Cashing In

Looks like somebody's cashing in on operation Tennessee Waltz...and it's not a politician (for a change).

Check it out...pure hilarity.

Now, how long will it be before a lawsuit ensues?

General Welfare Quote

Not to quote Walter Williams too much, but I think that this fits perfectly with the last post and the General Welfare clause...

"Grossly ignorant or conniving politicians tell constitutionally ignorant Americans that it is the general welfare clause that authorizes these programs." - Walter Williams, April 2, 2003

Health Care a Right? Rights are not hand outs

If someone can point me to the text in the United States Constitution that mandates that every American has a right to health care, I would probably vote yes in this poll.

First liberal to point to the "General Welfare clause" gets a swift kick to the rear.

Somehow I doubt that "general welfare" meant that Congress had a blank check to creating a tax devouring monster meant to redistribute wealth to the poor. For a group of individuals who had just gotten rid of one form of oppressive government, it is not that likely that they would create another one that had the authority to fulfill every socialist program that the people desired. Such authority will always create a larger government, and a larger government can easily become an oppressive one. (Or has that already happened?)

Walter E. Williams on this very subject:

In 1792, Congress appropriated $15,000 to assist some French refugees. James Madison wrote disapprovingly, "I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents." Even though our Constitution hasn't been amended to authorize Congress to spend on the objects of benevolence, I can't imagine today's Americans electing a president who'd share Madison's view. Such a candidate would be labeled mean-spirited, racist, sexist and homophobic.

Today's politicians might argue that Madison, the acknowledged father of our Constitution, is all wrong. They'd say spending on the objects of benevolence (legalized theft) is authorized by the Constitution's "promote the general welfare" clause. James Madison spoke to that argument saying, "With respect to the words general welfare, I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers (enumerated in the Constitution) connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators."

Of course, if you feel that Americans have the right to universal health care, you can always start a grass roots effort to amend the Constitution (as allowed us by Article V). If you don't think that would be possible, you can move to Greece.

Until then, don't call it a right...especially in the sense that it should be provided by the government. If you do call it a right (in that sense), then you don't know what rights really are. Rights are not hand outs nor are they granted to us by the government. Rights are endowed on mankind by a higher authority than the government (call it God...call it the Creator...call it whatever)...not by other men. The Constitution does not grant the government authority to allow those rights. Instead it binds the government from trampling on those rights so that we may exert them.

Prior to the creation of our current welfare/socialist nation (pre-New Deal), the Constitution created "islands of government powers in a sea of liberty," but now, through misinterpretation in furthering the growth of government (judicial and congressional) we have "islands of liberty rights in a sea of governmental powers." (quote ref. Restoring the Lost Constitution: The Presumption of Liberty) With the creation of a welfare nation, you end up creating a bigger government that will not only take the viewpoint that it "allows" those rights, but it will also be easier for those rights to be trampled on.

The left can't seem to understand this. In their effort to create a more benevolent government, they are creating a bigger government. They, as well as true Conservatives, cherish their rights (the right to self-defense notwithstanding). Yet, at the same time, they are pushing for more and more government intervention into people's lives. It simply doesn't work. Since the New Deal era, we have created a society that seemingly doesn't care what a bigger government will lead to. All they care about is what the government can provide, and if you stand in their way, then you are apparently standing in their way of happiness.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness can't be provided by the government. Instead, it should be a personal pursuit that each person can undertake without restriction of government intervention. That is true liberty...that is true happiness.

More: Glen Dean also has a poll on healthcare as a right.

More II: Brittney over at Nashville is Talking asks the same question (with an excellent comment from JB of Blogging for Bryant).

Deep Throat

Deep Throat has been revealed...or so they would have you believe.

A former FBI official says he was the source called "Deep Throat" who leaked secrets about President Nixon's Watergate coverup to The Washington Post, Vanity Fair reported Tuesday.

W. Mark Felt, 91, who was second-in-command at the FBI in the early 1970s, kept the secret even from his family until 2002, when he confided to a friend that he had been Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward' s source, the magazine said.

For some reason it just all seems a little anti-climatic (at least to me).

No word from Woodward yet.

Update: Post confirms. Still anti-climatic.

Taser Death in Nashville

Police: Taser didn't kill suspect.

Of course, choking on bag of cocain caused by tasering probably did.

Lower Property Taxes

From today's Nashville City Paper...

By the way...good job to the Tennessean for playing the part of a state-run paper on Sunday. The paper published an entire article devoted to a meeting Mayor Purcell had with the editorial board. It read like it was direct from Mayor's press desk promoting his reasoning on why we need higher taxes without any opposing arguments. You'd think that the editorial board could have at least asked a few questions (and maybe included those in the article). I don't know...maybe that would be too much to ask though...especially if it's "for the children."

Be careful what you say

Announced by a relative at lunch today: "Be careful what you say in front of Blake...he may put it on the internet?"

Nah...I'd never do that. heh

Memphis Mindset?

How can you even reason with this type of mindset?

"Everybody does it. They just got caught," Murray said. "He got charged because he's black."

Ford and Bowers, both Democrats and blacks, were indicted last week on charges of extortion, bribery and conspiracy in the Operation Tennessee Waltz sting. Ford, who resigned yesterday from the Senate seat he had held for 31 years, has also been charged additionally with threatening and intimidating undercover agents and informants.

Murray, like other Memphians interviewed by The Tennessean, said she believes racial politics had a hand in the arrests.

"White folks do it all the time," Murray said. "They're just trying to get him out as a politician — make his name so bad that nobody would vote for him."

Fellow barber Henry Wilburn, 28, interrupted, saying, "I would still vote for him."

If that's the mindset of the majority of Memphis voters (who have repeatedly re-elected former Senator John Ford time and time again), then don't expect anything better in the near future from those districts.

Ford Resigns

The one legislator that I thought would hold out to the very end has surprised many by being the first legislator to resign following "Operation Tennessee Waltz."

That legislator is former Senator John Ford.

I would like to renew my call for the other legislators to resign as well.

Fred Thompson for President?

Fred Thompson as a darkhorse candidate for President? That's what Doug Petch is speculating.

Personally, I think that he'd be a stronger candidate than any of the other GOP suitors at the moment.

As Doug said..."I'm just saying."

Continued Light Blogging

Continued light blogging for the rest of the day as I will be back on the road to Nashville.

Firearms advice for journalists

I didn't get a chance to post this yesterday, but Les Jones (guest blogging for Knoxville News Sentinel's Michael Silence) has an excellent blog post giving advice for all journalists on the subject of firearms.

If you are a journalist, you must read this. Too many times, journalists who do stories on firearms don't know anything about them. Their approach seems to have a sort of reckless abandon when it comes to facts about firearms. Then, they end up wondering why people say that they have a bias in their reporting.

Go read the post here.

Open Call to Legislators Under Indictment

This morning, I am issuing an open call to the four current state legislators under Federal indictment:

-Memphis Representative Kathryn Bowers
-Memphis Senator John Ford
-Cleveland Representative Chris Newton
-Chattanooga Senator Ward Crutchfield

We live in a society that places importance on the ideal of being "innocent until proven guilty," and under state law you can remain in the state legislature while under indictment. However, I am asking that each of you, acting under good faith, resign from your public offices as soon as possible.

