No. 288: Business As Usual
⁂ Nashville's Alt-Daily ⁂ Democracy? · RNC · Activism · Twitter Bots · Sky King · Much More!
Good morning, everyone.
Welcome back, everyone. For the newcomers—and there's a bunch of you, mostly from our 2000 Mules review —this is the kind of thing we send out every day during the week: a combination of Nashville and national news peppered with general commentary, interesting links from the web, and whatever else we find of interest.
Whether you live in Nashville or not, you will find something of interest here.
Moving on.
At the beginning of the sixth century BCE—the dawn of Democracy—the ascendant lawmaker Solon came to power in Athens. At the time, the city-state of Athens struggled to such a degree that heavily indebted Athenians were being enslaved by their creditors; drought and famine likely added to the consternation.
Witnessing the collapse of a place he felt pride in, Solon took radical steps to save it.
First, he canceled all debts and declared it illegal for Athenians to take on debt under the condition that failure to repay the loan would result in his enslavement.
Second, he declared that if a father failed to teach his son a profession by which he could make a living, then the son would be free from having to support his father in old age.
Third, he outlawed the export of corn and other crops and food except for olive oil, which the Athenians possessed in spades.
Finally, and most importantly, he established the bones of Democracy, writing down a constitution on wooden tablets to be displayed publicly, establishing a primitive general assembly comprised of citizens, and erecting a court of appeals to curb lawmakers' power.
It's unclear how citizens at the time reacted to these drastic measures. But what is clear is that the reforms Solon made to Athens set the Greek world on the path toward Democracy: which flowered a hundred or so years later after flirtations with tyranny in the Golden Age of Athens, and which gave us Plato, Socrates, Pericles, Sophocles, Thucydides, Euripides, and more—figures the modern world is still reckoning with.
Solon's measures expressed moral precepts and nudged citizens to behave better without coercing them to act in a certain way. Quite the contrast to today's Western political leaders—a notable exception being the overturn of Roe v. Wade—who use coercion through fear to bring citizens in line.
I'm thinking about all of this in relation to Henry Kissinger's new book, Leadership. In the book, he declares that the "internet does not make great leaders" and points out how it discourages long-term thinking. And indeed, we see the negative side effects of our goldfish memories in political discourse, business decisions, and policy almost daily.
For pertinent examples of this, look no further than the farmer protests in the Netherlands and the collapse of the Sri Lankan government, both of which occurred during this past week. Both emerged from government policy decisions driven by climate hysteria whose primary fault is that, despite its purported long-term goals, produces impulsive and narrow decisions that ultimately enrich the few while impoverishing the rest.
How can we produce more long-term thinking from our leaders? What must change?
Onward.
Today, we look at the latest regarding the effort to bring the RNC to town, peruse an example of "political activism" in D.C., and consider why Elon Musk might've withdrawn his bid to buy Twitter.
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Thanks for reading.
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❍ METRO COUNCIL WITHDRAWS RNC LEGISLATION
It’s business as usual as politicians wrestle across the aisle over the Republican National Convention (RNC). Last Tuesday, two pieces of legislation concerning the RNC coming to Nashville were withdrawn during the Nashville Metro Council meeting. Politicians in both Tennessee and Wisconsin have been making their moves to secure the convention ever since the Republican National Committee narrowed potential locations down to Nashville and Milwaukee.
BILL OUTLINING THE RNC WITHDRAWN BY SWOPE
Metro Council members were subject to two pieces of legislation regarding the RNC during July 5th’s meeting. A bill sponsored by Robert Swope and Jonathan Hall outlined the scope of the event, which would occupy the city for 3 weeks. It included the creation of a Nashville 2024 Host Committee, the anticipated $50M security grant provided by the U.S. Congress, traffic details, and other general provisions. The bill was withdrawn on the floor by Robert Swope with no further comment.
RESOLUTION REJECTING THE RNC WITHDRAWN BY HURT
The withdrawal of the bill supporting Nashville as the host city for the RNC followed a previous withdrawal of a resolution filed in opposition of the convention. Council Member Sharon Hurt filed the opposing legislation. The resolution cited reasons for opposition including:
- “Candidates promoted by the Republican National Convention (RNC) have become increasingly volatile.”
- “Some members of the Republican Party now sow hatred and spread misinformation.”
- “Some elected Republicans have refused to condemn white supremacy.”
- “[Republicans] have spread misinformation about the COVID-19 virus and the COVID-19 vaccination.”
- “Some elected Republicans have also refused to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election.”
- “Many Republican officials also continue to oppose common-sense gun ownership.”
