Veto override NOW!

On Thursday Gov. Phil Bredesen (D-TN) vetoed a bill that would have allowed handgun carry permit holders the right to carry their firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol, as long as that place of business was not restricted to patrons who are 21 and older that require identification checks for entrance.  The bill, HB0962, which would have strengthened the second amendment rights of Tennesseans also carried a strict prohibition on the consumption of alcohol while carrying a firearm, as is already federal and state law. 

Gov. Bredesen explained that "As a young man growing up in a small town, I attended a gun safety class in my high school sponsored by the National Rifle Association. A basic tenet taught in that class was this: “Guns and alcohol don’t mix.” This seemingly common sense proposition is as true today as it was almost 50 years ago." Using that justification to veto the bill begs the question-- Did he even read the bill!? The bill was in no way, shape, or form, an endorsement of drinking while carrying firearms, so there wouldn't be this mix of "guns and alcohol". The bill in the context that it arrived to his desk would have allowed law abiding citizens who already carry responsibly to take their firearms with them into restaurants as opposed to leaving them in their cars, or not carrying at all. Just think about that logic for a second...now think about all the places where alcohol is present. Presence of alcohol should not be confused with consumption of alcohol.

Let's face it, if the bill were to pass, the "wild west" mantra that this bill was vetoed on would have been a non-issue. 30+ other states have similar policies that allow their citizens to arm themselves within the context of the law, and have had success with it. The fact is this bill was an affirmation of the rights of Tennesseans who are law-abiding. The bill also would have allowed restaurants the ability to control their own businesses privately by allowing them to post "no-carry" signs if they wished to ban handguns from their premises. The idea that Tennessee would have become a wild west movie gone bad was championed by Ronal Serpas, the Chief of Police for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Let me remind you Chief Serpas, you are an appointed official, not an elected official. Your role is to enforce the laws already in place, not create new policy. 

The bill which was sponsored by Rep. Curry Todd (R-Collierville), received more than 2/3 support from both chambers of the general assembly before being sent to the Governors desk. In vetoing the bill, the Governor clearly abused his discretion. The house and senate could override his veto with simple majority votes in both chambers, and I hope they do. 

Abraham Lincoln once said:

"If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. It is true that you may fool all of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all of the time; but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.”

Gov. Bredesen who has painted himself as a staunch supporter of Tennesseans right to keep and bear arms, broke promises about this legislation that he made when campaigning. Governor, bear in mind the words of Lincoln. Trust your citizens.

Memorial Day

This Memorial day, lets not forget the real reason we "celebrate" this holiday. It is a day that we as American's set aside to remember those who have died for the freedoms that we enjoy. America has endured every struggle that has faced her because brave men and women stood up when she called, and when necessary offered a great sacrifice, their lives. 

The greatest testament of loyalty to any nation, is that it's citizens would be willing to give their lives for it. I think we can learn something from those men and women who have gone before us, and believed in America so much that they would give the ultimate sacrifice. They are true heroes. True champions, and defenders of the Constitution. The men and women who serve in the military unselfishly do what is asked of them, and they do an impressive job. That yearning to defend something so great is passed from generation to generation, and this generation has definitely risen up to meet the challenges of today, to give of themselves for a greater purpose. I think Abraham Lincoln says it best in his Gettysburg address:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

If you see a veteran today, or any other day, say a simple "thank you," and mean it. Really, truly mean it. 

Buyer's remorse.

Like the Constitution the words of wisdom by one of our founding fathers William Penn still ring true today. Penn is credited with saying:

"Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it."

The other day a good friend e-mailed me with what I would term as "buyer's remorse". The subject of the conversation was implicitly the direction our new President is taking this nation, and the explicit realization that she wished she could "get her vote back". This kinda thing really excites me. That excitement does not come from a realization that I articulated an argument powerful enough that in hindsight it still lingers, rather I am excited that she is interested in what is going on with the direction of this country.

I was probably not a popular person to talk to during the elections of 2008. I was a staunch opponent of Barrack Obama, and I went to an art school that was overwhelmingly liberal in ideology. I wasn't swept into the new "hip" campaign that had an awesome brand and great use of a helveticaesque typography (design-wise, they branded an awesome product with an effective campaign),  put on by the Democrats, and like I never do, I was not impressed with the color of either of the major party's candidates skin. I was interested in the issues, in our historical tradition, and in the direction that either person would take us.

