Blake's Blog Dictionary - Entry #249

Junior Mint

Noun
A person who is fanatically pushing for Harold Ford, Jr. in the Senate race.

Usage (plural):
"The Junior Mints sure seem to be riled up today over comments made by ______ regarding Harold Ford, Jr."

Sounds Stadium Proposal to a Referendum?

More from the political grapevine (rumour mill galore this weekend)...

Some Council members are a bit antsy about the $17 million in special property tax financing and $500,000 price for maintenance that the proposed downtown Sounds stadium would require. Hence, there may be an unusual confederation of right and left Metro Council members (for different political reasons) to ask that the proposal be placed on a balloted referendum so the citizens of Nashville can decide if they want to move forward with this project.

Of course, this may also relate to my earlier post as I'm sure that Mayor Purcell would rather the vote go to the people instead of him having another expensive, taxpayer funded project with questionable benefits move forward under his watch.

Maybe the property tax referendum that Tennessee Tax Revolt is pushing can be placed on the same ballot. We shall see.

More Ford

Ouch...

I began in support of the Congressman, however, this support has slowly dwindled because I've noticed that he lacks dedication to his current constituents and instead is a media-craving, self-seeking, self-aggrandizing liberal (in disguise).

(via B4B)

Samuel Alito

Instapundit has an initial roundup of Samuel Alito talk. Right now, I'm cautiously optimistic, but I can definitely say that it's a lot better pick than Miers ever was.

Update: While some are saying that he's like Scalia, Orin Kerr is saying he's more like Roberts.

Ford, Jr. to drop out? Cooper for Senate? Purcell for Congress?

I've created a new blog category today called "The Grapevine." This category will include any political rumours that come from the "grapevine." The sources of the information are credible, but the information can not be independently verified. [/disclaimer]
----
According to a state political source, it seems a certain "back room" deal has been struck within the Tennessee Democrat leadership which may involve the following scenario...

As you know, Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell announced that he will not be running for a third term. He has also ruled out any run for a Senate seat or for the Governor's office. Of course, what's interesting is that he didn't mention any potential run for Congress (such as the 5th District seat currently being held by Congressman Jim Cooper).

I have heard it mentioned by several people (and from my source) that Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. has a contract on the table for a job to work with MSNBC. The most recent Zogby polls taken over the last couple of weeks show him being beaten by any Republican candidate that would run against him in the race for Frist's Senate seat. This is all despite the fact that he's already spent around a million dollars on early campaign ads. Apparently, If Ford, Jr. can't get his poll numbers to rise by early next year, he may drop out and take the MSNBC job (probably a wise decision anyway).

At this point (when/if Ford drops out), Representative Jim Cooper will be drafted by the Democrat party to run for the Senate seat (again), which would immediately open up a spot for Mayor Bill Purcell to run for the 5th Congressional seat.

In fact, Purcell has already started his "run" by turning into a "reformer" by pushing reforms - reforms he hasn't supported before - within Nashville's government...all of which creates lots of positive press (i.e...reduction of council size, creating an independent audit department from the mayor's office and city council, hoping to reverse his tax increase legacy, etc). That good press will come in handy for a Congressional bid.

As for my own conjecturing, who would end up running for mayor? I say watch for former Congressman Bob Clement to throw his hat in the ring. For the Republicans, wouldn't it be cool to see Adam Dread run?

If Ford's poll numbers don't move, start looking for all of this to start happening in the next few months.

Politics Explained

Rex L. Camino, guest blogging over at Nashville is Talking, explains politics...and it makes perfect sense. heh

Kozinski "Write-In"

A Kozinski "write-in" campaign for the Supreme Court? Email already sent.

Vanderbilt

This just in.

Vanderbilt is now the best football team in the state.

Now back to regularly scheduled programming.

Yoda Hip Hop Dance

This is a cool easter egg on the Revenge of the Sith DVD.

The Black Caucus Strikes Back

It looks like Memphis lawmaker Ulysses Jones will be filing an ethics complaint against Rep. Stacey Campfield on Monday.

State Rep. Ulysses Jones, D-Memphis, said Thursday he plans to file an ethics complaint against Rep. Stacey Campfield over the Knoxville Republican's sponsorship of legislation that could have benefited him as a landlord.

Campfield disputed that he would have benefited from the bill. He said Jones was making a "baseless attack" in retaliation for Campfield's criticisms of the Black Caucus.

The complaint looks like a little bit of a strech to me, but ok.

What are they celebrating?

Check out all the happy people.

Ide UPN Shoot - Tonight

If you want to hear some good music tonight, you should head over to the Gibson Guitar Showcase at Opry Mills to see my friends of the band Ide play. They are actually performing a 40-minute set for UPN.

UPN is filming for the first of a series called "Not Just Country" which will highlight non-country artists in Nashville. It's set to air sometime in 2006, and Ide will be one of the first featured bands.

Show starts early at 7:00 (so you can make other things later in the night). 18 and over, only $5 gets you in.

Team Zissou

It's too bad that I don't have my flash memory card reader with me today. My workplace is having a costume contest today. I'm dressed as Steve Zissou.

Yes, I have a sidearm. Pictures later.

Update: Had to use the cellphone of doom to get pictures uploaded, but they are on Flickr.

Buchanan on Mier's Withdrawl

Buchanan: Miers May Have Helped Save Bush's Presidency

President Bush just survived a barrel ride over Niagara Falls. A man of reasonable intelligence would not risk it a second time.

Let's hope so.

Lamar on Coburn Amendments

I mentioned last night that Senator Lamar Alexander was going to be on Steve Gill's radio show this morning. I didn't get a chance to hear it, but I emailed Steve to find out what happened regarding Alexander's reasoning on voting against the Coburn amendments to cut out a little pork.

Here's what Steve sent me...

He explained that the transportation budget funds involved in the bridge to nowhere projects were based on Alaska federal gas tax proceeds and that if the projects were deleted the dollars would still go to Alaska for their road projects. Essentially, it is up to them to decide how they want to spend the money, and if those projects were cut it would not reduce the actual budget or provide resources that could be shipped to another state. It seems to me that this is a serious PROCESS issue, if that is the case, and raises a more fundamental question: why send these monies from the states to DC if we just send it back so they can spend it like they want? He claimed that they are reducing the budget with real cuts in other areas, and that we need a Presidential line item veto that can pass court muster.

I am not sure why Congress can't exercise a line item approach like Coburn proposed, other than the desire to keep the status quo (you scratch my pork, I'll scratch yours) in place.

As someone asked in the comments below regarding Alexander's potential answer, "did Lamar do his usual two-step dance?" Ah-yep.

The interview is already up in the archives section at WTN's website. Get it here. It might be worth listening to.

Miers Withdraws

I'm sure you've already heard, Harriet Miers has withdrawn her Supreme Court nomination (thank you - thank you - thank you). Bush has blamed the withdrawal on calls from Senators for the release of documents that were apparently protected by executive privilege. To me, it sounds like that was the best excuse they had to not look like fools.

