Fourth of July

When I was a kid we used to tell the following joke:
Q: Do they have Fourth of July in England?
A: Yeah, they just don't celebrate it.
I seems that this is a good time to take stock in all of the things that we take for granted. Free elections where anyone, and I do mean anyone, can run for public office. The right to place signs, wear t-shirts or otherwise express our support for our various candidates is something we do without questioning it. In many countries today supporting the wrong (losing)candidate or party can have dire consequences. At this time we still have thousands of our troops in countries trying to achieve these things that we take for granted. maybe we have more to reflect upon this weekend than picnics and fireworks.

Election Update

These are busy times. Last week's porch party at the home of Bill and Melinda Kolb was a great success. Lots of new and old friends gathered in this garden spot of a home for tremendous food, drink and conversation. The Tennessee Funfest was hot and fun while sharing a booth with Bill Oldham, candidate for Shelby County Sheriff. As candidates, we politely declined the invitation to enter the "keg toss" contest.
Steve and Vickie Jones opened up their home on Saturday night for a fund-raiser that they, Amy Weirich, Jennifer Nichols, Dean DeCandia, David Henry, John Campbell, David Pritchard, Mike Shearin and Kirby May co-hosted. Live music and some of the best food I've ever eaten were just part of this night. My sincerest thanks to these and all of the others who attended or helped make this such a successful night. I am so lucky to have so many people who are willing to do these things. In that sense, I am already a winner.

Memorial Day

For many of us Memorial Day is the three day weekend that kicks off summer. Grilling out, baseball, auto racing and family fun take center stage. I went to a memorial service this morning that really hit the nail on the head. It reminded everyone of the service performed by so many so that we could enjoy all of these things. Indeed, most of the crowd was composed of veterans of many services and many wars. My father was among them. I felt lucky that I live where I do and how I do, because so many of these men "answered the call". The most telling moment of the day came during the playing of "Taps" by a bugler, while the American flag was raised,and then lowered to half-mast. I thought about how beautiful it was. Then a man wearing a World War II Veteran's hat, said, almost under his breath, "I hate to hear that again". I'm sure he had heard it too many times, over too many fallen friends. It made it all clear to me. We owe so much to these our veterans, but we are even more in debt to those who paid the ultimate price, so that we could enjoy our car races, our hotdogs and our freedom. Thank you.

Animal Rights

One of the cases I am handling in the District Attorney's Office here in Memphis involves charges of Aggravated Animal Cruelty surrounding events at the Shelby County Animal Shelter. When I mentioned to my boss, District Attorney General Bill Gibbons, that I was involved in the matter, along with Dan Byer, another prosecutor in the office, he asked "why"? As the Chief Prosecutor of our Special Victims Unit (child homicides and child sexual abuse)he knew that I certainly had a full plate. I answered him honestly, by saying that since these animals were placed in the shelter for their protection, and since they were totally dependent on us for their survival, and collectively we let them down...what victims could be more "special". As many pet owners know, there can be a special bond between person and animal. It is just unreal to see people who still believe that their animals are simply property to be used,abused or thrown away as they see fit. I do not believe that. I am proud to treat these helpless creatures as the special victims that they are, especially in situations like this.

Initial posting

Welcome to the Bobby Carter Blog. This will document the ongoing efforts by Bobby Carter to be elected judge of Division Three of Criminal Court in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. We have already had our Kick-Off Fundraiser and it was a huge success. The Committee to Elect Bobby Carter staff did a great job. Many thanks to: Bill Gibbons, Chairman of the Committee
John Pierotti, Treasurer
and Valerie Smith, Campaign Manager