Morning Show Blog

July 4th: Have we forgotten why we celebrate?

Jul 04, 2008

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Okay, I know what you’re thinking.  Not another pious, self-righteous call to remember the reason for the season.

But seriously, are you even thinking about the spirit behind July 4th today?  As I’ve shared before on this blog, these thoughts come to me as I try to explain things to my four year old.  We’re working through the fact that today is America’s birthday, that some men and women who lived a few hundreds of years ago worked really hard to make sure we can be independent and free, and that freedom isn’t something everyone in the world is able to enjoy.

A four year old can’t comprehend how remarkable the “Founding Fathers” were.  Heck, many adults can’t either, it seems.  These patriots deliberately decided to risk losing everything with the single goal of living independently of a government they no longer believed in.  Such courage seems to be in short supply today.

Seems to me that, for a country to remain great, we must never forget how we got to be this way. 

Do you agree?  How are you celebrating today? 



Posted by Josh Smith

Comments (1)

Rush Limbaugh’s $400 Million Deal

Jul 03, 2008

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We’re all talking about this one today.

Rush Limbaugh, the conservative talk-show host who inspired a legion of copycats, signed a $400 million deal securing his presence on the air through 2016.

That’s about $38 million a year.

Yesterday, Limbaugh commented on news coverage of his contract and told listeners he’s worth every penny.

By the way, Limbaugh - a media “outsider” not tied to legacy broadcast or newspaper companies like CBS or the New York Times - now makes more than the three network anchors combined.

What do you think?



Posted by Josh Smith

Comments (6)

Does McCain’s military experience matter to you?

Jul 01, 2008

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I’d love your take on the latest “oh no you didn’t just say that” moment from Campaign ‘08,

“Well, I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President,” said retired General and former Democratic Presidential candidate Wesley Clark on CBS’s “Face the Nation” last Saturday.  He was responding to a grilling by Bob Scheiffer after Clark said McCain’s military service and his 5 years as a P.O.W. doesn’t necessarily qualify him to be President.

McCain shrugged it off, and even Obama distance himself from the General’s comments.

What do you think?  Does McCain’s military service and his time as a P.O.W. factor into your opinions about him so far? 



Posted by Josh Smith

Comments (11)

Hangin’ Out in the E.R.

Jun 30, 2008

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This morning, TriCities.Com Reporter Nicki Mayo reported live outside the brand new Bristol Regional Medical Center Emergency Department.  The newly expanded facility will significantly increase the square footage and bed court in the 14 year old hospital.

Last week, a spokesman for the Johnson City Medical Center said that hospital’s emergency room will be renovated and expanded starting later this year.

This got me thinking: have you ever been stuck in the emergency room?  By stuck, I mean for a long time?  Or have your local ER visits been smooth sailing and better than expected?

Share you stories here on the Morning Edition blog?



Posted by Josh Smith

Comments (2)

Near Miss: You almost lost your 2nd Ammendment right

Jun 27, 2008

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What’s your reaction to yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling that a handgun ban in Washington D.C. violates the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution? 

Some really feel that too many guns in too many hands spells trouble.  Others feel the 2nd Amendment assures an inherently American right, the right to bear arms.  To quote America’s most famous gun advocate Charleton Heston, “Out of my cold dead hands.”

A couple of things really surprised me yesterday:

1. We came really close to the death of the 2nd Amendment.  Five Justices voted to overturn the D.C. ban, but four did not.  One different opinion would have changed everything.

2. Some Mayors and even some Congressmen and Senators say they’ll continue to push for laws banning or limiting individual gun use.

Where do you stand on the issue?



Posted by Josh Smith

Comments (7)

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