Been having trouble for a couple of weeks with random outages. After some more investigation, I think we've tracked it down to a handful of rogue servers at two ISPs generating massive spam attacks. They have been blocked and we will see how it goes.

Hopefully no legitimate users were blocked. If you are a legitimate user and were blocked, let me know. Oh, wait. If you're blocked, I guess you can't read this.

After much information has been learned about the astonishing cost of the Minvilla project, unanswered questions still remain; the main ones are:

1. Given that the estimated cost of VMC's Minvilla project is now "north of $6,000,000" (according to 6/20 quote from the Ten Year Plan's Housing Coordinator) and has been rising at ~$100k per month, why are not the many and much less expensive alternatives being pursued?

2. How does it make sense to house fragile and recently homeless individuals immediatly adjacent to those who could easily re-enable the activities which may have caused their homelessness in the first place.

According to the same quote from the Ten Year Plan's Housing Coordinator (Link...), the cost "is...kind of a moving target" so we don't actually know what the final cost will be; however, we do know that many more and less expensive options are available now. (Link...)

Much has been made of my ~$200/sq ft calculation of this $6+mm and ~30,000 sq foot project but rather than argue the math...real questions need answering. Why not help more people with more efficient use of funds? Why not help them sooner by using readily available properties? Why not locate them in an area where they are less likely to be tempted or preyed upon?

Knoxville Museum of Art

The Knoxville Museum of Art invites children and parents to celebrate summer at Family Fun Day on Saturday, July 26 from 11am to 3pm. All events at Family Fun Day are free thanks to the generous sponsorship of Anderson News, LLC, First Tennessee Bank and Regal Entertainment Group/Regal Foundation. Visit the KMA page on Art Museum Touring.com (Link...)

Children of all ages have the opportunity to create art at one of the many art-making booths inspired by the current exhibits. Families can tap their feet to one of the many musical and entertainment acts that are performing all day, as well as listen to the gallery talks given by the docent guides.

Support your local galleries and museums! They are economic engines for your community.

Sherrie

I was involved a bit in the 2001 Knox Recall effort. Some on here were involved more. The media seems to have forgotten Ed Shouse was one of the councilmen they were tryng to get recalled. I forget what role Shouse played in the Ashe backroom deals. Someone should elaborate.

Here's the latest Knox County Democratic Party financial disclosure amended for the 2nd quarter. It shows a total of $47,950 in expenditures related to the Truman Day Dinner, featuring James Carville.

The receipts aren't itemized to indicate if they were related to the dinner, but total $53,498 including all donations and deposits.

The total expenditures were $54,336. Beginning cash on hand was $14,783 and the ending cash on hand was $13,945.

It sounds like maybe the Truman Day Dinner was a wash in terms of fundraising, but it's hard to tell. At any rate, it's hard to put a price tag on free publicity and brand awareness.

At least we had a good time and scored a cool interview.

I'm setting up a new notebook PC (more on that later) and thought I'd try out some of the remote home/office computer access services. I tried WebEx PCNow and GoToMyPC. My report follows...

The media and Solway project critics are repeatedly misstating a critical fact regarding reports I prepared for TDEC earlier this year. The annual reports I submitted to the Knoxville TDEC office in 2008 were NOT recreated reports and DID NOT replace reports missing from our TDEC file and were never intended to replace the missing reports. In fact, copies of what may be the missing reports have only recently been found (not created) during document discovery related to the false claims lawsuit. I have forwarded copies of those documents to TDEC.

Apparently, several “annual reports” that the Solid Waste Department had submitted to the TDEC Knoxville office over several years went missing during one or more open records reviews of our file by citizens. TDEC cannot determine exactly when the documents were removed. According to TDEC log records Knox County employees have never made a request to see the file. I learned just today that a map indicating the location of three wells adjacent to the site is also missing from the file. We have a copy of that map in our office and will supply it to TDEC.

In a January 3, 2008 letter, TDEC required me to submit “annual reports” for the years 2003 through 2005. Local TDEC officials know I did not work for Knox County during that period. At that time I did not know about the missing reports and the letter from TDEC to me makes no reference to missing reports.

