Haslam Family Get Together

UPDATE: Political Leverage has a couple of unique points concerning the News Sentinel story, read their take here. The BIGGEST one is that tomorrow is Free Friday News Sentinel's at Pilot.

Original Post: The News Sentinel's Tom Humphrey is reporting that the Knoxville Mayor raised $1.4 million tonight at The Foundry.

It is interesting that the Sentinel would report this so quickly tonight, because Brian's Blog was informed of at least two main stream media entities that contacted the campaign and the two reporters were told that NO media would be admitted to the event.

Brian's Blog received an invitation, however we decided to leave the Knoxville Mayor and his family alone this evening.

"Finally Home" Mercy Me's World Priemere Video

Blagojevich is OUT

The Illinois State Senate in a vote of 59-0 removed Governor Rod Blagojevich as Governor of Illinois. In a second separate 59-0 vote Rod Blagojevich is not eligible to run for or be elected to any elected position in the State of Illinois.

I would say that Blagojevich will exit stage left or stage right. However, I believe that he will exit right down center political stage.

Did NS Writer Alapo Fabricate Story with Mis-Information?

The News Sentinel published this story written by one of their reporters, Lola Alapo yesterday. The story is about "stimulus money for school districts". The knoxnews Related link is a document or a set of documents from the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor. At the top of the document it states, Notice: These are estimated grants only. These estimates are provided solely to assist in making comparisons of the relative impact of alternative formulas and funding levels as part of the legislative process. They are not intended to predict specific amounts LEAs will receive. In addition to other limitations, much of the data that may be used to calculate final grants are not yet available.

Now with the facts noted nearly every person reading this story is under the false impression that Knox County Schools and other school districts in Tennessee will receive this financial support. It attracted 116 comments online.

This is a newspaper article of irresponsible reporting. When will Bruce Hartmann take responsibility and stop the shenanigans of McElroy and crew at "The Big Metal Shed on the Hill" ?

The 411 on Tonight's Fundraiser's Fundraiser.

Political leverage has the skinny or maybe the fat on the organizer for the Haslam kick-off reception to be held at the Foundry tonight. You read it here first. Then WIVK, WNOX did a story on it. Now the staff of Political Leverage has been researching the organizer.

Why would the Knoxville Mayor need to hire a fundraiser and pay a large sum for fundraising. Couldn't he just go eat breakfast at all the Haslam kitchen tables and raise all he needs?

Is Silence Lobbying for a Job For His Wife with Haslam?

On Michael Silence blog over at knoxnews he is defending the Knoxville Mayor's participation in the Mayor Bloomberg anti gun group. Why would Silence do this? His wife is a campaign consultant. Could he be lobbying for a job for his wife? Could he recognize what business unit in Knoxville purchases 50,000 plus newspapers and gives them away on Friday's. So, he could be sucking up to them?

Of course, now Haslam says in hind sight he shouldn't have joined the Bloomberg group. But he wouldn't commit to resigning the group saying that would appear to be pandering to pro-gun folk. But, Haslam did tell Silence that he bought his son a shotgun for Christmas. That would be pandering.

Why would he refer to us as pro-gun folk? If he were one of us Second Amendment people then he wouldn't have to refer to us in the third person. If he were truly a Second Amendment person. He would say pro-gun persons like myself.

As for his first signature with the Bloomberg group, sources within the NRA inform me that a letter was sent to him by the NRA asking him to resign the group and Haslam did NO such thing. So he can can now write the pro Second Amendment people off his list of potential voters.

R. Larry Smith Continues to Operate in the Good 'Ole Boy Way

So, the perjurer R. Larry Smith conspired with GOP Chair Irene McCrary to violate the Sunshine Law to appoint her daughter Michelle Carringer to the 7th district seat. In December Smith confronted Commissioner Lambert and said you need to support Michelle, Irene told me to remind you that she protected you from being ousted from the Powell Republican Club by Bruce and Lillian Williams. Lillian Williams was the second highest vote getter for the appointment. Smith replied the discussion was held during an open meeting. Lambert reminded him it happened in the corner away from the microphone.

Lambert disclosed this at the Commission meeting on Monday afternoon. You can watch the video of the meeting here.

So, McCrary used her position as the County Party's Head to advance and enrich her daughter, personally. Smith has profited from the Knox County Republican Party paying the electric utility bill at the 640 North Building, a commercial building owned by Smith. So in exchange for McCrary continuing to pay the electrical bill he appointed her daughter to Commissioner.

