Comments by hamcat

Written on Mayo must fit into Grizzlies' game:

keep Zach that is

Written on Mayo must fit into Grizzlies' game:

what kind of expiring contracts are available? package Mayo and Thabeet for an expiring contract player, and use the savings at the end of the season to keep

one thing is clear: the Griz have to feel more comfortable in trading OJ now. of course, that means yet another failed draft if they do--missing out on both Kevin Love and OJ

Written on Shooting of 15-year-old ruled justifiable homicide by investigators:

so IF we are to believe the shooter's story, then we have a criminal transaction resulting in the death of one of the criminals. How does that absolve the other criminal other any wrong doing?

Last time I checked it is a crime to buy a gun in this manner. A gun that was stolen too.

So the shooter admits to being involved in a crime, but no charges are filed?

Written on Healthy Memphis: Pre-existing conditions make getting affordable coverage difficult:

COBRA benefits are not really more expensive, it is just that the former employee is responsible for paying 100% of the premium costs, rather than having someone else pay all or most of the cost.

As enacted, the exclusion of pre-existing condition provisions in PPACA will result in higher premium rates across the board. Believe it or not, insurance premiums are based on actuarial accounting, as well as actual claims experience in subsequent years. Eliminating waiting periods while also eliminating pre-existing condition restrictions will shift the actuarial and then claims costs higher. Articles like this would do the public a service by discussing those facts. The idea of eliminating pre-existing condition riders sounds great, but there is a real cost to the rest of the insured that hasn't been discussed.

Written on Chris Peck: Money is heart of schools merger issue:

the state constitution mandates that the county governments are responsible for providing funding for public education. The special school district status is done through legislation. Legislation cannot undo the county's constitutional mandate to provide funding for public education.

So if SCS is successful in getting the special schools district that Pickler wants, Shelby county would constitutionally still be required to pay for the public education of students outside the special district. But the special district would have taxing authority to gain extra funding from property owners within the special district.

So be careful what you ask for county residents, or you will end up paying double taxes for education like those of us within the city of Memphis currently do.

Written on Otis L. Sanford: Voters may tire of Cohen's combativeness:

actually, people should read up on the "big lies", because they are in fact, the truth. by 2014, the Federal government will in fact have taken over health care. By forcing what policies must contain. by dictating what policies cannot exclude. by dictating the spread on premiums that can be charged. And that doesn't even get to the state pools.

I'd dare say that most 9th district constituents have no idea how Cohen represents them.

Cohen is a self-centered egotist. In his mind, he can never be wrong. That's a bad thing in a politician.

Written on Editorial: Intimidation or big mistake?:

Godwin is right. They stayed too long.

but DestinTiger is also right. You have to ask who benefits from this "show of force". Certainly the Joint Task Force/MPD do not.

Written on Letter: Not persuaded by Pickler's threats:

it is irresponsible for Pickler or anyone else in a leadership position to say that the optional program would necessarily cease to exist.

The reality is that if SCS is forced to due its constitutionally mandated job of educating all students in Shelby County, there will be an opportunity to remake the system within the county, melding the good parts of both current districts, in order to improve education for everyone.

the example of Hamilton county and Chattanooga schools merger is instructive. While Chattanooga/Hamilton county doesn't have the same racial disparity that Shelby county does, there was a sizable segment outside of the Chattanooga city limits that didn't want the merger. The result, though, has been increased test scores across the district post-merger. And they still have magnet schools, similar to MCS optional schools.

It can be done. But people have to chose to the long term improvement of the county and region.

Written on Bills in legislature have teachers 'furious':

there should be no public sector unions. Period. Outlaw them all.

Written on Letter: Media distorted Cohen's message:

my the backtracking and spin control.

The fact is Cohen is guilty of what he is accusing Conservatives of doing. PolitFact was wrong in their "big lie"--more left wing propaganda.

only in a liberal mind do they claim to lower the deficit by implementing entitlements.

be careful what you wish for people.

