No. 1: State Rep. Brian Kelsey, Republican, Germantown, TN -- this guy tried to extort a committee chairmansip from puppet House Speaker Kent Williams. He brought an ethics complaint against the Speaker for sexual harassment. The allegation from Rep. Susan Lynn has merit to be further investigated by the House Ethics Committee.
But Kelsey used his appeal to the committee to try and get a chairmanship with text messaging. He should resign his seat immediately. House Republican leadership should disown him and force him out. If it doesn't, then it is no better than the corrupt Democrats.
No. 2: Outgoing Now Staying House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, Democrat, Convington -- he engineered a way to keep power by getting Republican unknown Kent Williams to be his puppet. Williams voted with 49 Democrats to become speaker. Democrats were ready the following day to introduce a resolution making Naifeh "Speaker Emeritus" with unquantified powers. It has been delayed. But watch out.
No. 3: Puppet Speaker Kent Williams, Republican -- hours before the vote on the speaker's job, the unknown from east Tennessee looked his fellow Republicans in the eye and said he would vote for Rep. Jason Mumpower as speaker. Then he became Naifeh's stooge. Williams also had earlier signed a pledge to vote for Mumpower.
No. 4: Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall -- his racism was confirmed with the revelation that he was the guest speaker for a local White supremacist group. Hall is the only politician stupid and racist enough to speak to the group. The sheriff is the architect of the heinous 287g deportation program that was sold to the public based on lies of only going after undocumented human beings with criminal records. Hall still has the support of Mayor Karl Dean and Congressman Jim Cooper, also Democrats as the sheriff.
No. 5: Councilman Eric Crafton -- public records showed that his anti-immigrant EnglishOnly referendum was almost totally financed by a Virginia anti-immigrant group. Home-grown hate is one thing. Transporting it into Nashville is reprehensible and disgusting.
No. 6: Auto dealer Lee Beaman -- Nashville's most prominent seller of new autos was the major local contributor in support of the EnglishOnly referendum, but cheaply at less than $10,000. I wonder how many people speaking Spanish he refuses to sell cars to? His dealerships should be boycotted by people who favor a more tolerant Nashville.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Poor Maureen Dowd: With no more Bush to hate, the Left's Ann Coulter has nothing to write
When she was savaging President GW Bush for eight years, NYT's columnist Maureen Dowd would often have the most read columns on the newspaper's web site.
Now with Bush gone and Obama on the scene, Dowd's popularity is falling, as with her last column that could only make it to No. 8 on the top 10 most read list. Then it quickly disappeared. It rattled on about Wall Street.
Dowd for the Left is Ann Coulter to the Right. They both throw a lot of heat with little substance in their writing. Both deserve to be forgotten.
Now with Bush gone and Obama on the scene, Dowd's popularity is falling, as with her last column that could only make it to No. 8 on the top 10 most read list. Then it quickly disappeared. It rattled on about Wall Street.
Dowd for the Left is Ann Coulter to the Right. They both throw a lot of heat with little substance in their writing. Both deserve to be forgotten.
NYT reports Daschle knew of tax problems last June but didn't tell Obama team of faulty memory
The New York Times reports tonight that Health and Human Services nominee Tom Daschle knew as long ago as June that he had tax problems with a driver he hired and car provided to drive him around.
This service -- for which he owed $128,000 in taxes -- was provided by a private equity firm. Translated, that means a Wall Street fatcat -- part of an industry that already has received $350 billion in taxpayer money thanks to Democratic leaders including then Sen. Barack Obama.
“It’s totally shocking,” an aide to a Democratic senator said Saturday to The Times. “Why do we have to continue to have the same story over and over again with these nominees?”
Daschle, a nice guy, should be rejected by the Senate as HHS secretary. Americans are required to pay taxes by law. Those who forget about the law should not be put in charge of it.
The Times said the Obama campaign was not informed last June of the problem.
Democrats know that they approve this nomination at great political risk. The American people are not fooled.
This service -- for which he owed $128,000 in taxes -- was provided by a private equity firm. Translated, that means a Wall Street fatcat -- part of an industry that already has received $350 billion in taxpayer money thanks to Democratic leaders including then Sen. Barack Obama.
“It’s totally shocking,” an aide to a Democratic senator said Saturday to The Times. “Why do we have to continue to have the same story over and over again with these nominees?”
Daschle, a nice guy, should be rejected by the Senate as HHS secretary. Americans are required to pay taxes by law. Those who forget about the law should not be put in charge of it.
The Times said the Obama campaign was not informed last June of the problem.
Democrats know that they approve this nomination at great political risk. The American people are not fooled.
Say It Ain't So Joe: If Democratic Party leaders want to tax and spend, they first should learn to pay taxes, not forget; why are they so unpatriotic?
An increasing embarrassment to the Democratic Party and rallying point for Republicans have been back-to-back problems with President Obama's Cabinet nominees who somehow forgot to pay more than $100,000 in taxes.
The new Treasury Secretary and the incoming head of HHS failed to pay $168,000 in taxes they somehow simply forgot about. I'm sure you wished you could use that excuse each April 15, or, of course, that the dog ate your tax return.
Yet former Sen. Tom Daschle overlooked a driver and car provided to take him around Washington, D.C. and other cities to support Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
I still drive for myself in a car I paid for myself, not provided me. I'm so backwards politcally. So are average Americans and Tennesseans who pay their taxes on time.
During the presidential campaign, VP Joe Biden said that it was very patriotic to pay taxes.
So are we now to assume that Democratic leaders are not patriotic? That is a claim they refute with ferocity and indignity. But they should put their money where their mouths are.
With these two prominent cases of prominent Democrats failing to do their patriotic duty, perhaps the IRS should conduct an audit of every party leader and official to make sure they love their country according to Biden's lofty standards.
Every dollar is going to count with the almost $1 trillion the party wants to use with a stimulus plan short on stimulus and big on spend.
The new Treasury Secretary and the incoming head of HHS failed to pay $168,000 in taxes they somehow simply forgot about. I'm sure you wished you could use that excuse each April 15, or, of course, that the dog ate your tax return.
Yet former Sen. Tom Daschle overlooked a driver and car provided to take him around Washington, D.C. and other cities to support Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
I still drive for myself in a car I paid for myself, not provided me. I'm so backwards politcally. So are average Americans and Tennesseans who pay their taxes on time.
During the presidential campaign, VP Joe Biden said that it was very patriotic to pay taxes.
So are we now to assume that Democratic leaders are not patriotic? That is a claim they refute with ferocity and indignity. But they should put their money where their mouths are.
With these two prominent cases of prominent Democrats failing to do their patriotic duty, perhaps the IRS should conduct an audit of every party leader and official to make sure they love their country according to Biden's lofty standards.
Every dollar is going to count with the almost $1 trillion the party wants to use with a stimulus plan short on stimulus and big on spend.
Nashville sheriff reveals racism with speech to White Supremacist group; time to get candidates together to run against re-election of the racist
Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall was the featured speaker at a gathering of a White supremacist group, confirming the racism behind his motivations to bring the heinous 287g deportation program to Music City, reports The Tennessean.
Hall sold the 287 program in Nashville -- which is supported by his fellow Democrats in Mayor Karl Dean and Congressman Jim Cooper -- with lies that it was meant only to round up undocumented immigrants with a criminal record.
Instead, more than 3,500 people have been deported after being arrested for things like fishing without a license. These human beings have jobs and families. And one of the criminal cases Hall cited to sell the program politically was the murder of two white residents. But the undocumented immigrant was easily exonerated by a Nashville jury. Still, 287g remains.
Hall, in the newspaper article, reverted to more lies -- saying he did not know he was speaking before a White supremacist group and blaming his appearance there as the fault of his scheduler.
Yet the group says Hall is the only politician to appear before the body in its history.
Hall's racism should be an embarrassment to a civil rights city as Nashville, and so should the support of 287g by other Nashville Democrats.
Taxpayers also are being cheated. All the resources going to arrest, process and incarcerate people who are no threat to this nation steers law enforcement away from needing crime prevention. And any law enforced by the color of one's skin and the accent of one's voice is simply racist.
Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Would we bring the administration of Social Security to counties simply because the federal government cannot properly manage it? Of course not. So why are undocumented immigrants so targeted? We know why.
SSA is so broken in its administration that I had to wait 18 months to get disability payments for my leukemia. I earned those benefits from working and contributing to the trust fund since I was 13. Some disabled people die before they get benefits. Others give up and don't even challenge the first two denials of benefit appeals. That should be a more pressing need to correct.
With the declining economy, undocumented immigrants are returning home on their own.
It's the racists such as Sheriff Hall who have turned the issue of immigration into one of inhumanity. If Nashvillians choose to leave Hall in office, then they should go down to Alabama and see if the late Bull Connor had any grandchildren.
Then bring them up here to help to make the racism in the sheriff's department complete.
Hall sold the 287 program in Nashville -- which is supported by his fellow Democrats in Mayor Karl Dean and Congressman Jim Cooper -- with lies that it was meant only to round up undocumented immigrants with a criminal record.
Instead, more than 3,500 people have been deported after being arrested for things like fishing without a license. These human beings have jobs and families. And one of the criminal cases Hall cited to sell the program politically was the murder of two white residents. But the undocumented immigrant was easily exonerated by a Nashville jury. Still, 287g remains.
Hall, in the newspaper article, reverted to more lies -- saying he did not know he was speaking before a White supremacist group and blaming his appearance there as the fault of his scheduler.
Yet the group says Hall is the only politician to appear before the body in its history.
Hall's racism should be an embarrassment to a civil rights city as Nashville, and so should the support of 287g by other Nashville Democrats.
Taxpayers also are being cheated. All the resources going to arrest, process and incarcerate people who are no threat to this nation steers law enforcement away from needing crime prevention. And any law enforced by the color of one's skin and the accent of one's voice is simply racist.
Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Would we bring the administration of Social Security to counties simply because the federal government cannot properly manage it? Of course not. So why are undocumented immigrants so targeted? We know why.
SSA is so broken in its administration that I had to wait 18 months to get disability payments for my leukemia. I earned those benefits from working and contributing to the trust fund since I was 13. Some disabled people die before they get benefits. Others give up and don't even challenge the first two denials of benefit appeals. That should be a more pressing need to correct.
With the declining economy, undocumented immigrants are returning home on their own.
It's the racists such as Sheriff Hall who have turned the issue of immigration into one of inhumanity. If Nashvillians choose to leave Hall in office, then they should go down to Alabama and see if the late Bull Connor had any grandchildren.
Then bring them up here to help to make the racism in the sheriff's department complete.
Dems prepare to get veto-proof Senate with Obama to appoint GOP senator at Commerce
In a brilliant political move, President Obama is prepared to nominate Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire as the new secretary of commerce, FOXNEWS reports.
Judd's replacement would be appointed by a Democratic governor.
That would give Senate Democrats a 60-vote, veto-proof majority.
Judd's replacement would be appointed by a Democratic governor.
That would give Senate Democrats a 60-vote, veto-proof majority.
Krugman misses critical point in latest column
In trying to address the need for guaranteed health care in this nation, Nobel Prize winning columnist Paul Krugman misses a crucial point.
President Obama never campaigned for health care for all. Such a proposition is called universal health care, which his primary opponent backed.
Statistics from the Heritage Foundation point out of the 46 million figure regularly cited in the news media of uninsured Americans, only 30 million actually want the health care and cannot get it. The other 16,000 have health care available to them, and either do not know so, or are not willing to take the time to apply for it.
I realize the Heritage Foundation is a conservative group, but I have seen no one dispute its analysis of the 46 million figure.
Now back to Obama. He proposed making health care more affordable and insuring sll children. There was no universal health care and his chief primary opponent regularly chastised him for it.
So Krugman in trying to make a case for health care now for all the people has shown himself uninformed about the man he is criticizing. And that fact reduces the credibility of his argument.
President Obama never campaigned for health care for all. Such a proposition is called universal health care, which his primary opponent backed.
Statistics from the Heritage Foundation point out of the 46 million figure regularly cited in the news media of uninsured Americans, only 30 million actually want the health care and cannot get it. The other 16,000 have health care available to them, and either do not know so, or are not willing to take the time to apply for it.
I realize the Heritage Foundation is a conservative group, but I have seen no one dispute its analysis of the 46 million figure.
Now back to Obama. He proposed making health care more affordable and insuring sll children. There was no universal health care and his chief primary opponent regularly chastised him for it.
So Krugman in trying to make a case for health care now for all the people has shown himself uninformed about the man he is criticizing. And that fact reduces the credibility of his argument.
Turning off the name callers and haters
I was watching Sean Hannity's program last night, which is not something common for me since the two of us do not see eye to eye on many issues.
But I noticed he uses quite a bit of time of his show to run some really hateful calls from people who do not like his politics. I really think he is taking time away from viewers who would prefer more from him, and less from these angry people.
I follow that rule on my blog. I do not provide the time and space for the name callers and haters, which mostly turn out to be liberals and Democrats. Their call for tolerance does not include people they disagree with.
So if you are taking time to send me a name-calling response to what I write, you are wasting yout time.
It will never be published. And I love to push the "reject" button. It is like hitting the lever on the toilet to flush.
But I noticed he uses quite a bit of time of his show to run some really hateful calls from people who do not like his politics. I really think he is taking time away from viewers who would prefer more from him, and less from these angry people.
I follow that rule on my blog. I do not provide the time and space for the name callers and haters, which mostly turn out to be liberals and Democrats. Their call for tolerance does not include people they disagree with.
So if you are taking time to send me a name-calling response to what I write, you are wasting yout time.
It will never be published. And I love to push the "reject" button. It is like hitting the lever on the toilet to flush.
Friday, January 30, 2009
A comment provides chance for enlightenment
A reader sent in a comment of the following concerning my post about the election of the first black head of the RNC:
I wasn't aware that any of the Republicans have an issue with Hispanics. I think perhaps you are confusing the problem of illegals (from everywhere) with legal immigrants? Just a thought.
The reader is unaware, and it is that lack of awareness that cost Republicans so dearly in the general election.
Americans of Hispanic descent -- not Cuban-Americans -- have known hatred for generations from Republicans and conservatives. We know the the onslaught against undocumented human beings is just one step removed from those of us who are citizens.
The GOP's ultimate objection is clear, as intoned by Mr. Conservative and Republican Pat Buchanan. His objection is to the depurifying of the American blood from what he claims is its blue-eyed European roots. He objects to the browning of America, which since 2000 has not come from immigration but births in this nation.
Hatred disguised is still hatred. And the Republican Party will never win the Hispanic vote outside of Cubanos as long as Republicans fail to grasp the hatred in their message.
I wasn't aware that any of the Republicans have an issue with Hispanics. I think perhaps you are confusing the problem of illegals (from everywhere) with legal immigrants? Just a thought.
The reader is unaware, and it is that lack of awareness that cost Republicans so dearly in the general election.
Americans of Hispanic descent -- not Cuban-Americans -- have known hatred for generations from Republicans and conservatives. We know the the onslaught against undocumented human beings is just one step removed from those of us who are citizens.
The GOP's ultimate objection is clear, as intoned by Mr. Conservative and Republican Pat Buchanan. His objection is to the depurifying of the American blood from what he claims is its blue-eyed European roots. He objects to the browning of America, which since 2000 has not come from immigration but births in this nation.
Hatred disguised is still hatred. And the Republican Party will never win the Hispanic vote outside of Cubanos as long as Republicans fail to grasp the hatred in their message.
Ecnomist who predicted economic downturn now projects a near Depression for our country
NYU economist Nouriel Roubini was ridiculed at last year's World Economic Summit for predicting economic disaster in America and the world, reports Bloomberg News.
Now, no one challenged his contentions at this year's gathering just completed. And what he has to say for America is shocking. If you think what has been experienced so far has been bad, he sees the worst to come with no ability as of yet to predict a recovery.
More economists are coming to his contention. A revered figured on CNBC today predicted a return to the Paul Volcker days with interest rates near 20 percent.
Here is what Roubini said today:
While the U.S. government is resisting nationalizing its biggest banks, Roubini says it will have no choice because they are now “effectively insolvent.”
And the outcome may be even worse than even he anticipates if governments fail to take aggressive steps to recapitalize banks and revive their economies, he says: “The risk of a near-depression shouldn’t be underestimated.”
Roubini, who’s now working on a book about the crisis, says he takes no particular pleasure in his role as Dr. Doom or the attention it brings him.
“I’m not a permanent bear,” he says. “I’ll be the first to call a recovery, but I just don’t see it yet, and it’s getting uglier.”
Now, no one challenged his contentions at this year's gathering just completed. And what he has to say for America is shocking. If you think what has been experienced so far has been bad, he sees the worst to come with no ability as of yet to predict a recovery.
More economists are coming to his contention. A revered figured on CNBC today predicted a return to the Paul Volcker days with interest rates near 20 percent.
Here is what Roubini said today:
While the U.S. government is resisting nationalizing its biggest banks, Roubini says it will have no choice because they are now “effectively insolvent.”
And the outcome may be even worse than even he anticipates if governments fail to take aggressive steps to recapitalize banks and revive their economies, he says: “The risk of a near-depression shouldn’t be underestimated.”
Roubini, who’s now working on a book about the crisis, says he takes no particular pleasure in his role as Dr. Doom or the attention it brings him.
“I’m not a permanent bear,” he says. “I’ll be the first to call a recovery, but I just don’t see it yet, and it’s getting uglier.”
Replublicans elect first black national party chairman; Chip Saltsman not even mentioned
Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele was elected the first black national chairman for the Republican Party.
His ascension signals a real effort by the GOP to promote diversity in its ranks, particularly after the silly racist stunt by Tennessee's Chip Saltsman who also wanted the job.
The New York Times quoted the following remark by Steele:
"It’s time for something completely different and we’re going to bring it to them," Mr. Steele said. "We’re going to bring this party to every corner, to every boardroom, to every neighborhood, to every community.
And we’re going to say to friend and foe alike, ‘we want you to be a part of us, we want you to be with us and for those of you who are going to obstruct, get ready to be knocked over.’ "
The GOP faces a tough job, particularly with Hispanics for which GOP House members still have much hatred for when it comes to immigrants.
His ascension signals a real effort by the GOP to promote diversity in its ranks, particularly after the silly racist stunt by Tennessee's Chip Saltsman who also wanted the job.
The New York Times quoted the following remark by Steele:
"It’s time for something completely different and we’re going to bring it to them," Mr. Steele said. "We’re going to bring this party to every corner, to every boardroom, to every neighborhood, to every community.
And we’re going to say to friend and foe alike, ‘we want you to be a part of us, we want you to be with us and for those of you who are going to obstruct, get ready to be knocked over.’ "
The GOP faces a tough job, particularly with Hispanics for which GOP House members still have much hatred for when it comes to immigrants.
Gannett, Tennessean continue to sink into sunset; if not for employees, this would cause for glee
Gannett Co., Inc., owner of The Tennessean, continued its swift financial decline as it announced shocking results today on the rapid fall in value of corporate newspaper chains.
The company that no longer is the corporate giant it once was reported $5.9 billion in writedowns for the fourth quarter due to decline in the value of its poor in quality newspapers. I did not believe contentions before by its critics, but I now believe Gannett's days are numbered.
Here is how Gannettblog.blogspot.com reported the news:
Headline: Gannett writes off up to $5.9 billion in assets as quarterly revenue misses, net income dives 36%
Gannett reported lower preliminary fourth-quarter earnings today, but even those profits will be wiped out once the company takes pretax writedowns of as much as $5.9 billion to reflect the declining value of its newspapers.
The nation's top newspaper publisher said preliminary net income fell to $158 million, or 69 cents per share, in the fourth quarter, down 36% from a year ago, as advertising revenue continues to take a beating because of the recession, the Associated Press said.
Operating revenue plunged 8.5%, to $1.74 billion, on a 23% drop in newspaper advertising sales. Wall Street media stock analysts had forecast $1.79 billion.
Despite knowledge of these coming numbers, one of top corporate Gannett executives recently charged the company $15,000 for his fee to play in pro-am golf tournament. After information of this immorality hit Gannettblogspot, the executive was forced to pay the company back for his fee. Meanwhile, employees are being forced to take one-week furloughs this quarter -- without pay. They can expect the same for each of the other three quarters.
If you still subscribe to The Tennessean or advertise in it, you are propping up an entrenched, uncaring institution that deserves to fail. At the very least, Gannett should let its employees onto a life boat by selling The Tennessean to community investors who care about this region and its people.
The company that no longer is the corporate giant it once was reported $5.9 billion in writedowns for the fourth quarter due to decline in the value of its poor in quality newspapers. I did not believe contentions before by its critics, but I now believe Gannett's days are numbered.
Here is how Gannettblog.blogspot.com reported the news:
Headline: Gannett writes off up to $5.9 billion in assets as quarterly revenue misses, net income dives 36%
Gannett reported lower preliminary fourth-quarter earnings today, but even those profits will be wiped out once the company takes pretax writedowns of as much as $5.9 billion to reflect the declining value of its newspapers.
The nation's top newspaper publisher said preliminary net income fell to $158 million, or 69 cents per share, in the fourth quarter, down 36% from a year ago, as advertising revenue continues to take a beating because of the recession, the Associated Press said.
Operating revenue plunged 8.5%, to $1.74 billion, on a 23% drop in newspaper advertising sales. Wall Street media stock analysts had forecast $1.79 billion.
Despite knowledge of these coming numbers, one of top corporate Gannett executives recently charged the company $15,000 for his fee to play in pro-am golf tournament. After information of this immorality hit Gannettblogspot, the executive was forced to pay the company back for his fee. Meanwhile, employees are being forced to take one-week furloughs this quarter -- without pay. They can expect the same for each of the other three quarters.
If you still subscribe to The Tennessean or advertise in it, you are propping up an entrenched, uncaring institution that deserves to fail. At the very least, Gannett should let its employees onto a life boat by selling The Tennessean to community investors who care about this region and its people.
Credit card companies are watching you and making sure you don't default on your debts
The New York Times has a frightening story this afternoon about credit card companies -- most prominently American Express -- that are cracking down on consumers without them even doing anything wrong.
American Express has reduced credit card limits on cardholders who frequent establishments for which they have been burned by previous consumers who defaulted on their credit card debt.
You're not told which establishments these are.
The reason: the coming financial ruin of some credit card companies. During good times, this nation's credit card debt was estimated to be $4.4 trillion. Who knows how much higher it has gone.
The next shoe to drop in the financial markets will be the ruin of a lot of credit card companies. They will apply for federal aid and say it is to preserve jobs. Hopefully, Washington will not fall for this appeal.
So American Express is foretelling the future all cardholders will have to endure. So reduce your debt now or beware.
Who knows how low these card companies will go?
American Express has reduced credit card limits on cardholders who frequent establishments for which they have been burned by previous consumers who defaulted on their credit card debt.
You're not told which establishments these are.
The reason: the coming financial ruin of some credit card companies. During good times, this nation's credit card debt was estimated to be $4.4 trillion. Who knows how much higher it has gone.
The next shoe to drop in the financial markets will be the ruin of a lot of credit card companies. They will apply for federal aid and say it is to preserve jobs. Hopefully, Washington will not fall for this appeal.
So American Express is foretelling the future all cardholders will have to endure. So reduce your debt now or beware.
Who knows how low these card companies will go?
Obama's outrage over Wall Street bonsues doesn't fool me; he and Democrats have been largest beneficiaries of largess of financial fatcats
If you can still remember the movie classic "Casablanca", a favorite scene involves the French police chief who has Rick's place raided for gambling -- while a dealer brings him his winnings for the night.
It's the same with President Obama's outrage over Wall Steet bonuses to executives and employees.
No party has been more of a beneficiary from the largess of Wall Street than Democrats. The Clinton administration allowed for the deregulation of the industry that unleashed the damning derivatives tied to bad home loans.
Obama was the top recipient of campaign donations from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Both institutions have been bailed out by taxpayers.
Obama also supported the failed TARP plan that has gone to the same bonus baby executives and their companies. The president is now preparing to spend another $350 billion on these financial fools.
If Obama really objected to the bonuses, then he would not spend a cent more of TARP. He'd return the money to the federal coffers to pay for the massive stimulus plan.
He won't. And his objections to the bonuses ring false and hypocritical. Change still has not come to Washington. And Obama is making Rush Limbaugh credible again.
It's the same with President Obama's outrage over Wall Steet bonuses to executives and employees.
No party has been more of a beneficiary from the largess of Wall Street than Democrats. The Clinton administration allowed for the deregulation of the industry that unleashed the damning derivatives tied to bad home loans.
Obama was the top recipient of campaign donations from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Both institutions have been bailed out by taxpayers.
Obama also supported the failed TARP plan that has gone to the same bonus baby executives and their companies. The president is now preparing to spend another $350 billion on these financial fools.
If Obama really objected to the bonuses, then he would not spend a cent more of TARP. He'd return the money to the federal coffers to pay for the massive stimulus plan.
He won't. And his objections to the bonuses ring false and hypocritical. Change still has not come to Washington. And Obama is making Rush Limbaugh credible again.
Joining directors of Mending Hearts a high honor; answering the critical call of Les Miserables
I was pleased this week to accept a position on the board of directors for Mending Hearts, an incredible program of action and compassion in Nashville aimed at young women needing help to overcome addiction and other abuses from their childhoods.
The name of the non-profit organization is purposeful. The more than 50 women who come to the program on a regular basis for on-site support are broken, deserted by families and other loved ones. The have reached the end of the road. One woman was sent to the program by a drug court in Williamson County.
Some have children, but have lost custody. Most have no one, except some extraordinary staff members led by Katrina Frierson, the executive director of this five-year effort in West Nashville off Charlotte Ave. The program is housed in three structures -- one used to be a crack house.
Now neighbors are happy to have these woman and this non-profit to clean up the neighborhood on Albion and resurrect lives into working people with a new chance.
Many regain their children ... and sense of hope and direction. One is deputy director Charlotte Grant, who was raised amid drug addiction as a child. She says her father would blow marijuania smoke into her face as a baby. When she was 7, she had her first joint. She finally self-destructed on crack cocaine and had a baby daughter to care for.
Now she is recovered, resurrected and has regained custody of her 15-year-old daughter, who is as tough as any counselor in monitoring mom's conduct. Grant is a working professional with a career.
A new wing needs to be built for more women with children, and with the inclusion of an on-site daycare. I believe that is possible this year, with part of my fortune and the contributions of others with means wanting to make a difference that lasts for more than a moment.
Mending Hearts is one the recipients of proceeds from the Music City Presidential Charity Ball on Jan. 20. While the contribution of $1,500 will be appreciated, much more is needed.
I'll inform you of coming fundraisers in February, which include a bowling event and a silent auction with tea.
I am committed to this marvelous cause. Three years ago, 70 percent of the women in the program were black. Now 70 percent are white. And they are coming in from the suburban counties as the destruction of the American family with prescription drugs and other difficulties spreads.
Mending Hearts represents a line in the sand, by which this destruction must not be allowed to cross and permanently destroy these lives. As asked in the sensational musical Les Miserables, "would you join in our crusade, would you be strong and stand with me?"
Please.
The name of the non-profit organization is purposeful. The more than 50 women who come to the program on a regular basis for on-site support are broken, deserted by families and other loved ones. The have reached the end of the road. One woman was sent to the program by a drug court in Williamson County.
Some have children, but have lost custody. Most have no one, except some extraordinary staff members led by Katrina Frierson, the executive director of this five-year effort in West Nashville off Charlotte Ave. The program is housed in three structures -- one used to be a crack house.
Now neighbors are happy to have these woman and this non-profit to clean up the neighborhood on Albion and resurrect lives into working people with a new chance.
Many regain their children ... and sense of hope and direction. One is deputy director Charlotte Grant, who was raised amid drug addiction as a child. She says her father would blow marijuania smoke into her face as a baby. When she was 7, she had her first joint. She finally self-destructed on crack cocaine and had a baby daughter to care for.
Now she is recovered, resurrected and has regained custody of her 15-year-old daughter, who is as tough as any counselor in monitoring mom's conduct. Grant is a working professional with a career.
A new wing needs to be built for more women with children, and with the inclusion of an on-site daycare. I believe that is possible this year, with part of my fortune and the contributions of others with means wanting to make a difference that lasts for more than a moment.
Mending Hearts is one the recipients of proceeds from the Music City Presidential Charity Ball on Jan. 20. While the contribution of $1,500 will be appreciated, much more is needed.
I'll inform you of coming fundraisers in February, which include a bowling event and a silent auction with tea.
I am committed to this marvelous cause. Three years ago, 70 percent of the women in the program were black. Now 70 percent are white. And they are coming in from the suburban counties as the destruction of the American family with prescription drugs and other difficulties spreads.
Mending Hearts represents a line in the sand, by which this destruction must not be allowed to cross and permanently destroy these lives. As asked in the sensational musical Les Miserables, "would you join in our crusade, would you be strong and stand with me?"
Please.
An encouragement to seek the light of Christ
A reader sent this message concerning my post about the killings from one California hospital and the birth of eight children at another.
I endorse his sentiments:
When times grow darkest, we must look to the Light.
I too have financial challenges and young children but I don't lose hope because my trust is in Jesus Christ--that TODAY, He will give me my daily bread and that ONE DAY He will come back for me.
To my fellow Christians, this dark hour is when we should shine brightest--be intentional about embracing the hope of Christ and sharing it with others.
To my brothers and sisters in the human race, consider that if this life is all we have, we are to be pitied. This life is full of trouble and difficulty.
Sure, there are immense joys but they only last for a moment. I encourage you to put your trust in Jesus Christ for TODAY and for ETERNITY.
Lovingly,
Roland Hairston.
I endorse his sentiments:
When times grow darkest, we must look to the Light.
I too have financial challenges and young children but I don't lose hope because my trust is in Jesus Christ--that TODAY, He will give me my daily bread and that ONE DAY He will come back for me.
To my fellow Christians, this dark hour is when we should shine brightest--be intentional about embracing the hope of Christ and sharing it with others.
To my brothers and sisters in the human race, consider that if this life is all we have, we are to be pitied. This life is full of trouble and difficulty.
Sure, there are immense joys but they only last for a moment. I encourage you to put your trust in Jesus Christ for TODAY and for ETERNITY.
Lovingly,
Roland Hairston.
A message from my friend battling the economic hard times; he is surviving thanks to grit and God
I have written for a couple of months about a friend of mine from Williamson County who has had to survive the current economic downturn while maintaining his faith in God and sustaining his family.
He is a hero. And I am proud to know him. I offer his continuing comments as a public service to help others. God is most proud of him. He is of you, too, for fighting the good fight. Keep hoping.
I just wanted to check in and say hello.
I just commented on your blog about the Governor's cuts to higher education.
I am sick over this.
Thanks for your work for the students with the computers. That is great news about the increased traffic on the blog! I truly believe your blog is going to turn into a very powerful tool (voice) soon.
I spent the night at my church a couple of weeks ago with the homeless as part of Room at the Inn by our Sunday School class. I know how you feel about this part of God's flock and just wanted to let you know.
We are still hanging in there. Thanks again.
P.S. Please note the email change. AT&T has bludgeoned my Bellsouth account into submission. I have heard many horror stories from people who have had difficult dealings with AT&T since they took over Bellsouth. I am no exception. There is nothing like being kicked when you're down.
He is a hero. And I am proud to know him. I offer his continuing comments as a public service to help others. God is most proud of him. He is of you, too, for fighting the good fight. Keep hoping.
I just wanted to check in and say hello.
I just commented on your blog about the Governor's cuts to higher education.
I am sick over this.
Thanks for your work for the students with the computers. That is great news about the increased traffic on the blog! I truly believe your blog is going to turn into a very powerful tool (voice) soon.
I spent the night at my church a couple of weeks ago with the homeless as part of Room at the Inn by our Sunday School class. I know how you feel about this part of God's flock and just wanted to let you know.
We are still hanging in there. Thanks again.
P.S. Please note the email change. AT&T has bludgeoned my Bellsouth account into submission. I have heard many horror stories from people who have had difficult dealings with AT&T since they took over Bellsouth. I am no exception. There is nothing like being kicked when you're down.
NYT now says economic downturn not as bad
The New York Times reports this morning that the economic downturn for the fourth quarter is not as severe as feared but still with a 3.8 percent decline in the GDP.
The Commerce Department released results this morning.
The Commerce Department released results this morning.
Choice Act increasingly is doomed and rightly so
Opposition continues to grow at what is called the Choice Act, legislation that proponents say will help workers to organize into unions but what opponents including former Sen. George McGovern calls the worst legislation he has ever seen.
The legislation is very partisan and designed to reward labor unions that supported President Obama's election and even former President Jimmy Carter has spoken negatively about the measure.
The legislation takes away from the very American concept of the secret ballot in elections. McGovern has become a very vocal opponent of the legislation, much to the chagrin of liberals.
Obama has promised to sign the legislation. But with the problems he has already had with his stimulus plan and the united GOP vote against it in the House, Obama politically will not want the legislation to move forward. It will make the Republicans even more stronger as a unified force.
The Choice Act does even deserve to be brought up before Congress. If it is, then the Democrats risk being outed as being servants of the special interests that Obama claimed he was elected to fight.
The legislation is very partisan and designed to reward labor unions that supported President Obama's election and even former President Jimmy Carter has spoken negatively about the measure.
The legislation takes away from the very American concept of the secret ballot in elections. McGovern has become a very vocal opponent of the legislation, much to the chagrin of liberals.
Obama has promised to sign the legislation. But with the problems he has already had with his stimulus plan and the united GOP vote against it in the House, Obama politically will not want the legislation to move forward. It will make the Republicans even more stronger as a unified force.
The Choice Act does even deserve to be brought up before Congress. If it is, then the Democrats risk being outed as being servants of the special interests that Obama claimed he was elected to fight.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Latest stats: 50 subscribers and 25 hits an hour
This political and social blog site now has 50 subscribers and more than 600 hits per day, according to the latest stats from Feedburner.
A lot of credit goes to publisher Derby Jones and his Williamson Herald newspaper which invited me back to write a political newspaper column when no print outlet in Nashville wanted me. It seems print journalism there is of too high quality and standards too lofty for someone such as me.
And now my newspaper column has spread to Gallatin-Hendersonville where I have many friends, particularly military families.
Yesterday, I was featured with state Sen. Diane Black and children and teachers from Bethpage Elementary School in The Observer in Westmoreland, TN. Bethpage is a good news story about public education that works, Black is a fine lawmaker and I was happy to contribute computers to the school.
Smart boards and two laptops are coming in two weeks.
I am humbled by Derby's confidence in me when no one else would give me a chance --after The Tennessean took my job away after I applied to return during my continuing fight with leukemia. And Derby has helped me expand my reach now to north of Nashville.
You really don't know who you friends are until you are down. I now know. And I appreciate all of you out there who have taken this blog to its first, important reader milestone after its debut last May.
This blog is meant to give you a different, more timely and thoughtful look at the news, one centered on your needs and not the bias out of Nashville's print outlets. They don't give a damn about what you want to read or what is important in your lives -- particularly your values. They only want to push their agenda, which rightly and increasingly is pushing them into oblivion.
This blog is very healthy. I bought its registration and write it out of love for my craft and the people of Tennessee -- who deserve so much more than they are getting from the print media of Nashville.
So I'll be increasingly working and writing in the loop counties where I have a lot of friends and where the growth is. But I'll be keeping my eyes on Naifeh and his puppet Speaker in Nashville and a governor who is so out of touch with real Tennesseans and any clear sense of humanity.
Thank you for helping this daily blog to this first milestone of many to come in serving you.
A lot of credit goes to publisher Derby Jones and his Williamson Herald newspaper which invited me back to write a political newspaper column when no print outlet in Nashville wanted me. It seems print journalism there is of too high quality and standards too lofty for someone such as me.
And now my newspaper column has spread to Gallatin-Hendersonville where I have many friends, particularly military families.
Yesterday, I was featured with state Sen. Diane Black and children and teachers from Bethpage Elementary School in The Observer in Westmoreland, TN. Bethpage is a good news story about public education that works, Black is a fine lawmaker and I was happy to contribute computers to the school.
Smart boards and two laptops are coming in two weeks.
I am humbled by Derby's confidence in me when no one else would give me a chance --after The Tennessean took my job away after I applied to return during my continuing fight with leukemia. And Derby has helped me expand my reach now to north of Nashville.
You really don't know who you friends are until you are down. I now know. And I appreciate all of you out there who have taken this blog to its first, important reader milestone after its debut last May.
This blog is meant to give you a different, more timely and thoughtful look at the news, one centered on your needs and not the bias out of Nashville's print outlets. They don't give a damn about what you want to read or what is important in your lives -- particularly your values. They only want to push their agenda, which rightly and increasingly is pushing them into oblivion.
This blog is very healthy. I bought its registration and write it out of love for my craft and the people of Tennessee -- who deserve so much more than they are getting from the print media of Nashville.
So I'll be increasingly working and writing in the loop counties where I have a lot of friends and where the growth is. But I'll be keeping my eyes on Naifeh and his puppet Speaker in Nashville and a governor who is so out of touch with real Tennesseans and any clear sense of humanity.
Thank you for helping this daily blog to this first milestone of many to come in serving you.
Baby finds a piece of dirt on the floor ... but don't worry; experts say that immune system helped
LEBANON -- I was watching a beautiful young lady -- 11 months of age -- crawl today on the floor and suddenly put something in her mouth.
Her "Mammy" and "Pappy" were quick on the scene but whatever was on the just-swept floor made it into baby's mouth.
While parents and grandparents might consider this moment as a failure, The New York Times tells everyone to calm down. Dirt is good for children. Yes, you read right.
Consider this excerpt:
Ask mothers why babies are constantly picking things up from the floor or ground and putting them in their mouths, and chances are they’ll say that it’s instinctive — that that’s how babies explore the world. But why the mouth, when sight, hearing, touch and even scent are far better at identifying things?
When my young sons were exploring the streets of Brooklyn, I couldn’t help but wonder how good crushed rock or dried dog droppings could taste when delicious mashed potatoes were routinely rejected.
Since all instinctive behaviors have an evolutionary advantage or they would not have been retained for millions of years, chances are that this one too has helped us survive as a species. And, indeed, accumulating evidence strongly suggests that eating dirt is good for you.
In studies of what is called the hygiene hypothesis, researchers are concluding that organisms like the millions of bacteria, viruses and especially worms that enter the body along with “dirt” spur the development of a healthy immune system. Several continuing studies suggest that worms may help to redirect an immune system that has gone awry and resulted in autoimmune disorders, allergies and asthma.
These studies, along with epidemiological observations, seem to explain why immune system disorders like multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and allergies have risen significantly in the United States and other developed countries.
Now experts aren't saying "go out to the flower bed and scoop up several portions in a bowl for baby at lunch." They're just saying that kids may be doing something that is good for them -- directed naturally from what the Almighty built.
Now we should keep the floor swept and the carpet vacuumed. But a piece of dirt is not going to kill a young one. And if research is right, it may help baby.
Her "Mammy" and "Pappy" were quick on the scene but whatever was on the just-swept floor made it into baby's mouth.
While parents and grandparents might consider this moment as a failure, The New York Times tells everyone to calm down. Dirt is good for children. Yes, you read right.
Consider this excerpt:
Ask mothers why babies are constantly picking things up from the floor or ground and putting them in their mouths, and chances are they’ll say that it’s instinctive — that that’s how babies explore the world. But why the mouth, when sight, hearing, touch and even scent are far better at identifying things?
When my young sons were exploring the streets of Brooklyn, I couldn’t help but wonder how good crushed rock or dried dog droppings could taste when delicious mashed potatoes were routinely rejected.
Since all instinctive behaviors have an evolutionary advantage or they would not have been retained for millions of years, chances are that this one too has helped us survive as a species. And, indeed, accumulating evidence strongly suggests that eating dirt is good for you.
In studies of what is called the hygiene hypothesis, researchers are concluding that organisms like the millions of bacteria, viruses and especially worms that enter the body along with “dirt” spur the development of a healthy immune system. Several continuing studies suggest that worms may help to redirect an immune system that has gone awry and resulted in autoimmune disorders, allergies and asthma.
These studies, along with epidemiological observations, seem to explain why immune system disorders like multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and allergies have risen significantly in the United States and other developed countries.
