Which interpretation though? Honestly, this doesn't seem like a very good idea. Does the Tennessee constitution have provisions about freedom of religion like the U.S. constitution? If so, this gets dangerously close to sanctioning a state religion IMHO - or at least lawyers could argue such.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/pol.../82625250/

That's just ridiculous. I don't even know what to say. I'm speechless. I have no speech.

As I am a pretty “live and let live” kind of guy who is perfectly fine letting people have their own foibles and peccadilloes, and I understand and support the reality that Tennesseans are entitled to their own official opinions about the traits they like or dislike in a state book, it remains true that those of us who have no religion are bound to be forever mystified by the motives of those who are religiously driven.......

(04-06-2016 03:49 PM)miko33 Wrote:  Which interpretation though? Honestly, this doesn't seem like a very good idea. Does the Tennessee constitution have provisions about freedom of religion like the U.S. constitution? If so, this gets dangerously close to sanctioning a state religion IMHO - or at least lawyers could argue such.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/pol.../82625250/

Not a big deal, they probably have a state flower also. Tennessee folk can practice their religion as they please or not if they prefer that course.

They're just asking for a lawsuit from the ACLU.

I bet their state book was the Bible before.

A lot of states used to have state religions.

I guess what I find most amazing is how politicians (in this case right leaning ones) absolutely waste time on things that really aren't of much importance. I mean, if the Tennessee lawmakers were to make a list of priorities for their state and doing what is of most import for the folks of Tennessee - I'm betting the ranch that "Making the Bible the state book" is far down the list of things Tennesseans would like to see their state government get done.

We spend such an inordinate amount of time and effort on silly stuff that doesn't make a tinkers damn of a difference in the lives of the people.

(04-06-2016 04:19 PM)Crebman Wrote:  I guess what I find most amazing is how politicians (in this case right leaning ones) absolutely waste time on things that really aren't of much importance. I mean, if the Tennessee lawmakers were to make a list of priorities for their state and doing what is of most import for the folks of Tennessee - I'm betting the ranch that "Making the Bible the state book" is far down the list of things Tennesseans would like to see their state government get done.

We spend such an inordinate amount of time and effort on silly stuff that doesn't make a tinkers damn of a difference in the lives of the people.

Yea that's true. This is just one example, of many (not Tennessee, just in general).

Every state has one of those lawmakers. The one that is there to make a point instead of there to work or do anything else.

Anybody else think these lawmakers need to be part-time?

(04-06-2016 04:19 PM)Crebman Wrote:  I guess what I find most amazing is how politicians (in this case right leaning ones) absolutely waste time on things that really aren't of much importance. I mean, if the Tennessee lawmakers were to make a list of priorities for their state and doing what is of most import for the folks of Tennessee - I'm betting the ranch that "Making the Bible the state book" is far down the list of things Tennesseans would like to see their state government get done.

We spend such an inordinate amount of time and effort on silly stuff that doesn't make a tinkers damn of a difference in the lives of the people.

Then so is having an official state Bird, Flower, Wild Animal, Rock, Fruit, etc.
Bible is certainly more historic than the above.

(04-06-2016 04:23 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Anybody else think these lawmakers need to be part-time?

Most of them are.

Yea, most state lawmakers don't make much. I think it is like 42k here in Alabama. It isn't bad for part-time but you certainly aren't going to get rich on your salary.

(04-06-2016 04:19 PM)Crebman Wrote:  I guess what I find most amazing is how politicians (in this case right leaning ones) absolutely waste time on things that really aren't of much importance. I mean, if the Tennessee lawmakers were to make a list of priorities for their state and doing what is of most import for the folks of Tennessee - I'm betting the ranch that "Making the Bible the state book" is far down the list of things Tennesseans would like to see their state government get done.

We spend such an inordinate amount of time and effort on silly stuff that doesn't make a tinkers damn of a difference in the lives of the people.

