On the Monday of this last July 4th weekend, I was driving back from visiting my brothers family. I passed the time listening to the satellite radio, particularly both Left and Right political talk channels.

The talk shows on the liberal channels were very similar to the talk shows on the conservative channels. They were talking about the same topics, they had the same sponsors, the same sound bytes, the same timed commercial breaks, the same news at the top and bottom of the hour…for the entire seven hours. I couldn’t take it that long, but I did listen long enough to make some observations.

The liberal channel was making the following complainants:

• Obama isn’t doing anything on gun control
• Obama isn’t advancing gay rights enough
• Obama is putting more troops in Afghanistan
• Democrats in Congress aren’t adequately addressing health care
• Sotomayor is too moderate

The conservative channel was making the following complaints:

• Obama is going to take away your guns
• Obama expanded gay rights for federal employees
• Obama is pulling troops out of Iraq
• Democrats in Congress are pushing health care reform
• Sotomayor is a liberal activist judge

If you knew absolutely nothing about American politics, and listened to these shows, the listener would have to conclude that that Obama, Democrats in Congress, and Sotomayor are hopeless moderates that can satisfy no one; not by their actions and not by their inactions.

Pundits that deliver the news via a “commentary” format usually hold extreme views (the most successful pundits anyway). Yet, polls show that 80% of Americans agree 80% of the time (actually heard that on a left wing radio program). I have coined this political tactic ‘rubberbanding,’ a term used in racing games. They preach their extreme views to those leaning to right/left, in a effort to pull the listener away from the center.

At anytime of the day, I guarantee you can turn on the radio, scan a bit, and find a political pundit talking for hours on end; 4 hours a day, 20 hours week, with listeners numbering in the millions….and there are dozens of radio pundits. Joseph Goebbels did this. So did Big Brother in George Orwell’s 1984. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury repeats the same idea using television and drugs as the medium for of social political control.

Think “incrementalism”….on meth. As Rage Against the Machine says “weapon of sound above ground.”

I believe they do us a great disservice by keeping us divided. They talk about where we differ. And where we agree, they spin the issues and try to make us more divided.

Turn it off.

Samuel P. Huntington

In his landmark study of the cultural and civilizational origins of conflict and war, the late social scientist Samuel P. Huntington concluded boldly that “It is human to hate.” He viewed this as an ineradicable feature of our basic human nature.

Hatred, as anyone who follows national politics in this country knows, shows no signs of going away soon. Much of it is directed against the president, though senators and representatives (and, less frequently, federal judges) are also targets of hate from time to time.

Earlier this month, President Jimmy Carter stated that “the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African American.” Not surprisingly, his comments angered many and led to accusations of playing the so-called “race card” to denigrate those (presumably white) Americans who are fiercely opposed to Pres. Obama’s policy goals in health care, the economy, and other issue areas.

Jimmy Carter

Alleged assertions of racism, which are empirical claims, should not be given or received lightly. Carter has a responsibility to substantiate his claim, which he has done only in rather general and vague terms. It appears that Carter can only conclude that the raw hatred directed against Pres. Obama at some protests and town hall meetings around the country and, more disturbingly, on blogs and in chat rooms on the Internet is due to racial bias. There is much in American history to make such a conclusion a plausible one. However, it should not be seen as inevitable or the only conclusion.

Expressions of hatred tend to demonize and distort their targets with varying degrees of exaggeration. George W. Bush was vilified by many as being grossly incompetent in dealing with domestic affairs and as relying too much, even blindly, on a rigid version of his evangelical faith to guide his foreign and national security policy. Bill Clinton, by contrast, was despised by many because of his deeply flawed moral character and expansive ego.

President Barrack Obama

Barack Obama is a very different type of person and politician compared to Bush and Clinton. Even his critics are quick to acknowledge his intellectual strengths and rhetorical skills. Moreover, he has, at least to this point, avoided the sort of personal scandals that plagued Clinton before and during his presidency. All of this means that haters of Obama must demonize him in other ways, such as by shouting him down as a liar, branding him as a communist, or comparing him to Osama bin Laden (the “Obama bin Lyin’” displayed on the signs of some protesters) or Adolf Hitler (whose image has been combined with the likeness of Obama in some posters). Still others continue to claim that Obama, who is really a closet Muslim, was not born in the United States and therefore his presidency is illegitimate.

