Becca Wins 2nd Place in Cheapest or the Cheap awards

My sweet and lovely niece Rebecca Mooradian won second place in the Cheapest of the Cheap Awards 2011, awarded by The Tennessean's "Miss Cheap," Mary Hance.

I have been known as a frugal person myself because there was a time in my life when I had to be. I still love a bargain and admire frugality. Rebecca is a gal after my own heart!  Below are pictures and text from The Tennessean web page.

The article doesn't tell the full story. The dress has been professionally cleaned and Jonathan Moody's mom,  Rossie Moody, who is a talented seamstress altered the dress to fit. Rebecca will be as lovely as any bride in a $6000 dress.

Second Place, $499.99: Rebecca Mooradian, Nashville and Sewanee -- Rebecca, who is planning her June wedding to her childhood sweetheart, Jonathan Moody, will wear a dress that she bought at a yard sale when she was 10 years old -- for a quarter. "The man who sold it to me seemed a little embittered and I actually think he said something along the lines of 'Good riddance' as he handed the dress to me. Throughout school I wore it as a costume for Halloween parties and for stage performances,"’ says Rebecca, a senior at the University of the South at Sewanee who’s majoring in French and English.

Rebecca and her mother are also buying stemware and china for half off at Goodwill to use as they self-cater the wedding, which is being held in Abbo's Alley on the Sewanee campus. "We couldn't stand the idea of using disposable plates, and on average we are spending 40-60 cents per plate and even less for the stemware (which, she adds, is less than renting china, which starts at about $1 per plate). After the wedding, we plan on having an enormous yard sale to make back some of the money we spent."

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Shut 'er Down! Did Republicans Cave?

I know many Kamikaze Republican are disappointed the government did not shut down.

They wanted Republicans to hold firm to a plan to cut the budget $100 billion and not pass any budget that cut less. Democrats were not going to pass a budget with $100 billion in cuts, the government would have shut down, Republican would have been blamed, nothing would have been accomplished and this would have guaranteed the reelection of Barack Obama the same way Republicans helped reelect President Clinton when in 1996 they shut down the government. Actually, Republicans did not shut down the government in 1996; Clinton did by vetoing the budget he was sent by Congress. It did not matter; Republicans got the blame. This time the government would not have been shut down because the President vetoed a budget sent to him by Congress, but would have shut down because Congress did not sent him a budget.The result would have been the same; Republicans would have been blamed for the shut down.

I realized the seriousness of the budget crisis. I realized we have a $14 Trillion national debt and 40 cent of every dollar the government spends is borrowed money.  I realize we have a crisis. Please do not lecture me on the debt. I am fully aware of the enormity of the problem.  We have a crisis. I get it. However, shutting down the government would have led to Republicans losing elections and the Democrats would have won the PR battle. Most Americans are still in denial about the financial status of our nation. Shutting down the government would not have convinced them of anything.


While I would have preferred a larger cut, I actually think this is a pretty good beginning on a return to financial responsibility.

Boehner said the agreement will “cut spending and keep our government open,” and this agreement will cut hundreds of billions of dollars in spending over the next decade  and will “help create a better environment for job creators in our country.”

Here are some key facts on the bipartisan agreement: (link)

• THE LARGEST SPENDING CUT IN AMERICAN HISTORY.  The agreement will immediately cut $38.5 billion in federal spending – the largest spending cut in American history in terms of dollars – just months after President Obama asked Congress for a spending “freeze” that would mean zero cuts. 

• HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS IN SPENDING CUTS OVER THE NEXT DECADE.  The agreement will cut hundreds of billions of dollars from the federal budget over the next decade – “real money,” as the Wall Street Journal editorial board recently noted.

• OFFICIALLY ENDS THE “STIMULUS” SPENDING BINGE.  The agreement begins to reverse the “stimulus” spending binge that began in 2009 – signaling the official end of a period of unprecedented government intervention that former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan and other economists say hurt job creation in America by crowding out private investment. 

• SETS STAGE FOR TRILLIONS MORE IN SPENDING CUTS.  Clears the way for congressional action on House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget – The Path to Prosperity – which cuts trillions in spending and offers a long-term blueprint for American job creation.

• GUARANTEES SENATE VOTE ON REPEAL OF OBAMACARE.  The agreement reached with Senate Democrats guarantees a Senate debate and vote on legislation that would repeal President Obama’s government takeover of health care in its entirety.  The House passed such legislation in January as part of the Pledge to America.

