Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Tennessee state Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) to the studio.
During the second hour, Leahy and Roberts discussed how the Tennessee state Senate reconvened Monday evening with salutes and prayers before the rioting in downtown Nashville.
Leahy: So last night, Monday, the State Senate convened?
Roberts: We were out by 5:30 p.m.
Leahy: So tell us when did you convene?
Roberts: 4:30 p.m.
Leahy: 4:30 p.m. And what happened?
Roberts: Mainly when you reconvene after being recessed.
Leahy: You’re in the state Senate chamber.
Roberts: It’s merely a formality.
Leahy: Were all 33 state senators there?
Roberts: Spread out.
Leahy: All six feet apart?
Roberts: Yes. You can find images online. They moved all the desks. So instead of being elbow to elbow. We were all six feet apart.
Leahy: That’s a very nice chamber by the way.
Roberts: I love it.
Leahy: It’s got a very different feel than the House chamber does.
Roberts: Indeed.
Leahy: It’s more collegiate.
Roberts: Peaceful.
Leahy: It’s quieter. It’s definitely quieter. You are not going to see some ranting and raving there are you?
Roberts: Well… (Laughs)
Leahy: Occasionally you’ll see it.
Roberts: It’s not commonplace.
Leahy: So what did you do during this hour?
Roberts: We reconvened.
Leahy: Was that with Lt. Governor McNally.
Roberts: Yes. Let me tell you something that is interesting. We always start with a prayer.
Leahy: OK.
Roberts: Somebody is invited. Generally, a local pastor to give a prayer. In this case, it was done by video. I don’t know if it was pre-recorded or live but they came in on the TV screen. Then we say the pledge of allegiance standing. Then we turn to the Tennessee flag and do the salute to the Tennessee flag which was the part of which late by State Senator Douglas…
Leahy: Doug Henry. I knew that would be the guy.
Roberts: It’s kind of funny for people who have never been there. And when you’re done with the pledge everybody thinks like ok, let’s move on. Then all of a sudden everybody starts doing the salute to the Tennessee flag.
Leahy: Are there words or a certain physical thing you do?
Roberts: There are words on the TV. Its three white stars and a field of blue. God keep them strong and ever true. It is with pride and joy that we salute the flag of Tennessee.
Leahy: I love that!
Roberts: It’s on the big screen so people can read it.
Leahy: I love that!
Listen to the second hour here:
– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
Background Photo “Tennessee General Assembly” by the Tennessee General Assembly.
Good!
I also suggest the reading of the Tennessee Constitution Declaration of Rights and make sure ALL Legislstors, the Governor and ALL Judges have a copy to READ and OBEY!
I made an error. Instead of “suggest”, I should have written that all of our public “servants” (thank you, Cannoneer2) SHALL READ and OBEY the Tennessee Constitution Declaration of Rights.
One hour, and I bet almost everyone took per diem for that. Public “servants” making nearly $200 an hour…. not including salary, of course!