Mayor Johnny Piper

What, we might ask, is fueling these distorted characterizations of the president, especially those that are both erroneous and hateful at the same time, such as the recent e-mail message stereotyping Muslims forwarded by Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper to city employees?

If it is not racial bias, and I still cling to the hope that it is not, then it is incumbent upon those of us most opposed to this president to frame our opposition to him in terms that are at once rational and respectful. In his two books, Obama gives us a standard by which to judge him and other leaders on the basis of their ability to distinguish between fact and opinion, to develop sound reasons in support of policy, and to argue persuasively about how citizens in a democracy can best respond to social challenges in specific contexts.

This strikes me, frankly, as a reasonable standard and one we can apply with greatest effectiveness if we lower our sights by not striving for love or hatred with respect to our political leaders.

Clearly, it is human to hate, just as it is human to love. History has shown that both of these passions can lead to dangerous and violent outcomes when mingled with politics.

Fortunately, it is also human to reason. In the realm of politics and especially during these uncertain times, it is best call on reason and to keep our passions in check.

About Matthew T. Kenney

Matthew T. Kenney is an associate professor of political science at Austin Peay State University. The views expressed here are entirely his own, and do not represent those of his employer.

Immigration measures see passage

Republicans scored two major victories this week as two measures that will combat illegal immigration passed out of subcommittees and will now be heard before a full committee. Republicans have supported the legislation for several years, dating back to the “Tennessee Trust” initiative House Republicans proposed in 2006 as a “contract” with voters.

English in the Workplace

The “Protecting English in the Workplace,” or House Bill 480, legislation was overwhelmingly approved this week by the Employee Affairs Subcommittee, with Republicans praising the bi-partisan nature of the committee. The bill sponsor said he believes there is a pressing need for the legislation, which would clarify that it is not against the law for businesses to require that English be spoken on the job. Having worked on the legislation for several years, House Republicans argue that the legislation is needed so that businesses may take the necessary safety precautions without fear of being sued. Businesses where employees are continuously handling toxic products or food containers have a need to require English so that employees understand what they are handling. In the same vein, businesses such as factories have signs displayed in English that communicate critical
safety information to employees that can protect them. The sponsor pointed out there is a provision in the bill that exempts employees during scheduled breaks such as lunch.
The bill closely mirrors legislation brought to the U.S. Senate in 2008 by Senator Lamar Alexander, who said that the legislation was necessary to prevent frivolous lawsuits targeting businesses that felt English should be spoken on the job due to safety concerns. “Protecting English in the Workplace” now faces the House Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee.

Sanctuary Cities

A “sanctuary city” is a term given to a city in the United States that follows  certain practices to protect illegal aliens. Thirty-eight cities in the U.S. have been recognized as sanctuary cities, but many sources have identified over 200 city or county governments nationwide as having practiced such policies. As originally written, the bill would cut off economic and community grant money to any Tennessee city that might declare itself a “sanctuary city” for illegal aliens. Because of the difficult economic times facing the state and local governments, the sponsor agreed to work with other members to change that penalty provision, and maintained the bill aims to be a pre-emptive strike to guard against the adoption of such policies by cities in the state.

The legislation, House Bill 1354, cleared the Criminal Practice and Procedure Subcommittee and will now face the full House Judiciary Committee.

Republicans pass legislation to honor fallen Tennessee National Guardsmen

House Bill 1346 passed on the House floor Thursday, with an overwhelming number of House members applauding the measure, and signing onto the legislation as co-sponsors. The bill requires the Adjutant General to notify the Governor in the event of the death of any Tennessee National Guard member that is called into active military service and who is stationed outside the United States. In any month in which one or more notifications of death are given to the Governor, the Governor will be required to proclaim a day of mourning and order the state flag to be flown at half mast to honor the deceased National Guard member or members.

The law will only apply to the Tennessee National Guard because the Adjutant General is not notified of deaths from other military branches. The Republican sponsor explained that he would be interested in expanding the legislation in the future to include all those serving in the military from Tennessee who are killed overseas as a result of their service, if possible.

