Freeman will outline his priorities on jobs for Nashville

What: Breakfast with Bill Freeman

Date: Wednesday February 25^th

Time: Breakfast and Networking from 7:30-8 a.m. with the Program beginning at 8 a.m.

Where: Belle Meade E-Spaces 4322 Harding Pike, Suite 417

In this speech, Bill will further explain why he believes in fighting for jobs in Nashville instead of jobs in surrounding counties. 

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Hope for improving teacher prep in TN (a la Deans for Impact)

From TN Edu-Independent - For me, one of the most hopeful initiatives to come along in a while is Deans for Impact, a new organization committed to improving teacher prep programs.  I'm really excited by who comprises the group (a group of Higher Ed teacher prep Deans) and what they hope to do.

This isn't some external force motivated to have an impact on K-12 education. It's insiders. Deans of College of Education departments that want to improve the teaching profession.  To many critics, they are sharing such far flung notions as "Teacher prep programs need to be accountable, too" (written by Robert Pianta, Dean of UVA's College of Education, one of the top Ed Colleges in the nation).

What a crazy notion that we'd hold teacher prep programs accountable for the quality of teacher they produce.  It's certainly fair to debate and develop appropriate measures to measure "quality" but we can't delay that ad nauseam to where we debate it forever, and thus never come up with accountability measure(s).

I have believed for a long time that if we're really going to have a significant impact in American public education on a noticeable scale level, our greatest bang for the buck very well may be putting time and energy into improving teacher education and how teachers are trained.

Sure, we have some great traditional teacher prep programs already, and also some very strong and innovative programs such as TFA, Relay Graduate School of Education, the Aspire Teacher Residency program, Memphis Teacher Residency, and other national and local/regional teacher prep programs.

The fact is, however, that these innovative and non-traditional teacher prep programs still prepare a very small portion of the overall number of teachers being trained each year (or cumulatively) in America. 

We need to improve teacher education in this country on a larger scale. And faster. It's unjust for kids to continue to be taught by underprepared or unqualified teachers.  Tennessee, and the nation has many great and dedicated teachers, but even many of these teachers would have liked to have had better training during their teacher training experience.

Tennessee has started publishing an annual report card on teacher prep programs, and it's a good start to have some annual data on this topic, yet the results are depressing.

The report's Executive Summary finds:

Analysis of the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Report Card effect scores indicates that several programs have consistently produced teachers that are outperforming or underperforming other teachers in the state...The following programs have completers that have consistently outperformed other teachers in the state: Lipscomb University, Memphis Teacher Residency, Teach for America Memphis, Teach for America Nashville, and University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

The report brings up a number of questions, such as how is it that TFA Memphis and TFA Nashville, who are heavily criticized for "only" training their teachers during a summer institute prior to entering the classroom, produce some of the states most effective teachers?  What does that say about the other teacher prep programs in Tennessee?

Collectively, these top 5 teacher prep programs produced 697 completers in 2012-13 or just 14.5% of all teacher prep program completers (697/4,784).

Programs that have consistently underperformed? They include Austin Peay, Tennessee Tech, Lincoln Memorial University, MTSU, Trevecca Nazarene, and the University of Memphis.

Their collective total of completers from the 2012-13 cohort?  1,862.  38.9% of all completers (1,862/4,784)

Some of these underperformers are the largest producing teacher institutions in Tennessee:

There are numerous challenges to reforming teacher education programs in the USA and in Tennessee.  There really is a disincentive for teacher prep programs to change the status quo. Teacher prep programs tend to be significant revenue streams of colleges and universities.  Additionally, teacher unions tend to dislike any sort of accountability for teachers (and the TEA is a powerful political force in this state).

