Sunday, October 30, 2005

Texas Prop 2 Q & A



Okay, so what if kids need both mother-love and father-love? Are you suggesting that single moms, widows and fatherless children are somehow inferior?

Of course not. A loving and compassionate society will always come to the aid of motherless and fatherless families, but a loving and compassionate society will never deliberately create them.
If you ask any single parent whether their situation is ideal for their children, they will inevitably say “No.” That doesn’t mean they’re not good parents, it just means that their circumstances are not close to being ideal.

Many single parents are single through no fault of their own. Their spouse either left them, died, or abused them. These are far from ideal situations, and single parenthood is an unfortunate reality—not a celebrated ideal—for them. Society should come to the aid of these families out of love and compassion.

But same-sex marriage advocates aren’t asking us to respond to unfortunate circumstances, they are asking us to create them. They are asking us to affirm that intentionally denying children either a father or a mother is ideal. This simply isn’t the case.

Children from single parent households are at a distinct disadvantage despite their parent’s best efforts. Children from same-sex households are at a distinct disadvantage because of their parents’ deliberate choices. We should tolerate the former as a fact of life, but steer clear of the latter as an avoidable harm.

For the same reason we actively discourage out-of-wedlock pregnancies, we should actively discourage same-sex marriages. Neither provides the ideal environment for raising children, and neither can possibly benefit society and individuals the way that marriage can. Every same-sex household will, by definition, intentionally deny a child either a mom or a dad.


Isn’t the same-sex marriage issue simplY a question of justice?

Yes. It’s all about justice. A compassionate and just society will address and remedy true injustice, but not by committing an even graver one by intentionally denying justice to our most vulnerable citizens: children.

One must remember that injustice is characterized by the powerful taking advantage of those who are powerless and vulnerable. And that’s precisely what’s at stake in the fight over marriage. A powerful lobbying group is seeking to deny children their natural right to be raised by a married mom and dad. The injustice of this radical proposal is readily seen in the reams of data which demonstrate that kids being raised without both a mom and a dad are much more likely to experience all kinds of suffering.

Now, one might argue that there are already millions of children who are being raised without both a mom and a dad and that these unfortunate circumstances were wrought by heterosexuals failing to live up to their commitments. That is true. But (as stated here) those are failed attempts at the ideal. Same-sex marriage advocates are asking us to intentionally create these unfortunate circumstances at the outset of a child’s life.


Again, a just society will never intentionally put children at such high risk. Does proposition 2 outlaw common law marriage?

No. This is a false argument. The Texas Attorney General specifically said Proposition 2 has NO EFFECT on common law marriage. Proposition 2 merely limits marriage to one man and one woman. Common law marriage is marriage between one man and one woman. Thus Proposition 2 does not effect it.

Isn’t limiting marriage to one man and one woman discriminatory?

No. The state encourages marriage more than any other relationship for very selfish reasons. It produces life (future citizens), unites the sexes, and provides every child with a mom and a dad. Same-sex “marriage” says that either the father or the mother is not needed. That is a lie. No compassionate society would ever intentionally create fatherlessness or motherlessness.

Additionally, if marriage is redefined, what is the new definition? Love? Commitment?

Then marriage could be polygamy or even be five people in love.

Does Proposition 2 prevent same-sex couples from hospital visitation and private contracts?

No. A specific legislative finding states that hospital visitation and the right to privately contract is not affected.

Why is marriage important?

Marriage is the foundation of any society. It is unique and based upon the complimentary nature of the sexes and provides the best relationship and environment for the raising of children.

Texas Prop 2

Texas Prop 2 Q & A

Isn’t the struggle for same-sex marriage just like the struggle for civil rights?

Not at all. It is shameful and wrong to compare present day homosexuals to past generations of African-Americans, who were institutionally prevented from voting, lived under segregation, and were treated as second-class citizens.

The civil rights movement overcame laws against one’s right to exist, not one’s right to change humanity’s fundamental institution. The comparison is so outrageous that many civil rights leaders are offended by its mention. Even Reverend Jesse Jackson, who favors same-sex marriage, rejected the comparison, saying “Gays were never called three-fifths of a person in the Constitution, and they did not require the Voting Rights Act to have the right to vote.”

