Lerner refuses to testify, may have waived right to do so
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Lois Lerner, the director of tax-exempt organizations at the IRS, cited her constitutional right against self-incrimination and said she would not answer questions from the House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee Wednesday. But, she also made a statement to the committee, insisting that she did nothing wrong. By doing so, she may have waived her right to take the 5th. That’s what both Chairman Darrell Issa and Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) told her, although she still refused to answer questions and Issa dismissed her. Issa did not threaten her with any consequence for refusing to testify after allegedly waiving her 5th amendment right by making a statement. Some conservatives grouse that Issa went soft on the witness. Issa said he would consult with counsel on whether her statement constituted a waiving of her rights, and he reserved the right to recall Ms. Lerner.
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| Wall Street Journal: IRS’s Lerner Testimony: ‘I Did Not Break Any Laws’
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You choose Ralph's top story for the day. Tell Ralph what you want him to talk about by casting your vote for a story below.
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Japanese stocks plunge 7%
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Japanese stocks plunged today (it’s 14 hours later in Japan), pushing the Nikkei stock index down 7.3%, leading to deep declines across the rest of Asia and Europe, and sending U.S. futures down sharply. The frenzied selling started after a report early Thursday in Asia trading showed the manufacturing sector contracted in China, a key trade partner for Japan and the rest of Asia, which raised fresh doubts about the strength of the world's second-largest economy. Signs that the Federal Reserve will pull back on its bond-buying program also added to the gloom and led to a selloff in debt, pushing yields sharply higher.
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| Wall Street Journal: Japanese Stocks Fall Sharply
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Lerner refuses to testify, may have waived right to do so
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Lois Lerner, the director of tax-exempt organizations at the IRS, cited her constitutional right against self-incrimination and said she would not answer questions from the House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee Wednesday. But, she also made a statement to the committee, insisting that she did nothing wrong. By doing so, she may have waived her right to take the 5th. That’s what both Chairman Darrell Issa and Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) told her, although she still refused to answer questions and Issa dismissed her. Issa did not threaten her with any consequence for refusing to testify after allegedly waiving her 5th amendment right by making a statement. Some conservatives grouse that Issa went soft on the witness. Issa said he would consult with counsel on whether her statement constituted a waiving of her rights, and he reserved the right to recall Ms. Lerner.
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| Wall Street Journal: IRS’s Lerner Testimony: ‘I Did Not Break Any Laws’
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Claim: IRS official not new to 'targeting conservatives' rodeo
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The IRS official who refused to testify at a House hearing Wednesday in a congressional hearing investigating the IRS practice of singling out conservative groups reportedly has a similar history at the Federal Elections Commission. Fox News reports: In the 1990's, Lerner served as chief of enforcement at the Federal Elections Commission. Under her direction, the FEC undertook the largest enforcement action in its history -- suing the Christian Coalition for violating campaign laws. The Christian Coalition won, but in one deposition, FEC lawyers asked a defendant if televangelist Pat Robertson prayed for him. James Bopp, the Christian Coalition's lawyer, said he was "shocked and appalled" by that. "Both political activity and religious activity are specifically protected by the First Amendment," he said. When Bopp learned years later that Lerner had been promoted to an IRS position, he became concerned. "She was in effect being promoted for what she had done at the Federal Election Commission and now was going to be expected ... to replicate that at the IRS and now we know that's exactly what happened," he said.
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| Fox News: IRS official who refused to testify facing more scrutiny over scandal, past
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Opinion: Special Prosecutor inevitable
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A former George H.W. Bush political operative, now Washington Post columnist, writes that a special prosecutor in the IRS case is inevitable. Ed Rogers, who reported to Chief of Staff John Sununu in the Bush White House, writes: “The calculus inside the White House is how to best protect the president’s political interests. They have two options. They could delay the appointment and let more of the story develop, weather the ugly piecemeal disclosures, give the players time to get their stories straight and lawyer-up and hope Republicans continue their overreach, giving the whole affair a nutty partisan patina. Or, they could accelerate the appointment of a special prosecutor, thereby slowing the congressional inquiries and giving Jay Carney some relief from his daily embarrassing routine by supplying him with the escape hatch of not being allowed to comment on matters associated with the special prosecutor’s ongoing investigation.” Rogers says his experience tells him the White House is hiding something. “My personal favorite of all the new revelations from the Obama IRS scandal is that White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler told White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough about the impending IRS inspector general report, but of course the White House chief of staff did not tell the president. I sat in a White House chief of staff’s office every day for more than two years. The only reason the legal counsel would tell the chief of staff about an impending report or disclosure would be so the chief of staff could tell the president.”
