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May 31, 2005

The Time You Hit Hazen in the Mouth

You see what happens, Adam? You shoot some crappy Longest Yard remake, and it off and kills Eddie Albert. Let that be a lesson.

Posted by mesh at 02:32 PM | TrackBack

May 30, 2005

No Wi-Fi equals higher profits for coffee shop owners

Chattanooga laptop slaves, coffee drinkers and cafe employees, please weigh in with your thoughts on this story.

Posted by colrus at 11:48 AM | TrackBack

Disputing disputes over Forbes statistics

In a story ("Some dispute magazine's data on city's crime rate" on page B1) in today's Metro section of the Times Free Press, Mayor Ron Littlefield said that "any serious business prospect looking to relocate would not be affected by something they read in Forbes magazine." Chamber of Commerce spokesman -- and former Pulse columnist -- J.Ed. Marston said that studies such as the one in Forbes do not always reflect reality.

The magazine published a survey recently, ranking Chattanooga among the worst U.S. cities in which to do business.

Granted, it looks like the Forbes data is older and less Chattanooga-flattering than the new, better data cited in the article by Littlefield and Chattanooga Police Chief Steve Parks, but two things remain clear. (To me, anyway):

1. "Serious business prospects" DO read Forbes magazine.
2. If the Forbes survey had been favorable to Chattanooga, the mayor's office and the chamber (and probably the police department, too) would be VERY quick to mention it -- despite the fact that it is old data.

The story ends with a glowing testimonial quote -- from a written statement -- from a business owner who stated why he chose Chattanooga for his business.

He doesn't mention crime at all.

Posted by colrus at 11:05 AM | TrackBack

May 27, 2005

Lt. Governor: God Is Mad at the FBI

From Lt. Gov. John Wilder's session-closing prayer in the Legislature today:

"Money was being offered as bait to put somebody in jail. That's wrong, and that's not Your way."

Look what happens when those FBI carpetbaggers come down to Tennessee: They piss off God.

Posted by mesh at 02:52 PM | TrackBack

May 26, 2005

UPDATE: Pulse Ready to Waltz

The Pulse's first news story on Ward's Waltz with the FBI is now on our main site. Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Posted by mesh at 07:09 PM | TrackBack

UPDATE: "I'm Not Guilty," Crutchfield Tells Reporters

A Nashville news station has video of Crutchfield leaving his U. S. District Court appearance in Nashville. The Nashville Scene has been kind enough to offer a few images of the, well, scene.

Kind of a mess, really. But it's not every day that lawmakers and their bag men get arrested. Hell, it's not every day that lawmakers have bag men. Well, maybe it is in Tennessee.

Posted by mesh at 07:05 PM | TrackBack

UPDATE: USA v. Ward Crutchfield and Charles Love

The U. S. District Court Grand Jury indictment against Ward Crutchfield and Charles Love is available here. Oh, my, is this baby juicy. Here are some highlights:

"E-Cycle Management... was an undercover business operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to respond to allegations of corruption by elected officials. E-Cycle purportedly in the business of obtaining and disposing of outdeted electric equipment, sending it to a place outside the United States and salvaging it."

"Charles Love... was in essence a 'bag man' for certain members of the Tennessee General Assembly who could be influenced in sporsoring and voting for certain legislation that would benefit E-Cycle."

"On or about August 20, 2004, the defendent Charles Love had a meeting in Memphis, Tennessee, with E-Cycle representatives. During the course of this meeting, Charles Love indicated that if E-Cycle had 'gifts to bear' they would get more attention which they wished to get passed. Charles Love further indicated that he had worked in the past 'bearing gifts' to legislators, including Ward Crutchfield. Charles Love further discussed the fact that he would initially need approximately $15,000 to pay legislators and that the defendant Ward Crutchfield would need more money than some others."

"On or about September 16, 2004, Ward Crutchfield met with a representative of E-Cycle, and thanked him for 'being my friend.' At this time, Ward Crutchfield indicated he would co-sponsor the bill."

Posted by mesh at 01:21 PM | TrackBack

UPDATE: Crutchfield Indicted for Conspiracy in FBI Sting

Terry Harris from the U. S. Attorney's Office in Memphis has announced that Sen. Ward Crutchfield has been indicted for accepting "$12,000 in illegal payments" from a purported computer company that was actually a front for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Harris said that Crutchfield accepted the money in exchange for Crutchfield's favorable votes on bills benefitting the ersatz computer company, E-Cycle Management. Hamilton School Board member Charles Love is accused of bringing Crutchfield bribes, as well as bringing Cleveland Rep. Chris Newton $4,500 to aid the legislation. The fake company was part of a two-year FBI sting operation called "Tennessee Waltz."

