April 2010

A True Gentleman Passes

Submitted by Gene Patterson on April 29, 2010 - 3:38pm

I was sorry to hear this morning of the passing of Andy Kozar.

I didn't know him well, but the times I was privileged to be in his presence will be fondly remembered.

I never saw him play, but as a UT alum I was very aware of his name and of his exploits on the field. He helped Tennessee win a national title in 1951.

But Andy was more than just a football player. He was also a teacher.

After his playing days, he earned a PH.D from Michigan in 1961 and returned to UT to head up its Phys Ed department.

Sports Anchor Sounds Off About Local News

Submitted by Gene Patterson on April 14, 2010 - 7:25pm

Dallas sports anchor Dale Hansen isn't too happy with his station these days. WFAA8 - against his advice - recently aired a story about Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

The story was based on some grainy video and sound taken of Jones without his apparent knowledge. The video shows Jones talking about former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells and former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in less than flattering tones.

Hansen didn't believe the story was news and said as much to his bosses...and to his viewing audience.

Ramsey Gives Feds the Boot in New TV Ad

Submitted by Gene Patterson on April 14, 2010 - 4:10pm

Tennessee's Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey has released his first tv campaign ad for governor.

It promises to give the federal government "the boot" if they don't like how things are done in Tennessee.

While the spot does not mention his republican opponents, the Wamp campaign was quick to criticize Ramsey.

Neal Questions KNS Double Standard

Submitted by Gene Patterson on April 8, 2010 - 3:03pm

KnoxViews blogger Randy Neal wondering aloud about coverage by the Knoxville News Sentinel of Knox County's two mayors.

Neal points to today's KNS editorial, in which the newspaper defends its reporting of Chief of Staff Mike Arms attending a meeting in Oak Ridge on behalf of a private business.

Neal writes:

New Jobs Report

Submitted by Gene Patterson on April 2, 2010 - 4:35pm

New labor numbers out today show an increase of more than 162,000 non-farm jobs across the country. It's the largest monthly jobs gain in three years.

Despite that piece of good news, the overall unemployment rate remains at 9.7 percent.

So how are the two poliltical parties playing the information:

Justin Wilkins, Director of Tennessee's Chapter of Organizing for America, described it this way:

Haslam's Latest TV Ad

Submitted by Gene Patterson on April 1, 2010 - 4:12pm

The latest Bill Haslam for Governor TV ad is about to make its debut. Supporters and reporters have been given early previews of the spot that features former WBIR Heartland host Bill Landry's voice.

If you haven't seen it, here it is: