An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings
Morning Coffee 03/25/08
Nashville needs an immigration judge, officials say
Although nearly 3,000 people were flagged as illegal immigrants in Nashville jails this past year, there’s no judge in Nashville to hear their deportation cases.
Instead, they’re sent on a lengthy and costly process to a bond hearing that often means six weeks of jail in three states before a detainee appears before a judge. The immigration enforcement program in Davidson County has grown so much that local officials and politicians are calling for a judge in Nashville to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and save taxpayer money.
Now, color me stoopid, but if they are here illegally, why do they need a special judge to hear their case? Being in jail already, obviously, they broke another law, so odds are jail time will be involved. Just have a bus waiting for them when they get out, and head for the border! Simple. ?? If anyone doesn’t believe the illegals are costing them money, think again. Jails and prisons take taxpayer dollars to fund.
Hillary Clinton backtracks over ‘misleading’ Bosnia sniper story
Hillary Clinton has been forced to retract a claim that she landed under sniper fire in Bosnia 12 years ago after a CBS video emerged contradicting her account, Hannah Strange writes.
The former First Lady was attacked by Barack Obama for exaggerating her role in foreign policy-making during her husband’s presidency, which she has frequently asserted makes her more qualified to lead than her Democratic rival.
I wish people would understand neither one of them is qualified!
Sadrists Expand Disobedience Campaign in Iraq as Clashes Break Out in Basra
Followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have called for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign to protest raids and detentions.
The head of the Sadrist parliamentary bloc says the move comes because of the continued U.S. and Iraqi actions against the movement’s Mahdi Army militia despite a cease-fire. Nassar al-Rubaie has demanded that the raids stop, Sadrist detainees be released and an official apology be issued.
Well, perhaps they are still raiding because of the threats of violence? I dunno, seems logical to me that they’d want to arrest those who have stirred up trouble, and caused the deaths of many. As for an apology, isn’t he the guy who had to leave the country, went to Iran, and made threats from there? Who should apologize?
Rivers Keep Rising in Arkansas, Missouri
Forecasters issued flash-flood warnings for parts of Arkansas’ prairie as the state’s largest water surge in a quarter-century continued its way downstream.
Swollen by last week’s storms that devastated large parts of the Midwest, the fast-rising White River had risen about 7 feet in four days and was expected to crest Tuesday at 33.5 feet, the National Weather Service estimated.
Water poured into Bayou Des Arc, an area just north of the town of 1,900, damaging scattered homes and cabins.
My prayers are with them for their safety. Things can be replaced, people can not. I noticed when I was in Vicksburg last week, the Mississippi was really high. One of the casino workers commented that she was afraid it was going to get even higher. I’ve also noticed the Tennessee River is higher than I’ve seen, but then I’ve only been here a year.
Mother who stood up to foul-mouthed teens finds SHE is the one thrown in the cells by police
When Sue Pearson heard a group of teenage girls swearing and shouting abuse on the street, she did what any right-minded mother would do. She went out and told them to be quiet.
So she was astonished when police turned up at her home and arrested her for assault instead of reprimanding the children.
What an utter load of bull manure! Someone is extremely backwards in their thinking. First off, the girls should be reprimanded, second, the woman should be thanked…..NOT arrested. Even though the case was thrown out, her name has been tarnished by an asshat. The cop should be fired!
Wheelchairs keep disabled pets moving
When Gary Mikus learned that an incurable nerve disease was starting to paralyze the hind legs of his German shepherd, he immediately dismissed the idea of putting the dog to sleep. Then he spotted an ad in a pet food store: “Eddie’s Wheels For Pets. Help for Handicapped Pets.” Now the dog named Bear, which has been Mikus’ constant companion for a decade, has a lot of living left to do - much of it in his new pet wheelchair.
Dang! What we do for our pets, sometimes, just boggles the mind. Although, I’m an animal lover, so I can understand to a degree. What came to mind was all the babies who are murdered on an yearly basis, and no one seems to care about them. I know, one has nothing to do with the other, but it does in my mind.
Saudi King says he’ll convene interfaith conference with Jews
Saudi King Abdullah’s desire to convene a meeting between Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious communities was reported today by the official Saudi Arabian News Agency.
“I invite representatives of all the monotheistic religions to meet with their brothers in faith,” the King was quoted as saying. The theme of the expected conference was reported to be “respect among the religions.”
The news agency reported that senior Muslim leaders authorized the idea and consultations will be made with Islamic religious authorities from other countries. The King went on to say that “with God’s help we will meet our brethren from other religions, including those who believe in the Torah and in the Gospel, in order to find ways to defend humanity.”