In 2009 the SC Legislature passed Act 58 of 2009. It designated a state duck, a state marine mammal, and a state migratory marine mammal. All told from introduction to committee to the three floor readings to the floor vote it might have took 30 minutes total.

(04-06-2016 04:26 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Yea, most state lawmakers don't make much. I think it is like 42k here in Alabama. It isn't bad for part-time but you certainly aren't going to get rich on your salary.

That's why they supplement their income by accepting "campaign donations".........how else do some of them become wealthy, it isn't what the government pays them in salary...............

(04-06-2016 04:28 PM)Crebman Wrote:  

(04-06-2016 04:26 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Yea, most state lawmakers don't make much. I think it is like 42k here in Alabama. It isn't bad for part-time but you certainly aren't going to get rich on your salary.

That's why they supplement their income by accepting "campaign donations".........how else do some of them become wealthy, it isn't what the government pays them in salary...............

I don't know that many state lawmakers who were not otherwise independently wealthy. They aren't exactly like congressmen.

(04-06-2016 04:26 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Yea, most state lawmakers don't make much. I think it is like 42k here in Alabama. It isn't bad for part-time but you certainly aren't going to get rich on your salary.

The problem is it isn't a "part-time" job. For every minute they spend in chambers working on legislation they spend five times that dealing with people outside the chambers. Probably more than that these days with email. A guy I hunt with is a state Representative and he's constantly on the phone, answering emails, etc. He says he can't go out to eat, shop, or even go to church without being approached by somebody about something. His wife had to quit her teaching job to take over the day to day operation of his business because he couldn't keep up with both.

(04-06-2016 04:28 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(04-06-2016 04:19 PM)Crebman Wrote:  I guess what I find most amazing is how politicians (in this case right leaning ones) absolutely waste time on things that really aren't of much importance. I mean, if the Tennessee lawmakers were to make a list of priorities for their state and doing what is of most import for the folks of Tennessee - I'm betting the ranch that "Making the Bible the state book" is far down the list of things Tennesseans would like to see their state government get done.

We spend such an inordinate amount of time and effort on silly stuff that doesn't make a tinkers damn of a difference in the lives of the people.

In 2009 the SC Legislature passed Act 58 of 2009. It designated a state duck, a state marine mammal, and a state migratory marine mammal. All told from introduction to committee to the three floor readings to the floor vote it might have took 30 minutes total.

Oh, I know - some of these things don't take much time at all. I guess I'm just at a point where I don't believe those in office often have the best interests of the people in what they do. I'm a skeptic of their intentions............

(04-06-2016 04:26 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Yea, most state lawmakers don't make much. I think it is like 42k here in Alabama. It isn't bad for part-time but you certainly aren't going to get rich on your salary.

60K in Ohio. Not bad. Most have various full time careers, Insurance, Accounting, Banking, own their companies, law practices etc.

(04-06-2016 04:36 PM)Crebman Wrote:  

(04-06-2016 04:28 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(04-06-2016 04:19 PM)Crebman Wrote:  I guess what I find most amazing is how politicians (in this case right leaning ones) absolutely waste time on things that really aren't of much importance. I mean, if the Tennessee lawmakers were to make a list of priorities for their state and doing what is of most import for the folks of Tennessee - I'm betting the ranch that "Making the Bible the state book" is far down the list of things Tennesseans would like to see their state government get done.

We spend such an inordinate amount of time and effort on silly stuff that doesn't make a tinkers damn of a difference in the lives of the people.

In 2009 the SC Legislature passed Act 58 of 2009. It designated a state duck, a state marine mammal, and a state migratory marine mammal. All told from introduction to committee to the three floor readings to the floor vote it might have took 30 minutes total.

Oh, I know - some of these things don't take much time at all. I guess I'm just at a point where I don't believe those in office often have the best interests of the people in what they do. I'm a skeptic of their intentions............

Of course they are political. The Bible is pretty historic, good choice IMHO