Archive for November, 2009
Guns In Bars Shot Down, Ruled Unconstitutional
Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Republicans controlled this year’s session of the Tennessee legislature for the first time since reconstruction (1870’s). They took over in a time of unprecedented economic hardship and sagging revenues, adding up to a budget mess that required quick action. What did republicans do with their newfound leadership opportunities? They plugged the budget holes with the very stimulus money they protested, passed “Guns in Bars”, and headed home with their pockets full of per diem checks.
All the while, far right Tennessee Republicans made impassioned speeches about “following the Constitution”, the evils of the stimulus package (yet spent it to plug budget holes), and “limited government”. They even formed a committee to study secession.
Now a Chancery Judge has ruled that the “Guns in Bars” law is unconstitutionally vague, citing that it is problematic for police and small business owners (you know, the ones republicans claim to protect). Following the Constitution to the letter is the one thing all republicans pride themselves in and espouse constantly. This year, when they finally took power for the first time since reconstruction, they couldn’t even do that. The City Paper has the story
In her ruling, [Chancellor] Bonnyman agreed the law was too vague and “does violate the due process rights of the public in general and plaintiff gun permit holders.” The chancellor based her decision on the fact that permit holders cannot determine whether or not they are in violation of the law.
“The principle business being conducted cannot be known to the ordinary citizen,” Bonnyman said. “Inquiry would not be satisfactory or helpful.”
It’s not clear whether or not the Attorney General will appeal the ruling, which effectively eliminated the statute from the law. The legislature is likely to address a new version of the bill in the next session but it is unclear whether or not a guns-in-bar provision will see the same support.
Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas spoke out in support of Bonnyman’s decision, and said his one concern he had was that the ruling would allow the issue to “again take center stage during the next legislative session instead of the vitally important issue of keeping convicted felons behind bars.”
Tax & Spend Republicans: Comptroller Hides Cash Payments
Thursday, November 19th, 2009During a time of unprecedented budget constraints, mass state employee layoffs and furloughs, and penny pinching on the part of Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen, our new Republican State Comptroller Justin Wilson has decided to give his office a personal stimulus check on the Tennessee taxpayers’ dime.
Luckily, Democrat Joe Haynes, who sits on the Fiscal Review Committee, caught the error and is calling Wilson out. WSMV has the story.
Gordon Helps Pass 3 Bills To Boost Small Business
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Bart Gordon supported three bipartisan bills today aimed at helping small businesses in Tennessee and around the country. Each bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The House approved the Small Business Health Information Technology Financing Act (H.R. 3014), which would create a loan program in the U.S. Small Business Administration to help medical professionals purchase health information technology.
“Numerous studies have shown that if doctors and hospitals started using secure health information technology systems, like electronic medical records, billions of dollars could be saved each year nationwide,” said Gordon who has been a longtime advocate for reducing the costs of practicing medicine.
Earlier this year, the President implemented a tort reform initiative that Gordon developed to reduce the number of frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits that doctors face.
The House also passed the Small Business Early-Stage Investment Act (H.R. 3738) and the Expand Entrepreneurship Act (H.R. 1842). Both measures aim to support new, promising small businesses.
“Early-stage businesses have been found to be some of the best job creators, but starting a new business is no easy task,” said Gordon. “These bills create important SBA programs that will assist small businesses in getting up and running. Helping small businesses grow is especially important for Tennessee’s economy, where more than 95% of our state’s private workforce is employed by small businesses.”
The Small Business Early-Stage Investment Act creates an SBA investment program tasked with providing grants to small businesses involved in health information technology, digital technology, defense technology, and agriculture research and development. The Expand Entrepreneurship Act directs the SBA to develop a comprehensive plan that identifies a strategy for each SBA region to create jobs through its programs.
Having passed the House, the three bills will now move to the Senate for consideration.
