Some maintain that laws restricting the sale of firearms will reduce "gun violence". Let us say that firearms are made illegal, and for the sake of argument let us say that all law-abiding citizens surrender their firearms. Who will have the remaining firearms? Police and Military? Sure, but is it really such a stretch to think that criminals will also have them? Last I heard criminals don't obey laws.

I was thinking this morning about how much I have to be thankful for today ... well, every day actually. The things I talk about online are rarely the things I like or approve of, but that's what keeps it interesting.

I've been told that I always expect people to live up to a higher standard than they can achieve, but during the season that begins today they usually do. Their smiles are more heart-felt, their generosity more genuine, they are more courteous, more apt to hold a door open for others, and they are more like the best we can all be. That's why I'm thankful for this season; it shows what we could be all year round if we only would.

I'm thankful to live in East Tennessee where the mountains, rivers, lakes, skies and vistas are always breath-taking.

I'm thankful for the life I've been allowed to live. Though I'm far from wealthy, I'm rich in ways few can calculate. When my Mother died in 2011 my own children each called to make sure I was okay, to console and encourage me, and to tell me just how much they love me and how important I am to them.

I'm thankful for my wife. We've been together almost 20 years and when I've had a hard day, I'm upset, or facing a challenge I'm not sure I can overcome; I think of her and somehow it doesn't matter if I get slammed to the ground because I know she's going to be there to help me to my feet again. Her trust is so precious to me, her love warms my heart no matter how cold it may be, and her arms lift me higher than I ever thought I could reach.

My friends, though few, are my family. They see me for who I really am, and they generally get me {not bad because sometimes I don't even get myself}.

These are my heart, my life's blood, and my soul, and I am thankful for each and every one. Most of all I am thankful to our Father for giving me this life, and pray He forgives me for the times I forget the blessings He has set before me. I'm also thankful to my Brother, the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords, for making a way for me to be a part of His Family.

Last, but not least, I'm thankful that my heart remains tender enough to recognize these and other blessings, and beauty, in my life. I hope that in this season your heart allows you to see the same kinds of things in your own life.

Peace and love go with you every day of your life. Happy Thanksgiving, and may you have a Holy Day season that is amazing and wondrous.

Knight / Q

In just a few days Thanksgiving.

Does Thanksgiving feel just a bit early to anyone else? When my wife reminded me that Thanksgiving is "next week", it somehow took me by surprise. Maybe it is nothing more than how the days fall this month, but this whole year has been like that.

According to some, the Mayans have cancelled Christmas this year. Truth is, if you look at the history of Christmas, it has probably never actually been Christmas anyway {and some Christians have banned the celebration as pagan and evil with some very valid reasons}, so if the world ends on 12-21, I'd like to wish everyone a happy TEOTWAWKI {The End Of The World As We Know It}.

In this season there will be much going to and fro, tempers flaring, cars and trucks crashing, and while we give thanks to God for "blessings" there will be men, women, and children being wounded by bullets, grenades, IED's, bombs, etc. There will be those who die of starvation because the government they are forced to trust feasts on the food meant for the people.

Across this whole planet there will be so much more cruelty than kindness, and what kindness there is will be what can be put on the amount line of a check. Not one splinter, blister, or bleeding knuckle will we see when tuppence may suffice. Send money to foreign lands and ignore those 2 blocks {or less} from the house or church in dire need. How much crueler can people get? Keep your eyes open this season, you will see.

I recall that Jesus taught that in all things that we do we are to do unto others as we would have others do unto us {Joe South put it, "Walk a mile in my shoes"}. If we were to put this into action, what better season to begin than now, and carry that forward into the whole year? But we all know this won't happen because people might actually have to engage, might have to talk to someone else face to face, might have to smell the bad breath, or look at missing teeth. Might have to accept the burden that welfare is not a government program but a moral obligation that everyone shares.

This time beginning 3 days after the Winter Solstice was originally called Sol Invictus, a celebration of the rebirth of the sun, and was incorporated by Constantine and the Councils of Nicea and Laodicea to make Christianity look less Jewish and more like the pagan religions the Roman Empire was more familiar with. Personally, I suspect there's a reason that the Bible doesn't tell us what day/month Jesus was born for a reason.

I've never understood why humans will default to cruel apathy instead of love. Why it is so important to find a box to put someone in, why disagreement and hatred go hand in hand, and this list goes on and on. What all this has taught me is that if the Christ were among us today, the vast majority of people {mainly those who call themselves by His name} would hunt Him down and crucify Him again, and think they have done God a service.

