Bruce Barry
@brucebarry.bsky.social
Professor at Vanderbilt U, columnist for @TNLookout, civil libertarian, nonrecovering chocoholic, fond of parrhesia tempered with aporia, avid indoorsman.
"Silence is not neutrality; it is permission." Scalding argument in WaPo op-ed last week calling out appeasement masquerading as institutional neutrality by univ leaders like Diermeier at @Vanderbilt.edu.
February 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM
"Silence is not neutrality; it is permission." Scalding argument in WaPo op-ed last week calling out appeasement masquerading as institutional neutrality by univ leaders like Diermeier at @Vanderbilt.edu.
State campaign finance disclosure filed last week shows Dem @jerrigreen4tn.bsky.social in her gub bid raised $125K spent $91K and has a paltry $34K on hand. Green deserves kudos for stepping into the arena when no one else has but c'mon @tndems.bsky.social this won't cut it.
February 13, 2026 at 5:26 PM
State campaign finance disclosure filed last week shows Dem @jerrigreen4tn.bsky.social in her gub bid raised $125K spent $91K and has a paltry $34K on hand. Green deserves kudos for stepping into the arena when no one else has but c'mon @tndems.bsky.social this won't cut it.
TN-7 Congressman Chucklehead Van Epps is "proud to announce" that his choice of district office locations willfully ignores the county with the largest number of constituents - because why even bother pretending you rep Nashville or give the slightest shit about it?
February 13, 2026 at 5:13 PM
TN-7 Congressman Chucklehead Van Epps is "proud to announce" that his choice of district office locations willfully ignores the county with the largest number of constituents - because why even bother pretending you rep Nashville or give the slightest shit about it?
The @nashvilledot.bsky.social residential storm-related debris collection op hit our street this morning and it is impressive in scale. Well done NDOT and thanks.
February 7, 2026 at 4:12 PM
The @nashvilledot.bsky.social residential storm-related debris collection op hit our street this morning and it is impressive in scale. Well done NDOT and thanks.
icymi My take on NES ice storm response in latest column at @tennesseelookout.com.
tennesseelookout.com/2026/02/04/t...
tennesseelookout.com/2026/02/04/t...
The Tennessee big chill • Tennessee Lookout
Nashville Electric Service officials failed to adequately plan for a predicted winter storm and to communicate with customers during outages.
tennesseelookout.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:08 PM
icymi My take on NES ice storm response in latest column at @tennesseelookout.com.
tennesseelookout.com/2026/02/04/t...
tennesseelookout.com/2026/02/04/t...
Reposted by Bruce Barry
Commentary: Columnist @brucebarry.bsky.social on the Nashville Electric Service power outages and communication (or lack thereof) from the agency as hundreds of thousands were left without power following Winter Storm Fern.
The Tennessee big chill • Tennessee Lookout
Nashville Electric Service officials failed to adequately plan for a predicted winter storm and to communicate with customers during outages.
tennesseelookout.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Commentary: Columnist @brucebarry.bsky.social on the Nashville Electric Service power outages and communication (or lack thereof) from the agency as hundreds of thousands were left without power following Winter Storm Fern.
Reposted by Bruce Barry
I was wondering what the 2 week temperatures were after the 1994 Nashville ice storm and wow!
February 1, 2026 at 1:29 AM
I was wondering what the 2 week temperatures were after the 1994 Nashville ice storm and wow!
To what extent should we fault NES for ice storm recovery mayhem? My latest column for @tennesseelookout.com up today.
tennesseelookout.com/2026/02/04/t...
tennesseelookout.com/2026/02/04/t...
The Tennessee big chill • Tennessee Lookout
Nashville Electric Service officials failed to adequately plan for a predicted winter storm and to communicate with customers during outages.
tennesseelookout.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:48 PM
To what extent should we fault NES for ice storm recovery mayhem? My latest column for @tennesseelookout.com up today.
tennesseelookout.com/2026/02/04/t...
tennesseelookout.com/2026/02/04/t...
Dispatch from the Dept. of Some Things Never Change.
February 2, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Dispatch from the Dept. of Some Things Never Change.
There's a chart at the NES homepage showing when power is expected back by zip code. Doesn't say when use of a spellchecker will be back.
January 31, 2026 at 8:09 PM
There's a chart at the NES homepage showing when power is expected back by zip code. Doesn't say when use of a spellchecker will be back.