Now experts aren't saying "go out to the flower bed and scoop up several portions in a bowl for baby at lunch." They're just saying that kids may be doing something that is good for them -- directed naturally from what the Almighty built.
Now we should keep the floor swept and the carpet vacuumed. But a piece of dirt is not going to kill a young one. And if research is right, it may help baby.
That sinking feeling; new numbers will show that U.S. economy is shrinking at shocking pace
The New York Times reports tonight that the U.S. economy shrank at a shocking rate of 5.4 percent in the last three months of 2008 and probably now is shrinking at a whopping 4%.
So the ill feeling you have about the future is sound. And the months ahead are just going to keep us nauseated.
The Times reports:
The Commerce Department is set to release a report Friday expected to show the economy shrank at a pace of 5.4 percent in the October-December period, a much faster descent than the 0.5 percent decline logged in the prior quarter.
If economists' forecasts are correct, it would mark the weakest quarterly showing since an annualized drop of 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 1982, when the country was suffering through a severe recession.
''It was a bloodbath,'' said Richard Yamarone, economist at Argus Research, referring to the economy's fourth-quarter performance.
A massive pullback by consumers is expected to play a prominent role in the economy's worsening backslide. They are cutting back on spending as jobs disappear and major investments -- homes, stocks, retirement accounts -- tank in value.
Businesses are retrenching, too, as profits shrivel and demand wanes from customers in the U.S. and overseas.
''Households and businesses were bombarded by all the fallout,'' Yamarone said.
Many economists think the fourth quarter will turn out to be the worst quarter for the recession, which is now in its second year. But the economy will stay very weak in the months ahead. Analysts believe the economy is contracting in the current quarter at a pace of 4 percent or more.
Pepto-Bismol, anyone?
So the ill feeling you have about the future is sound. And the months ahead are just going to keep us nauseated.
The Times reports:
The Commerce Department is set to release a report Friday expected to show the economy shrank at a pace of 5.4 percent in the October-December period, a much faster descent than the 0.5 percent decline logged in the prior quarter.
If economists' forecasts are correct, it would mark the weakest quarterly showing since an annualized drop of 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 1982, when the country was suffering through a severe recession.
''It was a bloodbath,'' said Richard Yamarone, economist at Argus Research, referring to the economy's fourth-quarter performance.
A massive pullback by consumers is expected to play a prominent role in the economy's worsening backslide. They are cutting back on spending as jobs disappear and major investments -- homes, stocks, retirement accounts -- tank in value.
Businesses are retrenching, too, as profits shrivel and demand wanes from customers in the U.S. and overseas.
''Households and businesses were bombarded by all the fallout,'' Yamarone said.
Many economists think the fourth quarter will turn out to be the worst quarter for the recession, which is now in its second year. But the economy will stay very weak in the months ahead. Analysts believe the economy is contracting in the current quarter at a pace of 4 percent or more.
Pepto-Bismol, anyone?
U.S. capitalism takes beating at world summit and rightly so; European model extolled for its virtues
The American model of capitalism has taken a rightful beating at this week's World Economic Forum for its unbridled greed that benefits the few at the expense of the many.
And The Wall Street Journal has a fascinating piece about all the criticism. And the reporting is most timely, particularly here in Tennessee where the governor wants to cut higher education funding by 20 percent.
Will our stupid politicians never learn what makes a better society for all?
It reports this excerpt:
DAVOS, Switzerland -- A day after Chinese and Russian leaders blamed a free-wheeling U.S. financial system as the source of the global economic crisis, Europeans here are taking comfort in what they see as their kinder, gentler version of capitalism.
José Manuel Barroso, opening European markets remotely on Thursday from Davos, said the U.S. is looking to the European model of capitalism.
"In Europe, we have a social-market economy," said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso in an interview. "We have universal health care, a more generous system of social security, a general principle of almost free university education. And we want to keep that."
For years, Europe's more-regulated model of capitalism has been maligned by many economists as a study in second-rate market economics. Now, as world leaders seek a way out of the crisis -- and aim to avoid repeating it -- U.S.-style capitalism is under siege and the European model is getting another look.
And The Wall Street Journal has a fascinating piece about all the criticism. And the reporting is most timely, particularly here in Tennessee where the governor wants to cut higher education funding by 20 percent.
Will our stupid politicians never learn what makes a better society for all?
It reports this excerpt:
DAVOS, Switzerland -- A day after Chinese and Russian leaders blamed a free-wheeling U.S. financial system as the source of the global economic crisis, Europeans here are taking comfort in what they see as their kinder, gentler version of capitalism.
José Manuel Barroso, opening European markets remotely on Thursday from Davos, said the U.S. is looking to the European model of capitalism.
"In Europe, we have a social-market economy," said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso in an interview. "We have universal health care, a more generous system of social security, a general principle of almost free university education. And we want to keep that."
For years, Europe's more-regulated model of capitalism has been maligned by many economists as a study in second-rate market economics. Now, as world leaders seek a way out of the crisis -- and aim to avoid repeating it -- U.S.-style capitalism is under siege and the European model is getting another look.
Great joke! Leno comments on Obama and Rush
The ongoing verbal combat between President Obama and radio entertainer Rush Limbaugh has flared up over the proposed economic stimulus plan passed yesterday by the House.
Limbaugh has even introduced what he calls his own "bipartisan" stimulus plan.
Jay Leno tonight had a precious comment. Limbaugh said he was not going to bend over and grab his ankles just because Obama is black.
Leno remarked that regardless of color, "does anyone really think that Limbaugh can bend over and grab his ankles?"
Hilarious.
But The Wall Street Journal provided space today for Limbaugh to sell his plan. You can read the piece at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123318906638926749.html
Limbaugh has even introduced what he calls his own "bipartisan" stimulus plan.
Jay Leno tonight had a precious comment. Limbaugh said he was not going to bend over and grab his ankles just because Obama is black.
Leno remarked that regardless of color, "does anyone really think that Limbaugh can bend over and grab his ankles?"
Hilarious.
But The Wall Street Journal provided space today for Limbaugh to sell his plan. You can read the piece at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123318906638926749.html
Asian markets plummet; Dow takes back all gains
Asian markets led by Japan's Nikkei Index plunged Friday after a record drop in Japanese industrial production, bad corporate earnings and worries about Wall Street.
And the Dow today took back all its gains from the previous day and more. With the Asian markets down, the market floor of 8000 may finally be pierced for good tomorrow.
All the bad economic news and layoffs must finally weigh down the market and force it down for a long period of time -- a year or more. If you're still in the market, you risk much. But you've been warned repeatedly.
The short rally in financials is over.
And the Dow today took back all its gains from the previous day and more. With the Asian markets down, the market floor of 8000 may finally be pierced for good tomorrow.
All the bad economic news and layoffs must finally weigh down the market and force it down for a long period of time -- a year or more. If you're still in the market, you risk much. But you've been warned repeatedly.
The short rally in financials is over.
Governor's proposed 20% cuts to TN higher education funding would devastate state's future
Despite his lecture of Tennessee higher ed officials, Gov. Phil Bredesen today was way off the mark if he means to push the state beyond just creating new auto industry workers and phone center clerks.
Proposed cuts of 20% are ridiculous and unacceptable. If a state is to move forward, you don't devastate higher education. These colleges and universities often are the ones that have to provide remedial education to Tennessee's children who are not properly educated in K-12 and not ready for higher learning.
Yet Bredesen doesn't want to cut his pre-K program either. So the focus is on higher ed with cuts and raising tuition on Tennessee families. That is reckless and derelict. Tennessee's economic future depends on the molding of its brain power on these campuses.
The governor, however, has no problem in giving away more than $600 million in taxpayer freebies to Volkswagen to build a new car plant in Chattanooga. And the jobs are not restricted to Tennesseans. People from Alabama and Georgia can also get the jobs. Big oversight, eh, Guv?
Unfortunately for Tennessee, new car buying in this nation has disappeared and will not reappear for two or more years. Layoffs already are mounting in this industry across the country and in Tennessee.
Bredesen gambled and lost. Now he would risk Tennessee's economic long-term future by cheating the state's colleges and universities of needed funding.
For a man educated at Harvard, he sure is not very smart.
Proposed cuts of 20% are ridiculous and unacceptable. If a state is to move forward, you don't devastate higher education. These colleges and universities often are the ones that have to provide remedial education to Tennessee's children who are not properly educated in K-12 and not ready for higher learning.
Yet Bredesen doesn't want to cut his pre-K program either. So the focus is on higher ed with cuts and raising tuition on Tennessee families. That is reckless and derelict. Tennessee's economic future depends on the molding of its brain power on these campuses.
The governor, however, has no problem in giving away more than $600 million in taxpayer freebies to Volkswagen to build a new car plant in Chattanooga. And the jobs are not restricted to Tennesseans. People from Alabama and Georgia can also get the jobs. Big oversight, eh, Guv?
Unfortunately for Tennessee, new car buying in this nation has disappeared and will not reappear for two or more years. Layoffs already are mounting in this industry across the country and in Tennessee.
Bredesen gambled and lost. Now he would risk Tennessee's economic long-term future by cheating the state's colleges and universities of needed funding.
For a man educated at Harvard, he sure is not very smart.
Peanut butter product recall expanding; be careful in which products you choose with the creamy stuff in them; 8 people now dead
The recall of peanut butter-based products expanded today, and shoppers should be questioning all grocers about the safety of what they're selling outside of jars of the stuff.
I write this because the Kroger's where I shop still continues to sell peanut butter products as a special of 10 for $10. With the growing recalls, how do grocers know which products are safe?
So ask.
Here is what The New York Times reports tonight:
WASHINGTON — One of the largest food contamination scares in the nation’s history grew far larger on Wednesday as a Georgia peanut plant that federal regulators said knowingly shipped contaminated food recalled even more products.
Already, more than 400 consumer products, including Jenny Craig nutritional bars and Keebler Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, have been recalled after eight people died and more than 500 people in 43 states, half of them children, were sickened by salmonella poisoning.
On Wednesday, the Peanut Corporation of America, whose plant in Blakely, Ga., is the source of the contamination, expanded its recall from all products made since July to all those made since Jan. 1, 2007. The company supplied some of the largest food makers in the nation.
“We don’t have a good idea of how much of that product is still out there,” said Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof, director of the Food and Drug Administration’s food center.
I write this because the Kroger's where I shop still continues to sell peanut butter products as a special of 10 for $10. With the growing recalls, how do grocers know which products are safe?
So ask.
Here is what The New York Times reports tonight:
WASHINGTON — One of the largest food contamination scares in the nation’s history grew far larger on Wednesday as a Georgia peanut plant that federal regulators said knowingly shipped contaminated food recalled even more products.
Already, more than 400 consumer products, including Jenny Craig nutritional bars and Keebler Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, have been recalled after eight people died and more than 500 people in 43 states, half of them children, were sickened by salmonella poisoning.
On Wednesday, the Peanut Corporation of America, whose plant in Blakely, Ga., is the source of the contamination, expanded its recall from all products made since July to all those made since Jan. 1, 2007. The company supplied some of the largest food makers in the nation.
“We don’t have a good idea of how much of that product is still out there,” said Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof, director of the Food and Drug Administration’s food center.
Damn Fool: Kelsey tries to extort puppet Speaker; Republican should resign his seat immediately
When you make House Democrats look like they have integrity, then one has stooped lower than a snake's belly or Jimmy Naifeh laying out for a tan.
And reports from WSMV Channel 4 today confirm that Rep. Brian Kelsey, who brought a noisy complaint about sexual harassment allegations against puppet Speaker Kent Williams before the House Ethics Committee, tried to extort a chairmanship to tone down his complaint.
Damn fool. He should resign immediately and never return to the Statehouse. If not, then the Republican leadership should bring ethics charges against him for his removal.
Here's is the tragedy of what he did:
First, he made the reprehensible Democratic leadership in the House seem like victims. It is not. It is corrupt.
Second, he made Rep. Susan Lynn into even more of a victim in this case.
Kelsey should resign. Fellow Republicans should force him to do so, or the Democratic leadership will use this reprehensible incident to solidify their power.
The Republican leadership must show it is different from the Democratic one. If it doesn't, then Tennesseans would be better to stay with the evil they know than another evil to come.
And reports from WSMV Channel 4 today confirm that Rep. Brian Kelsey, who brought a noisy complaint about sexual harassment allegations against puppet Speaker Kent Williams before the House Ethics Committee, tried to extort a chairmanship to tone down his complaint.
Damn fool. He should resign immediately and never return to the Statehouse. If not, then the Republican leadership should bring ethics charges against him for his removal.
Here's is the tragedy of what he did:
First, he made the reprehensible Democratic leadership in the House seem like victims. It is not. It is corrupt.
Second, he made Rep. Susan Lynn into even more of a victim in this case.
Kelsey should resign. Fellow Republicans should force him to do so, or the Democratic leadership will use this reprehensible incident to solidify their power.
The Republican leadership must show it is different from the Democratic one. If it doesn't, then Tennesseans would be better to stay with the evil they know than another evil to come.
Renderings of new Nashville Convention Center show Karl Dean as heartless as his mentor; credit markets will require too much cost for bonds
Nashville government officials released renderings today of the proposed $600 million convention center amid a deep recession and severe budget deficits -- making the drawings about as possible as anything drawn for the Star Wars movie series or Jabba the Hut fitting into a thong.
And with city public schools a few months away from state control due to failure to meet No Child Left Behind Act standards after five years, the drawings represent an incredible immorality on the part of Mayor Karl Dean -- who learned his people skills and sense of humanity from his mentor Phil Bredesen.
That money, even if can bonds can be sold in the current frigid credit markets, should go to schools, teacher salaries and classroom resources. For God's sake, these are our children. Or do you need Whitney Houston to sing another verse?
The mayor proposes to pay for the 30-year bonds to finance the monstrosity with fees and a tourist tax. Sorry, Karl. But with Nashville's fiscal condition, the credit markets are going to demand very high interest rates for any bonds here.
And a city council member very informed on Muni and general obligation bonds and the credit market wrote me to say the following in disagreeing with my optimism(yes, me optimistic, the irony):
Enjoyed your post on problems facing Nashville and I found it interesting. Since you seem interested in the capital markets, I thought I might share with you some thoughts that may be helpful in your analysis going forward.
The municipal bond market is not going to collapse because it already has.
Beginning with the downgrades of the bond insurers, the market has faced unprecedented challenges. After the exit from the market of bond insurers we had a collapse of the auction rate debt, the banking crisis meant a loss of letter of credit providers and huge problems for variable rate debt issuers.
The rise in short term interest rates forced sell-offs in something called the TOB's programs of the major retail shops like Merrill Lynch so the secondary market was flooded with product. The typical buyers - insurance companies, mutual funds - could not absorb the supply and that forced rates up even more which in turn created more sell-offs.
Those challenges have essentially re-wound the clock to about 1985. We had a pretty healthy and operating market then and returning to it will be painful but not catastrophic. Some would actually argue that it is a good thing.
As in 1985, we are looking at a period without third party credit enhancement - bond insurers, letters of credits, etc. We are are also looking at an era where the buying universe is constrained to a few institutional issuers and the retail market. Because of these two significant shifts in the market we can expect a couple of things: higher interest rates (not just in nominal terms but as a spread to taxable and treasury debt) and higher costs of issuance.
On the bright side, municipal bond issuers enjoyed an unprecedented 20 year run with low interest rates and low costs of issuance. They also had access to tax exempt financing for projects whose economic viability was marginal. Some think we shall quickly return to that period and are trying to wait it out by holding off on any new issuance. I disagree and think we shall be years getting back to the market of 2005 - if ever.
The bottom line is that Metro will not be able to afford the cost of issuing and paying bonding debt on a $600 million project. If it can issue the bonds at all.
That makes the renderings more valuable than the project will ever be. There will be no new convention center. The economic and credit market times will not allow it.
Perhaps Mayor Dean can ask the mega-millionaire Gov. Bredesen for a loan.
And with city public schools a few months away from state control due to failure to meet No Child Left Behind Act standards after five years, the drawings represent an incredible immorality on the part of Mayor Karl Dean -- who learned his people skills and sense of humanity from his mentor Phil Bredesen.
That money, even if can bonds can be sold in the current frigid credit markets, should go to schools, teacher salaries and classroom resources. For God's sake, these are our children. Or do you need Whitney Houston to sing another verse?
The mayor proposes to pay for the 30-year bonds to finance the monstrosity with fees and a tourist tax. Sorry, Karl. But with Nashville's fiscal condition, the credit markets are going to demand very high interest rates for any bonds here.
And a city council member very informed on Muni and general obligation bonds and the credit market wrote me to say the following in disagreeing with my optimism(yes, me optimistic, the irony):
Enjoyed your post on problems facing Nashville and I found it interesting. Since you seem interested in the capital markets, I thought I might share with you some thoughts that may be helpful in your analysis going forward.
The municipal bond market is not going to collapse because it already has.
Beginning with the downgrades of the bond insurers, the market has faced unprecedented challenges. After the exit from the market of bond insurers we had a collapse of the auction rate debt, the banking crisis meant a loss of letter of credit providers and huge problems for variable rate debt issuers.
The rise in short term interest rates forced sell-offs in something called the TOB's programs of the major retail shops like Merrill Lynch so the secondary market was flooded with product. The typical buyers - insurance companies, mutual funds - could not absorb the supply and that forced rates up even more which in turn created more sell-offs.
Those challenges have essentially re-wound the clock to about 1985. We had a pretty healthy and operating market then and returning to it will be painful but not catastrophic. Some would actually argue that it is a good thing.
As in 1985, we are looking at a period without third party credit enhancement - bond insurers, letters of credits, etc. We are are also looking at an era where the buying universe is constrained to a few institutional issuers and the retail market. Because of these two significant shifts in the market we can expect a couple of things: higher interest rates (not just in nominal terms but as a spread to taxable and treasury debt) and higher costs of issuance.
On the bright side, municipal bond issuers enjoyed an unprecedented 20 year run with low interest rates and low costs of issuance. They also had access to tax exempt financing for projects whose economic viability was marginal. Some think we shall quickly return to that period and are trying to wait it out by holding off on any new issuance. I disagree and think we shall be years getting back to the market of 2005 - if ever.
The bottom line is that Metro will not be able to afford the cost of issuing and paying bonding debt on a $600 million project. If it can issue the bonds at all.
That makes the renderings more valuable than the project will ever be. There will be no new convention center. The economic and credit market times will not allow it.
Perhaps Mayor Dean can ask the mega-millionaire Gov. Bredesen for a loan.
Stimulus plan shows fault, folly in both parties
I am politically independent because both major political parties in this nation are so screwed up. The economic stimulus plan is a prime example.
In voting against the plan, House Republicans went paranoid and claimed the plan was a backdoor way to get universal health care in this nation. I wish.
President Obama did not support universal care in his presidential campaign. He doesn't now. But the $127 billion set aside to address health care needs in the states is the best money spent in the plan.
And we need universal health, economically, if hospitals are to survive. We need preventative care. Health care costs still are rising at runaway proportions. And more employees in more companies are even losing basic care because of that.
Then there are the Democrats. They've stuffed the plan with so many pet projects that have no record of working. And they set aside $200 million to grow grass on the National Mall.
This is reckless spending. And the Democrats' record with their TARP plan is a failure.
Trusting them with the stimulus plan is foolish.
President Obama continues with his bipartisan line, and has been joined by Rush Limbaugh who is offering his own plan. I don't find much hope there either.
Goodness, this nation is a political basket case. The nation does not want a new plan as much as some sensibility and principle upon what to do -- or do nothing at all.
In voting against the plan, House Republicans went paranoid and claimed the plan was a backdoor way to get universal health care in this nation. I wish.
President Obama did not support universal care in his presidential campaign. He doesn't now. But the $127 billion set aside to address health care needs in the states is the best money spent in the plan.
And we need universal health, economically, if hospitals are to survive. We need preventative care. Health care costs still are rising at runaway proportions. And more employees in more companies are even losing basic care because of that.
Then there are the Democrats. They've stuffed the plan with so many pet projects that have no record of working. And they set aside $200 million to grow grass on the National Mall.
This is reckless spending. And the Democrats' record with their TARP plan is a failure.
Trusting them with the stimulus plan is foolish.
President Obama continues with his bipartisan line, and has been joined by Rush Limbaugh who is offering his own plan. I don't find much hope there either.
Goodness, this nation is a political basket case. The nation does not want a new plan as much as some sensibility and principle upon what to do -- or do nothing at all.
If you want to see the craziest in politics, switch over to cable news stations and watch Gov. B
To affirm that mental illness is rampant in American politics, Illinois' governor is now addressing an impeachment committee about how unfairly he has been treated.
This guy has previously described himself as Ghandi. I loved a Tonight Show spoof last night of a Ghandi figure physically beating a Gov. B figure.
Turn over to his address to the committee. It is outrageous and great political TV.
This guy has previously described himself as Ghandi. I loved a Tonight Show spoof last night of a Ghandi figure physically beating a Gov. B figure.
Turn over to his address to the committee. It is outrageous and great political TV.
Ford Motor chief says you should pay more in gas taxes like Europeans; gallon of gas should be $4
Ford Motor Co.'s chief said today that taxes should be raised at the pump on you so that all gas costs at least $4 per barrel.
He cites the European model, where gas costs $7 a gallon to discourage driving and pay for technological improvements from car manufacturers.
What do you thing? I think he is full of ... .
He cites the European model, where gas costs $7 a gallon to discourage driving and pay for technological improvements from car manufacturers.
What do you thing? I think he is full of ... .
Rick Santelli is the person to listen to on CNBC
If you want financial advice, listen to Rick Santelli on CNBC.
The guy at the futures and commodities markets in Chicago is the fella I depended on to get out of the stock market above 13,000.
Today, he said we are headed to 11 percent unemployment. If that happens, the stock market is no place to be for the next year at least.
Santelli is the man to listen to if you want to know what to do with your money. For now, simply keep it safe in cash.
The market now is a very short term place to make any profit. That means you have to be an expert. You're not. I'm not.
So stay safe and keep listening to Santelli.
The guy at the futures and commodities markets in Chicago is the fella I depended on to get out of the stock market above 13,000.
Today, he said we are headed to 11 percent unemployment. If that happens, the stock market is no place to be for the next year at least.
Santelli is the man to listen to if you want to know what to do with your money. For now, simply keep it safe in cash.
The market now is a very short term place to make any profit. That means you have to be an expert. You're not. I'm not.
So stay safe and keep listening to Santelli.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Postal Service should be made to work more, not less; removing one day of delivery is outrageous
Of all the insults to the American taxpayer the past several months, nothing has topped yesterday's testimony before Congress by the Postmaster General.
He said the poor Postal Service will have to eliminate a day of mail delivery to close a $3 billion deficit. Possibly Tuesday.
Of all the institutions in this nation, the Postal Service is the most unaccountable. All of you have a horror story of poor service.
I have an inside source on the workings of the U.S. Postal Service. It is a place where who people performing poorly and with no regard for you cannot be fired. They are making $25 an hour.
There are weekend trip giveways and TV giveaways for performance.
And the Postal Service simply raises the cost of stamps at will.
The Postmaster should scale back salaries. He should eliminate the giveaways. He should fire poor performers.
Taking from the taxpayers and people in need of regular home delivery is not the answer. It is part of the Postal Service's problems of serving self before us.
He said the poor Postal Service will have to eliminate a day of mail delivery to close a $3 billion deficit. Possibly Tuesday.
Of all the institutions in this nation, the Postal Service is the most unaccountable. All of you have a horror story of poor service.
I have an inside source on the workings of the U.S. Postal Service. It is a place where who people performing poorly and with no regard for you cannot be fired. They are making $25 an hour.
There are weekend trip giveways and TV giveaways for performance.
And the Postal Service simply raises the cost of stamps at will.
The Postmaster should scale back salaries. He should eliminate the giveaways. He should fire poor performers.
Taking from the taxpayers and people in need of regular home delivery is not the answer. It is part of the Postal Service's problems of serving self before us.
Chamber Report Card comes out tomorrow
The Nashville Chamber of Commerce releases its report card on Metro Nashville Public Schools tomorrow that are months away from state control due to failure to meet No Child Left Behind Act standards.
The chamber has control of the schools now through school board membership. But it really does not have any idea how to improve schools, only ensure that businesses do not get taxed more to be part of the solution. Its difference-making support of the resegregation of Metro Schools was wrong.
The report card does not carry much weight with me. The chamber has been part of the problem for decades and its support of politicians such as Phil Bredesen and Karl Dean have only made things worse.
But the chamber will get publicity as really caring, which is the mirage it wants to maintain to the general public. Meanwhile, children in need continue to suffer.
The chamber has control of the schools now through school board membership. But it really does not have any idea how to improve schools, only ensure that businesses do not get taxed more to be part of the solution. Its difference-making support of the resegregation of Metro Schools was wrong.
The report card does not carry much weight with me. The chamber has been part of the problem for decades and its support of politicians such as Phil Bredesen and Karl Dean have only made things worse.
But the chamber will get publicity as really caring, which is the mirage it wants to maintain to the general public. Meanwhile, children in need continue to suffer.
Rep. Mike Turner is disgustingly representative of the corruption infesting the People's House
WKRN Channel 2 this afternoon showed the most disgusting video I have seen for quite a while from what should by The People's House ... Legislative Plaza.
Rep. Mike Turner placed the blame on the hospitalization of Rep. Susan Lynn this morning on the man taking up her cause and honor today before the House Ethics Committee -- which is a gross contradiction in terms.
Rep. Brian Kelsey tried to bring the alleged sexual harassment of Lynn by the current House Speaker before the committee. But it rejected the matter, saying the complaint was not the proper venue.
That's simply a dodge. It indeed is matter for the committee. But ethics don't matter in The People's House.
Lynn did not want her complaint against Kent Williams made public. It was two years ago. And witnesses say he apologized for his lack of class. But now the man made Speaker by Jimmy Naifeh denies the allegation. It is sickening.
Stress forced Lynn's hospitalization, and she underwent medical tests. Women can have heart attacks and die. It is a higher cause of death for them than breast cancer.
Turner, however, showed his extreme lack of class and entrenchment in the corrupt nature of the Naifeh Machine by claiming Kelsey was the cause of her hospitalization.
Turner -- who also is an anti-immigrant legislation sponsor -- is an embarrassment to the Democratic Party ... and what should be The People's House.
Rep. Mike Turner placed the blame on the hospitalization of Rep. Susan Lynn this morning on the man taking up her cause and honor today before the House Ethics Committee -- which is a gross contradiction in terms.
Rep. Brian Kelsey tried to bring the alleged sexual harassment of Lynn by the current House Speaker before the committee. But it rejected the matter, saying the complaint was not the proper venue.
That's simply a dodge. It indeed is matter for the committee. But ethics don't matter in The People's House.
Lynn did not want her complaint against Kent Williams made public. It was two years ago. And witnesses say he apologized for his lack of class. But now the man made Speaker by Jimmy Naifeh denies the allegation. It is sickening.
Stress forced Lynn's hospitalization, and she underwent medical tests. Women can have heart attacks and die. It is a higher cause of death for them than breast cancer.
Turner, however, showed his extreme lack of class and entrenchment in the corrupt nature of the Naifeh Machine by claiming Kelsey was the cause of her hospitalization.
Turner -- who also is an anti-immigrant legislation sponsor -- is an embarrassment to the Democratic Party ... and what should be The People's House.
NYT provides needed history lesson about FDR and the New Deal -- what he did, what he did not and how the New Deal did not really bring recovery
The New York Times today provides a needed history lesson about FDR and the Great Depression he could not really impact until World War II forced massive defense spending and full employment.
FDR and the New Deal have become more the stuff of mythology and romance than reality. So it is important that Americans revisit their history and finally learn it -- warts, wonder and all.
The Times piece is a must read, before this nation spends one dollar on an economic stimulus plan.
Here is a large excerpt:
Roosevelt had his triumphs. He stemmed panic and stabilized the banking system with a combination of deposit insurance, government investment in banks, restrictions on banking practices and his “fireside chat” radio addresses, which repeatedly steadied the national mood and bought Roosevelt time to make changes.
Still, even after the government assistance, the surviving banks were shaken and lending remained anemic — much as the nation’s banks today are reluctant to make loans again, despite receiving more than $300 billion of taxpayers’ money in Round 1 of the federal banking bailout.
So, throughout the 1930s, economic recovery remained frustratingly elusive and arrived only with the buildup for World War II in the 1940s.
The shorthand verdict on Roosevelt, economists and historians say, is that he was an eloquent and skillful politician, and an innovator in jobs programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps and in regulatory steps like the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission to police Wall Street. But Roosevelt, they say, while brilliant in many ways, did not have a sure grasp of how to guide the economy as a whole.
“Roosevelt had some successes, but we hope that Obama is going to do better,” said Kenneth S. Rogoff, a professor of economics at Harvard. “Otherwise, we’re in trouble.”
Roosevelt’s New Deal is often portrayed as an embrace of Keynesian economics, which advocates increased government spending to combat economic downturns and generate jobs.
Yet despite New Deal programs and some aid to the states, total government spending — federal, state and local — as a share of the economy throughout the 1930s remained at just under 20 percent. (Today, total government spending is more than 35 percent, a larger buffer against weakness in the private sector.)
During the 1930s, the unemployment rate fell somewhat under Roosevelt, but remained stubbornly high, averaging more than 17 percent for the decade.
In 1934, the British economist John Maynard Keynes visited Roosevelt in the White House to make his case for more deficit spending. But Roosevelt, it seems, was either unimpressed or uncomprehending. “He left a whole rigmarole of figures,” Roosevelt complained to his labor secretary, Frances Perkins, according to her memoir. “He must be a mathematician rather than a political economist.”
Keynes left equally disenchanted, telling Ms. Perkins that he had “supposed the president was more literate, economically speaking.”
It would not be until the early 1940s, with the beginning of World War II, that a strong dose of Keynesian medicine was administered to the American economy. By 1942, total government spending as a share of the economy rose to 52 percent, and peaked at nearly 70 percent in 1944, when unemployment fell to 1 percent.
One lesson from the 1930s, economists say, is how difficult it is to engineer a recovery when an economy has spiraled down as far as it had by 1933. Swift and effective steps early in a downturn, they say, can enable an economy to avoid further slippage and joblessness. And Mr. Obama has the advantage of taking over far earlier in an economic descent than Roosevelt did.
FDR and the New Deal have become more the stuff of mythology and romance than reality. So it is important that Americans revisit their history and finally learn it -- warts, wonder and all.
The Times piece is a must read, before this nation spends one dollar on an economic stimulus plan.
Here is a large excerpt:
Roosevelt had his triumphs. He stemmed panic and stabilized the banking system with a combination of deposit insurance, government investment in banks, restrictions on banking practices and his “fireside chat” radio addresses, which repeatedly steadied the national mood and bought Roosevelt time to make changes.
Still, even after the government assistance, the surviving banks were shaken and lending remained anemic — much as the nation’s banks today are reluctant to make loans again, despite receiving more than $300 billion of taxpayers’ money in Round 1 of the federal banking bailout.
So, throughout the 1930s, economic recovery remained frustratingly elusive and arrived only with the buildup for World War II in the 1940s.
The shorthand verdict on Roosevelt, economists and historians say, is that he was an eloquent and skillful politician, and an innovator in jobs programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps and in regulatory steps like the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission to police Wall Street. But Roosevelt, they say, while brilliant in many ways, did not have a sure grasp of how to guide the economy as a whole.
“Roosevelt had some successes, but we hope that Obama is going to do better,” said Kenneth S. Rogoff, a professor of economics at Harvard. “Otherwise, we’re in trouble.”
Roosevelt’s New Deal is often portrayed as an embrace of Keynesian economics, which advocates increased government spending to combat economic downturns and generate jobs.
Yet despite New Deal programs and some aid to the states, total government spending — federal, state and local — as a share of the economy throughout the 1930s remained at just under 20 percent. (Today, total government spending is more than 35 percent, a larger buffer against weakness in the private sector.)
During the 1930s, the unemployment rate fell somewhat under Roosevelt, but remained stubbornly high, averaging more than 17 percent for the decade.
In 1934, the British economist John Maynard Keynes visited Roosevelt in the White House to make his case for more deficit spending. But Roosevelt, it seems, was either unimpressed or uncomprehending. “He left a whole rigmarole of figures,” Roosevelt complained to his labor secretary, Frances Perkins, according to her memoir. “He must be a mathematician rather than a political economist.”
Keynes left equally disenchanted, telling Ms. Perkins that he had “supposed the president was more literate, economically speaking.”
It would not be until the early 1940s, with the beginning of World War II, that a strong dose of Keynesian medicine was administered to the American economy. By 1942, total government spending as a share of the economy rose to 52 percent, and peaked at nearly 70 percent in 1944, when unemployment fell to 1 percent.
One lesson from the 1930s, economists say, is how difficult it is to engineer a recovery when an economy has spiraled down as far as it had by 1933. Swift and effective steps early in a downturn, they say, can enable an economy to avoid further slippage and joblessness. And Mr. Obama has the advantage of taking over far earlier in an economic descent than Roosevelt did.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Listen up conservatives: free market is dealing with immigration; punitive actions are not needed
Conservatives who believe in the power of free market capitalism should extend their faith in the system when it comes to immigration.
The Wall Street Journal reports tonight that money remmittances to Mexico continue to decline. The Journal has previously reported that the number of immigrants returning to Latin America due to the declining economy continues to rise.
Punitive local and national actions like 287g and ICE raids are not needed. And they cost a lot of taxpayer money when there is none to waste.
Here is what The Journal reports tonight:
The amount of money that Mexicans working in the U.S. sent back home dropped 3.6% in 2008, as the rising U.S. jobless rate took a toll on immigrants. It was the first decline in remittances recorded since Mexico began tracking money flows from abroad 13 years ago.
The drop to $25 billion from $26 billion in 2007, reported Tuesday by Mexico's Central Bank, is nearly twice what the government forecast. It could foreshadow a bad year ahead for Mexico. After oil, remittances are Mexico's second-biggest source of hard currency, ahead of tourism and manufactured goods, two other suffering sectors.
Indeed, on Tuesday, Mexican Central Bank chief Guillermo Ortiz predicted Mexico's annual economic output will shrink this year between 0.8% and 1.8%, after growing a moderate 1.5% in 2008.
Mexico's remittance woes aren't unique. Hunter College researcher Margaret M. Chin, who surveys immigrants in New York, reports Lunar New Year remittances to China are showing an average decline of 20% this year. She says many restaurant workers, livery drivers and others in the service economy have had to cut back on the number of hours they work each week.
That shift has led to a broad contraction of employment opportunities for immigrants across the U.S. economy. In December, the Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center reported 239,000 immigrant Hispanics joined the ranks of the U.S. unemployed during the year ending with the third quarter of 2008. Almost 100,000 jobs were in construction alone, the Pew report estimated.
The Wall Street Journal reports tonight that money remmittances to Mexico continue to decline. The Journal has previously reported that the number of immigrants returning to Latin America due to the declining economy continues to rise.
Punitive local and national actions like 287g and ICE raids are not needed. And they cost a lot of taxpayer money when there is none to waste.
Here is what The Journal reports tonight:
The amount of money that Mexicans working in the U.S. sent back home dropped 3.6% in 2008, as the rising U.S. jobless rate took a toll on immigrants. It was the first decline in remittances recorded since Mexico began tracking money flows from abroad 13 years ago.
The drop to $25 billion from $26 billion in 2007, reported Tuesday by Mexico's Central Bank, is nearly twice what the government forecast. It could foreshadow a bad year ahead for Mexico. After oil, remittances are Mexico's second-biggest source of hard currency, ahead of tourism and manufactured goods, two other suffering sectors.
Indeed, on Tuesday, Mexican Central Bank chief Guillermo Ortiz predicted Mexico's annual economic output will shrink this year between 0.8% and 1.8%, after growing a moderate 1.5% in 2008.
Mexico's remittance woes aren't unique. Hunter College researcher Margaret M. Chin, who surveys immigrants in New York, reports Lunar New Year remittances to China are showing an average decline of 20% this year. She says many restaurant workers, livery drivers and others in the service economy have had to cut back on the number of hours they work each week.
That shift has led to a broad contraction of employment opportunities for immigrants across the U.S. economy. In December, the Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center reported 239,000 immigrant Hispanics joined the ranks of the U.S. unemployed during the year ending with the third quarter of 2008. Almost 100,000 jobs were in construction alone, the Pew report estimated.
Tennessee approaches execution next Wednesday
NewsChannel 4 reports that a federal judge has rejected attempts by lawyers for killer Steve Henley to delay his execution slated for a week from tomorrow.
Henley killed an elderly couple 20 years ago.
This decade, Tennessee has executed two people -- the first since 1960.
Henley killed an elderly couple 20 years ago.
This decade, Tennessee has executed two people -- the first since 1960.
The good in the stimulus plan: more health care
The New York Times reports tonight on something not mentioned before in media coverage that makes the economic stimulus plan more of a positive for all the hurting across the nation.
More health care.
The Times reports:
With little notice and no public hearings, House Democrats would create a temporary new entitlement allowing workers getting unemployment checks to qualify for Medicaid, the health program for low-income people. Spouses and children could also receive benefits, no matter how much money the family had.
In addition, the stimulus package would offer a hefty subsidy to help laid-off workers retain the same health plans they had from their former employers.
Altogether, the economic recovery bill would speed $127 billion over the next two and a half years to individuals and states for health care alone, a fact that has Republicans fuming that the stimulus package is a back door to universal health coverage.
I hope it is. Universal health care coverage is a must or our hospitals are going to go out of business. Preventative care is the only thing to keep down insurance premiums for the rest of us. The moral argument has not seemed to convince America, or even President Obama. His campaign plan did not provide universal care.
Ultimately, the bill to be voted on tomorrow in the House will have to go to conference committee. There, added health care should be preserved above all other else.
More health care.
The Times reports:
With little notice and no public hearings, House Democrats would create a temporary new entitlement allowing workers getting unemployment checks to qualify for Medicaid, the health program for low-income people. Spouses and children could also receive benefits, no matter how much money the family had.
In addition, the stimulus package would offer a hefty subsidy to help laid-off workers retain the same health plans they had from their former employers.
Altogether, the economic recovery bill would speed $127 billion over the next two and a half years to individuals and states for health care alone, a fact that has Republicans fuming that the stimulus package is a back door to universal health coverage.
I hope it is. Universal health care coverage is a must or our hospitals are going to go out of business. Preventative care is the only thing to keep down insurance premiums for the rest of us. The moral argument has not seemed to convince America, or even President Obama. His campaign plan did not provide universal care.
Ultimately, the bill to be voted on tomorrow in the House will have to go to conference committee. There, added health care should be preserved above all other else.
No fried food in Williamson Schools? Is this the South or not? Good health changes culture
Fried foods and the South go together like a trace of snow and mass hysteria.
But while I was driving Monday to Bethpage in Sumner County, the radio talent told me that Williamson County Schools do not allow any fried food for children. French fries and chicken nuggets are baked.
The epidemic-like rise in childhood obesity and diabetes makes this change a good one, along with removing soft drink and snack machines from schools.
Yet further departure from fried food from the Southern culture seems a stretch, particularly with corn bread, fried chicken and an assortment of other treats that only grandmother can make the best.
But for our own good, the oil might need to be put away more often. What we teach our children in schools should also be modeled at home.
But while I was driving Monday to Bethpage in Sumner County, the radio talent told me that Williamson County Schools do not allow any fried food for children. French fries and chicken nuggets are baked.
The epidemic-like rise in childhood obesity and diabetes makes this change a good one, along with removing soft drink and snack machines from schools.
Yet further departure from fried food from the Southern culture seems a stretch, particularly with corn bread, fried chicken and an assortment of other treats that only grandmother can make the best.
But for our own good, the oil might need to be put away more often. What we teach our children in schools should also be modeled at home.
Second report on Metro Police malfeasance is a shocker; NewsChannel 5 provides public service; demand creation of civilian police review board
NewsChannel 5 Investigates journalist Ben Hall's report tonight on the homicide of a Tennessee veteran provides conclusive evidence of Metro Police's incompetency and possible complicity in excusing a security guard in the killing.
A married couple, whose truck was next to the murder scene, witnessed the incident two years ago and called 911.
