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If the citizens should choose our judges, why then should we simply rubberstamp the Democratic Governor's political appointment of the former Chairman of the Democratic Party in Blount County? Is the best reason to select someone for judge, that they have already bought a black robe?

Both men are not doing a "fine job." David Duggan is running a respectful campaign based on his qualifications. In the courtroom, Duggan hears the cases that come before him without any regard to politics. Even the staunchest Meares supporters acknowledge Duggan has done a fine job as Judge.

Alternatively, Mike Meares is running as disgusting a campaign as has been seen in Blount County. Since he has few actual qualifications for the position, other than being a favored son of the Davidson County liberal elite, he has actually had to resort to "monkey ads." In the courtroom, Meares has gone out of his way to interject politics (e.g., his Tommy Hatcher inquisition, the local rules farce, castigating attorneys who he knows are supporting Duggan, etc.).

Since Meares has been unable to attack the job Duggan has done as Judge, he has chosen to attack David Bennett, Jerry Cunningham, Dale Young, etc. I'm sure there are people who after reading Meares' press releases and Orders (which seem to be press releases themselves), believe that he is running against Young.

If the judiciary is really as broken as he claims, why did Meares not run for anything in 2006? He had the chance to run against Young at that time.

When Judge Kelly Thomas was in office, there was no political rancor. There was no need for "Administrative Hearings." He was a Democrat. He was elected and then re-elected (without opposition). Thomas saw no need to bring his political beliefs into the courtroom. Judge Young and Thomas seemed to be able to get along. Why is it that only Meares sees conspiracies everywhere?

Judge Duggan was initially appointed by the County Commission as I recall. Judge Duggan did such a good job that no one even ran against him when he came up for election. By the way, I don't believe the that County Mayor has a vote in the selection of the Judge.

Meares is obviously the darling of the Davidson County Democrats. After he came back from Vanderbilt, they appointed him Public Defender back in the 1980's. The people of Blount County had the good sense to get rid of him at the first election. I'm sure the voters have the good sense to do the same thing this time.

Hopefully after the voters of Blount County once again reject Meares, the liberals in Nashville will think twice before appointing him to yet another position.