Common-sense legislation continues to die along party lines in Elections Subcommittee

For the third week in a row, the Democrat-controlled Elections Subcommittee has killed common-sense voting legislation along party lines. The Republican-sponsored House Bill 639 was presented in the Elections Subcommittee this week, and would require photo identification to vote. Republicans have fought for the provision for several years, arguing that the measure is needed to combat voter fraud and ensure that every vote counts. The legislation eventually died on a tie vote.

The bill is the third common-sense Republican legislation to protect the integrity of elections that has been bottled up in the Elections Subcommittee. Another bill, one that would have required photo identification to register to vote, died last week by a tie vote in the same subcommittee. Two weeks ago the subcommittee killed legislation that would have made it easier for military men and women serving overseas to vote by absentee ballot.

House Republicans vowed to revive the legislation, if possible, in another form. The Senate has already passed the Senate version of the bill with an overwhelming 29-3 vote.

In case you missed it…

• A proposal that would change jail cell regulations advanced out of the House State Government Subcommittee on Wednesday. The Republican-sponsored measure was approved unanimously, and would prohibit the Tennessee Corrections Institute from decertifying a jail facility based on square footage of a jail cell if the measurement meets the requirements of the American Correctional Association’s Manual of Correctional Standards. The sponsor said the bill was needed to ensure that local governments across the state are not required to pay more money than they have to on either existing jail facilities or construction of new jail facilities.
• Legislation that would prohibit sending or reading text messages while driving cleared the Calendar and Rules Committee this week. House Bill 107 will now move to the House floor. Transportation Committee members last week discussed the possibility that texting while driving fell under the “distracted driving” statute, but ultimately determined that the legislation would clarify the law and allow law enforcement some discretion.
• House Bill 431 was passed by the K-12 Education Subcommittee this week, and seeks to expand the recognition of home schoolers’ diplomas. The bill requires that diplomas issued by home schools be recognized by all state and local governmental entities as having the same rights and privileges of diplomas issued by public school systems.
• A bold education initiative called “Education Pays” was passed out of the House Education Committee today, winning approval from representatives from both sides of the aisle. House Bill 556 seeks to encourage  student academic achievement through award of Education Pays rewards. An “Education Pays reward” is a reward of cash or other thing of value given to students or the parent or guardian of a student or both in recognition of academic achievement. The bill authorizes funding of an Education Pays pilot program through private funds.
• A bill to curb aggressive driving passed out of the House Budget Subcommittee this week, and will now face the Finance, Ways and Means Committee. House Bill 18 creates a new violation of aggressive driving if the driver is guilty of at least three of the following violations in one continuous episode:
  • Overtaking on the right
  • Overtaking and passing in no passing zones
  • Following too closely
  • Failing to yield for emergency vehicles
  • Failing to yield to pedestrians
  • Failure to signal turn
  • Speeding
  • Stopping, standing, or parking in prohibited places
  • Following fire trucks
  • Improper use of HOV lanes
• The Budget Subcommittee passed the “Market Regulation Act of 2009″ this week, which is legislation brought forth by AT&T Tennessee that would deregulate much of AT&T’s operations. The Republican sponsor of the bill said the proposal can lower rates and level the playing field, and would maintain Tennessee’s probusiness and pro-job reputation. In addition, the state could see more companies relocating here, investing, and creating jobs with the passage of the legislation. The Senate has already passed the legislation.
• House Bill 959 passed out of the Budget Subcommittee this week and will next be presented to the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee. The bill would seal the records of handgun carry permit holders that are currently public record. Tennesseans became outraged earlier this year when the Commercial Appeal, a Memphis-based newspaper, published the handgun carry permit database in an easily searchable format on their website. Republicans criticized the paper, calling the action ‘irresponsible’ and ‘dangerous.’ The House GOP contended that in addition to printing a list that would make it easier for criminals to steal weapons, non-gun owners were also at risk because it would be easy for criminals to use the database to find homes that likely did not have a firearm.

The week ahead…

House Sessions: 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2009 in the House Chambers  and 9:00 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2009 in the House Chambers

As with any event here are a few announcements and instructions to help make this event a success.