• NEW TOOLS IN THE FIGHT TO REPEAL OBAMACARE.  The agreement will generate new tools for the fight to repeal Obamacare by requiring numerous studies that will force the Obama Administration to reveal the true impact of the law’s mandates, including a study of how individuals and families will see increased premiums as a result of certain Obamacare mandates; a full audit of all the waivers that the Obama Administration has given to firms and organizations – including unions - who can't meet the new annual coverage limits; a full audit of what's happening with the comparative effectiveness research funding that was in Obamacare and the president’s failed “stimulus” spending bill; and a report on all of the contractors who have been hired to implement the law and the costs to taxpayers of such contracts.    

• DENIES ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE IRS.  The Obama administration has sought increased federal funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – money that could be used to hire additional agents to enforce the administration’s agenda on a variety of issues.  This increased funding is denied in the agreement.

• GUARANTEES SENATE VOTE & DEBATE ON DE-FUNDING PLANNED PARENTHOOD.  The agreement with Senate Democrats guarantees a Senate debate and vote on legislation that would end federal funding for Planned Parenthood. 

• BANS TAXPAYER FUNDING OF ABORTION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.  The agreement includes a complete ban on local and federal funding of abortion in the District of Columbia, applying the pro-life principles of the Hyde Amendment (“D.C. Hyde”). 

• MANDATORY AUDITS OF THE NEW JOB-CRUSHING BUREAUCRACY SET UP UNDER DODD-FRANK.  The agreement subjects the so-called Consumer Financial Protection Bureau created by the job-destroying Dodd-Frank law to yearly audits by both the private sector and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to monitor its impact on the economy, including its impact on jobs, by examining whether sound cost-benefit analyses are being used with rulemakings.  

That is not a bad beginning. I assume it is the best we could get.

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Corker Calls for Hearing on War Powers and War on Libya

Thank God for Bob Corker.  Someone does care about the Constitution. U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter yesterday to Committee Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., asking him “to hold a series of hearings to examine the division of war powers as outlined by the Constitution, reexamine the provisions of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, and consider recommendations to amend or clarify the conditions required for the employment of US forces.”

Full text of Senator Corker’s letter to Chairman Kerry is included below.

Dear Senator Kerry,

On March 19, 2011, the United States engaged in military operations over Libya "to set the conditions for our European allies and Arab partners to carry out the measures authorized by the U.N. Security Council Resolution," namely for the enforcement of a no-fly zone. Questions have been raised about the constitutionality of this engagement and what authorities govern this employment of forces.

To that end, I call on the committee to hold a series of hearings to examine the division of war powers as outlined by the Constitution, reexamine the provisions of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, and consider recommendations to amend or clarify the conditions required for the employment of US forces.

We owe it to every man and woman who puts on a uniform to serve our country, and every taxpayer who funds the operations, to be clear that our entry into any conflict - whether in response to an attack on the homeland or a threat to our broader national security - has been entered into in a lawful and appropriate manner.

I look forward to the scheduling of these hearings in the very near future.

Sincerely,

BOB CORKER
United States Senator

In a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on March 17, prior to the U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing U.S. and coalition airstrikes in Libya, Corker questioned Undersecretary of State William Burns about the need for a congressional authorization and the goals for a U.S. military operation in Libya. Corker also issued a statement on March 28 reiterating his call for clarity on the United States’ interests and role in Libya.

I am appalled that members of Congress and the public who vehemently opposed our war on Iraq, which was authorized by Congress, are totally unconcerned about our war on Libya which has not been authorized and when there was no imminent threat. They are totally devoid of any consistency. I suspect many of them would grant President Obama dictatorial powers on the slightest of pretense. Obama has committed an impeachable offense and should be removed from office.

Senator Corker, Please do not back down. Keep pushing and demand these hearings. Where are the other members of Congress who care about the Constitution?

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"I don't care, Obama is Awsome."

What more can I say. This explains the mind of a liberal. "Obama is cool and awesome."

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You can now order tickets for Atlas Shrugged Part 1

You can now order tickets for Atlas Shrugged Part 1 in Nashville at the Regal Hollywood 27, 719 Thompson Lane. This is the movie theater at 100 Oaks. The movie opens April 15, 2011. Make this a sold-out show! Tickets are still available. I just purchased my tickets for the 7:30 show.

Atlas Shrugged Fans Shock Theater Chains

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Theater chains inundated with requests from fans. Producers look to expand to more than 80 Cities

CULVER CITY, Calif., April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Based on the film’s recent fan-based grassroots uprising, “The Strike” Productions today announced it will be expanding the initial release of the Atlas Shrugged movie from 11 markets to over 50.