Some people are predicting that Bush will have replacement pick within a week. Let's hope that he and his staff has learned their lesson from the Miers' pick. All confidence in the White House by Conservatives will be lost (at least what confidence is left) if he makes another crony pick...perhaps someone like Albert Gonzales.

If he really wants to pick a minority or a woman, he needs to pick Janice Rogers Brown who is both a minority AND a woman, but at the same time, she definitely has a record as a Conservative. No, it wouldn't be my first pick, but at least she's someone who I could probably support.

The Coburn Amendments

I received an email from Senator Coburn's office today regarding the amount of calls they have received in regards to the amendments he submitted to cut pork spending to things such as the "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska to pay for Hurricane Katrina damage. As you know, those amendments were soundly defeated by 80+ porkers in the Senate (including our own esteemed Senators Frist and Alexander).

Here's what I received from Coburn's office:

I thought you might be interested in some of the feedback that Senator Coburn has received regarding last week’s debate over the “bridge-to-nowhere.” On the floor, Senator Coburn talked about a “rumble” across the nation against wasteful spending. That rumble appears to be reflected in the call tally below.

------------------------------------------------

Constituent phone calls from 10/17/05 to 10/21/05

Out of state calls for Coburn HUD/Trans Appropriation amendments (including a dozen Alaskans and 2 dozen from the state of Washington).

Pro - 256
Con - 0

In-state calls for Coburn HUD/Trans Appropriation amendments

Pro - 121
Con - 0

Should Members of Congress forgo their annual automatic pay raise and put the savings toward Hurricane Katrina recovery costs?

Yes - 91%
No - 9%
678 total vote(s)

Our "conservative" Senator Lamar Alexander will be on Steve Gill's morning radio show tomorrow. I asked Gill tonight if he was going to ask him why he voted against the Coburn Amendments. He said that he is.

As a constituent, I really am interested in the answer.

More: John Stossel writes about the Coburn amendments as well.

2nd Amendment Goodness

Sorry for the light blogging this week. It's been hectic.

However, I do have a quick link for you. Eugene Volokh has an excellent post entitled, "The Second Amendment and the Living Constitution." It's a must read.

Why not Eugene Volokh for the Supreme Court?

Predators

Wow...the Predators are 8-0 now. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the NHL record is 9-0 to open the season with.

I'll bet Craig Leipold is extremely happy right now.

Ah yes...Caught

I love comments like this.

From my post last week on the Rutherford County Sheriff and his Merry Band of Thugs...

Name: URAnother Nashville Idiot
Email Address:

Again you are so stupid! The Sheriff's Department in Murfreesboro is the only agency that is responsive to the people of Rutherford County. You are just another Nashville Media Simpleton trying to run our business.

Take our advice keep you dumb a-- Nashville nose out of our business. And bt the way whoever said the MTSU sidelines was a newspaper?

What's even better is that the IP address of this comment matches that of the Rutherford County government's computer networks. It doesn't get any better than that, and it only reinforces my point.

Thank you so much for commenting.

Monday Photoblogging

Bathed in Moonlight...

Taken Friday night in Cahawba, Alabama.

.500

.500. That's the same percentage of wins Vanderbilt has, right? Except Vanderbilt has more wins.

Roll Tide!!!!!

How to not make friends in Tennessee

Roll Tide Roll!

Yes, the big game is tomorrow.

I'm about to head out of town. I'll see you all on Monday with more blogging than I've done this week.

Tax Revolt Referendum

The Tennessean today has an editorial against Tennessee Tax Revolt's effort to collect 30,000 signatures to bring about a referendum that would allow citizens of Davidson County to vote on property tax increases.

Right below the headline is this, "Even if the approach is legal, it’s a slap at representative government."

Well, my reply is that sometimes you have to slap those SOB's! (I'm also getting that same feeling about Republicans in Congress if you can't tell.)

The editorial goes on to say the following:

It feeds a potentially dangerous environment where people unhappy with government can say no to all taxes while they still expect government services, which doesn't work.

Um...well...actually...that's not the case. In addition to the message of lower taxes there's also the point that the government needs to clean its act up and stop wasting money on stupid projects that can potentially be better handled by the private sector. It also needs to manage the money that it gets now more wisely instead of going to the taxpayer's pockets every time it's strapped for cash.

By the way...you can find that petition here. Take one down, print it out and pass it around.

Coincidence?

Mike Hollihan thinks not.

82 Porkers

82 porkers in the Senate voted to keep the funding for the "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska by a vote of 82-15. Senator Ted Stevens took it personal (who I mentioned before after his son got $500,000 in Federal funds to paint a jet to look like a Salmon).

In a clash of generations and political philosophy, 37-year Senate veteran Ted Stevens of Alaska told a freshman colleague that he would resign and "be taken out of here on a stretcher" if the Senate killed funding for two Alaskan bridges.

"It is an offense, a threat to every person in my state," the 81-year-old Stevens said of the proposal by fellow Republican Tom Coburn of Oklahoma to eliminate some $450 million in federal funds for Alaskan bridges and shift $75 million to a Louisiana bridge damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

By the way...I think that Senator Stevens is a good example showing that we need to seriously look at term limits again. Also, included in that number of 82 porkers are both Senators Lamar Alexander and Bill Frist.

More...

The Coburn amendment would have blocked funding for a $223 million bridge to a town in Alaska with a population of 50 people. At $4.46 million per person, the cost of the bridge alone would be enough to buy every island resident their own personal Lear jet. The Coburn amendment also would have blocked funding for a $229 million bridge that would connect Anchorage, Alaska to hundreds of square miles of unpopulated wetlands.

The Coburn amendment would have then diverted $125 million in savings from those projects to repair the Interstate 10 Twin Spans Bridge in Louisiana, a 5.4 mile stretch of I-10 over Lake Pontchartrain which connects New Orleans with the city of Slidell. The Twin Spans serve as a major route into New Orleans for interstate commerce and working commuters.

Dr. Coburn offered another amendment to block funding for three special projects; $200,000 for an animal facility in Westerly, Rhode Island; $500,000 for a sculpture park in Seattle; and $950,000 for a parking facility for a private museum in Omaha, Nebraska. The Senate voted to table, or kill, the amendment by a vote of 13 to 86.

So...why did Americans vote to put Republicans in the majority again?

Mark Tapscott has been doing an excellent job covering this. As Tapscott said, "This speaks volumes about why so little actual conservative reform has been achieved since 1994. They talk the talk but they don't walk it." Ah-yep.

Judge Orders Larger "Merry Band of Thugs"

In March 2004, I reported on Rutherford County Sheriff Truman Jones and his "merry band of thugs." The Rutherford County Sheriff's department got the moniker as the "merry band of thugs" back in March of last year after the MTSU Sidelines newspaper called them that in a sarcastic/humorous editorial piece. Shortly after this, Sheriff Jones (at the urging of embattled university president Sidney McPhee) ordered background checks on the entire Sidelines staff (stories here and here).

