MacGyver

I remember the first time I flew on a commercial airline into Saudi Arabia. Their customs form was like any other one you might fill out - but in big red block letters at the bottom of the form it said, “I understand and acknowledge that possession or use of illegal drugs in the Kingdom is a crime punishable immediately by death.” I was traveling for work at the invitation of the king, so I asked someone who knew about it later. That person told me that, “no our numbers are just as bad as anywhere else.“ They had more or less stopped executing people for using - even though the did a few dozen publicly each year. They would execute people caught dealing or trafficking right then and there. And yet there numbers were still basically the same. The heart of the matter is “tough on crime” sounds great. But the data just doesn’t support it - even at the extreme end of the spectrum.

It ought to be noted that there are countries in the world where the penalties are quite extreme. Their numbers aren’t that much different than ours.

It’s a good podcast on good intentions and how those can morph into overreach. We’ve had some good examples of that here in Tennessee. I did learn a lot about Paddlefish.

There was an interesting podcast on a big investigation that happened at Lake of the Ozarks a few years ago:

An honest question then - who are the people in your life that you *would* trust? This is a thread on mental health - and we have shooting after shooting nationally where mental health is an issue that's brought right up front and center. I get it that so many of us are skeptical of "the government" being able to take away your guns and due process and all of that. I totally understand that. But who are the people you'd trust to ask, "are you okay? have you had thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else? would it be helpful for me to hold onto your guns for a minute?" I have had people's guns in my safe. I have a couple in there right now - for people in my life who I care deeply about - and for whom I was able to get past myself and ask them, "can I hold your guns for a minute." One friend may well be alive today because of it. It's probably worth going through that thought exercise - and asking both, "who are the people in my life whom I'd trust with my guns" and "who are the people in my life who would trust me with theirs." That second one might be a bigger circle than you think.

That’s a warranty issue. The tolerances on OTFs is way closer than you might think. It doesn’t take much to throw it off - we’re talking a few thousandths of an inch. They ought to replace it for you.

Any of y’all can call me. Anytime. I’ve lost too many people that I care deeply about. Some here. Way too soon. There are a whole lot of reasons for that - and there aren’t any easy answers. It sucks. But the heart of the matter is if you need someone to listen, or someone to yell at, or someone to cry with - I’ll be there. Anytime.

The Spyderco PM2 is the best folding EDC ever made - full stop. It’s the Glock 19 of knives. Find one in m390. Mod it with whatever scales fit your fancy. Strop it to keep It sharp.

I suspected some TGO’ers were the ones boo’ing Pence this afternoon…

On a practical level - I would just love to know who the House GOP caucus has speaking truth to them. They've been told to pack for a long week next week - because they're going to do everything they can possibly do to end the legislative session and get out of the spotlight.

Y’all are both longtime forum members - and @Links2k is a far cry from anti- gun. The man has sold more high end pieces than about anyone here. I’d encourage anyone participating in these threads to argue specific points not passion.

As to the, “there’s not a bill yet” - Bob Freeman and Heidi Campbell filed one last week. I’m not certain - but I think this would fall under “late bill” criteria - meaning the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader would have to unanimously agree to take it up. Sexton wants to be Governor awfully bad. I don’t know that he’d go for it - even after last week.

This video has serious "it's not a toll road, it's a choice road" vibes. I post it here not to make a comment on Red Flag laws - we can do that elsewhere. Rather, I post it as an example of a representative who must just think his voters aren't that smart. That's all.

The old bolton’s on 8th was wonderful. Their hot fish was so good. They went out of business when Hattie B’s opened a franchise across the street. AJ’s Hot Fish and Chicken was great too. My favorite was when they were out of the trailer on Ashland City Highway. I like Prince’s fine. I think their chicken is the best - but people are going to take people to Hattie B’s so they can get some sides. If something is good - someone is going to come along and try to make some money off of it. I’ll have to try the Publix variant.

Of course here’s the other thing that happens when you shine a light into a corrupt darkness: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/11/tennessee-gov-bill-lee-calls-for-order-of-protection-law-on-guns/70102868007/ They’ll do damn near anything to get that light off of them.