In 2007, the previous Solid Waste Director, John Evans submitted an annual report to TDEC certifying that the biosolids received at the Solway Greenwaste Facility for the calendar year 2006 had been processed according to regulations. That report requires an audit of the PFRP (process to further reduce pathogens) records kept by the contractor, a statement of the % solids of incoming biosolids and quarterly test records. We interpreted the TDEC request for annual reports to be this report. A review of existing project records is required to complete the certification.

I reviewed 12 notebooks of project records held by the contractor, known as “windrow notebooks” from 2003 through 2005. The windrow notebooks are a detailed record of the daily temperature readings and turning schedule for the windrows. In addition, I reviewed records from 4 wastewater treatment plants regarding the % solids of the sludge delivered to the site. I also reviewed all the tests conducted for the material after PFRP was completed. TDEC had previously reviewed the test results during their monthly inspections.

I submitted the reports to TDEC and they were accepted. The allegations that these reports were falsified, incomplete or anything other than a routine response to a document request is completely false.

Tom Salter, Knox County Solid Waste Director

I was emailed this and hope it is nothing more than a load of garbage.

>>MCCAIN
>> 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not
>> propose
>> any change in existing home sales income tax.
>> OBAMA
>> 28% on profit from ALL home sales

If it is bull, and hope that it is, then I am in a dilemma. Even if it turns out to be true I feel we are not hearing the full story. I have faith in Obama and feel this is nothing more than right wing propaganda but it leaves me with this situation, do I block or not block my brother's email's. He is obviously a lost individual who just doesn't seem to get it.

Now the question is how do we fight the right wing propaganda machine. Using the internets they are able to spread false statements as fast as the speed of light and there doesn't seem to be a way to combat it? The poor lost souls who are uninformed, fall into this trap and believe every word of every email that is sent to them. I personally try to research the contents of these emails by Googling it so I can have ammunition to put down these myths in my replies, but it seems that it is getting harder to get to the truth because of the pages upon pages of the same repeated propaganda.

In this society it's beginning to feel that truth is succumbing to lies?

We've heard recently about the wisdom of John McCain. Here's a compilation, in his own words, using video clips, exhibiting that wisdom. Now you can decide for yourself about his wisdom. Link...

Through July 22 (four days):

Courthouse: 333
South Knox: 263
Halls: 388
Five Points: 75
North East: 453
Downtown West: 1032
Farragut: 502
Northshore: 155

Total: 3201

Democratic Primary: 1183
Republican Primary: 2394
None declared: 162
(Includes mail-in ballots)

Source

UPDATE: Early voting through first four days of 2006 County General: 4295. Does this indicate lower turnout, scandal fatigue, or what?

John McCain had planned a trip to New Orleans that included an appearance with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and a photo op on an offshore oil rig to show his support for drilling in the Gulf.

Unfortunately the weather played a hand in the offshore visit and a minor collision and oil spill* in Old Man River didn't help either. Having the odor of diesel in the air could have been a problem even without smellovision.

*How bad could it be? The whole barge only contained 419,000 gallons.

Good news! "The city [Denver] also announced today that none of the equipment purchases include nonlethal weapons that discharge "slime" or "goo" to immobilize persons or vehicles or that use microwaves or sonic waves to induce pain or discomfort in targets.

Not that I'll be protesting. I just don't want to accidentally get slimed while strolling through Denver. Of course, I don't want to get hit with a billystick or rubber bullet either.

Want to attend the festivies on the last night of the convention? You must be serious.

"Every single person is going to be a level of seriousness," Hildebrand said. "You know, 'Tell us how you're going to get there from Maine. Tell us how you're going to get there from Florida. Give us a sense of whether or not you're really serious about this. If you're not, we're going to provide someone else with this.' "

You'll probably be more likely to get a ticket if you sign on to perform volunteer activities for the campaign. Contact your local Democratic Party office.

Our esteemed host burst onto the local cyberscene a few years back with a proposal for a Rodeo just east of Downtown. We all figured it was a April Fool's joke but as it turns out he was ahead of his time.