I may seem like an oddball, because I am an art major, who is still comparatively(to other politicos) young in age, that happens to take a peculiar interest in politics and government, but I wish everyone with the power to vote took a serious interest in politics, or at the very least does the research to know what the candidate actually stands for, as opposed to what they say they stand for. In the end they are at best politicians, and generally will govern in-line with the same convictions that make-up their past voting record. 

Realization of the awesome gift our forefathers gave us in the ability to control the direction of our country with something so simple as a vote is really the greatest blessing they have secured for us as a people. What we do with that vote has a direct impact on the future we will secure for ourselves and our posterity. 

Do it wisely.

 

To Protect and Serve.

Anthony Warren, and five officers from Birmingham, Alabama are in the national spotlight after a high speed chase ended in a crash and a beating. The high speed chase endangered the lives of other citizens, and almost took the life and seriously injured another officer who was trying to "slick" the tires of Warren's vehicle in order to effect a stop. The chase ended when Warren's vehicle flipped over on the side of the highway, and ejected him out of his van. The officers are seen on the tape rushing towards Warren and beating him.

There has been an outcry to what the media has dubbed an unjustified use of force. I beg to differ. The men and women who wear the uniform of our nation's law enforcement are called to a higher standard coupled with a strenuous call to duty. Through the rigors of every aspect of there jobs they form an unprecedented level of loyalty and brotherhood that is probably misunderstood by many who do not feel the need to answer the call of their nation, states, counties, or towns. 

I could only imagine the utter frustration those officers felt when the suspect they were trying to safely apprehend would not comply due to his lack of respect for the law. Further, I can't even begin to verbalize the aggravation and disbelief they experienced at the sight of one of their own being targeted by a criminal that had every intention of stopping that officer from performing his duty. 

Their duty is to protect and serve. It is by this oath that everyday, those brave men and women dawn their uniforms and mount their badges over their hearts. To protect  law abiding citizens from imprudent criminals such as Anthony Warren, who obviously shows no regard for the lives of others.

Policing for the sake of being politically correct has become the "soft arm of the law", as opposed to it's original purpose as the "strong arm of the law". The job in itself requires the utter respect of the citizens they serve. As with any other person, they are people, they have emotions they act on, and make some mistakes as we do. This incident however was not a mistake. It was not unjustified, and those officers should not have been decommissioned. 

Some advice to the media:

1. Bad news can be good news, if it is definitely BAD news!

2. Stop turning criminals into victims.

Some advice for Anthony Warren:

1. Try to follow the law--good advice to keep you from nasty situations like yours.

2. When an officer is trying to stop you, STOP!

3. Have respect and concern for the life and safety of other citizens.

4. Do not try to harm officers, especially in the presence of his brethren.

5. Don't speed, and for God's sake, wear your seatbelt--click it or ticket!

Pervasive inaccuracy.

Nancy Pelosi(D-CA) the current Speaker of the House has said in reports earlier this year that she did not know that tactics such as waterboarding were used to interrogate terrorist under the Bush Administration. She was a leading congressional member that called for indictments of former top U.S. officials regarding what has been dubbed by the mainstream media as torture.

In February 2003, Michael Sheehy, Rep. Pelosi's intelligence aide attended a briefing in which the CIA's use of waterboarding was discussed. When Pelosi was informed by Sheehy that the tactic was in use, she did not object.  

Aside from waterboarding not actually being torture, in both the connotation and denotation of the word, there is a bigger issue here. Speaker Pelosi has lied to the American people, repeatedly on the subject to aid in the concoction of a negative attitude towards Bush 43's policies that has kept this nation safe post-911. As the third most powerful person in the world she has bamboozled the American people, and created an unnecessary distraction at a time when the focus should be on the outrageous spending, the debt we have left to our posterity and the march towards socialistic government that her party, and our president have rammed through congress, and signed into law. 