Written on Letter: SCS should rise to the challenge :

that's a nice scare comment, but the reality is that there are A LOT of people who live in Memphis who want the MCS system changed, but cannot force any change because our voices sre drowned out. If you add the county voters to our voice, things are more likely to change. One thing is for certain, things have to change within Shelby County, and a special school district is possibly the worst change that could be made.

Written on Former MUS quarterback Barry Brunetti is leaving West Virginia:

good luck to him wherever he ends up
transfering in football doesn't usually lead to a great outcome. Ryan Mallot is an exception.

Written on Chris Peck: More to Tigers football than losses:

"Football on college campuses like the University of Memphis poses a dilemma. "

No it doesn't. There is no football on The University of Memphis campus. That is part of the problem.

Written on Memphis, Shelby County schools negotiate 'perilous' funding prospect:

my child, who has been in the MCS system since kindergarten, just scored a 32 on his ACT. Would he have done better in the SCS system? Very unlikely.

David Pickler is an embarrassment. I understand people in suburban communities wanting their town to be better than others in order to attract and retain better residents; but it should be an attempt to be the best of the best, not the best of the worst. Pickler seems to be of the mindset that what happens in Memphis doesn't impact what happens in the county, which couldn't be farther from the truth.

Written on Ron Higgins: Time to open door on SEC's ethics policy:

what's ironic is that Mississippi State is likely to be the one to come out the worst on this whole deal. Having a booster/former player involved in recruiting is a big no-no. And the two former Mississippi State players, the only two to publicly accuse Newton's father of seeking money, have shown in their statements that they were essentially having improper conduct with a recruit's family.

and that isn't even touching Dan Mullen's release of Newton's academic record while at Florida.

Written on 9th Congressional District race growing tighter:

in response to cpcobb:

Congressman Steve Cohen recently introduced the Aerotropolis Act of 2010, which creates the opportunity for Memphis to receive significant funding for the development of the Memphis Aerotropolis. Congressman Cohen also introduced the Enhancing Livability for All Americans Act, which creates an Office of Livability within the Department of Transportation. If passed, this office will manage a discretionary grant program that will provide grants to communities like Memphis to implement projects that enhance livability.

Additionally, Congressman Cohen helped secure $66 million in transportation funding over the last two years, which has gone to improve all aspects of our infrastructure. To learn more visit the website:

Vote to re-elect Congressman Steve Cohen for District 9!

so we are supposed to support Cohen because he is proposing legislation to INCREASE the Federal bureaucracy? What percentage of taxpayer or borrowed Chinese money would those proposals cost to set up the programs vs the actual benefits that would trickle down to Memphis?

One poster says it isn't Cohen's fault that Memphis is in the shape it is, while another says Cohen can make the city better. Which is it? You might remember that Cohen started his long exclusive career as a politician right here in Memphis on the city council. Since the time he first took office, this city has been going downhill, while our competing cities in the Mid-South and Southeast has moved past us. I'm sorry if Cohen supporters can't see the correlation.

Written on Guest column: Tea party’s candidate has all the right stuff:

bright, I can assure you that I was no C student. I used to be an idealist also. Then I grew up and became responsible.

The public transportation comment was put in because somebody claimed, as evidence of how much good he is doing for Memphis, that MATA was able to buy 35 new buses. The fact that MATA is a money loser, totally dependent on tax payer dollars in order to operate, calls in to question why it is a good thing that they bought 35 new buses, especially when you consider that they didn't buy ones that use cleaner burning technology. That is a perfect example of the "progressive" mindset. It doesn't matter if the things that government are doing make sense or not, as long as more money is thrown at them.

