May 13, 2005

Davidson Dem Party Chair Resigns

I haven't seen this being covered elsewhere, but today's Nashville City Paper reports that the Davidson County Democratic Party Chairman Rodney Mullins resigned yesterday over child pornography allegations...

Davidson County Democratic Party Chairman Rodney Mullins resigned Thursday morning amid child pornography allegations, according to press secretary Jean Carter Wilson of the Davidson County Democratic Party.

Wilson said authorities searched one computer at the Democratic Party’s French Landing headquarters in MetroCenter. Wilson said they did not seize that computer. Metro Police spokesperson Don Aaron said Thursday that Mullins has not been arrested.

Metro Police and the FBI are jointly investigating.

“Our chairman has stepped down and he has not been arrested,” Wilson said. “I am told what is happening is he is being investigated for allegations of child pornography on a computer.”

I'm always cautious about child pornography cases involving computers, and it must be kept in mind that it is only being alleged at this point and Mullins has not been charged.

However, one person who works closely with the Davidson County Democratic Party told me that this is disastrous. With all the work that they have been doing since the last election, it could really hamper their future efforts, and even if the charges turn out to be unfounded, it will always be in the back of everyone's minds.

From what I'm hearing, the Davidson County Democrats may be in crisis mode.

More as it becomes available...

Comments:

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I think you're being more fair about this than I would. I would rather be accused of murder than anything related to hurting a child. That being said, you draw a good point about the computer being at work.
I just spoke to someone who said Homeland Security seized the computer. I guess the FBI was investigating for child porn, and found something that made them alert HLS. That latter part, sounds like a setup. HLS is supposed to only investigate potential terrorists, and I am sure there were unflattering things on Mullen's computer about Bush. I know when they questioned me for attending the counter inaugural, I felt violated. Indeed, it was a violation--of the 4th amendment to be exact. HLS told me because I was one of the organizers of the rally I had to give them my personal info. So, I don't find it unfeasable that HLS took Mullen's computer. Now, all that being said, IF he is guilty of downloading child porn, I'll be the first in line to scream put him away forever. Don't expect any "bleeding heart liberalism" from me IF he's guilty. As with everything, there's probably more to this than we know at this time. I do know one person from Davidson Dems is saying it's a conspiracy, but he/she may be referring to the part about HLS taking the computer, and not the child porn allegations.
And, you're right. This is disasterous for us. (Democrats) I bet this is on national news by tonight. Kudos to you for being the first blog to report this.
Davidson Democrats has done some wonderful things in Tennessee for the party, and I still support them whole-heartedly. There are an amazing amount of good people who volunteer for them, and this incident doesn't reflect on all the volunteers who work so hard for them.
Sharon

Posted by: Sharon at May 13, 2005 04:34 PM

Re: Sharon

Regarding Homeland Security only targeting terrorists:

I thought I would clear that point up. Homeland Security does have an operation called "Operation Predator" which is under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It was started approximately two years ago, and in March they announced the 5,000th individual arrested as part of this operation.

The operation is also moving into new unchartered territory by targeting the financial side of child pornography, i.e. internet billing companies--namely Regpay.

This operation is now focusing on the subscribers to child porn. Operation Predator spokesmen have said they will go after subcribers.

I agree that no one is guilty until so proven--and certainly given political considerations, we should be cautious about rushing to judgment.

But I did want to clear up the part about Homeland Security sounding like a "set up." It's not. In fact, they have a 24 hour round the clock hotline:

"ICE encourages the reporting of suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. Investigators staff this hotline around the clock."

By the way, Knoxville has one of the best teams nationwide regarding the identification and capture of child porn sicko freaks.

Posted by: Terry at May 14, 2005 07:56 PM

Hi Terry,
Thank you so much for the info on HLS. I assumed they were only interested in terrorists, because when they questioned me, I asked them if they would be showing up at my house, and they responded, "No. Not unless you're a terrorist."

I support any organization that works to rid us of child porn. I really wish they would catch the "people" (I use the word "people" loosely in this instance) who take the pictures and put them on the net or sell them. Lock them away forever.
And, they shouldn't be released...not without being monitored. Some people have told me they are surprised to hear a liberal wanting someone to never get a second chance, but child molesters cannot be rehabilitated. They should never be free to be near children. Period. Throw the keys away.

Regarding Mullins, I feel bad for the people who have worked so hard at Davidson Democrats. Many of them are my friends, and I stand by them, (not Mullins) in this difficult time. I am sure when they have elections in June, the new person will help the forward motion in which the party was going before this incident. FYI, I bet you dollars to donuts, the new person will be Bob Cooper. (Did I just announce that on a conservative blog? I must be trying to balance out the Michael Moore and me pictures I put on my site, today.) Cooper appears to be a fine man, and if he's chosen, he'll do a fine job.

BTW, it was my association with Moore that got HLS to question me at a demonstration to begin with! Sheesh. He's just a big teddybear. ;)

Thanks again for the info. And keep up the great work in Knoxville. I was telling a conservative acquaintance the other day that there are some things that we agree on, and we should all try to work together on those things.

Thanks...
Sharon

Posted by: Sharon at May 14, 2005 11:20 PM

I've worked with Rodney for over two years and have never seen anything to lead me to believe that he is a child pornographer! He is an intelligent , well respected individual. I certainly hope the investigators are certain he is at fault before acting to hastinly.

MC

Posted by: Michael at May 16, 2005 10:35 PM

I too have worked with Rodney, and I never would have seen this coming. I'm not huge on conspiracy theory, but I do wonder if there is a coordinated effort to discredit and destroy Democrats by the government. I've had several Republican friends who have worked in political campaigns describe the deceptive and illegal actions they have taken to help elect Republicans. I doubt that the President has any direct knowledge of this, but I would imagine that you could ask Karl Rove about what is being done. As for Rodney, I hope he's innoncent, and I will continue to believe that he is until proven otherwise. If he's guilty, I hope he gets help. Anything that endangers or harms a child --especially in this manner-- is reprehensible at best.

Posted by: George at May 30, 2005 12:15 PM