Open Letter to Bill Lee, Governor of Tennessee

To the Honorable Bill Lee, Governor of the Great State of Tennessee:

 

I'm approaching my heart transplant's 14th anniversary. Thousands of my fellow Tennesseans and Americans currently need a life-saving transplant, but only a few will ever be fortunate to receive one. After an 11-year battle with heart disease prior to receiving mine, I know it is a tremendous blessing, and one I do not take for granted.

 

Due to my transplant, I'm required to take immunosuppressants the rest of my life to ward off rejection, which places me into the COVID high risk group along with the elderly and others with pre-existing health conditions. I have, therefore, severely reduced my activities outside my home by order of my doctors since March 17, 2019 - over 9 months. Therefore, when I do venture out, it's mostly for outdoor activities, such as walking in my neighborhood or going to a park with my wife where I can distance myself from others. I have only eaten in a restaurant once since early March. I cannot take my wife out for a "date night". I've seen my 80-year old parents twice since Christmas 2019. As a Christian, I've been going to church since 9 months before I was born, but I have now not been able to attend church since the last Sunday in February.

 

I do not share all that in order for you to feel sorry for me. I know I am fortunate, because myself, my wife, my family, and most of my good friends have avoided COVID to this point. I pray everyday we stay well and thank the Good Lord for His protection, as I know that thousands of my fellow Tennesseans and millions of Americans have not been as fortunate. Currently, approximately 590,000 Tennesseans have fallen ill with about 7000 of them losing their life to the virus (here). Nationally, the numbers are much higher as things are getting worse instead of better.

 

To this point, you have not issued a statewide mask mandate. Your position has been that you prefer to allow local officials to make that decision for the counties and cities where they are in charge. I can respect that - government closer to the people is best. However, it's not working. Most local officials refuse to issue a mask mandate, and many of the ones who have, such as here in Wilson Co., have not allowed for any enforcement action. Therefore, it's the same as not having such a mandate which makes it worthless.

 

Some Tennesseans feel mask mandates violate their freedom. Well, what about the freedom of us in the high risk group to be able to leave our homes and safely go about our usual activities? Does our freedom not matter since we're sick or old?

 

Besides, Tennesseans already have to follow safety mandates every day with seatbelt and helmet laws. Both of which are enforced by law enforcement via citations and the associated fines. So, what's the difference between those state law implemented safety measures and a mask mandate during a pandemic? All have the same purpose - enhanced public safety.

 

Some argue that masks "don't work anyway". There's been studies that support such a viewpoint, but for each one of those studies, another can be found that shows that masks do help prevent the spread of illness. If mask wearing saves the life of one Tennessean, then isn't it worth it?

 

COVID patients with more severe cases feel like they're suffocating. I have an idea of what that feels like. Do you? I spent several years battling heart failure prior to my transplant. Each night when I'd lay down to try to sleep, I'd feel like I was suffocating. It's a horrible, helpless, scary experience. So, when doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals all across our state beg for a statewide mask mandate as they continue to be overrun with sick, suffering, and dying Tennesseans, they should be listened to. After all, they are the experts.

 

Some have incorrectly claimed that you do not have the authority to issue a statewide mask mandate. While it is true there is nothing within the state constitution allowing it, there is also nothing within it prohibiting it. However, state law DOES provide you such authority within Tennessee Code Annotated section, "Emergency Management Powers of the Governor", 58-2-107(e)(11). It states that, in addition to your other powers, you may, "Take measures concerning the conduct of civilians". Therefore, you would be legally within your purview as governor to issue the mask mandate.

 

Over the last few weeks, I've learned of more and more COVID+ cases among people I know personally and their families. I have friends within the healthcare field who are exhausted and stressed. Businesses and livelihoods continue to suffer as Tennesseans can't provide for their families. The suffering and dying has gone on too long already. A statewide mask mandate should've been done months ago. In fact, you said back in July that if we'd had a mask requirement in March, we might not "have had to close everything down".

 

Governor - it's not too late, but the clock is ticking.

 

Like you, I'm a Conservative, but I 100% support President-Elect Biden's plan for masks nationwide. I have no doubt you will have opposition to a statewide mandate and maybe a price to pay at the polls. However, good leaders are the ones who have the courage to do the right and needed thing even when it's difficult and unpopular. Tennessee needs you to be that guy right now. We cannot continue to wait on a vaccine as a cure or on a large enough number of Tennesseans to voluntarily put masks on outside their homes to curtail COVID spread. It hasn't worked for 9 months. It's not sustainable, and if you continue to not issue the mandate, it will most certainly result in thousands more Tennesseans suffering and dying from this horrible virus leaving grieving loved ones. 

 

Please governor - 2021 doesn't have to be like 2020. Issue the statewide mask mandate. Also, give it some teeth with penalties for law enforcement to use to enforce it vigorously. Lives are at stake.

 

Sincerely, 

The Second Chance Sheepdog

  

A Great Tennessee Night

Tennessee's GOP Wiseguys (and Gals)

Smart Raccoon

SUMMARY : One More Kick Of A Dead Horse

During the month of March, I first introduced (click here) and then updated (click here) my readers about the fantasy sports regulatory bill the Tennessee Legislature was working on. I was, and still am, adamantly opposed to the legislation, because there are much more important things than fantasy sports that the legislature needs to be working on. Unfortunately, today I must report that the bill overwhelmingly passed both the Tennessee State House, hereafter known simply as "House", and State Senate, hereafter known simply as "Senate", and was signed into law by Governor Haslam.

State Seal of Tennessee. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

However, there is more to be told. The Sheepdog has now reviewed the floor votes of both chambers of the Tennessee Legislature as well as the votes taken in the committees and subcommittees during HB 2105 / SB 2109's journey to becoming law (see votes here). Today, I'm revealing who did what with their vote. Before I do, I want to encourage any Tennessean reading this who may not know who their state representative and / or state senator is to click here, and then enter your address and click search to find out who represents you. Then, as you read through the rest of this article, look for your legislators to see how they voted.

I'll start with the House Committees and Subcommittees. Let me say first, though, that the way the House records votes in the committees is .... "interesting". It's not transparent. Only the "NO" or "Present Not Voting" (PNV) votes are listed on the legislature's website for each bill. It appears that the committee member must request to be recorded as voting "NO" or PNV to actually get it on the record. The appearance is that the House is hiding something. Whatever is going on, the following members of the House who voted against HB 2105 in committee or subcommittee are :

David Alexander (R) - voted "NO" in House Finance Ways and Means Committee and "NO" in House Finance Ways and Means SubCommittee. He also voted "NO" on House Floor.

