PART 2:  The conversation which began focused on minimum wage issues continued, with the discussion becoming much broader in scope including is the public thoughtfully engaged in important issues, is the public library serving to promote well read and well informed citizens, what is the role of the Internet in research and information, and much more. As always, we appreciate your listening to our conversation, but yours is more important! Discuss these issues with your family, friends, acquaintances, and legislators.

Length: 42 minutes, 25 seconds

PART 1:  Whether to raise the minimum wage required by law in the USA has, once again, become a topic of controversy with a number of employees of fast food restaurants staging protests demanding a $15 an hour minimum wage. One such worker wrote to The Commercial Appeal to outline her reasons she thought the minimum wage should be increased to $15. A high school class examined her arguments as we do along with other considerations in this Memphis Conversation. (Part 2 is below the audio link to Part 1.)

Length: 36 minutes, 49 seconds

PART 2 is the continuation of this conversation and is posted on this site.

Will there be a very large property tax increase in Memphis in 2016? That’s the question that kicked off this edition of A Memphis Conversation.  Some city council members have predicted that possibility for the year after city elections primarily because of the contributions the city will be required to make toward pensions for retired city employees. Memphians, who pay both city and county property taxes, already have the highest property tax obligations in the state by far. Memphis city finances involve very complex choices and this broad ranging conversation reflects that. This discussion between Eddie Settles and Ken Welch touches on the pension debate, past city government integrity, city employee unions leadership, and a number of other issues.

Length: 1 hour, 21 minutes, 27 secnds

A Memphis Conversation ventures to national and world issues in this discussion of U.S. foreign policy. With tensions between nations seemingly growing with conflicts in various locations, we talk about the Constitutional provision for the declaration of war, the War Powers Act of 1973, whether our institutions designated to make decisions about war and peace are examining the issues and determining what our national interests are and what they are not. Among ourselves I think we agree we wish more people were having this discussion.

Duration: 34 minutes, 54 seconds

A few months ago a magazine asked the question if, outside of the sciences and technology, have our achievements improved over those of our grandparents’ era?

Inspired by that question, the conversationalists discuss the state of the American (U.S.A.) culture and if it is one we would want to inculcate in our children and grandchildren.

The focus shifts along several fronts, from educational institutions, to the media, to religion and Biblical influences on the culture.

This topic, in particular, seems to be incomplete without further civil and informed debate among other people. So, as always, the participants in this recorded conversation encourage listeners to continue the discussion with their family, friends, and acquaintances.

Length: 36 minutes, 16 seconds.

What attributes should those seeking local public office have? That is the primary question being discussed in  this Memphis conversation. While there may be many, this conversation focused on a couple of overriding qualities. The decision for the City of Memphis to further involve itself in the AAA minor league baseball franchise and its Redbirds Stadium (also known through purchased naming rights as AutoZone Park) became somewhat of a case study. Darrell Hugueley, Eddie Settles, and Ken Welch hope you will engage this issue in your own conversations. In the meantime, we invite you to list to ours.

Length: 55 minuted, 33 seconds

Is U.S. American football a game that has gone too far? Are recent revelations of the risk of permanent brain injury due to concussions sufficient to curtail the game? Has the huge sum of money involved, particularly in college and professional football programs, adversely affected the coaches, players and spectators? If so, have we abandoned ethical conduct for the entertainment value? The conversationalists kick these topics around as we discuss the game of, the business of, and the consequences of football.

Length 29 minutes, 1 second.

A Memphis Conversation began exploring the proper role and function of local government. Beginning with a few examples of what the conversationalists though was proper and what was not, the discussion evolved into a broader exchange about the local and federal role and the people’s role. There were divided opinions among the participants. While their thoughts are important, the greater good might be that they addressed the issues with one another. This is what A Memphis Conversation hopes all of us will do. In a civil and informed manner, discuss the issues of our society. At least in one advocate’s position, it is hoped you will make your thoughts known to our governments on various issues with the intent to influence our governments to do the will of the people.

http://apronetwork.com/amc/amc-local-govt-role-broadcast.mp3

What is it like in the schools and how is that different in the unified school district compared to the separate Memphis city and Shelby County districts? We took the wonderful opportunity December 14, 2013, to get first hand answers to that question when White Station High School senior Grace Hugueley joined us to explore that question. Her father, Darrell Hugueley, is one of our regular conversationalists and is a teacher at White Station High School. So we got perspectives from student and teacher.

Some of the observations are that food is better, security is about the same, morale is better than expected. We also talk about differences between optional school classes and regular classes, which can be dramatic, and about academics and discipline in the schools now compared to decades ago.

We invite you to listen to our conversation, then engage in the conversation with those you know.

Length: 1 hour, 5 minutes, 51 seconds