I am socially liberal from a government standpoint, more in a libertarian way. I might not like how someone lives their life, but I don't think it is the government's responsibility to tell you how to live your life unless it impacts the safety and security of the people.

but the fiscal policies that this country has been running on over the past 40 years cannot work long term. To be moving further and further toward the European systems of the last 60 years, the systems that are now failing, it should be clear to anyone, educated or not, that we cannot afford to keep heading that way. The socialists just took power in Greece on the promise of higher wages and expanding government, but once in office, even they realized that isn't feasible. Yet we seem to be doubling down on policies that haven't worked in Greece, Spain, etc.


as for public transportation, that is a joke in Memphis. How many of those new buses are powered by cleaner natural gas? Again, the double standard of the left. Cry about the environment, but then applaud the purchase of a fleet of new buses, of which 2/3 are conventionally powered, and the other 1/3 are hybrid, which in the long run isn't much better.

Chattanooga has been running natural gas powered buses for years. They have taken a city that was once the most polluted in America, and turned it into one of the cleanest.

As for MATA itself, I decided last year I would look into trying to bus to work. I appreciate cities that have efficient public transportation. I used the MATA website to try to map my route, and it took me from East Memphis, to the downtown hub, then back out to East Memphis. When I mapped a more direct route on my own, using transfers, it was going to take me a minimum of 40 minutes to go the 5 miles to work, a distance I can drive in about 10 minutes.

And who has been in charge of this city for the last 20 years?


in response to WalBar:

Sadly, the offense felt by these good and honest people in the Tea Party movement by all the comments made about racism and discrimination has tarnished the movement’s image because they have not policed their ranks very well. Covert groups have easily infiltrated their movement to advance their own agenda of racism and the like. The militia movements, the supremacist movements, the anti-abortionist movements, etc. have all been folded into the Tea Party giving the conservative movement a bad name in the press.

The claim that there is no suggestion by the Tea Party to reverse basic rights is laughable. The Tea Party candidates across the country have been demonstrating their lack of knowledge of the Constitution and its accepted interpretations by the Supreme Court. We have heard from them how we need to get back to the Founding Fathers’ Constitution. How else is this to be interpreted than to do away with various Amendments to that Constitution? The basic right to vote is challenged by that tired old mantra about voter fraud when these voter fraud patrols do much to try and intimidate certain groups of voters.

Why is there such a fear of an educated and intellectual press? Are those of the Tea Party intimidated by smart people? Who else would you want to be running the most powerful nation in the world, a bunch of morons like the slate of candidates put forth by the Tea Party? Now, I have not heard from Ms. Bergmann that she advocates all the things that other Tea Party candidates have been so foolish to say to the public but she is in association with a movement that is generally bad for America because of its sources and ideas. It is not that she is a “black, female and conservative” that is the problem but that she is a candidate from a movement that is tainted by all the things that are wrong with the ideology. I’m sure she is a fine, decent, well-educated person but she won’t get my vote.

it would be helpful to your argument if you could provide proof that radical elements, other than liberal agitators, have tried or succeeded in infiltrating the TEA party movement.

The point is not how much of our taxpayer money Cohen "brought" back to us to spend. How has Cohen made things better for residents in the 9th district? How have his party's policies helped people in the 9th district get a job and become less dependent on entitlements? He has shamefully pandered to the black vote by essentially proposing reparations for slavery.

Does Bergmann have more legislative experience than Cohen? Of course not. But that should be considered a positive. Obama had very little relative political experience, and no executive experience, when elected in 2008, and it didn't seem to matter to the left. And his position is far more important than one individual Congressional seat.

but then again, the left doesn't care about double standards, as long as their radical agenda benefits.

Written on Memphis misinterprets guidelines for federal grant, won't get $16M for Main Street upgrade:

do you people realize how foolish you look? You are complaining about the city messing up their grant application? But ignoring why the application was rejected?

Where in the name of sanity does it make sense to demand that the applicant request MORE taxpayer money? But with union thugs like LaHood in charge of DOT, it isn't surprising.

Our government is on the verge of fiscal ruin, and it is turning down grants for not asking for enough money.

Crzay. Stupid crazy.