No doubt, most of you will fight these charges (some will even use taxpayer money while doing so). Due to this, I do not feel that you can continue to effectively represent the people in your respective districts while under the cloud of such charges. If you are truly servants of the public, you will take this call seriously so that the state legislature can carry on the people's business without unnecessary interruption.

If, when this is all over, you are found not-guilty, please feel free to run for office again. If the people wish for you to represent them, then that will be their decision to make.

I am sure that each of you will do the right thing.

This evening's House session

I just heard from someone close to the legislature that Rep. Buck may try to bring his lobbyist disclosure bill up for a vote during this evening's House session (starting sometime after 6pm).

We both wondered if Naifeh will attempt to "gavel him down."

Reactions

Today someone with the Tennessean asked me what my initial reaction was to the arrests in operation Tennessee Waltz. My reply, "I wasn't surprised at all." But really, who is?

Bredesen has called this a "sad day" for the state of Tennessee...

"These individuals under our constitution are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it is important to remember that in the days ahead. If these charges are proven however, it will be a sad and difficult day for our state. Even the fact of these indictments and arrests are a challenge and a sadness to us all, and cannot help but shake the confidence of the people of Tennessee.

I, myself, don't believe it is shaking the "confidence of the people of Tennessee." I actually think that many people are glad to see it. It's a sort of "house cleaning" to get rid of some corruption that, for years, everyone in the state has known to exist in the state legislature. They are glad to see that something (more than a slap on the wrist) has finally been done to put those that corrupt the system where they belong.

This is going to send a wake-up call to the legislature. They now know that they will be under constant scrutiny from the people (at least for the next couple of years) because of this, and that's exactly what they need.

Teddy Bart Takes Credit...but...

It looks like Teddy Bart's The Public Forum is taking credit for breaking what has come to be known as the "Tennessee Waltz." Here's an excerpt from an email alert from the Public Forum entitled "Special Edition: Forum Breaks the Story..."

This morning our program was the first broadcast in Tennessee to reveal that legislators were being arrested as part of a wide-ranging FBI undercover operation," said Teddy Bart, the show's host and creator. "This was a great moment for live radio and illustrates the value to the public of the wide network of informed guests who grace the Round Table on a daily basis."

During its 8:30am gossip feature called "Whadayahear?" (televised replay of the show airs from 4 - 6 PM on Comcast Educational Access Channel 9) , Bill Fletcher, of the political consulting team of Fletcher, Rowley & Chao, relayed a play-by-play from his blackberry, revealing for the first time that members of the General Assembly were being "arrested as we speak."

They may have been the first to actually "broadcast" it, but as far as actually breaking the story, it seems that it was blogging legislator Rep. Stacey Campfield at 6:57 AM. Unless the timestamp is wrong (which I don't think it is), then that would confirm it.

Of course, from there, it spread like wild-fire in the blogosphere beating out pretty much all traditional media outlets. Yet another example of the power of blogs.

Taken Away in Cuffs

Rep. Campfield has posted early this morning that at least two (and maybe three) state legislators have been arrested. A few names are floating around, and it may have stemmed from them taking money for a piece of legislation. However, it's too early to verify names and details (especially since I'm not even in town).

Bill Hobbs has more info as well...and keep an eye on his site throughout the day for updates on this.

Update - 9:35 AM: From a TFA email alert just a few minutes ago...

Thursday morning, federal officials arrested four Tennessee legislators on Capitol Hill in downtown Nashville.

Agents arrested Sen. Ward Crutchfield, (D) Chattanooga; Sen. John Ford, (D) Memphis; Sen. Kathryn Bowers, (D) Memphis; Rep. Chris Newton, (R) Cleveland.

There will a news conference at the U.S. attorney's office in Memphis detailing the charges against the legislators at 11 a.m.

Update II - 9:45 AM: And a former state senator as well?

More: Heh...Wally of Soulfish Stew says, "I believe they were arrested for using public office for personal gain. If that's the case they probably should haul off every one of the legislators in Nashville."

Has anyone heard of this many legislators being arrested at one time....anywhere? I haven't heard of it happening before. Perhaps it will show remind everyone just how much corruption we have in the state legislature in Nashville.

Note: There will be light blogging for the rest of the day as I am still out of town and will probably be away from a computer.

Out of Town Blogging

Well, here I am...out of town. Hopefully this evening I'll get to get out and about to get some pictures. We'll see.

In the meantime, you can see what it looks like from my hotel room, and there's an obvious clue in the picture that will tell you where I am.

Judicial Nominations

I haven't weighed in on the issue surrounding judicial nominations and filibusters, but I will point out someone who is right on the issue and has been passionately pushing his stance ever since he started blogging.

John Jay Hooker says that Sen. Frist has the right and the duty to make sure every judicial nominee gets an "up or down vote." The only thing is, the so called "nuclear option" isn't even necessary to get it done.

Says Hooker:

It is preposterous that the current members of the United States Senate and all of their predecessors for more than 200 years haven’t been able to read the Constitution and do what it says. Article II, Section 2, Paragraph 2, of the Constitution gives the President of the United States the exclusive power to nominate all Federal judges and the exclusive power to appoint them subject to confirmation of these judges by a majority vote of those who wish to advise and consent in the Senate.

The Senate has the right to make its own rules under Article I, Section 5, of the Constitution, but it does not have the right to make a rule, i.e., Senate Rule XXII, permitting filibusters and requiring a super majority of three-fifths to stop a filibuster before the Senate can proceed to an up or down vote on each judge. It is obvious to anyone who can read that Senate Rule XXII is in direct conflict with Article II, Section 2, Paragraph 2, and, accordingly, is unconstitutional as it violates the fundamental law.

You should read his entire post. It's very informative.

For questions dealing with the Constitution, I will always go to the guy that carries around a copy of the Constitution in his pocket and doesn't mind pulling it out in the middle of a gay bar to read it aloud (scroll down).

On the other hand, expecting Congress to comprehend and follow what the Constitution mandates is like...well...expecting State Sen. John Ford to stay out of trouble.

TennCare and Personal Responsibility?

Many times, detractors of conservative talk show hosts claim that those hosts only complain about problems without providing any solutions. Well, WWTN morning talk show host Steve Gill has a plan, and it involves helping those who may get cut from TennCare. It's called the "TennCare Comprehensive Accessibility and Responsibility Enhancement System" (TNCARES).

His plan involves two things you don't hear mentioned together in the same sentence very often..."TennCare" and "personal responsiblity."

I would take more time to go through it, but I'm leaving to go out of town in the morning. Hence, I am providing the appropriate links for you to read through the details of this plan.

Read the press release here.

Read the plan here (MS Word format).

No word as to whether the governor will be considering this plan.

Light Blogging - Out of Town

As I mentioned yesterday, I am heading out of town starting tomorrow (other things related to that trip are keeping me busy today as well). Expect light blogging for the rest of the week. I will, however, be carrying a laptop with me, so I may get a cance to post a few items.