Speaker Pelosi's willingness to deceive the American people in order to further advances her far-left idiosyncrasies says something about the person she is. Congress ought to censure her if they are to gain the trust and respect of the people. Last time I checked, the House and Senates approval rating's were hovering around 30%--this will sure lead to a loss in points. We need a legislative body that we can trust.

Madam Speaker you knew and mislead the people you serve. Shame on you!

Happy Mother's Day!

Today we celebrate each and every one of our mothers. We celebrate them because of how unique they are to us. My mom is everything to me. It is because of her that I am the person I am today, and the person I hope to be in the future. The sacrifices she has made to get myself, and my brothers and sister to where we are today are a testament of her enduring love for us, and her perpetual devotion to the sacred duty given to her as a mother. The upbringing of her children.

I can remember being a really young kid and admiring my mother, she had strength like no one I knew. Now, my childhood wasn't exactly picturesque. My real father was an abusive alcoholic who lacked the decency that is required of fathers, my mother was the extreme opposite. After being put through hell and high water, she came to what was probably one of the hardest decision in her life. To divorce, pack some clothes up, and move herself, and my siblings to the "mainland"(people on Guam call the contiguous states the mainland). We did it on a whim, and I can remember the day we left. It was hard, considering the strength of Chamorro(natives to Guam)  families, that we would be living the distance of a 14 hour plane-ride away, in Washington state. 

Although I cite that particular situation as the main reason for moving to the mainland, there were others. My mother wanted something better for us. In the face of the failing education system on Guam she realized that the opportunity for us to become successful would greatly suffer if we were to be brought up in the islands public school system. The schools in Washington gave us a leaping board to launch whatever our dreams could possibly conjure up. And my mom, was right by our side. She was the strong foundation that has carried each of us to where we are today, and continues to be that strength.

I could not even begin to illustrate the tip of the iceberg that is my mom. It would be impossible to itemize all that she had to forfeit in order for me to gain. She is an amazing person, woman, and mother.

She is the definition of undying love and devotion. To this day, I cannot grasp a better example of Christian motherhood, and the duties and responsibilities given a mother by her creator, than that of my mom. She is a vibrant example of the apex of motherhood, the lady that will always hold a special place in my heart that cannot be replaced with anything. It is beyond comprehension the level of strength and actual true love that is emulated by her. 

Mom, Happy Mother's day! Thank you for everything you have done for me.

I love you.

Sovereignty!

The State of Tennessee is currently moving legislation through the general assembly affirming the sovereign right of the state to govern itself as indicated by the 1oth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The resolution, House Joint Resolution 108(HJR 108) demands that the federal government "halt it's practice of assuming powers and of imposing mandates upon the states for the purposes NOT enumerated by the Constitution of the United States."

This resolution introduced in February 19, 2009, by Representative Susan M. Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet), passed the Civil Practice and Procedure Sub-committee on May 5th, and is now referred to the Judiciary Committee's calendar for May 13th. The bill has strong support from the General Assembly, and Tennessee is one of a growing number of states that are reclaiming state sovereignty guaranteed by the 10th amendment of the Constitution.  The bill introduced by Lynn, also refers to the Supreme Court Ruling in New York v. United States 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), which reaffirmed the rights reserved to the states, and declared that congress "may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states."

In a time of a growing federal government, resolutions like HJR 108, are necessary to reaffirm that we are a nation guided by Constitutional law for the purpose of serving the people. The issue of states rights were included in the original texts of the constitution in order to further strengthen a balance of powers, remove the possibility of totalitarianism, and create the greatest and most successful form of government this world has ever seen. States as intended by the founding fathers, are little areas of experimental government that are directly accountable to their citizens. They have the right to legislate themselves, and serve the specific needs of their constituents. As citizens of the United States we are granted rights to control our government, and when necessary, move to another state that more closely resembles our ideological, social, and political beliefs. This is the beauty of American government. 

With an increasingly overreaching federal government, that does not respect the rights of the states, the ability of the government to serve it's constituents is greatly diminished. A strong federal government that paralyzes the ability of states to govern themselves is a reversion to the form of government that sparked the creation of these United States, independence from a single government head, the Monarchy of King George III, and the tyranny that has always been the product of governments that do not rely on individual rights and a system that is void of checks and balances.