Another Conservative Attacks Lou Ann Zelenik’s Candidacy
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
Stephen Shirley, Conservative DNJ Contributor
Stephen Shirley is known as a conservative contributor to the Daily News Journal through guest columns, DNJ forum posts, and blogs. Here’s what he had to say about Republican Lou Ann Zelenik’s decision to challenge Congressman Bart Gordon (D-Murfreesboro) in a DNJ guest column:
Zelenik certainly isn’t the perfect candidate. Never mind that she lost a Republican primary race for the Tennessee House 48th District. Zelenik comes across as a partisan blowhard interested more in hearing herself talk than in listening to local residents. She’s caustic, abrasive and quite simply annoying. Her schtick plays well with the “birthers” crowd. But independents simply plug their ears to her braying and search out a more reasoned voice.
Numerous political watchers openly wonder if the Zelenik campaign isn’t just an attempt to weaken Gordon for the 2012 election cycle. A campaign against Zelenik would force Gordon to spend from his campaign war chest. But what if weakening Gordon isn’t the only motivation for the Republican Party? What if there is a secondary motivation in encouraging a Zelenik campaign in 2010?
If Zelenik faces off against Gordon next November, spends significant amounts of her own money and still loses, she might conclude that elected office is not in her best interests. In one fell swoop, Republicans could hurt Gordon’s prospects of another re-election as well as clear the slate of a powerful, if not deeply flawed, candidate.
So call it the Zelenik gambit. It may be an attempt to weaken Bart Gordon. But by offering up Zelenik as campaign fodder in 2010, the gambit may also be an attempt to eliminate her from future discussions.
Making Veterans Part of the Recovery
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009BY CONGRESSMAN BART GORDON
On this Veterans Day, more than 190,000 of our brave men and women are currently fighting for our country in Afghanistan and Iraq. Going to war takes incredible courage, and each and every service member currently deployed is in our thoughts and prayers. All Americans appreciate their commitment to defending our freedoms.
We owe them more than just our gratitude though; we have an obligation to serve those who have volunteered to serve our country. The unfortunate reality is that here at home, there are about 185,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are unemployed and looking for work. These veterans bravely served our country, and the skills they developed during their military service – from their strong work ethic and unwavering loyalty to their commitment toward achieving goals bigger than themselves – would be of great value to any business.
Many, however, have been caught in the turmoil of the current economic climate. As the United States climbs out of this recession, my goal has been to support efforts aimed at helping them obtain the additional skills needed to compete for today’s jobs.
Last year, Congress passed the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, legislation that expanded educational benefits for military veterans who have served since September 11, 2001. In August, military veterans throughout Middle Tennessee and across the United States started receiving benefits from the new G.I. Bill, which includes covering 100% of a four-year public undergraduate education.
I strongly supported this bill because it will allow an estimated 2 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to return to the classroom and get the education they need and deserve without having to worry about costs. Not only does the new G.I. Bill cover tuition, but it also helps with books and housing expenses.
In addition to the new G.I. Bill, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Veterans Retraining Act, which will further help veterans obtain the skills needed to get a new job. This legislation would authorize the U.S. Labor Department to pay monthly living and housing stipends to veterans enrolled in employment-training programs that teach skills in particular demand.
In Smyrna, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced its plans to open a new patient service call center to help serve veterans and 19 VA hospitals. This center is expected to create as many as 450 new jobs. Hiring will begin later this year, and the federal government will offer veterans special preference for these jobs, which will provide much needed job opportunities for veterans in our area.
As the current economic climate improves, I remain committed to ensuring that veterans are part of the recovery.
Masked Republican Senate Candidate Thrown Out Of UT Game
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
UT POLICE REPORT CITES BELLIGERENCE
If you are not familiar with Rep. Stacy Campfield (R-Knoxville), you’re definitely missing out on one of the rising stars/spectacles of the Tennessee GOP. Campfield spends his time on the Tennessee House floor fighting conservative battles such as calling the black caucus more racist than the KKK (while trying to join), issuing state death certificates for aborted fetuses, and getting guns onto school campuses . Republican leaders just love him, so he’s decided to run for State Senate.