Nashville's Proposed Tax Increase

As expected, Mayor Bill Purcell has requested a tax increase for Metro's budget. The proposal includes a half-a-cent increase in the local sales tax and an increase in property taxes. For some reason, I'm seeing mixed numbers on the property tax increase. Some sources are saying that it's a 24 cent increase while others are saying 84 cents.

More later.

Update - 4:01 pm: From Ben Cunningham regarding the actual amount of the property tax increase...

The tax increase is, in fact, 84 cents.

By state law the property tax rate must be reduced after a re-appraisal so that the re-appraisal is revenue neutral, i.e., a county may not make money from a re-appraisal.

This new lower rate is called the "certified rate". For Davidson county the old rate was $4.58, for every 100 dollars of assessed value, before the the re-appraisal. The re-appraisal resulted in a new certified rate of $3.98. The tax increase of 84 cents is then added to this new certified rate which results in a rate of $4.82. That is the rate that Mayor Purcell is proposing.

Minutemen still making waves

A 71 member Congressional caucus has determined that the most effective way to stop the flow of illegal aliens across the U.S. southern border is through increased man power. Why do they think this? Because the Minuteman project proved it could be done...

The deployment of 36,000 National Guard troops or state militia on the U.S.-Mexico border would stop the illegal flow of foreigners into America, says a congressional report that credits the Minuteman Project with proving that additional manpower could "dramatically reduce if not virtually eliminate" illegal immigration.

The 33-page report, written by investigators for the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, said the Minutemen — who shut down a 23-mile stretch of the Arizona border last month — served as a model for a government effort to reclaim the southern border of the United States.

This report took a comprehensive look at the effects of the Minuteman project as well as looking at how the U.S. Border Patrol's leadership is in "total denial of the magnitude of the disaster." During the process they interviewed Border Patrol officers on and off the record. On the record, Border Patrol officers in leadership positions said that the Minuteman Project did nothing to slow down illegal immigration, but off the record, it was a different story...

"However, nearly every individual Border Patrol officer who spoke off-the-record in the field to the Caucus team said that illegal immigration virtually stopped in the sector patrolled by the Minutemen as a direct result of Minutemen activity and publicity," the report said.

"The individual officers were highly appreciative of the impact the Minutemen made in the area, had good working relations with the project unofficially and felt the project had made a valuable contribution to the cause of the rank-and-file officer — protecting the border against impossible logistical challenges," it said.

Despite contrary claims by the supervisors, the report said, illegal immigration dropped significantly in the areas east and west of Naco, Ariz., targeted by the Minutemen. It said the decline "put to rest the historic immigration reform myth that it is impossible to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the border with any reasonable amount of additional manpower."

"The Minuteman Project demonstrated that illegal immigration on America's southern border can be dramatically reduced to manageable levels," the report said. "What is missing is not the means to control; it is the will. With a will, there is a way."

The will to control the border...that's exactly what we are missing.

Be sure to read the entire article.

Stupid Criminals

Note to criminals: Never try to rob a gun store.

Light Blogging

I apologize but there will be light blogging today and during the latter part of the week as I will be traveling out of town starting Wednesday.

However, before I leave, I will post some thoughts regarding the TaBOR discussion I observed on Saturday. Read Bill Hobbs account here.

Beware of the Dark Side of the Farm

Something light to end the week with...

I'm not sure how far this has spread (meaning you may have already seen this), but I was pleasantly surprised by this Star Wars parody...Store Wars. It was filmed for the Organic Trade Association, and features such characters as Cuke Skywalker, Princess Lettuce, Ham Solo, Chew Broccolli, and many more. The fight scenes with the Thai fighters are also impressive as well.

May the farm be with you.

Reason #16

Reason #16 why Bredesen probably won't make a good blogger.

The "War" on Drugs

In a continuation of the discussion over Rep. Sensenbrenner's idiotic legislation to create a society of snitches, Glen Dean over at Nashville Truth discusses the frivolity of the never ending war on drugs.

While I have never taken a stance one way or the other on the legalization of drugs, I have observed the following in relation to this "war:"

-Our jails continue to fill up with non-violent offenders
-Our tax money is being spent on keeping these people in jail
-We've seen a continual march toward becoming a police state (again, using our money)
-We've pretty much lost a true meaning of the 4th Amendment
-The civil liberties of millions of law-abiding citizens have been eroded all in the name of the "war" on drugs

Draw whatever conclusions you will with that. Just be sure to read Glen's piece.

Guns in Bars

As of late, there have been a couple of instances of shootings in or near a couple of dance clubs downtown on 2nd Avenue. This has provoked the ire of Nashville Police Chief Ronal Serpas, and he plans to crackdown (somehow) on the crime perpetuated by the patrons of these clubs. There is an article in today's Nashville City Paper on this issue.

I'm just confused over one thing though...

Overall crime in the Central precinct is down more than 5 percent, according to Central Precinct Commander Andy Garrett, but one incident such as last weekend’s non-fatal shooting inside a bar is one too many.

“The biggest thing we wanted to stress to them, and the Chief stressed to them, is we are not going to tolerate guns,” Garrett said after Thursday’s meeting.

“We are not going to tolerate the violence anyway, but when you throw guns and alcohol together, you’ve got a dangerous mix.”

For some reason I thought that firearms were already illegal in places that serve alcohol (for onsite consumption). Even if it were legal to carry, I'm pretty sure that these people doing the shooting don't have handgun carry permits...or else they would have gone through stringent background checks. I may be wrong, but I'm also fairly certain that if you're in a night club shooting at others you may have a couple of priors on your record (which would probably keep you from getting a permit in the first place).

Just something to keep in mind.

HB 2225 Moving to Floor?

I have heard that TN State Rep. Buck may call for a floor vote of HB 2225 sometime next week. It will take 66 votes to bring it to the floor while it will only take 50 to pass.

To bring you back up to speed, HB 2225 is the bill that would allow handgun carry permit holders to carry their firearms in places that serve alcohol (as long as the permit holder is not consuming it themselves). This measure has already passed the Senate in a 29-3 vote, and similar provisions exist in 33 other states (with a lot of those being even less strict that this proposed law).

I'm not very optimistic that the motion will receive 66 votes, but it may provide for a few fireworks in the House when/if the motion is made.

TFA's John Harris asks the following questions regarding this possible move to bypass the committee system:

1. Is the committee system more important that the Constitution?

2. Is the committee system more important than the interest and safety of gun owners?

3. The committee system may be an important tool for processing the volume of legislation but when it is used by 3 Democrats to kill a bill which has 60 sponsors - it is being ABUSED. The rule which allows 66 votes on the floor to bypass the committee system serves as a check against subcommittee abuses.

4. A vote for the committee system is a vote for Jimmy Naifeh who has told the NRA and the public that he will do whatever it takes to kill the NRA legislation even when he knows that only a small minority of legislators would vote against the legislation in a fair vote on the floor - is that right?

5. Should the committee system be protected when it is broken with respect to a particular bill such as this or should the bill be heard on its merits?

The committee system isn't being abused is it? Well...maybe you should ask Rep. Stacey Campfield that question.

Whatever happens, it should be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Another Blogging Legislator

Bill Hobbs has the details.

Thursday Car Blogging

The saga continues, but I'm a lot closer than when I started out.