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| Washington Post: The Insiders: A special prosecutor in the IRS matter is inevitable
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Cruz: 'I don't trust the Republicans' (to negotiate a budget)
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Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said Wednesday that he doesn’t trust members of his own party to negotiate a budget conference report. Cruz's remark came after Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said he thought it was “bizarre” that a member of his own party was objecting to forming a conference committee with the House to work out a budget. “What we’re saying is that we don’t trust our colleagues on the other side of the Capitol,” said McCain. Cruz responded that he doesn't trust the Republicans adding “It’s the leaders of both parties that got us in this mess. ... A lot of Republicans were complicit in this spending spree.” Cruz is demanding that any motion to send the budget to conference include a promise that the group won’t include an increase in the debt ceiling. He has been joined by fellow Republicans Sens. Paul, Mike Lee of Utah and most recently Marco Rubio of Florida. He has also had the backing of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in blocking the move to conference and insisting for debt ceiling assurances.
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| The Hill: Sen. Ted Cruz: 'I don’t trust Republicans'
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Tsarnaev associate killed by police
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A former mixed martial arts fighter who was fatally shot by an FBI agent in Florida following a "violent confrontation" knew one of the Boston Marathon bombers and was being questioned about an unsolved triple homicide that may be linked to him. Ibragim Todashev was shot and killed early Wednesday during a shooting at an apartment complex near Universal Studios in Orlando. He knew Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the older of the two brothers behind the April 15 bombing attack. Todashev was shot while being questioned about an unsolved 2011 triple homicide in Waltham, Mass., in which one victim was a onetime associate of Tsarnaev, according to the FBI. In the aftermath of the bombing, questions were raised about a possible Tsarnaev connection to the triple murder, in which the throats of the victims in the 2011 incident were slashed and their bodies were covered with marijuana.
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| Fox News: Florida man killed by FBI agent reportedly had link to Boston Marathon bomber, triple murder
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Leaders vote on gay scouts today
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The Boy Scouts of America's national leadership will vote Thursday whether to allow openly gay Scouts in its ranks, a critical and emotionally charged moment for one of the nation's oldest youth organizations and its millions of members. About 1,400 voting members of BSA's national council are to cast ballots Thursday on a resolution that would end a policy that allows youth Scouts to be excluded based only on sexual orientation. The ban on gay adult leaders would remain in place. The results are expected to be announced shortly after 5 p.m. CDT Thursday.
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| MyWay.com: Vote on gay Scouts comes at emotional moment
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Congress passes bill for Cumberland River anglers
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Congress has passed, but the President has not yet signed, a bill to block the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from putting in place boating and fishing restrictions below Cumberland River dams.
Following the Senate’s action last week, the House approved a measure preventing the Corps from following through on its plan for the next two years (so Congress can come to the rescue again two years from now). When the Corps releases water from the 10 dams it operates on the Cumberland and its tributaries, the water immediately below becomes turbulent. Despite loud opposition from anglers, and the entire Congressional delegation from Middle Tennessee and Kentucky, the Corps of Engineers has stubbornly insisted on enforcing restrictions on boat fishing below the dams, citing safety as its concern.
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| The Tenneseean: House vote sends Cumberland River fishing bill to Obama
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Metro council approves zoning plan, will help BRT application
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After getting assurances from Doug Sloan, the Planning Department’s deputy director, that it had “nothing to do with BRT,” the Metro council approved a plan to rezone 82 acres in midtown to allow for high density development. Whether or not it was intended to help the BRT proposal, it does just that, because it helps the city meet the “population density” requirements in a federal grant application.
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| Nashville City Paper: Council holds public hearing on Dean's budget, approves small cities agreement
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Ralph Rant: Get to the 'top' of this
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May 22, 2013 - To preserve the Republic, Republicans in Congress cannot stop until they get, not "to the bottom of this," but "to the top of this."
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ABC Analyst: IRS decision goes close to Obama
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May 21, 2013 - ABC political analyst Trey Hardin talks about his blunt assestment of the origin of the IRS scandal. “I can say with a very strong degree of certainty that people very close to the president not only knew but authorized that,” said Hardin, and much more.