The difference between Civil Rights and same-sex marriage is the difference between equal treatment and special rights. African-Americans were fighting for the same legal rights as whites during the struggle for Civil Rights—the right to co-exist as equals, to participate in public forums, and to have access to equal opportunities.

Homosexual couples, however, do not face this type of discrimination. They have the same legal rights as heterosexuals, including the right to marry within the definition of marriage. No one, homosexual or heterosexual, has the right to redefine marriage, however.

Most African-Americans understand this vital distinction and overwhelmingly reject the comparison. In fact, according to recent polls, 64 percent of African-Americans are opposed to same-sex marriage, more than any other ethnic or religious group. They understand the danger of distorting the legacy of civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. by invalidly extending his fight to things he never would have supported.

The idea that marriage was created to discriminate against homosexuals is silly and offensive. As Rev. Richard Richardson, head of The Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, stated in his testimony before the U.S. Senate, “The traditional institution of marriage is not about discrimination. And I find it offensive to call it that. Marriage was not created to oppress people. It was created for children. It boggles my mind that people would compare the traditional institution of marriage to slavery.” There is no “civil right” to intentionally subject children to fatherlessness or motherlessness.


Shouldn’t we love homosexuals and lesbians?

Absolutely. Every person is made in the image of God and of great value. Each person should be loved and respected.

Why should we worry about protecting marriage when it’s already so weak?

Typically, we don’t surrender to crime, academic failure, abuse or any other social ill simply because it’s a “new reality.” To surrender the future to our past failures is cynical and destructive. Instead, we should celebrate and uphold marriage as the ideal, and work to restore strong marriages as the best way to solve social problems.

It’s true that marriage in the United States has weakened over the past century, in large part due to no-fault divorce, cohabitation and abortion—things that separate marriage from child-bearing. The results of these social experiments are undeniable. They include rampant crime, widespread poverty, frequent delinquency, cycles of violence, uncontrolled drug use, unchecked child abuse and rising illegitimacy rates—all results of marriage and family breakdown.

It’s no small thing then to ask for yet another social experiment that further separates marriage from parenting. Same-sex marriage will be the outright affirmation of what these previous experiments have been tacitly proclaiming: that marriage is a purely personal institution that has no public implications whatsoever.

The reason we should protect marriage—even in its weakened state—is that only married households with moms and dads provide children with the ideal place to grow into healthy adults. Only marriage brings men and women together in complementary ways that channel the strengths and weaknesses of each sex into positive social ends.

Saturday, October 29, 2005

My Public Comments on the Libby Indictment


Todays News-Sentinel has reaction from several officials on the Libby indictment. Below are the comments that are attributed to me.

Brian Hornback, chairman of the Knox County Republican Party, said politics has become "a very brutal game on both sides, and sometimes things like this happen." He predicted that Republicans still will support President Bush and Vice President Cheney and "continue to carry the message" of lower taxes, responsible government, fighting terrorism and supporting freedom in oppressed countries.

As you are aware I am the Chairman of the Knox County Republican Party. These allegations and indictments have become the standard M.O. for the opposition. An indictment is not a guilty verdict, nor a guilty plea. Libby did the right thing in stepping down from his position with the Vice-President, immediately following the indictment. My thoughts and prayers are with I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

I don't blame the Democrats for crying and carrying on that it is so bad. They have to do so. I will continue to stand with and support our President and Vice-President. I cringe at the thought of Prince Albert Gore as President on September 11, 2001. I shudder to think what kind of judicial nominee Sir John Kerrey would have nominated for the position of Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Thank God for George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

My personal footnote: The conversation with Richard Powelson the Washington Bureau Chief for the News-Sentinel was pleasant. It was great to talk with a professional print reporter and hope that one day I will be able to meet him in person.

School Districts That Would Rather Spend Dollars On Lawyers Than Students

Here is another school district that would rather spend dollars on lawyers and court cost than to spend their taxpayer's dollars on the students.

This case is in Manatee County, FL. And can be precedent setting, not only in Florida but across the country. This story appeared in the Sarasota, Fl based Herald Tribune.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Mayor Ragsdale's Neighborhood Night

This evening, Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale held his Neighborhood Night at A.L. Lotts Elementary School in conjunction with the PTA. The event yielded about 100 people.

County Commissioners Mike Hammond, Craig Leuthold and John Griess attended.

Several questions were asked about illegal immigrants living 14 in a house, about junk cars in yards, about dirty lots, about speeding in neighborhoods, construction of roads.

