Old Hickory's revenge

WATE citing the Knoxville News Sentinel recounts a truly bizarre set of events, but it's been that kind of run lately for Tennessee political news. Basically a man who was injured at a State GOP event by a falling flag can't sue the party, according to the Tennessee Court of Appeals. But the series of incidents leading up to the accident are entertaining, though the man's injury is not, of course.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported portraits of former presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson, all Democrats, had been covered for a Republican party celebration on election night.

During the event, a flag that both the Republican Party and the hotel deny placing in front of a shrouded landscape painting fell onto Elmer Paul Allen, who sued the hotel.

A year later, Allen added the political party as a defendant.

The appellate court ruled Allen's suit against the hotel could proceed, but said he waited too long to sue the Republicans.