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This is Matthew Carney. He was 42 years old. An ILLEGAL was stealing tools from Carneys pickup truck outside of the restaurant he owned. Carney came out confronted him and attempted to stop him. He then proceeded to drive into Matthew, who was critically injured and later died. The ILLEGAL was also wanted on an outstanding auto theft warrant. These are the people Democrats protest FOR. They don't care about their victims. And sadly, these defenders of those who are here illegally also include Catholic bishops and pastors.
Carney was beloved in Nashville by patrons of his restaurant and everyone who knew him.
From WZTV in Nashville: "ICE confirms a man accused of killing a popular restaurant owneris an illegal immigrant. Court records show he has had a previous run in with the law in Davidson County, but somehow his immigration status failed to raise red flags.
"Ulises Raigoz-Martinez was charged with the death of Smokin Thighs owner Matthew Carney after he died on July 4 from a hit-and-run crash at his restaurant. That hit and run happened on June 19, according to police.
Today, Vice President JD Vance and senior Trump Administration officials honored the memory of Charlie Kirk by hosting a special edition of The Charlie Kirk Show live from the White House — coming together in a heartfelt tribute to the visionary conservative leader’s unwavering faith, patriotism, and values that inspired the next generation of American Patriots.
Vice President Vance shared powerful reflections about his personal friendship with Kirk — and emphasized the need for truthful unity in the face of tragedy:
“The last several days have been extremely hard for our country, they’ve been hard for me, hard for my family, hard for the countless people in this building who knew and loved Charlie Kirk — and, of course, they’ve been hardest, most of all, for his darling wife, Erika, and their two beautiful children. The thing is, every single person in this building — we owe something to Charlie.” (Watch)
“If it weren’t for Charlie Kirk, I would not be the Vice President of the United States.” (Watch)
“Psalm 133 tells us, ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head.’ Oh, how badly have I craved that precious ointment in recent days, and I believe we can have it — but first, first, we must tell the truth.” (Watch)
“I really do believe that we can come together in this country. I believe we must. But unity — real unity — can be found only after climbing the mountain of truth — and there are difficult truths we must confront… While our side of the aisle certainly has its crazies, it is a statistical fact that most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the Far Left.” (Watch)
Officials from across the Trump Administration also shared their personal stories:
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles: “The person that really did everything they said they were going to do and more is Turning Point. He had an army of good people who were motivated and passionate and they delivered 100% — and I don’t know that Charlie gets enough credit for that... it was an immeasurable help.” (Watch)
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.: “Charlie was probably the primary architect of my unification with President Trump… I first met Charlie in July of 2021… He had me on his show for this very, very wide-ranging talk… By the end of that interview, I felt like I had met a spiritual soulmate, and our friendship blossomed.” (Watch)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: “He inspired me as a young voice for President Trump, now behind the White House podium. Before every briefing, I always pray to Jesus Christ, and Charlie was so outspoken with his faith — and I will continue to be in honor of him.” (Watch)
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller: “I’ve known Charlie for ten years. He was a treasured friend. He made you believe more in yourself is the best way I can put that. He was your biggest cheerleader… With God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security, and throughout this government, to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and destroy these [Radical Left] networks and make America safe again for the American people. It will happen, and we will do it in Charlie’s name.” (Watch, Watch)
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich: “You’d always want Charlie on your team… he makes these events approachable to the person that hasn’t done politics before, hasn’t been engaged…” (Watch)
White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr: “It’s our mission to go out there and embolden young conservatives, young Christians, most importantly, to go out there and continue to do his work because that’s exactly what he’d want.” (Watch)
"Biblical destruction" from Hurricane Helene "pulverized homes, trapped residents, spawned landslides, and submerged communities under raging floodwaters" in western North Carolina — devastation that spans across the southern United States.
Where are the country's "leaders"? Kamala is in San Francisco for fundraisers with her Radical Left donors and Biden is — yet again — at the beach.
President Trump addressed the crisis at today's event in Erie, Pennsylvania:
"Before we begin, I'd like to send my love and prayers to the families of those who have died — a lot of death — and all of those who are displaced and suffering in the wake of the hurricane's destruction in the South, especially in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and in particular, western North Carolina, [which] took a tremendous hit. It's been absolutely devasted. May God be with you all.