Written on Dan Wolken: Major programs chasing Spartans' Hollins — but Harvard's a possibility, too:

in response to mem10rep:

Any program that an institution funds does so in order for it to be successful. Are you implying Harvard "sold out" because they wanted their basketball program to be more successful? It isn't as if they lowered their academic standards to bring in athletes, or suddenly give full rides to its athletes. His job is to bring in the best basketball players that are of Harvard's quality. To belittle Hollins' accomplishments to date (i.e. without basketball, they wouldn't have sought him out) is absurd. If anything without basketball there wouldn't be an article about a student from MCS going off to Howard!

If you truly think a kid with Harvard on their resume doesn't put them a step ahead of a kid with a degree from most other universities then I have a bridge across the Mississipi River to sell you.

you totally missed my point. Nowhere did I belittle Andre's accomplishments. He is not only an exceptional student, but also an exceptional person. Always has a smile on his face.

If this were Harvard of 2005, Andre would still be a great candidate, and very likely would have gotten in then, as now.

But Harvard does not recruit academic students. That was my point. If Andre were not a basketball player and wanted to go to Harvard, he would start the process. And given his academic credentials, combined with his whole resume, would be a top candidate.

I take expection to someone writing an article making it seem like it is unheard of for a MCS product to go to Harvard. The Memphis area produces 2-4 Harvard undergrad students per year (Harvard tends to try to limit the number to geographic areas), and White Station often has 1 of them.

The idea that Andre would possibly end up at Harvard has been understood since his freshman year. And has gotten more likely as he hasn't blossomed into a high major/future NBA prospect.


legand, this is not the Harvard of old. When they went out and hired Amaker as its coach, they did that intending to actually go out and recruit student athletes and compete at a higher level. Higher than historic Ivy League level. Academically, Hollins would have a shot at Harvard without basketball. But without basketball, they wouldn't have sought him out.

and the benefit of a Harvard education, as well as Ivy League schools in general, isn't so much the education itself as it is the networking that takes place, but during and after being there.


"The catch is that Harvard is not an entirely free education. Though they compete in Division 1, Ivy League schools do not offer athletic scholarships, and financial aid does not cover the entire annual cost of $50,723 for tuition, room and board. The amount Hollins' family would have to pay is relatively small — Harvard bases it on household income — but it's often a level of complication big-time recruits don't want to deal with"

something else Wolken got wrong. 2/3 of students at Harvard pay nothing. all are required to take out "loans" from the school for a small amount, regardless of family income, but repayment isn't enforced.

In fact, the current debate at Harvard is whether they will continue to make anyone pay, regardless of family income, since such a large percentage are already covered.

Easy to do when your endowment bottoms out around $25 billion (yes with a B) after the market crash of 2008.

Written on Ole Miss student faces deportation for revealing illegal status:

in response to nitemarewalker#265094:

"But the right path is for her to go back to Brazil (with her mother in tow) and then apply for a visa to attend graduate school. Then get married. Then work on her citizenship."

This is not possible according to immigration laws by USCIS. Of course, I'm sure you already knew this though.

why is it not possible for her to apply for an F-1 visa? Then if she gets married, apply for an adjustment to permanent resident status. Then begin the process of becoming a citizen.

People come to the US all the time on student or work visas, marry someone, become a permanent resident, and then become citizens.

It seems to me, in this case, the Department of State could intervene, issue an F-1 visa, and the problem is solved.

Written on Letter: Bergmann shares voters' values:

has Cohen made the 9th district a better place to live over the past 4 years?

Bergmann will get my vote. Her generalizations are enough for me, especially considering we know the record of Cohen is long-term bad for both the district and the country. It doesn't matter to me that Bergmann is Catholic. Just as it doesn't matter to me that Cohen is Jewish.

I've voted Democrat in the past. Heck, I even voted for Cohen against Nikki Tinker as I abhored the idea of someone running a campaign exclusively on race. Watching Cohen since then, I've come to regret my decision. I'd rather have a fool who runs a racist campaign but can do little damage outside following the herd, vs someone who actively seeks to do damage.

and won't the Tennessee Legislature be responsible for redrawing the districts after the census? Though I'm sure the Federal DOJ will be watching closely.

