Ya Got It Backwards There, Son
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 2:22 pmA bill to increase the civil penalty for violating an order of protection from $50 to $500.
Another bill setting the fine for assaulting a sports official of a school-sponsored activity to 5K.
(via anarchival)
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Oops
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 2:13 pmFrom Fox News:
“Hotlanta” is living up to its name this winter as Asian-Americans and the city’s transit officials debate the decision to rename a train route into the heart of the city’s Asian community. It used to be called “Doraville,” now it’s the “yellow line.”
Activists say the name shows a lack of sensitivity by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), which changed the line’s name on Oct. 1. MARTA officials plan to meet on Friday with a group of Asian-Americans to discuss their concerns about the color-coded system.
Some advocates say the city should spend an as yet undetermined amount of taxpayer money to change the color to … wait for it … gold.
“Our thought is, why don’t you change it to gold? It’s really more of a ‘why not?’ question. Why not change it?” said Helen Kim, director of advocacy and education at the nonprofit Pan Asian Center for Community Services.
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The President Doesn’t Like People Attacking His Wife
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 1:59 pmThe story of how the Obamas reacted when the TNGOP questioned Michelle Obama’s pride in her country back in ‘08:
He expected that the fall campaign would be ugly, and told himself he was ready for the freak-show attacks on him. I’m a big boy, Obama thought. I can take it. What he wasn’t prepared for, what he wouldn’t countenance, was seeing his wife in the crosshairs. “They’re coming after Michelle,” he told [his friend and adviser Valerie] Jarrett. “I want to shut it down.”
On May 18, while campaigning in Oregon, the Obamas taped a segment for the next day’s broadcast of Good Morning America. When the interviewer brought up the Tennessee Republican Party Web video, Obama pounced. “If they think that they’re gonna try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful,” he said, fairly growling. “For them to try to distort or to play snippets of her remarks in ways that are unflattering to her, I think is just low class.” Obama added, “These folks should lay off my wife.” …
After the interview, Jarrett asked Michelle what she thought.
“Look at my husband,” she said, beaming. “That’s my husband.”
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U.S. Senate: Drudge Report Spreads Viruses
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 1:45 pmThe Senate’s official gatekeeper, said the Drudge Report, a conservative news aggregator, and whitepages.com “are responsible for the many viruses popping up throughout the Senate,” according to an e-mail to the Environment and Public Works Committee.
In the very body sworn to protect and defend the Constitution, an e-mail is circulating warning U.S. Senate staffers not to view one the most popular news sites on the Web, claiming it could spread computer viruses.
Sen. Berke Not Trying To Keep Secrets
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 1:43 pmFrom Uncle Milty:
A Tennessee Senate bill carrying a ‘Venture Capital’ title chosen for expediency has slightly rocked the legislative boat this week.
State Sen. Andy Berke (D-Chattanooga) told VNC this morning that a bill that erroneously suggests Berke and others might seek to conceal information submitted to the University of Tennessee for funding through a suppposed “Tennessee Venture Capital Network,” was just bearing placeholder language, to hold a spot for a largely unrelated bill, all of which Berke plans to redefine through an amendment he plans to submit to the Senate Commerce Committee, convening at 1 p.m. today.
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The Heart Of Walt
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 1:08 pmAunt B. thinks she’s come to understand why people are attempting qualified defenses of Walt Baker:
Because it sounds too much like the “But he loves me” wife-beater defense.
You know, where a person’s outward behavior is atrocious but a person manages to convince herself that there’s some secret inner goodness that can be brought out either by affirmation of that goodness, proper behavior, or just loving said abuser enough.
Which, of course, puts me in the mind of all of the college-rape stuff that came out over the weekend.
And then I realized, I think, what’s going on. Folks have been groomed to provide cover for [expletive deleted], to believe that any one of us, at any moment, could be doing something completely ordinary we didn’t mean anything [expletive deleted] by and someone, somewhere will pounce and declare us racist or sexist or whatever…
…The [expletive deleted] abusers need us to believe that those groups of awkward mistake-makers are largely the norm and that the [expletive deleted] abusers are the slim minority in order for the abusers to move around freely being abusive [expletive deleted]. They shape our beliefs in order to provide themselves cover so that they can have access to victims.
No Pandering This Morning
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 12:05 pmState Sen. Joe Haynes is not in the mood to pander to the anti-income tax crowd this morning:
However, lawmakers opposing the measure said it’s not needed because of what’s currently in the state constitution and that Kelsey’s motivation is strictly political.
“We’re doing some political pandering,” said Sen. Joe Haynes, D-Nashville. “I’m just not in the mood to pander this morning.”
Google’s Ultrafast Network Faces Roadblocks
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 12:02 pmEven if there was demand, there are technical reasons why a 1-gigabit connection wouldn’t mean someone can download material on the Internet at that rate. Traffic on the Internet passes through several different networks in order to get to its destination and can only travel as fast as the slowest link in its chain. So someone with a gigabit connection likely wouldn’t be able to download videos or other content appreciably faster than someone with a slower connection because that content will almost always go through slower hops along the way.