Mike Carter (R) - voted "NO" in House Finance Ways and Means Committee

David Hawk (R) - voted "NO" in House Fiance Ways and Means Committee. He also voted "NO" on House floor.

Bill Dunn (R) - "Present Not Voting" ** in House Finance Ways and Means Committee. He voted "NO" on House floor.

John Ragan (R) - Voted "NO" in Government Operations Committee, but then voted "Yes" on House floor. Why did he change his vote?

Kevin Dunlap (D) - voted "NO" in Business and Utilities Committee. He also voted "NO" on House floor.

These 6 gentlemen were the only 6 members of the house bold enough to attempt to stop the bill in a committee or subcommittee before it made it to the house floor to waste the house's time. Sad isn't it?

When we look at the committee and subcommittee votes in the senate, it gets worse - NOT ONE MEMBER of the state senate voted "NO" in committee. Not one. The bill passed unanimously in every committee hearing. Every. Single. One. Pathetic. Every member of every Tennessee Senate Committee was basically derelict in their duty on this bill.

** - "Present Not Voting" votes are essentially "No" votes, because each bill must receive a majority of "yes" votes to advance to the next committee in line, or to the floor of the House or Senate. So, if there's 8 members on a committee, and the bill gets 4 yes, 3 no's, and 1 present not voting, then it fails. It would've needed at least 5 yes votes to advance.

Let's move on to the House and Senate Floor votes. Here, I will list ONLY the "yes" votes. These are the ones who supported this legislation. I will list the Senate floor votes first and beside them I will list any recorded "yes" votes in Committee or Subcommittee.

Tennessee Senate Chamber (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Senate Floor "YES" Votes ****

• Paul Bailey (R) - also in Senate Government Operations Committee
• Janice Bowling (R) - also in Senate Government Operations Committee
• Richard Briggs (R)
• Rusty Crowe (R) - also in Senate Government Operations Committee
• Steven Dickerson (R) - also in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
• Todd Gardenshire (R) - also in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
• Mark Green (R)
• Dolores Gresham (R) - also in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
• Ferrelle Haile  (R) - also in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
• Thelma Harper (D) - also in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
• Lee Harris (D) - also in Senate Government Operations Committee
• Ed Jackson (R) - also in Senate Government Operations Committee
• Jack Johnson - (R) also in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
• Brian Kelsey (R)
• Bill Ketron (R) - also in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
• Sara Kyle (D)
• Becky Duncan Massey (R)
• Randy McNally (R) - also in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
• Frank Nicely (R)
• Mark Norris (R) - also in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
• Doug Overbey (R) - also in Senate Finance Ways, and Means Committee
• Liet. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R)
• John Stevens (R) - also in Senate Finance Ways, and Means Committee
• Bo Watson (R) - also in Senate Finance Ways, and Means Committee AND Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
• Jim Tracy (R) - also in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
• Ken Yager - (R) - also in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
• Jeff Yarbro (D)
• Mae Beavers (R) ++ - also in Senate Government Operations Committee - no surprise here. To read about Beavers support for other "nanny state" bills, please click here and then scroll down to the "The Ugly" section.
• Mike Bell - (R) - also in Senate Government Operations Committee
• Kerry Roberts (R) - also in Senate Government Operations Committee
• Steve Southerland (R) - also in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
• Reginald Tate (D) - also in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

**** - Absent from list but voting "yes" in favor of the bill in the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee is Joey Hensley (R).

++ - Beavers actually voted for the bill 2 out of 3 times she had the opportunity. As mentioned above, she voted "yes" in the Senate Government Operations Committee and then "yes" during the first Senate floor vote. However, after the House added an amendment placing an additional 6% tax on the fantasy sports companies, she voted "no" when the amended version of the bill came back to the Senate floor. Why did she change her vote? Afterall, the only change to the bill was the new, additional tax. Did she not approve of the tax? Did she think it was too much?  

Since the version of the bill she supported during the 1st Senate floor vote would levy various fees and taxes on the fantasy sports companies, and she has other pro-tax votes on her resume (read here), could it be that she didn't think 6% was high enough?

House Floor "Yes" Votes

• Raumesh Akbari (D)
• Joe Armstrong (D)
• Harry Brooks (R)
• Kevin Brooks (R)
• Kent Calfee (R)
• Karen Camper (D)
• Dale Carr (R)
• Glen Casada (R)
• John Ray Clemmons (D)
• Jim Coley (R)
• Barbara Cooper  (D)
• Martin Daniel (R)
• Barry Doss (R)
• Jeremy Durham (R)
• Jimmy Eldridge (R)
• Jeremy Faison (R)
• Andrew Farmer (R)
• Craig Fitzhugh (D)
• John Fogerty (R)
• Tilman Goins (R)
• Marc Gravitt (R)
• Curtis Halford (R)
• G.A. Hardaway (D)
• Patsy Hazlewood (R)
• Gary Hicks (R)
• Matthew Hill (R)
• Timothy Hill (R)
• John B. Holsclaw, Jr. (R)
• Dan Howell (R)
• Jamie Jenkins (R)
• Curtis Johnson (R)
• Sherry Jones (D)
• Kelly Keisling (R)
• Sabi Kumar (R)
• Ron Lollar (R)
• Harold M. Love, Jr. (D)
• Pat Marsh (R)
• Gerald McCormick (R)
• Steve McDaniel (R)
• Larry Miller (D)
• Bo Mitchell (D)
• Antonio Parkinson (D)
• Joe Pitts (D)
• Jason Powell (D)
• Jay Reedy (R)
• Courtney Rogers (R)
• Bill Sanderson (R)
• Charles Sargent (R)
• Cameron Sexton (R)
• Jerry Sexton (R)
• Johnny Shaw (D)
• David Shepard (D)
• Mike Stewart (D)
• Art Swann (R)
• Bryan Terry (R)
• Curry Todd (R)
• Joe Towns, Jr. (D)
• Ron Travis (R)
• Johnnie Turner (D)
• James (Micah) Van Huss (D)
• Terri Lynn Weaver (D)
• Dawn White (D)
• Mark White (D)
• Ryan Williams (D)
• Tim Wirgau (D)
• Speaker Beth Harwell (D)

I must thank Wilson Co.'s (TN) two State Representatives, Susan Lynn (west Wilson Co.) and Mark Pody (east Wilson Co.), for voting "NO" during the House floor vote on the bill.

Summary

Combined, the Tennessee House and Senate is made up of 132 individuals. During the fantasy sports regulatory bill's journey to becoming law, each of Tennessee's lawmakers had an opportunity to vote on it. After reviewing the votes from the House and Senate floor and the various committees, I found that only about 12% or 1 out of every 8 of them ever voiced their opposition to the bill. Another way of looking at it is that about 88%, or 7 out of every 8, of Tennessee's lawmakers either voiced their approval of the bill or didn't voice their opposition during floor or committee votes.

Since 2016 is an election year, here's some things to think about in regards to the fantasy sports bill:

1. The next time you drive I-40 between Nashville and Knoxville and your teeth about get jarred outta your head due to hitting a moon-sized crater of a pothole, just remember that 88% of Tennessee's lawmakers thought it was more important to regulate and tax fantasy football than to provide additional funding for TDOT to keep the roads maintained.
2. The next time you drop your child off at school and notice how rundown and in need of repair it is, remember that 88% of Tennessee's lawmakers thought it was more important to regulate and tax fantasy football than it was to provide funding to fix your child's school.
3. Hey gunowners - remember back about 6 years ago when Haslam was running for governor and said he'd support and sign constitutional carry into law if it reached his desk as governor? Guess what? It ain't happened yet. So, the next time you have to renew your carry permit a.k.a. ask permission to carry a gun to defend yourself and your family and pay the associated fee a.k.a. tax, just remember that 88% of Tennessee lawmakers thought it was more important to regulate and tax fantasy football than it was to pass constitutional carry.
4. If you've been laid off and can't find work, because businesses aren't hiring due to too much government regulation and interference, and you're having to make ends meet on your unemployment benefits, remember that 88% of Tennessee lawmakers thought it was more important to regulate and tax fantasy football instead of helping businesses create jobs.
5. The next time you want to take an evening stroll in your neighborhood but don't because it's not safe, remember that 88% of Tennessee's lawmakers thought it was more important to regulate and tax fantasy football than it was to provide local communities more funding so they could put more cops on the street.

I could go on all day with more and more examples of what Tennessee's lawmakers should have been doing this legislative session instead of wasting their time, which is actually our time, worrying about fantasy football. However, I think my point is now clearly evident.

Here's one last thing to remember - EVERY member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and much of the Senate is up for re-election this year. Therefore, we have an opportunity to remove many of these "88 percenters" and replace them with people who will do the REAL work that Tennesseans need done.

So, if your Representative or Senator is up for re-election in 2016, and his or her name appears above as having cast a "yes" vote on this nanny state legislation, then they were 1 of the 88% that think regulating and taxing fantasy football and other fantasy sports this year was more important than many other things that affect Tennesseans everyday.

Now, I'm done kicking the dead horse, so, it's YOUR turn to act - go vote the sorry "YES" bums out during the August primaries and then during the general election in November.

Dang. My foot hurts.  

Wilson Co. (TN) County Commission District 16 Race - Brockman vs. Weathers

A little over four years ago, I ran an article about Jason Brockman, a newcomer to Wilson Co. (TN) politics. At the time, he was running for County Commission in the 16th District hoping to upset the long-time incumbent, Gilbert Graves, who had held the seat for 40 years. Brockman shocked everyone upsetting Graves with 60% of the vote (see the results here). Now, four years later, Graves' daughter, Diane Weathers, is challenging Brockman in his re-election bid. 

Even though he is a first-term commissioner, Brockman has accomplished much during the last four years including :

Jason Brockman

1. pushing along the Interstate 40 widening project in Wilson Co.,
2. voting against increasing county property taxes,
3. voting against increasing the hotel / motel tax, which if passed would've made Wilson Co.'s one of the highest rates in the U.S. likely hurting local hotels,
4. opposing forced annexation which earned him an endorsement from Tennesseans Against Forced Annexation (TAFA), and
5. working tirelessly for infrastructure improvements within District 16 and the rest of the county.

He has also been involved in :

• adding new fire stations,
• adding an ambulance to the new Mount Juliet fire station,
• the expansions of three schools, and
• adding mechanical, plumbing, and framing requirements to Wilson Co. building codes enforcement.

Up until this past Saturday, I had never met Brockman's 2014 opponent, Weathers. I was at early voting holding a sign to support Brockman. Around 9:30 a.m. I saw a woman walking down the sidewalk toward me that I thought might be her based upon pictures I had seen in local newspapers. Weathers passed from my left to my right, went down the sidewalk, lingered for a bit, left a sign, and then headed back in my direction.

I was standing about 10 feet off the sidewalk. When she got to a distance of about 15 yards from me, she looked in my direction, and asked, "Do you live in the district?" I replied, "Yes ma'am." Then, she stepped off the sidewalk and made a bee-line straight to me. At the time, I had no idea what was about to happen. Let's just say that today, I wish I could still say, "I have never met her." Yes, the experience was that bad.

As soon as Weathers got within about arms-length of me, she begin a harsh verbal attack upon me for supporting Brockman. Please remember that the only thing I had said to her up to this point was, "Yes ma'am." I had only treated her with respect, but she still unleashed a disrespectful rant claiming that Brockman was not providing good representation to the district. She waived some handwritten piece of paper in my face repeatedly claiming it showed a lack of attendance at meetings. I asked her if it was "an official county commission document." She never answered the question directly with a "yes" or "no", but instead said she "had researched it all herself" continuing her verbal attack. I guess she just expected me to take her word and handwritten piece of paper as gospel.

Nope. Nope. Nope. Sorry. That ain't happening. I had never met her, didn't know her from Adam, and she had just jumped my a$$ for no reason. So, any credibility she might have had just went to zero. She might be able to jump on some people and get her way, but that dog don't hunt here in Sheepdogland. Never has. Never will.