Teacher unions and "ed reform critics" tend to hold up places like Finland, Singapore, Germany and others as models of national education systems to emulate.  Yet, in holding up these national models  of education, they fail to be consistent in also advocating that America start to train teachers more like how these countries train teachers (the way America trains teachers, and the incentives and labor economics around teaching are much different).  Some of the clearest reading on this topic can be found in Amanda Ripley's The Smartest Kids in the World or even this brief, by Pasi Sahlberg "The Secret to Finland's Success: Educating Teachers."

Despite the fact that not all is well with teacher prep programs in our country, inspired by some of the work being done by Deans of Impact and others, my multi-dimensional hope for improving teacher prep in Tennessee consists of a few things:

-A group of Tennessee College of Ed deans would commit to improving teacher training and the teaching profession and create a working group network, paying attention to the Deans For Impact model.

-That the new K-12 Commissioner of Ed, Candice McQueen would lead on many of aspects of improving teacher prep in the state.  Commissioner McQueen is well respected on many sides of the "education debate," and is uniquely positioned as a former College of Ed dean of one of those top producing teacher prep institutions (Lipscomb) (*for disclosure, I have worked in the past as an Adjunct Instructor at Lipscomb University).

-That school district superintendents in Tennessee (especially of the largest 4) would have the courage to publicly announce temporary or medium term hiring freezes of teachers that graduate from underperforming teacher preparation institutions.  Kriner Cash, former superintendent of Memphis City Schools did this a few years ago (he announced he would freeze the hiring of the University of Memphis graduates due to that institution's poor teacher ed training program).

-That business associations and Chambers of Commerces in the state get involved in this issue, and put "frenemy" political pressure on postsecondary institutions to improve their teacher prep programs.  Businesses have a direct interest in improving the quality of their human capital, and improving how teachers are trained to teach in classrooms and serve students can have a direct impact on improving worker skills and abilities.

-This might be a longer shot, but that the TEA (TN teachers union) and PET (Professional Educators of Tennessee, the professional Teacher Association) would also get involved and start to put pressure on postsecondary institutions to improve their teacher prep training programs (especially those that underperform).  These groups could provide a key role to help organize teacher voices to give feedback to postsecondary institutions regarding aspects of teacher training that are critical and elements of teacher training that are notably absent or deficient from current teacher prep programs.

I'm excited for many of the efforts out there to improve teacher training and preparation.  Hopefully we can really prioritize this issue in Tennessee and see some meaningful reforms and improvements to teacher prep programs.

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First Tuesday presents Mayoral candidates Rebrovick and Freeman on March 9th

From Tim Skow:

1ST TUESDAY Members and friends, 

The race for NASHVILLE's NEXT MAYOR has begun !

AND... what an unpredictable donnybrook this race is going to be!

Several 1ST- Tier candidates have announced. Many are already well-funded and come with impressive track records. Consequently, virtually everyone is predicting a run-off will follow the August 6th vote.

Two of the most viable 1ST-Tier candidates will be our Guest Speakers on MONDAY, March 9th.

LINDA REBROVICK comes with an exceptional record in the private and non-profit sectors, a long history in Nashville and specific goals and plans for " A SMARTER NASHVILLE"

BILL FREEMAN is a major business success with a notable connections from engaging in politics. In just a short time since announcing, Mr. Freeman has made a lot of news. He's added St. Senator Thelma Harper, Councilman-At-Large Jerry Maynard to his team and has touted the Nashville Area Chamber has "lost it way".

NO DOUBT... Mrs Revbrovick and Mr. Freeman will have many interesting ideas and remarks.

NO DOUBT... This will make for a VERY exciting Q&A session !!!!

NO DOUBT... You won't want to miss this !! Visit the 1ST TUESDAY website at 1st Tuesday and click on " JOIN US" to secure seating. Pass the word to those you'd like to invite. This is going to one to remember !

As usual, we will meet at WALLER Law - 511 Union Street - 27th floor. But - the date is MONDAY, March 9th. Doors will open as usual at 11AM for Coffee and Social time. Both Linda and Bill will be there by/before 11:15AM. Lunch is $20 for Members.. $25 for Guests ... and will start at 11:30 with the program to start promptly at NOON. We will hear from Linda and Bill for up to 15 minutes EACH... followed by our noted Q&A session !! SEE YOU.... on Monday, March 9th.... if not before !! Thanks !

