TN Capitol Hill News

GOP Lawmakers At Odds Over Williams Allegations

One Republican lawmaker is springing to new House Speaker Kent Williams' defense over sexual harassment allegations, while another has filed an ethics complaint seeking his removal.

A memo released by House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower of Bristol recounts allegations by another Republican lawmaker that she was sexually harassed by Williams in 2007.

State Rep. Dale Ford of Jonesborough says the memo was released in an effort "to trash Kent Williams" after the Elizabethton Republican beat out Mumpower to be elected House speaker last week.

Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Brian Kelsey of a Germantown filed the ethics complaint against Williams for allegedly making a false statement when he said he never sexually harassed anyone or was reprimanded.

Kelsey has been a vocal opponent of Williams, who campaigned against him last year and publicly urged him to resign after he was elected speaker.

My Opinion:

I understand that the Republicans are upset by the strategies of the Democratic Party and that Williams turned on his own but to bring up something that happened 2 years ago is childish.

Teachers to carry guns

North Texas school district will let teachers carry guns

    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5945430.html

            I personally think this is a good idea. It’s sad that it has come to this but I as a parent would feel better if I knew that there was extra protection being taken at school. I don’t think it should matter if there is a police officer 5 minutes away from the school. A lot can happen in five minutes and there is no guarantee that the police officer can get in when he gets there due to the fact that a lot of schools have doors that are locked and no one can get it without being buzzed in. I don’t know about anyone else but when my child is at school then the school is responsible for her protection. If my child were in someone’s home then they would be responsible for her protection. I would expect the same if someone’s child was with me. If I were a teacher then I would do what it took to protect my students, no matter if it is an abusive parent, someone with a gun in school with the intention of bodily harm, or a natural disaster. It’s sad when it’s an occupational hazard to be shot at your job and have children with you and not be able to protect them and yourself. That would be the same as taking a police officers gun or body armor away so that he/she could not protect themselves or others. The same as taking a fireman’s flame retardant suit away so that he/she would get severely burned going into a burning structure. It would be great if at the least there were 5 people (administrator or teacher) within the school carrying a concealed gun. It would have to be concealed because you would want anyone thinking about harming someone to wonder who was carrying a gun. Just as the article says there would need to be requirements to approve someone to carry a handgun and I believe they should require those that carried a handgun be insured by the school district or state and also be required to take refresher courses before each new year. Please comment with any praise or concern that you have over this kind of ruling being made. I would enjoy reading any agreeable or disagreeable opinions you may have. If you disagree with this please give me your argument as to why and if you agree please tell me how you feel and why you feel that way. Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.