George Korda: How sharp is Tim Burchett’s vision?
There’s a vision question beginning to float around the Knox County political circles, as in, “What’s Tim Burchett’s vision?” A vision is different from a mission. A mission is what you do. A vision is...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Things I don’t understand (but perhaps you do)
Why we’ve allowed the government to take upon itself the power to punish us if we don’t buckle safety belts in cars or wear motorcycle helmets while riding motorcycles. Of course it makes sense to do...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Should rank have this kind of privilege?
I was sitting at a restaurant at Washington-Reagan airport a year or so ago when Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, accompanied by a young man who appeared to be an aide, turned up the aisle with the big no...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: It really is George W. Bush's fault
Actually, it is George W. Bush's fault. In the wake of the first-ever credit rating downgrade of the United States, one is reminded that Bush was a spending disaster.
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Primary politics and the Compassion Knoxville report
The report issued Aug. 15 by Compassion Knoxville contains a lengthy list of ideas to help the homeless, but at the same time the document is the work of a relatively few people and contains no...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Political candidates and debate poker “tells”
Just as with poker players, candidates for political office often have “tells.” Having over the years prepared, or helped to prepare, candidates for debates or forums for offices of U.S. Senate; U.S....
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Rogero turnover results in first down, Padgett
Whoever advised Madeline Rogero to respond as she did to Mark Padgett’s endorsements announcement isn’t doing her any favors.
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Voter turnout and clueless, excuse-making bystanders
There is a reason why voter turnout is falling or remaining static despite multiple 21st century ways to receive political information and steps to make voting easier: most people, particularly in...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Is Knoxville’s future in jeopardy?
When Madeline Rogero defeated Mark Padgett on Nov. 8 to be elected Knoxville’s first woman mayor, another history –making event of sorts – albeit less desirable - took place.
View ArticleGeorge Korda: The flop that plays us all for fools
The complete flop that was the congressional deficit-cutting super committee wasn’t a surprise. The way the U.S. Congress is dealing with America’s hideous debt situation is a fake, a farce, a sham...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: A suggestion for Knoxville’s new mayor of what not to think
Madeline Rogero, Knoxville’s new mayor, has a potential problem faced by many other newly elected officeholders. There is a danger that people in such positions will think they’re as popular as they...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Stacey Campfield and the politics of winning even if he loses
State Sen. Stacey Campfield knows how to draw a crowd. The Knox County senator probably collects more publicity than any legislator except the General Assembly’s top leadership. His legislative...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Reopen the City County Building parking garage
The City County Building parking garage should be reopened for public use.
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Stacey Campfield, restaurant seating and the principle of the...
If restaurants are going to deny service to elected officials because of things they say, the “no dogs or politicians allowed” signs will be going up in eateries across the land.
View ArticleGeorge Korda: How are we going to define 'bullying?'
What constitutes “bullying?” That question is generating increasingly intense discussions in newsrooms, living rooms and school rooms. Unfortunately, with respect to schools, anti-bullying sentiments...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Selective outrage is wrong, right?
It’s wrong when you do it, but it’s OK when I do it. Welcome to the world of political discourse. This was demonstrated after State Sen. Stacey Campfield ignited a firestorm over remarks he made on a...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Loudon County, atheist groups and religion in the public square
Loudon County has become a target for anti-religion groups that seem to believe that God and expressions of religion have no place in government. At all. Period.
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Budget? We don’t need no budget. I don’t have to show you any...
The headline isn’t a direct quote from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. It paraphrases a quote about “badges” made by a Mexican bandit character in the 1948 film classic, “Treasure of the...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: TSA, airplane security and the U.S. Army
The Transportation Security Administration has improved security at Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson airport – and other airports around the country - which means getting on an airplane is slower and more...
View ArticleGeorge Korda: Education funding and the meatiness of message
Much of the taxpaying public has, over time, been inoculated against a blanket call for more money for schools. That’s a problem for the present effort to pump $35 million new dollars annually into...
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