Perhaps the king should start with his own religion. Respect is a two way street, and I haven’t seen any evidence that, other than Muslims, there is a lack of respect. Christians and Jews respect other religions, and don’t try to force theirs on anyone at gunpoint. And don’t tell me about the slaughter of natives in America, or the Crusades, or the Inquisition. That was then…..this is now!
The state’s newest energy crop is rising above the rolling farm fields overlooking Lake Winnebago in northeastern Fond du Lac County.
While farmers throughout Wisconsin have planted more corn in recent years to make ethanol, some area farmers will soon receive payments for giving land over to another renewable resource: wind turbines.
More than 170 turbines sit atop towers in two new wind farm projects in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties. The new turbines will generate only a fraction of the state’s power needs, yet they are the most significant expansion yet of the state’s renewable energy efforts.
I just love those things! But those farmers who planted for the sole purpose of making ethanol have been sadly deceived!
‘Gay hate campaign’ targets Okla. lawmaker
Conservative groups are rushing to the defense of an Oklahoma lawmaker who has been branded a “gay basher” for decrying the homosexual lifestyle.
Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern (R) sparked an angry uproar in many liberal circles recently when she declared that “the homosexual agenda is destroying the nation” and is a bigger threat to the U.S. than terrorism or Islam. She also stated that “studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than a few decades.” Kern has subsequently said she meant to say “generations” instead of “decades.”
“Decades” or “generations”, what she said happens to be true. A society will not last with the push of homosexuality.
Germany asks Beijing to reveal details of Tibet protests
Germany called Tuesday on China to reveal what had actually happened in the recent violence in Tibet. A spokesman also said Chancellor Angela Merkel was “open” to a fresh meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
“In our view, the Chinese government would be very well advised if whatever happened were to be explained and made visible,” Thomas Steg, deputy government spokesman, told reporters. “China has to establish transparency.”
Good luck with that one!
Herenton says he’ll stay put in mayor’s office if he doesn’t get city schools’ superintendent job
Willie Herenton said Monday that he would stay on as mayor of Memphis if his push to become superintendent of schools fails.
And there appears to be no language in the city charter that would prevent him from doing so.
Associate professor Stephen Wirls, chairman of the political science department at Rhodes College, said the charter provides no “form” to follow regarding “planned” retirement letters and that Herenton could remain as mayor if he wanted.
Herenton said Thursday that he plans to retire in July after 161/2 years as mayor and wants to return to the job at Memphis City Schools he held from 1979 to 1991.
Typical wishy washy politician. It’s my understanding he did a fairly lousy job as superintendent, and he hasn’t been such a great mayor. I don’t think being the head honcho of the “murder capital of the U.S” is much of an honor.
Corps now responsible for security in Ramadi
Security responsibility for the once-volatile city of Ramadi has been handed over to a Marine unit for the first time in several years.
Late last week, the Army’s 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division handed over command of the region in Anbar province to the Marine Corps’ Regimental Combat Team 1.
“Ramadi has gone from being the most dangerous city in Iraq to the safest,†said Col. John Charlton, commander of the 1st Brigade.
The transformation began more than a year ago, when soldiers of the 1st Armored Division began pushing into smaller outposts within the city. Wide swaths of the city had been virtual no-go zones for U.S. troops in previous years; during the 2005 elections in Iraq, the city had one of the worst voter turnout rates in the country. The handover to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division took place in February 2007.
All well and good, but why wasn’t security handed over to the Iraqis??
House passes bill, 91-0, to slow metal theft for scrap
A bill seeking to stem metal theft in Tennessee is on its way for the governor’s consideration.
The House voted 91-0 Monday to pass the bill sponsored by Rep. Mike McDonald, a Portland Democrat.
McDonald says the bill would require scrap dealers to register with the state and for sellers to show a photo ID and submit a thumbprint.
Scrap dealers would not be allowed to accept metal beer kegs or any metals from people younger than 18 years old.
Granted, metal thefts have become a major problem, not just in TN, but in all areas, but do they really think that this is going to help? Do they believe that thieves will stop stealing, and find a way around the laws? Well, I do hope it works, but…..
Also out of Nashville:
Abortion amendment supporters look for vote
The House sponsor of a proposal to change the Tennessee Constitution to allow the state to impose greater limits on abortions was trying late Monday night to rally enough votes to bring the measure to a full floor vote.
The resolution sponsored by Rep. Delores Gresham, a Somerville Republican, would state that nothing in the constitution secures or protects abortion rights in Tennessee.
There is nothing in ANY Constitution, state or national, that protects the right to murder babies!
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