Another Theater Shooting

The shooter is described as a 51 year-old local man. Story developing...

Nashville To Host 2016 Bingham Cup

Via Facebook: "We are proud to announce that Nashville will host the 2016 Bingham Cup! Thanks to all of the players and supporters who participated in the vote and to Chicago and Boston for a spirited bid process. With you, brothers!" The 2014 event was held in Sydney.

Nashville Mayor Endorses Marriage

"I believe that all people should be treated fairly and equally and that their individual dignity should be respected. Embracing and celebrating our growing diversity makes our city stronger. Nashville needs to continue in that direction, and it’s my hope that joining this effort will help us do that." - Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, joining Mayors For The Freedom To Marry.

Thank you, Mayor Dean. Now - about that anti-gay marriage hate convention at Opryland...

TENNESSEE: Nashville Approves Partner Benefits For City Employees

In a lopsided vote, Nashville's Metro Council last night approved domestic partner benefits for city employees.

The council voted 27-7 for the measure, adding Metro to a long list of public and private employers across the country that offer domestic partner benefits. The result was expected, but some council members spoke out strongly against the policy before the vote. Councilman Bill Pridemore said his and his constituents' values would be "compromised" by the idea, and Councilman Phil Claiborne moved to defer the final vote indefinitely, citing budgetary concerns. But Councilman Lonnell Matthews moved to table Claiborne's motion, and the council agreed. Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said the financial impact of the policy would be small — $450,000 or so — within the $1.89 billion operating budget the council had passed moments earlier.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean called it a "big day" for the city, adding, "If we believe that each person has value and we treat each other with respect, then I think this city will be in fine shape. I'm proud of the effort, I'm proud of our city and I'm proud of you all." (Tipped by JMG reader Jason)

Freep This Nashville Poll

The poll is on the lower right. (Tipped by JMG reader Joseph)

RELATED: When we freeped the American Family Association last week, they reset their poll to zero several times before deleting it entirely. Great work!

TSA Detains Sen. Rand Paul

I'm betting he was carrying a gun.

UPDATE: Local media reports that Sen. Paul was detained for refusing to submit to a full-body pat-down.

UPDATE II: The TSA says Rand Paul is lying.

Sen. Rand Paul's chief of staff Doug Stafford responded to the TSA's claim that the senator was "not detained at any point." "Well, I don't know what bureaucrat manuals call it, but: an innocent American citizen who was offering to cooperate while also attempting to stop an invasive search was not allowed to proceed without complying," Stafford said in an email to TheDC.

In other words, the entire "incident" was staged in order to give Daddy some talking points in tonight's debate.

Tracy Morgan Goes On Anti-Gay Rant

Comedian and 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan is in hot water with LGBT activists after performing an anti-gay monologue during a Nashville concert.

Kevin Rogers, who was in attendance, posted a public note on Facebook detailing at length the hateful language used by Morgan. What did the comic say? After laying out the usual lines about homosexuality being a choice, he said "god don't make no mistakes" and said that "all this gay stuff is bullsh*t." What does he think about lesbians? "There is no way a woman could love and have sexual desire for another woman, that's just a woman pretending because she hates a [expletive] man." And then he got even more honest: "If my son were gay he better come home and talk to me like a man and not [like a homosexual--Morgan mimicked a feminine voice] or I'd pull out a knife and stab that little N***** to death." The worst thing about the 30 Rock star's rant? It was greeted with cheers and applause from many in the audience.

Top TN Democrat: Extremist Bills Make State Look Buck-Toothed And Barefoot

Tony Perkins On Tennessee

"After harassing law firms, sports figures, restaurants, and average Americans, homosexual activists are starting to show the public what they really are. Intolerant. Lawmakers in Tennessee witnessed the bullying firsthand, when the state tried to stop policies that are bad for business and worse for the economy. The Left had been trying to use local governments to demand special employment rights for gays and lesbians. Yesterday, Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill into law that will keep private companies from being held hostage by homosexual activists.

"Starting this month, cities and counties can no longer adopt anti-discrimination policies that are stricter than state law. It all started with a Nashville city ordinance that required private government contractors to give special preference to gays in lesbians in hiring and firing decisions. By signing SB 632 into law, Gov. Haslam erased the Nashville measure and freed up companies to run their businesses the way they see fit. Thanks to local pastors and former state Sen. David Fowler at the Family Action Council of Tennessee, employers will be the ones dictating office policy--not the liberal government." - Lying Family Research Council spokes-liar Tony Perkins, lying about Nashville's now overturned law.

