I've noticed lately that I'm getting a bunch of e-mails trying to sell me things to clean out my colon, complete with disgusting color photos of what appear to be 5-foot turds. They're peddling yogurts with "fiber" in them, too. Who wants laxative in their yogurt?

But today's e-mail took the cake, so to speak.

I love a man who's not scared of getting his ass whooped by a woman.

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Don't trust myself to comment on this beyond wondering if Defreese aspires to be South Knox's Lumpy Lambert.

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Sean Braisted has a moving tribute to MLK:

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I was at the Roman Room when I heard the news that Martin Luther King had been shot. I was eight months pregnant with Rachael (I know, sounds bad, being in a smoke-filled barroom when I was that pregnant), and Ruby, the waitress (she wouldn't have called herself a server) announced "They've shot Martin Luther King!"

This moment left a scar on my heart that I carry to this day, and will to the grave.

And the frat boys at the table next to us started cheering. I thought I was going to pass out. Seriously. I couldn't catch my breath. They were calling him Martin Luther Coon, and having a big time. My husband, Joe, was trying to get me to calm down, but soon as I could, I stood up and started cussing them.

Joe, who was afraid I was going to go into labor, cajoled, pleaded, dragged me out of the place, finally. I cannot recall being angrier, sadder or more outraged at anything, ever in my life.

Rachael was born in May, and Joe, who had just finished college and gotten drafted, was shipped overseas and didn't get to see her until she was two months old. By December, he was dead. Our son, Joey, was born the following July.

(With apologies to my daughter for giving away her age)

Hillary has a sitdown with Richard Mellon Scaife.

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This is remarkable.

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I am almost at a loss for words to describe the story on the cover of today's News-Sentinel, so I'll link it:
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Note that this story says that the trees being planted will die.

Then please take a look at this story from the Tennessean, which also features Zeb Mountain, but in a very different light.

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Have you seen a story about Dawn Coppock's bill in the NS, except a recent brief saying that the AG has opined that it's not constitutional?
No
You've seen it in Metro Pulse and in the Shopper. The Sentinel has ignored Coppock's efforts, despite the fact that she is a Knoxvillian, and the church that is supporting her efforts is in Knoxville.

Fred Brown has been punked by Big Coal. I am embarrassed for him.

CNN projecting Foster the winner.

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This reeks. Anybody up for throwing up a picket line around Federal Court?? I've never heard of a "secret" trial -- not in America, anyway.

This is one cool commercial -- Obama's working for the party

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Limbaugh wants the Democratic race to continue.

(CNN) – As Hillary Clinton battles to keep her presidential bid alive, she may be getting help from an unlikely source: conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.

Limbaugh has been actively urging his Texas listeners to cross over and vote for Clinton in that state's open primary Tuesday, arguing it helps the Republicans if the Democratic race remains unsettled for weeks to come.

"I want Hillary to stay in this…this is too good a soap opera," Limbaugh told fellow conservative talk-show host Laura Ingraham on Fox News Friday. He reiterated the comments on his Monday show and replayed the exchange with Ingram.

He also said Clinton is more willing than the Republican National Committee and John McCain's campaign to criticize Barack Obama.

"We need Barack Obama bloodied up politically....

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Joker's wild:

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This:
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Or THIS?

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Looks like Cindy might have been out-of-sorts yesterday and taken it out on Mrs. Obama.

The first link I posted has disappeared behind the subscribers' curtain, but this one seems to work:

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Ron McMahan, editor of the Knoxville Journal in the '80s, passed away Tuesday morning.

Ron was editor during the paper's Gannett ownership, then bought it himself. He was a throwback, old-school newsman who also served as Howard Baker's press secretary during the Watergate years.

He told the best stories of anybody. I wish he'd written a book.

Ron was a big, gruff guy who could sometimes be absolutely infuriating, but working for him was a privilege for which I will always be grateful. It was so much fun I couldn't believe I was getting paid.

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A little change-up here:

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They'd make a very cute couple, no?

Now THIS is funny.
Mean, but bipartisan -- Hey, it came from HuffPo

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State Rep. Frank Buck, D, Dowelltown, is retiring from office.

Frank, an ornery cuss, is one of my all-time favorite legislators. He is a true maverick and and represents the best of the old-time Southern Democrats. He will almost certainly be replaced by a Republican, further narrowing the balance of power in the last Democratic bastion.

When I worked the legislature, I beat him up pretty bad on women's issues, but over time, I came to admire him and we became friends.

Damn, I'll miss him.

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This is a fabulous political web site with something for just about everybody:

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Check out the polling date:

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And the new videos and other funny stuff:

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Apologies for linking my own story, but this one features one of the smartest, best people I know. What she's doing this winter could make history.

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This is an email I got from the Dem Senatorial Committee:

Dear Elizabeth M. ,

Just 18 days into 2008, and we already have the first great news of the year.

In Mississippi, Republican Governor Haley Barbour has been trying to circumvent the state's constitution and delay the special election to replace retired Sen. Trent Lott until November. Earlier this week, the state courts shot down this plan and ordered a special election on or before March 19. The case is being appealed to the state Supreme Court, so the situation is still very fluid.

Why do Haley Barbour and Trent Lott want to delay this election? Because they're worried they're going to lose.

Try to read this one without weeping.
Bruce Pearl rules.

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We're coming at you. Your ships will explode in a couple of minutes.

Looks like the Straits of Hormuz Incident wasn't what we were told.

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I spoke with Tyler Harber this morning, and he's not impressed with the new round of the inquisition.

He says he's been down this road before, and that he's always been willing to come tell his story, under two conditions:

1. Subpoena
2. Immunity

"But that's where it breaks down. We've played footsie before, but they won't offer me immunity. What's going on there is a bunch of old guys holding onto the past holding on to something they found exciteable."

"They want me to come down -- I say OK -- but you subpoena me and you offer me immunity. And that's where it breaks down.

"This is a political black hole, and life goes on. There are so many other things they could be doing. "

Finally, John Owings informed the body that their subpoena powers end at the county line.

My fabulous SIL has announced his new (to be released in 2008) video game.

I, myself am not proficient in these video game things, but I can tell you that Tim is one of the most fun people in all creation -- a San Francisco treat! Better than Rice-A-Roni, even. And very sweet to my daughter, West Coast-Rach.

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The city filed suit against the county today over the stormwater ordinance.

I hadn't seen this video. It's well worth watching.
How the hell did this guy lose the presidency to Bush?
Oh, nevermind.

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This comment on Wonkette, re Richard Nixon's complaint that Fred was way dumb to deal with the Democrats' Watergate hearing counsel Sam Dash, really did make me LOL.

BY J-MAN AT 12:26 AM
"Dash is too smart for that kid," Nixon can be heard to say.
Hell, Mrs. Dash is smarter than Freddy. (Not to mention Mrs. Butterworth, Uncle Ben, Betty Crocker, and Aunt Jemima.)"

Evidently, Owings has changed his mind about the 30-day delay.

Sorry, Tramel.

Not.

Somebody needs to change some bumperstickers to "Re-appoint Bogus."

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