Fast forward to July of 2004. Sheriff Jones brought about a lawsuit against the county in order to increase the size of his staff because he wasn't pleased with the budget that the county gave him.

Today the Tennessean reports that, over a year later, a judge has taken the job of the county commission and awarded the Sheriff with 53 jobs. While this may sound like a win for the sheriff, I don't think it actually is. Last year he had requested a total of $20 million which could hire 94 new employees. The county only gave him a budget of $12.5 million which could allow him to hire 56 new employees.

From the Sidelines June 30, 2004:

Jones originally requested $20 million for law enforcement and the county jail, but the Budget, Finance and Investment Committee only gave him $12.3 million. Jones came back with a trimmed-down request for an additional $5.5 million, but the request was denied. Now Jones is suing the county for the full $20 million.

Jones wants the money so he can hire new staff and replace outdated equipment. With a $20 million budget, Jones could hire 94 sheriff's department employees. His scaled-back budget request could pay for 56 employees.

Despite the Tennessean's headline, I think that the judge actually handed the sheriff a defeat:

In his ruling, Wallace said several departments in the county were very understaffed, but he wasn't convinced that Jones couldn't operate within the budget he had. Motorist assistance in parts of the county with their own police protection and community service programs that the Sheriff's Department runs are "good public relations for the Sheriff and County Mayor, however, they are not statutory duties of the Sheriff," Wallace wrote.

First off, though, the case should have never even been brought by the sheriff. It shows a bit of an egotistical, power trip which definitely shined through when he ordered the background checks on the MTSU Sidelines' staff. Jones has been sheriff in Rutherford County for 22 years. That's way too long, and I think the power has gone to his head.

Secondly, the judge should have thrown the case out and deferred back to the county commission as it isn't a judge's duty to set the county budget in the first place. It has a strong stench of legislating from the bench if you ask me.

Mighty Tough Words

These are some mighty tough words:

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said his department aims without exception to expel all those who enter the United States illegally.

"Our goal at DHS (Homeland Security) is to completely eliminate the 'catch and release' enforcement problem, and return every single illegal entrant, no exceptions.

"It should be possible to achieve significant and measurable progress to this end in less than a year," Chertoff told a Senate hearing.

Now, let's see some action.

Guestblogging Extravaganza

Oh...by the way. I'm the token guestblogging over at Nashville is Talking this weekend. It will be mostly non-political.

I wouldn't have made a big deal about this...but...

When Rep. Henri Brooks isn't busy refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance, getting a downtown apartment paid for by the Black Caucus or helping kill some of my favorite gun bills, she's apparently getting taxi rides from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Of course, she's not the only one.

Maybe that's just another perk of being in the state legislature that I didn't know about.

The Weekend

Light blogging today. However, I do have a couple of things of note for you.

I'll also be guest blogging over at Nashville is Talking this weekend...probably starting tonight. I had been scheduled to do this way back when, but some other things got in the way of it. I'll be doing some posting about my weekend escapades along with other things of note. Basically I'll be blogging about what most weekends (should) consist of..."God, guns and glory."

Speaking of the weekend, if you want to get out and about this weekend and hear some good music, head on over to The End on Saturday night to hear my friends of the band Ide play (I've written about them before along with posting some sample music here). They will be opening up for The Roman Empire and Caitland. Cost is only $5. Hearing Ide is worth the $5 alone.

I'll be around and about, so have a great weekend.

Noonan's Strategy

Today Peggy Noonan offers up a couple of strategies for Bush and Miers...neither of which involve Miers going on to the Supreme Court.

Then, when/if Bush makes another pick, she offers the following advice...

And next time perhaps the White House, in announcing and presenting the arguments for a new nominee to the high court, will remember a certain tradition with regard to how we do it in America. We don't say, "We've nominated Joe because he's a Catholic!" A better and more traditional approach is, "Nominee Joe is a longtime practitioner of the law with considerable experience, impressive credentials, and a lively and penetrating intellect. Any questions? Yes, he is a member of the Catholic church. Any other questions?"

That's sort of how we do it. We put the horse and then the cart. The arguments for the person and then the facts attendant to the person. You don't say, "Vote for this gal because she's an Evangelical!" That shows a carelessness, an inability to think it through, to strategize, to respectfully approach serious facts--failings that, if they weren't typical of the White House the past few months, might be called downright sexist.

She's right.

Flu Shots

The Metro Health Department will be offering flu shots to the general public starting October 24th.

Get them while you can...details here.

Pre-K Educators Want More Funds

Looks like Bredesen's pet pre-K program is already needing more money. Who would have guessed it??

Wilson County Superintendent Jim Duncan said the state’s pre-K plan in the long-term will require money for expenses beyond the classroom.

“Anytime you expand the responsibility of the local school system, you can’t just confine the cost to a room and a school teacher,” Duncan said.

As the student population grows, so will the need for additional support staff, such as school nurses and social workers, to serve them.

Duncan said districts will need money to pay for those associated costs.

Imagine that.

Cunza declines Metro position

In an update to an earlier story, Yuri Cunza, president of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has declined Purcell's nomination to the commission that is being charged with making suggestions for revising the Metro Charter.

I believe Adam Dread said it best:

Councilman-at-Large Adam Dread was one of the Councilmen who had opposed the nomination, maintaining that for a person to sit on a commission dealing with changes to local laws, he or she should be both a U.S. citizen and a registered voter in the county.

“Apparently Mr. Cuzna’s neither — so I think he’s pretty much disqualified from it,” Dread said.

I wonder if Adam Dread has ever thought about blogging, by the way.

$290 Million

There were no winners for Wednesday's Powerball. That means the amount has gone from $240 million to $290 million.

I smell lottery fever for the next couple of days.

Mrs. Heinz

Heh. Via Les Jones, it looks like John Kerry's illustrious wife has gone back to being referred to as just Teresa Heinz instead of the longer Teresa Heinz-Kerry.

Miers Poll

Professor Bainbridge has a poll up on Miers. Head over and vote either "for," "against" or "wait and see" on the Miers' pick.

Right now the "Against" votes are at 71%.

General Zod in '08

You can talk all you want about who might run for President in 2008, but my bets are with this guy.

(ht: Greg Hardin)

Back Room Deals in Franklin

If you live in Franklin you might want to check out Alderman's McLendon's blog today. While writing about last night's Alderman's meeting, McLendon complains about back-room deals and non-bid work on an item that he eventually voted on anyway*.

It all makes you wonder how much of a common occurrence that is down there in Franklin. Good stuff.

(via: Drinkin the Franklin KoolAid)

*Note: McClendon actually voted against this item. Apologies for the error.

Las Vegas

Looks like I'll be going back to Las Vegas for this coming up in a few weeks. Time to head out there, visit my cousin and relax for a few days.

Remind me sometime to tell you about my cousin asking Paris Hilton to dinner and her accepting a couple of weeks ago (paging Mr. Roboto). These guys were apparently shocked after believing he wouldn't do it.

