http://metropulse.com/news/knoxville-issues/frank-talk/?partner=RSSMetroPulse Stories: Frank Talk by Frank Cagleen-usknoxville-issues/frank-talk/news/knoxville-issues/frank-talk/?partner=RSShttp://metropulse.com/feeds/headlines/knoxville-issues/frank-talk/2008-11-21T15:32:06.389927Copyright MetroPulse, 2008http://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/19/out-now-ins/?partner=RSSWed, 19 Nov 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/19/out-now-ins/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk140152008-11-19T17:00:002008-11-19T17:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008The Democrats who have been in for decades may regret ignoring that advice as the Republicans prepare to take over the state House of Representatives.Knoxville, TNOut Now the InsMetroPulseout-now-inshttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/12/black-irony/?partner=RSSWed, 12 Nov 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/12/black-irony/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk139952008-11-12T17:00:002008-11-12T17:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008It is ironic that while America was voting for Barack Obama as its first black president last week, blacks in Knoxville and across Tennessee were suffering losses in political power.Knoxville, TNBlack IronyMetroPulseblack-ironyhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/05/will-it-be-back/?partner=RSSWed, 05 Nov 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/nov/05/will-it-be-back/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk139492008-11-05T17:00:002008-11-05T17:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008The last three governors of Tennessee served two terms. All three ran for election and re-election opposed to a state income tax. All three faced a revenue shortfall in their second term and at least considered the option of a state income tax.Knoxville, TNWill It Be Back?MetroPulsewill-it-be-backhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/29/who-will-vote/?partner=RSSWed, 29 Oct 2008 21:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/29/who-will-vote/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk138782008-10-29T17:00:002008-10-29T17:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008In February there was a huge turnout and anyone who looked like an incumbent and had an opponent lost. In the August county election, the turnout was smaller and the traditional Republican ticket swept most of the offices.Knoxville, TNWho Will Vote?MetroPulsewho-will-votehttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/22/wwjd/?partner=RSSWed, 22 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/22/wwjd/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk138622008-10-22T18:00:002008-10-22T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Has it occurred to you that everyone who cares knows already? And that they would never vote for Obama anyway? The crowds at your events are the choir and your preaching to them gets an energetic response. But it’s not going to get the sinner on the back row to make an altar call and join you on your quest for the promised land.Knoxville, TNWWJDMetroPulsewwjdhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/15/eyes-wide-open/?partner=RSSWed, 15 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/15/eyes-wide-open/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk138392008-10-15T18:00:002008-10-15T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008These are legitimate questions to put before the people of Knox County. We had a court-ordered term-limit bomb dropped into the middle of county government, removing the power structure overnight. This has led to instability, political maneuvering, and further turmoil. It is entirely possible that a majority of the voters in Knox County would like to tear up the current system of county government and start over. If that’s what they want, these two amendments will do it.Knoxville, TNEyes Wide OpenMetroPulseeyes-wide-openhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/08/blame-game/?partner=RSSWed, 08 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/08/blame-game/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk138162008-10-08T18:00:002008-10-08T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008So there we were, walking down Main Street: Innocent. Pure. Virginal. Then a big black limo stopped and the Wall Street gang jumped out, bent us over a bus-stop bench, and repeatedly raped us.Knoxville, TNBlame GameMetroPulseblame-gamehttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/01/public-policy-and-sports/?partner=RSSWed, 01 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/oct/01/public-policy-and-sports/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk137862008-10-01T18:00:002008-10-01T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Seems like all we have heard for the last week is the complaint about inept CEOs running their organizations into the ground while they’re still holding onto a golden parachute worth millions. Well, I’m sorry. Even if the Wall Street bailout package had passed and limited CEO windfalls, it wouldn’t cover football coaches.Knoxville, TNPublic Policy and SportsMetroPulsepublic-policy-and-sportshttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/24/frist-watch/?partner=RSSWed, 24 Sep 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/24/frist-watch/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk137692008-09-24T18:00:002008-09-24T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Sometime after the November election, former Senate Majority Leader Dr. Bill Frist will decide whether he is running for governor of Tennessee. There are several prominent Republicans waiting anxiously for him to decide what they will be doing for the next decade. Their futures hang on Frist’s decision.Knoxville, TNFrist WatchMetroPulsefrist-watchhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/17/judging-owings/?partner=RSSWed, 17 Sep 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/17/judging-owings/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk137452008-09-17T18:00:002008-09-17T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Former County Law Director John Owings would like the Knox County Commission to appoint him to a vacant Sessions Court Judgeship.Knoxville, TNJudging OwingsMetroPulsejudging-owingshttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/10/two-stand-out/?partner=RSSWed, 10 Sep 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/10/two-stand-out/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk137192008-09-10T18:00:002008-09-10T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008The fractious political climate on the Knox County Commission this past year is epitomized by the mess facing voters in November. The commission’s refusal to put a series of proposed charter amendments on the ballot in single, easy to understand bites will likely put two amendments on the ballot with multiple provisions.Knoxville, TNTwo Stand