More trouble at the Election Commission

In the most recent primary, the Election Commission was using a new electronic voting system that causes some ballots to default to the Republican ballot.  This created quit a bit of controversy including some grandstanding by a certain Council member seeking a state house seat. The cause of this error was fully explained and the issue resolved.

Now there is more controversy at the Election Commission.  The sample ballot the Election Commission mailed out has a small black box next to the name of Republican candidates in races where a Republican is competing against a Democrat in a State House contest.

Those who are so inclined to believe the Republican dominated Election Commission is conniving to give an advantage to Republican candidate will be more sure of that than ever now.  The election commission has explained that this was simply an error.  When laying out the sample ballot, initially the format was to have two candidates’ names on the same line, and a black box was put between the two names for ease in reading. They then adjusted the format to have a separate line for each candidate and the person doing the formatting, failed to remove the little black box.

I am accepting that explanation but I am sure many Democrats will not. The Election Commission did not need this new controversy.

According to the article about this in the Tennessean, "some Democrats believe the boxes still could lead some voters to think the candidates whose names are next to the markings are the ones they need to vote for."

That statement says a lot about Democratic voters.  There is a large segment of mostly Democratic voters who let someone else tell them how to vote. If some one is so stupid that they look at the ballot and think they are "supposed" to vote for the person with the black box by their name, they are so dumb, they should not be voting. 

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Metro Council Education Committee Meeting for 10/15/2012

This is over an hour long. I will watch this video and summarize anything important and tell you where to go in the video to see the anything that is interesting.Watch for an update.

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Beth Harwell host Ben Claybaker reception

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Wealthy Nashvillians cash in on law meant for farmers

The Tennessean, Oct 14, 2012

This is hardly farm country. But Bredesen and several neighbors are cashing in on a state law intended to protect farms, forests and open space from encroaching development. Because the former governor cuts hay on a portion of his $13-million, 89-acre estate, and grosses at least $1,500 a year in farm income, he saves $62,000 a year in local property taxes. (link)

Comment: I don't condemn former Governor Bredesen for "cashing in" on the law intended to protect open spaces from development.  I think no tax payer should pay a cent more in taxes than they are legally required to pay. A legal deduction on your income tax is not a "loophole."  If the law allows you to put your estate into a conservation easement and avoid $62,000 in local property tax, then I don't condemn you for doing it.  The problem is not with those who legally avoid paying taxes, the problem is with the code that permits it.

I also feel pretty much the same way about people who get food stamps or other forms of public assistance. If they are legally entitled to a form of public assistance, and are not committing fraud to get it, then I do not condemn them for getting it.  I recognize that accepting welfare corrupts one's character and creates a dependency and a sense of entitlement.  I admire those who refuse the assistance, but I don't condemn those who take.  The fault is with the program, not the recipient.

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Mark Rogers on "The Walking Dead:"  The Walking Dead are not from Memphis. Those are the 'Voting Dead.'

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Scott DesJarlais explains scandal in his own words

Open Letter to My Supporters

You have probably seen the recent media coverage regarding details of my divorce from over a decade ago. I had genuinely hoped this election would be about my record in Congress – not a 12 year old divorce.

Unfortunately, my opponent is making the same types of accusations Lincoln Davis used in 2010 when he ran what was described as the nastiest campaign in the nation in an attempt to dominate the headlines.

I know that many of you were disappointed to hear the news regarding allegations of a relationship I had while separated during my divorce proceedings. I am deeply sorry for that. But what was reported in the media was not only inaccurate, it doesn’t even begin to tell the whole story.

First, there was never any pregnancy and there was no abortion. Second, my ex-wife and I had been separated for quite some time before this incident. There was an agreement in our separation that both she and I could see other people while finalizing the divorce. To say that I had a mistress or that I had an affair is inaccurate. Third, the media wrongly reported that I recorded the conversation myself. I was recorded unknowingly and without my consent.

Here is what is true. While legally separated from my wife, I was involved with a woman who I had briefly treated for a foot injury. The relationship was completely mutual. After approximately four months after we had last seen each other, she told me she was pregnant. I won’t go into details out of respect for those involved, but I had several reliable reasons to believe this was false. I had a conversation with this woman over the phone that was recorded without my knowledge. During this conversation I was incredibly frustrated. As such, I used rather strong rhetoric in hopes that it would lead to her admitting the truth – that there was no pregnancy.