Smith said in nominating McCrary's daughter that she has no county connection. Lambert reminded the Commission that her resume reflected a part-time job with the Knox County General Sessions Court Clerk's office.

Lockett Changes Opinion

As the Commission met on Monday night during the first vote for the appointment for Commissioner Seventh District several nominees received 2 votes. Bill Lockett, Knox County Law Director opined that all the 2 vote nominees must be dropped. Commissioner Mark Harmon and Craig Leuthold raised a point of inquiry that the rules of Commission said that one nominee would drop and a simple re-do vote would have to be conducted.

Bill Lockett reconsidered and Commission Chairman Tank Strickland announced that the Law Director had changed his opinion. How long does the learning curve last?

What Candidate For Governor is Part of the Silver Spoon of the Month Club?

Invitations were received this week for the Thursday kick-off reception for a certain candidate for Governor. The kick-off will be held in Knoxville at The Foundry. The cost will prohibit those everyday Republican volunteers/activists from attending and being a part of the kick-off. Because the cost is $1,000.00 per person. Also, you can write a check or better yet you can put it on your VISA, MasterCard or American Express. Oh, and by the way the money isn't going to be deposited into a Knoxville bank as the address for your contribution is located in Franklin, TN even though the Treasurer and the Candidate both reside in Knoxville, TN.

A Sunday Thought From A Team Member

It looks like Regal Cinemas is freezing executive pay at 2008 levels.

It would be nice if the school board had the guts to terminate or suspend contract negotiations with Dr. McIntyre, and that both could agree to this move, until the economy improves.

Instead when Dr. McIntyre stated that positions might have to be cut, he also stated there would be cuts in Central Office, but he didn't indicate that his own salary or compensation package might be decreased.

Is this "the next level" of leadership? Wouldn't the salary increase that Carson and her cohorts gave to the new superintendent have covered a couple of teachers' salaries?

Didn't Dr.Murphy, who led and pushed for the dramatic increase in salary and is a business professor, see a possible economic slowdown coming?

We need to quit hiring "professionals" to do "public service" at prices that, let's face it, even private industry won't pay them for doing. That's why these "professional" bureaucrats end up working for the government. Private industry won't have them.

Columnist Changes Tune in Tomorrow's Column in the Focus

Yesterday our Brian's Blog Team posted here some commentary about one of the op-ed pieces that is in today's News-Sentinel. It is interesting that in reading the team's commentary and then reading Joe Rector's column this morning that I then went to the Knoxville Knox County Focus website to read a preview of the newspaper that they will hit the streets with in the morning. And lo, and behold Rector is writing a different story in his column "It's Not Fair." While he doesn't address the situation directly from his Sentinel column. He acknowledges that in life mistakes happen. This is comforting because from his column in today's News Sentinel the team thought that Rector was portraying himself to be a perfect individual. Now, it appears that he simply writes one thing before he writes something totally different.

You can read Rector's column by going to the Focus website or read the column in it's entirity below.

Fair is defined as being marked by impartiality and honesty: free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism. It’s something most folks learn about throughout their lives. However, most often the fair is used with two other words in “It’s not fair.”

When we are children, the concept of “fair” is drilled into our little heads. Parents insist that we be fair in our play with brothers and sister and that we don’t allow self-interest to do something wrong when we must split a treat. Little by little, kids grasp the meaning of the word fair. Some learn it when they hear the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

As the years go on, the phrase “It’s not fair” enters our vocabularies. In school, kids are forever squawking about how unfair tests are. Teachers are blamed with their failure because they have given unfair tests, unfairly made accusations of misbehavior, or moved unruly students to isolation. The whining goes on forever.

Kids also begin to think that home is an unfair place. They can’t understand how it’s fair for parents to expect them to help out around the house. They claim adults treat them like slaves. When a child misbehaves and is punished, he cries “foul” and complains to the powers of heaven that being grounded for sneaking out last night or losing his car because he received a speeding ticket is not at all fair. Demanding that a teen stay home to study for exams can lead to temper tantrums that declare the whole world is against the youth. One thing’s for sure: kids don’t think moms and dads have a fair bone in their bodies.

