Exhibition: Plein-air Paintings of the Tennessee’s State Capitol
Gayle Levée
A Light to the Nations

The public is invited to an opening reception at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville for Plein-air Paintings of the Tennessee’s State Capitol and The People’s House: A Temple of Democracy in conjunction with the Downtown Nashville’s First Saturday Night Gallery Crawl Saturday, April 4, from 6 to 9 p.m.. To see pictures from these exhibitions and to learn more visit the Tennessee State Museum page on Art Museum Touring.com, Link....

Sherrie

Ron Olsen working on one of his metal scuptures

Centennial Art Center in Nashville welcome The Nashville Calligraphers’ Guild – Members’ Exhibit
& Sculpture by Ron Olson exhibition with an opening reception Friday, April 3, 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Visit the Centennial Art Center page on Art Museum Touring.com, Link..., to see examples of the artwork that will be on display.

Sherrie

TNDP: An open letter to Tennessee Democrats

“Obviously, we’re disappointed in the outcome of key legislative races. But we’re not surprised given Sen. John McCain’s unusually muscular performance in Tennessee. At first glance, his 15-point win here appears to be the strongest since President George Bush won over Michael Dukakis in 1988. For Democrats running in otherwise competitive legislative races, that level of inertia was tough to overcome.

“Regardless, there were silver linings. We’re proud of candidates like newly elected state Rep. Ty Cobb, who won a decisive victory over his Republican opponent in Columbia. And we look forward to great things in the future from candidates like Nathan Vaughn, who came just 326 votes shy of winning re-election in a county that McCain carried by more than 26,000. And Roger Byrge, who came within 400 votes of claiming a Republican seat in a district that McCain carried by more than 7,000. Our Party has a deep bench of talent. Now, we need to spend time working in the off-season figuring out how to convert those almost-wins into real victories in 2010. Make no mistake: The race to take back the House and Senate begins today.”

Read the rest at the TNDP Blog.

I am writing today to ask for your vote on November 4th in my campaign for the US Senate. I am running as a progressive, Green Party candidate because I believe that the time has come to end the war in Iraq, ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care and to restore common sense and decency to our national dialogue.

• 2nd District: Jones (D) v. Ramsey (R): Easy win for Ramsey.

• 4th District: Williams (I) v. Faulk (R): TNGOP wasted their money. Williams holds this seat.

• 6th District: Farmer (D) v. Woodson (R): Easy win for Woodson.

• 8th District: Lapides (I) v. Overbey (R): Will be closer than it looks, but Overbey in an easy win.

• 10th District: Berke (D) v. Brown (R): Easy win for Berke.

• 12th District: Ruppe (D) v. Yager (R): Yager might have the name recognition edge, plus the TNGOP is going all in. On the other hand, Gov. Bredesen and U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis have been campaigning for Ruppe. This is a must win for control of the Tennessee Senate, and it's too close to call. We are pulling for Ruppe, but getting an uneasy feeling that Yager has a slight edge. Ruppe and the Democrats need to GOTV big time.

• 14th District: Stewart (D) v. Niederhauser (R): Don't know much about this one. Fundraising seems to favor Stewart by a large margin in this usually Democratic district.

• 16th District: Rogers (D) v. Tracy (R): A good effort by the insurgent Democrat but safe for Republicans.

• 18th District: Hawkins (D) v. Black (R): Another good effort by the insurgent but Black had a cash advantage not to mention incumbency. Probably Black, but a remote possibility for an upset?

• 20th District: Haynes (D) v. Hall (R): Easy win for Haynes.

• 22nd District: Barnes (D) v. Kurita (I): Barnes victory will be recorded with an asterisk.

• 24th District: Herron (D) is unopposed.

• 26th District: Camp (D) v. Gresham (R): Another must win for control of the Tennessee Senate that has turned vicious. Gresham was ahead in fundraising, but she is getting hammered by the TNDP on ethics and an undistinguished record in the State House. It shouldn't even be close, but slight edge to Camp.

• 28th District: Kyle (D) is unopposed.

• 30th District: Marrero (D) is unopposed.

• 32nd District: Norris (R) is unopposed.