The other five arrests, including that of Sen. John Ford, were for similar charges of conspiracy and conspiracy to extort. He is also charged with intimidating witnesses.

Television news stations are referring to Ford as "the kingpin" of the conspiracy. The AP's report, including a summary of the FBI-funded bill, is here. Honestly, the most shocking news here is that Ward Crutchfield knows what a computer is.

Posted by mesh at 12:09 PM | TrackBack

UPDATE: Video stream of Nashville lawmaker arrest coverage

Here's a link to live coverage from Newschannel 3 in Nashville.

Posted by colrus at 11:50 AM | TrackBack

UPDATE: School Board Member Charles Love Arrested

Hamilton County Board of Education member Charles Love -- yes, the same Charles Love reported in this morning's Times Free Press as bankrupt and owing $275,651 -- has also been arrested.

Posted by mesh at 11:44 AM | TrackBack

BREAKING NEWS: Crutchfield, Ford, Bowers and Newton arrested on Capitol Hill

Here's a link to the story.

Pith in the Wind has this on it.

A press conference is scheduled for noon.

UPDATE (mesh, 11:19 a.m.): The Nashville City Paper is now reporting that the legislators were arrested "under the federal Hobbs Act, which covers extortion by the wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear... The arrests apparently involve a bill sponsored in the House by Newton and in the Senate by Crutchfield and Ford that involved the sale of surplus computers and electronic equipment... Newton withdrew the bill from committee consideration Wednesday."

UPDATE (mesh, 11:25 a.m.): Pith in the Wind confirms the Hobbs Act rumors, and offers definition of those charges.

UPDATE (mesh, 11:30 a.m.): Chattanoogan.com reports that "Sen. Crutchfield was taken into custody as he was going into his office in Nashville." Just so you can have an accurate mental picture.

Posted by colrus at 10:57 AM | TrackBack

May 25, 2005

Paul Bunyan Was a Blogger. Or Possibly a Logger. Whatever.

Things learned from watching the first segment of WRCB's blogging feature:

1. Rednecks are biologically attracted to TV cameras.

2. Kit Rushing really took that "Spider-Man" movie to heart.

3. If you can't see the writer of an article, you can't trust that writer. He might be lying! You can't see him!

4. Cindy Sexton has WAY too much fun saying the word "blog."

5. If you ever wondered what Tucker Carlson will look like at 80, you should stop by the UTC communications department. He's in there somewhere.

Posted by mesh at 05:34 PM | TrackBack

Mike Mahaffey, guitarist for Murphreesboro band, Self, dies in his sleep

Mike was the brother of Self lead singer Matt Mahaffey.
Read more here.
Our condolences go out to the family of a great guitarist from a great band.

Posted by colrus at 04:17 PM | TrackBack

Upcoming Media Appearances

Today at 5, 6 and 11 p.m., Channel 3 will be airing a piece on blogging, featuring (according to the brief teases I've seen) UTC Communication department head Kit Rushing and Chattablogs founder Josiah Roe. In case you haven't seen it, the Channel 3 anchors now have a blog.

Tomorrow at 2 p.m., Josiah Roe, John Bailes, Aaron Mesh, Bill Colrus (and possibly another guest or two) will be appearing on Max Hackett's show to discuss, yes, blogging. You can watch/listen to the show live via WGOW's website.

Finally, Aaron Mesh will be appearing on Fox 61's "Around the Region" along with WGOW's Kevin West and host Dan Howell this Sunday morning at 11. They will be discussing education and other regional issues with Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey.

We will try to post audio and/or video of these appearances as soon as possible.

Posted by colrus at 03:50 PM | TrackBack

May 24, 2005

The Littlecabinet: A Full List

The administrators named by Ron Littlefield this afternoon. They will be considered for confirmation by the City Council this evening.

Chief of Staff....Dan Johnson*
Chief Financial Officer....Daisy Madison
Administrator of Public Works....Steve Leach
Police Chief....Steve Parks**
Fire Chief....Jim Coppinger***
Admin. of Neighborhood Services....Beverly Johnson
Admin. of Parks and Recreation....Rob Healy
Admin. of Education, Arts and Culture....Missy Crutchfield
Admin. of Human Services....Bernadine Turner**
Admin. of Personnel....Donna Kelley**

*Does not need confirmation from City Council
**Retained from Corker administration
***Retained from Corker administration; will retire in October

More information is available on the backgrounds of each nominee at Chattanoogan.com.

Posted by mesh at 02:49 PM | TrackBack

The Littlecabinet: Missy Crutchfield Will Head Education, Arts and Culture

Mayor Ron Littlefield introduced his new administration -- including Missy Crutchfield as the head of a revamped Education, Arts and Culture Department -- to a packed City Hall this afternoon.