Things are just getting better

Things are just getting better and better for Memphis. Breaking news:

A total of 68 people, including three college employees, have been indicted following an investigation into an embezzlement scheme at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, authorities announced this afternoon.

Local officials said it may be the largest number of individuals ever indicted in Shelby County for one criminal case.

Add that along with what Bob Krumm mentioned earlier today regarding another Memphis black-eye...

Somebody get Arkansas on the phone...we've got some land to sell them.

By the way...who in Memphis *hasn't* been arrested yet?

Frist has a Blog Now

Bill Frist today announced a blog on his VOLPAC site. It looks like it's been going since October 9th. Half of the entries are penned under Frist's name while the other half are penned under the VOLPAC Web Team.

Open comments? Yep. Hopefully that won't go the way of Campfield's comments sections...as in splitsville.

Update: Those comments are moderated, by the way.

Two TN Senate Candidates on Miers

Yesterday I mentioned that I would be asking Ed Bryant along with other Senate candidates about Bush's choice of Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court (per Bob Krumm's question).

I was specificially interested in Bryant's response due to his past experience on the House judiciary committee and potential future involvement (if elected) with any future choices.

I have received responses from both Bryant and Ford, Jr., and I present them both here for you to read.

From Ed Bryant:

President Bush’s nomination of Harriet Miers to fill the seat of retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor comes as we are engaged in a most significant dialogue – both in Washington and in the communities of Tennessee – about the impact the Supreme Court has on our nation and our values.

The usual left-wing critics have expressed skepticism at this nomination. However, some conservative voices have joined the criticism, albeit for different reasons.

Personally, I had hoped the President would nominate a person similar to now Chief Justice John Roberts. Someone with a clear and distinguished record of honoring the Constitution and not legislating from the bench. A jurist who reads the Constitution as it was written.

However, President Bush’s unconventional selection necessarily focuses us instead on having to first discover who Harriet Miers is.

The question for the U.S. Senate now becomes whether she is capable and qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. To cross this threshold, her judicial philosophy — how she would interpret the Constitution — must be determined.

As a prospective member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I believe these same standards ought to apply to all judicial nominees, whether the liberal nominee of a liberal president or the conservative nominee of a conservative president or, as we have here, a nominee without an ideology clearly defined by a record.

When the Miers’ confirmation hearings begin, both the Republican and Democrat members of the Committee will be asking tough questions. It is important to the process that no candidate for the highest court be “rubberstamped.” I sincerely hope that Miers is shown qualified and capable. As well, I trust she will demonstrate a strength and commitment to help redirect this court back to the Founders’ original vision of an apolitical judiciary which respects and follows the Constitution.

James Madison once wrote that the judicial branch of our government would be the “least dangerous”! Yet so far this year, we’ve seen controversial Supreme Court rulings such as a death penalty case overturned, in part, using foreign law, and a property rights ruling which ignores the plain language of the Fifth Amendment. I have been vocal in my disagreement with these rulings not just because I disagree with the policies they lead to, but because I honestly believe they were wrongly decided. What would Madison think?

Ultimately, we should move past ideological divides and return to nonpartisan confirmations, such as Antonin Scalia’s 98-0 confirmation, – and Harriet Miers’ nomination, once proven qualified, gives us that opportunity again.

From Harold Ford, Jr's campaign:

Not knowing much about Ms. Miers, I am interested in learning about the President’s nominee in the coming weeks. Ms. Miers and the President should expect a fair and rigorous review of her record. The fact that she has no experience as a judge and that she is replacing Justice O’Connor, the Court’s conservative model of fairness and open mindedness, will also warrant more direct questioning from the Senate about her philosophy, judicial temperament and positions on some of the most important and controversial issues the Court expects to consider. I look forward to hearing Ms. Miers answer the questions.

Update: I've also sent out requests for statements from Corker and Van Hilleary. I'll post those as I get them.

Do you feel safer?

I hope that you all feel safer knowing that "Mercedez" and "Destiny" will FINALLY be kept three feet away from Jim down at the strip club...

Eight years after the city tried to crack down on adult businesses with rules including a ban on lap dances, Metro is putting action behind its controversial law.

Some say the years of court delays have made the rules obsolete — and expensive for the taxpayers — even as the regulations are getting off the ground.

One of the cornerstones of the new regulations is a "3-foot" rule, requiring dancers to keep at least 3-feet distance from patrons. And while the average lap dance today runs about $30, Metro's bill for ending the lap dance runs into the six figures: A $500,000-plus award of attorney fees to strip club owners and dancers, as well about $100,000 per year to fund the city's new bureaucracy to enforce the rules.

Out of that $100,000 about $55,400 will be for salary for the inspector, more than 400 background checks per year for the pole professionals and around $2,600 for court reporter fees.

Meanwhile, in another part of town.

The Police Can't Protect You

Creative Liberty understands this:

Today and part of yesterday I have been a little bit angry. Just a little bit. Mostly at the Metro Police Officers who never showed up and at myself. The theft has been a hard learning experience.

The next peice of technology I purchase with be one with numbers…no, not a calculator. Numbers like .45, .357, 3006, 9mm. Those kind of numbers.

Mighty fine numbers indeed.

Are they back?

It looks like they are....kind of. heh

Bryant on Miers?

Yesterday Bob Krumm wanted to know what Senate candidate Ed Bryant thought of Bush's choice of Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court. I too am interested in hearing his thoughts on Miers.

I have since emailed Bryant's campaign and am awaiting an answer. If I receive one, I'll post it here.

I think I may ask the same question of the other candidates as well.

Naifeh-esque

My first thought in seeing this was, "this is very Naifeh-esque."

In a cliffhanger vote held open by Republican leaders until they won, the U.S. House of Representatives passed by two votes on Friday a bill giving U.S. oil refineries incentives to expand.

The legislation, written by Republican Joe Barton of Texas, was barely approved, 212-210, even after Barton dropped a White House-backed provision that would have gutted clean air rules for refineries to expand existing plants.

In fact, what was supposed to be a five minute vote was held open for almost 50 minutes. It looked almost like there were some "back room" dealings going on so that they could convince three House members (Reps. Wayne Gilcrest (R-MD), C.W. Bill Young (R-FL) and Jim Gerlach (R-PA)) to change their votes.

The first thing it reminded me of was the vote being held open during the "income tax wars" here in Tennessee while Speaker Naifeh and company attempted to make back room deals in order to convince several lawmakers to change their votes in favor of the income tax. Luckily, that attempt wasn't successful.

Before anyone thinks that I'm taking the Democrats side here, you're wrong. I think that whatever party is in power, there will be corruption and abuses of power, but it's up to the citizens to call them out on it while putting party preference aside. If you are a Conservative, you'd better be the first one to call them out on it.

Want to see the video? Search no further...it's right here.

(ht: Nashville is Talking)

Not a Blogger?