• You must be 21 or older to participate in the wine tasting.
• Please RSVP via email due to limited space!
• All wine connoisseurs / drinkers are asked to bring their favorite reasonably priced bottle (s) of wine for each other to sample. “The more varieties the better”
• Mulligan’s Wine & Spirits on Wilma Rudolph blvd. has an excellent selection.
• We need guests to bring one of the following: Cheese trays, grapes, Hot wings, Crackers, 24 pack of 8oz bottled water, desert plates, and small cups for drinking (no more than 100)

Clarksville For Obama does not condone, nor encourage in any manner, the over indulgence of alcoholic beverages. For all who intend to participate in this upcoming event, you are reminded to participate in the wine tasting portion of the evening’s events responsibly. Transportation home in the form of designated drivers will be provided for those who request it or need it.

Here is a map showing the exact location of the wine tasting for those who need it.

Clarksville for Obama will offer a wine-tasting and house party on May 1 at the home of Dennis and JoAnn Latz, 3769 Trough Springs Road, Adams, Tennessee, just off of exit 11 from 7-10 p.m.

Wine expert Amy Gallo will be on hand to answer all your wine questions. All wineconnoisseurs/drinkers are asked to bring their favorite reasonable priced bottle (s) of wine for each other to sample. “The more varieties the better.” Attendees as asked to bring a finger food item such as cheese, wings, vegetables, meatballs, chips,  bottled soda and water.

This event will offer an opportunity for socializing, networking, and further discussion on Clarksville For Obama’s continued involvement in local, state and national political and social issues.

For questions or to RSVP please email: 

This event is open to the public.

Click on this link for directions:  http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Adams&state=TN&address=3769+Trough+Springs+Road+&zipcode=37010

MCDP officers, front row from left, Rene Poindexter, Kate Ravels, Kim Smith, Barbara Brown; back row from left, Gene Lewis, Keith Jackson and Robert Lewis

Gene Lewis was unanimously re-elected MCDP  chairman, with Kim Smith as 1st vice-chair, Keith Jackson as 2nd vice-chair, Robert Lewis as 3rd vice chair, and Kate Ravels as 4th vice-chair.

Barbara Brown was voted treasurer for the group, with Rene Poindexter as secretary. Thirty-eight party members were appointed to the executive committee and by-laws for the organization were approved in a unanimous vote.

The MCDP meets monthly at 7 p.m.  at the Smith-Trahern Mansion on McClure Street. The Democratic Women’s group meets that same evening at 6 p.m., prior to the MCDP session.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is hosted by the Urban Resource Center and its director, Terry McMoore, in partnership with the Center for Community Change.

Over the next 5 years a half a billion dollars in job training money will be coming to Clarksville. Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) will open a new plant in Clarksville that will hire over 1,000 construction workers to build, and provide over 800 permanent high paying jobs when they open. HSC will be one of the richest employers in Clarksville’s history since the arrival of Fort Campbell in the 1940s.
Under the President’s Economic Recovery Bill, states and counties are poised to receive significant federal funding to stimulate the economy and put people back to work. These are just some of the issues that will be discussed at this community forum.

Initial response from the community and some elected officials has been strong.  community and several elected officials who will be in attendance, including State Senator Tim Barnes and NAACP President Jimmie Garland Sr. are planning to attend this session.

McMoore was asked to hold this meeting by the Washington D.C.-based  Center for Community Change, who will be facilitating most of the meeting.

Ms. Evonne Tisdale, the South East Regional Team Leader for the Center for Community Change, is  in Nashville and has already touched base with the Governor’s office on this issue; she held a  meeting with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean,  who is eagerly awaiting the final plan and proposal from the Nashville African American community.

New job opportunities for Clarksville-Montgomery County targeted populations include:

• High School graduates
• College graduates
• Veterans or members of the reserve forces
• Homeless individuals
• Non-violent ex-felons
• Low-income individuals

This falls right in line with the recently signed into law Economic Recovery Bill. Under the President’s Economic Recovery Bill, states and counties are poised to receive significant federal funding to stimulate the economy and put people back to work.

McMoore wants the community to understand that this bill is intended for all Americans and this meeting is open to anyone who wants to attend. It took people from all races and nationalities to get this far in first ending slavery, and years later stopping Jim Crow laws which eventually led to the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The country came together to say “enough is enough.” That demand for change resulted in the election of the first African American president in the history of our nation. But there is still work to be done, and by community dialog and working together can we will someday achieve the true meaning of our constitution.

Pastors, Business Owners and the Community-at -Large: are you prepared to have a place at the table right now while there are still jobs and money available? How and what this money is spent on is important to the survival of our communities; these are the jobs of the future and they pay good salaries.

