Monday, May 11, 2009
Breaking News / Woods Morning Roundup: Willie Herenton's 'Bilbo Campaign' and Other Developments
Posted by Jeff Woods on Mon, May 11, 2009 at 5:37 AM
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Steve Cohen criticizes Willie Herenton's thoughts on racial politics: "It's as outdated as George Wallace or some Bilbo campaign." ... Cohen can't expect much help from DCCC. ... Neither Alexander nor Corker favors filibustering Obama's Supreme Court nominee. ... Rep. Tony Shipley's fight for the Christian Right. ... Bill Haslam outlines his education agenda, predicting Tennessee children won't score well on the national test they'll start taking next year.
"When letters come home saying, 'Your child is not proficient at grade level,' a lot of parents will say, 'What's going on here?' That will be the chance for real leaders to step in and say, 'That's right, and here's what needs to be done.' "
Kent Williams calms his critics. ... Tom Humphrey profiles Joe McCord. ... One-fifth of Tennessee kids are at risk of going hungry. ... Dolly Parton gives a commencement speech, sings "Rocky Top" and receives an honorary degree from the University of Tennessee:
"Just think: I am Dr. Dolly! When people say something about 'double-d,' they will be thinking of something entirely different."
Johnson City bar owners don't want guns in their establishments. ... The zeal for expanding gun rights stops at the Capitol's steps. ... Editorials here and here against guns in bars. "[W]hat are Tennessee's legislators thinking -- or have they been thinking at all?"
Justification seems to be based on a naive perception -- perhaps picked up from watching too many old movies -- that gun battles are neat, orderly events in which criminals are taken out by sharpshooters who get off clean shots without hitting bystanders. In the movies, guns rarely fire by accident. The good guy hardly ever gets the shakes.
