Bristolian

Well, Earl. It’s not a bad Idea. Hell, we’ll even join you if you like. But there’s a few things we have to talk about first. Like who did you vote for in the 2004 Presidential elections?

Not so fast guys. There’s a broader picture and deeper issue than just you being pissed off about the price of gas because NOW you’re feeling the effects.
Your equipment causes a lot of pollution, Earl. Were you aware of that?

The BHC has the original article by Amy Hunter.

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Earl Humphreys works from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, but he can’t afford to fix a leaky roof at his lawn-care business, nor can he accept clients who live outside city limits.

“We’re just getting by,” he said. “All we’re doing is turning money over.”

The reason: high gas prices.

Humphreys said he has been struggling financially for some time, but when prices climbed well beyond $3 per gallon recently, he decided it was time to do something about it.

On May 5, Humphreys and representatives from at least a dozen area businesses are staging a rally to protest suffocating fuel costs, he said.

“We want to spark a movement across the U.S. to send our politicians the message,” he said.

Humphreys, owner of Lawn Boyz Home and Garden Center on Bluff City Highway, said Tuesday that gas prices are double what they were this time last year, and he has been hit especially hard because his business relies heavily on gasoline.

LOL! No, Earl. This time last year gas prices were over three dollars a gallon. You mean “gas is twice what it was BEFORE BUSH INVADED THE WHITE HOUSE“.

C’mon, Earl. Who’d ya vote for in ‘04?

“We have to use premium gas in our equipment, which is the costliest gas. We use it in our trucks, mowers, Weedeaters and blowers. We average $120 per day in gas,” he said. “And the gas doesn’t only affect us in terms of our vehicles. There are increases in [prices of] straw, grass seed, mulch, weed killer and more, which is because shipping costs have risen.”

Humphreys isn’t alone. Over the past months, gas prices have become the main topic of conversation, he said. Fed up, he began calling his competitors in efforts to unite them in protest.

Finally fed up are we? Where ya been since ‘05, Earl? Don’t tell me, you’ve been lost at sea and are just now finding out how fucked we are after eight years of Republican leadership?

Vote Republican in ‘04 and ‘06, Earl?

“We’re sending a message to the politicians in Washington that in the next election, if they don’t do what their supposed to do, we’ll replace them,” he said.

Which politicians would those be, Earl? The ones that voted for lower energy costs, or the one’s that didn’t?

Did you vote for David Davis for Congress in ‘06, Earl?

Humphrey’s knows exactly what he’d like decision-makers in Washington to do.

First, he said, there should be an independent investigation in Washington conducted by people who aren’t connected to big oil.

Second, he would like Congress to pass a bill giving farmers tax incentives so they can grow more corn for ethanol.

Uh, Earl. Hellooooooo. Earth to Earl…

Investigation into what? The Bush administration’s profits from Big Oil? Cheney? Bush Sr.?

Ethanol, Earl? Wise up. Ethanol is almost as expensive as gas.

And third, he thinks the United States should deal outside OPEC and negotiate with countries like Russia and Venezuela for cheaper crude oil.

“This is not a red and blue issue – it’s a red, white and blue issue,” he said.

Well that’s just dandy, Earl. And how does Mr. Humphreys suggest we convince the single most greed laden administration in history to break from their Saudi owners?

Red, White, and Blue issue? That’s cute, wrong, but cute. Democrats have constantly pushed to move away from Arab oil and Republicans like David Davis and George Bush just continue to bow to Abdullah like Republican, FOX News watching morons continue to bow to them.
It’s a “Red” issue, Earl.
By the way, who did you vote for in ‘04 and ‘06?

The rally is planned from 7 to 9 a.m. May 5 in the parking lot of the former Southside Shopping Center at Bluff City Highway and Lavinder Lane. Call (423) 989-3770 for information.

The early-morning hours were set because “we’re struggling right now and need to work,” he said.

Humphrey’s couldn’t say for sure whether his protest will be a success. But, “We’re united. And anytime this country gets united things get done,” he said.

And what point do you intend to make at the protest, Earl? What candidates do you intend to endorse in order to generate some action?
Do you intend to engage in some good old-fashioned civil disobedience? That would get us interested. Block Volunteer Pkwy? Block entrances to gas stations?
Or just sit and lament the state Republican leadership has put this country in?

ahunter@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2531

Just a few points...

My fellow Liberal and good citizen of Bristol, Chris, and I were debating the issue with our friend Lewis Lofton and a few Right-Wing pigs that slithered in to Andrea Hopkins' blog at Bristol Views.