Tim Skow Host of 1ST TUESDAY

PS -- Lt. Gov RON RAMSEY has confirmed for April 7th version of 1ST TUESDAY !!!

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Leah P. Dupree to run for Metro Council District 21

Leah P. Dupree

Press Release- Leah P. Dupree, attorney and legislative liaison for the Tennessee Department of General Services, has formally announced her plans to run for Metro Council District 21. Dupree will seek the seat held by Councilwoman Edith Langster who is term-limited.

Born in Jackson, Tennessee, Dupree moved to Nashville fourteen years ago as a student at Tennessee State University. “Everyone has a duty to serve, to give back to the community that nurtured and prepared them to succeed; which is why it would be an honor to serve North Nashville,” Dupree said. “I believe Public Safety and Economic Growth are key issues for District 21. We need to make sure that our local businesses have sustainable support and new businesses have the confidence to not only open but thrive.”

Prior to working for the Department of General Services, Dupree worked for the Tennessee General Assembly as a Senate Aide mostly addressing constituent issues. Dupree sits on the YMCA Black Achievers Board and serves as a council member for The Tennessee Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration.

Dupree recently appointed Nashville businessman, Deddrick A. Perry, Jr. as her treasurer.

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Bob Corker and the elimination of slavery around the globe.

by Josh Stites,

Dwight Eisenhower and the integration of public schools.

George W. Bush and the fight against AIDS in Africa.

Bob Corker and the elimination of slavery around the globe.

Slavery in all of its evil forms has existed for thousands of years. Although slavery is illegal in every country in the world, it is estimated that there are still more than 27 million people living in slavery around the globe. In his new role as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Corker has made one of his first acts the creation of a $1.5 Billion fund to fight slavery in some of the darkest countries on earth. The funds would come in large part from private donors who have a passion to see the eradication of slavery around the world and the funds would be deployed through public-private partnerships.

One of the organizations that would likely be a partner is the International Justice Mission (IJM). In 2013 the Metro Nashville Council passed a resolution declaring its support of IJM and declaring October 1, 2013 as IJM Day in Nashville. IJM is one of the premier organizations on the front lines in the fight against human trafficking. The Metro resolution can be found here.

Fittingly, this bold initiative was first announced in Tennessee this past weekend via the Chattanooga TimesFree Press and the Tennessean.

At a time when there’s plenty in our government to criticize, it’s always appropriate and important to praise the good. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with this important initiative as Senator Corker’s office rolls out more information in the coming days. You can read a great column from David Cook here to learn more. And if you are as impressed as I have been, you should call (202-224-3344) or email Senator Corker and encourage him to keep up this worthy fight.

It is credited to Edmund Burke, who is regarded as the father of modern conservatism, as having said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” You need not look very long to see that evil is advancing in many parts of our world. Bob Corker is stepping up to the fight and if successful, history will remember him as having accomplished one of the great feats of our time.

Josh Stites is a member of the Nashville-Davidson County Metro Council representing District 13. 

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All Mayoral Candidates Pledge to Support NOAH agenda which includes housing price fixing.

I attended the NOAH sponsored mayoral "forum" yesterday at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church. It was really not a forum. The candidates were only asked one question and that is if they would support the NOAH platform and commit to have quarterly meetings with NOAH to confer on the implementation of the platform.  The speaker, from the podium with the candidate down front not having yet taken the stage, asked the question individually of each candidates. The speaker said only those who answered in the affirmative would be permitted to speak. All eight candidates answered "yes."  The moderator did make clear that candidates where only agreeing to the goals and that how the goals may be implemented may differ. After answering "yes," the candidates were each given two minutes to elaborate. Two minutes is not much time. Candidates could not say much in two minutes.

