Yesterday was a great day for Republicans in Shelby County.

By Georgeann King, on September 2nd, 2010, Midtown Republican Club

The GOP dominated all Shelby County officials sworn into office. We swept in with Mayor, Sheriff, Circuit Court Clerk, Criminal Court Clerk, Juvenile Court Clerk, Probate Court Clerk, County Register, County Clerk and County Trustee. It was a joy to see them all on stage and then to see each being sworn in. The Canon Center was full and the Arlington High School Jazz Ensemble kept everyone’s mood up.

....the most humorous swearing in was Democrat Steve Mulroy. His unusual red tennis shoe type foot apparel seemed a little incongruous with the surroundings. However, when he took the oath from The Honorable John Fowlkes, Jr., for District 5 County Commissioner, parrotting the judge, he went so far as to say “I, state your name” instead of “I, Steve Mulroy.” Maybe the Democrats are a little too willing to follow the party line on every occasion.

Former Mayor Jim Rout was the moderator and offered a personal reminiscence when it came time for Wayne Mashburn to take office.

In politics, it’s good to have a dream and follow it. I hope this swearing in is a sign of things to come, with Republicans continuing to have a major role in the running of our city, county and state. At least that’s my dream. (link)

Comment: Congratulation Shelby County Republicans! Maybe someday we can see the same thing happen in Davidson County.

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Small business endorses Jim Gotto in House District 60

NFIB/Tennessee supports pro-small business candidate in Nov. 2 general election

NASHVILLE, Tenn., September 2, 2010 – The National Federation of Independent Business, Tennessee’s leading small business association, has endorsed Jim Gotto in the race for the open seat in the 60^th House District.

The endorsement was made by NFIB/Tennessee SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust, which is comprised exclusively of NFIB members. The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 2. House District 60 includes part of Davidson County, including Donelson, Hermitage and Antioch.

“Jim Gotto is a strong supporter of free enterprise and the clear choice for small business in House District 60,” said Jim Brown, state director of NFIB/Tennessee. “NFIB members support Jim Gotto’s fiscally responsible approach as a metro councilman in Nashville and his emphasis on less red tape and policies that promote job creation.”

Gotto said, “I appreciate the support of NFIB, the Voice of Small Business. NFIB’s membership believes in less government, which is a big part of my track record as a conservative, pro-business councilman. Government needs to be out of the way of entrepreneurs so they can create jobs. I will continue to support our small, family-owned businesses who are the heart and soul of Tennessee’s economy.”

NFIB’s endorsement is critical to the Gotto campaign. Small business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to go to the polls. NFIB has pledged it will activate its grassroots network on behalf of the Gotto campaign. NFIB’s political support is based on the candidates’ positions and records on small business issues.

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Beth Harwell is only "supporting" Senator Henry; not "endorsing" Senator Henry.

“I’m supporting Sen. Henry,” Beth Harwell said in an interview last week. “He’s excellent to work with, he’s a fiscal conservative and we have a personal friendship.”

I was disappointed when I heard that. I like Senator Henry myself. I have nothing bad to say about him. I wish he had switched parties and ran as a Republican. He probably votes more often with Republicans than Democrats anyway. He is moderately conservative and is a likable guy. However, even a conservative Democrat is still part of the liberal machine. The election of a conservative Democrat tilts the balance of power to the liberal party which is the Democrat Party. The election of even a conservative Democrat insures the election of a Democratic leadership and advances the legislative agenda of the Democrat Party. More Democratic committee chairmen means legislation sponsored by Democrats is more likely to get out of committee. If Democrats control the State Senate then they get a majority on every county election commission across the state. Putting the state in the hands of Democrats also helps set the stage for Democratic victory in national elections helps elect more Democrats by putting redistricting in the hands of the Democrat Party.

I often hear people say they vote for the person not the Party, but voting for a conservative Democrat advances a liberal agenda, just as voting for a liberal Republican advances the conservative agenda.