The one thing I do love about this season is the Christmas Songs. I indulge myself in the illusion that maybe there's a world out there that isn't the one I've described above. Maybe there are real people that help their neighbor {Love your neighbor as you love yourself}, those who would cross the street to help the beaten publican rather than to avoid him, and those who really would give the shirt off their own back to someone in need.

You see, those in my "illusion" do exist, they are out there. Some call themselves Christian, but others call themselves Atheist. Some call themselves Jews, others call themselves Muslims. These are the ones I cherish, pray for, and call my brothers and sisters. The rest just wear labels that present an illusion of something they aren't, and most will never be.

To these few I offer this Holy Day greeting.

You do good. It baffles the rest. :-)

Got your attention? Wouldn't this be grand? Used Kayak central location for people stopping off the highway in route to Tennessee rivers, to tour from Harriman to SwanPond on the water, to cruise around all our area lakes and rivers.

Why? Well, I am seeking advice on what Kayak to buy, and it will likely be used unless I can find some reason to purchase new.

I have no clue about Kayaks but would love to know more. Do I need a seat which is contained within the kayak or on top, just what do I need with regard to a kayak.

With the recent triathlon events in Roane County, which are likely to grow, hopefully more Roane County (and surrounding area) residents will want to begin participating yet one cannot really buy what you need at WalMart.

Been to Knoxville four times and more confused than ever as it relates to Kayaks.

Ideas?

ROCKWOOD, TENN. — A 41-year-old man struck by an SUV Thursday night died of his injuries this morning at University of Tennessee Medical Center. Robert Nelson of Rockwood was flown by medical helicopter to the Knoxville hospital shortly after the 8:30 p.m. incident. Nelson was walking across North Gateway Avenue when he was hit by a Ford Expedition driven by Larry A. Thompson, 35, also of Rockwood, investigating Rockwood Police Officer Jared Hall said. The officer said several witnesses described the accident as "unavoidable." No charges were filed. Is Larry Thomspon related to Rockwood city councilman William Thompson? View all photos

I just wanted to pop in and say hello. I haven't been to this site much lately at all. I was just busy moving back where I belong; Kingston..Good Ole K Town! I enjoy this site, especially when the discussion stays topic and doesn't turn into personal attacks. You can get a lot of information on this site that you can't find out about anyplace else; such as community events, announcements, charity yard sales, ect..

Most who have been on this site for a while, pretty well know me. Yes, I am still a registered Republican (sorry Steve), although I often disagree with some of the BS they try to do. When that happens I will not defend them if I think it's wrong. And, I will continue to voice my opinion on what Democrats do; good or bad.

Listen people. This country is in big trouble. It isn't too late to fix it. It will be a very slow process. But, the first step is to clean out Congress and the Senate. There is no compromising even on a good idea. And, this would happen if the Democrats had control of the Congress. Before the last election the Democrats did have control, and nothing was happening then either. I have been in favor of term limits for years. Yes, it's usually the Republican party who shoots that down. I get tired of hearing "We have term limits; every time people go vote. They can vote me out if they feel like it". "Yeah, but whoever is running against you can't afford to buy your seat." And the Democrats won't fool with it because they know the Republicans won't let it happen anyway. My point is this. We control who goes to Washington, but we can't control what they do when they get there. And as long as we keep sending the same people, we will continue to deserve what we get, and get what we deserve. We can all complain, get mad, speak out, or whatever. But until you and I, "WE" decide we are going to stop sending the same people there, then you and I, "WE" deserve what we are getting.

OK, enough about the political stuff, and all the blog entries. I just stopped in to say hello. I've misses SOME of you, haha.

Just wanted to remind everyone this Saturday is the 21st Annual Dennis Ferguson Free Fishing Rodeo for Kids. Fishing will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Roane County Park. Grab your fishing poles and tackle boxes and bring your family out to enjoy the fun. We will have lunch, tshirts, trophies and more.. Please contact me if you would like to volunteer.. See ya then!!

(removed...spam...go away, please. spamming at Roaneviews is a waste of a spammers precious time)

This has got to be one of my favorite business ventures in recent history. FINALLY, a group of highly educated, and even more highly motivated individuals have designed and built not only an electric car, but one worthy of being called a Modern American Roadster.

