The Ralph Bristol Show

[ Text Menu: Today's Stack of Stuff | Audio | About Ralph | Contact Ralph | Ralph Rant! ]

May 18, 2012

Dems to push expatriate tax
	Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin has come under increased scrutiny following news that he had renounced his U.S. citizenship to become a resident of Singapore. Saverin has denied that he is moving for tax purposes, but on Thursday, Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) announced plans to introduce a bill to respond to Saverin’s move, which a news release from Schumer’s office called a tax “avoidance scheme.” Under the proposal, “any expatriate with either a net worth of $2 million or an average income tax liability of at least $148,000 over the last five years will be presumed to have renounced their citizenship for tax avoidance purposes,” according to a release from Schumer’s office, and they would pay 30 percent capital gains tax. According to Schumer’s office, 1,780 people gave up their citizenship in 2011, a rise from 235 in 2008.
	Wall Street Journal: 5. Facebook co-founder Saverin targeted by U.S. senators for tax ‘avoidance scheme’

Opinion: Say 'No' to 'Soviet style exit tax'
	I second this motion by the Wall Street Journal: “The way to continue to be a magnet for the best and brightest is not to impose Soviet-style exit taxes to punish people who want to leave the country. That is what oppressive and demagogic regimes do, and it's humiliating to see U.S. Senators posture in such fashion. The way to punish Mr. Saverin is to make the U.S. so appealing and dynamic again that he'll be sorry he ever left.”
	Wall Street Journal: The Saverin Lesson

Senate to examine JP Morgan debacle
	The chairman of the Senate Banking Committee says he plans to ask Mr. Dimon to testify before the committee about the loss. The debacle inside J.P. Morgan has raised broad questions on Wall Street and in Washington about whether any executive can properly oversee such a large financial institution, whether new regulatory rules will do anything to prevent another financial crisis and whether tougher regulation is needed to further rein in risky bank trading, particularly at financial behemoths that are viewed as too big to fail. The Wall Street Journal gives an insider account of the events surrounding the losses in this morning’s edition.
	Wall Street Journal: Inside J.P. Morgan's Blunder

U.S. confirms 'plans in place' to attack Iran if necessary
	The U.S. has plans in place to attack Iran if necessary to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, Washington's envoy to Israel said, days ahead of a crucial round of nuclear talks with Tehran. That news [it would be bigger news if we didn’t have such plans in place] is announced to tell Iran not test Washington's resolve to act on its promise to strike if diplomacy and sanctions fail to pressure Tehran to abandon its disputed nuclear program [the existence of plans says little about the resolve to react]. Israel, while saying it would prefer a diplomatic solution, has expressed skepticism about the talks and says time is running out for military action to be effective. President Barack Obama has assured Israel that the U.S. is prepared to take military action if necessary. Dan Shapiro's comments were taken as the “most explicit sign yet” that preparations have been stepped up.
	Fox News: US envoy to Israel: Plans in place to attack Iran if necessary

Evidence supports Zimmerman, media focus on Zimmerman's thoughts
	As newly released evidence adds support to George Zimmerman’s account of the altercation preceding the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, the prosecution [and media] is trying to refocus on events leading to the altercation. Fox News reports: The evidence supports Zimmerman's contention that he was being beat up when he fired the fatal shot. At the same time, it bolsters the argument of Martin's parents that Zimmerman was profiling Martin and that the whole confrontation could have been avoided if not for Zimmerman's actions. [sure, and bank robberies could be avoided if they would quit putting money in banks] Fox News reports: Many of the pertinent questions remain unclear: What was in Zimmerman's mind when he began to follow Martin in the gated community where he lived [where are you supposed to find actual evidence to answer that question]? How did the confrontation between the two begin? Whose screams for help were captured on 911 calls? And why did Zimmerman feel that deadly force was warranted? The lawyer for Martin's parents contend, "The police concluded that none of this would have happened if George Zimmerman hadn't gotten out of his car," said attorney Ben Crump. "If George Zimmerman hadn't gotten out of his car, they say it was completely avoidable. That is the headline."
	Fox News: Questions remain after nearly 200 pages of documents released in Trayvon Martin shooting case

