Chicago = New Oceania

The world that Orwell warned against grows in Chicago. Mayor Daley has embraced a plan that would require every licensed Chicago business that are open for more than twelve hours a day to install cameras both inside and outside of the business.

Alito In and How I Celebrated

Finally. Alito has been confirmed. 58 in favor, 42 against. Here's the breakdown from C-SPAN.

One Republican, Chafee of Rhode Island, voted against Alito. Four Democrats voted for him.

In celebration, I bought a new lens for my camera. I was trying to decide between the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. The Canon lens cost about $1,100 whereas the Tamron lens could be had at about $350. Normally, quality comes with a price, and I was looking for quality. I have heard good things in the past about Tamron lenses, so I wanted to give it a fair shake in comparison with its Canon counterpart.

What should one do if trying to compare lenses? Google it. I was able to find several comparisons and reviews, and from what I found, the Tamron lens actually performed better or equal to the Canon lens. Check out this nice comparison. Another can be found here.

With the comparisons coming in favor of the Tamron, I had to go with it. Plus, I saved about $500. I'll try to post some reviews of the lens once I receive it.

Next lens...the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8. I probably won't do many comparisons here. I love this lens and have shot with it before (some examples here). Plus, you just look cooler carrying around that big, white lens.

PS: Oh yeah. I'm supposed to be going to see some guy named Bush speak tomorrow. Not sure what that's about. heh

Please Note

I was nowhere near Fesslers Lane today.

Another Day...

Another Bredesen official resigns.

This time it's over an attempted smearing campaign of Rep. Judd Matheny after Matheny called for a Federal investigation into the allegations of top Highway Patrol officials faking a punishment of one of their own over Deputy Governor Dave Cooley's fixed speeding ticket.

Well...I guess it has gotten to the point now that this all is just "business as usual" within the Bredesen administration.

State of the State

How much is too much? At what point does the public just get tired of public corruption? Will too much corruption lead to anger or apathy?

Here in Tennessee, we are yet again one scandal closer to finding the answers to those questions.

Just as I got a press release yesterday regarding "Operation Crooked Highway," I received a press release from Phil Bredesen at almost the exact time. "Unfortunate timing," I thought to myself. Bredesen is running a nomination petition campaign for this year's gubernatorial election. In the press release, he his press secretary was touting the many several accompishments made over the past few years since Bredesen was first elected. Not once did it mention ethics.

With more and more negative news coming from state corruption, Phil Bredesen is vulnerable, but Republicans have still not been able to field a viable candidate.

I did, however, hear an interesting tidbit of information yesterday regarding a potential Republican candidate. While Jim Henry ruled out running for governor in November, he is supposedly coming to town to meet with several Republican lawmakers either this week or next. It was implied that they were going to try to talk him into running again.

If you'll remember, Henry ran against Van Hilleary during the Republican primary for Governor last time. Van Hilleary won the primary but eventually suffered a loss to Bredesen in the general election. Bredesen was once heard saying that he probably wouldn't have been governor if Henry had been the one to win the primary, and he's probably right. I guess you can thank Van Hilleary for that. He seems to have done a pretty good job at running a negative campaign against a fellow Republican, but when the rubber hit the road in the real election, he didn't have what it took to pull out a win.

That kind of makes me wonder if we're heading for deja vu in the Senate race. Look for that race to start getting negative very soon. I'll let you guess where it's going to originate from (see last paragraph).

Can She Do That?

In regards to a Federal Judge's injunction against the state Senate's actions in the Ophelia Ford fiasco, Bill Hobbs asks (commenting at Bob Krumm's site), "Can a federal judge do that? Order a state legislative body not to vote on legislation that has moved properly through the legislative process?" Krumm provides a good response to this question. Brittney, over at NiT, also responded by saying, "Apparently they can, because they just did."

Well, I guess a Federal judge can rule whatever they want to about anything, but that doesn't mean it's right or that it can be enforced.

If I were in the state Senate, I'd do what President Andrew Jackson did when the Supreme Court made a ruling involving the Cherokee Indian Nation's boundaries..."The Supreme Court has made its decision, now let them enforce it."

