Tuesday, October 30, 2007

 

Faulk to hit Union County for Thursday Fundraiser

If you are free Thursday night, why not make the short trek to Union County and show your support for Mike Faulk, candidate for Tennessee Senate out of the 4th District?

The Hawkins County GOP Blog has the scoop.

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The Democrats & the Largest Tax Hike in History

Well, America, I hate that you are going to get what you deserve for voting the Democrats into power in the Congress.

I have been studying House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel's tax increase for the past several days, and it frankly makes me ill. Here we go, folks - back to the bad ole days when the government takes everything and you end up working for free.

Andrew Wilkow, who hosts the Wilkow Majority on Sirius Radio, took Rangel apart (and logically - not by yelling and screaming at him. ala Bill O'Reilly) through well-reasoned debate yesterday. Bill Frist takes Rangel to task today over at VOLPAC.

Rangel's proposal is horrific, and his selling of the idea as better for hard-working Americans is intellectually dishonest. This proposed tax increase - the biggest in the history of our nation - is meant to benefit those who have decided that life is about the government taking care of them, that by not working they are bettering themselves and their country. The Democrats will stop at nothing to hurt the American worker.

Pardon me if I'm a bit upset, but I'm not exactly pleased with the idea of politicians engorging the government beast while hard-working Americans get little for their toil.


MORE: Here is the release from Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn:

Blackburn Blasts Democrat Plans to Implement Largest Tax Hike in American History

Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Marsha Blackburn joined the House Republican Leadership at a press conference this morning to voice her strong opposition to the largest proposed individual tax-hike in U.S. history. House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel briefed members of his committee on the proposed legislation the previous day. The plan will implement a new $1.3 trillion tax increase, sunset the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts in 2010, and lead to a $3.5 trillion increase within 10 years. Following the news conference, Blackburn issued the following statement:

“Everyone knows that the Federal government doesn't have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. The Democrat led ‘Hold onto Your Wallet' Congress is once again telling the American taxpayer that they don't pay enough in taxes.

“An estimated 23 million families will pay the Alternative Minimum Tax in 2007, at a cost of an estimated $2,000 in additional per person taxes. Chairman Rangel's tax hike plan doesn't cut taxes; it simply shifts the tax burden from one line on the form to another. Our constituents know that any tax by any name is still a tax. They will pay more under this plan, and that is the wrong policy. The American taxpayer has suffered enough at the whim of the liberal elite and tax and spenders."

If this plan were to become law, the effective top marginal tax rate in this country would be the same as it is in Germany. The plan outlined by Chairman Rangel would transform the capital gains tax rate of 15% to the maximum income tax rate of 35% for revenue generated by investment in private equity, repeal section 199 deductions for American manufacturers, reinstitute the marriage penalty, and do nothing to reauthorize the state sales tax deduction set to expire at the end of this year.


EVEN MORE: President Bush weighs in on taxes and on the massive spending bills that Congressional Democrats are sending his way.

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Paul is Right on Cuba, but Wrong on Cuba

Interesting read from Ron Paul over on LewRockwell.com. Dr. Paul is right that the Bush Administration's proposal to bribe the Cubans out of a communist dictatorship is a major blunder. Too bad that Dr. Paul's solution of being friends with the Cubans is also the wrong move. After all, that's what the Bush Administration did with China, and that route hasn't exactly been a rousing success.

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Friday, October 26, 2007

 

Bourbon Boys Pick the SEC

Writing of Phil Fulmer:

"If he loses at home to Spur-Dog this week, the Great Pumpkin may not make it to Halloween."

Ouch. That being said, all three Bourbon Boys pick the Vols to win Saturday night.

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

 

Terrorists in Ohio

My good friend and former member of the now-defunct Tennessee Institute for Public Policy, Patrick Poole, is featured in this report from the Christian Broadcasting Network.

It's a bit unnerving that terror groups chose Columbus as a base for operations. One has to wonder if college towns are specifically being targeted as such due to the high immigrant numbers and enhanced political correctness that is prevalent there.

What is even more disturbing are reports out of our very own University of Tennessee that internal efforts are underway to increase the number of Islamic students here in Knoxville. With the liberalized thinking that surrounds UT and our close proximity to Oak Ridge, it wouldn't be hard to see how Knoxville would be near the top of Al-Queda or another Islamic terror group's list of places for new cell activity in America.