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Ralph's Steeplechase experience - part one
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May 13, 2013 - Here's the first of my two-part report on my first Steeplechase experience, and what may be the best steeplechase rase in the nation.
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Ralph's Steeplechase experience - part two
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May 13, 2013 - This report includes interviews with the track announcer, the veteranarian, a horse owner and the man in charge of logistics for the race.
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Opponents rise against BRT
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May 15, 2013 - In this premeditated Ralph Rant, I break the news of a new group that has formed to oppose Nashvill'e planned Bus Rapid Transit on West End Ave.
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Rick Williams, BRT opponent, speaks out
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May 15, 2013 - Rick Williams is a member of the steering committee for TNResponsibleTransit, the group opposing the planned Nashville Bus Rapid Transit on West End Avenue. You can reach him at TNResponsibleTransit@gmail.com. This is the group's debut media interview - in its new campaign to stop BRT.
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Tennessee Tea Party leaders respond to IRS scandal
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May 13, 2013 - Ben Cunningham, founder of the Nashville Tea Party and Mark West, President of the Chattanooga Tea Party, respond to the IG report that busts the IRS for targeting Tea Party Groups for harassment in 2011, prior to the 2012 election.
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Legislative Townhall Meeting in Franklin - part 1
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April 27, 2013 - First half of the state legislative townhall meeting in Franklin with the Williamson County delegation - Sen. Jack Johnson, Rep. Charles Sargent, Rep. Glen Casada and Rep. Jeremy Durham.
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Legislative townhall meeting in Franklin - part 2
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April 27, 2013 - Second half of the legislative townhall meeting in Franklin, covering the 2013 legislative session with Sen. Jack Johnson, Rep. Charles Sargent, Rep. Glen Casada and Rep. Jeremy Durham.
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Sen. Rand Paul on guns, immigration, taxes
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April 18, 2013 - U.S. Sen. Rand Paul discusses the failed gun bill, the immigration reform bill ahead, and the right strategy on taxes.
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Leahy launches 'The Real Conservative National Committee'
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April 4, 2014 - Author, Breitbart correspondent and tea party activist Michal Patrick Leahy discusses a new organization formed to improve the ground game needed to help elect more conserative candidates to Congress, starting in 2014 with the GOP primary for U.S. Senate
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Corker sees positive signs in Obama outreach
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March 6, 2013 - Sen. Bob Corker discusses spending reforms on which Republicans and Obama might agree, and should, he says, be working on. Corker is one of a handful of Republicans to which the president has reached out with phone calls and dinner meetings to try to seek common ground on fiscal reforms.
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Ralph Rant - Woodward v. Obama
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March 4, 2013 - Anatomy of the sequester - the closing arguments in Woodward v. Obama.
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WEB EXCLUSIVE: EEOC Commissioner slams new guideline on criminal BG checks
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Feb. 23, 2012 - An EEOC commissioner levels damning charges against her fellow commissioners' action to issue updated guidelines that pose the threat of lawsuits against private businesses that conduct criminal background checks on employee prospects - even if state law demands it. This is a major challenge to the 10th Amendment by a seemingly rogue group of federal regulators.
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Duet: Fudge and Obama
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Jan. 22. 2013 - Enjoy (and share) this short montage featuring Rep. Marcia Fudge, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus and President Barack Obama. Fudge was participating in a Washington University Panel discussion and Obama is delivering his 2nd inaugural address.
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Analysis: Obama's 2nd inaurugal
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Jan. 22, 2013 - Here's my analysis of President Obama's 2nd inaugural address. George Washington, he ain't. High marks for the poetry - the "music" if you will, but the message, the "lyrics" didn't match the music.
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PARODY ALERT - The future of Day to Pray
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Jan 17, 2013 - The inventor of the time machine offered me a ride to the future. I chose Jan. 17, 2060 to see what kind of world my grandchildren would be living in when they're my age. Please don't tell Mike Huckabee what I found.
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Sen. Jack Johnson suggests local control of wine in grocery stores
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Jan. 15, 2013 - Among other things, Sen. Jack Johnson of Franklin discusses a new wrinkle in the wine in grocery store debate. He also reacts to the news that a $125 million state investment in a solar company is in jeopardy.