They told Hall: The guy(veteran Tim Alambaugh) was on the ground and had a gun to the back of his head. A security car was yelling at him. He was yelling at him and telling him that he was going to kill him. The guy was complying. His hands were behind his head.
Police spokesman Don Aaron sadly tried to defend the indefensible in comments to Hall.
Hindsight being 20/20, their truck should have been knocked on. The couple should have come forward, Aaron said..
Sorry, Don, you are defending the indefensible. And you know it.
The couple did come forward. They called 911. Isn't that enough, Don?
They were not even asked by the police to comment even though an officer came by and knocked on the window of their truck, the couple said.
The security guard, Robert Mangrum, had just put in his application to be a police officer, Hall reported. The first call he put in was to cell phone of a police officer, not to 911 after shooting Alambaugh to save his life.
Metro Police did not interview the Johnsons. They claimed self defense by Mangrum. The Johnsons' truck was next to the victim's car and had yellow police department tape on it.
"My son was murdered," Alambaugh's mother said. "I want a jury to decide."
Damn right. The police are completing a second investigation because of Hall and NewsChannel 5. The DA should not wait and have Mangrum arrested and charged. The DA also should issue obstruction of justice charges against the police officers involved in what should have been an investigation.
Chief Serpas, who likes to yell at the school board, should be summoned before the full Metro Council to answer for this travesty of justice. Someone should yell at him.
This outrage is far from the first one. Ask the Rev. Enoch Fuzz who was has lobbied Serpas and the DA for change, with little luck.
And the rest of us should demand a civilian police review board to prevent this and other injustices by the people -- who are supposed to preserve the law -- from betraying our city again.
When you see the mayor at a public event, tell him to do the right and courageous thing, or contact your council member. Next time, it could be your son, no matter if he served his country in uniform or not.
A married couple, whose truck was next to the murder scene, witnessed the incident two years ago and called 911.
They told Hall: The guy(veteran Tim Alambaugh) was on the ground and had a gun to the back of his head. A security car was yelling at him. He was yelling at him and telling him that he was going to kill him. The guy was complying. His hands were behind his head.
Police spokesman Don Aaron sadly tried to defend the indefensible in comments to Hall.
Hindsight being 20/20, their truck should have been knocked on. The couple should have come forward, Aaron said..
Sorry, Don, you are defending the indefensible. And you know it.
The couple did come forward. They called 911. Isn't that enough, Don?
They were not even asked by the police to comment even though an officer came by and knocked on the window of their truck, the couple said.
The security guard, Robert Mangrum, had just put in his application to be a police officer, Hall reported. The first call he put in was to cell phone of a police officer, not to 911 after shooting Alambaugh to save his life.
Metro Police did not interview the Johnsons. They claimed self defense by Mangrum. The Johnsons' truck was next to the victim's car and had yellow police department tape on it.
"My son was murdered," Alambaugh's mother said. "I want a jury to decide."
Damn right. The police are completing a second investigation because of Hall and NewsChannel 5. The DA should not wait and have Mangrum arrested and charged. The DA also should issue obstruction of justice charges against the police officers involved in what should have been an investigation.
Chief Serpas, who likes to yell at the school board, should be summoned before the full Metro Council to answer for this travesty of justice. Someone should yell at him.
This outrage is far from the first one. Ask the Rev. Enoch Fuzz who was has lobbied Serpas and the DA for change, with little luck.
And the rest of us should demand a civilian police review board to prevent this and other injustices by the people -- who are supposed to preserve the law -- from betraying our city again.
When you see the mayor at a public event, tell him to do the right and courageous thing, or contact your council member. Next time, it could be your son, no matter if he served his country in uniform or not.
Buy according to your values: Dealer Lee Beaman was big contributor to EnglishOnly referendum
People who voted against the silly EnglishOnly referendum last week and defeated the nonsense should now spend according to their values.
Auto dealer Lee Beaman, reports NewsChannel 5, was the major local provider of financial support for referendum backers pushing this intolerance. So let Beaman know your feelings by boycotting his dealerships.
Yet nearly all the money for the referendum came from an anti-immigrant Virginia group to spread their sickness into our community. Councilman Eric Crafton should truly be ashamed of himself.
We don't need other people's hate in our city, which I now call home. We have enough of our home-bred kind. Crafton and Beaman owe this city an apology for the evil they wanted to sow.
Until then, don't spend a dollar on a Beaman car. Let him pay for his intolerance in his pocketbook.
Auto dealer Lee Beaman, reports NewsChannel 5, was the major local provider of financial support for referendum backers pushing this intolerance. So let Beaman know your feelings by boycotting his dealerships.
Yet nearly all the money for the referendum came from an anti-immigrant Virginia group to spread their sickness into our community. Councilman Eric Crafton should truly be ashamed of himself.
We don't need other people's hate in our city, which I now call home. We have enough of our home-bred kind. Crafton and Beaman owe this city an apology for the evil they wanted to sow.
Until then, don't spend a dollar on a Beaman car. Let him pay for his intolerance in his pocketbook.
Life and death from California hospitals; these times can be cruel and unfathomable; God help us
While a southern California Kaiser Permanente hospital delivered eight children from the same mother to massive news media celebration, another one in Los Angeles fired two technicians.
And the husband of the fired couple killed his wife and five children.
In this cruel form of human mathematics, the hospitals are one single life ahead after today.
The New York Times reports:
LOS ANGELES — A man shot and killed his wife and five young children before taking his own life Tuesday, apparently out of despair after the couple lost their jobs at a hospital, the police and city officials said.
Officers responding to 911 calls placed by the man, Ervin A. Lupoe, and by a television station to which Mr. Lupoe had sent a fax around 8:30 a.m., found seven bodies in a house in Wilmington, a working-class neighborhood near the Port of Los Angeles.
A police spokesman said the bodies were identified as Mr. Lupoe; his wife, Ana; their 8-year-old daughter and two sets of twins (5-year-old girls and 2-year-old boys).
Mr. Lupoe had telephoned and sent a fax to KABC-TV that indicated “he was despondent over a job situation and he saw no reasonable way out,” said Lt. John Romero, a police spokesman.
The two-page, typewritten letter made clear he was going to kill his family and himself. The station quickly called 911 to report the letter and then posted it on the station Web site after the bodies were discovered.
The letter said Mr. Lupoe and his wife had worked as medical technicians at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in West Los Angeles, but recently lost their jobs after a dispute with an administrator.
The administrator, it said, had asked them on an unspecified day why they had come to work, and then added, “You should have blown your brains out.”
And the husband of the fired couple killed his wife and five children.
In this cruel form of human mathematics, the hospitals are one single life ahead after today.
The New York Times reports:
LOS ANGELES — A man shot and killed his wife and five young children before taking his own life Tuesday, apparently out of despair after the couple lost their jobs at a hospital, the police and city officials said.
Officers responding to 911 calls placed by the man, Ervin A. Lupoe, and by a television station to which Mr. Lupoe had sent a fax around 8:30 a.m., found seven bodies in a house in Wilmington, a working-class neighborhood near the Port of Los Angeles.
A police spokesman said the bodies were identified as Mr. Lupoe; his wife, Ana; their 8-year-old daughter and two sets of twins (5-year-old girls and 2-year-old boys).
Mr. Lupoe had telephoned and sent a fax to KABC-TV that indicated “he was despondent over a job situation and he saw no reasonable way out,” said Lt. John Romero, a police spokesman.
The two-page, typewritten letter made clear he was going to kill his family and himself. The station quickly called 911 to report the letter and then posted it on the station Web site after the bodies were discovered.
The letter said Mr. Lupoe and his wife had worked as medical technicians at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in West Los Angeles, but recently lost their jobs after a dispute with an administrator.
The administrator, it said, had asked them on an unspecified day why they had come to work, and then added, “You should have blown your brains out.”
Super Bowl players are gladiators -- to the death
The New York Times reports medical findings released today showing boxer-type brain injury to the sixth deceased NFL player 50 or younger autopsied specifically for such findings.
That means the players you'll be watching in Sunday's Super Bowl truly are gladiators -- entertaining us to their eventual early deaths. The NFL would not comment today on the findings.
It has been quite slow in recognizing the early deaths and permanent, debilitating disabilities to its players. The late Gene Upshaw with the players association also participated in the denial.
Here is what The Times reports:
TAMPA, Fla. — Brain damage commonly associated with boxers has been found in a sixth deceased former N.F.L. player age 50 or younger, further stoking the debate between many doctors and the league over the significance of such findings.
Doctors at Boston University’s School of Medicine found a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy in the brain of Tom McHale, an N.F.L. lineman from 1987 to 1995 who died in May at age 45. Known as C.T.E., the progressive condition results from repetitive head trauma and can bring on dementia in someone in their 40s or 50s.
Using techniques that can be administered only after a patient has died, doctors have now identified C.T.E. in all six N.F.L. veterans between the ages of 36 and 50 who have been tested for the condition, further evidencing the dangers of improperly treated brain trauma in football.
“It’s scary — it’s horribly frightening,” said Randy Grimes, who played center next to McHale on the Buccaneers for several years. “I’ve had my share of concussions, too. More than my share. My wife says I have short-term memory loss. It’s really scary to think of what might be going on up there.”
The McHale case was announced Tuesday afternoon at a news conference in Tampa — where McHale had lived and where the Super Bowl will take place on Sunday — held by Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy.
“This is a medically significant finding,” said Dr. Daniel P. Perl, the director of neuropathology at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York, who is not affiliated with the Boston University group. “I think with a sixth case identified, out of six, for a condition that is incredibly rare in the general population, there is more than enough evidence that football is clearly strongly related to the presence of this pathology.”
That means the players you'll be watching in Sunday's Super Bowl truly are gladiators -- entertaining us to their eventual early deaths. The NFL would not comment today on the findings.
It has been quite slow in recognizing the early deaths and permanent, debilitating disabilities to its players. The late Gene Upshaw with the players association also participated in the denial.
Here is what The Times reports:
TAMPA, Fla. — Brain damage commonly associated with boxers has been found in a sixth deceased former N.F.L. player age 50 or younger, further stoking the debate between many doctors and the league over the significance of such findings.
Doctors at Boston University’s School of Medicine found a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy in the brain of Tom McHale, an N.F.L. lineman from 1987 to 1995 who died in May at age 45. Known as C.T.E., the progressive condition results from repetitive head trauma and can bring on dementia in someone in their 40s or 50s.
Using techniques that can be administered only after a patient has died, doctors have now identified C.T.E. in all six N.F.L. veterans between the ages of 36 and 50 who have been tested for the condition, further evidencing the dangers of improperly treated brain trauma in football.
“It’s scary — it’s horribly frightening,” said Randy Grimes, who played center next to McHale on the Buccaneers for several years. “I’ve had my share of concussions, too. More than my share. My wife says I have short-term memory loss. It’s really scary to think of what might be going on up there.”
The McHale case was announced Tuesday afternoon at a news conference in Tampa — where McHale had lived and where the Super Bowl will take place on Sunday — held by Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy.
“This is a medically significant finding,” said Dr. Daniel P. Perl, the director of neuropathology at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York, who is not affiliated with the Boston University group. “I think with a sixth case identified, out of six, for a condition that is incredibly rare in the general population, there is more than enough evidence that football is clearly strongly related to the presence of this pathology.”
Same verse, same song: Don't be lured back into the stock market despite the CNBC guest analysts
I heard it again today -- another CNBC guest analyst telling investors that it's time to get back into individual stocks that are at such a bargain -- even though you may still lose some money at the beginning.
WRONG!
Please. Wait. Show some discipline and patience. These stocks are going to be at even more of a bargain later this year and even early into next year. High dividends do not make up for lower share prices.
Here are my credentials once more. I got out of the stock market above 12,000. I chastised self-proclaimed financial guru Dave Ramsey for telling NewsChannel 5 viewers in Nashville that it was all right to get into growth mutual funds last September when the market was at 10,600. I also was an economics writer for 10 years.
Now, Tennesseans who listened to him have lost 25% of their money. And since they've been convinced to stay in the market for its turnaround by financial advisers, they'll lose another 20% of their money in another year.
Individual stocks -- while you may hit a short-term gain -- are not the place to be in now. No one is smart enough to make these kind of picks or discover the next Apple. And if they are, they're only available to people who have mega-millions of dollars -- and who will pay richly for this kind of information.
For regular folks, you won't ever know until after the big profits have been made.
The markets will continue to trade in a frustratingly narrow range, then take the plunge to 6,300 or lower to reflect the economic times and low consumer confidence and spending.
For instance, last August, my subsequently fired financial adviser got me into five stocks of our choosing. Three weeks later, I cut my losses from my $40,000 investment after $2,500 in decline. Now the stocks such as Berkshire Hathaway, Google, Pfizer and Union Pacific are much lower.
It will be the same with stocks that seem a bargain now.
These guest analysts only want you back in the market to make fees that pay their salaries. Your losses are not their losses. So be patient, and wait for better bargains to come.
WRONG!
Please. Wait. Show some discipline and patience. These stocks are going to be at even more of a bargain later this year and even early into next year. High dividends do not make up for lower share prices.
Here are my credentials once more. I got out of the stock market above 12,000. I chastised self-proclaimed financial guru Dave Ramsey for telling NewsChannel 5 viewers in Nashville that it was all right to get into growth mutual funds last September when the market was at 10,600. I also was an economics writer for 10 years.
Now, Tennesseans who listened to him have lost 25% of their money. And since they've been convinced to stay in the market for its turnaround by financial advisers, they'll lose another 20% of their money in another year.
Individual stocks -- while you may hit a short-term gain -- are not the place to be in now. No one is smart enough to make these kind of picks or discover the next Apple. And if they are, they're only available to people who have mega-millions of dollars -- and who will pay richly for this kind of information.
For regular folks, you won't ever know until after the big profits have been made.
The markets will continue to trade in a frustratingly narrow range, then take the plunge to 6,300 or lower to reflect the economic times and low consumer confidence and spending.
For instance, last August, my subsequently fired financial adviser got me into five stocks of our choosing. Three weeks later, I cut my losses from my $40,000 investment after $2,500 in decline. Now the stocks such as Berkshire Hathaway, Google, Pfizer and Union Pacific are much lower.
It will be the same with stocks that seem a bargain now.
These guest analysts only want you back in the market to make fees that pay their salaries. Your losses are not their losses. So be patient, and wait for better bargains to come.
A must read: David Brooks defines what's wrong with America in thought-provoking column about higher call to institutional thinking, standards
NYT columnist David Brooks has hit the problem with America in a thought-provoking column entitled, "What Life Asks of Us".
Brooks calls on us to be dedicated to institutional standards, not individualism. Despite the betrayal by many institutions, the most solid ones still call us to higher standards than what are being portrayed in society through greed and excess.
Journalism actually calls many of we who are writers to a higher standard of commitment to the readers and holding government accountable. The most heroic journalists I worked with were at The Tennessean, who still did their best work for the people while the newsroom management demanded service to a much lower rule geared to profits, personalities and perversion.
Brooks cites the Hall of Fame speech by the great Cubbie Ryne Sandberg. Please read these words and repeat them to your children or students:
“I was in awe every time I walked onto the field. That’s respect. I was taught you never, ever disrespect your opponents or your teammates or your organization or your manager and never, ever your uniform. You make a great play, act like you’ve done it before; get a big hit, look for the third base coach and get ready to run the bases.”
Sandberg motioned to those inducted before him, “These guys sitting up here did not pave the way for the rest of us so that players could swing for the fences every time up and forget how to move a runner over to third. It’s disrespectful to them, to you and to the game of baseball that we all played growing up.
“Respect. A lot of people say this honor validates my career, but I didn’t work hard for validation. I didn’t play the game right because I saw a reward at the end of the tunnel. I played it right because that’s what you’re supposed to do, play it right and with respect ... . If this validates anything, it’s that guys who taught me the game ... did what they were supposed to do, and I did what I was supposed to do.”
Wow.
When I think of the institutional thinking and dedication Brooks writes of, my focus goes to teachers. Particularly those at Bethpage Elementary School where I visited Monday with state Sen. Diane Black.
With limited resources at a rural school in Sumner County, they continually turn out students with high TCAP test scores. And one third grade teacher is a former student, now returned as a teacher with her own children in the school population. Many teachers have their kids in the school.
My focus also goes to our men and women in uniform and their families left at home. They are dedicated to the most precious institution in this nation: the Constitution. God bless them all.
Please, take the time to read Brooks' column and mold your conduct to it to survive these difficult times, and make your friends those who think and act the same.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/opinion/27brooks.html?_r=1&em
Brooks calls on us to be dedicated to institutional standards, not individualism. Despite the betrayal by many institutions, the most solid ones still call us to higher standards than what are being portrayed in society through greed and excess.
Journalism actually calls many of we who are writers to a higher standard of commitment to the readers and holding government accountable. The most heroic journalists I worked with were at The Tennessean, who still did their best work for the people while the newsroom management demanded service to a much lower rule geared to profits, personalities and perversion.
Brooks cites the Hall of Fame speech by the great Cubbie Ryne Sandberg. Please read these words and repeat them to your children or students:
“I was in awe every time I walked onto the field. That’s respect. I was taught you never, ever disrespect your opponents or your teammates or your organization or your manager and never, ever your uniform. You make a great play, act like you’ve done it before; get a big hit, look for the third base coach and get ready to run the bases.”
Sandberg motioned to those inducted before him, “These guys sitting up here did not pave the way for the rest of us so that players could swing for the fences every time up and forget how to move a runner over to third. It’s disrespectful to them, to you and to the game of baseball that we all played growing up.
“Respect. A lot of people say this honor validates my career, but I didn’t work hard for validation. I didn’t play the game right because I saw a reward at the end of the tunnel. I played it right because that’s what you’re supposed to do, play it right and with respect ... . If this validates anything, it’s that guys who taught me the game ... did what they were supposed to do, and I did what I was supposed to do.”
Wow.
When I think of the institutional thinking and dedication Brooks writes of, my focus goes to teachers. Particularly those at Bethpage Elementary School where I visited Monday with state Sen. Diane Black.
With limited resources at a rural school in Sumner County, they continually turn out students with high TCAP test scores. And one third grade teacher is a former student, now returned as a teacher with her own children in the school population. Many teachers have their kids in the school.
My focus also goes to our men and women in uniform and their families left at home. They are dedicated to the most precious institution in this nation: the Constitution. God bless them all.
Please, take the time to read Brooks' column and mold your conduct to it to survive these difficult times, and make your friends those who think and act the same.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/opinion/27brooks.html?_r=1&em
A different and needed perspective on FDR's good
A father figure of mine delivers a kind rebuke to my lessening of FDR's role during the Great Depression.
As any father, he is most kind in his rebuke. But he nonetheless is direct. And I appreciate his perspective, along with his incredibly positive impact in my life and professional career:
The country was on the verge of collapse when he became president, banks were closing and people were making a run on them, hungry people were living in the "Hoovervills," and some desperate people were seeing communism as a solution.
While the unemployment rate didn't decline drastically until World War II approached, much was done to offer relief from the suffering. Banks were saved through the firmer foundations, the FDIC and other measures. People were put to work on countless projects, many of which we still enjoy today. Social Security was enacted, a measure of great worth. School lunches were started.
FDR, through these and other means, restored hope where there had been none. We have no way of knowing how much worse conditions would have been had it not been for FDR.
As any father, he is most kind in his rebuke. But he nonetheless is direct. And I appreciate his perspective, along with his incredibly positive impact in my life and professional career:
The country was on the verge of collapse when he became president, banks were closing and people were making a run on them, hungry people were living in the "Hoovervills," and some desperate people were seeing communism as a solution.
While the unemployment rate didn't decline drastically until World War II approached, much was done to offer relief from the suffering. Banks were saved through the firmer foundations, the FDIC and other measures. People were put to work on countless projects, many of which we still enjoy today. Social Security was enacted, a measure of great worth. School lunches were started.
FDR, through these and other means, restored hope where there had been none. We have no way of knowing how much worse conditions would have been had it not been for FDR.
BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Supreme Court delivers victory to women; Metro Nashville now faces possibility of costly judgment in harassment case
The U.S. Supreme Court today delivered victory to women sexually harassed in the workplace with a decision regarding the ability of a fired Nashville school district employee to pursue damages and veracity of her claims against government here.
The employee was fired after she cooperated in a city investigation led by Karl Dean's legal department of sexual harassment allegations against a school district executive earlier this decade. The woman did not file the complaint and did not want to participate in the investigation for fear of retribution.
She was promised by Dean's legal department, according to her attorneys, that she would be protected. Dean now is mayor of Nashville.
She participated and was fired later for reasons of poor performance. Two other female employees who cooperated with the investigation also were fired despite legal department assurances.
She sued. The trial court in this process ruled she could not pursue her claims, without even ruling on their veracity. An appeals court reversed the decision. The Supreme Court sided with the appeals level, along with intervention by the University of Washington Law School and the Bush administration.
The case, called Crawford vs Metro, now returns to the trial court for the determination of facts and possible award of damages. I hope the award is significant and in the millions of dollars. This woman has waited almost all decade for justice. I do not know if she has been able to get another job with a firing on her resume. I do not know what happened to the other women.
But the good ol' boy network appears to have prevailed initially here. It now should be smashed, no matter the ultimate facts in this case.
Here is a very well-reasoned explanation of the ruling -- free of opinion -- from a good friend and attorney Bryan Pieper of Drescher & Sharp Attorneys in Nashville. He is an expert on employment law and a very good family man. If you've been wronged in the workplace, give him a call (615) 425-7111:
This does not mean that Ms. Crawford is right or that the facts she alleges are true. Rather, what this means is that the Supreme Court said that there should be a trial to determine whether the facts she alleges are true. The trial court had held that even if we assume that Ms. Crawford’s allegations are factually true, the way the statute is written, those facts would not constitute a violation of the statute. Therefore, her lawsuit was dismissed without a trial in a procedure called “summary judgment.” It may seem unfair that not everybody’s claim gets to be heard at trial, but summary judgment is an important tool for screening out those cases that can be decided on legal issues alone, rather than needing factual determinations.
So the question for the Supreme Court was what exactly the statutory language means. The Supreme Court disagreed with the trial court, holding that if it turns out that Ms. Crawford can prove her allegations, then it actually would violate the statute. For that reason, there needs to be a trial to determine what really did or did not happen. In other words, the Supreme Court did not determine whether or not Ms. Crawford’s factual allegations (about the harassment and the retaliation) are true, and did not determine whether or not Metro’s defense (that Ms. Crawford was fired for misconduct, not retaliation) is true, but instead determined that this case should go back to the trial court for further proceedings.
I have had cases in which we argued about the same issue and the same statutory language. A reasonable interpretation of the statutory language can be made either way, as it is not as clear as it could be. At least now the Supreme Court has settled the legal question of what that statutory language means. That’s what the Supreme Court is for.
The employee was fired after she cooperated in a city investigation led by Karl Dean's legal department of sexual harassment allegations against a school district executive earlier this decade. The woman did not file the complaint and did not want to participate in the investigation for fear of retribution.
She was promised by Dean's legal department, according to her attorneys, that she would be protected. Dean now is mayor of Nashville.
She participated and was fired later for reasons of poor performance. Two other female employees who cooperated with the investigation also were fired despite legal department assurances.
She sued. The trial court in this process ruled she could not pursue her claims, without even ruling on their veracity. An appeals court reversed the decision. The Supreme Court sided with the appeals level, along with intervention by the University of Washington Law School and the Bush administration.
The case, called Crawford vs Metro, now returns to the trial court for the determination of facts and possible award of damages. I hope the award is significant and in the millions of dollars. This woman has waited almost all decade for justice. I do not know if she has been able to get another job with a firing on her resume. I do not know what happened to the other women.
But the good ol' boy network appears to have prevailed initially here. It now should be smashed, no matter the ultimate facts in this case.
Here is a very well-reasoned explanation of the ruling -- free of opinion -- from a good friend and attorney Bryan Pieper of Drescher & Sharp Attorneys in Nashville. He is an expert on employment law and a very good family man. If you've been wronged in the workplace, give him a call (615) 425-7111:
This does not mean that Ms. Crawford is right or that the facts she alleges are true. Rather, what this means is that the Supreme Court said that there should be a trial to determine whether the facts she alleges are true. The trial court had held that even if we assume that Ms. Crawford’s allegations are factually true, the way the statute is written, those facts would not constitute a violation of the statute. Therefore, her lawsuit was dismissed without a trial in a procedure called “summary judgment.” It may seem unfair that not everybody’s claim gets to be heard at trial, but summary judgment is an important tool for screening out those cases that can be decided on legal issues alone, rather than needing factual determinations.
So the question for the Supreme Court was what exactly the statutory language means. The Supreme Court disagreed with the trial court, holding that if it turns out that Ms. Crawford can prove her allegations, then it actually would violate the statute. For that reason, there needs to be a trial to determine what really did or did not happen. In other words, the Supreme Court did not determine whether or not Ms. Crawford’s factual allegations (about the harassment and the retaliation) are true, and did not determine whether or not Metro’s defense (that Ms. Crawford was fired for misconduct, not retaliation) is true, but instead determined that this case should go back to the trial court for further proceedings.
I have had cases in which we argued about the same issue and the same statutory language. A reasonable interpretation of the statutory language can be made either way, as it is not as clear as it could be. At least now the Supreme Court has settled the legal question of what that statutory language means. That’s what the Supreme Court is for.
Why is Obama after GOP votes if Dems are in the strong majority in Congress and he has mandate?
House Republicans had a cordial, substantive and direct dialogue with President Barack Obama on his stimulus plan today on Capitol Hill.
While they expressed appreciation, they also noted to him that the economic stimulus plan to be considered this week before the House has no GOP input and is filled with Dem pet projects.
It is becoming apparent that Obama's largest problem is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and his own party steering very sharply to the Left.
But with Dem majorities in both houses of Congress, why is the president seeking GOP input?
Because of the political consequences.
The plan is not going to work. And the Dems will be left holding the bag in the 2010 congressional election, costing a lot of seats. Obama needs political cover of Republicans also voting for his plan. Without that, he has to assume all the blame.
The GOP should stand strong and vote against the stimulus plan as it is.
While they expressed appreciation, they also noted to him that the economic stimulus plan to be considered this week before the House has no GOP input and is filled with Dem pet projects.
It is becoming apparent that Obama's largest problem is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and his own party steering very sharply to the Left.
But with Dem majorities in both houses of Congress, why is the president seeking GOP input?
Because of the political consequences.
The plan is not going to work. And the Dems will be left holding the bag in the 2010 congressional election, costing a lot of seats. Obama needs political cover of Republicans also voting for his plan. Without that, he has to assume all the blame.
The GOP should stand strong and vote against the stimulus plan as it is.
Give your input on new schools chief in Williamson County, two sessions slated for tonight
Williamson County residents can have input into the choice for the district's next school chief with sessions tonight at Independence High School at 5:30 and 7:30 at Fairview High School.
Becky Schwab was forced from the position after what some consider a small wrong. She mostly led the district effectively.
Make your voice heard tonight.
Becky Schwab was forced from the position after what some consider a small wrong. She mostly led the district effectively.
Make your voice heard tonight.
New rural education initiative unveiled; Bethpage Elementary first to receive technology edge
The soon-to-created Vita Hernandez Chavez/Our Lady of Guadalupe Charitable Trust made its first mark in Middle Tennessee with the contribution of new computers and line printers yesterday to third grade classrooms at Bethpage Elementary School in Sumner County.
The trust has initiated a rural education initiative this year for schools in Nashville's loop counties to bring the latest technology to classrooms.
Bethpage's three third grade classes will be receiving three Smart boards and projectors, along with laptop computers for the teachers to program the teaching tool from their desks.
State Sen. Diane Black was on hand yesterday for the unveiling of the initiative in her district that was purposely made as a surprise to the three classrooms and their teachers.
Black, one of the best lawmakers I've covered in my career, spoke to the students about public education and how there is not enough money from government to meet all the needs. That is why private efforts such as the trust initiative are so important, she told the students.
Dell Computer will become the vendor of choice for the initiative.
Rural schools are invited to apply for consideration of what hopefully will become a private investment of more than $50,000 in rural classrooms.
Often, rural schools are overlooked in news media coverage in favor of urban schools and their problems.
Bethpage, however, is a top performer in TCAP testing despite limited resources but with tremendous community suppport. The good news from this school will be reported in future blogs in this column as the relationship between the trust and the school grows.
The trust, directed by me, is dedicated to my late mother who gave me life and direction into political writing and Our Lady of Guadalupe who intervened with God to save my life when I hovered near death from leukemia in Vanderbilt Medical Center.
All inquires from schools should be sent to timchavez787@yahoo.com.
The trust has initiated a rural education initiative this year for schools in Nashville's loop counties to bring the latest technology to classrooms.
Bethpage's three third grade classes will be receiving three Smart boards and projectors, along with laptop computers for the teachers to program the teaching tool from their desks.
State Sen. Diane Black was on hand yesterday for the unveiling of the initiative in her district that was purposely made as a surprise to the three classrooms and their teachers.
Black, one of the best lawmakers I've covered in my career, spoke to the students about public education and how there is not enough money from government to meet all the needs. That is why private efforts such as the trust initiative are so important, she told the students.
Dell Computer will become the vendor of choice for the initiative.
Rural schools are invited to apply for consideration of what hopefully will become a private investment of more than $50,000 in rural classrooms.
Often, rural schools are overlooked in news media coverage in favor of urban schools and their problems.
Bethpage, however, is a top performer in TCAP testing despite limited resources but with tremendous community suppport. The good news from this school will be reported in future blogs in this column as the relationship between the trust and the school grows.
The trust, directed by me, is dedicated to my late mother who gave me life and direction into political writing and Our Lady of Guadalupe who intervened with God to save my life when I hovered near death from leukemia in Vanderbilt Medical Center.
All inquires from schools should be sent to timchavez787@yahoo.com.
My mistake: Critical TennCare gathering is tonight
Getting involved in the TennCare fight is critical now.
For Middle Tennessee, volunteers and advocates can come together tonight to do so.
I wrongly cited the gathering for Saturday, which sure doesn't help the organizer.
The gathering begins at 6. Light refreshments will be offered. I hope to be there to offer encouragement and provide coverage.
The gathering will be at the Tennessee Disability Coalition, 955 Woodland St., Nashville. It is a one story, brown brick building.
RSVP and/ or questions should go to: Christina Kretchik, Middle Tennessee Regional Organizer -- 615-227-7500 office, 615-829-4880 cell, e-mail ckretchik@thcc2.org.
For Middle Tennessee, volunteers and advocates can come together tonight to do so.
I wrongly cited the gathering for Saturday, which sure doesn't help the organizer.
The gathering begins at 6. Light refreshments will be offered. I hope to be there to offer encouragement and provide coverage.
The gathering will be at the Tennessee Disability Coalition, 955 Woodland St., Nashville. It is a one story, brown brick building.
RSVP and/ or questions should go to: Christina Kretchik, Middle Tennessee Regional Organizer -- 615-227-7500 office, 615-829-4880 cell, e-mail ckretchik@thcc2.org.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Krugman offers defense of public spending in Obama plan despite his continuing criticism of it
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman takes a break from picking apart the Obama economic stimulus plan to pursue his utmost passion: bad-mouthing conservatives.
He criticizes them for criticizing run-away public spending that has not worked with the nation's financial institutions and will not work with the economy. While he maintains the American public favors Obama, I do not believe the American public favor any plan that does not promise immediate and broad results.
The Obama plan does not. Neither does spending another $350 billion on financial institutions still taking receipt of corporate jets such as Citigroup or remodeling offices at $1 million apiece such as the former new head of Merrill Lynch.
History tells us that FDR's New Deal did not work. The Second World War finally rescued the economy after more than eight years of misery. Krugman denies that truth in favor of bashing conservatives. That's good work if you can get it, and you can on the editorial page of The New York Times, but it does not represent much honesty.
Krugman should stick to economic and not politics. The argument between spending and tax cuts is a legitimate one. And conservatives are speaking for me in questioning Obama's plan.
How about no more spending or tax breaks? The companies already are laying off incredile numbers. Let the chips fall where they may and then let's rebuild.
Start by guaranteeing health insurance for every American so they don't die and emergency rooms don't overfill and hospitals go bankrupt. We must have a basic safety net.
Now is time for complete honesty with the American people. And the Democrats have been going out of their way to try and refute a preliminary analysis of the Obama plan by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.
It says the plan is a real loser for an economy needing immediate action. Krugman neglects to mention the CBO report. Spending for spending's sake is reckless and allows the Chinese to do with capitalism what they couldn't do with Communism ... vanquish us, hold us hostage.
But here is what Krugman has to write:
First, there’s the bogus talking point that the Obama plan will cost $275,000 per job created. Why is it bogus? Because it involves taking the cost of a plan that will extend over several years, creating millions of jobs each year, and dividing it by the jobs created in just one of those years.
It’s as if an opponent of the school lunch program were to take an estimate of the cost of that program over the next five years, then divide it by the number of lunches provided in just one of those years, and assert that the program was hugely wasteful, because it cost $13 per lunch. (The actual cost of a free school lunch, by the way, is $2.57.)
The true cost per job of the Obama plan will probably be closer to $100,000 than $275,000 — and the net cost will be as little as $60,000 once you take into account the fact that a stronger economy means higher tax receipts.
Next, write off anyone who asserts that it’s always better to cut taxes than to increase government spending because taxpayers, not bureaucrats, are the best judges of how to spend their money.
Here’s how to think about this argument: it implies that we should shut down the air traffic control system. After all, that system is paid for with fees on air tickets — and surely it would be better to let the flying public keep its money rather than hand it over to government bureaucrats. If that would mean lots of midair collisions, hey, stuff happens.
The point is that nobody really believes that a dollar of tax cuts is always better than a dollar of public spending. Meanwhile, it’s clear that when it comes to economic stimulus, public spending provides much more bang for the buck than tax cuts — and therefore costs less per job created (see the previous fraudulent argument) — because a large fraction of any tax cut will simply be saved.
This suggests that public spending rather than tax cuts should be the core of any stimulus plan. But rather than accept that implication, conservatives take refuge in a nonsensical argument against public spending in general.
He criticizes them for criticizing run-away public spending that has not worked with the nation's financial institutions and will not work with the economy. While he maintains the American public favors Obama, I do not believe the American public favor any plan that does not promise immediate and broad results.
The Obama plan does not. Neither does spending another $350 billion on financial institutions still taking receipt of corporate jets such as Citigroup or remodeling offices at $1 million apiece such as the former new head of Merrill Lynch.
History tells us that FDR's New Deal did not work. The Second World War finally rescued the economy after more than eight years of misery. Krugman denies that truth in favor of bashing conservatives. That's good work if you can get it, and you can on the editorial page of The New York Times, but it does not represent much honesty.
Krugman should stick to economic and not politics. The argument between spending and tax cuts is a legitimate one. And conservatives are speaking for me in questioning Obama's plan.
How about no more spending or tax breaks? The companies already are laying off incredile numbers. Let the chips fall where they may and then let's rebuild.
Start by guaranteeing health insurance for every American so they don't die and emergency rooms don't overfill and hospitals go bankrupt. We must have a basic safety net.
Now is time for complete honesty with the American people. And the Democrats have been going out of their way to try and refute a preliminary analysis of the Obama plan by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.
It says the plan is a real loser for an economy needing immediate action. Krugman neglects to mention the CBO report. Spending for spending's sake is reckless and allows the Chinese to do with capitalism what they couldn't do with Communism ... vanquish us, hold us hostage.
But here is what Krugman has to write:
First, there’s the bogus talking point that the Obama plan will cost $275,000 per job created. Why is it bogus? Because it involves taking the cost of a plan that will extend over several years, creating millions of jobs each year, and dividing it by the jobs created in just one of those years.
It’s as if an opponent of the school lunch program were to take an estimate of the cost of that program over the next five years, then divide it by the number of lunches provided in just one of those years, and assert that the program was hugely wasteful, because it cost $13 per lunch. (The actual cost of a free school lunch, by the way, is $2.57.)
The true cost per job of the Obama plan will probably be closer to $100,000 than $275,000 — and the net cost will be as little as $60,000 once you take into account the fact that a stronger economy means higher tax receipts.
Next, write off anyone who asserts that it’s always better to cut taxes than to increase government spending because taxpayers, not bureaucrats, are the best judges of how to spend their money.
Here’s how to think about this argument: it implies that we should shut down the air traffic control system. After all, that system is paid for with fees on air tickets — and surely it would be better to let the flying public keep its money rather than hand it over to government bureaucrats. If that would mean lots of midair collisions, hey, stuff happens.
The point is that nobody really believes that a dollar of tax cuts is always better than a dollar of public spending. Meanwhile, it’s clear that when it comes to economic stimulus, public spending provides much more bang for the buck than tax cuts — and therefore costs less per job created (see the previous fraudulent argument) — because a large fraction of any tax cut will simply be saved.
This suggests that public spending rather than tax cuts should be the core of any stimulus plan. But rather than accept that implication, conservatives take refuge in a nonsensical argument against public spending in general.
Ben Hall, NewsChannel 5 Investigates force re-opening of homicide that left veteran dead
Kudos to journalist Ben Hall and NewsChannel 5 for tonight's investigative report on Metro Police's botching of an investigation in the death of a veteran shot to death by a security guard in a Trinity Lane truck stop parking lot.
Metro closed the case and excused the security guard who said he fired a single shot into Tim Alumbaugh(correction made thanks to reader) in a scuffle. The guard said the vet was on top of him, yet the guard had no blood on him.
Truck drivers witnessed the shooting, yet the police never interviewed the truckers.
Now Hall and NewsChannel 5, after listening to the beleaguered mother, have forced Metro to reopen the case and talk to the drivers. Tomorrow night, Hall's second report provides what the drivers say, which is opposite to what the security guard and Metro Police claim.
Again, NewsChannel 5 proved itself to be the top provider of information in the Midstate and its sole watchdog of government. This is public service journalism at its best, and why the station swept the local Emmys on Saturday.
And the police prove themselves in need of a civilian review board. This kind of wrong is not new. The Rev. Enoch Fuzz has repeatedly complained of the same for north Nashville residents.
That doesn't mean most police do a good job. But when homicides are excused as apparently in this case, then justice is denied, and that affects us all. One day, we may in the same situation with a loved one or ourselves.
When will a Nashville leader, such as the mayor, take the obvious step and bring a police civilian review board to a supposed progressive city? That would take courage and integrity. I'm not sure the mayor possesses either.
Metro closed the case and excused the security guard who said he fired a single shot into Tim Alumbaugh(correction made thanks to reader) in a scuffle. The guard said the vet was on top of him, yet the guard had no blood on him.
Truck drivers witnessed the shooting, yet the police never interviewed the truckers.
Now Hall and NewsChannel 5, after listening to the beleaguered mother, have forced Metro to reopen the case and talk to the drivers. Tomorrow night, Hall's second report provides what the drivers say, which is opposite to what the security guard and Metro Police claim.
Again, NewsChannel 5 proved itself to be the top provider of information in the Midstate and its sole watchdog of government. This is public service journalism at its best, and why the station swept the local Emmys on Saturday.
And the police prove themselves in need of a civilian review board. This kind of wrong is not new. The Rev. Enoch Fuzz has repeatedly complained of the same for north Nashville residents.
That doesn't mean most police do a good job. But when homicides are excused as apparently in this case, then justice is denied, and that affects us all. One day, we may in the same situation with a loved one or ourselves.
When will a Nashville leader, such as the mayor, take the obvious step and bring a police civilian review board to a supposed progressive city? That would take courage and integrity. I'm not sure the mayor possesses either.
An American Nightmare: Economy sheds more than 60,000 jobs on Monday in Biblical proportions
NBC News quoted an economist tonight saying that the U.S. economy is going to experience jobs cuts as of the "fury of the Old Testament" before this recession is over.
And today was just part of the beginning -- with more than 60,000 layoffs announced by corporate giants such as Caterpillar, Nextel, Sprint and Home Depot nationwide. The impact in Tennessee is uncertain.
The unemployment rate could rise to 10 percent by the end of the year. At its height, the Great Depression left a 25 percent unemployment rate. But that represented much fewer people than now.