Now the local movers and shakers have taken up the idea of an equestrian center.

Link...

Rikki Hall's column in this week's Metro Pulse explains the controversy surrounding a heated race for Blount County Circuit Court. Rikki is the only journalist to get it right so far. He has more commentary at BlountViews.

Related: A BlountViews interview with Judge Meares

The News Sentinel headline writers must have that one programmed on a hot key to save time.

looks like it:

Link...

What: Public meeting on the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project

When: 5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 24

Where: The University of Tennessee Visitors’ Center (formerly the UT Faculty Club) at 2704 Kingston Pike

Who: The City of Knoxville and the Metropolitan Planning Commission are hosting this informational meeting.

The meeting has two primary goals, to update the public on the status of the Cumberland Avenue project and to discuss the proposed form based code that would be implemented in the corridor as part of the plan.

Randy Tyree says he plans to file a formal complaint with the Merit System Council regarding the "use of uniformed and classified employees on the campaign website of his opponent, J.J. Jones, the interim sheriff."

According to a press release, Tyree alleges that:

Jones has violated Knox County Ordinance No. O-90-9-111, as amended, which created and established a merit system for employees of the Knox County Sheriff’s Department and the Policies and Procedures of the Knox County Sheriff’s Merit System Council and has violated, caused to be violated or permitted the violation of Section 42-64 of the Knox County Code, as well as the Policies and Procedures of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Merit System Council.

The website contains the images of some 14 employees who are protected under the Merit System and are not to appear on behalf of a political candidate while in uniform and/or on duty.

Jones’ campaign website also features the use of Knox County Sheriff’s Department patrol cars, aircraft (helicopter) badges, logos and police radios.

Tyree asked his opponent on July 16 to remove the images that were a violation of Merit Council’s policies, and Jones’ response was to avoid the question of whether or not the images were allowed. He directed Tyree to file a complaint.

"It is instructive that the interim sheriff won’t do the right thing and maintains his political position," Tyree said. "These are the same tactics employed by Tim Hutchison, the man most responsible for Jones being appointed to the office.

"The employees of the sheriff’s department are to be protected from politics on the part of the sitting sheriff. They are not to be used or their images misconstrued for political activities."

Tyree will hold a press conference on Thursday at 11 a.m. in front of the City County Building to discuss the matter.

Related:

• J.J. Jones website
• Randy Tyree website

Observation: Jones certainly has a slick website. That must have cost a bundle. Good thing he's raising so much money from the local GOP elite. It also has a whole page dedicated to attacks on Tyree, based mainly on stuff dragged up from 25 years ago. Sounds like Jones is worried.

Former Democratic party chair Don Daugherty announced his candidacy for Criminal Court Clerk today. Daugherty says he has "spent the past two weeks discussing the position with grassroots Democrats, as well as officeholders, candidates, and party officials, and lining up support for a race," and is "convinced that he is more than qualified for the job."

The nomination will be decided by a Knox County Democratic Party nominating convention, and the nominee will be on the Nov. 4th ballot.

Full press release attached.

I haven't been following it closely, but you have to admit that Obama is looking and acting very presidential on his trip to the Middle East. It appears U.S. soldiers were even allowed to afford him an enthusiastic reception.

My favorite part was the press conference where he says he reminded Gen. Petraeus who's the boss, and it's the Commander in Chief not the generals. (Our present Commander in Chief notwithstanding. Sending troops to solve a political and diplomatic problem is like sending the Bush cabinet to storm the beaches of Normandy, led by Cheney and Rice.)

I also like that McCain is reduced to having a tantrum about the network media coverage and that Fox didn't get invited to go along. Now they're both whining like a couple of cry babies.

It also seems that Bush is trying to take Iraq off the table as an election issue by suddenly suggesting there's a "horizon" beyond which U.S. troops will be home. Wonder if it also had anything to do with the Iraq PM calling for a withdrawal and now agreeing with Obama on a timetable? Either way, it appears McCain is left all alone standing in the corner with his 100 year strategy.

And what's the deal with Chuck Hagel accompanying Obama? Hmmm...

