Monday, November 3, 2003

Tomorrow is the day! I had planned to do grandiose things this last week. Landon took a few days off and I lined up baby sitters for the entire last week. 

We did get to Oxford last week and met with some Greens. Southern had a group we met with. So did JSU. Keep in mind, being political is not the "hippest" thing to do in the college climate. The people who came out are really about making a future for this world. I was in college 1969-1972. Nonviolence had just redefined society. Integrity was an assumed value. To be an activist was to be on the winning side - "The Times They Were A-Changin'". In a way, to take a stand was to be a follower. Not anymore.

The college aged people have lived in a world where smoking a joint would get you arrested at gunpoint and taken before a judge that smoked when they were in college. Trial by jury is the exception instead of the rule. Judges blatantly rule according to their party affiliations. "Family values" has nothing to do with acceptance, but is used to justify intolerance. Their parents who know better, chose to support the schemes of the wealthy knowing today's college student will pay the bill. The same Lit-211 class that cost me $90 costs them $900, and they see none of our generation standing up to the gods of consumerism, commercialism, and greed we so willingly sacrifice them to. It's encouraging to see them maintain any self confidence and dignity.

For my friends and their support, for those who are committed to the Greens Party and don't know me, for those who are much more articulate than I and chose to do positive interviews, I am grateful. But I am honored most of all by the students and young adults who saw me as someone they could support in a world too full of so much corruption.

During our last trip to Northeast Mississippi, Landon had a run-in with an editor who thought I was unworthy of an interview. The following is a letter he inspired:

Dear Editor:

I entered this campaign because I wholeheartedly support the Green Party and what it represents. I am a citizen not a politician. I represent the third largest political party in the nation and am a qualified, registered candidate for Governor. Knowing my positions would not be covered as thoroughly as the Republicans and Democrats, I still assumed that newspapers would feel compelled to inform their readership in an unbiased way that other choices and perspectives apart from the corporately controlled, dominant parties were available.

Instead, newspapers have felt that expensive advertisements were the best way for the citizenry to find out about their choices for governor. Many Mississippians are disgusted with the commercials they see and are searching for more respectable options.

In Democracy, everyone does not get their way, but everyone should get their say. Not only have newspapers throughout the state not sought out the Green Party candidate, but when my campaign has contacted them many have refused to meet with me. This is not what Mississippians want. This does not serve our Republic.

If the only way to have media coverage is to purchase it, I would venture that the very idea of our democratic society is threatened at it's core. If you hear nothing else of the Green Party please seek us out. Please visit www.dillon4gov.com.

Sincerely,
Sherman Lee Dillon
Green Party Candidate for Governor

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

I have just returned from Delta State University in Cleveland Mississippi. A non-debate under the disguise of a debate had been scheduled. I have been conducting an unscientific poll that indicated the people want to hear the candidates in a larger 5 person debate.

So, I was caught in a dilemma. I had not been invited and after repeated e-mails we were still uninvited. Maybe they were right again, I should just roll over like a good puppy and be quiet; or maybe not. I decided on the latter. We were off to Cleveland. But before I go further, I'd like to draw the picture.

The floor seats had been evenly divided among Ronnie, Haley, sponsoring newspapers and sponsoring TV stations. These required a Blue ticket and were not to be had, could not even be bought! The balcony was for everyone else, including students.

So, over a student union sandwich we devised a strategy. Landon and I were met by Anna Lee (my daughter) and some of her friends. Should we holler from the balcony and be rude? Should we try to get the entire balcony to chant with us? Should I try to make a speech from the balcony? Understand that I don't prefer obnoxious behavior and try not to model it for my children, but consider this - one of the editors of the sponsoring newspaper upon finding out I was the guitar/banjo playing Sherman Lee Dillon accused me of being anti-intellectual, mindless, and 5 other insulting adjectives. Sources claimed the Musgrove and Barbour camps had contracted with Delta State to let no other candidates in the debate. Don't I owe it to my supporters (average donation of $25) to stand up as best I can to "Candidates" who have monopolized Mississippi's political system with contributions by single contributors in the thousands?

Our plan was for the entire group was to disperse in the crowd (balcony of course). I would make a speech from the balcony until I was taken out. 10 minutes later another would begin chanting "Sherman Lee DIllon" "Sherman Lee Dillon", etc. until they were escorted out. 10 minutes later another, so that the next chanter could not be anticipated.