OutMetroPulsetwo-stand-outhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/03/hallelujah/?partner=RSSWed, 03 Sep 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/sep/03/hallelujah/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk136932008-09-03T18:00:002008-09-03T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Tennessee Republicans are trying to publicly maintain an air of cautious optimism about the November election—while behind closed doors they are jumping for joy and fist-pumping YES!!!!!!!Knoxville, TNHallelujahMetroPulsehallelujahhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/27/state-day-care/?partner=RSSWed, 27 Aug 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/27/state-day-care/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk136682008-08-27T18:00:002008-08-27T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Suppose the state of Tennessee had experts evaluate a program on which it proposed to spend millions in taxpayer money. Suppose the experts said the program was not effective and did not achieve its goals. Then suppose the state planned to spend the money anyway.Knoxville, TNState Day CareMetroPulsestate-day-carehttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/20/ragsdales-winning/?partner=RSSWed, 20 Aug 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/20/ragsdales-winning/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk136482008-08-20T18:00:002008-08-20T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale is supposed to be a dead man walking, politically speaking. He has been censured by County Commission, and his office has been battered by a series of critical audits. He has lost four members of his staff due to scandals.Knoxville, TNRagsdale’s WinningMetroPulseragsdales-winninghttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/13/affair-remember/?partner=RSSFrank Talk by Frank Cagle: Can you imagine a public figure having an affair while his wife is being treated for cancer? And having the affair with someone who works for him? All the while putting forward the face of a dedicated public servant? ]]>Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/13/affair-remember/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk136282008-08-13T18:00:002008-08-13T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008<strong>Frank Talk by Frank Cagle:</strong> Can you imagine a public figure having an affair while his wife is being treated for cancer? And having the affair with someone who works for him? All the while putting forward the face of a dedicated public servant?Knoxville, TNAn Affair to RememberMetroPulseaffair-rememberhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/06/upset-watch-list/?partner=RSSFrank Talk by Frank Cagle: In the modern era, the only thing more certain than death and taxes is the re-election of Tennessee incumbents. But this year there are a few races that could surprise. ]]>Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/aug/06/upset-watch-list/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk135882008-08-06T18:00:002008-08-06T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008<strong>Frank Talk by Frank Cagle:</strong> In the modern era, the only thing more certain than death and taxes is the re-election of Tennessee incumbents. But this year there are a few races that could surprise.Knoxville, TNUpset Watch ListMetroPulseupset-watch-listhttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/jul/30/hindsight-2020/?partner=RSS Frank Talk by Frank Cagle: JULY 31, 2012 – Looking back, it is apparent the election of 2008 was a turning point in Knox County governance. To the surprise of many, all the charter amendments proposed that year passed and have been implemented ]]>Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/jul/30/hindsight-2020/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk135692008-07-30T18:00:002008-07-30T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008<strong> Frank Talk by Frank Cagle:</strong> JULY 31, 2012 – Looking back, it is apparent the election of 2008 was a turning point in Knox County governance. To the surprise of many, all the charter amendments proposed that year passed and have been implementedKnoxville, TNHindsight 20/20MetroPulsehindsight-2020http://metropulse.com/news/2008/jul/23/just-fix-it/?partner=RSSFrank Talk by Frank Cagle: Most everyone wants to get rid of cronyism and political hiring and firing in county government, though a hearing this week on the issue drew little attention and was sparsely attended ]]>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/jul/23/just-fix-it/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk135382008-07-23T18:00:002008-07-23T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008<strong>Frank Talk by Frank Cagle:</strong> Most everyone wants to get rid of cronyism and political hiring and firing in county government, though a hearing this week on the issue drew little attention and was sparsely attendedKnoxville, TNJust Fix ItMetroPulsejust-fix-ithttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/jul/16/question-priorities/?partner=RSSFrank Talk by Frank Cagle: Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has been censured by the County Commission. His office has been the subject of repeated audits finding instances of financial impropriety. The TBI has raided the City County Building confiscating computers. Possible criminal violations in the recent hospitality audit have been referred to a special prosecutor. Ragsdale’s personal life is a public joke ]]>Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/jul/16/question-priorities/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk135172008-07-16T18:00:002008-07-16T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008<strong>Frank Talk by Frank Cagle:</strong> Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale has been censured by the County Commission. His office has been the subject of repeated audits finding instances of financial impropriety. The TBI has raided the City County Building confiscating computers. Possible criminal violations in the recent hospitality audit have been referred to a special prosecutor. Ragsdale’s personal life is a public jokeKnoxville, TNA Question of PrioritiesMetroPulsequestion-prioritieshttp://metropulse.com/news/2008/jul/09/tim-vs-tim/?partner=RSSFrank Talk by Frank Cagle: Former Sheriff Tim Hutchison has been spending most of his time in South Carolina building houses since he left office—out of sight, out of mind, and out of the continuing controversies surrounding county government. ]]>Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://metropulse.com/news/2008/jul/09/tim-vs-tim/?partner=RSSknoxville-issues/frank-talk134902008-07-09T18:00:002008-07-09T18:00:00Copyright MetroPulse, 2008<strong>Frank Talk by Frank Cagle:</strong> Former Sheriff Tim Hutchison has been spending most of his time in South Carolina building houses since he left office—out of sight, out of mind, and out of the continuing controversies surrounding county government.Knoxville, TNTim vs. Tim?MetroPulsetim-vs-tim