Governor Bredesen Vetoes Gun Bill

May 19, 2010

Governor Bredesen has vetoed HB3225/SB3012, which would allow those with a concealed carry permit to carry their guns concealed into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. Permit holders would not be able to consume alcohol, just go in a restaurant or bar and have a meal, etc.

The principle is the same as laws against drunk driving. You are not permitted to drink and drive but you are permitted to bring alcohol home from the store.

Read more about the bill from the Tennessee General Assembly.

Tennessee Firearms Association expects swift action to override the veto.
***UPDATE***
5/28 TN Senate Overrides Governor’s Gun Veto


Constitution Refresher Seminar

May 12, 2010

Attention Tea Party folks and Constitution Party members in Memphis and the Mid-South! Consider attending and inviting your friends to this class on our nation’s most important document:

Constitution Refresher Class

Speaker: Hal Rounds, Attorney

Date: Saturday, May 15

Location: Jason’s Deli in Memphis (corner of Poplar and Highland)

Time: 9am-4pm, with short lunch break

Cost: $10 admission to help cover room costs – pay at the door


Senator Corker “Really Nervous” from Audience Silence at Chattanooga Speech

May 11, 2010

Senator Bob Corker gave a recent speech in his hometown of Chattanooga about the financial future of America. His speech was to the Better Business Bureau, and the Kingsport Times News quoted him as saying he is “very concerned” that the United States could end up like Greece “if we don’t deal with this soon.”

He was also quoted as saying that the “greatest threat we have” is government not being honest about the nation’s financial affairs, the national debt and politicians continuing to try to give citizens everything they want.

The senator went on to say that he understood, but admitted later that the lack of applause at the end “makes me really nervous.”

I have a few comments about the senator’s speech and a few suggestions. I applaud your recognition of the grave financial catastrophe faced by the United States. I will take issue  with your opinion that lack of honesty is our greatest threat. The federal government, of which you are now a part, is not and never has been honest. Why would a federal representative choose this crisis to deal with honestly? Still, we have survived generations of dishonest politicians.

I suggest instead that our biggest threat is the dishonest, usurious, debt based, fiat money system created by the Federal Reserve. It is the unlimited money in the form of credit created by the Fed that has brought the nation to the brink of ruin. Why then do you not support Congressman Paul’s bill to audit the Fed? Why do you instead support your friend Chris Dodd’s efforts to gut, i.e. render ineffective, Congressman Paul’s bill?

I admit that asking the Fed to account for how it spent trillions of our dollars is a bit cheeky of us. Even more cheeky is our request that the Fed tell us what it did with our gold.

Why do you support the things that lead to fiscal ruin such as wars in foreign countries and budgets with $1.6 trillion deficits? Why not be a champion for the people you represent instead of the banks? Lead us back to fiscal sanity, Senator. Vote to audit the Fed and be active to support the audit. End the wars, secure the borders, balance the budget.

Do any of those things Senator, never mind all, and I will be the first to stand and applaud.

Finally, I suggest a debate between you and Congressman Paul to be conducted at Vanderbilt University in the near future. The subject would be The Federal Reserve – Good or Bad For The American People? I would be glad to moderate the debate or I’m sure Vanderbilt could supply a moderator. If Congressman Paul is unable to do it, which I doubt, then I would be happy to fill in for him.

How about it, Senator? There’s very little time left as you well know.

- Darrell Castle


Used Up and Thrown Away

May 5, 2010

A recent article in the New York Times which was picked up by many other publications indicated that programs designed to help physically and psychologically wounded veterans transition into civilian life is still failing miserably.

The Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) at Fort Carson, Colorado, was the focus of the article, although there are many such units in the country. The WTU’s are supposed to help soldiers wounded in combat transition to civilian life or in some cases return to their units.

Many soldiers assigned to Fort Carson, along with their families, were interviewed regarding their experience in the WTU. Quite often the family had to be interviewed because the soldier had taken his own life. There have been months where more soldiers were lost to suicide than died in combat.

According to the Times article, the WTU’s are “warehouses of despair, where damaged men and women are kept out of sight, fed a diet of powerful prescription pills and treated harshly by Noncommissioned Officers.”

The WTU is commanded by regular army NCO’s. Any person who has served in the military would know that’s a problem. The units should be headed by officers who are doctors, preferably trained in mental health. There should be no regular army NCO’s in charge of wounded troops. It’s not that they do a bad job; it’s that they do what they are trained to do and these soldiers just can’t take any more of it.

These problems have existed throughout our nine years of continuous desert warfare. Today’s soldiers are used up and thrown away like any other worn out piece of gear.

If a Constitution Party administration were in charge of the U.S. military, the promises made to veterans would be kept. The Constitution Party is completely committed to reducing the plight of veterans, wounded and otherwise. The military obviously has many soldiers from Tennessee, including entire National Guard units deployed in combat.

Perhaps it’s time the state governors, including Governor Bredeson, demand that President Obama do something to provide proper care for them. But wait. I forgot that President Obama is the one who demanded they pay for their care with private health insurance. Oh well, never mind.

- Darrell Castle


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