The “Advice King” Chris Crofton of the Nashville Scene, Oct 26, 2023 published his report that the state’s Multi Agency Law Enforcement Training Academy in Nashville will cost $415 million and take up 800 acres.
I thought he was just trying to create a Halloween furor — a hoax. But I see here a picture of Governor Lee, with his groundbreaking symbolic shovel, and a bunch of our State Senators. Laughing as they line their pockets.
I agree, why wasn’t this brought up during the mayoral election?
But more importantly, why wasn’t the fact that poor people and Black people in general will be the targets for these exercises? That a “campus“ is really a euphemism or an analogy for “Domestic Actions Military base… .”
According to Nashville.gov, MALETA will be constructed on State owned property along the Cumberland River in the Cockrill Bend area of Nashville. Instead of repairing the prison, our public money will go to line the pockets of private mercenary corporations like Dyncorp. As if private prisons weren’t already an outrage. Let’s see what happens when they privatize our military….
I tell you, we reporters have been snookered again. We were so absorbed in local issues during the election that no one bothered to keep track of what Nashville.gov was quietly publishing after the decisions had already been made.
I believe the Martin Luther King March should take place out at Cockrill Bend this year. And white, brown and red folks need to join in massive numbers. Or we just march all month long, all over the State.
Also Mayor O’ Connel, your leadership in stopping this project from moving forward is requested.
In addition to the environmental degradation of a special area by the river, we do not need an influx from out of state, or other paramilitary occupying Nashville.
While the entire city has been working so hard to create a sparkling image of Nashville, Tennessee, a military base is being constructed in an urban area right under our noses! The unsavory elements that this will attract, namely, people who are catering to these military types, is no picnic. Just ask Clarksville.
Speaking of dead end jobs, the few jobs that might be offered to Nashville would consist of commissary, janitorial, and perhaps some light secretarial work. Nothing worth shouting about. Also, the level of clearance you would need in order to work at this place would bar many who are currently looking for this type of work.
After all, if you have marched in a Black Lives Matter protest, you would be disqualified! If, like me, you have filmed unethical behavior being performed by Miami police, you would also be barred from having any of these types of jobs.
If you have asked a police officer why they are performing a certain action, then been arrested for “resisting arrest,” you would also be barred. And let’s not forget that youthful indiscretion decades back….
To contact your State Senator Marsha Blackburn, 629-800-6600.
And Bill Hagerty, 629-736-5129
And why didn’t Jim Cooper, a supposed Democrat, consult his constituents? 615-736-5295
Blow up their phones!