The World According to Oatney

None of the Above

Davidson County Chancellor Carol McCoy ruled Friday that a man who gave himself the middle name of "None of the Above" cannot use that name on the November ballot. David "None of the Above " Gatchell wants to place his full name on the November ballot when he runs for Governor and U.S. Senate.

He does have a point in that other candidates have been allowed to use their nicknames on the ballot, despite no Tennessee law requiring or mandating the practice. Gatchell plans to appeal.

As silly as Gatchell's idea is, this is America, and a man has the right to be called whatever he wants to be called, and to appear by the name he wishes to be called if he or she wishes to put their name on a ballot.

posted by Deacon David Oatney @ 7:06 AM