.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Today's Opinions

  • OUR OPINION: Redistricters can expect to feel voters’ ire

    Who can blame Roane Countians for feeling a bit sold down the river in the latest redistricting effort?

    Not only does the plan carved out by the Republican majority split the poor residents of the city of Rockwood into two separate legislative districts, but it also leaves Roane County with two state representatives — neither of whom live in the county.

    State Rep. Julia Hurley of Lenoir City, whose 32nd District gained more of Loudon County in the redistricting, has shrugged off any part in the change.

    Click here to read more...
  • Nuts & Bolts: February interesting month for newsroom

    January — like all months these days — is flying by.

    To keep up with my high-octane, pedal-to-the-floor calendar, I try to keep my eye on things a month or two ahead.

    And so I have been dwelling recently on the events of February.

    For one thing, my birthday falls in February.

    I have been known to complain bitterly about having a birthday smack-dab in the middle of such a dreary and drab month.

    Click here to read more...
  • School board should choose local as director

    I wish to give one piece of advice to the Roane County Board of Education as members begin the search for a new superintendent.

    Stay home.

    By that, I mean there must be an experienced educator already within the system who has been loyal to the profession as well as the position as an employee of the Roane County School System.

    The right one may even be a person who is not seeking the position.

    Oddly enough, that might be just the type of person who would be best for the office at this time.

    Click here to read more...
  • Fact-checking should be done on election claims

    We are fast approaching the political silly season of candidates trying to convince us to give them our vote and place them at the levers of political power.  

    These candidates are always supported by like minded-political operatives and commentators that will try any tactic to cajole or frighten you into supporting their benefactor.

    For as long as I have been politically aware, there has been a consistent issue that one partisan group employs to frighten a certain demographic segment of our communities, usually to great success.

    Click here to read more...
  • Naked Carolinian wasn’t worst embarrassment

    By GENE POLICINSKI
    First Amendment Center
    A streaker at an East Carolina University football game in Greenville, N.C., produced much more than just a crass — and somewhat dated — distraction during a halftime ceremony last Nov. 5.

    The naked miscreant set off a series of events which led to the firing this week of Paul Isom, adviser to The East Carolinian student newspaper.

    According to reports, he was dismissed Jan. 4 in connection with publication of news photos of the incident.

    Click here to read more...
  • A view from Lick Skillet by Gerald Largen: Should DesJarlais make us pay for his lies?

    Well, Gentle Reader, here it is, 6 January, 2012, and as we indicated in the last column on 16 December, 2011, we would resume our Friday submissions on this date.
    In the interim, we trust that you and yours enjoyed a wonderful Christmas, and a glorious New Year’s Day.
    Inasmuch as we have now commenced the newest Leap Year, we have a bit over ten months of uninterrupted politicking in preparation for the elections in August and November.

    Click here to read more...
  • Who pays for TVA lawsuit damages? You get one guess

    I’d like to comment on the Dec. 21 newspaper article concerning new lawsuits against TVA for the ash spill.
    I thought it was pretty well established that property values actually increased, some more than 100 percent, after the spill, according to our state and local officials.
    It was also said sales were good on 2009. The TV airways are absolutely bombarded with commercials urging viewers to hire “them” to get “them” what “they” “deserve.”
    Some commercials even have heavenly music in the background.

    Click here to read more...
  • Caution needed when religion, schools collide

    By KEN PAULSON
    First Amendment Center
    I remember being called down to the principal’s office at my public high school in spring 1972.
    No, I wasn’t in trouble.
    When I arrived there, I was handed a phone and told to call the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. They had a question for me.
    “Are you Christian?” came the inquiry over the phone.
    It seems that I’d been nominated as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes high school athlete of the year and my times on the track were not enough to shore up my nomination.

    Click here to read more...