Have all your local candidates filed the Statement of Disclosure of Interests (ss-8004 & ss-8005) reports?

Link...

If you can't find one, email the State Ethics Commission and ask if one has been filed.

Candidate for State Senate District 18 Jim Hawkins issues statement re. Diane Black attack ads.

Last night Diane Black began running attack ads on primetime television against former opponent and current Gallatin Mayor, Jo Ann Graves. The ads began airing on multiple Nashville television stations as part of Black's re-election effort. The TV ads do not reveal that Black's opponent is Jim Hawkins, not Jo Ann Graves.

The Sumner County Democratic Party called on Black to apologize for airing the attack ads. [Ed note: See below.]

Jim Hawkins, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 18, joined the call for Senator Black to apologize.

"It is unfortunate for Mayor Graves and her family that this happened. It appears to be a careless mistake by Senator Black's campaign, but it is truly disappointing to hear Mr. Black's initial reaction to Mayor Graves' request," said Hawkins. "I call on Senator Black to immediately apologize to Mayor Graves, her family, and the public who may have been confused or misled by these commercials."

"While these ads remind us of Senator Black's track record of partisan politics, the core message of the Jim Hawkins campaign continues to be progress, not politics," said Hawkins. "Robertson and Sumner Counties deserve and need a new State Senator who will lead with a focus on public service, common ground, and strong Tennessee mainstream values. I will be that State Senator."

not only will Diane Black not debate Jim Hawkins, apparently she's afraid to admit that Hawkins is running against her.

That was exactly what I thought when I saw on the TNDP blog that Sundquist had passed around $67K to candidates.

I was waiting for the TNGOP to issue a press release condemning any candidate who took it and demanding that they give it back. The TNDP beat them to it.

Still waiting for Bill Hobbs to weigh in on GOP candidates taking money from a known socialist.

Joe Lance at Tennessee Ticket has a rundown of the State Senate races. As you know, fireworks are flying in a couple of districts, and he has some interesting observations re. Kurita and Williams. ("For every Mike Williams, there is an equal and opposite Rosalind Kurita.")

State Senate roundup, part 1

State Senate roundup, part 2

The United States has been at war with Afghanistan for six years. The original intention of the war with Afghanistan was to find and capture Osama Bin Laden. In the years since the original occupation of Afghanistan, the war with Iraq has eclipsed both national and international attention, leaving Afghanistan as America's forgotten war. Much like Korea was in the 1950's, the United States is engaged in a war it cannot win against an enemy it cannot defeat. Recently, rhetoric by both the Democratic and Republican Presidential campaigns has been actively calling for a troop surge in Afghanistan. In addition to costing the United States more money that we cannot afford to pay, this foreign policy decision ignores the obvious repercussions of an extended and increased war with Afghanistan.

The TNDP refreshes her memory.

KNS endorsements: Another GOP trifecta for State Senate

KNS: Newspaper endorsements are irrelevant, but we'll go ahead and endorse Alexander, Duncan, Wamp, and Roe anyway

Bob Russell:

Andy Berke:

Becky Ruppe:

From the press release:

Jim Hawkins, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 18, today announced the endorsements of several key groups representing Tennessee's first line of defense. The endorsements included the Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association, Gallatin Firefighters Association Local 4501, and the Tennessee Police Benevolent Association. The groups represent Tennessee's professional fire fighters, emergency management service staff, police officers, sheriff's deputies, and law enforcement officials.

Hawkins called the endorsements a significant honor and an affirmation of his campaign's focus.

"To be endorsed and supported by the brave men and women who protect our families and communities is truly an honor," said Jim Hawkins. "I am humbled by their support. My campaign has a strong focus on protecting and advancing the quality of life for all Tennesseans, and these endorsements reflect my focus on the public interest."

The Hawkins campaign also welcomed financial support from the first line of protection in healthcare, the Tennessee Nurses Association PAC. In a telling move, the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) withdrew their historic support of incumbent State Senator Diane Black, a registered nurse, whom they endorsed in 2004. The TNA did not endorse either candidate, instead choosing to provide both candidates with a check from their PAC.

"I deeply appreciate the importance of Tennessee nurses to the health and well-being of our state," said Hawkins. "I am honored to receive their financial support."