In the 21st District we have an excellent candidate in the person of Steve Dickerson. He is smart and accomplished and will make a great Senator. It is very disheartening to those of us who work to advance the Party to see elected Republicans fail to support our candidates. It has to be disheartening to the candidates who sacrifice to carry the Republican banner in a Democrat strong hold to see other Republicans endorse their opponent.

Today, Representative Harwell told the Tennessean,“I want to clarify a comment recently reported in an article in The Tennessean. While I expressed admiration for Senator Henry and our wonderful working relationship, my statement was not an endorsement.”

OK. I feel much better. It sure sounded like an endorsement and I am not really sure what the difference is between "supporting" and "endorsing." If Beth cannot endorse the Republican she should say nothing.

I admire and respect and like Senator Henry, however I want to advance the Republican agenda. I live in the 21st Distinct. I will be supporting Steve Dickerson. I will be working for his election, contributing to his campaign and voting for him. Beth, how about saying the same thing? How about endorsing Steve Dickerson?

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David Hall builds strategy in District 5 with little publicity, money

By Chas Sisk • THE TENNESSEAN • September 2, 2010

[Excerpt] But regulators have not taken any enforcement actions against Hall, who has had to make only minor changes to his disclosures to satisfy the FEC.

[Excerpt] Hall and people outside his campaign who have spoken to him say he won through a simple combination of hard work and political savvy. Hall was able to single out Republican voters who would be receptive to his message of shrinking government and promoting Christian values.

[Excerpt] A plan by Hall's children for a "summer camp" in which students would pay $249 a week to work on Nashville political campaigns also has attracted attention.In July, Hall said in a pair of messages to supporters that the Do Hard Things camp had brought nine volunteers to Nashville to work for his campaign. Hall said no campers ever came to Nashville and that a campaign volunteer sent those messages in error.

(Read more)

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Channel 5 raises more questions about the Hall campaign

Just when I thought and hoped that all questions regarding the Hall campaign were answered, more questions emerge.

Candidate Says Campaign Facebook Posts Were 'Mistakes'
by By Phil Williams, Chief Investigative Reporter, News Channel 5, Sep 01, 2010 9:10 PM CDT

(Excerpt) Even more puzzling is how the Halls appeared to set up a sort of political-church camp -- supposedly run by the candidate's children -- to provide teenagers to work on their father's campaign.

Do The Hard Things 2010 was supposedly set up as a political action committee to run something called Camp Nashville. Families would pay to send their kids to a camp whose sessions just happened to kick off during early voting.

Among the camp's schedule:

6 a.m. -- Mandatory Breakfast.
6:15 a.m. -- Mandatory Devotional.
6:30 a.m. -- Depart, in teams, for sign-waving activities.

So how many teens participated? (link)

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Pat Robertson's fear mongering on the Murfressboro Mosque: "...the next thing you know, they’re going to be taking over the City Council..."

If you missed the shameful fear mongering on the part of Pat Robertson of the 700 Club, here it is. This is from the August 19th show. The segment on Murfressboro start at the 17 minute mark and goes for nine minutes. Among other things, Pat says that it is probably pretty easy to bribe folks in little towns like Murfressboro. This is interesting to see how Murfressboro is portrayed. With outside agitators like this stirring up the local Christian rednecks, no wonder we are seeing violence.

Below is an excerpt:

It isn’t just religion, just isn’t. Mark my words. If they start bringing thousands of Muslims into that relatively rural area, the next thing you know, they’re going to be taking over the City Council. Then they’re going to be having an ordinance that calls for public prayer 5 times a day. Then they’re going to be having ordinances that there’ll have to be facilities for foot-washing in all the public restrooms, in all the airport facilities, etc, etc. And, before long they’re going to demand, demand, demand, demand, and, little by little, the citizens of Murfreesboro, or whatever little town it is, are going to be cowed by these people. Not to mention their ability to bribe folks. I don’t know whether anybody is getting a pay-off, but it’s entirely possible.

Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess holds his ground in defending Freedom of Religion and says the Mosque was treated like any other similar application and says it is not within his authority to investigate the source of funding for the mosque.

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Join the grassroots campaign for Wine in Grocery stores

If you think it is high time that we stand up to the coalition of Baptist and Liquor lobbyist and be allowed to purchase wine in the grocery store like civilized people, then lend your support to the effort.

Support wine sales in Tennessee retail food stores www.redwhiteandfood.com

Dear Rod, You’re receiving this e-mail because you live in the district of a legislator who sits on the influential State & Local Committee. This committee is key to deciding the fate of wine in retail food stores. And we need your help. 25,000 members strong In the August member e-mail earlier this week, we shared the news that more than 25,000 Tennesseans have shown their support by becoming campaign members. Experts who run campaigns say they are amazed at the outpouring of unanimous support from consumers for wine in food stores. In case you are wondering, there are very few consumers clamoring to keep the system the same. And yet? Despite our success, we haven’t made nearly the progress in the General Assembly that we hoped. That’s very frustrating to everyone involved. The process of passing legislation is complicated even before you add alcohol into the mix. The foe is very formidable and well financed – and that’s an understatement. Our legislative sponsor believes the legislation is nearing the peak of ripeness. But it needs one more thing to be just right. There’s one thing we haven’t done So far, legislators have heard (loudly!) from you and other members while they are in session in Nashville. But most of them haven’t heard from many constituents while they are campaigning in their districts and away from the legislature. We are forming a grassroots organization is key legislative districts. You live in one of those key districts. Representative Mary Pruitt is a member of the influential House State & Local Committee. (Some members will receive a second e-mail because both your Senator and Representative are S&L committee members.) This legislation needs the support of a majority of that committee. The campaign needs your help to get there. Wine in food stores needs volunteers What we need are volunteers to be a grassroots team. We would love for you to be part of this effort. The team’s mission, should you accept, is very simple: Make sure candidates hear from as many their constituents as possible before the election on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Red White and Food will be there to help every step of the way, however you need us. We’ve created a playbook for the team to use. We have some good swag, like fliers and bumper stickers. And we can easily e-mail all the Red White and Food members in your district. We’re so close to making wine in food stores a reality. And elections are the perfect time to get candidates’ attention. Are you ready? Click here to join the grassroots team in your district. The link will automatically put your district in the subject line. Let us know if you are interested in being the team leader for your district. It’s not going to be a hard job, and we’ll give you tons of support. Thanks for supporting Red White and Food. A toast to success, The Red White and Food Team P.S. If you’re on Facebook and Twitter, we researched which candidates in the November elections have Facebook and Twitter pages. The entire list, which also includes their campaign website, is on our website at www.redwhiteandfood.com/2010candidates. Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this. Tell-a-friend!

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State Senator Brian Kelsey endorses Dr. Steve Dickerson 21st District Senate Candidate

Nashville, Tennessee – Today Dr. Steve Dickerson, candidate for the 21st District State Senate seat, received the endorsement of Senator Brian Kelsey. Senator Brian Kelsey represents District 31 covering parts of Shelby County.

Dr. Steve Dickerson released the following statement on the endorsement:

I am proud to have received the endorsement of Senator Brian Kelsey. During Senator Kelsey’s time in the legislature he has been a consistent fighter for limited government and fiscal responsibility. The residents of Shelby County are lucky to have such a strong leader representing them. I look forward to the chance to joining with him in fighting for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and a brighter future for our state.

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Amend the Metro Charter to Protect Private Property Rights

by Jim Gotto

One of the unique characteristics of the United States that has set it apart from other countries is the right of individual citizens to own property. Generally referred to as property rights, this freedom that we have has been a significant contributor to successful entrepreneurship and the resulting strong private economy that exists in the United States. We enjoy the highest standard of living in the world, due in no small part to property rights.

