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Today's Opinions

  • GUEST OPINION: Mistakes in Newtown need discussing

    By KEN PAULSON
    First Amendment Center
    I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so much flawed reporting as in the news coverage surrounding the horrific school shootings in Newtown, Conn.

    Errors abounded. News organizations identified the wrong man as the shooter, reported that the shooter’s mother was a teacher at the school and mischaracterized both the killers’ weapons and his access to the school. One flawed report said that the killer had a run-in with teachers at the school the day before the massacre.

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  • A VIEW from LICK SKILLET: Recollections of our past Christmas parties

    Gentle reader, as we wrote a few weeks ago we are increasingly grateful for the gift of friendship, but all too often we are reminded of the meaningfulness of our friendships most strongly when one or more of those friends is called from us by their death.

    Thus it was this past week when we lost one of our old South Harriman High School friends, Bill Gibson: and almost simultaneously came the news of the death of Mary Lou Bradford.

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  • Guest Opinion: Sentencing teen to pew crosses line

    BY DAVID L. HUDSON Jr.
    First Amendment Center
    The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a judicial-conduct complaint against an Oklahoma judge who sentenced a 17-year-old to an unusual form of probation — 10 years of church.

    In November, Muskogee County District Judge Mike Norman imposed the sentence on Tyler Alred, who was found guilty of manslaughter for getting into an accident that killed his 16-year-old friend.

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  • New TVA chief is tested and proven

    By BILL SANSOM
    TVA board chairman
    The leadership transition at TVA is well under way.

    With the new year, the second CEO for the Tennessee Valley Authority will be in charge and continue the shift from over six decades of management by a three-member board to a more traditional corporate structure and part-time board.

    As the first CEO, Tom Kilgore set TVA on a clearer path tied to low rates, cleaner air and a diverse energy mix.

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  • The politicians get prettier at closing time?

    Ever hear the old saying that was incorporated into a country song that says the girls all look better at closin’ time? It reminds me of the slow dance Boehner and Obama are doing as they dance ever closer to the looming fiscal cliff.

    Claiming stalemate, both dancers shuffle to the steady rhythm of the talking heads on both extreme wings of the political parties.

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  • Chili supper helps feed more than attendees

    On Nov. 16, state Sen. Ken Yager held his annual chili supper at Roane State Community College.
    Every year at the chili supper, Yager holds a silent auction.

    Many local venders are asked to donate an item for auction. The proceeds are then donated to a local charity that serves Roane County.

    This year the charity was Hands of Mercy Enterprises in Kingston. Hands of Mercy is a local food pantry that serves all of Roane County.

    HOME, as called by many of us, is also a referral service, providing case management for many clients who need more than food every month.

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  • Berry installed hydrant, saved neighbors’ $$$

    We think when someone goes out of his way to make things better for  others, that action should not go unnoticed.  

    Everyone in our community will   save hundreds of dollars on their annual homeowners insurance premiums and  have better fire protection.

    Our neighbor, Ron Berry, had a fire hydrant installed on our road, (Emerald Cove Lane) and bore the entire expense of  $2,800 out of his own pocket.  

    We want to thank him, acknowledge his efforts and applaud his generosity.

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  • GUEST OPINION: Don’t overlook the gifts of freedom on Dec. 15 holiday

    By KEN PAULSON
    First Amendment Center
    The law is murky, but probably not.

    It’s easy to take freedom for granted. If we’re complacent about our core liberties, we’re less likely to notice a gradual erosion.

    The best way to build awareness of our core freedoms is through education. That’s why the announcement of the nation’s first monument to the Bill of Rights comes as particularly good news.

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