New West Knox County High School

My sources indicate that representatives of the Knoxville/Knox County Public Building Authority appeared at the school board meeting this evening and have offered with the Superintendent's recommendation to provide oversight for the architectural/construction process of the new school.

PBA officials have determined that the school at this point is $7 million over, the $40 million dollar budget. The $550,000.00 paid to the PBA would ensure that the school remains within the $40 million dollar budget.

My sources indicate that Indya Kincannon Second District School Board Member asked (this evening) about the possibility of delaying the the school one year in order to save the $550,000.00.

Ms. Kincannon, if the school district were to save the $550,000.00 the project remains a $47 million dollar project -vs- the $40 million dollar budget that the citizens of Knox County approved through the successful wheel tax referendum. It also delays for one year the completion of the High School to address the overcrowded conditions.

The email addresses of the School Board Members are listed below:

Sam Anderson sanderson@ci.knoxville.tn.us
Indya Kincannon indyak@hotmail.com
Cindy Buttry cbuttry8@hotmail.com
Daniel Murphy dmurphy@utk.edu
Karen Carson carsonk@tds.net
Chuck James cjames06@comcast.net
Diane Dozier dianecdozier@aol.com
Jim Williams c97jew@aol.com
Robert Bratton rbratton@etptv.org

Coach Bill McCartney Former Univ. of Colorado Football Coach and President of Promise Keepers

"But someone once described the contrast between good life and a godly life as the difference between the top of the ocean and the bottom. On top, sometimes it's like glass --serene and calm--and other times it's raging and stormy. But hundreds of fathoms below, it is beautiful and consistent, always calm, always peaceful."

"It boggles my mind that someone can see life breathed into a baby, watch the grass die and then come to life again, see leaves fall and watch the rebirth of a tree, or gaze on any of the majestic spledor that is this earth and not be overpowered by the presnce of an Almighty God."

"Big dreams create the magic that stir men's souls to greatness."

"All coaching is, is taking a player where he can't take himself"

"I've never wanted just part of the package, part of the prize. I want it all."

The Essence of Leadership

"A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles....they don't flock, you find them one at a time."

George Jean Nathan

"Bad politicians are elected by good people who don't vote."

Solomon (Proverbs 29:2)

"When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan."

Jethro to Moses (Exodus 18:21)

"Select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens."

Heritage High School Assistant Principal

Ron Wilson, Heritage High School Assistant Principal calls parent Mike Biddle in response to Mr. Biddle's email questioning why the students at Heritage High School were housed on the second floor during a lockdown due to a funnel cloud in the area.

Mr. Biddle apparently states in his email, whoever made the decision to house the students on the second floor is ignorant.

Assistant Principal Wilson admits in the phone conversation "that he didn't make any decision."

The Director of Blount County Schools Alvin Hord horda@blountk12.org, Blount County Schools Spokesperson, Dr. Jane Morton, Principal of Heritage High School mortonj@blountk12.org or Ron Wilson, Assistant Principal wilsonr@blountk12.org have all either refused or issued no comment to various media inquiries.

Ron Wilson needs to be made aware that he is/was a school administrator and his ability to sue someone like Mr. Biddle will result more negatively toward himself not Mr. Biddle. Ron Wilson made an error in judgment in calling Mr. Biddle's work place and confronting him. The call was recorded, Ron Wilson had this explained to him and now he has exposed his situation to all of East Tennessee.

Ron Wilson needs to come forward and explain his intention at the time. Were you simply trying to clear the air? Were you trying to intimidate a parent? Were you trying to provoke a physical fight? Answers are needed. What would Ron Wilson do to a student that confronted another student in this same manner?

Mr. Biddle is deserving of an apology at the minimum.

A quick Google www.google.com search for a definition of ignorant resulted in the following

• lacking general education or knowledge
• lacking basic knowledge
• used of things; lacking sense or awareness
• unversed: lacking knowledge or skill
• lacking information or knowledge; "an unknowledgeable assistant"
• Not polite, disrespectful, rude
• uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
• unaware because of a lack of relevant information or knowledge

Lindsey Graham

"What's going on in the Senate is kind of a politics of escalation. We're getting sort of like the Middle East; pay back everybody when you're in charge."