But the funniest thing happened, I was able to sneak onto the floor on the second row, just 10 feet from the moderator! The moderator introduced Ronnie and Haley and let them give their opening remarks. Since I was a candidate I thought people might want to hear me. Three seconds later I was behind the moderator (sort of stealing his camera and his microphone) and said, "My name is Sherman Lee Dillon, and I am a candidate for Governor of the State of Mississippi. People should be allowed to hear what I have to say. (Applause) The people of Mississippi want to hear what I have to say." At that point I was picked up and carried backstage. Landon then began shouting from the balcony "Let the man speak! All the candidates should be allowed to speak!" (I didn't hear this since I was outside)" and he was dragged outside. At that point, things began cooling off. That is until Haley began taking about finance reform 10 minutes later. At that point Anna stood up in the very center of the floor and went off! She had somehow gotten on the floor in the exact middle so that when she began shouting, the security officer had to climb over 30 people and then drag her over 30 people to get her out! Two others of our group got escorted out. It was then less dramatic because the shock had worn off. But the people were heard!!!

Maybe I really am too Mississippi; I want to be polite. After all, "There's never an excuse for rudeness" - or is there? Could blacks ever have moved to the front of the bus by being more polite? Could we have broken away from England by being more polite? In my attempts to break the monopoly of the two party system, should I be more polite? Let me know.

Wednesday, October 1, 2003

If you remember, some of my children and grandchildren went to Tylertown, MS, to visit the marker of "Richard Dillon". Born in 1745, Richard was the first Dillon in Mississippi. He fought in the Revolutionary war and got some land in Mississippi. I located a man who had written a book about Dillons. Richard is actually my direct ansestor! Pretty cool, huh? Dillons were here before the United States existed; before Mississippi existed. That might make me the Most Mississippi candidate.

Well, in preparation for this I called the local paper and found out that they had no idea who I was. Seeing this more as a commentary on our political news coverage than a personal insult, Landon and I began our media tour! We pick an area, call local papers to ask if we can come by and introduce ourselves, and try to set up an appointment. We're batting about 500 at the present. Quite often they appreciate our coming by. 

Another thing I do is poll the media. When I call, I ask every person who gets the phone if they have ever heard of me. Sad to say the majority hasn't. I would bet that a room of carpenters, electricians, or cashiers wouldn't know me, because it's not their job. Maybe I'm wrong but if the job of a journalist is to obtain information, assemble it, and then present to their readers what is and isn't meaningful, I have found a major problem. John Q Public is doing right not to waste his time to vote. The professionals have told him voting is not important!!!

The Jackson paper, the Clarion Ledger probably prints 500 pages a week. Am I asking too much that they devote a page a week to each candidate. Could ETV at least attempt to inform the public of what could be one of the most important decisions they'll make in the next month. Excuse me, I forgot! The professionals have already decided that voting for Governor is not important!!! No, don't excuse me. You know what, I think the under-represented candidates should band together and say, Elections are important and WE WILL BE HEARD!

We discussed it and the three of us - O'Hara, Cripps, and Dillon have filed suit in Federal court for $3,000,000. Mississippi State's President, Delta State's President, and Haley Barbour, are all named in the suite. Three official debates remain. Other than the media's preferrence, what possible reason would there be to exclude us. I'm scratching my head... maybe it's a prejudgement against our issues (but if they don't know my name it's quite likely they know less about my issues), maybe since we don't advertise with them they don't think we're serious (after all the Clarion Ledger said we're begging for a free ride), maybe there remains no confidence in democracy (after all, natural resources, weapons, oil companies, etc. are not what we contribute to the planet; in the final analysis, our greatest contribution to the world is democracy.)

Environment, Justice, Peace/Nonviolence, and Democracy are the pillars my campaign and what the Green party stands on. In keeping with this we will be seeking to impliment a Mississippi version of the "Arizona Clean Election Law" which provides public financing for campaigns. Be listening for this as we will be explaining it as we go along.

One more thing - Newspapers think they're being unfair if they print anything I write. So, if anything I say resounds with your feelings, don't hesitate to write any of the papers.

Wednesday, September 3, 2003

Jesse and Sherman find a new Party spot!
I got a call the other day. This club called Crossroads needed a band to do a Saturday night blues spot. I called Jesse and we were on. Directions were, "Go out Hwy18, turn left at Springridge Road, after about a mile you'll see a Texaco and it's across the road" (as opposed to the street). Last time I was out that way the driveway was gravel so I thought I'd get there before everyone else. I drove up to a place that had a paved parking lot, a building added that contained a Mega-grill, a line of maxed-out Harleys, Triumphs, and Indian Bikes, and a bar full of good 'ole Mississippi. I identified myself and thought it best to mention to him that over half of the band is black. I guess it was a paranoia I grew up with. About this time Casey Phillips came up and he thought his band was playing. We still haven't figured out who made the mistake, but Casey took the gig. ...And Boy! did things work out fine.