Read the following and tell me if a "blogger" would fall under this definition:

...any entity that disseminates information by print, broadcast, cable, satellite, mechanical, photographic, electronic, or other means and that publishes a newspaper, book, magazine, or other periodical in print or electronic form; operates a radio or television station (or network of such stations), cable system, or satellite carrier, or channel or programming service for any such station, network, system, or carrier; or operates a news agency or wire service." The legislation also covers employees, contractors or other persons who "gathers, edits, photographs, records, prepares, or disseminates news or information for any such entity.

This is the definition of a journalist in a draft of a piece of legislation entitled the Free Flow of Information Act of 2005 and co-sponsored by Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.). It is intented as a Federal shield law to protect journalists from certain types of prosecution. According to Senator Lugar, bloggers would "probably not" be considered journalists under such a definition. I'm assuming that the term "entity" isn't considered to be an individual person.

I have an idea. Maybe...just maybe...the First Amendment should just be enforced as is. However, this legislation could potentially segment the population and label journalists as the only ones that can exercise a government approved form of "free" speech. That sounds...um...American...right?

Sure...the intentions of this legislation sound good, but we all know where good intentions will get you.

Eww...Ick...a Gun!

Such fine journalists that the University of Wisconsin seems to be breeding...

When my step-dad died last spring, my family began a long process of clearing out his personal possessions. Some we gave to charity, and others, including family heirlooms, were dispersed among his children, siblings and nieces and nephews.

As we culled through his closet, I was shocked to learn that my family owned a gun.

What floored me was when my mom nonchalantly asked me to take the gun out to my uncle's truck. I had never touched a gun before.

However, not wanting to make waves, I did it. And, despite being in its case, in poor repair and most importantly unloaded, I somehow worried that I'd shoot myself. I was scared throughout the minute-long walk outside to the driveway.

This student-journalist is writing her column against conceal carry legislation that would keep private (from the general public) the identities of law-abiding citizens that are carrying. She apparently claims to understand the need for firearms listing hunting, military and police forces, but apparently she forgot and left out that law-abiding citizens keep firearms for self-defense from both criminals AND the government.

I don't understand letting anybody who jumps through small hoops walk through the streets with a gun in their back pocket.

I certainly don't understand not giving the public and the police fair warning. If someone holds the power to surprise me and take my life in a matter of seconds, I deserve the right to at least know they have that power.

If people are given the choice to conceal and carry weapons, the rest of us should be given the opportunity to have an informed choice on weather or not to associate with them.

Hey, it's fine if you don't like guns, and you are uneducated enough about them to think that it's going to shoot someone as it sits empty in a case, but don't expect anyone to take you seriously when you are attempting to make a case against another law-abiding citizen's right to keep and bear arms along with the right to privacy from criminals knowing that they are carrying.

Since you have to register to read the article, I have posted it in its entirety in the extended entry portion of this post.

Mac Mouths Off Conceal carry laws should not include privacy provisions By Susan MacLaughlin Published: Thursday, October 6, 2005

When my step-dad died last spring, my family began a long process of clearing out his personal possessions. Some we gave to charity, and others, including family heirlooms, were dispersed among his children, siblings and nieces and nephews.

As we culled through his closet, I was shocked to learn that my family owned a gun.

I deserve the right to at least know they have that power.

What floored me was when my mom nonchalantly asked me to take the gun out to my uncle's truck. I had never touched a gun before.

However, not wanting to make waves, I did it. And, despite being in its case, in poor repair and most importantly unloaded, I somehow worried that I'd shoot myself. I was scared throughout the minute-long walk outside to the driveway.

I never want to touch a gun again.

And I don't know if I'd want a gun in my house again, either.

Last Thursday, state Sen. Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire, and state Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, introduced legislation that would allow people to carry concealed weapons. Zien also championed a similar bill two years ago that was vetoed by Democratic Governor Jim Doyle.

The current piece of legislation makes me nervous. I don't like the idea of not knowing if Joe Schmo walking down the street is packing or not.

What's worse is that in its current form, the legislation states this vital information about who is carrying a concealed weapon should be kept totally private - even from law enforcement.

This would mean that in situations like routine traffic stops, officers would not be able to check to see if the vehicle's owner had a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Despite what the National Rifle Association says, it is in fact guns, not people alone, that kill other people. Those hired to keep us safe have a right to expect a certain degree of protection as well. We owe it to our officers to give them information about potentially dangerous situations, especially if we have it right at our fingertips.

If officers don't know who has a gun or not, they will likely have to treat everyone as if they are carrying a dangerous weapon. And really, would you blame them?

Further, the public has a right to know who is and is not carrying a concealed weapon.

Zien and Gunderson said in a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article it wouldn't be fair to those choosing to conceal weapons, because it would make them targets in criminal investigations, even if they didn't have a reason to suspect them.

You know what? Tough. If people feel the need to conceal weapons, they should expect some consequences. And maybe being questioned now and then will be one of those consequences. If they don't commit crimes, they should have little to worry about.

When we're talking about something as serious as guns - which can take a life in an instant - a free flow of information is imperative.

I understand guns are a necessary part of life. People use them to hunt. Police officers and the men and women in the armed services use them for protection. I understand the Bill of Rights guarantees we all have the right to bear arms.

I don't understand letting anybody who jumps through small hoops walk through the streets with a gun in their back pocket.

I certainly don't understand not giving the public and the police fair warning. If someone holds the power to surprise me and take my life in a matter of seconds, I deserve the right to at least know they have that power.

If people are given the choice to conceal and carry weapons, the rest of us should be given the opportunity to have an informed choice on weather or not to associate with them.

MacLaughlin is a senior print journalism major and editorial editor of The Spectator. Mac Mouths Off is a weekly column that appears every Thursday.

Shooting Downtown

I borrowed a friend's Canon 10D this weekend, and did some shooting around downtown yesterday. I didn't get too many shots, but you can see what I found over at my Flickr site. I was happy to find some willing participants in my experiments with the 10D at the Southern Festival of Books.

Incidently, I went on the shoot with photograper Oleg Volk. Many of you may know Oleg from his work with the pro-Second Amendment site A Human Right (although the site is partially down right now as it is being moved to a new server).

On Saturday I got a few shots of car details at the Nashville British Car Show down in Franklin. I was using my old Casio Exilim EX-Z55. The weather was overcast, so I mainly stuck with macro shots.

-The pictures from the show can be found here.
-The pictures from downtown yesterday can be found here.

I do think that this digital camera fad may just catch on. heh

I'm just saying

When Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana and Mississippi, Islamic bloggers and militants were hailing it as "Allah's SoldierSoldier Katrina."

For example:

"Katrina, a soldier sent by God to fight on our side ... the soldier Katrina joins us to fight against America," said one Islamic website.

Another said: "Allahu akbar [God is greatest]. Soldiers of God, Hurricane Katrina demolishes America. Don't think that God doesn't care about the injustices of tyrants."