Hawkins continued, "The fact that the TNA chose not to endorse one of their own speaks volumes. It reflects a shift away from out of touch, professional politicians and a renewed focus on the citizens of this district and this state, which is at the heart of my campaign."

This is a great opportunity for Democrats to pick up a seat in the Tennessee Senate and throw a monkeywrench in the TNGOP redistricting schemes.

Here are summaries of the third quarter campaign finance reports as candidates for Tennessee Senate head into the home stretch:

TN-2
Ron Ramsey (R): Raised: $69,511, On hand: $248,704
Bill Jones (D): No report found

TN-4
Mike Williams (I): Raised: $43,916, On hand: $59,908
Mike Faulk (R): Raised: $48,384, On hand: $67,786

TN-6
Gary Farmer (D): Raised: $50, On hand: -$934
Jamie Woodson (R): Raised: $93,465, On hand: $270,626

TN-8
Doug Overbey (R): Raised: $36,300, On hand: $36,971
Doc Lapides (I): Raised: $595, On hand: $2,379

TN-10
Andy Berke (D): Raised: $87,180, On hand: $134,946
Oscar Brown (R): Raised: $0, On hand: $100

TN-12
Becky Ruppe (D): Raised: $75,810, On hand: $114,509
Ken Yager (R): Raised: $67,245, On hand: $176,903
Christopher Fenner (I): Raised: $0, On hand: $0

TN-14
Eric Stewart (D): Raised: $107,671, On hand: $129,442
Mike Niederhauser (R): Raised: $31,238, On hand: $25,838

TN-16
Jim Tracy (R): Raised: $77,150 On hand: $320,166
Jean Anne Rogers (D): Raised: $51,886, On hand: $104,661

TN-18
Jim Hawkins (D): Raised: $57,206, On hand: $94,762
Diane Black (R): Raised: $40,752, On hand: $229,009

TN-20
Joe Haynes (D): Raised: $69,610, On hand: $215,497
David Hall (R): Raised: $7,429, On hand: $17

TN-22
Rosalind Kurita (I): Raised: $47,495, On hand: $75,579
Tim Barnes (D): Raised: $43,787, On hand: $37,801

TN-24
Roy Herron (D): Raised: $7,300, On hand: $331,744

TN-26
Randy Camp (D): Raised: $76,330, On hand: $124,508
Dolores Gresham (R): Raised: $208,885, On hand: $77,530

TN-28
Jim Kyle (D): Raised: $17,550, On hand: $121,230

TN-30
Beverly Marrero (D): Raised: $8,000, On hand: $19,319

TN-32
Mark Norris (R): Raised: $36,715, On hand: $128,217

By my calculations, the totals are:

Democrats: Raised: $602,380, On hand: $1,427,485
Republicans: Raised: $717,074, On hand: $1,581,867
Independents: Raised: $92,006, On hand: $137,866

There's more to it than just the numbers, and fundraising may be closer than it looks. For example, Democrats with little or no opposition outnumber Republicans six to four. Presumably, candidates with little or no opposition aren't working very hard at fundraising.

Also skewing the numbers, Republicans are pulling out all the stops for Dolores Gresham in the 26th district in hopes of taking retiring Sen. John Wilder's senate seat back from the Democrats. But recent revelations about Gresham receiving state grants that were pushed through by a committee she was on plus some embarrassing debate videos may have Republicans wishing they had fielded a different candidate or kept their powder dry to fight another day (or used it somewhere else).

Is it any surprise Diane Black doesn't want to debate him?

Kleinheider has a press release from the Yager campaign rebutting Becky Ruppe's ad that says he raised taxes and left Roane County in debt.

Ruppe's ad says he raised taxes 45% and left office with the county $45 million in debt.

Yager's rebuttal is that these are false statements. Their proof? "...when Yager left office, Roane County’s tax rate was lower than when he entered office. Also, Yager’s fiscal management improved Roane County’s credit to an 'A' rating."

So what? The county could raise taxes 45% or more and still have a lower tax rate. And the county can be $45 million in debt and still get an 'A' rating.

Where are the facts to back up the accusation that Ruppe's ad "falsely states" taxes went up and the county had $45 million in debt?