The most striking of Littlefield's changes in civic structure was his splitting of Arts and Culture from the Parks and Recreation Department, and adding education promotion to the duties of the new office. "I don't want Education, Arts and Culture to get lost in all that's going on in Parks and Recreation," he said.

But Littlefield said that Crutchfield's education tasks will not include pressuring the county for school-funding increases. "We're not going to get involved in funding," he said. "I am not going to tread into the county's territory. I have assured the county that I will not be repeating what they do."

Instead, Littlefield said, City's Hall scholarly focus will be on "creating programs, classes and classroom speakers."

Cruchfield said that in her first month as an administrator, she would "work on sending positive messages on education." She said using "more of our rec centers and libraries" would be a high priority. And she offered ideas for the arts as well.

"I don't think it's any secret that the arts are instrumental in healing," Crutchfield said. "I'd like to work on developing some creative arts therapies."

Posted by mesh at 02:32 PM | TrackBack

Spokane paper now has blog, will broadcast video of news meetings

The Spokesman-Review in Spokane now has a blog and will webcast its news meetings. Read the article here.

Thoughts?

One thought from me: How do you keep leads under wraps?

Posted by colrus at 01:42 PM | TrackBack

I Am Leaking This Link Anonymously

Colby Cosh, my second-favorite Canadian polymath, has a stinging analysis of the Newsweek flushing scandal. He declares that in-house sharing of anonymous sources -- Newsweek's petulant promise, and the local recommendation of one Tom Griscom -- is a band-aid on a heart attack. The real trouble, he argues, is that news agencies function like corporations, and no one has a direct responsibility to the reader.

"What today's news consumer is gradually learning is that the benefits of the division of labour may not apply, or may have reached a point of diminishing returns, when it comes to the distribution of information. And whatever benefits are realized carry serious principal-agent problems with them... What I'd recommend to Newsweek is the exact converse of what they're doing. Give Michael Isikoff his own page. Put his picture on it. Make it clear--by means of an explicit disclaimer, if necessary--that Isikoff is responsible for everything on that page. I wouldn't let anybody touch it on the way out the door; I wouldn't even correct the spelling mistakes if I could help it. He can have help if he wants it, but let the buck stop with him. Let him develop his own independent reputation instead of forever launching cruise missiles from behind mastheads."

Posted by mesh at 11:14 AM | TrackBack

May 23, 2005

Ted Nugent Goes Vegan

Well, not in actual life, no. It's McSweeney's. It's good.

"That's where you're wrong, chief. Plenty of people eat badger. I had badger for breakfast, actually."

Posted by mesh at 02:46 PM | TrackBack

Trouble at the Tanning Salon

Aside from the lady's business going under, this story is quite the humorous read...

The lead sentence in priceless:
"A Circuit Court lawsuit says Alicia Jean Dawson fulfilled a life's dream by opening her own tanning salon, then Dia Huggins ruined it."

Question: Why was this lady allowed to come back into the business again and again?

Posted by pulseblogger at 10:23 AM | TrackBack

May 22, 2005

Ben Stein's last column for E! Online

"I no longer think Hollywood stars are terribly important. They are uniformly pleasant, friendly people, and they treat me better than I deserve to be treated. But a man or woman who makes a huge wage for memorizing lines and reciting them in front of a camera is no longer my idea of a shining star we should all look up to."

Read the rest of his great, last column here.

Posted by colrus at 01:24 AM | TrackBack

I just tried to post this as a comment on Bailes' blog but it wouldn't let me....

Before I say anything else, I think the last few days of exchanges within Chattablogs leads to an obvious conclusion: People are way more petty/ruthless/evil/annoying/combative/disrespectful when conversing via blogs than they ever are when conversing in person. I'm frankly growing weary of it, and will attempt to curb my online behavior with hopes of influencing others. If I can reach just one kid...

Some important info to consider here:
JOSIAH STARTED CHATTABLOGS. HE OWNS IT AND -- IF HE SO CHOOSES -- CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS WITH IT. IT IS NOT A PUBLIC LIBRARY. IT IS A PRIVATELY-OWNED ONLINE BLOGGING SYSTEM.

Other people -- namely Dave Winer -- have instantaneously dissolved whole blogging communities before. It is legal. It is their right. We have to respect that.

Moving on...
Can we PLEASE get off this "I'm gonna test him to prove he censors me" crap and move on to actual discussions. Some of the people floating around here lately are a) WAY too sensitive, b) act like they just discovered the Internet, and c) act like EVERYTHING they post should be accepted, bowed down to and NEVER challenged.

With that said, talk about "I bet he beats his wife" deserves immediate permanent banning. Period. If you utter crap like that, get banned and can't figure out why, perhaps getting a life is in order. Seriously. That is beyond lame.