"Biden is in Delaware sleeping right now in one of his many estates ... Lyin' Kamala Harris [is] in San Francisco, a city that she has totally destroyed — that's where she is right now ... at fundraising events with her Radical Left lunatic donors, when big parts of our country have been devastated by that massive hurricane and are underwater, with many, many people dead."
This is only the latest instance of a mismanaged crisis by the incompetent Harris-Biden administration, who also botched responses to disasters in Lahaina, Hawaii, and East Palestine, Ohio, among others.
And now, the positive flip side of our "disappear" list - the eminently selective People to Watch in 2023. Here they are in no particular order:
Ron DeSantis - If this guy isn't at the top of your list, you haven't been paying attention.
Gavin Newsom - Star quality and unbridled ambition. Watch out, America!
Jalen Hurts - If he's ready, there's no stopping him.
Nikki Haley - What she decides, who she supports could be critical.
Harrison Ford - Far from finished. In fact, he's all set for a Yellowstone prequel and other projects.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders - Wouldn't be the first time a Governor of Arkansas captivated the nation and soared right to the top.
Volodymyr Zelensky - In a world awash in victims, here's a true warrior!
Anna Paulina Luna - If you haven't yet heard of this new Florida congresswoman, you will!
Elon Musk - Don't ever, ever count this guy out.
JD Vance - What do ya do after ya write a blockbuster bestseller? Stay tuned. And thanks, Ohio!
Benjamin Netanyahu - The world's most enduring leader is back -- and as fearless as ever!
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors - She's staked the whole future of the company on e-cars. The die has been cast.
Pope Francis - With Pope Emeritis Benedict failing, is the time approaching for Francis to step down?
Alan Domb - Can a smart, sensible, mainstream candidate ever become Mayor of Philadelphia again? Are you listening, Philly? Are you?
Josh Shapiro - You don't really think sleepy 'ole Harrisburg will satiate him, do you? Take cover. His appetite for power is boundless.
Jordan Donica (pictured) - Set to take center stage in the big, new production of Camelot, this leading man is the future of Broadway.
Amy Coney Barrett - Her vote could be critical in more than a few cases soon facing the high court. And she's just getting started.
Cillian Murphy - Taking the namesake role in the widely-anticipated new flick, Oppenheimer. Kaboom!
Marsha Blackburn - One of the feistiest, most media-savvy senators in Washington. And the GOP will need every one of her many talents.
David Oh - Can a Republican win in Philly? OH, yes! You bet he can. He's already proved that.
Tom Kean Jr. - In an era writing death notices for dynasties, here's one that lives on. Hooray!
Krysten Sinema - Now she says she's an independent. But how will she vote? That's the key.
Lea Michelle and Julie Benko - Lea's the star but Julie's the backup (and lead every Thursday) in Funny Girl on Broadway. They're both great and set to charm audiences well into the new year.
And one more, just for fun: Matt Rooney - Not just a person to watch but now a person to listen to on Philly's Big Talker, radio giant, WPHT. Our Save Jersey bud is making quite a name for himself -- and the sky's the limit! GoGoGo!
Maybe we're a bit late, but we've just recently caught up with the story of Daniel Norris.
As a Major League pitcher and cancer survivor, Daniel Norris is used to taking some hard knocks. But living out of his van during the offseason provides a sort of “reset” button for the everyday grind. The Tennessee native now plays with the Detroit Tigers and we presume he's ready to give up his van for awhile and re-inhabit the "loneliness" of the mound. BTW: Norris is a devout Christian who was baptized in his baseball uniform and who lives on an $800 a month allowance he doles out to himself. Fascinating!
Another enormous crowd turned out for President Trump last night, this time in Nashville.
People waited in line for five hours and many had to be turned away as he once again filled a tremendous arena, rousing his supporters and making news on all fronts.
Don't let the pollsters trick you, folks. Don't let them tell you that the President is not scoring high with the public. Remember how wrong they were on election day. They blew it! And, apparently, they STILL haven't learned.
