog she broke away from this one to start, entitled Activist vs. Lobbyist, she states that in doing so, her new blog would be "purer" than the one from which it began. Talk about CHUTZPAH, this girl (or it could b a man for all I know) really has it! Submitted by Angela on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 1:51pm.
You guys may had hit on something here about the mystery guest Key2life. Overly interested in Orange Park, up close and personal with Cummings contributions, and on the Charter Review Commission. You never know you guys could be blogging with Cummings himself undercover as Key2life. He lives in Orange Park, knows about his contributions, and was on the CRC. You guys are gifted bloggers. I think the next question should be, would the mystery guest please step forward? Submitted by finder on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 2:18pm.
And OneMann is Harry Potter hiding out in Clay County. OneMann, for what it's worth, I like your style. Finder Submitted by OneMann on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 2:26pm.
Marsha's a man. Winn's sportin' two bloggin' personalities. Ron thinks he's got x-ray eyes to see into the hearts of man. I liked y'all better before you each ripped the door open wide and jumped out of your closets. Face it, being an Internet transvestite, suffering from schizophrenia and thinking you can squint eyeball-to-eyeball with Superman ... well, y'all are freakin' sickos. Sure you're each not members of Congress? And Germanfrau - if that is your real name - you did raise a couple of interesting points about Key's earlier posts in defense of whatever she felt the need to defend at the moment. I enjoy it when you stick to issues. By the way, I seem to remember starting a blog about the legislative action that put the final decision about Kennel Club poker rooms in the hands of the Town Council. Key was one of the first to respond, telling me it was now an issue only for the town, didn't affect her way down in Keystone and how she didn't care a bit about the entire issue. Got interested enough to offer a whole bunch of opinions about the OP town issue that didn't affect her about as far away as you can get from where the dogs run and still be inside the county line. And of course, Mr. Cummings could not predict five years ago when he accepted a single $500 campaign contribution that he might later be called upon as a member of the Town Council to cast a vote on poker rooms. As if that proves anything. Campaign contributions aren't often made on a quid pro quo basis. The idea is to purchase through campaign support the elected official's thankful considerations whenever the need arises. That's really not difficult to grasp, is it? Here's what large donors buy with their campaigns contributions to elected officials: A look. They're buying a look. You know, if someone unexpectedly knocks on an elected official's office door, the official is going to quickly glance up. The regular citizen who wants 20 minutes to discuss, oh, why poker rooms at a dog track are another step toward local Armageddon, will get one look on the official's face. It ain't the same look a large campaign donor will see on the official's face. Want to know how much influence you've got? Try that little drop-in experiment and see which look you get. I only used Mr. Cummings' name because it was a specific fact about him that allowed Key to launch herself into an assumption she then tried to use as a fact basis for the launch of another assumption proved her premise. I've been trying lately to stay away from discussing him because he's a potential opponent if I decide to run for District 3 on the BCC. Plus, I prefer to keep names to lesser important roles in my blogs, preferring to tackle issues instead. But then I got to thinking. I know, sometimes that's hard to believe. I was thinking that he's a Clay County politician now and one who's running for another office. He's put himself into the local public arena from which I freely choose to use names and give credit for the sources of my humor. It's not fair to continue taking shots at other politicians by name, while seperating Travis from his peers. Besides, what if I decide next year that it's better for me or my family if I not run for office? I could never forgive myself for passing up any potential Cummings contributions to the county's political pool of laughter. So, if I see the Orange Park Town Councilman changing his wardrobe at official meetings to speedos in protest of something, or admitting he's really Key2Life or Marsha (which accounts for her suddenly becoming Mr. Marsha) or even, in reality, OneMann, from now on I (or we) consider him (or ourself) fair game to use as inspiration for a punchline.
Submitted by Angela on Sat, 10/20/2007 - 3:07pm.
When reading your post my mind wandered off to Bush and his clothing protest, speedos, and public participation. Don't worry, I slapped myself, mental picture was just more than I could grasp. All politicians are fair game to use as inspiration for a punchline, including Travis. People are talking about ...Here are the recent blog postings with the most comments. |
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Nice job if you can get it and still be able to look at yourself in the mirror. I was certainly glad to see him leave Clay County. But then, I guess he was able to do less damage overall being here than he can in 'T'.
Better be careful here with our criticism, someone might take offense at us trashing Mr. Thrasher.
Finder