By William Rusher If you want to pose as an all-purpose expert on the Middle East, just assume the demeanor of a wise old owl and announce, “It’s all about oil.” Why did the United States invade Iraq? “Oil.” What are the Sunnis and the Shiites battling over? “Oil.” What is Iran’s motive in its…

By Kathy Lopez During a recent Democratic debate, both Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama indicated that all female U.S. citizens should register for the Selective Service. Neither candidate was as ridiculous as former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, who said, when it comes to men and women being drafted, “What’s the difference?” But the radical…

Editorial – Our Viewpoint As more and more precious children die in hot cars every summer, Tennessee lawmakers should consider steps toward making the punishment for such incidents more consistent. An Associated Press story published in the Standard on Sunday shows the wide discrepancies in punishments. A 43-year-old Chattanooga man was not even indicted by…

By Duane Sherrill Whatever happened to the dream of Red Lobster coming to McMinnville? We built new schools, rebuilt our downtown from the ground up, we even expanded our library, flossed our teeth and took a bath (most of us anyway). However, the last time I checked, the only lobster you can get in the…

Smithville resident Larry Eugene Rhoady Jr., 29, died Aug. 13 at his home. A U.S. Marine veteran having served in Iraq, he was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Robert and Beverly Duffee. He is survived by children, Austin Rhoady of Peatone, Ill., and Lila Kate Rhoady of Georgia; mother, Maureen (Steve) Mercer of Sawyer,…

WASHINGTON (AP) ‘ Karl Rove, the political mastermind behind President Bush’s races for the White House and an adviser with unparalleled influence over the past 6-1/2 turbulent years, announced his resignation Monday, ending a partnership stretching back more than three decades. It was a major loss for Bush as he heads into the twilight of…

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) ‘ Teacher-astronaut Barbara Morgan transformed the space shuttle and space station into a classroom Tuesday for her first education session from orbit, fulfilling the legacy of Christa McAuliffe with joy and also some sadness. ‘I’ve thought about Christa and the Challenger crew just about every day since 20-plus years ago,’ Morgan…

NEW YORK (AP) ‘ Phil Rizzuto, the Hall of Fame shortstop during the Yankees’ dynasty years and beloved by a generation of fans for exclaiming ‘Holy cow!’ as a broadcaster, died Tuesday. He was 89. His death was confirmed by the Yankees. Rizzuto had been in declining health for several years and was living at…

Players recently selected for the Warren County 11- and 12-year-old all-star baseball team are, front row, from left, Robbie McCollough, Brody Fernandez, Kaleb Tilton, Daniel Carter, Cory Cantrell and Zack York. Back row, coach Dwayne Woods, Lake Hillis, Hayden Jones, coach Carl Sullens, Lenn Northcutt, Kaleb Rymer, Grayson Woods, Alex Hillis, Mac Britton and coach…