The Importance of ONE Vote!

So you don't think your ONE vote will make a difference?

THINK AGAIN!!

Look what just ONE VOTE meant.........

In 1776, ONE VOTE gave America the English language, instead of German.

In 1845, ONE VOTE brought Texas into the Union.

In 1868, ONE VOTE saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.

In 1876, ONE VOTE gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency of the United States.

In 1923, ONE VOTE gave Adolph Hitler leadership of the Nazi party.

Are you concerned about your country's future? Freedom still rings....look and listen.

By registering to vote you are showing your intention of being a true American. But ONLY BY VOTING, can you prove it!

The Correct Sex Education Class

This evening Ed Bradley of CBS 60 minutes presented a story about Silver Ring Thing. Silver Ring Thing has been in Knoxville twice, that I am aware of. They first appeared at Farragut High School and second at Grace Baptist Church in the Karns community. They are scheduled to return to the Knoxville area on August 20, 2005 and February 4, 2006. Exact location of the venue has not been announced.

The days of "safe sex" education and handing out condoms to kids and saying its Ok, we know that you can't wait, go ahead and do what you feel like just use one of these, should be over.

The rapid rise of students and young adults contracting sexual disease and the large number of teenage pregancies, is evidence that the liberals approach to sex education has failed.

It is time for our community to demand of our local, state and federal officials to use an abstinence based curriculum. Silver Ring Thing is a good program, however, any program that teaches young students to save sex for marriage will work.

Silver Ring Thing can be located at http://www.silverringthing.com/index.htm
Just Wait can be located at http://www.justwait.com/
Choosing the Best can be loctaed at http://www.choosingthebest.org/
Abstinence Clearinghouse can be located at http://www.abstinence.net/

Governor Thomas E. Dewey 1902-1971

Governor Thomas E. Dewey - three term Governor of New York. Republican Presidential nominee in 1944 and 1948. In 1944, he was not expected to beat the enormous wartime prestige of the incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1948, he was expected to beat Harry S. Truman, however, Truman surprisingly retained the loyality of both farm and labour circles.

"When you're leading, don't talk"

"No man should be in public office who can't make more money in public life."

"My decision on this matter is as certain and final as death and the staggering New Deal taxes."

"Ours is an abiding faith in the cause of human freedom. We know it is God's cause"

Barry Goldwater - American Politician and Senator 1908-1998

"I won't say that the papers misquote me, but I sometimes wonder where Christianity would be today if some of those reporters had been Matthew, Mark, Luke and John."

"I will offer a choice, not an echo"

"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."

"The income tax created more criminals than any other single act of government."

A liberal is a man (woman) too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel.

David Brinkley

A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her.

Here is some promise for Bredesen - How will he react?

The Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board and staff...Prayer walked Nashville, TN. In addition, they prayer walked Legislative Plaza and met with Legislator's and presented them with personalized Bibles.

The group met with Governor Bredesen, assuring him that he is being prayed for. This certainly will be beneficial for the state. How Governor Bredesen responds, is yet to be seen.

Great job TBC.

The Man In The Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your father, mother or wife
Whose judgement upon you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life,
Is the one starring back from the glass.
Some people may think you a straight-shootin' chum
And call you a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum -
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please - never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life
And get pats on your back as you pass.
BUT your final reward will be heartaches and tears -
If you've cheated the man in the glass!

Zig Ziglar - American motivational speaker and author

"You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win."

"Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes."

"If you learn from defeat, you haven't really lost."

"It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference."

"Remember that failure is an event, not a person"

"The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyality."

William Jennings Bryan - American politician and orator 1860-1925

"Never be afraid to stand with the minority when the minority is right, for the minority which is right will one day be the majority."

"The parents have a right to say that no teacher paid by their money shall rob their children of faith in God and send them back to their homes skeptical, or infidels, or agnostics, or atheists"

"There is no more reason to believe that man descended from some inferior animal than there is to believe that a stately mansion has descended from a small cottage."

