Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey endorses Rep. Diane Black for re-election

NASHVILLE -- Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Tennessee) today announced his endorsement of Rep. Diane Black (R- Tennessee) for re-election to Congress.

“Ever since I have known Diane Black, she has been fighting for the conservative values Tennesseans hold dear,” said Lt. Governor Ramsey. “She was pivotal in denying liberals their dream of an income tax in Tennessee and stood up for the pro-life cause before it was fashionable.”

“In Congress, Diane has continued her conservative leadership fighting against Obamacare, for balanced budgets and limited government,” Ramsey continued.

“The fact of the matter is that Diane was conservative before being conservative was cool. She was championing the issues the tea party holds dear before the movement even had a name,” explained Ramsey. “Diane was essential to creating our successful Republican Majority here in Tennessee and I am thankful she has brought a much needed dose of Tennessee wisdom to D.C.  In the fight against liberals like Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid there is no one I’d rather have on my side than Diane Black,” Ramsey concluded.

Black is running for re-election in the newly drawn 6th Congressional District, which includes the following seventeen counties Cumberland, Cannon, Clay, Coffee, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, White and Wilson counties and a portion of Cheatham and Van Buren counties.

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Dr. Art Laffer endorces Debra Maggart

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn.--With election day fast approaching in Sumner County, Representative Debra Maggart (R--Hendersonville), the conservative candidate for Tennessee House of Represenatives, was pleased to receive the endorsement of a leading figure in the conservative movement.

 

Dr. Art Laffer, the father of supply-side economics and founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, threw his support behind Maggart in her race for the 45th House District.

 

"I support proven fighters for pro-growth economic policies in Tennessee. While Washington continually eschews its fiscal responsibilities for our nation, Tennessee has become a model for how government should conduct itself, stated Laffer. "In the last two years, we have witnessed the elimination of the death tax, the repeal of the gift tax, and a commitment to forever ban a state income tax. Coupled with Tennessee's right to work status, these moves are helping make Tennessee one of the nation’s premier locations for new jobs and have driven the unemployment rate below the national average."

 

He continued, "Tennesseans owe a debt of gratitude to Debra Maggart for these victories. Under her leadership as House Republican Caucus Chairman, the General Assembly has advanced the cause of economic freedom to lengths unseen in the modern era. Representative Maggart is a proven fighter for principle--our principles. That is why I give her my full endorsement in the 45th House District. With so much uncertainty coming from Washington, now is the time to re-elect those leaders who have helped reform Tennessee for the better. Debra Maggart is certainly one of those leaders."

 

Maggart said, "It is an honor to have the support of such a luminary in economics for my campaign. In my time as a legislator, we have cut taxes, kept our budget balanced, and have seen our economy improve. This is the recipe for success that is at the heart of Dr. Laffer's beliefs. Sumner County voters have 

 

Dr. Laffer currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee where he is the founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, an institutional economic research and consulting firm, as well as Laffer Investments, an institutional investment management firm utilizing diverse investment strategies. The firms provide research and investment management services to a diverse group of clients, which includes institutions, pension funds, corporations, endowments, foundations, individuals and others.

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The line between bigotry and concern

Crossing the line between concern and bigotryExaminer.com
... State Executive Committee take some kind of action against Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, a Republican, because-among other things, Haslam hired a “specialist in Sharia law” to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development ...

....Healthy concern about those who would sympathize and collaborate with the enemies of America is quite a bit different from open religious bigotry against someone because they are a Muslim, and advocating apparent discrimination against them because of their religious beliefs. However, it would seem that we may have an ever-widening group of people that are simply making the assumption that if a person is a Muslim, they are the enemy because of their religion alone....

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Obama's "Dreams from my Father," is not the American Dream

Fantastic movie!
Last night I went to Opry Mills cinema to watch a screening of Dinesh D'Souza's new documentary, 2016 Obama's America.

Me with Dinesh D'Souza

Obama has been President for three years but most Americans know less about him than any other American President. This documentary by Dinesh D'Souza based on his book, The Roots of Obama's Rage explores Obama's influences and associations. D'Souza examines Obama's own autobiography, Dreams from my Father, for clues to what made Obama the person that he is. He travels to Kenya, Nigeria, Hawaii, and Indonesia and interviews Obama's  family and those who knew him and looks at the societies and era in which he grew up and examines the influence of the father that he hardly knew.

