Before this 'toon takes off on a commentary roll, I want to send a shout out to the dozen or so regular posters here.
It's something I've wanted to go for some time, and Clay's cartoon gives me the incentive.

I've visited message boards where the issues that divide us are voiced in juvenile and insulting verbage, but the level of discourse here is always held to a respectful and nonpersonal exchange.

I appreciate the contribution of everyone from the dry wit of Toonfan to the sometimes acerbic but logical intellect of our friend Rolando. I'm thankful for the refreshing candor of Clara and the sincere rebuttals of Sailorman.

This board is unique that it shares friendly differences between personalities as diverse as Oz and Samplegirl without stooping to the dredges of name calling and condescension.

As Woody would say, "Thank you for your attention".

As for the legislation, the problem was not so much procrastination but that their agenda was full of special interest trivial items. At the current rate they will go down as the least productive session in my memory.

Very subjective fiscal notes are determining if legislation passes or not, under the zero senate sweeper. The gun bills had zero fiscal notes, as a result they passed through committees at the speed of light.

The fiscal committee that decided that the gun bills had no cost to the public, used a pick and choose method of what factors would be in the calculation of the fiscal note. For instance, they selectively excluded the cost of new victims of gun permittees that view themselves as law enforcement. Yes, there are costs, emergency reponse, law enforcment, uninsured medical. This was selectively omitted form the fiscal note.

The case of the Bradly county man emting his pistol at the law mower theif on neighboring property is just the begining.

Thank you state legislators for arming citizens that now think that are law enforcement. I think I will go to the park now, NOT.

I missed the mower thief shooting, aae1049. Do you happen to have the cite so I can read it? He was totally out of line of course. Think lawsuit. The shooter must have slept through the permit class [if he attended].

We also have people on our freeways who think they are law enforcement and self-enforce speed laws by blocking traffic [and indirectly killing people too]. So we have those nutcases everywhere. It is a matter of perspective. And driving isn't even a right.

Good post on the fiscal angle, BTW. Thanx. Lot of truth in that.

Good post, JohnnyRingo. The relative civility is one reason I stay here. On those very few occasions when one of us loses it out of passion or whatever, a hint ends it.

Agree or not, your posts are interesting.

"Acerbic", huh? Well, I try to reserve it... :]

I would love to hold the Tennessee Legislature up as a shining example of how not to do business, but the truth of the matter is they had plenty of company in the 'Noodnik' department this year.
Now, had they actually took a vote and possibly even passed the now defunct "Baggie Pants Bill" that would have definitely put them 'over the top'.
The bottom is when they don't have any money to waste, the only option left to them is time.
And, just for the record,
Thank you, Johnny Ringo, for your time and attention,
Woody

aae1049 " the cost of new victims of gun permittees that view themselves as law enforcement." Come on now, that's quite an assumption. We've seen no real evidence of that anywhere else. Why throw out unfounded statements like that? It's your opinion or, perhaps more to the point, unreasonable fear, and nothing more.

and thanks for the compliment Johnny

I'd like to make one of my few posts to second the comments of JohnnyRingo. I too, would like to express my appreciation to everyone who participates in the discussions here.

I'm always gratified to see the debate that ensues on any given day, and I'm certainly flattered by your interest in my work, but mainly I'm impressed by the level of the discourse that takes place here. You're all doing Chattanooga proud by the style and substance reflected in your arguments. It's hard to resist jumping into the fray myself, but I'd never get any work done if I did. That being the case, I'd better go now, I need to go get started on my next cartoon.

Thanks again to you all. I'll be following your discussions with great interest.

Your cartoonist,
Clay

If anybody has anything new to say about the firearm issue, I'd be surprised. Can we turn to the question of what makes a legislature "productive"? I remember an article claiming a session had been unproductive because it ONLY passed 1,200 pieces of legislation.That's 1,200 new laws, rules, regulations etc that are "for the public good". I submit that a truly productive legislature would be going the other direction i.e. lessening the intrusion by government into our lives at every opportunity. No I don't support anarchy but I do believe that politicians spend too much of their time trying to insinuate special interest self-serving legislation into our lives. What say you?

The lawnmower was on the adjoining property. Law adiding citizens become armed and think they are the police is my concern.

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/art...

aae1049
"TBI Will Investigate Incident In Which Cleveland Councilman Fired At Thieves"

Councilman=politician=not law abiding citizen. I kid.(kinda)

Stories like this are troubling, but rare. If Mr. Poe has a HCP, he probably won't have it much longer, and he will most likely lose his right to even own a firearm. Judging by the few facts shown he needs to spend some time in prison as well.

