Category: Political figures

TN highwayman program targeted by reform bill invites local corruption

Seized cars and trucks are part of Tennessee’s highwayman program, also known as civil asset forfeiture. (Photo Tennessee Watchdog) This week a committee in the general assembly is considering the civil asset forfeiture reform bill proposed by Sen. Todd Gardenhire and a state representative. The bill would reduce the incentive of police departments and sheriff’s […]

Doctrine of lesser magistrate gives impetus to sheriffs, clerks, mayors to end slayings

Streetside demonstrators declare that the unborn deserve legal protection, and that their murder should be absolutely abolished. (Photo Flickr Missionaries to the Preborn) The following analysis explores the biblical requirement for men and women in civil authority to resist lawlessness and crime among their superiors in government. They do so by interposing themselves and their […]

Gardenhire seeks to restrain TN’s highway robbery program

Civil asset forfeiture lets Tennessee run official highwayman program, but Sen. Todd Gardenhire seeks revisions. In 2016 the state had 7,616 forfeiture cases, stole F$17 million in cash and confiscated more than 10 cars and trucks a day. The total for 2009 to 2014 was F$85.9 million and F$26 million more  from the U.S. justice department. […]

State bullies man into jail after police encounter over judge at store

Antonio Bell, center, appears to be one of those “Just Busted” faces whose story really is one of innocence of the crimes charged. (Photo David Tulis) Antonio Bell says he is in jail until Sunday under a plea agreement that has him admitting to two misdemeanor counts of retaliation against a judge or officer in […]

Candidate Greer suspects ‘abuse of power’ in Gaddy case

Jennifer Lockhart Greer teaches history and civics at the high school. The fight to bring Thomas and Carol Gaddy into submission and behind the bars of the Sequatchie County jail has sparked a political challenge to Dunlap mayor Dwain Land, whose actions in 2015 launched the conflict. Schoolteacher and businesswoman Jennifer Lockhart Greer is angered […]

City rejects localist Crockett for slick national economy-oriented Berke

Dave Crockett was the local economy candidate for mayor of Chattanooga. His bid was overwhelmed by Web-savvy professional marketing by the incumbent, Andy Berke, standing just behind him in this M.K. King Boulevard march. (Photo Crockett campaign) Dave Crockett speaks to supporter Marty Von Schaaf at an election night dinner Tuesday with supporters. Former Times […]

Crockett pulls 32x less cash than Berke, says gift is making ‘pie in sky’ ideas real

Dave Crockett talks with Mike Steele of NoogaRadio 1240 AM in Chattanooga. (Photo David Tulis) Dave Crockett held a press conference Wednesday at the convention and trade center downtown to release a late fund-raising report and to declare himself a head taller than a lanky Andy Berke. He reports just under F$13,000 in campaign contributions. Mr. Crockett says […]

Jail day for Gaddys as TN couple rejects demand for search of house

Thomas and Carol Gaddy of Dunlap, Tenn., are told to report Sequatchie County chancery  judge Thomas Graham today at 1 or face arrest under a bench warrant for civil contempt for refusing his order to allow a warrantless search of their house under the guise of an “inspection” sought by mayor Dwain Land and city attorney […]