That’s the case in Pulaski, Tenn., where a network capable of delivering 1-gigabit connections is currently capped at 50 megabits. Pulaski, about 75 miles south of Nashville, doesn’t have a large enough connection to the rest of the Internet to make 1 gigabit to the home viable. Because of that, “traffic in our little town can fly around at the speed of light,” but viewing a YouTube video isn’t any faster than in other parts of the country, says Wes Kelley, chief executive of Pulaski Energy Systems, which operates the network there.
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The New Man On The Judicial Nominating Commission
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 11:56 amFrom a presser:
Speaker of the House Kent Williams (Carter County Republican – Elizabethton) has appointed Olen G. Hayes, Sr. of Washington County as a member of the Tennessee Judicial Nominating Commission.
“Olen brings a wealth of experience that will make him an asset to the Judicial Nominating Commission”, said Speaker Kent Williams. “He is well respected in our area and I am confident he will serve our state well”.
Mr. Hayes has been a leader in the community for over 60 years. He attended East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee College of Law. He is currently a partner in the law firm of Arnold, Haynes & Sanders and has practiced law for over 40 years. His areas of practice include personal injury, eminent domain, medical malpractice, product liability, aviation law, domestic relations and criminal law. Haynes’ dedication to the community and knowledge of the judicial system will serve him well during his time on the Judicial Nominating Commission.
The purpose of the Judicial Nominating Commission is to assist Governor Bredesen in finding and appointing the best qualified persons for service on the appellate courts of the state, and to assist the electorate of the state in electing the best qualified persons to the courts. The Judicial Nominating Commission is also responsible for making the courts less political and keeping political pressures away from the judicial system.
Hayes is the replacement for David Baustista who resigned shortly after being pinched for DUI.
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Kent Williams Intervened With TDOT On Behalf Of Ronnie Barrett
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 11:52 amJeff Woods has the latest in Easementgate.
Ward Cammack Endorses Kim McMillan For Guv
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 11:33 amFrom a press release:
Ward Cammack announced today that he is endorsing Kim McMillan in her campaign for Governor of Tennessee.
Cammack, a former candidate for governor, discontinued his campaign in December 2009. “Because of my time on the campaign trail, I know that Kim grasps the connection between jobs and sustainability and that we cannot afford to waste time. Kim is clearly determined to lead Tennessee into the Green Economy, and that is why I am endorsing her candidacy and making an immediate contribution,” Cammack said.
Cammack will act as an environmental policy advisor to the McMillan campaign. McMillan has a proven record on environmental issues and has received accolades on her legislative record from the Tennessee Conservation Voters organization. “A sustainable environmental and energy strategy will position our state to take advantage of the growing green economy and create the jobs of the future,” said McMillan.
“I am honored to have Ward’s advice and support,” McMillan said. “He is a successful business man and has great knowledge and passion for a green economy in Tennessee. I look forward to engaging Ward in discussions about how we can create more green jobs, focus on conservation and position Tennessee as a leader in sustainable practices.”
With only two Democrats left in the primary race, this endorsement among others signals the continuing momentum of the McMillan campaign for Governor.
Tre Newsletter
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 11:25 amThe Secretary of State has a new newsletter keeping you up on the happenings in his office. Subscribe here.
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Saltsman Advising Controversial South Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 11:04 amFrom Fit News:
S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has parted ways with his top gubernatorial campaign consultant and replaced him with a controversial GOP activist from Tennessee.
Chris LaCivita – who gained fame during the 2004 presidential election by running the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” campaign – is no longer affiliated with Bauer’s campaign team. Instead, the lieutenant governor has turned to former Tennessee GOP Chairman Chip Saltsman to serve as his top political strategist.
Sources in Bauer’s office refused to comment on the split with LaCivita, but a source close to Bauer’s campaign called the decision “mutual.” The source also confirmed Saltsman’s hiring.
Bauer made national news most recently by comparing welfare recipients to stray animals.
Vandy Prof Says Military Tribunals Are Cool
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 10:51 amFrom a press release:
“Military commissions remain a valid, if unwieldy, tool,” said Newton. “The military commissions are not the charade of justice created by an over-powerful and unaccountable chief executive that critics predicted.”
“The synergistic efforts of the judicial, legislative and executive branches makes the current military commissions lawful and without question ‘established by law’ as required by international norms.”
Newton helped establish the Iraqi Special Tribunal and led the training in international criminal law for its judges, including holding sessions in Baghdad. He still advises the tribunal and is part of the academic consortium supporting it. He served in the Office of War Crimes Issues at the U.S. Department of State and was one of two U.S. delegates who negotiated the Elements of Crimes document for the International Criminal Court. He also coordinated the interface between the FBI and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and deployed into Kosovo to do forensics fieldwork to support the Milosevic indictment.
