So, Tennessee tax dollars are paying state legislators to do what?  Recently our senators were making a partisan argument over whether or not to honor native celebrity Justin Timberlake for "his highly successful music career and for his meritorious service to the state of Tennessee."

Democratic Senator Ophelia Ford from Memphis introduced the resolution, which was removed from the list by Republican Senator Raymond Finney.

While Timberlake undoubtedly has been successful, honoring him in the legislature would be like thanking Ludacris for teaching our children proper English.  It's irrelevant and misdirected.

Timberlake, originally from Millington, a town near Memphis, literally has lived the American dream.  His career began after he won the singing contest on "Star Search," the "American Idol" of the 80s.

He then became a child star next to J.C. Chasez, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears on Disney's "The Mickey Mouse Club."  His name could be recognized all over America in the 90s after he became lead singer for the hit boy-band 'Nsync.  Eventually, he left and began his solo career with the album "Justified."  He will now expand his career further by starring in the new movie "Black Snake Moan."

Why, one might ask, aren't they discussing what the state can do to help stop global warming, improve health care and insurance, or advance education?Timberlake is certainly talented, but some of his music and lifestyle choices could be considered more than risque.  He played a major role in the infamous Janet Jackson Super Bowl fiasco, many of his lyrics are about sex and, well, yeah, he did date Britney Spears. 

Though Timberlake's new album, titled "Future Sex/Love Sounds," and songs like "Rock Your Body" may be playing on the iPod of teenagers everywhere, is this really the artist young adults should be encouraged to look up to?  But at the same time, it's a stretch to assume they've been taught to care what's happening in the legislature in the first place.

Senator Finney was right to remove the resolution from the list.  While Senator Ford probably had good intentions, and like many Memphians, is proud that entertainers like Elvis (controversial in his own right during his years), Timberlake, and even Al Green share their roots, maybe the legislators should start discussing the issues that actually matter to people in Tennessee. 

Why, one might ask, aren't they discussing what the state can do to help stop global warming, improve health care and insurance, or advance education?

Well, that's because they're too busy this week deferring stupid bills about Justin Timberlake and other legislatively irrelevant topics, like making bestiality a felony in the state.  Is bestiality a growing problem all Tennesseans are completely unaware of, or is there a "Breakfast Club" of Ferris Beuller-type legislators sitting in a room somewhere listening to Timberlake's "Cry Me a River" creating prank bills to irritate the good Senators?  Even playing Solitaire would be a better waste of time.

Why not pass a bill to ban pointless bills?  This would free up all that time spent deferring them.  How do you define a stupid bill?  Well, if the word 'Nsync is found anywhere in the document - ding, ding, ding - that's a clue.

Senators can "honor and commend Mr. Justin Timberlake on his highly successful music career and for his meritorious service to the State of Tennessee and extend to him our best wishes for every future success" on their own time.  Leave it to the Grammy's to publicly honor musicians.  Beuller, Beuller?