Of course...maybe that's why I'm not a politician.

This Federal judge has overstepped her boundaries and jurisdiction thus the state Senate has no reason to even pay attention to this injuction. However, you know they will.

By the way...I was alluding to a feeling I had that the judge probably had links to the Ford family when I mentioned that it was just normal Memphis politics in action. You ALWAYS have to assume that there's some type of blatant impropriety when dealing with Memphis politics and the Ford family. Today TeamGOP, points to a story in the Memphis Commercial Appeal that may shed a little light on this subject.

Go figure. Business as usual.

More than meets the eye?

Bill Hobbs, Sharon Cobb, and now Roger Abramson have exited from the political blogosphere. All three have backgrounds in some type of "mainstream" journalism. All three bowed out within a seven day period.

Coincidence?

More: On a similar (but at the same time unrelated) note, does this mean that someone else may be coming back to blogging? Before it was completely down...but now it's back.

Ford Gets Injunction

Ophelia Ford got an injunction today from a Federal judge in Memphis to block the state Senate from voting to overturn her election.

A federal judge today blocked the state Senate from voiding the disputed special election that Senator Ophelia Ford of Memphis won by 13 votes to succeed her indicted brother.

Ford's attorney filed a motion earlier today in U.S. District Court in Memphis and received word this evening that Judge Bernice Donald had issued a restraining order.

Now I'd really like to read the reasoning behind that judge's decision. No matter what, it will make things very tense around capital hill tomorrow.

What's interesting is the fact that right after making her charges of racism she said she would have a Federal judge stop it. I can't help but wonder...well...never mind. It's Memphis politics, don't question it.

More: Has anyone checked to see if that judge is alive? (sorry...couldn't resist)

Yeah...

Maybe I should run for Governor since no one else is. It would obviously be a front porch...er front blog campaign.

But hey, if William McKinley and James Garfield can do it, so can I.

I just...um...probably wouldn't win. But I would promise to not brandish any new Walthers. heh

Update: Well...I don't qualify anyway. (links to pdf) That whole part about having to pay homage to Phillip Fulmer would never happen.

Heck. I would have done it otherwise.

Ophelia Ford

Last night 33 members of the state Senate narrowly voted to send a resolution to the entire Senate that would oust Ophelia Ford.

In order to nullify any arguments that may have helped her (as if there were any in the first place), Ford made the following comments...

"It's about racism. It's about 'Jim Crow'-ism," Ford said after the vote. "I'm black. It is 85% black vote in that district, District 29. They want this seat." She may file a federal lawsuit over the ouster, she said.

In the meantime, Ford's hometown newspaper, the Memphis Commercial Appeal, keeps finding voters who used vacant lots as their addresses.

It's Official

As posted here two days ago, Beth Harwell has officially announced today that she will not be running for Governor.

I know that she was seriously considering running up until at least the end of December, but she has decided to continue her work in the state legislature.

That's unfortunate because Bredesen's wagon may have a few bumps in the road over the next several months which may end up making him vulnerable. But who knows? I guess too many Republicans like him.

On the other hand, it is fortunate because the GOP currently is down only four seats from having a majority in the House. If Harwell had decided to run for Governor, she would had to have given up her House seat. Because it is less than a year until the next election, there would have more than likely been a Democrat appointee placed in that seat (as I detailed back in November). That would make it one seat more difficult to get a GOP majority come next election.

Of course, then you'd have to deal with the GOP turncoats seeking political favors...like "Wilder's Water Boys."

Speaking of Mike Williams, I heard that he will not be voting to overturn the fraudulent election of Ophelia Ford in Memphis which means that vote is more than likely going to fail. No surprises there.

Weekend Photoblogging

I enjoy the details. Take for example this from a railroad overpass near Goodlettsville, TN.

A few more pictures from the weekend here.

Beth Harwell Not Running

I just heard from a reliable source that Beth Harwell has decided not to run for Governor.

