This so clever and makes the point.
Top Stories
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Muslims required to adopt a peaceful approach toward blasphemy
In light of the recent wave of violence against Americans and Europeans across the Muslim world, many in America and the West are tempted to paint all Muslims with the same brush. It is easy to jump to the conclusion that all Muslim think the punishment for blasphemy of the prophet Mohamed should be death.
We should keep in mind that those engaged in violence are a very small minority of those engaging in protest and those engaging in protest are a very small minority of the population of their country.
Renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan has written an article in which he cites verses from the Koran and argues that Prophet
Muhammad and his followers are required to adopt a peaceful approach
toward cases of blasphemy.
The following are excepts:
"The Koran Mentions... Words Of Abuse Used By
Prophets' Contemporaries But Nowhere Does The Koran Prescribe The
Punishment Of Lashes, Or Death, Or Any Such Deterrent Punishment"
"This clearly shows that 'abuse of the Prophet' is not a subject of punishment, but is rather a subject of dawah [preaching].
That is, one who is guilty of abusing the Prophet should not have
corporal punishment meted out to him: he should rather be given sound
arguments in order that his mind may be addressed. In other words,
peaceful persuasion should be used to reform the person concerned,
rather than attempting to kill him."
"Another important aspect of this matter is that at no point in the
Koran is it stated that anyone who uses abusive language about the
Prophet should be stopped from doing so, and in case he continues to do
so he should be awarded severe punishment. On the contrary, the Koran
commands the believer not to use abusive language directed against
opponents: 'But do not revile those [beings] whom they invoke instead
of God, lest they, in their hostility, revile God and out of ignorance.'
(6:108)"
I hope that sane voices like this are being heard in the Muslim world and I hope that in the west we are aware that there are reasonable and sane Muslims. If one gets their news from the anti-Muslim activist in America, one would not know that reasonable and sane Muslims exist. For a link about the article go here or to read the article in full go here.
Top Stories
Saturday, September 29, 2012
"DOTS on Walls"---A riduculous way to plan that weakens citizens
DOTS For Dolts
by Bruce Wood
 |
| Bruce Wood |
Public decision making has never recovered. Now, we go to Planning meetings, sit at tables, and talk earnestly to our random table mates before sticking the dots expressing our 'votes' on sheets of paper. I know where I would like to stick the dots but it is not worth a felony
A classic example of the weakness of "DOTS"---a few years ago during Fair Ground Planning 4--6 people from all over middle Tennessee committed to racing came to every session. They tilted the results.
This seems democratic and a full expression of citizen views. Baloney. The only people
who talk to the body of the whole are the pay check officials and they are fully committed
to the status quo and getting home. Really, this is a vanilla homogenization of view points---I
want to hear the people who know the most, are the most angry, who have a point of view.
Counting and sticking "DOTS" is for "DOLTS". Look at the Fair Ground---they are killing this
event by sabotage. Why was it moved to the back away from the flat area? Why the uphill
hike to to the Mid-Way?
Let's ask for honesty: (A) The Fair is going to be killed off in its present location for one
reason---because the people who have the power can do it. (B) As an alternative to total death---look at businesses which can co-exist with the 2--3 week Fair and go in that direction .
Bruce Wood
The above was posted in a neighborhood chat group and I am taking the liberty of reposting. Bruce Wood is a long time citizen activist and Chairman of the environmental group B.U.R.N.T. I agree with Bruce's observation.
I often feel like public meeting by consultants and planning department and TDOT and most government agencies are a ruse to create the impression that the agency is gathering citizen input. I believe that most of the time, decisions have been reached before the meetings ever take place. There is never a place to put a dot that says, "strike the whole damn thing and start over," or "do nothing." When an agency talks about all the meetings they had and all the citizen input they incorporated into their plan, it does not convince me. The means by which government agencies conduct meetings is really an attempt to placate the public and claim that the process is democratic but control the outcome. Bureaucrats are arrogant. Rod
Top Stories
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE BEN WEST, JR. ENDORSES ROBERT DUVALL
Respected Democrat calls Duvall “uniquely qualified” to represent District 59
ANTIOCH, TN – Former State Representative Ben West, Jr. today endorsed District 33 Metro Councilman Robert Duvall in his campaign for State Representative in House District 59. A respected figure in the Nashville political community, West served areas of Donelson, Hermitage, and Southeastern Davidson County in the Tennessee House of Representatives as a Democrat from 1985 until 2011.“It is my great pleasure to offer support to Robert Duvall in this campaign,” West said. “I have had the opportunity to work with both individuals seeking this seat in the Legislature and I know Robert Duvall has the background, understanding and commitment to the people of Antioch and southeast Davidson County needed to represent the community well. I know Robert Duvall is a man who cares deeply about this community and its future. His in-depth understanding of the particular challenges and opportunities here make him uniquely qualified to serve as a strong voice in the legislature. Robert doesn’t view service as a personal privilege. He views it as an opportunity to positively impact the people who call District 59 home. He will be a great advocate for everyone, regardless of their party or political background.”
