Check out the KNS poll:

(link...)

At the moment, 86% say Al Gore should not get an honorary degree from UT.

The KNS sure knows their demographic.

That is completely consistent with today's UT. No big surprise. I wouldn't be surprised to see a name taken off a building and Gore's name put on. It's the new UT.

It will be interesting to see if there is a change in Alumni donations either way. My guess is no one cares.

UT should be complimented for this decision. The true mission of any university is the fight against ignorance. Recognizing Al Gore for his work in identifying and educating the public around the world on climate issues and technology is long overdue. I applaud the university for doing this.

In protest, I won't stop giving to the university, however, I'll give it to the athletic department when Jimmy Cheek obviously wants it to go anyway now, since he wants to honor a guy with no connection to UT, profited wildly on a climate issue which was propogated by fraud and pure profit motive. At least Howard Baker graduated from UT law school, Gore couldn't even finish his first year of law school at Vandy.

Because the dumb hicks of Gore's home state identified more with Bush Jr., who seemed more like them, the chad game in Florida gave Little Bush the presidency in 2000. It's the least the state can do to make it up to the guy. It isn't his fault that he's more intelligent than the average Tennessean--which isn't saying much.

Hey, maybe they can "honor" Bernie Madoff next!

extremely well in Roane County over the past 4 years, they'd fit right in with the nonsensical positions Al Gore has profited from and the car company he has ownership in, which is supported solely by government grants, cars that will cost $80,000, let's see why isn't that plant in Tennessee?

People who care about the university will speak quietly with their checkbooks and Jimmy Cheek and Jan Simek continue to do damage to a once great state university, lost as a casualty to politics, ego, and desire to become a research oriented school it cannot be.

Editorial: Al Gore a fine choice for honorary degree » Knoxville News Sentinel:

Here's a suggestion to those objecting to the University of Tennessee's plan to confer an honorary doctorate on Al Gore Jr.:

Get over it.

Gore is an appropriate choice for the honor.

Every now and then even a blind squirrel finds an acorn.

The power of the anti-science Red Americans.

Sorry to thread derail but not everyone has posting capability.

Tomorrow at 8:00 AM on WNOX is Round One of the Battle of the Tim's.

I would hope someone at KnoxViews will live blog this event.

Hallerin Hilton Hill, will MC the no phone calls interview of Tim Hutchison and Tim Burchett by Catherine Howell and Dave Foulk. The questions will come from the "media". Whatever that means as only WNOX will be playing the role of the media.

If I could post a thread I would ask the people of Knox County if they expect and/or want a Mayoral Debate with all Republican, Democrat, and Independent candidates on one stage. You know, if we made an issue of it here, it might happen.

What do you think? Should there be a full blown debate on live tv held at the Knoxville Convention Center? Hmmm, a poll would be interesting wouldn't it?

Feel free to make this a thread if you feel so inclined, and you can.

Giving an honorary doctorate to Gore devalues UT's prior award to Dolly Parton

In my opinion, the decision to award Al Gore an "honorary" degree from the University of Tennessee is merely a stepping stone to the Board of Trustees attempt to select him as the next president of the University of Tennessee. Coupled with the pending disposal of the University of Tennessee's president's home on Cherokee Boulevard (which could never be replaced) the Board of Trustees is decoupling the administrative offices of the university from Knoxville and moving them to Nashville, where Al Gore already has an appreciable estate and Belle Meade Country Club membership, in the fashionable Belle Meade section of Nashville.

Failed politicians make terrible presidents of universities and we learned that lesson the hard way when Lamar Alexander was installed as the President of the University of Tennessee while awaiting appointment as Secretary of Education and the university administration has been downhill ever since, with token and repeat performances by Joe Johnson and Eli Fly, which have been the brighter lights with the dark days of Gilley, Shumaker, and what's his face and the rowdy wife from Connecticut.

As a longstanding taxpayer in the State of Tennessee and donor to the University for 20 years, I'm planning on sending my kids elsewhere, anywhere, but the University of Tennessee.

May she and those who have successfully led her torch and her traditions rest in peace.

If anyone ever deserved an honorary doctorate it is Gore.
And he would make a great UT president.
I only hope we have the wisdom to offer it and he the inclination to take it.