Michael Moore's "Sicko"

Of course it can become sickening to hear the cold, unfeeling, sanctimonious ravings of the Right-Wing. Especially when it's our children that they're threatening with their views.

Here's some points that we made in favor of Universal Health Care. The points against can be read at Andrea's blog. They are the usual "me first" Satanic Republican talking points. Those that care about people, especially children, may become ill so go read at your own risk.

1) I’m a Christian. Either we’re our brother’s keeper or we’re not.
WWJH (Who Would Jesus Heal)?

My guess would be everyone that needs it. Children first. A God given “right” is what it is. And unfortunately, many that claim to be Christians are failing the Lazarus Test by opposing universal health care. Woe to thee, worshipers of Mammon.

2) Many of those who are fearful that others won’t get good enough health care because the government is involved miss the point. Though the care would be as good as any, even if it wasn’t it’s better than no care at all.

The only thing universal health care will do is allow all citizens access to the same medications and medical equipment that the wealthy get access to. Private practitioners will still be there for those with family doctors and insurance will still be there for those that can afford it.
Don’t worry! No rich people will die that aren’t dead already.

3) One word, oversight.
The corporate medical industry cannot be trusted to do the right thing. Death and permanent injury due to hospital acquired infections is at record levels as we speak due to corporate medical entities such as Wellmont and the fact that they will always put money before people.
Bristol Regional is a filthy, wretched piece of crap and in an instance of serious injury to myself or a family member, we will risk the extra time to go to another hospital further away.

If I have to have surgery, I don’t wish to be amputated later due to incompetent doctors and Staph infections.
Corporations cannot be trusted. With corporate medical we get Dr’s like Bill Frist that make diagnosis from video tapes for political gain.
Money first, people last: The Republican credo.

4) For those that complain about “their tax money”, you’d be lightening society’s burden if you would kindly drop dead. It’s not your’s it’s ours, and I want mine spent on helping my fellow man.
Your greed and selfishness will eat your soul and spit it out for all to see.
You are the worst among mankind in the tradition of the Taliban.
This country neither needs you nor wants you. Go away.

5) By making it possible for all Americans to receive health care regardless of economic class, we enable children to get the proper screenings needed for preventive medicine which renders them less likely to need major care in the future.
That will unburden the hopelessly greedy and selfish that somehow think that the tax money we pay is theirs and theirs alone. LOL

What it boils down to is this, either we become a nation of healthier people due to preventative medicine for all from birth, or we remain a nation of people that find out later that we have ailments that could have been prevented had we been able to afford a trip to the Dr and some tests. Insurance is not affordable to the average American and we would be scum to turn our backs on those that can’t afford it.
Just because there is a certain amount of abuse is no excuse to deprive genuinely needy people of medical care.
Unless you have no soul, that is.

My fellow, Chris, also said something simple yet so profound. Especially if you're a Tennessean...

Chris stated:
"Anyone with the cognitive ability of a dust mite would understand that our government has a responsibility to it’s people."

Well said, Chris.

What gets me the most about the "small gov't Republicans" (no gov't has ever intruded on the everyday lives of average Americans like the Bush Regime has) in this area in particular, is that they seem to forget that it was Roosevelt [D], in 1933, that saved the Tennessee Valley from certain demise during the depression years.
Though our carpetbaggers may not care, people that are rooted here in Bristol and the surrounding areas should remember that were it not for a little "big government" we would most likely be little more than a swamp right now.

Our gov't does have a responsibility, and as TVA has proven, when the gov't exercises that responsibility competently and in good faith, good things can happen. I don't think that anyone that is actually from this area can deny that and maintain their self respect at the same time.

More points:

Then I noticed that the old "how will we pay for it" nonsense was rehashed. Allow me to once again put this defeatist perspective to rest.

1) Legalize Marijuana and other drugs now listed as "illegal" and tax the hell out of it. With the revenue, and the lack of spending 15B a year to fund the DEA, health care for all Americans could be easily achieved.

2) Our gov't just gave the filthy, treasonous Blackwater Security USA another 92 million to help them continue to murder women and children in Iraq.
How many lives could that money have saved? I guess we'll never know. We do know how many innocent lives the money is taking, that's for sure.

3) Of course, with the money that is wasted on the criminal war in Iraq in one week we could restore TennCare to every single citizen in the state of TN.