This is a give-and-take medium.

With all of that said, I'm begging. PLEASE give Gregg Pack a blog. I think he could add something to the blogosphere.

Posted by colrus at 12:54 AM | TrackBack

May 20, 2005

Update: Saddam to Sue Over Underwear Pictures

Yes. It's true.

It's too bad that none of the dead people in Saddam's mass graves can sue for...um...winding up as dead people in Saddam's mass graves.

Give me a break (and put on a shirt and some pants, you diabolically evil, mass murdering) old man...

Posted by colrus at 03:40 PM | TrackBack

Poor Saddam and His Underpants

While the publishing of pictures of fallen Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in his underwear has perturbed many -- including the U.S. Military -- the following list of testimonies of atrocites committed at the hands of Hussein, his regime and his own sons will make the average American, I hope, politely (if not angrily) chuckle at Hussein's realtively ridiculous uncomfort at being photographed in his tidy whiteys. While this list is published on the White House's own website, I would hope the barbarism of the acts and the extremely varied sources (journalistic and otherwise) would supercede the cries of propaganda from those that are often so quick to point the propaganda finger at all things Bush. After reading the accounts, I had trouble remembering what the Hussein pictures even looked like in the first place...

This is still America, isn't it? To me, it seems the current insurgency is taking their lead from the acts described here. And can you really reason with the acts committed here?

Posted by colrus at 01:04 PM | TrackBack

May 19, 2005

The Most Anticlimactic Announcement in Chattanooga History

Ready? Here goes.

Yes. We know. It's huge. It's also kinda old news.

Yes, it would be great to have an auto manufacturer set up shop, but what of that auto manfacturer? Anybody have any specifics?

What I see -- and this is just me talking -- is constant selling of Enterprise South to anybody who's willing to buy, but little indication that anybody's buying.

Please. If you know something. Weigh in. I'd like to check my observations against yours. (Winking smiley face.)

More later.

Posted by colrus at 01:37 PM | TrackBack

All the 'Nuzak' That's Fit to Print" or "We Report What He Decides and What She Decides, As Well, So You Can't Possibly Decide"

Take a moment to read this great piece from the Memphis Flyer.

A standout paragraph:
"A partisan is interviewed and quoted. A partisan of the opposite persuasion is likewise interviewed and quoted. The reporter, having thus presented both sides, considers himself dispensed from fact-checking and analysis. The reader is left to decide the truth for herself as though it were merely a matter of opinion. But as the late Senator Patrick Moynihan said, 'Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, not to their own facts.'"

This is called (in the biz) 'proppsnopps' reporting, and is usually dreadfully dull and can seep into even the most well-intentioned of publications.

The column gets a little sloppy towards the end (asserting 'obvious' facts without bothering to substantiate them or declaring that his comments are his opinion), but is overall a great read...

Posted by colrus at 01:27 PM | TrackBack

May 18, 2005

Star Wars CHRISTMAS ALBUM???!!!????

Attention nerds:

Click on this, listen to the song, "Christmas in the Stars," and then seriously ponder the "coolness" level of the mask, fake ears or Obi Wan robe that you plan to wear out in public tonight to celebrate the opening of the latest Star Wars movie.

Posted by pulseblogger at 03:05 PM | TrackBack

Dear Chris Martin of Coldplay, You are an idiot.

I suppose that when you signed your contract you were hoping to do poorly? Man, being a millionaire is haaaarrrrrrrddddd. I feel so bad for you and your sideways grin. After reading your comments, I will be sure that I never again bother you with my troublesome money.

Screw the shareholders! They have no rights!

Posted by pulseblogger at 02:49 PM | TrackBack

The Most Bizarre Headline That Ever Was...

Lube Rodeo Highlighting Brainerd Wal-Mart’s One-Year Anniversary Thursday

Yes. This is a real event. Can't wait. The PulseBlog has never been to a lube rodeo before.

Posted by pulseblogger at 02:17 PM | TrackBack

Are They Anything Like Team Zissou?

Those charming party-cleansers at Team GOP returned yesterday to haunt The Bob.

"With serious questions swirling about Republican U.S. Senatorial candidate Bob Corker’s total inability to create support among Tennessee's rank and file Republicans, Bob Corker, again, has turned to his Democrat enablers for help," the Team wrote in a press release. The problem? Corker is letting Clayton McWhorter, a one-time Democratic candidate for governor, raise money for Corker's Senate fund with one of those good ol' thousand-clams-a-plate dinners.