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Corker talks CAP Act at Cato

At a Cato Institute conference this Thursday, April 7, at 2 p.m. ET in Washington, Senator Bob Corker will make a presentation on the CAP Act, his bill to set a first-time, across-the-board cap on all federal spending. The fiscal straitjacket created by the CAP Act would result in $7.6 trillion less spending over a 10 year period than projected current policy and change the way Washington does business.

Cato Institute senior fellow Dan Mitchell wrote a blog post today entitled “Senator Corker’s CAP Act: A Better Version of Gramm-Rudman to Reduce the Burden of Government” that previews Senator Corker’s remarks on Wednesday.  Mitchell writes, “[Senator Corker] correctly understands that the problem is the size of government,” and that the CAP Act’s “sequester” provision or fiscal straitjacket “puts real teeth in the CAP Act and ensures that the burden of government spending actually would be reduced.”

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Donelson-Hermitage Summit: Who is a "Bona Fide" Republican?

Who is a "Bona Fide" Republican?

 In a state without party registration, how does one identify who is and who is not a Republican. Come to this meeting on Saturday and share your opinion with Tennessee Republican Party Executive Director Adam Nickas and Davidson County Republican Party Chairman Kathleen Starnes.  Kathleen has been appointed to the committee that will try to define what is a Republican.

Donelson-Hermitage Eggs and Bacon Summit

meeting at

Ryan's Steakhouse

 3435 Lebanon Pike, Hermitage

 Dutch treat Breakfast is at 8:30

 Meeting begins at 9 am (sharp)

Special Guest

 Adam Nickas

Executive Director, Tennessee Republican Party

And 

Kathleen Starnes, Chairman

Davidson County Republican Party

Adam and Kathleen will also be discussing the future plans for growth of the State and Davidson County Party and how grass roots Republicans can get involved.

Event Chairmen – Betty Cannon    Rod Williams, DCRP Summit Coordinator

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Rand Paul on President Obama's war on Libya

On Wednesday March 30, Senator Rand Paul spoke on the Senate floor concerning his objections to the president's actions in Libya and the executive's lack of regard for the Constitution.



I think Rand Paul has it exactly right. President Obama has taken us to war without a Congressional Declaration of war, when there was no imminent threat to the United States or our allies. He is in clear violation of the War Powers Act. He is acting as if he were King.

The United States has no vital interest in this conflict. We know Qaddafi is a madman and maybe mentally deranged, but we have no clue who the rebels are.  Are they seeking to establish a Democracy or a radial Islamic Republic? Are we fighting on the same side as Al Qaeda in the war? We don't know.


I opposed President Bush's decision to take us to war in Iraq, but at least President Bush got approval of Congress. I am appalled at the liberals  who can support this act of war in clear violation of the War Powers Act yet were vehement in their denunciation of President Bush's actions taking us to war in Iraq. Have they no principles? President Obama has committed an impeachable offense and should be removed from office

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Radon: Former Metro Councilman Rod Williams called the results an "outrage."

Former Metro Councilman Rod Williams called the results an "outrage." Williams passed a law in 1988 in the Metro Council requiring testing in all schools, but somehow the law was forgotten.

"A generation of kids are now adults who lived breathing radon every day and that should have been tested 20 years ago," Williams said.

"This should have been solved 20 years ago. I'm glad they're testing now, but it's 20 years later than it should have been." (link)

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Open letter: Respecting the plain language of our Constitution

by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 4:52pm

 

This week I cast the tie-breaking vote to advance a bill requiring the election of all judges in the State of Tennessee, including appellate and Supreme Court justices.

I would like to share with you the reasons for my action and ask you to join me in a call for constitutional reform.

As a conservative, I place great trust in our state constitution. I see the document as a product of the accrued wisdom of our forebears.  It should not be ignored just because its requirements may be seen as inconvenient or out of fashion. I honor it, not only because it contains great wisdom, but because it places limits on government and prevents the more dangerous whims of temporary majorities. 

Every person elected to an office of public trust in this state takes a solemn oath to defend the constitution. I have taken that oath and I take it seriously.

Our Tennessee Constitution is unambiguous on the subject of judicial elections.  Article VI of the Tennessee Constitution states elegantly and concisely that Supreme Court justices “shall be elected by the qualified voters of the state” and that appellate court justices “shall be elected by the qualified voters of their district.” 

In 2009, I led the charge to change the way judges are chosen in our state. In the past, under the original “Tennessee Plan,” special interest groups and trial lawyers held a stranglehold on the process virtually forcing the governor to pick from their approved candidates. During the last legislative session, we passed a modified version of the plan that removed the influence of special interests.