That means that as of right now there are no GOP candidates to go up against Bredesen.

State Tax Revenues are Up...Yet Again

Really no surprises, but state tax revenues are above budget estimates yet again. This news comes just in time for the legislature to come into session and spend as much of it as they can.

December revenues beat budget estimates by $27.9 million, but that includes $10 million in one-time tax payments by two taxpayers. Basicially, revenue beat estimates by $17.9 million if you don't count the one-time tax payments (which in the end really doesn't matter to the spenders).

Year-to-date tax collections for five months (fiscal year) were $62.8 million more than the budget estimates. The general fund was overcollected by $56 million and the four other funds (highway, city & county, sinking and earmarked funds) were overcollected by $6.8 million.

In the end, stories about the state losing revenue really don't hold any water when you actually look at the numbers.

Eminent Domain Test Case

Chris Wage highlights an interesting, post-Kelo test case for eminent domain.

Ford Backfire

As I mentioned on Monday, Harold Ford Junior had a bit of a "foot in mouth" moment when he demanded that the Republicans in the U.S. Senate race in Tennessee return any money that they may have received from convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Unfortunately for Junior, he received some money himself...which I wouldn't really have considered an issue since there were plenty of Senators and Representatives that have received money from "Team Abramhoff," but Junior had to make it an issue in the Senate race. So be it.

Today Clint Brewer of the Lebanon Democrat took Junior to task over the issue.

Head over and read it. If the link doesn't take you directly to the article, click on the extended entry portion of this post to see the entire article.

Ford Backfire: Senate campaign bungles scandal By CLINT BREWER January 11, 2006

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Democratic Congressman Harold Ford Jr.’s campaign for the U.S. Senate may have unwittingly given away the moral high ground on the biggest scandal to rock the GOP nationally in years.

The Ford campaign continued to see attacks Tuesday from GOP Senate candidate Bob Corker and later the National Republican Senatorial Committee over Ford campaign contributions Republicans insist are tied to corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s former law firm.

The firm – Greenberg Traurig – was prominently in the news again Tuesday in connection with the Abramoff scandal involving former GOP House Majority Leader Tom Delay and an attempt to pressure an Indian tribe to close a casino.
The Associated Press reported late Tuesday Delay attempted to pressure the Bush administration to close the Alabama-Coushatta tribe’s casino shortly after a competing tribe and client of Abramoff’s made a contribution to a Delay-run political action committee.

The Greenberg Traurig law firm – Abramoff’s former employer – has been hit with a demand letter to return $50,000 to the Alabama-Coushatta tribe taken by an Abramoff run charity ostensibly to finance a golf trip for Congressmen who were going to help the tribe keep the casino.

Ford’s campaign committees have accepted almost $4,000 from Greenberg Traurig attorneys over the years. The contributions would not matter so much if Ford had not challenged the GOP field to return campaign money from Abramoff and his associates before Ford’s own donations became public.

“The records show a Ford donor is a documented member of ‘Team Abramoff,’” an NRSC release screamed Tuesday.

“Congressman Ford should finally do what he asked others to do last week – fully disclose what Jack Abramoff and his associates gave him over the years and donate that money to charity immediately,” Corker campaign manager Ben Mitchell said.

Ford spokesperson Carol Andrews continued the campaign’s stance of refusing to accept the premise of the attack – that the contributions from Greenberg Traurig were tied somehow to Abramoff.

“Congressman Ford has not taken any of the corrupt Abramoff money,” Andrews said in a written statement. “For anyone to insinuate otherwise is dishonest.”

Despite the denials, Ford’s campaign because of the candidate’s “challenge” to the GOP field on the Abramoff funds is going to have a hard time using the election year GOP scandal to its advantage without bringing up its own Abramoff baggage. Ford supporters should be particularly dismayed as GOP primary candidate in the Senate race Van Hilleary has to account for thousands in much more direct Abramoff contributions.

Ed Bryant Campaign Headquarters Open House

I attended the open of Ed Bryant's new campaign headquarters in Brentwood tonight. There was an excellent turnout.