Duvall thanked Representative West for his endorsement and noted West’s standing in Nashville’s political history. “Over the years, our city has been blessed with community leaders who have had a hand in leading Nashville forward. Ben West, Jr. and the entire West family rank at the top of that list of leaders. I am fortunate to have his support in this effort and thank him and his wife Phyllis for their personal endorsement. I have consistently said I want a positive campaign that allows us to express our contrasting views about the future of District 59. Having members of both parties come together behind my candidacy shows my desire to be a community representative is resonating across south and southeast Davidson County. Representative West’s endorsement is a sign to all that we can work together to make our home a better place to live.”
Top Stories
Friday, September 28, 2012
Parton Ends Plans For Nashville Water Park
Singer Dolly Parton
has announced her plans end her partnership with Gaylord Opryland Hotel
and will no longer be building an amusement park in Nashville. more
Back in April, the Metro Council approved a 60% tax break for the water and snow park
Gaylord and Dollywood were to have received a tax break for 12 years.
Top Stories
People must rally to save the fairgounds. That battle is not over!
From:
Helping Save
The
Tennessee State Fair
and
Fairgrounds
Hello Rod Williams, Friend of the Fairgrounds!
We (Still) Need Your Support For The Fairgrounds!
Once again dear friends, the Fairgrounds needs your help and support.As part of Metro's waste of public money, spending over $135,000 on a master plan study, the Planning Department sent the following notice:
State Fairgrounds neighbors, stakeholders, and the general public can
learn about possible uses for the Fairgrounds and share their thoughts
and opinions at an open house from 5-8 pm Monday, October 1, at the
Fifty Forward Knowles Center, just outside the Fairgrounds gate at the
corner of Wedgwood and Rains. This will be a "drop-in" session;
visitors can come and go at any time with no need to stay for the entire
event.
Phase 2 of the Fairgrounds Master Plan Study examines the marketability, economic impact, and physical characteristics of potential mixed-use development on the Tennessee State Fairgrounds site; the Master Plan webpage has more information about the process.
Phase 2 of the Fairgrounds Master Plan Study examines the marketability, economic impact, and physical characteristics of potential mixed-use development on the Tennessee State Fairgrounds site; the Master Plan webpage has more information about the process.
Firstly, we can't say often enough that this whole process is pretty much unlawful from the git-go. The Metro Charter gives "complete charge and control" of the Fairgrounds to the Fair Board of Commissioners, which means that neither the Planning Board nor the Metro Council itself has the authority to implement a master plan for the Fairgrounds. However, that is not the battle we're fighting at the moment, we just would like to keep reminding people about that.
But please note that this part of the study is for the purpose of developing a plan for mixed-use development of the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. However, many people do not realize that "mixed-use" is a specific term used by real estate developers and zoning boards to designate buildings that are part commercial and part residential.
The city of Lenexa, Kansas recently approved an area for mixed-use development and here is a picture of what it will look like:
It has businesses located on the ground floors of the buildings and condos on the upper floors.This is also the type of development that has recently been approved for 12th Street South.
And this type of development is fine if you're starting with an empty lot, or bringing residential usage to a currently commercial area.
But this obviously is not something that can co-exist with the current purposes of the Fairgrounds, and would result in the destruction of the property.
We also need to keep in mind that "highest and best use" is a real estate development term that usually is not applied to public property because it means "how can we squeeze the last penny out of this property?" If this standard were applied to all public property, there would be none remaining. What would be the "highest and best use" of Percy Warner Park or Centennial Park?
So once again, we must tell these plan contractors, the Planning Department, the Fair Board, the Metro Council, the Mayor, and anyone else, that the people have already decided that the purpose of the Tennessee State Fairgrounds is the same purpose it has had for over 100 years-- it's a fairgrounds!
While there is certainly both a need and room for new and different events at the Fairgrounds, they should be events that support it's current purpose as the "Common Man's Convention Center." We do not need condos, we do not need a Starbucks, and we certainly do not need any "fern bars" like they have over in the gulch.
So once again, please get your neighbors, co-workers, church members, friends, enemies, and your mother-in-law to come to the meeting, preferably wearing a red shirt, and once again overwhelm them with numbers of people united in the purpose of preserving our Fairgrounds-- just like we overwhelmed city council when this issue came before them.
The last meeting had "ok" attendance, but it was not overwhelming. This time let's pack the house. Show them that same unity of purpose that passed the Fairgrounds Charter amendment. Make them realize that we will not go away, and we will not be worn down by their antics.
We also have one other item that needs your effort and support.
It seems that Buck Dozier has it in his head to change the name of the
Fairgrounds to the "Nashville Expo Center." He has already begin to use
that on letter heads and uses the expo center web site now instead of
the Tennessee State Fair domain, which belongs to the Fair Board. While
its not noted on the agenda, it was announced in the newspaper that
Buck will request the Fair Board to make this "official" at the meeting
on Tuesday, October 2.
We're not sure why he thinks that attempting to re-brand this 100-year old historic facility is a good idea. What would any other company give for an established 100-year old brand name? Why slight the many citizens of Davidson County outside of Nashville who also are stake holders in the Fairgrounds?
