A reminder to turn your clocks one hour ahead this early Sunday morning. Politicians regularly promised to do away with this twice-a-year daylight savings time debacle, but like so many of their promises, nothing ever happens. Kind of like a commitment to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse of our tax dollars.
HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM.
Astronaut Butch Wilmore took “one small step” toward a campaign for the Republican nomination for Tennessee Governor last week. His interest in the office generated a lot of immediate buzz. However, the Tennessee Constitution requires a gubernatorial candidate to meet a 7-year residency threshold. He and his family have been living in Houston, Texas, until recently. It also appears that he does not meet the ”Bona fide” standard to run as a Republican, which requires having voted in three of the past four GOP statewide primaries. Voting in recent Texas GOP primaries could be sufficient to meet that provision, but would confirm that he has not been a Tennessee resident. The qualifying deadline is Tuesday, and it doesn’t seem like he will be on the ballot in August.
PADDY-MELT. Michael O’Leary also got political tongues wagging when he stepped up to challenge Congressman Andy Ogles in the 5th District August GOP primary. The owner of the Lost Paddy Pub in Nashville picked up a petition to run last week. Like many other prospective candidates, the pesky “Bona fide” rules seem to be biting him in the butt. O’Leary seems to have only voted in one of the past four statewide GOP primaries rather than the three out of four required by GOP bylaws. Ironically, the final call on his qualifications, or lack thereof, will likely come on March 17…St. Patrick’s Day.
CAN WE RENAME ALABAMA “ALABAMASTAN” WHILE WE ARE AT IT? Tennessee lawmakers are considering a bill that would require state agencies to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank” in official documents. Former Auburn (and Tennessee) basketball coach Bruce Pearl came to Nashville this week to advocate for the bill.
Supporters call it a matter of historical accuracy, while critics question why state legislators are focused on terminology tied to a region overseas, far beyond the state’s borders.
What’s next…legally dictating the Middle East pronunciation of Lebanon?
NOEM’S LAST OFFICIAL DHS APPEARANCE BEFORE FIRING/PROMOTION WAS IN NASHVILLE.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was in Nashville Thursday, giving keynote remarks on the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, just moments after the president announced she is stepping down/up. Meanwhile, Trump was simultaneously announcing her replacement, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin.
Noem’s frequent companion, Corey Lewandowski, a special employee at DHS is expected to depart the agency with Noem. Controversy and investigations concerning the two, beyond their rumored personal involvement, are likely to continue beyond their exit from DHS, primarily involving his alleged role in a $200 million ad buy that featured Noem.
Steve Gill, editor Publisher of TriStar Daily.
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