I have been released

Someone, and you can be DAMN SURE I will find out who, went to a great deal of trouble to get this blog flagged as a SPAM blog.  Fortunately, I followed BLOGGER.COM procedure, they investigated and found nothing.

It sure seems funny that, a week before the election, someone went to a lot of trouble to silence this blog.  It's not going to work, I intend to post EVERY DAY from now until the election in support of the candidates for whom I voted.  You will NOT stop this blog.

UPDATE: Sharon Cobb reports the following:

HELP
I AM BLOCKED AS WELL. I have been trying to deal with blogger help...seems A LOT of political bloggers are locked out.

I posted the question if this was political, specifically if CHINA blocking Internet access before and during the games (Which we know has happened) if GOOGLE is working WITH CHINA on CENSORSHIP.

Please get the message out. If you go to blogger help online, it's almost all political bloggers blocked.

HELP. I'm being held hostage by blogger.

Write about it, Cracker, please! This is NOT a coincidence. There's something BIG going on here.---and my best guess is it has to do with Google helping China block political blogs.

I've been marked as "spam" for hours...as has Skippy and others.

After all these years, this is not a coincidence.

S.O.S.

Want to have a blast Labor Day Weekend?

2008 Memphis Music and Heritage Festival
is looking for YOU!!

Fun, Energetic, Music & Culture Loving Volunteers
August 30th & 31st

Do you have an interest in production, stage management, information,

food & beverage sales, or arts & crafts? Come spend a few hours with

us, give us a hand, and enjoy the atmosphere.

So how about it? Your talents, creative abilities, know-how and expertise will make our 21st Annual Music & Heritage Festival the best one yet!

Don’t miss a great opportunity to have fun, meet new people,

join a hardworking team, and learn more about Memphis and the South!

Learn More by going to:

www.memphismusicandheritagefestival.com

or

emailing info@southernfolklore.org

Your attention please....Election Preview is at hand!!

I have it on rather good authority that the Flyer's issue this week will be rather kick-ass, as it contains their Election Preview.

Go get a paper copy TODAY; if you can't get out, go read it online RIGHT HERE!

I support them, as they are my must-read on local news, and they are kind enough to link to this humble blog, for which I thank them!

UPDATE: this post has been updated with the direct link to that preview, go there NOW!

Marsha Blackburn is a boldfaced liar, and Mike Matthews catches her in it

with a hat tip to Kleinheider, here's the video..

More about Knoxville

Leigh forwarded this first-person account of the events of Sunday morning from Shakesville, it's stunning reading. I dare anyone to read this and not tear up, and not just from sadness.

Knoxville, you WILL recover, while we all try to figure out how to prevent this from happening again without taking away some people's security blankets.

Oh, and Polar Donkey is right: Jim Adkisson is a TERRORIST.

About the Knoxville shootings..

You knew, of course, that something like this was bound to happen.  Decent people, enjoying a production of ANNIE in their Unitarian Universalist Church, and some worthless bastard comes in and starts shooting at people, and blames liberals for screwing up the world.

Right.  

Of course, the UUs are working on rebuilding their lives and healing all who were affected; that's what they do.  Unfortunately, as Katie Allison Granju notes, there are those that, while they hate the shooting, probably agree with this no-good bastard that liberals are at fault, and talk radio feeds their hate.  

This is why, as one of his first acts as President, Barack Obama needs to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.  Yes, it will wipe out Progressive Talk, but it will also wipe out Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Hannity, and those other denizens of hatred of everyone non-white, non-rightwing and non-Christian fundie.  Fox News, of course, would either have to start employing real journalists or shut down; either way, we are all better off.

In addition, Newscoma has one of her finest posts ever, talking about what kind of person could shoot innocent people, and brings back the sad memories of Cary Ann Medlin and Robert Glen Coe.  Go there now.

Return of the Celtic Craichead!

Yes, the Craichead has returned, under the leadership of the Lovely Lauren, who is now posting there.

Her first post is to advise all of you Celtophiles that CelticFest Mississippi is only a little over a month away.  Go there now to find out more, it's a blast!

Also, it will be updated on a REGULAR basis now with her in charge, although I will post over there from time to time, it's her show and the Craichead is better for it!

Hi there. You from Shelby County? Good, we need to talk.

To those of you NOT from Big Shelby, you may want to skip this one, go down further where we have some lovely videos left over from Feel Good Friday, with links to lots more.  Thanks.

OK, it's just us, right?  First, let's see the hands of those of you who are NOT registered to vote but are eligible to do so.  OK, you step over to the side, we'll come talk to you AFTER August 7, go hit the videos.

So, you're all registered, eh?  Show of hands again for those of you who have already voted since Early Voting started a week ago.  Wow, not many at all, but those of you who have, you're excused, go have a great weekend!

All right, rest of you, pay attention.  WHAT'S YOUR FREAKING PROBLEM???? The satellites are OPEN, for crissakes, GO; well, OK, wait until 10 AM when they open, but GO VOTE.

WHAT??? What the hell do you mean you DON'T KNOW for whom you will vote???  Why do you think I went to all that trouble? Oh, and remember, NO on 360, YES on 361. (Sorry, Commissioner, you can fix this the week after the election and have it on the ballot for November, and we'll be just fine!)  The statewide retention vote?  Oh, hell, I always vote NO out of spite unless I know one of them.