So please let them know that the people also want the Fairgrounds to continue to be called the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, just like it has for the past 100+ years! It's a well-established name with a good and widespread reputation. Let's keep it that way!
You can contact Fair Board Chairman Ned Horton at ned@hortongroup.com and you can contact the other commissioners at FairCommissioners@nashville.gov
Write them and let them know how you feel about it!
Together, we CAN make a difference.
Top Stories
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Meet and Greet with Yvonne Donnelly, National 9-12 Project Chair
Reposted from Linda Napier
Saturday at 11:00am at Millenium Maxwell House Resort
FREE EVENT! (LUNCH AND BEVERAGES AVAILABLE AT YOUR EXPENSE)
Yvonne is the powerhouse behind the 9-12 Project from the beginning!
This is a chance to talk to her as she is visiting Nashville and wants to meet all of our incredible members!
Please feel free to bring a guest..maybe someone who wants to join us but wants to know what the 9-12 Project is all about.
SEE YOU ALL THERE!
ABOUT YVONNE
Yvonne Donnelly is the Chair of The 9/12 Project. She took on the
responsibility early on to coordinate volunteers and groups across the
nation and provide them a way to connect with one another. Little did
she know that a little over one year latter she would continue to
develop a movement through this venue. With the amount of emails coming
in to the original site it was apparent that she needed help. With
help from fellow volunteer Mike Opelka, Yvonne answered emails by the
hundreds to ensure that people got involved locally. Through those
emails other individuals emerged as leaders. You will see listed the
names of our Advisory Board members. These individuals are now acting
in a capacity of directing, developing and consulting through their
experience and great talent
Disclaimer:
From time to time A Disgruntled Republican may post announcements of
interest to the conservative, libertarian, or greater community. Such
announcements are posted as a public service to spread awareness and do not
necessarily constitute an endorsement.
Top Stories
Chris Christie fends off right wing nuts
Wall Street Journal
An obscure Christie administration regional planning document called the State Strategic Plan has fueled opposition among a faction of the state's staunchest conservatives who said the proposal usurps property rights.
.....
Some called it part of "Agenda 21,"
a nonbinding U.N. resolution from 1992 that encourages conservation and
strategic planning. The resolution has become a flash point for
tea-party groups across the country, and the Republican Party added language against Agenda 21 to its convention platform....(Christie Fends Off Right)
My Comment: I have not provided recent updates but the Anti-Agenda 21, John Birch Society led campaign continues. All across America, at city council meetings and at meetings of county governing bodies and at planning commissions, people are denouncing codes and planning and zoning and wide shady sidewalks and bike lanes and small apartments and traffic roundabouts and mass transit and numerous other things as part of a vast conspiracy to take away our property rights and enslave us. The nuttiest of the nutty content all of these things they don't like are part of a vast conspiracy to kill 97% of the world's population by poisoning them with aspartame and fluoride. (To read more on this strange topic follow this link.)
Top Stories
Vote for Obama because he gives a free Phone
Protester outside of Romney rally explains how Obama gives all
minorities free phones and that is why they should vote for him.
Cleveland Ohio, September 26, 2012.
Top Stories
Democrat State House Candidate advocates Income Tax, Death Tax, Living Wage
NASHVILLE, TN, TNGOP
– At a candidate forum on Monday, the Democrat nominee for State
House in District 25 promoted the implementation of a progressive
income tax and a living wage, and keeping in place the death tax.
The comments came from the Democrat nominee in District 25 at a Pleasant Hill, TN forum."Tennesseans have to wonder if the Tennessee Democrat Party has encouraged their candidates to adopt this extremist, big government agenda which would amount to some of the largest tax increases in our state's history," said Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney.
"While many Democrats in our state desperately attempt to disassociate themselves with the failed economic policies of Barack Obama, it appears the President's big government philosophy has taken solid root within the Tennessee Democrat platform. Are these the far-left ideological policies that Democrat House Leader Craig Fitzhugh wants his party's nominees to unite around? Will Craig Fitzhugh denounce this radical legislative agenda or will he remain silent?
"Tennessee Republicans, working with Governor Haslam, have made tremendous progress in reducing the size of government by eliminating unnecessary regulations and enacting more tax cuts in this year's budget than any other in our state's history. That's the path we need to stay on; not return to the path of more taxes, more debt, and massive government," concluded Devaney.
Audio of the comments made by the Democrat nominee in State House District 25 can be heard HERE.
My comment: The Democrat candidate challenger advocating a State income tax, a living wage, and the death tax is Flo Matheson. The incumbent is Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville.
My comment: The Democrat candidate challenger advocating a State income tax, a living wage, and the death tax is Flo Matheson. The incumbent is Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville.
Top Stories
Race is tight for Senate's District 20
Race is tight for Senate's District 20
Sep 27, 2012, The Tennessean-
Steve Dickerson and Phillip North are casting themselves as
'common sense' leaders and sticking to the issues in the Senate District
20 race, where both major parties covet an open seat. (link)Help Steve Dickerson: Knock door, contribute money, make calls, get a yard sign. Go to http://www.votestevedickerson.com.
Top Stories
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