The key is to stop wasting money that we already have. If that stops, no new taxes will be needed for health care. Both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of throwing money away on failures like the Iraq War and the Drug War. Though when it comes to this kind of sheer mathematical ignorance, Conservanoid Republicans are the all time champs.

"if you want health care, PAY FOR IT"! (one clown stated)
Spoken like someone who's surely living off of someone else's dime.
The lack of compassion for America's children among those that mistakenly call themselves "conservatives" is truly the scourge of this nation.

Republicans....Jesus, deliver us from these people.

Let's face it, Bristol...We can't allow Corportist Carpetbaggers to control politics in this area. D-1 State Representitive can have a powerful effect on our communities. Both positive and negative.
We have to be careful.

We can live with people from other places coming in and opening businesses, indeed we welcome them. Look at the great things Burton Smith has done for this community.
But when it comes to local government it's just better to have local people to represent us. They're more likely to care about us and our future.

Local Boy

Kevin Smith is a born and raised Bristol native. He's all about this community...

"My Vision for Progress is the same vision that I believe that people in the First District share. It’s a vision rooted in hope, opportunity, and prosperity – a plan for all to succeed by respecting one another and by working towards the common good.- Kevin Smith"

Visit Kevin's website. He has much to say about his views and vision for Tennessee's District-1.

THE ENVIRONMENT

"I believe that we are all stewards of God’s Earth. The demands of industry and commerce must be balanced with the quality of life that we deserve as Americans. We owe a debt to our children and grandchildren to preserve our forests for hunting and camping, to keep our rivers and lakes clean for swimming and fishing, and to keep our air pure by reducing pollution and our dependence on fossil fuels. We do not get a “do-over” when it comes to the environment. There is only one Tennessee and it cannot be replaced."- Kevin Smith

Kevin was born and raised here and he loves Tennessee and especially Bristol. Kevin knows how the Corportists like Lundburg will happily destroy our environment if means lining their greedy little pockets.

Who really cares about the people?

"Senior Citizens Deserve a Property Tax Break. Many seniors are living on fixed incomes and do not want to give up their independence. After all they’ve done to build our country and our state, it’s not right that they bear the burden of overtaxation in their golden years. I support property tax breaks for seniors who maintain their homes because it’s the right thing to do."- Kevin Smith

Lower taxes for those who need it the most, our parents, and grandparents who often make less than 800$ a month through Social Security. Our elderly need a break too and it will take a Local Democrat like Kevin to help them.

Which brings us to Kevin's opponent, John Lundburg.
Just go to his site.
What few "issues" he bothers to comment on he doesn't have much to say about. We find it strange that a former Talking Head would have so little, or nothing at all, to say about the Economy, Privacy Rights, not one word about our Environment.
What does Lundberg care anyway? He's a Corportist, after our land, air, and water are ruined he'll just pack up and move on. That's what they do. They're like Locusts, they come to a community, devour every resource, then "cut and run".

Corportist

Colorado cities of Colorado Springs, Vail and Aspen, in addition to Reno, Nev., Wichita, Kan.,

Where's this guy from anyway?

Let's talk to Jon...

Economic Development/Job Creation

"Jobs are not simply created. They are the result of a “climate of opportunity” which must exist for any business to begin, grow and thrive".

What Lundberg is saying is that in order to create more minimum wage jobs for Teenagers we need more Preditory Corporations like Wal-Mart to exploit our workforce.

Health Care

"Health care is critical to everyone – and it’s becoming moreso, given the concern about TennCare in Tennessee. TennCare needs further reform to achieve its goals to protect people in the state without crippling the budget. Likewise, the Governor’s latest proposal of “Cover Tennessee” sounds good and has merit. I do question how much health care $150 will provide."

What Lundberg is saying here is that he kinda likes Bredesen's plan but really has no idea what to do himself. He acknoledges that health care is important (duh) but offers no solution. Doesn't even try. But hey, his family is taken care of. Why should he worry about your's?
"Reform" TennCare coming from a Republican can only mean "privatize". Money is always the bottom line.

Look, we're not saying Lundberg is evil. He's not a George Bush/David Davis type. He's probably a good husband, good father and deep down inside a good person. But he's a Republican, and therefore dangerous to Tennessee due to the policies he supports. Tennessee does not need companies that pollute our lives. We do not need jobs that keep you at minimum wage for the rest of your life.
Our hardest working citizens are our least paid and least appreciated. They deserve much better.
We need progress, we need hope. We need a financial quality of life. We need Kevin Smith.