All right then; I want you back here either WITH your used voter card or ON it, as they used to say back in Spartan times, you have no excuse outside illness or family illness, so GO VOTE.

TODAY.  

Dis-missed!

WE interrupt FGF with sad news...

Longtime Memphis weatherman Brian Teigland, first of WREG-TV then for the last several years at ABC24/CW30, died suddenly this morning.  He was taken to a local hospital, but could not be revived.  More on this:

Commercial Appeal

24/30

A remembrance from his colleague Joe Larkins

We offer our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his co-workers at ABC24/CW30, he will be missed.

Now, for the FGF Roundup

Jon led things off by pulling a full Memphis and embedding a wrestling video, then I followed with Warren Zevon. Then ContrAltoDelete broke out Nina Simone on us.

Here are more, as they arrive:

Rachel at Women's Health News: Ooh Child

Miss Sharon Cobb: Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes!

Pesky Fly: The Flying Burrito Brothers

Newscoma: Ricky Skaggs plays Ralph Stanley

GingerSnaps: early Sheryl Crow

Heartbreaktown: silly and fun British Rock

Squirrel Queen: The Go-Gos on VACATION!

Hollywood Run: MST3K

I'm About to Be Brilliant: Michelle Pfeiffer in Grease 2

Russ McBee: Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

GoldnI: a doubleheader, Queen and the incomparable Sir Mix-A-Lot

Slartibartfast: Two words: MY SHARONA

Brad Watkins at WTL: More wrestling and...Ophelia?

Wintermute: With a nod to Pesky, another Flying Burritos video

Email me with your entry, it's sjs1959 at gmail dot com

ContrAltoDelete takes us back

with this remarkable performance from Nina Simone, with a song from HAIR.

FGF-the Scheiss has hit the fan!

And now, BACK TO THE MUSIC ON FEEL GOOD FRIIIDDAAAAAYYYY!!! Ok, enough of the Top 40 DJ voice. This is in memory of one of my all time favorites, Warron Zevon, and dedicated to one of his good friends, a certain Congressman you all know...

Feel Good Friday My Turn

Fire BURN!!!

Mr. Guleff responds to Commissioner Carpenter

And the CA agrees with Tom...

Proudly and unabashedly stolen from The Pesky Fly

Our Congressman makes us proud, even getting the AG to use the term barnicle...outstanding, sir. Thanks to the Fly as always...

Commissioner Carpenter responds

Commissioner Mike Carpenter, a reader of this blog, has commented on our concerns about County Charter Amendment 360, and I would like to post that here. While I may not necessarily agree with all of his arguments, I believe they should be heard. Without further ado:

LeftWingCracker,

I understand and appreciate your position on term limits, but would respectfully ask that you and your readers reconsider your position. As you know the Commission was compelled to revisit the charter as a result of a state supreme court case that indicated that our government is "de facto" because we failed to adequately establish the office of Sheriff, Trustee, County Clerk, Register and Assessor. If the ordinance fails, county government would be in jeopardy of losing future legal battles because the government would lack legitimacy.

The ordinance fixes that very serious legal problem. It keeps all of the offices elected as the voters overwhelmingly requested. It also leaves the duties the same for every office as the voters asked.

On the issue of term limits: opponents of the ordinance fail to articulate that the current county wide officers are not bound by any term limits, only the commission and the mayor. The ordinance applies term limits to those elected officials and for continuity's sake applies the same standard to future commissions and mayors. The ordinance is explicit that the three four-year terms DOES NOT APPLY TO ANYONE ELECTED IN 2006. The current commission and mayor can never get three four year terms. We are always bound to two four-year terms.

Finally, I agree that the issue should have been a separate ordinance. I proposed it that way and received 11 votes. A few days later that coalition fell apart and the only point that could be agreed on was three four-year terms. While I am disappointed, I belief the legitimacy of the government trumps the difference between 8 years and 12 years.

I hope a majority of voters will see it that way too. If anyone has questions, you can reach me on my cell at 331-0153 or e-mail me directly at mike.carpenter@shelbycountytn.gov.

Thank you.

Mike Carpenter
County Commissioner

And now, your Weekly Roundup...

The "Fahrvergnügen because it's a funny word" edition of the Tennessee progressive blog roundup with a look at what the best Tennessee bloggers are talking about this week


• 10,000 Monkeys and a Camera: Fahrvergnügen! (a comprehensive roundup of VW Chattanooga news)

• Andy Axel: Bait and Switch

• Tiny Cat Pants: As we all know, Bill Hobbs is on his great crusade to defund Planned Parenthood and instead move all that money into government-run services, because the TNGOP loves government-run healthcare, except when it’s proposed by Democrats.

• BlountViews: Finney or Overbey? Who does a progressive support? PLUS: Lazy election coverage

• Carole Borges: New Yorker loses its sense of humor

• The Crone Speaks: It seems that when doctors themselves stop accepting insurance, their patients get better care at a more reasonable cost.

• Cup Of Joe Powell: A blistering editorial on 1st District Congressman David Davis by the Editorial Board of the Bristol Herald Courier is out today and makes some excellent points: BONUS: Coffee War AND: Camera Obscura: Batmania (and more)

• Don Williams: Al Gore’s daring challenge -- an ‘Apollo program’ to save the Earth

• Tennessee Democratic Party Blog: The Associated Press released an article today explaining how a 30% increase in voter turnout for Obama in the black community could swing the South, including Tennessee, into the blue column.