I also got a few pictures from the event (click on the image below to see the Flickr set).

Full disclosure: All pictures that I took were donated to the campaign.

More: Jay over at Blogging for Bryant has more details on the gathering plus a couple of extra pictures.

Speaking of Spectacles

Just when we thought all of the Tennessee Highway Patrol's dirty laundry had been aired, more information comes to light...

Top officials of the Tennessee Highway Patrol concocted a fake punishment for the trooper who fixed a speeding ticket for Deputy Gov. Dave Cooley, according to notes taken by another high-ranking officer.

The notes say the idea was to reassign Lt. Ronnie Shirley from Rutherford County to Wilson County so that "the media will be satisfied thinking we did something to him." The reassignment would actually only be "on paper," the notes say.

It all makes you wonder if anything the Bredesen administration does regarding ethics is real or just a ruse to satisfy the press.

So much for trusting politicians.

Alito Hearings Day 2

To keep up with what's going on in the Alito hearings, you can scoot on over to the SCOTUSblog for up-to-the-minute live-blogging of the entire spectacle.

Just keep hitting refresh.

Required Reading

George Will has an excellent column today (via Instapundit). It's actually required reading for all Republicans...especially if you missed my wake-up call back in September.

Hanging up his hat

Just when politics in Tennessee is about to get back into full swing again, Bill Hobbs hangs up his blogging hat.

I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision, but sometimes you've just got to do what you got to do. He will be missed, but I'm sure he'll still be around...just not on BillHobbs.com. After all, you can never really leave blogging.

No Dems Took From Abramoff?

Egailia at TN Guerilla Women links to a CNN video showing Howard Dean say that no Democrats took from the convicted lobyist Jack Abramoff.

Really? I guess the voice of Howard Dean is the equivalent to the voice of God to most Democrats...but I digress.

I don't normally post campaign press releases, but I received one* this morning that caught my attention from the Bob Corker campaign** regarding certain campaign donations from members of "Team Abramhoff" to a one Harold Ford Junior...and it includes some excellent details. This all after Junior called on Republicans to disclose any donations of their own from Abramhoff.

*Note: You'll find the press release in the extended entry portion of this post since it's not up on Corker's web site as of yet. **Note: This posting does not constitute an endorsement of Bob Corker for Senate.

January 9, 2006
For Immediate Release

Ford Campaign Finance Reports Show ‘Dinner Reception,’ Donations from ‘Team Abramoff’

Public Record Cleary Links Ford and “Team Abramoff”- Contradicts Ford Denials

Chattanooga – Today, the Bob Corker for Senate campaign continued to press Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. to fully explain and acknowledge his relationship with “Team Abramoff” lobbyists.

Campaign finance reports show Congressman Ford received thousands in donations from “Team Abramoff” members including a “dinner reception” paid for by a lobbyist the Associated Press described as “a member of Jack Abramoff's tribal lobbying team at the Greenberg Traurig law firm.” (AP 12/4/05).

“Harold Ford has been in Washington too long if he thinks Tennesseans will believe his flimsy denials of something so clearly evident in the public record,” said Corker campaign manager Ben Mitchell.

On Thursday of last week (1/5/06), Congressman Ford issued a statement saying, “Bob Corker [and the other Republican candidates] should disclose what Jack Abramoff and his associates gave them over the years and they should donate that money to a charity of their choice immediately.” (emphasis added) The Corker campaign has not received any money from Jack Abramoff or his associates.

However, in direct contradiction to the denials by the Ford campaign, the public record clearly shows donations to Congressman Ford from individuals the Washington Post describes as “Team Abramoff” lobbyists.

In Saturday’s Knox News Sentinel, Ford spokesperson Carol Andrews was quoted as saying “Congressman Ford has not received any Abramoff money - period, paragraph, end of story.” (Knox News Sentinel, 1/7/06)

But Congressman Ford’s campaign filings show at least seven donations including payment for a “dinner reception” by “Team Abramoff” lobbyists.