Tesla Motors Link... has a roadtser than puts out 295 lb-ft torque while pumping out 288 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 60-mph in 3.7-seconds from 0-rpm. This car is not only environmentally friendly and energy conscious with zero tailpipe emission and zero dependence on gasoline or oil, but it's one SEXY, FAST Ride!

Granted, it's a two seater, but be sure to check out the site Link... in 2012 Tesla Motors is offering a sedan that will get 300 miles per single charge.

Oh, by the way, the Tesla Roadster starts at 4100k, but there is a Federal incentive that pays you $7500 for the purchase! The Sedan ( a.k.a. the Model S) will start at $49k.

I was tipped off to this website while reading an article on upcoming IPOs within the year. So I decided to look into Tesla Motors to see what they're all about...I'm glad I did.

I recently read about paranormal investigators spending time in the old Alexander Inn in Oak Ridge.

Now I find out that they have also visited the old Swan Pond Methodist Church and graveyard trying to catch glimpses of ghosts of the preacher that hung himself in the bell tower, and of the half a dozen good people that supposedly died after eating a fellowship supper there.

I also understand that some local teenagers have spent time on the hill trying to see and photograph these apparitions. My question is, "Have you done it? Do you have photos?"

'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'

God Bless America
Gene

The Creative Arts Co-op announces its annual Spring Break Art Camp for 1st through 7th graders. The day camp offers students a chance to get creative -and sometimes messy- while exploring the arts. The cost is $85.00 per student and includes all materials and snacks.

For information or registration, please contact the Creative Arts Co-op at 865/765-1129 or visit Link...

I had a wonderful visit with Joe Davis Saturday. He the fellow with the railroad cars in his front yard in South Harriman. Gary Baker, Julian Ahler, and I toured his fantastic railroad collection. I will post photos of that adventure on my blog and on Flickr later in the week.

However, what I want to show you now are the neat old photos I found among his collection, made between 1901 and 1914 of the Waldensia Coal and Coke Company that was constructed off the Westel Exit of I-40 on Milestone Mountain Road.

The company built a dam across Mammy's Creek and used the water from the resulting lake to power their sawmill and coal washers. The coal was put into ovens and burned at high temperatures for several days before turning into coke. The coke was shipped by railroad to steel furnaces all around the country.

The dam, the lake, and the coke ovens are all that remain of this bygone day. It's history that made this country great...we should not forget what was done there.

GO HERE to see the entire collection of current and old photos.

As some of you may already know, the Creative Arts Co-op lost its agreement with Holy Joe's and is no longer able to rent the space for its theatre division (youth camps, recitals, murder mysteries, etc.) We are currently searching to find a new home in Roane County before camp and murder mystery season are upon us. But - to date - have been unsuccessful. So, I am reaching out to the community for help in the search. The Co-op primarily works with children, but also produces community theatre and professional theatre shows (in addition to visual arts, etc.). If anyone has any suggestions or a city is interested in having a theatre outfit in town, please let me know. Please e-mail me directly, so we don't clog the web site. Thank you for your help. My e-mail is mkeisenberg@creativeartsco-op.com.

Probably a good call. If the forecasts are accurate, it is better to have them at home. It is always harder to get them there and then try to fight bad roads and weather while transporting our most precious cargo. Although I don't always agree with the DOS, she has made a good decision this time.

Teacher's Birthday Wishes Arrive Yearly

Most of us have a favorite teacher we think about now and again. But few of us ever hear from that teacher again. Not so the students of Mr. Stroup's eighth-grade class at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis.

Link

Free To Good Home...2 year old b/w Border Collie. He needs a lot of space to run. Will not do well with other pets. He loves to play ball, frisbee, and fetch. Knows simple comands (sit, come, [learning stay], house/kennel).
Forgot to mention in the above that he has papers!

Please email me with any questions you might have: kafitzsimons@comcast.net

The DOE plans to send waste into TN landfills from states who's citizens do not want the waste buried in their or DOE landfills in that State. Why is Tennessee the dumping ground for millions of pounds of radioactive waste? Are'nt we doing enough to help by processing the waste, why for $0.015 per pound do we risk the health of this state?

The waste entering landfills in this state is checked by the company that accepts the waste from out of state. There is little if any analysis performed and they can mix high level wastes in with low level wastes as long as it meets the levels on paper.

If the Midtown landfill becomes able to accept the fly ash then it can accept radioactive waste also. Should'nt someone be concerned?

