Since ex-Mayor Herenton decided to opt out, the Commercial Appeal turned to Prince Mongo for the bizarro-coverage of this week’s Memphis mayoral debate. And Prince Mongo proves that he still has what it takes, to quote Commercial Appeal columnist Wendi Thomas, to have “made a mockery of the democratic process.”
The obvious unseriousness of Prince Mongo put another candidate who was forced to be seated next to Mongo off his game.
Jerry “the King” Lawler did not appreciate being seated next to a joke candidate. [Aside: Did everyone think that Memphis wrestling was finished as a blog topic?]. Some highlights from the Commercial Appeal story about Prince Mongo and the debate:
The forum would be broadcast live with no tape delay, said Meredith. Prior to the main event, candidate-wrestler Jerry Lawler managed to stay calm despite his annoyance when seated next to Hodges.
“He’s never wanted anything to do with me,” said Hodges, who also said Wharton made a 180-degree turn to avoid contact with him prior to the debate. …
Panel questioner Wendi C. Thomas, a columnist for The Commercial Appeal, said Hodges told her the purple represented royalty and the pink stood for blood. Thomas wasn’t amused.
“His presence made a mockery of the democratic process,” she said. “It distracts from the real issue.”
Jackson Baker, political columnist for The Memphis Flyer, said Lawler was especially upset over Hodges.
“He talked about it for quite awhile after the debate was over,” Baker said, “that he felt like he was thrown off his game and that he was embarrassed and annoyed.” …
Among Mongo’s observations and answers during the 90-minute broadcast Thursday:
Asked if he knew the city’s current bond rating: “We don’t have a good bond rating. All we’ve got is a bunch of thieves in office who’ve stolen us blind. … They don’t have any rating. Nobody would buy any bonds from the city. I wouldn’t buy one if it was free.”
Asked how he would lower the crime rate in Memphis: “What we need to do is issue all the citizens an Uzi, a machine gun or whatever it takes to protect themselves. My point is crime has run rampant, and the reason it’s run rampant is that we don’t have an educational system.”
Asked what question he would like to be asked: “We need to take all these political turds and put them in a toilet and flush them out. We don’t need all these lies and political propaganda.”
It’s good to see some things never change.
Memphis could put a fence around the city and bill it as a government theme park … sorta. If Memphis entertainment seekers would pay good money for rasslin’, they’ll pay it for Willie and the Pretenders.
I think mongo has a point!!! first off why would you think he would not be a person of great value??? because of what he wears or how he wears it? what about if we say you cant run becuse you are white or because you are black…or because of your clothes. its not what you wear it is what you have upstairs!!! he has very good answers and he may just be what we need. rember you dont judge a book by its cover its what is inside that matters.