'Ashamed to be a Tennessean': Nashville area readers against 'Tennessee Three' expulsion | Letters

Editor’s note: Hundreds of readers continue to weigh in on the expulsion hearings of the “Tennessee Three” – the state House lawmakers who were accused of “disorderly behavior” for encouraging gun law reform protesters from the chamber’s floor. The vast majority of letter writers have condemned the Tennessee General Assembly’s action, including readers from throughout the world and across the United States. There also were readers who supported the removal of Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, and the near removal of Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville. In this collection of letters, we provide more feedback from Tennessee residents.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely

More than 135 years ago, the British politician and writer Lord Acton famously wrote that “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The truth of that maxim was on vivid display last Friday in the Tennessee House of Representatives in a shameful display of political cruelty and cowardice, which is to say political bullying. The State of Tennessee and that state of democracy across our great country deserve better.

Matthew Kenney, Clarksville 37040

Ashamed to be a Tennessean

After 25 days of being away from Nashville, and catching up with the news of Tennessee, I am ashamed to live here. We have legislators that kick out elected legislators, take over an elected Metro council, legally carry guns to their offices, flip collective fingers to creed, gender, and persuasion. This isn’t America, this is what Tennessee has become right now.

Bill Tyler, Nashville 37221

Sinking to a new moral low

The Tennessee legislature has sunk to a new moral low. Following a deadly elementary school shooting, they offer up cheap and easy "thoughts and prayers" as opposed to real concrete solutions to keeping guns away from the mentally ill. Most egregiously, when three members stood with citizens to demand action, they elected to expel the two Black men involved. Their actions seriously call into question their fitness to hold office.

Michael Hinson, Antioch 37013

From Memphis: Justin Pearson reappointed to Tennessee House of Representatives by Shelby County Commission

State majority’s ongoing attack on Nashville is appalling

How much more do these sitting Republicans want to take away from the city of Nashville? I don’t even live in Nashville and I am appalled. First, these very same legislators redrew the districts in Davidson County. Second, to cut the Metro Council in half. Third and fourth, overhaul Nashville Airport Authority and the Sports Authority. Seems to me there is some sort of an agenda going on. Does anyone else see this?

Ruth Kindrat, White House TN

Expulsion was over the top

The punishment is not proportional. Some of the Tennessee lawmakers are out of touch with what the people want. When Gloria runs again I will donate the maximum amount allowed to her campaign.

Chip Rayman, Knoxville TN

Result will be revival for state’s Democrats

Those two young men were voted out of the legislative body at the intersection of Hubris and Ignorance Avenues yesterday. I believe that this moronic act will very much help to revive a moribund TN Democratic party that has suffered from ineffective and uninspiring leadership for far too long. This may not create a tidal wave of resistance, but it will absolutely help the Democrats turn a corner and finally gain momentum and head in the right direction.

Tracy Edwards, Nashville 37146

Column: Mutual outrage over lawmakers expulsions further promotes bitter, toxic politics

Disagree with the Speaker and you will be punished

I’m appalled at the conduct of the Tennessee House Speaker and his band of ultra-conservative followers. Are they just trying to make themselves look more ridiculous and authoritarian than usual?Cameron Sexton had a temper tantrum because someone wasn’t agreeing with him. We, who don’t agree with him on important issues (gun regulation, the right to make decisions about your own body, and free and fair elections for example) are tired of being silenced and left out of the conversation. The supermajority, who hold the views of a minority of Tennesseans on these issues, have been doing that for too long. They have bent the rules and the law to serve their own purposes, and those have little to do with protecting the people of Tennessee.

Ann White, Franklin TN

Go deeper: How Tennessee lawmakers voted in Thursday's House expulsion debate

Censure would have been the appropriate response

The expulsion of the three Democratic Legislators is a politically motivated act by GOP Representatives to impact their rivals. A censure would be more appropriate, but the GOP is so highly motivated to cripple their rivals that they are using the protest, supported by constituents, to justify this extreme response. Are they that threatened by these three people?

Susan L. Hughes, Lakeland TN

Where was the governor?

I have only one simple question: Where is Bill Lee’s leadership when his state is falling apart with all of the nation and world’s attention?

Gary Perrizo, Mt. Juliet TN

Related: One TN Republican didn't vote for lawmakers' expulsion. Here's who and why.

The Tennessee 3 speak for me

As a citizen of Bristol, TN, I am not truly represented in either the Tennessee State Legislature or in the U.S. Congress. I have a right to express my views here, on gun control, on LGTQ rights, on abortion rights, but not to live them. So, what follows from lip-service to expressing my opinions and actually from my trying to problem-solve here, as only an individual? That, if I stand with the Tennessee Three, I have a better chance of being a real person in this state, not a submerged person. Maybe the bullhorn was not peaceable enough. Or maybe it was too provocateurish. But the right to represent their constituents is a Tennessean Constitutional right. I support them, because they are not giving up, and because they speak for me.

Adrianne Hess, Bristol TN

Authoritarian House reminiscent of banana republic

Our Tennessee House Republicans have shown that they are deplorable. They pass bills to stop drag queens from poisoning children's minds, while allowing AR-15 bullets to fly through the heads of children. It’s insanity. These Republican members are ruling as a banana republic. Democracy is dying, authoritarianism is rising in Tennessee. I commend the Tennessee Three.

Mary Sanford, Lebanon TN

Bless your heart

The Tennessee Republican supermajority was just giving the Tennessee Three the ole “bless your heart.”

Darrell Ida, Nashville 37203

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why these Nashville area readers disagree with 'Tennessee Three' expulsion