Written on Letter: Bergmann shares voters' values:

"They treat me like a dog"

Written on Letter: Bergmann shares voters' values:

Hippie needs to buff up on her history and understand what the "Southern strategy" really did.

Whether Cohen has done one or two decent things is not the issue. The issue is his continued support of policies that will bankrupt this nation. He is perpetuating the dependence of his constituents on the Federal government he seeks to enlarge. Which of course guarantees his continued electoral victories.

We are living in a society where almost of half of US households receive some form of government assistance, higher than at any time in our history. 45% pay no net Federal income tax.

For anyone in a position of power, as Cohen is, to not address the exploding entitlement problems as it impacts our deficit and debt is showing they really don't have the long term interests of their constituents at heart.

Written on Ole Miss student faces deportation for revealing illegal status:

I'm sorry her mother put her in this position, but that can't set aside the law.

What is really unfortunate is (other than the fact she wants to go to law school--too many lawyers already) she is the type of immigrant this country needs and was built on. She has assimilated into American society. She has not, as more often than not now, tried to live her life as a Brazlian in America, but as an American with Brazilian heritage.

But the right path is for her to go back to Brazil (with her mother in tow) and then apply for a visa to attend graduate school. Then get married. Then work on her citizenship. That is the only solution in this case.

Unless of course Harry Reid is successful in politicizing the current military bill up for debate in the Senate. He is trying to get a totally unrelated DREAM act included in this bill. Fortunately, so far, he is failing in his efforts.

Written on Cohen not worried about 9th Congressional District GOP foe:

why are there so few black Republicans? Couldn't have anything to do with the left demonizing any black who happens to be conservative and opts to run for office as a Republican, could it?

As to Bergman's positions, I think she's been pretty clear. Why is it a necessity to have held an office before? That isn't how our system of government was designed. It wasn't meant to establish a professional political class. Yet that is what it has become, from both parties, and it is a major problem.

Bighouse, would you rather have had the Republican opposition be a white, Christian male, so the let could have then demonized Republicans for running such a stereotypical candidate?

At some point, the people who are having their lives ruined by the policies of the left will have to start thinking for themselves.

Written on Cohen not worried about 9th Congressional District GOP foe:

Innocent, you don't know Cohen. He only represents those in his district how share his leftist ideals. He is as closed minded as they come. He IS part of the problem of division that you say needs to be fixed.

Written on Cohen not worried about 9th Congressional District GOP foe:

exactly PAB. Cohen's policy and voting record should be reason enough to be voted out of office. He is part of the problem. Part of the reason why poverty is so high in America.

The fact that Cohen is an arrogant egotist doesn't really matter in this race.

We all know that any Republican in this district is going to have a very hard time beating Cohen.

What would be nice would be for the black people in the district to ask how their lives have been improved by Ford/Ford/Cohen representation. Look beyond the government handouts. How has that representation made it easier for people of this district to better their lives where they aren't dependent on the government? That is going to be a very hard thing for them to do.

They need to be looking at the examples of Greece, Spain, and now LA County, as what they have to look forward to if they think that they can forever count on government programs for their livelihood. We have a choice in this country. We can see a gradual lowering of the standard of living for all people, or we can try to empower people, bring good jobs back to this country, and continue the history of America being the greatest country in the history of the world. Or we can follow the path of European Socialist Democracies who didn't change things 10-20 years ago and are now paying for it.

Written on Geoff Calkins: University of Memphis' problem starts at the top:

as usual, most people are missing the obvious. Nobody is asking taxpayers to foot the bill for a new on-campus stadium (thought we did chip in a sizable amount to the recent renovation of Neyland Stadium in Knoxville by virtue of state THEC bond issue).