With the President's economic stimulus plan expected to deliver most of its punch more than two years from now, the extent of the suffering is going to grow to Biblical proportions.
That will require we as citizens and neighbors to be also be Biblical, as in the story of The Good Samaritan.
And today was just part of the beginning -- with more than 60,000 layoffs announced by corporate giants such as Caterpillar, Nextel, Sprint and Home Depot nationwide. The impact in Tennessee is uncertain.
The unemployment rate could rise to 10 percent by the end of the year. At its height, the Great Depression left a 25 percent unemployment rate. But that represented much fewer people than now.
With the President's economic stimulus plan expected to deliver most of its punch more than two years from now, the extent of the suffering is going to grow to Biblical proportions.
That will require we as citizens and neighbors to be also be Biblical, as in the story of The Good Samaritan.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
In the People's House: Women are objectified, treated as second class citizens at Legislative Plaza; beware in allowing your daughters there
For the Williamson Herald
All Media must credit the Herald in using any information
A longtime female lawmaker tells me that during an elevator ride, she had to stick out here elbows to make an East Tennessee representative feel discomfort instead of what he was after.
He purposely was backing up into her body. And this was not the first time the pervert had done something like this.
When she complained to a party leader, she was told: "Get used to it; you're in a man's world."
She replied that she had been in the male business world, and that these kind of assaults were not allowed. Her protestations did not matter.
So in the wake last week of the re-publicizing of sexual harassment allegations against House Speaker Kent Williams, the news is simply a reminder to women who seek the life of public service at the Statehouse.
The People's House at Legislative Plaza does not follow your values when it comes to the respectful treatment of women -- be they are daughters, wives, sisters and mothers. And that cannot stand. It is your house, not theirs.
A female advocate I met today remarked that she felt like taking a bath after she visited and exited Legislative Plaza.
Truly, the sexual offenses there that reinforce a good ol' boy system have made the People's House into a place in which women must be on the defense. The leadership of both parties looks the other way.
Legislative sources say, however, that Williams was forced to apologize before witnesses in Rep. Jason Mumpower's office -- to Rep. Susan Lynn. Williams allegedly told her that he would give a week's pay to see her naked.
The most sad thing about this publicizing of this event -- at Lynn's objections -- is that no news reports list her entire, impressive credentials from six years of serving the people. In that way, the harasser at Legislative Plaza always wins.
Lynn is chairman of the House Government Operations Committee. She loves the detail of government. She specializes in business and commerce bills. She is a national officer with the American Legislation Exchange Council. Lynn is happily married, with two children -- one in the service of this nation and the other just married.
"She is a very bright gal; she studies her bills," a lawmaker said.
Lynn is not the villain here. As to her allegations, Williams has denied them. But there are three witnesses that say he apologized for his conduct.
The larger question is who will apologize to the people of Tennessee for the unacceptable debauchery inside the house taxpayers pay for? And who will enforce change and exact new penalties up to removal from office to clean out all the sleaze?
All Media must credit the Herald in using any information
A longtime female lawmaker tells me that during an elevator ride, she had to stick out here elbows to make an East Tennessee representative feel discomfort instead of what he was after.
He purposely was backing up into her body. And this was not the first time the pervert had done something like this.
When she complained to a party leader, she was told: "Get used to it; you're in a man's world."
She replied that she had been in the male business world, and that these kind of assaults were not allowed. Her protestations did not matter.
So in the wake last week of the re-publicizing of sexual harassment allegations against House Speaker Kent Williams, the news is simply a reminder to women who seek the life of public service at the Statehouse.
The People's House at Legislative Plaza does not follow your values when it comes to the respectful treatment of women -- be they are daughters, wives, sisters and mothers. And that cannot stand. It is your house, not theirs.
A female advocate I met today remarked that she felt like taking a bath after she visited and exited Legislative Plaza.
Truly, the sexual offenses there that reinforce a good ol' boy system have made the People's House into a place in which women must be on the defense. The leadership of both parties looks the other way.
Legislative sources say, however, that Williams was forced to apologize before witnesses in Rep. Jason Mumpower's office -- to Rep. Susan Lynn. Williams allegedly told her that he would give a week's pay to see her naked.
The most sad thing about this publicizing of this event -- at Lynn's objections -- is that no news reports list her entire, impressive credentials from six years of serving the people. In that way, the harasser at Legislative Plaza always wins.
Lynn is chairman of the House Government Operations Committee. She loves the detail of government. She specializes in business and commerce bills. She is a national officer with the American Legislation Exchange Council. Lynn is happily married, with two children -- one in the service of this nation and the other just married.
"She is a very bright gal; she studies her bills," a lawmaker said.
Lynn is not the villain here. As to her allegations, Williams has denied them. But there are three witnesses that say he apologized for his conduct.
The larger question is who will apologize to the people of Tennessee for the unacceptable debauchery inside the house taxpayers pay for? And who will enforce change and exact new penalties up to removal from office to clean out all the sleaze?
Alcatraz is place for terrorists for several reasons
I was speaking with my cousin who lives in Topeka and she is dreading the possibility of all the Gitmo prisoners being moved to Leavenworth, less than an hour from her home.
It seems that President Obama is intent on moving these prisoners to places where voters rejected his candidacy and his plans to close Gitmo.
But there are places and states that voted for him -- and were vehemently against the Bush administration's running of the detention facility -- that would perfect for the terrorists.
Alcatraz, located just outside San Francisco, would be great. However, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, once mayor of the city, says Alcatraz would not be good because it now is a national treasure under the Parks Service.
That can easily be overcome. In these urgent times, all national assets should be utilized to their fullest. The American people would not mind Alcatraz being used again for these terrorists, who would be isolated by water.
Neither should Obama, if he means to correct a mess he made.
It seems that President Obama is intent on moving these prisoners to places where voters rejected his candidacy and his plans to close Gitmo.
But there are places and states that voted for him -- and were vehemently against the Bush administration's running of the detention facility -- that would perfect for the terrorists.
Alcatraz, located just outside San Francisco, would be great. However, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, once mayor of the city, says Alcatraz would not be good because it now is a national treasure under the Parks Service.
That can easily be overcome. In these urgent times, all national assets should be utilized to their fullest. The American people would not mind Alcatraz being used again for these terrorists, who would be isolated by water.
Neither should Obama, if he means to correct a mess he made.
Investigation into Speaker's conduct now moving to Florida and report of two harassment lawsuits
Special to the Williamson Herald
All Media must credit the Herald for this reporting
The investigation into sexual harassment allegations against House Speaker Kent Williams has now shifted to Florida and his employment as a restaurant manager, two highly placed legislative sources tell the Herald.
One media and one non-media organization are pursuing information concerning the Speaker's conduct there, including two legal actions purportedly filed against him by employees.
Williams has denied allegations made privately but publicized by the news media about improper conduct by him toward Rep. Susan Lynn, also a Republican.
But sources tell the Herald that Williams apologized to Lynn in a meeting with Republican leadership two years ago in Rep. Jason Mumpower's office. He promised to correct his conduct, which was all that Lynn wanted.
The allegations were first publicized two years ago when Williams was a little noted representative from east Tennessee. Now, the matter was re-reported by the media last week after Williams ascendancy to House Speaker under a plan pushed by outgoing Democratic Speaker Jimmy Naifeh to retain his power.
Yes, anyone can file a lawsuit or make an allegation. But a pattern of complaints may reveal a pattern of conduct that is undeniable.
All Media must credit the Herald for this reporting
The investigation into sexual harassment allegations against House Speaker Kent Williams has now shifted to Florida and his employment as a restaurant manager, two highly placed legislative sources tell the Herald.
One media and one non-media organization are pursuing information concerning the Speaker's conduct there, including two legal actions purportedly filed against him by employees.
Williams has denied allegations made privately but publicized by the news media about improper conduct by him toward Rep. Susan Lynn, also a Republican.
But sources tell the Herald that Williams apologized to Lynn in a meeting with Republican leadership two years ago in Rep. Jason Mumpower's office. He promised to correct his conduct, which was all that Lynn wanted.
The allegations were first publicized two years ago when Williams was a little noted representative from east Tennessee. Now, the matter was re-reported by the media last week after Williams ascendancy to House Speaker under a plan pushed by outgoing Democratic Speaker Jimmy Naifeh to retain his power.
Yes, anyone can file a lawsuit or make an allegation. But a pattern of complaints may reveal a pattern of conduct that is undeniable.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
A big point: Rep. Lynn did not seek publicity for sexual harrassment complaint against Speaker
In their rush to take sides, some Tennesseans are forgetting to take note of a very important fact in the case of the sexual harassment complaint filed against the representative who became a puppet House Speaker earlier this month.
Rep. Susan Lynn filed the complaint almost two years ago after she says that Williams told her that he would give a week's pay to see her naked and made her feel uncomfortable in another situation. And she only filed it with her party's leadership to maintain discipline and respect in its ranks -- without publicity.
That was how far as it was supposed to go. Still, some bloggers reported on the complaint back then.
It was only after the media inquired that the complaint was released this week and re-reported. And now that Williams is puppet speaker at the service of outgoing Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, the complaint became more newsworthy.
As one legislative source told me tonight: "When the media asks for an open record, you have to turn it over."
I'll have more on this case tomorrow morning and new areas where the media investigation is headed concerning Williams and his alleged kind of conduct.
The puppet speaker has denied these allegations.
Rep. Susan Lynn filed the complaint almost two years ago after she says that Williams told her that he would give a week's pay to see her naked and made her feel uncomfortable in another situation. And she only filed it with her party's leadership to maintain discipline and respect in its ranks -- without publicity.
That was how far as it was supposed to go. Still, some bloggers reported on the complaint back then.
It was only after the media inquired that the complaint was released this week and re-reported. And now that Williams is puppet speaker at the service of outgoing Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, the complaint became more newsworthy.
As one legislative source told me tonight: "When the media asks for an open record, you have to turn it over."
I'll have more on this case tomorrow morning and new areas where the media investigation is headed concerning Williams and his alleged kind of conduct.
The puppet speaker has denied these allegations.
Franklin mayor wants to ban sign-flippers
NewsChannel 5 reports tonight that the mayor of Franklin, TN., wants to ban sign-flippers as a nusiance and eyesore.
The council will meet Tuesday night to discuss the matter but not vote on it.
The council will meet Tuesday night to discuss the matter but not vote on it.
OMIGOSH! HOORAY! Tennessee Democratic Party rises again with the selection of chairman Bredesen, Cooper and Ford did not endorse
Tired of leadership without principle and competency, Tennessee Democrats today elected a chairman that the state governor, Nashville congressman and Harold Ford Jr. did not want.
The endorsement of this terrible trio was rejected, and Chip Forrester of Watertown was elected chairman.
Thank goodness. Tennessee voters need choices and parties with different visions of what constitutes progress.
Forrester inherits a party that Phil Bredesen, Jim Cooper and Ford have led into popular oblivion and far from the principles of national Democrats. Bredesen actually told Barack Obama not to campaign in the state.
And former Chairman Gray Sasser was more concerned with the wave of his hair than the principles of his party. Sasser only got the job because of his last name. The Sasser name, however, does not carry that much clout anymore.
Best of luck to the new chairman. Tennessee desperately needs a distinctive, strong, two-party system.
The endorsement of this terrible trio was rejected, and Chip Forrester of Watertown was elected chairman.
Thank goodness. Tennessee voters need choices and parties with different visions of what constitutes progress.
Forrester inherits a party that Phil Bredesen, Jim Cooper and Ford have led into popular oblivion and far from the principles of national Democrats. Bredesen actually told Barack Obama not to campaign in the state.
And former Chairman Gray Sasser was more concerned with the wave of his hair than the principles of his party. Sasser only got the job because of his last name. The Sasser name, however, does not carry that much clout anymore.
Best of luck to the new chairman. Tennessee desperately needs a distinctive, strong, two-party system.
Suze Orman reads the riot act to caller who is keeping all her money in stock market; she doesn't want to hurt her financial adviser's feelings
Financial advice guru Suze Orman provides very spirited financial advice, but seldom have I watched her get disgusted as she did with a 63-year-old woman tonight.
And every one of you out there should take a lesson if you still have a lot of money in the stock market.
The woman told Orman that she has not shifted nearly all of her household's IRA income out of the market because her financial adviser is against it. The woman and her husband want to shift their money to safe harbor, so she called to ask Orman how.
And that set Suze off.
She chastised the woman for not firing her financial adviser, or ordering him to shift the IRA money to cash.
"It's your money!" she shouted.
Orman then acknowledged that a lot of consumers, however, let financial advisers and brokerage people bully them into staying in the market. The woman has lost 40% of her holdings.
From what financial analysts I trust tell me, it will take 10 years or more for investors to make up their losses. If you still stay in the market now, add a couple of more years to that term.
Why do financial advisers want you to stay in the market? Because they make money off you doing so. They don't make anything from you being in cash ... money market accounts.
I fired my financial adviser in Franklin, TN., last October. Why would I keep my money with someone who admits to losing more than 20% of his money? I make my own decisions and finished up for 2008 and so far in 2009.
Learn about investing. Study it. Absorb it. And protect your money now. It's yours!
Right, Suze?
And every one of you out there should take a lesson if you still have a lot of money in the stock market.
The woman told Orman that she has not shifted nearly all of her household's IRA income out of the market because her financial adviser is against it. The woman and her husband want to shift their money to safe harbor, so she called to ask Orman how.
And that set Suze off.
She chastised the woman for not firing her financial adviser, or ordering him to shift the IRA money to cash.
"It's your money!" she shouted.
Orman then acknowledged that a lot of consumers, however, let financial advisers and brokerage people bully them into staying in the market. The woman has lost 40% of her holdings.
From what financial analysts I trust tell me, it will take 10 years or more for investors to make up their losses. If you still stay in the market now, add a couple of more years to that term.
Why do financial advisers want you to stay in the market? Because they make money off you doing so. They don't make anything from you being in cash ... money market accounts.
I fired my financial adviser in Franklin, TN., last October. Why would I keep my money with someone who admits to losing more than 20% of his money? I make my own decisions and finished up for 2008 and so far in 2009.
Learn about investing. Study it. Absorb it. And protect your money now. It's yours!
Right, Suze?
NYTIMES has great profile of the coach who is producing so many coaches: UT's Pat Summit
The Tennessee Lady Vols play unbeaten Auburn tomorrow as legendary head coach Pat Summitt plays for victory No. 999.
But as The Times points out, she wins without even her team playing. A third of her former players have become coaches themselves.
Here's why, according to The Times:
To play for Summitt is to feel her glare everywhere. She has certain nonnegotiable rules, like requiring her players to sit in the first three rows at class. When they are broken, she has a way of finding out. Even after her players leave, Summitt keeps an eye on them. When Caldwell’s Bruins lost at home to Oregon, 73-56, Summitt called afterward to offer encouragement.
Some coaches come into their athletes’ lives for a few seasons, but when the wind blows, they fall away like leaves. Caldwell said she hoped to emulate Summitt, who lodges into her players’ lives like a root, providing steady nourishment.
“Pat just has a balance,” Caldwell said. “She makes time for people. She treats her players like family. It’s really admirable.”
In December, after several weeks of tending to her dying father, Barbre Singleton consented to taking him off a ventilator. Ten minutes later, she was outside her father’s room, gathering her emotions, when her cellphone rang. It was Summitt, whom she had not spoken to in a while.
“I just want you to know I’m thinking about you,” said Summitt, whose team was preparing for a game later in the day. Recalling the conversation, Barbre Singleton said, “You don’t know what that meant to me.”
Pat Summitt is a national treasure, and obviously a winner off the court. We are very blessed to have her in Tennessee and for our children to learn from her example of discipline and love.
But as The Times points out, she wins without even her team playing. A third of her former players have become coaches themselves.
Here's why, according to The Times:
To play for Summitt is to feel her glare everywhere. She has certain nonnegotiable rules, like requiring her players to sit in the first three rows at class. When they are broken, she has a way of finding out. Even after her players leave, Summitt keeps an eye on them. When Caldwell’s Bruins lost at home to Oregon, 73-56, Summitt called afterward to offer encouragement.
Some coaches come into their athletes’ lives for a few seasons, but when the wind blows, they fall away like leaves. Caldwell said she hoped to emulate Summitt, who lodges into her players’ lives like a root, providing steady nourishment.
“Pat just has a balance,” Caldwell said. “She makes time for people. She treats her players like family. It’s really admirable.”
In December, after several weeks of tending to her dying father, Barbre Singleton consented to taking him off a ventilator. Ten minutes later, she was outside her father’s room, gathering her emotions, when her cellphone rang. It was Summitt, whom she had not spoken to in a while.
“I just want you to know I’m thinking about you,” said Summitt, whose team was preparing for a game later in the day. Recalling the conversation, Barbre Singleton said, “You don’t know what that meant to me.”
Pat Summitt is a national treasure, and obviously a winner off the court. We are very blessed to have her in Tennessee and for our children to learn from her example of discipline and love.
In her own words: Rep. Lynn writes on her blog
Here is a statement by Rep. Susan Lynn concerning the events of this week that led to the publicizing of her sexual harrassment statement concerning activities by then Rep. Kent Williams before he became Puppet of the House:
What follows is a timeline for the recent events of this week and before.
Nearly two years ago, an incident occurred which was witnessed by a few. It has been well documented so I will not go into further detail except to say that I sought assistance from my leadership because I did not feel that I was being taken seriously in my request to be treated with professional courtesy.
At that time, a group of Nashville bloggers found out about the incident; they recounted the events on their blogs. The Nashville media observed the discourse and contacted me for comment. I declined to comment on the incident and so did my leadership.
After the election last week, I was contacted by a Nashville blogger that had knowledge of the incident two years earlier. He asked me if I would like to comment on his blog. I declined once more and immediately called my caucus leader to inform him that I was contacted by the blogger. We agreed to remain firm in our position not to comment on the incident.
On Sunday night the press started calling me. I refused to comment. Their phone calls persisted all day on Monday at which time I still refused to comment. In addition, they repeatedly contacted my leadership. In the early evening on Monday some media informed our press secretary that they intended to issue a public records request to our leadership for any information pertaining to the incident. When leadership arrived at the office on Tuesday morning members of the media were waiting with their requests for public information.
Until this time I was unaware that a file existed. However, in retrospect, it does make sense that the leader would document a serious incident even if only to safeguard his own actions. Although he has received much criticism, I can only imagine the critique if he had refused to hand over the file. Considering all that the leader has been through, I think that he has been very professional about everything.
I hope you will understand if I do not wish to comment any further on the incident. I believe that the information that has already been made public speaks for itself.
Thank you for the many kind words of support. I know that I have done nothing wrong. It is a difficult situation that one cannot ever win. That is why I sought to handle it privately.
What follows is a timeline for the recent events of this week and before.
Nearly two years ago, an incident occurred which was witnessed by a few. It has been well documented so I will not go into further detail except to say that I sought assistance from my leadership because I did not feel that I was being taken seriously in my request to be treated with professional courtesy.
At that time, a group of Nashville bloggers found out about the incident; they recounted the events on their blogs. The Nashville media observed the discourse and contacted me for comment. I declined to comment on the incident and so did my leadership.
After the election last week, I was contacted by a Nashville blogger that had knowledge of the incident two years earlier. He asked me if I would like to comment on his blog. I declined once more and immediately called my caucus leader to inform him that I was contacted by the blogger. We agreed to remain firm in our position not to comment on the incident.
On Sunday night the press started calling me. I refused to comment. Their phone calls persisted all day on Monday at which time I still refused to comment. In addition, they repeatedly contacted my leadership. In the early evening on Monday some media informed our press secretary that they intended to issue a public records request to our leadership for any information pertaining to the incident. When leadership arrived at the office on Tuesday morning members of the media were waiting with their requests for public information.
Until this time I was unaware that a file existed. However, in retrospect, it does make sense that the leader would document a serious incident even if only to safeguard his own actions. Although he has received much criticism, I can only imagine the critique if he had refused to hand over the file. Considering all that the leader has been through, I think that he has been very professional about everything.
I hope you will understand if I do not wish to comment any further on the incident. I believe that the information that has already been made public speaks for itself.
Thank you for the many kind words of support. I know that I have done nothing wrong. It is a difficult situation that one cannot ever win. That is why I sought to handle it privately.
Nashville ranks as 24th fittest city in the nation
Music City is fit besides talented, says Men's Fitness magazine, ranking Nashville in its top 25 ranking.
Meanwhile, the Speedo capital of the world, Miami ranked the most unfit, followed by Oklahoma City.
Salt Lake city was ranked fittest, based on park space and the number of people who sign up to play various sports and participate in yoga and other fitness exercises.
Meanwhile, the Speedo capital of the world, Miami ranked the most unfit, followed by Oklahoma City.
Salt Lake city was ranked fittest, based on park space and the number of people who sign up to play various sports and participate in yoga and other fitness exercises.
Female representative speaks out on sexual harrassment claims against new Speaker/Puppet of the House; watch NewsChannel 5 at 10 p.m.
In an exclusive, state Rep. Susan Lynn spoke directly tonight about her sexual harrassment charges aqainst the new House Speaker elected as a puppet by outgoing House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh.
Lynn complained to her party leadership about her fellow Republican representative two years ago. She told NewsChannel 5 that she did not intend for the matter to be made public but just handled by the leadership.
"I will give you a week's pay just to see you naked," Speaker Kent Williams allegedly said to Lynn when he was just a representative.
The matter came to the public attention after Lynn says she was contacted by a blogger after Williams' ascension as Naifeh's puppet. She did not push it.
NewsChannel 5 will air more of the interview on its 10 p.m. newscast.
Lynn complained to her party leadership about her fellow Republican representative two years ago. She told NewsChannel 5 that she did not intend for the matter to be made public but just handled by the leadership.
"I will give you a week's pay just to see you naked," Speaker Kent Williams allegedly said to Lynn when he was just a representative.
The matter came to the public attention after Lynn says she was contacted by a blogger after Williams' ascension as Naifeh's puppet. She did not push it.
NewsChannel 5 will air more of the interview on its 10 p.m. newscast.
Gun sales surge over economic fears; be careful
"I have never seen people more afraid," the gun owner told CBS News.
They fear rioting in the street if banks run out of money. And so people feel they will have to defend themselves, the gun owner said.
Gun sales nationally are up 42 percent and 24 percent the past two months.
One first-time buyer said he just wanted to feel comfortable and know the gun was there if he needed it.
I have no problem whatsoever with people exercising their Second Amendment rights. I just hope they take the needed training to prevent accidents and lock up the gun if it is in the house.
How many guns are there in this nation? CBS estimated 250 million.
So be careful out there and even in your neigborhood. Stay in at night and don't aggressively approach anyone. He or she will be armed, and fearful.
Those charactertistics make for a lethal encounter waiting to happen.
They fear rioting in the street if banks run out of money. And so people feel they will have to defend themselves, the gun owner said.
Gun sales nationally are up 42 percent and 24 percent the past two months.
One first-time buyer said he just wanted to feel comfortable and know the gun was there if he needed it.
I have no problem whatsoever with people exercising their Second Amendment rights. I just hope they take the needed training to prevent accidents and lock up the gun if it is in the house.
How many guns are there in this nation? CBS estimated 250 million.
So be careful out there and even in your neigborhood. Stay in at night and don't aggressively approach anyone. He or she will be armed, and fearful.
Those charactertistics make for a lethal encounter waiting to happen.
More than 30,000 layoffs since Obama takes over
America's big companies have announced more than 30,000 layoffs since Barack Obama became president.
And smaller cutbacks have been annnounced in communities across the nation, as in Middle Tennessee that realized 1,000 layoffs for high-paying jobs the past few days.
Accordingly, Tennessee's budget deficit for the current year is more than $1 billion. The governor here said Friday that lawmakers are going to hate his revised budget. Taxpayers will, too, with higher local property taxes.
It is one big mess.
And smaller cutbacks have been annnounced in communities across the nation, as in Middle Tennessee that realized 1,000 layoffs for high-paying jobs the past few days.
Accordingly, Tennessee's budget deficit for the current year is more than $1 billion. The governor here said Friday that lawmakers are going to hate his revised budget. Taxpayers will, too, with higher local property taxes.
It is one big mess.
Obama plan has $1 billion for school snacks, grass
NBC News reports tonight that the Obama economic stimulus plan has $1 billion set aside for school snacks and growing new grass on the National Mall.
Those outrages are just two examples of wasteful spending in the plan at a time of economic urgency.
Increasingly, it is becoming apparent that the $825 billion plan is simply another way to waste taxpayer money. And Obama is showing himself not to be that different from all the politicians he criticized, particularly GW Bush.
I believe it would be better to simply not spend one dollar on any plan and stop the spending of $350 billion of TARP money on banks that still are not lending. Instead, they are investing our money to make profits.
Columnist Paul Krugman, a Nobel Prize winner for economics, chastised Obama for deserting universal health care in his inaugural address.
Such health care is a no brainer when it comes to saving community hospitals and urban emergency rooms with preventitive care for every American. Such care is not a human right, it is our responsibility as a nation under God and to save money in an area in which costs are exploding.
Yet Obama only talks of affordable care, the same as his opponent John McCain.
So what makes him different? Increasingly, we're finding the answer to be "very little". And his decisions so far have created more problems than they've resolved.
Those outrages are just two examples of wasteful spending in the plan at a time of economic urgency.
Increasingly, it is becoming apparent that the $825 billion plan is simply another way to waste taxpayer money. And Obama is showing himself not to be that different from all the politicians he criticized, particularly GW Bush.
I believe it would be better to simply not spend one dollar on any plan and stop the spending of $350 billion of TARP money on banks that still are not lending. Instead, they are investing our money to make profits.
Columnist Paul Krugman, a Nobel Prize winner for economics, chastised Obama for deserting universal health care in his inaugural address.
Such health care is a no brainer when it comes to saving community hospitals and urban emergency rooms with preventitive care for every American. Such care is not a human right, it is our responsibility as a nation under God and to save money in an area in which costs are exploding.
Yet Obama only talks of affordable care, the same as his opponent John McCain.
So what makes him different? Increasingly, we're finding the answer to be "very little". And his decisions so far have created more problems than they've resolved.
Kim McMillan is another version of Jimmy Naifeh
Former Naifeh lieutenant Kim McMillan said last week that she is running for governor of Tennessee.
The Clarksville Democrat is simply another version of the corrupt former House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. I covered her when she was House Majority Leader. She led the effort to water down ethics legislation in the wake of Operation Tennessee Waltz.
She did what Naifeh told her. Electing her as governor would just shift this kind of corruption to the executive branch.
McMillan is more bad news that the state of Tennessee and its taxpayers don't need.
The Clarksville Democrat is simply another version of the corrupt former House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. I covered her when she was House Majority Leader. She led the effort to water down ethics legislation in the wake of Operation Tennessee Waltz.
She did what Naifeh told her. Electing her as governor would just shift this kind of corruption to the executive branch.
McMillan is more bad news that the state of Tennessee and its taxpayers don't need.
Do you want Gitmo detainees in your community?
The Obama administration and Democratic Party now face a very embarrassing and troubling predicament with the president's executive order to close Gitmo.
Where on American soil do you put these terrorists, who statistics show that almost every one of them after being released returns to terrorism?
My cousin in Topeka was outraged when talk surfaced that the terrorists were to be housed in her community. And rightly so. If these guys escape, the people there are the first victims in a hostage or whatever situation. If they are located there, then their support system of terrorism supporters in this country will move into the neighborhood.
No Democratic congressional representative last week offered their district for the detainees. Meanwhile Republicans were saying they did not want the men in their district, and rightly so, and questioned the new president's wisdom.
Sometimes idealism gets ahead of reality. And this reality is quite deadly. Perhaps the best place to locate the terrorists is on the grounds of the home of the man who made this decision. House the Gitmo terrorists on the grounds of the White House.
Where on American soil do you put these terrorists, who statistics show that almost every one of them after being released returns to terrorism?
My cousin in Topeka was outraged when talk surfaced that the terrorists were to be housed in her community. And rightly so. If these guys escape, the people there are the first victims in a hostage or whatever situation. If they are located there, then their support system of terrorism supporters in this country will move into the neighborhood.
No Democratic congressional representative last week offered their district for the detainees. Meanwhile Republicans were saying they did not want the men in their district, and rightly so, and questioned the new president's wisdom.
Sometimes idealism gets ahead of reality. And this reality is quite deadly. Perhaps the best place to locate the terrorists is on the grounds of the home of the man who made this decision. House the Gitmo terrorists on the grounds of the White House.
Pope takes outrageous step in removing ex-communication against four bishops, including American hater who says we staged Sept. 11
Pope Benedikt XVI has taken the outrageous step of removing ex-communication from four bishops, including one who denies the Holocaust happened and that the United States staged at the Sept. 11 attacks.
It is a sad day to be a Catholic.
Here is how The NY Times reported it:
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI, acceding to the far-right of the Catholic Church, revoked the excommunications of four schismatic bishops on Saturday, including one whose comments denying the Holocaust have provoked outrage.
The decision provided fresh fuel for critics who charge that Benedict’s four-year-old papacy has proven increasingly hostile to moderates and to the sweeping reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s that sought to create a more modern and open church.
Most contentious was the inclusion of Richard Williamson, a British-born cleric who in an interview last week said he did not believe Jews died in the Nazi gas chambers. He has also given interviews saying that the United States government staged the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as a pretext to invade Afghanistan.
The four reinstated men are members of the Society of Saint Pius X, which was founded by a French archbishop, Marcel Lefebvre, in 1970 as a protest against the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Archbishop Lefebvre made the four bishops in unsanctioned consecrations in Switzerland in 1988, prompting the immediate excommunication of all five by Pope John Paul II.
It is a sad day to be a Catholic.
Here is how The NY Times reported it:
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI, acceding to the far-right of the Catholic Church, revoked the excommunications of four schismatic bishops on Saturday, including one whose comments denying the Holocaust have provoked outrage.
The decision provided fresh fuel for critics who charge that Benedict’s four-year-old papacy has proven increasingly hostile to moderates and to the sweeping reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s that sought to create a more modern and open church.
Most contentious was the inclusion of Richard Williamson, a British-born cleric who in an interview last week said he did not believe Jews died in the Nazi gas chambers. He has also given interviews saying that the United States government staged the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as a pretext to invade Afghanistan.
The four reinstated men are members of the Society of Saint Pius X, which was founded by a French archbishop, Marcel Lefebvre, in 1970 as a protest against the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Archbishop Lefebvre made the four bishops in unsanctioned consecrations in Switzerland in 1988, prompting the immediate excommunication of all five by Pope John Paul II.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Krugman blasts Obama's inaugural speech and sees little realization of the times in his words
Nobel Prize-winning economics writer Paul Krugman tore apart President Obama's inaugural speech today and wrote that it left him more anxious about the nation's economic future than before the Democrat spoke.
Krugman referred to the "muddle" cited by famed economist John Maynard Keynes before the Great Depression.
" ... Mr. Obama is, as his predecessor put it, the decider. And he’s going to have to make some big decisions very soon. In particular, he’s going to have to decide how bold to be in his moves to sustain the financial system, where the outlook has deteriorated so drastically that a surprising number of economists, not all of them especially liberal, now argue that resolving the crisis will require the temporary nationalization of some major banks.
So is Mr. Obama ready for that? Or were the platitudes in his Inaugural Address a sign that he’ll wait for the conventional wisdom to catch up with events? If so, his administration will find itself dangerously behind the curve.
And that’s not a place that we want the new team to be. The economic crisis grows worse, and harder to resolve, with each passing week. If we don’t get drastic action soon, we may find ourselves stuck in the muddle for a very long time.
I agree with Krugman. Obama's speech did not impress. It was all right for the moment. But it did not inspire hope in me as an investor, which is why my fortune remains on the sidelines and not in the markets It's also why the Dow fell 2.5 percent this week. Look for much more decline to come.
Krugman noted that Obama tried to paraphrase Keynes in his address.
But something was lost in translation. Mr. Obama and Keynes both assert that we’re failing to make use of our economic capacity. But Keynes’s insight — that we’re in a “muddle” that needs to be fixed — somehow was replaced with standard we’re-all-at-fault, let’s-get-tough-on-ourselves boilerplate.
The president has a lot to overcome to get an economic stimilus plan into law. The biggest obstacle may be that he does not seem to sense all that is needed to make the best decisions at such a critical time in this nation's history.
Krugman referred to the "muddle" cited by famed economist John Maynard Keynes before the Great Depression.
" ... Mr. Obama is, as his predecessor put it, the decider. And he’s going to have to make some big decisions very soon. In particular, he’s going to have to decide how bold to be in his moves to sustain the financial system, where the outlook has deteriorated so drastically that a surprising number of economists, not all of them especially liberal, now argue that resolving the crisis will require the temporary nationalization of some major banks.
So is Mr. Obama ready for that? Or were the platitudes in his Inaugural Address a sign that he’ll wait for the conventional wisdom to catch up with events? If so, his administration will find itself dangerously behind the curve.
And that’s not a place that we want the new team to be. The economic crisis grows worse, and harder to resolve, with each passing week. If we don’t get drastic action soon, we may find ourselves stuck in the muddle for a very long time.
I agree with Krugman. Obama's speech did not impress. It was all right for the moment. But it did not inspire hope in me as an investor, which is why my fortune remains on the sidelines and not in the markets It's also why the Dow fell 2.5 percent this week. Look for much more decline to come.
Krugman noted that Obama tried to paraphrase Keynes in his address.
But something was lost in translation. Mr. Obama and Keynes both assert that we’re failing to make use of our economic capacity. But Keynes’s insight — that we’re in a “muddle” that needs to be fixed — somehow was replaced with standard we’re-all-at-fault, let’s-get-tough-on-ourselves boilerplate.
The president has a lot to overcome to get an economic stimilus plan into law. The biggest obstacle may be that he does not seem to sense all that is needed to make the best decisions at such a critical time in this nation's history.
Obama expects economic stimilus plan by Feb. 13; president will need a lot of luck for that feat
President Obama said today he expects to sign an economic stimilus plan on Feb. 13, Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday.
Good luck. The extremes of both parties in Congress are very far apart at this late date, separated by tax breaks and more spending.
I do not believe either party's leaders will be able to deliver needed numbers. And with the appointment of an opponent of TARP to be New York State's new U.S. senator, Obama faces a potential foe with his plan.
If there is one certainty in the legislative process, delay is the standard. Setting a date for passage and signing legislation into law only ensures failure, a bad precedent to set for a new presidency.
Good luck. The extremes of both parties in Congress are very far apart at this late date, separated by tax breaks and more spending.
I do not believe either party's leaders will be able to deliver needed numbers. And with the appointment of an opponent of TARP to be New York State's new U.S. senator, Obama faces a potential foe with his plan.
If there is one certainty in the legislative process, delay is the standard. Setting a date for passage and signing legislation into law only ensures failure, a bad precedent to set for a new presidency.
A question for the ages: 'What do women want?'
This Sunday's New York Times magazine features a very extensive story in its magazine featuring a question that has puzzled mankind for all of history.
The article follows the work of the following expert entering this area of research that has unfortunately been in the hands of men. Her work is to finally study and quantify female desire:
Meredith Chivers is ... a 36-year-old psychology professor at Queen’s University in the small city of Kingston, Ontario, a highly regarded scientist and a member of the editorial board of the world’s leading journal of sexual research, Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Her findings in the article are for mature readers but are in no way obscene. You can read the article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/magazine/25desire-t.html?_r=1&hp
Her work has much more to do with the mind than the body. Men have quite a simple reflexive system for desire. Women are much more complex and face great difficulty when their system for desire malfunctions. There really is no Viagara for women.
The following paragraph denotes the importance of Chivers' work:
Thinking not of the search for chemical aphrodisiacs but of her own quest for comprehension, Chivers said that she hopes her research and thinking will eventually have some benefit for women’s sexuality.
“I wanted everybody to have great sex,” she told me, recalling one of her reasons for choosing her career, and laughing as she did when she recounted the lessons she once gave on the position of the clitoris.
But mostly it’s the aim of understanding in itself that compels her.
For the discord, in women, between the body and the mind, she has deliberated over all sorts of explanations, the simplest being anatomy. The penis is external, its reactions more readily perceived and pressing upon consciousness. Women might more likely have grown up, for reasons of both bodily architecture and culture — and here was culture again, undercutting clarity — with a dimmer awareness of the erotic messages of their genitals.
Chivers said she has considered, too, research suggesting that men are better able than women to perceive increases in heart rate at moments of heightened stress and that men may rely more on such physiological signals to define their emotional states, while women depend more on situational cues.
So there are hints, she told me, that the disparity between the objective and the subjective might exist, for women, in areas other than sex. And this disconnection, according to yet another study she mentioned, is accentuated in women with acutely negative feelings about their own bodies.
This article constitutes a great read with an open mind. There are other female researches who disagree with Chivers. One stresses from her research that women first connect with a sense of intimacy, of first knowing the person. Another said women simply want to feel desired and craved.
One researcher said: “When it comes to desire, women may be far less relational than men.”
After reading this piece, you'll have to choose the answer to the ageless question that most fits you and your experiences.
The article follows the work of the following expert entering this area of research that has unfortunately been in the hands of men. Her work is to finally study and quantify female desire:
Meredith Chivers is ... a 36-year-old psychology professor at Queen’s University in the small city of Kingston, Ontario, a highly regarded scientist and a member of the editorial board of the world’s leading journal of sexual research, Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Her findings in the article are for mature readers but are in no way obscene. You can read the article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/magazine/25desire-t.html?_r=1&hp
Her work has much more to do with the mind than the body. Men have quite a simple reflexive system for desire. Women are much more complex and face great difficulty when their system for desire malfunctions. There really is no Viagara for women.
The following paragraph denotes the importance of Chivers' work:
Thinking not of the search for chemical aphrodisiacs but of her own quest for comprehension, Chivers said that she hopes her research and thinking will eventually have some benefit for women’s sexuality.
“I wanted everybody to have great sex,” she told me, recalling one of her reasons for choosing her career, and laughing as she did when she recounted the lessons she once gave on the position of the clitoris.
But mostly it’s the aim of understanding in itself that compels her.
For the discord, in women, between the body and the mind, she has deliberated over all sorts of explanations, the simplest being anatomy. The penis is external, its reactions more readily perceived and pressing upon consciousness. Women might more likely have grown up, for reasons of both bodily architecture and culture — and here was culture again, undercutting clarity — with a dimmer awareness of the erotic messages of their genitals.
Chivers said she has considered, too, research suggesting that men are better able than women to perceive increases in heart rate at moments of heightened stress and that men may rely more on such physiological signals to define their emotional states, while women depend more on situational cues.
So there are hints, she told me, that the disparity between the objective and the subjective might exist, for women, in areas other than sex. And this disconnection, according to yet another study she mentioned, is accentuated in women with acutely negative feelings about their own bodies.
This article constitutes a great read with an open mind. There are other female researches who disagree with Chivers. One stresses from her research that women first connect with a sense of intimacy, of first knowing the person. Another said women simply want to feel desired and craved.
One researcher said: “When it comes to desire, women may be far less relational than men.”
After reading this piece, you'll have to choose the answer to the ageless question that most fits you and your experiences.
Caroline Kennedy's critics aren't laughing now
Her critics said she was slow and not that accomplished and used the words "you know" too often in an interview with The New York Times.
And when she made a decision in the night to step away from consideration for the Senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton, her critics laughed at her.
Now, they aren't, with the appointment of an upstate New York representative to the Senate seat who is favored by the NRA and supported anti-immigrant legislation by the infamous Tom Tancredo.
I love the fact that she voted against the TARP Act, which has turned into a failure.
New York's governor really surprised a lot of people. I don't know if she a good appointment or not. When I lived in upstate New York, even the Republican congressmen there would have been considered liberal in Tennessee.
She is a Democrat who won a very heavily Republican district, which shows a lot of political skill and moderate thinking. That kind of touch sure is needed in Washington, D.C.
But I hope the surprise has turned into a lesson that must be learned for Kennedy's critics. Don't always reject someone just because they have a famous name. That name has meant a lot of good to this country, and she raised $65 million for NYC schools.
And no matter the problems that led to her withdrawl, she deserved better from those who savaged her as critics. Now let them criticize the governor's choice, since that seems to be what they do best.