"If we have to give up either religion or education, we should give up education"

"In this fight I have the most intolerant and vindictive enemies I have ever met and I have the largest majority on my side I have ever had and I am discussing the greatest issue I have ever discussed."

"The government being the people's business, it neccessarily follows that its operations should be at all times open to public view. Publicity is therefore as essential to honest administration as freedom of speech is to representative government. "Equal rights to all and Special privileges to none" is the maxim which should control in all departments of government."

"If this invisible germ of life in the grain of wheat can thus pass unimpaired through three thousand resurrections, I shall not doubt that my soul has power to clothe itself with a body suited to its new existence when this earthly frame has crumbled into dust."

"Behold a republic standing erect while empires all around are bowed beneath the weight of their own armaments--a republic whose flag is loved while other flags are only feared."

"I hope the two wings of the Democratic Party may flap together."

Does Judge Baumgartner Care? Was He Thinking?

Thank You, Lee Merrit of WVLT Volunteer TV Channel 8 for the exclusive coverage of this story. The public safety requires it.

Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner (Democrat) has freed an individual that was jailed on 1st Degree attempted murder, sort of. Was the person that he is accused of trying to kill, someone that was a threat? Only if his own two-year old son is a threat. It is reported that he was attempting to kill this two-year old as a religious sacrifice.

This judge is so confident of his decision, he lacks the intestinal fortitude to explain his reason. He not only put an ankle bracelet on him. The Democrat Judge reduced his bond from $250,000.00 to $25,000.00

The accused must wear an ankle bracelet that alerts the police where the accused is 24/7. Does that leave the public safe? No, because if his religious conviction strikes again, how long will it take for the police to track him down, if he does something and runs?

What could this judges motive be? Does he want County Commission to pull the funds for the anklet program so that the jail is overcrowded and the county is found in contempt of court? Only Democrat Judge Baumgartner can know what he was thinking. Judge, come forward and tell the rest of us what you were thinking.

Don't sleep easy tonight, Knox County . Regardless, of what a great job our Sheriffs Department does. Thanks to Judge Baumgartner, our community is not safe.

Adlai E. Stevenson

"I have been thinking that I would make a propositionto my Republican friends...that if they will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them."

"Journalists do not live by words alone, although sometimes they have to eat them"

"All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions."

"You can tell the size of a man by the size of the thing that makes him mad."

"He is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation."

Adali E. Stevenson Governor of Illinois (1949-1953) and Ambassador to the United Nations (1961-1965)

Evidence of Liberal Media Bias - Hillary -vs- Delay

Here is a story form World Net Daily, written by Dr. Jerry Falwell, now before you leftist leaning moderates start screaming that Brian's Blog is pandering to the Right. By the way, I don't pander. I am to the Right.

Take the authors identity away and read the article. Then ask yourself is there media bias? If the media national and even local, suspect and find evidence that you are to the Right. They will hammer you, ask Vice-President Dan Quayle, ask Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, ask former State Senator Jim Holcolmb, ask Sheriff Hutchison if you need other examples, I will produce them.

That is why most elected officials that lean Right, don't stay long. The moderate/left media types are always writing, in most cases un-balanced and in some cases inaccurate stories. Everybody in this town knows the approximate location of Sheriff Hutchison's family vacation home. Where are the other elected officials vacation homes?

Long-term officials stay in the middle of the road, take No real position and have very little impact on making a difference. Compare the records of a State Sentor Jim Holcomb put it up against Senate Speaker John Wilder. Who made a real difference?

If you are moderate and leaning to the left or even a card carrying member of the media, you will say the guy in the middle that made all the safe calls.

Hallerin Hilton Hill Morning Show Gets Confused

Friday May 13, 2005 will be a day where confusion ran amok on the Hallerin Hilton Hill morning talk show in Knoxville, TN on NewsTalk 100.

The confusion began on Thursday, Hal talked about a story that ran on World Net Daily, a reliable internet news source. Fox & Friends , a national television morning news show on Thursday talked about the story.

The story is that Karns Elementary School Principal Cathy Summa reprimanded a group of children, specifically 10 year old Luke Whitson for reading their/his Bible on the playground during recess.