Typical GOP misdirection play. Sounds like Bill Hobbs wrote it for them.

The Yager (Hobbs?) campaign piece also says "Ken spent his years in office working to bring high-paying jobs to Roane County and improve the quality of life for all citizens."

Unlike Yager (Hobbs?), TN Senate Democratic Caucus spokesperson Mark Brown has facts to back up Ruppe's ad, and more facts regarding the loss of jobs in Roane Co. on Yager's watch (documents courtesy of ACK and Post Politics).

Does the TNGOP really think people are this stupid? Apparently so, because they keep floating BS like this expecting people to believe it.

Joe Powell has a detailed report on last night's debate between candidates for U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 1st Congressional District.

This could be a historic election, and Democrats have fielded a great candidate who might just be able to pull off what some would consider a miracle.

Becky Ruppe, candidate for Tennessee Senate from the 12th District, is sending out this mailer:

(Click for bigger)

Ruppe v. Yager heats up...

Although most of their press releases are about abortion, illegal immigration, gun rights, the war on terror, and taking over the Tennessee legislature, the Tennessee Republican Party has weighed in on the economy from time to time:

TNGOP Press Release, Jan. 2008: "On the economic front, Democrats want to convey fear about "recession." Despite a rise of almost 12% in real after-tax per capita income (averaging $3550 per worker), the reduction of the federal deficit by $250 Billion over the last 3 years and 52 straight months of economic growth in an environment of the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, corporate scandals, natural disasters in hurricanes, drought and fires, our resilient markets are now responding to the impact of 1.8 million subprime mortgages due to reset at higher rates."

TNGOP Press Release, Jan. 2008: "Our economy is resilient as evidenced by the numerous rebounds during the War on Terror, after September 11, rising energy costs, etc. The problem and continued financial uncertainty is the result of personal debt that includes commitments in the housing sector, specifically mortgages that were outside the fiscal range of families' budgets. Economists and financial experts are stating that a correction will be healthy for our economy and part of the cycles that occur regularly. Republicans want to extend and make permanent tax cuts while Democrats are proposing billions of dollars in tax increases."

TNGOP Press Release, Feb. 2008: "Republicans running for president are engaged in discussions about policy that will create jobs, reduce the regulation on small businesses and make a positive impact on our economy in the short and long-term view."

TNGOP Press Release, Mar. 2008: "The Doom and Gloom Democrats are at it again, taking a small dip in the economy and pretending it's the Second Great Depression, in order to convince voters to buy the "hope" they're selling that's really just the same ol' liberal recipe of higher taxes, more government spending and more government regulation. But the truth is that while the economy has taken some hits recently, it's not as bad as the Democrats will claim between now and election day. As the Wall Street Journal pointed out, 2008 is nothing like 1929."

The Tennessee Republican Party's communication director has given a little more attention to the economy, and specifically the success of the Bush/GOP economic policies:

Bill Hobbs, Oct. 2006: "The Bush Economic Boom is even bigger than previously reported, which is one reason for the rapidly shrinking federal deficit. I blame the Bush tax cuts."

Bill Hobbs, Jun. 2007: "We just had our 45th straight month of real job growth. The Bush economic boom started with his tax cuts and it is real and long-lasting."

Bill Hobbs, Oct. 2007: "The Bush economic boom sustained a gut punch on 9/11 and kept on growing, as it has for more than six years now. It's an economy that can take a punch, unlike the brittle Clinton-era economic boom that was undone by the collapse of a stock market bubble in one small sector of the economy. (That the Clinton economic "boom" could be ended by the collapse of a few dot-com stocks suggests that Clinton's economic boom was, much like the dot-com boom, an economic mirage - a bubble.) So, who do we blame for our terrible economy today? Me, I blame the Bush tax cuts."

Bill Hobbs, Nov. 2007: "Economist Larry Kudlow says the economy is booming - and he's got plenty of data to support it. In fact, some of the data suggests economic growth is accelerating, Kudlow blames the Bush tax cuts for the boom. I do too."

Bill Hobbs, Feb. 2008: "The "mortgage crisis" is really just a shakeout of some bad deals in one very small corner of the overall mortgage market. A tax credit would make those homes more attractive to buyers. But, then, so will their falling prices. That's the way it always works."