The fact is, Jon Lundberg has nothing to offer NE Tennessee other than low wages, abusive employers, a decaying environment, and the dysfunctional leadership that is the trademark of the Republican party.

Save yourself, District-1. Vote Democrat.

These are the views of TN420.org. Our views are not endorsed by any particular candidate, PAC or political party.

Late Addition:
Evidently, some of Jon Lundberg's supporters are stealing Kevin Smith signs.

Trent is a good man. Actually, we can't believe such a good guy can be a politician. I guess we learn something new every day.

God's gift to District 1

With the exception of Jimmy Quillen (Republican but a good congressman in spite of that fact), TN District 1 has been dominated by liars, jerks, morons, and do-nothings for a hundred years or so.

Most recently, Mr. Useless (Bill Jenkins) resigned in disgrace after the Tom Delay Dirty Money Trail caught up to him. Jenkins did nothing for NE Tennessee, but hey...that's the GOP for ya.
Now we have a new threat in the form of David Davis (the Jesus Pimp with the Islamofascist/King Pharm money). Davis will do everything in his power to ram his version of religion down your throat until you turn blue and choke on it...
...But Rick Trent is the real thing. A real Christian with real Christian values.

Rick Trent is a strong, intelligent man and thankfully understands the value of genuine public education. Rick Trent believes our youth are our future and they will do great things if we give them the tools to work with.

Rick Trent believes in the American worker. He was a factory worker for many, many years himself and is no stranger to the daily grind, low wages and lack of health care.

Rick Trent understands the importance of a secure America. He want's to find a solution to the tragedy in Iraq, and get the job done here at home. Rick understands that the Bush Administration and the Right-Wing fringe aren't capable of winning or solving or helping.... or anything.
Rick want's the Iraq issue resolved, the Republicans only seek to prolong the war for profit. Regardless of how many of our troops die there.

Rick Trent wants you and your's to be healthy. He want's affordable healthcare for all Americans. David Davis only want's health care for the rich.
A real American want's our children to have the very best health care in the world and together with his fellow congressional Democrats, he will make that happen. Nothing is more important than our future.

November comes soon. We need a man like Rick Trent to help us grow, prosper, and be all we can be. We have a choice, NE Tennessee. We can move forward, or we can move back-assward.
Embrace the future or live in the past. It's all up to us.

VOTE FOR RICK TRENT! If you care anything about where you're from.

UPDATED: 8/5/06

Summary:

Proud to see Democratic turnout of this magnitude in a primary. The local General Election was a landslide for the Democrats, thank God!

Primaries:

It will be Phil Bredesen-D vs James Bryson-R for the office of Governor. (Bryson is a pathetic individual so Bredesen should cruise)
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Only two Stooges left!
Harold Ford Jr.-D will try to survive against a favored Bob Corker-R. We at TN420 never want a Republican to win, so this is more or less a lose/lose situation for Tennessee. Corker is a Republican, Ford Jr. wants to be a Republican. We're fucked.
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Rick Trent-D will be the Democrat champion to try and upset the Republican Goof-Ball, David Davis-R.

(Looks like Trent and Davis. Strange...
We don't know anything about Trent but we will find out.
David Davis is a piece of shit Jesus-Pimp and we vow to fight against his campaign with every last ounce of energy and resources we have.)
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Jon Lundberg-R will have to face the red hot Kevin Smith-D in the D-1 State Representitive showdown. Jon Lundberg really sucks obviously, and we need a man like Kevin Smith with a progressive attitude to lead Tennessee into a new era of freedom and liberty.
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General Election:

Steve Godsey's victory over Larry Hall is proof positive that there's still a very foolish voting element in our area. Who would vote for a used car salesman over an educator? You guessed it, Republicans.
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Buddy King-I won over Mark Vance-R but only by three votes. There may be a recount, but we still want to congratulate Buddy King on the win.
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Alan Pope's victory over John LeSueur will surely come back to haunt the people of this area. Pope just isn't qualified and we predict the job will prove to be too much for him.
He will show favor to the Richer neighborhoods and most likely ignore the working class areas.

Big mistake.

All in all a good showing by Dems and perhaps a statement by some Republicans that the Evangelical, Right-Wing, Jesus-Pimps of their Party are out of control and need to shut their fucking faces.

Richard Roberts, and the rest of the Bible Waving, Christ exploiters can now go crawl back under their respective rocks. Real Christians aren't falling for their hypocricy and lies anymore.

Full Election Results Here.

Thanx for voting and doing your part to right the Wrongs. Now, get ready for November!