It is time for an official "City Councilman's Prayer" to be added to council President Jack Webb's prayer policy.
Now that councilmen Richard Clark and Stephen Joost were caught leaving in the middle of Tuesday's council meeting to have dinner with the Jacksonville Jaguars lobbyists immediately following their vote to give the Jags the city's portion of the $16 million stadium naming rights deal, we have drafted an official prayer for Jack Webb to consider.
Keep in mind, part of the reason they had to leave early was because they were just so tired and hungry, they couldn't stay. Ordering food in wasn't an option apparently, they had to bolt for Ruth's Chris Steakhouse with Tony Boselli, the Jag's lobbyist, and a few Jags executives. I'm sure the steak that night tasted like a million bucks (or maybe 4.2)!
Now that councilmen Richard Clark and Stephen Joost were caught leaving in the middle of Tuesday's council meeting to have dinner with the Jacksonville Jaguars lobbyists immediately following their vote to give the Jags the city's portion of the $16 million stadium naming rights deal, we have drafted an official prayer for Jack Webb to consider.
Keep in mind, part of the reason they had to leave early was because they were just so tired and hungry, they couldn't stay. Ordering food in wasn't an option apparently, they had to bolt for Ruth's Chris Steakhouse with Tony Boselli, the Jag's lobbyist, and a few Jags executives. I'm sure the steak that night tasted like a million bucks (or maybe 4.2)!
Also, keep in mind, they did apologize for their "sin", or at least the appearance of "sin". Not that they sinned, but just they gave the appearance of sinning. Thus our prayer should include a confession, in advance.
I recommend also that the clergy conclude his prayer with a blessing on the steak in case any future council persons need to bolt for Ruth's Chris in the middle of the meeting.
So here is the prayer, courtesy of "City Slicker".
So here is the prayer, courtesy of "City Slicker".
I move that this be read at the beginning of each City Council meeting by the designated "clergy" appointed by Clay Yarborough:
The Jacksonville Councilman's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
'Hungry' and 'Tired' be My name.
Thy Kingdom come, but My time is done, in the middle of our meeting.
Give Me this day My daily steak.
And forgive Us our absences, as We forgive those who are absent without approval.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
'Hungry' and 'Tired' be My name.
Thy Kingdom come, but My time is done, in the middle of our meeting.
Give Me this day My daily steak.
And forgive Us our absences, as We forgive those who are absent without approval.
And lead Us not into temptation from lobbyists, but deliver Us to Ruth's Chris with them, cash in hand.
For Thine is the kingdom; but I still love My power, and My glory.
For ever and ever (until the next voting cycle.)
Amen, and Amen
A-MEN!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad for the service that watchdogs(in general)provide but I hope you're being careful here.
ReplyDeleteYou've taken on organized professional religion, the police, small time politicians, and now organized professional sports. These are people who don't cotton to having theirs toes stepped on.
They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease but sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced.
I don't want you to stop but I do hope you get advice on proper precautions. Being a coward myself, I don't know whom to steer you to.
Thanks for your concern anon.
ReplyDeleteI've already stepped on everyone's toes in Jax. The preacher's, the preacher's wife, the JSO detective on the church discipline committee who subpoened my identity, the SA who signed the subpoena and doesn't know why and lost all the paperwork, and now my attorney and I are dealing with attorney's in the General Council's office and from the Attorney General's office in Tallahassee over a federal first amendment lawsuit. My whole family has had to be deposed to give their view of my state of mind, my blogging habits, and I've had a preacher's wife accuse me of crimes under oath.
Because I've been blogging for 3 years, and they don't like what I've said, and the consistency and tone with which I've said it.
So there aren't a whole lot of other toes to step on.
So I blog on!
Watchdog, as a citizen of Jacksonville, I hope and pray my fellow citizens will "vote these bums out" of office. I am writing to the States' Attorney to request she begin be an official investigation for malfeasance in office. Their flimsy apology does not work for this tax payer. Clark benefits directly from this "deal" by virtue of his janitorial contract with the Jaguars. He should have abstained from voting on the issue, not vote in favor of giving away 4.2 million dollars, and then go to dinner with the recipients. He is either complicit in criminal activity, unbelievably arrogant, or just plain stupid. Either way, he should not represent my city. I am weary of politicians starving our educators, policemen, fireman and closing libraries, then giving away millions to a professional sports team. I was once a Jaguars season ticket holder, but said ENOUGH following the recent years of Jaguars' leadership turning a blind-eye to criminals in shoulder pads and teal. They tell us they now have a handle on the problem, but I will believe it if we get through the year without a Jaguar related criminal incident. That aside, wonder how many teachers we could hire with 4.2 million dollars.