Those of us who are for an on-campus stadium recognize that it would be an ignition to build the University further through increased alumni involvement and donations. The University cannot rely on the state alone for funding expansion. It must rely primarily on development funding. Dr. Raines has the mistaken belief that an emphasis on sports fund raising will take away from the academic mission of The University. That idea is not supported by facts, by the dozens of universities around the country that have seen a surge in donations and building for academics after a committment to athletics.

I think we all understood 2 years ago that the on campus stadium issue was dead, at least while Dr. Raines is President. However, there are plenty of places on the main campus to build an appropriate sized stadium, with the best location south of the tracks. The vision that we are looking for is a revised campus master plan that holds a place for an on campus stadium in the future, whether it be 5, 10, or 20 years down the road.

That vision is not shared by Dr. Raines, and will not be shared by her replacement, since the Board of Regents will control that hire.

Written on Porter: Cannon Smith to start at QB for Memphis against East Carolina:

at least Cannon looked much more relaxed when he came back in during the 4th quarter. he was definitely too hyped to start the game. Williams, however, was poised.

We don't seem to have a long ball play with them, but I don't think QB play is what is going to cost us this year. It was always going to be a long year.

But at least we have Williams, Smith, and Summerlin for 3 years. Look for more and more underclassmen to get their chances this year if the seniors struggle.

Written on A View from the Editorial Board: War on the poor and middle class:

do their homework? where's the discussion about an ever growing Federal government? Want to save Social Security? How about we look at how inefficient the Federal government is in administering it and most every other Federal program, where often times the cost to administer a program is more than the actual benefit costs associated with the program.

Why do we need unions representing Federal workers? Are they there to ensure safe working conditions, as was a true and noble goal of unions in the early 20th century? Or are they there to ensure job security (and union dues for the union leaders to give back to the elected officials)? Why do government level employees deserve to get paid twice that of non-public employees for the same basic type of work and experience?

I, like Mr. Brother, would like people to do their homework. If not, you get information from people like Mr. Brother, who tows the hard left line. It would be no different if there were someone on the Board espousing that we should totally abolish all government and leave to each his own.

Mr. Brother's comments, unfortunately, only serve to continue the class warfare that the Democrats capitalize on. We cannot continue on our current fiscal track. It is unsustainable. It is easy to scoff at the examples of countries like Greece and say "that can never happen here". Why is that? We are continually told that the America of old, that which propelled this country to be the bastion for freedom, is unexceptional. If we are unexceptional, then how is it that the crisis of Greece will never happen here?

It is time for intelligent, adult conversation, dialogue, discussions, and solutions to our nation's problems. And that won't continue with class warfare diatribes like this Op Ed piece.

Written on Grizzlies get trade offers for Xavier Henry:

I hope Heisley holds his ground. The pay scales in the NBA are out of control.

Henry needs to ask hiself this: if he were to sign for 100% of the average + incentives, how much money would he make over the next 3 years at that salary with our without incentives. Then he needs to compare how much he'd make in Europe over those 3 years. Or over his career.

Because I'd be damned if I would trade his rights. He'd either way until 2013 to re-enter the draft, or he'd play his career in Europe, with the team tendering him an offer every year.

oh, that's right, Tellem potentially doesn't make as much money off of Henry at 100% + incentives as he does at 120%. How silly of me.

Written on Tennessee tea party coalition will meet in May:

in response to olli1965:

Based on your post... The "tea party" are in support of the repeal of medicare, medicaid, and social security. So why isn't it part of the platform. I just visited the Tennesee Tea party website and I see nothing that speak to Social Security and Medicare.. ARE 2 BIGGEST ENTITLEMENTS!

Is it possible that they do not mention it because the majority of them are benefiting or will benefit from them in the near future? In essence the tea party is saying we want smaller government but we are OK with the socialist programs called medicare and social security.

to be clear, are you calling for an overhaul of Medicare and Social Security? It sounds like you are.

