Posted on 05/12/2021 10:53:39 AM PDT by Kaslin
'This is all part of COVID theatre. So, if you want to wear it for your theatre, that's fine. But don't make everyone else see a new show.'
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Amid a nonprofit group’s lawsuit against Republican Gov. Bill Lee alleging his coronavirus restrictions were unconstitutional, the group is putting up billboards to encourage residents to return to normal.
Tennessee Stands, a conservative group with offices across the state, started the initiative in Johnson City and put up additional billboards in Bristol and Kingsport. The billboards read, “Your Compliance is prolonging this nightmare. Ditch the mask.”
Tri-City Director Danielle Goodrich led the effort in the three cities. She founded the group Johnson City Freedom to try and get kids in person for school during the pandemic. Goodrich also took issue with schools eventually requiring students to mask up upon reopening. She told The Federalist that Americans should not have to “bow down to these absurd, slavish, and oppressive rules, which the government doesn’t have the authority to do.”
“The government can’t tell you not to work,” Goodrich said. “You need to eat. These are unalienable rights. The government’s only purpose is to uphold and protect the unalienable rights of the people, not to infringe upon them.”
The group filed suit against Lee in August, alleging that a statute giving Lee emergency powers and the ability to grant such powers to counties is unconstitutional. The annotated code says Tennessee law lets governors “assume direct operational control” over management functions in a declared emergency with no oversight from the legislature. The governor is also permitted under the code “to delegate such powers as the governor may deem prudent.”
The group believes this law gives Lee an inordinate amount of power and authority. According to the Tennessee constitution, “duties shall be prescribed by the General Assembly” for all county executives. Further, the group alleges that a clause in article two — “No person or persons belonging to one of these departments shall exercise any of the powers properly belonging to either of the others,” provides a rationale for why Lee overstepped his boundaries.
Gary Humble, executive director of Tennessee Stands, told The Federalist Lee “handled [COVID] horribly.”
“Our governor likes to go around saying we didn’t have a statewide mask mandate and that he let the locals make decisions,” Humble said. “That’s partially true. But by executive order, he did issue a stay-at-home order. He did limit gatherings to 10 people. He did restrict businesses. He did deem some businesses non-essential and shut them down. And then he delegated power to county mayors to make mask mandates. And then he delegated powers to our six metro health departments across the state and gave them the authority to restrict businesses and close businesses.”
Lee ended public health orders in April and signed an executive order to do away with mask mandates in 89 counties. His administration also withdrew the state from federal $300 weekly unemployment benefits Tuesday as the state opens up. In August, then-President Donald Trump appointed the governor to serve on the Council of Governors, noting Lee has done a “fantastic job in a fantastic state.”
BUMP! HOORAY VOLS
It seems to me it should be if you want to wear a mask wear it, if you don’t, don’t.
End of issue.
Our mask mandate is over, but there are tons of Hoosiers still wearing them. I’m done with it, though.
Our mask mandate is over, but there are tons of Hoosiers still wearing them. I’m done with it, though.
*******
Probably because the private sector is forcing it on them. Without them, they can’t buy what they need.
Hate to say it but, if you buy online, you can ignore woketard corporations and their idiot rules.
When they figure out that they’re killing their own business with FauciFoolery, they’ll drop it.
Any company that goes out of its way to impede customers from buying will find itself not a company very quickly.
Yep, went to the grocery store today. Wore a mask.
I’m not complying with the non-compliers.
EXAXTLY! Especially groceries. Masks should be optional...you want to wear a mask? Fine...but leave me out of it.
Wrong again, Mr. Trump. Lee is on the 'primary list' of many Tennesseeans.
I’m seeing more and more grocery stores offering call it in/pick it up service. Never need to go into the store again.
Last year’s Highland Games in Maryville (TN) was cancelled...another covid casualty. I was really happy it was returning and would be held this weekend. To my dismay, either the organizers, or Maryville, or Blount Co is requiring masks be worn for this OUTDOOR festival. Sigh. Guess I’ll be passing up this year’s Highland Games. Hopefully, the one to be held in Dandridge in September will not be insisting on masks. Crossing my fingers that the Bigfoot Festival (that one should be fun) in Townsend later this month will be maskless...except for Bigfoot, of course, lol.
My wife wouldn’t even THINK of letting someone else select her meat or produce...not happening.
Have you (or your sis) seen this??? We have had to deal with those ‘Mask Up, Johnson City!’ signs for months...now, the ‘Deplorables’ strike back! (Far left ETSU will NOT like this...)
Festivals are popping up again in East TN...the Rhododendron Festival at Roan Mountain is back in mid-June...Fun Fest in Kingsport...and sadly, the Tri-Pride Festival is back in Bristol, for people who haven’t read Romans 1:32.
Nonsense! You can shop at any store you want without a freakin’ mask.
Regardless of how many signs are plastered on the door, you will NOT be denied entry, nor will you be denied service.
I haven’t worn a mask into any store since this whole thing started.
For God’s sake, please stop dreaming up reasons to keep wearing your stupid mask.
Unless you identify as a maskerbator.
I haven’t seen one of those billboards, but I love it! That group does a great job. I have a shortcut to it and check it every day.
Good. Yes. Do it. I already have. Let’s bury this “crisis” and face the next one that the dems have prepared for us this summer. They’re not about to give up the stranglehold they have around our necks that easily.
God Bless Gary Humble and all thosae who support ‘Tennessee Stands’...local ‘health officials’ will NOT be happy.
Crossing my fingers that the Bigfoot Festival (that one should be fun) in Townsend later this month will be maskless...except for Bigfoot, of course, lol.
My understanding is Knox County is the last remaining county in TN with a mask mandate. Actually the mayor announced the mandate would expire at the end of April, but the county health department isn’t complying. Instead they’re stalling by requesting clarification from the county legal department. But even this can’t drag on forever since Gov. Lee’s order requires all counties to drop their mandates by the end of May.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.