For a little motivation, I put the grille back on. *Hopefully* it won't have to come off before the project is over with (if you know anything about what I'm talking about and having to remove the radiator, you know what I mean).

This past weekend I actually got the vehicle running (the engine that is)...at least for a little bit....

Here's how things went last weekend (over the period of two days):

-attach manifold
-remove manifold
-search for correct bolts
-attach manifold
-remove manifold
-search for right size bolts for exhaust attachment
-attach manifold again
-clean carb, put carb on
-attempt to figure out firing order for spark plug attachment
-check timing
-spray starting fluid into carb
-eventually get the vehicle cranked
-wonder why distributor is wobbling
-attempt to bleed clutch system
-determine that I have a big leak of brake fluid from slave cylinder
-spend a large amount of time trying to figure out why its leaking
-fret
-remove slave cylinder
-determine slave cylinder is not reusable
-attempt to figure out why distributor is wobbling
-remove distributor, remove distributor housing
-determine that the key the distributor goes into is in wrong
-determine distributor drive gear is 180 degrees off
-worry about taking oil pump off to get to gear
-fret
-check internet and determine that firing order can be changed on distributor to make up for reversed drive gear
-attempt to restart engine
-recheck firing order
-attempt to restart engine
-recheck firing order and timing
-fret
-attempt to restart engine
-engine wants to start, but by this point I've got to be somewhere else

And that, my friends, is typically how working on a British vehicle goes.

Since last weekend, I ordered the clutch slave cylinder, along with some tune-up parts for the distributor (distributor cap, condenser, points).

I'm hoping to do some work more tonight. We'll see how that goes.

Fore more Thursday Car Blogging, head over to Chris Wage's site. Oh, and last week he pointed to an article revealing that the MG brand may have a chance to live on. Read more here.

Snitch Society and Federal Sentencing

In making America more of a police state, Rep. Sensenbrenner (yes...the same one who pushed the RealID Act on us) is pushing legislation that will essentially draft every citizen into the war on drugs.

As with most idiotic legislation, it's given a name that is laughable...the "Safe Access to Drug Treatment and Child Protection Act" (H.R. 1528).

From Ethan Nadelmann at the Huffington Post:

Forget Iraq. A powerful Republican Congressman wants a draft to boost America's longest running war, the war on drugs. If he gets his way every American may soon be forced to become a government spy. As chair of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) is in a position to enact it, too.

Under the legislation, any American who witnesses or learns of certain drug offenses taking place would be required to report the offenses to law enforcement within 24 hours and provide "full assistance" in the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of the people involved. Failure to do so would be a crime punishable by a mandatory two year prison sentence and a maximum of ten years.

Say Uncle also has the text of the bill.

According to the Drug Policy Alliance, it gets worse. From a list of things the bill does, it also does the following:

Virtually eliminates the ability of federal judges to give sentences below the minimum sentence recommended by federal sentencing guidelines, essentially creating a mandatory minimum sentence for every federal offense (including both drug and non-drug offenses).

Would this stop judges from being able to downward depart in cases of special circumstance on pretty much all federal crimes? That, in of itself, is an outrage...especially since I feel that making judges completely abide by the Federal Sentencing guidelines is un-Constitutional in the first place.

Again, if the Republican party is supposed to be the party of smaller government, I'm sure not seeing it.

Oops

There were two instances today of people who started down a certain path but decided that, after too much attention from the media and others, they would correct their course of action and attempt to make amends.

First, we have the story of the stolen, giant guitar from Music Row:

The 10-foot-tall fiberglass guitar sculpture paying tribute to Elvis and Hank Williams Sr. has been recovered after it was found in front of a child care center.

The Gibson guitar, with the King painted on the front and Hank on the back, was discovered missing from its Music Row display Monday morning when employees with Sony/ATV Publishing, the sculpture's sponsor, arrived at work.

Apparently there was a note on the guitar apologizing saying that it was meant only a prank to swap it with another guitar from another part of the city. It seems that with all of the attention, they decided it was best to not go through with the swap after all.

Second instance of this occurring today...Bredesen's blog. With this situation it looks like they got a lot more attention than they had planned on when they started this "blog." With that in mind, they decided to get Bredesen to blogging for real. He says so himself:

My first blog entry, ever (the one on 5/9 was not from me).

When we put up the new web site containing a Phil blog last week, I didn’t expect that it would create the buzz that it has. Since Monday, I’ve heard from TV, newspapers, people on the street, emails, and lots of traffic in the blogosphere (reported to me, I’m not a user) about various things especially including whether I would be doing the postings vs a staff member.

It's good that he decided to come on out and do the right thing. Let's just hope that no documents were shredded in the process.

Oh, and by the way...I really do think it would have been a good one if those guys had actually pulled off swapping those guitars around.

Surveillance Society Grows

Thanks to grants from the Federal government, local municipalities are installing more and more surveillance cameras (in the name of Homeland Security):

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has requested more than $2 billion to finance grants to state and local governments for homeland security needs. Some of this money is being used by state and local governments to create networks of surveillance cameras to watch over the public in the streets, shopping centers, at airports and more. However, studies have found that such surveillance systems have little effect on crime, and that it is more effective to place more officers on the streets and improve lighting in high-crime areas. There are significant concerns about citizens’ privacy rights and misuse or abuse of the system. A professor at the University of Nevada at Reno has alleged that the university used a homeland security camera system to surreptitiously watch him after he filed a complaint alleging that the university abused its research animals. Also, British studies have found there is a significant danger of racial discrimination and stereotyping by those monitoring the cameras.

Emphasis mine

Read the entire article.

(via Schneier on Security)

Further reading...

Two British based studies on the effects of CCTV on crime:

Crime prevention effects of closed circuit television: a systematic review
August 2002
Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hors252.pdf

To CCTV or not to CCTV? A review of current research into the effectiveness of CCTV systems in reducing crime
June 2002
National Association for the Criminal Rehabilitation of Offenders
http://www.epic.org/privacy/surveillance/spotlight/0505/nacro02.pdf

Waiting Periods on the First Amendment

Heh...the Second Amendment Foundation is calling for "waiting periods" on the press after the "fatal Newsweek debacle."

“How many times,” Gottlieb wondered, “have Newsweek and The Washington Post advocated waiting periods for law-abiding citizens, who have hurt nobody, before they can buy a firearm? A waiting period amounts to prior restraint by the government. How loud would reporters scream if they faced prior restraint before printing their version of the news? Their double standard is hypocritical.

“The Second Amendment is the only civil right in this country that Americans can’t exercise unless they get government permission,” he noted. “A Newsweek story just killed or injured more than 115 people, but they don’t have to face government scrutiny before turning on the press.

Yes, it's tongue-in-cheek, but I think you get the drift.

(via KABA)

Revenge of the Sith - A No Spoilers Review

As promised, I present my review (hopefully with no spoilers) of Revenge of the Sith.

I have to start by saying that Revenge of the Sith is much better than EP1 or EP2. However, it still doesn't match the expectations set by the original trilogy. George Lucas did a wonderful job of laying out a grand vision for an epic story, but I'm almost beginning to think that he should leave the directing to others.