This documentary may have the power to change people's mind about Obama if they can be persuaded to watch it. Anyone who wants a better understanding of President Obama and why he pursues the policies he does, should watch this movie! Highly recommended! Coming soon to a theater near you.

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Minutemen continue the attack on King George Loyalist

Maury County Republicans join the rebellion.
GOP resolution aimed at Sharia Law | Columbia Daily HeraldThe Maury County resolution states that Ali is a “Sharia Finance specialist,” which could require her to promote political Sharia law. “Governor Haslam has ...
www.columbiadailyherald.com/.../gop-resolution-aimed-sharia...

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Woody Degan gets the "pants on fire" rating from PolitiFact

Candidate says state hired Vanderbilt alum to make department of economic ...PolitiFact
Bill Haslam has appointed a director at the state Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) who Degan says specializes in "Sharia compliance" and is working to make the agency "Sharia compliant" in order to "go after Sharia money." Here is ...

Clint Brewer, ECD’s assistant commissioner for communications, wrote in an email that Degan’s assertions are false.

"Samar Ali was hired to be ECD’s international director. Her job duties are to manage the TNTrade export program and to supervise our four international offices in Germany, Japan, China and Canada." He added: "There is no part of her job -- or any department operations -- that involves Shariah compliant finance or Shariah law."

Brewer also said there is no such effort under way, or planned, to make the agency Sharia compliant. "None whatsoever nor will there be any," he said.

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Two Cheers for 9-12 Project

by Gene Wisdom

Gene Wisdom

It was with mixed feelings that I read through Lee Douglas’s email posted here which also appeared in my Inbox.And it was with somewhat less mixed feelings that I read Rod’s response to it. 

First of all, Lee’s motivations and those of the 9-12 group are nothing to instill fear in the minds of liberty-lovers.  Their concern is to protect our freedom from expansive government as well as some threats to our nation’s survival.  I disagree with some of their legislative priorities, such as the so-called Sheriff’s Bill in Tennessee, which as I understand would require federal law enforcement to notify a local sheriff before they perform a raid or execute a warrant.  

 As a Constitutionalist conservative I believe that it is in violation of the supremacy clause of the Constitution as well as the principle of federalism.  In my brief email discussion last year with its chief sponsor, state Senator Stacy Campfield, when I raised these issues he said that it is supported by Printz v. United States, a Supreme Court decision.  I read that decision and see no basis there for this bill.  That decision is regarding unfunded mandates, in that case commanding state and local law enforcement officers to conduct background checks on prospective handgun purchasers.  When I mentioned this out along with several other passages from the Court’s decision in that case Sen. Campfield chose not to respond further.

I also disagree with 9-12’s focus on Agenda 21, an opposition which is rooted in the fever swamps of the John Birch Society.  My knowledge of that issue is admittedly sparse so I’ll defer to Rod, who has taken a close look at it.  I’ll certainly agree that Lee’s group is more familiar with it than I but the roots in JBS conspiracy “thought” is unmistakeable.

Those differences aside, 9-12 is grounded in a view of limited government inspired by the Founding Fathers.  While I disagree with them on some of the legislative direction they take from that foundation it is clearly rooted in principles we should all recognize as conservative—smaller government, distrust of internationalist institutions, lower taxes and government spending.

I guess my point of departure, besides the specific legislative issues above, is the vitriol with which they label those who disagree or “fall short” of their own devotion.  The Republican Party as “those loyal to King George”?  The “treasonous votes and behavior” of “rogue officials”?  Rogue?  That’s no big deal—lots of folks in politics wear it as a badge of honor such as the sweetheart of some of those in the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, who said she was Going Rogue.  But “treasonous”?  That is a highly defamatory term if there is not some serious evidence behind it.  At least the Founders gave us a long list of “injuries and usurpations” by the King. 