• Enclave: It's clear to me from this research that if you want a stronger economy that includes job creation, you have to run with Democratic Presidents. All of the conservative campaign rhetoric that moderate-leaning-left administrations will destroy American jobs is unsubstantiated in this research.

• Fletch: Seagull Contrail PLUS: Still Life

• KnoxViews: You can look up your bank or credit union at the following links to a) make sure they are insured, and b) check their financial statements and ratio reports, which are a quick snapshot of their performance. PLUS: John McCain posting on his blog. AND: Clinton (and Edwards) should be on the ballot in Denver

• Lean Left: Massachusetts is now in the process of repealing the racist and obsolete law that Mitt Romney invoked to continue to limit marriage rights for gays after the state legislature removed the overt bar to marriage in the law.

• Left Wing Cracker: Endorsements

• Liberadio(!): Leave Robin Smith Alone!

• NewsComa: Stewart Byars

• The Pesky Fly: Atrios wonders why the image of the burning twin towers is seen by Republicans as a powerful image of their strength and resolve.

• Progressive Nashville: Tennessee could save nearly six dollars in health care costs for every dollar spent on prevention according to a new study by the Trust for American Health. PLUS: Glass Houses AND: TNGOP Declares Victory in Iraq

• Resonance:: What will it take to instill in our elected leaders a sufficient sense of urgency to act? $160/barrel oil? $180? $200? Whatever it is, it will come too late.

• RoaneViews: Lincoln's Republican opponent, Whatshisname, doesn't live in our district and won't be our next Congressman.

• Russ McBee: Not surprisingly, the EPA intends to stonewall the issue long enough to avoid taking any action until after Bush leaves office; nevertheless, it's astonishing that the EPA has finally dropped its hostility to nearly universal scientific consensus. PLUS: The phantom promise of offshore drilling

• Nashville for the 21st Century: Congress-stakes: If A) Obama wins, and B) he offers Cooper a cabinet position, and C) he accepts...who would run for the open seat? I'll throw out some potential candidates, and follow with a poll. PLUS: Will Pelosi and Dean Block Hillary at Convention?: The DNC can't and won't change the rules so that only Barack Obama's name can be thrown out there.

• Sharoncobb: Oh. You Have To See/Hear What Larry Craig Just Said: Oh Dear Lord. No one could make this stuff up. Here's what Larry Craig just said, and it's captured on tape:

• Silence Isn't Golden Netroots Nation dispatches here, here, here, and here. BONUS: You are so Nashville if...

• Southern Beale: Okay, kids, it’s time for that wacky new game: Elitist: Yes or No? PLUS: Memory Holes

• Tennessee Guerilla Women: Sounds good. Except for the fact that for weeks now the media has been reporting that Hillary's name on the ballot is not assured, rather the question will be determined by negotiations between the Clinton and Obama camps. PLUS: Breaking MSNBC Political News: Hillary Clinton Has a New Hairdo!

• TennViews: Voters say more focus needed on children's issues PLUS: Tennessee Senate 8th

• WhitesCreek Journal: Republican Chair Robin Smith is a symptom of what is so wrong with our political process. There is a deep dishonesty in her half of the process and a willingness to let it slide on the part of most news media, and a massive double standard that examines Democratic candidates in minute detail but lets republican candidates get by with slanderous conduct. PLUS: Species Count for Whites Creek

• Women’s Health News: HHS Attempts to Define Contraception as Abortion PLUS: Open letter to Obama:: I’d also like a pledge to not put anti-science, anti-woman yahoos in charge of, you know, science and women.

Oh, Scheiss, I forgot about the proposed Ordinances

About 360, which A) establishes the offices of county Sheriff, Assessor, Trustee, Register and County Clerk as elected offices but B) changes the term limits to THREE successive terms (you voted for TWO, remember?), Tom Guleff at JoeCitizens.com rightly calls BS on this backdoor term limit extender:

We encourage voters to vote “NO” on Ordinance #36, and send this Trojan horse at galloping speed back to the Shelby County Board of Commissioners so they can focus on the provisions of creating offices and end their backdoor approach to weakening our current term limits.

Freakin' A, brother.

The Feel Good Friday roundup!

We will add to this as the day goes on. First, I broke out the RL Burnside in memory of our beloved Cap'n Pete, then ContrAltoDelete brought us Carlos Guitarlos!

Miss Sharon Cobb - a tribute to George Harrison

Pesky Fly - Two words: Betty Lavette. Enough said.

GoldnI - Bush. No, not him, the GOOD kind. No, wait, not THAT, the GROUP Bush, you perv.

Ginger Snaps - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Wintermute - Frat Rock Friday!

Newscoma - I'm on a Mexican Radio!

LeBlanc - Jason Isbell riffs on the Drive-By Truckers

Slartibartfast - Marc Broussard sings Al Green (it's damn fine!)

Ron at Subtle Bluntness: A nice humorous tune.

Scout About - a teeny little Superguy!

I'm About to be Brilliant - a little Extreme

Sean Braisted brings us the McCain Edition with a visit to Istanbul, or is it Constantinople?

Russ McBee - The Memphis staple, Mustang Sally!

More as they arrive!

MORE FGF!!!!

ContrAltoDelete brings us West Coast guitar legend Carlos Guitarlos with David Black in Down at the Coco Club!

For Cap'n Pete.....

As you may know, the legendary WEVL radio personality Dee "Cap'n Pete" Henderson was tragically murdered earlier this week; his Friday night show "Cap'n Pete's Blues Cruise", which had been heard since 1982 on FM90, was a wonderful a compendium of blues styles as you will ever hear. Friday nights will never be the same, so today's FGF video is dedicated to his memory. We present the late RL Burnside with "Shake Em On Down".

How in the hell did this happen???

I was off work today A) going to the eye doctor and B) taking the lovely Lauren to HER eye doctor when I got an email from a buddy who also blogs asking me if I'd heard the rumor that Herenton was indicted on 14 counts.  Obviously, the answer was no.

Then, I got a call from another friend who is old Democratic hand asking me the same thing, then I got ANOTHER call about it and another email.  Of course, in the end, it all turned out to be bullshit, since no major media outlet confirmed it and the lead story on the 10 pm TV news was that same Mayor hosting a meet-and-greet with the new MCS superintendent, Dr. Kriner Cash.

How the hell did this spread like wildfire?  Everyone's third cousin twice removed said they heard it on WDIA and that WREC picked it up.  Of course, that may have been the case, or it may not have been, I didn't listen.  I just want to know how this exploded all over town, with so little to back it up.   You know, if it's not on one of the TV Stations, the Flyer, the Daily News, or the CA, then it might not have happened, folks; get some CONFIRMATION before you start shit like this...

NOTE: it's 11:30 P.M. and I tried to go to WREC Radio's website, but it's down.  Hmmmm.

Rant over.

Early voting begins FRIDAY....

NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING

AUGUST 7, 2008

FEDERAL & STATE PRIMARY AND COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION

Pursuant to Sec. 2-6-103, Tennessee Code Annotated, notice is hereby given by the Shelby County Election Commission of unrestricted early voting for the August 7, 2008, Federal & State Primary and County General Election as follows:

Site Locations, Dates and Times SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION 157 POPLAR AVE., SUITE 121 Beginning on Friday, July 18, 2008 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Saturday, July 19, 2008 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Weekdays: July 24 through August 1, 2008 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Saturdays: July 26 and August 2, 2008 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Satellite Sites

Weekdays: July 24 through August 1, 2008 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturdays: July 26 and August 2, 2008 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

LOCATION NAME	LOCATION ADDRESS
Anointed Temple Of Praise (Youth Room)	3939 Riverdale Rd., 38141
Baker Community Center	7942 Church St., 38053
Bethel Church	5586 Stage Rd., 38134
Berclair Church of Christ	4536 Summer Ave., 38122
Bishop Byrne High School	1475 E. Shelby Dr., 38116
Collierville Old Town Hall (Replaces Collierville Church of Christ)	101 Walnut St., 38017
Dave Wells Community Center	915 Chelsea Ave., 38107
Glenview Community Center (Replaces New Salem Church)	1141 S. Barksdale St., 38114
Greater Middle Baptist Church (Fellowship Hall)	4982 Knight Arnold Rd., 38118
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (Replaces Faith Baptist Church)	2095 Appling Rd.; 38016
Mississippi Blvd. Pre-School Cafeteria (Replaces Mississippi Blvd Church Counseling Center)	70 N. Bellevue Blvd. 38104
Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church (Fellowship Bldg)	3045 Chelsea Ave., 38107
New Bethel Baptist Church - Family Life Center	7786 Poplar Pike, 38138
Pyramid Recovery Center	1833 S. Third St., 38109
Raleigh United Methodist Church	3295 Powers Rd., 38128
Shiloh Baptist Church	3121 Range Line Rd., 38127
Westwood High School	4480 Westmont St., 38109
White Station Church of Christ	1106 Colonial Rd., 38117

Click to display map of the EV Sites

Pursuant to Sec. 2-6-102, TCA, a voter who desires to vote early shall go to the County Election Commission office or to any of the satellite locations listed above within the hours set out for the early voting period, sign an application for ballot and vote.

Pursuant to Sec. 2-7-140 (c) (1) voters who are already registered can make address changes at an early voting site. For further information, call 545-4132.

SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION
Myra Stiles, Chairman
Richard L. Holden, Secretary
Robert D. Meyers
O. C. Pleasant, Jr.
Shep Wilbun, Jr.

Hey Candidates! Need that last minute endorsement?

Tom Guleff at JoeCitizens.com has just what you need, but ya better bring something! :-)

Roundup Time......

The "saluting a mentally deficient nation of whiners without a FISA warrant" edition of the Tennessee progressive blog roundup with a look at what the best Tennessee bloggers are talking about this week.

• 10,000 Monkeys and a Camera: Phil Gramm, the author of John McCain's economic policies, the man who brought us the Enron loophole, which in turn has led to $4.00+/gallon gasoline, the man who probably doesn't have a friend with a net worth under a million dollars, thinks that Americans who have lost their jobs, who can't decide whether to buy a prescription, a tank of gas, or a week's worth of food with their last $60 for the month, who have been forced out of their homes by a mortgage crisis that Gramm created -- that these people are just a bunch of whiners who can't get past a mental disorder that makes them only think that they are suffering economic hardships. Seriously. Take a moment to really absorb that.

