I agree...

As a practicing Memphis Attorney and a voting Republican I must say that your impressions are incorrect.
I have appeared in Judge Skahans courtroom many times and find her too be fair in her rulings. To base a candidates record on one ruling is ridiculous. Judge Skahan has over twenty years experience trying cases as both a prosector and defense attorney. Did Ms. Saafir tell you that?
Ms. Saafir has never tried a criminal case and has been out of law school for 2 years? Did she tell you that?
She has been sued for not paying her bills and filed bankruptcy to avoid paying creditors. Did she tell you that.
Some of her children were concieved and born out of wedlock. Good Republican values?

Please get your facts straight before you do something dangerous like endorsing a candidate who has no experience whatsoever.
A Concerned Republican

I very much appreciate your feedback. Those of us that are not in the legal profession depend on news stories and talking the few lawyers that we know to make decisions. This year is particularly important because of the number of court positions that are going to be on the ballot.

I did, however, say "if the vote were today".

Yes, I know Ms. Saafir has little experience. On the other hand I often hear from lawyers that judges are no longer held accountable for actually following law -- that it is personal opinion or even whimsey that often decides cases.

Skahans' overruling a trained policeman on the basis of a low-quality video shot from inside the police car of events and conversations taking place during a stop is, I think, questionable . . . even if it was held up on appeal. As I understand it, appeals courts rarely intervene.

And so it is up to the public to try and decide if this is indicative of a pattern. But you are correct: a single incident in a somewhat lengthy career is hardly indicative of a pattern and I erred on the side of cynicism.

I stand corrected and will attempt to get more facts before making a choice -- although time is growing very, very short.

If you want an opinion you should question the lawyers that practice in her courtroom. Not only the defense bar, I think you should ask about 5 or 6 prosecutors who have practiced in her courtroom whether she is fair. Also ask these prosecutors what a disaster it would be to the system to have an attorney who has never tried a case suddenly trying to oversee the selection of a sequestered jury and the presiding over a 3 week long death penalty case. It is important to have Judges who know the law to make the correct legal rulings to make sure the cases are not overturned on appeal.

You are correct in the fact that the court of appeals did not reverse her ruling on the suppresion. She has never been reversed. However you are incorrect in your assumption that appelate courts dont intervene. They always intervene when the law is not followed.
In order to find out what happens in these courts, you should ask people whowork in these courts everyday, not always rely on what you read in the Commercial appeal.

Has no one caught the last name? It's Muslim. Yes she married Muslim and has children by Muslim. If that doesn't say enough. I don't care if it is her EX-husband of only a year, her kids are not EX-kids. The are half muslim and always will be. Where are the REAL AMERICANS? If I had my choice between experience, american, and to simply know the american law....well lets think...mmm.. I think my vote is clear-Judge Paula Skahan. Casting evil on her because of one ruling? Gee, well lets let the first ex-muslim (as Saafir says) take the Judge's place. No thanks. Tonya Saafir has no experience. Marrying muslim and having kids by a muslim, is enough for me not to trust you. I say keep Judge Skahan. A name you can trust.

I didnt know she is a Muslim. Is that true Alpha?
Why do we want a Muslim judge?
What was her name before she became a Muslim? has anyone done a background check on her? Scary.

Saafir is a big muslim name. (look under google) She was Bailey before marriage. Yes, she keep her muslim name. Muslims bolmed the world trade center and the penagon. Muslims painted an american flag on the ground, so they could walk over it when they go pray- 5 times aday. Have we forgot? Why do you think she says she's had top security clearence? What other judges says that- no one!! They don't need it. Also how long has she truely been divorce? (a year and a half..maybe) Why did she keep her muslim name if she don't practice muslim? She is an attorney, wouldn't take much to change her name. Maybe she is happy with the muslim name-What an honor. When all the cards are on the table, you know Judge Skahan is the right one..like it or not. Tonya Saafir has been caugh up in several lies. She has not go one endorsement. Judge Skahan has at lease got the Deputy Endorsement, Unions Endorsement (all unions), Judge Wiseman's Endorsement (judge for 40 years), respect of all attorneys, also the Afro American Police Association Endorsement over Tonya Saafir. That says something. Tonya Saafir has nothing to offer other than lies. You know deep down inside Judge Skahan is the right one, like it or not, Judge Skahan is the honest American Judge. Vote an american name - Judge Paula Skahan!!!

