By Joseph Perkins / Columnist My, how quickly Democrats on Capitol Hill rushed to condemn the federal appeals court panel that deemed the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because of the phrase “under God.”“I see no reason,” said House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, the Missouri Democrat, “to change the time-tested, venerable pledge that is such a…

By Will Stewart / Columnist Though I’ll no doubt be called a blankety-blank-blank godless heathen atheist (or some other like term) by scores of people in many Sunday school classes across the county today, I have to go ahead and say it anyway: I agree with the decision of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of…

Our Viewpoint If Tennessee lawmakers don’t find some way to balance the budget and the state is forced to shut down, will we only be left with 49 states?We’ve heard about this state government shutdown for months. Now that we’re on the eve of just such an event, what’s going to happen when this great…

By Bernard Smith / Columnist The last few days, I’ve been sitting by the pool enjoying life at my condo in Daytona Beach. As most of you know, this is a tough life.I’ve got to drag myself out of bed, brush the teeth I have left, and then spend the rest of the day napping…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.) After capturing the regular-season championship, Dr. Jones DDS battled to take the tournament title last Saturday in the Girls’ 7-8 year-old coach-pitch league.In winning the title, Dr. Jones had to survive a pair of tough contests against Grissom’s Underground Utility, eventually taking the…

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard The field of contenders for the Junior League baseball championship continued to narrow this week, as tournament action heated up at Hoover Millraney Field.In a nail-biter, Morris’ Auto Body moved on while eliminating Gateway Tire with an 8-7 victory. Micha Black had a hit and…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Smarty Pants had to fight its way out of the loser’s bracket Thursday night to win the Girls Junior 9-10 year-old softball tournament championship.In the championship game, Smarty Pants put three runs across the plate in the first inning with Leah Steakley leading off with…

The Station-Pure Art presents “Odyssey, Two Photographers, Two Journeys, One Show.” Featuring photographs and digital art of Joe H. Beasley and Carol K. Caldwell, the show opens July 1 and continues through Aug. 12. An open reception for the artists will be held July 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.“Odyssey,” selected as the title for…

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Habitat for Humanity officers, volunteers, local politicians and supporters got together last weekend for the dedication of the fifth home completed by the organization in Warren County.The home is the result of the combined efforts of local churches, a significant number of volunteers from…

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard A group of vandals known to police as the Westwood Warriors have wreaked havoc on the Westwood neighborhood over the last week, vandalizing 21 cars and destroying property.Police say they have a good idea of the identities of the members of the upper middle-class gang…