WC - a few days ago you mentioned the CASA 5K run held at Roane State each year. Of course, CASA is a wonderful and very necessary cause.

I found out - via the RCN! - that this years CASA run/walk is being held in honor of and dedicated to a long-time friend of mine, Dick Evans. Dick, a Kingston attorney, has strongly supported CASA forever. I think it is totally fitting that this run this year is in his honor.

Phil Bredesen was just in a commercial WITH Bill Haslam supporting a "yes" vote on Amendment 2 in Tennessee.

I'm shocked.

RB

Transparency in government... 3 local counties fail. Roane is NOT one of the failures.

(link...)

RB

See, and consider supporting, the cause below. No, it's not political - in fact, it's apolitical. But the fact is that it could benefit all of us:

(link...)

RB

Check out the cultural, artistic, citizenship, learning and other positive things going on in Paraguay... based on a unique way of recycling trash. I dare you to spend the 11 minutes with this video and not be moved.

(link...)

RB

Well, Jack lost the race. But I hope he won't stay away from future races.

On a personal level I agree with Jack on some things and I disagree with him on some things. But he ran a totally clean race. He ran an informative race - we all knew pretty clearly what Jack stands for and what we could expect out of him. He's a stable person who is a real servant - and this can be seen in the way he's lived his life, not just in what he says. I beleve he DOES care about people the way he says he does, and that's because actions speak louder than words; he's been directly involved in things that SHOW he cares.

I have rarely, if ever, initiated a post here that dealt purely with politics. But here goes.

This pisses me off. No other way to say it.
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Sorry of most of it is behind the RCN's paywall. But Beth Harwell is talking about legislation that will keep people from being able to vote their choices.

David has an interesting lesson on public discourse. You can't write IN PUBLIC on PUBLIC FORA and expect people to not comment or not quote you. Of course, the one with the screwy expectations is pretty screwy himself. From KNS: (link...)

RB

Just saw a note about a new item on News 8 in Knoxville that Tom Kilgore says he is going to retire in several months, but will wait till a replacement is named.

Your breaking news reporter,

RB

Apparently this blog system is on Central time - it was 1:44PM EDT when I created this, and the system said 12:44...

C'est la vie.

... who seem to have a penchant for making big legislative issues out of non-essential trivia.

The folks in the TN General Assembly have earned some fair criticism for legislating on lots of things besides bringing jobs, fixing the economy, etc. As I said, fair criticism.

But California (surprised with that state being brought up, huh?) has at least equaled Tennessee in asininity.

I have for a long time thought of Steve Cohen (D - TN) as one of the most intelligent legislators of either party that I have known. I began to admire him when he was in the TN legislature from Memphis (pronounced MAM-fuss).

But I have to wonder if the air or kool-aid or something in DC has worked to the detriment of his neurons. See:
(link...)

... concerning the current Occupy Wall Street phenomenon.

Quite frankly, I've misunderstood a lot of it, I know a lot of other people have. And I still think some protestors misunderstand it because of slogans and other things that don't really impart information (and only inflame emotions).

Just cause we deserve it! Mark Kroos, whom I discovered on knoxivi.com - a Knoxville internet TV channel - is absolutely amazing. His music is captivating, engrossing, and will simply pull you in to listen to it. Listeing to it and WATCHING him play it is utterly fascinating. He is one of VERY few to play this kind of guitar. He recently won a world title playing the guitar. Just amazing! I'm not gonna give it away. If you don't know Mark Kroos and his music, just check out these links!!

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There ya go! One for each of the weekdays - plus a bonus! - remaining till WC finds us another Feel Good Friday! Enjoy!

RB

"The Diviners" by Jim Leonard, Jr opened Thursday night, April 7, in the theatre at RSCC.

I saw the opening night. The crowd, although smallish (as Thursday opening nights tend to be), was responsive and appreciated the production. You probably should see it, too.

... or - A Commentary on Education as Often Practiced

I hope this works - it's my first attempt at imbedding. If it doesn't, I know WC and OneT can help me learn.

Anyway - I felt this musical example spoke more eloquently than I ever could.

RB

I figured it and I'm sure many others did... When the RCN's online presence became so accessible and readable, when one could read the entire paper online... It felt like a hook was about to be sunk in our cheeks, and it was. We got used to seeing it all. Now we'll have to pay for it. But I have a question...

And 3000 new jobs in TN has to be a good thing. I know there are arguments on both sides of this issue, and some of the arguments either way seem to make sense. I present it here for your edification, consideration, and possible discussion.

It has to do with an economic impact study on wine in grocery stores, along with beer. See below:
(link...)

RB

Is the website's software having a glitch. Column width adjustment seems off... spreads off the screen.

RB

found right here on RoaneViews... It's about the BP oil spill... see
(link...)

RB

... died shortly after 5PM today. It's been a real rough time for the family. She went to the hospital on Friday after burying Mike's Father the same Wednesday.

RB

Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning "To Kill a Mockingbird" is under way at the Theatre in the O'Brien Humanities Building at Roane State Community College.

TVA has contracted to buy over 100 MW of power from an Iowa green utility.

See:
(link...)

RB

To post something positive about a community that is admittedly less than perfect. Harriman, and specifically Cornstalk Heights, won a singular distinction recently. And I think it is worthy of note.

I've come across a Facebook page that I think could be very useful to Roane citizens. The Roane County Office of Emergency Services & Homeland Security has a (relatively) new page on the social networking site Facebook.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 4 PM EST SATURDAY. TIMING: LIGHT SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FALLING ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON...AND INCREASE IN INTENSITY THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING. THE SNOW MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES FRIDAY NIGHT. THE... SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN TO DECREASE THROUGH SATURDAY.

ACCUMULATIONS: SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ARE EXPECTED
ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE IN
THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS.

Snow should start in Roane County between 1-2PM in the southern areas, e.g. Whites Creek. The part of the county north of I-40 likely to receive more than the rest of the county.

RB

Two legislators have asked the TN Attorney General, Robert Cooper, to prepare to take legal action to protect the state from the unfndated mandate portions of the healthcare reform bill currently being considered. According to the legislators, the bill would require to increase its state Medicaid program with $1.4 BILLION in additional funds from the state's taxpayers.

I have had dealings with one of these legislators on other issues, and have found her to be a very bright and thoughtful legislator.

See: (link...)

RB

Here's a Blog "heads up" for the Event shown on bottom of right column of this website. Check it out!
RB

..."The die is cast..."

Apparently the City of Rockwood has decided to move forward with the annexation process. See more at:
(link...)

RB

Many of us mountain living types indigenous to this blessed part of the world love our rhododenrons, don't we? And why not? They're grand!

A recent study by the US Forest Services shows they may be culprits in landslides - especially after the kind of weather we've been experiencing lately. Read more: (link...)

RB