She had other things to say, too, but I finally had enough. So, I told her that I had not jumped her case and been rude to her when she arrived, and I did not appreciate her doing it to me. I said, "I'm just here to help and support a friend," but that didn't seem to matter to her. As I said, she never answered my question about the document being official but continued the tongue lashing claiming, "We deserve better representation and that's why I am in this race." I grinned, looked her in the eye, and said, "No ma'am. I know better. That's not why you are in this race." She then turned and left. Either she didn't think what I had to say was as important as what she did, or she realized that I was onto her game. I don't think she wanted others hearing my thoughts about her real reasons for running.

English: Ballot Box showing preferential voting (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Personally, I don't think providing better representation has anything to do with why Weathers decided to get in the race. Remember, I shared that Brockman beat her father, the 40-year incumbent, 4 years ago to win the seat. I think "revenge" and the hope of getting the seat "back in the family" are the motivation behind her campaign. I think that's what this is all about.

So, my first, and hopefully only, encounter with Weathers was not a pleasant one. She came across as a bully. She reminded me of some of the ones I had to deal with back in school who wanted to impose their will upon me and other classmates. I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now. If that is the way she treats people she doesn't agree with, then, if she were to win the commission seat, how is she gonna be an effective representative of her constituents? A person will never agree with everyone all the time. Is she gonna jump on her colleagues, like she did me, when she doesn't agree with them? If she does, she won't be able to get anything done and we will have poor representation.

As I look back on it now, there are so many things I wish I had said to her, but at the time I was in shock. I couldn't believe that someone I've never met, but who wants to represent me, would walk over, get in my face, and jump my case like that. I didn't really know what to say.

Since she kept harping on this idea of "lack of representation", I wished I had asked her exactly how she plans to provide better representation? Why? Because if elected, each year she will have to vote on the county budget. Her husband is a School Board Member and the School Board Chair. The schools budget generally makes up approximately 70% of the county's total budget. Here's a question for my fellow voters of District 16 - is this a potential conflict of interest? I think it is. So, if you agree with me, before you vote, think about the following:

• What is Mrs. Weathers gonna do each budget year?
• Should she abstain or recuse herself from voting on the county budget?
• Should she recuse herself from discussions involving the school's portion of the budget? 
• How can she properly represent her constituents at budget time?

To me it appears there is a problem whether she votes, abstains, or doesn't. The above questions are tough, but yet important, questions, and they should be considered by each one of us in the district before voting. The good news, though, is that Jason Brockman doesn't have any such potential conflicts of interest. Remember that when you go vote. It may make your decision easier.

Jason Brockman with wife, Crystal, and son, Landyn.

Let's get back to Weathers' claims of poor representation, in regards to Brockman. He has voted against increasing property taxes, voted against increasing the hotel / motel tax rate, helped push along the Interstate 40 widening project when it stalled, strongly opposed forced annexation, pushed back against nepotism and conflicts of interest within county government, helped improve public safety, and continues to push for infrastructure improvements. Does that sound like poor representation to you? Of course not. It actually sounds more like Brockman's doing his job. Therefore, in my opinion, Weathers' claims are not credible.

So, why am I sharing all this? I think it's important for voters to know exactly who the folks are that are wanting to represent them. I also think it's important for voters to know not only about a candidate's record and stance on the issues but also the type of people they are. So, I felt it was important to share some of Brockman's record over the last 4 years and, based upon my encounter with Weathers, what voters may be getting if she were to win.

The main reason I am so disgusted with politics today is because of the way I see politicians and candidates from both sides of the aisle treat others, take advantage of their position, and act like they are above the law. Based upon the way Weathers treated me on Saturday, I wouldn't vote for her for anything. My initial impression is that she is not the type of person I want representing me on the county commission or anything else. Remember, I did absolutely nothing to instigate her verbal onslaught, but I got it anyway simply for holding a sign and supporting her opponent.

Therefore, The Sheepdog's officially endorsing Jason Brockman for Wilson Co. Commissioner District 16. For more information about Jason, please visit his website at www.VoteBrockman.com. The election is August 7th and early voting is taking place now. If you're not sure if you're in District 16, this map may help.

A Second Chance for District 17

Do you live in the Tennessee counties of Wilson, Macon, Clay, Cannon, DeKalb, or Smith? If so, you are in Tennessee State Senate District 17 and are currently represented by an entrenched, incumbent, career politician who's been in the Tennessee Legislature for the last 20 years (8 years in the House and the last 12 in the Senate). Prior to that, she was on the Wilson Co. Commission for 4 years. In other words, she has held some political office for 24 consecutive years. Do you realize that is 6 presidential terms? In fact, she's been in office since early in George H.W. Bush's only term in the White House. If that's not the definition of a "career politician," then I don't know what is.

Back in 2010, we, the voters of District, 17 had an opportunity to vote out this career politician, Mae Beavers. Unfortunately, we did not do so. Since then, she has sponsored silly, unneeded, and in some cases, ludicrous legislation, as I will point out below. The good news is that in 2014, we have a "second chance" to replace her. We cannot waste this opportunity. Furthermore, since there is no Democrat or Independent in the race, the Republican Primary is the race. The winner gets the District 17 seat.

Me with a Boyd for State Senate sign.

Clark Boyd is challenging Beavers in the August 7th Republican Primary for the District 17 State Senate seat. Boyd is a conservative, Christian, small businessman, family man, and veteran. He is also the former Chairman of the Wilson Co. Republican Party who stepped down in order to challenge the career politician, Beavers. He has good credentials. Personally, I think it would be a great idea to put a veteran in this legislative seat.

Beavers has been the master of political theater for a long time. She thrives at it, but often all she accomplishes is wasting taxpayer money and the time of her colleagues who have to debate and consider her silly bills. You may be wondering how taxpayer money is wasted? Well, there's labor costs involved with the time the clerks, state attorneys, and others spend writing and proofing each bill. There's also printing, sorting, and other overhead costs involved with getting copies of the bills to the legislators who actually debate and consider them. I could go on, but you get the picture.

Below is a few examples of "Beavers' Political Theater" from the legislative session just ended :

• There was the "Don't Spy on Me, Bro" Bill, as I referred to it in a January post. It's purpose was making it illegal for local law enforcement to gather information from folks' cell phones without a warrant. In my post, I pointed out that both the U.S. and Tennessee Constitutions prohibit these warrantless searches. Therefore, the bill wasn't needed. In my opinion, Beavers was only pushing the legislation in order to score points with voters during an election year while the NSA Spying Scandal was still a hot-button topic. The legislation passed into law and was signed by Governor Haslam, but it's one of those waste of time and taxpayer money bills I mentioned earlier.
• Beavers' sponsored a bill (SB 1607) which if passed would have made it a crime for federal agents to enforce federal gun laws in Tennessee. It was a silly bill. Fortunately, her colleagues voted it down and saved the state some embarrassment. The rest of the country would have looked at us and thought, "Those fools in Tennessee think they can arrest a Fed for doing their job?" I'll call this one the "Stay Outta Our Crib, Bro" Bill. I'm sure that had it passed it would have been smacked down real quick by Uncle Sam. Once again, a waste of time and money.

