As we reported earlier today, Ron Paul spawn Rand Paul, a Kentucky senator, was “detained” by TSA agents after refusing a pat-down in Tennessee.

Paul’s dad Ron tweeted that his son had been detained this morning- the younger Paul was on his way to what he says would have been the biggest speech in his career at an anti-abortion rally- when something in the area of his leg triggered a scanner. Rather than allowing Paul to be rescanned, the TSA demanded he submit to the pat-downs, a security measure many feel is both unnecessarily invasive as well as ineffective and upsetting.

Paul refused, and has recounted his version of events at the airport following the incident. He says of what may have provoked the event:

“I suspect that the scanner is randomly setting off an alarm that’s not a real alarm so you’re made to feel like you did something wrong and then you get the pat-down. Does the screener have the ability to push a button and randomly get someone to set off the screener?”

Of headlines that blared “Rand Paul detained,” he says:

“Probably a matter of semantics. I was told not to leave a cubicle and when I did step outside the cubicle I was sort of surrounded and put back in the cubicle. Seems a little bit like I was being detained. But when they got tired of detaining me, they evicted me. And then I was told to leave. I think I would have been arrested had I not done what I was told.”

Following their comments this morning on the incident, the TSA has not confirmed nor have they denied any of Paul’s assertions. Do you think more Americans should refuse pat-downs like Rand Paul?

Rand Paul Speaks After TSA Detention: ‘I Think I Would Have Been Arrested’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), son of presidential contender Ron Paul- both who are known for libertarian philosophies- was detained this morning in Tennessee after refusing a pat-down by the Transportation Security Administration, better known as the TSA.

Perhaps Paul was smuggling some illegal cupcakes? News of his detainment by the controversial agency broke via his dad on several social media outlets, and on Facebook, Paul told his many fans and followers:

My son Rand is currently being detained by the TSA at the Nashville Airport. I’ll share more details as the situation unfolds.

The situation, described as a “standoff” by many media outlets, was confirmed by Rand Paul staffer Moira Bagley, who tweeted:

Just got a call from @senrandpaul. He’s currently being detained by TSA in Nashville

Rand Paul himself has not yet addressed the incident on his own Twitter account, and his dad has not yet updated with any information as to how or if the situation has been resolved. The TSA, however, has released a statement about this morning’s events at the Tennessee airport, saying to the public:

“When an irregularity is found during the TSA screening process, it must be resolved prior to allowing a passenger to proceed to the secure area of the airport. Passengers who refuse to complete the screening process cannot be granted access to the secure area in order to ensure the safety of others traveling.”

Rand Paul has long taken issue with the invasiveness of TSA pat downs, and in a hearing last June, he said to TSA administrator John Pistole:

“I think you ought to get rid of the random pat-downs. The American public is unhappy with them, they’re unhappy with the invasiveness of them.”

Do you agree with Rand Paul? Are TSA pat downs unnecessary and invasive?

Rand Paul Refuses Pat Down, Detained by TSA is a post from: The Inquisitr

An Asian hooded crane, a rare bird normally found China, Japan and Southeast Asia, was recently spotted in southeast Tennessee, at the Hiwassee Refuge.

The Asian hooded crane, clearly quite a long ways from home, was spotted hanging out with a group of sandhill cranes that have made the refuge their residence for the winter. Asian hooded cranes are a rare enough site even in Asia, much less Tennessee – so, naturally, hundreds of bird-watchers have stopped by the Hiwassee Refuge to check out the rare crane.

“It’s a great thrill,” Melinda Welton, conservation chair for the Tennessee Ornithological Society, told Reuters. “People are coming in from all over the country to see this bird. He has had more than 700 people come and visit from all over the country to see this bird. People have come from 26 states and from two countries, including Russia.”

The majority of Asian hooded cranes normally do their wintering in Japan, and their nesting usually takes place in Russia or China. Welton says that this particular crane took a wrong turn, but he doesn’t seem too unhappy about his new environment – he’s even made a few friends.

“There have been other records of birds that take a wrong turn,” Welton explained. “And now that he’s on the North American continent, it looks like he’s associating with his closest relatives.”

Source: Reuters

[Image: Wikipedia]

Rare Asian hooded crane takes a wrong turn, ends up in Tennessee is a post from: The Inquisitr

NASHVILLE, TN – Lauded country singer Rodney Atkins has filed for divorce from his wife, Tammy Jo Atkins, though denies rumors of domestic abuse.

