Month: January 2009

The local celebration crossed partisan lines Monday when a pair of Republicans with Shelby County backgrounds were nominated by the state GOP legislative caucus for well-paid constitutional positions in state government.

Getting the nod from the Republicans of the state House and Senate were David Lillard for Tennessee treasurer and Tre Hargett for Secretary of State. Nomination for the third constitutional office, that of state comptroller, went to Justin Wilson of Nashville, who served as chief policy advisor to former governor Don Sundquist.

Given the fact that Republicans now outnumber Democrats by six votes in the joint legislative caucus that will vote to award the positions on Wednesday, Lillard, Hargett, and Wilson would appear to be shoo-ins for the jobs.

Earlier, Democratic caucus members from the House and Senate had voted to endorse the current holders of the three constitutional positions, Secretary of State Riley Darnell, Treasurer Dale Sims, and Comptroller John Morgan.

The immediate local reaction to the GOP nominations Monday was enthusiastic on both sides of the political aisle. Democrat Deidre Malone, who as chair of the Shelby County Commission was presiding over Monday’s regular meeting of the body, exulted out loud when GOP commissioner Mike Carpenter announced the news of the nominations.

Calling Lillard “a terrific commissioner,” Malone said, “To that point, as Democrats, we need to make some phone calls to help him get that post.” Vice chair Joyce Avery, a Republican, followed that by saying, “I’ll miss him terribly,” to which Malone responded, “I will, too.”

Hargett, too, has Shelby County roots. The former House minority leader and current chairman of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority served several terms as a state representative from Bartlett.

All three constitutional offices pay the bearer an annual salary of $180,000.

The governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is becoming a
folk hero. Have you noticed? Among other things, he has succeeded in sticking
his thumb in the collective eye of the politicians, not just in Illinois, but in
D.C. as well. While those politicians run around in apoplectic circles, trying
to figure out how to clip Blago’s wings, he outflanks and outmaneuvers them at
every turn. Resign from office—up yours (and watch as the Illinois Supreme
Court refuses to remove him). Refrain from appointing a replacement for Barrack
Obama’s Senate seat—fahgitaboutit (and watch as the Senate’s Democrats are
forced to seat Blago’s appointment). Impeachment—a mere technicality, a
political hatchet job. After all, we know how bogus Bill Clinton’s impeachment
was (not to mention that he survived it quite nicely, thank you).

Blago is, if nothing else, a lovable rogue, if only because
he’s figured out he doesn’t have to buckle under the pressure of the
“powers-that-be.” He has managed to survive the all-out collective onslaught of
the State of Illinois, the United States Department of Justice and the United
States Senate. Talk about grace under fire! With the full arsenal of state and
federal government aimed at him, what does he do? Goes jogging, of course. Oh
sure, everyone says that someone who’s charged with a crime is innocent until
they’re proven guilty, but we all know that’s an exercise in lip service.
Everyone knows Blago is guilty, if only because everyone has already decided he
is. How can anyone with that much hair, or who reveres Elvis, not be guilty of
something. Right to trial? Just a formality. And yet, many capable criminal law
practitioners believe he may very well not be guilty of any crimes, based on
what has come to light about his conduct so far.

Think about it. We idolize criminals, convicted or not. We
may not admire them, but we sure do erect legends around them. How else to
explain the Bonnie and Clyde phenomenon. Or D.B. Cooper, Jesse James, John
Dillinger, Billy the Kid (or Captain Kidd, for that matter). How about the
entire “Mafia” (a la “The Godfather,” and “The Sopranos”). We even name
products after criminals (e.g., “Captain Morgan” rum, named for the famous
pirate). Sometimes, we even secretly hope they outwit the “authorities,” if
only because we know the “authorities” aren’t always right, and there, but for
the grace of luck, go we. Remember, even Robin Hood was considered a criminal by
the “authorities.” It’s no accident that “true crime” books are perennially best
sellers (especially the kind that have pictures). We are fascinated by anyone
who can commit crimes, and sometimes, for however long, even get away with them.

Don’t get me wrong. We pick and choose which criminals we
idolize. No one idolized Jeffery Dahmer, and yet the film, loosely replicating
his exploits, was a multiple Academy Award winner, and one of the most popular
films of all time. Same for Don Corleone or Tony Soprano.

There’s no telling how much longer Blago will survive the
withering pressure he’s under, both politically and criminally, but in the
meantime we can all watch his exploits and marvel at his chutzpah.

7th District congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, who represents portions of Shelby County and last fall was among the stoutest opponents of any federal bailouts related to the housing industry crisis, saw her own home listed for foreclosure this week, but apparently will avert any further jeopardy.

As reported in The Williamson Herald, Blackburn’s home in Brentwood, called “Up Yonder,” was the subject of a foreclosure notice posted Thursday and was listed for sale on January 29 on the steps of the Williamson County Judicial Building.

Blackburn’s office responded late Thursday by producing a letter from Bill Adams, a spokesperson for the congresswoman’s home bank, saying, “”It has come to my attention that several electronic payments authorized by (Chuck Blackburn) were not processed by Green Bank as requested, though sufficient funds were in the bank to cover those payments. GreenBank has taken the necessary steps with Countrywide Mortgage to ensure that the issue is resolved and the property on Murray Lane is not in foreclosure.

“Mr. Blackburn has always handled his banking affairs at GreenBank in an acceptable manner and is considered an excellent customer.”

According to the Herald, the mortgage was placed on the property by Countrywide Home Loans in September 2004 and was a 10-year note.