Can somebody explain to me the logic behind Team GOP? I've seen about a dozen of their press releases now, and checked out their blog, and it seems like their criterion for liking candidates is exactly how Republican said candidates are. I will assume, to give the Team the benefit of the doubt, that by "Republican" they mean "fiscally and socially conservative as the theoretical offspring of Ronald Reagan and a nun." Which is a litmus test, I suppose, even if I can't say much in its favor. But then why the focus on "turncoat Republicans" whose only sins are giving succor to Democrats? Why this rhetorical tack, which switches the focus from issues to labels? What justification can there be for raising pragmatic partisanship to a purity crusade? What morons does this appeal to?

In politics, you can stand on rabid idealism, or you can root root root for the home team. But if you do both, and treat one with the moral seriousness of the other, why should anyone take you even mildly seriously?

Posted by mesh at 11:24 AM | TrackBack

May 17, 2005

"An Art of Flawless and Irredeemable Vulgarity"

Anthony Lane reviews that new Star Wars movie. He is not kind.

"The general opinion of “Revenge of the Sith" seems to be that it marks a distinct improvement on the last two episodes, “The Phantom Menace” and “Attack of the Clones." True, but only in the same way that dying from natural causes is preferable to crucifixion."

Lane manages to swallow his loathing long enough to make some interesting comparisons, making particular note of the apocalyptic shadow of John Martin on George Lucas' digital landscapes. (I must say I prefer Martin, who still can taste the sublime through the artifice.)

Posted by mesh at 03:54 PM | TrackBack

Longtime WGOW caller 'Dot' dead

Details are sketchy, but longtime WGOW caller 'Dot' has died. Dot had been battling cancer for quite some time.

UPDATE: Here's a link to her obituary.

From WGOW's "Morning Press" website:

"It's hard to believe we'll never again pick up the phone and hear, "Mornin' Boopie!" It hasn't sunk in that we'll never be called barracudas again or that we'll never hear that confused, chardonnay-enhanced laugh.

Dot has left us.

Her real name was Dorothy Cashion. She was born in 1920 and graduated City High in 1938.

That made her 85 years old this year -- hardly the typical Talk Radio caller.

But the fact that she wasn't a typical Talk Radio caller is what you remember about her.

I'm told that she naturally was shy -- "a wallflower." The death of her husband, whom she loved with a love most of us only hope to discover, affected her greatly.

Then she found her Talk Radio family and became the Dot we came to love ourselves.

Oh, she got under the skin of many. We fielded many calls over the years from those who said Dot and people crazy like her shouldn't be allowed on the air and for a time, management even blocked her phone number so she couldn't call.

That just meant she'd call me in the newsroom. 

She found her family. And she wasn't going to be kept from them.

One of my favorite on-air moments with Dot was the time she called, put down the phone and picked up another extension, went back and hung up the first extension, then sat down at the piano and played and sang.

She was entertaining her Talk Radio family.

The most memorable off-air moment may have been at the Trashy Women Contest down at Bud's when she got up on stage and flashed her bra, then two big ol' boys hoisted her up and carried her away.

She was entertaining her Talk Radio family then, too.

Some people were embarrassed by her or embarrassed for her, but they didn't need to be. I only wish for one thimbleful of the exuberance and joy and unique perspective on a moment that she carried around in gallon jugs on a daily basis.

I'm popping the cork on the chardonnay for you, ya ol' barracuda. Boopie's gonna miss you."

The PulseBlog will never forget Dot calling into Parker and TeaBag's show and playing the piano on the air for what seemed like hours -- straight through commercial breaks and then back on the air without checking if the hosts were even talking to her or not.

Developing...

Posted by pulseblogger at 01:08 PM | TrackBack

John Jay Hooker now has a blog

John Jay Hooker, the legendary Tennessee statesman who turned blogger heads (Bill's included) at the recent BlogNashville conference, now has a blog. The Nashville City Paper has a story about it.

Posted by pulseblogger at 10:45 AM | TrackBack

Chattanooga in today's USA TODAY

There is a decent article in today's USA TODAY about Chattanooga's riverfront transformation. The article features a quote from our very own Kelley Walters. Woo Hoo!

Posted by pulseblogger at 10:33 AM | TrackBack

May 16, 2005

Blog in Transition

The site will be in a state of transition as the stylesheets and indexes are modified. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. You may need to force your browser to refresh this page in order to view progress. Thanks.

Posted by Hugo Fitch at 12:21 PM | TrackBack

Littlefield to get a Blog?

According to Saturday's Times Free Press, new Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield might -- like Gov. Phil Bredesen -- get his own blog. In the article which references Littlefield's appearance on Fox 61's "Mayor Roundtable," Littlefield said that he plans to maintain his website and that he "might add" a blog to it, as well.

"I'd love the opportunity for people to have their say," said Littlefield. "I've always enjoyed the give and take of government and the political process."