The following statement is from the Thompson family, following the passing on November 1, 2015 of former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson following a recurrence of lymphoma:
It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of grief that we share the passing of our brother, husband, father, and grandfather who died peacefully in Nashville surrounded by his family.
Fred once said that the experiences he had growing up in small-town Tennessee formed the prism through which he viewed the world and shaped the way he dealt with life. Fred stood on principle and common sense, and had a deep love for and connection with the people across Tennessee whom he had the privilege to serve in the United States Senate. He enjoyed a hearty laugh, a strong handshake, a good cigar, and a healthy dose of humility. Fred was the same man on the floor of the Senate, the movie studio, or the town square of Lawrenceburg, his home.
Fred believed that the greatness of our nation was defined by the hard work, faith, and honesty of its people. He had an enduring belief in the exceptionalism of our country, and that America could provide the opportunity for any boy or girl, in any corner of our country, to succeed in life.
Our nation has lost a servant, Tennessee has lost a son, and our family has lost its rock. In the days ahead, we ask for prayers of comfort, assurance, and peace.
“Fred once said that the experiences he had growing up in small-town Tennessee formed the prism through which he viewed the world and shaped the way he dealt with life. Fred stood on principle and common sense, and had a deep love for and connection with the people across Tennessee whom he had the privilege to serve in the United States Senate. He enjoyed a hearty laugh, a strong handshake, a good cigar, and a healthy dose of humility. Fred was the same man on the floor of the Senate, the movie studio, or the town square of Lawrenceburg, his home.
“Fred believed that the greatness of our nation was defined by the hard work, faith, and honesty of its people. He had an enduring belief in the exceptionalism of our country, and that America could provide the opportunity for any boy or girl, in any corner of our country, to succeed in life. “
As an attorney, he helped lead to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. As a politician, he served the state of Tennessee for eight years as a conservative Republican in the U.S. Senate and briefly as a possible GOP presidential nominee. As an actor, he stared in some of the most prominent films and television series of his time.
At 6’5″ with a booming voice, Mr. Thompson and his larger-than-life persona played a role in several key moments that shaped the U.S. and Tennessee political landscape.
Early life
Born in Alabama, Fred Dalton Thompson grew up across the state line in Lawrenceburg, Tenn. Known then as “Freddie,” Mr. Thompson was described as a “class cut-up” and “clown” by a high school basketball teammate in a Boston Globe article.
Although he was a well-respected athlete, his high school banned him playing basketball after he married then-wife Sarah Lindsey at the age of 17. Not a particularly impressive student, he struggled with school and his future until his father-in-law gave him the autobiography of Clarence Darrow, the famed attorney from the Scopes trial in Dayton, Tenn.
“I just knew it, I was 17 and I wanted be a lawyer, it’s the only thing I considered for five minutes,” Mr. Thompson told the Globe in 2007. “Until I was 17, it never occurred to me I had to be anything, but at 17 I knew I wanted to be a lawyer.”
He made good on his plans, earning a law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1967. Mr. Thompson started working as an assistant U.S. attorney, where he met current U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander. Alexander introduced him to longtime U.S. Sen. Howard Baker, according to the Globe profile.
Baker became a mentor for Mr. Thompson, in both his professional and political life. In turn, Mr. Thompson served as Baker’s campaign manager during his successful 1972 run. That relationship brought Mr. Thompson to Washington, D.C. and to a role within the Watergate investigation.
‘Oh shit, that kid’
Baker, the ranking Republican on the Senate Watergate Committee investigating President Richard Nixon, secured a job for Mr. Thompson as committee counsel. At the time, Nixon was none-too-pleased with the appointment of Mr. Thompson. who was 30 at the time. Mr. Thompson wasn’t “very smart” in the eyes of Nixon, according to a 2007 review by The Associated Press of White House tapes.
“Oh shit, that kid,” Nixon said when told by his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, of Mr. Thompson’s appointment on Feb. 22, 1973, according to the review.
“Well, we’re stuck with him,” Haldeman said.
Although the same tapes showed Nixon thought Mr. Thompson would be friendly to his cause — Baker reportedly assured Nixon that Mr. Thompson was a “big mean fella” — it was Mr. Thompson’s knowledge of the tapes themselves that helped seal the president’s fate.
