February 02, 2006

Interesting Reads

Interesting items for the day...

- In Bob Krumm's words, Kim McMillan's loophole may have just become a "highway." More from capitol hill reporter Trent Seibert of the Tennessean...

A change of a few words in the proposed ethics bill could mean that another dozen lawmakers might again be allowed to consult for firms that do business with the state — broadening an exemption written into last year's ethics bill.

No surprises...and I'm sure there's plenty more. Even a special ethics session becomes business as usual for the general assembly in Tennessee.

- The Van Wagon seems to have hit a bit of a bumpy road, and Bill Hobbs seems to be the one putting up the orange cones. Read all the comments here.

- I didn't give many thoughts on Bush's visit to Nashville yesterday. It was great to see the President of the United States, but as far as his policies seem to be leading, as a Conservative, I can't follow.

Bob Novak has a great post-State of the Union column up today detailing similar sentiments as mine.

Of course, I did almost fall out in the floor when Bush said that it was the job of the federal government to take care of the elderly and poor. Needless to say, I wasn't clapping. And he then starts talking about lowering the deficit?

Maybe the defeat of DeLay's man, Roy Blunt, as House Majority Leader today is a sign of better times for real Conservatism.

From Reuters...

Rep. Roy Blunt had appeared to be the front-runner, based on a long list of public commitments, but Boehner, who campaigned on a vow to seek to renew the party's "spirit and vision," defeated Blunt and Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona in a secret election by fellow Republicans.

Spirit and vision. I hope that means something like...I don't know...less spending...smaller government maybe? They should also go back and read the Contract of America from '94 and pick up anything they missed there.

- The Ophelia Ford saga continued today. The Federal Judge in Memphis essentially said that the state Senate did have the final say, but went on about how there should be a uniform standard to "protecting the voters' rights" around the state. Hey! Dead people have rights too!

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