The first hour and a half of the meeting was taken up by the presentation of the NOAH agenda.  The presentation used skits, various speakers, and graphics and charts shown on electronic screens, and video. What could have been boring, was interesting. It moved along at a fast clip and was well done. There must have been 1500 people crowded into the sanctuary of the church with extra chairs put out and people standing in the halls and in addition there was an overflow crowd in the church gym.

If there was a winner of the forum, I would have to say it was Council member Megan Barry.   I say Megan Barry "won," on the basis of applause.  She hit the right buttons during her comments, touting her sponsorship of the Metro employee living wage bill and sprinkled her comments with other specific's showcasing her progressive bonafides. She got interrupted by applause and a rousing applause at the end.

Charles Robert Bone was the first of the candidates to speak and he got warm applause, so if there was a second place favorite, it may have been Bone. He quoted scripture in his two minutes. He may have only been so well received because he was first, however; it is hard to say.  Frankly, I thought Bill Freeman gave one of the best answers of the evening, but he tried to get specific about the individual points of the three-plank platform and two minutes just did not allow time for him to develop his arguments.  In addressing the issue of affordable housing, he said he had a long career in the housing industry and knew what developers wanted and what it would take to build affordable housing.

From my perspective, I thought Kenneth Eaton did pretty well saying he would lookout for the tax payer's interest. He said too much money was being put downtown at the expense of neglect of neighborhoods, which is something this audience would agree with.

I was surprised that Howard Gentry did not get a more rousing reception.  The audience for the event was about half Black and it was held in a Black church in North Nashville. I thought Gentry, who is African-American, would have been a favorite. Gentry lost a point with me, when he said "a job is a right."  This is routine ignorance or purposeful misuse of the language on the part of progressive who use the term "right" when they mean entitlement. Rights are innate liberties. The declaration of independence says we are "endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights." Free speech and the right to self defense are rights; if you think you are entitled to food, a house and a job, or healthcare that is a claim against another to provide you with something. It is not a liberty; is a claim to an entitlement. Despite that statement from Gentry, he only got moderate applause. None of the other candidates got more than moderate applause and their answers were kind of boring. None of the others said anything with which I strongly disagreed however. None of the others hurt themselves in my way of grading the campaign.

Here is the three-point platform to which all of the candidates answered "yes," that they would support:

Affordable housing: To preserve and produce affordable housing by enhancing the city's housing trust fund, developing inclusionary zoning, and using federal, state and local resources to prevent displacement.

Criminal justice: To reduce the jail population and the General Sessions Court docket by 50 percent by using alternatives to arrest and restorative justice measures.

Economic equity and jobs: To increase transparency on public project government incentives, to hire locally first and to attach community benefit measurements to projects in high-poverty areas.

Since all of these are "goals" rather than concrete promises, I guess one could agree that these are worthy goals, knowing some of them are not achievable. So, I guess one could in good conscious answer "yes," and then conclude that the goal was simply not achievable should the candidate be elected.  The only exception to this, is the pledge to support "developing inclusionary zoning."  That is a specific means to achieving a goal of producing affordable housing.

Inclusionary zoning is a form of price fixing that says, for example, if a developer develops one hundred units of housing, maybe, 15 of them must be affordable to a certain income group, most often low or moderate income people. If Nashville had an inclusionary zoning policy that said 15% of new homes had to be set aside as "affordable" for a person making 60% of the area median income, then that would mean  a family of four who could earn $46,000 and be able to afford one of the houses. "Affordable" means the house payment does not take more than 30% of the buyers income. Doing the math, $46K/12 x 31% = a house payment of $1188 a month. If 35% of the house payment is taxes, insurance and Mortgage Insurance Premium, then that leaves $772 a month for principle and interest. So, assuming the interest rate is 4%, that would support a house priced at about $160,000.

