Posts from — March 2009

In what I suspected was only a matter of time, the State Legislature will soon debate the issue of ‘guns on campus’ – thanks to Representative Stacey Campfield, who is carrying HB0798 through the House Criminal Practice and Procedure Subcommittee tomorrow. The caption reads

Firearms and Ammunition – As introduced, authorizes full-time faculty and staff at public colleges and universities in Tennessee to carry handguns if not otherwise prohibited by law. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

UT Knoxville professor and Instapundit blogger Glenn Reynolds favors the notion, stating, “I have a number of students with carry permits and I’d feel safer, not less safe, if they were carrying on campus.”

Those of you who favor this measure should contact Chairman Eric Watson(R), Judd Matheny and Chad Faulkner (both Republicans), and Eddie Bass – (a Democrat) who is a retired Sheriff. A brief e-mail followed by a pleasant phone call will go a long way!

This Subcommittee appears to be very pro-gun. Matheny holds a carry permit and has a background in security. Faulkner is a Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy. Bass is a former Sheriff. Camper and Sontany are likely anti-gun, but if Campfield can swing Bass’ vote, then it won’t matter. Representative Camper actually served in the military for some time, so she may also serve as a “yes” vote on this measure. I’m cautiously optimistic.

For those of you who do not remember or were not aware, I carried legislation through the MTSU SGA Senate in October 2007 which would have petitioned the state to take up this issue in favor of allowing carry permit holders to carry on campus. Y’all can thank me later.

See Also: Knoxville News Sentinel, Kleinheider

UPDATE: Be sure to tune in to WKRN Channel 2 News tonight for a special report on HB0798 – with yours truly!

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration website recently underwent an upgrade, which might assist visitors who feel emotional distress as a direct result of Obama’s failed economic policies. It looks like this:

Alright, the title is a stretch – as I do not support a global currency – but the Russians have decided that returning to the Gold Standard might not be such a bad idea, and I can not say that I disagree with them.

Arkady Dvorkevich, the Kremlin’s chief economic adviser, said Russia would favour the inclusion of gold bullion in the basket-weighting of a new world currency based on Special Drawing Rights issued by the International Monetary Fund.

Chinese and Russian leaders both plan to open debate on an SDR-based reserve currency as an alternative to the US dollar at the G20 summit in London this week, although the world may not yet be ready for such a radical proposal.

I am unaware of the details surrounding this story; however, I just wanted to compare news coverage between the Daily News Journal and the Murfreesboro Post.

Daily News Journal

Murfreesboro Police Officer Wade Hatfield has been placed on administrative leave, according to a Channel 4 News report.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation told Channel 4 that Hatfield took kickbacks.

Murfreesboro Post

One Murfreesboro motorcycle police officer was decommissioned Friday as part of an ongoing undisclosed investigation, the spokesman said. Officer Wade Hatfield was placed on administrative leave with pay, said spokesman Kyle Evans.

“Hatfield has been decommissioned due to an ongoing investigation,” Evans said, adding he couldn’t comment about the nature of the probe. 
He previously worked as a police officer in La Vergne before joining Murfreesboro Police Department Nov. 29, 2004. He was promoted to the motor division in 2007. 

Under the decommission order, Hatfield cannot carry a police firearm or badge, wear a police uniform, perform any law enforcement duties or work off-duty police jobs. He cannot be at the police department unless authorized by Chief Glenn Chrisman or Deputy Chief Randy Garrett. 

He must cooperate with the investigation. Murfreesboro Police notified the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards Training Commission Hatfield was decommissioned.

I really have nothing else to add here… it really just speaks for itself.