My favorite Star Wars movie has always been The Empire Strikes Back, and that fact may be a credit to it's director...Irvin Kershner. In Sith (and even more in Attack of the Clones), there seems to be a lack of direction...especially in the acting area. During the early stages of Sith, I felt that the acting was disappointing, but as I got more into the movie, I felt more at ease with it. I do think, though, that this entire trilogy could have been made a lot better with stronger direction.

Another issue seemed to be that Lucas was packing a lot of information and story into a small amount of time. As a friend said, "it almost seemed rushed." Who knows...maybe he could have moved some of the story back a little if he had taken Jar Jar Binks out of the first two movies (does anybody over the age of five like him?).

The reoccurring (and most divisive) theme I have seen around the internet regarding this movie has to be the political overtones that may or may not be present. I will say that there seems to be some instances that can definitely be construed as jabs toward the Bush administration. I do know that when certain lines were being spoken on the screen, I could feel a slight disturbance in the force move throughout the theater. I could tell that people were reacting to those lines and looking at each other; playing it out in their minds that this could be a parallel between the rise of the Empire on the screen and our war against terrorism (except they were fighting "separatists"). Lucas has said that he wrote all of this before we were involved with Iraq, but certain lines (like the line, "If you're not with me, than you're my enemy!" uttered by Anakin Vader) could have been written more recently.

I have to say that I've always seen the entire story as more of a retelling of events in the past (Rome, Germany, etc), but I do agree that the morals are timeless. Whether or not we are there or not, that's up for debate (for more on the possible political jabs, you can read this story in the Washington Post).

Now, don't get me wrong. Revenge of the Sith is a great movie. I still get chills when I see the opening of a Star Wars movie on the big screen (who doesn't?), but my intent here is to write an honest review. There was a time in the past that I could never utter a word against anything Star Wars, but Lucas has done some things that I really don't appreciate with the prequels (ie...midichlorians and Jar Jar Binks).

Nevertheless, the ultimate question that should be asked is, will I go see it again? My answer: Yes...on Friday night. Why? Because I'm a geek.

John Jay Hooker Finds the Internet

The Nashville City Paper, today, covers John Jay Hooker's new blog. In the interview, Hooker makes a good point about the internet and blogging:

“A short exposure to the convention [ed. BlogNashville] convinced me that the Internet may save the Democracy in that it is a way for the people, for the citizens, to have some direct influence on the government,” he said.

“And it enhances a person’s vote in that it gives you the opportunity to express yourself in a way that in previous times was unavailable unless you happened to own a newspaper or a radio station.”

One of the more entertaining quips from Mr. Hooker was at a post-BlogNashville gathering when he said that he believed he would enjoy blogging because he "likes the sound of his own voice." I don't know if that goes for most bloggers, but there seemed to be a consensus of agreement at the table.

Either way...it seems he'll probably fit right in here in the blogosphere.

Revenge of something

Apparently tonight at 6:30 I'm going to go see some free, sneak preview of some movie...Revenge of something. I dunno.

I may post a review late tonight.

Governmental Waste

Hey, I've got an idea. Let's build a massive, 48,000 square foot, $24 million hangar then send all the planes to other bases!

The Tennessee Air National Guard would see almost 200 jobs realigned under a plan announced by the Pentagon Friday.

Under the plan, all eight C-130 aircraft from the 118th airlift wing would be moved to bases in Louisville, Kentucky and Peoria, Illinois.

Along with the planes, 191 jobs would also be moved, including 19 military and 172 civilian personnel.

Maj. General Gus Hargett said: "As a taxpayer, it should be frustrating to you."

Yeah...that sounds about right.

Toyota for Sale

For sale: 1999 Toyota

Say Uncle has more.

More Dumb Laws

Just when I thought we had it bad with the Tennessee Legislature, I'm reminded that it could be worse...

Starting Aug. 1, when the 2004 California Electrical Codes automatically take effect, residents will have to apply for a city building permits to replace or add wall, porch and ceiling lamps, light switches, electric receptacles, and other common do-it-yourself chores.

So changing that noisy electrical switch with a quieter mercury switch will cost a lot more. Besides the costs of the new switch, there’ll be the $81 basic permit fee plus an additional surcharge of $2.15 for each receptacle, outlet or switch and—if you want to add more—$21.50 for altering or changing wiring.

Under the current city code, such small changes can be made without permits and inspections; starting Aug. 1, not so.

Eric over at Classical Values notes: "Not that anyone will obey these laws, mind you. They're just there to remind Californians that there's more freedom in Arizona or Nevada."

Yep.

Real ID Summary

So, what does the Real ID Act do? Core Dump has an excellent summary of what the bill does...along with his own commentary, of course. Be sure to check it out.

Blogging for Money

I meant to post this on Friday, but Todd Anderson has an interesting take on making money and blogging.

Newsweek Debacle

No need to comment. You can see all relevant links to commentary here.

John Jay Hooker Blog

He started it sooner than I expected. John Jay Hooker (TMTMTL) has started a blog...and it's shaping up to be pretty good.

(via Bill Hobbs)

A Snitch Society

I don't like litter on the roadways, but at the same time, I abhor the promotion of a snitch society.

Yesterday, Pink Kitty posted a story about a bill (SB1779/HB1255) passed by the General Assembly that, in part, would encourage citizens to report people that litter.

News Channel 5 has more:

The program, called "Don't Trash Tennessee," allows residents to report if they see someone littering.

The person who dropped the litter won’t face a fine or other penalty, but will receive a letter from the Department of Transportation letting them know that someone saw them litter.

Senator Diane Black sponsored the bill. “It would keep people on their toes so they'd think twice about throwing something out of the window,” said Black, (R) Gallatin.

Black said the Tennessee Department of Transportation is now working to set up the program.

It should be noted that snitch societies are also encouraged in places like Cuba, the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

The Kettle and the Pot pt II

On Thursday I noted the blog post by Rep. Stacey Campfield where he talked about the complete waste of time the state House Democrats perpetuated in a bill to "condemn" the Federal government for the deficit. The fact that they were being completely hypocritical and only going through the motions for political posturing (probably under orders from the Democratic National Committee) can't be disputed.

However, in today's Nashville City Paper, Skip Cauthorn focuses on the fact that Republicans were threatened with arrest when House minority leader Tre Hargett "flirted" with the idea that they would walk out of the House chamber in protest of the Democrat's grandstanding.

In response to this, House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh responded with a threat to have anyone who walked out arrested, and he even went as far as telling the Republicans to stop their "theatrics" when, at one point during the session, they booed. I'm not sure, but most of the "theatrics" seemed to be coming from the Speaker himself.

While the paper doesn't do a good job in showing that this entire charade was a complete waste of time for the House, it does offer more evidence (if you have the whole story) that House Speaker Naifeh is truly worthy of the title dictator.

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...

Friday the 13th

This car somehow veered off the roadway, spun around and hit four cars that were parked in an office parking lot on Murfreesboro Road today. Fortunately no one was hurt, but I'm sure that the fact that it's Friday the 13th isn't far from the minds of those cars' owners.

Update: Friday the 13th continues. We go to lunch and the battery dies in a coworker's car.

Border Patrol - A Loss for words

I honestly don't know what to say...