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Rep. Carr announces 10th amendment caucus
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Jan. 15,2013 - Rep. Joe Carr discusses the 2nd amendment debate through a 10th amendment prism and announcec the formation of a 10th Amendment Caucus.
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Age highlights economic freedom
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Jan 12, 2013 - Things start happening to people in their late 50s and early 60s that are fairly remarkable. This premeditated Ralph Rant just might be the prologue to my (eventual) audio book.
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Sen. Jack Johnson opposes open meetings move
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Jan. 9, 2013 - State Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Williamson Co.) calls "foul" on a Democrat colleague over the question of the General Assembly exception to the Open Meetings law.
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Rep. Joe Carr opposes bill sponsor limit
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Jan. 9, 2013 - Rep. Joe Carr (R-Rutherford Co.) explains his opposition to the proposed 15-bill sponsor limit for House members.
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Attorney Ross Booher argues case for Charter School "state authorizer"
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Jan. 7, 2013 - Ross Booher, the attorney for a charter school who battled the Metro Nashville School Board, makes the case that the state would make a more objective judge of charter school applications.
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Bonfire anyone?
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Jan. 7, 2013 - In this premeditated Ralph Rant, I invite Tea Party groups to join me at a bonfire April 15th. Let's all pour some fuel on to the grassroots fire it will take to eliminate the corruption in the federal income tax system. Symbolically burn your own rewards to let Congress know we want them to eliminate deductions and credits - and lower rates accordingly.
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School Security Roundbatle
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Dec. 20, 2012 - This is the "raw" tape of the roundtable we broadcast in seven parts on Nashville's Morning News. (It's 38 minutes long, so it will take a while to load)
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Tennessee to consider Texas 'armed teacher' plan
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Dec. 18, 2012 - Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas says he will pursue a plan in the next session of the general assembly to allow local school district to train and arm teachers if they so choose. Texas already does this, and at least one Texas district is taking advantage of the local control.
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New monster a 'committee' production
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Dec. 18, 2012 - There is a growing population of a new menace walking among us, and he may be a unique product of the "village" it supposedly takes to raise our children.
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Parents, wake up! Your children are killing your children
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Dec. 17, 2012 - The Connecticut massacre of first-graders turned up the spotlight on a relatively new menace unleashed on society, and regardless of who or what created it, only parents can stop it.
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Johson warns: Medicaid is going to expand
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Dec. 13, 2013 - State Sen. Jack Johnson warns Medicaid is going to expand in Tennessee, through the "woodwork effect" when Obamacare chases reluctanct people (alaready qualified) into the program - regardless of whether Gov. Haslam accepts the expansion of Medicaid prescribed by Obamacare. I sneak in some analysis of the legislature's posture on the issue.
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Sen. Jack Johnson opposes, but holds out final judgment on Medicaid expansion
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Dec. 12, 2012 - State Sen. Jack Johnson has all the reasons - including one no one else has discussed before - to turn down President Obama's "offer" to expand Medicaid, but he's leaving his powder dry in respect for Gov. Haslam's perceived predicament on the issue.
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Tennessee needs 10th Amendment Caucus
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Dec. 5, 2012 - Ralph challenges State Rep. Joe Carr to instigate a 10th Amendment Caucus in the legislature.
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Ralph Rant: Bipartisan gang attacks producers
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Dec. 14th, 2012 - This fiscal cliff negotiation may be the second worst performance in modern Republican history.
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Ralph Rant: Corker crowned King of means testing
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Nov. 30, 2012 - The headline pretty much speaks for itself.
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Medicaid expansion more than budget issue
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Nov. 1, 2012 - I respectfully disagree with Gov. Bill Haslam that the decision whether Tennessee should accept the expansion of Medicaid prescribed in Obamacare is "largely a budget issue."
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Alexander on coal regs - Round 2 |
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June 14, 2012 - Sen. Alexander returns to respond to some of the reaction to his stand on new coal plant regulations.
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Alexander defends coal regulations, says he will run again |
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June 13, 2012 - Sen. Lamar Alexander defends his stand in favor of new coal plant regulations - explains why he belives Medicaid is to blame for higher college tuition - and says he intends to run for reelection in 2014.
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Exclusive: The first hand account of "The Last Man to Die" |
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May 11, 2012 - A 92-year-old Cookeville, TN WWII veteran solves a 67-year secret behind one of the most famous WWII photographs.
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Click here to see view the albums in Ralph's photo gallery.
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 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. |
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