All very true. Here’s my working theory on supermajorities regardless of political party - but on full display right now in Tennessee. They don’t serve anyone well - even if you tend to agree with them - because they just don’t have to work that hard. As a result, the finished product usually is less than ideal because laziness or corruption or both affected the outcome. We’re seeing this in all kinds of ways in that so many of the bills they pass end up costing us a lot of money as they’re litigated into the next decade - and then don’t actually become law because they’re found to be unconstitutional. The majority party doesn’t care because they got their talking point and stuck it to their opponents. I *want* the other side to have competent, effective representation - because it’s better for all of us when that’s the case - even when I don’t agree with them. Jones or Pearson being back in the legislature won’t make a bit of difference at the ground level - because the current supermajority has already effectively silenced them on a daily basis. The incident two weeks ago could have been avoided at large had they just had the courtesy to let the minority members recognize the people in the gallery. But they’ve so effectively silenced them that they literally have no voice. That’s not going to change. But as they saying goes, “Democracy dies in darkness.” I’m supportive of both visibility and debate - even when I might disagree with it - because if the opposition doesn’t have a seat at the table I’m going to eventually give in to being lazy or corrupt or both.

For the affluent in America, it’s all about return on investment. No need to be one when you can easily buy them - and then get some more when the first ones are used up. Truthfully, that’s the reason some see “zealots” like Jones who actually believe in something as such a threat. He’s not bought and paid for. He’s not afraid to shine a light on some things that a lot of people would like to keep in the dark.

I’ll avoid commenting on the particulars other than just to say the TN GOP did more to strengthen the minority party than dozens of effective operatives on the ground could’ve hoped to accomplish in a decade. Jones was reseated literally the next business day. Pearson will be seated similarly - and they got backed into a corner on agreeing to pay to agreed upon funding. Sexton got called out for actually residing in Davidson county - not the Crossville district he represents. Brian Manookian is threatening to start outing mistresses - starting with Sexton’s. Representative Johnson has been reassigned to her committees, and they’re reconsidering the language in Jones’ bills And to top it all off - they also got enjoined on their attempt to cut the metro council in half. Banner start to the legislative week. In any sane world Sexton wouldn’t survive as speaker - but it’s not like they’ve got better options in the likes of Faison or Lambreth.

I have. They’re a real pain to prepare - but turtle soup done well is great. Personally, I like it like they do it at Brennan’s in New Orleans. The sherry is a must. https://www.neworleans-food.com/recipes/turtle-soup/

When I first saw this I thought, “well… they’re trying to take an unforced error and turn it into a rout that may land the current speaker in prison - maybe even before of the speaker that he replaced makes it to trial.” One of two things is true - and they’re both worth considering regardless of where you sit on the political spectrum. Either they truly think that the rules don’t apply to them and they can do whatever they want. Or they see the proverbial writing on the wall and are willing to burn everything down on the way out. Both are problematic.

Pride goeth before destruction - or so the old proverb goes... Jones and Pearson will likely both be back in the House on an interim basis by Tuesday afternoon. The council here in Nashville already is near unanimous - and Memphis has come out in support too. Word is that Sexton is trying to bargain with the Memphis's mayor behind the scenes - threatening to withhold funding for the work being done on the Forum if they send Pearson back. Pearson will be back. Regardless of what you think of their particular politics - I would encourage anyone to avoid making the same mistake the legislature did yesterday. Jones was instrumental - and a thorn in the flesh of the legislature - in getting the NBF statue removed from the Rotunda. Pearson was quite effective as an organizer in getting the Byhalia Pipeline stopped. So much so that the state passed laws to make it so that local legislatures can't intervene again. That will likely get tossed out in court. If you didn't watch the proceedings yesterday - I'd encourage you to. Both of those gentlemen are there because their communities sent them there. You may not agree with them. But those two - with less than four months between them in the House - went up against people who talk for a living - and ran laps around them. They gave a master class on swaying public opinion. Dismiss or discount them at your peril.

That one vote was Justin Pearson. Had they removed him first they would have had the votes. Something is changing in a way it hasn’t before. You can feel it on the ground at these protests. More on that later maybe. These lawmakers made fools of themselves yesterday in front of the whole nation. They’re going to do anything to get that spotlight off of themselves.

The Tennessee House made the greatest unforced error since John Bell Hood decimated the Army of Tennessee in the Battle of Franklin.

I do love some M390.

For what it’s worth, I know a bunch of the students who were at the Capitol today - because they’re my kids’ classmates. A couple of things worth noting as an “insurrection” narrative is crafted: 1. This crowd was almost entirely students 2. Everyone you see passed through a metal detector and through security 3. They were loud - and it was tense - but it was in no way violent 4. At one point three students blocked a bathroom - and the state troopers got physical as they cleared a path 5. no students were on the floor at any point 6. At one point a few Democratic freshmen state reps took to the floor with a megaphone. The Democratic leadership was yelling for them to stop - and they’ll likely get censured. 7. Whether we agree or not with the message - protest is a fundamental right. It’s rarely a solution by itself - but it often makes room to find a solution. Do with that as you will.