The singer was arrested on November 21^st under a domestic assault charge filed by his wife. She told police that he attempted to suffocate her with a pillow after a night of heavy drinking.

Attorney Rose Palermo denies allegations of violence; instead calling the couple’s spat “an unfortunate verbal dispute”. Police on the scene did not witness any acts of violence, making it a simple case of his word versus hers, according to Palermo.

TMZ broke the story and said this morning that the divorce documents they recently obtained seem to suggest the couple agree on at least one thing; that each other are “guilty of such inappropriate marital conduct as renders further cohabitation unsafe and improper.” What does that mean in words for your common layman? Hostility, of course. So much so that the judge has signed off on a restraining order to prevent the two from more unfortunate verbal disputes until this case can be settled.

Regarding the case itself, Tammy is seeking full custody of the couple’s 10 year old child, alimony, child support, equal distribution of assets, and wants Rodney to foot her legal bills. Rodney himself demands joint custody, is willing to pay alimony, but apparently wants Tammy to cover his legal bills.

More to follow after the scheduled hearing on December 20^th.

So what do you think? Who should pay whose legal fees? Or should they maybe invest in some counseling?

Rodney Atkins Files for Divorce, Denies Domestic Abuse is a post from: The Inquisitr

Jamie Lynn Spears stepped out of the spotlight three years ago to give birth and ultimately raise her daughter Maddie and on Monday the actress and singer stepped back into the spotlight during a concert she was throwing in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 20-year-old singer performed at the Rutledge where her original songs were heard mostly by an audience made up of friends and family members.

Speaking after the show mother Lynne told PEOPLE of daughters performance:

“I am so emotional tonight.”

Father Jamie added:

“We’re so proud of her.”

Sister Britney Spears couldn’t be in attendance to support her little sister because of her own tour but she did send her sister a congratulatory tweet:

“Heard you were amazing sis : ) Love you!!”

After completely her show and first major appearance in three years Jamie Lynn took to Twitter to thank everyone who came out to support her show:

“Just wanna thank all my amazing friends and family for coming out tonight!!!”

Thus begins another generation of lip syncing.

[Image via Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com]

Plug Your Ears! Jamie Lynn Spears Performs In Nashville is a post from: The Inquisitr

About 45.8 million or 15% of the entire US population relied on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) last August, the Wall Street Journal reports.

This figure represents an 8.1% increased compared to last year, the Department of Agriculture reported. It should be noted though that the increase has slowed down compared to previous years.

Also known as food stamps, the number of those the program is availing  is expected to rise in the coming months as the economy continue to suffer from high unemployment. September data will also factor in the disaster assistance for the destruction and flooding brought by Hurricane Irene.

Among the states, Mississippi reported the largest number of population at 21% recieving food stamps. About one in five residents in New Mexico, Tennessee, Oregon and Louisiana were food stamp recipients also.

No relief is seen as families continue to depend on food stamps due to unemployment and lower wages for those who even have employment.

15% of U.S. Population on Food Stamps is a post from: The Inquisitr

Joshua and Jacob Spates were both born on January 24 of this year conjoined at the spine. Born six weeks early, doctors feared that the two wouldn’t be able to survive – but after a 13-hour surgery some seven months later, Joshua and Jacob were successfully separated.

The miraculous surgery was pulled off by a team of 34 pediatric surgeons at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee on August 29. The twins are currently recovering in the intensive care unit of the hospital, but doctors happily reported that the two are in remarkably good health.

Before the surgery, the twins were joined back-to-back at the pelvis and lower spine, sharing the same rectum. Shortly after their birth, doctors were forced to perform a colostomy to insert a gastrostomy tube in order to assist the twins with waste elimination and nutrition.

As with the case of all surgeries performed to separate conjoined twins, the surgeons had a monumental task before them. In order to prepare for the extensive procedure, the team rehearsed on two Cabbage Patch dolls sewn together.

“Everyone laughed about the dolls,” said Joel Saltzman, director of pediatric anesthesiology at the Memphis hospital. “But by the time the day of the surgery came, you would have thought we’d been doing it a long time.”

