Berger to Plead...Guilty

Oh really?

Thursday Car Blogging

As mentioned last week, I went to go pick up my Land Rover engine this past weekend.

It hasn't been painted, but it is freshly rebuilt. I still have a few other things to do to it such as installing a rear main oil seal, setting the tappets, and actually putting it in the vehicle.

I also got some pictures of various old vehicles this weekend...and not all old British stuff either...mostly old American.

My father's latest project

This is the same car seen here,
and it hasn't changed much in the past few years.

Power Glide...aka Automatic Transmission

An Apache

This is the same vehicle pictured here and here

I think I'll be adding a few of the above to my photo album pretty soon.

I will end out on an old British car though...the following Austin Healey is being restored by a friend of mine down in Alabama. Silver was never an original color, and I was skeptical at first when I saw it in the paint shop, but this thing is actually going to come out pretty nice:

That's it for this Thursday's Car Blog. Be sure to come back for more pictures of old British cars next week as I will hopefully have been working on a Land Rover engine.

Thoughts on the Campfield Blog Saga

I've noticed that some of those in the media and several people on the left that typically hold the ideal that "free speech is good if it's for me, but bad if it's for you" (yes, I am generalizing...get over it) have been very supportive of Campfield and the entire blogger crusade against the secretive veil of government powers.

The simple fact that the media, the left and the right can unite behind this is a very good thing indeed.

Examples of this can be seen here , in a Tennessean editorial, and also in the comments section here.

Old British Cars

Heh...note to Bill Hobbs...pictures of old British cars (mixed in with various other cars) will be coming later this afternoon.

RFID4U and Privacy

Someone emailed me promoting their website, RFID2VIN.com. This is a site created to promote the use of RFID on all vehicles. I touched on something like this before when I mentioned that Great Britain was implementing RFID on license plates.

From RFID2VIN:

RFID and their device holders would be issued by local state Departments of Motor Vehicles. Installation would be done by authorized personnel only. Police could incorporate checks of devices when pulling over motorists for moving violations. It is also suggested that they be examined like motorists are now at “sobriety checkpoints” with these unannounced checkpoints being established solely for this purpose. A quick (non-invasive) verification of the coded RFID media could be accomplished with the use of remote handheld readers--also known as “interrogators” See Figure 2. Inspection of devices could also become a part of the safety inspection for those states having mandatory such inspections at predetermined intervals.

Prohibitive fines could be levied in cases of tampering and/or removal of devices. Drivers who do not report tampering (i.e. broken lens, loss of media, etc.) for any reason could also be subject to large fines.

The website starts out by saying that the tags would be short range (no more than 8 inches?), but I doubt that would be the case if RFID is ever implemented. These "interrogators," as they are so aptly named, could probably be installed along the roadways to check all passing cars against some database and to log where you have been.

I, of course, have to bring this all back to the whole police camera debate...the Nashville Scene printed a couple of letters in reply to their editorial on the police cameras. (By the way...a quick rant to the Scene. You need to set your stories as a static URL when they are first published. Once a new issue comes out, it's impossible to find old articles as the URL changes...but I digress). One person wrote the following:

The key to the whole debate about surveillance cameras targeting traffic and other violators is contained in your first sentence ("Big Brother Serpas," March 24). These cameras are to be installed on public streets. Guess what, there's no privacy, or expectation of privacy, to be violated in public. While I do object to roadblocks without probable cause, anything that will make the morons of Nashville pay attention and drive like they have good sense is welcome.

David Patterson

This notion of no expectation of privacy in a public place was also echoed by the Tennessean's endorsement of Big Brother this past weekend.

The idea that while you are in a public place you should expect to be under the watchful eye of the powers that be is disturbing to me. I'll quote myself by saying, "citizens shouldn't expect to be under the ever present eye of the police. This is America." That's right...America. If I'm obeying the law, I want to be able to walk down the street and drive down the road anonymously without the police knowing who I am or wondering what I am doing.

I don't know...maybe I just have an unrealistic view of freedom.

Cyborg

Can this man be the world's first true cyborg?

RTB Tailgate Party

This month's Rocky Top Brigade's Volunteer Tailgate Party is up over at Domestic Psychology.

Head on over and check it out.

Wednesday Barn Blogging

This is my second and probably last barn blog post for a while...mainly because these are the only barn pictures I brought back from Lynchburg last weekend.

Bill Hobbs has his barn blog post up today as well.

Firearms Bill Update

As reported last week, HB 2225 which will allow handgun carry permit holders to go into places that serve alcohol (as long as they are not drinking themselves), is currently sitting in the House Judiciary Constitutional Protections subcommittee.

I have just learned that this bill should be on notice for a hearing next Wednesday, April 6, 11:30AM. Considering that a similar bill was voted down in this subcommittee last week (along party lines, 3-2, with a voice vote), it's important that you contact the members of this committee to voice your support for this bill.

This bill's Senate counterpart (SB1901) passed a full vote from the Senate last week, and this subcommittee is a hurdle that must be overcome to allow for a vote in the full House (which would more than likely pass).

The email addresses for the subcommittee members can be found at the bottom of this post.

Campfield Story

The AP and the Tennessean has (surprisingly) done a story on the Naifeh/Campfield blog spat first covered by Matthew White over at South End Grounds.

The story actually puts blogs in a positive light (again, a surprise) and promotes it as a way for politicians to make their voices heard without the filter of "establishment politicians and the mainstream media." The story also provides links to Campfield's blog, Bill Hobbs, and Matthew White.

By the way...the blog of one of Naifeh's interns who blasted Campfield for his blog has ceased operation since it came to light.

Bill Hobbs has more on the Tennessean story.

Er

This is a negative (scroll down to see the formal wear).

While I do like camouflage, this is just unacceptable. Of course...when I say camouflage, I don't mean "mossy oak" or "real tree camo." That's not real camouflage.

Amateurs.

Saying what the left thinks?

I ran across the following on the Communists for TennCare blog. They are supposedly promoting a (real) "Unity March to Save TennCare" involving various left leaning groups that support TennCare and churches that those groups have pulled into the fold.

While the site is parody (I think), I feel that the following is fairly close to the truth. In fact, I believe it hits the nail on the head...that is if the left were to acutally say what they are thinking:

While we do not believe in religon or faith, we do feel that we can use those of faith and religon to further the Cause - we all know the Cause is more important than such a crutch as religion. This will surely put the neocon capitalist swine into a corner if we pit those who would typically fit into their base against them. Just as the lap dog of the republicans Bredesen has attempted to pit those of our base against one another, we will do the same to them. We will even use their own bible and petty teachings against them!

Maybe I'm painting with a broad brush here, but wow...actions speak, and that seems to be what typically happens when those on the left that are normally against Christianity start spouting scripture to promote their agendas.

Hey...I'm just saying.

Update - 11:23pm: Blogging for Bryant has more.