Lore says it was Mr. Thompson who helped phrase the famed Baker question, “What did the president know and when did he know it?” But the Associated Press accounting notes a different question from Mr. Thompson himself that truly spurred Nixon’s downward spiral.
Through GOP investigators, Mr. Thompson learned from former White House aide Alexander Butterfield about the recording system within the White House. Although Thompson told the White House that the committee knew about the tapes, a move that resulted in years of criticism from Democrats, he still was the first to bring up the matter of the tapes in a public hearing.
On July 16, Mr. Thompson asked Butterfield during a hearing if he was “aware of he installation of any listening devices in the Oval Office of the president.” As noted in the AP report, the question, and it’s answer, precipitated the president’s resignation nearly one year later.
“Legalisms aside, it was inconceivable to me that the White House could withhold the tapes once their existence was made known. I believed it would be in everyone’s interest if the White House realized, before making any public statements, the probable position of both the majority and the minority of the Watergate committee,” Mr. Thompson wrote in one of his books, according to the report.
Mr. Thompson worked as a lobbyist off and on roughly more than 20 years after serving as counsel to several legislative committees.
Hollywood
In 1977, Mr. Thompson found himself representing the whistleblower in on of Tennessee’s biggest political scandals. In her role as a parole administrator, Marie Rigghianti refused to release inmates granted pardons after paying then-Gov. Ray Blanton. Thompson successfully represented Rigghianti in a wrongful termination case, helping her win a settlement and return to her job in 1978.
That case eventually became the subject of a book and launched Mr. Thompson’s acting career. Mr. Thompson played himself in the 1985 version of the movie “Marie.” Critics praised his performance, and more roles soon followed.
Five years later, Mr. Thompson had roles in three of the biggest films of 1990: “Days of Thunder,” “The Hunt for Red October” and “Die Hard 2.” He also enjoyed a five-year run on NBC’s “Law and Order” as Arthur Branch from 2002-2007.
Though he took a break to run for Republican nomination for president in 2008, acting remained a constant in Mr. Thompson’s life.
He appeared in box-office hits as recently as 2012, with a role in the horror film “Sinister,” and had a recurring role on NBC’s short-lived 2015 series “Allegiance.”
Senate and the presidency
In 1994, Mr. Thompson successfully earned a seat in the U.S. Senate, in the race to serve out the remainder of then-Vice President Al Gore’s term in the Senate. He defeated current U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Nashville, by a wide margin.
While Cooper criticized Mr. Thompson for acting like a Tennessean while living the life of a Washington lobbyist and Hollywood star, Mr. Thompson argued in a New York Times article that “in many respects, I am an average Tennessean.”
“I worked in a factory. I drive a truck. I practice law. I was a Federal prosecutor. I’ve worked without health insurance. I’ve worked for minimum wage…Like a lot of people in Tennessee, I had to get with it to get by,” Thompson told the Times in 1994.
Mr. Thompson won re-election in 1996 by an equally wide margin, but chose not to run again in 2002.
He returned to acting, assuming his well-known role on “Law and Order” in 2002. However, he started to again move away from acting and back toward politics in the run-up to the 2008 presidential election. Eventually announcing as a candidate, Thompson underwhelmed. He never placed higher than third in any of the early primary states, and dropped out of the race in late January of 2008.
In his book “Teaching the Pig to Dance: A Memoir of Growing Up and Second Chances,” Mr. Thompson described his failed candidacy as the first time in his life he “couldn’t accomplish something I had set out to do.”
“It occurred to me that, to paraphrase one of Churchill’s comments, perhaps I had more to be humble about that I had realized. It also occurred to me that this was a pretty doggone expensive way to achieve a little humility,” Mr. Thompson wrote in the book, published in 2010.
“Maybe I needed to be reminded of what an old-timer told me years ago after I’d had some success: ‘Just remember, son, the turnout at your funeral is still going to depend a hell of a lot on the weather.’”
Family
Thompson is survived by son Fred Thompson Jr., who goes by Tony. His wife Jeri and their two young children.