And when she made a decision in the night to step away from consideration for the Senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton, her critics laughed at her.
Now, they aren't, with the appointment of an upstate New York representative to the Senate seat who is favored by the NRA and supported anti-immigrant legislation by the infamous Tom Tancredo.
I love the fact that she voted against the TARP Act, which has turned into a failure.
New York's governor really surprised a lot of people. I don't know if she a good appointment or not. When I lived in upstate New York, even the Republican congressmen there would have been considered liberal in Tennessee.
She is a Democrat who won a very heavily Republican district, which shows a lot of political skill and moderate thinking. That kind of touch sure is needed in Washington, D.C.
But I hope the surprise has turned into a lesson that must be learned for Kennedy's critics. Don't always reject someone just because they have a famous name. That name has meant a lot of good to this country, and she raised $65 million for NYC schools.
And no matter the problems that led to her withdrawl, she deserved better from those who savaged her as critics. Now let them criticize the governor's choice, since that seems to be what they do best.
Next step for tolerance in Nashville is elimination of 287g deportation program pushed by sheriff
When you defeat something from becoming law, it is only half a victory.
Obviously in politics, the goal is change. And so all the politicos crowing over defeating the EnglishOnly referendum in Nashville are the same ones who have refused to change the heinous 287g deportation program in Music City.
Compared to the referendum becoming law, 287g is much worse for immigrants here. It destroys family and endangers lives. And a pregnant woman was tortured in the custody of Nashville authorities during and after labor in 2008.
Yet the same politicos and chamber officials celebrating last night have remained silent about 287g.
If their involvement in opposing EnglishOnly was really about treating people morally, then they should now denounce 287g and force the sheriff to stop it. They should also tell Congressman Jim Cooper to go to the Department of Homeland Security in Washington and file an objection to the program here.
But he won't. Neither will all the politicos and chamber officials. So any victory they claim from Thursday is a hollow and hypocritical one.
Obviously in politics, the goal is change. And so all the politicos crowing over defeating the EnglishOnly referendum in Nashville are the same ones who have refused to change the heinous 287g deportation program in Music City.
Compared to the referendum becoming law, 287g is much worse for immigrants here. It destroys family and endangers lives. And a pregnant woman was tortured in the custody of Nashville authorities during and after labor in 2008.
Yet the same politicos and chamber officials celebrating last night have remained silent about 287g.
If their involvement in opposing EnglishOnly was really about treating people morally, then they should now denounce 287g and force the sheriff to stop it. They should also tell Congressman Jim Cooper to go to the Department of Homeland Security in Washington and file an objection to the program here.
But he won't. Neither will all the politicos and chamber officials. So any victory they claim from Thursday is a hollow and hypocritical one.
Now for some good news: More than two-thirds of Fortune 100 best places to work are hiring
My buddy Joe the Grocer in Cool Springs hired someone today.
And that's in keeping with findings in the Fortune 100 Best Places to Work, in which 73 of those companies actually are hiring now. Joe works for one of those companies, Publix.
Locally headquartered, Vanderbilt University ranked 98th on the list.
To see the full list, go to: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2009/full_list/
What is the moral of this tale?
Don''t give up hope. These companies represent the foundation upon America will come back economically and those who have been laid-off will return to the ranks of the employed.
I do not believe America will return to its economic greatness once enjoyed. It is like Britain after WWI. It no longer then was the great empire and had to find a new place in the world hierarchy.
That doesn't mean that England still is not respected and remains one of the two financial centers of the world. The same will be for America.
Use the Fortune 100 list to find employment and resurrection.
And that's in keeping with findings in the Fortune 100 Best Places to Work, in which 73 of those companies actually are hiring now. Joe works for one of those companies, Publix.
Locally headquartered, Vanderbilt University ranked 98th on the list.
To see the full list, go to: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2009/full_list/
What is the moral of this tale?
Don''t give up hope. These companies represent the foundation upon America will come back economically and those who have been laid-off will return to the ranks of the employed.
I do not believe America will return to its economic greatness once enjoyed. It is like Britain after WWI. It no longer then was the great empire and had to find a new place in the world hierarchy.
That doesn't mean that England still is not respected and remains one of the two financial centers of the world. The same will be for America.
Use the Fortune 100 list to find employment and resurrection.
A new threat: a lack of auto insurance on drivers
I was renewing my car insurance today in Franklin, TN., when the clerk told me of increased worries over drivers not renewing their insurance due to the bad economy.
Yes, insurance payments can be significant. And if you've lost a job and health care, you're looking to save anywhere you can to survive.
However, that makes driving more dangerous for people financially who have insurance. So drivers with insurance should slow down and be as courteous as possible to avoid any collisions.
It will end up costing you more.
Yes, insurance payments can be significant. And if you've lost a job and health care, you're looking to save anywhere you can to survive.
However, that makes driving more dangerous for people financially who have insurance. So drivers with insurance should slow down and be as courteous as possible to avoid any collisions.
It will end up costing you more.
Markets headed for disastrous opening
The nation's financial markets are headed toward a disastrous opening that may well finally and permanently breach the 8,000 mark and signal the large correction many experts have been projecting.
Estimates for the final landing point for the Dow range from 4,000 to 6,000.
Earnings for General Electric are expected today. GE is one of the 30 corporations that make up the Dow.
Estimates for the final landing point for the Dow range from 4,000 to 6,000.
Earnings for General Electric are expected today. GE is one of the 30 corporations that make up the Dow.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Former Gitmo detainee now a deadly chief with Al Qaeda; maybe Bush wasn't so stupid afterall
The thing I like about The New York Times is that its news pages provide revelations, no matter which political party or politicians it hurts.
Tonight, it provides a great scoop about a former Gitmo detainee who was released and now has become a lethal deputy chief of an Al Qaeda unit. The Times delivered the revelation to coincide with President Obama's executive order today to close the camp.
Closing Gitmo is not going as easy as its opponents and Bush-haters believed. But they'll never admit. Fighting terrorist is not simple.
The Times reports:
BEIRUT, Lebanon — The emergence of a former Guantánamo Bay detainee as the deputy leader of Al Qaeda’s Yemeni branch has underscored the potential complications in carrying out the executive order President Obama signed Thursday that the detention center be shut down within a year.
The militant, Said Ali al-Shihri, is suspected of involvement in a deadly bombing of the United States Embassy in Yemen’s capital, Sana, in September. He was released to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and passed through a Saudi rehabilitation program for former jihadists before resurfacing with Al Qaeda in Yemen.
Tonight, it provides a great scoop about a former Gitmo detainee who was released and now has become a lethal deputy chief of an Al Qaeda unit. The Times delivered the revelation to coincide with President Obama's executive order today to close the camp.
Closing Gitmo is not going as easy as its opponents and Bush-haters believed. But they'll never admit. Fighting terrorist is not simple.
The Times reports:
BEIRUT, Lebanon — The emergence of a former Guantánamo Bay detainee as the deputy leader of Al Qaeda’s Yemeni branch has underscored the potential complications in carrying out the executive order President Obama signed Thursday that the detention center be shut down within a year.
The militant, Said Ali al-Shihri, is suspected of involvement in a deadly bombing of the United States Embassy in Yemen’s capital, Sana, in September. He was released to Saudi Arabia in 2007 and passed through a Saudi rehabilitation program for former jihadists before resurfacing with Al Qaeda in Yemen.
Father Breen makes it official: referendum loses
The hero of Nashville's Hispanic community, the Rev. Joe Pat Breen, has just called me singing "alleluia".
The EnglishOnly referendum has officially been defeated. And Breen, and pastors such as the Rev. Enoch Fuzz across Nashville, deserve much credit for using their pulpits to stress the moral wrong of discriminating against the newcomers among us.
In one of the most moving displays during the campaign, a group of clergy assembled on the stage of the Music City USA Presidential Inaugural Ball Tuesday night made an impassioned presentation before 700 Nashvillians of different races and ethnicities in urging defeat of the referendum.
A lot of people will be seeking credit for the defeat of this measure, and rightly so. But the best thing about its defeat is that the moral message prevailed.
The EnglishOnly referendum has officially been defeated. And Breen, and pastors such as the Rev. Enoch Fuzz across Nashville, deserve much credit for using their pulpits to stress the moral wrong of discriminating against the newcomers among us.
In one of the most moving displays during the campaign, a group of clergy assembled on the stage of the Music City USA Presidential Inaugural Ball Tuesday night made an impassioned presentation before 700 Nashvillians of different races and ethnicities in urging defeat of the referendum.
A lot of people will be seeking credit for the defeat of this measure, and rightly so. But the best thing about its defeat is that the moral message prevailed.
FOXNEWS 17 says referendum heading to defeat
FOXNEWS 17 reports, that with 85 percent of the votes in, the EnglishOnly referendum appears headed to defeat.
The margin is 57 to 43 percent. But stay tuned.
The margin is 57 to 43 percent. But stay tuned.
With less than half vote, margin narrows
With less than half of the vote in, the margin to defeat the EnglishOnly referendum in Nashville has been narrowed to 56 to 44 percent.
Early voting had it being defeated 61-39 percent.
The total vote is expected in after 10 p.m. Some voters were still in line at 7 p.m. when the polls were supposed to close.
Early voting had it being defeated 61-39 percent.
The total vote is expected in after 10 p.m. Some voters were still in line at 7 p.m. when the polls were supposed to close.
Pat Nolan, NewsChannel5+ deliver incredibly poor analysis of vote on EnglishOnly referendum
It was obvious that NewsChannel 5's political analyst Pat Nolan had little interest in today's referendum and the people it would hurt and did not even bother to get out of his office to seek out any voter trends.
His analysis was incredibly vague. Even I had been out to the Madison Public Library site, which had been quite heavy with voter turnout after the work day with working-class whites and African-Americans. That does not bode well for defeating the referendum.
All that Nolan could come up with was a little bit of leaning toward a projection that the 61-39 percent early voting results margin would hold. I do not believe it will. I believe the referendum will pass based on Madison results I saw and feedback I have received on African-American voting.
Nolan had none of this information. He only cited trends that could emerge in precincts dominated by Karl Dean when he ran for mayor. Dean opposes the referendum, but his opposition is based on new business the city might lose with an intolerant image.
Channel 5 should get its money back for the hour Nolan wasted. I sure feel cheated by watching him.
His analysis was incredibly vague. Even I had been out to the Madison Public Library site, which had been quite heavy with voter turnout after the work day with working-class whites and African-Americans. That does not bode well for defeating the referendum.
All that Nolan could come up with was a little bit of leaning toward a projection that the 61-39 percent early voting results margin would hold. I do not believe it will. I believe the referendum will pass based on Madison results I saw and feedback I have received on African-American voting.
Nolan had none of this information. He only cited trends that could emerge in precincts dominated by Karl Dean when he ran for mayor. Dean opposes the referendum, but his opposition is based on new business the city might lose with an intolerant image.
Channel 5 should get its money back for the hour Nolan wasted. I sure feel cheated by watching him.
NewsChannel 5 says turnout for election at 13%; that bodes ill for defeat of divisive referendum
NewsChannel 5 reports that the total turnout for today's EnglishOnly referendum was about 13%, which bodes ill for defeat of the measure.
Madison was particularly busy after work, which also bodes ill for referendum opponents. Most voters were white and African-American.
In addition, African-American voters are voting strongly for the referendum.
Madison was particularly busy after work, which also bodes ill for referendum opponents. Most voters were white and African-American.
In addition, African-American voters are voting strongly for the referendum.
Black pastor calls on African-Americans to remember 'colored-only" and vote against EnglishOnly referendum before people today
The Rev. Enoch Fuzz -- in a last-minute press conference 90 minutes before the polls closed here -- called on African-Americans in Nashville to vote against the EnglishOnly referendum.
If passed, the measure would make Nashville the largest city in the nation to adopt English as the official language to the exclusion of others in government operations. It also would confirm deep political divisions between black and Hispanics, not only here but across the country.
Fuzz has been one of the few black pastors speaking out against the referendum. He also used an inaugural ball he organized for a diversity of clergy to speak out against the referendum.
He called the late press conference before the city's Big 3 TV stations to address a trend he had been following during the day: strong support in the African-American community for the referendum.
Unofficial polls had showed 70 percent support. That's why he had been working so hard in the past two weeks against the referendum. It was only at 3 this afternoon that he felt the need to go before TV cameras to perhaps switch a few votes that could make a difference.
Fuzz told the TV reporters that it was ironic -- that after only a full day of celebrating a black president who called for unprecedented unity across the country -- to now embrace such divisiveness.
Americans of Hispanic descent overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama. Today's vote would be seen as a betrayal, not only here but across the country.
If passed, the measure would make Nashville the largest city in the nation to adopt English as the official language to the exclusion of others in government operations. It also would confirm deep political divisions between black and Hispanics, not only here but across the country.
Fuzz has been one of the few black pastors speaking out against the referendum. He also used an inaugural ball he organized for a diversity of clergy to speak out against the referendum.
He called the late press conference before the city's Big 3 TV stations to address a trend he had been following during the day: strong support in the African-American community for the referendum.
Unofficial polls had showed 70 percent support. That's why he had been working so hard in the past two weeks against the referendum. It was only at 3 this afternoon that he felt the need to go before TV cameras to perhaps switch a few votes that could make a difference.
Fuzz told the TV reporters that it was ironic -- that after only a full day of celebrating a black president who called for unprecedented unity across the country -- to now embrace such divisiveness.
Americans of Hispanic descent overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama. Today's vote would be seen as a betrayal, not only here but across the country.
Bridgestone/Firestone to layoff more than 500
The La Vergne tire plant will cut 543 jobs and permanently eliminate 188 jobs of laid off employees in December.
The loss of these high-paying jobs will hurt the Middle Tennessee economy and is reflective of the state's economic dependence on the car industry.
Yesterday, DuPount announced the elimination of 400 jobs of high wages in Old Hickory, a Nashville suburb.
The loss of these high-paying jobs will hurt the Middle Tennessee economy and is reflective of the state's economic dependence on the car industry.
Yesterday, DuPount announced the elimination of 400 jobs of high wages in Old Hickory, a Nashville suburb.
BREAKING NEWS: African-Americans voting overwhelmingly for EnglishOnly referendum
For Immediate ReleaseContact Tim Chavez, 512-8209
PROMINENT AFRICAN-AMERICAN PASTOR TO VOTE AT 5 P.M. AT MADISON LIBRARY AND SPEAK OUT FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO VOTE AGAINST ENGLISH ONLY AND ANNOUNCE CREATION OF LANAGUAGES MINISTRY
REV. ENOCH FUZZ IS RECEIVING STRONG FEEDBACK THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE VOTING 'YES' ON THE REFERENDUM
MADISON -- The Rev. Enoch Fuzz of Corinthian Baptist Church and organizer of the successful Music City Inaugural Ball will vote at 5 p.m. at the library here and will make a statement to African-Americans to vote against the EnglishOnly referendum.
Rev. Fuzz has been a vocal critic of the measure. But he is receiving strong feedback from the black community that its members today are voting "yes" on the measure. He will make two statements after his vote.
PROMINENT AFRICAN-AMERICAN PASTOR TO VOTE AT 5 P.M. AT MADISON LIBRARY AND SPEAK OUT FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO VOTE AGAINST ENGLISH ONLY AND ANNOUNCE CREATION OF LANAGUAGES MINISTRY
REV. ENOCH FUZZ IS RECEIVING STRONG FEEDBACK THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE VOTING 'YES' ON THE REFERENDUM
MADISON -- The Rev. Enoch Fuzz of Corinthian Baptist Church and organizer of the successful Music City Inaugural Ball will vote at 5 p.m. at the library here and will make a statement to African-Americans to vote against the EnglishOnly referendum.
Rev. Fuzz has been a vocal critic of the measure. But he is receiving strong feedback from the black community that its members today are voting "yes" on the measure. He will make two statements after his vote.
TennCare fight is ours to wage now, not later
The fight to protect the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters on the state's Medicaid program called TennCare is now in our hands before the governor makes decisions and an economic stimulus plan is passed and signed into law.
We must be about preparing the ground for the political fight to come in Tennessee. And it is best we start in two ways:
One, start calling and e-mailing the governor's office. Tell him that the stimulus package will contain enough money to keep everyone on TennCare. Tell him not to use recipients as more fodder for his budget cuts as he has done since 2005. Those cuts resulted in the deaths of at least two dozen Tennesseans.
Contact:
Governor's Office, Tennessee State Capitol Nashville, TN 37243-0001. Phone: 615.741.2001. Fax: 615.532.9711. Email: phil.bredesen@state.tn.us
Second, get involved in the organizing meetings in your community through the Tennessee Health Care Coalition. In Nashville, come to an organizing meeting for Middle Tennessee residents on Saturday evening beginning at 6. Light refreshments will be offered. I hope to be there to offer encouragement and provide coverage.
Don't worry. I won't use your name unless you want.
The gathering will be at the Tennessee Disability Coalition, 955 Woodland St., Nashville. RSVP and/ or questions should go to: Christina Kretchik, Middle Tennessee Regional Organizer -- 615-227-7500 office, 615-829-4880 cell, e-mail ckretchik@thcc2.org.
Get involved now so we can be on the offensive and stop the governor from gutting TennCare again.
We must be about preparing the ground for the political fight to come in Tennessee. And it is best we start in two ways:
One, start calling and e-mailing the governor's office. Tell him that the stimulus package will contain enough money to keep everyone on TennCare. Tell him not to use recipients as more fodder for his budget cuts as he has done since 2005. Those cuts resulted in the deaths of at least two dozen Tennesseans.
Contact:
Governor's Office, Tennessee State Capitol Nashville, TN 37243-0001. Phone: 615.741.2001. Fax: 615.532.9711. Email: phil.bredesen@state.tn.us
Second, get involved in the organizing meetings in your community through the Tennessee Health Care Coalition. In Nashville, come to an organizing meeting for Middle Tennessee residents on Saturday evening beginning at 6. Light refreshments will be offered. I hope to be there to offer encouragement and provide coverage.
Don't worry. I won't use your name unless you want.
The gathering will be at the Tennessee Disability Coalition, 955 Woodland St., Nashville. RSVP and/ or questions should go to: Christina Kretchik, Middle Tennessee Regional Organizer -- 615-227-7500 office, 615-829-4880 cell, e-mail ckretchik@thcc2.org.
Get involved now so we can be on the offensive and stop the governor from gutting TennCare again.
The falsity of fitness: Image sold by TV ads offer people the impossible of ripped bodies in weeks
In the realm of public service, today's New York Times features a must-read article about a health professional who doubted all the TV ads by health clubs and fitness equipment manufacturers telling people that they could have ripped bodies in weeks.
So he rounded up some flabby people and gave them the equipment and health club memberships. He took before and after photos. And what he found was what he expected -- there was little change in physical appearance and weight.
Is all hopeless.?
Of course not. Fitness is matter a long-term dedication and results, which also includes major dietary changes.
I know this truth from personal experience in fighting cancer and diabetes. I now weigh 80 pounds less, am slender and my muscular frame has recovered from the ravages of chemo -- which I still take.
But I had to start walking each day for an hour after my balance returned. The pace had to be fast. Then I quit eating fried foods and going to buffets. No more white bread. I added more vegetables. And my body tells me I am not missing anything in putting those bad foods aside. I have gained so much in attitude and discipline. And on ocassion, I may eat a hamburger without cheese and with no fries.
But I don't miss the food. And I love my clothes fitting loosely.
We all face choices. The one for fitness is a no-brainer that will leave you feeling so much better about yourself while protecting your health.
Here is what The Times featured today:
CARL FOSTER, an exercise physiologist at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, was amused by ads for a popular piece of exercise equipment. Before-and-after photos showed pudgy men and women turned into athletes with ripped bodies of steel. And it all happened after just 12 weeks of exercising for 30 minutes three times a week. Then there was the popular book, with its own before-and-after photos, promoting a program that would totally change your body in six weeks with three 20-minute exercise sessions a week.
There are many examples of people who took up exercise and markedly changed their appearance. But how long does it take? And how much time and effort are required? Six weeks sounded crazy to Dr. Foster.
“We said: ‘Wait a minute. You can’t change yourself that much,’ ” Dr. Foster said. So he and his colleagues decided to experiment. Suppose they recruited sedentary people for a six-week exercise program. Would objective observers notice any changes in their bodies?
The plan was to photograph volunteers wearing skimpy bathing suits and then randomly assign them to one of three groups: cardiovascular exercise, weight lifting or control. Six weeks later, they would be photographed again.
Their heads would be blocked out of the photos, which would be shuffled. Then the subjects and judges would rate the body in each photo on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being spectacular.
The volunteers were men, age 18 to 40 (the university’s human-subjects review board looked askance at having women photographed and rated like that). And they were sedentary. “These were people who were just sort of dumplings,” Dr. Foster said.
Results were not surprising. The subjects rated themselves more highly than anyone else rated them, and female panelists rated the subjects lower than the male subjects or panelists rated them. But, over all, the subjects’ ratings barely changed, if at all, after their exercise program. And neither did objective measures, like weight or percentage of body fat, or waist size or the size of the bicep or thigh.
Exercise physiologists approach the whole new year, new you, total body transformation mania with a jaundiced eye. Yes, they said, people can change the way they look. But not overnight.
“I think it’s pretty clear,” said William Kraemer, a kinesiology professor at the University of Connecticut. Often the promises are just marketing, he said. “A lot of times when you are dealing with health clubs, they are trying to get new members who have made New Year’s resolutions.”
“To make a change in how you look, you are talking about a significant period of training,” Dr. Kraemer said. “In our studies it takes six months to a year.” And, he added, that is with regular strength-training workouts, using the appropriate weights and with a carefully designed individualized program. “That is what the reality is,” he said.
And genetic differences among individuals mean some people respond much better to exercise than others, said Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, an exercise researcher at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He added that although he does not think the before-and-after photos in ads are doctored, most people will not change so markedly no matter how hard or long they work. “I believe they are taking the top one or two people out of thousands,” Dr. Tarnopolsky said.
So he rounded up some flabby people and gave them the equipment and health club memberships. He took before and after photos. And what he found was what he expected -- there was little change in physical appearance and weight.
Is all hopeless.?
Of course not. Fitness is matter a long-term dedication and results, which also includes major dietary changes.
I know this truth from personal experience in fighting cancer and diabetes. I now weigh 80 pounds less, am slender and my muscular frame has recovered from the ravages of chemo -- which I still take.
But I had to start walking each day for an hour after my balance returned. The pace had to be fast. Then I quit eating fried foods and going to buffets. No more white bread. I added more vegetables. And my body tells me I am not missing anything in putting those bad foods aside. I have gained so much in attitude and discipline. And on ocassion, I may eat a hamburger without cheese and with no fries.
But I don't miss the food. And I love my clothes fitting loosely.
We all face choices. The one for fitness is a no-brainer that will leave you feeling so much better about yourself while protecting your health.
Here is what The Times featured today:
CARL FOSTER, an exercise physiologist at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, was amused by ads for a popular piece of exercise equipment. Before-and-after photos showed pudgy men and women turned into athletes with ripped bodies of steel. And it all happened after just 12 weeks of exercising for 30 minutes three times a week. Then there was the popular book, with its own before-and-after photos, promoting a program that would totally change your body in six weeks with three 20-minute exercise sessions a week.
There are many examples of people who took up exercise and markedly changed their appearance. But how long does it take? And how much time and effort are required? Six weeks sounded crazy to Dr. Foster.
“We said: ‘Wait a minute. You can’t change yourself that much,’ ” Dr. Foster said. So he and his colleagues decided to experiment. Suppose they recruited sedentary people for a six-week exercise program. Would objective observers notice any changes in their bodies?
The plan was to photograph volunteers wearing skimpy bathing suits and then randomly assign them to one of three groups: cardiovascular exercise, weight lifting or control. Six weeks later, they would be photographed again.
Their heads would be blocked out of the photos, which would be shuffled. Then the subjects and judges would rate the body in each photo on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being spectacular.
The volunteers were men, age 18 to 40 (the university’s human-subjects review board looked askance at having women photographed and rated like that). And they were sedentary. “These were people who were just sort of dumplings,” Dr. Foster said.
Results were not surprising. The subjects rated themselves more highly than anyone else rated them, and female panelists rated the subjects lower than the male subjects or panelists rated them. But, over all, the subjects’ ratings barely changed, if at all, after their exercise program. And neither did objective measures, like weight or percentage of body fat, or waist size or the size of the bicep or thigh.
Exercise physiologists approach the whole new year, new you, total body transformation mania with a jaundiced eye. Yes, they said, people can change the way they look. But not overnight.
“I think it’s pretty clear,” said William Kraemer, a kinesiology professor at the University of Connecticut. Often the promises are just marketing, he said. “A lot of times when you are dealing with health clubs, they are trying to get new members who have made New Year’s resolutions.”
“To make a change in how you look, you are talking about a significant period of training,” Dr. Kraemer said. “In our studies it takes six months to a year.” And, he added, that is with regular strength-training workouts, using the appropriate weights and with a carefully designed individualized program. “That is what the reality is,” he said.
And genetic differences among individuals mean some people respond much better to exercise than others, said Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, an exercise researcher at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He added that although he does not think the before-and-after photos in ads are doctored, most people will not change so markedly no matter how hard or long they work. “I believe they are taking the top one or two people out of thousands,” Dr. Tarnopolsky said.
Secretary Clinton will lead a more disciplined State Dept. than husband did White House; it will elevate humanity in foreign policy decisionmaking
It is quite satisfying to see Hillary Rodham Clinton assume control of the State Department.
She will run a department that needs a strong leader with visible values. She fits that need and more.
For all the ballyhoo she received, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was quite flawed. I interviewed her one-on-one in Nashville. And I found her to be the stubbornness and tunnel-vision in the White House concerning the war on terror in Iraq.
She was the primary move behind the war in Iraq, not over weapons of mass destruction but as a historical exercise like the Cold War to bring freedom to another region. And she did not really care how many people died, American or citizens of other countries, including children. Rice was not a good secretary of state.
Secretary Clinton will be just as forceful, but she has shown a greater tendency to see humanity in decisions made. And she, contrary to her husband's administration, wanted intervention in Rwanda to stop the slaughter of 800,000 human beings.
So her ascendancy to Secretary of State is long overdue, not only for this nation but the world so that humanity comes first in America's foreign policy decisionmaking.
She will run a department that needs a strong leader with visible values. She fits that need and more.
For all the ballyhoo she received, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was quite flawed. I interviewed her one-on-one in Nashville. And I found her to be the stubbornness and tunnel-vision in the White House concerning the war on terror in Iraq.
She was the primary move behind the war in Iraq, not over weapons of mass destruction but as a historical exercise like the Cold War to bring freedom to another region. And she did not really care how many people died, American or citizens of other countries, including children. Rice was not a good secretary of state.
Secretary Clinton will be just as forceful, but she has shown a greater tendency to see humanity in decisions made. And she, contrary to her husband's administration, wanted intervention in Rwanda to stop the slaughter of 800,000 human beings.
So her ascendancy to Secretary of State is long overdue, not only for this nation but the world so that humanity comes first in America's foreign policy decisionmaking.
A difficult truth: With a black president, many more blacks need to step up in war on terror
As we were gazing upon the pictures of Tennessee Marines who have fallen in the war on terror, the Gold Star mothers and fathers, sister and stepfathers reached the same conclusion:
Only white and Hispanic faces made up those of the fallen. That must change now in a nation headed by a black president.
In all the joy of Jan. 20 and every day before by African-Americans, they have neglected to note the lack of full service by their children in the war on terror. In fact, whites and Hispanics have done more of the dying compared to their percentage in the population.
There could not be a black president without such sacrifice, or any new president. So now African-Americans face the choice of service or continued selfishness.
The war in Afghanistan is heightening. And my friend, Sgt. Zachary Ross of Nashville, is returning to his fifth tour of duty. That is too much. But he must make up for the large lack of African-American participation in defending this nation and its freedoms.
Yes, African-Americans have died in the war on terror. But not in their proportion to the population. Obama should speak out on this now.
There is a lack of appreciation for those who have died in the war among too many African-Americans. I discovered that Tuesday night at the inaugural ball held here for President Obama which featured the Gold Star families and my buddy, the Marine sergeant.
The head of a local black newspaper and a minor ball organizer decided to turn a room I had requested for the Gold Star families into a place for the moneychangers before the temple. And when I noted the sacrifice of the white men and Hispanic men on display, she said, "I know, I know, we run their names. What else do you want me to say."
Run their names? That is far from enough. Yet she did not even take the time to come over to table of Gold Star families and thank them for their service. Few people did. And of those who did, it was mostly white folks, not black folks.
Talk is cheap. All the celebrating and dancing for Obama is over. Now is the time for responsibility and self-sacrifice. That's what Obama called for his inaugural address. Did they not hear?
That means a hell of a lot more African-Americans signing up to fight and die, if necessary, so that the next display of men and women who have died for this nation is much more diverse.
Only white and Hispanic faces made up those of the fallen. That must change now in a nation headed by a black president.
In all the joy of Jan. 20 and every day before by African-Americans, they have neglected to note the lack of full service by their children in the war on terror. In fact, whites and Hispanics have done more of the dying compared to their percentage in the population.
There could not be a black president without such sacrifice, or any new president. So now African-Americans face the choice of service or continued selfishness.
The war in Afghanistan is heightening. And my friend, Sgt. Zachary Ross of Nashville, is returning to his fifth tour of duty. That is too much. But he must make up for the large lack of African-American participation in defending this nation and its freedoms.
Yes, African-Americans have died in the war on terror. But not in their proportion to the population. Obama should speak out on this now.
There is a lack of appreciation for those who have died in the war among too many African-Americans. I discovered that Tuesday night at the inaugural ball held here for President Obama which featured the Gold Star families and my buddy, the Marine sergeant.
The head of a local black newspaper and a minor ball organizer decided to turn a room I had requested for the Gold Star families into a place for the moneychangers before the temple. And when I noted the sacrifice of the white men and Hispanic men on display, she said, "I know, I know, we run their names. What else do you want me to say."
Run their names? That is far from enough. Yet she did not even take the time to come over to table of Gold Star families and thank them for their service. Few people did. And of those who did, it was mostly white folks, not black folks.
Talk is cheap. All the celebrating and dancing for Obama is over. Now is the time for responsibility and self-sacrifice. That's what Obama called for his inaugural address. Did they not hear?
That means a hell of a lot more African-Americans signing up to fight and die, if necessary, so that the next display of men and women who have died for this nation is much more diverse.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Obama re-takes oath of office earlier today
President Obama retook the oath of office earlier today from Chief Justice John Roberts at the insistence of the White House staff.
Roberts gave the wrong words to the oath on Jan. 20 in now the most-recognized flub in world history.
CNN broke the story about the oath being retaken minutes ago.
The White House did not allow a TV camera in. CNN is now questioning a White House that only today signed an executive order about transparency.
Roberts gave the wrong words to the oath on Jan. 20 in now the most-recognized flub in world history.
CNN broke the story about the oath being retaken minutes ago.
The White House did not allow a TV camera in. CNN is now questioning a White House that only today signed an executive order about transparency.
Caroline Kennedy bows out of Senate bid
The New York Times reports tonight that Caroline Kennedy has decided to withdraw her bid to be named to the U.S. Senate out of her concern for her uncle's health.
Sen. Edward Kennedy had a seizure yesterday during a luncheon to honor President Barack Obama on his inauguration day. Kennedy was released today. He suffers from brain cancer.
However, his niece said his care was her No. 1 priority which would prevent her from holding a high profile position.
Certainly, her wishes are understandable. But it is a great loss for the country.
Sen. Edward Kennedy had a seizure yesterday during a luncheon to honor President Barack Obama on his inauguration day. Kennedy was released today. He suffers from brain cancer.
However, his niece said his care was her No. 1 priority which would prevent her from holding a high profile position.
Certainly, her wishes are understandable. But it is a great loss for the country.
CBO says President Obama's economic stimulus plan won't have full impact for 10 years; House GOP wants meeting with Obama next week
As a sign that that the federal economic stimulus plan will not pass anytime soon, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released a study showing that President Obama's plan would not produce the needed immediate impact.
Accordingly, FOXNEWS reported, House Republicans have asked for a meeting with Obama. And he has agreed to hear their stimulus ideas next week.
The CBO study found that only $136 billion of the proposed $350 billion in spending to create jobs would be completed in the first two fiscal years. And each job created by plan would cost $223,000, one congressman found, said FOXNEWS' Britt Hume.
The surprising study shows that any plan will not be approved for some time. And governors like Tennessee's Phil Bredesen waiting to deal with their state fiscal problems waiting for the Obama plan are only fooling themselves and delaying the difficult truth to taxpayers.
Accordingly, FOXNEWS reported, House Republicans have asked for a meeting with Obama. And he has agreed to hear their stimulus ideas next week.
The CBO study found that only $136 billion of the proposed $350 billion in spending to create jobs would be completed in the first two fiscal years. And each job created by plan would cost $223,000, one congressman found, said FOXNEWS' Britt Hume.
The surprising study shows that any plan will not be approved for some time. And governors like Tennessee's Phil Bredesen waiting to deal with their state fiscal problems waiting for the Obama plan are only fooling themselves and delaying the difficult truth to taxpayers.
How did a city go so wrong in less than 40 years?
I was walking today across Bicentennial Mall this afternoon and read the historical notation that Nashville was the first major Southern city to desegregate its lunch counters in 1960.
Now, less than 40 years later, the city is prepared to erase that kind of humnan progress and rewrite its laws in fear and according to the difference in one's language.
How did Nashville devolve? And how did the races who hated one another now join together to hate immigrants?
That is worthy of a sociological study, or citywide religious crusade, or public rite of repentance.
Tomorrow, Nashville could become the largest U.S. city to ban languages other than English in city operations. Nashville, the supposed Athens of the South, is now more like Rome at its fall. And the barbarians are us, not the immigrants new to our city.
Tomorrow's vote is supposedly too close to call. But the turn in the weather to warmer temperatures holds the hope of building a larger turnout and the potential fall for the referendum.
If Nashville is to devolve, let it do so chronoglogically and return to the spirit of 1960 that desegregated the lunch counters. Let Nashville hope again, and regain some of the progress lost in those 40 years.
Now, less than 40 years later, the city is prepared to erase that kind of humnan progress and rewrite its laws in fear and according to the difference in one's language.
How did Nashville devolve? And how did the races who hated one another now join together to hate immigrants?
That is worthy of a sociological study, or citywide religious crusade, or public rite of repentance.
Tomorrow, Nashville could become the largest U.S. city to ban languages other than English in city operations. Nashville, the supposed Athens of the South, is now more like Rome at its fall. And the barbarians are us, not the immigrants new to our city.
Tomorrow's vote is supposedly too close to call. But the turn in the weather to warmer temperatures holds the hope of building a larger turnout and the potential fall for the referendum.
If Nashville is to devolve, let it do so chronoglogically and return to the spirit of 1960 that desegregated the lunch counters. Let Nashville hope again, and regain some of the progress lost in those 40 years.
Growing older and emptying the nest are not bad
The New York Times has an interesting social and health story today that says empty nests free of children can strengthen marriages, contrary to popular belief.
As this nation ages with Baby Boomers, empty nests are more common. The Times story on available research suggests that Americans may be also growing happier.
Here is an excerpt from the fascinating story on the changing face of the American household and the complexities of relationships between people:
But a growing body of research suggests that the phenomenon(empty nests) has been misunderstood. While most parents clearly miss children who have left home for college, jobs or marriage, they also enjoy the greater freedom and relaxed responsibility.
And despite the common worry that long-married couples will find themselves with nothing in common, the new research, published in November in the journal Psychological Science, shows that marital satisfaction actually improves when the children finally take their exits.
“It’s not like their lives were miserable,” said Sara Melissa Gorchoff, a specialist in adult relationships at the University of California, Berkeley. “Parents were happy with their kids. It’s just that their marriages got better when they left home.”
While that may not be surprising to many parents, understanding why empty nesters have better relationships can offer important lessons on marital happiness for parents who are still years away from having a child-free house.
Indeed, one of the more uncomfortable findings of the scientific study of marriage is the negative effect children can have on previously happy relationships. Despite the popular notion that children bring couples closer, several studies have shown that marital satisfaction and happiness typically plummet with the arrival of the first baby.
In June, The Journal of Advanced Nursing reported on a study from the University of Nebraska College of Nursing that looked at marital happiness in 185 men and women. Scores declined starting in pregnancy, and remained lower as the children reached 5 months and 24 months. Other studies show that couples with two children score even lower than couples with one child.
While having a child clearly makes parents happy, the financial and time constraints can add stress to a relationship. After the birth of a child, couples have only about one-third the time alone together as they had when they were childless, according to researchers from Ohio State.
The arrival of children also puts a disproportionate burden of household duties on women, a common source of marital conflict. After children, housework increases three times as much for women as for men, according to studies from the Center on Population, Gender and Social Equality at the University of Maryland.
As this nation ages with Baby Boomers, empty nests are more common. The Times story on available research suggests that Americans may be also growing happier.
Here is an excerpt from the fascinating story on the changing face of the American household and the complexities of relationships between people:
But a growing body of research suggests that the phenomenon(empty nests) has been misunderstood. While most parents clearly miss children who have left home for college, jobs or marriage, they also enjoy the greater freedom and relaxed responsibility.
And despite the common worry that long-married couples will find themselves with nothing in common, the new research, published in November in the journal Psychological Science, shows that marital satisfaction actually improves when the children finally take their exits.
“It’s not like their lives were miserable,” said Sara Melissa Gorchoff, a specialist in adult relationships at the University of California, Berkeley. “Parents were happy with their kids. It’s just that their marriages got better when they left home.”
While that may not be surprising to many parents, understanding why empty nesters have better relationships can offer important lessons on marital happiness for parents who are still years away from having a child-free house.
Indeed, one of the more uncomfortable findings of the scientific study of marriage is the negative effect children can have on previously happy relationships. Despite the popular notion that children bring couples closer, several studies have shown that marital satisfaction and happiness typically plummet with the arrival of the first baby.
In June, The Journal of Advanced Nursing reported on a study from the University of Nebraska College of Nursing that looked at marital happiness in 185 men and women. Scores declined starting in pregnancy, and remained lower as the children reached 5 months and 24 months. Other studies show that couples with two children score even lower than couples with one child.
While having a child clearly makes parents happy, the financial and time constraints can add stress to a relationship. After the birth of a child, couples have only about one-third the time alone together as they had when they were childless, according to researchers from Ohio State.
The arrival of children also puts a disproportionate burden of household duties on women, a common source of marital conflict. After children, housework increases three times as much for women as for men, according to studies from the Center on Population, Gender and Social Equality at the University of Maryland.
DuPont in Old Hickory to eliminate 240 positions
WSMV Channel 4 reports today that the DuPoint plant in Old Hickory is eliminating 80 to 100 private contractor positions and 140 direct employment jobs.
The cuts will be completed by the end of the March. The impact to the Old Hickory community will be substantial.
DuPont has been a Nashville area economic fixture for generations. This layoff hits at a hard time for the state and city economically with rising budget deficits.
The cuts will be completed by the end of the March. The impact to the Old Hickory community will be substantial.
DuPont has been a Nashville area economic fixture for generations. This layoff hits at a hard time for the state and city economically with rising budget deficits.
Tomorrow's vote on EnglishOnly offers Nashville chance to make up for many historical wrongs
Tomorrow's EnglishOnly referendum will not kill the futures of Hispanics here needing translation help.
My grandparents on both sides survived an EnglishOnly world 100 years ago in this nation.
But the real danger will come to every person who is non-Hispanic and does not need language help. And economic hard times such as the one we're living can bring out the worst in politicians and leaders.
When you scapegoat one people as being a problem, as Hitler did in the ruins of Germany after World War I, you risk unleashing this kind of heinous action on the next group of people that the next Eric Crafton will cast his eye upon.
It may people who need help for some skill or designation they lack from the rest of society. You can think of the possibilities quite easily, just consider yourself and your weaknesses. Now consider a law passed to make that weakness even more of a handicap.
When we fail to speak up for one group, we make it easier for the next group of people to be singled out and scapegoated.
Do not vote tomorrow for people who are Hispanic. Vote for yourselves, and to protect the uniqueness you possess in your strengths and weaknesses.