Romney denounces Obama-Wright campaign ad proposal
	Mitt Romney has swiftly and firmly distanced himself Thursday from a group exploring plans to target President Barack Obama's past relationship with controversial pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. "I want to make it very clear: I repudiate that effort," Romney told reporters after a campaign stop in Florida. "I think it's the wrong course for a PAC or a campaign. I hope that our campaigns can be respectively about the future and about issues and about vision for America." That was his reaction to a proposal reportedly being weighed by a conservative super PAC, Ending Spending Action Fund, to run a $10 million ad campaign drawing attention to racially provocative sermons Wright delivered at the church Obama attended for 20 years in Chicago. Joe Ricketts, the billionaire benefactor of the super PAC, also distanced himself from the plan and announced he, too, would reject a racially focused approach. Republican strategists generally said they were put off by the approach, reasoning it would meet resistance from independent voters likely to decide the outcome of the election. A majority of those voters approve of Obama personally even as they remain skeptical of his performance as president.
	myway.com: Romney denounces idea of Obama-Wright campaign ads

Exclusive: The first hand account of "The Last Man to Die"
	May 11, 2012 - A 92-year-old Cookeville, TN WWII veteran solves a 67-year secret behind one of the most famous WWII photographs.
Issa to Holder: You can run but you can't hide
	May 9, 2012 - Rep. Darrell Issa, chairmen of the House Government Oversight Committee joins Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) and me to discuss Issa's contempt citation against Attorney General Eric Holder. At the end, I use the occasion to challenge them both (really the GOP in general) to grow a pair on the student loan issue. DesJarlais has been instrumental in giving me access to several GOP leaders. He joins us briefly, then steps aside until the end.
Dean breaks promise, proposes tax hike
	May 2, 2012 - This is some of my initial analysis and commentary regarding Metro Mayor Karl Dean's proposed 13% property tax increase. It includes audio from Dean's announcement.
Karl Dean, then and now
	May 2, 2012 - Need I elaborate?
Carr v. Ketron
	April 30, 2012 - Here's a recap of Rep. Joe Carr's expression of disappointment with the Senate sponsor of his Emminent Domain bill, which died this year for lack of action in the Senate.
Ketron v. Carr
	April 30, 2012 - Sen. Bill Ketron responds immediately to accusations that he dropped the ball on imminent domain legislation.
Obama employs philosophy of crucifixion
	April 27, 2012 - In another example of "rogue is the new normal," the Obama administration tries to worm out of an embarrasing and accidental truth-telling incident by one the president's hand-picked top EPA administrators. This story should get a lot more attention.
Say it again Karl
	April 2, 2012 - In this premeditated Ralph Rant, I remind Mayor Karl Dean of the promise he made in 2007. At the time, he was very adamant that he would not raise your property taxes.
Two very different black positions on Trayvon Martin
	April 2, 2012 - I thought these two calls at the end of Monday's program were worth repeating. Both are young black men calling about the Trayvon Martin case.
Ralph Rant: Stop the Metro property tax hike
	March 27, 2012 - You'll notice at the end of this Ralph Rant, I'm prompting producer Tommy to give me the name of his Metro Council Member. He gives me the name of his State Legislator instead. Part of the problem with stopping local abuses of power is that voters don't know who represents them.
Searching for George Washington
	March 5th - On the day before the primary election in Tennessee, I found myself still searching for the next George Washington.
MSAs could cure Medicare
	March 1, 2012 - Listen to this only when you have 20 uninterrupted minutes. Then, let me know what you think.
John Tamny on gas prices, the World Bank, and more
	Feb. 17, 2012 - This week's discussion with Forbe's Opinion and realclearmarkets.com editor John Tamny covers the cause of high gas prices, the World Bank, recent stock market gains, and more.
Rep. Diane Black opposes payroll tax deal
	Feb. 17, 2012 - Congressman Diane Black says she can't vote for the bill to extend the payroll tax holiday.
U.S. Bracing for Iran-sponsored terrorism
	Feb. 16, 2012 - Former FBI Agent Brad Garrett helps me walk through the terrorist threat to you - born from U.S. and Israeli efforts to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon.
Nashville Tea Party promotes local referendums
	Feb. 14, 2012 - Tennesseans can't pass state laws by referendum, but we can pass local laws and charter changes. Nashville Tea Party founder Ben Cummingham discusses past of potential uses of that power, and warns of legislative attempts to hide certain government activities.
Dependence index jumps to 70%
	Feb. 14, 2012 - Numbers tell stories and sound warning bells. Bill Beach, Director of the Center for Data Analysis at the Heritage Foundation sounds the warning bell after chrunching the numbers representing American citizen's dependence on government.
DesJarlais dumps on Obama budget
	Feb. 14, 2012 - Congressman Scott DesJarlais blasts Obama's latest budget, and (while withholding judgment for the moment) doubts he will support the GOP leadership plan to extend the payroll tax holiday without paying for it.
Corker on Refi II, Payroll tax holiday, more
	Feb. 8, 2012 - Sen. Bob Corker opines on several issues, including President Obama's latest attempt to transfer housing market risk to taxpayers, and partisan obstacles to progress on spending, tax and entitlement reform.