Museum Infiltration

Heh...

Many a visitor to New York's Museum of Modern Art has probably thought, "I could do that."

A British graffiti artist who goes by the name "Banksy" went one step further, by smuggling in his own picture of a soup can and hanging it on a wall, where it stayed for more than three days earlier this month before anybody noticed.

The prank was part of a coordinated plan to infiltrate four of New York's top museums on a single day.

To see the all of the various smuggled pictures, go here.

(ht: Greg Hardin)

Telecommuter Taxed

In an email from Ben Cunningham comes this story:

"A telecommuter who lives out of state (Nashville, Tennessee) while working by computer for a New York employer must pay New York tax on his full income, the state's highest court ruled Tuesday in a case that could have wide implications in the growing practice.

The Court of Appeals said that computer programmer Thomas Huckaby who lives in Nashville, Tenn., owed New York income tax for his full salary, not just the time he spent working at his employer's New York offices."

It seems that even though the person was working in Tennessee, he will have to pay New York tax on his income because the company was based in New York.

This is interesting because I have a friend that works at Opry Mills Mall. Just yesterday I found out that because the company she works for in the mall is based in North Carolina, she has to have North Carolina taxes taken out. This, of course, disturbed me.

The above story is different in that the guy was a telecommuter working from home and did spend some time in the New York office, but based on this ruling the implications are huge for this type of practice to spread to people that simply work at a company that might be based somewhere else (like my friend at Opry Mills). Maybe I'm reading too much into this though.

But, this little bit seems to enfoce that:

"New York has the right to tax 100 percent of a nonresident employee's income derived from New York sources," according to the 4-3 decision by Court of Appeals.

Also consider if Tennessee had an income tax. Who would get the tax money? Presumably both states would get their share hurting the worker even more.

If there is anything worthy of the title "BS," this would be it.

Feeding Frenzy

It is normally big news that occurs when CNN sends out an email alert...(except in the case of Michael Jackson), but this is apparently big enough to get CNN excited enough to send out an alert:

CNN Breaking News Alert

-- Former top Boy Scouts of America official charged with downloading child pornography after investigators find images of children engaging in sex acts on his computer.

Watch as the media feeding frenzy develops over this...especially considering that liberals hate the Boy Scouts.

More here.

Finally Someone Agrees

I finally got a response from a Metro Council member who actually agrees with me on the issue of police cameras:

Blake,

Thanks for your email. I agree with you 100% and this program concerns me a great deal. I would classify myself as a freedom fighter and its nice to hear someone with the same concern to protect individual freedoms.

Greg Adkins
District 26

BlogNashville Registration

BlogNashville has officially opened up registration. Interestingly enough, I found out about this breaking news late Friday night here.

New Bloggers

This weekend, South Knox Bubba unveiled the newest bloggers to be inducted into the Rocky Top Brigade. Be sure to go visit them out and welcome them to the RTB.

Along the same lines, Greg Hardin, a friend of mine, has just joined the blogosphere with his unique "blog and sketchbook." Greg is a very talented artist who works for Big Idea down in Franklin, TN. I'm sure some of you with kids may know the work of Big Idea.

He's also involved with an interesting website called DrawerGeeks.com. Very good stuff.

Update: I forgot to mention that Communists for Tenncare made it into the RTB as well. Nice.

Ruined Day Off

If anyone knows how to ruin my day off, it would be the Tennessean, but luckily, even though I'm out of town, I still have an internet connection.

The Tennessean, in all of its infinite wisdom has endorsed the Metro Police Department's plan to install cameras so they can monitor you and listen to your conversations as you walk down the street.

Let's take a look at some of the things that they say:

The decision has raised concerns about privacy. But the cameras, if used as explained by the department, should be no invasion of privacy. They will record public activity in public places.

I think I touched on this topic here. Many of the places that have police have employed the use of cameras (both traffic and street cameras) have started using them for more than they were originally intended to. When a government entity (especially law enforcement) have this type of tool at their disposal, they will more than likely end up abusing it and using it for things outside of its original, stated intent.

Further, the department is practically announcing the presence of the camera locations, complete with postings of logos and blue lights at the camera spots. Citizens should expect that anything they do in a public setting is open for anyone, including the police, to see.

Oh yes...announce that they are there. That should make us feel much better. I believe that they did the same thing in Oceania. Signs were everywhere saying "Big Brother is Watching You."

Additionally, citizens shouldn't expect to be under the ever present eye of the police. This is America.

When a citizen walks into a bank, a convenience store, an airport, and many government buildings and private companies, he is recorded by surveillance cameras. The equipment is there for security. Cameras designed to capture outdoor public settings have the same purpose.

Walking down the street is not the same as being in a privately owned building, an airport, or a governmental building. Plus, just because cameras are everywhere else, doesn't make it any better.

If anything, law enforcement officials should avail themselves more of technology. If a person disputes an assertion by police, having recorded material will serve to back up the citizen or prove him wrong. The photography should be a reliable source for everyone.

Why did Memphis stopped using cameras? Why hasn't the article mentioned that? Maybe it had something to do with reliability of the system?

Anytime the police say they will use surveillance, it is reason to demand openness and fairness in their approach. The practice should not be abused. But if the intent is to deter crime and enhance security for the public, the cameras are a prudent approach. Surveillance cameras in public places can be friends, not foes.

Deter crime? Like in Great Britain? Doesn't look like it's working over there any even though they are pretty much the most watched nation in the world.

It would have been nice for the Tennessean to have done a little research on this issue. They provide no research data or anecdotal evidence to back up the claims that cameras are able to reduce crime. They also haven't provided any information to show that such technology won't be abused. Instead, they sound almost like the Metro Council replies I have gotten.

I would like to expound on this even more, but like I said, I'm out of town and on dial-up...gotta love that.

Thanks to Bill Hobbs for the heads up on this as well.

To catch up on the posts on this issue for the past couple of weeks, go to the Big Brother category.

Light Blogging

Yep...light blogging today throughout the weekend. It'll pick back up on Monday.

I'll be in Florence, Alabama at least until Saturday night. My Land Rover engine is there, so I'm heading to go pick it up. This is actually one of the reasons I didn't drive the MG today. It's so nice outside, but instead I'm in the Toyota (not worth a picture..but it gets great gas mileage and never breaks down).

Number of times people have asked me if I drove the MG today: 5

I'll also probably pick up some more gratuitous car porn while I'm in Florence this weekend, so look for that next Thursday.

Things to do before the weekend starts:

-Read this.

-Keep an eye on TNF to see when they will be posting the de-briefing on Wednesday's blogger gathering.

-While you're waiting on that, your action is required here. Get to writing (if you haven't already).

-Oh, and if you haven't written the Metro Council about the street and traffic camera plans here in Nashville, do that as well.