In order to keep the home "affordable", there is usually a deed restriction that says that if the owner sales the house, they must still keep it "affordable" for so many years.  In practice this means the first buyer does not gain equity in the house. Unless area median income goes up considerably, the seller cannot raise the price of the house when he sales it.  If interest rates do go up, as they surely will,  then if the first owner wanted to sale the house after living in a few years, the house would have to sale for less than the first owner paid for it to keep it "affordable."

In a neighborhood of $550,000 homes the developer must build 15% of them for sale at $160,000 in the above example example. In a neighborhood of that price range home, the developed lot itself and infrastructure could be most of the $160,000.  So, the owner must jack up the price of other homes to subsidized the affordable homes.

I can understand a candidate not wanting to be excluded from the forum and I can understand a candidate's inclination to say they agree to the platform while in actuality having reservations.  However, if a candidate would have answered "no" and then issued a position paper explaining why he can not agree to inclusionary zoning, he would have scored a point with me. He might not have been elected mayor, but I could have voted for someone who I believed in instead of voting for the least objectionable candidate left standing.

For The Tennessean's report on the meeting last night, follow this link. For more on inclusionary zonings see this link, this link, and this.

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Campaign Kickoff Party for Sheri Weiner tonight!

Sherry is one of the "good" council members. She deserves to be reelected.

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Please attend the NOAH forum on Sunday. This could be the most important forum of the campaign.

The Tennessean today gave a lot of coverage to NOAH, the group that is hosting the mayoral forum at 3PM tomorrow at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church. NOAH is headed by Mike Hodge a community organizer in the tradition of Saul Alinsky who for many years was the public face of the Neighborhood Resource Center.  Hodge is good at what he does. He is a master at getting people stirred up and manipulating opinion and he is very good at putting people on the spot and making them commit to positions to which they may not want to commit.

The NOAH platform is the following:

Affordable housing. To preserve and produce affordable housing by enhancing the city's housing trust fund, developing inclusionary zoning, and using federal, state and local resources to prevent displacement.

Criminal justice: To reduce the jail population and the General Sessions Court docket by 50 percent by using alternatives to arrest and restorative justice measures.

Economic equity and jobs: To increase transparency on public project government incentives, to hire locally first and to attach community benefit measurements to projects in high-poverty areas.

Candidates will be asked to pledge to support this agenda. Candidates should be very careful how fully they commit to this platform.  I agree with the goal of maintaining a mix of housing price points in Nashville, but would not use the heavy hand of government to force this preference. I support efforts to build affordable housing through tax credits and using the trust fund for construction loans and I support zoning that allow accessory dwelling units on  residential property, but exclusionary zoning requires a given share of new construction to be affordable by people with low to moderate incomes. Do we really want the city to engage in this type price control? I do not. I am not really sure I know what is meant by "using federal, state and local resources to prevent displacement," but I would hope a candidate would not give an ironclad grantee to do that.

To reduce the jail population by 50%?  That is a worthy goal and the jail population has been declining for several years now. However, the crime rate has been on a decline for about the last 30 years. If crime goes back up then incarcerations will go back up. I do think one way to achieve this goal is to cease jailing people for possession of small amounts of marijuana and even ceasing to arrest people for possession of small amounts. We already have some diversion programs such as the "John School" for people arrested for soliciting prostitutes. I think there are good answers to this question without moving far to the left. However 50% is an awfully big reduction on top of the already reduced jail population. I am going to be leery of voting for anyone who promises this much reduction without a convincing explanation of how they will achieve it.

Economic equity and jobs?  I want the best deal for the tax payers and hiring locally is often not practical. When a company bids on a big job they usually have their own trained and reliable labor force. I don't want a mayor who promises that public projects will use x% local labor. Also, I am unsure exactly what is meant by attaching "community benefit measurements to projects in high-poverty areas."  It will be interesting to see how candidates answer that question.

I hope the candidates will not pander and move as far to the left as this forum will try to push them.  I expect Megan Barry is already there. It will be interesting to see how the others respond, perform, and are received. I hope a large crowd attends this forum and not just members of NOAH.  Sometimes politician get more backbone when they see they are being watched.  They may pander less if the audience is more diverse than just the people supporting the agenda of the host organization.