The largest response came from a gentlemen that asked about his taxes going up and the "blackmailed" wheel tax. Mayor Ragsdale explained that taxes have been maintained a low level over a number of years, while the largest increase ever given to schools has occurred during his administration. The gentleman was passionate and tried to dominate the forum at which point the Mayor asked Who paid for your education? The 100 in attendance applauded. The minority of citizens that continue to beat their chest about the wheel tax are sadly mistaken if they think there is a ground swell of opposition.

Texas Prop 2 Q & A



Shouldn't homosexuals have the right to marry?
No one in society has ever had the right to marry anyone they want. No individual has ever had the right to redefine marriage for the rest of us.



Everyone has equal access to marriage, and everyone is equally subject to its restrictions. In our country, each person must meet the five criteria below in order to get married:


1) You cannot already be married.
2) You must be an adult and marry an adult.
3) You cannot marry a close family member.
4) You must marry a human.
5) Your spouse must be of the opposite sex.


Everyone abides by these same rules, and anyone who meets all five criteria can enter into marriage. Same-sex marriage advocates subtly distort the law in order to justify their cause. They claim, falsely, that the right to marry lies in any couple, when in fact it lies in the individual. Not just any conceivable configuration of people have the right to marry because rights belong to individuals—not groups. Every person, however, has the right to marry provided he or she meets the five criteria enumerated in law and nature.


In reality, homosexuals have the exact same right to marry as we all do. They choose not to marry members of the opposite sex, but they could if they wanted to.
This debate is not about who has access to marriage—we all do. It’s about defending what marriage is and always has been.


State law already limits marriage to one man and woman. Proposition 2 isn’t needed, is it?

Yes. The only way to take this issue out of the hands of the judges and place it into the hands of the people is a constitutional amendment. State laws in Hawaii, Massachusetts and all the other states did not stop activist judges from overturning marriage. A state statute is no barrier to an activist judge. Proposition 2 lets the people decide.

Check the Texans for Marriage website for more information.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Texas Prop 2 Marriage Ammendment Q&A



Will Proposition 2 ban ALL marriages? I heard that if the state is not allowed to recognize “any legal status identical or similar to marriage,” then that means they can’t recognize marriage also.

The Attorney General of the State of Texas rejected a similar argument on the floor of the state Senate when opponents tried to falsely argue that the Amendment would ban common law marriage.

The Amendment does not say the state may not recognize “marriage.” It prohibits only attempts to create a status similar or identical “TO MARRIAGE.” Other states, like California, have created copy-cats of marriage and just called it by a different name and thus avoided their constitutional marriage amendment passed by its people. The Texas Amendment does not allow this.

The words clearly recognize marriage in Texas as between a man and a woman and refuse to recognize attempts to recreate that status through any other means.


Will proposition 2 take away benefits and hospitalization of same-sex partners or common-law couples?

No. SECTION 2. This state recognizes that through the designation of guardians, the appointment of agents, and the use of private contracts, persons may adequately and properly appoint guardians and arrange rights relating to hospital visitation, property, and the entitlement to proceeds of life insurance policies without the existence of any legal status identical or similar to marriage.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Texas Prop 2

In an effort to inform you of the necessity for such ballot questions. I am sharing information from the Texans For Marriage website

Why is a marriage amendment needed?

To protect marriage from an all-out assault to redefine it. At last count, there were over 60 lawsuits across the country to overturn state marriage laws. This is not an accident. It is the carrying out of a specific plan by Lambda Legal and homosexual activists. Over a decade ago, they realized they could not win a vote for same-sex marriage in any state; they thus started a specific plan to redefine marriage through the courts. They have won in Hawaii, in Alaska, in Vermont, in Massachusetts and recently in California.

The clear intent is to avoid a vote by the people, which they have lost every time. They are attempting to do an end-run around the democratic process and the American people. If successful, they will force same-sex marriage on the entire country without a single citizen getting the right to vote. The Marriage Amendment (Proposition 2) lets the people of Texas decide if marriage should be limited to the union between one man and one woman.

William Boetcker

"The individual activity of one man with backbone will do more than a thousand men with a mere wishbone."

"You can not raise a man up by calling him down."

"Seven National Crimes
I don't think.
I don't know.
I don't care.
I am too busy.
I leave well enough alone.
I have no time to read and find out.
I am not interested."