Unfairness continues in the work place. Some bosses actually set expectations of their employees. Those new to the workforce are shocked that they are to be at work on time every day. Tell them a dress code is in place and they become apoplectic. A few are dismayed that they aren’t starting work in a management position or that their salaries are equal to veteran workers. To the amazement of employers, parents sometimes call to demand that their “babies” be treated better.

Unfortunate things occur in all our lives. We wouldn’t wish them on anyone else. But if we lose a loved one, one of the first thing we say is “It’s not fair.” I’ve said it before. Then I thought to myself, would it have been fair for another’s loved one to have died in place of mine? I didn’t want to have my parents and my brother die; they were too dear to me, but their passing had less to do with fairness and more to do with a larger plan. That seems put life a bit more in perspective.

Here’s a news flash: life isn’t fair. Bad things some time happen. Some folks don’t treat others well or play by the rules. Parents do the best they can to rear children who are good, loving, and caring individuals. In the course of parenting, they sometimes make mistakes, but they are rarely unfair. Work isn’t a place for fairness; it’s every man for himself. It’s Darwin in that the fittest survive. No, fun isn’t a constant ingredient; that’s why it’s called “work.” All would do well to get a bit tougher and begin providing their own fairness. The next time you hear the line, “It’s not fair,” I dare you to ask the speaker why it’s not. The answer might be shocking.

What Will You Read in Tomorrow's News Sentinel?

Sources close to Community Columnist Joe Rector indicate that in tomorrow’s Knoxville News Sentinel you will read his reason for calling for the resignation of Bill Phillips the Eighth District Knox County School Board Member.

Rector’s reasoning is that the Knox County School District has a zero tolerance policy that has the school board expelling students for weapons charges and for that reason he contends that Phillips MUST resign.

First, of all Knox County had a zero tolerance policy. During the time that Brian Hornback of Brian’s Blog served on the Knox County board the policy was weakened that they simply move a student to an alternative setting. Hornback objected.

Now let us explain why this knee jerk, idiotic reasoning of Rector and the News Sentinel is flawed. Yes, Rector wrote it, but when Jack McElroy publishes it then it becomes his and Scripps position as well.

When a student is found guilty of a zero tolerance offense and is placed in an alternative educational setting it is after a hearing at the student’s zoned school. It also after a Knox County disciplinary hearing authority has conducted a second hearing and presented a recommendation to the entire school board for expulsion or for placement in an alternative educational setting. The board could or could not after they examine the facts expel or place the student in an alternative educational setting. So, there are three incidents to have their case heard along with the evidence and their defense presented.

Mr. Phillips has appeared at one scheduled appearance and those orders have been dismissed. Mr. Phillips must still make an additional appearance and Brian’s Blog anticipates that he will appears and present his defense. So to use the newspaper to disperse and advocate a penalty without his right to appear is inconceivable and a reckless disregard for the law of the land. Innocent until proven guilty, Mr. Rector and Mr. McElroy.

Everything in his column up to this point although idiotic and filled with bias is somewhat harmless because Mr. Phillips is a public figure and malice is difficult to prove. However our source indicates that Rector in tomorrow’s paper calls Mr. Phillips wife out by name and details his belief in what she has done since this unfortunate incident occurred.

We do not believe that Rector has discussed this incident with Mrs. Phillips and for him to assume what she has or is doing makes him what the three letters of assume spell. He and the News Sentinel should have been very careful prior to presenting and now publishing his column in that Mrs. Phillips can and in our opinion should file suit against him, Jack McElroy, Bruce Hartmann, the News-Sentinel and E.W. Scripps for slander and defamation of character. If any one on our staff were trained and licensed as an attorney we would take the case pro-bono (FREE).

Why would the News Sentinel use a community columnist to launch this attack? Because Phillips has not been fearful to call the News sentinel a product of tabloid journalism. He has established himself as an independent on the school board. He is not an elected public servant that kowtows to the school bureaucracy or to the powers that be order in Knoxville and Knox County.

Mr. and Mrs. Phillips were contacted by the Brian's Blog team concerning this post and they had no comment.