I call on the House and Senate of the State of Tennessee to resoundingly pass this resolution, and I strongly urge Governor Phil Bredesen(D-TN) to show his full support for this measure, the people of Tennessee, and the privilege of the state to retain those powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution.

Here's a little refresher on the 10th amendment:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States respectively, or to the people."

Thanks for your service but...

Although I admire the service of General Colin Powell, I don't think that he is a reliable source when it comes to what the Republican party needs to do, and which direction it needs to head. Gen. Powell lost all his credibility when he endorsed Barrack Obama for President. As the former Secretary of State to the Bush Administration, that endorsement negated everything I thought he stood for when he was in actual service to the nation. He flip-flopped on policies that he convinced the American people as well as the rest of the world about. His endorsement of a "change" in agenda was an endorsement for an agenda that was the antithesis of everything I knew of him. He went from a defender and perpetuator of capitalism, to a crony of socialism. 

He's at it again! His attacks on Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, and Governor Sarah Palin are unfounded and probably play a key note to the ultimate goal of the company he is currently keeping. The total destruction of the party he once claimed close ties to. I'm not sure how moving more to the left would help Republicans. They tried it in the last four years of George W. Bush's administration, and the Democrats took majorities in the house and senate for the last two years of Bush's term in office. Then they tried it again with the nomination of John McCain, and the Democrats won that election. Moving farther away from conservatism, and closer to a one party system is not a plan for victory. 

The plan should be to go back to Republican ideals. Ideals of fiscal responsibility, smaller government, less taxation, less spending, accountability, social conservatism and liberty that stand in stark contrast to the current administrations agenda. The only way to achieve victory in 2010 and 2012 is by returning to the party of true conservatism. Conservatives, independents, and moderates are fired up, they are fed-up, and they want real change. That change needs to come with the replacement of pseudo Republicans like Olympia Snow and Susan Collins--thank goodness Arlen Specter took the initiative already--and a strong fiscally and socially conservative agenda coupled with a continuous opposition to the expansion of government already in play by congressional Democrats and the current administration.

Of course if the Republican party wants to absolutely purge itself from the political picture, and become just another story from the past, they can always take the advice of General Powell. What the party needs is a leader. Not some washed-out, flip-flopper, thinking he has enough credibility to convince conservative Americans that conservatism is dead.

Mr. Powell, conservatism is definitely not dead!

Iowa's Indiscretion.

The State of Iowa through the power of their Supreme Court has just legalized same-sex marriage. Although this is an advancement in the struggle that the lesbian and gay communities have and continue to fight so hard for, the achievement was not garnered in a responsible way. As a gay man, decisions like these cause me to feel both jovial and despondent at the same time. I am happy to see advancements, and thrilled that the issue of equality for the LGBT community has not faded away. However, it is still a debatable and hotly contested issue. In due time we will come to a strong resolve as a nation through state by state ratification. A resolve of equal opportunity for all.

The biggest issue with the process that has legalized same-sex marriage in Iowa, as well as other states, is that it was not with the consent of the people. I think this is the biggest problem with the gay community, we want to sit back and hope that someone, somewhere else will do something about advancing the cause for equality. If we truly were committed to changing the laws, and even the state and national constitutions, rulings from courts, or mandates from legislative bodies will always face huge challenges. Our challenge is to inspire one another, those closest to us, and those we can engage in meaningful conversation as to the need for impartiality before the law. The courts, along with the politicians in Washington and our state capitals cannot do this, and when they try to impose something that most carry outdated notions about, it is sure to meet fierce resistance.

The only valid way to change any constitution in a democracy such as ours, with the least resistance possible, and as intended by the founding fathers is through the consent of the people. If the people do not popularly consent to any idea facing the nation, or a particular state, then the courts, nor the legislatures, nor the executives can force them to. The substantial issue in Iowa is that the courts have overstepped the confines of their power, by handing down an opinion that is in direct contrast with the legislature of Iowa. One branch cannot have more power than the other, this is the sacred belief established by the framers of this nation in the balance of powers doctrine, a constitutional safe-guard that prevents our democracy from becoming a totalitarian society. 