Being such a celebrity among Republicans can be a heavy burden, though. Mr. Campfield gets very tired of having his clothes ripped off his body by throngs of adoring fans, so he decided to wear a brightly-colored leather mexican wrestling mask to the UT game to hide his identity and fit right in. The problem is, masks are not allowed in Neyland stadium, and when Campfield was told to remove it he refused and tried to evade campus police. They were not amused:
According to a report by UT Police Lt. Dana McReynolds, the Knoxville Republican was wearing a “Luchador’s (Mexican wrestler’s) full head mask” during the game against South Carolina despite publicity before and during the game that Halloween masks were not allowed inside Neyland Stadium.
“I told him masks were not allowed in the stadium and told him he would have to take it off,” McReynolds wrote. “He asked why and I again told him that masks were not allowed and he could either give the mask to me or take it off and put it away. Before I could finish my sentence he took off the mask and asked if he could keep it. I told him ‘yes’ and thanked him for complying.”
The officer noted that Campfield then re-entered the stadium area but went a different direction than his original seat.
“Curious about this odd behavior and concerned that he had misunderstood our interaction, I caught up with him in front of the concession stand in Section D,” McReynolds wrote. “I … began to tell him that I was not asking him to leave the section, just to take off his mask. Again … he interrupted and said, ‘I was just taking a walk. Is it illegal to walk around?’ I told him ‘no,’ and was surprised by his sudden confrontational attitude. … He again asked if walking around was illegal. I told him ‘no’ and again began to explain that he did not have to leave his seat, just take off the mask. He continued to ask if walking around was illegal. … Thinking that something was not right (he kept saying the same phrase over and over, would not make eye contact and kept shifting on his feet, left to right) I asked to see his ticket.”
When Campfield gave the officer his ticket, it was for Section LL, not Section B.
According to the report, the officer asked Campfield why he had not said he was going to his correct seat, and he said again, “I told you I was walking around. Is it illegal to walk around?”
“After five or six attempts at explaining this to him, I told the man I was not going to play word … games with him,” the officer wrote. “He had violated the mask policy, was in the wrong section and was being argumentative and uncooperative.”
“While walking to the exit, he kept repeating over and over that he was just walking around and when did it become illegal to walk around,” McReynolds wrote.
UPDATE: Christian Grantham has a video compilation
Gordon Votes Against Health Care Bill
Sunday, November 8th, 2009
HR 3962, the health care proposal in U.S. House, narrowly passed last night 220-215 with 1 republican, Rep. Cao of Louisiana, voting in favor of the bill. 39 Democrats joined 176 Republicans in voting against the first health care reform bill to make it to the House floor since 1965. From a press release:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Bart Gordon voted against the House health care bill (H.R. 3962) today, citing concerns about its ability to reduce health care costs.
“I firmly believe that any responsible health care bill must do two things: improve access to health care for small businesses and the uninsured, and reduce health care spending. This bill does one but not the other, it falls short of sufficiently cutting health care spending.”
The Congressional Budget Office recently evaluated H.R. 3962 and indicated that the bill would not reduce, but instead would increase, the federal government’s spending on health care over the long-term.
“Currently, one out of every six dollars is spent on health care in the United States,” stated Gordon. “It’s unsustainable to keep health care spending where it is now. We must decrease the amount of money our country spends on health care.”
Gordon made his decision after studying the bill’s provisions and listening to the concerns of Middle Tennesseans during numerous public forums, telephone town halls, face-to-face meetings, as well as thousands of phone calls and emails since debate on the issue started earlier this year.
“This process of drafting health care proposals has been both lengthy and healthy. I’ve received valuable comments and suggestions from the Middle Tennesseans I represent. However, we still have a long way to go,” said Gordon. “Any health care bill that is ultimately signed into law must not increase the federal deficit or our long-term spending on health care. I am hopeful that the Senate and House can work through the amendment process and conference committee and get to a point where we have a better bill that incorporates bipartisan ideas that I can support.”
Vanderbilt, Belmont Students Team Up To End Nuclear Dumping In Tennessee
Friday, November 6th, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Students at Vanderbilt University and Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. have spent two weekends braving the rain, cold temperatures and early morning hours to encourage fellow Tennesseans to sign a petition aimed at ending nuclear dumping in Tennessee.