TENNESSEE: Governor Signs Bill Banning All Local LGBT Rights Laws

GOP Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today signed the bill overturning Nashville's non-discrimination ordinance. The bill also effectively outlaws all local LGBT rights laws statewide as it bans any discrimination protections not already offered by the state. It was strongly opposed by several major corporations following a letter-writing campaign launched by Americablog Gay.

UPDATE: The Human Rights Campaign reacts.

In an apparent attempt to score cheap political points, Tenn. Governor Bill Haslam has ignored the business community and signed into law a bill that wipes out county and city anti-discrimination laws, despite the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry reversing their earlier support and now opposing the bill. The measure – SB 632/HB 600 – passed the legislature last week and was designed to remove protections for LGBT Tennesseans by prohibiting cities and counties from enacting discrimination bans. Since there are no state protections for sexual orientation or gender identity, the Governor’s signature of this bill becomes a green light for anti-LGBT discrimination across the state.

TENNESSEE: State Senate Advances Bill To Ban All Local LGBT Rights Laws

A Tennessee state Senate committee has advanced the bill to ban all local LGBT rights laws in the state.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Mae Beavers [left] of Mt. Juliet was approved 6-3 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. The companion bill passed the House 73-24 last month. The proposal would void a Nashville ordinance barring companies that discriminate against gays and lesbians from doing business with the city. Under state law it is illegal to discriminate against a person because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin. The Nashville ordinance prohibits companies that discriminate because of sexual orientation or gender identity from receiving city contracts. It does not apply to local governments' hiring policies for their own workers. An amendment to remove Nashville from the state proposal failed.

TN House Votes To Overturn Nashville's Gay-Friendly Business Ordinance

Earlier this month Nashville's city council approved a law banning the city from doing business with companies that discriminate against their LGBT employees. Yesterday the GOP-dominated state House voted to overturn that law.

The measure sponsored by Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada of Franklin was approved 73-24 on Monday. The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. The proposal would void a Nashville ordinance barring companies that discriminate against gays and lesbians from doing business with the city. Under state law it is illegal to discriminate against a person because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin. The Nashville ordinance prohibits companies that discriminate because of sexual orientation or gender identity from receiving city contracts. It does not apply to local governments' hiring policies for their own workers.

(Tipped by JMG reader Tim)

PhoboQuotable - Richard Land

"So a six-foot guy who shaves every day can come in wearing a dress, high heels, and earrings and tell his employer that he's really a woman and he wants to use the women's bathroom facilities, and there's nothing the employer can do to stop him if he wants to do business in Metro. Clearly the Metro Council members, a majority of them succumbed to the intense lobbying of a minority that wants special rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people." - Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's "ethics commission," responding to Nashville's decision not to do business with companies that discriminate against their LGBT employees.

RELATED: In 2008 Land named the "homosexual agenda" as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

NASHVILLE: City Council Passes Bill Banning Businesses That Discriminate

If your company discriminates against its LGBT employees, Nashville will no longer do business with you.

Councilman Jamie Hollin, a sponsor of the bill, said after the vote that Metro had “sent a clear signal all around the world” that people of all kinds are welcome to work in Nashville. Advocates of gay rights agreed. “If you’re willing to work hard, and you’re talented, you’re welcome in Nashville, Tenn.,” said Chris Sanders, chairman of the Tennessee Equality Project’s Nashville chapter. Several council members spoke passionately against the bill. Critics on the council had so far made two arguments: that creating another protected class of employee made companies vulnerable to litigation, and that uneven policies across county lines would hamper commerce. Councilman Phil Claiborne said more bluntly what others had hinted at previously. Claiborne said the policy told business owners with religious convictions opposing homosexuality that they had to “abandon their core beliefs” to do business with Metro. “That’s a hypocritical travesty,” Claiborne said.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean is expected to sign the bill.

TENNESSEE: Baptist Softball League Bans Entire Team Over Lesbian Coach

After she confirmed that she is gay, church officials told a lesbian coach that her entire team would not be allowed to compete in the Bellevue Baptist Church softball league in suburban Memphis.