U.S. Border Patrol agents have been ordered not to arrest illegal aliens along the section of the Arizona border where protesters patrolled last month because an increase in apprehensions there would prove the effectiveness of Minuteman volunteers, The Washington Times has learned.

Just simply read the entire article.

(via Drudge)

More: What others are saying...

IO Error: The U.S. thinks it’s more important to let illegal aliens cross the border from Mexico unimpeded than to lose face on its ridiculous homeland security policies.

Daily Pundit: Here's one coherent way to view such an order, though: it would help Mexico and the illegals make up for lost time. The Minuteman Project put them a month behind, and having our border patrol agents keep arrests to an "absolute minimum" would clear the backlog.

Yet Another Blog: ...I'm ashamed that the president that I voted for doesn't want to do a damn thing about this problem.

The Atomic Ballroom: Hey border patrol higher-ups: I feel your pain. it's sucks to be shown the what-for by people doing your job better than you do.

God is My Gilbert: Ain't that some bulls***!

Darth Blogger

Now, this has to be the coolest blog to come along in a while. The Darth Side blog. A journal of Darth Vader. Most recent post..."Ewok Cook-Out"

-insert your own appropriate Star Wars quote here-

(via Glenn Reynolds)

Surveillance Cameras (pt 129)

Fellow Kentucky Colonel and CARR graduate Doug Petch weighs in on the surveillance camera debate by pointing to Max Borders' latest Tech Central Station article.

Borders writes:

The Big Brother story is powerful in a number of ways. It has taught us about the dangers of giving government too much power to meddle in our lives -- especially in our personal affairs and on our private property. Government cameras in people's homes and businesses would be a civil rights violation of the highest order. But using surveillance technology as a means of keeping our streets safer and cleaner (hopefully in a more cost effective way) is a win-win to my mind. Cameras on public streets do not amount to a slippery slope towards 1984. Instead it's a twenty-first century method for keeping our public areas cleaner and more secure. Let's not let hyperbole get in the way of good policy.

1984 is indeed a powerful story, but what we didn't get with the story is everything leading up to Oceania. How did they start down the slope of becoming a completely watched society? I'm sure that people didn't have cameras in their private spaces from the very beginning. It had to start somewhere. While this is a fictional story, it was written as a warning. Orwell was telling us to safeguard what we have (liberty) in the present or we would slowly slip down into the world of 1984.

Britian's camera system started out small, but now they are installing microphones on lamposts outside of people's houses to listen for noise so that "Noise Control Officers" can be alerted. Of course, this is not even mentioning the fact that surveillance cameras haven't had much of an affect on deterring crime...yet they keep adding more surveillance tools to their inventory (even Chicago is now installing audio devices in unmarked cars to listen in on private conversations). The citizens there have apparently gotten used to it...the proverbial boiling a frog in water scenario (that I use so much) fits so well.

Borders continues:

Indeed, what is the difference between a cop sitting in his patrol car monitoring the streets (and you) whilst eating a Bavarian crème and that same cop sitting in a control room doing the same? You may respond that, in one instance, the cop is not visible to you. But there is nothing to say that cops can't monitor people while obscured by alleyway shadows. In fact, they do it all the time. Would anyone argue that this is a civil rights violation? The point is there is effectively no difference between eyeball surveillance and camera surveillance except a few wires and some distance.

First off, I don't eat Bavarian crème, but that's beside the point. I personally feel that having a cop in the vicinity is much better than having one in the control room stuffing down donuts (no offense to police officers out there). Why? If there is a cop there, he or she can intervene a lot faster than if there isn't one there, and if the cameras aren't deterring crime, then it would make a lot more sense. And, putting a sarcastic tone on it even further...just like anything, the more you take the police away from the street, the lazier they will get.

Oh, and another note on this...some people point to Chicago as an example of where cameras have worked. What they dont' tell you is that at the same time they installed cameras, they completely changed the way the department approached crime, the way they were dispatched to certain areas (using ICAM), and put a lot more cops out on the streets...hence crime went down.

Borders also alludes to the oft asked question, "why does it matter if you are being watched in a public place?" My response would be that we, as Americans, shouldn't expect to be under the ever present and watchful eye of the government. Part of being American is the fact that I can go down the street anonymously and not have to be watched every moment. Of course, we've pretty much lost that, but just because we've lost a lot of it doesn't mean we should continue down that road (and private cameras are *not* government cameras...both are bad, but the latter can go a lot further in restricting liberty).

Petch concludes with the following:

I suppose that the best conclusion I can reach now is that it will be next to impossible to reverse the trend towards increased public uses of video surveillance. Given that assumption, extreme vigilance on the part of the public will be required to ensure that we don't in fact start down what would be an especially odious slippery slope...

But...I must ask...why even turn down that road?

The Kettle and the Pot

Kettle, meet pot....

Tennessee Rep. Stacey Campfield talks about yesterday's House session where Democrats were attempting to pass a resolution condemning the President and the Federal government for the huge deficit.

The real irony is that these Democrats trying to tell Washington how to run business should be explaining to Washington and our state why they can't run TennCare properly as was promised at election time. If I was sitting in Washington and was the recipient of this bill, I would send it straight over to the Department of Health and Human Services to show the “ill will” in Tennessee----the state where taxpayers from all over the nation are financing fraud and abuse exemplified by Senator John Ford.

While I agree the Federal deficit is out of control, I will have to say that Campfield is right when he said that yesterday was "was probably one of the biggest wastes of time yet."

The burning question

I know most of you have already seen Michelle Malkin's post on the "illegal alien rally" in Maryland this past Saturday, and you've also probably heard about the situation with WMAL talk-show host Michael Graham.

But, the question that's been on my mind all week is...where can I get one of those t-shirts he was wearing?

Mission to Moldova

Back in February I had written about making a mission trip to Moldova with my church to work with orphans there. I had also asked for donations in this endeavor, and a couple of people graciously donated to help out. The deadline for most of the money for the trip (a total of $1000 remaining) is due by the end of this month (the actual trip is in July for nine days).

I'm not much for blegging, but if some of my readers would like to donate to the cause, it would be wonderful and will go a long way in helping me get to Moldova. The largest part of the cost are tickets. The rest goes to translator costs, supplies, etc.

You can read my extended entry about the trip here, and there was even more information regarding my church's efforts in Moldova here.

Moldova is the poorest country in Europe (see map here), and much of their culture is still suffering from being under Soviet rule. On this trip, we will be working with one of the orphanages near the capital city of Chisinau. We will be taking supplies (clothing, socks, school supplies, etc etc), working directly with these kids, and sharing God's love with them.

It's a sad state there with the orphans in Moldova. Once a child turns 18, they must leave their orphanages and fend for themselves. Within a couple of years of leaving the orphanage, the stats for these children are shocking:

7 out of 10 of the girls will be trafficked into prostitution.
7 out of 10 of the boys will end up in prison.
1 out of 10 overall will commit suicide.

These statistics are shocking, and whether you are religious or not, doing something to help can go a long way. Read the prior entries, and if you feel so inclined, you can donate two ways...Paypal or Amazon (buttons for each on the left column)...or you can email me for an address if you'd rather send a check. I would be eternally grateful.