On one point of disagreement with my friend Rod, I do believe that 9-12 is correct in its concerns about Muslim influences within state government—and national.  Although I have not educated myself about the specifics of the individual noted in 9-12’s full page ad in The Tennesseean (seen at this link: http://www.912projecttennessee.com/Sharia_Law_in_TN/), I am well aware of the threat posed by Muslims within our country and their devotion to imposing Sharia law.  That awareness is largely due to 9-12 (and ACT for America)-sponsored local events featuring well-informed speakers, including a former Muslim cleric.  It is a danger about which I wish Rod would seek to become better informed through a variety of excellent conservative—and non-fevered—sources.  Rod’s ignorance about it, however, is not due to a lesser love for this country (he served our country in the Army in Vietnam--toward which this peacetime Navy man renders a smart salute and deep thanks) or an unconcern over its security.

9-12 is also to be applauded for its conservative orientation on social issues though I confess ignorance as to the extent of its direct involvement on them.  Rod and I disagree, I believe, on whether social conservatives should be welcome within the Republican Party.  Or maybe Rod believes they should just keep quiet.  I will detail more on my position in a separate essay here and perhaps Rod will engage me in debate on this, here on his blog. 

Regarding Kevin Kookogey’s role in the intra-GOP controversy I have no specific knowledge other than having met Mr. Kookogey at a local Heritage Foundation event.  I found him to be a soft-spoken very well informed conservative.  One to whom a Republican Party looking for strong roots in its conservative base should listen.

My hope is that 9-12’ers don’t, as Lee’s email suggests, define “moderate” necessarily as “unprincipled”.  The equation is sometimes well-placed, as in the case of our two U.S. Senators.  Sen. Corker’s national reputation as a bargainer and a dealer far surpasses any regard for him as a leader of principle.  A choice, seeking conservative principles, between him and a Jim Demint (Republican Senator from South Carolina and founder of the Senate Conservatives Fund) would find Mr. Corker back in business as a home builder in Chattanooga. There are others who I consider “moderately conservative” such as Rod, however, who, while he may not peg out as a 100 on a conservative index, is grounded in good common sense with conservative instincts and principles.  Such moderation in my view calls for education and persuasion, not reproach (that means I’m gonna keep working on you, Rod).      

It is my hope that 9-12 will welcome debate within its ranks.  I understand it is not a discussion forum such as (shameless plug here) a group I belong to, Conservative Fusion (www.meetup/ConservativeFusion) but is rather an activist group focused on an agenda as such groups are.  I hope that there is room, however, for principled, thoughtful debate that doesn’t define someone as “outside” for holding a position contrary to its program.  Both sides should listen. 

Lee, meet Rod.  Rod, meet Lee.    

Gene Wisdom is an Alabama native but has lived in the Nashville area since 2007. He, his wife Vicki, and their dog Savannah live near Nolensville.  Gene is a conservative activist and leads the Conservative Fusion Book Club. 

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J. Lee Douglas says, "Minute Men should see the Republican Party as those loyal to King George."

The division within the Republican Party has become a chasm. It is now a public conflict. I wonder if the Party's period of ascendancy is coming to an end. Is there anything that can heal this divide?  Will independents and moderates vote for a candidate of a Republican Party dominated by conspiracy theorist and zealots? Democrats should be dancing in the streets. I welcome comments or if anyone has insight as to the state of this conflict within the Party and what it means for the future, I would welcome hearing from you.  To submit an essay for publication, please email me at Rodwilliams47@yahoo.com.

 

I am posting the complete text of an email I received today from J. Lee Douglas, Chairman of the local 9-12 project.  Rod

 

FROM:

• J Lee Douglas

TO:

• nine-12-project-nashville-announce@meetup.com 

Sunday, July 22, 2012 9:23 PM 

Drawing a parallel between our struggle here in America and the Minute Men should see the Republican Party as those loyal to King George.  The progressives and liberals who have dominated Congress along with many US Presidents are the armies of the King.

Complaints and feeble efforts at acceptable negotiations always failed as often in 1774 as they do for us but as it always happens, everyone wises up to the reality that the formal pleasantries eventually cease and more direct words are spoken. We're drawing near to that where the gloves start to come off as they did this week end with the governor who said of us:  

FRANKLIN — County Republicans in recent days have twice fired across the bow of Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration, accusing the state’s top GOP leader of getting into bed with Muslim extremists.