Lt. Gov. Ramsey defends Haslam education agenda
	Feb. 7, 2012 - Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey talks about the prospects of Gov. Bill Haslam's plan to give school districts more power and flexibiiity on class sizes and teacher pay.
Carr on illegal alien bills
	Feb. 6, 2012 - Rep. Joe Carr (R-Lascassas) updates us on the status of bills in the Tennessee legislature concerning illegal aliens, following reports the bills had been put on hold.
Black heads House effort to block Obama suits
	Feb. 3,2012 - Congressman Diane Black discusses her lead role in a bill that would deny funding for DOJ suits against states regarding illegal immigration.
Ralph Rant: Reject Refi II
	Feb. 2, 2012 - Everything you need to know about President Obama's latest plan to bail out underwater homeowners.
Haslam discusses agenda
	Jan. 31, 2012 - Gov. Haslam makes his first trip to Nashville's Morning news to discuss his 2012 agenda.
Rep. Joe Carr discusses Haslam agenda
	Jan. 11, 2012 - Rep. Joe Carr discusses the tax and education elements in Gov. Bill Haslam's 2012 legislative agenda.
Ralph Rant: GOP should make a tax deal
	Jan. 25, 2012 - Here's my idea of a good tax deal the GOP should try to make with Obama.
Newt Gingrich vision speech
	Jan. 26, 2012 - My segment-by-segment presentation and mini-analysis of the speech Newt Gingrich delivered after his victory in the South Carolia primary.
Mitt Romney's vision speech
	Jan. 23, 2012 - This is a segment-by-segment presentation and mini-analysis of the speech Mitt Romney delivered following his second place finish in the South Carolina primary.
Ron Paul's vision speech
	Jan. 24, 2012 - A multi-segment breakdown and my mini analysis of Ron Paul's vision speech, delivered on the night of the South Carolina primary.
Rick Santorum's vision speech
	July 25, 2012 - This is a segment-by-segment breakdown of Rich Santorum's speech after his 3rd place finish in South Carolina.
Cunningham, Stites, discuss hot Metro issues
	Jan. 17, 2011 - Taxi laws, backyard chickens and picking winners and losers with taxes - all hot topics for Nashville Tea Party Founder Ben Cunningman and District 13 Metro Councilman Josh Stites.
DeMint: Now or Never
	Jan. 13, 2012 - Sen. Jim DeMint discusses his game plan to help you save the country from economic collapse.
Beacon Center unveils new Laffer study on TN estate tax
	Dec. 8, 2011 - Here's some great information on the economic damage done by Tennessee's state estate tax.
Join estate tax support group
	Dec. 12, 2008 - I'm not sure that's the right name for the group, but if you have a personal problem with Tennessee's state estate tax, listen to this and contact me asap.
Ralph and Tim sing Blue Christmas
	Nov. 22, 2011 - Oh sure, it's torture, but it's only 60 seconds, and then it stops.
Ralph Rant - Bipartisan debt solution impossible
	Nov. 28, 2011 - Those who claim partisanship is stalling a solution to the debt crisis have it exactly wrong.
Desjarlais comments on Supercommittee failure
	Nov. 22, 2011 - Cong. Scott Desjarlais continues to display his Tea Party stripes in his contrarian view of the supercommittee failure.
Corker and I disagree on Supercommittee
	Nov. 18th, 2011 - Sen. Bob Corker and I disagree about the failure of the Supercommittee...and we discuss other things too.
If not Obamacare, what?
	Nov. 16, 2011 - I've outdone myself - an alternative to Obamacare and good tax reform with one stone.
My friend, the flip-flopper
	Nov.16th, 2011 - Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas, TN explains why he now opposes the school voucher bill.
Rest in Peace, Fred Kielkopf
	Nov. 14, 2011 - My tribute to an uncommon "common man."
The Clean Tax plan
	Nov. 7, 2011 - Forget "flat." No one has ever proposed a real flat tax anyway. Forget "fair." You can't slay all the necessary dragons to get from a progressive income tax to a flat or flatter sales tax, but you can so something nearly as good. You can find bipartisan support right now for a Clean Tax.
EXCLUSIVE: Tim Ross's near death experience
	Oct. 26, 2011 - News and weather guy Tim Ross returns to Nashville's Morning News and gives us previously undisclosed details of his bike accident, that would almost certainly have killed him but for one thing.
Ralph Rant: S&P downgrade a political move
	Aug 8, 2011 - S&P cited political gridlock when they downgraded U.S. debt, but the timing and reasoning is suspicious at best.
Heritage scholar discusses debt downgrade
	Aug. 8, 2011 - Heritage Foundation Senior Fellor J.D. Foster discusses the S&P downgrade of U.S. debt.
DeMint discusses the Great American Wakening
	Aug 4, 2011 - Sen. Jim DeMint rightly acknowledges I taught him everything he knows, then discusses The Great American Wakening - and some current fights over spending.
Ralph Rant: Obama dons 'centrist' costume
	July 12, 2011 - Republican negotiators need to recognize President Obama's 'centrist' disguise for what it is, reset both the clock and the bar for raising the debt ceiling.
Tamny on govt meddling with CPI
	July 8, 2011 - John Tamny, editor of realclearmarkets.com, discusses the plan to dicker with cost of living numbers to shrink the deficit.
Redistributing Wealth - Destroying peace and prosperity
	June 17, 2011 - This is the raw studio audio from our special presentation on the societal problems associated with government redistribution of wealth. It runs approximately one hour.
Sen. Rand Paul would means test entitlements
	Feb. 24, 2011 - Sen. Rand Paul tells us he would means test entitlements in order to cut spending and balance the budget.