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Davis Not Running in Virginia

It appears that the trend of Republicans getting out of D.C. instead of trying to move up the political ladder is continuing. Rep. Tom Davis, the Virginia moderate/liberal who was expected to mount a challenge for the seat being vacated by the retiring John Warner (R), is apparently not going to run and may retire from his current seat in Congress.

That leaves Jim Gilmore set as the only true challenger to Mark Warner, the former Governor of the Commonwealth who raised taxes like a true liberal but somehow remained popular with the electorate in Virginia. Warner will be a big favorite in this race, but underestimating Gilmore could be a big mistake. Gilmore, like Warner, is also a former Governor of Virginia, and he isn't half bad on the stump.

The Virginia race is certainly shaping up to be one of the more competitive in the nation, with both candidates being capable, established, and successful. (For contrast, compare this to Tennessee, where only the incumbent could be characterized as such.)

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President Ron Paul?

Benjamin Tyler Fenton writes on how Ron Paul could win the presidency in 2008:

The Paul campaign continues unloading its newfound cash on radio and television ads in the early primary states, especially New Hampshire. Dr. Paul heeds Concord Monitor’s Mike Pride’s suggestion and moves to the state, invigorating the already strong grassroots support in the "live free or die" state. The New Hampshire legislature votes to move the primary up to December 11. On that day, shocking the MSM and their "scientific" polls, Ron Paul wins the New Hampshire primary with 35% of the vote. CNBC.com editor Allen Wastler calls Paul supporters "Real REAL good." The victory puts Dr. Paul on the map, and the Republican establishment begins to panic. Increasing numbers of disillusioned voters who had not planned to vote realize that Paul has a real chance to win and come out to the polls in droves. New Hampshire’s extremely early primary date allows thousands upon thousands of independent voters in other states to change their party affiliation to Republican in time to vote for Dr. Paul in their states’ primaries.

Wow. He goes on from there.

Whatever Fenton is drinking, I want some - preferably before the Vols game against South Carolina this weekend. It must be some strong stuff to inspire such wild and irrational thinking.

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Friday, October 19, 2007

 

Bourbon Boys Picks are Up

And, for those who are curious, all 3 of the Gator faithful picked our Vols to be victorious this weekend versus the hated Tide.

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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

 

Red State Update

Today, Jackie and Dunlap weigh in on Al Gore, which Tennessean should have won the Nobel Peace Prize, and how Icees and Slush Puppies could cure all that ails the world.

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Weekend O'Plenty

This weekend has been targeted for some time as one that would involve me, a companion, a vehicle, a Motel 6 (it doesn't get any nicer in Tuscaloosa), several racks of ribs at Dreamland BBQ, and over 90,000 witnesses to a Big Orange assault.


At least our coach isn't a whore...

However, there are other events that I would have loved to have attended if scheduling had allowed. For instance, The Washington Briefing, hosted by the Family Research Council, is happening in D.C. this weekend. I was asked to blog the event, and I would have gladly done so based on the values speakers alone. With the inclusion of the presidential candidates (Fred Thompson, Giuliani, Ron Paul, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Mitt Romney, Sam Brownback, Alan Keyes, John McCain, and Tom Tancredo are all scheduled to appear), it sounds like an incredible weekend.

Also, it pains me that I was not able to attend the Honors reunion at East Tennessee State University. I was even asked to teach a course for a day as part of the festivities. That would have been a hoot, but alas....

Too many things to do, too little time to do them in...

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Giuliani: "I ran as a liberal..."

Talking Points Memo unearths Giuliani, circa 1996:



He's a liberal - he's a conservative. He's an Independent - he's a Republican. He's for murdering babies - he's against murdering babies.

Is Rudy Giuliani the 9/11-enhanced version of John Kerry?

I'll keep saying it until I'm blue in the face - GOP, nominate Giuliani at your own peril.

After last night's Daily Show and Colbert Report, I'm ready to check Stephen Colbert's name over Clinton and Giuliani.

Don't think that I'm kidding, people...

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Hey Rudy, Fred's Talkin' About You...

Fred Thompson is finally starting to call out Rudy Giuliani:

“Some think the way to beat the Democrats in November is to be more like them. I could not disagree more..."