• Andy Axel: The Fish Hawk

• Tiny Cat Pants: 287(g) Means Stealing Babies from Mothers

• BlountViews: Willie Nelson cancels PLUS (IMPORTANT): Allman Bros., Please!: Please vote for the Allman Bros. here.

• Carole Borges: It's 3 A.M.. What if McCain can't even remember where the phone is?

• The Crone Speaks: So, it’’s important to note that when the people that have been harmed by the current economy, that was spurred by Phil Gramm’s legislative blunders, they get little help. When Bear Stearns cries, the Fed bails them out.

• Cup Of Joe Powell: A peek at Kingsport Times-News reporter Hank Hayes' email on why he does not cover Democrat candidates for Congress..., plus: Kingsport Newspaper Still Refuses Coverage of Candidate Rob Russell, bonus: Mega-Micro-Blog-Feed-Mobile-Alert-Pod Nation

• Don Williams: But he was much more than that -- author, artist, hunter, trapper, fisherman, farmer, developer, columnist, merchant, musician, yodeler, storyteller, botanist, broadcaster, poet, husband, father, seeker, dreamer and prophet -- and still more yet. For once you tramp around in the body of lore that falls under the name Wiley Oakley, you encounter variations on a theme that boil down to this: Wiley was a part of these mountains.

• TNDP: Sen. Diane Black needs a coat

• Enclave: According to Forbes, Nashville cannot compete with peer cities like Charlotte, N.C. in providing unemployment benefits to jobless workers who qualify for federal aid.

• Fletch: Summer on the Salt Run

• KnoxViews: Harold Ford Jr. responds to Gramm's "nation of whiners" remark

• Lean Left: That makes my cost basis on that account $1,075. As of today, the balance in that account is $1,203.13, a profit of $128.13, and an ROI of 11.9%. Considering the age of the account (ten years), that makes my annual yield a whopping 1.1%!

• Left of the Dial: I’m trying to determine which group has me shaking my head more this week: iPhone fanatics, villagers and tourists running with the bulls in Pamplona or my Baltimore Orioles.

• LeftWingCracker: So, on that basis, whom would I rather see in that seat? Well, since A) I believe Blackburn should have gone to jail for inciting the near-riots surrounding the income-tax vote in the State Senate, and B) she is a Bush-Cheney parrot, and C) she lives in that most right-wing county, Williamson, I would go for Leatherwood.

• Dear Sen. Phil Gramm « Newscoma: Sen. Gramm, let me ask you sir, could you come over here to northwest Tennessee? I can show you about seven empty plants, downtowns with more closed businesses than open ones and -- awww, forget about it. You don’t get it. I understand that. Plus: I Want Immunity Too

• The Pesky Fly: Headlines to Remember: Bush Readies Pen; Relishes Signing Wiretap Bill

• Progressive Nashville: I suppose that now that I've mentioned Hobb's name here, he officially is a Progressive. Time to resign Bill, Progressives have no place on the GOP payroll. Plus: Alexander vs. McCain on Pork

• Brian Arner's Resonance: Bush Administration: You Are Worth $1 Million Less Than You Were Five Years Ago - Accelerated depreciation? Plus: Fortune ponders the doomsday scenario of Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac folding. I smell a massive, taxpayer-funded rescue in the air.

• RoaneViews: Whites Creek is Closed for Maintenance: There are several rare, threatened, and endangered species of various sorts living in and around Whites Creek. We'll have underwater cameras and other cameras and will try to document everything and report back on what these folks find.

• Russ McBee : A silver lining?: However, there may be one silver lining in all this: now that the telecommunications companies no longer face lawsuits for their (previously) illegal actions, they can be subpoenaed to testify before Congress in depth about their spying activities against Americans. Since they have immunity, they can no longer plead the Fifth when asked pointed, specific questions about their collusion.

• Sean Braisted: get that people are upset with this, but c'mon, the death of the 4th amendment? Setting aside telecom immunity, what is so damned bad about this bill? Plus: Diane Black Getting Nervous

• Sharon Cobb: I could deal with his move to the middle to get elected. I could deal with him not having the best health plan. But voting FOR FISA? No. I can't deal with that. ... You can go ahead and tell me "I told you so," but out of compassion, please wait a day or two to do so. Plus: It was only a matter of time before the election to see which side was going to put the fear of war into American voters so they might elect a warmonger instead of a peacemaker. This is going to be big news later on today, because it's just breaking now, and I had to go to Aljazeera English website for the information, as CNN is running something about Madonna.

• Silence Isn't Golden: And wouldn't you know it, Troy King also happens to be the Alabama chairman of the John McCain campaign. This whole scandal is just way too perfect! Plus: Joe Lieberman Admits He's A Lying Schmuck

• Southern Beale: By the way: is this elitist? Because I can’t tell anymore. I think these kind of statements are only elitist if a Democrat says them. It certainly shows how out of touch Phil Gramm is from the lives of ordinary Americans. Plus: McCain’s Free Pass: That teflon suit that George W. Bush has worn for the past seven years has been handed down to John McCain 100% intact.

• Tennessee Guerilla Women: If you can believe it, Obama adulator Andrew Sullivan recently suggested that the Barack Obama campaign is "far too cocky for its own good." Like many conservatives, Sullivan, expert on the subject of self-absorption, is occasionally worth listening to.

