Posted on 05/17/2007 7:34:45 AM PDT by SmithL
One legislator, who said he witnessed the incident, told a reporter for The Commercial Appeal that Ford was taken on a stretcher from the 24th floor lounge of the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Nashville, where she stays when the legislature is in session. The lounge, which serves drinks and appetizers, is reserved for frequent hotel guests.
The lawmaker, who asked to remain anonymous, said Ford had difficulty responding to questions from paramedics.
Two other lawmakers, both Democrats who also asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitive nature of the news, told the Associated Press that Ford was taken to the hospital Tuesday, spent the night and was released Wednesday.
Reached at the Sheraton Wednesday night by a reporter for the newspaper, Ford angrily denied going to the hospital.
"No," she said, "and don't call my room again."
Ford, 56, whose district stretches from Millington to South Memphis, said in March that she had a severe case of anemia that has caused her to miss much of the legislative session. Someone who is anemic has a low number of red blood cells; symptoms are fatigue and shortness of breath. There are many types and potential causes of anemia, but Ford hasn't given any further details.
Ford was absent from the Senate session Wednesday.
One day before going to the hospital, Ford shocked lawmakers and observers with an off-topic tirade that lasted nearly two minutes in a committee meeting that was focused on the state Department of Children's Services.
The hearing was about a performance audit that showed the Division of Child Protective Services did not complete some investigations of child deaths within the 60 days as set out in state policy.
But Ford pressed DCS officials about death certificates and other matters that seemed irrelevant to the hearing, even though they repeatedly told her the agency has nothing to do with death certificates.
"What you're talking about ain't hitting on nothing with me as a certified funeral service practitioner. What you're saying ain't hitting on nothing! And you guys need to get better and you need to get more educated," Ford said angrily.
"And so what you're saying to me is absolutely dumb! Excuse my expression, but it is. It doesn't even make sense to me with all the children we're burying. And we've got one of the largest funeral homes in Tennessee, probably in the country."
Other lawmakers have expressed concerns about Ford's health. Sen. Beverly Marrero, another Memphis Democrat, said she's noticed that Ford has lost a lot of weight.
"She's tiny, obviously she's not eating right," said Marrero, D-Memphis. "She's had major health problems with anemia and different things. We just want her to get better."
From Staff and Press Reports
Staff reporter Jody Callahan contributed to this report.
To view the hearing:
During a hearing in Nashville Monday state Sen. Ophelia Ford of Memphis blasted four witnesses, leaving others in the room speechless. It's on the Web at legislature.state.tn.us. Click on Joint Committees, then Video Archives, then Government Operations Subcommittees, Select Date, May 14, 2007, General Welfare.
Is it time for an Apology and Rehab?
Is there no photo of this gentle lady?
Poor thing. She’s got that thousand yard stare.
Otherwise known as “The Kennedy Ailment.”
“Sen. Beverly Marrero, another Memphis Democrat, said she’s noticed that Ford has lost a lot of weight.”
As with the other Fords in Memphis, the Tennessee Highway Patrol probably has to make an effort to keep the drug dogs away from her or else they would be uncontrollable.
Ophelia was taken to the hospital by ambulance after her incoherent tirade.
Sounds like cancer to me!
Looks like the looney farm has a new prospect. I hope she can recover, I don't wish that on anyone, Liberal or Conservative.
Nothing but decaf from now on, I promise.
Their power comes only from a predominate black voter base
and support from corrupt business leaders and real estate developers who buy them off.
Maybe she was drunk out of her mind. Maybe she was out of her mind.
Gee, Bev, maybe because all she's eating comes in a bottle.
Ophelia was simply following in her namesake’s footsteps...
“that a youth’s wits may be as mortal as an old man’s life...”
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