I plan to attend. Please join me.

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Southeast Nashville Conservatives Breakfast is cancellled.

PLEASE NOTE TO ALL: DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER WE HAVE DECIDED IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF EVERYONE CONCERN TO CANCEL THE MEETING TOMORROW MORNING.   

WE WILL TRY TO RESCHEDULE AND LET YOU KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 

BLESSING TO ALL AND STAY SAFE!! 

ROBERT

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Statesmen’s Dinner 2015 featuring Gov. Jeb Bush and Why I don't think I will attend.

Press release, NASHVILLE, Tenn.—2016 is here.

Jeb Bush

In the latest sign that the 2016 presidential race is heating up, the Tennessee Republican Party today announced that former Florida Governor Jeb Bush will headline the Party’s annual Statesmen’s Dinner in Nashville — the largest annual gathering of Republicans in Tennessee. Gov. Bush, who announced recently he was actively exploring a run for the White House in 2016, joins an impressive list of leaders who have spoken at the dinner.

“As an early primary state, Tennessee in an important place in Republican politics. This is the perfect forum to come and deliver an optimistic, dynamic case for conservatism. We need a bold reformer leading our nation. As Florida’s Governor and as a public servant, that’s exactly the reputation Gov. Bush has built. We look forward to welcoming Jeb Bush to Nashville,” said TNGOP Chairman Chris Devaney.

Devaney also announced that Congressman Diane Black (TN-06) will serve as the 2015 Statesmen’s Dinner Chair. Cong. Black will play an instrumental role in the dinner, which is the TNGOP’s largest yearly fundraising event.

“Cong. Black is the perfect chair for this important occasion. She has quickly become known as a conservative solutions-seeker both in Washington and here at home. In fact, this event will showcase how Tennessee is leading our country with bold ideas, effective leadership, and a conservative philosophy,” he noted.

Congressman Black stated, “Each year, the Statesmen’s Dinner offers a chance to recognize our dedicated Republican activists here at home and listen to some of the brightest minds in the conservative movement from across the country. I am honored to lead the effort to once again make this Tennessee’s premier political event of the year.”

The 2015 Statesmen’s Dinner will take place on Saturday, May 30^th in Nashville. Tickets may be purchased by going to http://www.statesmensdinner.com/ or calling Taylor Ferrell at 615.269.4260.

About Governor Bush
Jeb Bush served as the 43^rd Governor of the State of Florida from 1999-2007. During his tenure, he remained true to his conservative principles—cutting nearly $20 billion in taxes, vetoing more than $2.3 billion in earmarks, and reducing the state government workforce by more than 13,000. His limited government approach helped unleash one of the most robust and dynamic economies in the nation, creating 1.4 million net new jobs and improving the state’s credit ratings.

Background

• Last year, the TNGOP Statesmen’s Dinner featured New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and helped the Party raise record breaking contribution numbers.
• Coverage of the 2014 Statesmen’s Dinner can be found here and here.
• Past Statesmen’s speakers include: Former Vice President Dick Cheney, 2012 GOP Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney, President George W. Bush, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and US. Senator Tim Scott.
• The 2015 Statesmen’s Dinner announcement is the first of several upcoming events that will feature prominent potential Republican presidential candidates who are coming to Tennessee at the invitation of the Tennessee Republican Party.

My Comment:
I am not exactly boycotting the Tennessee Republican Party, I am just having a hard time getting excited about contributing to the Party or attending the Statesman's Dinner. I could afford to go to the Statesman's Dinner but I'm just not very motivated. Year before last I attended and the guest speaker was Senator Tim Scott and I enjoyed it immensely.

There are two reasons I guess why I am having a hard time getting motivated to attend the Statesmen's Dinner. One, the speaker does not excite me.  I could not get excited about Chris Christie last year and can not get excited about Jeb Bush this year.

