This time its Stephen Colbert’s “Colbert Report” on Comedy Central. The Tennessee GOP has now made all Tennesseeans look like absolute buffoons to the rest of the nation on all major networks and their affiliates, all cable news networks including CNN and FOX, and now Comedy Central…twice. What’s next, the Weather Channel?
(FYI to Mr. Colbert: President James K. Polk, of Columbia, was a Democrat whose mullet was considered rather fetching at the time, and Channel 4 News’ call letters are WSMV)
It turns out the Chairman of the “family values” party spent $2000 at an S&M-themed L.A. night club featuring topless girls acting out lesbian bondage scenes. He must have been meeting with lobbyists that required a “full service” bar. A February report to the Federal Election Commission also lists $17,000 for private jet service, more than $35,000 for upscale hotels, and more than $43,000 in expenses, not including airfare, for the committee’s winter meeting in Hawaii.
In Los Angeles, it takes a lot to shock and awe. When you walk into Voyeur on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, you might not be completely shocked at the almost naked women writhing on each other but you will undoubtedly be in awe.
Voyeur is an intimate space, provocative and sexy, sophisticated and interesting. Inspired by Eyes Wide Shut and London lounge, Annabelle’s of London, Voyeur transports you to a world of risqué sexuality and eroticism. In fact, even if you tried to escape looking at the naked women all around you, you would ultimately fail. But then again, why would you even try?
Of course the guests are sexy, but the walls are also lined with black and white pictures of beautiful naked girls from decades past while temptresses wearing nothing more than pasties and a black thong “stretch” on tables or in large glass boxes. Yes, the women don’t strip or show off their outdone go-go girl dance moves. Instead, they hold onto ropes on the walls and literally stretch, like yoga class but much sexier (and probably more naked).
By contrast, the Democratic National Committee said that its chairman, Timothy M. Kaine, usually travels on commercial flights and does not generally use limousine or town-car services.
“We think their extravagant spending and their high burn rate speaks for itself,” spokesman Brad Woodhouse said.
Bart Gordon, after 26 distinguished years in Congress, must now face outright lies about him told on the House Floor by Congressional Republicans and spread by fellow Tennessee Senator and Minority Whip Lamar Alexander, also a Republican. But Bart is not backing down, as the following video exchange demonstrates…
Republicans must be absolutely desperate if they think spreading outright lies and completely baseless rumor is a good strategy, but its what we’ve come to expect from the GOP. It is tactics like these that explain why only 25% of voters approve of Republican Congressional leaders.
Last Saturday night was a shocking beginning to the Tea Party Convention held in Nashville, Tennessee at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo opened the convention by calling for voter literacy tests, which were used selectively in the Jim Crow South to deny the black vote.
Literacy tests were used to great effect, and were required at the poll worker’s discretion. The poll workers in the Jim Crow South were white. If a white voter wished to cast a vote, they were not required to pass a literacy test. If a black voter came to the polls, the worker would require him or her to pass a “civics literacy test” in order to vote. Following are some of the actual questions that appeared on Alabama literacy tests between 1890 and 1966 were asked only to black voters. See if you could have passed the test and voted in the Jim Crow South:
1. If a person charged with treason denies his guilt, how many persons must testify against him before he can be convicted?
2. In what year did Congress gain the right to prohibit the migration of persons to the states?
3. The power of granting patents, that is os securing to inventors the exclusive right of their discoveries, is given to the Congress for the purpose of ______________.
How did you do? Not too well? Well, during Jim Crow you wouldn’t have to worry about taking this test at all if you were white. Now a Republican Congressman wishes to return our country to the 1890’s, and he received massive applause from his Tea Party audience. It happened right here in Middle Tennessee.
NOT AWARE HE VOTED FOR INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Daily News Journal’s weekly columnist Sam Stockard asked Bill Ketron why he voted for Race To The Federal Trough along with every other Republican legislator from Rutherford County. Here is what Ketron said:
Asked if he knows what the international benchmarks are, state Sen. Bill Ketron said, “I do not. We were told they would come from the U.S. Department of Education. The thing was on a fast track,” Ketron said. “We barely had time to read through it. It’s voluminous.”
Yet Ketron and fellow Republicans, Sen. Jim Tracy, of Shelbyville, Rep. Donna Rowland of Murfreesboro, Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas and Rep. Pat Marsh of Shelbyville, members of the Rutherford County delegation, voted for it. Only state Rep. Kent Coleman, a Murfreesboro Democrat, voted against it.