In the face of that criticism, Haslam met with several of Williamson County’s most prominent Republicans for lunch at a busy downtown restaurant in Franklin. While sipping a glass of iced tea in the crowded dining room of Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant on Thursday, the governor said his critics deserve little of his time. 

“I think that probably speaks to a pretty small survey of Republicans here,” Haslam said of the Williamson County Republican Party’s jabs. 

Last week, Haslam received more than a handful of resolutions adopted by county-level Republican offices across the state skewering him for employing gay, Muslim and Democratic workers. In Williamson County, where Haslam received 79 percent of the vote in the 2010 general election, local GOP officials focused on Samar Ali, a Muslim-American attorney in the Department of Economic and Community Development.

On Friday, in a full-page advertisement in The Tennessean, a strongly worded letter to the governor warned him not to ignore their message. The ad was paid for by the Tennessee chapter of the 912 Project and championed the Williamson County Republican Party, among others, for having the courage to “break ranks” with party loyalists. 

“We are not afraid and we won’t be intimidated,” the ad stated. “We declare our intentions to reclaim what is rightfully and Constitutionally ours, given by God and won through the blood of Americans. As of today, the choice is still in your hands. Choose the way of common sense while that option is still available.”

In the first weeks of becoming the 912ers when we met at my house it was nearly unanimous that we'd not form a 3rd party, that we'd be even more useless as Democrats and therefore our only real choice was to get involved with the Republican party and infuse our attitudes, values, and inflexible demands that the party live up to its claim to small government. 

I hate confrontation and naively hoped that through a simple electoral process that we'd put in enough reliable candidates who'd truly represent us and now I can see that that is what we're doing right now but it is not without confrontation.

It has taken us 3 years to get to the place that we've finally drawn the line and said that we're going to wear that name that the media placed on us: Intolerant, by no longer tolerating moderate, unprincipled Republican officials.
 

The governor, the state party chieftain, fired his shot over our bow by declaring us fringe and small, of no consequence.  I'll bet you last November on 2010 he wasn't thinking of us and groups like ours as of no consequence. 

This is the most important time now in 3 years to get involved locally to help the candidates and most of the help needs to go to those candidates who share our values whose primary will be the only contest they have.  If we do not prevail in these elections, we'll have to grow more and wait another 2 years to do what needs to be done. 

One of the people who I think must be strained by the sudden and public clash is our own Keven K who is chair of the Williamson GOP because nearly two years ago the 912ers showed up and voted him into his office.  He has not let us down but he is being slapped around and criticized because he stuck to the principles he promoted when he was just another nobody, albeit, unhated nobody.

In our county, Kevin is being assaulted and isolated by, who else, the local republicans who did not agree with our Resolution and are of a mind set to speak no evil of their fellow Republican.  You know how much I love the Gipper but on this, he was wrong and it kept the rogue officials from being called out for their treasonous votes and behavior. 

We unite on principle, love, and faith.  We love God and we love principle more than we love loyalty.  Loyalty is important but it isn't first and anyone attempting to unite on the basis of loyalty in disregard of principle will continue to get us our Lugars and McCains. 

Part of the ammunition being used by the establishment in our county GOP is donations, money.  Some are criticizing Kevin's bold leadership because some of the more establishment oriented and wealthier members are offended at the changes you and I are bringing.  Some are busy and gullible, willing to accept what the establishment advises.  To their ears, it's familiar. 

There are some who have begun to return to the table because they can see a returning to those principles in their own party that they once saw back in the Gipper's day.  Where will those go who don't come back now?  To the Democrats?  I don't think so, do you?  If they do, they were never part of us for principle but for position and power. 

An event is being held this Thursday evening to raise some dollars to keep the county office open.  I ask that you purchase a ticket and go to support the good changes coming.  From Williamson County, other county GOPs will happen. 

I've had a flood of Emails today from other county GOPs who want to walk with us hand in hand.  Like you, they get it about Sharia.  You'll see in the coming 1-2 weeks (if the media report it) other GOPs sending Governor Haslam their own Resolutions, criticizing him for failing to be a true conservative as he described himself to many of us, face to face.
 

I had a man today call me from Columbia.  He's a self described atheist who saw our Resolution and wanted to tell us how grateful he was to see someone standing up for what he knew was going on.  It was very gratifying.  Like him, there'll be others.