Contact Person for this release is Mr. Terry McMoore at  (931) 378-1999

Ms. Evonne Tisdale, South East Regional Team Leader, Center for Community Change can be reached at Email: or at (615) 469-5220 in Nashville, or at
http://www.communitychange.org/

Action Alert Network

The dangerous constitutional amendment that would take away the right to abortion in Tennessee is back again. This year two resolutions, HJR61 and HJR66, have been introduced and both will be heard on Tuesday, February 24 at 4:00 p.m. in the House Public Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee in Room 30.

Both resolutions begin “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion…..”

HJR61 by Rep. Henry Fincher (D-Cookeville), calls for exceptions for rape, incest, and the heath of the mother. HJR66 by Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) does not contain exceptions.

Please contact members of the House Public Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee (http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/committees/sub-phfa.html) and your own state representative and tell them to vote NO on HJR61 and HJR66. The easiest way to identify your legislator is to go to www.capitol.tn.gov. If you type in your address and city and click “search” you will learn your state senator and state representative.

Talking Points

• HJR61 and HJR66 are both all-out attacks on Tennessee women and seekto rob them of their right to make choices about their own health, safety and personal welfare.
• Historically, the State and United States Constitutions have been amended to expand rights, not to take away rights.
• Despite what the anti-choice forces are telling legislators, there are a number of Tennessee laws which already regulate abortion, including parental consent, a ban on late-term abortions and patient informed consent.
• The number of abortions in Tennessee is declining and the focus should be on how to prevent unwanted pregnancies by providing education and resources, not on taking away privacy rights.

Background

The introduction of HJR61 and HJR66 is the result of the ACLU/Planned Parenthood victory in the Tennessee Supreme Court. We successfully challenged several restrictions in the Tennessee Abortion Statute, including the mandates that a woman seeking an abortion could only receive state-mandated information and counseling from a physician, and that she must subsequently wait 48-72 hours before returning to have the abortion performed. In September 2000, the Tennessee Supreme Court issued a momentous decision affirming a woman’s right to privacy as it pertains to her right to obtain an abortion.

Clarksville for Obama will meet on Saturday, December 13, from 5-7 p.m. at  G’s Pancake House Restaurant, 803 South Riverside Dr., in Clarksville.

While President Obama and the key members of his White House economic team help him tackle serious challenges and bring the change we need to Washington, we must tackle the problems that challenge our community and bring change to Clarksville.Now is the time to put aside partisanship and politics, find common ground, and work together. Please invite those who might not have been involved in the campaign, even those who might have supported our opponent. The challenges we face demand we be as inclusive as possible. It’ll take the whole country working together to get our country back on track. Your continued involvement is crucial to the future of this movement.

As Barack said on Election Night, “This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance for us to make that change.” The grassroots organization you built to win the election will continue to set our country on a new path.

No RSVP required to attend.  Join our eGroup to receive all Presidential news, information and updates at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/ClarksvilleforObama. The grassroots organization you built to win the election will continue to set our country on a new path.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  7:25 p.m. Geneva Bell1)  CALL TO ORDER

2)  PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3)  ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION

4)  ZONING:  PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING

1. ORDINANCE 21-2008-09 Amending the Official Code relative to signs and advertising structures
2. ORDINANCE 38-2008-09  Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of Sally Hamilton, Lawson Mabry-Agent, for zone change on property at Wilma Rudolph Boulevard & Trenton Road from R-1 Single Family Residential District  to C-5 Highway & Arterial Commercial District
3. ORDINANCE 39-2008-09  Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of Carrie Rives, Jason Daugherty-Agent, for zone change on property at Tracy Lane & Cherybark Lane from R-1 Single Family Residential District  to R-4 Multiple Family Residential District
4. ORDINANCE 40-2008-09  Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of Arthur Reynolds for zone change on property at Potomac Drive & Norfolk Drive from PUD-1 Planned Unit Development  to R-2 Single Family Residential District

5)  CONSENT AGENDA

All items in this portion of the agenda are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the Council and may be approved by one motion; however, a member of the Council may request that an item be removed for separate consideration under the appropriate committee report:

1. ORDINANCE 20-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the 2009 Legislative Budget for voting system repair or replacement  ($17,320)
2. ORDINANCE 23-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Authorizing eminent domain to obtain rights-of-way and or easements for the marina
3. ORDINANCE 24-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the Official Code relative to mayor’s compensation
4. ORDINANCE 25-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the Official Code relative to relative to water and/or sewer service outside the city
5. ORDINANCE 26-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the Official Code relative to grease management for food service establishments
6. ORDINANCE 27-2008-09  (Second Reading) Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of Theodore Johnson, Rufus S. Johnson, III-Agent, for zone change on property at Memorial Drive and Richaven Road from R-1 Single Family Residential District, M-2 General Industrial District, and O-1 Office-Medical-Institutional-Civic District to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District, MLUD Mixed Land Use District, and C-5 Highway & Arterial Commercial District
7. ORDINANCE 28-2008-09  (Second Reading) Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of Bobby A Long and Ann L. Thaxton for zone change on property at Rossview Road & Old Russellville Pike from R-3 Two & Three Family Residential District to O-1 Office-Medical-Institutional-Civic District
8. ORDINANCE 29-2008-09  (Second Reading) Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of David and Lesley Chapman and Harold E. Duetchmann for zone change on property at Clear Sky Court and Stokes Road from R-2 Single Family Residential District to C-2 General Commercial District
9. ORDINANCE 31-2008-09  (First Reading)  Amending the Official Code relative to animal control  (Public Safety Committee:  Approval)
10. ORDINANCE 36-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the 2009 Capital Projects Budget for various capital projects  ($32,324,000)
11. ORDINANCE 37-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the Official code relative to longevity
12. Adoption of Minutes:  October 2nd, November 5th, November 6th

6)  BUILDING & CODES COMMITTEE: Wayne Harrison, Chair

7) FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: Wallace Redd, Chair

1. ORDINANCE 30-2008-09  (First Reading)  Amending the 2009 Building & Codes Operating Budget for expenses related to enforcement of sign regulations  ($20,000)   (Finance Committee:  Approval)
2. ORDINANCE 34-2008-09  (First Reading)  Amending the 2009 Fire Department Operating Budget for two Telesquirt fire trucks  ($137,850)  (Finance Committee:  Approval)
3. ORDINANCE 35-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending ORDINANCE 126-2007-08, 2009 General Government Operating Budget, relative to payment of a stipend   (Proposed Amendment)
4. RESOLUTION 29-2008-09     Authorizing disposition of real property located at 504 Elder Street   (Finance Committee:  Approval)

8) GAS & WATER COMMITTEE: Richard Swift, Chair

9) GENERAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Diana Ward, Chair

10) PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE: Marc Harris, Chair

11) PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Diana Ward, Chair

12) STREET COMMITTEE: Wayne Harrison, Chair

13)  TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Barbara Johnson, Chair

14) NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE 22-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Adopting River District Design Guidelines
2. ORDINANCE 32-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the Official Code relative to requirement of sidewalks and underground utilities in industrial districts
3. ORDINANCE 33-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the 2009 Human Resources Department Operating Budget for employee pay study
4. Approval of Board Appointments:

Audit Committee:  Bob Palmer (replace Clark Nicholson-term expired), Nancy Ladd (replace Bob Yates-term expired) – January 2009 through December 2011

Fair Board:  Missy Graham (reappointment) and Dudley Griffin (replace Mike Harrison-term expired) – January 2009 through December 2009

Parking Authority:  Jane Olson (reappointment) – January 2009 through December 2012

15)  MAYOR AND STAFF REPORTS

16)  ADJOURNMENT

Rep. Tom Tancredo

New immigration law change adds conditions for immigrants seeking admission to the U.S. Foreswearing advocacy of Sharia Law to become an additional condition for visa and citizenship. Tennessee legislator co-sponsors anti-sharia law legislation.

During the 110th Congress, Rep. Tom Tancredo, (R-CO) introduced HR 6975, known as the Jihad Prevention Act. He introduced this legislation shortly after the United Kingdom voted to isanction the inclusion of Sharia Law into the English Law system. Tancredo’s bill would require aliens to attest that they will not advocate installing a Sharia Law System in the United States. This declaration would be required of all aliens seeking entry to the United States either via citizenship, naturalization or visa. This stipulation would be added to requirements already in place for all aliens seeking to enter our country. Tennessee Rep. Zach Wamp, (R-3rd US District) has signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill. The bill is still before the Judiciary Committee.