I also plan to do some blogging (or attempt to depending on the connection) while there to update everyone on the progress and what's happening. I'll also hopefully post pictures as well.

I've always felt that if you are going to help the poor and those in need, you should just do it...no matter if it's right here in the Nashville area or half-way around the world. This is what my church is doing, and I plan on helping by going.

Thank you.

More: The Main Point blog points to a program helping Moldovan kids in another way...providing beds.

Child trafficking in Moldova

Stuffing the Ballot Blog?

Rep. Campfield reveals that the poll on Bredesen's new "blog" regarding pre-K was skewed because the "blog" designer/admin "sent out a mass email to all the pro pre-K people indicating that a blog had been set up for the Governor with a pre-K poll on it. The email encouraged them to go online and vote in favor of Pre-K."

Campfield also laments over the lack of interaction on the blog.

Head over and read it.

By the way...I'm also starting to lean toward the idea that Bredesen's "blog" really isn't a blog.

Should this matter in a Senate race?

Last night I noted that Blogging for Bryant was passing along "rumblings" that Corker may end up running for Governor. This comes mainly from some innuendos from Bryan's appearance of Teddy Bart's Roundtable yesterday.

From that same appearance, Bruce Barry (of the Scene's Pith in the Wind) rails against Bryant and Republicans for Bryant's comments on evolution, education, and public displays of the Ten Commandments.

One thing I'd like to address is the question that was asked of Bryant regarding evolution in schools. Bryant said that both could be taught side by side but added, "I'm not sure that's the federal government's role to mandate what is taught in the schools. I think it can be taught in the schools alongside creation."

Bruce Barry attacked Bryant's response as evasive...

First of all, that a legitimate candidate for U.S. Senate (frontrunner for the GOP nomination, according to one poll last month) cannot bring himself to say that evolution should be taught in schools is beyond alarming. Reasonable people can disagree about the extent to which the federal government should be determining local curricula, but Bryant's evasiveness about the necessary role of evolution in a basic science education only betrays his own abject ignorance, and GOP sympathizers who fail to distance themselves from this sort of thing betray theirs.

First of all, Bruce, I think Bryant makes his point about evolution being taught in schools by saying that he doesn't think that it's the "Federal government's role to mandate what is taught in the schools." You say that people can disagree on this point, but you don't realize that from the viewpoint of a small government Conservative that's where the argument ends, and dealing with it further really is of no concern. Saying he was evasive and essentially calling him ignorant makes it seem like you are focusing in on that one issue and, in the end, being anti-religious (I'm not saying you are...I'm just saying that's what it looks like).

Barry goes on to attack Bryant for comments on public displays of the Ten Commandments in a historical context (continuing on with similar rhetoric). That argument goes on through his comments section, so I won't rehash those same arguments here. You can read it all there.

More: Brittney also chastises Bryant for "sidestepping" the evolution question. Again...he answered it appropriately considering that he doesn't feel it's the Federal government's job to mandate such things.

Sure, he may have an opinion on creation and evolution in schools, but as I said in the comments section there, "He probably does believe it can be taught in schools, but he probably also feels that it should be taken up on a state level which has nothing to do with him running for this Senate seat."

Add this to the List

Add misuse of campaign funds to State Senator John Ford's long list of ethics problems.

Sen. John Ford was fined $10,000 Wednesday for spending campaign money on his daughter's wedding.

Ford, in his defense, said it's common for Tennessee lawmakers to use campaign money on such expenditures.

Is it really that good of a defense to say, "but everybody else is doing it." ? Yes, and you're first time is free.

Real ID Passes

The Real ID Act passed in the Senate today (ed: Tuesday; as this was written just past midnight) and is now heading to the President's desk to be signed.

Many Senators railed against it, but because it was attached to an important appropriations bill, it passed with unanimous consent.

While TN Senator Bill Frist praised the act, TN Senator Lamar Alexander saw things a little differently...

"Here we are a Republican Congress who got elected in 1994 promising to end unfunded mandates ... and what do we do? We come up with this big idea, pass it, hold a press conference and send the bill to the governors," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R.-Tenn. " ... We should not be doing that ... ."

Yep...it sounds like Lamar got my fax. Too bad he still voted for it.

I guess in the rush to look like they were "supporting the troops," they took a little bit of liberty away from us all. I'm sure this probably ties into my earlier rant somehow.

Corker for Governor?

Blogging for Bryant relays some interesting "rumblings" that Bob Corker may end up dropping out of the Senate race to run for Governor.

The Lawmakers

This is definitely a post worthy of the category "Random Musings," and it would also probably fall into the rare class of posts some would refer to as a "rant."

I've often thought about the many laws that get created during a normal legislative session. In the Tennessee General Assembly's most recent session there were almost 3000 bills filed alone. Most of those failed to even get to the floor, but 3000 bills is a bit much, don't you think?

In my perfect world of small government, can there ever be a legislative session where a ruling body *doesn't* create new laws or pass new resolutions (other than the necessary budgets, etc)? Instead we have every legislator filing as many bills as possible to leave some type of "legacy." When a legislator is asked what they did for their consituents, I'd like to hear, "I helped passed a new budget without spending more of your money, we didn't raise taxes, and we didn't enact any new laws that would create more criminals."

Yes, this is a simplistic view, and I'm not saying that the government should go away completely, but every new legislative session creates more laws making more people criminals, more pork projects, and the citizens loose liberty and a percentage of their income more and more each year (little by little). Eventually, all of that will be gone, and we may not even realize it.

Just something to think about, so apologies for the rant.

Cigarette Lighter for a Jedi

I wonder how well this would work for cigars.

Hyper-local blogging

Something great that has arisen in the blogosphere is the number of "hyper-local" bloggers. These are bloggers that cover and focus on issues from within a small geographic area (as opposed to issues affecting the nation, world, or a state). It can range from covering a town, a location within a town, or even down to a coffee shop.

A couple of good hyper-local blogs in the Nashville area would be Enclave, and the newer Drinkin' the Franklin Koolaid.

"S-Town Mike," of Enclave, got recent attention for his coverage of the dumping of tires in his neighborhood, while just south of Nashville, Franklin Koolaid is covering questionable contributions by an investment company to a group working close with city officials two days prior to a vote by the city's aldermans on a project being undertaken by that same investment company (you gotta love that kind of juicy news).

These types of blogs are popping up everywhere. I'm sure that one may even exist for the area you are living in. Blogs are a conversation, and if a conversation is going on right in your back yard, you'd probably need to listen to what is being said...or even take part in the conversation (which blogs allow you to do).

If you live in the areas covered by the above blogs, I suggest that you check them out on a regular basis. They'll probably cover things that you'd never see in the local newspapers or newscasts.

Schneier on Real ID

Bruce Schneier from Schneier on Security discusses why the Real ID act is not a good idea...

It's a huge power-grab by the federal government over the states' systems for issuing driver's licenses.

