No Silence Here

TN General Assembly a 'parade of pandering'

2010-03-21T20:20:41Z

em>Tennessee ranks fourth worst in the nation for adult hypertension and adolescent obesity.

We have the 10th most awful level of emission of sulfur dioxide.

The percentage of babies who die in the Volunteer State before their first birthday is comparable to Bosnia's rate. We are second in the country for one thing, though: the number of busted-up meth labs.

But instead of tackling those deep, systemic problems, the Tennessee legislature is fighting to protect your right to go fishing. Lawmakers are wringing their hands that an employee at the new Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga might utter a word of German.

They are -- despite a chancery court ruling -- pushing to allow guns in bars.

Example after example demonstrates that this legislative session has disintegrated into a parade of pandering. -- More.

Well, Republicans are just showing why they were out of power for 140 years.

Lockness Monster spotted in the Smokies

2010-03-19T18:18:39Z

A sighting here.

Head of FedEx recruiting business for UPS

2010-03-19T14:18:36Z

WASHINGTON -- FedEx CEO Frederick W. Smith says President Barack Obama is "likable," "clearly brilliant" and "very pro-business." -- More.

Have you filled out your census form yet?

2010-03-19T13:57:59Z

I got three of them in the mail. I guess they have to justify that cost some how. I'm quite tempted to fill out all three. Or maybe I'll fill out two and just trash the third one. No, I wouldn't do that just to mess with their heads. I can't believe you'd make such an outrageous accusation.

Memo to ABC News

2010-03-19T12:56:49Z

So let me get this straight. At a time when TV viewership is moving right, (see Fox News), and interest is more focused on domestic issues like, oh, say, health care and spending, you decide to hire a liberal to focus more on international news.

Maybe you should change the name from "This Week" to "Last Week."

UPDATE: Critics: ABC News should have disclosed $200,000 payment to accused murderer.

SNARK: Meanwhile, ABC News objects to the National Enquirer being considered for a Pulitzer Prize.

Dr. Bill Bass and 'The Bone Thief'

2010-03-19T11:44:54Z

Next week literally thousands of Tennesseans will line up at bookstores (and a Sam's Club) to get autographed copies of "The Bone Thief." If Dr. Bill Bass stayed up that late, the Knoxville stores could probably draw big crowds to midnight book release parties like they used to for Harry Potter. The Bone Zones team has set a goal of reaching The New York Times bestseller list with the newest Body Farm novel. -- More from Frank Murphy.

Well, this would be an image problem

2010-03-18T19:11:21Z

Gannett CEO gets big raise after engineering mass layoffs

Ouch!

2010-03-18T14:54:55Z

RATINGS: Cartoon Network beats CNN, MSNBC. It has more believable characters.

You know you're in TN if...

2010-03-18T13:09:32Z

lasthome -- I guess it was inevitable but I finally heard someone's ring tone of a fart. Ah, East Tennessee...

Now for some news you can really use

2010-03-18T12:59:46Z

Three winning tips on playing hide and seek.

I have a fourth suggestion: Become the head football coach at the University of Tennessee.

Well, here's where the problem begins

2010-03-18T11:50:17Z

An animated Derek Dooley vehemently defended his policy on former players visiting Tennessee's athletic facilities.

"How confusing is this?" the new UT coach exclaimed in his pre-spring practice press conference inside Neyland Stadium on Wednesday. "When you go to somebody's house, what do you do? You just don't walk in. You go 'Hey Jimmy, I'm going to come over today.' " -- More.

When did the publicly-funded University of Tennessee become Dooley's home? The various sides on this issue can talk 'till the cows come home but that will have little to do with how Dooley's openness with and access by the fans, or lack thereof, is perceived. At the end of the day, it will be how Dooley is measured against the high bars set by Pat Summitt and Bruce Pearl. When it comes to fans and the media, Summitt and Pearl have always had open-door policies. Anything short of that won't fly in this town.

Let the greatest sporting event begin!

2010-03-18T11:46:44Z

Editorial: Big Dances include the Tennessee Waltz

Chamber door slammed on openness

2010-03-18T11:33:31Z

A House subcommittee Wednesday killed two bills sponsored by Rep. Frank Niceley that the Knoxville Chamber had cited in criticizing the Strawberry Plains Republican as "hostile to business." -- More.

Yet another example of when it came down to openness the people's lobby sat on its hands.

You just can't make these up

2010-03-17T20:34:14Z

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A Tennessee doctor who was allowed to practice medicine again after murdering his wife and mother-in-law was fighting the possible revocation of his medical license Wednesday because of a Kentucky conviction related to illegal prescriptions.

A criminal defense attorney testifying before a panel of the state Board of Medical Examiners Wedneday suggested that Dr. Visu Vilvarajah (vil-va-rah'-zhah) only pleaded guilty because he believed he couldn't get a fair trial in Harlan County, Ky.
Vilvarajah, an anesthesiologist who ran a pain clinic in Nashville, was arrested last year with his ex-wife, Dr. Mireille Lalanne.
The two, who were not married at the time of the arrests, were accused of illegally writing prescription painkillers for about 350 people in Harlan County.

Top 10 Irish drinking songs

2010-03-17T16:00:34Z

Enjoy.