Has Tonya Saafir gotten any Endorsements? (AT All) I know Judge Paula Skahan has gotten the union endorsements (all of them), the Afro-American Deputy endorsement, The NBA,etc. Tonya Saafir yet to prove that she is the one. NO ENDORSEMENTS, not even the Afro-Americans or the National Black Asso. Saafir has gotten NOTHING!! This does mean something People. It's simple Judge Paula Skahan is the right one!!! The Endorsements speek for themselves!!!!

Dr...I answered you email inquiry on my blog.

You people are absoultely sick! At our church, when people are sick, we put them on our prayer list and ask God to heal them. Thats exactly what I'm going to do for you.

You people obviously don't know a darn thing about Tonya Saafir. Before you start spreading lies and untruths perhaps you should talk to her.

Ms. Saafir read these comments and almost burst her gut LAUGHING at you idoits. I,however, as her friend was extremely ANGRY. She is a wonderful person with a sincere and genuine spirit. She is a Godly woman and a wonderful mother to her children. The things you people have done from the onset of this campaign to discredit her makes me know all the more that YOU people are desparate and will do anything.

Ms. Saafir's exhusband is not muslim you idiot! He is an African American man born in PA. But even if he were, so what? The fact that you made those comments is evidence that you're a racist and a bigot. For future reference, muslim is not a race, its an idology. Therefore, children cannot be half muslim you moron!

Whoever asked "has anyone checked her background"? As a matter of fact her background was check thoroughly by the F.B.I. before she was given a Top Secret Clearance while she served this country in the United States Army. Both her parents and her stepfather are retired military people. Her father and stepfather both served in the Vietman war, both recieved Purple Hearts for bravery in combat and her stepfather also received the Silver Star. Her mother and father both served in Desert Storm. Ms. Saafir has worked for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. And you have the nerve to ask where the REAL AMERICANS are? Its obvious to me where they are....in Ms. Saafir's family!

I see that you didn't bother to mention that those suits filed by creditors were voluntarily nonsuited because Ms. Saafir paid them. You didn't mention and perhaps you didn't know, that those were bills her exhusband had agreed to pay after they separated, but he failed to do so.

Someone also made the comment that she has filed bankruptcy before. Did you bother to mention that it was nearly ten years ago. And so what? Filing bankruptcy is not against the law. However, being married to someone of the SAME SEX in the state of Tennessee is against our law. You don't see Ms. Saafir going around degrading her opponent for that though do you? I however, don't have a problem with saying it. I don't see how anyone who can't abide by God's laws can be trusted to enforce man's laws.

You people want to make a big deal about how long Ms. Saafir has been practicing law. Bill Gibbons has never tried a criminal case and he is the Attorney General, our chief law enforcement officer in this county. Ms. Saafir practiced law longer than Bill Gibbons' wife, the Honorable Julia Smith Gibbons before she was appointed as Circuit Court Judge, She is now a Federal Court Judge. Kenneth Turner has never been an attorney, has never practiced law and yet he has been Juvenile Court Judge for over 40 years. Ms. Saafir has practiced law longer than Ann Pugh did before she became judge, she has practiced longer than D.J. Alansandratos before he became Chancery Court Judge. Ms. Saafir has handled more criminal cases than Carolyn Wade-Blackette did before she became a criminal court judge. There are more, but I will assume you get the picture.

Ms. Saafir has received endorsements if you must know. Call her up. Ask her about them. I'm certain she or someone from her campaign would be more than happy to share that information with you. I noticed that you didn't bother to mention or perhapsa again YOU DIDN'T KNOW, that the African American Police Association didn't afford Ms. Saafir the opportunity to interview with them before they made their decision. Their explanation was that the candidates they endorsed contacted them for an endorsement and that they didn't contact any of the candidates. The president of that association has since apologized to Ms. Saafir for not contacting her and prematurely giving her opponent an endorsement. As far as the NBA is concerened, they are a 501c3 entity, therefore by law, they cannot endorse ANY POLITICAL CANDIDATE. Did you know that????? I'm sure you didn't. Do a little research.

I can tell you this, Ms. Saafir is not concerned about endorsements, her concern is for the people. The only endorsement she is interested in is that of the Master Endorser, Our Lord. Considering who her opponent is I'm certain that she has that endorsement.

Again, I will be praying for you people!

