Staff blogs
A Little Thawing on the 'Fiscal Cliff' is Welcomed
Rhetorical bombs are for pundits, and policy-makers should ignore the recommendations of taking a plunge over the “fiscal cliff.”
No Middle Name, but Very Popular
On Nov. 10, 1871, American author Winston Churchill was born in St. Louis, Missouri. At the height of his fame he quit writing and retired from public life.
The Pen Succumbs to the Pistol
On Nov. 9, 1908, Robin Cooper shot and killed former Sen. Edward W. Carmack, editor of the Tennessean.
Solving the “Tyranny of Numbers” and Changing the World
On Nov. 8, 1923, Jack Kilby was born in Jefferson City, Mo. His 1958 invention of the integrated circuit made possible the incredible devices we use everyday.
Rankin Fought For Women’s Suffrage and Against War
On Nov. 7, 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to serve in Congress. She represented the at-large district in Montana.
Mind, Body, Spirit: Basketball
On Nov. 6, 1861, James Naismith was born in Almonte, Canada. He made a ministry of teaching young men athletics, and invented basketball along the way. The college basketball season starts Friday.
Separating the Comets From the Chaff
On Nov. 5, 1906, Fred Lawrence Whipple was born in Red Oak, Iowa. His astronomical observations changed our understanding of comets.
The Final Three Electoral Votes
On Nov. 3, 1964, residents in the District of Columbia voted in their first presidential election; the Electoral College votes went to Democrat Lyndon Johnson, and have gone to the Democrat in every election since.
Harding Landslide in a 'Return to Normalcy'
On Nov. 2, 1865, Warren Harding was born in Blooming Grove. Ohio, and on Nov. 2, 1920, he was elected as the 29th President of the United States.
Liberty Without Discipline is Lost
Around Nov. 1, 1790, Edmund Burke published the pamphlet “Reflections on the French Revolution.” The pamphlet became a core philosophical treatise for the emerging Conservative movement.
A Pearl of a Dutch Master
On Oct. 31, 1632, Flemish painter Johannes Vermeer was baptized in Delft, Dutch Republic.
TEE Shots (Senior Writer Tom Embrey)
Sit on it, Fozzy
Lessons learned can be hard to swallow at dog obedience class.
Planning For the Future
On Oct. 30, 1953, George C. Marshall, architect of the Marshall Plan, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Power Be With Us
Every time I watch a satellite cell phone connect to Europe; every time I watch an iPad take pictures; every time I see MRI results or hear of robotic surgery I wonder why in the world all electric, phone and cable wires aren't underground. The technique seems to be perfected ...
Losing Your Head, Finding Your Place
On Oct. 29, 1618, Sir Walter Raleigh, the English courtier, military adventurer and poet, was executed in London.
Singer’s innovations sowed success
On Oct. 27, 1811, Isaac Merritt Singer was born in Pittstown, N.Y.; though he never the reached heights of theatrical stardom he sought, his innovations changed the lives of women.
Erie Canal transformed America’s heartland
On Oct. 26, 1825, the 363-mile long Erie Canal opened for traffic, linking Albany, N.Y., on the Hudson River, to Buffalo, N.Y. on Lake Erie.