If Littlefield does get a blog, perhaps frequent laptop-wielding PulseBlog visitor Gregg Pack can help him with it.

(A side note: Littlefield might want to have someone update the front page of his aforementioned website to inform visitors that, yes, he is the mayor now. Just a thought.)

Posted by pulseblogger at 10:36 AM | TrackBack

PulseBlog design update....

This week will see drastic design/layout changes to the PulseBlog -- all with the goal of wasting your time in a more eye-catching fashion. Among the changes will be a cleaning up/fixing of that godawful design for our individual entry archives.

Posted by pulseblogger at 01:32 AM | TrackBack

Attention Criminals: Bragging to the media about your exploits is a bad, no, stupid idea.

Attorney Seeks To Block Enigma Article From Darrin Webb Trial.

Posted by pulseblogger at 01:29 AM | TrackBack

May 12, 2005

The "Hulk's Diary That is on the Internet"

Man. Go here. Read. There is much funny.

Posted by colrus at 09:32 AM | TrackBack

May 11, 2005

Great Advice for Bloggers

Now, this list is a must-read for those at a loss about what to do within their little chunk of cyberspace -- and for those who think they already know what to do with said chunk of cyberspace.

Posted by colrus at 11:02 PM | TrackBack

Nashville Scene Cover Story on BlogNashville

Britney Gilbert, who was recently hired as a FULL-TIME blogger by Channel 2 in Nashville, wrote this week's Nashville Scene cover story on the BlogNashville conference. I think Britney was in a few of my sessions...

Posted by colrus at 10:57 PM | TrackBack

Update: East Waynesville Baptist Church Pastor Resigns

From John Bailes:

Rev. Chandler has resigned, as of last night.

I spoke with one of my sources in Waynesville this morning, a member in good standing at the church, and he said that Chandler "had to resign, and there was nothing else that could be done. We had a group of about 35, and his group was about 40 people. They met in a room before he resigned. He had preached some good sermons but made one huge mistake by telling us if you voted for Kerry you were going to have to leave or come down to the altar. You know, last night, he never apologized to us or to anybody else. I hope the deacons give him one more month in the parsonage. That's where he is living. He's got a young son who's sweet but is blind in one eye. I feel sorry for them. I'm disappointed, though, that he told the Southern Baptist Convention press that he never said what he said to us in his sermons. Those tapes prove it! They were made for our shut-in ministry. And they say exactly what he was saying to us. My wife is really hurt because her brother is a member in the church and he walked with the minister last night. Their father was good Christian man; he'd be turning over in his grave now."

Posted by colrus at 12:36 PM | TrackBack

Chattanooga...Kinda Bad for Business???

Forbes has ranked Chattanooga 122 out of 150 cities in which to do business. Some of our scores were decent (cost of doing business, job growth) while others were not so (educational attainment, income growth).

I can see how these numbers are right on the money in a lot of ways, but I can also attest to many Chattanooga business success stories.

Thoughts?

Posted by colrus at 09:16 AM | TrackBack

Piece on East Waynesville Controversy Now Online

John Bailes' piece on the East Waynesville Baptist Church controversy is now online at the Pulse's main site.

Posted by colrus at 02:04 AM | TrackBack

May 10, 2005

Anniversarial Art for Thought

Here's a link to the artists behind this fantastic cartoon and their thoughts on the first anniversary of it.

Posted by pulseblogger at 02:59 PM | TrackBack

Arnold Schwarzenegger Does Not Want to Destroy the Moon

Which is, I suppose, something of a relief.

Posted by mesh at 02:02 PM | TrackBack

Saturday Night's Alright for Cockfighting

While most news outlets focus on Georgia's ban on smoking in public locations, let us not forget our neighbor state's other triumph in preserving law and order: A crackdown on cockfighting.

Sure, there were some minor hurdles for the GBI, including having to arrest the 83-year-old mayor of Blue Ridge, who enjoyed a reserved ringside chair at the contests. But you can't make a law-enforcement omelet without breaking a few eggs. (You're a great audience! We're here all week! Try the veal!)

Citizens do not seem overly concerned by the scandal:

"I don't think people in Blue Ridge will hold it against him. There may be some people, lovers of animals or maybe some church people, but I don't think it will affect him doing his job. He's just got his hobby."

Posted by mesh at 01:18 PM | TrackBack

Bloggers wanted!!!

Hey Kids!

Are you a blog reader but not a blogger?
Are you bored with your existing blog?
Are you looking for another creative outlet for your area of expertise?
Well, contribute to the Pulse Blog!

The Pulse Blog, the online alternative to the online home of Chattanooga's alternative newsweekly, is looking for local bloggers to contribute to Chattanooga's biggest group blog.