• TennViews: TN Senate Dem fundraising update Plus: Sen. Finney to launch "family friendly" lobbying effort: It doesn't say whether same-sex couples will be welcome, or whether the group will lobby for adoptions by same-sex couples , or promote marriage or at least equal rights for same-sex couples, etc.

• WhitesCreek Journal: Rich people, corporations, and foreign governments, are the folks who would lose Trillions of dollars is Fannie and Freddie go into bankruptcy. Having already doubled the National debt by borrowing more money than all 42 presidents that came before him, George W. Bush and his Republican buddies look like they will double it again, in one form or another, trying to keep Rich people, Corporations, and FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS from losing a lot of money. Plus: Whites Creek Journal: Whites Creek Journal is really about the largest unpolluted watershed in the State of Tennessee, outside the Smokies...And the struggle to keep it that way.

• Women’s Health News: I don’t care about legal status - I think it’s better for all women, legal immigrants or not, to receive prenatal care than not to - at least to have the option. This event sends a message to the community of immigrant women that there will be no discretion, no compassion, that they risk being jailed, giving birth in custody, and having their baby taken away if they take the simple step of seeking medical care while pregnant.

You are not going to believe what you are about to read.

It's going to shock you, but I believe credit should go where credit is due.

Bravo for Fox News.

OK, get off the floor, here's why I say this. As many of you know, their former colleague and Bu$h 43 Press Secretary Tony Snow died this morning after a long battle with colon cancer at the young age of 53. My condolences go to his family and his former colleagues, of course. While I rarely agreed with his views, I respected him nonetheless.

Unlike the NBC-MSNBC-CNBC reaction to the passing of Tim Russert, Fox News is NOT going wall-to-wall with coverage; in fact, they are running their regular schedule as I write this. They are not trivializing his loss with oversensationalism, and they are not treating this as the loss of a Pope or a President, and I applaud them for it.

Can't make the Cohen-Tinker debate? Come to the Peabody!

Join Us for the Debate Watch Party in the Corner Bar at the Peabody!

Congressman Cohen will take part in the televised 9th District Congressional Debate on Sunday, July 13th at 8:00 PM. All of us at Team Cohen would be honored if you would join us at the Corner Bar at the Peabody Hotel as we watch Steve Cohen debate his challengers.

If you cannot join us, please watch on WREG Channel 3 at 8:00 PM Sunday night.

More Texas? why the hell not, here's some Lyle Lovett for ya

We'll start with If I Had A Boat..


Then, the lovely LA County...


and we'll end with That's Right, You're Not from Texas!

OK, now I'm in a Jerry Jeff state of mind

First, Jerry Jeff doing the Guy Clark classic, LA Freeway..


Then with Ray Wylie Hubbard as Hubbard talks about his legendary Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother..


Then Ray Wylie Hubbard issues his commentary on today's Country music with Screw You, We're from Texas.

I wanna go home with the Armadillo..

some of you may remember this as the original theme song for Austin City Limits; this is one of all time favorite country songs, Gary P. Nunn and the Lost Gonzo Band with London Homesick Blues. Oh, and a NSFW warning, there is a naked woman near the end for a few seconds, but this came from the 1974 Wille Nelson 4th of July Picnic, so don't be so surprised. Enjoy!

Some rambling about TN-07

OK, one thing of which you may be sure about whoever wins the 7th District Republican Primary, they will be too far to the right for 99.9% of our faithful readers.

I don't really want to get in between two Goopers beating the crap out of each other, but we need to face up to the fact that this is a Republican District, and will be through 2013. How so? It was DRAWN that way, so as to soak up excess Goopers from Districts 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9. As those five Districts have remained Democratic since 2003, it has worked well. As a result, it is as far right-wing as TN-09 is left, and probably further out there than we could ever go.

So, while I would vote for the Democratic nominee if I lived out there, in all reality, either the incumbent, Marsha Blackburn, or her opponent, Shelby County Register Tom Leatherwood, will represent that district come January 2009.

On a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being liberal and zero being right-wing (Conservative? That died with William F. Buckley, sorry), both of these people would be in negative numbers. So, you can't make your vote on an ideological basis, except that I believe that Leatherwood would be more of a true believer, while Blackburn is a neocon's neocon, and would believe that the moon is made of green cheese if Cheney told her so. Who knows, privately, he may have!

So, on that basis, whom would I rather see in that seat? Well, since A) I believe Blackburn should have gone to jail for inciting the near-riots surrounding the income-tax vote in the State Senate, and B) she is a Bush-Cheney parrot, and C) she lives in that most right-wing county, Williamson, I would go for Leatherwood.

I believe that if Leatherwood were asked to do or vote a certain way by the GOP leadership, and it went against his principles, he would politely but firmly tell them to stuff it. Next, he is from Shelby County, and, even on our worst days, that's better than Williamson County. We can always use another Congressperson. And, of course, if Leatherwood wins, the Democratic-majority County Commission will appoint his successor (and it's likely a Democrat would now win a succession special election). We win all the way around if Leatherwood goes to Congress.

Oh, and I forgot; this would also finish Blackburn and kill ANY chance she had to become Governor, which, if that happened, would ALMOST be enough to make me move to Desoto County.

I said ALMOST; don't get your hopes up just yet!