-Finally, here's an interesting puzzle to waste your time if you're stuck in the office today (ht to Jacob's Posse for that one).

Things to do during the weekend:

-Go to church on Sunday and be with friends and/or family.

-Relax

Friday Bird Blogging - And Farm Animals Too

Today, I am crossing ideological lines to join with South Knox Bubba in my first, and probably last, Friday Bird Blog.

The above duck was hanging out next to the grainery at the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg (other pictures from the distillery are here).

And, since I'm on animals, I did meet a couple of other interesting creatures around Lynchburg (this would be "farm animal blogging"):

I hope you enjoyed this animal blogging moment. We now bring you back to your regularly scheduled blog.

So much for open government

No time to comment much, but Matthew White over at South End Grouds has a post regarding retaliation by Speaker of the TN House, Jimmy Naifeh, against Rep. Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville) for his blog. Apparently Naifeh has referred a bill sponsored by Campfield to committee for no reason other than because of things he wrote about in his blog.

As an added bonus, a college intern of Naifeh's has taken to talking about Campfield on her own blog. In her first two posts she takes on Campfield by saying he made the General Assembly look immature and childish while doing so in her own immature and childish way. (Although, I have to make the comment...the General Assembly really is childish and immature.)

Anyway...get over to South End Grouds and read it asap.

(ht: Bill Hobbs)

Important Update

I just posted an important update to the Firearms post from earlier today. Go there and scroll on down.

Thursday Car Blogging

People have said that they like it, so here it is yet again...Thursday Car Blogging.

I don't have much news relating to the Land Rover project other than that I will be going to pick up my engine this weekend. Once I get that, I'll be ordering a new round of parts (clutch disk, front and rear engine seals, engine mounts, clutch cylinder rebuild kits, etc etc etc). I'm hoping to have this project wrapped up in the next couple of months (ok...before someone mentions it...no British vehicle project is ever completely wrapped up).

TMan said that he wanted to see pictures of the Land Rover in mud, so I am posting some pictures (aka gratuitous car porn) back from the "glory days" (aka when it was running):

It's been a couple of weeks since I had the MGA out, but hopefully we'll get some better weather next week...maybe in time for the next round of Thursday Car Blogging.

More: I'm late in posting this, but Chris Wage joins in on the car blogging.

Non-Lethal Force

Michael Silence points us to an story from northwest Indiana regarding a teen who was pepper sprayed and tasered 16 times because the police thought he was drunk. In actuality, he was choking on some food. Read the story here.

This type of story is becoming disturbingly common. I covered two similar incidents back in January.

Does the prevalent availability of non-lethal force weapons to police departments cause police to react more often with that force (on an act first and ask questions later basis)? Or should the use of any type of weapon be reserved for the most serious of situations...as in when a police officer or innocent civilian is being attacked by a criminal?

Tax Study Commission Resolution

Just got this email from Ben Cunningham from Tennessee Tax Revolt:

Senator Joe Haynes' Senate Joint Resolution 128 to "commend and thank" each member of the Tax Structure Study Commission fell one vote short of the needed 17 votes in the Senate this morning but it can be brought back up at a later date.

The "Whereas" part of the Resolution was very interesting with all the standard income tax rhetoric.

Voting YES in favor of the Resolution were 14 Democrats and 2 Republicans.

Here is a link to the Resolution.

Here is the vote.

The two Republicans voting for the resolution were Burchett and Fowler. You may remember Fowler from here as one of "Wilder's GOP water boys." The other water boy, Williams, was present but didn't vote.

Grand Old Pragmatists

I haven't weighed in on the Terri Schaivo situation, and this is probably the only time it will come up. However, I generally agree with this cartoon by Cox and Forkum.

While the situation is a sad one (I do think she should live), I don't feel that the Federal government should be coming into what is not a Federal issue. This should be handled on the state level, and just because it didn't get handled properly doesn't mean that the Federal government can come in.

It's a slippery slope...but, I guess we've already been sliding down that slope for many years now.

Bill Passes

The bill that would allow Handgun permit holders to go into establishments that serve alcohol for onsite consumption (referenced here) has passed the state Senate with a vote of 29-3. It's now up to the state House to pass it.

Story here (registration required).

The state's gun permit law, adopted in 1997 amid considerable controversy, included a provision forbidding pistols in bars as a concession to critics. Experience since then has shown that permit holders are law-abiding citizens and the restriction is unnecessary, said Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, sponsor of the bill.

"They respect the law. We have had no problems at all," he said. "The experiment is over."

Senate Majority Leader Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, recalled debate at the time the original law passed.

"All the doomsday we heard at that time - there'll be shoot-outs at stop signs and all - have never happened," Ramsey said.

Jackson said the permit-holders now run the risk of having their weapons stolen when they go into a restaurant, leaving guns inside cars in "a dark parking lot." He said that poses a greater risk than having the weapon taken inside.

The bill specifies that the permit-holder cannot consume alcoholic beverages himself and allows restaurant and bar owners to decide individually not to allow weapons in their establishments.

Speaking of "doomsday" naysayers, the MTSU Sidelines editorial staff goes nuts over the bill.

SayUncle has more as well.

Update: The info on this bill can be found here. It's House designation is HB2225, and it is currently sitting in the Judiciary Constitutional Protections Subcommittee.

The email addresses for the members of that subcommittee are: rep.chris.newton@legislature.state.tn.us; rep.henri.brooks@legislature.state.tn.us; rep.jerome.cochran@legislature.state.tn.us; rep.kim.mcmillan@legislature.state.tn.us; rep.janis.sontany@legislature.state.tn.us

Copy, paste, and email your support for HB2225.

Update 2: I now officially do not like Nashville Police Cheif Ronal Serpas (as if the camera thing weren't enough). I have just learned that he personally testified to the House Judiciary Constitutional Protections Subcommittee against similar legislation which failed by a 3-2 vote. This same subcommittee has HB2225, and if we don't act, it will die a similar death.

It is imperative that you copy the email addresses above, and email them your support for this bill.

An Evening with Mr. Roboto

Last night we had our second blogger gathering here in Nashville. As you saw below, the event was organized by Thursday Night Fever while being sponsored (in the form of appetizers) by News 2.

Jackson's will never be the same.

There were several faces there that weren't at the last blogger gathering including Busy Mom, the Saucy Librarian, Brittney from Sparkwood & 21, and Kevin from Homeless Guy (and now also This.Is.Nashville). Perhaps gatherings in the evenings are more conducive to socializing. That...and a few other things.

It was a good turnout.

Media-collaborativeness in action.

I did have to leave the event for a little bit, but I came back around 8:30pm to find people still gathered around. I also ran into a friend of mine, Julie, who I found out was a co-blogger (even though she hasn't actually blogged yet) at a new blog called "She Said What?!?" I believe it's sort of a female version of TNF. Mr. Roboto and myself spent the rest of the evening at Jacksons discussing important topics with the two ladies from SSW...such as Rumpelstiltskin (I don't know), Briar Rabbit (no clue), Short Circuit (in reference to this), and all things nightlife. I also offered my help in getting their own domain name along with some consultation on running a professional blog. Captain T was sure to capture this moment on his camera, and TNF should hopefully have that picture up soon.