Friday morning the local Knoxville News-Sentinel ran a story about the incident quoting Martha McCampbell, a lawyer with the Knox County Law Department stating that a student may bring their bible during free time and indicates that recess may be a part of the instructional day.

Friday Morning Hallerin has Principal Summa along with Knox County School PR Guy Russ Oaks on the air. They dispute the story and criticize the World Net Daily for not contacting the school district before running the story. Hal's producer Chris Marion talks with a man purporting to be the child's father that says it is all just a big misunderstanding and everything is fine now. At which time Hallerin apologizes and assumes that the story is fabricated.

An hour later Hallerin receives a call from Mr. Pope. Mr. Pope informs Hallerin that he and Luke Whitson's mom had just gotten off the morning national news show Fox & Friends. That he sent demand letters to the Superintendent of Schools, the Knox County Board Chair and the Schools lawyer. That Mrs. Summa had reprimanded young Mr. Whitson and that he representing Mr. Whitson would be proceeding with action.

This is where it all got real confusing as Hallerin began saying "wait, Mrs. Summa sat right here in my studio and said it didn't happen" at which point Mr. Pope states "well, I would like to see her new position in writing, because Mr. Whitson was reprimanded on the playground during recess for reading his Bible."

At which point Hallerin begins wanting Mrs. Whitson, Luke's mom on the air. While Chris Marion the producer is trying to get Luke's mom on the air. Dave Foulk in the newsroom of NewsTalk 100 gets a call from KCS PR Guy Russ Oaks saying "We received the demand letter this morning."

At which point the show ends and all went quiet. Only to leave those listening with lots of questions and much confusion.

Who is on First, What is at second, Why is Third and Where in the world is HOME?

Ayn Rand

"What is morality" she asked. "Judgment to distinguish right and wrong, vision to see the truth, courage to act upon it, dedication to that which is good, integrity to stand by the good at any price."

Phil Knight

"It's alright to be Goliath, but always act like David."

Life is....

Life is a challenge - meet it.

Life is a gift - accept it.

Life is an adventure - dare it.

Life is a sorrow - overcome it.

Life is a tragedy - face it.

Life is a duty - perform it.

Life is a game - play it.

Life is a mystery - unfold it.

Life is a song - sing it.

Life is an opportunity - take it.

Life is a journey - complete it.

Life is a promise - fulfill it.

Life is a beauty - praise it.

Life is a struggle - fight it.

Life is a goal - achieve it.

Life is a puzzle - solve it.

Life is a love - love it.

John F. Kennedy, U.S. President

"The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all"

WVLT Channel 8 Wins the Brian's Blog Award for Local Coverage

This afternoon May 11, 2005 Knox County School Bus 150 that serves Karns Middle and Karns High School collided with a tree. WBIR covered the story with a reporter via cell phone, stating that the bus rolled and was down an embankment. The reporter stated that he was being held away from the scene and could not see the students. WATE covered the story in the same manner.

In typical male fashion I changed the channel to Comcast Channel 5 WVLT Volunteer TV. They had live helicopter shots, Eric Wadell on the scene, an interview with a young lady associated with the Karns Volunteer Fire Department. She reported that all students had been transported except one, this student would be transported soon, there appeared to be no life threatening injuries.

Channel 8 stayed with the story, I clicked back to WBIR to find Live at Five Host Russell Bivens playing chess with what appeared to be a young man about 7 years old. Then I clicked to WATE to find the weather guy telling us what the weather was like. All the while Channel 8 is live with the important news of the day. I stayed with Volunteer TV (CBS affiliate) Channel 8. Check the link on this post and see the photos, no other station in this town had anything close to this coverage.

Channel 8 recently began a media campaign entitled ...It's an East Tennessee kind of thing. ..They are exactly right, they know this community and they realized what those of us in East Tennessee needed to know at 4:30pm-5:30pm, are our kids ok.

Channel 8 scored big today. They scooped the two stations that supposedly have the higher ratings, the larger staffs and the larger salaries. Not only do they win my endorsement for their superior local coverage today and everyday. They now have earned the television link on this blog.