The work is ours to do. The peoples to do. Let's change it that way, by capturing the hearts and minds of other fellow American's whether they be heterosexual or homosexual. It is only with the consent of the people that the equality that we so desperately crave can be achieved. 

In times like these, it is fitting to remember that the role of the government is to serve the people, not vise versa.

Let's get to work!

A Typographic Addiction.

The other day I was reading an article on Yahoo! News about the campaign against Comic Sans. It went into great detail as to the origins of the font, the creator and the discontent and disgust that most modern and schooled designers have for the poor font. It was interesting that the disdain for Comic Sans has turned into a world-wide movement to ban the use of this type-face. There are two primary schools of though on Comic Sans. One describes it as a typeface that does have a place and can be used correctly, the other scrolls through the font list and never even pauses at Comic Sans to give it a chance. I subscribe to the latter school of thought for the most part. The ban, although significantly less serious than our current embargo with Cuba, is something that keeps type interesting!

It's funny how much I am actually fascinated with typography. I usually loose interest in things that I get inundated with very quickly. Type is a different story, it is probably the one thing that can make or break a design, so my obsession is founded on good sound principle! I catch myself continually analyzing letterforms, font faces, leading(space between lines of type) and kerning(space between individual letters of type). And every critique whether in the design world, or on my personal time becomes a game of Identify That Type. My partner listens to my rants and raves on type, and although he is a good listener, sometimes he looks at me weird, and wonders how is it even that interesting. I guess it's a Graphic Design thing.

Before art school, type was two things: Times and Arial. One you used for papers, the other you used to try to mimic modern headlines. For a major portion of my first two years in school, I ditched what we termed "pedestrian" typefaces. Mainly called that because everyone uses it. They are for the most part the default of every word processing program known to man. Both Times and Arial are great, but because they are ubiquitous they seem to have lost their luster. So I found myself on the ongoing adventure of every graphic designer. The constant battle to find that perfect typeface.

If I was a word processor my default would probably be Helvetica Neue. I fell into a serious love affair with this font early in my schooling, and it is quite obvious in my portfolio. The typeface seems to mimic me as a designer. It's clean and organized. Sometimes it can be bold, sometimes extra bold, and at other times it's light, even ultra-light. If all else fails use it. Most times for me, all else failed. So Helvetica has become my Times, in respect to serifs("feet" on letterforms) it has become my Arial. Dare I even say it, it has become my Comic Sans.

So in an effort to save Helvetica from myself, I have established a personal ban on the typeface. I need more variety. I want my portfolio to be a showcase of my work, not a manual on the use of Helvetica Neue. Today is the end of week one. On Monday I declared that I will not even touch the typeface. I have to admit, it was hard. I wanted to use it so bad, and I noticed I just saved myself from the brink of addiction. Tuesday through Wednesday got a little easier, and Today I am giving my personal testimony. Sounds like great progress to me, aside from the minor symptoms of withdrawal, most notably the chills. Ok, the chills might have been caused by the rain.

So currently I am captivated with the following typefaces.

Seriffed:

Palatino

Georgia

Didot

Bodoni

Sans-Serifed:

Myriad

Avenir

Avant Garde

Frutiger

Futura(Sparingly!)

That scary barrier.

With the announcement of Supreme Court Justice Souter's retirement the hunt is on for a suitable replacement. Although Souter's replacement will likely not change the ideological make-up of the court, the demographic of the court is likely to change.

There is already wide speculation that President Obama will appoint a female to join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who is currently the only woman on the court, and an even greater chance that the new justice will be a minority.

Although It is great to see the advancement of traditionally underrepresented groups in the nation's highest offices, it is deplorable when those factors become determining components to nomination. We see it all too often in the failed policies of affirmative action. Yes affirmative action did increase diversity where implemented but at the same time denied qualified individuals the right to equal opportunity. There is a distinction between the promise of equal opportunity and equal results, the latter is not guaranteed by our Constitution. Minorities like myself would rather accept a hand-up, than a hand-out.

We can never move forward as a nation that has broken the racial or gender barriers if the push to hand out positions is based on either. It is in all actuality reverse discrimination.

 A resolve based on caliber is better than a decision based on courtesy any day.