Additionally, during the legislative session just ended, the amount of over-the-counter decongestants we can purchase as consumers got reduced. Tennesseans are now limited to about 40 tablets a month per purchaser. So, if you're a single mom with 2 kids with allergy problems, you're not gonna be able to purchase enough medication to get through Tennessee's horrific spring allergy season. Thinking about having someone else purchase some for you if you run out? Better not. That's just as illegal as purchasing a gun for someone else. Isn't that wonderful?

In my opinion, even though Beavers didn't sponsor the newly adopted bill that reduced the amount of allergy medication we can buy, she is the one ultimately responsible for it. It was she, who just a few years ago, led the charge for legislation which now requires allergy medication purchases to be tracked. Currently, when you walk into your local drugstore or supermarket and purchase allergy meds containing decongestants, you have to register them like many states do gun purchases. You show your drivers' license, make the purchase, and it's logged into a database for government tracking purposes. I've even had to show my drivers' license to purchase plain Mucinex that doesn't even contain decongestants. It's ridiculous.

A Beaver Tale (Photo credit: kdee64)

I think it's only a matter of time until we will have to have a prescription to purchase allergy meds in Tennessee. When that happens, just remember - Beavers got the ball rolling with the meds registry. She'll tell you it was to help curb the meth problem. Let's be real - it'll help about as much as gun control has reduced gun crimes. Bad guys still find ways to obtain the tools of their trade. Such registration schemes only punish and inconvenience law-abiding citizens.

Lastly, the thing I've never understood is why Beavers gets much of her support from the pro-gun and anti-tax crowds. She's been heralded as spearheading the anti-state income tax movement in Tennessee and as the gun owners friend. However, these folks have apparently forgotten a few things about Beavers. For instance :

1. As I've pointed out before, while in the Tennessee House, she voted in favor of Jimmy Naifeh for Speaker on 4 separate occasions. Naifeh is the guy that on many occasions went out of his way to kill pro-gun legislation, including several carry bills. If questioned about it, Beavers will probably reply that he was the only candidate up for Speaker at the time. My response is that she could have voted "no". How the pro-guns folks who hated Naifeh forgive her for those votes, I don't know. I won't.
2. Second, did you know that Beavers has frequently voted to either increase taxes or to renew old ones that were set to expire? Well, she has. Many of them are the type of taxes that can get directly passed onto consumers by raising prices, such as taxes on nursing homes and HMO's. I shared these in a 2010 article **, but don't take my word for it, go to the Tennessee Legislature's website (click here) and "do your own homework," as Glenn Beck says. Anti-tax? Not really.

I've pointed out other Beavers' shenanigans over the years in prior posts. If you would like to read about them, just click here. I do hope, if you live in District 17, you will join me on August 7th in voting for Clark Boyd. I've laid out some reasons within this article about why I do not support the career politician, Beavers, who has been in office way too long. I've also mentioned why I will vote for Boyd.

Since the establishment Republicans gained control of the Tennessee Legislature a few years ago, they have been out of control. Since she's been in the legislature for the last 20, I think it's safe to say Beavers is part of that problem. Therefore, it's time to put some new blood in the Tennessee Legislature, and we can start by electing Clark Boyd.

** Due to the legislature using the same bill numbers over and over from year to year, the links to bill numbers in this 2010 article may not necessarily still correspond to the correct bill. However, to look them up, all one must do to find the correct ones is look back at past legislative sessions and plug in the bill numbers given.

Related articles

• The Beavers' "Don't Spy On Me, Bro" Bill (thesecondchancesheepdog.blogspot.com)
• Jimmy Naifeh to retire after 38-year House of Representatives career (timesfreepress.com)
• Under the bridge (politics.nashvillepost.com)

Wilson Co. (TN) Needs A New Sheriff

We've all heard the phrase "speed kills" in regards to car accidents. Over the years, studies have been done by different organizations on how vehicle speed contributes to the number of, and severity of, motor vehicle wrecks. Without debating which of those studies is the most accurate, common sense tells us that as vehicle speed increases :

1. stopping distance increases, and 
2. crash severity increases.

This is NOT the speed limit on my street, people!! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My wife and I moved into our house in Wilson Co. (TN) nine years ago. Since our street was completed, we have had continuous problems with motorists speeding through our neighborhood. The speed limit is 25 MPH, but I continuously see cars, pickup trucks, vans, delivery trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, and even school buses speed by in front of my house. I would estimate their high speeds are close to double the legal limit. And yes - I said even school buses. So, at double the legal limit, these drivers are doing 40-50 MPH in a 25 zone on a residential street that is both windy and hilly. It's producing extremely unsafe conditions and a recipe for disaster.

While we've lived here, I have placed multiple calls to the Wilson Co. Sheriff's Office (WCSO) asking, pleading, and begging for them to do some speed enforcement on our street to help mitigate the problem, since it is the main traffic artery through our subdivision. We've received no help from those calls. I have talked to various WCSO's Deputies when I've ran into them at the local convenient mart, local fast food joint, and other places, and requested their assistance. We've received no help from those conversations, either. In fact, on multiple occasions, I've had those same deputies tell me stuff along the lines of, "I don't even have a radar gun in my car."

After hearing that for about the third time, I checked into it with another local law enforcement official, and was told that, indeed, most Wilson Co. Deputies do not have radar guns in their cruisers. That official also told me that the WCSO has a policy that they do not write speeding tickets unless a motorist is doing at least 20 MPH over the speed limit. So, in my subdivision, a motorist would have to be doing 45, in a 25, before they would get written up. In my opinion, that's ridiculous as it does not deter speeding the least iota.