E-mail Bill if you are interested.

Posted by pulseblogger at 12:23 PM | TrackBack

May 09, 2005

Arianna BLOGington

OK. So The Huffington Post is now online.

First thoughts? It's probably gonna be huge.

Posted by pulseblogger at 04:29 PM | TrackBack

The Gimme a Punchline Game

There are sooooo many punchlines that could be written based on this headline.
Ready to give 'em to me? Go!

"City Hall To Be Completely Vacated During Major Renovation"

Posted by pulseblogger at 04:10 PM | TrackBack

May 08, 2005

Dispatches from the Blogosphere: BlogNashville, Day Two Notes and Convention Round-Up

BlogNashville was covered by the AP. A shortened version of the story also ran in the Tennessean.

Day two -- the most intensive day of the conference -- saw me attend four seminars.

Stacy Kramer held a session on "Committing Journalism." She didn't want to make it a "Journalism vs. Blogging" affair (which would describe Friday night's panel discussion) but, yes, it did wind up being a "Journalism vs. Blogging" affair. A common, beneficial point to consider is the fact that a blog is simply a technological method of transport. It's what people do on blogs that shapes how the medium is perceived. And if people are doing journalism on them, then they are doing journalism.

John Jay Hooker said that the blogosphere "is the most important thing that's happened to democracy in my lifetime" and that "the ability to blog is like a gift from God."

Dan Gilmoor's session on "Citizen Media" was great, and Gilmoor was a natural flying around the room with a microphone, giving us all a chance to speak. I felt like I was watching a town hall meeting or an episode of Maury Povich.

The bulk of discussion centered around bloggers getting (and not getting) sued, grass roots/community based blogging efforts and using blogs to push the mainstream media to do a better job. Or even replace it.

Hmm.

The third session I attended was Brendan Greeley's talk on "Audioblogging and Podcasting." While I enjoyed the session, not much actual, practical podcasting discussion took place. Instead, we spent most of the time exchanging opinions on copyright law. With music row being two blocks over -- and a handful of music industry folks in the room -- you can imagine the inherent friction.

As I already alluded to, Dave Winer's last session, "A Respectful Disagreement," was ugly. Winer, who INVENTED the blog convention model AND podcasting -- yes, he INVENTED PODCASTING -- was very confrontational. He was too easily offended by people's comments and too easy to offend with his own. Perhaps this was some big brain screw to get us all thinking about disagreement. (Which, if it was, the man's a genius.) But I doubt it. 30 minutes in, I thought everybody was going to leave the room. Some did. So much contradiction and hypocrisy was flying around the room, that at one point I joked to Joe that it was time to go get a beer. In a chat afterwards, Michael Kelley seemed less than impressed. But you had to be there. It was nuts.

At one point, John Jay Hooker asked if "meanness" was all that bad and mentioned that "you can't call a son-of-a-bitch a son-of-a-bitch without calling him a son-of-a-bitch." That was the greatest moment of the day, by far, and drew rapturous applause.

I thought the event was a success. I met some great folks, and Joe, Mike and myself even threw around the idea of hosting a Chattanooga Blogging Convention. We'll see.

Posted by colrus at 01:46 PM | TrackBack

Dispatches from the Blogosphere: BlogNashville, Day Two Pictures

The man.

John Jay Hooker making some impassioned comments about how blogging is the most important new journalistic medium and how blogging can help preserve democracy. (It was about 30 minutes into the session before I realized that I was actually sitting two chairs away from this Nashville Icon. Click here to see photos showing how far I was away from Mr. Hooker, giving me arms-length access for the above crazy action shot. That's me next to the lady in the pink tank top.)

Many of those in attendance looked like these two guys.

A documentary film entitled documentary:BLOG was being filmed during the conference.

Dave Winer (at the podium in the white shirt) held the last session of the conference, a highly spirited contentious program called, "A Respectful Disagreement," which was heavy on the "disagreement" and less so on the "respectful." In fact it was downright ugly, and Mr. Winer's attitude, comments and behavior often made me wonder why the 'h' was left out of his last name.

When Stan Brown (in the foreground in the maroon polo shirt) chuckled at Winer's assertion that the U.S. economy is in horrible shape, Winer chided him, eventually calling him a "troll," among other things.

Well, I was chuckling at you, too, Mr. Winer, but not because of your thoughts on our domestic policy, but because you were THE SINGLE-WORST LEADER OF A DISCUSSION GROUP I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED IN MY LIFE. You are a blogger, sir. Get over yourself.

With that said, I had a great time.

Scared Monkeys has a great blow-by-blow of the session.