I don't know, but I haven't seen any American bloggers saying that the deadly earthquake in Pakistan was a "soldier" of God's striking Pakistan where Osama Bin Laden is hiding.

I'm just saying.

However, I will say in all seriousness, please keep the people in the earthquake affected regions in your prayers. Help is on the way.

BillHobbs.com Going on Hiatus

It looks like Bill Hobbs is going the way of South Knox Bubba and Mr. Roboto...for now at least.

Bill Hobbs is taking a hiatus away from BillHobbs.com and he isn't sure when/if he will return to blogging at that address. Read his farewell post here.

(Before any rumour gets started...no, he is not being bought out by AOL...heh).

Having blogged for almost four years now (an old timer by blog standards), he's considered by many to be the "blogfather" of the Middle Tennessee political blogosphere. He has definitely been a strong force in setting a high bar for other local blogs when it comes to quality...a bar that is extremely hard to reach.

As of now, BillHobbs.com will only be there only for the archives. This won't be the last we see of Bill Hobbs. He'll be around in some form or another. He's too blogworthy to disappear forever.

Have fun, relax and enjoy some time off, Bill.

Forced Blood Tests...A 4th Amendment Issue?

A Nashville man is facing DUI charges after running a traffic light and injuring a woman in another car.

Officers saw alcohol in the vehicle and smelled it on his breath. Officers also noticed that he was slurring his speech. After failing a field sobriety test, they wanted him to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test, but the suspect refused. Metro police took him to the hospital for a forced blood test, but the hospital refused to cooperate because the suspect would not consent...

When the officer took Balderas to Metro General to have blood drawn, he says the nurse on duty and supervisor would not do it because Balderas would not consent.

The accused drunk driver refused to take a breathalyzer or have blood taken, but according to the arresting officer, under state law a hospital must draw blood for a test even if the arrested person refuses.

The officer then got one of the Davidson County DA's on the phone in the middle of the night to tell the hospital about the law.

But the hospital still refused to take the blood.

The suspect did fail the field sobriety test, alcohol was found in the vehicle and it could be smelled on his breath. What more has to be done to prove that the driver was not fit to drive?

When a suspect is forced by law to submit to giving up blood it, to me, become a 4th Amendment issue because you are having to submit evidence from your person sans warrant that can and will be used against you in a court of law. (I have heard it argued that you are essentially testifying against yourself with the evidence you are providing thus becoming a 5th Amendment issue, but we'll stick to the 4th Amendment for now).

I have to give kudos to the hospital for not bowing to a potentially un-Constitutional law. They did the right thing.

I've never been comfortable with laws that force drivers to submit to such tests. On one hand, dealing with drunk driving is a serious issue that is a serious concern to public safety, but on the other, there are Constitutional protections that should be upheld. I don't like the idea of being strapped down and forced to give up my own blood for evidence in a criminal case against myself.

No, I don't plan on doing any drunk driving anytime soon, but where do things like this stop? We've seen time and time again that when a law is created for the "public good" which ignores a Constitutional protection, it only leads to more laws that ignore the Constitution...the "slippery slope" effect, if you will. Of course, many people will say that we no longer have a 4th or 5th Amendment (or a 9th, 2nd, 1st, etc. etc. etc.), and unfortunately, they would be right.

We really need to start paying attention to what's going on around us. "Feel good" laws that are designed to protect us aren't always in our best interests.

We might can justify these little things that bend the Constitution here and there now, but when the government is knocking down your door to force you to submit DNA samples for the "greater good," be sure to pull out your little copy of that Constitution. I'm sure it will stop them dead in their tracks.

Nashville British Car Show

There hasn't been any Thursday Car Blogging in a while, so maybe this will suffice.

This Saturday (October 8th), if you might be interested, the annual British Car Show sponsored by the Nashville British Car Club will be held at Pinkerton Park in Franklin, Tennessee.

The featured marque will be Jaguar.

For more information head to the Nashville British Car Club web site.

If you want to see the most cars, show up between 10:00am and 3:30pm. Come on out and enjoy the great weather!

As Senor Cardgage says, "Bring on down your whole fambly. We'll set up some tents and hotdogs for your babies...those like those...right?"

I may be somewhere near this car:

New Madrid Tremor

Chris Wage noticed a tiny tremor along the New Madrid Fault this past Sunday.

Here's an interesting map showing the tremors to hit for the past several months. Most are in the 1-2 on the Richter scale, but there's always activity there.

I'm just wondering when the "big one" will hit again.

This is encouraging:

In the past three centuries, major earthquakes outside of California and Alaska generally occurred in sparsely-settled areas, and damage and fatalities were largely minimal. But some took place in areas that have since been heavily built up. Among them are three earthquakes that occurred in 1811 and 1812 near New Madrid, MO. They are among the Great earthquakes of known history, affecting the topography more than any other earthquake on the North American continent. Judging from their effects, they were of a magnitude of 8.0 or higher on the Richter Scale. They were felt over the entire United States outside of the Pacific coast. Large areas sank into the earth, new lakes were formed, the course of the Mississippi River was changed, and forests were destroyed over an area of 150,000 acres. Many houses at New Madrid were thrown down. "Houses, gardens, and fields were swallowed up" one source notes. But fatalities and damage were low, because the area was sparsely settled then.

The probability for an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 or greater is significant in the near future, with a 50% chance by the year 2000 and a 90% chance by the year 2040. A quake with a magnitude equal to that of the 1811- 1812 quakes could result in great loss of life and property damage in the billions of dollars. Scientists believe we could be overdue for a large earthquake and through research and public awareness may be able to prevent such losses.

84-year-old woman could end up in jail...over vinyl siding

Remember, comrade...the government owns your land...not you...

An 84-year-old woman is facing up to 10 days in jail or a fine because she had vinyl siding put on a house she owns in a historic Nashville neighborhood — nine years ago.

Margaret Hudson faces a hearing tomorrow in which she could be held in contempt of court for not removing the siding from a house in the Woodland-in-Waverly neighborhood. Metro officials say the siding violates rules designed to protect the historic appearance of the community.

Hudson has been fighting Metro over the siding for nine years, but the day of decision may have finally come: Her appeals died on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court in January, when the high court declined to hear her case.

(ht: Franklin Circus)

Update: From Nashville is Talking:

One of the videojournalists covering this story for News 2 said they are seeking to grant the woman amnesty without setting a precedent. Let's hope so.

Like you and me, only different better

I'll steal one of SayUncle's catch phrases to point you to this story in today's Tennessean:

Leaving a Nashville courtroom yesterday morning, two Metro police officers were greeted by their peers and supporters with handshakes and hugs. A judge had just ruled they were not guilty of illegally taking guns into a downtown nightclub last year.

The two officers were off duty and had been drinking, but since they were apparently "following up" on some information about drugs being sold in the club, they were found not-guilty.

They had even taken breathalyzer tests and were found with a .10% blood alcohol level (the legal driving limit is .08% and their cars were parked nearby).

