Morning Show Blog

08

Friends of Fred… speak up!

 Aug 31, 2007

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This report from the Associated Press today:

“Fred Thompson’s plans to announce his
candidacy for president are in place. The former Tennessee senator
will announce he’s running in the Republican primary during a
Webcast on Monday. He’ll follow that with a five-day tour of early
primary states, then have a homecoming event in Lawrenceburg.”

Earlier on this blog, a lot of you said you were fans of Fred.  Since then, his campaign staff has been in turmoil.  I’ve heard some folks say they’re tired of waiting for the official announcement.

Any Fred fans still out there today?  Why do you or don’t you love Thompson as a candidate for President?

Thanks!



Posted by Josh Smith

Race for the Cure

 Aug 30, 2007

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Today on News Channel 11 Morning Edition, it was great to visit with Natalie Whitlock. 

Over the years, she and her husband Hank have inspired me with their community leadership and positive attitude.  The Whitlock’s are critical players in the FunFest Crazy 8’s race (a world-class running event).  Now, Natalie is part of Tri-Cities chapter of Komen for the Cure, and she’s heading up the upcoming “Race for the Cure”.

Why is Natalie so involved?  Today, Natalie told me she’s celebrating 7 years cancer-free.  For Natalie, skin cancer was the enemy.  I’m so happy to say - she won.

Here’s information about the big weekend.  Natalie says teams need to organize and register ASAP.

Race for the Cure
--------------------------
October 5th
Memorial Park - Kingsport

Survivor Celebration
5:30-7pm
Concert for the Cure
7pm

October 7th
Memorial Park - Kingsport

Noon - events kick-off
Dash for the Cure - 2pm
5K race - 3 pm

http://www.komentricities.org
423-354-0111



Posted by Josh Smith

Two years later… and still a lot of pain

 Aug 29, 2007

This morning, our hearts are heavy for folks along the Gulf Coast.  Two years after Hurricane Katrina, the pain remains widespread despite all the help the region has received.

Yesterday, News Channel 11’s Josh Green (who’s from Louisianna) checked in with some Gulf Coast residents still living in the Tri-Cities Region.  They continue to make the best of it in their new hometown.  Check out his report here on TriCities.Com.

Yesterday’s blog entry about the Katrina recovery complaints got a complaint from a viewer who lives in Chuckey.  Read below.  Please know that I had no intentions of advancing a political agenda.  I simply intended to post a question to you, a question I’ve heard asked many times before.  In our highly politically charged world, the search for an “agenda” is a natural reaction.  Still, let’s not rush to judgement by trying to read “between the lines” of a question asked on a blog.

Also, the blog responses have to be manually posted, and that sometimes doesn’t happen until the next morning.  For that reason, your entries won’t appear right away.  Trust me, complaints and criticisms are welcomed.  That’s the beauty of this blog; it’s your chance to sound off.

Thanks!



Posted by Josh Smith

Katrina complaints

 Aug 28, 2007

Today on News Channel 11 Morning Edition, we reported that residents and leaders in New Orleans are marking the two year anniversary of Hurrican Katrina by blaming President Bush and the federal government for the city’s slow recovery.

New Orleans’ Mayor Ray Nagin has urged everyone in his city to call the White House and complain.

Katrina was blamed on about 1,700 deaths, mostly in Louisianna.  That’s according to news agencies which also report that thousands of people are still living in FEMA trailers and thousands more are living in other cities like Houston, Texas, where they fled after the storm.  Some have made the best of the bad situation.  Many others reportedly are miserable and stuck in the web of dependance on government aid.

According to several on-line news articles I read this morning, the government has approved tens of billions of dollars in Gulf Coast aid with plans to spend tens of billions more in the coming years.  I personally know several people involved in churches and charities who’ve spent a significant part of the last two years on the Gulf Coast.  They tell me the region is teeming with non-government relief workers.  They tell me it takes a while to rebuild a region.

They also pointed out that New Orleans was a city built where cities shouldn’t be built.  Scientists told us something like this would happen.

So this is our question to you:  while we all wish the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast the very best, do you feel the complaints are well-deserved?  What’s your reaction to the cries of unjustice?

Sound off here on the Morning Edition blog.



Posted by Josh Smith

On the Track with Speedway Children’s Charities

 Aug 27, 2007

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Saturday morning, I walked the track at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

It was the Speedway Children’s Charities Track Walk fundraiser, and it was the highlight of Race Week for me.

SCC raises money using the power of NASCAR and gives that money (all of it) to local child-focused charities.  For the Bristol chapter, the event Saturday raised more than $2,000 thanks to 600 plus people in attendance.  All that money will be given away over the next few months.

In the photo above, we’re all gathered on the start / finish line around 10:15 a.m. Saturday.  IT WAS SO HOT!  But I met some cool people.  A couple from Ohio told me they love how NASCAR cares about kids, and they REALLY love race week in Bristol.  It’s alway fun to be with The Byrd’s, Jeff and Claudia.  Jeff is in charge at BMS.  Claudia is in charge of the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.  They get our vote as the best “team” in racing.  Everyone there seemed thrilled to get to walk on the newly refurbished track, and they seemed more than willing to donate $30 for the privilege.

Finally, trust me on this.  Driver Scott Wimmer is a genuinely nice guy.  While we were getting ready for the walk, I noticed him chatting with my wife and my kids.  Mrs. Smith isn’t much of a NASCAR fan, so she didn’t know who Scott Wimmer was.  He didn’t care; he just seemed to enjoy keeping my kids occupied before the walk began.  He shared with us that he has a 2 year old little boy, and he misses him when racing takes him away from home.  From one dad to another, I’m now Scott Wimmer’s biggest fan.

Share your Race Weekend highlights here on the blog.

Have a great day.

Josh



Posted by Josh Smith

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