Chris Butler Commentary: Ask Your Tennessee Legislators for a Term Limits Convention

Senators for decades

Without a legal mandate to do so, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker is reportedly wondering whether it’s in his best interests to avoid a third term in office and, thus, term limit himself. If that’s true, then Corker, possibly without meaning to, will do something many other politicians at the federal level have thus far never considered — put the best interests of his constituents ahead of his ego. As you already know, the problem with career politicians is a pervasive one in Washington, D.C. Our elected officials seemingly keep their feet bolted to the floors of Capitol Hill because they believe no one else can do their jobs. Do you think I’m exaggerating? When Arizona voters sent John McCain to the U.S. Senate 30 years ago Atari video games were still a hot commodity. When Thad Cochran of Mississippi assumed his seat in the U.S. Senate in 1978 disco was all the rage, Col. Sanders was still alive, and most people didn’t even own VCR’s. That’s right. Cochran’s tenure in the Senate pre-dates and exceeds the mass market’s use of the VCR. Of course, those men have nothing on Strom Thurmond or Robert Byrd, both of whom served roughly half…

Read the full story

Union-Backed Antoinette Lee Wins Nashville Metro Council Runoff Election

Antoinette Lee defeated Tim Herndon in a runoff election Tuesday to fill a vacated seat on Nashville’s Metro Council. Lee won 655 votes (55 percent) to Herndon’s 540 (45 percent), according to unofficial results released by the Election Commission Tuesday evening. The seat is in District 33, which covers part of Antioch. Lee works as a field organizer for the Tennessee Education Association (TEA) teachers union, which backed her campaign. The TEA is the state affiliate of the National Education Association. She also was endorsed by the AFL-CIO’s Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. In addition, she was helped by several Democratic state lawmakers. Lee and Herndon were forced into a runoff when neither received more than 50 percent of votes cast in the Aug. 15 special election. The nonpartisan race was held to replace former Councilman Sam Coleman, who was sworn in as a Nashville judge to replace former Judge Casey Moreland, who stepped down because of a corruption scandal. Herndon runs a small company with his wife called Financial BluePrint that designs and builds group insurance programs and provides HR services to companies and individuals. He was endorsed by the Davidson County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

Read the full story

Trump Overturns Obama, Makes It Much Easier For CIA To Kill Terrorists

The Trump administration loosened Obama-era restrictions on CIA drone strike approval, accelerating the air war on the Islamic State and Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, NBCNews reports. The drone strikes predominantly took place in Syria and Yemen where multiple violent terrorist organizations operate. The Trump administration is also in the midst of a drone policy review…

Read the full story

Bill O’Reilly Spars with Matt Lauer over Fox News Ouster: ‘Don’t Be Sarcastic’

Sparks flew in NBC’s New York studios on Tuesday as author Bill O’Reilly arrived to talk about his new book and April ouster from Fox News Channel. “Today” show viewers who tuned in Tuesday morning witnessed the first major interview by Mr. O’Reilly since a spate of sexual harassment allegations ended his cable news domination. The former host of “The O’Reilly Factor” showed up ready to spar in a nearly 10-minute interview with host Matt Lauer.…

Read the full story

Christian Hymn Singing Fills Grand Ole Opry

  NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Grand Ole Opry House was filled Monday evening with the sound of Christians singing hymns old and new. Hymn-writers Keith and Kristyn Getty led a spirit-filled event related to a conference they are leading this week at Brentwood Baptist to promote congregational singing. The husband and wife duo from Northern Ireland divide their time between Northern Ireland and a home in Nashville. Monday’s event at the Grand Ole Opry featured several surprise guests, including Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who offered welcoming remarks and read from the Old Testament book of Zephaniah, where the Bible talks about how God “will take great delight” in his followers and “rejoice over you with singing.” Surprise musical guests included country and bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs and singer-songwriter Buddy Greene, also known as a harmonica stylist. In addition, Gary Haugen, the CEO and founder of the International Justice Mission, was introduced on stage so he could briefly talk about his group’s mission. A faith-based ministry supported and promoted by the Gettys, the IJM works to stop human trafficking. Alistair Begg, a native of Scotland who pastors a nondenominational church in Ohio and hosts a Christian radio show, also spoke briefly. The Gettys…

