Is Gov. Phil Bredesen a good choice for HHS? Eh, I’ve never thought of Bredesen as a big change/bold thinking kind of guy. He’s an excellent steward of government, I think, but not much of a visionary. If Obama really wants dramatic reform of the American healthcare system (and hope he does!), Bredesen is not the guy.
I heard Bredesen speak at a medical convention a couple of years ago, and he was fine. Solid but not inspiring. The one speaker at that conference who really impressed me was Colin Powell. I know healthcare isn’t his field, but if Powell is on board with Obama’s healthcare plan, then the President should give the general a good, long look. Just think how much pull Powell has with independents and moderate Republicans. The PR value of putting him in charge of the reform effort would be huge. Plus, the guy is brilliant and capable.
So, Mr. President, if you’re reading this, and you know you are, think about it.
Showing posts with label Phil Bredesen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phil Bredesen. Show all posts
Friday, February 6, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Name Game
While you were all worried about who was taking over the White House yesterday, Governor Phil Bredesen (D) was busy appointing a bunch of people you’ve never heard of to a bunch of advisory boards you’ve never heard of.
For example, Mether Joe Jones is now officially a member of the Tennessee Board of Barber Examiners. So, you know, good job there, Mether.
Did you know that the state of Tennessee has a Polysomnography Professional Standards Committee?
Polysomnography is “a diagnostic test during which a number of physiologic variables are measured and recorded during sleep.” It is most commonly found in sitcoms.
These are the kind of things you will only learn here at the Planet.
I would also like to point out that Governor Bredesen appointed someone named Happy Birdsong to the Keep Tennessee Beautiful Advisory Council because once you found out there was someone named Happy Birdsong, how could you not?
For example, Mether Joe Jones is now officially a member of the Tennessee Board of Barber Examiners. So, you know, good job there, Mether.
Did you know that the state of Tennessee has a Polysomnography Professional Standards Committee?
Polysomnography is “a diagnostic test during which a number of physiologic variables are measured and recorded during sleep.” It is most commonly found in sitcoms.
These are the kind of things you will only learn here at the Planet.
I would also like to point out that Governor Bredesen appointed someone named Happy Birdsong to the Keep Tennessee Beautiful Advisory Council because once you found out there was someone named Happy Birdsong, how could you not?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Somebody Is Gonna Pay!
Governor Phil Bredesen issued another executive order related to the TVA toxic ash disaster:
The Order…requires TVA’s cooperation with the state in supporting independent assessments and inspections at Kingston and other TVA coal-waste sites around the state as well as the development of a corrective action plan detailing the steps TVA will take to clean up the Kingston site and ensure safe operations in the future.
Okay, sounds good. Plus:
This Order requires TVA to reimburse the Department of Environment and Conservation for expenses incurred overseeing cleanup and further investigative activities.
Okay, that sounds good, but isn’t that just shifting the burden to TVA customers? Which is pretty much everyone with electricity in nine states. Still, I guess it’s the right decision, even if it’s a sucky one.
Hopefully, the federal government will step in and cover TVA’s costs on this (since TVA is owned 100% by the federal government) rather than passing the costs on to consumers. After all, it wasn’t the consumers that caused this problem but the people in charge of TVA (again, the federal government). Maybe the Bush Administration shouldn’t have blocked all efforts to regulate and fix this problem for the past eight years. It's not like they weren't warned.
The Order…requires TVA’s cooperation with the state in supporting independent assessments and inspections at Kingston and other TVA coal-waste sites around the state as well as the development of a corrective action plan detailing the steps TVA will take to clean up the Kingston site and ensure safe operations in the future.
Okay, sounds good. Plus:
This Order requires TVA to reimburse the Department of Environment and Conservation for expenses incurred overseeing cleanup and further investigative activities.
Okay, that sounds good, but isn’t that just shifting the burden to TVA customers? Which is pretty much everyone with electricity in nine states. Still, I guess it’s the right decision, even if it’s a sucky one.
Hopefully, the federal government will step in and cover TVA’s costs on this (since TVA is owned 100% by the federal government) rather than passing the costs on to consumers. After all, it wasn’t the consumers that caused this problem but the people in charge of TVA (again, the federal government). Maybe the Bush Administration shouldn’t have blocked all efforts to regulate and fix this problem for the past eight years. It's not like they weren't warned.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Christmas is Over
The TNGOP never once wished me a happy holidays or merry Christmas on its website. I’m not sure why they hate religion so much, but if they were good little Republicans, they’d be showing off their Christianity prominently - if not belligerently.