Was the night over at this point? No, my friend...not when you're with TNF. We then headed over to Lonnies western karayoke bar, and then over to Bar23. Both places were crowded, but the male to female ratio wasn't playing in our favor. However, despite this setback, a good time was had by all.

Overall it was a good night. We should try to have more of these blogger gatherings. I guess the next one will be held by the guys from Pith in the Wind (the Scene's blog)...although I'm not apprised to all the details as of yet.

Round-up of "An Evening with Mr. Roboto" coverage:

-Terry Heaton: The coming out party of Mr. Roboto

-Busy Mom: Domo Arigato

-Homeless Guy: Success

-Pink Kitty shows kindness to Mr. Roboto (Though, I agree...he should read my post on wearing a tux properly. However, it should be noted that he later changed into one of his world famous western shirts).

-Paul Chenoweth from Chasing the Dragon's Tale discusses the dynamics of bloggers meeting face to face in reference to last night's meetup.

-Rex Hammock plans to podcast his interviews from the meetup.

Still waiting on others to post update...I'll link them here as I find them.

More:

Karmadgeon: All Your Patio Are Belong to Us

Jacob's Posse (aka blogger #1 & #2): Keeping it crunk baby

Still waiting on TNF......

The Big Brother Stuff

Here's a quick run-down for those late to the game...

There are two separate camera programs under consideration by the Nashville Metro Police Department.

One involves traffic cameras that will snap a picture of your car when you run a stop light after which you will receive a traffic ticket in the mail.

The other other involves street cameras which will watch you on the street as well as be able to listen in on your conversations.

There are two separate posts on these issues today along with several other posts from the past several days. Just keep on scrolling...

Update - 04/19/05: For those in Knoxville, I'll have to point you to this post written last month regarding traffic cameras, revenue, and kickbacks.

Also, I'd recommend buying this.

An Evening with Mr. Roboto

Tonight, shortly after 5pm, I'll be at Jackson's in Hillsboro Village for this:

I think I'm beginning to like this whole "media-collaborative" thing.

Even More Big Brother

In the comments section of the last post, SayUncle posted a link to an excellent piece over at The Agitator regarding traffic cameras (as discussed here for Nashville).

I'll repost several sections from the piece and make comments as it would relate to Nashville (I still suggest you read it in it's entirety though):

A recent BBC study of mobile speed cameras revealed significant accuracy problems. One researcher was able to clock a stationary wall at 58 mph. The Australian government has begun paying $26 million back to motorists who were issued tickets by faulty cameras. A Canadian town recently recalled 6,800 tickets issued by cameras. The Washington Times has reported several incidents in which D.C. motorists were ticketed for cars they no longer own or drive, or that are inoperable.

I wonder if the studies that Metro police will get from the company that it was in talks with will get this type of independent information or the information that's only filtered through the company itself (which I already hit upon)?

Clearly, speed cameras err. But motorists issued tickets might be surprised to learn that they're generally considered guilty until proved innocent. It's up to a car's owner to prove he wasn't driving when the ticket was issued, that the camera misread his plates, or that the camera itself is faulty. In many cases, the private companies who run the cameras get a cut of each ticket issued, and appeals of tickets are settled by the company itself, not a judge or traffic court. Camera manufacturers have also been known to train cops on how to testify against appeals, and in some cases have paid officials to advocate the cameras to other cities. That's an unsettling kind of justice.

Most traffic camera companies (both for speeding and running red lights) end up getting kick-backs from each ticket issued. I'm not sure, but this just might be a conflict of interest. Add that to the fact that some of those companies give kickbacks to current customers to promote it in other cities. When Metro officials ask for data from other cities on traffic camera use, is this what the company will be sending?

Cameras are ripe for abuse, too. One city in Florida now uses traffic cameras to snap the plates of every motorist entering the city, and checks them against various law enforcement databases. In Southern California, a photo taken by a red-light camera was used to prove adultery in a divorce case. San Diego shut down all of its cameras after a judge ruled that the company in charge was tampering with the machines to increase ticket output.

Encroachment upon civil liberties may lead to abuse? Really?

But the most troubling thing about traffic cameras is the way city governments grow dependent on the revenue they generate. Bethesda, Md., was caught shortening a yellow light at the city's most lucrative red-light camera, in an effort to squeeze more cash out of its motorists. When tickets dropped off from existing speed cameras in Washington, the City Council simply installed more, and raised the fines. Sacramento now charges motorists $351 for a single red-light violation.

Ah yes...good old 'dependence on revenue.' When not as many people are running red lights, there will be a hole in the budget somewhere. Where will that money come from? Do you think that the government would think about cutting the excesses out of the budget? (insert hysterical laughter here) Nope. That money will come by adding more cameras and higher fines...(or higher property taxes).

When I get responses from Nashville's elected officials and hear things like, "that couldn't happen here," or "if it can lower crime, then we should try it," etc, I know that they haven't done any real research.

Of course, I'm sure that their counterparts in the cities cited above had the same attitude. How'd that end up for them?

Email addresses for the city council (including the Mayor, and now Chief Serpas) can be found here.

Camera Update

I received an official response from Mayor Purcell's office regarding the plan of placing police cameras on Nashville streets (not to be confused with the traffic light cameras I wrote about yesterday):

Mayor Purcell asked me to assist you.

I am going to forward your concerns directly to the Police Department for comment. Policing methods such as the ones being considered for Nashville have been used in other communities with reported success. I am confident your concerns will be taken into consideration with respect to this program.

I want to thank you for taking the time to share you concerns. I can assure you that our goal is to make Nashville as safe as possible.

Billy Fields
Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods

I have responded asking for data from independent sources and/or studies that show the successes and pitfalls from employing this technology. I will post any response to my request here.

To read more about this issue, go here and here.

Update: I was expecting something from today's Nashville Scene regarding this issue, and it has come in the form of an editorial entitled "Big Brother Serpas:"

Frankly, we can't blame the guy whose job it is to catch criminals and reduce crime in this city for doing everything he can toward that end, no matter how crazy it drives the rest of us. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea. What's more, it's astonishing that Serpas can make this unilateral decision to invade the privacy of taxpayers without so much as a head scratch from the Metro Council's public safety committee or without some other public deliberation.

If ever there were an issue to unite the radical left and the far right, this is it. Civil liberties discussions have a way of bringing together the anti-government-intrusion crowd and the staunch privacy advocates. (If in doubt about that, check out the Scene's blog.) From our (camera) angle anyway, Serpas is pretty well alone on this one, with the possible exception of a few neighborhood types whom we predict will ultimately cool on this dramatic gesture. For crying out loud, when the ACLU's Hedy Weinberg and Metro Council member Rip Ryman are cynical about the same thing, a public official has got to know public support is in danger.

