More on the TennCare Protest
More from Tennessee Guerilla Women on the Tenn Care Protest
“They say they will not leave until the Governor stops sending out his health care termination letters and agrees to come back to the negotiating table. They insist the Governor must hold public meetings aimed at solving the state’s health care problems with something other than the Governor’s TennCare Axe – which promises to cut hundreds of thousands of sick, elderly, disabled and poor people from the state health care program. “
And the governors’ response to questions about forbidding food and water in the Capitol. The words in brackets are mine, the rest are from an email from the Governor’s office.
Dear Friend:
Thank you for your recent email to Governor Bredesen. He has
asked that we respond to your concerns.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is enforcing the current rules of
the Capitol Commission prohibiting food and drink from the public areas
of
the Capitol building.
[Why enforce it now? And why spend money on the big bad highway patrol? Exempting those who work in the private areas of the Capitol only makes this attempt to strongarm the protesters into leaving for good that much more obvious]
This does not affect the ability of the
individuals
staying in the Capitol from getting food or drink. The very small
number of
individuals who are staying in the Capitol come and go freely during
the
day. They frequently leave the building for lunch, to attend meetings
and
functions, for cigarette breaks, to go home and for a variety of other
reasons. If any individual chooses to leave the building after it is
closed to
the public, they are free to do so and may come back the next day when
the building re-opens for regular business hours. This frequently
happens
now.
[Ah, but now they are free people exersizing choice. As the ban is enforced they become compelled to seek food and water elswhere, and gather more folk to sit in in shifts. Why the governor wants this nightmare more than public meetings and alternative ideas for help with his budget is beyond me.]
The Capitol is a historic building and a working office. Because of
this, the Capitol Commission has developed rules to balance the working
needs of the people in this building with its role as an historic
landmark in
order to protect and preserve the Capitol for future generations.
[This protest will surely alter and affect the historic value of the Tennesee Capitol. Just not for the reasons the Governor expects.]
bridgett said,
July 13, 2005 at 1:57 PM
Boy, am I bummed…it appears that Gov. Phil didn’t send me the personal response I asked for, but rather put me on some damn spam-mail list that spews weak excuses for engaging in anti-Omerican behavior.
As I’ve learned to say when students make irrelevant comments…”Moving on, then, who else can take a stab at the question? Why, exactly is the Governor denying protesters food and water?”
(How much do you want to bet that the Gov has a water cooler in his office? Isn’t the governor’s office supposed to be a public area?)
bridgett said,
July 13, 2005 at 1:57 PM
Boy, am I bummed…it appears that Gov. Phil didn’t send me the personal response I asked for, but rather put me on some damn spam-mail list that spews weak excuses for engaging in anti-Omerican behavior.
As I’ve learned to say when students make irrelevant comments…”Moving on, then, who else can take a stab at the question? Why, exactly is the Governor denying protesters food and water?”
(How much do you want to bet that the Gov has a water cooler in his office? Isn’t the governor’s office supposed to be a public area?)
imfunnytoo said,
July 13, 2005 at 2:02 PM
Oh, I’ve no doubt that there are fountains *all over* the percieved *non-public* areas of the building, including the Governor’s office.
imfunnytoo said,
July 13, 2005 at 2:02 PM
Oh, I’ve no doubt that there are fountains *all over* the percieved *non-public* areas of the building, including the Governor’s office.
geotenn said,
July 13, 2005 at 7:24 PM
Thanks for your support. The Gov’s e-mail is B—S—. Please stay in touch
geotenn said,
July 13, 2005 at 7:24 PM
Thanks for your support. The Gov’s e-mail is B—S—. Please stay in touch
imfunnytoo said,
July 13, 2005 at 9:05 PM
You’re welcome geotenn. I surely will.
imfunnytoo said,
July 13, 2005 at 9:05 PM
You’re welcome geotenn. I surely will.
Blue Cross of California said,
November 29, 2005 at 9:01 PM
Great blog I hope we can work to build a better health care system. Health insurance is a major aspect to many.
Blue Cross of California said,
November 29, 2005 at 9:01 PM
Great blog I hope we can work to build a better health care system. Health insurance is a major aspect to many.