11 of 11

This is my personal top 11 rundown of people and events that shaped the year.

11. The Occupy whatever thing. I know everyone else is putting that at number 1 but in reality I see it as all sound and no fury. In reality what did they shape or change? An election? No. Policy? No. Some big issue? No. They acted like homeless people, cost the state money, caused a stink by going to the bathroom wherever or on whatever they wanted and generally whined about their life. Big deal. That is what the Democrat party has been doing legislatively for years.

10 Muslims and Ron Paul. The Murfreesboro mosque, the "Sharia bill" and libertarianism have been a twister for Tennessee turning friend against friend battling religious freedom vs. National security vs spending.

9. The governor. He sort of sat back, Learned what was going on and why, stayed out of fights, had a limited agenda and got his feet under himself. Smart move.

8. De funding planned parenthood.... Or not....Or yes.... Well sort of....soon...I think.

7. Beth Harwell election as speaker. She set up committees to her favor and then found she had to often break tie votes to pass conservative issues wanted by the majority.

7 (bonus). The freshman class. In the house they are a great bunch and when they get there feet under them could be a force to be reckoned with. In the senate, Kerry Roberts was ready to go day one and Jim Summerville has blown away my expectations.

6. The pen. Re drawing the district lines was all some people wanted to talk about before the election. In the end I think it will be a non issue. The idea of redistricting for huge margins was put aside for reasonable gains and no risks.

5. John J. Hooker/ Mae Beavers. What can I say. John Jay is still a force to be reckoned with and with Mae, they are relentlessly working to fix our court system and to follow the constitution.

4. Curry Todd. Passed a big 2nd amendment bill.....then..... well, I am sure you know the rest.

3. Ron Ramsey on judicial election. You could have knocked them over with a feather when the Lt. Governor came in to break the tie getting elect means elect out of Judiciary committee.

2. Jack Johnson masterful passage reforming tenure and collective conferencing. Not a lot of credit given but much is deserved.

1. All of the rest. What can I say? We cut taxes, passed a lot of good stuff in a short period of time and went home. Not bad.

See ya next year!