Read more over at Terry Frank's blog and at Elephant Biz.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

 

4D Ultrasound from Monday

One of the multitude of reasons that blogging has been light the past few months has to do with the impending arrival of our little bundle of joy.

Yesterday, we had the 4D ultrasound of our new boy performed at the office of our doctor, Dr. Kathleen Edmunds. After rousing the little one (who was sleeping and facing the wrong direction), he put on a performance by showing he has inherited his Dad's appetite by shoving his entire hand in his mouth and then preceding to kick the daylights out of his Mommy.

Here are a few of the pictures from yesterday's blessed event:


Our son


Flexing his bicep for the camera!


Kicking the tar out of Mommy


"I'm tired - no more pictures!"

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Sign the Knox County Recall Petition

I am generally for the ability of the electorate to recall all officeholders in the event that they become too corrupt. In a recent investigation, it was difficult to find any counties in East Tennessee with a workable recall provision.

When one considers the incredible corruption at all levels of government here in Knox County, a recall provision seems vital.

I applaud this effort to empower the people of Knox County. Please sign their petition.

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Nashville Mother Awarded $85,000 in Motel Suit Over Porn

I don't have much to say about this - except that I was wrong when I said that California juries had no concept of non-governmental responsibility.

One has to wonder if the number of hotels offering adult pornography will dissipate after this suit.

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Buchanan: Democrats "Unfit for Command"

For those who are having a hard time following the controversy over the Democrats ruining our relationship with a former ally in Turkey, Pat Buchanan breaks down their treachery in his latest column.

What's unfortunate, though, is that when Bush panders to Hispanics, the traditional media seizes on it like Michael Vick on a dog. When the Congressional Democrats pander to the Armenians, however, only the blogs seem to care.

MORE: Blogs that seem to care:

Ann Althouse
Instapundit
BrothersJudd
Both Sides of the Window
Volokh
Don Surber
GM's Corner
John Galt

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Schwarzenegger Signs Bill Banning Gender-Specific Terms and One-Gender Bathrooms

From the minds of communists comes this story from California:

'Mom' and 'Dad' banished by California
Schwarzenegger signs law outlawing terms perceived as negative to 'gays'

"Mom and Dad" as well as "husband and wife" effectively have been banned from California schools under a bill signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who with his signature also ordered public schools to allow boys to use girls restrooms and locker rooms, and vice versa, if they choose.

I suppose that it's worth noting that this bill was the creation of the Democrats in California and their homosexual supporters and not Schwarzenegger's idea. That is not an excuse, mind you. I'm merely giving infamous credit where infamous credit is due.

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Watts Trying to Buy Texas Seat in U.S. Senate

According to the Houston Chronicle, Democratic attorney Mikal Watts has $8.3 million in cash on hand in an attempt to buy one of Texas' seats in the U.S. Senate. That seat is currently held by John Cornyn, a Republican.

This goes along with news from other financial disclosures across the country. It is very apparent that the Democrats believe the U.S. Senate is for sale.

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RIP, Gladys Opal Bryant

We pass along our condolences to Gladys Opal Bryant - mother of Ed Bryant - who traveled to a better place Monday night. Gladys had celebrated her 90th birthday this past May.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ed, Cyndi, and the rest of the family in this difficult time.

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Friday, October 12, 2007

 

Jackie Broyles - He's More Christianisty

More from the Red State Update...

If it came down to Clinton or Giuliani...

I might just vote for Jackie Broyles.

But for now, Jackie's got a serious man-crush on our man Fred...

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Bourbon Boys

Those wacky Bourbon Boys have their picks up (with running, R-rated commentary) for this week's SEC games.

FYI: All three picked UT to win this week against Mississippi State.

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Award Degradation

I'm a bit confused.

Since when did the Nobel Peace Prize become the global equivalent of the Heisman Trophy?

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From the E-mail Inbox...

I'm sure many of you have read this in the past, but it's just too good to pass up heading into the weekend:

***

Dear Abby,

My husband is a liar and a cheat. He has cheated on me from the beginning and, when I confront him, he denies everything. What's worse, everyone knows that he cheats on me. It is so humiliating. Also, since he lost his job over six years ago, he hasn't even looked for a new
one. All he does all day is smoke cigars, cruise around and shoot the bull with his buddies while I have to work to pay the bills. Since our daughter went away to college he doesn't even pretend to like me. He doesn't even defend my reputation when people suggest I may be a
lesbian. What should I do?


