In addition to the fair and balanced presentation of the news and the insightful commentary, there is another reason that Fox is my favorite news channel.
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A right-leaning disgruntled Republican comments on the news of the day and any other thing he damn-well pleases.
In addition to the fair and balanced presentation of the news and the insightful commentary, there is another reason that Fox is my favorite news channel.
From Gingrinch productions:
Yesterday I issued a heartfelt and personal statement
about the passing of President Nelson Mandela. I said that his family
and his country would be in my prayers and Callista’s prayers.
I was surprised by the hostility and vehemence of some of the people
who reacted to me saying a kind word about a unique historic figure.
So let me say to those conservatives who don’t want to honor Nelson Mandela, what would you have done?
Mandela was faced with a vicious apartheid regime that eliminated all
rights for blacks and gave them no hope for the future. This was a
regime which used secret police, prisons and military force to crush all
efforts at seeking freedom by blacks.
What would you have done faced with that crushing government?
What would you do here in America if you had that kind of oppression?
Some of the people who are most opposed to oppression from Washington
attack Mandela when he was opposed to oppression in his own country.
After years of preaching non-violence, using the political system,
making his case as a defendant in court, Mandela resorted to violence
against a government that was ruthless and violent in its suppression of
free speech.
As Americans we celebrate the farmers at Lexington and Concord who
used force to oppose British tyranny. We praise George Washington for
spending eight years in the field fighting the British Army’s
dictatorial assault on our freedom.
Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death.”
Thomas Jefferson wrote and the Continental Congress adopted that “all
men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.”
Doesn’t this apply to Nelson Mandela and his people?
Some conservatives say, ah, but he was a communist.
Actually Mandela was raised in a Methodist school, was a devout
Christian, turned to communism in desperation only after South Africa
was taken over by an extraordinarily racist government determined to
eliminate all rights for blacks.
I would ask of his critics: where were some of these conservatives as
allies against tyranny? Where were the masses of conservatives opposing
Apartheid? In a desperate struggle against an overpowering government,
you accept the allies you have just as Washington was grateful for a
French monarchy helping him defeat the British.
Finally, if you had been imprisoned for 27 years, 18 of them in a
cell eight foot by seven foot, how do you think you would have emerged?
Would you have been angry? Would you have been bitter?
Nelson Mandela emerged from 27 years in prison as an astonishingly wise, patient, and compassionate person.
He called for reconciliation among the races. He invited his prison
guard to sit in the front row at his inauguration as President. In
effect he said to the entire country, “If I can forgive the man who
imprisoned me, surely you can forgive your neighbors.”
Far from behaving like a communist, President Mandela reassured
businesses that they could invest in South Africa and grow in South
Africa. He had learned that jobs come from job creators.
I was very privileged to be able to meet with President Mandela and
present the Congressional Medal of Freedom. As much as any person in our
lifetime he had earned our respect and our recognition.
Before you criticize him, ask yourself, what would you have done in his circumstances?
Here is my statement from yesterday on President Nelson Mandela:
A teacher asked her 6th grade class how many of them were Obama fans.
Not really knowing what an Obama fan is, but wanting to be liked by the
teacher, all the kids raised their hands except for Little Johnny.
The
teacher asked Little Johnny why he has decided to be different... again,
Little Johnny said, "Because I'm not an Obama fan." The teacher asked,
"Why aren't you a fan of Obama?" Johnny said, "Because I'm a Republican.
The teacher asked him why he's a Republican.
Little Johnny answered, "Well, my Mom's a Republican and my Dad's a
Republican, so I'm a Republican."
Annoyed by this answer, the teacher
asked, "If your mom were a moron and your dad were an idiot, What would
that make you?"
With a big smile, Little Johnny replied, "That would
make me an Obama fan.."
I am bullish on Nashville. I think Nashville has a bright future. I am not one to oppose everything. When I was in the Metro Council, I voted to support the building of the Nashville Convention Center and I think it was the right thing to do and has served the city well. If I would have been in the Council when the decision was made to build the new Music City Center, I would have supported it. I would like to support the new Sounds Sulfur Dell Ball Park, but I just can't. If the Tygard amendment would have passed, I would be for it. As it is, I think this development is too risky for the tax payers.
