ALEXANDER WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander is raging against the wind. The Tennessee Republican has filed bills, made speeches and taken numerous opportunities to voice his opposition to one of the nation’s fastest-growing sources of renewable energy — windmills. But wind-power advocates say Alexander’s repeated flailing at windmills, like the fictional Don Quixote…

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Phil Bredesen said Saturday that it’s time to scrap the national health care plan for the poor and start over. Bredesen, a Democrat delivering his party’s weekly radio address, said Medicaid reform needs to be discussed alongside other important issues such as national security, the economy and Social Security. He called…

To the Editor: Warren County has done it again. In the days, weeks, and months leading up to Relay For Life, the people of Warren County gave their time and their money to help the American Cancer Society fight cancer. Hundreds of Warren County citizens formed 56 teams this year — up from 48 teams…

TO THE EDITOR: Five years ago, Duane Sherrill, in an editorial “Taking A Stand,” wrote an article about residents of McMinnville being restaurant crazy. Having my bachelor of arts degree in sociology, I have made a sincere effort to observe the dining habits of Warren County residents.Mr. Sherrill’s article made reference to Sunday waiting in…

By Morton Kondracke / Columnist In the past 14 years, the need for comprehensive health care reform has become ever more compelling. As the National Coalition on Health Care reported last month, the number of uninsured Americans is expected to rise from at least 45 million now to 51 million by 2006.Health care costs are…

By Thomas Vaughn / Columnist With President Bush barely through the fifth month of his second term, political pundits are already prophesying about potential presidential candidates for 2008. To the average American, this borders on absurdity, but to the political elite, it seems about right. So, potential candidates from both parties are already weighing in…

By Charles W. Johnson / Columnist As always, I am fascinated with the origin of phrases that I have heard over the years. Some of them make perfect sense the first time you hear them, like “hit the nail on the head” for instance.On the other hand, some old sayings can leave you scratching your…

By Ed Blonz, Ph.D. / Columnist DEAR DR. BLONZ: Would you please be so kind as to enlighten me on pomegranate juice? It is touted as being the best antioxidant. Are other juices just as good? It is quite delicious, but very expensive. — E.A., Glassboro, N.J.DEAR E.A.: Pomegranates are a wonderful food. Their deep…

By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS / Associated Press Writer The Lost Sea is illuminated by underwater lights in this photo taken Wednesday, June 1, 2005, in Sweetwater, Tenn. The Lost Sea is the world’s second-largest underground lake. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) SWEETWATER — When a 13-year-old boy discovered what is now the world’s second-largest underground lake he…

By BILL ZECHMAN / Special to the Southern Standard Chitra and Dr. Barun Mukherji, with Vicki Monroe Spivey of Station Pure Art, are shown with Mukherji’s “Flaming Trillium” at his art show currently showing at the local gallery. With the exacting care and precision of a skilled surgeon, Barun Mukherji’s camera dissects the natural world,…