Read the full story

Judd Matheny Prepared for Special Election if U.S. Rep. Diane Black Leaves Seat to Ramp Up Gubernatorial Campaign

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee — State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) said Tuesday he wouldn’t be surprised if U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-6) decided to resign her seat in Congress to focus on her campaign for governor. “If not, the governor’s race is going to leave her behind,” said Matheny, speaking at a fundraiser at the home of political supporters in Brentwood. Matheny said the race for governor is shaping up to be competitive, with five leading candidates vying for the Republican nomination. If Black were to resign her 6th congressional district seat early, there would be a special election to replace her. Matheny is already campaigning hard to win her seat in 2018. Former state Sen. Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) recently resigned from the state legislature to focus on her gubernatorial campaign, fueling speculation that Black and state House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) might consider resigning their seats to more effectively campaign for governor. Matheny spoke Tuesday evening at the home of Lee and Elizabeth Douglas. Lee Douglas is a dentist and conservative activist. He told his guests he doesn’t know Matheny well personally, but has followed his political career and is impressed with his conservative credentials. Douglas said Matheny could be…

Read the full story

POLL: 82% of Republicans Support a Military Strike Against North Korea Should Diplomacy and Sanctions Fail

The American attitude toward North Korea appears to be evolving ­- and not necessarily in a docile direction. The number of Americans who would support a U.S. military response to the rogue nation’s aggression is “significantly higher” these days, according to a new Gallup poll. “As North Korea continues to launch test missiles and issue provocative…

Read the full story

Gorka: Trump’s ‘Rocket Man’ Rhetoric Helps Shove North Korea ‘Back in its Box’

Tennessee Star

Dr. Sebastian Gorka, former deputy assistant to President Donald Trump, said that the president’s decision to refer to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un as “Rocket Man” in front of the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday “gets us halfway” to shoving the regime “back in its box” where it belongs, during an interview Tuesday on “The…

Read the full story

Pastors’ Spouses Happy But Experience Stress, Especially Younger Ones, LifeWay Research Study Shows

Pastors’ spouses say their roles are meaningful and fulfilling, but they also experience pressure and stress, younger spouses especially, according to the results of a new LifeWay Research study. The survey of 720 spouses focused primarily on spouses of senior or solo pastors within a variety of Protestant denominations. The vast majority of spouses surveyed are women. Just over half have children at home, and just over half have been married to a pastor for at least 20 years. Most have responsibilities at their church and some – 19 percent – are on the staff. More than half – 55 percent – work outside the church, a quarter of them for another church, ministry or nonprofit. “Despite their challenges, most pastors’ spouses say they are happy,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Resarch, in an article in Facts & Trends, a LifeWay publication. But pastors’ spouses also report experiencing feelings of isolation and frustration with not knowing who to confide in and trust. They say their families are continually evaluated and that their spouses have met resistance at church. Money is also a big worry. Those in younger age groups have more challenges in building relationships than those in older…

Read the full story

Lee Beaman Launches Super PAC to Raise $4 Million to Support Andy Ogles and Oppose Bob Corker in GOP Senate Primary

Tennessee Star

Middle Tennessee’s most recognized auto dealer has launched a Super PAC that intends to raise $4 million in a Super PAC for independent expenditures to support Andy Ogles and oppose Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) in the 2018 Republican U.S. Senate primary in Tennessee. “Ogles is the former state director of Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch’s network. He declared his candidacy last week, and his campaign on Tuesday announced the formation of the super PAC run by Lee Beaman, a Nashville Toyota dealer,” the Associated Press reported. Super PACs can take unlimited contributions from wealthy donors, but they may not coordinate with the campaigns. Corker has not yet announced whether he will seek a third term. Two people familiar with a White House discussion between the senator and president last week told The Associated Press that Trump urged Corker to run during the meeting. Beaman said he plans to raise $4 million to support Ogles, citing his support for tighter border security, repealing former President Barack Obama’s health care law and cutting taxes and regulation. News of the hefty financial resources about to be trained on Corker spread quickly throughout the Volunteer…

Read the full story

Faith: Verse of the Day for Wednesday, September 20

Tennessee Star - Verse of the Day

  VERSE OF THE DAY Be blessed and be a blessing September 20, Wednesday Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.    

Read the full story