Biden’s Nominees

It is no secret that we are poorly governed at the federal level. I believe that state and local governments are more responsive to their constituents. One of the obvious examples of poor governance can be found amongst those appointed by the president – and...

Cui Bono

We hang petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. ~ Aesop By Dr. Jim Ferguson We are connected like never before. As I sat down to begin this essay I got a call from Betty’s Beauty Bar in Lansing, Ohio. Perhaps it was election day confusion because I...

Two Steves and a Joe

By Joe Rector joerector@comcast.net While I mowed the upper lot of the yard, I looked across the road and saw a tractor at the neighbor’s house. Steering it was Steve Cox. We began first grade together, and both have lived within spitting distance of our boyhood...

A Loss for Country Music

By Ralphine Major I saw them early in their career.  The Judds came to Knoxville during the Tennessee Valley Fair and performed at the Homer Hamilton Theatre.  I happened to be nearby when they exited the bus and got a quick picture. The mother/daughter duo captivated...

Lucky to have all the jobs I had

By John J. Duncan Jr. duncanj@knoxfocus.com A few years ago, I was speaking to about 100 eighth graders in the Rayburn Room at the U.S. Capitol. One of the students asked me if I liked my job. I immediately replied that I loved my job and felt very lucky to have it. I...