Our Legislators represent their campaign donors, not us. This is almost hilarious, a TN legislator claiming he has "No idea who gives me money".

Faison heads the House Republican Caucus.

We asked, "The Bivens group helps raise money for your caucus?"

"Absolutely," he answered.

We pressed, "What does that say that you are turning to people who are trying to influence you for campaign contributions?"

"Who is trying to influence me?" Faison said.

Again, we asked, "You don't think they are giving thousands of dollars to try to influence you?"

"You didn't hear what I said a few minutes ago. I have no clue who gives me money."

Well the AirBNB Lobbyists gave him thousands and worked to raise more for him. Check this story out and also check out who gives our State Senator thousands as well.

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Subject: RE: Repeated Requests from WBEFC

Mr. Wilson, et al.,

I’m sending this email on behalf of Timothy Joseph.

Thank you,

Janice Moody

Dear Mr. Wilson:

Thank you for responding to my most recent correspondence. I wish to first clarify I am not at all trying to be difficult. I only want the same thing you apparently want as stated in your letter: “. . . prevent establishment of bighead carp and silver carp . . .” I fully understand how the barrier priority was established, and I recognize the need to reduce recruitment in infested areas as I have said in each of my previous letters. However, far, far more important is prevention of the spread into uninvaded lakes, which is the primary focus of all invasive species strategies nationwide.

The multiagency group involved in developing the Tennessee River plan was not asked how best to prevent the silver carp from invading carp free lakes, or what has the highest priority, slowing recruitment or preventing invasion into new lakes—they were only asked how to best reduce recruitment. Therein lies the fallacy of your strategy. I know of no agency staff or biologist who believes reducing recruitment into lakes with silver carp is more important than preventing them from reaching uninvaded lakes. If they do, please tell me which agencies believe this, so I may contact them to understand their reasoning.

I see that the multiagency group was drawn from at least Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky. It is easy to understand why the other states would lean toward reducing recruitment in their respective reaches rather than protecting lakes which lie solely within Tennessee. However, the TWRA must stand tall in such a group in order to protect the uninvaded lakes in Tennessee—certainly the group will concur protecting these lakes from economic and ecological devastation is critical, and thus more important than first reducing recruitment into their lakes already impacted. Please ask them.

To cut through all the rhetoric and simplify my requests, I ask that you directly answer the six questions below, which I have asked before at least three times. It is not adequate for you to again merely state that the decision came from a multiagency group, for that reply does not answer my questions. These are straight forward questions and not meant to confuse the issue—they deserve your answers. Feel free to ask the multiagency group to answer the questions as well. No biologist could possibly have a problem with these questions:

1. What action stands the best chance of preventing silver carp from invading and establishing populations in the upper four Tennessee River lakes? (1) placing the first barrier at Kentucky Lake, or (2) placing the first barrier at Watts Bar? If (1) please explain.

2. Do you agree with the USFWS 2007 report: Management and Control Plan for Bighead, Black, Grass, and Silver Carps in the United States, established by a 30-professional member work group that states clearly, the first goal is to “PREVENT” the introduction of silver carp into uninvaded ecosystems? (Yes or No) If NO, please explain why.

3. Will placing the first barrier at Kentucky Lake, and then placing subsequent barriers at the next locks in sequence upstream over several years (as is the plan), “PREVENT” the silver carp from reaching the upper four lakes. (Yes or No) If YES, what is the science that supports this? If NO, how do you justify slowing the spread into our lakes instead of preventing the spread altogether?

4. You stated above, TWRA’s goal is to “prevent establishment” of silver carp. Dr. Peter Sorensen, and Jerry Rasmussen have stated that placing the first barrier at Watts Bar Lock stands an “Excellent” chance of “preventing” the establishment of silver carp in the upper four lakes. Do you agree or disagree?

5. What is the downside of placing the first barrier at Watts Bar in front of the silver carp invasion other than allowing additional silver carp recruitment into Kentucky Lake which is already overrun with them and has a prototype barrier in place? And please explain why you don’t support “closing the door” on the carp invasion into uninvaded lakes as first priority—it just defies logic and ecology, especially since you stated your goal is to “Prevent Establishment.”

6. What has the greatest long-term economic and ecological/environmental benefit, (1) reducing the number of silver carp entering Kentucky Lake, or (2) preventing silver carp from entering the four lakes of the upper TN River Basin?