If you cannot afford the $50 ticket to go to the Thursday night event, why don't five of you chip in $10 each and send one person in your name?

If we're going to see to it that the GOP truly represents us, we're all going to have to be diligent to safeguard our freedom for our children for a long time.

L

Please join the Williamson county Republican Party for an evening with CANDIDATES including Representative charles sargent and Rob Hathaway, district 61 Jeremy durham, dennis kiser and Kenny young, district 65 Judge elect mike binkley (21st judicial district) Thursday July 26th From 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PRINCETON HILLS 706 Sinclair Circle Brentwood, Tennessee $50 per person includes drinks (Beer, wine, soda) And hors d’oeuvres. Featuring music by  Kayla. PLEASE RSVP TO 790-7642  OR  jbarwick@williamsontngop.org

 

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Free Private Screening of the Movie 2016: Obama's America by Dinesh D'Souza

Special Offer!! Free Private Screening of the Movie 2016: Obama's America by Dinesh D'Souza - This Wednesday 7:30PM July 25 at the Opry Mills Theater in Nashville - Hear Dinesh d'Souza in person

Compliments of the Michael Berry Show - Seats are limited

Register at this website
http://TN2016.DOATTEND.COM/  Password: TN2016

Official Movie Website: http://2016themovie.com/  Trailer: http://youtu.be/hfLsSg9wZlE

I don't know if you can still get a free ticket or not, but give it a try. I saw Dinesh D'Souza speak at Vanderbilt a few months ago. He is one of my favorite conservative commentators. He is brilliant. I am sure anything he is associated with is quality. Rod

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Tennessean endorsements in state House primary contests.

Many in House face primary challenges

www.tennessean.com

I have never understood how a newspaper could make endorsements in both a Republican Primary and a Democrat Primary, but they do. Since I know the Tennessean is essentially a liberal Democrat newspaper, I take their endorsements with a grain of salt. I assume they still influence voters however, even in the Republican primary.

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GOP 5th Congressional Primary candidates profiled

Our GOP  Candidates For The 5th Congressional  Primary are profiled in today's Tennessean: Our candidates are a "colorful crew."  link

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Disgusting Aurora Colorado shooting theory

For those who only get their news from the mainstream press, you may not know of some of the political undercurrents and conspiracy theories that are bubbling beneath the surface. Agenda 21 was a topic of the extreme right-wing long before it made news.  Everyone is aware of the theory that 9-11 was an inside job.  That theory not only is popular among the left but also among the right-wing fringe.

The terrible tragedy of Aurora Colorado is already being attributed to a government plot. The theory is that the Obama administration was behind it in order to create an anti-gun public outcry in order to provide the votes he needed to pass the UN Small Arms Treaty so he can take away our Second Amendment rights.

I want to get to the bottom of Fast and Furious. I accept that the second of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents may not have occurred as reported. The case for war in Iraq was partially based on false information.  There have been other secret operation where the government did not tell us the truth.  Our government has lied to us.

However, I do not think FDR knew about Pearl Harbor in advance and allowed it to happen so he could get us into World War II.  I do not think the CIA was behind the assassination of JFK because JFK was going to end the Vietnam war. I do not think Oklahoma City was an inside job, nor do I think 9-11 was an inside job.

Now, I do not like President Obama. I doubt he respects the Second Amendment. I think he is leading our Country in a very wrong direction. With four more years of Obama, the things that make America a unique nation in the world may be lost forever.  However, I do not think he is a monster capable of authorizing a mass murder for political gain. I think it takes a sick mind to suspect that the Aurora Colorado shooting was a government operation.

I am providing this information just so you will know how some Americans reason and how much they despise our government. The Internet makes it possible for people to get information and opinion faster than ever and fuels conspiracy theories in real time.

Prison Planet.com » Our Government is the Number One Suspect
By adans
July 21, 2012 at 11:24 pm. hell yeah this is staged terrorism to push THEIR AGENDA, gun control. DHS bought 200 million plus 450 million rounds of .40 ca hollowpoints, they cant be used in overseas actions for being deemed inhumane war ...
Prison Planet.com

Here is another: Colorado Batman shooting shows obvious signs of being staged

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