Jana J. Jacobson said church officials told her the "deviant" lifestyle would prevent the team from competing in Bellevue's adult women's softball league. The coach said she was the only team member who attended meetings in preparation for the season that began June 8, and the only member questioned by Bellevue leadership. She wondered why her lifestyle mattered since they were playing softball. "Finally, in my frustration, I said that I am going to be clear. I am gay, and I find all of this to be absurd and against the word of God as I know it," Jacobson said of a meeting with Bellevue officials. Jim Barnwell, Bellevue's director of communications, said Tuesday afternoon the church has "no plans to comment on (Jacobson's story) at this time.

A local civil rights attorney quoted in the above-linked story says the church's action appears to be legal. Outsports has contact information for the church, if you'd like to let them know what you think. Nothing to see here folks, just more of God's Gentle Love™.

FREEP THIS POLL: The Commercial Appeal is asking readers if the league did the right thing. Go vote now.

Sarah Palin's Teabagger Keynote

Here's the entire thing, if you can bear it. Palin spends the hour spewing vapid patriotic catch phrases and slams of Obama. And little else.

Quote Of The Day - Sarah Palin

"I will not benefit financially from speaking at this event. My only goal is to support the grassroots activists who are fighting for responsible, limited government — and our Constitution. In that spirit, any compensation for my appearance will go right back to the cause. The nature of the Tea Party movement means there may never be a "perfectly orchestrated" event: Democracy in action doesn't come with a manual. But we must not get caught up in the politics or the controversies that some hope will distract from the heart of the movement. The focus must remain on our ideas and beliefs, and on supporting those ideas and beliefs however we can." - Sarah Palin, confirming that she will indeed attend this weekend's disintegrating Tea Party Convention in Nashville.

February: Sarah Palin To Headline First Tea Party Convention

The first ever Tea Party Convention will take place in Nashville next month with Sarah Palin and World Net Daily founder Joseph Farah billed as its headliners.

The event will also feature prominent speakers such as Rep Michele Bachmann, R- Minn.; Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; WND columnist Judge Roy Moore; Phil Valentine, popular radio talk-show host and author of "The Conservative Handbook"; and Fox News Political Analyst Angela McGlowan, among others. The Tea Party Express will also arrive in Nashville for the convention. Additional sponsors of the conference include American Liberty Alliance, Tea Party Emporium, the Leadership Institute, National Taxpayers Union, American Majority, Surge USA and Eagle Forum. The convention is open to citizens who have stepped up and taken leadership roles in the tea party movement, including those who would like to be more involved this year. Tea Party Nation has allocated 600 tickets for the convention and 1,100 for the banquet with Palin. Tickets are available at the National Tea Party Convention website.

Palin, Bachmann, and Farah all in the same room at once! It'll be a cavalcade of crazy! The host hotel is the Gaylord Opryland, he said with a snicker. Tickets are $550 each and do not include accommodations.

"English First" Defeated In Nashville

Yesterday voters in Nashville defeated an "English First" referendum which would have made English the mandatory language for all city business.

Nashville voters rejected a proposal to make English the mandatory language for all government business, easing fears that the measure could damage the city's reputation and cost agencies millions in federal funding. With 100 percent of precincts reporting early Friday morning, unofficial results showed the "English First" proposal losing with about 57 percent of voters against it and 43 percent in favor. Proponents said using one language would have united the city and saved money.

The city would have become the nation's largest to pass such a measure. Similar measures have passed elsewhere, though business leaders, academics, the city's mayor and Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen opposed the "English First" proposal, which the governor has previously called "mean-spirited." "The results of this special election reaffirms Nashville's identity as a welcoming and friendly city, and our ability to come together as a community," Mayor Karl Dean said in a news release. The referendum's leader, city Councilman Eric Crafton, had promoted it as a way to unite Nashville and prevent the kind of extensive translation services — and the associated expenses — provided by cities like New York or Los Angeles. He has pushed for English only since 2006 and got the issue before voters through a petition drive.

One of the referendum's backers appeared on CNN this morning to complain that immigrants should not be allowed to live an "English-optional" life in the United States. It's unlikely the referendum would have survived a court challenge as many federal funds are tied to free translation services for immigrants.