Anthony Robbins

"I also remember the moment my life changed, the moment I finally said, ''I've had it! I know I'm much more than I'm demonstrating mentally, emotionally, and physically in my life.'' I made a decision in that moment which was to alter my life forever. I decided to change virtually every aspect of my life. I decided I would never again settle for less than I can be."

"When people are like each other they tend to like each other."

"The past doesn't equal the future."

"If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten."

"Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes; find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try and be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human"

Visit Anthony's websites. here , here and here.

Monday, October 24, 2005

Early Voting Began Today in Texas on Prop.2

Today, Early Voting began in the State of Texas for Prop.2, the constitutional marriage amendment. This same type of one man, one woman marriage amendment should be on the ballot in Tennessee in 2006.

Visit the website Texans For Marriage and support the movement to protect the traditional marriage.

One Man - One Woman.

How will same-sex marriage hurt children?
Same-sex marriage will inevitably lead to same-sex families, which intentionally deny children either a mother or a father.

The same-sex marriage debate isn’t merely an academic question. Its outcome will have real consequences on real people. Our first duty is to protect those who cannot protect themselves. A loving and compassionate society will always come to the aid of motherless and fatherless families, but a loving and compassionate society will never deliberately create them.

Same-sex couples intentionally deny children either a mother or a father, and children need both to develop into healthy adults. Males and females parent differently, and these differences are essential in helping a child grow into a healthy adult. A father’s love is very different from a mother’s love, and no same-sex couple could ever provide both.

Gender differences are real, and children need more than a pair of unisex bodies to grow into healthy adulthood. An analysis of over 100 studies on parent-child relationships found that having a loving and nurturing father is just as important for a child’s happiness, social development, academic success and general well-being as having a loving and nurturing mother.

Fathers help their children feel secure, grow in confidence, and develop a healthy curiosity of the world around them. They increase children’s academic readiness and performance, contribute to strong cognitive, motor and verbal development, help kids make wise choices and curb violence in boys.

Mothers provide warm, nurturing care for children, assuring them that they are loved. They have a natural connection to children that develops in the womb. Mothers stress equity and security and help children develop an understanding of risks and their consequences. Both father-love and mother-love are needed to raise children from infancy to healthy adulthood.

No society, if it truly cares about the common good more than special interests, will ever intentionally place its most innocent members in harm’s way. No loving and compassionate society would intentionally deny children the best possible home, one with both a mom and a dad.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

W.C. Fields 1880-1946

I recently found an interseting quote by W.C. Fields .

"I never vote for anyone; I always vote against."

As I thought about it, I voted for George W. Bush the first time because I was voting against Prince Albert Gore. The second time I voted against John Kerrey. I will always vote against Hillary Clinton and her cronies.

Come to think of it, I will vote aginst anyone or anything that is liberal and/or is democrat, and instead vote Republican/Conservative. So, I guess like W.C. Fields, I am always voting against.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Wayne Dyer Quote

"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself."

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Tonight's Knox County Democrat Unity Dinner

This evening the Knox County Democrat Unity Dinner was held at Ramseys Restaurant it was actually a spaghetti supper.

A couple of sources have contacted me this evening immediately following the dinner to inform me that the Master of Ceremonies was none other than Hubert Smith. You remember Hubert Smith the former 3rd Vice Chairman of the Knox County Democrat Party that resigned because the Chairman Jim Gray had nixed the plans for a 2005 Truman Day Dinner, because he couldn't secure a top notch speaker like former President Bill Clinton or "the screamer" Howard Dean. Gray is hoping to secure a similar speaker for the 2006 Truman Day Dinner.

According to my sources that were present at tonights "Unity Dinner" they stated that this dinner was planned in spite of Chairman Gray, they also indicate that Smith was very professional in leading tonights event.

The attendance at this evenings dinner apppeared to be in the neighborhood of 200 people. Representatives from Blount County, Anderson County, Grainger County, Union County, State Federation Womens Club and a representative of Congressman Lincoln Davis were in attendance.