The text of the bill is listed below.

HR 6975 IH; 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6975

To require aliens to attest that they will not advocate installing a Sharia law system in the United States as a condition for admission, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 18, 2008

Mr. TANCREDO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To require aliens to attest that they will not advocate installing a Sharia law system in the United States as a condition for admission, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Jihad Prevention Act’.

SEC. 2. INELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION FOR ALIENS FAILING TO MAKE ATTESTATION.

Section 212(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(G) SHARIA LAW SYSTEM- Any alien who fails to attest, in accordance with procedures specified by the Secretary of Homeland Security, that the alien will not advocate installing a Sharia law system in the United States is inadmissible.’.

SEC. 3. REVOCATION OF VISAS.

Section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)) is amended by adding at the end the following: `The visa of any alien advocating the installation of a Sharia law system in the United States shall be revoked.’.

SEC. 4. REVOCATION OF NATURALIZATION.

Section 340(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1451(a)) is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: `Advocating the installation of a Sharia law system in the United States shall constitute a ground for revocation of a person’s naturalization under this subsection.’

Rep. Zach Wamp, TN-R

Awareness of the legislation being introduced by our legislators is vital to the people’s ability to monitor and critique that government. Congressman Zach Wamp is a Tennessee legislator. For more information on this bill or to express your concerns, position, contact him at his Washington, DC office: Rep. Zach Wamp; 1436 Longworth House Office Building; Washington, DC 20515. He can be reached on the internet at: <http://www.house.gov/wamp/contact_email.shtm>.

Other members of the Tennessee federal legislative delegation include Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Rep. Lincoln Davis. Rep. John Tanner, Rep. Bart Gordon, Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. John Duncan, Rep. David Davis and Rep. Jim Cooper.

In the last two years, I gathered an analyzed the daily news from MSNBC. As if addicted, I find myself anticipating this daily newscast, which comes in on Channel 49 in Montgomery County. My keen understanding and interpretation of the news is influenced by MSNBC, where a trio of commentators — Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow — are welcomed into my home. They serve as commentators as well as reporters that provide insight into the news that I can find nowhere else. 

To keep myself knowledgeable, I read regularly local papers,Newsweek, and USA Today. Now I add to this list the Matthews-Olberman-Maddow team of MSNBC. Their presentation, interpretation, deciphering and critiquing commentary is sterling. Each evening they superbly challenge us to think about the meaning of the news. They are master commentators with refreshing insights. With elegance, courage and intelligence they provide a fresh perspective in news reporting, and their reporting is dominated by a sensitivity to the whole truth in current events and politics.

On Hardball with Chris Matthews, Countdown with Keith Olberman, and The Rachel Maddow Show, these journalistic leaders have become authority figures in news reporting, offering impartiality and insight in characters, stories and politics that fill our daily news.

On many evenings after viewing these programs, I comment to myself on their “dramatic, moving and impressive” performances. Their shows are gripping and keep me tuning in nightly to find thought-provoking and convincing truthfulness.

For a fresh understanding of political events, for a deeper understanding of the significance of declarations by our political leaders and the meaning of political trends, turn on MSNBC. Their riveting discourses are worth the time; I recommend them highly.

The thrill of victory for State Senator-elect Tim Barnes

In the primary, Kurita topped Barnes by 19 votes, and that contested race was overthrown by the State Democratic Executive Committee, which in turn passed the choice of nominee to the local Democratic committees. Barnes became the Democratic nominee in a 61-4 vote.

Rep. Joe Pitts, with his wife, Cindy Pitts

In Cheatham County, Barnes gathered 7,113 to Kurita’s 6,097. Houston County tallied 1,907 to Kurita’s 1,079.

The total tri-county count was 36,978 to 22, 869 to elect Barnes as the new state senator.

Barnes joined a gathering of family, friends, and campaigners at the Riverview Inn in downtown Clarksville, where he waited for the number to trickle in.  State Representative Joe Pitts said he was “pleased and proud” to see Barnes win the senate seat.

“Tim has a heart for people. He is a man of his word and has always put people first. This will be anexciting time for the people of Montgomery County.”

Barnes: 17763

Kurita: 10638