Join me in hearing surprise speaker at bill of rights banquet Dec. 15

Constitution-loving Tennesseans salute the U.S. flag at the bill of rights dinner December 2016. June Griffin, Southeast Tennessee’s matriarch of the constitution, is at center, top photo, in Dayton, Tenn. (Photo David Tulis) Enjoy fellowship and a hot meal on Dec. 15 in Dayton at the 16th Bill of Rights dinner organized by a prominent defender […]

66% inmates in jail unconvicted as system ignores ‘guilty mind’ rule for prosecutions

Accountable to voters, Jim Hammond, center, opens a re-election bid for sheriff of Hamilton County as supporters gather at an event Oct. 19 downtown. Next to him is his wife, Jeannie, mother of their three children. (Photo David Tulis) The refusal of the judicial industrial complex in Hamilton County to uphold Tennessee’s guilty intention (“premeditation”) law […]

Cops, deputies get refresher: Talk, patience, grace avoid violence, save lives

Police officers and sheriff’s deputies are getting a round of training that will save the lives of people who otherwise might be shot dead, beaten or tazed by them. (Photo David Tulis) Officers around the U.S. get much training in using guns and clubs, but little in peace-oriented negotiating skills, the use of which would […]

AirBnB ordinance takes effect, illegal on yet new grounds

Donna Williams is charged with enforcing city council’s AirBnB ordinance, an illegal intrusion upon the city’s thriving “Gig City” Internet economy. (Photo LinkedIn) Taking effect this week in Chattanooga is city government’s so-called short-term vacation rental ordinance, one that is illegal on several grounds — including a new one that comes into view on a […]

Can you be arrested if you don’t ‘show’ officer your ID?

Police chief David Roddy gives an interview to Josh Roe regarding his new job with the executive branch of city government. (Photo TV9) In Tennessee, the failure or refusal to produce or give one’s identification is an offense only if the officer intends to either cite or arrest you for a crime or offense. And […]

Berke cops reject constitutional rule to Mirandize all arrestees

David Roddy gives one of many interviews as Chattanooga’s chief of police. (Photo Newschannel9.com) Chattanooga police department in its policy for traffic stops omits a significant element of public protection against arbitrary state power and poisons relations between the Mayor Andy Berke administration and members of the public, especially those traveling on the public right-of-way. […]