In other words, if you, I or Joe Citizen breaks the law, you're guilty, but if cops break the law...well...that's different.

Christian Libertarians

Glen Dean feels that most Christians should be libertarians.

I can agree with that...because I am one as well.

This time it's Roberts

I have a bad feeling about this.

Metro Task Force to Study Internet Access

S-Town Mike notes that Nashville's Metro Council voted in favor of creating a "Task Force on Telecommunications Innovation" that would study how to provide wide-spread internet/data access to the city.

The resolution can be found here.

Synopsis:

A resolution establishing a Task Force on Telecommunications Innovation to explore and report on the feasibility of using Metropolitan Government resources in a network that is available to the public using broadband technologies, broadband over power lines, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, and other wireless applications, end-user fiber build out, and other telecommunications technologies.

Mike goes on to chastise those that voted against the resolution:

I was amazed that the dissent to the resolution was hair-triggered, with dissenting council members not seeming to understand the difference between voting for a "study/report on" the feasibility of establishing a broadband network and voting for establishing a broadband network.

Well, technically, it's not just a "study/report" on the feasibility of the project, but it creates another metro task force (which I think does cost money in of itself) to study something that Council members may feel really isn't needed.

Back in January, I discussed a call for free wi-fi downtown by Tom Neff of the Nashville City Paper. I looked at both sides of the argument, but ultimately, such a move (whether it be confined to downtown* or city-wide) would be unwise *if* such a system were to be paid for and run by the Metro government and subsequently offered free of charge.

It's really a bad idea for governments to be getting involved with projects that would clearly put it in direct competition with private companies. On the other hand, I could be completely supportive of an effort by Metro that would encourage private companies to put such networks in place and could even allow for the leasing/rent of Metro infrastructure if necessary.

I did notice that such options would be considered by this task force, but my concern is that the focus may be more toward just providing a free wi-fi service that's completely subsidized by taxpayers without regard to the unfair competitive disadvantage of private companies...private companies that could/would supply internet access for a fee.

With that being said, I'd like to make it known that I (as someone with a background in technology) am available to sit on such a task force.

*Note: You can't consider the free wi-fi at Centennial Park in the equation as that type of small-area doesn't come into direct competition with a private company, but there is still a cost there that Metro is paying for.

Ford, Jr.'s Disturbing Absence(s)

Via Adam Groves comes this strange story from KnoxNews regarding Senate candidate Harold Ford, Jr...

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. of Memphis missed two Knoxville fund-raisers last weekend because of a family matter.

"I had a family situation I had to attend to, and I did, and fortunately everything is fine," said Ford, reached after a campaign event in DeKalb County on Tuesday afternoon. "What would you have me do?"

Ford would not confirm that he was with his father, former Congressman Harold Sr., but did say he was in New York.

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Robert Tuke said that he had heard an "apocryphal reference" to the fact that Ford's father had undergone a medical procedure and that "Harold needed to be by his side."

Tuke added: "Guess what? If my father were real sick - and I'm not saying that's what it is because I don't know that - but if my father were real sick, I'd be willing to inconvenience a lot of people."

Guess what? Junior has actually been in New York appearing on CNBC's Kudlow & Company for the last several days, and last weekend he was seen in New York having a fun night on the town.

It sounds like Tuke just made something up while making excuses for Junior's absence. And doing a TV show in New York isn't really what I'd call "family matters." Why wouldn't Junior admit to Bob Tuke's strange "apocryphal reference" to his father being sick?

We've discussed Junior's "family matters" before. Just last month, in fact, a similar situation occured:

Liberal blogger Sharon Cobb is scolding Harold Ford, Jr. today for blowing her off over the weekend ...and rightly so. He was supposed to have a quick phone interview with her, but his press secretary said he couldn't make the time due to "family issues" and never got back with her on Sunday. Interestingly enough, she notes that he apparently left an event on Saturday using that same excuse but kept showing up at other events throughout the middle Tennessee area.

Even the Tennessee Guerilla Women have had to take him to task for skipping out on events.

More? The Memphis Flyer has also had to call him out for missing votes in Congress (something that seems to also be a regular occurence).

Notice any patterns? If he can't be dependable enough in showing up for the people of Tennessee as a Congressman, how can we expect him to show up for the people of Tennessee as a Senator?

As the Memphis Flyer editorial said, "By such action -- and inaction -- is history made."

Indeed it is.

Update: If anyone can show me that Harold Ford, Sr. was indeed undergoing some type of "medical procedure" in New York, please send it my way. I'd really like to have something a little more concrete than an "apocryphal reference."

Update II: Chris Jackson notes that Ford was in Nashville when he appeared on Kudlow and Company last night. The correction is so noted, but the questions still remain...where was he this weekend and why is Bob Tuke making excuses that Ford himself can't even confirm. It's continued situations like this and what Sharon Cobb and Egalia reported that would make anyone raise their eyebrows and wonder just where Ford's motives are.

Headline of the Year

Drudge has the headline of the year up right now: "MIERS FOUND CHRIST, TURNED REPUBLICAN"

Heh!

Ouch

Ouch...George Will on the President's choice of Miers and Constitutional principles...

In addition, the president has forfeited his right to be trusted as a custodian of the Constitution. The forfeiture occurred March 27, 2002, when, in a private act betokening an uneasy conscience, he signed the McCain-Feingold law expanding government regulation of the timing, quantity and content of political speech. The day before the 2000 Iowa caucuses he was asked -- to insure a considered response from him, he had been told in advance he would be asked -- whether McCain-Feingold's core purposes are unconstitutional. He unhesitatingly said, ``I agree.'' Asked if he thought presidents have a duty, pursuant to their oath to defend the Constitution, to make an independent judgment about the constitutionality of bills and to veto those he thinks unconstitutional, he briskly said, ``I do.'' [emphasis added]

Yep.

Knoxville's Traffic Camera Issue

For our friends to the east in Knoxville who, it seems, are about to be getting a nice dose of Orwell, I'd like to link to a timely story in yesterday's Washington Post which shows that the number of traffic accidents have gone up at intersections with traffic cameras. In fact, the cameras don't seem to be making any difference in the number of accidents at all.

The District's red-light cameras have generated more than 500,000 violations and $32 million in fines over the past six years. City officials credit them with making busy roads safer.

But a Washington Post analysis of crash statistics shows that the number of accidents has gone up at intersections with the cameras. The increase is the same or worse than at traffic signals without the devices.

Three outside traffic specialists independently reviewed the data and said they were surprised by the results. Their conclusion: The cameras do not appear to be making any difference in preventing injuries or collisions.

I'd also like to point you to a March article from the Cato Institute regarding the troubles with traffic cameras....

There's nothing wrong with city or state government taking measures to keep our roadways safe. But the measures they take should be effective. If they are punitive, the measures should give motorists due process; and there should be minimal potential for abuse. Traffic cameras fail on all three counts.