Through a program known as Bulk Survey for Release, or BSFR, millions of pounds of nuclear waste from across the United States is permitted to be dumped in ordinary Tennessee landfills. No other state allows the commercial dumping of nuclear waste in ordinary landfills.
“More than 80 percent of Tennessee voters are concerned about the BSFR process,” stated Harvey Fischer, Chairman of Families for a Clean Tennessee. “It is not a surprise that students at both of these universities are concerned about the future of Tennessee and are working to end nuclear dumping-why should they get stuck with other states’ nuclear waste?”
Through their efforts at Vanderbilt home football games and at other public venues around Nashville, the students have collected more than 3,000 signatures representing broad opposition to the state’s Bulk Survey for Release program.
Families for a Clean Tennessee is asking concerned citizens to email and call their legislators. For more information or to email your legislator directly from their Web site, visit http://www.cleantennessee.org
Judge Orders Secretary of State Tre Hargett to Implement Voter Confidence Act
Friday, November 6th, 2009
Tre Hargett, Tennessee's Republican Secretary of State, Refuses To Implement Verifiable Voting Law
NASHVILLE - Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester renewed his call for Secretary of State Tre Hargett to purchase new voting machines that count paper ballots after a Davidson County judge today ruled the machines do not have to meet 2005 certification standards.
Chancellor Russell Perkins issued his ruling after Common Cause Tennessee filed a lawsuit compelling the secretary of State to implement the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act, which requires all county election commissions to make the switch to optical scan machines and paper ballots before the November 2010 elections.
“Mr. Hargett cannot use the bogus claim anymore that the machines do not exist,” Forrester said. “Now maybe he will follow the law and do the job he was sworn to do. Fair and verifiable elections are part of the very foundations of our democracy. I do not understand why he is stalling on this issue.
“The state has more than $35 million in federal funding set aside to purchase these machines. That’s more than enough money to purchase the machines and train workers. In fact, these machines have been cited in study after study as being less costly in maintenance than the electronic touch-screen machines now in use by most of the state’s 95 counties.”
Hargett based his argument concerning certification standards on a memorandum issued by the General Assembly’s Office of Legal Services, which opines to whether the law mandates machines purchased adhere to 2005 standards adopted by the federal Election Assistance Commission. EAC standards are voluntary standards.
“The TVCA does not require the voting system to be implemented by the State of Tennessee to meet 2005 standards,” the judge ruled. “The Court determines that the State is obligated to take prompt, effective steps to meet the statutory deadline using compliant voting systems.”
Right-Wing Fringe Claims Victory Over Republican Overlords
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
Even though they lost a district that has been in republican hands since the Civil War to a Democrat, the TEA Party crowd and their fearless leaders consider the loss a victory in the effort to oust moderate republicans and take over the republican party.
Democrat Bill Owens won New York’s 23rd Congressional District last night even though Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity, Michelle Malkin, and Fred Thompson led an invasion of the longtime republican district. They demanded that the republican candidate, Dede Scozzafava, was not conservative enough for them. Right-wing activists imported their own candidate and insisted they would win with a true conservative. They didn’t.
The Virginia Republican candidate didn't even list party affiliation in his ads.
In New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie used similar techniques, not announcing party affiliation anywhere on his home page. The Democrats stuck with a wildly unpopular Governor who had been languishing under rock-bottom approval ratings since 2008 in a state that chose Barack Obama by nearly 20 points. The outcome? Moderates who downplayed their conservative republican background won the Governorships in New Jersey and Virginia.
It is clear that voters largely rejected the far right yesterday, but let’s hope the right-wing doesn’t get the memo and continues to recruit fringe candidates like Lou Ann Zelenik against common sense Democrats across America. We sure don’t want to be thrown in that awful briar patch.
Gordon Encourages Stop Loss Soldiers To Apply For New Funds
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009WASHINGTON – Congressman Bart Gordon announced today that the U.S. Department of Defense is making special payments available for service members who have had their enlistments involuntarily extended since September 11, 2001.
“It takes a tremendous amount of courage for service members to continue standing in harm’s way when they’ve been apart from their families for so long,” said Gordon who voted for the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act, which established this new initiative. “While no amount of money can make up for the burden of extended deployments, I hope these payments will help our soldiers know how much we appreciate their commitment and honor their service.”