Bill Hobbs, March 2008: "But the overall economy is still growing, a fact not reflected in the news coverage of the economy."

Bill Hobbs, May 2008: "The economic expansion launched by the Bush tax cuts continues uninterrupted so far. Has the pace of economic growth slowed? Yes. But the economy is still growing. Remember that the next time you here [sic] some Democrat candidate whining about the "recession," and talking about how bad the economy is."

Bill Hobbs, June 2008: "When it comes to the economy, the good news is the news isn't all bad. The bad news is the news media tends to cover the bad news more than the good."

Voters in Tennessee and across the nation, please ask yourself: Do we need four more years of delusional government like this?

John Guider
Canoe at River's Edge, Sunset along the Mississippi River

The River Inside, opens October 3rd at the State Museum. Visit the Tennessee State Museum on Art Museum touring.page (Link...) The River Inside tells the story of Guider’s solo journey through the camera’s eye. Guider, who completed the upper portions of the Mississippi in three subsequent solo canoe trips taken from 2005 to 2007, captured more than 10,000 scenes of America’s waterways on film during his trips. He then selected and processed just 75 platinum prints representative of the people and places he encountered along the way. The images offer a revealing perspective on the natural and controlled inland waterways that bisect the nation.

Also, on exhibit is Akira Blount’s Enchanted Dolls through November 30. Akira Blount is more than just a doll maker; she is an internationally recognized figurative artist.

This week's Art Museum Touring.com "Openings, Closings, and Events" newsletter has been posted (Link...) showing what is going on at the participating museums and galleries in the nine state southeast region. This week the Hill Memorial Library LSU Libraries’ Special Collections, Baton Rouge, LA joined Art Museum Touring.com.

Support your local galleries and museums! They are economic engines for your community.

Sherrie

9.30.08 Nashville, TN: The Coalition for October Debate Alternatives (CODA) announced today the Presidential Candidate's Alternative Debate to take place October 6th, in Nashville, Tennessee. The debate is open to all third party candidates for President in the United States as well as the major party nominees. The debate, which is scheduled to take place on the campus of Vanderbilt University on Monday, October 6th will feature several Presidential Candidates who have confirmed attendance including Brad Lyttle of the US Pacifist Party, Charles Jay of the Boston Tea Party, Frank McEnulty of the New American Independence Party and Brian Moore of the Socialist Party. The Constitution Party has also confirmed that Presidential Candidate Chuck Baldwin or Vice Presidential Candidate Darrell Castle will attend the event.

The debate, which is being organized by CODA has been in the making for several months and is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 6th at 7:00pm, one day prior to the Presidential Debates which are happening at Belmont University in Nashville on October 7th. CODA says that many of the Presidential candidates have been excluded from attending the Belmont debate.

In a recent release to the press CODA indicated that is was organizing the alternative debate because it believed that voters deserve to hear from all the candidates if they are going to make an informed choice at the ballot box, " While we want to hear what the major party candidates have to say on issues related to the war, health care, the economy, gas prices, the future direction of the military, civil liberties and the environment, we do not believe that most issues of concern to American voters will be touched by the Democrat-Republican debate. That is why we are organizing an alternative debate so that voters in Nashville, Tennessee and beyond may be informed of all their choices as they participate in America's electoral process."

The general public and the media is invited to attend this event, which will begin at 7pm on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville. The moderator for the event will be Bruce Barry, a professor at the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt.

Chris Lugo, of the Coalition for October Debate Alternatives, said that the Democratic and Republican candidates have also been invited to the event, but have not indicated an interest in attending, "We believe that voters should make a fully informed choice about who they vote for and we do not believe this is possible if they are only hearing from two candidates. We have invited the Barack Obama and John McCain in the interest of fairness, but we are intending to highlight this alternative debate as the most egalitarian possible event by including all the candidates and promoting this as an event to which everyone is invited."

Presidential Candidate's Alternative Debate
Vanderbilt University
4309 Stevenson Center
Nashville, TN 37240

Monday October 6th
Candidate's Debate 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Light Reception to Follow Debate

For more information visit:
Link...