Please. Vote "No".
My grandparents on both sides survived an EnglishOnly world 100 years ago in this nation.
But the real danger will come to every person who is non-Hispanic and does not need language help. And economic hard times such as the one we're living can bring out the worst in politicians and leaders.
When you scapegoat one people as being a problem, as Hitler did in the ruins of Germany after World War I, you risk unleashing this kind of heinous action on the next group of people that the next Eric Crafton will cast his eye upon.
It may people who need help for some skill or designation they lack from the rest of society. You can think of the possibilities quite easily, just consider yourself and your weaknesses. Now consider a law passed to make that weakness even more of a handicap.
When we fail to speak up for one group, we make it easier for the next group of people to be singled out and scapegoated.
Do not vote tomorrow for people who are Hispanic. Vote for yourselves, and to protect the uniqueness you possess in your strengths and weaknesses.
Please. Vote "No".
Study shows alarming rise in resistant staph infections but offers not insight on new treatment
Today New York Times offers something that most parents already know -- ear, nose and throat infections are increasingly not treatable with standard antibiotics.
What is needed is a study on how to address the problem and what investment is needed in the creation of new antibiotics.
Here's an excerpt from the story in hopes you can pull out something important to your children that I could not find:
Children are picking up more stubborn staph infections that don’t respond to common antibiotics, and the proportion their of ear, nose and throat infections resistant to standard drug treatment increased dramatically over a six-year period, a new study has found.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, known as MRSA, accounted for 28.1 percent of children’s head and neck staph infections in 2006, up from just 11.8 percent in 2001, according to researchers at Emory University in Atlanta. It once was rare for an ear, nose and throat doctor to see MRSA infections, noted Dr. Steven E. Sobol, the paper’s senior author and director of pediatric otolaryngology at Emory University School of Medicine. “That was the impetus for the study,” he said.
The report was published in this week’s issue of Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
“Over the past four or five years, we’ve seen an increased prevalence of these infections that used to be caused by other organisms that are now being caused by MRSA,” said Dr. Sobol. The researchers excluded from their analysis skin infections not caused by staph.
Though the study captured information from only a limited number of laboratories, the report’s authors said the overall trend is clear, concluding that there is “an alarming nationwide increase” in the prevalence of MRSA infections in children. The change parallels an increase in so-called community-acquired cases of MRSA among relatively healthy people who aren’t hospitalized or infirm.
What is needed is a study on how to address the problem and what investment is needed in the creation of new antibiotics.
Here's an excerpt from the story in hopes you can pull out something important to your children that I could not find:
Children are picking up more stubborn staph infections that don’t respond to common antibiotics, and the proportion their of ear, nose and throat infections resistant to standard drug treatment increased dramatically over a six-year period, a new study has found.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, known as MRSA, accounted for 28.1 percent of children’s head and neck staph infections in 2006, up from just 11.8 percent in 2001, according to researchers at Emory University in Atlanta. It once was rare for an ear, nose and throat doctor to see MRSA infections, noted Dr. Steven E. Sobol, the paper’s senior author and director of pediatric otolaryngology at Emory University School of Medicine. “That was the impetus for the study,” he said.
The report was published in this week’s issue of Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
“Over the past four or five years, we’ve seen an increased prevalence of these infections that used to be caused by other organisms that are now being caused by MRSA,” said Dr. Sobol. The researchers excluded from their analysis skin infections not caused by staph.
Though the study captured information from only a limited number of laboratories, the report’s authors said the overall trend is clear, concluding that there is “an alarming nationwide increase” in the prevalence of MRSA infections in children. The change parallels an increase in so-called community-acquired cases of MRSA among relatively healthy people who aren’t hospitalized or infirm.
A news media double-standard in Obama oath flub
If it had been George W. Bush who had flubbed his own inaugural oath, the news media, pundits and comedians would be crowing about how stupid the man is. They'd actually be questioning the man's intellectual ability to do the job.
But when Barack Obama does it, the media seeks out explanations and lays most of the blame on Chief Justice John Roberts, a Bush appointee.
If I could ever get my colleagues to stop and listen to more than themselves, people who liked Bush -- including me -- or even members of his own party who got tired of him might see this as a continuing double standard in the media when it comes to the treatment of Democrats versus Republicans.
Truly, Bush would have been savaged. Obama has been excused.
A lot of Americans are watching, and the media are just going to lose more audience and readership if they continue with the bias -- on something so minor but in the future something major.
But when Barack Obama does it, the media seeks out explanations and lays most of the blame on Chief Justice John Roberts, a Bush appointee.
If I could ever get my colleagues to stop and listen to more than themselves, people who liked Bush -- including me -- or even members of his own party who got tired of him might see this as a continuing double standard in the media when it comes to the treatment of Democrats versus Republicans.
Truly, Bush would have been savaged. Obama has been excused.
A lot of Americans are watching, and the media are just going to lose more audience and readership if they continue with the bias -- on something so minor but in the future something major.
Music City Inaugural Ball smashes all expectations; more than 700 fill ballroom; spirit of unity carries over from Obama in Washington to Nashville
The two biggest suprises of the night at the Music City USA Inaugural Presidential Charity Ball came early:
First, more than 700 people purchased $100 tickets in a depressed economy to be part of the spirit of unity and service that President Obama sent forth from Washington earlier in the day. Two extra seats had to be taken to each table.
Second, a Nashville rabbi amid all the Christian preachers and ministers was the one clergy member who really revved up the crowd in an appreciation of the diversity of people and languages and faiths in Nashville.
The message was clear: vote against the EnglishOnly referendum tomorrow.
The ball was an incredible success, not only financially in delivering support to 21 local charities, but in bringing together Midstate people across racial, political, religious and class lines. For the first time at such an event.
The Rev. Enoch Fuzz of Corinthian Baptist Church -- the prime mover and dreamer of the ball -- established himself as a primary leader in Nashville, of any color, class or political party.
Ricky and Sharon White-Skaggs showed themselves to be as passionate as people as Grammy-winning performers. They put all their spiritual and celebrity might behind the ball, with White-Skaggs serving as ball co-chair.
An impressive team of 44 community organizers assisted in the event, along with a legion of volunteers. And people emerged from the ball greatly encouraged and convinced that the gathering was only the first of many efforts to come from this new coalition of the willing. And committed to the president's call to service and unity.
The energy created from the event and the day will last for months and gopefully years.
I'll provide you more updates today about surprises and successes from the ball, which will not be forgotten as an important event in Nashville's history -- yet more for its future.
First, more than 700 people purchased $100 tickets in a depressed economy to be part of the spirit of unity and service that President Obama sent forth from Washington earlier in the day. Two extra seats had to be taken to each table.
Second, a Nashville rabbi amid all the Christian preachers and ministers was the one clergy member who really revved up the crowd in an appreciation of the diversity of people and languages and faiths in Nashville.
The message was clear: vote against the EnglishOnly referendum tomorrow.
The ball was an incredible success, not only financially in delivering support to 21 local charities, but in bringing together Midstate people across racial, political, religious and class lines. For the first time at such an event.
The Rev. Enoch Fuzz of Corinthian Baptist Church -- the prime mover and dreamer of the ball -- established himself as a primary leader in Nashville, of any color, class or political party.
Ricky and Sharon White-Skaggs showed themselves to be as passionate as people as Grammy-winning performers. They put all their spiritual and celebrity might behind the ball, with White-Skaggs serving as ball co-chair.
An impressive team of 44 community organizers assisted in the event, along with a legion of volunteers. And people emerged from the ball greatly encouraged and convinced that the gathering was only the first of many efforts to come from this new coalition of the willing. And committed to the president's call to service and unity.
The energy created from the event and the day will last for months and gopefully years.
I'll provide you more updates today about surprises and successes from the ball, which will not be forgotten as an important event in Nashville's history -- yet more for its future.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Obama initiates a 'new era of responsibility'; that means hope is going to come at a price for all
President Barack Obama offered hope today in his inaugural address, but a tough way to it, one that will displease all of us somewhat -- particularly people in his own political party.
Meanwhile, the financial markets responded negatively, falling 200 points on the Dow by the time Obama finished his speech. Meanwhile, oil jumped by $2 a barrel.
Obama, like Lincoln, touched the difficulty of the times, not promising a lot nor holding himself as a savior. We must save ourselves.
His address was perfect for the times, sobering but somehow encouraging this nation and the world forward, hopefully one day soon.
But it was not a great speech. It was a true one to his ideals. For now, that is enough.
Meanwhile, the financial markets responded negatively, falling 200 points on the Dow by the time Obama finished his speech. Meanwhile, oil jumped by $2 a barrel.
Obama, like Lincoln, touched the difficulty of the times, not promising a lot nor holding himself as a savior. We must save ourselves.
His address was perfect for the times, sobering but somehow encouraging this nation and the world forward, hopefully one day soon.
But it was not a great speech. It was a true one to his ideals. For now, that is enough.
Market gives skeptical response so far to Obama
The stock market is down 150 points in early trading as oil continues it rise back to $40 a barrel.
This response so far to President Obama is correct. His plans will not make an impact in the economy until mid-summer. And the stimulus plan and the remainder of the TARP will probably be ineffective at best.
Until then, state budget cuts will reduce services and raise taxes and layoffs will mushroom. Soak up all the hope today, because tomorrow we return to reality.
This response so far to President Obama is correct. His plans will not make an impact in the economy until mid-summer. And the stimulus plan and the remainder of the TARP will probably be ineffective at best.
Until then, state budget cuts will reduce services and raise taxes and layoffs will mushroom. Soak up all the hope today, because tomorrow we return to reality.
Today we are all Americans; tonight in Nashville, barriers between people fall at inaugural ball
My fellow Hispanic bloggers have been very critical of things of late, complaining about the Bush administration and what the Obama administration must do for Latinos and immigrants.
They are missing an important point and trend of social change in this nation. Today and for the foreseeable future, we are all Americans, putting our specific agendas aside for a national one. And the spirit of unity is needed to take this nation through a tough road ahead.
President-elect Obama has been busy in making this message, even holding a dinner to honor Sen. John McCain last night. Hispanic bloggers risk alienating themselves to the powers that be as a whining voice, and they will be ignored in the new political power structure and attitude.
His inaugural address will call upon a national unity none of us have ever known. And that must be our mission, not a Hispanic one.
Toward that goal tonight in Nashville, we are holding an inaugural ball meant to build that unity and produce a host of service projects. We know we must be about saving ourselves here in Nashville, because Obama has more than enough on his plate. We will have as many Republicans as Democrats at the ball. That is on purpose. It is time for unity now. Special interest politics must be set aside.
If you'd like to be part of this movement, call and buy a ticket for tonight's ball here at (615) 569-3010.
There is too much suffering ongoing across this nation for one group to continue to push its own problems above those of the nation. Hispanic bloggers should realize this truth.
We have in Nashville.
And President Obama has in Washington, D.C.
They are missing an important point and trend of social change in this nation. Today and for the foreseeable future, we are all Americans, putting our specific agendas aside for a national one. And the spirit of unity is needed to take this nation through a tough road ahead.
President-elect Obama has been busy in making this message, even holding a dinner to honor Sen. John McCain last night. Hispanic bloggers risk alienating themselves to the powers that be as a whining voice, and they will be ignored in the new political power structure and attitude.
His inaugural address will call upon a national unity none of us have ever known. And that must be our mission, not a Hispanic one.
Toward that goal tonight in Nashville, we are holding an inaugural ball meant to build that unity and produce a host of service projects. We know we must be about saving ourselves here in Nashville, because Obama has more than enough on his plate. We will have as many Republicans as Democrats at the ball. That is on purpose. It is time for unity now. Special interest politics must be set aside.
If you'd like to be part of this movement, call and buy a ticket for tonight's ball here at (615) 569-3010.
There is too much suffering ongoing across this nation for one group to continue to push its own problems above those of the nation. Hispanic bloggers should realize this truth.
We have in Nashville.
And President Obama has in Washington, D.C.
Twenty-five Tennessee troopers deputized as federal agents to help in Washington, D.C. today
Twenty-five state troopers -- including the son of my good friend Charlene Grinder of Lebanon -- are in the nation's Capitol today to help provide security at today's inauguration of Barack Obama.
The troopers have been federalized to help provide security and direction for the enormous crowds on hand for the inauguration.
The troopers have been federalized to help provide security and direction for the enormous crowds on hand for the inauguration.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Williamson County's greatest peril: Rising property taxes even on unemployed homeowners are certainty as Bredesen cuts local share of state aid
FOR THE WILLIAMSON HERALD
ALL MEDIA MUST CREDIT THE HERALD WITH ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION
President Barack Obama will not be the blame.
Gov. Phill Bredesen will -- after he cuts the local share of state aid, forcing a shocking rise in property taxes to fund schools, police and other services in Williamson County and every one in the loop around Nashville.
The governor, who told Obama not to campaign in Tennessee, won't let you know the extent of your taxation suffering because, well, he is waiting on Obama and his stimulus plan to reduce the extent of the $1 billion in budget cuts needed in Tennessee.
Obama won't get that stimulus package any time soon because of his own party in Congress. So Bredesen, by mid-February when he makes his State of the State address, will be amid more extreme budgetary crisis than there is now. He'll soon receive the horrible sales tax numbers from a weak Christmas buying season when all state governments expect to make the needed revenue.
Bredesen is not going to get it. And he is going to make you pay at home.
Don't feel like you're being singled out. My favorite financial website, www.marketwatch.com, says you'll have a lot of company with other homeowners in other states strapped to make their own ends meet in a new, tougher economy amid growing layoffs.
If you think it isn't fair, you're right. But all the capitalism gives, it also takes. Politicians simply make it worse.
I hate to bring bad news, but my 10 years of economics reporting experience -- from the oil and gas fields of Oklahoma amid 100 bank failures to the gold-lined ceilings at GM headquarters in Detroit to the New York Stock Exchange where the statue of George Washington holds court -- tells me that I should tell you the truth.
Here is the bleak picture, from Marketwatch:
No, the real danger to your wallets comes much closer to home -- from cash-strapped states and municipalities, which are in their worst shape fiscally in decades.
Though they may resist at first, governors and state legislatures could be forced to raise income taxes, sales taxes, state university tuitions, transit fees and whatever else will help pay the freight.
That may mute the impact of any federal stimulus package, because if one government takes while another gives, you'll still have less money to spend at the mall.
The situation is dire. The recession and the housing crash have landed body blows to local governments, severely reducing tax revenues. The National Governors Association projects fiscal 2009 budget shortfalls may reach $60 billion, and fiscal 2010 deficits could top $80 billion.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington, D.C.-based liberal think tank that focuses on state and local finances, says: "Combined budget gaps for the remainder of the fiscal year and state fiscal years 2010 and 2011 are estimated to total more than $350 billion."
Maybe we shouldn't spend the second half of the $700-billion Troubled Asset Relief Program so quickly.
Indeed, the governors say states "may experience negative spending growth" this year for the first time since 1983 "and states may take up to several years after a recession is over to fully recover."
Until then, it's time to batten down the hatches.
Now, County Executive Rogers Anderson is very good with numbers. County Commissioner Clyde Lynch is a dogged budget warrior.
But what is coming down Franklin Pike from the state Capitol is a nasty mess that will leave everyone soiled, and you paying a lot higher property taxes by fall.
Tennessee's economy is ill-prepared for this long recession, purposely tied by Bredesen and other governors to the new car industry, which now can't sell a new car because few people can get credit. Layoffs in this industry in 2009 will decimate Tennessee's tax revenue system throughout the Midstate and leave Loop counties cutting even more services or raising your property taxes more.
Sorry for the bad news. But someone had to tell you. I thought it best to come from a friend.
ALL MEDIA MUST CREDIT THE HERALD WITH ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION
President Barack Obama will not be the blame.
Gov. Phill Bredesen will -- after he cuts the local share of state aid, forcing a shocking rise in property taxes to fund schools, police and other services in Williamson County and every one in the loop around Nashville.
The governor, who told Obama not to campaign in Tennessee, won't let you know the extent of your taxation suffering because, well, he is waiting on Obama and his stimulus plan to reduce the extent of the $1 billion in budget cuts needed in Tennessee.
Obama won't get that stimulus package any time soon because of his own party in Congress. So Bredesen, by mid-February when he makes his State of the State address, will be amid more extreme budgetary crisis than there is now. He'll soon receive the horrible sales tax numbers from a weak Christmas buying season when all state governments expect to make the needed revenue.
Bredesen is not going to get it. And he is going to make you pay at home.
Don't feel like you're being singled out. My favorite financial website, www.marketwatch.com, says you'll have a lot of company with other homeowners in other states strapped to make their own ends meet in a new, tougher economy amid growing layoffs.
If you think it isn't fair, you're right. But all the capitalism gives, it also takes. Politicians simply make it worse.
I hate to bring bad news, but my 10 years of economics reporting experience -- from the oil and gas fields of Oklahoma amid 100 bank failures to the gold-lined ceilings at GM headquarters in Detroit to the New York Stock Exchange where the statue of George Washington holds court -- tells me that I should tell you the truth.
You need to adjust your household budgets now and not plan on taking a vacation to preserve the best parts of your lifestyle and standard of living.
Trust me. I watch CNBC 12 hours a day for ENTERTAINMENT.
I got out of the market above 12,000.
You'd be wise to take out a subscription to the Herald because I will alert you on its pages to the economic turmoil before it happens so you can prepare. I'm not kidding. I take this responsibility very seriously because this mess is touching good families and fellow believers.
.
Here is the bleak picture, from Marketwatch:
No, the real danger to your wallets comes much closer to home -- from cash-strapped states and municipalities, which are in their worst shape fiscally in decades.
Though they may resist at first, governors and state legislatures could be forced to raise income taxes, sales taxes, state university tuitions, transit fees and whatever else will help pay the freight.
That may mute the impact of any federal stimulus package, because if one government takes while another gives, you'll still have less money to spend at the mall.
The situation is dire. The recession and the housing crash have landed body blows to local governments, severely reducing tax revenues. The National Governors Association projects fiscal 2009 budget shortfalls may reach $60 billion, and fiscal 2010 deficits could top $80 billion.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington, D.C.-based liberal think tank that focuses on state and local finances, says: "Combined budget gaps for the remainder of the fiscal year and state fiscal years 2010 and 2011 are estimated to total more than $350 billion."
Maybe we shouldn't spend the second half of the $700-billion Troubled Asset Relief Program so quickly.
Indeed, the governors say states "may experience negative spending growth" this year for the first time since 1983 "and states may take up to several years after a recession is over to fully recover."
Until then, it's time to batten down the hatches.
Now, County Executive Rogers Anderson is very good with numbers. County Commissioner Clyde Lynch is a dogged budget warrior.
But what is coming down Franklin Pike from the state Capitol is a nasty mess that will leave everyone soiled, and you paying a lot higher property taxes by fall.
Tennessee's economy is ill-prepared for this long recession, purposely tied by Bredesen and other governors to the new car industry, which now can't sell a new car because few people can get credit. Layoffs in this industry in 2009 will decimate Tennessee's tax revenue system throughout the Midstate and leave Loop counties cutting even more services or raising your property taxes more.
Sorry for the bad news. But someone had to tell you. I thought it best to come from a friend.
For all liberals, a bit of justice and pain for Cheney
For all liberals wanting President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney to be prosecuted for events leading up to and during the Iraq War, you got a little justice early.
Cheney has been put out of action, while trying to move his belongings for incoming VP Joe Biden.
Here is how AP reports it:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Dick Cheney pulled a muscle in his back while moving boxes and will be in a wheelchair for Tuesday's inauguration ceremony.
White House press secretary Dana Perino said Cheney was helping to move into his new home outside Washington in McLean, Va., when he injured his back.
His doctor recommended that he needed a wheelchair for the next couple of days.
Perino said that Cheney is OK otherwise.
"The vice president is looking forward to being there for tomorrow's historic inaugural activities," Perino said.
Cheney has been put out of action, while trying to move his belongings for incoming VP Joe Biden.
Here is how AP reports it:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Dick Cheney pulled a muscle in his back while moving boxes and will be in a wheelchair for Tuesday's inauguration ceremony.
White House press secretary Dana Perino said Cheney was helping to move into his new home outside Washington in McLean, Va., when he injured his back.
His doctor recommended that he needed a wheelchair for the next couple of days.
Perino said that Cheney is OK otherwise.
"The vice president is looking forward to being there for tomorrow's historic inaugural activities," Perino said.
The New York Times reaches bailout deal for itself
Carlos Slim, the second richest man in the world, has reached a deal to bail out The New York Times and buy a larger share of the newspaper company than he already owns, The Wall Street Journal reports tonight.
To see The Times in such trouble is very discouraging, because it has maintained its high standard of journalism. Its website is magnificent and a must read daily.
As for other newspapers, they deserve their dilemma because of bad leaders in the newsroom and at the corporate level.
Slim, from Mexico, is a billionaire. He will invest $250 million in unsecured notes and receive interest payments of 16 percent. Nice deal if you can get it.
To see The Times in such trouble is very discouraging, because it has maintained its high standard of journalism. Its website is magnificent and a must read daily.
As for other newspapers, they deserve their dilemma because of bad leaders in the newsroom and at the corporate level.
Slim, from Mexico, is a billionaire. He will invest $250 million in unsecured notes and receive interest payments of 16 percent. Nice deal if you can get it.
HEALTH: How the commander in chief will change middle-aged men into physically fit specimens
Women of the world rejoice!
Not only is President Barack Obama bringing change to Washington, he is going to bring dramatic change to the man sleeping next to you each night. And that change will mean he gets less sleep and more exercise.
So all the difficult stuff you've had to go through to stay fit now will come down upon your significant other, claims The Telegraph newspaper in the UK.
Obama looks great for a middle-aged man. And all the pot bellies on buffett-ballooned men will have to come off or society will ask: why can't you be like the leader of the free world.
Here is how The Telegraph describes this new challenge to unmotivated mature men:
"The main reason I do it is to clear my head and relieve me of stress," Obama told Men's Health. "My blood pressure is pretty low and I tend to be a healthy eater. Most of my workouts have to come before my day starts. There's always a trade-off between sleep and working out. Usually I get in about 45 minutes, six days a week. I'll lift [weights] one day, do cardio the next. I wish I was getting a 90-minute workout."
Certainly Obama looks like he is preparing for the immense pressure that comes with his new position. Dr Michael Roizen, an American doctor who has assessed the medical records of presidents as far back as Theodore Roosevelt, believes one year in the White House equals two in the rest of the world when it comes to stress. He cites Reagan as an example. "When Reagan came into office [aged 69], he stood up absolutely straight," says Roizen. "When he left office, he was hunched over. The age signs on his face were there."
Obama has become renowned for his almost preternatural calm as displayed at every stage of the presidential campaign. And he does have one other advantage: his father's African background. Kenya, the home of the late Barack Obama Snr, produces some of the best endurance athletes in the world. It is a complex and debatable subject, but some sports scientists believe that up to 75 per cent of performance can be attributed to genetic background
Obama also eats healthily. He's a big fan of broccoli (unlike at least one of his predecessors, George Bush Snr). He snacks on raw nuts and protein bars after a workout and drinks organic berry tea. He does have some vices – caramel chocolates, the odd drink still and, famously, the occasional "bummed" cigarette.
So what lessons can middle-aged males here learn from Obama? The biggest challenge is to have an interest in fitness. While 49 per cent of men aged 19 to 24 take the recommended minimum exercise of 30 minutes, five days a week, the level drops to 34 per cent of men between 35 and 49, and 24 per cent between 50 and 64.
Not only is President Barack Obama bringing change to Washington, he is going to bring dramatic change to the man sleeping next to you each night. And that change will mean he gets less sleep and more exercise.
So all the difficult stuff you've had to go through to stay fit now will come down upon your significant other, claims The Telegraph newspaper in the UK.
Obama looks great for a middle-aged man. And all the pot bellies on buffett-ballooned men will have to come off or society will ask: why can't you be like the leader of the free world.
Here is how The Telegraph describes this new challenge to unmotivated mature men:
"The main reason I do it is to clear my head and relieve me of stress," Obama told Men's Health. "My blood pressure is pretty low and I tend to be a healthy eater. Most of my workouts have to come before my day starts. There's always a trade-off between sleep and working out. Usually I get in about 45 minutes, six days a week. I'll lift [weights] one day, do cardio the next. I wish I was getting a 90-minute workout."
Certainly Obama looks like he is preparing for the immense pressure that comes with his new position. Dr Michael Roizen, an American doctor who has assessed the medical records of presidents as far back as Theodore Roosevelt, believes one year in the White House equals two in the rest of the world when it comes to stress. He cites Reagan as an example. "When Reagan came into office [aged 69], he stood up absolutely straight," says Roizen. "When he left office, he was hunched over. The age signs on his face were there."
Obama has become renowned for his almost preternatural calm as displayed at every stage of the presidential campaign. And he does have one other advantage: his father's African background. Kenya, the home of the late Barack Obama Snr, produces some of the best endurance athletes in the world. It is a complex and debatable subject, but some sports scientists believe that up to 75 per cent of performance can be attributed to genetic background
Obama also eats healthily. He's a big fan of broccoli (unlike at least one of his predecessors, George Bush Snr). He snacks on raw nuts and protein bars after a workout and drinks organic berry tea. He does have some vices – caramel chocolates, the odd drink still and, famously, the occasional "bummed" cigarette.
So what lessons can middle-aged males here learn from Obama? The biggest challenge is to have an interest in fitness. While 49 per cent of men aged 19 to 24 take the recommended minimum exercise of 30 minutes, five days a week, the level drops to 34 per cent of men between 35 and 49, and 24 per cent between 50 and 64.
For all eggheads and business people: battle for universities has been won by practical world
The New York Times has a fascinating column about the fight for the souls of colleges and universities: between those who believe in creating great thinkers and philosophers to save the world and the pratical application of education to a certain profession or industry to propel an economy.
The piece's author says the winner is the realist, not the idealist. Adjunct professors still working in the real world are replacing the long-time, tenured professor. Poetry is not viewed as something that can save the world, although JFK and RFK dazzled us with the breadth of their minds and ideals. And the new president is an author.
Liberal arts has given way to computer sciences.
It seems, however, at this time in American history, that President Barack Obama is seeking idealists, dreamers in bipartisan efforts and putting society and practicality second to sacrifice and selfishness at home and abroad. This a time to build leaders, not necessarily someone to only see no further than their office cubicle and bottom line.
And it was the greed of the so-called educated leadership with Harvard MBAs that led this nation to the kind of financial ruin being experienced now.
So perhaps the wrong side won. I don't know. Here is an excerpt from the column for you decide:
What is happening in traditional universities where the ethos of the liberal arts is still given lip service is the forthright policy of for-profit universities, which make no pretense of valuing what used to be called the “higher learning.” John Sperling, founder of the group that gave us Phoenix University, is refreshingly blunt: “Coming here is not a rite of passage. We are not trying to develop value systems or go in for that ‘expand their minds’” nonsense.
The for-profit university is the logical end of a shift from a model of education centered in an individual professor who delivers insight and inspiration to a model that begins and ends with the imperative to deliver the information and skills necessary to gain employment.
In this latter model , the mode of delivery – a disc, a computer screen, a video hook-up – doesn’t matter so long as delivery occurs. Insofar as there are real-life faculty in the picture, their credentials and publications (if they have any) are beside the point, for they are just “delivery people.”
I look forward to publishing your comments on this matter. There are many sides that maybe even The New York Times is not aware of.
The piece's author says the winner is the realist, not the idealist. Adjunct professors still working in the real world are replacing the long-time, tenured professor. Poetry is not viewed as something that can save the world, although JFK and RFK dazzled us with the breadth of their minds and ideals. And the new president is an author.
Liberal arts has given way to computer sciences.
It seems, however, at this time in American history, that President Barack Obama is seeking idealists, dreamers in bipartisan efforts and putting society and practicality second to sacrifice and selfishness at home and abroad. This a time to build leaders, not necessarily someone to only see no further than their office cubicle and bottom line.
And it was the greed of the so-called educated leadership with Harvard MBAs that led this nation to the kind of financial ruin being experienced now.
So perhaps the wrong side won. I don't know. Here is an excerpt from the column for you decide:
What is happening in traditional universities where the ethos of the liberal arts is still given lip service is the forthright policy of for-profit universities, which make no pretense of valuing what used to be called the “higher learning.” John Sperling, founder of the group that gave us Phoenix University, is refreshingly blunt: “Coming here is not a rite of passage. We are not trying to develop value systems or go in for that ‘expand their minds’” nonsense.
The for-profit university is the logical end of a shift from a model of education centered in an individual professor who delivers insight and inspiration to a model that begins and ends with the imperative to deliver the information and skills necessary to gain employment.
In this latter model , the mode of delivery – a disc, a computer screen, a video hook-up – doesn’t matter so long as delivery occurs. Insofar as there are real-life faculty in the picture, their credentials and publications (if they have any) are beside the point, for they are just “delivery people.”
I look forward to publishing your comments on this matter. There are many sides that maybe even The New York Times is not aware of.
When Sgt. Zachary Ross comes marching home, hurrah, hurrah; let's give him a hearty welcome
Rightly so, Marine Sgt. Zachary Ross -- headed to his fifth tour of duty in the war on terror -- believes most Americans have quit being appreciative of the sacrifice of himself, his Marine wife and his comrades.
Sgt. Ross has humbled me by calling me a friend. So in small return, I have flown him from Camp Pendleton to see his momma and to be honored at tomorrow night's Music City USA Inaugural Presidential Charity Ball.
Zach is a graduate of East Magnet Literature School and a Nashville native. He has been in the Marines for six years, enlisting after high school. He is not the stereotype promoted by comedian Bill Maher and Sen. John Kerry that people who go into the military do so because they did not receive a good education.
Zach has incredible memorization skills and is sharp at a tack. More, he returns to the war on terror in putting life on the line in combat because he knows how to bring his men back home alive. Know one knows how to do it better. That's takes incredible intelligence and integrity.
And that is why there is a high re-enlistment rate in the war on terror.
Zach is a leader, and his other Marine unit leaders are devoted to their nation and the men under them. Semper Fi ... always faithful. They defy the world's standards that too often put self first. They are the men and women that President Barack Obama wants the rest of us to come.
But that will be very hard. I noticed even when I lived in Williamson County last November that my home was the only one flying the American flag out front on my street. The flags must emerge again.
And so must our respect to the men and woman in uniform such as Sgt. Zachary Ross of Nashville, who will honored tomorrow night after too long being ignored.
You can join the people saluting Sgt. Ross, 44 members of the 101st Airborne and their spouses and three Gold Star families who lost their sons in the war on terror. Contact me for tickets at timchavez787@yahoo.com or (615) 512-8209.
Sgt. Ross has humbled me by calling me a friend. So in small return, I have flown him from Camp Pendleton to see his momma and to be honored at tomorrow night's Music City USA Inaugural Presidential Charity Ball.
Zach is a graduate of East Magnet Literature School and a Nashville native. He has been in the Marines for six years, enlisting after high school. He is not the stereotype promoted by comedian Bill Maher and Sen. John Kerry that people who go into the military do so because they did not receive a good education.
Zach has incredible memorization skills and is sharp at a tack. More, he returns to the war on terror in putting life on the line in combat because he knows how to bring his men back home alive. Know one knows how to do it better. That's takes incredible intelligence and integrity.
And that is why there is a high re-enlistment rate in the war on terror.
Zach is a leader, and his other Marine unit leaders are devoted to their nation and the men under them. Semper Fi ... always faithful. They defy the world's standards that too often put self first. They are the men and women that President Barack Obama wants the rest of us to come.
But that will be very hard. I noticed even when I lived in Williamson County last November that my home was the only one flying the American flag out front on my street. The flags must emerge again.
And so must our respect to the men and woman in uniform such as Sgt. Zachary Ross of Nashville, who will honored tomorrow night after too long being ignored.
You can join the people saluting Sgt. Ross, 44 members of the 101st Airborne and their spouses and three Gold Star families who lost their sons in the war on terror. Contact me for tickets at timchavez787@yahoo.com or (615) 512-8209.
Krugman on bailing out banks: It is a must read; after inauguration, this is mess to be dealt with
I don't agree with all of Nobel Prize-winning columnist Paul Krugman's political sentiments, particularly the barbs he sends out at Republicans.
But he is very smart. And reading his columns is like getting your degree in economics, which is what he won the Nobel Prize for. I was an economics reporter for 10 years early in my career, so I really appreciate his effort.
His latest lesson on how not to save this nation's banking system is a must tutorial. You may have to read it over several times, but it is worth the time for comprehension.
In the following excerpt, Krugman assembles a mythical bank called Gothan with $1.2 trillion in assets and $1 trillion in liabilities. It so happens that Gotham is also carrying $400 billion in bad mortgage securities that no one can yet put a certain value on. Perhaps they are still worth $200,000.
Yet technically, the bank is probably insolvent. And Krugman is distressed at what the Obama administration is proposing:
Well, the government could simply give Gotham a couple of hundred billion dollars, enough to make it solvent again. But this would, of course, be a huge gift to Gotham’s current shareholders — and it would also encourage excessive risk-taking in the future. Still, the possibility of such a gift is what’s now supporting Gotham’s stock price.
A better approach would be to do what the government did with zombie savings and loans at the end of the 1980s: it seized the defunct banks, cleaning out the shareholders. Then it transferred their bad assets to a special institution, the Resolution Trust Corporation; paid off enough of the banks’ debts to make them solvent; and sold the fixed-up banks to new owners.
The current buzz suggests, however, that policy makers aren’t willing to take either of these approaches. Instead, they’re reportedly gravitating toward a compromise approach: moving toxic waste from private banks’ balance sheets to a publicly owned “bad bank” or “aggregator bank” that would resemble the Resolution Trust Corporation, but without seizing the banks first.
Sheila Bair, the chairwoman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, recently tried to describe how this would work: “The aggregator bank would buy the assets at fair value.” But what does “fair value” mean?
In my example, Gothamgroup is insolvent because the alleged $400 billion of toxic waste on its books is actually worth only $200 billion. The only way a government purchase of that toxic waste can make Gotham solvent again is if the government pays much more than private buyers are willing to offer.
Now, maybe private buyers aren’t willing to pay what toxic waste is really worth: “We don’t have really any rational pricing right now for some of these asset categories,” Ms. Bair says. But should the government be in the business of declaring that it knows better than the market what assets are worth? And is it really likely that paying “fair value,” whatever that means, would be enough to make Gotham solvent again?
What I suspect is that policy makers — possibly without realizing it — are gearing up to attempt a bait-and-switch: a policy that looks like the cleanup of the savings and loans, but in practice amounts to making huge gifts to bank shareholders at taxpayer expense, disguised as “fair value” purchases of toxic assets
But he is very smart. And reading his columns is like getting your degree in economics, which is what he won the Nobel Prize for. I was an economics reporter for 10 years early in my career, so I really appreciate his effort.
His latest lesson on how not to save this nation's banking system is a must tutorial. You may have to read it over several times, but it is worth the time for comprehension.
In the following excerpt, Krugman assembles a mythical bank called Gothan with $1.2 trillion in assets and $1 trillion in liabilities. It so happens that Gotham is also carrying $400 billion in bad mortgage securities that no one can yet put a certain value on. Perhaps they are still worth $200,000.
Yet technically, the bank is probably insolvent. And Krugman is distressed at what the Obama administration is proposing:
Well, the government could simply give Gotham a couple of hundred billion dollars, enough to make it solvent again. But this would, of course, be a huge gift to Gotham’s current shareholders — and it would also encourage excessive risk-taking in the future. Still, the possibility of such a gift is what’s now supporting Gotham’s stock price.
A better approach would be to do what the government did with zombie savings and loans at the end of the 1980s: it seized the defunct banks, cleaning out the shareholders. Then it transferred their bad assets to a special institution, the Resolution Trust Corporation; paid off enough of the banks’ debts to make them solvent; and sold the fixed-up banks to new owners.
The current buzz suggests, however, that policy makers aren’t willing to take either of these approaches. Instead, they’re reportedly gravitating toward a compromise approach: moving toxic waste from private banks’ balance sheets to a publicly owned “bad bank” or “aggregator bank” that would resemble the Resolution Trust Corporation, but without seizing the banks first.
Sheila Bair, the chairwoman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, recently tried to describe how this would work: “The aggregator bank would buy the assets at fair value.” But what does “fair value” mean?
In my example, Gothamgroup is insolvent because the alleged $400 billion of toxic waste on its books is actually worth only $200 billion. The only way a government purchase of that toxic waste can make Gotham solvent again is if the government pays much more than private buyers are willing to offer.
Now, maybe private buyers aren’t willing to pay what toxic waste is really worth: “We don’t have really any rational pricing right now for some of these asset categories,” Ms. Bair says. But should the government be in the business of declaring that it knows better than the market what assets are worth? And is it really likely that paying “fair value,” whatever that means, would be enough to make Gotham solvent again?
What I suspect is that policy makers — possibly without realizing it — are gearing up to attempt a bait-and-switch: a policy that looks like the cleanup of the savings and loans, but in practice amounts to making huge gifts to bank shareholders at taxpayer expense, disguised as “fair value” purchases of toxic assets
Please don't listen to CNBC's Jim Cramer; he is wrong again about investing in stock market
Folks, for your own good, please do not listen to CNBC's Jim Cramer.
And I give this advice as someone who got out of Dow above 12,000, while Cramer was bringing a buddy on his show and recommending you buy the company stock his buddy was peddling. Two weeks later, the financial floor fell out from under the company.
Cramer was forced to apologize, but now he is back giving bad advice, as in today's show.
He was telling folks with 401ks to take a risk with their money and not leave it in money market or stable value funds. You bastard!
He actually had the gall to label such safe practices as reckless. He is a fool. Keepp your money in cash until the market crashes to 6,000. Then reinvest low and rise with the market's rebound.
Now that may not happen until the end of this year. But be patient and keep your money protected, particularly indispensable funds in your 401k.
And keep away from CNBC when Cramer is on. He again does not know what he is talking about. He wants to lure you away from the sidelines and make money for his buddies by getting you to invest again. And he may get something from his buddies for encouraging you to take such a risk.
Be smart. Be patient. And don't listen to a crazy man who already cheated you once.
And I give this advice as someone who got out of Dow above 12,000, while Cramer was bringing a buddy on his show and recommending you buy the company stock his buddy was peddling. Two weeks later, the financial floor fell out from under the company.
Cramer was forced to apologize, but now he is back giving bad advice, as in today's show.
He was telling folks with 401ks to take a risk with their money and not leave it in money market or stable value funds. You bastard!
He actually had the gall to label such safe practices as reckless. He is a fool. Keepp your money in cash until the market crashes to 6,000. Then reinvest low and rise with the market's rebound.
Now that may not happen until the end of this year. But be patient and keep your money protected, particularly indispensable funds in your 401k.
And keep away from CNBC when Cramer is on. He again does not know what he is talking about. He wants to lure you away from the sidelines and make money for his buddies by getting you to invest again. And he may get something from his buddies for encouraging you to take such a risk.
Be smart. Be patient. And don't listen to a crazy man who already cheated you once.
Eat peanut butter out of the jar, not in products; but schools should avoid institutional product
My good friend, Joe the Grocer in the Cool Springs area, tells me to clarify what I have been writing about peanut butter.
When Joe talks, I listen.
He says the CDC and FDA warnings about peanut butter only cover products made with a peanut butter paste. They do not cover eating peanut butter out of a jar.
So parents, you can still give peanut butter to your children.
However, NBC News reports tonight that schools and nursing home and hospitals should avoid peanut butter, that which comes in massive proportions and packaging and is mixed in a vat. Only the size of peanut butter that can be purchased in a grocery store should be trusted, said NBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman.
The Little Debbie's company in Tennessee is having fits because people are deserting all their products despite one only having peanut butter. So give Little Debbie's renewed consideration in your buying.
Thanks, Joe, for keeping me straight ... again. And parents, tell your schools not to use the peanut butter they get in large proportions.
When Joe talks, I listen.
He says the CDC and FDA warnings about peanut butter only cover products made with a peanut butter paste. They do not cover eating peanut butter out of a jar.
So parents, you can still give peanut butter to your children.
