Bill of Rights

You know, just when I think I've heard it all.....

A few days ago I got an email from my local state representative that contained an update on the latest legislative session and a summary of impending legislation. Generally speaking, I agree with him on most issues. We disagreed on the "guns in restaurants" bill, but he supports a balanced budget and his views are usually on the conservative side. But then, under "impending legislation", this little gem caught my eye:

House to Consider Constitutional Amendment Giving Tennesseans the Right to Hunt and Fish

House Joint Resolution 149 was read for the third time last week in the House, meaning it is ready for final consideration by the House, likely to happen early in the 2010 session. If passed by a 2/3 majority of the General Assembly, the constitutional amendment will appear on the ballot in a 2010 voter referendum. The constitutional amendment gives Tennesseans the right to hunt and fish.
The resolution states that, "hunting and fishing are a vital part of this state's heritage and economy and should be preserved and protected." The sponsor has said that Tennessee has always enjoyed hunting and fishing as a leisure activity, and the amendment was necessary to clarify that Tennesseans have a constitutional right to pursue wild game that cannot be infringed upon by the legislature, courts, or local authorities.

Now, here's where you start inserting you own punch line! Are you kidding me? We have to spend taxpayer money on a voter referendum for a constitutional amendment to ensure our right to hunt and fish? What about our constitutional right to play golf? Or water ski? Surely we don't want to risk being denied those "rights". And what about vegetarians? Don't they have rights? What about their constitutional right to raise okra and tomatoes? As you can see, I have a lot more questions than answers.

Well, at least we can take comfort in the fact that our elected officials are right on top of all the pressing issues of the day. If we can just get this hunting and fishing amendment out of the way, maybe they'll have time to deal with things like unemployment, schools, roads, bridges, and healthcare. As a matter of fact, that's what I suggested to my representative. I proposed that, since they seemed to have this hunting and fishing crisis under control, maybe they could arrange to have a couple of tons of asphalt dumped on I-65 so I don't have to get a front-end alignment every two weeks!

So, to all of you from out of state, come visit us in Tennessee! We could use the money. Our unemployment rate is at about 10% and you can't drive on our roads, but.....you will soon have a constitutional right to hunt and fish plus, you can carry your pistol to the Waffle House! I'm telling you, life is good here in the Volunteer State! Makes me want to rush out and buy some camouflage!

Till next time........