Posted by colrus at 02:46 AM | TrackBack

May 07, 2005

Dispatches from the Blogosphere: BlogNashville, Day...um...Night One

Blurry Bloggers. By Bill.
(from left to right: J.D. Lasica, Glenn Reynolds and Linda Seebach.)

My first day at BlogNashville was actually the second night of the conference. After getting up to Nashville on the early side -- and treating myself to lunch and a copy of the new Yo La Tengo 2-Disc compilation album -- I headed over to Belmont University (what a beautiful school!) to attend the "Blogging and Journalism" conference. C-Span was on hand to film the event, as was a documentary film crew doing a film on blogging. I met fellow Chattanoogan Joe Lance once inside the Massey Performing Arts Center, and we settled in for a VERY spirited discussion about blogging and the major media's response to it.

In addition to above pictured folks, the panel included Bill Hobbs, Mike Cutler from NewsChannel 5 in Nashville, and Liz Garrigan, who is the editor of the Nashville Scene. (Garrigan had to leave early, which is a shame as I wanted to meet her.)

Cutler ("I'm here out of fear," he quipped) and Garrigan were the least versed in blogging (though the Scene does have an excellent blog) and, unfortunately, much of the ribbing of "Big Media" that took place was, by default, directed at Cutler. Most in attendance seemed to be in agreement that today's more educated media consumers are fleeing traditional media in favor of other forms of media, including blogs, which saw readership increase by 58 percent in 2004.

The question of whether blogging is journalism was answered quite spritely by Seebach when she said that "bloggers are journalists when they are doing journalism." Hobbs pointed out that Big Media often doesn't "give enough information (for media consumers) to get involved" and even less information about how people can express their opinions. Hobbs said that Big Media, if they are smart, will embrace the idea of blogging as a great way to talk to their readers and even find more information for their stories, which might not actually be "finished" simply because the paper has gone to press.

Reynolds mentioned that journalistic blogging would probably work best for in depth local news, as bloggers' coverage could easily outpace the amount of coverage Big Media gives to, say, local school boards.

Or election night.

Oh wait...

There's a bunch more to talk about, but I'm too tired to do it.

Tomorrow: A bunch o' seminars. Early ones.

(By the way: Check out Lasica's OurMedia.org. What they are proposing is almost too good to be true.)

Posted by colrus at 02:47 AM | TrackBack

May 06, 2005

Dispatches from the Blogiverse

I'm headed to Nashville to attend the BlogNashville conference. Periodic reports -- and maybe even pictures!!! -- will be posted as events unfold.

Good times.

Posted by colrus at 11:38 AM | TrackBack

May 05, 2005

CD/DVD/Video Game/Book Reviewers Wanted!

The Pulse is looking for CD, DVD, video game, and (especially) book reviewers. If you are interested, please e-mail Bill. A resume, writing samples and a note about what specific types of material you'd be interested in reviewing would be helpful.

Posted by pulseblogger at 01:15 PM | TrackBack

Rush, Rush. Come on bloggers blog at me.

What do you think of Corey Clark's allegations that he had an affair with Paula Abdul while he was a contestant on American Idol?

Seemed pretty shady to me. But I don't know. He was seen singing a song called, "Straight Up." Get it? GET IT?!?

I think the more important point to consider here is that Anthony Federov -- who does not seem to have a complete grasp of the English language -- STILL hasn't been voted off.

Another question: Has another young male singer with such a pronounced, distressing tracheotomy scar ever had as distinguished a singing career?

I think not.

Discuss.

Posted by pulseblogger at 09:39 AM | TrackBack

May 04, 2005

Take Our Advice. Open Up Your Tired Eyes.

From The Pulse's featre story in issue 52:
The Chattanooga Report Card:
Taking a look back at some ways to move ahead

"We encourage CARTA to expand its shuttle service and continue to look to serve the influx of urban dwellers that we should see as downtown adds housing."

From Chattanoogan.com today:
Electric Shuttle May Be Headed To North Chattanooga

"Mayor Ron Littlefield said Tuesday steps are being taken to extend the CARTA Electric Bus Shuttle to North Chattanooga..."

Posted by pulseblogger at 01:02 PM | TrackBack

Pickin' Up On Our Divide

Matt Edens (of Knoxville's Metro Pulse) talks about the recent Chattanooga mayoral race and some of our coverage of it in a recent commentary.

Posted by pulseblogger at 11:11 AM | TrackBack

May 02, 2005

Today's Chattanooga business owner inspirational quote

From today's Times Free Press:

"I've got to get a big ladder and climb up on the goal posts. I want to see if we can shoot fireworks out of the tops of the posts. If we can't, I'm sure we can from the top of the scoreboard."

-Finley Stadium's soon-to-be operator, Frank Burke, making plans to light things up.

Nice.

Posted by colrus at 04:23 PM | TrackBack