The plan in place now is a good system. It takes the special interests out of the equation and puts the power to select and appoint judges back in the hands of the people you elect. Those appointed judges then stand after every term for what is called a “retention” election, voting yes or no on whether a judge should be retained or replaced.

This is a fair, equitable and efficient way to make sure only the very best judges are interpreting our laws and sitting in judgment of the people of Tennessee.

In fact, there is only one problem with the plan – it is unconstitutional.

While our Supreme Court has twice found retention elections fulfill constitutional requirements, many legal scholars dispute those rulings. I concur with those scholars. Just as every reasonable adult knows what the word “is” means, I think we all know what the word “election” means. Retention elections are not really elections as understood by most citizens.

Again, my decision to move a bill forward that acknowledges the truths self-evident in our constitution does not mean I believe contested judicial elections are in the best interest of Tennessee.  I do not.

If I was able to wave a magic wand and decide a new process, I would not choose open election. But I do not get to wave that magic wand.

The constitution is the constitution. Words mean things. For years our federal government has simply ignored the constitutional limitations placed upon it. We now see the whirlwind such a practice reaps.

This is Tennessee -- not Washington, DC. We take our word seriously. We take our constitution seriously.  We either need to amend the constitution or abide by it. There is no acceptable middle ground.

I challenge you to join with me on this issue. However you think judges should ultimately be chosen, we must agree that the process be constitutional.

Stand with me and demand that the constitution of the state of Tennessee is either followed or changed – but not ignored.

Comment:

I could not agree more. My view exactly. He stated it well.

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Atlast Shurgged, the Movie is coming to Nashville!

The movie comes to Nashville and will be playing at Hollywood 27, which is the movie theater at 100 Oaks. The movie fittingly premiers in Nashville and nationwide April 15th, which is income tax day. From reading the reviews it looks like the movie is true to the book. Of course, there is no way the movie can delve into the depth of philosophical musings that are in the book but reviewers say it is true to the story and the general philosophy.  Maybe the movie will reach people who will never pick up the book and maybe it will inspire others to read the book.

Atlas Shrugged changed my life, primarily by being the common factor that led to a chance encounter with Louella Ballenger who became my wife, but it also influenced my thinking.  I was already a conservative before I ever read Atlas Shrugged, but that book led me to understand why I believed some of the things I believed. I think everyone should read Ayn Rand. She is a counterbalance to the prevailing philosophy dominant in academia and most of mainstream American popular culture. I admit, however, that Rand goes too far. I agree with Milton Friedan who said of Rand that she is “a great place to start, but a poor place to end up”.

I have read Atlas Shrugged three time and read a lot of Rand's other works and yet have never considered myself an "Objectivist" and only briefly identified myself as a libertarian for a few months when I was in my twenties. I consider myself a pragmatic Republican yet still value the absolutist philosophy found in Rand. Yet, I admit that there is a risk for some in reading Rand. She is powerful! A few who read her will end up on the fringe, but most will not. Most who read Rand will be instilled with a moral basis for believing in freedom and will gain an understanding of why the collectivist impulse is morally wrong. Her work is powerful. If there is one single book that I wish every young person would read, it is Atlas Shrugged. If they see the movie, maybe the movie will inspire them to tackle the book.

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NICKAS TAPPED AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE TENNESSEE REPUBLICAN PARTY

NASHVILLE, TN - Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney announced today that Political Director Adam Nickas will serve as the new Executive Director for the Tennessee Republican Party.

"Republicans made historic gains in Tennessee last year and Adam's strategic work as political director was a large part of the success we had at the State Party. Adam's prior experience at the Party will bring continuity to his new role, which is a big plus going into this next crucial election year of 2012," said Chris Devaney.

Nickas was named Political Director at the Tennessee Republican Party in May 2010. As Political Director, Nickas managed the statewide field staff, helped coordinate the direct mail program, and managed the campaign plans and strategy for several state house races. As Executive Director, Nickas will manage the political operations of the Tennessee Republican Party and will continue to oversee communications.

"Working at the Tennessee Republican Party has been one of the most fulfilling jobs," said Nickas. "I appreciate Chairman Devaney's confidence in me to assume this critical role as Executive Director. While last year's election cycle was one of the most historic in our state's history, this next election is even more important," said Nickas.

Prior to being Political Director at the Tennessee Republican Party, Nickas served as Political Director for Bill Gibbons' campaign for Governor in Tennessee. Nickas previously worked on the campaigns of Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign in Iowa, Haley Barbour's re-election campaign in Mississippi, a Congressional race and state legislative races in Mississippi and Tennessee. Nickas, 25, attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he studied Journalism and Electronic Media and graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. Nickas is a native of Germantown, Tennessee.

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