Jesse drove up, then the keyboard player, the drummer, the bass player and his posse. The owner spotted our drinks all night. We played pool, drank beer, listened to music, watched girl boxing on TV, and ate all the smoked chicken, pork, and sausage we could hold. I left shortly after midnight and they were still going. I guess being a musician, I get to experience a side of life that some people may not get to see. Blacks and whites standing around a Juke Joint parking lot on a Saturday night. Having fun licking chicken off our fingers, drinking beer and laughing while a blues band plays
inside.

We must keep the Jam!!
When the first Jubilee Jam was being organized I can still remember where I was sitting when the idea was explained to me. Since then I guess I've performed at the Jam 7 or 8 times. Some years I get to just hang out and some years I don't get to attend at all. In either case "The Jam" was going to be there with or without me. Last year's rain, however, sent shock waves through reality as we knew it. "What if we lose the Jam?" So, an entire army of musicians performed at the Jam Benefit last week at Hal & Mal's. Four stages with 4 acts on each stage over the night! I haven't seen the numbers on it yet, but we must keep the Jam ...we must keep the Jam!!!

John Allen Smith Day
Several years ago an old friend from Meadville was selling calendars. These were nature calendars he'd made. Natural scenes from Franklin Co. were at the top of each month. Beautiful closeup of flowers, lightning flashes & sunsets, all looking like the work of National Geographic Magazine. His name was John Allen Smith. I don't remember how many years he did that, but the next thing I know he launched a project to plant Mississippi Wildflowers up and down the interstate highways. He managed to do some sections of highway and I thought it was great. There must not have been enough backing because he let it go. Once when I was visiting my Mother in Meadville he brought a steel bodied National guitar to look at. (Boy! Was I jealous.) Next thing I know someone tells me he pawned his guitars. Shortly after that, he was found dead from a deliberate self-inflicted gun shot. I guess I saw John Allen 15 times since I moved to Jackson, but my cousin Elton Lewis and friend Ricky King still lived in Meadville and spent hundreds of hours with John Allen. Every year they have a John Allen Smith day. Whenever I can I always try to make it down. Everybody brings their guitars and sit around singing and visiting. Last Saturday was this year's John Allen Smith Day. I was there and I hope I'm there next year!

Oh, yea! I almost forgot. Let's talk politics.
Some of my friends who work in Government jobs say they can't take partisan positions because they work for all the people. WELL EXCUSE ME!!! Isn't the President supposed to be working for all the people? Me included. So why is he coming to Jackson, Mississippi and telling people not to vote for me? So I'm considering going down there and asking for my share of the money. Let me know what you think.

Wednesday, August 20, 2003

In the early 70's a band called the "Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" was doing an album which had the song "Mr Bojangles" on it. The song was written and originally done by Jerry Jeff Walker but most people know it by the Dirt Band. While they were doing this they thought it would be neat to do a concept album with some of the legends of bluegrass music and title it "Will the Circle be Unbroken". One of the first people they enlisted was Earl Scruggs. He's the banjjo player on the Beverly Hillbillies and the theme from Bonnie and Clyde. Before long they had Doc Watson, Roy Acuff, Maybelle Carter, Jimmy Martin, and several gaints in the business. It was a double album that was a best seller and became the bible for anyone wanting to play Bluegrass music. Over the past 30 years, Volume II and III have been released. The Dirt Band did a live concert at the Grand 'Ole Opry last January.  Last Friday it was aired on ETV as a fundraiser. Oliver Stouten, Kevin Ferrell, and I hosted the program. It was a lot of fun, but they would not let me mention my bid for Governor.

My grandchildren watched the show with their mothers. When it was over one of them said, "I want to see the "Bapaw" (Grandpa) movie again."

Meanwhile, the Planet Weekly did an article on my campaign and a pretty extensive interview. The also printed a picture of two of my grandchildren sitting on the Capital steps. You can't see it too well, but their T-shirts say "Vote for Grandpa".

The other day I was hanging in a bar and was asked if I was serious about this campaign. I told him that when I was young, I played baseball. There has never been a time that I've gotten up to bat and not tried to hit a homerun. Yes, I'm serious about this campaign.

I was then asked why I did not run as a Democrat. Since 1991 I've been a member of the Green Party. It wouldn't make sense to do anything else.

This Wednesday, I'll be at Hal & Mal's performing. If you get the chance, come and see us.

Wednesday, August 13, 2003

The Neshoba County Fair seems like 10 years ago! The Primary is over. Before the primary there was a certain amount of disinterest from the press. Since I was in for the long haul they could always pick me up later. So, naturally more time was spent on the hotly contested primary races. But now, those days are over. I'm going to ask for time, print, pictures, endorsements, letters, editorials, and anything else I can think of.