You continue to say that the TWRA plan is the result of a multiagency decision analysis for barrier placement to control the silver carp. My supposition is that the barrier placement decision resulted from a consensus decision following discussions. This is by no means “decision analysis.” I am certain if formal decision analysis was utilized with the goal of determining where the first barrier should be placed to achieve the greatest economic value and ecological protection, Kentucky Lake would not have been selected by the multiagency group. I have significant experience in using “decision analysis” in environmental decision making and have published in this field. I provided you with my technical journal publication and information about using decision analysis and I suggested strongly it be utilized here. If you did use decision analysis, I ask to see the documentation on the alternative options and the ranking calculations.

TWRA priority must be to first “PREVENT” establishment (which you state is your goal), then reduce recruitment in lakes already invaded, not the other way around. Recognized experts agree that placing the first barrier at Watts Bar Lock stands the absolute best chance of saving our four lakes, you must certainly understand this. The more time we waste debating the issue only gives the silver carp more time to enter our pristine, uninvaded lakes. So, I ask that you not delay in answering the six questions, and please don’t merely restate it was a multiagency decision—this time please provide answers to my specific questions.

Again, I would be pleased to meet with you and/or the multiagency group at your convenience to discuss the science behind this critically important economic and environmental threat. I know you are displeased with me and with the WBEFC, but all we request is for TWRA to use the best science available to “prevent” the silver carp from reaching the four upper lakes, which is your stated goal. Reversing your barrier placement plan will do that. It this too much to ask.

Thank you.

Professional Regards.

Dr. Joseph

Hilarious or downright scary?

Three prominent candidates for the open 5th Congressional District failed to get restored to the Republican ballot Tuesday as members of the GOP’s executive committee representing the newly-drawn seat decided they weren’t bona fide members of the party, and thus ineligible to run under the GOP banner.

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"WOKE" is a bad thing, according to Republicans. It basically means the same thing as "enlightened".

Some synonyms for enlightened are:

educated, knowing, knowledgeable, learned, lettered, well-educated, well-read.

If you aren't "woke" then you can choose from among the following list of antonyms to describe yourself:

"enlightened" antonyms:

animal, base, beastly, bestial, brutal, brute, brutish, carnal, coarse, ignorant, imbruted, insensible, stolid, stupid, swinish, unintellectual, unspiritual, vile

I hope this clears up a few things for Republicans. It should be helpful for them to better understand what they aspire to be and who they hate.

You are welcome!

Gloria Johnson
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Well folks, democracy is dead in TN. We just had the TISA school funding bill, an ALEC bill, in Gov Ops. The bill totally remakes funding for one million students and thousands of teachers. The DOE gave testimony and a few of us got to ask a couple questions.
I was gaveled down for giving “my opinion” on Charter schools. I said they had dismal outcomes. So I gave them the numbers, 38% in bottom 5% and 77% in bottom 10%. Only 4% do better than 20%. Dismal is real. This bill is a vehicle to send tax dollars for charters and vouchers.
When we got back to the bill, they would not allow us a single question of the sponsor. Myself and at least one of my colleagues were on the list to speak. The sponsor hardly understands the bill, of course they don’t want him answering questions.
They are so terrified of debate because their members know almost nothing about the bills they bring. They should be embarrassed but instead they are giddy in their lust for power. They promised plenty of debate on the floor-color me skeptical.
Interesting tidbit about the committee set up, there are tiers of seats and I always sit on the bottom tier. It feels weird to me on the top row, like I’m lording over the people. I like to sit at eye level with the people.
Anyway, a friend sitting up top let me know that the GOP members spent the entire time whining about every time I moved or looked at my phone or breathed, or raised my hand, same with my Democratic colleague next to me. Only 26 Democrats and we seem to be living rent free in their 73 heads.
It’s like we are in some crazy theocracy with middle schoolers at the helm. I guess maybe subpoenas make you act catty?

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Gloria Johnson:

I just did an interview with Vinay @wbir about subpoenas at the legislature-no, I didn’t get one. And what it’s like to be there while this is going on. I told him I was sitting on the House floor Thursday thinking about what an honor it was to be there.

Then I did the math and realized about 20% of my colleagues across the aisle were being investigated, had been indicted, or were served a subpoena recently. Those very folks are the ones pushing through this new education funding formula that is not ready for prime time.

Why on earth would we go ahead with this funding formula brought to us by the very folks under investigation? The formula takes away local control, doesn’t add the needed funding, has no details or numbers-just says trust us and vote for it, we’ll fill in the details later.

Trust you? I don’t know, let’s see who else gets indicted first, before writing the most important piece of legislation in the state, affecting 1 million kids. Just a suggestion.????
I remember Rep. Lamberth in Freshman orientation telling us to use the secret hallways to avoid the press and others. I remember thinking why would I avoid the press? My constituents should be able to hear exactly what I’m doing in Nashville.
If I’m spending my time running from the press or hiding in secret hallways-I shouldn’t be up here. Interestingly, the most time I have ever spent in the “secret hallway” was when I was looking to see who was lurking behind the Ed committee during vouchers.
It was typically Speaker and/or Gov staff as I recall. And the Speaker on occasion. Folks doing right don’t need to avoid the press.
And as far as the “I am just a witness” line goes, don’t forget Robin Smith said that same thing before she was indicted. She insisted she wasn’t being investigated…

Silence in the face of corruption is complicity.