Written on Tennessee tea party coalition will meet in May:

in response to CitizenUS:

Chicago had epidemic killings during Al Capone's time too. So, what?

yes they did. Criminals killing criminals. Criminals in cahoots with local politicians to ignore all the criminal activity in one ward on the South side of Chicago, such that the rest of Chicago had the lowest murder rate in the entire nation, while that one ward had the highest.

Are you implying that the current killing spree in Chicago is due the criminal element being complicit with the local politicians, as was the case in the 1920s?

Written on Tennessee tea party coalition will meet in May:

in response to thinker14:

They sure do know to meet. I dont have a problem with the cause but until they start each sentence off with and prove that they were organizing and protest under Bush's Admin. NO ONE WILL TAKE THEM SERIOUS!!!
You all need to figure out how you are not going to divide the GOP vote and allow us to do a sweep again. lol.. Some of you Views are way too far Right and will not be accepted...

there is no basis for your assertion that if you had no problem with Bush you have no right to protest Obama. The main issue with most Tea Party supporters is the fiscal recklessness of the Federal government, with individual liberty right up there at the top. These are the same people that mostly didn't like some of the provision of the Patriot Act, the same act that Obama has left intact. The same people who became disenchanted with the Republican establishment due to deficit spending. The problem with the 2008 election is neither major party candidate had plans for the needed contraction of government spending. Lots of people were complaining about what Obama's plans would do, yet it was ignored. We are on an unsustainable fiscal path, and too few seem to care.

Written on Tennessee tea party coalition will meet in May:

Verpa doesn't get it, and it isn't surprising. People weren't happy with Bush's out of control spending. Nobody let New Orleans drown, any more than we let Rhode Island drown a few weeks ago. If socialist is a tired word, then so is racist. There is a reason European socialist democracies are, after 60 years, moving away from some of the very policies that we are moving toward. They are not sustainable. The government cannot grow the economy. Yet you want the government controlling everything.

Frankly, it is good that lines are being drawn. Part of the problem with the 2008 election is that there wasn't a clear distinction between the false platform that Obama ran on, that placed him as a moderate, and the legislative record of McCain, which proved that he was a moderate. Somehow the 15% or so in this country that are hard left like Verpa and ObamaCrat have taken control in DC. That is not likely to be the case come January 2011.

Written on Hot Melrose rips White Station, 83-60, for Region 8-AAA championship:

Melrose isn't 23 points better than White Station. And Joe Jackson can get the ball and score sooner than halfway through the 2nd quarter if he wants.

The one thing nobody is saying is that it would seem that WS was ok losing and playing Dyer county, and letting Melrose host Prather. We'll see if it was the right decision.

And why nothing in the article about Melrose keeping its starters in the game and pressing up over 30 in the 4th, with WS playing seldom used bench players?

as to the small gym issue, there is no way CHS holds 1500. I imagine they get a cut of the gait, and that's great. But it does a disservice to hold a tournament like this there. But then again, the TSSAA isn't really about making things better for Memphis basketball.

The whole playoff system needs to be reworked. The need to rotate what districts play each other and get away from the strict "region" system. When you have probably 4 of the top 6 teams in the state playing within one county, they shouldn't automatically limit only two of them advancing to the sectionals.

Written on Geoff Calkins: C-USA tourney looming really big:

if Pastner were to come out and publicly say our only hope is the conference tournament, then we'd see some players on this team disappear more than they are already likely to. Our only hope at making the NCAA tournament is to keep improving as a team heading into the conference tournament.

Written on Emotions entangle Tigers' Wesley Witherspoon:

as usual, Cacciola takes negative swipes at the Tigers. Despite how he tries to end the article. Not saying this isn't a story, but the CA needs to let someone else write it. When they keep putting in articles from one writer and they are all negative, it gives the conspiracy theory folks basis for talks.

And Wesley will be fine. It's all a part of the process. It's not like he's a trouble maker off the court as some have been in the past.