One of the enemies to individual property rights is the abuse of eminent domain by the government or its agents. The use of eminent domain should be limited to only those projects that are absolutely necessary for government to fulfill its purposes. The purposes of government have and continue to be a much debated subject. I do not wish to engage in that discussion at this time but I am of the opinion that the delegation of eminent domain decisions to a bureaucratic agency is outside what can reasonably be considered under the umbrella of the purposes of government.

In the past, The Mayor and Metro Council have done just that by legislating redevelopment districts and in that legislation delegated the authority to obtain a private citizens property through condemnation. The agency that has been the beneficiary of this power is the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA). The only restraint placed on MDHA is to determine if the property is “blighted”.

Consider the recent case of Joy Ford. Ms Ford owns a business that is within the footprint of the Gulch Redevelopment District. MDHA through a subjective decision making process declared her property blighted and undertook proceedings to obtain it through eminent domain against Ms Ford’s wishes. The purpose of this property seizure was to pass it on to Lionstone Group, a private developer.

It was only after public pressure was exerted as a result of the involvement of some Metro Council members and the press that MDHA relented and Ms Ford prevailed. However, there was nothing that the Council could do in a timely manner to stop the proceedings because MDHA had been previously granted eminent domain authority through the legislation that established the Gulch Redevelopment District. Had MDHA continued, the final decision would have been up to the courts and I do not believe that eminent domain cases devoid of elected officials’ control on a case by case basis should be settled in this manner.

The only effective way to insure that elected officials in Davidson County retain the absolute authority to make eminent domain decisions is to amend the Metro Charter. An easier course would be to pass legislation to this end. However, any new law could be nullified by future legislation. Amending the Charter to specify that all eminent decisions must come to the Council for a vote on a case by case basis is the only way to preserve the Metro Council’s authority to oversee and protect the property rights of the citizens of Davidson County.

Jim Gotto is a Metro Councilman representing Council District 12. The proposed charter amendment, sponsored by Jim Gotto, to require that all eminent domain decisions must come to the Metro Council for a vote on a case by case basis will be on the November ballot. Gotto is a candidate seeking the District 60 House seat.

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Heavy Drinkers Outlive Nondrinkers

Time, By John Cloud Monday, Aug. 30, 2010- One of the most contentious issues in the vast literature about alcohol consumption has been the consistent finding that those who don't drink tend to die sooner than those who do. (link)

Comment: I'll drink to that.

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Turn in an arsonist

Anyone with information about the Murfressboro Mosque construction site arson is urged to call the AFT Bureau's toll-free hotline, at (877) A-T-F – FIRE. Or you can contact your local police department.

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Terrorist strike Mufressboro Mosque Construction site

Early Saturday morning, arsonist set a fire at the construction site of the future Murfressboro Mosque in an attempt to destroy four pieces of construction equipment left on the site, striking fear into the heart of local Muslims.

"The members of the community are very scared," said Camie Ayash, spokeswoman for the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. "As I mentioned, it's Ramaadan. We try to come together as a community in the evenings to break our fast together. Our attendance level has been very low, because people are scared to leave their homes." (link)

This arson attempt recalls the intimidation and violence perpetrated by the Klu Klux Klan across the south in the sixties, when crosses were burned in the yards of Blacks who attempted to register to vote and churches were torched including the 1963 church bombing at a Birmingham church that killed four little girls.

The sign marking the future site of the Murfreesboro Mosque was destroyed twice in the last few months. In February 2008, a Mosque in Columbia, Tennessee was destroyed in a fire and graffiti left behind included swastikas and the words "white power." (link)

There has been a lot of opposition to the Murfressboro Mosque and it has been fueled by local radio talk show host and politicians. In the recent election for the 6th Congressional district seat, candidate Lou Ann Zelenik came out against the construction of the mosque and issued a statement including these excepts: (link)

Lou Ann stands with everyone who is opposed to the idea of an Islamic training center being built in our community. This "Islamic Center" is not part of a religious movement; it is a political movement designed to fracture the moral and political foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Radical Muslims are killing our servicemen and servicewomen every day. They say they want to kill us, and time and again they have backed up their words with action.

