Tennessee Redistricting Arguments are Racist

 5/11/2026

Tennessee is in a redistricting battle.  The state is eliminating two Democratic districts by redrawing lines. I listened to the arguments of both sides.  While I believe it is critical that Democrats as a minority party have a voice in Tennessee to represent those who believe in socialism, even though I abhor that mindset of dependency, they gave a very racist argument.  

They claimed it diluted the "Black" vote!  They want an advantage based on their skin color.  That's unconstitutional.  Their racist argument demonstrates who is actually racist in our current society... it is those who constantly bring in race in an attempt to get their way.  

To eliminate racism, we have to eliminate all advantages given based on race.  They are arguing for racism. 😕  This after decades to end segregation, they are arguing they want it. Argue for beliefs, but not race and racism!  

Can you imagine the outcry if a district argued that "White" votes were being diluted by people of color?  While it is true in some areas, it is not a valid argument for redistricting.

They should stick to the fact that in the Tennessee constitution, redistricting was limited to every ten years.  Districting should not be to give one party an advantage over another, but to insure fairness in representation.  California is a perfect example of dreadful redistricting that went against the constitution, disenfranchised the majority of Republicans in the state, and was done as a self-serving act of a corrupt governor to stay in power.  Whether we agree or disagree with other views and opinions, we all deserve the right to be heard and our voice counted... in Tennessee as well.

San Diego Trash Can Fiasco

 San Diego, California, has major trash problems.  The cans are constantly damaged by the trash trucks and vandals; cans stolen or exchange stolen; and no spot for cans along the curb for collection due to high density housing.
The city solution?  Replace the existing cans with cans the same size, different color. 
Did that work? 🤔

Another trash rant:   The new San Diego trash cans (same size, different color) that cost a fortune are NO better than the old ones.😖 

Why did they think changing colors would fix anything?  🤔 

The same problems still exist.  

The fix was and will always be to assign the curb use rights to the properties associated with that curb.

The PROBLEMS:

ADUs and OVER-RENTED HOUSES constantly place their OVER-STUFFED BINS in front of our home and other people's properties, after blocking the curbs with the excess vehicles from the over-rented properties. 

Residents with steep driveways struggle to get bins down to the curb into the position in front of their homes, only to find their traditional trash can position occupied.

New bins are being damaged.

Additional broken glass and trash litters the sidewalks and streets after trash pick-up.

The curb use rights are NOT assigned to the associated properties of that curb.

The KNEE-JERK REACTION:

While the tempation is to dump their overstuffed cans on their property, that  would solve nothing but add to the trash and glass already strewn on our property, the sidewalks, the streets, and cause a war between neighbors.  

The options are to either block our driveway or move their bins over and block theirs.  Some people don't have that much strength to move their many bins and drag their own bins down... so guess whose driveway is blocked?  🙁

Stomp your foot and demand curb use rights be assigned to the associated properties of that curb.

THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION:  They need to fix the messes they've created. 

1. IMMEDIATELY assign the curb use rights to the associated properties of that curb.

2.  Stop building high-density housing, which compounds the problems.

3.  Slow down the trash trucks down, so they can pick up properly pick up cans without damaging them and pick up the trash they drop. If there aren't enough trucks, pay overtime to the drivers to complete the routes.

The old bins were removed and "recycled" (which cost money).  WHY? 

 
Many of the old bins in good shape could have been used for many things.  But, no.  The city destroyed them. And, why not let the homeowners keep the bins they paid out of pocket for to replace?  The city hasn't sufficiently answered these questions.  

Old cans should have been fixed.  Usually it was the lids.  
Scan the code on the can when the trash is collected to determine stolen cans. (My cans were exchange stolen multiple times, where someone would take my cared for cleaned can and replace it with a filthy broken can.)

Don't say it can't be done.  In this day and age with computers and apps, it is possible.

The people who genuinely try to  follow or fix the trashcan fiasco are being blocked or fired. 

How to handle a broken heart when the object of your affection finds another.

 

How to handle a broken heart when the object of your affection finds another.

If a heart flutters away to other fields of attraction, then it was not true love.
If you’ve shown the person who you are, your personality, values, and virtues and they lose interest, then it is not a match no matter how much either wants it. Both must want the match.
The best step is to remain friends, but understand they have moved on to someone who is a better match than you. It doesn’t mean that the new "someone" is a better person than you, only that the person you cared for believes they are a better match.
You say, “I understand you’ve found someone who is a better match for you and our relationship is over. But, I’d still like you as just a friend, nothing more.” Then stick to that. Don’t try to reignite romance.
My son did that and ended up with life-long good friends of both his prior match interest and their eventual spouse. As you get older, good friends are important.