Sharon Hurt took to the floor with a brief explanation after withdrawing the resolution and explained that the withdrawal did not reflect her feelings about Nashville hosting the RNC, but was in the spirit of working together and finding common ground.
TWITTER WARS
Multiple Tennessee politicians have sounded off regarding the withdrawal of the proposed bill stifling Nashville’s chances of winning the bid to host the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Republicans have expressed disappointment in the lack of support among Metro City Council members. There has even been speculation that the Tennessee General Assembly may call a special session if the council does not come to an agreement. Tennessee Lookout reported this statement by Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton:
“Metro can live up to its status as the ‘It City’ which welcomes any and all or they can play politics. We are all watching – including the General Assembly.”
Democrats have expressed distaste and concern for the convention and maintain that the council has spoken. As quoted in the Tennessean, Council member Bob Mendes stated, "With America being as polarized as it is ... it's got to be as high a risk of violence around a convention since the 1960s."
TIME IS TICKING
While everyone is getting in their two cents on Twitter, time is of the essence. Milwaukee’s Common Council already passed their RNC agreement, but it looks as though Nashville is better suited to capitalize on the economic boon of such an event.
The Republican National Committee is set to make its decision on August 5th.
IN THE NATIONAL NEWS
- The Shrinking of the Middle-Class Neighborhood (NYT) Americans are increasingly living in areas that are either much richer or much poorer than the regional norm.
- Blackburn To Introduce Legislation Backing National Guard Members Set To Be Fired Over COVID Vaccine Refusal (Daily Caller) Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tn.) will introduce new legislation to prohibit federal funds from being utilized to implement any requirement that a member of the National Guard receive a vaccination against COVID-19.
- Tennessee governor presses Pentagon on National Guard vaccine exemptions (The Hill) In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin obtained by The Hill, Lee says his state’s Guard has recommended approval for Guard members and are awaiting final decisions from Army and Air Force officials.
HEADLINES
- Tennessee civil asset forfeiture brought in $16M in funds in 2021, but transparency lacking (Center Square) In 2021, law enforcement in Tennessee seized $16 million worth of cash, with $15.8 million forfeited in court. But according to annual reports from Tennessee's Department of Safety and Homeland Security, departments used just $195,000 of those funds.
- More than $1 million going towards pedestrian improvement in Nashville (Channel 5) New efforts are underway to make some roadways safer for pedestrians. Metro Council approved a resolution accepting a grant for hundreds of thousands of dollars to make improvements in four areas in Nashville.
- Some Tennessee high school grads could catch a break on tuition this fall (WPLN) Between state and federal financial aid programs, some full-time freshmen with good GPAs and solid ACT scores could attend Middle Tennessee State University — and other public colleges — without paying tuition this fall.
BY THE NUMBERS
- BNA sees record passenger number for fiscal year (Post) For the fiscal year that ended June 30, and according to a release, the figure is 7 percent higher than the 17.1 million mark of the previous record year 2019. In addition, BNA served 840,258 departing passengers in May, the largest number of screened passengers in a single month the airport has ever seen. On June 26, BNA recorded a record-breaking 33,317 screened passengers.
- Tennessee feels third-highest impacts nationally from inflation (Center Square) "At 9.55%, Tennessee has the highest sales tax in the country (tied with Louisiana), coupled with one of the lowest median incomes ($56,627, 43rd in the US)," analyst Chris Motola wrote. "With costs spiking in every category, from food and beverage to recreation, household budgets in the Volunteer State are getting squeezed from all angles."
POLITICS
- Special session for the Republican National Convention in Nashville on the table, Tennessee lawmakers say. (Channel 5) With the location of the Republican National Convention on the line, Tennessee lawmakers said they don't want to see their opportunity to host slip by.
- Tennessee county bookkeeper accused of taking more than $600K in public funds (Center Square) Claiborne County bookkeeper Lesley Chumley was charged with theft over $250,000, official misconduct, and destruction of and tampering with government records after an investigation from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.
- Winstead to report $580K haul in 2nd quarter (TNJ) Congressional candidate Kurt Winstead says he will report $580,000 in receipts in the second quarter for his campaign for the Republican nomination in the new 5th District.
- Campbell says she has raised nearly $300K for Democratic bid for 5th District seat (TNJ) State Sen. Heidi Campbell says she has raised nearly $300,000 for her campaign to succeed U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, a fellow Nashville Democrat, in the 5th Congressional District.
