Pope Leo XIV, our first deep-dish pope, seems like quite a good fellow. He was born in Chicago as Robert Francis Prevost, lived on the South Side (meaning White Sox fan, so he knows suffering), and spent many years doing missionary work with the poor in Peru. His emphasis on Christ-like themes of peace, helping the poor, loving one's neighbor, and welcoming the stranger, of course, has angered Donald Trump.

Trump seems to fit in well with some of history's lesser popes.

Pope Alexander VI, better known as Rodrigo Borgia, and his scandalous family merited a Showtime series. Trump might appreciate how Borgia fathered several children with many mistresses. Trump's grifting in office echoes how Borgia reportedly bought the papacy by bribing fellow electors.

Pope Stephen VI, 896-897, could not give up a grudge against his predecessor, Pope Formosus. Though Formosus had been dead for months, Stephen VI had him dug up, dressed in papal robes, placed on a throne, and put on trial. Following the pre-ordained conviction, the body was dragged through the streets and dumped in the river. Trump's bizarre and bogus attempts to prosecute his political opponents (often tossed quickly by judges and juries) smell a lot like Stephen VI.

Pope Boniface VII, 1294-1303, was a "my way or the highway" kind of guy, tried to put all the armies of Europe under his command. He earned Dante Aligheri's enmity; the author gave him a permanent spot in the eighth circle of hell. Trump's militarism and comic mockery of the horrors of war seem to fit the Boniface VII model.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, revealed that Trump defends his massive intake by claiming that soda can kill cancer cells—because it also kills grass.
...
Trump Jr. suggested his father “may be onto something.

College students who participate in walkouts could be suspended or expelled under a new measure passed by the Tennessee General Assembly on Monday.
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HB 1476/ SB 1741 would require colleges and universities to sign the University of Chicago’s policy on freedom of speech — and prohibit administrations from uninviting a speaker based on their opposition to abortion or LGBTQ rights.
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The act would bring disciplinary action against students and faculty members that who disrupt a guest speaker by protesting or staging a walkout. Under the proposal, student organizations could legally deny membership or leadership positions to other students if they disagree with their “lifestyle.”

It appears they are treating college students like children. Are they trying to change Tennessee colleges/universities to be like the Tennessee state house where progressives are not wanted?

The president "posted a picture portraying himself as having saint-like powers akin to those of Jesus Christ. Wearing a biblical-style robe, Trump is seen laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates from his fingers. A soldier, a nurse, a praying woman and a bearded man in a baseball cap all look on, with American landmarks in the background and the sky filled with eagles and an American flag."
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The president "sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV Sunday as “WEAK on crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy,”
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The Pope responds, " “I have no fear of the administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the church is here to do.”

In October 2022 I wrote about apartments in Alcoa and the vicinity being built as tinderboxes. At the time Hilton was building a Homes 2 Suites with steel that looked much safer. Now, IHG is building a stick built Holiday Inn Express tinderbox in Alcoa on Marconi Blvd. I wonder why the difference? Hilton vs IHG? Steel has gotten too expensive?

Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation, was 3.3% higher in March than a year ago.

A record 21.2% spike in gasoline prices, which marks the largest monthly increase since record collection began in 1967...

Food st home costs... up 1.9% over the year.

But, but, but, eggs are cheaper.

The four crew members of NASA's Artemis II moon mission returned to Earth this evening, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean at 8:07 p.m. ET.

BUTTIGIEG: The strait was open before they started this

KERNEN: They were close to having 11 nuclear weapons!

BUTTIGIEG: We had other ways of dealing with them

KERNEN: Like what? Obama's way?

BUTTIGIEG: That worked

KERNEN: That didn't work!

BUTTIGIEG: Did they get a nuclear weapon under Obama?

[image or embed]

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) April 10, 2026 at 10:03 AM

The Great Smoky Mountains Edition of Monopoly is expected to be released in spring 2027. To give it a local feel, the creators of this special edition board game are asking the public to help decide which Smokies favorites should earn a square on the board.

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted Lieu, Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene released the following statement:

Donald Trump is completely unhinged. His statement threatening to eradicate an entire civilization shocks the conscience and requires a decisive congressional response. The House must come back into session immediately and vote to end this reckless war of choice in the Middle East before Donald Trump plunges our country into World War III.

It’s time for House Republicans to put patriotic duty over party loyalty and join Democrats in stopping this madness.