News Sentinel Hearts Campfield

What is the motive of the News Sentinel and the City of Knoxville into the disagreement between a landlord (that happens to be a State Representative) and his tenants? Is it that the News Sentinel doesn't have Tim Hutchison, Scott Moore or Brian Hornback to beat up on? Is Representative Stacey Campfield the NEW Tim Scobby Hornback? Or maybe the Knoxville Mayor is not counting on an election to be elected Governor of Tennessee and so he is using his paid public relations rag (the News Sentinel) to damage the State Representative so that he is NOT a State Representative that the NEW Governor has to worry about? How could anyone assume that the News Sentinel is the paid public relations rag for the Knoxville Mayor? It could have something to do with the thousands of newspapers sold to one business unit in Knoxville every Friday.

For whatever reason this attack was launched. State Representative get it fixed. There is no reason to give them this kind of ammunition to shoot you with. As for the tenants, did you like the place when you signed a lease? After all it appears that you signed a lease. I don't think the Representative forced you to sign the lease.

Here are the numbers of attacks on the Representative over two days. Thursday January 22, 2009 a story here. A photo gallery by News Sentinel staff posted on their website on Thursday January 22, 2009, here. A video tour recorded by Ben Fish/a Special to the News Sentinel and posted to their website on Friday January 23, 2009, here. Another story on Friday January 23, 2009, here.

A little over blown there, Jack! So, what is your bias, Jack? What is your motive, Jack?

R. Larry Smith Will Likely Face Ethics Charge

R. Larry Smith always asks potential appointees if they have a conflict. However, he never looks at himself in the mirror. On Monday County Commission will vote for a warm body to fill Commissioner Scott Moore's seat until his ouster appeal is successful. If Smith cast a vote for one of the candidates he will face an ethics complaint by at least one maybe more Knox County citizens.

Here is the conflict. Smith owns the 640 North office building. On the top floor of that building the Knox County Republican Party occupies office space. The Knox County Republican Party on a monthly basis pays KUB, the Knoxville Utilities Board for the electricity that it uses in that portion of Smith's commercial property.

Irene McCrary, Knox County Republican Party Chair and the mother of appointee hopeful Michelle Carringer authorizes the payment to KUB from the Knox County Republican Party. It is the same scenario where a $5,000.00 contribution was made to Save our Right to Vote without the authorization of the Knox County Republican Executive Committee. In McCrary's opinion and her past actions she operates as if it is he sole decision and authority.

So, if and when Smith cast a vote for Michelle Carringer. It will appear to be a pay back for his utility bill payment for the past two years while Carringer's mother has been the GOP Chair.

Brian Hornback of Brian's Blog anticipates filing an ethics complaint against Smith in the likely event that he votes for the GOP Chair's daughter. Hornback has been approached by several citizens that are interested in joining him in his complaint.

Haslam Underwelms

The Nashville Post filed a story about Bill Haslam and the media tour that he hosted around the state following his announcement that he would be running for Governor. You can read the complete story, here.

Some snipits from the story are.

After saying Gov. Phil Bredesen "has done a lot of great things," ..

Haslam sees education as a top priority. He does not see a correlation between the dollars spent on education and outcomes.

Haslam would not commit to taking any kind of anti-tax pledge, noting that there are several examples of politicians who took such pledges only to recognize later they "weren't such a good idea."

Haslam demurred from offering specific areas of the state budget that needed trimming.

He noted that state officials continue to raise the tax rate while increasing areas that are exempt. Haslam would not commit to eliminating any exemption, nor did he offer up any potential eliminations.

Haslam was non-committal on other issues, too. While he was familiar with the Tennessee plan on judicial selection, Haslam told reporters he needs to study the issue more before he can offer a detailed position on how to deal with the sunsetting plan.

As for the controversial abortion resolution SJR 127, which would give the legislature the ability to outlaw abortion were the federal government to overturn Roe v. Wade, Haslam expressed sympathy with the pro-life cause but did not explicitly say he supported the measure.

Tim Hutchison is BACK

At the Halls Republican Club on Monday January 19, 2009. The candidates and officeholders went around the room and introduced themselves. Seventh district County Commission appointee candidate Lillian Williams gave some inspiring remarks. Ray H. Jenkins announced his candidacy for Knox County Republican Chairman. State Representative Bill Dunn was introduced. Perjurer Commissioner R. Larry Smith was introduced. Several employees of Register of Deeds Sherry Witt were present and represented their boss. Former Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison was present and he spoke. He said that he had been away for a while. He has spent a considerable amount of time in South Carolina. But he announced that He is BACK. He was warmly received.

