TN GOP SEC to Consider Closed Primaries

If there enough members with a brain on the TN GOP State Executive Committee they will proceed at their meeting this Saturday with closing the GOP primaries in TN. For too long the Democrats have been selecting our Republican candidates and it is time, in the words of Barney Fife "to nip it, nip it in the bud."

Your Knox County SEC members are June and Bill Landrum, email them here, Sally Absher, send her an email here. Ted Hatfield, call him at 865-925-9606 or 865-922-1123 or email here. Karen Brown, email her here and Ken Gross, email him here.

Hat tip to Blue Collar Muse for breaking this news story here.

Mayor Burchett is Doing the Right Thing for Carter

Tomorrow we should find out if the Knox County School Board will allow Knox County and specifically Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett to as through an RFP whether there is any interest in the private sector to pursue a construct/lease back for a NEW Carter Elementary School to be located on property purchased in 2003. This blogger voted to purchase that property, because I believed then that Carter deserved a new school. While I support a NEW Southwest Knox County Elementary School, I also believe that Carter is deserving as well. Thanks to Mayor Burchett for thinking out of the box and coming up with a win win solution. He is only wanting to ask the question. Let's hope that the school board agrees to ask the question.

Sen. Corker! Really?

From this News Sentinel story it is revealed that Senator Corker has discouraged VW from allowing a union to be formed at the TN plant. I mean really? How about doing what a Senator should do. How about working to repeal Obamacare? How about having NEVER voted for TARP? Subjecting our country to a debt we can not pay. How about reading the Constitution, discovering what your role is and perform that role to the best of your ability. I don't believe telling a private business what they should do in your home state qualifies.

McElroy is Having To Search The State Over

Today's News Sentinel headline story is a fluff piece on Congressman Jim Cooper. Since Jack McElroy has been the Editor, he has printed favorable stories for Democrats or R.I.N.O's (Republican in Name Only) that will be sympathetic to Democrat positions. After November 2, 2010 election results it seems that McElroy has to write about a Democrat more than 250 miles from his office space. sad, sad.

TN's Republican Star

Happy Thanksgiving!

County Commission Meets Tomorrow?

My buddy Walt Wojnar text messaged me thinking that County Commission is meeting tomorrow. Because there has been a lot of talk about Black Friday.

Courthouse Cronyism Chess Game

We have been posting since August about the various cronyism moves in the City County Building with a couple of fee offices. It seems the latest is as we previously reported that Trustee employee Craig Leuthold (and former County Commissioner) is in negotiations with Property Assessor Phil Ballard to move from the Trustee's office to the Property Assessors office. The word in the courthouse is that a switch is in play to swap another Property Assessor employee for Trustee employee Craig Leuthold.

The wrench in the swap is that their is a disparity in salary, which sources indicate that Property Assessor Phil Ballard will have a reduction in force (lay off or termination) in order to accommodate the switch. Leuthold who has Trustee experience, has NO Property Assessor experience.

Links to our previous posts August 28, 2010; October 28, 2010; November 6, 2010; November 8, 2010; November 11, 2010

Republicans Unite to Replace Michael Steele

A website dedicated to collecting supporters for a Replace Michael Steele as Republican National Committee Chairman is located here. The twitter for the group is located here.

Jake Mabe Travels Back 47 years

Jake Mabe is back to blogging on a regular basis. Today he commemorates the 47 th anniversary of a historical moment in our country's history. So, pull up a chair and read Jake's post here and travel back 47 years ago today.

Town of Farragut Needs To Install The Red Light NOW

From this weeks Farragut Press (here) we learn that Farragut Mayor McGill and a few Aldermen are dragging their feet on installing a red light at the Campbell Station Road/Farragut High School entrance. The entrance has been closed for over a year for the widening of Campbell Station Rd. While back before the widening of Campbell Station Rd, it was a two lane road with a center turn lane, the school didn't need a red light then. Now that the widening is complete and Campbell Station Rd is now four lanes with a center turn lane, it is imperative that a red light is installed.

The distance between this proposed red light and the red light at Kingston Pike and Campbell Station and the red light at Campbell Station and the park/Knox County library are greater than the traffic light at Farragut High School entrance on Kingston Pike and the Campbell Station Rd/Kingston Pike and Concord Rd/Kingston Pike red lights.

The delay by the Town of Farragut is a gamble that jeopardizes the lives of teenage drivers. Farragut Principal Mike Reynolds is correct. Install the red light now!

The town is probably waiting so they can install the red light camera at the same time so as to increase the towns revenue. It seems that the Mayor and some aldermen are taking the attitude, student safety be damned.