A flight with seven Texas congressmen on board had to make an emergency landing. According to AP, the congressmen were on their way to D.C. to sign an aviation safety bill.

According to Air Cargo World, the bill addresses "poor oversight and a cozy relationship with airlines" and requires the FAA to rotate inspectors and prohibits safety inspectors leaving the FAA from working with airlines for two years.

I wonder if the Representatives, including Ron Paul, were previously for this bill or against it, and how they feel about it now?

Flowers In Morning
Mary Ann Valvoda
Loudon, TN

The 2008 Tennessee Watercolor Society Biennial Exhibition is closing Friday at the Emporium Center in Downtown Knoxville. Visit the Emporium page on Art Museum Touring.com (Link...). The 31st statewide juried exhibition showcases representational and experimental paintings in watermedia by some of the most prominent artists from across the state. Sixty paintings from over 200 entries were selected for the exhibit by the juror, internationally known artist Cheng-Khee Chee, including 17 artists from the East Tennessee area.

Go see the show before its gone!

Support your local galleries and museums! They are economic engines for your community.

Sherrie

A real, honest-to-God nashville recording studio -- Dualtone, the same outfit that's releasing the Redstate UPdate CD -- is redoing John's CD and releasing it this summer. Here's a promo they've put on Youtube. I really, really like it. You'll see some familiar faces here, and one that might surprise you.

Link...

Read Katie Couric's interview today with Obama; then read her interview with McCain.

Compare and contrast. Who spends his time talking about his foreign policy vision and goals? Who spends his time bashing his opponent?

And BTW, the comment about "would rather lose a war..." - that's the second time today McCain said it.

Do you suppose everyone who supports Obama also wants to "lose a war"? Are we all traitors?

Q: What's the difference between Osama and Obama?

A: The Republicans are actually trying to stop Obama.

is now posted on the Knox County website. Link...

Dwight Van de Vate
Chief Administrative Officer
Knox County Government

Alot has been said latley about the Central St. Hookers, and I'd like them out of there as much as anybody, or more like it, the creepy men who troll the area looking for hookers. But seeing as its the oldest profession, I wonder if its solvable. Maybe we should turn one of the rehabbed buildings in the area into a brothel. Or better yet, perhaps house the hookers with the Knoxville Fellows and the fellows could help rehabilitate them, or vice versa.

Nashville, Tennessee, July 22, 2008 – Daniel Lewis, the Libertarian Party of Tennessee’s candidate for United States Senate, recognizes the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act (H.R.4048), for what it is yet another boondoggle.
The Gulf Coast Civic Works Act establishes the Gulf Coast Recovery Authority to administer a Gulf Coast Civic Works Project. According to The Gulf Coast Civic Works Project’s web site (Link...) the civic work jobs will be in the areas of construction and the arts (e.g., plumbing, electrical, brick building, construction, air conditioning, as well as music, murals, theater and dance.) The project will provide paid apprenticeships for unskilled workers. Civic jobs will pay no less than $15/hour and workers will have the right to join unions. A Gulf Coast Authority, similar to the Tennessee Valley Authority will oversee the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project. The program will cost an estimated at $4 billion a year and, will come from federal, state, and private sources (e.g., insurance companies). Private sources will be asked to contribute $1 billion a year.
A much wiser move would be for the government to remove regulatory roadblocks and offer tax incentives for rebuilding along the gulf cost. The minimum wage of $15/hour set by the program will cause ramped unemployment among those who complete training. The strain on the already fragile Gulf Coast and national economy could be disastrous. The aftermath of passing this act could be worse than the damages caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. History shows that the Civic Works Projects of the New Deal, plagued with high costs and inefficiency, prolonged the Great Depression.
For additional information on Daniel Lewis Libertarian Candidacy for the United States Senate contact Daniel Lewis for United States Senate or visit Link.... The candidate authorizes images of the candidate found at Link... to be used by the media in articles. - END -

Something struck me the other day at an Obama house party as I heard people going around the room, explaining why they support Barack, and in so doing obeying the culture of his campaign and delicately dancing around the subject of race.

The ideal of being color-blind is a joke. No one does it because no one can.