DEVELOPMENT
- Construction Begins At Peabody Union In Downtown Nashville (Now Next)
- Local company buys building near Great Escape for $2M (Post)
- Antioch apartment complex sells for $51.5M (Post)
- Berry Hill property fetches $2.17M (Post)
- Berry Hill commercial property sells for $1.23M (Post)
- Midtown pizza restaurant to move to North Capitol (Post)
- Murfreesboro amphitheater project falls short in City Council vote (Channel 5)
➫ ACTIVISTS AT WORK
In Washington D.C., the liberal advocacy group ironically named ShutDownDC has offered to pay "service industry workers" up to $250 for sightings of pro-life Supreme Court justices—Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, or John Roberts.
Greta Van Susteren replied to the tweet making the announcement, "weird to read this tweet while reporting from a Ukrainian refugee center in Poland caused by Putin terrorizing a population...is this (see tweet) really a robust debate? Or is this something else? Thoughts?" Indicating that at least one person in the prestige media still has a pulse.
✺ GRAPH OF THE DAY: TWITTER NAPKIN MATH
In light of Elon Musk's walking away from his bid to buy Twitter amidst allegations that the website did not accurately disclose its "bot problem," @gchahal put together some estimates. As he puts it, "Keep in mind that the data sets with 70MM or 93MM reference points should not automatically be considered 'quality.' Because that figure 'would' include both fake/troll accounts and spam/bots."
⚔ MISSIVES ⚔
- 🇨🇳 This Saturday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had discussed Russian aggression in Ukraine during more than five hours of talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and raised concerns over Beijing's alignment with Moscow.
- 🐓 Tesla CEO Elon Musk has filed to exit a multibillion-dollar deal with Twitter over concerns about its spam bots, a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing shows.
- 💸 An audit of the Illinois Department of Employment Security released on June 16th found that half of federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits the agency paid out during the height of the pandemic were stolen.
- 💰 The Biden administration announced it was moving to make sweeping changes to the federal student loan system, including making it easier for public servants to get debt forgiveness and setting new limits on the accrual of interest.
- 🗳 The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday prohibited the use of most drop boxes for voters returning absentee ballots, giving the state’s Republicans a major victory in their efforts to limit voting access in urban areas.
THINGS TO DO
You can view our full calendar here.
🍺 The Pamphleteer hosts Bar Hours on the third Thursday of every month (July 21st) at Lucky's 3 Star Bar from 6-8 PM. The first ten guests get drinks on the company tab.
🎪 Check out our favorite driving distance festivals this summer.
👨🏻🌾 The Pamphleteer farmer's market guide.
⚔️ Knights in Armor at the Frist starting July 1st: European arms and armor from the renowned collection of the Museo Stibbert in Florence, Italy.
🍔 Burger week in Nashville. $7 burgers at participating restaurants all week. Vote for your favorite at the end of the week.
TONIGHT
🎩 History Class @ Bold Patriot Brewing, 5p, Info
🎸 Harry Fontana @ American Legion Post 82, 7p, Free, Info
🎸 Guthrie Trapp @ The Underdog, 8p, Free, Info
🕺 Motown Monday @ The 5 Spot, 9p, $5, Info
🎹 Jazz Jam @ The Villager, 11p, Free, Info
ON THE RADAR
🏜 Hiatus Kaiyote @ Marathon Music Works, (8/14), $35+, Info
🐂 Professional Bull Riding @ Bridgestone, (8/19-21), $20+ Info
🐖 Roger Waters @ Bridgestone, (8/27), $39, Info
🎹 Stereolab @ Marathon Music Works, (9/6), $35, Info
🎸 My Morning Jacket @ Ascend Amphitheater, (9/23), $22.88, Info
⚔️ HELMET @ Marathon Music Works, (9/24), $35, Info
🎻 Gustav Holst's The Planets @ Schermerhorn (9/29-10/2), Info
🎸 Smashing Pumpkins @ Bridgestone Arena, (10/10), $133+, Info
🎸 The Doobie Brothers @ Bridgestone Arena, (10/12), $43+, Info
FROM LAST WEEK
Jerod Ra’Del Hollyfield
Edward Landstreet
William Harwood
Valerie Malfy
Around the Web
★ On America Niccolo LARPs as a 21st Century de Tocqueville
★ Pledging Allegiance Dual citizenship, dual loyalty, and inequality.
★ You can only lose the culture war "The only possible reversal must come from strategy, rather than struggle."
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Words of Wisdom
“The junior hoodlums who roamed their streets were symptoms of a greater sickness; their citizens (all of them counted as such) glorified their mythology of ‘rights’ . . . and lost track of their duties. No nation, so constituted, can endure.”
Robert Heinlein
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Megan Podsiedlik (Nashville), Edward Landstreet (Local Noise), and Davis Hunt (everything else).