Go read the entire thing.

Three out of Five

Three out of five posts today were firearms related. I guess I hadn't done that many in the past couple of weeks, so I had some catching up to do along with some pent-up venting to let out.

Mark Lancaster Update

Speaking of something that the media went overboard on...

Mark Lancaster is set to get out of a Federal prison camp the first week of April. He will spend a few weeks at a half-way house here in Nashville before being able to go back home with his family.

He has spent a year in Federal prison for a victimless crime while this guy (the one who made the anonymous call to the BATF in Lancaster's case) got off, scot-free after beating his wife.

"Justice" apparently marches on.

Irresponsible Reporting

This isn't the worse in reporting I've seen by a news organization, but it definitely isn't called for.

From Channel 4 News here in Nashville:

Ammunition powerful enough to pierce bullet proof vests was among the arsenal of weapons found in a Lebanon home.

When deputies entered a home Monday in Wilson County, they found thousands of rounds of ammunition and one of the men who was supposed to be living there is in custody.

When Wilson County sheriff's deputies showed up at the house, they were supposed to be serving a standard eviction notice. But instead deputies found the inhabitants gone and thousands of rounds of ammunition left behind.

"There's enough ammo here basically to start a small war,” said Sheriff Terry Ashe.

Powerful enough to pierce bullet proof vests?!?!?! *gasp* Thousands of rounds of ammo?!?!? *gasp* Enough to start a small war?!?!?!? *gasp*

Personally, I call a thousands of rounds of ammunition just a start. Secondly, any common rifle round is powerful enough to pierce a bullet proof vest (they pictured a rifle round on the website). And just what does the comment "starting a small war" really intend to do other than spread fear among the masses?

More from the sheriff:

"I'm a firm believer in the Second Amendment, and I've signed plenty of hand gun permits...but some of these guns are made entirely for sport and for taking lives," said Sheriff Ashe.

Dear Sheriff Ashe: The Second Amendment doesn't have anything to do with hunting which is what you are seeming to imply here. Do they even teach the Constitution in law enforcement academies? Do you know why there is a Second Amendment?

This story should simply be about a guy that holed up in a motel somewhere and the sheriff and his deputies went to the guy's house and found more weapons...end of story. All of these colorful adjectives and comments meant to only spread fear do nothing but make you and the news organization reporting your comments look like fools.

News 2...Channel 5...Fox 17...are you guys paying attention? Everytime a few weapons (yes...a few) are found in somebody's home, everyone goes overboard and attempts to play it up making people think that their lives were somehow in danger because somebody had an "arsenal" in their home. In the end, the news organizations look like idiots. At the same time they wonder why people think they might have a bias. The above is a good example. Learn from it.

More Cameras

Chief Serpas wants to make a difference in Nashville...apparently that involves even more cameras:

If you run a red light in Nashville, you could soon be caught on camera. A Denver based company on Monday showed Metro officials and police a digital camera that captures drivers who run red lights and stop signs.

The camera records the license plate and the owner of the car gets a ticket in the mail. Each camera cost $13,500 each.

I agree that people running red lights here in Nashville is a problem, but I really think police cameras are a bad idea (as noted recently here, here, and here). Nashville's new motto is going to have to be: "Watching your every move so you feel safer."

More...

A public works official asked camera salesmen to send them studies to show how successful the devices have been in other areas.

Is it really a good idea to ask a salesperson for studies showing the successes of their product? Wouldn't it be better to go to an independent source for such things? Maybe that's just me not trusting someone who probably gets paid on commission (no offense to salespeople out there though).

I'll probably be ordering one of these plate covers...at least until they make them illegal. I've also heard that this spray works even better, and to the naked eye it can't even be seen.

No, I don't make it a habit of running lights, but at the same time, I'd rather not have Big Brother on my back.

Update: Next thing you know we'll all have to have these on our license plates.

The UK-based vehicle licence plate manufacturer, Hills Numberplates Ltd, has chosen long-range RFID tags and readers from Identec Solutions to be embedded in licence plates that will automatically and reliably identify vehicles in the UK.

Fun stuff.

Barn Blogging

Since I was traveling through Lynchburg, TN on Saturday, I thought I would get a couple of pictures to go along with Bill Hobbs' Barn Blogging posts.

Protect Yourself

In the ongoing rash of home invasions in west Nashville, the Tennessean has published a list of things to do to protect yourself and your valuables. I'm actually surprised that they went to the J. Buford Tune Academy of Personal Protection as a source.

There are a few good things on there (get a safe, buy motion lights, etc), but it's still watered down. Some of the things, to me, would end up making it easier for the criminal...such as..."Don't investigate when you hear someone trying to get into your home." And, "Don't fight if an intruder gets inside. Instead, stay in a room, lock the door and call police."

Yep...don't investigate, just let the perpetrator come in, go call the police, and wait for them to arrive. In the meantime, the perp will have enough time to get in, steal your stuff, and get away. Unfortunately, in some parts of town, when someone invades your home, they may not be coming in just to snatch a purse. You have to assume that your life/body is in danger when someone breaks into your house.

By promoting "compliance" with criminals, you are only promoting more crime. Do you really want to depend on others for protection (dial 911...then wait), or do you want to be able to protect yourself? When someone invades your home, let the call to 911 be you asking them to come get the body.

Anti-War Rally

If anyone got pictures from the anti-war rally on Saturday in Centennial park and took pictures, please email me at blake@nashvillefiles.com.

Considering that "nearly 100" people attended, the odds are that no one reading this will have attended much less took pictures.

Lynchburg

Saturday I took a little mini-road trip to Lynchburg, TN to visit the Jack Daniel's Distillery. While the weather wasn't that great (mostly overcast with a light drizzle at times), I did get a few decent pictures to share.

Enjoy...

The cave spring that is the source of water for Jack Daniel's

Jack Daniel

The Rickyard

Copper Stills

Fermentation Vats

A close-up of the fermentation process

Mellowing: charcoal filtering

The lengendary Squire's Room...yes, I am a TN Squire

Overall, I really enjoyed the tour. Whether you drink or not, the entire process is extremely intriguing. It's a must if you live nearby or are traveling through (right under an hour drive from Nashville). Perhaps an extra attraction for the discriminating whisky sippers attending BlogNashville in May?

It was a pretty big day at the Distillery as the Master Distiller, Jimmy Bedford, was having a bottle signing. The line was so long that it wasn't even attempted. I did, however, get to meet Mr. Bedford when I was in Las Vegas last year attending this.

Note...there will be a few more pictures coming tomorrow to take part in this.