So, Democrats, urge your Gooper friends in the 7th to go with Tom Leatherwood, a decent if politically misguided fellow, because he's not nearly as wrong-headed and damaging to Shelby County as Blackburn. Marsha Blackburn needs to go, and now is as good a time as any.

UPDATE 7/7: Jonathan at Grand Divisions has a really good take on this, H/T to AC.

For post 1100, let's talk about the 9th District

Got here quick from 1000, didn't we?

Now, to some things on my mind. Wendi Thomas, with whom I've not always agreed, wrote a very meaningful column today about the 9th District race between our incumbent congressman, Steve Cohen, and Nikki Tinker.

Wendi goes right after EMILY'S LIST's endorsement of Tinker, given the fact that Tinker has not exactly set the woods on fire with her support of reproductive rights. Here's a taste:

But neither on Tinker's Web site nor on the EMILY's List site does Tinker clearly declare her support for a woman's right to choose. Instead, the EMILY's List site has this from Tinker: "We must do a better job of helping young women avoid pregnancy through education, abstinence, and access to safe, affordable birth control. ... I also support programs to encourage adoption and expand access to prenatal care for poor women."

Contrast that with the quote on the site from another EMILY's List endorsee, Judy Baker, running for a Congressional seat in Missouri: "I will fight to preserve Roe v. Wade's status as established law."

Now, that's the kind of bold stance pro-choice women like to hear, not fence-straddling talk about abstinence education.

Exactly. The simple fact that Tinker has been markedly vague about ALL of her issues (whatever they may be) has turned people off to her campaign. When you have an incumbent (who is tough enough to beat just for that reason alone) who has an impeccable record of service to first his Senate and then his Congressional district, you have to prove malfeasance or dereliction of duty in order to unseat them. Given the fact that he's the hardest-workin' man in Congress, how CAN she do that?

What the hell IS she running on, anyway? Well, besides the obvious. She has apparently come out in support of Mom, Puppies and Apple Pie, but it's hard to find anything on her site besides meaningless platitudes.

Some day, when Steve Cohen has either retired or moved on to high office, we will have an African-American female in the 9th district seat. However, when you have a pool of accomplished Memphians to choose from like Lois Deberry, Barbara Cooper, Deidre Malone, among others, why would you choose Nikki Tinker? Why should she be sent to Congress before one of the aforementioned leaders?

Which is, of course, the point. She may be a nice person, but Tinker is running like she's Junior in a dress, and we've had enough DLC to last a lifetime in TN-09. I believe in the idea of More and Better Democrats, and since A) we already have a Democrat and B) you're not going to find someone who has worked harder in their freshman year than Steve Cohen, we have already achived that goal in TN-09.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Oh, and go read all of Wendi's column, it's great!

The News-Sentinel recognizes the Weekly Blogger Roundup

The "let freedom ring" edition of the Tennessee progressive blog roundup with a look at what the best Tennessee bloggers are talking about this week.

But first...

SPECIAL BONUS: The progressive blog roundup made the paper in this Sunday editorial section column by Michael Silence: To the best of my knowledge, it is the strongest, or most active, coalition of bloggers in the state dealing with issues and politics. On the right side of the aisle, I'm not aware of any group blogging as widespread as the one at tennviews.com.

We now resume our (ir)regularly scheduled program...

• 10,000 Monkeys and a Camera: Because what is more patriotic...: ... than being 110% heterosexual?

Aunt B: The Three Best Inventions: I mean, we talk a great game as a country about how families need men. But, if we’re not raising men with basic understandings of stuff, like history, like baseball, like what to do with yourself other than get into trouble, then what benefit are they to a family, really?

• BlountViews: In fact, Judge Meares is part of a growing nationwide movement for judicial campaign finance reform, led by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor who is campaigning for massive changes to the way judges get elected.

• Carole Borges: Dear Keith Olbermann, please put your ego back in the box.: I have always liked Keith Olbermann's snarky, edgy political take on the mad mad world of politics, but lately his ego seems to be getting so large it is blotting out the good points he often makes.

• The Crone Speaks: Is Rush Limbaugh Worth $50 Million a year?: Seriously, this family is the poster child of everything that is wrong for the "little people" under Republican control of government, and they never saw it. Why? Because they were sucked into the rhetoric of Rush’s rhetoric. See also: Rats Fleeing the Sinking Ship

• Cup Of Joe Powell: Tennessee's Official Rockabilly Highway: Tennessee now has an official Rockabilly Highway, thanks to efforts of those in the state legislature. On Friday, officials unveiled the signs which will now mark a 55-mile stretch of Highway 45, from Mississippi to Interstate 40. See also: The Power of Clothes

• Don Williams: On Barack Obama and ‘the art of the possible’: So how does Obama repay you? He does the utterly predictable thing and steps down off the pedestal you put him on, and so you feel all betrayed.

• TNDP: Lamar Alexander fails to follow through on Environmental Policies: A self-proclaimed champion of the environment, calling it one of his "passions", Lamar’s pitiful voting record is revealed as the article garners comments from the League of Conservation Voters.

• Enclave: Local Community Not Waiting for Federal Government to Address Mortgage Crisis: I don't see anyone in Metro Nashville making these kinds of plans. We would rather subsidize our mildly supported hockey team. And, God knows, the first thing a family whose adjustable rate mortgage has just rocketed skyward wants to do is to catch a Predators' match. See also: Liberal blog readers...

