(1) State Senator Raymond Finney owns and operates this blog for the sole purpose of providing a readily available Internet diary-- an online town hall-- for Blount and Sevier County residents to facilitate the exercise of their First Amendment rights to express views on important issues.

(2) With exercise of any right comes responsibility.

(3) This blog is intended to provide citizens the opportunity to:

... Speak up about conditions in our state that need to be improved (SILENCE IS THE ENEMY OF DEMOCRACY AND OUR FORM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT);

... Disseminate information to other citizens about solutions that have worked in other communities and states (POWER, PROGRESS, AND FREEDOM COME THROUGH KNOWLEDGE);

... Offer solutions to problems (TRY TO BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION, NOT JUST A MESSENGER OF THE PROBLEM); and

CLICK to go to the section to POST a comment.

(1) Submit your comment and complete identifying information in the following dialog boxes.

(2) I need your identification for verification to guard against someone posting a comment in your name. I will send your comment back to you by email to give you a reasonable time to warn me not to use your comment because it has been fraudulently submitted, before I post it.

(3) I will not post your mailing address, telephone number, or email address, unless you indicate in your comment that you want such information posted in order that people may contact you. I will post your first name and city of residence. You will retain greater confidentiality than would be afforded in a letter to the editor of a newspaper.

(4) Unless you request otherwise, I will include your contact information in my databases to send you by postal mail my FREE newsletter, Keeping In Touch..., and my FREE electronic newsletter (e-newsletter). Your name will not be given or sold to any person or group for any other purpose. You will not be contacted through these databases for a campaign contribution.

(5) By submitting a comment, you indicate your desire and permission that the comment may be posted in this blog. You also agree that you bear any legal liability for making harmful claims in a negligent manner.

(6) I serve as editor of this blog. I may choose to reject any blog submission for any reason.

(7) If you suspect waste, mismanagement, or fraud in expenditure of government funds or if you suspect waste and fraud in the TennCare program, CLICK to learn how to report any misuse of tax revenues.

CLICK to go to the section to READ comments.

(1) In reading any comments, remember the following:

... The comments are the personal opinion of the author of the comments.

... Any comment posted herein is not necessarily the opinion and belief of Senator Finney, and may not reflect any future votes in the State Senate.

... Communications have not been subjected to independent evaluation. Any statement made herein may not be accurate or true. Anything read on the Internet must be accepted, with caution. Much truth can be gained from the Internet, but there is also much misinformation and distortion. The reader of any Internet source must always be wary.

(2) No comment will be accepted which uses profanity, vulgarity, obvious untruths, defamation, or lack of civility.

(3) Make your point(s) in a civil manner. Represent the truth, to the best of your knowledge and belief. Democracy built on lies and distortions is not appropriate.

(4) If you disagree with the facts or conclusion of any post, submit your own post. This blog is intended for persons to exchange ideas and viewpoints.