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"Seen from here, Russias main CONCRETE interests are in conquering the neighbouring countries, partially or wholly, politically or physically. Such as the Ukraine and the Belorussia, perhaps also other countries in the future. Of course they also want to influence the USA otherwise, but let’s skip that now. Let’s look at the role of the USA in the direct land grabbing/neighbor-pressuring case.

In short, I see your role for the Russians as a tool..."

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Calfee witness to Crooked Voucher deal!

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR— Roane Views

TWRA Will Not Prevent Economic and Ecological Devastation by the Silver Carp

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 30-member panel of the highest qualified fisheries biologists and ecologists in the nation states that in dealing with the invasive silver carp the critical action is, quote: “stop the spread into uninvaded waters throughout the United States.” However, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is ignoring the USFWS. It plans to install fish barriers “Behind” the carp, instead of in front of them. The first barrier is slated for the lock into Kentucky Lake which is overrun with silver carp. Millions of pounds of silver carp are removed every year, yet the TWRA “thinks” it is better to stop more silver carp from entering this lake than it is to stop them from entering the four lakes in the Upper TN River basin which have no silver carp. Additionally, the TWRA was told by “National silver carp experts” that the first barrier must be placed at Watts Bar Lock, which stands an “Excellent” chance to save the four lakes in the upper basin from being devastated. TWRA will not listen to them, or the USFWS.

The furthest upstream reported finding of silver carp by the TWRA was in Chickamauga Lake. If the first barrier is placed at Watts Bar Lock, Watts Bar, Melton Hill, Fort Loudon and Tellico Lakes will be the only lakes in the Tennessee River Basin silver carp free. Over the past 45-years, the silver carp have devastated nearly the entire central U.S. Once they get in our lakes they will eventually replace native fish, destroy the natural ecosystem, and this region’s lake economy will feel a >$1-Billion Annual decline. In addition, because silver carp jump in mass as high as 10-feet when startled by a boat, recreation becomes potentially deadly. They have broken jaws, fractured skulls, knocked people out of boats, and being hit by a 30-lb silver carp in the head while tubing can easily break a person’s neck.

TWRA must reverse their barrier placement plan and begin by placing the first barrier in front of the silver carp at Watts Bar Lock and continue downstream with barrier construction. If they don’t, their legacy will be the devastation of four wondrous lakes they could have easily protected. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is spending millions to “Stop” the silver carp by building an electric and bioacoustics barrier in front of them at the Brandon Road Lock. TWRA should follow, not ignore the USFWS guidance, the recommendations of our nation’s silver carp experts, and the example of the IDNR. In addition, they have refused to provide any science, data, information, or silver carp history that supports their irrational plan.

If you want our lakes to remain silver carp free, tell TWRA they “must” reverse their barrier plan and start upstream at Watts Bar Lock, and only then build barrier behind them.

Dr. Timothy Joseph, Fisheries Biologist, Rockwood TN.

Chairman of the Watts Bar Ecology and Fisheries Council (WBEFC)

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This funny until the baby comes on. I suggest you move on at that point.

The only for certain corrupt justice:

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“For the first time in our history, a president had not just lost an election. He tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power as a violent mob reached the Capitol,” Biden said. “But they failed. They failed. And on this day of remembrance, we must make sure that such an attack never, never happens again.”

President Joe Biden

The Rest

"For more than two years, members of the Trump family and the Trump Organization have continually sought to delay and impede our investigation into Donald Trump and the Trump Organization, but despite their names, they must play by the same rules as everyone else. These delay tactics will not stop us from following the facts or the law, which is why we will be asking the court to compel Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump to testify with our office under oath."

This is going to be fun!

Stephen Smith is a warrior for clean energy. TVA wants to stamp him out and the competition he sees as a viable energy future.

"To me, it is devastating and makes no sense that TVA and the incumbent utility entities are opposing this sustainability cooperative which plans to come in and provide clean, renewable energy, storage and a microgrid that actually supports lowering the energy costs for industry in the Jackson area," said Stephen Smith, executive director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Smith said the type of microgrid and solar array proposed by the Jackson Sustainability Cooperative represents a significant part of the future of America's power generation as electricity moves away from central source generation from major coal or nuclear power plants and more to a distributed model with smaller renewable energy generation and storage."

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