New Blog

Nashville's The Homeless Guy, Kevin Barbieux, is no longer homeless, and he's started a new blog called This.Is.Nashville.

Head over and check it out! Blog roll accordingly.

Saturday

Today I'll be in Lynchburg. Hopefully the weather will be nice, and if that's the case, the camera will be in use.

More on "GOPGate"

More on this Tyler Harber, Adam Groves, GOPGate situation in Knox County here.

Also according to the article, Groves may be taking a break from politics:

Adam Groves, Harber's partner in National Public Strategies and the party's new communications chief, denied any involvement in obtaining Tindell's e-mails. In an e-mail sent to reporters on Friday, Groves said the incidents have left him disillusioned.

"I intend to take a break from politics and return to my home in Middle Tennessee," he wrote.

Metro Property Taxes

Ben Cunningham over at Tennessee Tax Revolt has been doing a great job at covering the imminent property tax hike that is about to descend upon Nashville's property owners.

If you live in Nashville, you need to pay attention. It seems that raising property taxes has been a regular event here in Nashville while doing real budget cutting is rarely mentioned (unless it's used as a scare tactic to make people think there's a need for more taxes).

I accidentally ran across a post that I wrote almost a year ago about the very situation we are in now. You should go read it.

Oh yeah...I think this list will come in handy for the property tax situation as well.

The Next City Over

I guess that since this this is a Knox County GOP issue, I am really not up on all the details, but Michael Silence has the links.

Since this stuff has started hitting the fan, I haven't seen many updates here either (apparently his computer was seized?).

Something to keep an eye on.

Oh...and this is probably another reason why I typically stay away from associating directly with political parties.

Birthday Prize & More Big Brother

Ah...corporations that I sometimes do business with really do care when it comes to their customers. My birthday is a week away, and I'm already getting cards from them:

That's right...nothing says "Happy Birthday" like people throwing peanuts at you...in 3-D!

In other news, I'm cooking up a plan to counter the planned police surveillance cameras when and if they go up (in a discreet sort of way, of course). I think that they should be properly labeled and pointed out for passing pedestrians. That's about all I can say for now...at least until I provide pictures whenever this undercover action takes place (after the cameras go up, of course). Stay tuned.

By the way...am I just completely going overboard with this camera thing? The nonchalant attitude of those in positions of power along with the "I'm not doing anything wrong, so why should I worry" attitude is quite disturbing.

Overall, I have really witnessed two reactions to this issue...1) indifference or 2) being completely against it and disturbed by it. I really haven't seen that many people (with whom I have actually spoken with or communicated with) that seem to be on fire for this idea. Perhaps that in itself says something...? You're either against it, or you don't care. Unfortunately, most of society sits in the latter category these days. It will be our undoing.

Media-collaborative, citizen-journalism

This is squirting coke out your nose funny right here.

If you are out of the loop...well...go back to the beginning.

Thursday Car Blogging

Thursday car blogging is back...

I finally got around to replacing the bad brake caliper on the MGA this weekend. The weather was so wonderful, that I had to get out with the top down (of course).

After taking a nice drive through the countryside, I eventually made it over to do some more work on the Land Rover.

I replaced the rear hub oil seals, replaced the brake shoes, and put on freshly turned brake hubs. During the week I was able to pick up my rebuilt clutch pressure plate and water pump (many thanks to Southeastern Brake & Clutch for the wonderful work they did...which ended up being a lot cheaper than buying new parts).

The engine is out of the machine shop, and I hope to go pick it up sometime in the next couple of weeks.

In other news, a friend of mine down in Florence, Alabama recently picked up a new addition to his family. A 1959 TR3A (click for pictures). His email to me simply said, "What have I done?" He's got a lot of work ahead of him, but it's truly a diamond in the rough...a really thick rough at that. heh

St. Patrick's Day Song

A good 'ole Irish song for your Saint Patrick's Day...

Whiskey in the Jar

Unbelievable

This has got to be the funniest thing that I have seen in Tennessee politics in a long time:

Congressman Harold Ford called today for stronger enforcement of ethics rules for elected officials, announcing his support for a resolution to strengthen the Congressional committee responsible for monitoring members’ ethical conduct.

“With the privilege of serving our neighbors comes a sacred trust,” Ford said. “To uphold that trust, our behavior should maintain the ethics, conduct and standards expected of us. We have ethics rules in the U.S. House and this resolution will ensure that they are enforced.”

Unbelievable...I am honestly at a loss for words.

(ht: Blogging for Bryant)

Street Cameras Update

In continuing with the Big Brother theme for the past couple of days, I have a few more things related to the Nashville surveillance camera story.

Yesterday morning I faxed a letter to Mayor Bill Purcell's office along with emailing all 40 members of the Metro City Council. Up until this time, I have received zero response in relation to my concerns (not even any form responses).

I have three primary questions that should be answered:

-How is it that the Police Chief has the power to put in place surveillance cameras on the streets without seeking permission from the Metro City Council first?

-Has the Police Chief done any research to see if cameras do in fact deter crime? I point you to this article from the wonderful British who have taken a nose dive into the world of Orwell by being the most "watched" citizenry in the world.

-Does this not concern anyone when it comes to making Nashville look more like Oceania from 1984 than being the friendly city that it has always been known for?

I am emailing these questions to the entire City Council this afternoon. I hope that others will do the same.

For a list of email addresses of the Metro City Council and Mayor, click here.

Update: I just got a response from a one Metro Councilperson. I will keep their identity hidden as I didn't ask permission to reveal their name:

Blake These camera are to be in open areas. We have camera now that the news people use and camera that monitor roads for traffic conditions.

These camera are to be in areas of large numbers of people .

We have camera in a number of areas most shopping centers , Hospitals have camera for security.

This is a part of life in today's world.
Many folks have camera around their homes for security.

Yep...just part of life in today's world...might as well add a few more.

Also notice that all of the examples (minus the traffic cameras which are publically accessible and only show traffic) are cameras utilized by private businesses and private citizens on private property.

Even more: My second email seems to have done better as far as responses go. Unfortunately, it seems that most of them support the cameras.

Some excerpts from more Council members' emails:

Mr. Wylie, You should direct your concerns to members of the Public Safety Committee for examination within the council, but Council approval is not required to enact this practice. This is a controversial issue that offends some people and satisfies others, and reports conflict over the effectiveness of camera use. Personally, I am not worried about surveillance of this sort since if it keeps our streets safe. I am comfortable with Chief Serpas’s decision at this time.

Another:

I think we are all concerned about interfering excessively with people’s liberty; however, there are certain parts of town plagued by vandalism and crime. If these cameras can be used to improve the quality of life in those areas without undue interference, I think we should give them a try. Perhaps, some parameters on use in conjunction with some measures of success should be put in place. I will discuss these issues with the Police Department.

I have cc’ed Chief Serpas on this e-mail and will forward any response he sends to me.