How’s that for a weak, throwaway attack on the other side? Blah. Oh well, it’s all I got because the TN Democratic Party website has steadfastly refused to say anything other than happy holidays for over two months. The party blog is likewise silent.
(Here’s a hint, guys: it’s no longer the “season of giving” and McCain’s already lost the election, so why don’t you go ahead and push that junk off your homepage?)
If the TN Democratic were paying attention or showing any signs of life, maybe they’d say something about that nice Tennessee fellow who thinks racist songs are funny, just so long as Rush Limbaugh says so?
Or how about that little oopsy-daisy near Knoxville that’s poisoning all the water? No comment on that? Don’t see any opportunity to push the importance of environment responsibility or alternative energy? Or maybe you think the people of Tennessee are already so far to the Left they don’t need to hear it?
Hey, why don’t you praise Gov. Bredesen for that $80 million the State is getting from the Department of Health and Human Services for a low-income home energy assistance program. I’m pretty sure he’s a Democrat.
Or you could praise Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) for that $1.65 million loan and a $400,000 grant from the USDA to construct new water distribution lines and replace leaking water lines in Putnam County.
There is a crap-load of stuff going on out there, you lazy schmucks!!!
Say something!!!
How’s that for a weak, throwaway attack on the other side? Blah. Oh well, it’s all I got because the TN Democratic Party website has steadfastly refused to say anything other than happy holidays for over two months. The party blog is likewise silent.
(Here’s a hint, guys: it’s no longer the “season of giving” and McCain’s already lost the election, so why don’t you go ahead and push that junk off your homepage?)
If the TN Democratic were paying attention or showing any signs of life, maybe they’d say something about that nice Tennessee fellow who thinks racist songs are funny, just so long as Rush Limbaugh says so?
Or how about that little oopsy-daisy near Knoxville that’s poisoning all the water? No comment on that? Don’t see any opportunity to push the importance of environment responsibility or alternative energy? Or maybe you think the people of Tennessee are already so far to the Left they don’t need to hear it?
Hey, why don’t you praise Gov. Bredesen for that $80 million the State is getting from the Department of Health and Human Services for a low-income home energy assistance program. I’m pretty sure he’s a Democrat.
Or you could praise Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) for that $1.65 million loan and a $400,000 grant from the USDA to construct new water distribution lines and replace leaking water lines in Putnam County.
There is a crap-load of stuff going on out there, you lazy schmucks!!!
Say something!!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Slow News Day
Governor Phil Bredesen today signed Executive Order #59 requiring use of efficient Energy Star-qualified equipment and appliances in all executive branch state agencies.
It's a good idea that's likely to pay for itself in the long run since energy-efficient equipment saves money on utility bills.
It's a good idea that's likely to pay for itself in the long run since energy-efficient equipment saves money on utility bills.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Damn Hippies at Dow Corning
According to Stephanie Burns, CEO of Dow Corning: “We’re… confident that solar technology represents a tremendous opportunity for both clean energy and economic growth.”
How confident are they? So confident that they’re investing up to $2.5 billion in a joint venture with Hemlock Semiconductors in Clarksville, Tennessee. Today’s announcement means 1,000 construction jobs in the short term and up to 800 high-paying jobs at the facility in the long run.
"This is a huge win for Tennessee. They're talking about a range of investment of between $1.2 billion to $2.5 billion over time. If they get to the upper end of that range, it will be the largest investment in our state's history," Gov. Phil Bredesen said.
How confident are they? So confident that they’re investing up to $2.5 billion in a joint venture with Hemlock Semiconductors in Clarksville, Tennessee. Today’s announcement means 1,000 construction jobs in the short term and up to 800 high-paying jobs at the facility in the long run.
"This is a huge win for Tennessee. They're talking about a range of investment of between $1.2 billion to $2.5 billion over time. If they get to the upper end of that range, it will be the largest investment in our state's history," Gov. Phil Bredesen said.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Blame Bush
With the State’s tax revenue still swirling around the economic toilet bowl, Governor Phil Bredesen will ask all State departments to develop plans to cut their budgets by 10% or more. That’s up from the 3% cuts he originally requested.
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