Clay,
Thank you for the forum and wonderful toons.

Sailorman,
I am with you 100% on your last post. The only thing the gov. ,at all levels, needs to accomplish is to roll back all the silliness they've put in place over the last 100 years or so.

SCOTTYM, I stand corrected, it was a contridiction in terms to equate law abiding to elected. What was I thinking?
I agree mishap on my part.

This is the essence of my concern, the gun permit and people beleveing this is a license to act as law enforcement. It is a real concern.

I firmly believe that I would be safer in parks without good citizens with guns. Good citizens will feel a need to help, and they will make the situation worse.

aae1049 I understand you are concerned. Those same people (permit holders) are all over the place - on the streets, in the stores, etc. Does your concern rise to the same level everywhere? Not knocking your feelings - just trying to understand what makes parks different.

Parks, that is where children gather in large groups. I am all about children.

I would like to see all laws any legislature passes apply only to them for the first year. No exemptions allowed. Nor should they be allowed "separate but equal" anything, theirs always being more equal than ours.

Examples abound; the more egregious -- OSHA, IRS, Social Security, health care, unfunded mandates, public schools, FreddieandFannie loans, no un-taxable deductions, etc.

----------------------------------

These things are all your fault, Clay. :] Pardon the criticisms, particularly mine, but we treat you as one of ours, you know. No holds barred. You give us good stuff.

aae1049 OK I get your point - not that I necessarily agree with it :)

rolando great idea but fat chance lol you really think they would inconvenience themselves?

Why oh why do these idiots keep get reelected? Maybe the great voting unwashed is afraid they wouldn't have anything to complain about.

And finally you're right it's all Clay's fault

aae1049 -- thanx for the cite. Cleveland should be hit with a couple million lawsuit at least. The idiot should be slapped hard and kicked out of office. He undoubtedly thinks he is immune to civil lawsuit....there is no way this was an in-line-of-duty offense and Councilman immunity won't apply.

One does not shoot someone over mere property.

Speaking of voters, Sailorman, did you see the results of the first nationwide electronic-only voting held in Hawaii earlier this week? It was for a minor post but there were essentially no paper ballots; voting was by Internet or phone only.

The results were astonishing...last election for that same post in 2007, there were 44,000-odd votes cast. This time there were 7,800-odd. Yes, 7,800. That's an 83% LOSS of votes.

They didn't say how many eligible voters there were. Evidently ACORN had trouble rounding up homeless computers...or something.

I think it was on drudgereport.com this morning.

homeless computers rofl

Sailorman, Several posts ago I mentioned something about the overabundance, and sources of laws and regulations we now are subject to. I'm glad someone agrees.

Thank you for the support. I heartily agree with this position.

What's the term they used for non-violent anarchists in the 1960's?

Benevolant anarchists or something? How could that be?

Clara - My position is that many times laws and regulations are counterproductive. Not always of course. The repeal of Glass-Steagal was a mistake I think. But the almost inexhaustible supply of licenses, inspections, regulations meant to protect us from ourselves always benefit somebody else and often stifle entry of new players and competition into the marketplace Who do taxi regulations benefit? Take a look at the state boards of various activities. Why in the world is the state licensing auctioneers?? The ultimate is the IRS code. If you took out all the rules that benefit special interest groups, it would probably be a bit smaller. Well, you get the drift. It's insane.

Sailorman,

I've found that somehow, there probably exists on the list of laws and regulations in the U.S. alone, and if researched completely, would make everyone a criminal somehow or other.

By the way, the term I probably concocted from false memory about "Benevolant Anarchist" is probably similar to "military intelligence," or "constructive demolition."

This cartoon reminded me of how easy it is to donate to some very worthy cause. Just some small random act of kindness for your fellow man. The other day while in my downtown...I walked past a park bench with dry goods upon it...curious I walked up and under the goods a note explaining the goods were food which were intended for all mankind. It was signed by the Family Mission here in our town. What could be greater than just caring about another fellow american. I think community service is something we all put off and its a great tribute to who we are all as americans.

I wonder what the Tennessee State Assembly is busy doing right now.

Since I'm a stranger to these here parts, what are they supposed to be discussing...beside taking the weekend off?

I've got to go make a batch of fried rice for another pot luck tomorrow. that makes the 5th picnic or potluck since last Friday. And the summer hasn't even started.

Talk later if I'm awake, or if another severe storm isn't passing through.