Today’s Daily News Journal reports that major donor to Tennessee Republicans and gun manufacturer Ronnie Barrett has received a grant from President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

That might sound a little strange to you considering the Rutherford County Republican Party recently held a “tea party” with hundreds of Republicans protesting government spending these very funds. Rutherford County Republican Party Vice Chair Lou Ann Zelenik went so far as calling ARRA funds “socialism.”

Just days after Rutherford County Republicans demanded Gov. Bredesen return the money back to the federal government, Rep. Joe Carr (R-48) and Sen. Jim Tracy (R-16) are praising our state’s use of the money.

The state has awarded Barrett Firearms Manufacturing in Christiana a $4,975 job-training grant, according to a news release.

This grant will provide training to five employees in continuous improvement, value chain strategies, tools and tactics.

“I commend Governor Bredesen and Commissioner Neeley for awarding this grant in Rutherford County,” state Sen. Jim Tracey, R-Shelbyville, said.

“The Incumbent Worker Grants are a good tool to keep employers and workers up to date on the latest skills training,” state Rep. Joe Carr, R-Lascassas, said.

It’s beyond ironic that Rep. Carr is the lead sponsor of a bill demanding Gov. Bredesen reject spending these funds while at the same time talks about how important the money is for the very program that now helps a major donor.

How can Rutherford County Republicans protest spending this money out of one side of their mouths last week and then praise spending this money this week? Maybe when the money finds its way into the hands of a major donor to Tennessee Republicans that’s when so-called socialism is to be “commended” as Sen. Tracy did today.

Click here to see what else the ARRA funds throughout Tennessee.