Clueless

*

Dear Clueless,

Grow up and dump him. Good grief, woman. You don't need him anymore! You're a United States Senator from New York running for President of the United States.........Act like one!

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Thursday, October 11, 2007

 

Quote of the Day

“Handing a Nobel Prize to Al Gore, a proven hypocrite on the issue of climate change, would be an injustice to the many people bravely fighting for peace and freedom throughout the world.”

- Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson.

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Tuesday, October 09, 2007

 

Huckabee as VP?

According to The Hill, the former Governor of Arkansas is keeping the door open for the #2 position.

I will be eager to see if Huckabee can keep up his string of top performances in the GOP debates, starting with tonight's showdown in Michigan on the nation's economy.

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Democrats Wallowing in Campaign Money

Remember the good old days when Republicans had advantages in work ethic and money?

At least one of those doesn't exist anymore.

Headline from Montana: Baucus Reels in $7.4 Million in Donations

Headline from Colorado: Udall Reports $1M Haul as Poll Shows Tight Race

Then take into account the cash-on-hand with the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee has racked up:

The fundraising lead is substantial: for the Senate, the Democratic committee raised $36.7 million for the first eight months of the year, compared to $20.5 million for the Republicans, and the Democrats had a three-to-one advantage in cash on hand, even though the Republicans must defend 22 seats compared to only 12 for the Democrats. In nearly every House seat that seems likely to be closely contested next year, the Democrats have raised more money than ever before and in most cases more money than their Republican opponents.

The financial advantage reflects not growing popular support for the Democrats, but a shift in the calculations of the financial oligarchy. The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee collected 57 percent of its donations in increments of $20,000 or more, up from 31 percent of contributions four years ago, and substantially more than its Republican counterpart.

Statistics released in August by the Federal Election Commission showed that in the first six months of 2007, Democratic Party committees raised $111.5 million, up 29 percent from the same period in 2005 and a staggering 98 percent from the first half of 2003. The figures for the corresponding Republican committees dropped by one-quarter compared to the first half of 2005.


There's trouble on the horizon for Republicans in Congress. Taking back the Senate is out of the question. Holding on to the 40 seats needed to keep the filibuster alive is now the concern.

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Monday, October 08, 2007

 

Lincoln Davis Running for Governor in 2010

In these days of clearing the primary field with gentleman's agreements, I have to say that this announcement is quite unusual. But, if you have had any dealings or even conversations with Lincoln Davis, you know that he's pretty "unusual" himself.

I certainly think it to be a bit odd regarding an announcement for two election cycles down the road. Davis might want to concentrate on living through 2007 and trying to clean up the mess the Congressional Democrats are making instead of worrying about what his title will be in 2010.

Plus, Lincoln has so much work to do in his attempt to make divorce a felony...



Oh, what a juicy primary! A man who wants to criminalize divorce versus the swingin' playboy from Memphis! If only 2010 weren't so far away...

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Thursday, October 04, 2007

 

Looking Forward to Saturday

For all of you pundits predicting doom and gloom for our Vols come Saturday, let's take a look back at last year's game "between the hedges" in Athens...



And Georgia's defense is probably worse this year...

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Tuesday, October 02, 2007

 

Verdict in Knox County Commission Lawsuit

Just after 1:00 this afternoon, I was told that a verdict is in by the jury hearing the Knoxville News-Sentinel's suit under the "sunshine law" against the corrupt Knox County Commission.

Let's hope that a Knox County jury is more able than the infamous juries in California...

UPDATE: 1:22 P.M. - The jury is set to announce the verdict shortly. I assume we are waiting on all parties to make their way to the City-County Building.

UPDATE: 1:30 P.M. - Overflow crowd in the courtroom. Looks like we're waiting on Chancellor Fansler and for the jury.

UPDATE: 1:43 P.M. - It's a complete and total loss by the Knox County Commission. It doesn't appear that the corrupt Knox County Commission won on ANY of the individual charges against them. (For those who are unfamiliar with earlier developments, Chancellor Fansler put the question of the validity of the appointments to the jury on each and every appointee. Thus, the terminology of "individual charges.")

