Gene Lyons In the age of mass media, political propaganda imitates TV melodrama. Particularly in the United States, the discussion of foreign affairs — crucial questions involving the lives of millions — follows the conventions of the action/adventure film: an idealistic American hero, a villain with his wicked henchmen, a dramatic “crisis,” redemptive violence, and,…

Joan Ryan The forks in the grip of my husband and son were moving like missiles toward the pan-fried chicken when I asked them to wait. “I’d like to say grace,” I said. “What?” my son asked in that lovely preteen tone, as if I had just proposed we grind our faces into the angel-hair…

James Clark I like to give credit where credit is due and I think McMinnville Mayor Royce Davenport has an excellent idea with his new column called ?Ask the Mayor.? Question-and-answer columns can be tremendously popular. Think about Dear Abby and Ann Landers. Think about Dave Ramsey and Mr. Know-It-All. However, on the local level,…

By LISA HOBBS Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard COOLEY-WILLIAMS? WINNING ENTRY Local artist and Warren County native Darlene Cooley-Williams took top honors at the Tennessee Porcelain Artist State Show in Pickwick Landing, Tenn., earlier this month. Williams entered three pieces in the teacher?s categories, one of which took first place, best of show and…

April Michelle Jacobs and Luke Aaron Campbell will wed May 6 at Leoni Church of Christ. Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Trail of Bradyville announce the engagement of their daughter April Michelle Jacobs to Luke Aaron Campbell of Rock Island. He is the son of Albert and Barbara Campbell of Rock Island. His grandmother is Helen…

James Clark photo Beersheba Street resident Magalene Dutton, 81, is proud of her pink Amarillo plant which is currently in full bloom. Dutton says she has a knack for gardening. ?My friends tell me I could put a stick in the dirt and get it to grow,? Dutton said.

ATLANTA (AP) Students in Georgia’s public schools could begin to take Bible classes as soon as next year, under legislation Gov. Sonny Perdue signed into law on Thursday. The law will make Georgia the first state to offer state-sanctioned elective classes on the Bible. Perdue, a Republican who is up for re-election in the fall,…

If you want to hear live music tonight and help local tornado victims in the process, a battle of the bands is taking place at Hoot-n-Holler Farm in conjunction with its Hog Wild Weekend. In addition to tonight?s bands, a motorcycle show will be held tonight and tomorrow with prizes awarded Saturday in such categories…

By Margaret hobbs Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Custom-made Relay for Life bracelets are available from the ADK team. The sterling silver bracelets use cancer awareness colors. In an effort to either memorialize a cancer victim or honor a survivor, the ADK Relay for Life team is presenting hand-made bracelets. The unique bracelets are…

By Margaret hobbs Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Plans are made for the presentation of the Junior Miss Warren County Pageant, sponsored by Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville. The prestigious pageant will be Saturday at the Warren County Middle School starting at 6 p.m. Twenty-two lovely ladies between the ages of 14-16 years of age…