Tim Burchett Speaks at Halls

State Senator Tim Burchett and expected 2010 Knox County Mayoral candidate was the featured speaker at the Halls Republican Club meeting on Monday January 19, 2009. The Halls club meets at the Mandarin House Restaurant in Halls.

Burchett spoke at length about the election of House Speaker Kent Williams. He also discussed the workings of the State Senate and the upcoming legislative session. As he concluded his remarks, he said that he would open it up for questions and discuss the Mayor’s race.

Brian Hornback of Brian’s Blog asked two questions. The first was his position on merging the operations and the employees of the fee offices with Knox County Government. He said that he favors the election of the fee officeholders as well as the election of the School Superintendent. Hornback followed up with so what you are saying is that you would leave it as it is and the elected officeholders and that they should be allowed to run the offices as they see fit as they have always done. Burchett concurred.

Hornback then asked what is the most pressing issue facing the position of Knox County Mayor in 2010? Burchett said “Trust”. He went on to tell the story of witnessing a county employee that was at Wright’s Cafeteria. As he was checking out someone asked if he were going to put that on his p-card? The employee just put their head down. The county workers don’t deserve that. And the ship must be righted.

Burchett then out lined his three points in his upcoming campaign for Mayor.

Education – Burchett said that we can not pay big fat salaries and increase bureaucracy. Burchett’s degree from the University of Tennessee is in Education. His father and mother were lifetime career educators. Burchett said the key component to and in education are moms and dads.

Law Enforcement – We must continue to keep world class law enforcement.

Keep Taxes Low - We can not tax ourselves into prosperity.

He then stated that he is opposed to eminent domain – the taking of personal property for large corporations and government.

A lady then asked him about the homeless. She stated that we have a Veterans Home. Why do we not house the homeless there? Burchett explained that the VA home was built for individuals like his father to be there for the time prior to their death or those with lost limbs. There are not enough beds.

Burchett explained that the problem that continues to plaque the homeless is mental illness. Burchett asked if everyone knew what institution houses the greatest number of mentally ill. Several individuals said the jail. Burchett said that was correct. The lady asked. Why does the State not open up the mental institutions? He said the lawyers will never allow that. Deregulation is what has caused the shift of homeless out of the mental institutions to the private sector and the jails.

R. Larry Smith - Chief Hypocrite II

Tonight at the Halls Republican Club the first order of business was to swear in the 2009 officers of the club. Commissioner R. Larry Smith had the job of swearing in the officers. He announced that he obtained the oath from Judge Tony Stansberry but added language to the oath.

His additional language was an oath NOT to show support or endorse a Democrat in any way. That was odd. As Smith himself can NOT live by this standard. As he voted for a Democrat over three Republicans, Mike Alford, Logan Brummitt and Walter Wojnar for the Commission appointment in District Four.

It has also been discovered that Knox GOP Chair Irene McCrary can not abide by this standard as she and Knox County Election Commission Administrator years ago cut a deal that appointed her as an Officer that was to served by a Democrat. So, McCrary served in a Democrat Officer position. Also, one of her siblings recently endorsed a countywide Democrat.

This will also be problematic for McCrary's daughter Michelle Carringer that is attempting to gain the Seventh District Commission Seat appointment.

Call Me Ted

One of the books that I received for Christmas was Call Me Ted by Ted Turner. It is his life story as written by Ted. Throughout the book are many Ted Stories written by others. The book is a great read because Ted himself has had an awesome life. Only because he has worked continually to do build business after business. His father built a billboard company and was an influence sometimes not always a positive influence. But his father's workaholic attitude created the drive in Ted.

There is a Knoxville connection to Ted. As he began working and running his father's billboard business in the late 1960's. Knoxville was a two billboard company and one of the company's would be up for sale at auction. It was assumed that the one other company would wait and low ball price the bid and get the sale. Ted came to Knoxville, rented a car under an alias. He drove around and located the billboard spots and drove no where near the office to keep from being spotted. His Atlanta lawyer located a low key Knoxville lawyer. Ted informed him to drop the bid at the last minute for $50,300.00 and sure enough the two bids were opened and the low ball competitor in Knoxville bid $50,000.00 so Ted bought the Knoxville billboard company for $50,300.00.

His building of WTBS, CNN and all the other channels that they have is a remarkable story. I recommend this read to you. For those of you like me, read about Jane Fonda but don't base your belief on Ted because of Jane.

Zach Wamp - He is One of Us.