Funeral arrangements have been set for
Grand Ole Opry Star Little Jimmy Dickens, 94 who passed away on January 2.
Jimmy Dickens joined the Opry in 1948 and last performed on the Opry stage on
Saturday, December 20, one day after his 94th birthday.
A
public Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 7 at Woodlawn
Roesch Patton (660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, Tenn.) from 4-8 p.m. A
public Celebration Of Life Service will be held Thursday, January 8 at
11am at the Grand Ole Opry House (2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville,
Tenn.). Friends, family and the public are welcome to both.
Patti Page really was the singing rage.
She was a hugely successful singer with strong country roots. But she topped all the charts at one time of another.
She made "Tennessee Waltz" one of the best-selling recordings ever and who can forget her wildly successful novelty song "How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?"
Patti Page has died. She was 85.
She died yesterday in Encinitas, Calif., according to her manager.
She was one of the top-selling female singers in history with more than 100 million record sales.
In 1947, she created a distinctive sound for the music industry by overdubbing her own voice when she didn't have enough money to hire backup singers for the single, "Confess."
What a string of great hits she had! Patti Page had 24 records in the top 10, including four that reached No. 1. And did you know that she was also the first singer to have television programs on all three major networks, including "The Patti Page Show" on ABC?
Patti Page had a plesant, easy-going personality and a wonderful stage demeanor. People loved her and she never tired of singing all her great hits.
Patti Page was one of America’s true musical icons. In the course of her seven-decade recording career, she become a living legend and one of the biggest selling female recording artists in history.
Patti’s silky-smooth voice engulfed the airwaves during the ‘50s and ‘60s, providing her with a staggering 111 hits, 15 gold records and four gold albums. Patti became the first crossover artist to take country music out of the country and onto the pop charts with such million record sellers as “Mockin’ Bird Hill,” “I Went To Your Wedding,” “Mister & Mississippi,” and, of course, the legendary “Tennessee Waltz,” which was #1 concurrently on all three charts (Pop, Country, & R&B) and sold more than 20 million copies. She was also the first artist to use multiple voice techniques on records.
Her accomplishments remain unparalleled.
She continued to use her sweet, tranquil voice to touch the hearts of many generations, recording four new albums in the past six years, one of which received a Grammy.
Until recently, she enjoyed performing 50 select concerts throughout the year, sharing her incredible list of chart-topping classics with her fans.
"Welcome back everybody, I'm Carrie Underwood and this is Brad Paisley and we're here to say that identity theft is a big problem," Carrie told the CMA Awards show audience as "Brad" nodded in agreement. If the white Stetson swallowing his entire head wasn't enough of a tip-off to the fact that a comedy bit was underway, the real Brad Paisley stormed the stage to confront the identity thief, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon.
Click here to read the whole story (and other details) of the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville last night.
You are looking at the face of Nashville. With your help, this great American city will recover and prosper. It will recover because of its proud, determined spirit and its good, decent, hard-working people. It will recover with the help of ordinary Americans just like you. Here's how you can help, right now: Text ‘REDCROSS’ to 90999 to donate $10 to flood relief. To support The Salvation Army's relief efforts, make a credit card donation by calling 1-800-725-2769 or donating online at their website. Hands On Nashville is doing widespread organizing of volunteers to help with a variety of flood recovery and relief efforts, as safe volunteer opportunities are identified by the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management. Register at the Hands on Nashville website.
As many of you know, we have a very special place in our hearts for Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville is like a second home to us. We return again and again for the music, the food, the green, green hills, the hospitality of this great American treasure. We love the city and its people and all that surrounds it. We love Nashville and everything it stands for. The floods that have devastated the Nashville area and the stark images that you see above make us want to do all that we can to help. So, here's how all of us can help, right now: Text ‘REDCROSS’ to 90999 to donate $10 to flood relief. To support The Salvation Army's relief efforts, make a credit card donation by calling 1-800-725-2769 or donating online at their website. Hands On Nashville is doing widespread organizing of volunteers to help with a variety of flood recovery and relief efforts, as safe volunteer opportunities are identified by the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management. Register at the Hands on Nashville website.