So Republican Senator Bill Ketron admits that he voted for a massive overhaul of Tennessee’s education system without knowing much of what it actually accomplished. He also admits that as a “conservative” Republican, he thinks its just great to beg for half a billion dollars in stimulus cash with strings attached - strings that could bind our teachers to international standards. Sounds like something Tennessee’s Tea Party crowd would really oppose, but they are deathly silent on the matter because the legislation was backed by their republican overlords Ron Ramsey and Glen Casada. Just more evidence that the Tea Party crowd are willing to ignore their own stated beliefs if republicans tell them to, just like they did when they gave George W. Bush free reign to plunge our nation into huge war debts and pass unfunded federal mandates like No Child Left Behind.
Republican Senator Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro is an insurance salesman. He has taken in over $20,000 in campaign cash from big insurance and large homebuilding special interests. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that he sponsored a new state law to force small contractors and subconstractors to spend their hard-earned profits with him and his insurance buddies instead of spending it on their families in tough economic times.
Public Chapter 1041, sponsored by Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) and Rep. Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol) was lobbied for heavily by the Tennessee Hombuilders Association (a special interest group that represents large development companies) and the Tennessee Insurors Association, who greased the wheels of government with copious amounts of campaign cash for Republican lawmakers in order to further the interests of big business over the little guy. It would require all contractors to purchase workers’ compensation insurance even if their only employee is themselves. The new law took effect January 1st, and small contractors are howling mad about it:
Gerry Fridlund, owner of Skybright Metal Roofing in Memphis, found out about the law the hard way when his insurance company sent him a bill for $4,300 last summer.
“I told them I wasn’t going to pay it,” Fridlund told NIT. “When I asked who was responsible for this I was told the Home Builders Association pushed this through. I think they wanted to stop the little guy from bidding up against the big boys. They want to squeeze the sole proprietors and make it difficult for people to start small businesses.”
The new law’s Senate sponsor, Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro), is himself an insurance salesman who benefits from raising premiums on small contractor businesses. During his current term, special interest PACs representing large home builders, developers and insurance industries gave more than $20,000 to Ketron’s campaign war chest.
The new law’s House sponsor, Rep. Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol), has received $18,000 from special interest PACs representing large home builders, developers and insurance industries during his current term.
Its all fine with Bill Ketron, who will be sending out grossly inflated insurance bills to his customers this year. He doesn’t really care that jobs may be killed to pay for it as long as he gets paid.
Thankfully, Rep. Joe Pitts (D - Clarksville) and Sen. Tim Barnes (D-Clarksville) have listened to the voices of Tennessee’s small business owners and are seeking to delay the enforcement of the new law in Special Session of the General Assembly next week. HB1899 and its companion bill SB2055 delay Ketron’s law until July 1st of 2010. As usual, its up to Democrats to finally stand up for small business owners when republicans and their big business cronies try to sneak in sweetheart deals for themselves.
Former Republican Speaker of the House turned lobbyist Dennis Hastert drives an SUV and has a nice office where he and his staff gab on cell phones all day. Its all paid for with your money though:
U.S. taxpayers are spending more than $40,000 per month on office space, staff, cell phones and a leased SUV for former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, even as he works as a lobbyist for private corporations and foreign governments.
“It is specifically prohibited — federal dollars can’t be spent on lobbying operations,” Ellis said. “We are paying for his staff [and] for a car, and we need to be very sure that he isn’t spending a dime of that money on lobbying operations. “That all needs to be above board, in the clear and transparent. And it’s not.”
Bill Hobbs & Robin Smith, Republican Congressional Candidate in the TN 3rd District
The Tennessee Republican Party’s “family values” are on display in Williamson County, where the former spokesman of the Tennessee GOP, Bill Hobbs, has been [charged] with abusing his wife, Anne Hobbs. WKRN reports the following (with documents)
An arrest warrant was issued October 12, 2009 charging William H. Hobbs with domestic assault. His bail was set at $1,500. You can view the public documents here.
Here’s what the affidavit of complaint says:
On 10-12-2009 at approx 5:30 PM, BPD Officer Huddleston was dispatched to Vanderbilt Med Ctr, 21st Ave, Nashville, in response to a reported domestic violence assault. Upon arrival, Officer Hudleston spoke with Anna Hobbs. Mrs Hobbs stated that on 10-11-2009 at approx 11:15 PM she and her husband William got into an arguement that turned physical when Mr. Hobbs struck the left side of Mrs Hobbs head and knocked her down. Mrs Hobbs also suffered visible injuries to her left wrist. A short time later, Mr Hobbs left the residence. On 10-12-2009 Mrs. Hobbs head was so painful that she went to Vanderbilt ed Ctr for treatment. Vanderbilt reported the incident to BPD. Mrs Hobbs gave a written statement to Officer Huddleston.