Finally, back last fall, we did get a little speed enforcement help. A friend of mine, who's a deputy, came out for a few hours a day for several days when he had time and wrote some tickets. I told him how grateful we were, but that we needed some regular help, because when he wasn't there, the problem returned. He suggested I call the actual Sheriff, Robert Bryan. So, on September 26, 2013, I did. I had to leave a message for him with his administrative assistant. I explained to her why I was calling, and she said she would have him call me back. He was in a meeting at the time. I think her name was Vicky. That was over 6 months ago. I'm yet to hear back from Sheriff Bryan, and since I left that message, the little bit of speed enforcement we were getting has completely dried up.

Speeding's probably not a big deal to most people. However, it's a big safety concern on our street. Kids are out playing, riding bikes and skateboards. If one of them was to suddenly bolt out in the street, a driver going 45-50 has no time to slow down or stop. One obeying the 25 MPH speed limit does. Plus, if a driver going 45 strikes a child, the chances of serious injury to the child and even death are much greater than if the vehicle is only going 25. Once again, it's just common sense. Unfortunately, common sense is in short supply nowadays.

Additionally, our speeding problem is dangerous for other drivers. For example, backing out of my driveway, I have hills a short distance to both my left and my right. There have been multiple instances where I have looked both ways and with traffic clear I've backed out of the driveway. I then get going on my way, when suddenly there's a speeding vehicle on top of me, because it was flying low when it came over the hill. Frequently, the few of us that obey the speed limit are passed by speeding drivers on our residential street. It's happened to me multiple times. Reckless, speeding drivers are making the street dangerous for everybody, and WCSO is doing nothing about it despite numerous requests for assistance. It's getting ridiculously dangerous.

On the WCSO website, there is a page set aside for "Traffic Enforcement." There it states:

The Wilson County Sheriff’s Departments duties also include the safety of the citizens of Wilson County while traveling the many miles of roadways within the county. For every ones safety the Traffic Division patrols the many miles of roadway in Wilson County making sure motorists are complying with state traffic laws. They also assist the Patrol Division in answering the many calls received from citizens of Wilson County.

My nine years as a Wilson Co. (TN) resident have not seen the WCSO perform the above duty. The speeding problem in our subdivision existed during the Terry Ashe Administration, and it has continued under the Bryan Administration. Sheriff Bryan is now responsible for it just like Obama is responsible for problems that started during the Bush Administration. In both cases, the successors could have fixed the problems, but they have chosen not to. In my subdivision, it has led to unsafe streets, and I suspect there are other subdivisions within the county where the same problem exists.

As a taxpaying citizen of this county, I should not have to beg and plead with the Sheriff's office to do it's job. I feel like I am not getting my dollar's worth out of the taxes I pay. Sheriff Bryan is up for re-election this year (2014), and I am so fed up with the inaction of his office in this matter, that I would consider running against him if I met the qualifications. I'm hoping someone will and win. If you're interested in doing so, you can find the filing deadline at this link and the minimum qualifications for Wilson Co. Sheriff at this link. You may have to scroll down the page a bit.

It is my opinion that by ignoring repeated requests for assistance and not even having the professional courtesy to return my phone call, the speeding, and resulting safety issue, in my subdivision are not important to Sheriff Bryan and his office. It appears that he is not concerned about public safety. Therefore, it is time for him to go.

My fear is that if the WCSO continues to ignore this problem, it is only a matter of time until someone is seriously injured, killed, or maimed on my street by a speeding, reckless motorist. The question I have for Sheriff Bryan is, what if that someone is an innocent child who's out playing? How are you gonna explain your office's inaction to their parents?

The Beavers' "Don't Spy On Me, Bro" Bill

2014 is an election year, and even though it's only January, the usual political theater has already started here in Wilson Co. (TN). With it cranking up this early, I suspect this election year will be entertaining, to say the least, and the "political theater" business will be booming. The Sheepdog may have a busy year.

State Seal of Tennessee. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Unless you've been in The Outback or marooned on an island recently, you're familiar with the spying controversy involving the NSA and others. There's been court cases, Congressional hearings, and all kinds of political theater involved with the whole mess. Now, Tennessee State Senator, Mae Beavers, has decided to get in on the act, too.

Recently, Beavers announced that she plans to sponsor an "anti-spying bill" during the 2014 Tennessee legislative session. Apparently, local law enforcement agencies have started using some of the latest technological gizmos to tap into cell phone data around crime scenes. The local LEO's are able to get important data without a search warrant and no one ever knows it's happened. Beavers wants it stopped. Bad LEO's.

"Don't Spy on Me, Bro."

Senator Beavers' proposed bill would make such data gathering, without going to a judge and getting a search warrant, illegal. It sounds like a great idea, right? Well, of course it does, except for one thing - we already have two "laws" on the books that prohibit such activity.

English: First page of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, adopted in 1835 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First, there is the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It contains a protection against "unreasonable searches and seizures." It clearly states :

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Second, and closer to home, there is a similar prohibition in Article 1 (the "Declaration of Rights") Section 7 of the Tennessee State Constitution. It states :

That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and possessions, from unreasonable searches and seizures; and that general warrants, whereby an officer may be commanded to search suspected places, without evidence of the fact committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, whose offences are not particularly described and supported by evidence, are dangerous to liberty and ought not be granted.

Both of those sound pretty clear and straightforward, right? So, why do we need another law on the books to prohibit such activity? Why not just enforce the protections contained within the U.S. and Tennessee constitutions?

"Don't Spy on Me, Bro."

Beavers claims to be a Conservative. I've even heard her refer to herself as a "True Conservative." Some even classify her a a "Constitutional Conservative." She has served as Chair of the Tennessee Senate's Judiciary Committee. Therefore, doesn't it stand to reason that a "Constitutional Conservative," who chaired the Judiciary Committee, would know that the U.S. and Tennessee Constitutions already have these prohibitions in place? Or, maybe she forgot? Consider this The Sheepdog's reminder. You're welcome, Senator. Glad I could be of service.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought "Conservatives" were for smaller, not bigger government, and fewer, not more laws on the books. Did I miss something? Or, did I miss a memo where the definition of "Conservative" changed? I bet I know what it is - there's a difference between a  "Conservative," a "True Conservative," and a "Constitutional Conservative." That's got to be it.

Please, "Don't Spy on Me, Bro."

Since Beavers is up for re-election this year, and appears to have a lack of understanding of the State and Federal constitutions, I was glad to find on the Internet today where she officially has an opponent in the Republican Primary in August. He is Clark Boyd, who up until he decided to run against Beavers served as Chairman of the Wilson Co. (TN) Republican Party.