Red Bank Leaders Discuss Red Light Camera Removal

That is a good thing. Read the story from today's Chattanooga Times Free Press, here. In Knoxville someone should borrow the strategy of the Red Bank red light camera opponents and have some signs that read "Mr. Haslam Tear Down Those Cameras" In Farragut someone should borrow the strategy of the Red Bank red light camera opponents and have some signs that read, "Mr. McGill Tear Down Those Cameras"

Congressman Ron Paul on TSA Groping

As always, Congressman Ron Paul is spot on. We have to say enough is enough. Ron Paul has the solution.

Hello, You Need To Get The Votes First

In all the excitement building up to the TN House Speaker vote yesterday. A source indicated that Knox County State Representative Harry Brooks was co hosting a meet and greet for the 22 House Republican freshman to meet Speaker candidate Glenn Casada. At first, I was unable to confirm that Brooks was co hosting a meet and greet. But then I received a reliable confirmation that in fact Brooks was co hosting a meet and greet for Casada. However, the meet and greet was last night. The vote for Speaker was at 1 p.m. Nashville time, 2 p.m. Knoxville time. No reason to meet the runner-up candidate for Speaker at that point.

Beth Harwell Broke The Glass Ceiling

Good News, 63 Republican members of the TN House (one member abstained) have selected Representative Beth Harwell to be their nominee for TN Speaker of the House. Now let's celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas and see her elected in January 2011. The first female TN Speaker of the House. Great job, Speaker Harwell

Harwell Is The Best Choice

Today the TN Republican House members will meet in caucus to select their leader. The choice is State Rep. Beth Harwell or State Rep. Glen Casada. While I have met both and both are exceptional people. Rep. Harwell will make a good Speaker. First, she has leadership experience having served as TN GOP Chairman while serving as a State Representative.

Unfortunately for Casada his supporters have attempted to demonize Harwell. I received a phone call yesterday from an activist tea party member, he asked is Harwell a RINO? I said absolutely NOT, I know RINO's Harwell ain't one. We discussed some of her votes and positions. While I may not agree with every position an elected official takes. If I can see how they arrived at their position, then I can respect that person. Harwell is the kind of leader that Governor Haslam and TN need for 2011 and beyond.

Congressman Duncan Sums It Up In One Minute

Bob Pope Utilizing the Lincoln Davis Strategy?

Yesterday Moderately Marvelous was all over the race for Speaker of the TN House. Here she discusses the attacks on Rep. Beth Harwell by Bob Pope. As I read Bob Pope's emails it looked familiar. It looked like Lincoln Davis re-election campaign. You know where the candidate attacks their opponent but never gives you a valid reason to vote for the candidate of their liking. That Lincoln Davis strategy did not work very well.

Colquitt Brothers Opposing Each Other On The Field Only

Dustin and Britton Colquitt will oppose each other as Kansas City takes on Denver today. Read a great story in today's News Sentinel, here. Craig and Anne have much to be proud about.

Good News

This from the News Sentinel, Knox County School Bus Contractor Harry Mabry ends a theft and recovers a stolen truck. This is Good News.

The Absolutes by James Robison

I just finished reading the 2002 book, The Absolutes by James Robison. This is a great book that details historically what our government is built on. The only hope for the future of our representative republic is adherence to the absolutes. We must begin to see our universe from the world view that God is the creator and sustainer of all.

What Happens When Democrats Lead

This from the Kingsport Times newspaper is an example of what happens when Democrats lead. The U.S. Post Office has lost $8.5 billion dollars in spite of cutting services and people. This will cause Obama and the Democrats to cue the Blame Bush reel.

Sen. Corker Should Answer The Question

Here in today's Tennessean is a report of Sen. Corker's debt town hall that was held in the mid state area. One was held in Knoxville yesterday morning. Former Davidson County GOP Vice Chairman asked Sen. Corker how he could have voted for TARP and then rally against the debt. The former GOP official then attempted to give Corker a copy of the Constitution to which Sen. Corker reportedly said I find that offensive. Is it the Constitution that the Senator finds offensive or the question that was asked? Sen. Corker should have explained what he found offensive and he should answer the question on his TARP vote and how that vote has impacted the National debt.

News Sentinel Editorial Misses the Cronyism Mark

This Editorial in Yesterday's News Sentinel missed the mark on cronyism. The News Sentinel Editorial Board cites Zach Brezina as a potential political patronage becoming cronyism. The editor writers stated that Brezina is a college graduate. What the editorial authors missed is the daughter of political gadfly Mose Lobetti that has been hired into the Trustees office with no Trustee experience at a salary in excess of $50,000 it is reported to Brian's Blog that this hire is not a college graduate. More details could be forthcoming on this hire. To my friends at the Big Metal Shed on the Hill this is an example of Cronyism 101.

Rep. Curry Todd Sometimes Shoots From The Hip, But He Did Apologize

The Tennessean here details that Rep. Curry Todd made a comment at a committee meeting and when asked about it, he apologized. Rep. Todd one of the most colorful members of the legislature will sometimes shoot from the hip, but he will correct it when necessary.