The U.S. Department of Defense is providing service members with $500 for every month they were held under stop loss orders between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009. Since 2001, more than 185,000 service members have been held under stop loss orders.
Service members from all branches of the military, including members of Reserve units, can submit claims for retroactive stop loss pay until October 21, 2010. Each service member will be required to submit documented proof that they were stop lossed. Family members of deceased service members may also apply for payments.
For specific information about how service members from each branch of the military can apply for payments, please visit the following websites:
Army: https://www.stoplosspay.army.mil
Navy: send an email to – NXAG_N132C@navy.mil
Marine Corps: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/stoploss
Air Force: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/stoploss
“While each branch of the military would like eligible service members to apply online, if you don’t have access to the Internet, you can call my office for assistance,” added Gordon.
Those who have questions or need assistance with the application process should call Congressman Gordon’s Murfreesboro office at (615) 896-1986.
Power Grab: Mayor Seeks To Repeal Entire Private Act
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Red-faced & Red-handed, County Mayor Ernest Burgess is caught with his hand in the power jar
The proposed Legal Services Agreement stipulates that the County Attorney will decide who represents the Sheriff’s Dept. -
Section V. Subsection H- “…the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Dept. representation shall be handled by an attorney selected by the Sheriff, subject to the approval of the County Attorney, provided the hourly compensation for the attorney selected by the Sheriff shall not exceed $150 per hour”
It also stipulates that Rutherford County (aka taxpayers) will pay the bill if the County Attorney is sued for damages:
Section V, Subsection B - “…the County shall act in good faith to represent, defend, and pay liability claims against the County Attorney and associates”
In fact, County Attorney Jim Cope is currently a co-defendant in a lawsuit for his handling of the failed Bible Park. If County Mayor Ernest Burgess gets his way in grabbing the reins and implementing the Legal Services Agreement, will Mr. Cope be safe from liability and will taxpayers foot the bill?
UPDATE: The Daily News Journal’s Editorial Board is calling for revision of the Legal Services Agreement
Republican Candidate Drops Out, Endorses Democrat 36 Hours Before Election
Sunday, November 1st, 2009
Dede Scozzafava (R) and Bill Owens (D), candidates for NY 23rd Congressional District
New York’s 23rd Congressional District has not been represented by a Democrat since the 1850’s. A special election to fill the vacated seat includes a Democratic candidate, a Republican candidate, and a “Conservative Party” candidate who doesn’t live in the district and was recruited and backed by right wing nutcases like Sarah Palin, Fred Thompson, and Michelle Malkin. The right wing fringe sees this as a chance to beat a moderate Republican and gain momentum in their takeover of the entire Republican Party. Leaders in the Republican Party such as Newt Gingrich have backed the Republican candidate, Dede Scozzafava, setting up a civil war within their own party. The internal squabble has made this race competitve for the Democrat, who is now poised to make history by being the first Democrat elected in this district since prior to the Civil War.
The Republican, Scozzafava, has seen her campaign collapse in recent weeks. She suspended her campaign on Saturday and announced her endorsement of the Democrat at 2:00 today. Following is a portion of her statement:
You know me, and throughout my career, I have been always been an independent voice for the people I represent. I have stood for our honest principles, and a truthful discussion of the issues, even when it cost me personally and politically. Since beginning my campaign, I have told you that this election is not about me; it’s about the people of this District.
It is in this spirit that I am writing to let you know I am supporting Bill Owens for Congress and urge you to do the same.
Please join me in voting for Bill Owens on Tuesday. To address the tough challenges ahead, we must rise above partisanship and politics and work together. There’s too much at stake in this election to do otherwise.
We have reported previously on the circular firing squad known as the Republican Party. Lou Ann Zelenik’s ouster and her replacement with Rick Womick seems to be merely a local outgrowth of a national right wing fringe takeover. And now even the Davidson County Republican Party is getting in on the action. Considering the Republicans’ recent disastrous national poll numbers, let’s hope it continues.