Until the American Muslim community find it in their hearts to separate themselves from their evil, radical counterparts, to condemn those who want to destroy our civilization and will fight against them, we are not obligated to open our society to any of them.

At a demonstration against the Mosque in Murfressboro earlier this summer, demonstrator Evy Summers was quoted as saying, "No mosque in Murfreesboro. I don't want it. I don't want them here. Go start their own country overseas somewhere. This is a Christian country. It was based on Christianity." (link)

This sentiment is widespread. I hear it all the time in comments left on my blog, in emails I receive and people express it in private conversation. There are those who are determined to deny Muslims their property rights and Freedom of Religion. I fear that if opponents of Islam do not cool the rhetoric and denounce violence we will see a repeat of the Birmingham church bombing, but this time it will be little Muslims girls killed in a Mosque bombing.

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Ron Paul deserves the Peace Prize

In all of the controversy about the "ground zero mosque" and the Murfressboro Mosque, I have been disappointed in some of our Republican politicians, such as our own Lou Ann Zelenic and Ron Ramsey and nationally I have been very disappointed in Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich. To tell you the truth, I had gotten over Sarah Palin a long time ago and really did not expect much better from her but was really disappointed in Newt Gingrich. I had always been impressed by Newt and thought he was an intellectual and a thoughtful person. I was more disappointed in Newt than anyone else. He surprised me. At one time, he was one of my favorite politicians and a person that I thought should have been President.

On the other hand, some other people went up several notches in my estimation, including Karl Rove, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Governor Chris Christie and most of all Ron Paul.

Ron Paul deserves a Peace Prize, except that after awarding the Peace Prize to Barack Obama for not being George Bush, I am not sure the Peace Prize has much value. I have never been a supporter of Ron Paul. I have thought he was too far outside the mainstream. While I was an opponent of our going to war in Iraq, I still think we have interest in the world and I cannot support Paul's isolationist foreign policy. On several other issues, I have thought Paul was too much of an absolutist. However, if the election was being held today, I would vote for Ron Paul before I would vote for Newt Gingrich. I am giving Ron Paul a second look.

Please watch this clip. Unfortunately you must watch a 30 second commercial before you get to the Ron Paul clip. Go 2:16 into the clip to see the Ground Zero Mosque discussion. Paul criticizes Gingrich for comparing the Muslims to Nazis and says he "overstepped his bounds" and was "over the top." He criticizes those who would purposely attempt to confuse all Muslims with Al Qaeda. Ron Paul sounds like the voice of reason, moderation, decency, and common sense.

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Karl Rove Concerned About Republican Rhetoric on Ground Zero Mosque

George Stephanopoulos, ABC - I asked Karl Rove if he was concerned that the heated rhetoric from some of his fellow Republicans on the proposed Islamic center would undercut the work that President Bush did and the work President Obama is trying to do to reach out to the moderate Muslim world.

"I am," Rove told me.

By expressing his concern Rove joined New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former speechwriter Michael Gerson and former undersecretary James Glassman -- three Republicans who have said the controversy could have negative repercussions. (link)

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Congressional nominee David Hall seeks support from Green Hills Republicans

GOP Breakfast: Beth Campbell, SEC 21 and Senate candidate Steve Dickerson, SD. 21, listen to a pitch from 5th District Congressional candidate David Hall at Saturday's Green Hills GOP breakfast meeting at Nero's Restaurant.

"This campaign is about getting our country back on track," GOP 5th Dist. Congressional candidate David Hall told a breakfast club meeting at Nero's Restaurant. "People are concerned about the socialistic agenda we appear to be moving into," the Goodlettsville home builder told Republicans from the affluent Green Hills area. (Read More. Photo and story from Dru's Vues, too, Saturday, August 28, 2010)

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