From reading the response filed it appears to me you are an Attorney and and familar with the NBA, which is also known as the African American Attorneys group. I must be honest I dont know what a 5013c is but I will trust you on that one.
What I do know is that it is a group made up of virtually every African American attorney in town. I know that they did set up a committee to interview Judicial Candidates and then did interview. I do know that Ms. Saafir is a member, because I am also. I do know that we decided to endorse Judge Skahan based on her experience and qualifications despite efforts of some members to endorse Ms. Saafir due to her heritage.
I am sorry that Ms. Saafir decided to enter a race she couldnt win. I believe she is also destroying any chance she may have down the road to become a Judge, and this is sad because we do need good African American Judges. She has chosen to make irrelevant things issues in a race against a Judge who has practiced many years and is liked and well repected in the legal community by prosectors, defense lawyers and the private bar. What Ms. Saafir is attempting to make an issue is no surprise and is something the rest of us who have known her for twenty years have been aware of and really dont care about.
Running in this race as an attorney who had no trial experience was a mistake. You compare her to Judge Gibbons? I have known Judge Gibbons for years and have known Ms. Saafir for 1 year. Do not embarass yourself or Ms. Saafir by comparing her to Judge Gibbons. There is no comparison personally or intellectually.
We need to stop thinking we are entitled to something because of what we look like. Didnt we fight against that long enough?

One more comment, if you are going to make comparisons to people like Judge BLACKETT or Judge ALISSANDRATOS, at least give each the courtesy of spelling the name properly.

When you finish....all I have to say is read

1. 1 Corinthians 6:9

2. Leviticus 18:22 and

3. Romans 1:24-30

I am sorry, I dont have my Bible with me as I am traveling out of town.
Which one of those readings deals with giving birth to illegitmate offspring?
Thanks for praying for me.

If you are referring to Ms. Saafir's oldest two children, you are absolutely CORRECT. They were born out of wedlock. So!!! She was engaged to that man, unfortunately it didn't work out. Those children are teenagers now. Ms. Saafir has done an excellent job of rearing and providing for them. She has not sat around waiting for handouts from the rest of us to take care of her children.

You're referring to something that happened when she was in her early twenties.

What the Bible does in fact say is that if you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, confess your sins and ask for forgivess you will be forgiven and saved. Ms. Saafir has done that. As far as I can tell, Skahan is still actively participating in HOMOSEXUAL activities....

I most definately will keep praying for you!

I have no idea about Judge Skahan or any other Judges personal life. Most lawyers I know dont care about any Judges life off the bench. It is not discussed.
Thank you again for praying for me. I have been saved but every little bit helps.
You still need to work on your spelling.
You seem to be very concerned with other people lifes outside of work. Most of us lawyers just want good educated and experienced Judges who are able to speak proper english. At least they need to have some jury trial experience.
Ms. Saafir is hurting any chance down the road she has of becoming Judge. Her own groups such as the NBA are not even supporting her.

I just read that Angelo Cobrasci is a convicted felon. Does anyone know the story behind this?

Results of the Memphis Bar Association poll which is the vote of Lawyers for qualified Judges
Highly Qualified Votes Judge Skahan 86 Saafir 4

Not Qualified Vote
Skahan 14
Saafir 136
Could Virtually every attorney in town be wrong? I dont think so

I looked up the Memphis Bar Association on line (www.mba.com) and Little Chicken was RIGHT. Regardless of Judge Skahan's personally life or Tonya Saafir's personally life, the fact remain. Tonya Saafir is Not Qualified. When several Attorneys that don't know each other say the same thing about Tonay Saafir, I must agree with the attorneys. With all the informations going out saying Tonya Saafir is not at ALL Qualified, I do not see where Judge Paula Skahan has anything to worry about. Congra. to Judge Paula Skahan on your Victory for Division One Criminal Court Judge. You have and will make a great Judge.

Sorry--One more thing. Why sould anyone care what John Farmer says, He can't even VOTE in Shelby county.

Out of the 3,025 attorneys who was sent the OPINION POLL, the MBA only received responses from a mere 400 attorneys, most which i would venture to say don't even know who Ms. Saafir is....Besides, the election commission would not have certified her eligible to run for this position of she weren't QUALIFIED to do so.

I could easily be wrong, but the qualifications to run for a bench in being an attorney, living in memphis or shelby county 5years, and be at lease 30 years old. Which I don't think it says much about true Qualifications and I think after this race something should truly be done. If 400 out of 3,025 sent in a response, well then we have to go on the 400 responses. I can't say what the other attorneys would of said, nor can anybody else. I'm glad the MBA sent out letters. I'm not exactly sure what the real qualifications are to run for a bench, maybe Memphis Attorney or Little Chicken does. I'm not trying to say either one is bad, I just want to case my vote on experience and qualifications. You may not agree with me and that is fine. I just want a judge that can make sure everything is done exactly right, and that only come along with experience. I have not voted yet, I'm waiting on the commerical appeal endorsements.