Chip implant ban fails in TN House of Representatives

According to an article on KnoxNews.com titled "Bill to Ban Microchip Implants Fails in House Panel", a bill that would have banned the forced or mandatory implantation of a microchip in people without their consent was voted down on March 16, 2010 in a Tennessee legislative committee. The bill, HB 2059, was sponsored by Rep. Susan Lynn (R - part of Sumner and Wilson Counties -  pictured top right) and basically ended in a tie (5 yeas, 5 nays, 1 present not voting) in the House Judiciary Committee.

The bill was an issue of protecting personal liberty and individual freedom but apparently 5 members of the committee believe personal liberty and the right to privacy are unimportant. Sadly, one couldn't even make up their mind how to vote. The vote breakdown shows who does and doesn't support individual liberty :

Ayes :

• Rep. Karen Camper -D
• Rep. Janis Sontany - D
• Rep. Judd Matheny - R
• Rep. Mike Stewart - D
• Rep. Eric Watson -R 

Nays :

• Rep. Eddie Bass - D
• Rep. Kent Coleman - D
• Rep. Vance Dennis - R
• Rep. Henry Fincher - D
• Rep. Jon Lunberg - R

Present Not Voting (a.k.a. can't make up their mind)

• Rep. Jim Coley - R

Here's the really sad part of this deal. Rep. Bass' (pictured lower right) reason for voting against the bill was the ACLU's support for it. "I just have a problem with any bill backed by a group .... (that supports) taking a prayer out of our school system," said Bass.

You're kidding me, right ?? Is this what it's come to in this country ?? You don't support a good bill because someone or group that's done something in the past we don't agree with supports it ?? That makes about as much since as it would for me, a Tennessee Volunteer fan, to refuse a hamburger from a Florida Gator fan if I hadn't eaten in a week just because they're a Gator fan !! How immature is that ?? That type of thinking is ludicrous. Rep. Bass brought up the school prayer issue. Here's a question for him ?? Didn't Jesus teach forgiveness ?? What would He think of carrying a grudge so huge that it prevented you from doing what's best for your constituents ?? I think we know the answer to that.

The thing that really irks me is that earlier this week I sent Rep. Bass a thank you e-mail for supporting Tennessee's concealed carry permit holders in current legislation. His support for the right to carry led me to believe he supports freedom and individual liberty. Guess I was wrong.