I am afraid of where our country is headed. It would seem it is time for Congress to step up and stop the antagonistic, aggressive actions of our Administration. The irrational and irresponsible manner with regard to threats against Iran, saying that a "whole civilization will die" are against any and all civilized societal norms.

We must return to peaceful, tactful, diplomatic actions with the world. Because of our militaristic direction we are creating enemies around the world. In addition, Congress has lost the ability to speak for the people who elected them. Cost of living is hurting the majority of us. The national debt is destroying our credibility. The caustic language used by our Administration is hurting our citizenry. Please protect us. Return us to the great Democracy we have been.

It is time to return to Washington D.C. and do the job you were elected to do. Protect us from within.

Proposals to deploy reflective mirrors and up to 1m more satellites in low Earth orbit could have far-reaching consequences for human health and ecosystems, leading sleep and circadian rhythm researchers have said.

Presidents of four international scientific societies representing about 2,500 researchers from more than 30 countries are among those who have raised concerns in letters to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The regulator is considering plans by the start-up Reflect Orbital to illuminate parts of the Earth at night using reflective satellites, as well as applications from SpaceX [for up to 1 million satellites] that could dramatically expand satellite numbers in low Earth orbit.

Ten years ago today, Donald Trump said he would pay off the national debt in the span of just eight years.

That did not happen. Instead, the gross national debt has doubled since that day—from about $19 trillion to over $39 trillion. Much of that additional borrowing has taken place during Trump's five-plus years in the White House.

These days I watch a lot of YouTube. I also happen to be financially poor. In the last few days I have seen a couple of different commercials for Larsen Jay.

Now, I know he is running as a Republican but I also know that he and I have been personally acquainted in the past. (it has been a few years since I have seen him in person).

I did not see one person in either of those commercials who appeared to be even a little bit not white. Since I am not white and since my interactions with him did not seem to be awkward or difficult, I am curious about why his commercials look as they do. Does he not want Asian, Black, or Hispanic votes?? Is he trying to hide the fact that he knows people who aren't white? If so, why?

I have insufficient data to accuse him or defend him. All I have is the observation of the two commercials. To me it looks like bad optics but, I will listen to argument.

It was a beautiful day to travel the Dogwood Arts Trails. We drove through Sequoyah, Island Home, and Lakemoor Hills.

If my calculations and interpretations are correct, the Lady Vols Basketball team is down to one player.

According to the Knox News Sentinel, they lost 4 senior players to graduation, 7 have entered the portal, leaving 1 player, Freshman guard Jaida Civil .

Maybe they'll sign some players through the portal.

A state report found public school students tested higher on the state standardized test, known as TCAP, than students who attend private or charter schools.

The State of Tennessee is proposing a "bill that would exempt schools educating students on the state's voucher program from taking the TCAP (standardized testing).

"State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson is sponsoring the bill. He said comparing public schools and those receiving vouchers is not an equal comparison, and forcing them to take the same test is not fair or accurate."
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Voucher students currently receive nearly $3,000 more in tax dollars per student than those who go to public school.

An amendment to a Tennessee Senate bill would give more power to the state government when it comes to appointing an airport’s board of commissioners.

"This would impact the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport and others in the state."

Senate Bill 2473 is advancing through the Tennessee legislature. It passed with an amendment in the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee and the House Transportation Committee.

That amendment would remove and replace existing airport authority commissioners.

"six of the nine commissioners would be chosen by state officials."

Chattanooga mayor blasts state bill that would reconstitute airport board

Will this affect the Knoxville airport?

Democratic strategist James Carville on Tuesday warned that the results of the upcoming midterm elections will feel for the president like getting “punched in the mouth by Mike Tyson.”
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Carville suggested that after November, people will not take the president’s phone calls, adding that those unnamed people will think “‘you’re yesterday.’ They’ll say, ‘Well, he’s got two years left, he can do damage. No one gives a s— about him.'”
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warned that The Hague will likely indict the president and that the House could vote to impeach him again, signaling the president should not be surprised if Republicans turn against him.

The president "says it's 'not possible' for the U.S. to pay for Medicaid, Medicare and day care: 'We’re fighting wars'
He urged states to fund benefits programs instead because "we have to take care of one thing: military protection."

Hah! You'd have to hope to be in a blue state to get any of these benefits paid by the states. Tennessee can't survive without Federal funds.