Lobbyist Michael D. Smith – Ford’s campaign finance reports show a $500 donation by Mr. Smith on 4/10/01, a $500 donation on 3/05/03, a $250 donation on 6/12/03, and a $973.55 payment for a “dinner reception” on 3/12/02. The Associated Press reported Mr. Smith was “a member of Jack Abramoff's tribal lobbying team at the Greenberg Traurig law firm.” (AP 12/4/05). Mr. Smith’s lobbying disclosure forms show he also lobbied for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, and the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana.

Lobbyist Edward Ayoob – Ford’s campaign finance reports show a $500 donation from Mr. Ayoob on 7/14/05. The Washington Post described Mr. Ayoob as a member of “Team Abramoff,” calling the associates a “tight-knit group who worked under Abramoff when he was at the lobbying helm of the Washington office of Greenberg Traurig LLP and, before that, Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds LLP.” (Washington Post 6/25/05)

Lobbyist Alan Slomowitz – Ford’s campaign finance reports show a $1000 donation from Mr. Slomowitz on 3/15/04. Mr. Slomowitz’s lobbying disclosure forms filed with the Secretary of the Senate show he lobbied for Abramoff clients including the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, and SunCruz Casino LLC. Washingtonpost.com lists Mr. Slomowitz among members of “Team Abramoff.”

Lobbyist Stephanie Short – Ford’s campaign finance reports show a $250 donation from Ms. Short on 6/13/03. The Washington Post reported Ms. Short “work[ed] for Abramoff as a Coushatta lobbyist.” (Washington Post, 3/13/05)

“Congressman Ford needs to explain all his dealings with Team Abramoff and acknowledge that his recent denials were completely false and misleading. Tennesseans have the right to the truth about the Congressman's connection to these lobbyists,” said Corker campaign manager Ben Mitchell.

Terrorism in Space

I'm sure that this story somehow ties into this other story. I'm just not sure how...except that it probably falls under Bush's ultimate goal to start an intergalactic war.

Let the Grandstanding Begin

Today, Samuel Alito's confirmation hearings begin. First, we get the pleasure of listening to all 18 members of the Senate Judiciary Committee give ten minute opening statements. Tomorrow the "questioning" begins.

Political grandstanding at its finest. On the other hand, it does always provide for some interesting humour when listening to liberals that have an open mic.

Speaking of humour...the Tennessee General Assembly's special session on "ethics" starts tommorrow. To get a refresher on what they'll be discussing, go here.

A Picture Weekend

I went out and did some photography this weekend. A new set here, and a couple of new additions to the TN State Penn set.

Enjoy.

He's Back

DocB is back!

The Chuck Norris Legend Grows

Remember the list of Chuck Norris facts I posted back in November (which still seems to be my biggest traffic draw)?

Well, the Washington Post has taken notice of the legend that is...Chuck Norris.

(via: Marginal Revolution)

National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest

Ben Cunningham, blogging over at BillHobbs.com, posted a link to the National Wildlife Federation's photo contest winners.

Great pictures. I also like the fact that they tell what kind of lens was used in taking each picture (although, I do wish it would have given a little more detail).

Most surprising...a picture of a grizzly taken with a 70-200mm lens (presumably the Canon 70-200 f/2.8, but it could have been the f/4 version). Unless he cropped, that's still closer to a grizzly than I would want to be...unless of course I have a large rifle with me as well.

My favorite picture is of the fox though. It was probably taken with this 500mm lens with one of these 1.4x teleconverters. Very nice.

Blonde Joke

I love it!

Favourite Pictures of 2005

I created a Flickr set of my favourite pictures from 2005. They aren't necessarily the best...they were just my favourites. They are mostly in order starting from about March until December.

Enjoy them here.

And for Brittney: I was able to get only (the first) 36 picture into this collage, but here it is nontheless.

It's June in January

For some reason I've had the song "June in January" running around in my head (as performed by Dean Martin, of course). And it's not "because I'm in love."

The weather might have something to do with it though.

Today

Today, I watched the Cotton Bowl. I wonder what Phil Fulmer did today.