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June 29, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: The Hazards Of Being A Fair-Minded Newspaperman
I was looking out in the newsroom Tuesday and saw reporter Michael L. Owens walk by. The memories flooded back.
I’ve Worked In TV And Radio, But I Bleed Newspaper Ink
I didn’t choose newspapers. Newspapers chose me.
June 24, 2008
Carlin Was a Fearless Risk-Taker
How in the heck can a guy throw down an ode to George Carlin without cursing?
June 22, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: In Wake Of The Mitchell Affair, Readers Rally For Region
At 4 p.m. Friday, Opinion Page Editor Andrea Hopkins walked into my office. “Do you have your column for Sunday?”
ANDREA HOPKINS: Running - Not To Win - But For The Challenge And Love Of The Sport
The sun was still working to burn the mist off the fields as we took our places at the starting line last weekend.
June 15, 2008
ANDREA HOPKINS: Davis Hasn’t Learned Obstructionism Isn’t Same As Governing
U.S. Rep. David Davis, R-Tenn., is finishing an underwhelming freshman term.
J. TODD FOSTER: Kingsport Slimes-News Lives Up To Its Reputation
Kingsport Times-News reporter Hank Hayes has a bright future flacking for politicians.
June 12, 2008
Pets, Not Cars, Are Biggest Threat To Cyclists
My wife had a bicycle wreck in April. It was no accident.
June 09, 2008
NBC’s Andrea Mitchell Apologizes For “Redneck” Comments
NBC’s Andrea Mitchell has apologized for comments she made last week about the Bristol visit of Senator Barack Obama, comments that were the subject of J. Todd Foster’s recent column. On June 5th, Mitchell told NBC viewers that the area the democratic candidate visited was “real redneck, sort of, bordering on Appalachia country.”
June 08, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Thank You, Andrea Mitchell, For The Ready-Made Column
IF ANDREA MITCHELL of NBC News were telling Jeff Foxworthy jokes, and let’s hope she could do it without all the “uhms” and “you knows,” her lead would be: “You might be a redneck if you live in Southwest Virginia.”
ANDREA HOPKINS: Obama’s Prescription For Health Care Is Worth Investigating
Barack Obama easily wowed an enthusiastic, supportive crowd that packed the Virginia High School gymnasium for a midday rally last week.
Government Control Of Drug Prices Will Stifle Research And Development
The establishment of Medicare Part D meant that the federal government, for the first time, would pay for prescription medicines used by American senior citizens.
June 05, 2008
Closing Schools Will Hurt Wise County
Wise County school leaders should think hard before embracing consolidation. Once these decisions are made, there is no turning back.
June 03, 2008
Insurance Never Intended to Cover Costs of Routine Care
The true purpose of insurance is protection from catastrophic loss.
June 01, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: McClellan Set Free By The Truth About His Former Boss
Just how bad has the Bush presidency been? Bad enough to shame even a longtime Bush loyalist.
ANDREA HOPKINS: For More Walkable City, Start With Sidewalks, Driver Attitudes
With gas inching toward $4 a gallon, the timing is right for Bristol Tennessee’s push to extend a network of bicycle and walking paths across the city.
Judicial Selection Reform Long Overdue
In 2006, the state witnessed a nearly year-long battle between the Judicial Selection Commission and Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen over the process of selecting appellate judges, including state Supreme Court justices.
May 26, 2008
Remembering The Fallen, Those Who Live With Scars
Today, Memorial Day, beloved sons and daughters, devoted husbands and wives, loving mothers and fathers, cherished brothers and sisters, and best buddies will be at the forefront of families’ thoughts throughout the nation as America honors the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
May 25, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Our Foresight On Ball Park Land Deal Was 20/20
Like the proverbial blind hog that occasionally finds the acorn or the stopped clock that’s right twice a day, this newspaper’s editorial position every once in awhile is spot on, if not prophetic.
ANDREA HOPKINS: Reading, Writing And Bible Study For Tennessee High Schoolers?
Tennessee high school students might be adding another text to their backpacks next year – the Bible.
Aging Population Will Need More From Health Care System
One of the blessings of living in a democracy is that every opinion has a chance to be heard.
May 19, 2008
Remembering Tet After 40 Years
This year is the 40th anniversary of the Tet Offensive – a series of battles that solidified sentiment against the war in Vietnam.
May 18, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Faithful Reader, 83, Rates A Special Deal From Paper
After a while, it’s easy for newspapermen and women to get a little jaded and cynical.
ANDREA HOPKINS: Support The Troops With Words, Deeds And Necessary Funding
Freshman Sen. Jim Webb’s signature piece of legislation – a bill to provide more robust college education benefits for today’s veterans – cleared the House last week.
Overheated Youth Sports Rob Children Of The Joy Of The Game
The recent debate over John Battle High School’s junior varsity baseball program is not unique to this area or to particular personalities, whether they be disgruntled parents or overzealous JV coaches.
Health Care Promises Broken, Again
In 2005 when Gov. Phil Bredesen cut 170,000 people from TennCare, he closed the medically needy (or spend-down) program.
May 10, 2008
ANDREA HOPKINS: Others Recycle At Curbside; Bristol Should Find Way To Do It, Too
Bristol Tennessee leaders are on the cusp of approving the city budget for the coming year, but again it won't include any money for curbside recycling.
J. TODD FOSTER: JV Baseball Story Struck A Chord With Our Readers
An acquaintance, avid reader and critical thinker whom I respect and admire - even though he routinely infuriates me - questioned the rationale behind a front-page story last week.
April 19, 2008
Furniture Maker Left His Mark In Bristol
Tough very few of my readers will recognize the name of G.W. Blackley, even though he was one of the better-known and very highly respected citizens of early Bristol. He was born in 1813 in Albermarle County, Va. Early in his life, he was married to Margaret P. Hoge.
March 22, 2008
1912 Presidential Election Had A Tough Third-Party Candidate
America has seen its share of third-party presidential candidates, from Strom Thurman and George Wallace to H. Ross Perot and Ralph Nader. But the 1912 election featured the most formidable third-party candidate of all: former President Theodore Roosevelt of New York.