Hobbs is widely considered an alter ego for 3rd District Congressional candidate Robin Smith, who chaired the Tennessee GOP during his tenure as spokesman. During that time Smith and Hobbs worked together to craft GOP statements touting the superior morality and “family values” of republicans. Apparently, assaulting one’s spouse is one of those “family values”.
UPDATE: Mr. Hobbs has threatened to sue the Rutherford County Democratic Party for this story, claiming that he was never convicted, which the original story reported. He is technically correct due to the fact that the judge has dismissed the case because of 3 months good behavior by Mr. Hobbs and mandatory marriage counseling. The story has been changed above to reflect this. The word “convicted” has been changed to [charged]. You can read more about this development here.
Arlington, TN Mayor Russell Wiseman, brother to Shelby County Republican Chairman Lang Wiseman, thinks that the President plotted to wreck Christmas for every Christian last week when he addressed the nation on Afghanistan during “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. According to the Arlington Mayor, he did this because he is a Muslim, and anyone who doesn’t violently hate our President should “move to a Muslim country.” Decent Tennesseans hope that we are making this stuff up, but sadly it made Keith Olbermann’s Worst Person In The World segment last night:
(NOTE: You must have Adobe Flash Player to view the video below)
UPDATE: Arlington, TN posts a statement on its website:
The views of Russell Wiseman, Mayor of the Town of Arlington, expressed on his Facebook account do not reflect an official position of the Town of Arlington. His comments were not made on a Town computer, or using Town computer services. The Town recognizes Barack Obama as the President of the United States, and in accordance with the Constitution, recognizes both the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech. We welcome all law abiding people to our town. We do not discriminate and we provide essential services to all Town of Arlington people without regard to their religion, race, color, age, gender, sex or national origin.
Caption reads, 'The scene is reminiscent of Judas joining hands in prayer with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane moments before the soldiers arrived to arrest him.'
Tim Rudd, Rutherford County Republican and Tennessee Republican Party Executive Committee Member, sees Rep. Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol) and Jesus (God’s only begotten Son, Savior of All Mankind, Member of the Holy Trinity) as equals, who were both betrayed by one of their own. Jesus was betrayed by Judas, condemning him to die a horrible death on the very cross he was forced to carry and had his side pierced by a Roman soldier’s sword while others cast lots for his clothing. Rep. Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol) was simply denied the Speakership of the Tennessee House when Rep. Kent Williams (R-Elizabethton) joined with 49 Democrats to elect himself Speaker.
Its all the same to Rudd, who compares Mumpower to Jesus and Williams to Judas in the following graphic, which he sent by email to his fellow Executive Committee members. Williams was denied membership in the Tennessee Republican Party for the move, and Rudd wants to keep it that way even though some are pushing for Williams’ return to the republican fold.
What Rudd has done is sacreligious, which is especially egregious during the Christmas season when Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth. Folks across the state are understandably upset with Tim Rudd for comparing their Lord and Savior to a politician. Here’s an example from Betsy Phillips:
Tim Rudd, sir, that you would even make something like this and send it to other people pretty much proves that you are a terrible Christian. And I don’t say that mildly.
Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say, “Please, use my suffering to illustrate your petty political problems.” And really, Rudd, how dare you try to pressure anyone into feeling like not doing what you want is akin to standing against Jesus.
You are not Jesus. Jason Mumpower is not Jesus.
People who do things other than what you would like them to do ARE NOT BETRAYING JESUS.
And, frankly, it’s evil for you to suggest that they are.
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.”
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
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.”
Red-faced & Red-handed, County Mayor Ernest Burgess is caught with his hand in the power jar
In a shocking display of arrogance, Republican County Mayor Ernest Burgess is proposing to repeal the entire Private Act of Tennessee State Law governing the hiring of Rutherford County’s legal representation. The current statute puts power in the hands of Rutherford County citizens through their elected County Commissioners to decide who represents the taxpayer’s interest. But Burgess will seek to completely to do away with current state law tonight before the County Steering Committee, and even proposes to make decisions for Sheriff Truman Jones on who he can and cannot hire to represent the Sheriff’s Department.
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
Dede Scozzafava (R) and Bill Owens (D), candidates for NY 23rd Congressional District
If you haven’t been following the high drama in New York’s 23rd District Congressional Special Election, we’ll forgive you. But suffice it to say that its been historic. Here’s a quick primer:
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.
Republican Senator Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro is an insurance salesman. He has taken in over $20,000 in campaign cash from big insurance and large homebuilding special interests. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that he sponsored a new state law to force small contractors and subconstractors to spend their hard-earned profits with him and his insurance buddies instead of spending it on their families in tough economic times.
Former Republican Speaker of the House turned lobbyist Dennis Hastert drives an SUV and has a nice office where he and his staff gab on cell phones all day. Its all paid for 
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 
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