The other reason that I can not get motivated to financially help the party or attend the Statesman's Dinner is because they allow a person who has campaigned to elect Democrats and defeat Republicans to keep a seat on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Republican Party. I am speaking of Mark Winslow.

Mark Winslow

Winslow managed the campaign of Democrat Melissa Blackburn who successfully ran for Davidson County Judge. Her Republican opponent was Marian Fodyce. Winslow worked for Blackburn as her paid campaign manager.  Since then, he has gone to work for Judge Blackburn.  Working to get Blackburn elected is not the only time Winslow has worked to help Democrats get elected.

In April of 2014, Mark Winslow’s candidacy to again run for a position on the State Executive Committee was challenged because of his managing the campaign for a Democrat. Party Chairman Chris Devaney could have prevented Winslow from running for a seat on the SEC, however he chose to allow Winslow to keep his name on the ballot. (link)

Overall, I think Chris Devaney has been a good Party chairman, but he really disappointed me when he allowed Winslow to stay on the SEC.  Obviously, one cannot serve the best interest of the Republican Party and a Democrat nominee for office at the same time. Any fool should be able to see that, that is a conflict of interest.  When the Davidson County Republican Party was considering giving financial help to Republican candidates, Winslow who serves on the County Executive Committee by virtue of his elected position on the State Executive Committee opposed giving the candidates money. Just think about that: He is working to elect the Democrat and gets a vote on whether or not the Republican will get campaign money. (link)

This year I decided not to renew my membership in the Tennessee Republican Party and after the Party wasted the cost of several mailings to me asking for my annual contribution, I got a phone call asking me to renew by membership.  I explained to the nice lady who called me that I was not in a mood to contribute and explained the reason why and told her of Mark Winslow's duplicitous roll. (For more on Mark Winslow, follow this link.)

Like I said above, I am not boycotting the Tennessee Republican Party, I am just explaining why I have not been in the mood to contribute ever since Winslow was reelected to the SEC. If, however, the speaker at the Statesman's Dinner was going to be Scott Walker or Bobby Jindal or Marco Rubio or one of several other people, I might have overcome by revulsion at Winslow serving on the SEC and chose to attend the event anyway.

One bad apple may not spoil the whole barrel and there are many good people serving the interest of the Party and serving on the State Executive Committee. These good people on the SEC should do the right thing however, and move to remove Winslow from his seat on the SEC. I want to see the Party succeed and I not trying to persuade anyone else to join me in not attending the Statement's Dinner or join me in not contributing to the State party. And, I am not going to sit on the sidelines forever just because of one turncoat in the ranks, but for now I am going to take the $500 I would have spend on the Statesman's Dinner and split it between good conservatives like Lonnie Spivak, Stephen Clements, and Ken Jakes who are running for Metro Council.

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Caffinated Conservatives reset from the 21st to the 28th of February

From Stephen Clements,

Hi everybody,
Terry and I have decided to postpone the coffee talk from the 21st to the 28th of February. We will still be at Uncommon Grounds visiting their great proprietor Chuck Sonn, from NOON - 2 PM, just a different day.
While I don't agree with Mayor Dean on much, I do agree with him that this weekend will be a mess. STAY WARM!

Stephen Clements and Terry Torre
Caffeinated Conservatives

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Democrats United with Labor mayoral forum canceled due to pressure from Freeman, organizer says.

The Democrats United with Labor mayoral forum scheduled to take place tomorrow at 3PM at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall on Elm Hill Pk has been cancelled at this late date, due to a pressure from local labor leader Gary Moore, according to the forum organizer. The organizer of the, Larry Crim, has scheduled a new forum, much like the one cancelled, for March 21st but the new forum will not have the participation of organized labor. According to Crim the reason the  Democrats United with Labor forum is cancelled is because the Freeman for Mayor campaign pressured labor to not participate. Below is a statement issued by Crim.

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