However, NBC News reports tonight that schools and nursing home and hospitals should avoid peanut butter, that which comes in massive proportions and packaging and is mixed in a vat. Only the size of peanut butter that can be purchased in a grocery store should be trusted, said NBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman.
The Little Debbie's company in Tennessee is having fits because people are deserting all their products despite one only having peanut butter. So give Little Debbie's renewed consideration in your buying.
Thanks, Joe, for keeping me straight ... again. And parents, tell your schools not to use the peanut butter they get in large proportions.
Williamson Herald has broadened my reach; get your subscriptions now because you ain't seen nothing yet; go to www.williamsonherald.com
I got a response from a chronic Tennessean apologist who told me that my new job with the Williamson Herald in Franklin would mean nothing since nobody reads it.
And as always, anyone associated with The Tennessean is wrong when it comes to knowing what readers want and what they will do.
My Feedburner stats now shows almost 100 regular readers of my blog, now tied to the Herald, and 25 hits each 90 minutes.
Wow! Thank you, Williamson Herald. A lot of people hate to subscribe and support The Tennessean because of its political bias on its news pages. They like Williamson A.M., its supplement, but they've seen its quality and quantity plummet. Advertisers are tired of being charged so a high rate.
Now there is a real alternative that will be improving with each edition. The Williamson Herald just needs your support as a community-owned newspaper battling the deep pockets of corporate journalism and WAM.
My blog now compliments the Herald in providing daily copy, original and taken from the top websites in the nation for political, social and health news.
We'll be do even more things as we prove that there are indeed people who love to read newspapers. They just want newspapers and journalists who love their values and what is important to them.
Go to www.williamsonherald.com for just that kind if respect.
And if you'd like for me to come out to organization, political group, business, classroom or place of worship to speak about what I write and listen to what you would like to read, drop me a line a timchavez787@yahoo.com.
I'll be up at Austin Peay in Clarksville Saturday giving a speech. The day before, I'll be at Bethpage Elementary School in Sumner County delivering some free computers in my mother's name.
But after that, I'm yours. So is the Herald. We want to earn your trust and give you your money's worth and more. We're of Tennessee -- not Detroit, New York or Rosslyn, Va. We go to church on Sundays, and we number our friends all across the county and Midstate.
Get us a try. We won't disappoint you. Most of all, we'll listen to what you want in a newspaper and a member of the community.
And as always, anyone associated with The Tennessean is wrong when it comes to knowing what readers want and what they will do.
My Feedburner stats now shows almost 100 regular readers of my blog, now tied to the Herald, and 25 hits each 90 minutes.
Wow! Thank you, Williamson Herald. A lot of people hate to subscribe and support The Tennessean because of its political bias on its news pages. They like Williamson A.M., its supplement, but they've seen its quality and quantity plummet. Advertisers are tired of being charged so a high rate.
Now there is a real alternative that will be improving with each edition. The Williamson Herald just needs your support as a community-owned newspaper battling the deep pockets of corporate journalism and WAM.
My blog now compliments the Herald in providing daily copy, original and taken from the top websites in the nation for political, social and health news.
We'll be do even more things as we prove that there are indeed people who love to read newspapers. They just want newspapers and journalists who love their values and what is important to them.
Go to www.williamsonherald.com for just that kind if respect.
And if you'd like for me to come out to organization, political group, business, classroom or place of worship to speak about what I write and listen to what you would like to read, drop me a line a timchavez787@yahoo.com.
I'll be up at Austin Peay in Clarksville Saturday giving a speech. The day before, I'll be at Bethpage Elementary School in Sumner County delivering some free computers in my mother's name.
But after that, I'm yours. So is the Herald. We want to earn your trust and give you your money's worth and more. We're of Tennessee -- not Detroit, New York or Rosslyn, Va. We go to church on Sundays, and we number our friends all across the county and Midstate.
Get us a try. We won't disappoint you. Most of all, we'll listen to what you want in a newspaper and a member of the community.
Apologist Tennessean story for puppet speaker ignores the reality of what matters in Tennessee
I quickly glanced over the big story on the front The Sunday Tennessean, and as many of you, found it to be void of the values that really matter in this state and its people.
I don't subscribe to the floundering newspaper. I just glance at the front page when I go to Kroger, where these is real value. If you still subscribe, you are being cheated out of your money in a world of con men from Madoff to Jimmy Naifeh.
The apologist story Sunday focused on how the puppet speaker had been mistreated by his fellow Republicans.
What it did not mention was one important thing that is paramount in the lives of every Tennessean, except those at the Statehouse who are Democrats and those who lead the newspaper.
Honor.
When you sign a piece of paper pledging support, then four hours before a vote, you give your word eye to eye that you'll abide that pledge, then you are bound by honor.
But the puppet speaker broke that value most important to every Tennessean. The newspaper has never honored that value, either, during my tenure there and after.
Yet its Sunday front page tried to provide a sense of honor to a man who did not deserve it, and a newspaper that lost it long ago.
I don't subscribe to the floundering newspaper. I just glance at the front page when I go to Kroger, where these is real value. If you still subscribe, you are being cheated out of your money in a world of con men from Madoff to Jimmy Naifeh.
The apologist story Sunday focused on how the puppet speaker had been mistreated by his fellow Republicans.
What it did not mention was one important thing that is paramount in the lives of every Tennessean, except those at the Statehouse who are Democrats and those who lead the newspaper.
Honor.
When you sign a piece of paper pledging support, then four hours before a vote, you give your word eye to eye that you'll abide that pledge, then you are bound by honor.
But the puppet speaker broke that value most important to every Tennessean. The newspaper has never honored that value, either, during my tenure there and after.
Yet its Sunday front page tried to provide a sense of honor to a man who did not deserve it, and a newspaper that lost it long ago.
Why Dr, King was the greatest American of all
He never owned slaves.
He never wrote documents that empowered only men with land.
He left his family to take his message of non-violence and equal rights around the nation and was repeatedly jailed.
He received a Nobel Prize for his courage, faith and wisdom.
He came out in opposition to a war, despite alienating his political friends in Washington.
He faced down state troopers, police and elected officials who he knew hated him and wanted to take a fist to his face and gun to his head.
He never raised a weapon, despite some black leaders and activists who demanded a violent response to all the violence aimed at them. This nation could have been caught up in another civil war. Dr. King prevented that.
He knew he would one day be murdered, and on the night before his assassination, he had a grace-filled moment of telling people in need that he feared no man, that longevity indeed has its place, but he had seen the promised land and that was enough.
For these reasons and more, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is the greatest American of all time. No other man or woman approaches in this nation's history approaches his resume.
And today, his birthday and ideals should be rightly celebrated and emulated and taught to our children.
He is not a black hero but an American hero, the greatest of all.
He never wrote documents that empowered only men with land.
He left his family to take his message of non-violence and equal rights around the nation and was repeatedly jailed.
He received a Nobel Prize for his courage, faith and wisdom.
He came out in opposition to a war, despite alienating his political friends in Washington.
He faced down state troopers, police and elected officials who he knew hated him and wanted to take a fist to his face and gun to his head.
He never raised a weapon, despite some black leaders and activists who demanded a violent response to all the violence aimed at them. This nation could have been caught up in another civil war. Dr. King prevented that.
He knew he would one day be murdered, and on the night before his assassination, he had a grace-filled moment of telling people in need that he feared no man, that longevity indeed has its place, but he had seen the promised land and that was enough.
For these reasons and more, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is the greatest American of all time. No other man or woman approaches in this nation's history approaches his resume.
And today, his birthday and ideals should be rightly celebrated and emulated and taught to our children.
He is not a black hero but an American hero, the greatest of all.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
What will Maureen Dowd write about now?; why is Gwen Ifill promoting her conflict of interest?
The most popular read item on The New York Times website is another whining column by Maureen Dowd about the Bush administration.
This time, by the headline, the president is not doing anything right in how he is leaving office.
Get this woman a hobby or something. For certain, find her something else to write about. With Bush out of office, what other subject matter will she have left?
Meanwhile, PBS' Gwen Ifill is being allowed to peddle her book on national television about Obama while still covering the guy as a journalist. Her appearance on David Letterman was sickening.
Why is she allowed to completely ignore conflict of interest ethics? Probably the same reason that Dowd is allowed to always whine about Bush.
Liberal bias is killing the media. Have there not been enough layoffs in the media to convince its decisionmakers?
This time, by the headline, the president is not doing anything right in how he is leaving office.
Get this woman a hobby or something. For certain, find her something else to write about. With Bush out of office, what other subject matter will she have left?
Meanwhile, PBS' Gwen Ifill is being allowed to peddle her book on national television about Obama while still covering the guy as a journalist. Her appearance on David Letterman was sickening.
Why is she allowed to completely ignore conflict of interest ethics? Probably the same reason that Dowd is allowed to always whine about Bush.
Liberal bias is killing the media. Have there not been enough layoffs in the media to convince its decisionmakers?
Little Debbie's of Tennessee announces peanut butter product recall as national worry spreads
The Tennessee company that produces the Little Debbie's snack cakes has voluntarily recalled its peanut butter products as national worry grows about a Samonella breakout that has killed six people and sickened almost 500.
Here is how AP reports it:
The voluntary recall came one day after the government advised consumers to avoid eating cookies, cakes, ice cream and other foods with peanut butter until health officials learn more about the contamination.
The announcement by McKee Foods Corp. of Collegedale, Tenn., about two kinds of Little Debbie products was another in a string of voluntary recalls following the most recent guidance by health officials.
The South Bend Chocolate Co. in Indiana said Sunday it too was recalling various candies containing peanut butter from Peanut Corp. of America. In suburban Chicago, Ralcorp Frozen Bakery Products recalled several brands of peanut butter cookies it sells through Wal-Mart stores.
Here is how AP reports it:
The voluntary recall came one day after the government advised consumers to avoid eating cookies, cakes, ice cream and other foods with peanut butter until health officials learn more about the contamination.
The announcement by McKee Foods Corp. of Collegedale, Tenn., about two kinds of Little Debbie products was another in a string of voluntary recalls following the most recent guidance by health officials.
The South Bend Chocolate Co. in Indiana said Sunday it too was recalling various candies containing peanut butter from Peanut Corp. of America. In suburban Chicago, Ralcorp Frozen Bakery Products recalled several brands of peanut butter cookies it sells through Wal-Mart stores.
Obama's visit to Tomb of Unknown provides much needed message to military and their families
The goodness in President-elect Barack Obama continues to shine, as today he made a surprise visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
With that one act, he confirmed his recognition of the sacrifice made to allow for a peaceful transition of power Jan. 20. He also confirmed that he knows the source that preserves all our freedoms -- the willingness of each man and woman to take an oath to put their very lives on the line to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
Obama comes from a political party that often aims scorn at the military. And that's why many members of the military vote against his party's candidates.
His willingness to go against the grain of his party with this act shows a sense of integrity that he carries into the White House.
In Nashville, the Music City USA Inaugural Ball on Tuesday will have the same significant recognition of the military with a salute to 44 members of the 101st Airbore in attendance, three Gold Star families and Marine Sgt. Zachary Ross, a Nashville native preparing to take his fifth tour of duty in the war on terror.
Tickets are still available by calling (615) 569-3010. The inagural balls in Washington will be on the big screens in the ballroom of the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel.
Michelle Obama also has distinguished herself in championing military families. While all the talk has been on how great a president her husband will be, there is every sign that his wife may well become the greatest first lady in this nation's history.
Dr. King, whose birthday we have celebrated today in church and tomorrow in the streets, would be most proud of this man. We should be, too.
With that one act, he confirmed his recognition of the sacrifice made to allow for a peaceful transition of power Jan. 20. He also confirmed that he knows the source that preserves all our freedoms -- the willingness of each man and woman to take an oath to put their very lives on the line to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
Obama comes from a political party that often aims scorn at the military. And that's why many members of the military vote against his party's candidates.
His willingness to go against the grain of his party with this act shows a sense of integrity that he carries into the White House.
In Nashville, the Music City USA Inaugural Ball on Tuesday will have the same significant recognition of the military with a salute to 44 members of the 101st Airbore in attendance, three Gold Star families and Marine Sgt. Zachary Ross, a Nashville native preparing to take his fifth tour of duty in the war on terror.
Tickets are still available by calling (615) 569-3010. The inagural balls in Washington will be on the big screens in the ballroom of the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel.
Michelle Obama also has distinguished herself in championing military families. While all the talk has been on how great a president her husband will be, there is every sign that his wife may well become the greatest first lady in this nation's history.
Dr. King, whose birthday we have celebrated today in church and tomorrow in the streets, would be most proud of this man. We should be, too.
San Francisco/Oakland bus going to Washington finds a lot of goodwill and relatives in Nashville
(Photos by Tim Chavez)
NASHVILLE -- The businessman returning to Atlanta after staying the night at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel saw a bus of strangers and came over to it like it carried lifelong friends.
A Bay area bus carrying 65 people to the Obama inauguration in Washington, D.C., pulled into the parking lot this morning and found a lot of relatives and friends waiting to hug and take pictures.
And the Atlanta businessman. Each evening during the presidential campaign, he turned over his office to Obama campaign volunteers. On his own, he always carried an Obama sign in his car to hold up to other drivers.
This Tuesday is just as important to him as the bus riders.
Sadly, Nashville's news media could not find the time to be on hand for this historic and incredibly heartwarming event, but the media here have mostly never has been able to tell what stories reach to the values and souls of Tennesseans.
This one did, in an incredibly coming together of people, including those incredible human beings on the bus from Berkeley, Marin County, Oakland and San Francisco, making their way through this nation. Three passengers were Nashville natives. Others had Nashville relatives. It was a homecoming of truly wonderful proportions.
James Pye, an concert organizer for The Coasters and many memorable groups for the past 50 years, got off the bus with his cane. Although he is 73 with various maladies and a pacemaker, he was eager for the day here and the days to come. He met his brother, who is an official in the Tennessee Department of Corrections.
Pye is the Ossie Davis character of the Spike Lee classic "Get on the Bus", a story about a cross country trip to Washington, D.C., for the Million Man March. The movie told of the diversity of experiences behind being a black male in America. The late, great Davis delivered a bravado performance. And his words at the funeral of Malcom X remain one of the greatest speeches ever delivered.
Local cars kept pulling up with excited relatives piling out and hugging loved ones. The passengers gathered in front of the "Rollin' into History" bus tour to tape a message for ABC-TV's Good Morning America:
"Where are we going?
"Washington, D.C.!
"What are we doin'?
"Rollin' into history!"
"Good Morning, America!"
WRKN, the ABC affiliate here, might have wanted to at least make it out to the story, which transpired at what I guess is too early of an hour for Nashville's media -- 8 a.m. Or perhaps the story was too hopeful and positive.
But the Bay Area media was ably represented and even was helping to defray costs of the trip. The Post Newspaper Group based in Oakland and photo journalist Kevin Jefferson and The Globe Newspaper Group and journalist Aqueila Lewis of San Leandro are on board along with German radio. They recognize a story even if Nashville's media does not.
When a bus stops, it is difficult to get everyone back on board. But the bus finally got going at 9 a.m., after finishing the most inspiring inauguration event I've been to so far. The Rev. Enoch Fuzz, primary organizer behind the Music City USA Inaugural Ball here Tuesday night, prayed over the passengers for a safe journey.
God was there, and now He is traveling to Washington, D.C., for a historic event and a rebirth of goodwill across this nation.
For the moment, GOP leaders convince sponsor of Naifeh power grab resolution to wait; But Naifeh has already named himself 'Speaker Emeritus'
Special to the Williamson Herald
Any use by other media outlets must credit Williamson Herald
A resolution prepared by House Democrats to give supposedly outgoing House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh a special new title with unspecified powers has been successfully delayed by House Republicans after a meeting with the measure's sponsor.
House Resolution 0001 simply bestows the title of Speaker Emeritus to Naifeh, who successfully engineered a revolting rejection of the ballot box statement by voters giving power to Republicans. Only a few hours after he looked into the eyes of members of his party and promised to vote for rep. Jason Mumpower, the puppet speaker sided with Naifeh and kept the Democrat in power.
The House website, however, has already bestowed the title on Naifeh even though lawmakers have not done so. So guess who is still in charge. That's Naifeh, taking things without asking.
It is his House, not the people's.
Republicans object to the resolution for what it does not mention -- all the powers Naifeh would take from the new and unprecedented title. Most certainly, it would designate that his puppet speaker officially has someone to answer to.
The resolution does not address what perks and privileges Naifeh would retain, such as his $28,000 state trooper driver, his speaker's fund to still get big checks from lobbyists to support the campaigns of his cronies, his seat on every committee of his choosing, his lobbyist's wife access to the powerful and so many other spoils of power.
A resolution -- which was going to be brought up Thursday before the House -- should ban these things. An "emeritus" title does not denote service in this case, because his corrupt reign has reduced the respect of the General Assemby among the people.
An emeritus title denotes someone who no longer could get enough representatives of his own party elected the people to keep him in power.
An emeritus title denotes he has found a way and another lawmaker to help him defy the people.
Although for the moment, the resolution author has agreed to delay it for more specific language and the House does not return until Feb. 9, Naifeh has the 50 votes to get what he wants.
This disgusting situation has resulted in more threats called into Legislative Plaza and a heightened sense of security. Passage of the Speaker Emeritus resolution would only increase the anger of the people across Tennessee.
Any use by other media outlets must credit Williamson Herald
A resolution prepared by House Democrats to give supposedly outgoing House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh a special new title with unspecified powers has been successfully delayed by House Republicans after a meeting with the measure's sponsor.
House Resolution 0001 simply bestows the title of Speaker Emeritus to Naifeh, who successfully engineered a revolting rejection of the ballot box statement by voters giving power to Republicans. Only a few hours after he looked into the eyes of members of his party and promised to vote for rep. Jason Mumpower, the puppet speaker sided with Naifeh and kept the Democrat in power.
The House website, however, has already bestowed the title on Naifeh even though lawmakers have not done so. So guess who is still in charge. That's Naifeh, taking things without asking.
It is his House, not the people's.
Republicans object to the resolution for what it does not mention -- all the powers Naifeh would take from the new and unprecedented title. Most certainly, it would designate that his puppet speaker officially has someone to answer to.
The resolution does not address what perks and privileges Naifeh would retain, such as his $28,000 state trooper driver, his speaker's fund to still get big checks from lobbyists to support the campaigns of his cronies, his seat on every committee of his choosing, his lobbyist's wife access to the powerful and so many other spoils of power.
A resolution -- which was going to be brought up Thursday before the House -- should ban these things. An "emeritus" title does not denote service in this case, because his corrupt reign has reduced the respect of the General Assemby among the people.
An emeritus title denotes someone who no longer could get enough representatives of his own party elected the people to keep him in power.
An emeritus title denotes he has found a way and another lawmaker to help him defy the people.
Although for the moment, the resolution author has agreed to delay it for more specific language and the House does not return until Feb. 9, Naifeh has the 50 votes to get what he wants.
This disgusting situation has resulted in more threats called into Legislative Plaza and a heightened sense of security. Passage of the Speaker Emeritus resolution would only increase the anger of the people across Tennessee.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
WARNING: Don't feed kids peanut butter for now
The federal government is warning parents and consumers to beware of any peanut butter products until it issues an "all clear".
A Salmonella outbreak that has killed six people and sickened close to 500 nationally continues although authorities have traced the contamination to some Alabama plants.
So keep the peanut butter away from your kids and your mouth until your government says it's okay.
A Salmonella outbreak that has killed six people and sickened close to 500 nationally continues although authorities have traced the contamination to some Alabama plants.
So keep the peanut butter away from your kids and your mouth until your government says it's okay.
Israel calls for cease fire, says all objectives met
Hamas has said it will fight on despite Israel's announcement today of a cease fire in its offensive to stop rockets fired into its land from the Gaza strip, reports The New York Times.
Nine hundred people turn out for last day of early voting on Nashville becoming largest U.S. city to mandate only English language in city operations
WSMV Channel 4 reports this evening that 900 people turned out on the last day of early voting on the EnglishOnly referendum in Nashville.
In all, an impressive 14,000 people have voted early on the referendum that would make Nashville the largest city in America mandating only English in city operations.
Channel 4 reports that polling shows voters split on the referendum with 21% of Metro residents still undecided.
Tomorrow, Corinthian Baptist Church will hold a multi-racial King Day service beginning at 11 a.m. to encourage the African-American community to vote against the referendum. The church is led by the Rev. Enoch Fuzz, co-chair of the Music City USA Inaugural Ball Tuesday night at the Maxwell Millennium House Hotel in Nashville.
Pity country music superstar Barbara Mandrell. She was caught by Channel 4 on film in line for early voting despite a black coat and sunglasses to disguise herself. Three cheers to here for still voting.
In all, an impressive 14,000 people have voted early on the referendum that would make Nashville the largest city in America mandating only English in city operations.
Channel 4 reports that polling shows voters split on the referendum with 21% of Metro residents still undecided.
Tomorrow, Corinthian Baptist Church will hold a multi-racial King Day service beginning at 11 a.m. to encourage the African-American community to vote against the referendum. The church is led by the Rev. Enoch Fuzz, co-chair of the Music City USA Inaugural Ball Tuesday night at the Maxwell Millennium House Hotel in Nashville.
Pity country music superstar Barbara Mandrell. She was caught by Channel 4 on film in line for early voting despite a black coat and sunglasses to disguise herself. Three cheers to here for still voting.
The blessing of cancer and a man named Gene
Gene worked for 41 years in insurance in Lawrenceburg, until he got a diagnosis of triple Myleoma in the third stage.
He subsequently slipped into unconsciousness for five days. After he emerged, he told all around him that he had been on a "death walk" with God. The Almighty had decided to bring him back.
Gene and I met two months ago in the same blood cancer clinic where we receive treatment. And we clicked, because we viewed cancer the same -- as a blessing from God.
Friday, we talked at length and from the soul again. He is truly a great man and has much to teach me and all of us.
Cancer will touch all of us in some way in our life. If it is not us, it will be someone close to us.
And when it is a terminal diagnosis, there is a tendency to lose all hope and to despair, thus ensuring your quick death.
That was supposed to be my way. And I almost died. But just as with Gene, we were spared for the moment, not a lifetime. Then God taught us how to celebrate this new perspective. We became better men because of it.
A while back, Gene met a man who came in to get all his financial house in order after receving a cancer diagnosis giving him two months to live. Gene told the man that it would only take him only a week to get his finances in order. He then asked the man how he was going to live the rest of the weeks remaining.
And then he floored the man with the question about what he would do if he lived one day past two months, and another day and another.
So the man started going to church, and taking possession of the preciousness of the day. And the fella lived another 18 years. Doctors do not know our time. Only God does.
Gene's transformation has been so uplifting that oncology staff at the medical center in Maury County started sending newly diagnosed cancer patients to him when he was receiving treatment. They wanted him to teach them acceptance, and in that way, give themselves a fighting chance to live.
My mental transformation was miraculous, thanks to the intervention of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Rosaries of my mother and aunts and cousins.
Gene remains weak. But he is alive, and he preaches to anyone who will hear. People sometimes ask him if he is an evangelist. He laughs, saying he does not want to touch that lofty profession.
I make sure when I go to the treatment area each month that I stop and smile at each patient in each cubicle. My heart breaks for them and their families. I see them beginning the tough journey I have traveled.
I tell them that if God would save someone so ugly as me for three years, he surely would rescue them. They laugh. And for the moment, that is enough.
But remember, we who are cancer patients, and those of us who have received a terminal diagnosis originally, never pray to be cured. We pray to appreciate the moment and God's generosity. And in doing so, we give ourselves a better chance at longevity.
Gene and I agree. We both went to church before his myleoma and my leukemia. But we have been graced with a closer walk with God that made us better people, and thus do not fear death.
We are anxious to meet our maker, because we have already experienced how marvelous He is on Earth.
We do pray for each other. But our prayers are just to continue on this walk until it takes us to God.
He subsequently slipped into unconsciousness for five days. After he emerged, he told all around him that he had been on a "death walk" with God. The Almighty had decided to bring him back.
Gene and I met two months ago in the same blood cancer clinic where we receive treatment. And we clicked, because we viewed cancer the same -- as a blessing from God.
Friday, we talked at length and from the soul again. He is truly a great man and has much to teach me and all of us.
Cancer will touch all of us in some way in our life. If it is not us, it will be someone close to us.
And when it is a terminal diagnosis, there is a tendency to lose all hope and to despair, thus ensuring your quick death.
That was supposed to be my way. And I almost died. But just as with Gene, we were spared for the moment, not a lifetime. Then God taught us how to celebrate this new perspective. We became better men because of it.
A while back, Gene met a man who came in to get all his financial house in order after receving a cancer diagnosis giving him two months to live. Gene told the man that it would only take him only a week to get his finances in order. He then asked the man how he was going to live the rest of the weeks remaining.
And then he floored the man with the question about what he would do if he lived one day past two months, and another day and another.
So the man started going to church, and taking possession of the preciousness of the day. And the fella lived another 18 years. Doctors do not know our time. Only God does.
Gene's transformation has been so uplifting that oncology staff at the medical center in Maury County started sending newly diagnosed cancer patients to him when he was receiving treatment. They wanted him to teach them acceptance, and in that way, give themselves a fighting chance to live.
My mental transformation was miraculous, thanks to the intervention of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Rosaries of my mother and aunts and cousins.
Gene remains weak. But he is alive, and he preaches to anyone who will hear. People sometimes ask him if he is an evangelist. He laughs, saying he does not want to touch that lofty profession.
I make sure when I go to the treatment area each month that I stop and smile at each patient in each cubicle. My heart breaks for them and their families. I see them beginning the tough journey I have traveled.
I tell them that if God would save someone so ugly as me for three years, he surely would rescue them. They laugh. And for the moment, that is enough.
But remember, we who are cancer patients, and those of us who have received a terminal diagnosis originally, never pray to be cured. We pray to appreciate the moment and God's generosity. And in doing so, we give ourselves a better chance at longevity.
Gene and I agree. We both went to church before his myleoma and my leukemia. But we have been graced with a closer walk with God that made us better people, and thus do not fear death.
We are anxious to meet our maker, because we have already experienced how marvelous He is on Earth.
We do pray for each other. But our prayers are just to continue on this walk until it takes us to God.
Why aren't banks lending to you? Because they don't have to, even after getting bailout money
The New York Times reports that consumers are not getting loans for cars and homes because banks don't want to lend, even after receiving our tax money.
And they aren't required to lend after taking your money.
The Times reports:
Individually, banks that received some of the first $350 billion from the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, have offered few public details about how they plan to spend the money, and they are not required to disclose what they do with it. But in conversations behind closed doors with investment analysts, some bankers have been candid about their intentions.
Most of the banks that received the money are far smaller than behemoths like Citigroup or Bank of America. A review of investor presentations and conference calls by executives of some two dozen banks around the country found that few cited lending as a priority. An overwhelming majority saw the bailout program as a no-strings-attached windfall that could be used to pay down debt, acquire other businesses or invest for the future.
CNN reports that 61% of Americans are not in favor of the remaining $350 billion in TARP money being spent on these banks. Yet the Senate, with the help of Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, voted this week to give away the rest of the money.
Your tax dollars are being used to buy the largest share of ownership in these banks -- that don't want to lend to you.
That's what makes sense to Washington.
And they aren't required to lend after taking your money.
The Times reports:
Individually, banks that received some of the first $350 billion from the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, have offered few public details about how they plan to spend the money, and they are not required to disclose what they do with it. But in conversations behind closed doors with investment analysts, some bankers have been candid about their intentions.
Most of the banks that received the money are far smaller than behemoths like Citigroup or Bank of America. A review of investor presentations and conference calls by executives of some two dozen banks around the country found that few cited lending as a priority. An overwhelming majority saw the bailout program as a no-strings-attached windfall that could be used to pay down debt, acquire other businesses or invest for the future.
CNN reports that 61% of Americans are not in favor of the remaining $350 billion in TARP money being spent on these banks. Yet the Senate, with the help of Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, voted this week to give away the rest of the money.
Your tax dollars are being used to buy the largest share of ownership in these banks -- that don't want to lend to you.
That's what makes sense to Washington.
Media build-up of Obama only ensures great fall
Members of the nation's news media are going out their way to promote and build up the presidency of Barack Obama as if he is rock star and savior.
But the incoming president already knows, and has been trying to tell the public, that things are going to get worse. And the worse days are going to last years.
But the media, as always, aren't listening. And the first people who will jump on Obama will be members of the media. Because they are most interested in ratings and profits first.
The truth that Obama does not even want to say is that this nation will not return to its past economic greatness. Prosperity will have to be shared with China, the next great consumer nation, and India, the possessors of this world's greatest intellect.
Yesterday, 45,000 jobs were eliminated across the country through public announcement. The number privately done is unknown. Public sector layoffs are to come next month. Tennessee's governor has said he'll cut 2,000 jobs to help close a billion-dollar deficit.
So the opium being fed to the American masses is a most unhealthy one. Hope is one thing. But the acknowledgement of reality must also come. Remember that Lincoln would have lost in 1864 if not for Grant's successes and victories.
And when the people realize how bad things are and will stay for quite some time, the media will be the first to jump on him and his presidency.
But the incoming president already knows, and has been trying to tell the public, that things are going to get worse. And the worse days are going to last years.
But the media, as always, aren't listening. And the first people who will jump on Obama will be members of the media. Because they are most interested in ratings and profits first.
The truth that Obama does not even want to say is that this nation will not return to its past economic greatness. Prosperity will have to be shared with China, the next great consumer nation, and India, the possessors of this world's greatest intellect.
Yesterday, 45,000 jobs were eliminated across the country through public announcement. The number privately done is unknown. Public sector layoffs are to come next month. Tennessee's governor has said he'll cut 2,000 jobs to help close a billion-dollar deficit.
So the opium being fed to the American masses is a most unhealthy one. Hope is one thing. But the acknowledgement of reality must also come. Remember that Lincoln would have lost in 1864 if not for Grant's successes and victories.
And when the people realize how bad things are and will stay for quite some time, the media will be the first to jump on him and his presidency.
Nashville's print media is pretty worthless; I have always rather be identified with the people
I got an e-mail from a journalist who wanted to deride me in the comments section of my blog about the thug-like state trooper at the main entrance into Legislative Plaza.
The great thing about a blog is that it is not a newspaper. As Ronald Reagan said in scolding a debate official during the 1980 presidential primary, "I paid for this microphone, Mr. ..." He actually had not. But it made for great political theater and showed the toughness of this guy.
So, in Ronald Reagan's name, I say to the journalist, "I paid for this blog, Mr. ..." I don't have to run your stupid comments. I only run comments that forward the discussion. Hearing another journalist whine about another journalist whining is too much for my readers. And that allows the journalist to feel how readers do when he and his sorry print compatriots ignore what readers want.
I do not include TV journalists in this judgment. They actually do listen to the people They have to get off their asses and offices to cover the news. And print journalists for some strange reason consider these pros as lesser mortals. They're not. The best journalists in Middle Tennessee work at the TV stations. Many of them work at NewsChannel 5. And its Phil Williams is the best journalist in the state.
But the journalist's comments allow me to reiterate an important point of my earlier blog post: the state trooper's unacceptable treatment was delivered to me as a citizen, not a journalist. If I had a press pass, I would have been waved through.
Why should the press be waived through? The Nashville print press sure does not represent the people, just the eccentricities and incompetencies of its editors. So why do they get a wave through and a citizen get the third degree?
If you want to find the most unstable people in this nation, just goes to its newsrooms. I've worked with some incredibly marginalized people who should not be in a profession that is supposed to represent the people but on the newest sitcom of crazies.
Legislative Plaza belongs to the people -- not the press, not lawmakers, not staff, not lobbyists. Yet the people are seen as a threat. That's wrong, and it should be vigorously challenged.
I have been to the White House twice this decade. And both times, I was treated by the Secret Service with respect. I was made to feel the White House actually belonged to me. And the President acted like that, too. He is the most gracious man I've ever met.
I know that I'm not writing what all the Bush-haters in the press like. But I don't write for those bastards. And I have never worn a press pass in the Statehouse because it would be a mark of shame, not anything of honor.
So that's why I always enter Legislative Plaza as a citizen. I believe that is the best title to wear in a republic, even if it is not respected by lawmakers in charge of the statehouse and the people in the press.
The great thing about a blog is that it is not a newspaper. As Ronald Reagan said in scolding a debate official during the 1980 presidential primary, "I paid for this microphone, Mr. ..." He actually had not. But it made for great political theater and showed the toughness of this guy.
So, in Ronald Reagan's name, I say to the journalist, "I paid for this blog, Mr. ..." I don't have to run your stupid comments. I only run comments that forward the discussion. Hearing another journalist whine about another journalist whining is too much for my readers. And that allows the journalist to feel how readers do when he and his sorry print compatriots ignore what readers want.
I do not include TV journalists in this judgment. They actually do listen to the people They have to get off their asses and offices to cover the news. And print journalists for some strange reason consider these pros as lesser mortals. They're not. The best journalists in Middle Tennessee work at the TV stations. Many of them work at NewsChannel 5. And its Phil Williams is the best journalist in the state.
But the journalist's comments allow me to reiterate an important point of my earlier blog post: the state trooper's unacceptable treatment was delivered to me as a citizen, not a journalist. If I had a press pass, I would have been waved through.
Why should the press be waived through? The Nashville print press sure does not represent the people, just the eccentricities and incompetencies of its editors. So why do they get a wave through and a citizen get the third degree?
If you want to find the most unstable people in this nation, just goes to its newsrooms. I've worked with some incredibly marginalized people who should not be in a profession that is supposed to represent the people but on the newest sitcom of crazies.
Legislative Plaza belongs to the people -- not the press, not lawmakers, not staff, not lobbyists. Yet the people are seen as a threat. That's wrong, and it should be vigorously challenged.
I have been to the White House twice this decade. And both times, I was treated by the Secret Service with respect. I was made to feel the White House actually belonged to me. And the President acted like that, too. He is the most gracious man I've ever met.
I know that I'm not writing what all the Bush-haters in the press like. But I don't write for those bastards. And I have never worn a press pass in the Statehouse because it would be a mark of shame, not anything of honor.
So that's why I always enter Legislative Plaza as a citizen. I believe that is the best title to wear in a republic, even if it is not respected by lawmakers in charge of the statehouse and the people in the press.
A funny thing happened on way to the Music City USA Inaugural Ball and who's buying tickets
Politics never ceases to amaze, so that's why I love writing about it.
My sense of wonderment is not out of politicians and their advocates changing; it is actually how their actions reaffirm their convictions and show how many betray them.
In helping to organize, publicize and sell tickets to the non-partisan Music City USA Presidential Ball, I again have discovered that it is Republicans, conservatives and evangelicals who in general are most devoted to this nation and its most binding principles. And it is the same way with African-Americans.
And it is Democrats, liberals, radicals and so-called progressives whose fixation is most on power and preserving it at any cost, including at the expense of the people who are supposed to be served. We saw that this week at the state Capitol with Jimmy Naifeh's power play and in how the Democrats laughed and their lackeys in the news media let is pass without much outrage.
And so it has now come as no surprise that most the tickets being sold for the Obama inaugural ball here are from African-Americans, a traditional but often betrayed Democratic Party constituency, and Republicans, conservatives, military families and evangelicals who are driven by some very critical core principles.
I would embrace Republicanism myself if not for the anti-immigrant rant. As Ronald Reagan once said, Hispanics are conservatives and Republicans; they just don't know it yet. The Gipper is right. And people who look like me could be easily swayed to the GOP for good if it dropped the hatred of immigrants and the love of blue-eyed European purity.
The major factor that unites these constituencies is faith, not a secular one, but a personal one in Jesus Christ. Democrats even nationally are uncomfortable with faith except in a black church. All these constituencies profess their faith very publicly. So it is most natural from them to unite politically and religiously as the Democrats squirm in their pews, er, I mean, secular seats.
So it will be interesting Tuesday night at the Millennium Maxwell House to have a traditional Democratic constituency celebrate the inauguration of the first black president with Tennessee's GOP, evangelical and conservative constituencies. The political partnership that emerges from this gathering will produce a direct assault upon the entrenchment of the Democratic Party in Tennessee (outside of Rep. Steve Cohen) and its stand-for-nothing-but-ourselves agenda.
Now I realize many Democrats locally are going to Washington for inaugural activities, a very big mistake if you've been watching news reports about long lines for public services and other things we taken for granted. But Nashville has hundreds of thousands of people in it, and is supposed to be a progressive city. Yes, these are economic hard times. But Tuesday is a first in this nation's history. We spend almost $100 a month on the cable bill.
A ticket to the Music City Ball brings $35 in food, dancing and top notch entertainment and a chance to thank our military and Gold Star families in person for our freedoms. But the military presence has always bothered Democrats. So its prominence at the Ball is probably a turn off, along with the strong showing of patriotism that will be featured.
Proceeds from the tickets also go to 21 local charities meeting social needs.
The English Only vote Thursday is actually no big deal and not something that permanently divides these constituencies. My grandparents survived an English Only world in America when they came here and so did my 11 uncles and my dad who fought for this nation in WWII. No lives were lost, by the grace of God.
The bigger issues are those that will follow, and upon which this new political alliance can agree and act.
Now I must emphasize that are some Tennessee Democrats who buck the trend I have discovered. And they are heroes of mine, because they stand out amid a field of such nauseating mediocrity.
But the Ball in general has reinforced a lesson I have learned in my time of covering politics here. So we're going to have a hell of time Tuesday night and many days afterward shaking up the political establishment in Nashville and Tennessee as these constituencies that often battle in fear come together in cheer.
Tickets are still a available. Contact me if you're interested at timchavez787@yahoo.com.
When President Obama promised change, he meant it for his own political party, too, particularly here in Nashville and Tennessee.
My sense of wonderment is not out of politicians and their advocates changing; it is actually how their actions reaffirm their convictions and show how many betray them.
In helping to organize, publicize and sell tickets to the non-partisan Music City USA Presidential Ball, I again have discovered that it is Republicans, conservatives and evangelicals who in general are most devoted to this nation and its most binding principles. And it is the same way with African-Americans.
And it is Democrats, liberals, radicals and so-called progressives whose fixation is most on power and preserving it at any cost, including at the expense of the people who are supposed to be served. We saw that this week at the state Capitol with Jimmy Naifeh's power play and in how the Democrats laughed and their lackeys in the news media let is pass without much outrage.
And so it has now come as no surprise that most the tickets being sold for the Obama inaugural ball here are from African-Americans, a traditional but often betrayed Democratic Party constituency, and Republicans, conservatives, military families and evangelicals who are driven by some very critical core principles.
I would embrace Republicanism myself if not for the anti-immigrant rant. As Ronald Reagan once said, Hispanics are conservatives and Republicans; they just don't know it yet. The Gipper is right. And people who look like me could be easily swayed to the GOP for good if it dropped the hatred of immigrants and the love of blue-eyed European purity.
The major factor that unites these constituencies is faith, not a secular one, but a personal one in Jesus Christ. Democrats even nationally are uncomfortable with faith except in a black church. All these constituencies profess their faith very publicly. So it is most natural from them to unite politically and religiously as the Democrats squirm in their pews, er, I mean, secular seats.
So it will be interesting Tuesday night at the Millennium Maxwell House to have a traditional Democratic constituency celebrate the inauguration of the first black president with Tennessee's GOP, evangelical and conservative constituencies. The political partnership that emerges from this gathering will produce a direct assault upon the entrenchment of the Democratic Party in Tennessee (outside of Rep. Steve Cohen) and its stand-for-nothing-but-ourselves agenda.
Now I realize many Democrats locally are going to Washington for inaugural activities, a very big mistake if you've been watching news reports about long lines for public services and other things we taken for granted. But Nashville has hundreds of thousands of people in it, and is supposed to be a progressive city. Yes, these are economic hard times. But Tuesday is a first in this nation's history. We spend almost $100 a month on the cable bill.
A ticket to the Music City Ball brings $35 in food, dancing and top notch entertainment and a chance to thank our military and Gold Star families in person for our freedoms. But the military presence has always bothered Democrats. So its prominence at the Ball is probably a turn off, along with the strong showing of patriotism that will be featured.
Proceeds from the tickets also go to 21 local charities meeting social needs.
