"Knox County Law Director John Owings said he will ask the Knox County Commission to agree to re-do the appointment process." -- from WBIR.com

Will they vote differently? I doubt it.

Anybody heard any word on when the peak weekend will be for the azaleas on top of Gregory's Bald? I know it is supposed to be mid to late June, but I was not sure how much this drought will affect the timing. Thanks.

I was just wondering how some folks felt about charging admission to enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This would alleviate major financial problems that the park faces today and will undoubtedly face in the future. The Grand Canyon now charges $25 per vehicle, even if the GSMNP charged $10 it would bring in millions. Of course it would take an act of congress to change this policy, but who would be against it? Would anyone here be opposed to the park charging just like the others?

It makes no apparent sense that the Vols are not one of the top 30 teams...

The writing has been all over the wall for the past few weeks. As the leading Democratic vote getter in August though, it would not surprise me to see him back in the picture next year. Let's all wish the best of luck to the new sheriff and their (yes I am aware it's plural...TH and JJ) appointed buddies on commission. The campaign starts tomorrow at 10:00am, so get out there and start raising that money.

Link...

Want to be a Republican?

Here's what you need to know...

Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.

Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions.

A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches, while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy, but providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.

Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense, but a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's military record is none of our business.

Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host.Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.

You support states' rights, but the Attorney General can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.

What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

Kinda off the political radar, but does it piss anyone else off how in the last 10 or so years we have gone straight into Christmas the day after Halloween? Merchants can't seem to wait until the 4th Friday of November anymore before cramming the Holiday season down our throat. I am not trying to be a Scrooge, I just don't like how Thanksgiving is being pushed aside because Christmas is better for the economy.

Yahoo news outlet is reporting Tester has taken the senate seat in Montana. Is Virginia the next Florida?

Ok folks,

Everyone on this forum has by now has seen all the polls and read all the article and probably even voted already. It is time to truly make a difference. T-FAC is a group I just made up this morning and it stands for Tennesseans for a Change. Who here is willing to get 10 other people to vote Harold Ford Jr? I am coming in town this weekend to vote and that is what I plan on doing. Whether you remind someone who has yet to vote, convince a conservative to switch or ride your buddies who don’t give a shit to make it down to a poll for 5 minuets. No matter what happens in this election, we need to flood the East Tennessee polls with (D)’s so the pompous asses around here don’t take us for granted.

I expect some trolling on this thread by the uncles and coaches out there-screw em. I don’t know what else to do, Is anybody with me on this idea?

It is that time of year. I am proud to say that this is a little bit of my produce from my pesticide free organic garden. It was a good year, but I was unimpressed with my peppers. I am not going to dog Grainger County tomatoes, but anyone that has picked a vine ripened tomato off the plant and immediately ate it like an apple with a salt shaker will tell you it is much better. I used to enjoy canning stuff with my grandparents, but now I loath the activity. It is worth the pain though when you compare it to buying tomatoes in February.

I will probably be accused of being a conspiracy theorist by some, but does anyone else seem to think it is ironic that gas prices are plummeting at an unfounded rate right now with elections closing in fast.

It is only one of the biggest issues with this mid-term election other than the war in the near east. Maybe the people that control the oil industry (Dick Cheney and crew. Yes they do, don't be naive) are manipulating the price right now to calm the storm of people getting pissed?

The mainstream media say it stems from calming tensions in the Middle East, but it is still dangerous. That is a double whammy if you are a republican running for office right now. Lower gas prices, calm but still dangerous.

Thank God gays don't have anything to do with crude oil prices, there is no way I could afford to drive to work everyday. Look for gas prices to go back up after the elections, calm period or not in Iraq.

Familiar phrases you can see in today's KNS article about the senate race.

"conservative principals"

"most liberal"

"cut-and-run"

"flip flopper"

Head on, apply directly to the forehead Tennessee.

I can't remember where this took place, but I heard about a $100,000 lottery when you voted in a local election to increase voter turnout. It worked, but at what price I don't know. It obviously brought in people that were not going to vote in the first place, but I am not sure how educated they were about topics and candidates. I wonder how many people would have voted in Knox County had this been the case.

I was driving around town and thought I saw a political yard sign that said "Re-elect Nobody". I could not tell what the rest of it said though. Does anyone know what or who is behind these political signs? I thought maybe it was through the "orange ballot party".

How coincidental is it that the sheriff shows off his choppers at his "public appreciation night" days before the general election. Come on shurf, at least try to be subtle about it.

Will someone answer something for me if they can? What happens when (not if) the TN supreme court enforces term limits in September? Will commissioners be stripped of their job immediately, and if they do will there be a special run off? I am sure they will appeal so that will take time. I heard that the non-term limited commissioners could hand pick people to replace them. Would they pick the sheriff too IF (VOTE TYREE!!) he wins? This just stinks, I feel like my vote will not count unless the incumbents I vote against lose. Sincerely, confused.

Found it somewhat surprising the sentinel endorsed Hutchison for sheriff. Hutchison openly bashes every news outlet in Knoxville including the sentinel and gets an endorsement. This due to his experience over Tyree, but then they endorse Emge without any experience in regards to the Register of Deeds position. Tyree has said he would mend fences with local media outlets by opening up toward them regarding public information and cooperate with outside agencies to help solve crimes more efficiently. No ego, no vindictiveness, no BS.  But hey, what would you expect from KnoxNews.

I saw that Randy Tyree released his tax information to the public for the past few years. I don't think there is any way Tim Hutchison will do the same thing would he? He is truly a shademeister.

Folks,  Regarless of your political affiliation you should really consider Randy Tyree as your choice for next Sheriff of Knox County. Unlike the current sheriff, his integrity and willingness to work with others goes unquestioned. Forget  partisenship and term limits for a second and just look at the 2 canidates. Can we really stand any more terms from this guy and his administration?