The kick-off at the capital and the party at Soul Shine Pizza was very successful. The Chairperson of the state Greens, Janet Rafferty, came down from Starkville to speak, a group came up from the coast, and a group from the Brookhaven area helped man the tables. We sold t-shirts and bumper stickers. Mississippi legend, Jesse Robinson, played. My son, Daniel, designed a special pizza called "the Gov" that I couldn't get enough of. There were some good pictures taken that will soon be put on our web site.

Last Saturday night, Jesse and I performed at George Street Grocery for a frat party and boy was it fun. (Not that much fun!) This coming Friday, I'm scheduled to be at Fenian's in Jackson. But don't go there expecting to see me. Virgil Brawley will be playing in my place. (He's the singer for the Juvenators.) ETV has asked me to co-host a show called "Will the Circle be Unbroken". It is a live recording made at the Grand Ole Opry and features songs and artists from "Will the Circle be Unbroken album 1, 2 & 3." I will be there to make comments and fill in the blanks while the professionals ask for donations. Personally, I'm a total fan of public television and look forward to the day when we begin to utilize what it offers our state. That is this Friday night, August 15th, on ETV starting about 8:30. Tell all your friends. They might ask me to play a little bit.

Today while sitting in the dentist* chair I was talking to the dental assistant. She has four children. Two are preschoolers and two are in elementary. They were getting ready for school to start. I told her how things always got busy around my house this time of year. Tomorrow is the day school starts. Jesse Dillon will be at Peeples Middle school and Andrew will be at Murrah APAC.

In some ways I miss the rush of getting all our children ready for school. I think the most schools we ever had our children scattered to at any time was 4. Polly, my oldest, is 29 and my youngest is 12. There was actually a couple of years when we all lived together before Polly moved to USM. It was unbelievable how much commotion went on in our house every school morning! No one human being could have done it, so Louise and I both were running full throttle. Getting breakfast, signing papers, doling out money, finding shoes, making last minute after school plans, etc. It sort of put you in mind of back stage at a MGM movie.

A lot of encouragement and support has been coming in lately and I appreciate it. I'd like to especially thank my wife and children for all the time they spent making signs and posters for the kick-off party.

*The dentist was Mike Harkins. His father Joe Harkins and wife Rosemary had 8 children. My children were a generation behind Joe's. It is my children running through the St. Mary's Catholic Church now where it had been his. Before he passed away he'd often say to me, "Be sure to enjoy them while you can. You're going to miss them when they're grown.

Monday, August 4, 2003

I'm getting better and better at driving to Philidelphia, MS. Wednesday, July 22nd, I took the family to Geyser Falls. Friday,July 24th, I performed at the Neshoba County Fair Pavilion and Friday, July 31st, I spoke as a Candidate at the Pavalion. So, if anyone needs directions to Philidelphia, just let me know.

Haley spoke Thursday, Ronnie spoke Friday morning, and Mitch and I spoke that afternoon. It was my second time to hear Mitch, and boy did he have some things to say! His wife and two children were with him. She is pregnant with their third child, supposed to have a baby the same day as the primary!! Maybe some of us should send her happy thoughts, keep her in your prayers, or say a Hail Mary. (Take your pick.)

As for me, I got to see some of my Mississipppi College classmates, talk about some others, catch up on old times, meet several new people, hear the Vernon Brothers, visit cousin Melwin Smith, and eat some killer tomato sandwiches.

Wednesday, August 6th, the Dillon campaign is officially launching off. Beginning with a concert by some of my family at 5:30 on the steps of the Capitol. At 6:00 Janet Rafferty, Chairperson for the state Green party, Landon Huey and I will be speaking. Following the press conference, we'll go to the Soul Shine Pizza (next to Hal & Mal's) where Mississippi legend, Jesse Robinson will be playing. My children have already begun making signs and plans. We've ordered more shirts and plan to have plenty of bumper stickers.

Richie Stonecypher and his wife, Susan, had a birthday party for Bob Kochtitzky Saturday the 23rd. Anna, Andrew, Aaron, and I played for it. Bob should be a role model for all of us. He just turned 75 and is still focused on making the world a better place. I'm not going to pretend to list what he has done and is doing. As well and as long as I've known Bob, I'm still seeing him involved with something I didn't know about. The Future Fair, the 20/20 network, helping school children have gardens on the school grounds,...

There is a biblical example of a person who sees himself in a mirror and walks away immediately forgetting what he looks like. In the same way, nearly everyone at some time is allowed to see clearly what is happening to the world around us. For some reason we choose to walk away and forget what we saw. I think Bob is a person who was allowed a clear vision of what we are doing to this world and to this day has not forgotten what he saw.

Friday, July 25, 2003

My Brother, Rev Sherrill Alton Dillon, has been in town this last week. He brought his wife and 4 children. Yes, my brother is a Southern Baptist Minister!!! He is two years older than I am. That always made it hard at Meadville Jr. High and Senior High. He always made good grades. He was very successful as an athlete. He played starting team on Meadville's High School baseball team four straight years, grade 9-12! He was also senior class something. There were three officers for the senior class. Sherrill, Mike Parker (yes, the former congressman) and Mike's wife Rosemary (then Prather). I don't remember which was which but one was President, one was Vice-president and one was Secretary/Treasurer. Meanwhile, Mike's brother David Parker and myself were trying to pass with as little effort as possible.

Last week I mentioned going to the Meadville Courthouse for an interview with the Natchez Democrat. The article was printed last Sunday and is on their web site.

July 20 and 21, I was is Cleveland doing a showcase and a Harmonica 101 workshop. The Mississippi Arts Commission sponsored this event. Classroom teachers could come to it to get additional credit to maintain their certification. It went on all week. I feel honored to be a part of it. And by the way, Delta State seemed to be a great place. The Mississippi Arts Commission is one of the most efficient organizations in the state. Whenever their name comes up you should pay attention. They really do things first class.

As for the teachers, I think teaching our young people is the hardest job in Mississippi. Anyway we can make their job easier we need to.

Monday night, I was back at the Soul Shine playing with Jesse Robinson and the Knee Deep Band.

Our web site is filling up. The Jackson Free Press sent us the most extensive set of Q&A 's so far. After we finished, we had a 17 page paper separated into convenient headings. Landon, Sherman Lee, Louise, Polly, Anna Lee, members of the State Executive Committee of the Mississippi Green Party, and even people we knew would disagree with us had input on this. Hopefully it will address most issues and anticipate most questions citizens might have. It can be viewed on the Q&A section.

Landon will be keeping my schedule posted in Campaign News. We are getting ready to clutch and slip into the next gear with the campaign, so send a link to your friends.

Tuesday, July 15, 2003

Sherman Lee and his old friend Jesse Robinson* have begun a weekly "Monday Night Live" at the Soul Shine Pizza Factory (next to Hal & Mal's). Jesse, myself and some other veterans called the Knee Deep Band play the blues. If you get the chance, you should come out.

* It must have been in the mid seventies. Jesse had just moved back from Chicago and brought a Gretsch guitar by Skeet's Guitar Shop to have the pick-ups replaced (that very guitar is on the wall at Peaches Café on Farish Street). While I began removing the pick-ups, Skeet and Jesse got some guitars off the wall and began playing. Two jazz masters with nothing to prove. Neither trying to out do the other, just two guitars doing what they were made to do. When I get to heaven I'm going to ask for a playback of that moment. It went on about 30 minutes. Never acclaimed by the media, but held in the highest regard by professionals around the world. These two artists let me experience a moment most people can only imagine!

So, after a night at the club...

Sherman was up at 5:45 a.m. with grand young'uns. 7:45 two more were dropped off. Two diapers - two bottles later, he went to the hair-dresser with his mother, then to the drug store to pick up two prescriptions. He got dressed up, took his daughter's car to the mechanic, dropped his mother off at his sister's and drove to Meadville, Mississippi. While in Meadville he stopped in on some lifelong friends at the People's Bank, and went to the Franklin Advocate Newspaper office. He finally appeared at the Meadville Courthouse at 4:00 pm for an interview with a reporter from the Natchez Democrat (expected to be in this Sunday's paper). Mother was retrieved and 100 miles later he's back in Jackson.

The interview actually took place on a bench inside the courthouse. Sherman first explained the 4 Pillars of The Green party - Peace, Justice, Democracy & the Environment. The interviewer then asked some questions about growing up between Meadville and Liberty and how that experience could be applied to Mississippi as a whole. The intereview should be up on the link page when it comes out. The toughest question was a challenge to the commitment of peace. A soldier from Natchez had been killed in Iraq. What about the parents? Sherman's father, Clarence Dillon, passed away three years ago. Sherman was holding his hand when he took his last breath. The death of a loved one is no light matter.

The danger our soldiers are currently in is no light matter. Our soldiers have willingly upheld their end of the commitment. They have done what they were asked to do. And no, we have no quick answers. Those soldiers should be awarded all the highest honors, but did we have to jeopardize the safety of our sons and daughters to neutralize Saddam?