In my opinion, Beavers proposed anti-spying bill is nothing more than the usual political theater that we in Tennessee's 17th State Senate District see outta her every dadgum election cycle. Since most Americans are upset over the NSA's spying shenanigans, I think Beavers, with her latest theatrics, is just trying to take advantage of populist opinion in order to score political points and votes. I suspect her theatrics are only getting started, too, since it's a long way to election time, and she now has an opponent who has formally announced his candidacy. Personally, I'm glad she has an opponent. I'm kinda tired of the same ol' Beavers Theater. Time for a long-needed change.

Tom Brady (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

However, if we're gonna play the theater game, let's at least have some fun with it. I love football but can't stand Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. In 2012, I got a big kick out of Seattle defensive back Richard Sherman's taunting of Brady after Seattle beat the Patriots. Sherman's "U Mad, Bro?" line was a classic.

In that same spirit, I'm dubbing Beavers' anti-spying bill the "Don't Spy on Me, Bro" Bill.

Pop the corn. Put the Cokes on ice. The show is on.

Related articles

• TN Bill To Protect Your Cell Phone Privacy (wreg.com)
• Tennessee files historic legislation; Takes aim at state's NSA facility (dailypaul.com)
• Tennessee Bill Would Shut Down NSA Spy Center (deadcitizensrightssociety.wordpress.com)
• U.S. Supreme Court To Decide If Warrant Needed To Search Cellphone (infiniteunknown.net)
• Tennessee bill takes on NSA encryption-breaking facility at Oak Ridge (tenthamendmentcenter.com)

"The Final Countdown"

It's hard to believe that in just a few hours 2012 will be over. The year has flown by, as so many of them do. They go by even faster when you are making up for lost time, as I am. I'm sure many will be glad to see 2012 go into the dustbin of history and start 2013 afresh and new. However, 2012 has been pretty good to me, so I'm not as eager to see it go. There were a number of highlights for me :

• I celebrated the fifth anniversary of my heart transplant. Following that, I celebrated another anniversary with my wife (our 17th), another birthday, and another Christmas. 
• This blog reached a milestone of its own with its 500th blog post and will reach the 600 mark shortly after the first of the year. Not bad for an amateur. In addition, I'm quickly closing in on the 50,000 page view mark.
• I went to my first NCAA Baseball Tournament game in Tallahassee, FL as Florida State played Samford in the regionals.
• I saw KISS in concert for the first time ever.
• After a disappointing defeat in 2010, I was blessed to be one of several who volunteered their time to help re-elect Susan Lynn to the Tennessee House of Representatives.
• I shot four deer during deer season, including my biggest buck ever, and my first with an AR15 (that story to follow).
• I saw the non-profit organization I founded in 2011, Tennessee Organ Donation Foundation, Inc., complete it's first, full calendar year of operation.

So, as I said - 2012 was good to me. However, I think 2013, even with all the economic uncertainty and chaos, shows even more promise. It will also bring some very minor changes to The Second Chance Sheepdog blog. The content, topics, etc. will not change. However, the frequency of articles posting will. They will be more random. There will not always be multiple articles every week, and some weeks will not have a Music Monday.

The reason for this minor change is simple. As I mentioned above, I founded the Tennessee Organ Donation Foundation, Inc. back in November 2011 in order to more effectively advocate for organ and tissue donation. I have realized over the last few months that I need to put more time into it in 2013 in order for it to grow into the effective advocacy organization I envisioned when I founded it. In order to do that, I cannot devote as much time to The Sheepdog blog. However, do not be concerned - The Sheepdog will still be around watching and growling at the wolves. He just won't do it as frequently.

As I started thinking about a song with which to wrap up 2012 and 2012's Music Mondays, I wanted something fast with a metal sound. While watching some movies with friends over the weekend, I was reminded of a song I felt was perfect for the task - "The Final Countdown" by the Swedish rock band Europe.

Europe released "The Final Countdown" on it's 1986 album of the same name. It quickly became the song that put the band on the map. As we closeout 2012 with Europe's first Music Monday appearance, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a 2013 full of blessings. Today's video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.

Enjoy and have a Happy New Year.

Related articles

• Hair Metal Mondays: The Final Coundown (whsjr.soistmann.com)
• EUROPE Frontman Talks About The Making Of 'The Final Countdown' Song In New Video Interview (blabbermouth.net)

A Failure to Communicate

Occasionally, I get e-mails that just entertain the heck out of me and leave me laughing my tail off. Sometimes this happens because the e-mail is humorous. At other times, it's obvious that the writer(s) have no idea what the heck they are talking about. Back on October 20, 2012, I received one such e-mail, a newsletter from the Wilson Co. (TN) Tea Party (WCTP), that was of the latter variety. It was their "October 2012 Mini-Newletter." You can read the entire document by clicking here.

It was actually just a section of the newsletter that "entertained" me tremendously. It is the section near the end titled "Unmasking the Voting Records of the Local 'Independent' Candidates," and it reads as follows :

Unmasking the Voting Records of the Local "Independent" Candidates

With some amusement, we have noticed that the local candidates, when declaring their "party affiliation" ... call themselves Independents. Upon checking their voting records, which is public record, this is what we found...

County Comission District 2

1.     Terry Duncan - Votes Republican  (No treasurer listed .. probably himself)

2.     Richard Moses - Votes Republican  (He lists himself as the treasurer.)

Lebanon Special School Board member

1.     Steve Jones - Votes Democrat (No information on Treasurer)

2.     Johnie Payton - Votes Democrat most of the time, but voted Republican in 1998. (No information on treasurer)

           

Mayor of City of Lebanon

1.   * Philip E. Craighead - Votes:  8-2006 Democrat;  2-2008: Republican;  8-2008: Republican;  8-2010 Democrat;  3-2012: Republican (Treasurer: Terri Lynn Youngblood)

2.     David Kievernagel - No Voting Record (Treasurer: Leslie Kievernagel)

3.     Robert O-Brien - Votes Republican (Treasurer: David Whitefield)

City of Lebanon: Alderman - Ward One

1.   * Lanny Jewell - Votes: 8-2006: Democrat; 2-2008: Democrat;  8-2010: Republican;  3-2012 Republican;  8-2012 Republican (Treasurer: himself )