Written on White Station QB Anthony Hayes wants Tigers to call:

Good luck to Red with wherever he ends up. At this point, I'd love to see him as a preferred walk-on at The University, with the opportunity to earn a scholarship after a year or two. Until that time, he can take advantage of the Hope Scholarship to pay for most of his college expenses.

Sorry that it didn't work out for Julian. He probably could have waited a few weeks to see where bigger schools settled out. Wasn't really a need for him to sign Wednesday. I doubt his offer from Missouri State was conditional on signing Wednesday.

Written on University of Memphis to plead for leniency in NCAA appeal Friday:

let's hope Sheri Lipman isn't anywhere near Indianapolis. Because if she's in the room, not only will we forfeit the entire season, the NCAA will probably say we can't sign any recruits for next season.

Written on Man shot to death in East Memphis:

I think we've shown that the experiment of trying to move those dependent on the taxpayers for their housing out of the old areas of public housing to private facilities with taxpayer subsidized rent, in hope of somehow magically improving their lot, has failed. All it is doing is spreading the violent crime to more and more areas, prompting more and more people who can to move out of the city. The result is further downward spiral of property taxes, until the city and county conspire to increase the taxes further, so that those remaining pay a higher and higher share of taxes.

Before too long, there will be very small, insulated enclaves of Memphis that will be "safe" by virtue of more and more private armed guards.

In other words, soon, we'll become Mexico City.

The solution: revamp Section 8 housing. Make the landlords responsible for their properties and who they rent to. Don't force them to take all comers. Make it easy for them to kick the criminals out. Otherwise, do away with the program.

Written on Records: UT players knew guns were in vehicle:

for all of you sociologists on here--please detail for me the living conditions and upbringing of all four of these criminals.

Can you definitively state that they were raised in poor conditions? That they lived where guns and drugs and such were commonplace?

Or could it be that some of them have taken to the glorification of the gangster lifestyle that is so prevalent in many aspects of the urban American society?

the refused to let the car be searched. They knew they were guilty. They knew what they were doing was against the law. So don't act like they couldn't help themselves. They have the ability to tell right from wrong--and chose to break the law anyway.

As for their going to Nashville, they flew back to Knoxville with the team after the game. They somehow made it to Nashville to pick up a car rented to at this point an unknown person. It will be interesting to see what crimes these guns have been associated with in the past.

Things could get a whole lot worse for these 4.

that said, I'm thinking Brian Williams will be kicked off the team, and the other 3 will serve a few game suspension.

Written on White Station Spartans win 6A football championship:

commonman, you are exactly right. White Station should be the example that the city strives to make all of its school to be like.

Congrats to my adopted school. With no previous ties to the school, I never would have thought I'd be a Spartan fan. But with two kids there, I've come to take some ownership in it. Having gone to most of the football games over the past 2 seasons, I hate that I missed last night's game. At least I was able to catch the last quarter on TV. Thanks Comcast.

Written on State to purchase Haywood County land for solar farm:

It is absolutely ridiculous that this project is being given to Tennessee@Knoxville, when The University of Memphis is less than 60 miles away. At worst, this should be a joint project.

Makes you wonder who is financially benefiting, especially with the secretive private subsidiary of a public institution. Not even sure how that is legal.

Written on Editorial: Extra paydays at City Hall:

Why is a salaried employee getting paid time off anyway? Normally, that would be reserved for hourly employees.

I certainly hope that Sara Hall overstepped her boundaries in approving the exception. If so, maybe there is hope at retrieving more stolen taxpayer money.

Written on Editorial: Inching toward a megadeal:

over $10,000 an acre for rural farmland. That is the price that speculators would pay for tracts of land near developing areas that will be carved up into smaller plots for commercial/residential development. Not the price to be paid for that large of a tract that MAY be used for future commercial development.

Follow the money CA. Don't just blindly go along because "green" issues are involved. You need to dig deeper and see who is profiting from this. You also need to dig deeper to see if a solar farm at this latitude, with its weather patterns, makes sense from a cost/return standpoint.