Steve Cavendish of the Nashville Scene explains why the Sounds deal is a bad deal for the city. See the link below:
On The Sounds Deal, The Council Will Swing At Anything
And let's be clear about another thing — it's not a very good deal. In the absolute best case scenario, the city is spending at least three times the total value of the baseball club on a new park and banking on tax money from adjacent developments to limit the city's losses to just a few hundred thousand dollars per year. Would we spend $3 billion on a Titans stadium with the franchise only worth $1B?
...... But if the Mayor can't make it revenue neutral, then the least the council can do is insure that our losses are limited to only the $345,000 annual defect on the deal for the next 30 years.
This meeting is two hours and 39 minutes long. For my previous post with my analysis of the agenda and a link to the agenda, follow this link.
I am only reporting on what I think are the high points of the meetings, so there may be things that interest some people, especially zoning issues, that I do not report on.
Public hearing:
BILL NO. BL2013-588 charges from R6 to SP zoning for properties located within the Woodland-in-Waverly Historic Preservation District at 2107, 2111, and 2115 White Avenue. This is the neighborhood in which I live and that is why this interest me. This rezoning would permit replacing of three duplexes with their six units, with eight units of single family cottage cluster development. The duplexes are "non-contributing" to the historic character of our neighborhood. Former Councilman Roy Dale is the developer of this project and speaks in favor. Four neighbors speak in opposition including Pete and Betty Horton. Pete is the most active member of our community and is the previous chairman of the neighborhood organization. He is a great guy but I disagree with him on this issue. Council member Moore defers the bill for two meetings. (See 0:22:50-038:00)
BILL NO. BL2013-595 is an amendment to the Phillips-Jackson Street Redevelopment plan and is part of the Sounds baseball park proposal. A lot of people speak in support and only three in opposition. Those in support include the influential and powerful and lots of average folks. I sampled this hearing but did not watch it all. Sharon Hurt, President of the Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnerships; Debbie Dale Mason of the Chamber of Commerce; Mark Wright, President of the Historic Buena Vista; and attorney Gregory Ramos are among those who speaks in favor.
Among those who speak in opposition is Bruce McNeilly. He makes an impressive argument in opposition giving examples of failed similar projects in other cities (1:11:17). There is a machine vote on the bills and the vote is 32 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention and 5 not voting. The two "no" votes are councilmen Glover and Tenpenny. Councilman Tygard recorded himself as abstaining. Those who did not vote include Stites, Evans, and Weiner. To view the public hearing and Council vote on this issue see time stamps 0:41:05 through 1:22:10.
The Consent agenda passes without anything being pulled.
RESOLUTION NO. RS2013-920 is not on the consent agenda. This is part of the Sounds baseball park deal and required 27 votes to pass. The vote is 30 "yes", 2 "no", 4 "abstentions" and 4 not voting.
Bills on Second Reading:
BILL NO. BL2013-593 is part of the Sounds ballpark deal. It authorizes Public Improvement Revenue Bonds by the Sports Authority.
BILL NO. BL2013-594 is also part of the Sounds ballpark deal. It approves an agreement for the acquisition of property.
There is an amendment proposed to 593 by Councilman Tygard that would have made the deal considerably better. It would require that if the accompanying proposed mixed use private development did not get built, the sounds would pay the lost tax revenue the development would have provided. Councilman Dominy does a great job explaining that if the project is built as proposed, this amendment would have no impact but the amendment protects the tax payers if the accompanying development does not occur. The vote on 593 is 28 to 7 with 1 abstention and 4 not voting. The seven "no" votes include Tygard, Grover, Standly, Claiborne, Tenpenny, Dominy and Mitchell.
To see the discussion on these two bills see time stamp 1:28:30 through 2:29:10
I have thought long and hard about the issue of the ball park and have closely followed the issue and would like to support this project. I think it is a good project, but if it is not a risky project for the tax payers, then why would the proponents oppose Tygard's amendment? Without that amendment, I could not support it, but it would be one of those difficult decision. If the proponents could make a strong argument why this is a good deal even without the amendment or why the amendment would endanger the deal, I could still be persuaded that this is a deal worth supporting. As of now however, I would have had to vote "no," if I had a vote.
Here is the Tennessean's summary of the meeting: Sounds ballpark project 'moves one step closer to reality'
Thirteen million dollars is a lot of money. However it is only 2% of the the overall budget, which is not that bad. The construction actually came in under budget but the city used eminent domain to acquire the land and a land owner contested the price the city paid him and won in court costing the city an extra $20 million dollars. I am always glad to see a citizen when in court when the government takes his land. Here is the Tennessean story: Music City Center busts its budget by $13 million.
WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports
Shelby County Schools missing $48.4 million in equipment; more than 54,000 items gone, including cars
MEMPHIS — A “staggering” $48.4 million in school equipment is missing from Shelby County Schools, according to an outside audit ordered by the school board.
Maryland-based ProBar was unable to account for more than 54,270 pieces of equipment — laptops, hard drives, tools, even driver training cars. The equipment had been accounted for on June 30 by the district’s internal auditing department, according to school board member David Pickler.
If you will wait, I will watch it for you and time stamp notate the important parts and summarize the meeting. If you want to watch it unassisted, have at it. Below is the Tennessean's summary.
Jim Gotto |
I am running because I believe the citizens of Donelson, Hermitage and Old Hickory need conservative leadership that will remain focused on creating an environment for economic growth and further maintain fiscal sanity in state government. I am eager to once again partner with Speaker Harwell and Governor Haslam on the progress that has already been made.
It was an honor to serve previously in the state legislature and metro council, but I know we still have a lot to accomplish. I appreciate the outpouring of support and encouragement to return to public service. I’m ready to get back to work; and to talk about how we can get our community working again as well.Republicans have a real chance to retake this seat and Gotto is a good candidate. He is solidly conservative and a man of integrity and principles. He is the type of man I would trust with my wife or my daughter or my wallet. Republicans need to rally around Jim Gotto and retake this seat!
Sponsors: Speaker of the House of Representatives Beth Harwell, Senator Steve Dickerson, Senator Ferrel Haile, Representative Gerald McCormick, and Representative Glen Casada.If $500 is a little steep, please send a contribution of any amount to "Friends of Jim Gotto,' (updated address pending. Jim will also need door knockers and poll workers and people to put up signs and make phone calls and stuff envelopes and help in numerous ways. Get involved and help Jim Gotto retake this seat!
When: Tuesday December 17th, 4PM to 6PM
Where: The Cumberland, 555 Church St., Nashville
Minimum Contribution: $500
Is it just me, or does this seem a little spooky? The President's permanent campaign organization is asking people to report to them on what happened when you talked to your family about Obamacare at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Does this come close to being reminiscent of communist-era East German police state tactics where children were encouraged to report family conversation to the authorities? I don't think we are close to being a police state, but some of the same concepts of having greater loyalty to the political leader than one's family seems to be present in this regime. Encouraging people to report their dinner conversation to the President's political organization does not seem healthy for a democracy. Rod
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Friend -- Take a minute and fill out this quick report back. These conversations matter -- when people hear from their loved ones about what the Affordable Care Act means for them, it helps remove all the politics around this issue and gets straight to the heart of what really matters. Your feedback is so important: Thanks again, |
From The Tennessean:
The pink carstaches could soon be coming to Nashville roadways.
Lyft, an on-demand ride sharing company based in San Francisco, is launching in Nashville on Friday, according to company spokeswoman Paige Thelen. The company has been cultivating a fleet of drivers in recent weeks, generating interest through social media outlets, word of mouth and placing ads on Facebook.
A proposed bill, up for first reading Tuesday, would reduce the $45 minimum fee for vehicles for hire to a rate that is three times the cab rate, reducing the minimum to $9.75, and would allow for certain kinds of technology to be used to hire a car service, according to Metro Council Member Ronnie Steine. The bill will then go before a committee meeting and a second reading, during which changes to the proposal can be made. (link)Watch this. It should be interesting. The current $45 minimum was put in place a few years ago to protect the large luxury limo companies from competition when "Black sedans" made there appearance in Nashville. Black Sedans are luxury cars, such as Lincoln Town Cars, that are clean, no markings to indicate they are a vehicle for hire, with courteous, uniformed drivers. They are usually black but do not have to be. Black sedans were only charging a $25 fee for a typical ride and were undercutting the luxury limo services. The black sedans were much nicer than a taxi cab, but were not as ostentatious as a stretch limousine. The limo companies went all out to put this new form of transportation out of business. They got the Metro Council to pass a new law forcing the black sedans to charge a minimum fee of $45 and imposed various other restriction on them, to force them to operate like a limo company. The city also engaged in a program of harassment and intimidation of Black Sedan drivers.
From Stephen Clements, organizer of Caffeinated Conservatives:
My fellow Caffeinators,
Did you know that of the 15 members of the TN
State House Education Committee, only ONE member is from Davidson
County? The Memphis area has SEVEN members on the committee. Knox County
has three. Nashville, the state capital, has ONE seat on arguably the
most important committee in the State House.