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Bottle Bill Unlikely To Pass Says Kent Williams
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 10:47 amThe speaker shares with a constituent his thoughts about this bill:
Thank you for emailing me with your concerns about littering, this should
be a concern to all citizens from Carter County and the State of Tennessee.
I do support the bottle bill, however the problem is we don’t have enough
votes to pass the bill in committee. I grew up right across the ridge from
the Blue Hole and I am very familiar with the site. From the time I was a
small child until my late teenage years that was our swimming hole after a
day on the farm. We would swim there lot’s of days until dark. Back during
those days we were taught by our parents not to litter and there were no
steps, there was no litter, there was only a small walking path.Even though the bottle bill may help cut down on litter that is not a
solution in itself. Educating our children and imposing stiffer penalites on
littering is how we will resolve the issue.Again, thank you for emailing me.
Sincerely,
Kent Williams
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Carter County
House District 4
State of Tennessee
Burden Of Proof
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 10:13 amSean Braisted ain’t buying this guy’s argument on wine in grocery stores:
I think you get the drift. Also, this movement to label wine as “high-proof” alcohol is an abuse of the term. Yes, wine has a higher proof than most beers, typically by a factor of two. Its also got about a third or less the amount of alcohol of a typical spirit (which is generally 40% alcohol by volume, compared to about 12.5% for wine). Not to mention, wine isn’t sold like beer.
A typical wine bottle contains 750 ml of the good stuff, or about 25 fl oz. Beer is generally sold in a six pack or more, a typical six pack contains about 72 fl oz. So, in effect, that $6 six pack contains more alcohol than that $8-$10 bottle of wine.
The Nature Of Evil
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 10:10 amWalt Baker may be a lot of things, says Roger Abramson, but he’s probably not the devil:
I’ve seen some commenters making assumptions about Baker–whom, incidentally, I’ve never met–that seem to me far beyond what this email alone would indicate. These are things like (paraphrasing here) “he’s a terrible person,” “he’s a really evil guy” and so forth. Well, I don’t think this email necessarily indicates any of those things. Perfectly nice people can have colossal brain farts. Happens all the time. Also, as they say, there really is no accounting for taste.
Against Wine In Grocey Stores
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 9:20 amBelieve it or not, there are folks who feel this way:
Tennesseans from every walk of life depend on grocery stores as their source for the staples of life. Some of our neighbors battle addiction to alcohol every day. Will we choose convenience over compassion for these individuals by forcing them to be confronted by the source of their personal struggle every time they buy a loaf of bread? Will we make high-proof alcohol more accessible to those who make irresponsible decisions related to driving a vehicle after drinking?
Will we demand convenience over compassion for the youth of our state by making the illegal acquisition of wine a greater temptation as it will become more readily available? Law enforcement now cannot curtail underage purchases of alcohol or driving under the influence. What will happen when the number of outlets for high-proof alcohol is multiplied many times over?
Where is the wine? In stores licensed specifically to handle alcohol, where it should be.
The Deregulation Of Elder Care
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 9:17 amIt’s running into some roadblocks:
A proposal to expand the range of employees in long-term care facilities who can legally administer certain medicines to patients is running into opposition from some registered nurses.
The change is designed to lighten the heavy workloads often carried by nurses — or at least to possibly free up some of their time so they can use it on more challenging professional tasks, according to some lawmakers.
At issue is a measure to let a new class of nursing assistants give patients medications like commonplace pain relievers, topical creams and a limited number of prescription drugs. Lawmakers, including Gov. Phil Bredesen, OK’d that plan last year — but the Tennessee Board of Nursing shot it down.
Spitzer Madam Runs For Governor In NY
Posted on March 9, 2010 at 9:14 amFrom the Daily Caller:
Kristin Davis graduated from high school in central California at age 15. She earned a B.A. in business from St. Mary’s College while working in finance. The first hedge fund she worked for was bought by Fidelity, and she worked at hedge funds successfully for another 10 years. Then she became obsessed with the financial possibilities of sex.
Davis built the most successful escort service in world history. She had more than 100 girls and operated in 5 countries, with a call center in Uruguay. She could dispatch a $1,000-plus-an-hour call girl to a hotel or residence in Paris, Berlin, Gstaad, Rome, New York, L.A., Miami, Dubai, Montreal or elsewhere within minutes. She personally recruited her girls at bars, clubs, resorts and restaurants.
Davis handled a clientele who wanted and got discretion. Spitzer was a frequent patron and sent payments from a corporation New York records show he co-owned. She barred him for getting too rough with the girls and he tried to book girls under an alias.
Then the crap hit the fan. Spitzer was nabbed using another escort service, Emperor’s Club VIP. Spitzer rolled on Davis as part of his agreement with the government not to prosecute him. Davis’s live-in boyfriend testified in secrecy to the grand jury. The lawyer she hired told her to gather evidence on Spitzer then turned it over to him for plea-bargaining. He promptly lost the records when she refused to turn over all her cash to his trust account prior to her arrest.
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