South End Grounds

Groundskeeper Returns From the Airport

I have returned from trips across America on behalf of my employer.  Now that I'm home, I think I will nail my feet to the ground in Spring Hill, Tennessee. 

Big thanks to Ben Cunningham for filling in during my extended absence.  Judging from my emails, I wasn't the only person out there who enjoys this blog more when I'm not writing it.  Hopefully, we haven't heard the last of TaxRevoltBen.  Thanks again, Ben.

A few items on my mind.....

It took a while but Chris Newton finally did the right thing by resigning his House seat and pleading guilty to charges of public corruption.  I don't believe his assertion that he thought the bribe was a campaign contribution.  If he truly believed it, he should have taken the case to trial.  I also don't buy his "Aw shucks, I got caught up in business as usual in Nashville" line.  Chris Newton is one of the most skilled politicians I have ever known and so he remains until the bitter end. 

Chris also remained a Republican-In-Name-Only until the bitter end.  He chose to make his resignation effective on Nov. 1.  By law, the governor can call a special election to fill his seat.  However the Polk County Commission will be able to appoint a replacement until that election is held, if it is held at all.  That body is controlled by Democrats who will surely appoint one of their own.  Given the November effective date of his resignation, a special election couldn't be held until March or April, just a few months before the regularly scheduled one.  So the appointed Representative will be able run with the advantages of incumbency.  But if a Democrat holds that seat, will it really be much different than Chris Newton?

At least Newton spared the taxpayers the time and expense of a trial.  Will the titular head of the Tennessee Democratic Party call on the indicted legislators of his party to do the same? 

My greatest disappointment with Chris is that he sold himself out for $1,500 -- next to nothing.  They say that every man has his price, but that's awfully cheap.

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Rep. Stacey Campfield reports that Bill Dunn has joined the race to succeed Tre' Hargett as House Republican Leader.  He joins Glen Casada, Jason Mumpower, Paul Stanley, Curry Todd and Harry Brooks.  With this many candidates it's tough to handicap the race, but this we know for sure, no matter who wins the race House Republicans will have a good leader. 

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Get your gas now.  My town is out of gas and the place where I filled up said they'll run dry soon.  Pricetag to put a half-tank of gas into my Camry -- $32.00.  Fuel troubles are certainly momentary and minor compared to those affected on the Gulf Coast.  Our prayers are with them.

Breaking News - Another Tennessee Waltz Indictment

by the Pinch Hitter

From the Commercial Appeal:

A federal grand jury moments ago returned an indictment against County Commission Chairman Michael Hooks. Hooks, 54, is serving his third term.

Federal prosecutor Tim DiScenza asked the judge to issue a warrant for Hooks's arrest, but asked that he be released on his own recognizance.

Prosecutors say Hooks could make a court appearance by this afternoon.

The indictment says Hooks received payment to use his influence to obtain county government contracts for E-Cycle Management,the bogus FBI company that solicited bribery charges against five current and former state lawmakers.

According to the indictment, when Hooks began meeting with representatives of the FBI sham company around August 2004, he told them "I’ve got a deficit. Are they dropping off any checks?"

That deficit, Hooks told them, was $38,000, and he told them he would need "whatever E-Cycle wanted to do."

E-Cycle officials asked what Hooks could do for them, and he was told the company needed a long-term contract with the county to take away old computers, the indictment says.

The indictment says Hooks received $6,000 in cash on Sept. 7, 2004.

He got $10,000 on Sept. 16, 2004.

When told the next payment would be $6,000, the indictment says Hooks replied: "that motivates me and satisfies you."

Finally, the indictment says that on Dec. 15, 2004, Hooks met with E-Cycle representatives - undercover FBI agents - who gave him $3,700 in cash in the bathroom at Earnestine & Hazel’s.

The Commercial Appeal will update this story as details become available.

Your own Protest rocket for distributing "printed matter or plant seeds."

Your own protest rocket.

Venezuela, The New Saudi Arabia?

It looks like the president of Venezuela is going to provide some cheap fuel oil to the US. Could this be akin to the oil for tolerance move that the Saudi’s have accomplished so well over the past 60 years? If it is, expect people like Michael Moore to denounce this move. Right…

Mandatory tipping? Isn't that the same as price fixing?

Wonder what will happen to the level of service at this restaurant? It will decline of course, just as it does with the quality of any good or service where the price is fixed.

Google to offer Wi-fi to everyone on the planet? This author sees it coming.

Googlenet??

Very interesting Interview with the Director of Education for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

An interview with the Director of Education for the Gates Foundation.

Asteroid dust may have a larger impact on climate than previously thought.

Who woulda thunk it. Climate changes that are not attributable to humankind....hmmmmm.

Why take on Wal-Mart??

The assualt on Wal-Mart seems very bizarre and irrational to me. Tens of millions of people voluntarily work and shop at Wal-mart each day.

However, the great thing about Wal-Mart and any other private business is that you never have to darken their door, as an employee OR customer, if you choose not to.

If you don't like their health insurance or the wages, don't apply for a job. If you think their products are cheap and poor quality or you don't like buying imports then don't buy their products. That seems pretty simple.

This is an interesting editorial about a teacher union boycott on Wal-Mart.

Flock - A new "Social Browser" under development.

Social browser based on Firefox in limited beta test.