While currently in good health, the twins will have to contend with other health problems as well. Jacob was born with a serious congenital heart defect, and Joshua, also born with a heart defect, was born with a single kidney.

Despite the struggles ahead of them, doctors remain optimistic that the twins will make a full recovery. Bill Warner, an orthopedic surgeon at the hospital, expects that both Joshua and Jacob will be able to walk with the assistance of braces.

via Reuters, Boston

[Image copyright Lisa Buser / Le Bonheur Children's Hospital]

Conjoined twins successfully separated after 13-hour surgery is a post from: The Inquisitr

Pat Summitt of the Tennessee Lady Vols announced on Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with early onset dementia, however she plans to continue coaching despite her diagnosis.

Summit told the Knoxville News Sentinel that she spoke to her players earlier in the day and told them:

“There’s not going to be any pity party, and I’ll make sure of that.”

Summitt says she’ll continue to coach and plans to manage her illness with a mixture of medication and mental exercise which will including nightly puzzles.

When exercise and medication isn’t enough Pat says she’ll lean on her “outstanding coaching staff” to help her remember what she might forget.

For their part the school’s Athletic Director Joan Cronan say’s she’s happy to have Pat Summitt remain as the school’s head coach while adding, “We’re in uncharted waters, but we certainly have a great captain.”

Pat’s son also gave his vote of confidence, noting:

“She’s always better when she knows what she’s fighting against,” while also revealing, “She’s going to prepare just like a game for her health.”

Summitt suffered last season after making some uncharacteristic second guesses against her decisions, after the season ended she was diagnosed and received verification in May that she did in fact have early onset dementia.

Tennessee Lady Vols Head Coach Pat Summitt Announces She Has Early Onset Dementia is a post from: The Inquisitr

What could possibly go wrong here? So, about those civil liberties you appeared to be enjoying…

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a law into effect last week that makes it illegal to “transmit or display an image” on the internet that is likely to “frighten, intimidate or cause emotional distress” to any individual who might be exposed to said image. As Ars Technica points out, Tennessee is becoming a pretty sucktastic place to use the internet- it was also recently decided in the state that misappropriation of your Netflix login constitutes “theft of services.”

The frightening thing about the harassing images legislation is that it does not matter with whom the image was shared- if it is exposed to the wrong set of eyes, you could wind up in jail for a year and incur fines:

The ban on distressing images, which was signed by Gov. Bill Haslam last week, is also an update to existing law. Tennessee law already made it a crime to make phone calls, send emails, or otherwise communicate directly with someone in a manner the sender “reasonably should know” would “cause emotional distress” to the recipient. If the communciation lacked a “legitimate purpose,” the sender faced jail time… for image postings, the “emotionally distressed” individual need not be the intended recipient. Anyone who sees the image is a potential victim. If a court decides you “should have known” that an image you posted would be upsetting to someone who sees it, you could face months in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.

Aside from significant First Amendment concerns inherent in legislation such as this, Ars also goes into how, scarily, the law reaches its tentacles into the realm of private communications made across social networks. Although certain protections are in place for emails, one-on-one messages via services like Facebook are being treated differently.

“‘Images or communications’ posted to a social networking site by offering ‘specific and articulable facts,’suggesting that the information sought is ‘relevant and material to an ongoing criminal investigation’” could be accessible by law enforcement- seemingly in direct conflict with constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure in the absence of a warrant.

Does this freak you out at all? Is it possible to retain privacy rights in the digital age, or are proponents fighting a losing battle?

[WTF?] Tennessee Bans Posting Offensive Images Online is a post from: The Inquisitr

When the issue of privatized health insurance comes up and is discussed for a long enough time, it is inevitable that an analogy will be made to privatized fire departments and firefighters ignoring emergency calls.

That’s exactly what happened recently in a rural area of Tennessee, however, when a couple who hadn’t paid a $75 bill for fire services watched as their home burned to the ground. Firefighters refused to help as the free market worked, watching but not extinguishing the blaze. The couple frantically offered to pay the fee for services at the time of the blaze, but the fire department would not be swayed- acting only when the fire eventually spread to a neighboring house whose owners had paid the fee.

The owner of the home doesn’t blame the fire department, and the municipality’s mayor was unapologetic about the outcome of the situation:

“Anybody that’s not in the city of South Fulton, it’s a service we offer, either they accept it or they don’t,” Mayor David Crocker said.