Other notables present were Ellen Hamilton of the DNC, Kim Sasser Haynes representing Governor Bredesen, Mark Padgett, son of County Clerk Mike Padgett representing the nephew of indicted under house arrest former State Senator John Ford. Julia Tucker write-in candidate for City Council, County Clerk Mike Padgett, County Commissioner Tank Strickland, County Commissioner Billy Tindell, State Representative Harry Tindell, Former Sheriff Joe Fowler, Former Mayor Randy Tyree, Chancellor Darryl Fansler,State Representative candidate Schree Pettigrew,School Board Member Diane Dozier, Seventh District School Board Candidate Rex Stooksbury who is a longtime community activist in the Powell and Halls community.

Notables that were not in attendance Attorney General Randy Nichols, he had a previously scheduled DA conference, County Commissioner Diane Jordan, School Board Members Sam Anderson, Indya Kincannon, Robert Bratton, Karen Carson and Delainia Davis 1st Vice Chair of the Knox County Democrat Party. The incumbents and city council candidates were participating in a city council forum this evening.

Members of the media present were Retired Associate Editor of the Knoxville News-Sentinel Georgiana Vines that writes a column in the Saturday edition of the Knoxville News-Sentinel and Powell community print reporter Betty Bean.

School Board Politics Compliments of the TSBA

In 1992 the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation that "removed politics from school governance" This legislation was promoted by an organization called TSBA Tennessee School Board Association. Every school district with the exception of two belong to this organization, using taxpayer dollars to support the organization.

The TSBA host an annual convention every year at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. This years convention is November 13 - 15, 2005. Hundreds of school board members, superintendents and school staff members will be traveling to Nashville.

The Convention Schedule can be found here.

The Tentative Convention Topics, includes three interesting breakouts.

"Recruiting Excellent Board Member Candidates". This eliminates politics from school governance?

"Elected vs Appointed Superintendents." The assumption is that you will receive your talking points in this breakout.

"Effectively Evaluating Your Employees."The law in 1992, gave school boards one employee, The Superintendent. However TSBA shows this as a plural definition.

David Parker of Lexington, Mass

On ABC Nightly News last night was a report that David Parker of Lexington, Mass. would appear in court today over a trespassing charge.

The story is that Parker's son a kindergarten student at Estabrook Elementary School came home from school with a "diversity backpack" contained in the backpack was the book "Who's In a Family" that chronicles families that are comprised of multi-race, single parents but to his disappointment same sex marriage partners.

Mr. Parker went to the school with the request that before this type of message is delivered to his son in the future that he and his wife first be notified. The meeting did not go well, with the school officials digging their heels in. Ultimately the school district had him charged with trespassing. The community has been split between supporting Parker or supporting "diversity".

Parker said. "My wife and I have religious beliefs that say to us it's a sin."

Where is the school districts tolerance of diverse opinions when they charge someone with having a difference of opinion with their position?

Republican Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams Drops lawsuit against School Board



Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams, longtime former Democrat County Commissioner from Hamilton County. Commissioner Adams earlier this year switched to the Republican Party. He switched parties immediately after Howard Dean was selected as the national Democrat leader. Commissioner Adams stated the Democrat Party had left him.

Commissioner Adams had filed a lawsuit challenging the Hamilton County School Board's vote, they voted to give Jesse Register a $150,000.00 contract as a consultant. The lawsuit issue was that Commissioner Adams believed the school board violated the sunshine law with the original vote on Register's consulting contract. The school board then advertised and re-voted on the contract. Thus, resulting in Commissioner Adams dropping his lawsuit.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Schools E-Rate Program - Waste Fraud and Abuse

In todays USA Today is an article that details the findings of a one year investigation into the schools E-Rate Federal Net program. At leaast they are desiring to clean it up instead of letting it continue to be another wasteful federal program.

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Michael Hooks, Jr, Memphis School Board Member Resigns




An article appeared today in the Commercial Appeal - former Memphis School Board Chairman Michael Hooks, Jr is resigning today from the Memphis School Board. Hooks, Jr. currently 30 years old, first elected at age 23 is stepping down to spend time with his wife. The couple were married on September 4, 2005.

Monday, October 17, 2005

School Governance in Hamilton County Gets Ugly

Hat Tip to Adam Groves at Simply I for this story fromThe Chattanoogan. It appears that the teachers union in Hamilton County is trying to target a school board member Ms. Rhonda Thurman for comments she made in a bit of haste and frustration.