It's curious that @aftynbehn.bsky.social's announcement today that she won't run again in TN-7 tells of plans for the "less than $200K in remaining funds" when her FEC disclosure earlier this month showed her campaign account with $465K cash on hand and zero debts or obligations left.
January 12, 2026 at 4:37 PM
It's curious that @aftynbehn.bsky.social's announcement today that she won't run again in TN-7 tells of plans for the "less than $200K in remaining funds" when her FEC disclosure earlier this month showed her campaign account with $465K cash on hand and zero debts or obligations left.
Takeaways for 2026 from that December special election in the 5th Congressional District: my latest column up today at @tennesseelookout.com.
tennesseelookout.com/2026/01/12/w...
tennesseelookout.com/2026/01/12/w...
Whither Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District in the midterms? • Tennessee Lookout
State Rep. Aftyn Behn, a Nashville Democrat, turned out Democratic voters, and possibly Republican ones, in a December 2025 special election.
tennesseelookout.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Takeaways for 2026 from that December special election in the 5th Congressional District: my latest column up today at @tennesseelookout.com.
tennesseelookout.com/2026/01/12/w...
tennesseelookout.com/2026/01/12/w...
It's old hat to call the @thetennesean.bsky.social feckless but they have outdone themselves with a story two months ahead that it's "almost time" to move clocks ahead.
January 9, 2026 at 5:39 PM
It's old hat to call the @thetennesean.bsky.social feckless but they have outdone themselves with a story two months ahead that it's "almost time" to move clocks ahead.
My take on that little special election we had here in Tennessee yesterday, up this afternoon at @ms.now.
www.ms.now/opinion/tenn...
www.ms.now/opinion/tenn...
Opinion | Democrats shouldn't celebrate losing in Tennessee
.@brucebarry: The lessons I'm taking away from Democrats' loss in Tennessee
www.ms.now
December 3, 2025 at 10:44 PM
My take on that little special election we had here in Tennessee yesterday, up this afternoon at @ms.now.
www.ms.now/opinion/tenn...
www.ms.now/opinion/tenn...
Reposted by Bruce Barry
I can see what he's getting at.
The Ad looked like it was cooked up by tourists who have an idea of the south in their heads.
Cause growing up here, I've never been in a venue with a mechanical bull.
The Ad looked like it was cooked up by tourists who have an idea of the south in their heads.
Cause growing up here, I've never been in a venue with a mechanical bull.
November 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
I can see what he's getting at.
The Ad looked like it was cooked up by tourists who have an idea of the south in their heads.
Cause growing up here, I've never been in a venue with a mechanical bull.
The Ad looked like it was cooked up by tourists who have an idea of the south in their heads.
Cause growing up here, I've never been in a venue with a mechanical bull.
TN7 special election ad watch: Matt Van Epps on TV w/ 30-sec ad, a $48K buy for 101 airings this week and next on ch 5. (Assume similar buys at 2, 4, 17 but gov't shutdown has FCC filings offline; have to get them directly from stations, and I'm in touch only w/ 5.) [1/3]
November 6, 2025 at 8:57 PM
TN7 special election ad watch: Matt Van Epps on TV w/ 30-sec ad, a $48K buy for 101 airings this week and next on ch 5. (Assume similar buys at 2, 4, 17 but gov't shutdown has FCC filings offline; have to get them directly from stations, and I'm in touch only w/ 5.) [1/3]
icymi My take on Democrat Aftyn Behn's @aftynfortn prospects for turning Tennessee's markedly red 7th Congressional District blue in the upcoming Dec. 2 special election. Latest column at @tennesseelookout.com.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/10/30/c...
tennesseelookout.com/2025/10/30/c...
Can Democrats flip Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District? • Tennessee Lookout
Polling for Rep. Aftyn Behn, the Democratic nominee in Tennessee Congressional District 7, is favorable, but will enough Democrats vote?
tennesseelookout.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:50 PM
icymi My take on Democrat Aftyn Behn's @aftynfortn prospects for turning Tennessee's markedly red 7th Congressional District blue in the upcoming Dec. 2 special election. Latest column at @tennesseelookout.com.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/10/30/c...
tennesseelookout.com/2025/10/30/c...
Reposted by Bruce Barry
Commentary: Columnist Bruce Barry analyzes the Democratic prospects for a win in the upcoming special election for Congressional District 7: Democratic nominee, Rep. Aftyn Behn, appears to be making a close race in a GOP district--but can she close the gap?