Friends and neighbors said it’s a cruel and dangerous city policy but the Cranicks don’t blame the firefighters themselves. They blame the people in charge.

“They’re doing their job,” Paulette Cranick said of the firefighters. “They’re doing what they are told to do. It’s not their fault.”

It was also reported that “someone” assaulted one of the firefighters after they returned to the station, but it was unclear who did the assaulting or to what extent anyone was assaulted.

[Local news via snopes]

Firefighters watch as house burns to ground, refuse to help because homeowner didn’t pay $75 bill is a post from: The Inquisitr

If you’ve been tagged with a ticket going through what completely looks like a yellow light on that stupid printout they will eventually send you, you totally understand how frustrating red light camera and speed camera tickets can be.

So you might appreciate what Brian McCrary, a “computer network designer” from Tennessee, did after he was ticketed and fined $90 by Bluff City, Tennessee’s Police Department for speeding. McCrary, who lives in nearby Gray, Tennessee, used his superior internet skills to punk the Bluff City Police, buying their domain out from under them when he learned it was going to expire in late May. McCrary then replaced the existing Bluff City PD site with anti-speed camera links. Burn!

McCrary commented on the pwnage to USA Today:

“It’s kind of surprising that they’d just let it lapse like that,” says Brian McCrary of Gray, Tenn., who grabbed the domain name http://www.bluffcitypd.com after going to the site and noticing that it was to expire in late May.

He uses the website to post links about speed cameras — and people who don’t like them.

Bluff City Police say that the person who was in charge of the site’s renewal was out of the office, leading to its eventual expiration:

Bluff City Police Chief David Nelson tells the newspaper that he doesn’t know much about computers and left the site in the hands of a officer who has been out on medical leave.

That officer apparently didn’t see the e-mails from the hosting company warning that the domain name was expiring.

Nelson says the city is working on a new website with a different hosting company. He says the site’s expiration was kind of his fault:

“It just slipped my mind,” Nelson said, adding that he knows little about computers and the more technical aspects of running a website. “If you open up a website and let it go down, somebody can buy it – I did not know that.”

Man tagged by speed camera buys police department’s expiring domain is a post from: The Inquisitr

Flooding of unprecedented proportions over the past few days has wrought havoc on Nashville and surrounding areas of Tennessee and Mississippi.

Fifteen people have died, and more rain has been recorded in the past 24 hours than has ever fallen in Nashville. While news pictures and footage tell a story, the clip below (via Mashable) paints a much more compelling picture of the devastation in the area. The American Red Cross reports that 800 people have been temporarily placed in about 20 shelters, and a CNN iReporter commented on the conditions in and around Nashville:

“You can’t take showers. You can’t flush your toilets,” Ellis said.

“It’s just a crazy, crazy last two days,” he said. “I think people are just worn out emotionally.”

The National Weather Service has also confirmed that two tornadoes have touched down in the area:

One tornado touched down in Benton and Tippah counties in Mississippi and Hardeman County in Tennessee, the weather service said.

That tornado caused two fatalities and a critical injury when a double-wide mobile home was destroyed east of Ashland, Mississippi, the weather service said.

The tornado also killed a person in Pocahontas, Tennessee, when a single-wide trailer was demolished, the weather agency said.

Video: YouTube upload chronicles record floods in Nashville is a post from: The Inquisitr

Mariah Carey did not take her Razzie Award for her Glitter performance to heart– she’s going to be back in December in Tennessee. To refresh your memory, this was the film that prompted Mariah to buy out all the economy class tickets on a plane in order to travel. Have her diva ways improved? Probably not, but let’s hope that her acting skills have. Star reports:

Vivendi Entertainment has acquired domestic distribution rights for Mariah’s road trip drama Tennessee, which premiered last spring at the Tribeca Film Festival. The drama is about two money-challenged brothers who take to the road to resolve their economic and health challenges. Along the way they meet a waitress — played by the one and only Mariah — whose dreams of a singing career have been dashed by a bad marriage.

Are you ready for this one? I might dare to see it, since it’s been seven years since Mariah’s Razzie, and I feel like she deserves another chance. Then again, I also love trainwrecks, so I’ll be happy either way.

Mariah Carey Will Be Back on the Big Screen is a post from: The Inquisitr