On Saturday December
21st from 12 - 2 PM at Bagelface Bakery in East Nashville (700 Main
Street), Representative Harold Love, Jr., that lone member from Davidson
County, will be joining us! Whatever education or state government
issue is hot on your mind, this is your time to get answers. With the
legislative session starting in January, let your voice be heard before
the voting starts.
So bring a friend and come join us for good coffee, great conversation, and good company! All opinions welcome!
Stephen Clements
Caffeinated Conservatives
On Facebook? Come Like us and get news stories I don't want to spam your Inbox with!
https://www.facebook.com/CaffeinatedConservatives
For directions and more information about the AWESOME Bagelface Bakery we hang out at, click the link below:
http://www.bagelfacebakery.com/
This Board work session is almost two and half hours long. Here is the agenda:
5:00 I. CONVENEI have not watched this myself yet, and don't know when I will have the opportunity, so go ahead and watch it without me, if you are interested. The Nashville Scene has summarized the meeting. To read that concise summary published by the Scene, follow this link.
5:00 II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
5:10 III. DISCUSSION
A. Strategic Compensation
B. Charter RFP Process
7:30 IV. ADJOURNMENT
While choice is limited, there is some choice. Your child does not have to stay in a failing school. There are some great public schools in Nashville. Tomorrow (Tuesday 12/3) is the deadline for MNPS "Optional Schools" applications for the 2014-15 school year. You can find more information online at www.mnps.org, or call 615-259-4636 to speak with an academic counselor.
I accepted the majority scientific opinion about global warming some time ago. I would like not to believe it; it is inconvenient, but I have been persuaded by the evidence. Also, the consensus is overwhelming, and I am influenced by that. While I know scientist, like anyone else, can chase grant dollars and be influenced by the source of the funding, I cannot accept that global warming is all a scam and almost the whole world scientific community has been bought off. That just seems unbelievable. Also, those who accept global warming theory include all former Republican EPA chiefs and many Republican elder statement. While the bombastic talk show host disavow global warming, more reasonable Republican leaders and elder Republican statement accept it.
So, I "believe" global warming is real. I know many people and certainly most pundits are so certain of their position on issues, they never have any doubt. If they believe something, they believe it 100%. They might as well say, "my mind is made up; don't confuse me with facts." I am not so certain about a lot of things. While I think there is "black" and "white," I also think there are a lot of shades of gray. If I do not believe something to be true, it may be that I am only 49% persuaded. If I do believe something is true, it may be that I am 51% persuaded.
On global warming, sometime along about the year 2006, my position on global warming reached the 51% mark, having gradually climbed from about a 15% acceptance when I first learned of the theory. Somewhere along the way, I reached about an 85 to 90% acceptance. Accepting the science of global warming however did not make me fail to recognized that there were global warming alarmist. According to many celebrity and pop icons, we were supposed to all be dead from global warming by now. Also, accepting the reality of global warming did not lead me to embrace solutions that were "pie in the sky," "feel-good" measures that would do nothing to address the problem. I always thought we needed to use market-based solutions and cost-benefit analysis in addressing the issue. It seemed to me that the most effective global warming skeptic was no more a friend of global warming than those liberal true-believers who advocated income redistribution, abandoning national sovereignty, a massively more powerful government, windmills, and solar energy as a way of addressing the issue, while opposing natural gas and nuclear energy.
A couple years ago, along came the climategate scandal. We learned how the opinion of responsible scientist who were skeptical of global warming theory were marginalized and their views censored and we learned about, "hide the decline." My believe tumbled for for a while, maybe briefly falling back below the 50% mark. Since then, it has climbed back, but not to my previous high point. The fact that temperatures have not risen in the last seventeen years is one reason to increase my skepticism. Also, some respectable scientist are now saying the models may have overestimated the climates sensitivity to CO2 by as much as 30%.
Now comes a new revelation to make my global warming acceptance meter drop even more:
Antarctic sea ice hit 35-year record high Saturday.
To put that in perspective however, Arctic sea ice has been shrinking for several years while the Antarctic ice has been growing. There was a reversal of the trend this year however and Arctic ice actually grew but not sufficient to make up for many years of a shrinking ice cap. There are theories that explain why all of this is happening. Nevertheless, this was not supposed to happen.
To view my previous post on the topic of global warming, follow this link.