Many school boards adopt a "Code of Ethics" policy that is requested by the TSBA. The problem with the policy advocated by the TSBA is that it has no teeth and a board member can not defend themselves. Someone lodges a complaint, TSBA doesn't follow-up and it is used for a personal public attack on a board member. Such is the case in Hamilton County.

Mrs. Thurman is unable to respond, the remainder of the board remains silent while the HCEA President alleges wrong doing.

Interesting that this comes from Hamilton County where Charles Love former school board member and colleague of Ms. Thurman has plead guilty in the Tennessee Waltz investigation and the former Hamilton County school board attorney State Senator Ward Crutchfield is under indictment in the Tennessee Waltz investigation.

The children of Hamilton County deserve better than personal political attacks.

Jerry Kilgore Governor of Virginia



Here is a Great Republican candidate for Governor. I have previously posted that the campaign theme of N.J. candidate Doug Forrester, should be used by a Republican candidate against the liberal Democrat Phillip Bredesen, the current Tennessee Governor.

Here is another great 2005 Republican candidate. In Virginia the candidate is Jerry Kilgore, a native of Southwest Virginia. He has served as Attorney General. Kilgore is strong on the Death Penalty his opponent has stated that the death penalty is wrong even in the case of Adolph Hitler. Jerry Kilgore is married to a teacher and has a plan for improving Virginia's education system, his opponent is former Mayor of the worst education system in Virginia. Jerry kilgore has a plan on transportation, his opponent does not.

Jerry Kilgore: For Our Families For Our Future.

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Could This Be Tennessee or Nashville?

Read the following tag lines and could Tennessee or Nashville be inserted?

There is a Conga line of corruption and waste in _______________________

The change we need to straighten up ____________________________________

Clean up corruption in _________________________________________________


These three tag lines are from the campaign of the Republican gubernatorial candidate for_________________________...........................New Jersey.



Doug Forrester - Character, Courage, Conviction. It's your state. Take Back New Jersey.



Thomas Wolfe 1900-1938




All things on earth point home in old October; sailors to sea, travellers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has foresaken.

Perhaps this is our strange and haunting paradox here in America - - that we are fixed and certain only when we are in movement.

At that instant he saw, in one blaze of light, an image of unutterable conviction, the reason why the artist works and lives and has his being--the reward he seeks--the only reward he really cares about, without which there is nothing. It is to snare the spirits of mankind in nets of magic, to make his life prevail through his creation, to wreak the vision of his life, the rude and painful substance of his own experience, into the congruence of blazing and enchanted images that are themselves the core of life, the essential pattern whence all other things proceed, the kernel of eternity.
Thomas Wolfe, Of Time and the River, 1935

The Thomas Wolfe Society website is located here

Dwight D. Eisenhower


"When I was a small boy growing up in Kansas, a friend of mine and I went fishing and as we sat there in the warmth of a summer afternoon on a riverbank we talked about what we wanted to do when we grew up. I told him that I wanted to be a real major-league baseball player, a genuine professional like Honus Wagner. My friend said that he'd like to be President of the United States. Neither of us got our wish."

William Arthur Ward - American Dedicated Scholar, Author, Editor, Pastor and Teacher

"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it."

"To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity."

"It is wise to direct your anger towards problems - - not people; to focus your energies on answers - - not excuses."

"The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to change, the realist adjusts the sails."

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."

"When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves."

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Miers Won't Quit


The President's Supreme Court nominee will NOT quit. This according to CNN 5 hours ago. Hang in there. She must be an excellent choice if all the liberal media whackos are searching as they are.

Tom Delay Phone Records



The Ronnie Earle witchhunt continues........What is he hoping to find out, how often Delay orders pizza. Delay would surely have used cell phones rather than his home or campaign phones. Campaign phones are normally used for phone banking, home phone is used for his wife to order pizza. Come On Earle.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Senator Frist and Volpac Start a Blog




Senator Frist pictured here talking with Nascar Driver Tony Stewart of the Home Depot team at the Bristol race in August.


Senator Frist on October 9th began a blog through Volpac. Check out the blog on his observations while he travels. You are welcome to leave comments.

Governor Phil Bredesen - Lacks Real Leadership

This morning the Knoxville News-Sentinel is reporting that Ethics Committee that was Bredesen's brainchild can not make a decision. Bredesen now announces that the idea of a special session to deal with ethics this fall is not likely.

