Here's how you earn an illegal background check

Here's a sample of Brad Schrade's investigative reporting that earned him a place on Bredesen's list of political opponents and an illegal background check:

A state trooper who once used his state-issued service handgun to shoot out an estranged girlfriend's television set was promoted to the Tennessee Highway Patrol's second-highest rank Wednesday as part of a wave of promotions that elevated several troopers with political ties.

Danny Wilson, who previously had been the captain over troopers in Davidson and the surrounding counties, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, as was Tracy Trott, who had served recently as major.

Don't worry. The television-shooting Wilson is still a high-ranking THP official.