An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Archive for 19 February 2009
Weekly Front Page News From Podunk
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time again. All the front page news from our little corner of the world.
Body still not recovered from river
The body of a McNairy County man who is believed to have jumped to his death from the Tennessee River bridge at Savannah on Feb. 6 had not been recovered at presstime Wednesday morning.
Hardin County Fire Chief Melvin Martin said volunteers are continung the serach for the remains of 47-year-old Tmothey E. Moffett.
He said volunteers using sonar last Friday encountered a suspicious return about a half mile downstream but were unable to determne what it was.
I can’t imagine the pain the family is going through right now. Not knowing must be harder.
(Off topic: You mean to tell me that, even though the paper doesn’t even come out till Thursday morning, they consider “press time” Wednesday morning? No wonder I’m never even semi up to date. 
)
Three injured in ambulance crash
Three people, including a patient, were injured in a Hardin Cxounty Emergency Medical Services ambulance crash, officials said.
Dan Hinson, 37, was driving a 2008 Ford F-350 ambulance unit to Nashville when on a curve in Lawrence County, “one of his wheels went off the pavement. He corrected to the right side and hit a tree,” Trooper Johnaton Pulley of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Sturday evening.
I hope all 3 will be ok. Prayers for their swift recovery. Having driven on some of the back roads myself, I can well understand how this can happen. Some of these roads are so narrow, with no break down lane, it’s down right scary.
Paddlewheeler leaves Pickwick mooring
On top of Hardin County’s mounting manufacturing job losses, the tourism industry has experienced a setback with the loss of the Pikwick Belle to Mississippi.
Christened with great fanfare at Pickwick Landing State Park in October 2007, the 90-foot paddlewheeler made the park its home until three weeks ago.
(image from internet)
Highly visible to traffic crossing Pickwick Dam, the Belle would pick up passengers straight from the state inn.
We were looking forward to taking an evening dinner cruise once it started getting warm. Now that it’s moved to Grand Harbor Marina in MS, I kind of wonder if we’ll ever get to go. 
Unless you are big time into fishing, or the Civil War, there isn’t a whole lot to bring folks to our little county. The Belle was a pretty big attraction. I’m questioning why the tourism folks couldn’t see fit to find a way to work with the folks running the Belle to keep it in the area. It provided tax income, and tourist dollars. Ya kind of wonder just what was behind all this.
Power bills will show another rate decrease
TVA announced the second consecutive decrease in its quarterly fuel cost adjustment for billng periods beginning April 1.
Because the fuel cost adjustment is a per kilowatt-hour charge, amounts that consumers will save depend on the amount of energy they use.
Well, I’m either real hot, or real cold, so I guess we won’t be seeing much of a decrease. I’m wondering…..how are they going to pay for the clean up of the ash spill if they lower rates?
Date set for murder trial
The first degree murder trial of Savannah busnessman Ken Qualls is expected to last most of a week.
Judge Donald Parish set the trial for June 1 and blocked out four days on the calender for the proceeding at a brief hearing Friday in circuit court.
Qualls is accused of shoting one of his employees, 27-year-old Charles Garrard, in the head while garrard sat in the passenger seat of a pickup truck parked outside Qualls’ Water Street business, Savannah Furniture Exchange.
This is probably the biggest event to happen in the county courthouse in a really long time. At least since the last time Qualls was in court for killing a man. I’m curious why it takes so long to go to trial. This happened last last July.
Brave New World
H/T: silent E speaks (Chris)
Chicago Tea Party
Sign the Petition for a Chicago Tea Party
Would YOU join us in Chicago for a new, “Boston Tea Party?” IF WE GET ENOUGH SIGNATURES, IT WILL HAPPEN!
Rick Santelli of CNBC tells it like it is, speaking up on the Chicago Board of Trade’s stock floor about the wasteful, regulatory nature of the stimulus bill. He asks – Do YOU want to pay for your neighbor’s mortgage?! His appearance is a virtual call to action! You MUST WATCH THIS VIDEO:
Rick says we should have a new Boston Tea Party – in Chicago, THIS July!
Our petition for you is this – if American Future Fund hosted this tea party, in Grant Park – site of Barack Obama’s Chicago victory speech – would you be there? If we have enough folks say “YES!” then we just might start a major movement with this event. But it has to begin at the grassroots.
Will you be in Chicago to make a statement? Will you forward this to your friends and let them know about the NEW Boston Tea Party – held in July in Chicago? Will you post this on your blog, web site, Twitter and Facebook? Sign our petition today!
Go HERE to sign the petition!
Senator Corker, You Lost My Vote
I sent both of my TN senators, Corker and Alexander, emails, urging them to vote against Eric Holder. Well, today, I got Corker’s response:
Dear Mrs. Xxxxxx,
Thank you for taking the time to contact my office to share your concerns about the nomination of Eric Holder for Attorney General of the United States. Your input is important to me and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts.
I recognize the importance of ensuring that a highly qualified and knowledgeable person serves as our Attorney General. As a general rule, I believe in allowing discretion to the President to choose the people he wants to fill his Cabinet. However, I had significant concerns with Mr. Holder’s nomination for Attorney General due to his record as Deputy Attorney General and his past analysis of the 2nd Amendment. After carefully reviewing the testimony from Mr. Holder’s confirmation hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, while I may disagree with some of Mr. Holder’s views, there was nothing that would disqualify him from this position.