Perhaps more is at work here besides the outward appearance that they are only installing the cameras for "your own good" (aka...safety). Maybe it's the government's insatiable need for new sources of revenue. Or maybe it could be a company's hunger for money from revenue provide through agreements with local governments (i.e. Knoxville's situation). Many times companies will pay a handsome fee to officials from other cities to come in and be their salesperson in promoting the benefits of such a system. In reality, the real benefit and motivating factor is the revenue such a system produces while there doesn't seem to be any major benefit to safety (as shown by independent research from places like DC and even Great Britain).

As usual, citizens get the short end of the stick whether it be through lack of due process, being milked for revenue or through outrageous abuses of the system. Our friends in Knoxville need to start asking serious questions and holding their elected officials accountable.

No word on where Nashville's police department stands on installing cameras. They've been pretty quiet since we made quite a big deal out of Metro's plans to install surveillance cameras on our streets. There were also talks of installing traffic cameras, but they've been pretty quiet about that as well.

Actually, I think it's time I did a little check up to see what they've been up to lately.

Don't Get Me Wrong

By the way...don't get me wrong on Miers (based on my last two posts). I wouldn't have selected her. As I've said before, I would have picked someone like Alex Kozinski from the 9th Circuit.

There are only two problems with Kozinski, though. 1) He has a good Conservative/Constitutionalist record, and 2) He doesn't drink the administration kool-aid. That's why he was never in the running even though he would have been one of the best choices possible.

If Bush really meant what he said about a choice being "in the mold" of Justices Thomas and Scalia, then Kozinski should have been at the top of the list. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Oh...and 3) He was never a close friend of Bush.

Miers' Donations

Sharon Cobb provides what might be "the rest of the story" on Miers' donations to the Democratic Party in 1988:

While the conservative Drudge Report and the rest of the mainstream media trumpet revelations that Bush Supreme Court nominee Hariet Miers gave $1,000 to Al Gore's 1988 presidential campaign -- there's something they're not revealing, RAW STORY has found.

Gore's Texas campaign chair in the 1988 primaries was none other than the now-Republican governor of Texas and Bush ally Rick Perry. Perry's record reveals he is no Al Gore.

The $1,000 Miers gave -- was for the primary.

Miers on Right to Keep and Bear Arms

There actually is a paper trail of sorts on Miers' potential stance on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

Dave Kopel at The Volokh Conspiracy has the details (ht: Instapundit).

Kopel links to a piece at The New Republic Online that posts part of an article Miers wrote after a courthouse shooting spree in Fort Worth. It seems to be quite telling...

How does a free society prevent a man from climbing to the top of a tower on a university campus and randomly killing whoever is in sight? How does a free society prevent a man from driving a truck into a cafeteria and executing patrons? How does a free society prevent a man from entering a courtroom and opening fire? We are loath to hear the answer to these questions as it comes from our lips, because the suggested solutions usually infringe on precious, constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

The same liberties that ensure a free society make the innocent vulnerable to those who prevent rights and privileges and commit senseless and cruel acts. Those precious liberties include free speech, freedom to assemble, freedom of liberties, access to public places, the right to bear arms and freedom from constant surveillance. We are not willing to sacrifice these rights because of the acts of maniacs.

I agree with every bit of that.

She goes on to describe how the American justice system treats the symptoms of crime instead of the root causes...

Additionally, we are reminded that success in fighting crime in our nation is more than treating symptoms. We will be successful in solving our massive crime problems only when we attack the root causes. All of us, men and women, young and old, must pledge ourselves to address the ills that surround us in our communities.

We all can be active in some way to address the social issues that foster criminal behavior, such as: lack of self-esteem or hope in some segments of our society, poverty, lack of health care (particularly mental health care), lack of education, and family dysfunction. [Emphasis added.]

While I feel slightly better, I still stand by my earlier Star Wars quote...at least for now.

Roy Moore Running for Governor

It was mentioned here back in January that Roy Moore may run for the Governor's office in Alabama. It seems that today he's made it official.

Michael Silence has more.

DeLay...second indictment

I just heard that DeLay has received a second indictment from the grand jury...money laundering.

I'll reiterate what I said before in my blunt memo to the GOP.

Update: Story here.

On Miers

For now I'll just go to my bag of Star Wars quotes and say, "I have a bad feeling about this."

More: Buchanan makes some good points on Miers.

I believe this is pork

I think it's safe to say that this $500,000 was wasted and safetly falls into the category of pork spending.

Yes, spending $500,000 of Federal money to paint one of your jets to look like a salmon is probably not what you want your tax money going to.

So, you landed a big king salmon this summer? It can't compare to the colossal king Alaska Airlines plans to land this morning in Anchorage.

The Seattle-based carrier has painted nearly the full length of a Boeing 737-400 passenger jet as a wild Alaska king, or chinook, salmon. The airline has dubbed its flying fish the "Salmon-Thirty-Salmon."

It's a bold promotional move to celebrate wild Alaska seafood and also the carrier's role in hauling millions of pounds of fresh salmon, halibut, crab, shrimp and other seafood out of the state each year.

But wait...there's more...

A local nonprofit agency, the Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board, gave Alaska Airlines a $500,000 grant to paint the jet. The money came out of about $29 million in federal funding U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska and his congressional colleagues have appropriated to the marketing board, created in 2003, to promote and enhance the value of Alaska seafood. The senator's son, state Sen. Ben Stevens, is chairman of the agency's board of directors.

Ahh...so, Senator Ted Stevens son is the chairman of an agency's board of directors that received a $29 million in Federal funding.

From Ben at Tennessee Tax Revolt:

If this doesn't make you angry you better check your pulse. Senator Ted Stevens (R) of Alaska is THE biggest porker in Congress. Senator Stevens' son is a State Senator and runs the non-profit Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board. Papa Stevens got $29 million for sonny boy's board and sonny boy used $500,000 to paint a plane to look like a salmon. Please remember Senator Stevens is spending the same money that you work very hard for everyday. If this doesn't make you angry you better check your pulse.

That's right...you saw a big fat "R" next to Stevens' name. Again I'll ask, "Et tu, GOP?"

Lipscomb

David Lipscomb University has just started a lecture series with a discussion of partisan political trends in America according to this story in the Nashville Business Journal.

I wonder if they will discuss this.

It's Miers

Bush's pick is Harriet Miers to replace O'Connor on the Supreme Court.

31-3

Roll Tide Roll!

Update: Glenn Dean concurs.

Junior Loves New York

See what you notice deep down in Page Six of the New York Post from September 25:

SIGHTINGS

BRAD Pitt and Angelina Jolie drinking red wine and then a complimentray grappa at Primola ... AMBIVALENT mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner at his brother's restaurant Almondito in the Hamptons with girlfriend Gigi Stone ... REP. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) - a candidate for Majority Leader Bill Frist's Senate seat - having cocktails at the St. Regis with two hot blondes ... NEWLY single Jamie-Lynn DiScala and pals having a raucous girls' night out at Sushi Samba on Seventh Avenue.

Just passing it along...nothing more.