A Week Later, the Tennessean Looks Back

Here

Veteran TN Legislator Passes Away

This from the Tennessean blog, Veteran TN Legislator Ulysses Jones has passed away. Jones from Memphis will be missed. Rest In Peace Rep. Jones.

Leuthold to Move From Trustees Office

Former County Commissioner Craig Leuthold is apparently in negotiations with Knox County Property Assessor Phil Ballard to change his employment from the Trustees office to the Property Asessors office. Leuthold's position will be abolished in March 2011 when the four Trustee satellite offices close. Leuthold has been the Supervisor of the Trustee satellite offices.

Also, it is rumored that Ballard has instructed his Supervisors to inform employees of the Assessors office to voluntarily reduce their hours to 30 hours per week.

Beth Harwell Will Be a GREAT TN Speaker

This article from the Chattanooga Times Free Press details State Representative Beth Harwell commitment to the House Republicans concerning the election of Speaker. How refreshing Beth Harwell will be as Speaker.

Magazine States What all Tennesseans Have Known for Years

This from the Commercial Appeal.

Mike Donila - Newspaper Reporting ain't That Swift

Mike Donila of the News Sentinel had a story in the Saturday edition that appeared to take information from an August 28 and October 28, 2010 blog posts from here at Brian's Blog. It seems that bloggers and commenter's quickly began commenting on the knoxnews website and the supposed similarities between Donila's November 6 story and our blog posts. In the comments it was mentioned that Duncan III had informed Brian's Blog that Donila brought a copy of our blog posts during his interview with Duncan III. Donila admits that yes, he printed out the blog post and took it to the Duncan III interview but didn't feel that he should credit Brian's Blog as his source. What is most interesting is that in Donila's explanation of his "work". It is that he began working on this story on October 22. So, Scripps pays someone a full-time salary to work 14 calendar days to publish a story? Now we know why Scripps takes the newspaper business away from the profits and loss of it's other business interest. Brian's Blog doesn't need 14 calendar days to give you a glimpse inside our county government. Interestingly, Donila has resorted to sending condescending, negative tweets to me.

Political Leverage States the Obvious about the Sentinel

Yesterday Political Leverage stated the obvious, Mike Donila of the Sentinel published this story today that was published on Brian's Blog here on October 28. Sources close to Duncan III have told me that Donila even took a printed copy of the post and presented it to Duncan and asked for his reaction. Where is the journalistic integrity for crediting Brian's Blog? Or is Jack McElroy just running a Knoxville version of New York Times with a Jayson Blair on staff?

Pelosi Loses Speaker Post, Her Hometown Strips Kids of Their Toys

On November 2, 2010 San Francisco has banned toys with kids meals. Is this because their Congressperson is no longer the Speaker of the House, beginning in January? Read it here.

She is Her Mother's Child, Obviously

Bristol Palin says that she forgot to vote. Read it here, if you want to waste a few minutes.

Haslam to Step Down Later, as I predicted

Thirty minutes before Mayor Haslam held his 9:30 a.m. press conference today I predicted on my twitter and facebook that he would not resign earlier in order to avoid the special election provision and allow City Council to name one of their own as his successor before the regular City of Knoxville General Election in November 2011. Haslam will step down on 1/10/2011 at Noon on the same day Council will meet to name one of their own as Interim Mayor. They will serve as Council Member and Mayor. Does that mean the individual selected will receive both salaries?

Rep, Harwell and Casada Seek Speaker Post

The Tennessean reports here that the new override proof Republican majority in the TN House of Representatives have two legislators considering the Speaker position. Representatives Beth Harwell and Glenn Casada. Representative Harwell would be an excellent Speaker. Her experience as not only legislator but as TN GOP Chairman show that she has broad based appeal. Representative Harwell is a reasonable legislator, never prone to antics and political grandstanding.

Is One Party Rule Good or Bad?

WVLT's Mario Boone reports reaction to that question, here.

Congratulations to All The Winners, But Especially MY Friend Julia Hurley

Last night was a GREAT Republican night. I was the Republican analyst on WVLT Volunteer TV. Congratulations to all the winners in TN and across the nation. Speaker Boehner will lead the Republican Majority in the U.S. House to provide the appropriate checks and balances for the good of our country.

Congratulations especially to MY friend Julia Hurley who is the Republican State Representative representing Roane County and Lenoir City.

Campaign 2010

Today is the day, Election Day 2010. If you didn't vote early, be sure that you cast your vote by 8 p.m. today. Then at 9 p.m. tune into WVLT Volunteer News for live coverage of the results.

Knoxville Government in Flux?

A local weekly newspaper gave a rumor that Vice Mayor Bob Becker may be vacating his seat to move to Virginia. Knoxville reporter Hubert Smith has snagged the detailed story, read it here.