I'll post more responses as I get them.

More TennCare & Big Brother

This has to be comforting for the TennCare bureaucracy:

In Washington Tuesday, members of Congress grilled the head of an Atlanta data collection company accused of exposing 145,000 people to identity theft.

The head of ChoicePoint apologized to victims whose personal information, including social security numbers, was accessed by thieves. And now, it turns out there's a Tennessee connection, because that very same company has a contract with TennCare.

Beautiful.

More on ChoicePoint can be found here...a must read...especially for privacy advocates.

ChoicePoint is a private intelligence agency. Since 1997, ChoicePoint has bought 58 companies. As O’Harrow states in a recent interview (www.democracynow.org), these “include a genetic repository, biometrics, fingerprint, they are becoming a fingerprint specialist. They’ve got something like 19 billion records, and they have become, they say, the nation’s largest background screener. So that when you try to get a job, there’s a chance that the company is going to ChoicePoint to check your background out…. And one fellow who’s concerned about it called it that we’re moving toward a ‘scarlet letter’ society where you—you are branded for life for whatever you did when you were 19 and foolish.”

Recently, however, the company discovered that it had allowed criminals to access its database. Thieves gained access by using stolen identities to create seemingly legitimate businesses. They then formed 50 ChoicePoint accounts and were able to gain access to individuals’ names, addresses, Social Security numbers and credit reports. ChoicePoint stated that 144,778 people may have been affected by the security breach.

Technically, according to the Privacy Act passed by Congress in 1974, the government can't keep "databases" on citizens. However, ChoicePoint is a private company, and government agencies regularly use ChoicePoint's database of private data for their own means. Such as...Tennessee...

More from the WSMV story:

But TennCare isn't the only state agency doing business with ChoicePoint.

A no-bid contract with the state Health Department would pay ChoicePoint $60,000 for access to ChoicePoint's database of prescription patterns -- everything from how doctor's prescribe to records on specific drugs.

"We've heard from the Drug Enforcement Agency how it benefits them," said Judy Eads, the Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Health.

That's right...the government (both Federal and state) skirts the database provision in the Privacy Act by simply contracting it out to a private company.

Welcome to Oceania.

I'll say it again

This guy should be the next Chief Justice to the Supreme Court...hands down.

More: Speaking of which, I think it is important that any candidate to Congress have the same feelings as Scalia when it comes to a strict interpretation of the Constitution by always keeping in mind the framer's intent.

Although I haven't made an official decision on the GOP candidates for the upcoming 2006 Senate race, I should note that one candidate does mention this exact ideal when he was promoting himself in Maryville last night. Read here.

Bobby Knight

I'm sure sports reporters across Tennessee are secretly wishing that Bobby Knight would take this job.

(ht: Michael Silence)

Amazing Architecture

Wow. It's amazing what they are doing with architecture these days as apparently, according to the Tennessean, a 13-story face is going to be built next to the Ryman downtown.

heh

New Rule

This is a good rule for myself and my fellow Tennessee Conservatives out there...

Anytime you use the word 'TennCare' link the text to this site.

Just do a Google search for 'TennCare' and you'll see why (just scroll down a wee bit).

Nice.

Songs for TennCare

Heh...Blogging for Bryant puts forth it's best attempt for an entry into the Songwriter's Contest to save TennCare.

Hello Nashville, Meet Big Brother

Fellow Nashvillians! Welcome our new friend, Big Brother:

Metro police within months will set up a network of surveillance cameras so officers can monitor residents' activities and eavesdrop on conversations in the popular downtown area and other crime hotspots, Police Chief Ronal Serpas said last week.

Eavesdrop on conversations??? WHAT???

Oh, but wait...they do want us to feel better about the system:

Such police-monitored surveillance systems have been deployed in other major cities across the country, amid complaints by privacy advocates. Serpas hopes to sidestep similar criticism by not hiding Metro's cameras. The local cameras will have visible police logos and flashing, blue lights that rotate.

''There is something to be said about the overt nature of it,'' Serpas said in an interview this week. ''We're not playing hide-and-seek with criminals. This is going to say, 'We're right here and we're watching this block.' ''

Ah yes...nothing like rotating lights to ease the suffering of the masses under Big Brother's ever present, watchful eye.

It's times like these that I actually end up agreeing with the ACLU:

''Nashvillians need to seriously examine and debate the extent to which we want to have cameras and other automated technologies perform law enforcement functions,'' said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee. ''We are troubled by the reliance on technology rather than human beings to enforce the laws.''

Serpas countered that the audio equipment is necessary to find out, for example, who was the aggressor during a street brawl or to capture incriminating statements during drug deals.

Yes...we have so many street brawls around town that it's necessary that we do something about it.

Listen up, everyone. No matter how they candycoat this idea, it's bad all the way around. Even if Nashville had the need for such drastic measures (which it doesn't), it would STILL be a bad idea. Our privacy rights, as citizens, are eroding away every day.

What can we do? Oppose such things at every turn.

First, concact all of the Nashville Metro Council here.
(Also, see "There's More" below for a completely list of email addresses.)

Second, contact the Mayor's office here.

Lastly, tell Serpas he's crossing the line here.

Are we creating a friendlier Nashville or an Orwellian, Big Brother Nashville where we have cameras on each corner watching our every move?

Exactly.

More from Pith in the Wind.

---

List of relevant email addresses for the Nashville Metro Council, Mayor, and Police Chief...copy and paste:

ronal.serpas@nashville.gov; mayor@metro.nashville.org; howard.gentry@nashville.gov; buck.dozier@nashville.gov; diane.neighbors@nashville.gov; carolyn.tucker@nashville.gov; david.briley@nashville.gov; adam.dread@nashville.gov; brenda.gilmore@nashville.gov; jamie.isabel@nashville.gov; michael.craddock@nashville.gov; pam.murray@nashville.gov; mike.jameson@nashville.gov; erik.cole@nashville.gov; jason.hart@nashville.gov; jim.forkum@nashville.gov; rip.ryman@nashville.gov; feller.brown@nashville.gov; jim.gotto@nashville.gov; carl.burch@nashville.gov; whw777@comcast.net; j.b.loring@nashville.gov; amanda.mcclendon@nashville.gov; ronnie.greer@nashville.gov; ginger.hausser@nashville.gov; ludye.wallace@nashville.gov; billyjoe.walls@nashville.gov; edward.whitmore@nashville.gov; eric.crafton@nashville.gov; chris.whitson@nashville.gov; john.summers@nashville.gov; jim.shulman@nashville.gov; greg.adkins@nashville.gov; randy.foster@nashville.gov; jason.alexander@nashville.gov; vivian.wilhoite@nashville.gov; michael.kerstetter@nashville.gov; parker.toler@nashville.gov; sam.coleman@nashville.gov; tommy.bradley@nashville.gov; tommy.bradley@nashville.gov; lynn.williams@nashville.gov; charlie.tygard@nashville.gov

Old Nashville General

Opened in 1890, the site of the old Nashville General hospital is now being developed as a "mixed-use urban community."