You should know that I fully support the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision striking down the District of Columbia’s handgun ban because I strongly believe in protecting our constitutional rights. This decision is exceptionally significant because for the first time in our nation’s history, the Supreme Court has affirmed that gun ownership is an individual right protected by the Constitution.
The right to own firearms for shooting, hunting, and self-protection is important to me as a Tennessean and as an American. I believe in safeguarding the rights of law-abiding American citizens. I will be a consistent voice for the second amendment, and I will fight attempts to weaken those rights that are granted in the Constitution.
Please take note of the attached “Policy Points” document to learn more about the steps I have taken to protect our 2nd Amendment rights.
Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me.
Sincerely,
Bob Corker
United States Senator
Info in the attachment:
Bob Corker: Protecting Your Right to Bear Arms
As a hunter and sportsman, Senator Bob Corker is a strong advocate for the Second Amendment. He believes the constitution provides law abiding citizens the freedom to keep and bear arms.
* Support for an Individual Right.
Senator Corker supports the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the DC handgun ban and affirming that gun ownership is an individual right.
* Support for Restoring the Second Amendment. Senator Corker was one of the original Cosponsors of S.1001, a bill to restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia. At that time, the citizens of Washington DC were required to register all privately owned firearms and possession of a handgun within the Washington DC city limits was prohibited. This bill would have allowed the ownership of a firearm, including a handgun, in Washington DC.
* Prohibit funding for groups who infringe on the Second Amendment. Senator Corker voted for an amendment that would prohibit any funding to foreign organizations that infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of lawful American citizens.
* Support for Conceal and Carry Laws. Senator Corker supports allowing state conceal and carry laws that would allow people to carry concealed weapons in National Parks and Refuges if state laws allow it.
* Support for National Shooting Sports Foundation. Senator Corker supported the nomination of a National Shooting Sports Foundation representative to be appointed to the Defense Trade Advisory Group to represent the interests of small arms manufacturers. This appointment will protect the interests of small arms manufactures within this group
Well now, Senator Corker, that’s all well and good. However, your support of Holder defies your words, and we both know……actions speak a WHOLE lot louder than words.
As for Alexander? Pfft! I’ve never ONCE gotten a response from that clown. And no, when he was up for re-election this last time around, did NOT vote for hm.
Obviously, we can share our opinions with them, but they don’t listen. I know I’m far from the only person who let them both know Holder was NOT an acceptable choice for Attorney General, given his lack of respect of the Constitution of the United States.
No Morning Coffee Today
Well, obviously. It’s now after 3 p.m. Actually, had a few cups of motel coffee, but we had things to do, so no time to sit around and peruse the ‘papers’. We got home a little while ago, after a very nice afternoon in Corinth.
First, we made a stop in a music store, where the Mr picked on a 6 string banjo. I’ve never heard of a 6 string, and y’know, I’m kind of glad it’s not a common instrument. I didn’t like the sound of it at all. He chatted with a guy about banjos and music. Maybe he’s found another fellow to pick and grin with? One can only hope.
I had heard about the Chinese buffet place there, and since we were in the neighborhood, thought we’d check it out. I really wish we hadn’t. DANG! That was some seriously good stuff. I don’t think either of us is going to be able to eat again until Saturday. Good thing for me though. I’m fasting, starting this evening.
Our last stop…..I got a new toy. Heh.
Ain’t it cute? Well, I like it. 
It’s light weight, and my weak ol’ hands don’t have a problem with any of the little buttons and switches and such. 
So, after a very nice over night trip, we are now back home, doing what we normally do. I’m on the computer, and the Mr has gone to hide in his man cave.
Verse of the Day
Psalm 40:1-4
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Phone Pictures
I would LOVE to give you a blow by blow of the whole Jeff Dunham show. Obviously, that’s not possible. Needless to say, I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard and so much in a very VERY long time. It was well worth the time, and expense to come down to Tupelo to see him. If you ever get the chance, take it! I apologize for the quality of the pictures. We were on the 17th row, and there were heads in front of us. What can I say? Besides, I took them with my phone, so hush.
First, we had the Guitar Guy. For the life of me, I can only remember his name is Brian….something or other, as the warm up. He was rather funny, and quite talented on the guitar. After a brief break, out came Dunham. He had a hilarious monologue. By the time he brought out Walter, my cheeks were already getting sore.
Next….Achmed. Now, I would have thought he would bring that one out last, since he’s the character most folks remember lately. Nope. Second. Just as well, cuz there wasn’t much in the way of new material, but still funny.
The Guitar Guy came out and did a bit with them. Now THAT was more amusing.
Next was Peanut. I have to tell you, that was the most hilarious part of the show. If you are looking for PC….don’t even think of going to see this guy.
Then Peanut and the Jalapeno stick guy.
The Guitar Guy, once more, made an appearance. Holy cow! It’s a wonder I didn’t wet my britches!
I don’t think Dunham was planning on doing an encore, but he did, and brought out Bubba J. Bubba Jay? Whatever. It was really funny because a large portion of the audience was saying the punch lines along with them.
Seriously, if you ever get the chance…..go. One thing though, I’m not real sure why parents took their pre-teen aged kids with them. There was a LOT of suggestive, and out right sexual content. Not XXX rated, but a bit much for that aged young’uns.
All in all….a terrific night! 