REAL ID doesn't go into effect until three years after it becomes law, but I expect things to be much worse by then. One of my fears is that this new uniform driver's license will bring a new level of "show me your papers" checks by the government. Already you can't fly without an ID, even though no one has ever explained how that ID check makes airplane terrorism any harder. I have previously written about Secure Flight, another lousy security system that tries to match airline passengers against terrorist watch lists. I've already heard rumblings about requiring states to check identities against "government databases" before issuing driver's licenses. I'm sure Secure Flight will be used for cruise ships, trains, and possibly even subways. Combine REAL ID with Secure Flight and you have an unprecedented system for broad surveillance of the population.

Is there anyone who would feel safer under this kind of police state?

Be sure to read what I wrote yesterday about the Real ID act as well.

Since this bill is in a must-pass appropriations bill, it will become law...I feel safer already (or is that the feeling of oppression?).

(via: Glenn Reynolds)

More: From Time.com...

The bill's supporters say it would not establish a national ID card, since no one has to get a driver's license or state ID. That's correct. Such documents are useful only if you need to drive, fly, cash checks, apply for certain jobs or enter federal buildings. If you are a wealthy recluse with liquid assets, it doesn't concern you.

It's also true that a state could decline to link its database or verify immigration status, but then federal officials (like the ones at airports) would not accept its licenses as proof of identity.

Phil Blog (as in Bredesen)

I go out to lunch, and when I come back, Governor Phil Bredesen starts a blog.

Let me confess upfront: I won’t be blogging every single day. But I will, on a regular basis, use this space to share my ideas on issues and provide personal dispatches from trips I take and events I attend, like the National Governors Association conferences. Stay tuned for more entries.

I hope that he actually writes it (as opposed to dictating it and having a staff member write it) and it is not just another way for him to issue standard press releases in a "blog format." If that's the case, then it's not really a blog. However, I will give him the benefit of the doubt and welcome his apparent willingness to facilitate more open communication with the citizen's of Tennessee.

Now, I wonder if we can get Naifeh to blog...Bill Hobbs is waiting for his email to get him started.

(via: Adam Groves)

Update: Story on Bredesen's blog from News 2...

With the governor now joining Rep. Campfield, is blogging now the future up on Capitol Hill?

"Probably not," said Sen. Tim Burchett. "I really don't have the time to fool with it, to tell you the truth."

Sen. Burchett was joking when he told News 2 that he didn't know what a blog was, but House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh apparently wasn't when he said, "How could I blog when I doesn't even know how to do email?" Rep. Campfield - who's been a frequent blog critic of the speaker - said he'd gladly show Naifeh how to blog.

"I would go so far as to set it up for him and all he would have to do is answer and talk," said Campfield.

There is no word yet if Naifeh will take up the offer.

Scratch what I said about Naifeh sending Bill Hobbs an email then.

John Jay Hooker

I was going to blog a bit more about TMTMTL, but it looks like Les Jones beat me to it. Head over and read it.

Quixtar Blog was at the Red Restaurant for one of the Food for Thought dinners. TMTMTL was there as well:

At one point Hooker pulled out his copy of the U.S. Constitution (doesn't every lawyer cary a copy wherever he goes?) and read to us from one of the articles discussing Senate rules... or something. It was a rather surreal moment that I was able to catch on camera — John Jay Hooker reading the U.S. Constitution to a couple of bloggers inside a gay bar.

You gotta love a guy that carries around his own copy of the Constitution.

Chris Wage has more as well.

Real ID Act

Back in February I wrote about the Real ID Act of 2005 passed by the US House of Representatives (with a vote of 261 - 161)

The bill was apparently sent over to the Senate and it looks like it stalled in the Senate Judiciary (?).

Either way, on Thursday, the House passed an important appropriations bill of $82 billion for such things as supporting the troops in Iraq, sunami relief, etc.

Guess what was buried in that bill. You guessed it...the Real ID Act of 2005:

The license provision is part of a massive $82 billion special spending bill, with $75.9 billion going to the armed forces for Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas missions. It passed the House 368-58.

The House bill also includes more aid for tsunami victims in Asia, $4.2 billion for the State Department and foreign aid, money to hire 500 more Border Patrol agents and an increase in the one-time death benefit for families of troops killed in combat from $12,000 to $100,000.

That increase is retroactive to Oct. 7, 2001, to cover all those killed in the war on terrorism and in Iraq.

Those provisions weren't controversial. But the driver's license requirements and other immigration-related measures drew criticism from immigration advocates and some state officials who said the provisions were included without hearings.

The Senate is expected to vote on the bill this week (Tuesday).

Immigration (and Hispanic) groups are calling this "an attack on immigrants," but it goes way beyond that. This will end up creating a national ID, and no one (reads main stream media) is talking about its implications.

The Ledger out of Lakeland, Florida is asking "Do we need a national ID?" while also pointing out that this bill is passing the burden of creating this national ID on to the states...

Under the shrewdly named "Real ID" initiative, Congress would require states to standardize their driver licenses and create a central database of license holders. No longer solely concerned with driver safety, state DMVs would also be required to adopt stringent verification procedures (authenticating birth certificates and other documents) to make sure that license holders are not in the country illegally. In addition, states would be required to maintain files with copies of all relevant identification documents and digital photos of the license holders.

"Is the goal here to shut down DMVs?" asked Cheye Calvo, director of the National Council of State Legislatures' transportation committee, in The New York Times last week.

His concern is not misplaced. While the provisions of "Real ID" would saddle the states with significant new costs and responsibilities, no federal money accompanies the mandate. By one estimate, the total cost of implementing the rules could be $500 million.

Did they say, "central database?" I think that another reason that this is going to be passed onto the states is that the Federal government can't keep databases of information on citizens. This act allows forces the states to keep the database, and I'm sure that whenever the Federal central government wants any information out of a state's database, they can easily obtain it.

When I pondered the question, "Et tu, GOP?" I was wondering what happened to the party of smaller government. Over the past five years I haven't seen it.

If you are as outraged about the Real ID Act as I am, visit unRealID.com, and contact your Senators ASAP.

Real ID Blogger Roundup:

Emergent Chaos (and recent BlogNashville attendee) weighs in.

Always Right writes:

In the end, though,I think that you have to support this bill. It’s kind of like the Patriot Act, there are some problems with it, but the threat is real and we MUST act now. We can work out the issues later, but we have to get our borders closed, and this is a step in that direction.

We can work out the issues later?

The Open Society Paradox supports the Real ID as well...under the guise of better security, of course. (see Benjamin Franklin for more on that.)

Item One states: "Well, if it makes you feel safe. But if you want my advice, don't bet on it." Agreed.

Freedom is Slavery: "RealID: Real Cowardice"

Everything You Know Is Wrong: "Achtung! Ihre Papiere Gefallen!"

Daily Kos points out Section 102 of the bill:

But -- most overlooked -- is Section 102 of this bill. It would empower the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend any and all laws in order to ensure the "expeditious" construction of a set of barriers and roads south of San Diego, to keep illegal immigrants out. It also would prohibit ANY judicial review of the Secretary of Homeland Security's decision to suspend any law. ON EDIT: While the law the bill references mentions barriers and roads "near San Diego," it does not appear to be (technically speaking) limited to that area -- but to any barriers or roads "in the vicinity of the United States border."

*Note: For some strange reason, I'm finding myself aligned with the ACLU again (and now Daily Kos) on something, but that doesn't mean that I agree with them on much else. :)