Right now parts of the old complex are being demolished for this project, but the oldest and grandest buildings will survive...as they should. It's still an ominous sight to see as it peers from the top of the hill overlooking the Nashville skyline.

I couldn't pass up getting a picture this building while out this weekend:

This building was actually built in the 1930's (notice the art deco styling), but the first building built on the complex (sitting on the other side of this building and lacking a good angle that was accessible to my camera) doesn't look exactly like it originally did. Missing are the two original towers sitting above it (a la Union Station), but it's still a very interesting building in itself. Hopefully my camera will be able to find its mark at a later date.

More: Unfortunately, I can't get pictures of buildings like this anymore...too bad it was demolished to make way for Dell.

But...I'm glad that this still survives. More to come from that site in the next few months.

Light Blogging

Due to circumstances outside of the internet there will be light blogging today.

Thanks...

Car Blogging

Thursday's regular car blogging will be back next week (with pictures).

As a quick update to my last car blogging post, I have successfully replaced the front brake caliper on the MG, and the top was down last weekend (when the temp was in the 60's, of course).

Tomorrow I will be continuing work on the Land Rover.

Ford Posturing?

Well, it looks like Congressman Ford (that's Harold Ford, Jr.) is going to be on stage with Bush in Memphis tomorrow as he comes to Tennessee to promote Social Security reform.

Hmmm...when did I last see Ford on stage with someone? Where was it? Oh yeah!

Here and here!

Thought I was loosing my memory for a minute there.

All Jacko, All the Time

At least I'm not the only one that feels this way.

Heh...in Jarvis' comments on that same post Terry Heaton points out the following comment by Lost Remote: "Sadly, there were no aerials."

Indeed.

Revenuers!

Apparently you still have to keep an eye out for them revenuers comin' to bust your still!

Nice.

Budget Wars Roundup

Bill Hobbs: Bredesen Unveils Alternate Budget if TennCare "Reform" Stalls

Both the City Paper - and The Tennessean in its story today - mislead readers on the true size of the spending cuts that the so-called "doomsday budget" would cause in the state's spending on education, and fail to inform readers of the truth about the rapid-growth trend of the Tennessee state budget. (Short version: Spending since Bredesen became governor is on a rocket ride straight up.)

Mark Rose: Remembering the "Armageddon budget"

This is brilliant strategy: pitting one liberal group against another (the Tennessee Education Association versus the Tennessee Justice Center, for example.) Says Bredesen, "These are obviously unacceptable scenarios, and could not be allowed to come to pass. If we were to have to keep everyone on the [TennCare] rolls, we would most likely cut the drug benefit in its entirety, which would have a deeply negative effect on health care but would preserve our commitment to education."

Doc B: Something stinks in Nashville...

So, we have 'health benefits' on one side of the spectrum or 'education' on the other side and leaving no other options on the table. By playing on the emotions to both constituencies, he's leaving one unspoken option open.

SKB: Bredesen "Plan C"

It's starting to sound like the Great Income Tax Wars of 2001-2002 all over again, except without the calls for an income tax. Bredesen's strategy seems to be the same as Sundquist's in terms of punishing Tennessee's education and health care systems until somebody else steps up and says "an income tax is the only solution!", at which point he'll begrudgingly agree. After the 2006 elections, of course.

Matthew White: An Unlikely Alternative

If government can indeed survive, if schools won't be closing, police won't be coming off the street, roads will still be built, prisoners will still stay in the Graybar Hotel, let's have the cuts. Phil Bredesen fancies himself a fiscal conservative, so let him prove it. Commit now to make the cuts regardless of the outcome of the TennCare cases.

Communists for Tenncare: Held Hostage Day Two! heh

Symphony Hall

Work continues and progress is being made on downtown Nashville's newest addition...the Schermerhorn Symphony Center:

I'm looking forward to this new downtown building. Its architecture is going to be very classically styled.

Of course, the best thing about the building is that it is being funded by private donations. You can't beat that.

Further information and reading can be found here. Photo gallery here.

Headline I'd like to see

News 2 is scrolling a headline above saying, "A shoving match between west side suspect and homeowner, intruder wins." Story here.

It's becoming almost a daily occurrence, and it's happened again. The West Side Attacker hit another home overnight. But this time, the victim was ready to fight back.

The invasion happened at a home in West Nashville during the early morning hours on Thursday. The question now has become - how is he doing it, and are there any copycats?

Around 1 a.m., Metro Police were called to a house on Valley Vista Road. The woman inside the house was awakened when she heard pounding at her back door. When she walked into her kitchen to investigate the noise, she was face to face with the unknown man. The two had a brief pushing match, and the suspect eventually ran from the house, but not before grabbing the woman’s purse.

I'd like to see this headline sometime soon: "A shooting match between west side suspect and homeowner, homeowner wins."

Hey...it's happened before, and I guarantee that they didn't enter into anyone else's home again.

Update: The headline has now been changed to say, "Homeowner confronts the West End Attacker, but was that the right idea?" Sure...someone invades your home, so you should just let them take what they want.

I say, make sure the safety is off when you pull the trigger...but that's just me.

By the way, I was right when I said that this guy is just going to get bolder and bolder until he is either caught or killed...story here.

Update II: Even more here.

Who cares???

What breaking news alerts come to my inbox from all the major media outlets? This crap.

What's the top story at the top of the hour on the radio? Some lady describing what Jackson was wearing as he entered the courthouse.

No wonder people are not paying attention to the main stream media anymore.

Budget Wars: The Governor Strikes Back

It looks like the Budget Wars of 2005 are starting to really get rolling now. Instead of hinging on an income tax, it's all centering around TennCare this time.

Over the past few days, Bredesen has released two alternative budgets to show the most drastic alternatives that will either cut education ("Plan B") or prescription drug benefits from TennCare ("Plan C"). The latter plan is preferable, but such drastic "backup plans" all lead to legislators (points to the likes of Senator Cohen) looking at plans for new revenue...the supposed liberal cure-all for budget woes.

In fact, South Knox Bubba even points this out:

Bredesen's strategy seems to be the same as Sundquist's in terms of punishing Tennessee's education and health care systems until somebody else steps up and says "an income tax is the only solution!", at which point he'll begrudgingly agree. After the 2006 elections, of course.

One commentor (Steve Plonk) had the following to say:

Bredesen, old boy, we need some progressive taxation in the form of a graduated state income tax. Bite the bullet, forget about being re-elected and re-introduce a real tax.

Hmm...Mr. Plonk sounds like these guys...but I digress.

The sad fact of the matter is that TennCare really is a socialist program, and socialist programs end up failing. This vampire on the state's budget is long overd