Click here to see view the albums in Ralph's photo gallery.

Accurate Mortgage
	Accurate Mortgage sponsors Nashville's Morning News and helped me refinance my mortgage. Ph: (615) 833-0456 or click on the link. Mike, Joe and the gang will take good care of you.
Assisted Family Care
	I trust this company to provide quality, trustworthy care for your elderly loved one in his or her home - or yours.
Assisted Senior Benefits
	This private company helps veterans who served during a foreign war - and their spousees - access a little-known, but significan benefit - up to $2,000 - to help with long-term care assistance. PH (615) 724-1888.
Chill Spot
	The "coolest" spot on the web for dogs and dog owners - guaranteed. Keep your dog cool this summer with Chill Spot.
Cool Springs Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy
	For a hearing problem, allergies, sleep disorders or any problems with you ears, nose or throat, call my friends at Cool Spring ENT. (615) 739-6646
Huffines Dental Excellence
	Need a dentist? Call mine. Dr. Ricky Huffines and his wonderful staff can take care of all of your dental needs. Ph (615)815-1559 or click on the link.
Liquidation Outlet
	For bargain basement prices on general merchandise, visit Liquidation outlet in Murfreesboro at 1020 West College Street.
Music City Honor Flight
	Everything you need to know about Music City Honor Flight, my adopted charity.
Pilotjourney.com
	Click here to view a video of my Discovery Flight experience from Pilotjourney.com

Ralph Bristol is a 30-year veteran of radio and TV broadcasting. He is a US Air Force veteran and holds a BS degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Ralph was a radio and TV reporter, anchor and news director in Missouri and Illinois before joining WORD Radio in Greenville/Spartanburg, SC in 1995.

In the spring of 2007, Supertalk 99.7 WWTN beckoned Ralph to Nashville. Ralph defies political labels, and has no partisan loyalties, but can best be described as a libertarian/conservative. Ralph writes and speaks extensively on education, tax and economic issues. In his spare time, Ralph terrorizes golf courses, invents useful things with sharp tools and dead wood, and entertains audiences with irreverent humor and contrarian insight. Invite him to speak to your group at your own risk.