Link...

Does anyone know who was killed on Gallaher Road this evening? I have heard the man in the truck was from Florida, but have not heard who was riding the bicycle. My thoughts and prayers go out to both families and all of the emergency workers who worked the scene.

Have there been any further developments on this? It's been almost 2 months now and I haven't ready anything recently about it.

New Alert!

I was just notified by the Kingston Police Department that this morning Rocky and Leon Houston cut off their GPS ankle bracelets.

If you know any public official or member of law enforcement, please notify them that the Houston's movement can no longer be tracked and that they should take safety precautions they deem appropriate.

Thank you.
Brant W Williams, Member Kingston City Council

DISCLAIMER: The opinions & ideas posted above are those of Brant W. Williams and may or may not be shared by other council members, city officials, or city employees.

Addiction recovery

Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church has an addiction program that is extremely successful. We have helped over 140 local people overcome their alcohol or drug addictions with God's help. It is an 8 month program and we recently had 10 graduates of the program for which we are extremely proud. They have replaced their addiction with God. We utilize missions in approx. 5 states. The cost is around $600--total--when you leave--you owe nothing. (The $$ is for blood work before you go, transportation there and back for the church van/car,meals for you and the people who are transporting you, a small amount of $$ in a private account for you, and the cost of a bus ticket back home. Representatives of our church will visit you at your home, our church, or even in jail. We will go to bat for you in court, provide a place for you to stay until a bed is ready in one of the missions and be there with you until you are transported to a mission full of people who had the same problems you have. Help is available---just ask. You can call someone from our mission at 245-8367 or 617-9749. If you don't do it now----when will you?

Some of you may remember a thread on "so-called daylight savings" that was posted back at the time of the Spring equinox. We were emerging from the long nights of Winter and people were glad they could change the hands of their watches and clocks and gain some extra daylight. Of course some of us said this was just shifting "time" to make it appear different.

Planning a funeral is a very difficult time for any family. David's funeral arrangements are as follows, from what I understand:

Thursday, June 11, 2009 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Kyker Funeral Home - Kingston
Friday, June 12, 2009 10:00 am: Emory Heights Church

So sad. God bless David, his family, and all involved.

Yesterday I received a telemarketing call from someone who identified himself as being from "Democracy in Action." He was very rude and persistent in wanting me to donate $150 to help President Obama's health care program.

should just be left alone to do their business and self-regulate their damage and effluents as they see fit,(I think the term he uses is "laissez-faire"), should look to the example of Peru. If the damage they have done here were not enough just give them free reign and see what they can do. Peru does have some strict regulation, but non-existent enforcement in too many areas. Because it is real gold and not black gold in those mines, somehow makes it even more disgusting.
Poor people and their land being exploited for natural resources, repeat, repeat.
Link

8:50 a.m. ET, Representative Dennis Ferguson returned my call from yesterday. I urged him to take a serious look at the Selenium Bill, vote NO, and that I recognize that his good friend, Senator Yager sponsored the bill on the senate side.

Further I told Rep. Ferguson that many folks in our community have faith in him and we cannot take any additional poisons in our waterways. Further, I told Rep. Ferguson that we need his help; Senator McNally has told many that selenium is good for human health. We all know selenium is used in Rx, however, we are talking about selenium at harmful levels. We cannot have our water inflicted with additional selenium.

I expressed how this bill is following party lines and it should matter what party one supports as this bill is flat out wrong for our environment.

National Coal is behind this bill sponsored by Senator Yager and I expressed to Representative Fergusson that this is flat out wrong and bad policy.

Please, I urge each of you to call Representative Ferguson and request he not support this bill.

Now, he told me "I am here to be of service". Let us keep him to that word.

SM

Well, here ya have it. There IS some good news to be found on this earth! Never be a doubter!

Reminds me of Ben Franklin's statement of faith: "The existence of beer is proof positive that there is a merciful God who loves us and wants us to be happy!"

See beer good news at: Link...

a grinning RB

Citizen's Air Monitoring Training
Hot dog dinner/ Potluck
TODAY Saturday 5PM- 7PM
Roane County Park
Shelter 1
Learn about the air monitoring program happening in Roane County including theory and hands on activities. If you can program a digital watch, put on vinyl gloves, and use a pair of tweezers you can use this air monitor. There are lots of ways to be invovled that don't include fine motor skills.