Imagination

A mind once stretched to a new idea, never regains its original dimension.

"The imagination equips us to perceive reality where it is not fully materialized" - Mary Caroline Richards

"A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is a visible labor and there is an invisible labor" - Victor Huggo

"Imagination....Its limits are only those of the mind itself." - Rod Serling

Kenny & Renee Wedding Photo

Here is a photo. It was posted on AP and Michael Silence posted it to his blog. Thanks Mike.

What others think

Today, I received a graduation invitation for a young man that is graduating from Bearden High School here in Knoxville. On the inside top fold is a picture of the campus with a quote from Dr. Seuss - it is appropriate for graduates, politicians and everyday men and women that at times are concerned for how they are perceived or thought of.

This quote, may wind up in a frame in my office.

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Dr. Seuss

By the way the Bearden High School Commencement is Friday evening May 20th, 2005 at eight-thirty pm at Thompson - Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sarah Simpson

There are few people that come into your life that has a profound impact on your life. Sarah Simpson was one such lady. The school board, while I served, voted to name the Teacher Technology Center for her, immediately following her untimely death.

I am not in favor of naming buildings and roads for everybody for anything, however, this one is worthy. Immediately following her retirement, Sarah never had the chance to spend time with her family and rest. However, she put her mark on all that she touched. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to work beside her, debate the issues and politics with her, laugh with her and will forever be indebted to her.

God Bless You, Sarah Simpson.

Our own Kenny Chesney weds

It was speculated that our own Kenny Chesney would wed today, May 9, 2005. WIVK FM 107.7 was the first media outlet that broke the news early this morning. It is now being reported on entertainment outlets as well as the Knoxville News-Sentinel. Kenny married actress Renee Zellweger.

All of my friends know that I have all of Kenny's music and listen to it loud. There are only a few movies that I credit with being my all time favorites: Chicago with Renee Zellweger is one, My Life is another and if you hurry you can catch The Diary of a Young Black Woman at the $1.50 movie theater in West Knoxville.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Chesney. Renee Zellweger Chesney will fall in love with East Tennessee, just as she has fallen in love with the man from Tennessee.

Congratulations to Kenny's Mom (Karen) and Dad (Dave) as their families have grown.

A Fathers Advice and Handling Criticism

Sending his son out into the world, a father gave him the following rules, without which he said he could not hope to get on:

Tell the Truth - falsehoods are hard to remember.
Shine the heels of your shoes as well as the toes.
Don't lend money to your friends - you will lose both.
Don't watch the clock; it will keep on going - you do the same.
You do not need clean cuffs every day, but you need a clean conscience all the time.


Handling Criticism: if it's untrue, disregard it; if it's unfair, keep from irritation; if it's ignorant, smile; if it's justified, learn from it.

Thomas Edison

When Thomas A. Edison's desk was opened years after his death, a card was found among his papers: "When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out all right."

" I never allow myself to become discouraged under any circumstances....The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense." Thomas A. Edison

Words on Action

He who thinks twice before saying nothing is wise.

"Don't find fault. Find a remedy." Henry Ford

Did is a word of achievement,
Won't is a word of retreat,
Might is a word of bereavement,
Can't is a word of Defeat,
Ought is a word of duty,
Try is a word each hour,
Will is a word of beauty,
Can is a word of power.

Quotes by President Ronald Reagan

"Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born"

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the Untied States where men were free."

"I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life."

"My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legisaltion which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes."

John Maxwell

"Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present."

"The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one."

"The Depth of your Mythology is the Extent of your Effectiveness."

John Wooden

"Be more concerned with your character, than your reputation. Because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

"Success is NEVER final, failure is NEVER fatal. It's courage that counts."

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."

"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming."

Theodore Hesburgh

"My basic principle is that
you don't make decisions because they are easy,
you don't make them because they are cheap,
you don't make them because they are popular;
you make them because they are right."
Theodore Hesburgh

"The very essence of leadership is that you have a vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet."
Thedore Hesburgh

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."
Theodore Hesburgh