Haslam should deal more forcefully with Obama over restroom decree
Gov. Bill Haslam Today the Governor sent an email to various persons about the Obama administration’s “guidance letter” relative to privacy in intimate public settings like school bathrooms, locker rooms, showers, and dorm rooms. We appreciate the fact that the Governor has now addressed the issue. Here is what he said: “The White House itself […]
Tenn. judge salvages state’s muddled case vs. folk hero, shields no-show DA
Arthur Jay Hirsch, “the Fiddle Man” of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., is challenging the state’s claims in commerce against the vital property right of free travel on the public highways. Defending criminal charges allows him standing to overturn a lawless operation of the state’s executive branch. (Photo David Tulis) LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. (May 2, 2016) — Confusion reigned […]
Popular insurrection using Trump to defy statist establishment
Donald Trump By Thomas Ertl March 18, 2016, Newswithviews.com — On Feb. 29, 2016, the day before Super Tuesday, I attended a Trump rally in Valdosta, Georgia. I was not prepared for what I was to see. I have followed presidential races since 1964, in the days of Johnson and Goldwater, and I must say […]
Gardenhire kills ‘constitutional carry’ by ‘blowing smoke,’ Harris says
Sen. Todd Gardenhire takes the GOP establishment’s position against the right to bear arms. (Photo Nashvillepublicradio.org) On March 8, 2016, Sen. Todd Gardenhire helped kill so-called constitutional carry in Tennessee in a Senate judiciary committee vote. Or nonvote. Sen. Gardenhire declined to say yay or nay on the proposal that would have allowed all law-abiding […]
GOP’s Gardenhire won’t lift pinkie for right to bear arms in Tennessee
On March 8, 2016, Sen. Todd Gardenhire killed so-called constitutional carry in Tennessee in a Senate judiciary committee vote. Or nonvote. The senator “passed” on a proposal that would have allowed all law-abiding citizens of Tennessee to carry a firearm on their person without giving first an OK and a license from Gov. Haslam’s department […]
A night in Soddy-Daisy city court: Lasley corrals herd of petty defendants
A murder defendant stands before Judge Mart Lasley in Soddy-Daisy city court in 2012. Most defendants appear for victimless petty offenses. (Photo VLB Productions on YouTube) The ugly spat between Brittney Parker and Roy Corder, 29, continues in a neon-lit courtroom in Soddy-Daisy, with the judge playing uncle and scold and town cops tossing in […]
Gardenhire rejects right to bear arms in gun vote ‘pass’
Sen. Todd Gardenhire, “establishment” Republican Senator Mark Green presented his constitutional carry bill (SB1483) Tuesday in the Senate Judiciary committee but it failed thanks to Chattanooga Sen. Todd Gardenhire, a Republican. The bill would have, as amended, imposed only the burden on a citizen of obtaining at least eight hours of training from any state […]
GOP wrecking freedom in firepower, liberty in marriage
Rep. Mike Carter, a Republican, is a former sessions court judge. (Photo wrcbtv.com) Todd Gardenhire defeats gun “constitutional carry” in Tennessee by not voting, but the bill can be revived, John Harris of the Tennessee Firearms Association says. Meanwhile, defenders of marriage work to crowbar the defense of natural marriage act from a state house […]
Is a defense attorney or public prosecutor likely to be a better criminal court judge?
Why a defense attorney probably makes a better criminal court judge than a state prosecutor. In Hamilton County, Tenn., Boyd Patterson prosecutes for the state, and Mike Little (now in the public defender’s office) defends the accused. They are challenging a politically appointed incumbent, Tom Greenholtz. Mr. Little, despite shortcomings, says criminal court is “independent of everybody. […]
Little says possible to be ‘just judge,’ says courts not machine for skinning poor
Public defender Mike Little says there is no conspiracy within the court system to oppress the working poor who run afoul of the state’s many “victimless crime” rules.(Photo 2012 David Tulis) By Esther Taj Attorney Mike Little has worked in the Hamilton County public defender’s office 1 ½ years and is a candidate for criminal […]