2.   * Richard Rogers - Votes: 8-2010: Democrat; 3-2012: Republican (Treasurer: Victoria Garrett)

City of Lebanon: Alderman Ward Two

1.     Fred Burton, Sr. - Votes Democrat  (No Treasurer listed)

2.     Annette Stafford  - Votes Democrat  (Treasurer: Kanesa Shipman)

City of Lebanon: Alderman Ward Five

1.     Robert "Tick" Bryan - Votes Republican  (Treasurer: R.C. Benson)

2.     Joe Mills - Votes Republican  (Treasurer: Don Scott)

3.     Billy Weeks - Votes Republican  (Treasurer: Kathy Boyd)

Mayor for City of Mt. Juliet

1.     Jim Bradshaw - Votes Republican (Treasurer: himself)

2.     Ed Hagerty - Votes Republican (Treasurer: himself)

3.     Jamie Luffman - Votes Republican (Treasurer: Jill Luffman)

Mt. Juliet City Commissioner District One

1.     Jonathan Brydalski - Votes Republican (Treasurer: Ben Lane)

2.     Michael Gallion - Votes Republican ( Treasurer: himself)

3.     Ray Justice - Votes Republican (Treasurer: Bill Easley)

Mt. Juliet City Commissioner District Three

1.     Art Giles - Votes Republican (treasurer: himself)

2.   * Britt Lynville - Votes mostly Democrat: Democrat to 1996;  8-2002: Democrat;  8-2004: Republican; 8:06 Democrat;  8:2008: Democrat;  8-2010 Democrat;  8-2012: Republican (Treasurer: Gwynee Queener)

Mayor of Watertown:

Michael Jennings - Votes Democrat  (Treasurer: himself)

Alderman:

1.     Jim Amero - Votes Democrat  (Treasurer:None listed)

2.     Brandy Baird Holcomb - No information ( Treasurer: None listed)

3.     Tony Lea - No information  (Treasurer: None listed)

4.     James (Tom) Nix - Votes Democrat  (Treasurer: none listed)

 

Back in a post I wrote in August of 2011 (click here) titled "Case Closed", I pointed out that, in my opinion, the writer(s) of the group's newsletters does not understand what an "Independent voter" is. I pointed out that generally Independents consider themselves as such because they do not have a formal membership in any political party. They do not vote for a party or based upon party loyalty. Instead, they tend to vote for a person or for ideals, principles, or values. I also pointed out that oftentimes an Independent is disgruntled with the two major parties for some reason and that leads to them being an Independent. I consider myself an Independent for these reasons, too. In fact, I refer to myself as a "Conservative Independent."

INDIANOLA, IA - SEPTEMBER 03: A Tea Party supporter waves an American flags during the Tea Party of America's 'Restoring America' event at the Indianola Balloon Festival Grounds on September 3, 2011 in Indianola, Iowa. Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin headlined the Tea Party of America's 'Restoring America' event. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

The first thing I noticed in this section of the newsletter that brought on the laughter is the use of the word "Unmasking" in the title. It seems sensationalized as if the writer(s) had just gotten wind of a major scandal and wanted to share it with the world. Wow. Nice job. I fail to see anything to get excited about here.

The second thing that was entertaining was in the introductory paragraph, of the aforementioned section, where the writer(s) state their "amusement" with the fact that some local candidates file as Independents, but then tend to vote in the primaries of the two major parties. I doubt their "amusement" was anywhere near the magnitude of mine as I read. I was rolling, because this is not uncommon due to political party affiliation not normally being a major factor in local races. One reason is because it doesn't matter if a candidate did file as a Republican or Democrat, they're not gonna receive any money from the party for their campaign. Plus, most Independents will say that they tend to vote Republican or Democrat. Once again, there's nothing to see here, yet it my opinion, it appears that the writer(s) for the WCTP is insinuating that these candidates have committed some hideous sin by declaring as Independents, but then voting in Republican or Democratic primaries. Puzzling. What should we do with these "naughty" candidates - put them in time-out ? Bad candidates. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Oops. Yep - you're right. I'm going overboard with the sarcasm again. Bad Sheepdog.

The third thing I noticed actually shows the deepest lack of understanding about what an Independent voter is. In order to make my point, I ask that you scroll back up to the text colored blue above. Four candidates (marked with * before their names), including Philip E. Craighead (candidate for Mayor of City of Lebanon), Lanny Jewell and Richard Rogers (both candidates for City of Lebanon : Alderman - Ward One), and Britt Linville (candidate for Mt. Juliet City Commissioner District Three) have voted in both Democrat and Republican primaries. Doing so is the essence of what being an Independent is !! They have not voted straight down party lines, so I suspect they have voted for particular candidates that they felt would do the best job in whatever office they were running for. As I said, this is what Independents do, and it's what makes them Independents. It really baffles me that this concept is so misunderstood by whomever is writing these newsletters for the WCTP. It puzzles me even further when you consider that the WCTP Chairman, Sherrie Orange, has served as a Wilson Co. (TN) Election Commissioner. I would think that someone in her position would make sure the group understands this concept a little better.

As I've mentioned in earlier blog posts, after being a Republican for many, many years, I became an Independent a few years ago. It was mainly because elected officials and candidates wearing the Republican label were doing things and saying things that were not only unacceptable to me as a person, but they were taking political positions that were more lefty Democrat in nature than what I expected from a so-called "Conservative Republican." So, in good conscience I could not wear the Republican label anymore. I suspect the way I felt was very similar to what Ronald Reagan did when he left the Democrats to be a Republican. He said, "I didn't leave the Democrat Party - it left me." I could relate.

I have already early voted, because I didn't want to stand in line on election day. There were four races on my ballot. I voted for 2 Republicans, 1 Independent, and 1 Constitution Party candidate. I did so after researching all the candidates closely and picking the ones that lined up most closely with my principles and values and after doing a lot of praying and seeking the Lord's guidance. I think the way I voted is a perfect example of what an Independent voter is.

It puzzles me as to why the WCTP and others can't understand such a simple concept. I'm sure they've heard others explain it before as I have here and in the previous blog post I mentioned earlier. The whole thing kinda reminds me of the line by Captain, the prison warden, in 1967's Cool Hand Luke, because apparently, "What we've got here is (a) failure to communicate." Sad, isn't it ?


(click here for video clip)