• Fletch: Barefoot on the Beach

• KnoxViews (Doug McDaniel): Iraq Veterans Say Wes Clark is Correct: As a veteran (Desert Storm) myself, I get cranky when Democrats tuck tail on issues related to the military. As Brandon Friedman states eloquently on the Vote Vets blog, there is no reason to cede authority on military matters just because of John McCain's service during Vietnam. See also: Republican essay contest, and Puppy mill raid update

• Lean Left: "If Waterboarding Does Not Constitute Torture, Then There Is No Such Thing as Torture": Probably quite a lot of people would smile at the thought of Christopher Hitchens being tortured by agents of the insane and illegal war he cheered into being. It is tempting to view it as ironic justice.

• Left of the Dial: Pyro Mania: Over 1,100 people bought tickets for a train ride to downtown for the city’s annual display along the Riverfront but the train only holds 750. That left many waiting at stations in Lebanon and Hermitage as a full train blew past them. And they’re pissed:

• LeftWingCracker: OK Tennessee Democrats, it's time to bring your focus back home for a minute!: We are five weeks and one day from the actual election, and two weeks and two days from the start of Early Voting in Big Shelby, and almost THREE in FIVE Democratic voters have not made up their mind?? Whatcha waitin' on, folks, CHRISTMAS???

• Liberadio(!): Who Killed Estelle Richardson?: The Davidson County Medical examiner ruled her death a homicide and her murder still remains one of Nashville’s unresolved cases. On Monday, we interviewed prison rights activist, Denver Schimming, about the case.

• Newscoma: Winston Rand - He Was A Pretty Good Guy: I have to say that Winston was always kind, smart and clever. He will be missed and our thoughts and prayers go to Roomie. See also: Snickering ‘at the sheer effrontery’

• The Pesky Fly: The Full DLC Looks like Obama is in full DLC play-not-to-lose mode. Let's just hope he doesn't go windsurfing.

• Progressive Nashville: Patriotism, Part 2: Republicans look at the strength and wellbeing of America, while Democrats concentrate on the strength and wellbeing of Americans. See also: America at its best

• Resonance: Monday Gloomy Economic Outlook Blogging: People (including high-ranking officials in the U.S. government) have been suggesting that the worst of the financial mess is over. It's not. To that point, Lawrence Summers: "It is quite possible that we are now at the most dangerous moment since the American financial crisis began last August."

• RoaneViews: Pyro Patriot: West Roane Volunteer Fire Department has plenty of stuff you can blow up to show how patriotic you are. Their supplier in China is so patriotic that they blew up a whole fireworks factory.

• Russ McBee : Byron Dorgan, oil speculators, and the supply question: The speculators may simply be acting as canaries in the financial coal mine, sending a message that they expect supplies to decline (and prices to skyrocket) in the near future.

• Nashville for the 21st Century: Bredesen-O-Meter: Now, perhaps people won't be stupid enough to think McCain is literally George Bush's clone, but any careful observer could see that over the past few months Sen. McCain has abandoned his Maverick credentials in favor of adopting positions close to, or mirroring, those of the Worst President in the History of the United States.

• SharonCobb: My Thoughts On Rush Limbaugh's Record Breaking Deal Through 2016.: My first thought when I read that Rush Limbaugh has signed with Clear Channel for a gazillion dollars through 2016, is Clear Channel wants to have Rush on the air through the two terms of President Obama's tenure in the White House to keep the fighting between the left and the right going. See also: What Does It Mean To Be Pro Israel?

• Silence Isn't Golden: Hobbsie Steps In It, Again: It must be tough to be so unable to find anything about your own candidate to praise that you're reduced to outright lying about your opponent. See also: Advice For Someone Who Probably Won't Take It

• Southern Beale: Obama’s Faith Based Idea Will Work: Count me among those liberals welcoming Barack Obama’s announcement about giving faith-based groups a role in his administration. See also: Never Give Up! Never Surrender!

• Tennessee Guerilla Women: Trouble in Obamanation: Liberal Angst: A growing number of longtime Obama supporters are withholding financial and other forms of support for Barack Obama until he comes back to the left. .. Gee, does this mean all these liberals are really Republicans? Must be! See also: Can Wives Be Presidents?

• TennViews: Surprise, surprise! AT&T files first statewide cable franchise application: Yes, and thanks to the lobbyists and consultants, who include... See also: Chris Lugo on Independence Day

• Vibinc: Tough Financial Medicine: So while you're out there bitching about trials and triangulations, I know I will be, don't forget the harsh reality that gas has surpassed the price of milk, which will most certainly start rising faster. That means everything else gets more expensive, and I need to start lobbying to allow farm animals in the city with all my backyard space. I should probably fix the fence first...

• WhitesCreek Journal: Forward Backward Reverse Inward Twist: I am thinking that McCain is pretty flexible for an old person, and in order to get an adequate description of his abilities, we should be watching the Olympic Diving trials now taking place in Knoxville for some ideas. See also: Born on the Fourth of July

• Women's Health News: Her Name was Esmin Green: Esmin Green sang gospel music at church. Esmin Green was a mother with six children. Esmin Green was a black woman who died on the floor of one of New York City’s public hospitals while waiting for psychiatric care and being ignored.