To 2a or not to 2a… that is the question!
Hi, I’m Daniel Wagner with the Patriot Punk Network, giving you the latest Tennessee news in 3 minutes or less.
This is our Today in Tennessee Segment
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Let’s go!
Round 1:
Marsha Blackburn recently published her legislative framework for AI technology, which claims to "protect children, creators, conservatives, and communities from harm."
But, upon closer reading, it's not what it claims to be.
First, it eliminates Section 230 and stacks new liability on AI tools, which means big platforms will over‑censor or shut down features—hurting small creators and startups way more than Big Tech.
Then, it literally writes a “no woke AI” test into federal law.
Government can only use models that are officially labeled “truthful” and “neutral,” with no “ideological bias.”
But somebody in DC has to decide what “woke” or “neutral” even means.
That’s a political speech filter.
It also tries to outlaw most fair‑use training data while bragging about a giant government AI research cloud.
Those two ideas can’t both be true.
This isn’t a serious, risk‑based AI framework.
It’s a culture‑war wish list that hands the federal government more control over which AIs are allowed to speak.
It's got a ton of other shortsighted issues, but I can only cover so much in this short segment, so be sure to go read it for yourself and let me know what you find.
That being said, I don't really blame Marsha.
Because, as I said on the Tuesday segment, the problem is that it's far preferable for lawmakers to blame the AI than it is to lose votes by placing blame where it actually belongs… with uninvolved parents who allow their kids access to this potentially dangerous technology.
Round 2
At the Capitol, lawmakers just advanced a bill that would send 30% of Tennessee’s vape‑tax money straight to counties for “youth prevention” programs.
It’s basically the modern DARE program: tax the thing adults are already using, then pour the cash into campaigns telling kids not to touch it—because that strategy worked so well the first time,
I mean, it’s not as if drugs are more widespread and plentiful than ever or anything.
Supporters say if vaping helped create the youth‑nicotine problem, vape dollars should help solve it; opponents see another sin‑tax loop where the state kinda *needs* the very habit it’s scolding.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the “Big Vape” lobby just found a way to fund a giant marketing campaign directly to children, courtesy of the Tennessee General Assembly.
That's 2 rounds down and before we head into round 3, tell me your best ideas for getting kids not to vape.
Round 3
Yesterday, the City of Dickson got caught dirty deleting a post that wasn't going the way they'd expected.
The post detailed a March 16th special session in which the Dickson city council voted unanimously to approve a resolution in opposition to House Bill 2064 / Senate Bill 2467.
Basically, if passed, the State says you can carry a firearm in public parks, and Dickson says, "nah… we'd like to continue violating your rights please!"
It wasn't long before every single comment went something like, "we quite like having our rights restored, but thanks tho!"
Plus, it's not like there aren't numerous examples of people who really really could have used their great equalizer.
Realizing they weren't as in touch with the public as they thought they were, they tucked tail and ran… taking their post with them.
That was your Tennessee news roundup.
For more deep dives into local stories, watch the Patriot Punkcast on Rumble every Sunday and Wednesday at 7pm CST.
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