"Guns in Bars" is back

Via the Tennessean:

A new bill that would let handgun owners take their weapons into any bar or restaurant in Tennessee has started to make its way through the legislature, setting up another possible showdown over gun rights later this year.

The House Judiciary Criminal Practice and Procedure Subcommittee passed a bill Wednesday that its supporters say would clear up confusion created last year when the legislature first attempted to change the law to let gun owners carry in restaurants that serve alcohol.

But critics are already taking aim at the measure, which its sponsors filed Monday — less than two days before the hearing took place. Opponents say the bill would effectively open all bars and restaurants to firearms, including places that primarily make their money selling alcohol.

Apparently, some Tennessee legislators would rather shoot guns than pass bills

WSMV is reporting that while the vast majority of Tennessee General Assembly members were at the capitol doing, you know, work, our good Republican friends Josh Evans and Stacey Campfield were at a shooting event sponsored by a couple of firearm companies.

Just another example of how our state GOP cares more about guns than their constituents.

Don't expect the conservative crowd to get angry about this. I mean, who doesn't want to skip work to go to the firing range? Yes, these two are true patriots.

TN State Senator Jackson proposes bill to ban "Girls Gone Wild" ads (again)

More evidence that the Tennessee legislature is completely unable to address things that actually matter.

A proposal that would ban late-night TV ads showing half-naked young women is advancing in the Senate — again.

The measure sponsored by Democratic Sen. Doug Jackson of Dickson failed the last two legislative sessions. But it passed the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday 8-0, with one abstention.

The companion bill is scheduled to be heard by the Criminal Practice and Procedure Subcommittee next week.

Unless you have a bill that addresses government waste, health care, jobs, infant mortality, etc. - you know, important things - don't bother. Spare us the ink and paper that has to be used to print crap like this.

Shocker: Tennessee legislature wastes its time (again)

Via The Tennessean:

A resolution to honor the late pop superstar Michael Jackson has passed the Tennessee House with only one vote to spare.

The resolution sponsored by Democratic Rep. G. A. Hardaway of Memphis passed Wednesday on a vote of 51-22. Measures need at least 50 votes to pass the 99-member chamber.

Another 24 lawmakers abstained.

Whether it's apologizing for things 150 years too late or honoring an intern's college graduation, you can always expect the Tennessee legislature to spend time on things that really matter.

Did I mention that in a republic, we get the government we deserve?

Ophelia Ford is in the hospital again

From WSMV:

State Sen. Ophelia Ford is back in a Memphis hospital this morning.

According to Channel 4's sister station, WMC, the Memphis democrat has missed the entire special legislative session on Capitol Hill. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey says Ford missed the first week with flu-like symptons, and that she's spent the last two or three days in the hospital.

According to Ramsey, Ford's lack of attendance had little impact on key votes because none of them were close.

Ford's 2010 attendance record is a familiar pattern. Two years ago, she missed most of the legislative session because of a bleeding ulcer.

You might recall that she was hospitalized only a little bit ago, and was also encouraged by her family to enter rehab. From a 2007 story in the Commercial Appeal:

Ophelia Ford has drawn attention to her behavior by missing multiple Senate sessions, blaming her absences on chronic anemia. She raised eyebrows on May 14 in a legislative committee meeting with an tirade against the state Department of Children's Services commissioner and three other state officials.

A day later, she reportedly fell off a bar stool in the concierge lounge at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel, sending her to an overnight stay in the hospital. A worker at the hotel told ambulance dispatchers that the guest, reportedly Ford, was "extremely intoxicated," according to the recording of the 911 emergency call.

Note to TN Legislature: Stop Arguing Over Inane Topics

Tom Humphey indicates that the 2010 legistlative session in the TN General Assembly could be the "year of the camera":

The fall study season is now at hand in Legislatorland and, if there is any clear example so far of the stage being set for the 2010 session, it was provided by the House Transportation Committee in devoting two days recently to testimony on the use of cameras to catch speeders and red-light runners.

As the number of cities using cameras expands across the state, it appears that public irritation is expanding as well - and that attracts legislator attention.

"People are livid," declared Rep. John Litz, D-Morristown, who said he would favor outlawing the devices.

On the other hand, there was ample testimony from police officers that the cameras are reducing accidents and saving lives. Still, some police spokesmen indicated they would not be averse to some changes in the current law - which has relatively little to say on the cameras - and representatives of the companies that operate the device said they would welcome uniform, statewide standards.

That, it is submitted, likely sets the stage. The committee plans one more meeting on the subject, whereupon recommendations may be made for presentation during next year's session.

If, as some have said, 2009 was the "year of the gun" in Legislatorland, 2010 could be the year of the camera.

Why can't we have a "year of health care reform" or "year of economic development"? We're really going to spend time arguing about CAMERAS when unemployment continues to rise?

Look, I understand the privacy concerns about the cameras, blah blah blah. There are arguments to be made for both sides of the issue. However, is that really a debate that we want to be spending time on right now?

Seriously, what is wrong with our General Assembly? We have a group of state legislators who are challenging President Obama's birth certificate, and just this past week we have a group pushing a resolution that will "reassert" our state's rights under the 10th Amendment. It's not just GOPers. Remember Brenda Gilmore pushing a resolution for the State of Tennessee to apologize for slavery? Touchy subject, but the resolution wasn't necessary in my opinion. I could think of a hundred different ways to actually help minorities, but some ink on a piece of paper isn't one of them.

The General Assembly has become more of a place for political grandstanding than a place where substantive laws get passed. And it's our fault because these are the same people that we elect over and over again. We get the government we deserve.