Can Democrats flip Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District? • Tennessee Lookout
Polling for Rep. Aftyn Behn, the Democratic nominee in Tennessee Congressional District 7, is favorable, but will enough Democrats vote?
tennesseelookout.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Commentary: Columnist Bruce Barry analyzes the Democratic prospects for a win in the upcoming special election for Congressional District 7: Democratic nominee, Rep. Aftyn Behn, appears to be making a close race in a GOP district--but can she close the gap?
Can Democrats flip Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District? Analysis in my new column up today at @tennesseelookout.com.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/10/30/c...
tennesseelookout.com/2025/10/30/c...
Can Democrats flip Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District? • Tennessee Lookout
Polling for Rep. Aftyn Behn, the Democratic nominee in Tennessee Congressional District 7, is favorable, but will enough Democrats vote?
tennesseelookout.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Can Democrats flip Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District? Analysis in my new column up today at @tennesseelookout.com.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/10/30/c...
tennesseelookout.com/2025/10/30/c...
Oct 15 means 3rd quarter FEC disclosures (updating from Sept. pre-primary numbers). In TN7 special the Dem. nominee
@aftynbehn.bsky.social reports total cycle raise $188K and total spend $167K, so as of 9/30 cash on hand heading into the general of just over $20K. Yikes?
@aftynbehn.bsky.social reports total cycle raise $188K and total spend $167K, so as of 9/30 cash on hand heading into the general of just over $20K. Yikes?
October 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Oct 15 means 3rd quarter FEC disclosures (updating from Sept. pre-primary numbers). In TN7 special the Dem. nominee
@aftynbehn.bsky.social reports total cycle raise $188K and total spend $167K, so as of 9/30 cash on hand heading into the general of just over $20K. Yikes?
@aftynbehn.bsky.social reports total cycle raise $188K and total spend $167K, so as of 9/30 cash on hand heading into the general of just over $20K. Yikes?
October 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Workers should not lose jobs merely because in off hours they have controversial things to say on social media or in other public settings, and elected officials should not be egging on this witch hunt. My latest column up today at @tennesseelookout.com.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/09/23/t...
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tennesseelookout.com/2025/09/23/t...
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Tennessee employers could use more restraint, less impulse in First Amendment matters • Tennessee Lookout
Since the murder of Charlie Kirk, employers have been violating the First Amendment by firing employees, writes Bruce Barry.
tennesseelookout.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Workers should not lose jobs merely because in off hours they have controversial things to say on social media or in other public settings, and elected officials should not be egging on this witch hunt. My latest column up today at @tennesseelookout.com.
tennesseelookout.com/2025/09/23/t...
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tennesseelookout.com/2025/09/23/t...
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Fun as always doing Nashville in Focus with host Scott Couch and panel. For the few who weren't up Sunday at 6:30 am to watch it live stream here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Xc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Xc...
Nashville in Focus: President Trump sending troops to Memphis, comments on Charlie Kirk's death
YouTube video by FOX NASHVILLE
www.youtube.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Fun as always doing Nashville in Focus with host Scott Couch and panel. For the few who weren't up Sunday at 6:30 am to watch it live stream here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Xc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Xc...
CD 7 Adwatch: FCC filings show first Dem up on TV is Darden Copeland on Ch 2, 4, 5. A modest buy: ~$30K total through 9/22, $14K of it a one-shot splurge on 30 seconds during Titans Colts on Sunday. Meanwhile Vincent Dixie hits radio with spots on 92Q.
September 19, 2025 at 3:05 PM
CD 7 Adwatch: FCC filings show first Dem up on TV is Darden Copeland on Ch 2, 4, 5. A modest buy: ~$30K total through 9/22, $14K of it a one-shot splurge on 30 seconds during Titans Colts on Sunday. Meanwhile Vincent Dixie hits radio with spots on 92Q.
With some public universities and agencies letting themselves be pressured into firing staff for political expression, worth having a look at this very good @volokhc.bsky.social summary of the state of the law on free speech and employment in the public sector.
reason.com/volokh/2025/...
reason.com/volokh/2025/...
Firing Public Employees Who Publicly Praise Violent Criminal Attacks
Some have been calling for the firing of people who publicly praised the murder of Charlie Kirk, or at least...
reason.com
September 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
With some public universities and agencies letting themselves be pressured into firing staff for political expression, worth having a look at this very good @volokhc.bsky.social summary of the state of the law on free speech and employment in the public sector.
reason.com/volokh/2025/...
reason.com/volokh/2025/...