Think of our kids’ future when voting

“Because I Said So” column for The Commercial Appeal

October 15, 2009

It is such an auspicious week, with Memphis on the verge of change, that I decided I should sit down and talk it over with my kids. I wanted to ensure they grasped the auspiciousness, so, to be certain, I looked up what “auspicious” means before sitting them down at the family table.

These kids usually have trouble grasping bedtime, yet I had faith that the transforming days ahead would register with them.

“I have something important, something of a civic nature I’d like to discuss with you today,” I said.

At this point, my three older children stood and left the room, leaving me with 3-year-old Genevieve at the far end of the table.

“It’s just us then,” I said.

She folded her newspaper down, obviously upset that I’d taken her away from Geoff Calkins and Wendi Thomas, the only two columns she reads.

“Pardon?” she said.

I told her that there are things going on in this city that she, even at her age, should pay attention to. There are characters on the civic stage this week who deserve attention and have the ability to thrust Memphis into a national spotlight.

The ensuing dialogue went something like this: … (read more)