UPDATE: 1:47 P.M. - A complete victory for the Plaintiffs in this case, and when I say that, I mean those of us who live in Knox County who give a damn about our government and see it as a body of the people, by the people, and for the people. With the notable exceptions of Larry Smith and Mark Hammond, the rest of the commission should get the boot. We won't know what remedy that Chacnellor Fansler will decree for a few days now, but I would expect that he will act to the extent that the law allows.

I predicted before this suit was even initiated that 1) "sunshine law" violations had occurred, 2) the egos of the corrupt Knox County Commissioners would prevent them from rectifying the situation, and 3) the appropriate remedy would be to invalidate all business discussed at the meeting and all actions taken by the commission since January to the extent possible. It is my belief that the law provides for that remedy, and I will be curious as to if Chancellor Fansler sees it that way, as well.

I know that much of the commentary - from Jack McElroy of the KNS, from David Oatney, from Michael Silence, and from those politicians in Knox County - is yet to come, but I want to be clear on one thing. This obviously was a loss for Scott Moore, Tim Hutchison, and their brethren, but this should not be viewed as a win for any other politicians. I know that someone is going to say that this is a win for Mike Ragsdale, but he was not a plaintiff in this suit. In fact, commissioners loyal to Ragsdale were also found in violation of the statute. Both sides of the Hutchison v. Ragsdale feud lost today. The winners were the people of Knox County.

Finally, I want to thank the people who sat on this jury. Jury duty isn't easy, folks. It's a major interruption in one's life. Plus, proof in this case was provided over three weeks, and some of the legal issues were rather thick at times (partly because the defense tried to make it that way). It's great to live in a place where juries are effective, because not everywhere has that resource (I'm talking to you, California).

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Remarks from the NRA's "Celebration of Amercan Values" Conference

After going through the remarks made by the various candidates at the NRA's "Celebration of American Values" Conference that took place in Washington, D.C., last week, it is pretty clear that only two of the Republican candidates that bothered to show up (that eliminates Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, and Tom Tancredo, who had better things to do) have a grasp of the meaning of the Second Amendment.

Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee seem to be your strongest candidates on the Second Amendment.

MORE: One funny part of Thompson's remarks that Vol fans might be able to relate to:

"When I was in Florida just last week, I went to a gun show right before the UT-Florida football game. I should have stayed at the gun show."

Ain't that the truth...

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Coleman Looking Likely for Re-election in Minnesota

An AP article out of Minnesota reads favorably for incumbent U.S. Senator Norm Coleman. Coleman has a favorable rating of 52%, which is fairly strong for an incumbent Member of Congress these days. Meanwhile, his ridiculous Democratic challenger, former Air America star Al Franken, is only polling positively with 27% of those polled.

Sorry, Al, but you're not good enough, you're not smart enough, and, gosh darn it, people don't like you.

Well, at least 73% of them said they didn't like you.

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Monday, October 01, 2007

 

Blasting Rudy

Chuck Baldwin doesn't pull any punches when writing about Rudy Giuliani:

"Giuliani is a liberal. Actually, Rudy Giuliani is worse than a liberal. He is a liberal that likes to hurt people. I tell you the truth, Rudy Giuliani scares me far more than Hillary Clinton does. Far more. I'll say it right here: if the 2008 Presidential election comes down to Hillary vs. Giuliani, Hillary is the "lesser of two evils." That's how bad Giuliani is."

OUCH. Read the rest.

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Another Black Eye for Knox County Schools

The one area of politics that I have sworn to never deal with is local school board matters. However, one has to take notice of public schools when one's family expands, so we have recently been confronted with the idea of whether or not to place our as-yet-unborn son's education in the hands of the public school system here in Tennessee.

I have to say that Sunday's article on yet another Knox County teacher/pervert did not make me feel any better about Knox County Schools, which eat up nearly half of the tax dollars here in Knox County. Today's article in the KNS didn't help things, either.

Of course, the parochial schools have their problems in this area, too. Saturday's story on a Knox Catholic teacher/coach/statutory rapist was an example of that.

Is homeschooling the only answer?

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Just What the VOLConWife Wanted to Hear...

"Mom Gives Birth to 17-pound baby."

My favorite part: "What did the father say? He couldn't say a thing - he just stood there blinking."

Yep. I think that's the appropriate reaction.

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