ReplyDelete"BLOG ON" Dr.Dog "BLOG ON"
ReplyDeleteI support you whole-heartedly!!!
I didn't mean to slight retired judge A.C. Soud. I've stepped on his toes too...the coward that I am. :)
ReplyDeleteThese people don't like having their toes stepped on simply because it's their first experience of facing internet critics.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've read I believe the Watchdog has not only professionals supporting him but mentors to advise him on his topics - haven't found anything illegal in what he or others have given their opinions on.
Note, if I was the preacher's wife I too would be upset with knowing the whole world is tuning in to read what's been said here on the blog. Just words!
The small time politicians, the sports arena and the professional churches are more afraid of us than we are of them as we represent monies that support all their organizations.
John - affirmative on your 2nd question. But not to be disucssed here now. In due time I will tell my story.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean to slight retired judge A.C. Soud. I've stepped on his toes too...the coward that I am.
ReplyDeleteYou've tromped on Darrell Gilyard, Paige Patterson, Jerry Vines, Ed Young, John Cross, Jerry Sutton, Maurilio Amorim, Les Puryear, Steve Gaines, Dave Ramsey, John Ankerberg, Jim Smyrl, Don Redman, Robert Jeffress, Ergun Caner, and pretty much the whole BI crowd's toesies a few times, too.
:-)
Gee, thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking mostly of local folks.
You left out Tom Messer.
You're welcome! Just reminiscing about all the "Watchdog love" there surely must be out there! Keep shining the light of truth on them.
ReplyDelete"I've already stepped on everyone's toes in Jax. The preacher's, the preacher's wife, the JSO detective on the church discipline committee who subpoened my identity, the SA who signed the subpoena and doesn't know why and lost all the paperwork, and now my attorney and I are dealing with attorney's in the General Council's office and from the Attorney General's office in Tallahassee over a federal first amendment lawsuit. My whole family has had to be deposed to give their view of my state of mind, my blogging habits, and I've had a preacher's wife accuse me of crimes under oath."
ReplyDeleteAll the reasons I admire you - summed up in one paragraph. Well done, Cuz.
Also, I like the "prayer." That's good, Tom. I had a nice little chuckle reading that.
Rare poster but daily reader still. Just wanted to echo what Johnny D said, Tom: "I admire you". I so appreciate what you're doing on this blog and can only wish there were more like you. Looking forward to your vindication and future telling of your side of things or, as Paul Harvey would say "the rest of the story". Blog on, Watchdog!
ReplyDeleteD
Sheri said...
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Johnny D. Keep stepping on those toes, Tom !!
They're going to need steel-toed boots !
The poem was perfect. I wish it weren't such a good depiction of our local leaders.
Ron Littlepage, Times Union Columnist has it right: "Councilmen Clark, Joost fall short of political genius status"
ReplyDeleteHis article starts out:
"We have new winners of the acting stupid award.
That’s right, Dumb and Dumber, come on down.
One would think that Richard Clark and Stephen Joost would know better."
The real problem is the short term memories of most voters. They count on that. Obama is counting on that.
ReplyDeleteAnd with the advent of "branding" themselves whether it be pastor or politician (is there a difference? Ben Cole said at least politicians were more honest :o) it is all about crafting an image and hoping folks forget the negative.
Let's face it. Most folks think they really know the person preaching on the mega church stage. I call this the Soap Opera syndrome. Remember who many people took those serious and really thought they knew the characters? The same with mega church pastors who carefully craft their persona.
People are so gullible. They will swear up and down they really know someone's character because they have seen them speak from a stage or on TV many times.
Anonymous 1:37,
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right. People will quickly forget today's news when they fire up their computer or turn on the TV tomorrow.
Politicians, megachurch pastors, Ergun Caner, and LU all know this.