Tags
C-SPAN, Expulsion from the Nashville Legislatyure, Nashville Legislature, Rep. Justin Jones, Return to the Nashville Legislature, Tennesse Rep. Justin Jones, Tennessee Legislature
Readers of this MillersTime blog likely know that I have largely refrained from posting articles about political issues over the past several years. However, this morning I watched and listened to a short speech that I think is worthy of readers’ time and deserves to be seen and heard widely.
It is the three and a half minute speech Rep. Justin Jones’ gave in the Nashville Legislature upon his return to that body when the Nashville Metro Council voted 36-0 to return him to that body. (You may need to click on Skip Ads in the lower right hand corner to get directly to this speech.)
Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDkgD_Cn5gk
Even more important, in my opinion, is a longer C-SPAN clip of Rep. Jones speaking to the Legislature just prior to his expulsion. Among other points, he cited numerous incidents where previous (and one present) House members were not disciplined (expelled) for far worse behaviors and calmly and directly ‘spoke truth to power.’
Here is that 25:55 minute segment where Rep. Jones eloquently speaks to the Legislature, and to the country, including a five minute exchange with a representative who seeks to justify the reason for expulsion:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5065426/user-clip-rep-justin-jones-speech
Respectful Comments are welcomed.
Anon-2 said:
Wait, I thought disrupting a proceeding was worse than the Civil War and an attack on democracy. This grandstander has watched too many West Wings. We are no longer a serious people.
Jim Kilby said:
One thing that has always been the truth, over the centuries. Words matter. For good or evil. Words matter.
Richard said:
Anon-2,
Did you watch/listen to the speech he gave in the well prior to his expulsion, along with his responses to questions?
Speaking to power in a measured and thoughtful way is not grandstanding,imo.
Richard
Anon-2 said:
Speaking truth to power? He IS the power. I did not see the Q and A, but I did see his phony MLK cosplaying.
The non-powerful went sightseeing in the capital on Jan. 6 and are still being held pre-trial.
Kay Plitt said:
When a group of the powerful (TN legislators) are so threatened by two young, Black, smart, well-educated men who can speak so eloquently and intelligently, then those two men must be doing something right and courageous. Old, White men calling these two fellow legislators “uppity” and simply calling their actions a “temper tantrum” need to get with the times. This younger generation will not be kind to those old, White men when the next election cycle comes around, so they had better start giving them a voice in shaping their future. These old, White men are out of synch with the wishes of the people when it comes to gun control laws – and most likely a great many other issues. And, we could use another MLK preacher man in today’s world. MLK would be proud. I am an old, White woman who rejects the old, White men of this world who dominate the conversation, and I welcome these two young, Black men to my world of liberalism.
Anon-2 said:
Kay, bless your heart. I’m sure you mean well, but don’t you recognize the racism, ageism and sexism in your post?
I missed the “uppity” comment, is there a link?
I am quite certain these young men are wise to the soft bigotry of low expectations. I’m amazed you didn’t call them “articulate and clean,” as our president once called the former president of this supposedly racist nation. He even said that before his mental decline.
This is all all red tie blue tie stuff. If these gents had an R in front of their names, I’m sure you’d be calling them Uncle Toms.
The issue is this, the important part….this whole protest was ginned up by the media because of rifles, which we have always had. We used to bring them to school during hunting season. But the NRA gives to the R’s, so we have to blame the symptom, not the cause. Shootings are a symptom of our mental illness pandemic. Cure that, no more mass shootings. We should be looking at the cause, not the symptom.
Kay Plitt said:
To Anon-2 – Ageism – Did you see anyone in the TN legislature that looked younger than 55 – or even 60? Sexism – Gloria Johnson was one of only TWO female legislators. Racism – Gloria said it best when she stated that the only reason she wasn’t expelled was because of the color of her skin. I simply praised these two young men for their skills and intelligence – never would have insulted them with words like “clean and articulate.” The TN legislators turned this into a racial fiasco with their actions and words, though “uppity” was implied – a very loud dog whistle. I grew up in a small town in Colorado – lots of hunters – no guns in school!! There was one instance of a six-shooter being used by five boys taking pot shots at signs and mailboxes while driving down country roads. One boy was shot in the head (accidentally) and killed – was only 17 years old. Mental illness plays a huge role – guns play a huge role. But, when mentally unstable 21-year-olds can buy AR-15s with no questions asked, then all hell breaks loose.
Anon-2 said:
“Ageism – Did you see anyone in the TN legislature that looked younger than 55 – or even 60? ”
Your point? This is the OPPOSITE of what MLK would be proud about. His dream was to be judged by the content of his character, not his immutable characteristics. Are you saying their age disqualifies them?
“Sexism – Gloria Johnson was one of only TWO female legislators.” Your point? She’s one of two elected females….good for her. How is that sexist?
“Racism – Gloria said it best when she stated that the only reason she wasn’t expelled was because of the color of her skin. ”
This was the most disgusting slur. She knows full well that she was not ejected because she did not use the bull horn.
Your issues with old white men is the very definition of ageist, racist, and sexist.
There is NOTHING more disgusting than falsely accusing someone of racism for political purposes.
When you are the only one hearing the dog whistle, what does that tell you?
Again, they were expelled for disrupting a proceeding. If they were republicans, you’d be calling it an insurrection, and they’d be held without bail.
I grew up in rural PA…..and EVERYONE brought guns to school during hunting season. There were no mass shootings, because no one was on SSRIs…the common thread. It makes no sense to outlaw rifles and preventing citizens from protecting themselves. Focus on the problem. We won’t; congress is funded by big pharma, WAY more than the NRA.
Amazing that we don’t guard our children like we do banks and casinos.