Bredesen acts with speed when he can control the liberal outcome. For example; Ophelia Ford's election to her brother under house arrest indicted former State Senator John Ford. He is also the uncle of Democrat candidate for the U.S. Senate Harold Ford, Jr. and remember Jr.'s dad was caught up in the checking scandal that hit Congress several years ago.

Back to Bredesen's lack of leadership.

When it comes to naming an election for Bradley, Meigs and Polk County for the replacement of State Representative Chris Newton, Bredesen drags his feet for nearly 6 weeks. When it comes to making real change with the legislature and cleaning up the Democrat mess that is Nashville. He appoints a committee and deadlocks it without one intent of making real change.

Bredesen the laziest manager, Governor the state has ever seen.

Sunday, October 09, 2005

Inside The Message Changes It's Broadcast Home


Inside The Message "Where Perception Meets Reality" a weekly television program that has aired on Channel 21 on Monday evenings at 9:30pm has found a primetime slot.


The program will now air on WMAK Channel 7 broadcast on
Comcast Channel 4
Charter Channel 7
Knology Channel 10

Saturdays at 8:30 p.m.


Here is the website for Inside The Message or it can be located in Links section of the blog main page.

Check out this Great Television broadcast and tell your friends to tune in.

City Council Candidate Update - Hubert Smith Has Breaking News

According to sources that were listening to the Hubert Smith Radio Program today. The Hubert Smith Radio Program airs every Sunday at 4:00pm on AM 850 WKVL and is simulcast all over East Tennessee on a half dozen other stations.

Hubert Smith broke the NEWS, Charles "Buddy" Mulkey of write-in candidate success has dropped from the race to defeat Joe Hultquist and is backing Julia Tucker, well known Knoxvillian and the first female Knoxville City School Board Chair.

According to my sources Hubert had both Mulkey and Tucker on his show and Mulkey announced that he has decided to support Tucker.

I was unable to listen to the Hubert Smith radio Show this afternoon, I was attending some sessions of ImagiNations the annual Missions Conference at my home church of First Baptist, Concord.

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale Elected President of the Tennessee Association of County Mayors


Hat Tip to Knox Blog for this News Item and a Big Congratulations from Brian's Blog to our Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale.

Our Republican Mayor Mike Ragsdale last week was elected as the new President of the Tennessee Association of County Mayors. His duties begin immediately and he will oversee common issues among the state’s 95 counties. He will oversee the association’s County Government Day in Nashville in March 2006 and the annual TCSA conference to be held here in Knoxville next fall.

Congratulations Mayor Ragsdale!

We are a blessed community to have all the Republican Elected Officials that we have. Working Together We Are Making Our Community Better Everyday.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Pray for the Earthquake Devastation

This morning a 7.6 earthquake has devastated parts of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. While we may disagree with some of their culture beliefs. They are still devastated, the answer to get them through this trial of suffering is found in God.

These countries and people need our Prayers.

1985 Volunteer Football Team and Coach Majors



The Knoxville News-Sentinel has a wonderful story of the reunion that was held at the Tennessee Theater for the 1985 Vols football team last night. January 1, 1986 Tennessee wins the Sugar Bowl led by Coach Johnny Majors.

What a time to be in your hometown and supporting the Vols. I have always supported Coach Fulmer and the rest of the coaching staff. The days of Coach Majors departure are gone. Coach Majors was a colorful coach and one that fans either loved or hated. I was always a fan of Coach Majors and am glad to see that he was warmly received back in Big Orange Country for the reunion.

There is room in Big Orange Country for both Fulmer and Majors.

Monday, October 03, 2005

Blogging Suspended For A Week

I have made the decision to suspend blogging for one week. My intent is to resume on the weekend of October 8th. I need some time with my family and time to clear my mind.

Check back. Have A Great week.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Farragut Admirals Win Big - KNS Forgets What Game They Are Covering

Farragut High School beat William Blount in convincing fashion 31-7 last night. This morning I read the Knoxville News-Sentinel story online. At the end of the story the writer Brad Gaskins starts referring to Farragut's opponent as Sevier County.

There are four high school teams in Blount County, William Blount, Heritage, Maryville and Alcoa. The last time I checked Sevier County is across the Blount County line over in Sevier County, How could this happen?

I am waiting to see if the News-Sentinel caught the error before it went to print.

UPDATE: They caught the error before it went to Final edition print. It was only in the online version.