I appreciate that this was an imprudent approach to this situation and I’m not proud of it. In retrospect I should have dealt with these matters in a more diplomatic fashion.

There is no question that I had a very long and very difficult divorce. In fact, it seems almost as if I’ve never run against another candidate – only a 12 year old divorce. That being said, I understand that I am an elected official and therefore am subject to public scrutiny. But I also have a family. I think that often gets overlooked by those who resort to these sorts of smear tactics.

Through grace and redemption, God has truly given me a second chance. I have had an incredible marriage to my wife Amy of ten years and have been blessed with an opportunity to raise three wonderful children. I have a strong pro-life record in Congress and history of fighting for values important to Tennesseans. I hope you will judge me on these facts because that is who I am.

It speaks volumes that my opponent and his political mentor Lincoln Davis would gleefully exploit this private and personal issue for political gain. I suppose they must be confident that they are completely without sin.

I am not trying to justify my actions or say that I am without fault. But I am not the hypocrite my opponents and some liberal media outlets are portraying me as.

I hope that you will continue to fight with me for issues important to the people of Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District. We face big problems and we need big solutions – not desperate personal attacks.

Thank you for your support and understanding, and I stand ready to speak with you personally and answer any questions you may have.

 Scott DesJarlais

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Governor Haslam Endorces Charles Williamson for State House of Representatives

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Bob Woodward: There Are A Lot Of Unanswered Questions From White House On Libya

 This we do know:

• Despite requests submitted to the State Department, the administration failed to provide additional security for the U.S. Consulate
  
  
• The President engaged in a cover up, repeatedly blaming the events in Libya on a spontaneous uprising resulting from that YouTube video which we now know had nothing to do with this planned attack.

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Charles Williamson needs help

We need you!

 

We need smiling, waving folks holding Williamson signs at the polls … during early voting AND on Election Day.

 

We have 4-5 polls to cover during early voting:

·         Madison

·         Goodlettsville

·         Bordeaux

·         Bellevue

·         Downtown/Election Commission

Can you spare a few hours? A full day … or more in support of Charles?

 

We have 20 polls to cover on Election Day!

 

PLEASE reply or call me!

 

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING CHARLES WILLIAMSON FOR STATE REP!

Claire

615-476-3200

ipcc@comcast.net

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Lame Duck Legislators take going-away gift

Lame Duck Lawmakers Ring Up $13K Tab at Chicago Junket

TnRepot, Oct. 5, 2012

As a parting gift before leaving the state Legislature, five outgoing lawmakers spent more than $13,000 of taxpayer money to go on a four-day junket to Chicago, according to state records.

Here is a list of outgoing lawmakers and how much taxpayers spent sending them to the NCSL annual summit:
Sen. Mike Faulk, R-Church Hill, $2,404.43
Rep. Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, $2,757.79
Rep. Richard Montgomery, R-Sevierville, $2,739.61
Rep. Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington, $2,759.34
Rep. Jeanne Richardson, D-Memphis, $2,726.74

Comment: Why should out-going legislators take a trip on the tax payers dime?  I question the need for a lot of these out of town legislative conferences, but there is certainly no justification for an out-going legislator to attend one.  Please note that the speaker of both houses signed off on these trips. What were they thinking?  There seems to be a sense of entitlement once one gets elected and it doesn't matter if you are Democrat or Republican.

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New TV spot: Dr. Steve Dickerson for State Senate District 20- Doctor and Small Business Owner

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Robert Duvall welcomes new Habitat homeowners

From Lumination network, Lipscomb University's official student news service,

Elizabeth Manyok, Paurl Manyok, Robert Duvall, and

According to Robert Duvall, a councilman for District 33 where the 15 houses are being built, said Habitat’s work is also bringing new life to a financially troubled community. “We had more bankrupt subdivisions than any other area in Davidson County, and this community needed to come back together,” Duvall said.

For the homeowners, Duvall said this is “a moment of joy and pride.” He added that the project is an example of the good that comes when people work together, noting that volunteers from across the United States and various parts of Davidson and Rutherford counties were present.

“This is what America is all about,” he said. “This is what Council District 33 is all about. Council District 33 is a very blended community. We’re proud to live here and be a part of it.” (link)

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