The English Only vote Thursday is actually no big deal and not something that permanently divides these constituencies. My grandparents survived an English Only world in America when they came here and so did my 11 uncles and my dad who fought for this nation in WWII. No lives were lost, by the grace of God.
The bigger issues are those that will follow, and upon which this new political alliance can agree and act.
Now I must emphasize that are some Tennessee Democrats who buck the trend I have discovered. And they are heroes of mine, because they stand out amid a field of such nauseating mediocrity.
But the Ball in general has reinforced a lesson I have learned in my time of covering politics here. So we're going to have a hell of time Tuesday night and many days afterward shaking up the political establishment in Nashville and Tennessee as these constituencies that often battle in fear come together in cheer.
Tickets are still a available. Contact me if you're interested at timchavez787@yahoo.com.
When President Obama promised change, he meant it for his own political party, too, particularly here in Nashville and Tennessee.
'The Obama Slide' debuts to enthusiastic participation; original work in dance, lyrics and music set for Music City USA Inaugural Ball
(Photos by Tim Chavez)
The lyrics were purposeful:
"Slide, Slide, Do The Slide,
Show the whole world your American Pride!
"Clap, clap, clap your hands,
For the first black president in the land!
Slide, Slide, Slide ...
And children in the crowd at the Nashville Broncs game last night at Municipal Auditorium adapted to the moves and music easily as the Lady Broncs cheerleaders led the motion and emotion for the original dance, music and lyrics written for the Music City USA Inaugural Ball Tuesday.
Broncs' games have a great family atmosphere where children are free to roam and play under the watch of security, having fun in various places around the playing floor. And it's just for $7 per person.
Cost per ticket for the Music City Ball is $100 per ticket. However, proceeds go to more than 20 local charities addressing needs in Nashville. In addition, $35 in food is provided besides music and dance -- including performances by Ricky and Sharon-White Skaggs and Dr. Bobby Jones, Gospel great and Kennedy Center inductee. Inaugural ball events in Washington will be telecast on the big screen.
A silent auction will be provided for a diversity of items from an Obama quilt to various professional services from chef cooking in your home, landscaping and professional writing and marketing for business, home, family or cause.
Forty-four members of the 101st Airborne at Ft. Campbell will be in attendance for attendees to express their appreciation for their service.
Poignantly, three Gold Star families from Tennessee -- fellow citizens who have lost their sons in the war on terror -- will be on hand to be honored and thanked. It is only by such sacrifice can there be a peaceful exchange of power in this nation.
To order tickets, call (615)569-3010. Or you can also call (615) 512-8209.
With Washington, D.C., expected to be overwhelmed with more than 4 million people, the non-partisan inaugural ball here could be a more rewarding experience. And more fun with "The Obama Slide".
Friday, January 16, 2009
Despite industry contention, there is safest place to sit in an airplane to survive a dreaded crash
Popular Mechanics magazine -- in the aftermath of the miracle survival of all passengers in the airplane crash yesterday in New York City -- has defied the airline industry taboo and contends that there is a safest place to sit.
I've always felt there was. You probably have, too. But the industry has always firmly denied the truth. Not every flight, however, is going to have a hero named Captain Sully to save the day.
So in the following snippet from the Popular Mechanics' article, here is the truth:
MYTH: It Doesn't Matter Where You Sit
"One seat is as safe as the other."
-Boeing Web site
"It's an age-old question. There's just no way to say."
-Federal Aviation Administration spokesman
"There is no safest seat."
-airsafe.com
REALITY: It's Safer In the Back.
The funny thing about all those expert opinions: They're not really based on hard data about actual airline accidents. A look at real-world crash stats, however, suggests that the farther back you sit, the better your odds of survival. Passengers near the tail of a plane are about 40 percent more likely to survive a crash than those in the first few rows up front.
That's the conclusion of an exclusive Popular Mechanics study that examined every commercial jet crash in the United States, since 1971, that had both fatalities and survivors. The raw data from these 20 accidents has been languishing for decades in National Transportation Safety Board files, waiting to be analyzed by anyone curious enough to look and willing to do the statistical drudgework.
And drudgework it was. For several weeks, we pored over reports filed by NTSB crash investigators, and studied seating charts that showed where each passenger sat and whether they lived or died. We then calculated the average fore-and-aft seating position of both survivors and fatalities for each crash.
We also compared survival rates in four sections of the aircraft. Both analytical approaches clearly pointed to the same conclusion: It's safer in the back.
In 11 of the 20 crashes, rear passengers clearly fared better. Only five accidents favored those sitting forward. Three were tossups, with no particular pattern of survival. In one case, seat positions could not be determined.
In seven of the 11 crashes favoring back-seaters, their advantage was striking.
I've always felt there was. You probably have, too. But the industry has always firmly denied the truth. Not every flight, however, is going to have a hero named Captain Sully to save the day.
So in the following snippet from the Popular Mechanics' article, here is the truth:
MYTH: It Doesn't Matter Where You Sit
"One seat is as safe as the other."
-Boeing Web site
"It's an age-old question. There's just no way to say."
-Federal Aviation Administration spokesman
"There is no safest seat."
-airsafe.com
REALITY: It's Safer In the Back.
The funny thing about all those expert opinions: They're not really based on hard data about actual airline accidents. A look at real-world crash stats, however, suggests that the farther back you sit, the better your odds of survival. Passengers near the tail of a plane are about 40 percent more likely to survive a crash than those in the first few rows up front.
That's the conclusion of an exclusive Popular Mechanics study that examined every commercial jet crash in the United States, since 1971, that had both fatalities and survivors. The raw data from these 20 accidents has been languishing for decades in National Transportation Safety Board files, waiting to be analyzed by anyone curious enough to look and willing to do the statistical drudgework.
And drudgework it was. For several weeks, we pored over reports filed by NTSB crash investigators, and studied seating charts that showed where each passenger sat and whether they lived or died. We then calculated the average fore-and-aft seating position of both survivors and fatalities for each crash.
We also compared survival rates in four sections of the aircraft. Both analytical approaches clearly pointed to the same conclusion: It's safer in the back.
In 11 of the 20 crashes, rear passengers clearly fared better. Only five accidents favored those sitting forward. Three were tossups, with no particular pattern of survival. In one case, seat positions could not be determined.
In seven of the 11 crashes favoring back-seaters, their advantage was striking.
After midnight, you can only order Music City Inaugural Ball tickets by phone; here are numbers
In order to process all the orders by credit card, the website to order tickets online to the Music City USA Inaugural Ball will be taken down at midnight.
You'll only be able to order tickets by phone, at the following number: 569-3010.
If you can't get through to that number, call me at (615) 512-8209.
You'll only be able to order tickets by phone, at the following number: 569-3010.
If you can't get through to that number, call me at (615) 512-8209.
As Democrats laugh, many Tennesseans steam; threats, security increase at Legislative Plaza
EXCLUSIVE TO THE WILLIAMSON HERALD
ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION MUST BE CREDITED TO THE HERALD
For a day that lawmakers were not at Legislative Plaza, the thug-acting state trooper at the main gate in what is supposed to be the People's House gave me the third degree as to what my business was at the Statehouse, who I was going to see and if I had an appointment.
I told the goose-stepper that it was none of his business. I told him I was a member of the press, but more I was a taxpayer of the state. He had no right to question me like that. He disagreed, so we had a very vocal argument. I left him with a promise that I would make sure he treats no other Tennessean like that again.
I later learned, however, what MAY have been behind his shakedown. In the wake of Jimmy Naifeh's power grab and the election of a puppet replacement, some Tennesseans who believe in the power and sanctity of the ballot box have called in threats to Legislative Plaza, several staffers tell me.
There is a heightened security alert at Legislative Plaza.
I don't condone such threats. And the staffers said they appreciated the heightened protection. But I can understand why people are upset.
And if they knew how much Tennessee Democratic leaders and notables are laughing at them, they'd be even angrier. Democrats have adopted the title of "The Music City Miracle" to salute their shenanigans. Good for them. They've won for the moment as Tennessee turns even more to the right. Just wait until 2010.
Yet regular citizens of this state without title must not be treated like cattle and threats when they come to their house. They pay for it. And they pay for the salary of the thug-like state trooper on duty late Friday afternoon.
He forgot, as do most lawmakers on Capitol Hill, that the People's House belongs to the people first.
ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION MUST BE CREDITED TO THE HERALD
For a day that lawmakers were not at Legislative Plaza, the thug-acting state trooper at the main gate in what is supposed to be the People's House gave me the third degree as to what my business was at the Statehouse, who I was going to see and if I had an appointment.
I told the goose-stepper that it was none of his business. I told him I was a member of the press, but more I was a taxpayer of the state. He had no right to question me like that. He disagreed, so we had a very vocal argument. I left him with a promise that I would make sure he treats no other Tennessean like that again.
I later learned, however, what MAY have been behind his shakedown. In the wake of Jimmy Naifeh's power grab and the election of a puppet replacement, some Tennesseans who believe in the power and sanctity of the ballot box have called in threats to Legislative Plaza, several staffers tell me.
There is a heightened security alert at Legislative Plaza.
I don't condone such threats. And the staffers said they appreciated the heightened protection. But I can understand why people are upset.
And if they knew how much Tennessee Democratic leaders and notables are laughing at them, they'd be even angrier. Democrats have adopted the title of "The Music City Miracle" to salute their shenanigans. Good for them. They've won for the moment as Tennessee turns even more to the right. Just wait until 2010.
Yet regular citizens of this state without title must not be treated like cattle and threats when they come to their house. They pay for it. And they pay for the salary of the thug-like state trooper on duty late Friday afternoon.
He forgot, as do most lawmakers on Capitol Hill, that the People's House belongs to the people first.
The Ultimate Outrage: Latest bailout of Bank of America makes America largest stakeholder in institution; Sen. Corker gets it, Alexander doesn't
It is the ultimate outrage when the taxpayer has to pay for the bad choices of another.
You probably think I'm writing about a new single mom on welfare.
No.
She has not, and has never begun to cost the American taxpayer over decades what this nation's banks and Wall Street fatcats have taken in only a matter of months
At the proper hour of midnight to try and hide this most shameful act, the Bush administration reached an agreement with the nation's largest bank to invest $20 billion of your money into it, and absorb almost $100 billion in losses from a bad deal it made in snapping up the faltering Merrill Lynch brokerage firm.
I am truly flabbergasted.
With taxpayers being laid off every day, with people being thrown out of their homes and with property taxes about to be raised, the Bush administration with a nod from Congress continues to give away our money as if there were no end to our foolish generosity. Truly, every American on April 15 should refuse to pay their taxes. They cannot incarcerate all of us. That is the only way to protest this insanity.
DON'T PAY ON TAX DAY!
The incoming Obama administration wants to do the same with the remaining $350 billion in bailout money. And yesterday, the Senate voted to release the money for more of this insanity.
Of Tennessee's senators, one gets it. Sen. Bob Corker voted against releasing the money. Meanwhile, Sen. Lamar Alexander voted to release it. Alexander is the 15th richest lawmaker in Washington. Corker is 22nd.
If you have time today, you should call Alexander's office and ask what the hell was he thinking in voting to release the money for more Bank of America deals. Is he a socialist, or just stupid?
Truly, we need to know.
How can a nation on the brink of a Depression give away money to banks making such incredibly bad decisions? As Corker said yesterday, who said a large bank could not fail in this nation.
Bank of America should, and I have money in it. But I'll not be held hostage by the incompetence of its executives and utter stupidity of my government. I'd rather lose every cent I have in Bank of America than see another cent come from taxpayers.
So what is your choice? When are you going to finally say "dammit, enough!"
The House does not have to vote on releasing any more TARP money for such immorality. Blocking release of the money would require both houses voting so.
Here is how The New York Times reported this fiasco:
Two weeks after closing its purchase of Merrill Lynch at the urging of federal regulators, the government cemented a deal at midnight Thursday to supply Bank of America with a fresh $20 billion capital injection and absorb as much as $98.2 billion in losses on toxic assets, according to people involved in the transaction.
The bank had been pressing the government for help after it was surprised to learn that Merrill would be taking a fourth-quarter write-down of $15 billion to $20 billion, according to two people who have been briefed on the situation, in addition to Bank of America’s rising consumer loan losses.
The second lifeline brings the government’s total stake in Bank of America to $45 billion and makes it the bank’s largest shareholder, with a stake of about 6 percent.
May God save us all.
You probably think I'm writing about a new single mom on welfare.
No.
She has not, and has never begun to cost the American taxpayer over decades what this nation's banks and Wall Street fatcats have taken in only a matter of months
At the proper hour of midnight to try and hide this most shameful act, the Bush administration reached an agreement with the nation's largest bank to invest $20 billion of your money into it, and absorb almost $100 billion in losses from a bad deal it made in snapping up the faltering Merrill Lynch brokerage firm.
I am truly flabbergasted.
With taxpayers being laid off every day, with people being thrown out of their homes and with property taxes about to be raised, the Bush administration with a nod from Congress continues to give away our money as if there were no end to our foolish generosity. Truly, every American on April 15 should refuse to pay their taxes. They cannot incarcerate all of us. That is the only way to protest this insanity.
DON'T PAY ON TAX DAY!
The incoming Obama administration wants to do the same with the remaining $350 billion in bailout money. And yesterday, the Senate voted to release the money for more of this insanity.
Of Tennessee's senators, one gets it. Sen. Bob Corker voted against releasing the money. Meanwhile, Sen. Lamar Alexander voted to release it. Alexander is the 15th richest lawmaker in Washington. Corker is 22nd.
If you have time today, you should call Alexander's office and ask what the hell was he thinking in voting to release the money for more Bank of America deals. Is he a socialist, or just stupid?
Truly, we need to know.
How can a nation on the brink of a Depression give away money to banks making such incredibly bad decisions? As Corker said yesterday, who said a large bank could not fail in this nation.
Bank of America should, and I have money in it. But I'll not be held hostage by the incompetence of its executives and utter stupidity of my government. I'd rather lose every cent I have in Bank of America than see another cent come from taxpayers.
So what is your choice? When are you going to finally say "dammit, enough!"
The House does not have to vote on releasing any more TARP money for such immorality. Blocking release of the money would require both houses voting so.
Here is how The New York Times reported this fiasco:
Two weeks after closing its purchase of Merrill Lynch at the urging of federal regulators, the government cemented a deal at midnight Thursday to supply Bank of America with a fresh $20 billion capital injection and absorb as much as $98.2 billion in losses on toxic assets, according to people involved in the transaction.
The bank had been pressing the government for help after it was surprised to learn that Merrill would be taking a fourth-quarter write-down of $15 billion to $20 billion, according to two people who have been briefed on the situation, in addition to Bank of America’s rising consumer loan losses.
The second lifeline brings the government’s total stake in Bank of America to $45 billion and makes it the bank’s largest shareholder, with a stake of about 6 percent.
May God save us all.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
'Get on the Bus' comes to Nashville Saturday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tim Chavez, (615) 512-8209
'GET on the BUS' COMES TO NASHVILLE SATURDAY
NASHVILLE -- In the celebrated "Get on the Bus" movie about a group of California men going to the Million Man March in Washington, D.C., the late great Ossie Davis delivered a bravado performance in examining the complexities of being an African-American male in America.
The Spike Lee movie features an actual stop in Tennessee.
That trip now is being repeated for another historical event, the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the first African-American elected to the White House.
A bus from Oakland will stop in Nashville Saturday to be blessed by a pastor on its way to Washington, D.C., and the inauguration of President Obama.
The Rev. Enoch Fuzz, co-chair of the Music City USA Inaugural Ball, will bless the bus and its passengers in the parking lot of the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel.
Tuesday night, the hotel's ballroom will host the non-partisan ball that will be covered live by CNN, the world's most watched news network.
A TV reporter from Oakland will be accompanying the passengers and their pastors on their trip.
For an approximate time of the bus' arrival, members of the media should call the phone number at the top of this press release.
Tickets for the ball are available at www.volunteernashville.com, or they can be purchased at tomorrow night's Broncs' game at the Municipal Auditorium.
---END---
CONTACT: Tim Chavez, (615) 512-8209
'GET on the BUS' COMES TO NASHVILLE SATURDAY
NASHVILLE -- In the celebrated "Get on the Bus" movie about a group of California men going to the Million Man March in Washington, D.C., the late great Ossie Davis delivered a bravado performance in examining the complexities of being an African-American male in America.
The Spike Lee movie features an actual stop in Tennessee.
That trip now is being repeated for another historical event, the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the first African-American elected to the White House.
A bus from Oakland will stop in Nashville Saturday to be blessed by a pastor on its way to Washington, D.C., and the inauguration of President Obama.
The Rev. Enoch Fuzz, co-chair of the Music City USA Inaugural Ball, will bless the bus and its passengers in the parking lot of the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel.
Tuesday night, the hotel's ballroom will host the non-partisan ball that will be covered live by CNN, the world's most watched news network.
A TV reporter from Oakland will be accompanying the passengers and their pastors on their trip.
For an approximate time of the bus' arrival, members of the media should call the phone number at the top of this press release.
Tickets for the ball are available at www.volunteernashville.com, or they can be purchased at tomorrow night's Broncs' game at the Municipal Auditorium.
---END---
CNN to telecast live from Music City Inaugural Ball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tim Chavez,
Media Relations (615) 52-8209
THE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING MUSIC CITY USA INAUGURAL BALL JAN. 20
NASHVILLE -- CNN -- the world's most-watched TV network -- has contacted the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville to broadcast live from the Music City USA Inaugural Ball.
The confirmation received today means worldwide coverage of the largest inaugural ball outside of Washington, D.C., slated for 7-10:30 p.m. Jan. 20. The theme of the non-partisan event is "The Spirit of Unity".
So if you want to be seen by the world, buy your ticket at www.volunteernashville.com, or come to tomorrow night's Nashville Broncs' game at the Municipal Auditorium to buy tickets in person.
A new dance choreographed locally with original music and lyrics will be unveiled at halftime of tomorrow night's game by the Lady Broncs Dance Team.
---END---
Contact: Tim Chavez,
Media Relations (615) 52-8209
THE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING MUSIC CITY USA INAUGURAL BALL JAN. 20
NASHVILLE -- CNN -- the world's most-watched TV network -- has contacted the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville to broadcast live from the Music City USA Inaugural Ball.
The confirmation received today means worldwide coverage of the largest inaugural ball outside of Washington, D.C., slated for 7-10:30 p.m. Jan. 20. The theme of the non-partisan event is "The Spirit of Unity".
So if you want to be seen by the world, buy your ticket at www.volunteernashville.com, or come to tomorrow night's Nashville Broncs' game at the Municipal Auditorium to buy tickets in person.
A new dance choreographed locally with original music and lyrics will be unveiled at halftime of tomorrow night's game by the Lady Broncs Dance Team.
---END---
New dance for Obama Ball debuts tomorrow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tim Chavez
(615) 512-8209
Media Relations
NEWEST AMERICAN DANCE CRAZE TO PREMIERE TOMORROW(Friday)NIGHT AT NASHVILLE BRONCS' GAME AT MUNICIPAL AUDITOIRUM
NASHVILLE -- "The Music City Tennessee Obama Presidential Slide" will be unveiled by The Lady Broncs at half-time at tomorrow evening's game at Municipal Auditorium. Tip-off time is 7:30 pm. Some lyrics and music will be provided to the public and news media.
Tickets to the Music City USA Inaugural Ball will be available at the game for purchase. They are also available online at www.volunteernashville.com. The $100 tax deductible contribution will go to more than 20 community agencies and non-profit organizations serving people in need. Additional information is available at www.volunteernashville.com.
The game will be attended by many of the 44 members of the Music City USA Inaugural Ball organizing committee and volunteers. Also, about 25 community youth have been provided complimentary tickets to the Broncs' game.
The Music City USA Inaugural Ball will be the largest gathering outside of Washington, D.C., to provide non-partisan support to President Barack Obama as he addresses issues affecting the nation and Nashville.
The event will be from 7-10:30 p.m. at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel and kick off with a salute to men and women from the 101st Airborne and Gold Star families from Tennessee in attendance.
--END--
CONTACT: Tim Chavez
(615) 512-8209
Media Relations
NEWEST AMERICAN DANCE CRAZE TO PREMIERE TOMORROW(Friday)NIGHT AT NASHVILLE BRONCS' GAME AT MUNICIPAL AUDITOIRUM
NASHVILLE -- "The Music City Tennessee Obama Presidential Slide" will be unveiled by The Lady Broncs at half-time at tomorrow evening's game at Municipal Auditorium. Tip-off time is 7:30 pm. Some lyrics and music will be provided to the public and news media.
Tickets to the Music City USA Inaugural Ball will be available at the game for purchase. They are also available online at www.volunteernashville.com. The $100 tax deductible contribution will go to more than 20 community agencies and non-profit organizations serving people in need. Additional information is available at www.volunteernashville.com.
The game will be attended by many of the 44 members of the Music City USA Inaugural Ball organizing committee and volunteers. Also, about 25 community youth have been provided complimentary tickets to the Broncs' game.
The Music City USA Inaugural Ball will be the largest gathering outside of Washington, D.C., to provide non-partisan support to President Barack Obama as he addresses issues affecting the nation and Nashville.
The event will be from 7-10:30 p.m. at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel and kick off with a salute to men and women from the 101st Airborne and Gold Star families from Tennessee in attendance.
--END--
You don't find this story everyday: Robert Redford accused of racism through environmentalism
You won't find this story featured on the nightly news.
But actor Robert Redford is being accused of environmentalism racism by African-American pastors and CORE organizers (you remember CORE from the flap of registering voters under the name of "Mickey Mouse) at the start of his Sundance Film Festival.
Activists confronting liberals is like a mailman biting a dog. So this unusual scene should be noted. And reported. Read this fascinating story from The Salt Lake Tribune:
Hollywood's Sundance Kid is hurting poor people.
So say some East Coast ministers and conservative activists, who took to the streets in front of a downtown Salt Lake City theater on the eve of Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival to accuse the actor of holding down low-income Americans with his opposition to oil and gas drilling near national parks in Utah.
The protesters, led by the Congress of Racial Equality's national spokesman Niger Innis, suggested Redford should "relinquish his wealth" and live like a poor person. They complained that the filmmaker's anti-drilling stance could lead to higher energy prices for inner-city residents, forcing them to accept a lower standard of living.
The clergymen prayed for Redford "to see the light" and linked his environmental activism with racism.
"The high energy prices we're going to see this winter are essentially discriminatory," said Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. of the Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md., chairman of the High-Impact Leadership Coalition, a petroleum industry advocate.
A month ago, Redford, a trustee of the National Resources Defense Council, voiced support for a federal lawsuit aimed at blocking the Bush administration's "morally criminal" attempt to auction 103,000 acres of scenic redrock desert for oil and gas drilling near Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Dinosaur National Monument.
But actor Robert Redford is being accused of environmentalism racism by African-American pastors and CORE organizers (you remember CORE from the flap of registering voters under the name of "Mickey Mouse) at the start of his Sundance Film Festival.
Activists confronting liberals is like a mailman biting a dog. So this unusual scene should be noted. And reported. Read this fascinating story from The Salt Lake Tribune:
Hollywood's Sundance Kid is hurting poor people.
So say some East Coast ministers and conservative activists, who took to the streets in front of a downtown Salt Lake City theater on the eve of Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival to accuse the actor of holding down low-income Americans with his opposition to oil and gas drilling near national parks in Utah.
The protesters, led by the Congress of Racial Equality's national spokesman Niger Innis, suggested Redford should "relinquish his wealth" and live like a poor person. They complained that the filmmaker's anti-drilling stance could lead to higher energy prices for inner-city residents, forcing them to accept a lower standard of living.
The clergymen prayed for Redford "to see the light" and linked his environmental activism with racism.
"The high energy prices we're going to see this winter are essentially discriminatory," said Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. of the Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md., chairman of the High-Impact Leadership Coalition, a petroleum industry advocate.
A month ago, Redford, a trustee of the National Resources Defense Council, voiced support for a federal lawsuit aimed at blocking the Bush administration's "morally criminal" attempt to auction 103,000 acres of scenic redrock desert for oil and gas drilling near Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Dinosaur National Monument.
Apple chief should disclose extent of his illness
Privacy for the cancer sufferer in the beginning is necessary.
For me, it was just a matter of getting my emotional feet back under me.
But when you are in a public position, you should admit the extent of your illness. I did, in my column spot in The Tennessean.
And Steve Jobs -- in his departure from Apple Computers through June for his health -- should do so with complete disclosure of his health for his employees and investors. He has been fighting cancer for quite some time.
I have leukemia. I've had it since the fall of 2005. I am in remission, now approaching three years. I almost died in late June and early July of 2006. God through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe saved me. I still take chemo daily.
Jobs, some say, has been in denial about his cancer. But admitting the extent of the fight is simply the right thing for someone so many depend on should do. There is no hiding behind the excuse of privacy.
We are all human. Cancer strikes so many of us. In revealing the extent of our suffering, we acknowledge our mortality, and that can be liberating. Jobs does not have the luxury of staying in denial and in the dark about his cancer.
Too many people are depending on him. His first duty is to them as he departs to try and heal.
For me, it was just a matter of getting my emotional feet back under me.
But when you are in a public position, you should admit the extent of your illness. I did, in my column spot in The Tennessean.
And Steve Jobs -- in his departure from Apple Computers through June for his health -- should do so with complete disclosure of his health for his employees and investors. He has been fighting cancer for quite some time.
I have leukemia. I've had it since the fall of 2005. I am in remission, now approaching three years. I almost died in late June and early July of 2006. God through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe saved me. I still take chemo daily.
Jobs, some say, has been in denial about his cancer. But admitting the extent of the fight is simply the right thing for someone so many depend on should do. There is no hiding behind the excuse of privacy.
We are all human. Cancer strikes so many of us. In revealing the extent of our suffering, we acknowledge our mortality, and that can be liberating. Jobs does not have the luxury of staying in denial and in the dark about his cancer.
Too many people are depending on him. His first duty is to them as he departs to try and heal.
TARP money should not go to financial industry; roll it into economic stimulus package for us
The size of the economic stimulus package trotted out by Congressional Democrats is staggering -- $825 billion.
And they have the audacity to bring forth this monstrosity after the failure of the first half of the $700 billion bailout of the financial industry.
That spending of $350 billion has been a failure, complete and unchallenged. The fact that the financial markets are still around is of little solace when Bank of America and soon Citigroup will be asking for more money than already received.
Despite all this evidence of the bailout's failure, the Senate today approved releasing the next $350 billion to help the same fatcats.
No.
The House should block that release. Instead, pay down some of the economic stimulus price tag lest we print more of our debt in bonds and the Chinese own everything here.
How can we allow our lawmakers to invest our money in proven failure? At the least, spend it on us and let us fail or rise with our own money.
And they have the audacity to bring forth this monstrosity after the failure of the first half of the $700 billion bailout of the financial industry.
That spending of $350 billion has been a failure, complete and unchallenged. The fact that the financial markets are still around is of little solace when Bank of America and soon Citigroup will be asking for more money than already received.
Despite all this evidence of the bailout's failure, the Senate today approved releasing the next $350 billion to help the same fatcats.
No.
The House should block that release. Instead, pay down some of the economic stimulus price tag lest we print more of our debt in bonds and the Chinese own everything here.
How can we allow our lawmakers to invest our money in proven failure? At the least, spend it on us and let us fail or rise with our own money.
Bush's Farewell: Touching but short; no surprises
When President Dwight David Eisenhower left office, his farewell address to the nation was agonizingly prophetic: beware the military industrial complex in America.
And for most of the decade of the 1960s, Americans died in woeful numbers in a place called Vietnam.
By the time it was over, more than 58,000 of our best and brightest citizens had died and so many more had their lives ruined. The heroism over there was just as great in World War II. Yet this nation compounded the mistake of that war by treating its veterans with no respect.
We cannot do enough to apologize to these men and women and their families.
Tonight, President George W. Bush -- who I had the honor to interview twice in the White House -- delivered his farewell to the nation after two terms in office.
His speech to an audience in the East Room did not deliver any surprises or great visions of the future, good or bad.
He touched first on the tragedy of 911 and his poor choice(my words) of taking the battle on terrorism into Iraq, where there were no weapons of mass destruction. It is good to bring freedom to people. But that was not the purpose given to the people of this nation to go over there.
Bush unfortunately cited the bailout of Wall Street and America's large banks as an achievement. It has been a failure. The credit markets remain locked. And Wall Street continues to drop in keeping with rising layoffs.
As he claimed tonight, Bush did make some hard decisions. And the nation has not been attacked again during his watch. That is an accomplishment worth noting. And Bush said another terrorist attack remains the greatest threat to this nation.
"We must never let down our guard," he said.
But the president also encouraged America to reach out across the world, promoting liberty. Yes, we can promote it. But not at the cost of more than 4,000 American lives and the loss of more than 100,000 civilians and an infrastructure still lagging behind standards before we bombed the nation.
And we still do not know if Iran will simply walk in and take over after our troops leave the land they secured with blood.
Bush noted the hope of better days for America. because of the character of its people.
"America is a young country, full of vitality. Even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the bright horizons ahead."
"It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your president. Everyday, I have been uplifted by the good of our people."
Good luck, Mr. President. Your time in Washington was unprecedented for the unique challenges presented to you. The passage and enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act will be your greatest legacy. And I am afraid, after all our troops are home, that Iraq will be your greatest failure.
Still, Godspeed and rest in your life as a citizen, sir. Your country thanks you.
And for most of the decade of the 1960s, Americans died in woeful numbers in a place called Vietnam.
By the time it was over, more than 58,000 of our best and brightest citizens had died and so many more had their lives ruined. The heroism over there was just as great in World War II. Yet this nation compounded the mistake of that war by treating its veterans with no respect.
We cannot do enough to apologize to these men and women and their families.
Tonight, President George W. Bush -- who I had the honor to interview twice in the White House -- delivered his farewell to the nation after two terms in office.
His speech to an audience in the East Room did not deliver any surprises or great visions of the future, good or bad.
He touched first on the tragedy of 911 and his poor choice(my words) of taking the battle on terrorism into Iraq, where there were no weapons of mass destruction. It is good to bring freedom to people. But that was not the purpose given to the people of this nation to go over there.
Bush unfortunately cited the bailout of Wall Street and America's large banks as an achievement. It has been a failure. The credit markets remain locked. And Wall Street continues to drop in keeping with rising layoffs.
As he claimed tonight, Bush did make some hard decisions. And the nation has not been attacked again during his watch. That is an accomplishment worth noting. And Bush said another terrorist attack remains the greatest threat to this nation.
"We must never let down our guard," he said.
But the president also encouraged America to reach out across the world, promoting liberty. Yes, we can promote it. But not at the cost of more than 4,000 American lives and the loss of more than 100,000 civilians and an infrastructure still lagging behind standards before we bombed the nation.
And we still do not know if Iran will simply walk in and take over after our troops leave the land they secured with blood.
Bush noted the hope of better days for America. because of the character of its people.
"America is a young country, full of vitality. Even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the bright horizons ahead."
"It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your president. Everyday, I have been uplifted by the good of our people."
Good luck, Mr. President. Your time in Washington was unprecedented for the unique challenges presented to you. The passage and enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act will be your greatest legacy. And I am afraid, after all our troops are home, that Iraq will be your greatest failure.
Still, Godspeed and rest in your life as a citizen, sir. Your country thanks you.
Boehner shows why GOP won't recover nationally
Tonight on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, House Minority John Boehner showed why the GOP nationally will never recover and why people such as me can never join its ranks.
Boehner, in a live interview, responded to comments from President Bush earlier in the week that the Republican Party has come off nationally as appearing it does not like immigrants.
He said: The Republican Party has always welcomed legal immigrants."
Boehner's comment shows a willful ignorance of this nation's history. from American companies and armies repeatedly crossing the Mexican border for workers, treasures and men to put in uniform in the war on terror. Green Card soldiers are laughed at by the Arab Press, because they represent the unwillingness of supposed legal Americans to fight its own country's battles.
The Republican Party will miss out on new members and voters from the fasting growing group of Americans in this nation: Hispanics. Our numbers are growing because of our people born in this nation as citizens, not from immigration. That has been the case, according to Census figures, since the year 2000. And the spiraling economy has led many undocumented human beings to return to Latin America.
Boehner's just reinforces in our minds that the GOP hates all of us. And payback at the ballot box for the rest of this century is going to be a bitch, since by the year 2050, we'll represent an entire third of the U.S. population.
We won't forget Boehner's comments and those of too many other Republicans.
Boehner, in a live interview, responded to comments from President Bush earlier in the week that the Republican Party has come off nationally as appearing it does not like immigrants.
He said: The Republican Party has always welcomed legal immigrants."
Boehner's comment shows a willful ignorance of this nation's history. from American companies and armies repeatedly crossing the Mexican border for workers, treasures and men to put in uniform in the war on terror. Green Card soldiers are laughed at by the Arab Press, because they represent the unwillingness of supposed legal Americans to fight its own country's battles.
The Republican Party will miss out on new members and voters from the fasting growing group of Americans in this nation: Hispanics. Our numbers are growing because of our people born in this nation as citizens, not from immigration. That has been the case, according to Census figures, since the year 2000. And the spiraling economy has led many undocumented human beings to return to Latin America.
Boehner's just reinforces in our minds that the GOP hates all of us. And payback at the ballot box for the rest of this century is going to be a bitch, since by the year 2050, we'll represent an entire third of the U.S. population.
We won't forget Boehner's comments and those of too many other Republicans.
Preventing a heart attack: There's new, good news
The New York Times -- still the best read in journalism -- gets the most hits on its website whenever the topic is health and avoiding the pitfalls of aging and early death.
Baby Boomers rule ... as long as we keep regular. Metamucil, anyone?
So the latest eye-opener on preventing the first attack has an interesting new finding on the kind of blood work your doctor should be doing on you to tell where you stand in the race to prevent a coronary catastrophe.
The story is actually good news, along with affirmation of the wisdom of a low-fat diet and steady exercise lifestyle.
But this new factor may allow for a little more fatty eating and a little less exercise in busy schedules. Here is a part of what The Times had to report today. Go to its website at www.nytimes.com for the story in the "most read" box.
It is worth your time and your health to read this information. Avoiding the first attack is critical to living a longer life for your family. And review my earlier post on the 11 food items were missing in our diets to reduce cancer and heart disease risks. That was taken from the most read item in 2008 on The Times website.
The Times reports:
The well-established risk factors for heart disease remain intact: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, abdominal obesity and sedentary living.
But behind them a relatively new factor has emerged that may be even more important as a cause of heart attacks than, say, high blood levels of artery-damaging cholesterol.
That factor is C-reactive protein, or CRP, a blood-borne marker of inflammation that, along with coagulation factors, is now increasingly recognized as the driving force behind clots that block blood flow to the heart. Yet patients are rarely tested for CRP, even if they already have heart problems.
Even in people with normal cholesterol, if CRP is elevated, the risk of heart attack is too, said Dr. Michael Ozner, medical director of the Cardiovascular Prevention Institute of South Florida. He thinks that when people have their cholesterol checked, they should also be tested for high-sensitivity CRP.
Diet Revisited
The new dietary advice is actually based on a rather old finding that predates the mantra to eat a low-fat diet. In the Seven Countries Study started in 1958 and first published in 1970, Dr. Ancel Keys of the University of Minnesota and co-authors found that heart disease was rare in the Mediterranean and Asian regions where vegetables, grains, fruits, beans and fish were the dietary mainstays. But in countries like Finland and the United States where plates were typically filled with red meat, cheese and other foods rich in saturated fats, heart disease and cardiac deaths were epidemic.
The finding resulted in the well-known advice to reduce dietary fat and especially saturated fats (those that are firm at room temperature), and to replace these harmful fats with unsaturated ones like vegetable oils. What was missed at the time and has now become increasingly apparent is that the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet is not really low in fat, but its main sources of fat — olive oil and oily fish as well as nuts, seeds and certain vegetables — help to prevent heart disease by improving cholesterol ratios and reducing inflammation.
Baby Boomers rule ... as long as we keep regular. Metamucil, anyone?
So the latest eye-opener on preventing the first attack has an interesting new finding on the kind of blood work your doctor should be doing on you to tell where you stand in the race to prevent a coronary catastrophe.
The story is actually good news, along with affirmation of the wisdom of a low-fat diet and steady exercise lifestyle.
But this new factor may allow for a little more fatty eating and a little less exercise in busy schedules. Here is a part of what The Times had to report today. Go to its website at www.nytimes.com for the story in the "most read" box.
It is worth your time and your health to read this information. Avoiding the first attack is critical to living a longer life for your family. And review my earlier post on the 11 food items were missing in our diets to reduce cancer and heart disease risks. That was taken from the most read item in 2008 on The Times website.
The Times reports:
The well-established risk factors for heart disease remain intact: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, abdominal obesity and sedentary living.
But behind them a relatively new factor has emerged that may be even more important as a cause of heart attacks than, say, high blood levels of artery-damaging cholesterol.
That factor is C-reactive protein, or CRP, a blood-borne marker of inflammation that, along with coagulation factors, is now increasingly recognized as the driving force behind clots that block blood flow to the heart. Yet patients are rarely tested for CRP, even if they already have heart problems.
Even in people with normal cholesterol, if CRP is elevated, the risk of heart attack is too, said Dr. Michael Ozner, medical director of the Cardiovascular Prevention Institute of South Florida. He thinks that when people have their cholesterol checked, they should also be tested for high-sensitivity CRP.
Diet Revisited
The new dietary advice is actually based on a rather old finding that predates the mantra to eat a low-fat diet. In the Seven Countries Study started in 1958 and first published in 1970, Dr. Ancel Keys of the University of Minnesota and co-authors found that heart disease was rare in the Mediterranean and Asian regions where vegetables, grains, fruits, beans and fish were the dietary mainstays. But in countries like Finland and the United States where plates were typically filled with red meat, cheese and other foods rich in saturated fats, heart disease and cardiac deaths were epidemic.
The finding resulted in the well-known advice to reduce dietary fat and especially saturated fats (those that are firm at room temperature), and to replace these harmful fats with unsaturated ones like vegetable oils. What was missed at the time and has now become increasingly apparent is that the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet is not really low in fat, but its main sources of fat — olive oil and oily fish as well as nuts, seeds and certain vegetables — help to prevent heart disease by improving cholesterol ratios and reducing inflammation.
Vanderbilt steps up for Ball in Dr. John Greer
Nationally famed hematologist Dr. John Greer, head of the Department of Hematology at Vanderbilt Medical Center, has purchased tickets for himself and his wife, Gay, to the Music City Inaugural Charity Ball.
Dr. Greer actually held a sign at a local public gathering for President-elect Barack Obama before the Tennessee primary. While he is passionate, his wife is even more sincere, be it in supporting Obama and universal health care or letting Dr. Greer harrass his oncology employees with UT allegiances in the world of black and gold.
His support for the Ball slated for next Tuesday is very valuable. He is the greatest physician I've ever known and provided good assistance to God in saving my life from leukemia more than two years ago. His patients come from as far away as Indiana and all the surrounding states. He is that good and compassionate.
More of the best and brightest from Vanderbilt are wanted for the inaugural ball. Don't worry about missing out on the balls in Washington, D.C. We'll have them on big screen in the ballrooms of the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel at I-65 and Rosa L. Parks Blvd., just west of the state Capitol.
Go to www.volunteernashville.com and order your tickets. They'll be available for you at the door.
Dr. Greer actually held a sign at a local public gathering for President-elect Barack Obama before the Tennessee primary. While he is passionate, his wife is even more sincere, be it in supporting Obama and universal health care or letting Dr. Greer harrass his oncology employees with UT allegiances in the world of black and gold.
His support for the Ball slated for next Tuesday is very valuable. He is the greatest physician I've ever known and provided good assistance to God in saving my life from leukemia more than two years ago. His patients come from as far away as Indiana and all the surrounding states. He is that good and compassionate.
More of the best and brightest from Vanderbilt are wanted for the inaugural ball. Don't worry about missing out on the balls in Washington, D.C. We'll have them on big screen in the ballrooms of the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel at I-65 and Rosa L. Parks Blvd., just west of the state Capitol.
Go to www.volunteernashville.com and order your tickets. They'll be available for you at the door.