While our current climate draws all kinds of imagery of justice, our remembrance will almost always drive us back to a blindfolded, scales holding Lady Justice.

A cynic would say "blind justice is passé." Cynics would say, ours is "the best legal system money can buy". Cynics would say you have to "pay to play". Cynics would say, "that's just how it's done".

Link...

Oh yes, one Principle Note, the Campaign has decided to make an ethical statement by not accepting donations from attorneys! The mark of a good judge is one who will rule against his former lawyer friends when they are wrong and rule for his former rivals when they're right. Don't take this the wrong way. I'm the son of a lawyer, married to a lawyer, nobody loves lawyers more than me, but the public needs to understand that justice isn't for sale to the lawyer who contributes the most to the judge's campaign.

Judge Mike Meares is not a cynic. Thank you for restoring this voters faith in the system.

The Second Annual Boys & Girls Club Motorcycle Ride will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Blount County.

Saturday, April 12, 2008, 2:00PM. Registration from 12:30 to 2:00PM at Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson Entry Fee: $20.00 per rider ($10 is tax deductible). Entry Fee includes ride, one free T-Shirt for the first 150 registered riders, and a meal.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Brochure here. For more information:

Bill Kilgore—865-388-7258
Gary Honaker—865-982-3830
Anna Beth Meccia—865-544-3825 x 221

Boy, Commissioner/Planning Commissioner Scott Helton doesn't miss a trick when it comes to helping out the Mayor's biggest contributors: (Link...)

This is like a big ole Christmas present to people who already received ill-advised RAC status. Note the key words "AND existing commercial development." (Emphasis mine.) There's a big difference between clustering commercial only at key intersections on 411S and at existing ad-hoc industrial parks/metal dumps all along the "scenic" highway.

The Planning Commission seemed to reach a consensus on language suggested by the Hunter Interests Growth Study to recommend clustering of commercial sites on U.S. 411 by zoning at key intersections and existing areas of commercial development.

County Commissioner Scott Helton didn’t want the language to just include key intersections.

“I just didn’t want us to be handcuffed down there,” Helton said.

The proposal had generated discussion about what direction was wanted for the development of U.S. 411 South.

“We have a desire not to have a strip mall all the way down the road to the county line,” Planning Commissioner Rick Brownlie said.

Yes, Heaven forbid we should limit ourselves to the recommendations we paid so much for.

No truer words were ever spoken, than by Bob Kidd re: the win of Jerry Cunningham in the primary for Mayor: (Link...)

"Tonight was a vote for pro-growth," said Kidd, who did not seek re-election. "Put that in your paper."

Just want to say that The Daily Times was spot on in the endorsement for Fred Thompson for president on MAY 20, 2007. First, ole Fred had not even declared that he was running for president when the sterling endorsement was made (he was too busy finishing up his TV appearance). Second, the declaration date was not even close to a primary. Third, it goes to show how idiotic the editor can be at the daily times. I DEMAND A RETRACTION OF THE ENDORSEMENT!

I would link the article but I'll be damned if I'll give a cent to the DT for retrieving archived articles. Someone can if they have access.