by Madalyn Chaffin | Feb 10, 2011 | Opinion
Feb. 14 is fast approaching, and there are a variety of feelings about the holiday dedicated to love. The next few days cannot pass fast enough for the hopeless romantics who have planned their displays of affection and devotion. But it will be just another Monday for those who could care less, those who will spend their evenings watching DVDs and munching, alone, on popcorn. Then there are those dreading the day– people who currently have Valentines that they don’t want. They obviously don’t care to spend a day of hearts and flowers with these “losers.” You have most likely seen or heard of the movie How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days. Well, you don’t have 10 days to lose your Valentine. But here are 10 ways to break up with someone before Valentine’s Day. 1. Tell them to meet you at a location for a surprise date. Actually set up a blind date for them and have their new date tell them it is over between you two. At least they get another date out of this. And who knows? One person’s trash is another’s treasure. 2. Send them flowers and write the note to say, “You might think this is for Valentine’s Day, but it is actually for your mourning.” (idea courtesy of freshman Kyle Wittler) 3. Hire a barbershop quartet to sing the break-up message. Perhaps suggest a classic harmony song like “Happy Trails.” 4. Invite them to watch a movie about break-ups such as 500 Days of Summer, Forgetting Sarah Marshall or even The Break-Up to drop the hint. 5. Take someone else...
by Chris Walker | Feb 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
Well folks, the day so many men – even the bravest among us — dread is quickly approaching. The day where men spend too much money, and women are consistently disappointed. Valentine’s Day. OK, turn that dread into something of the past. Make this Valentine’s Day tasty by perhaps trying out one of the following recommendations: 1. For an early dinner with your main squeeze, perhaps before your third viewing of Black Swan, I recommend Burger Up, a relatively new 12 South spot. The small burger joint not only offers delicious food, but is also “cutesy,” describes fellow dining buddy AJ Bentz, with community dining option. “All our beef is raised and purchased from Triple L Ranch in Franklin, Tenn.,” said owner Mike Pontes. “We try to get everything locally, from the veggies to the buns.” Prices ranging from $8-15, the menu offers gourmet burgers and mounded salads without depleting the cowhide in your back pocket. The menu offers new takes on old burgers, and an option to upgrade to truffle fries (totally worth the extra buck). 2. For the next level of dining atmosphere, try Tavern Mid Town. With its opening last Monday, Tavern is making its stamp on the trendy area of Nashville. The assorted menu, ranging from $6-19, is not only tasty, but filling. Culinary Director Robbie Wilson and Executive Chef Ray Whitlock use fresh ingredients, from the salmon to the in-house guacamole. The location is also convenient walking distance to after-dinner venues. 2. Bring out your big guns and try a Nashville classic, Jimmy Kelly’s. The old steak house (literally an old house), directly across...
by Thomas Whisenant | Jan 26, 2011 | Opinion
Last night, Americans were given the opportunity to witness the President they voted for– a man who brought hope and the promise of a better future. Not the man who some claim brought contention and divided the nation into polar, unyielding political factions. Coming off of a speech in Arizona that experts claim revived his presidency and won the hearts of Americans, President Obama approached the nation a humbled man. Humbled not only by the monumental losses in the midterm elections, but also by the realization of his administration’s mistakes and disconnect with the American people. Like many State of the Union addresses, the things the President said were old news. All Americans understand the dire need for jobs. We get the issue of the national debt. Even though he danced around certain topics, we know the challenges the nation faces. It wasn’t the things the President said, but it was the way in which he said them. Watching the State of the Union last night showed an obvious shift in the president’s political stance. While he addressed hot button issues such as health care, immigration and the two wars, he kept talk on these issues relatively light. Instead, he focused more on the issues of job creation, reducing deficit spending and government reform. He urged bipartisanship with each issue. More importantly, he stated his willingness to work alongside Republicans to make the changes and tough decisions that need to be made. While liberal supporters of the president are upset about his shift towards the middle, the rest of the nation breathes a sigh of relief. America might be...
by Hunter Patterson | Nov 2, 2010 | News Slider, Opinion
On a night during which many voters expressed disapproval for the Obama administration and the Democrats, Tennessee became one of many states from around the country to elect a Republican governor. And voters in the Volunteer State didn’t have to wait long to find out all the pre-election prognostications were correct: By 7:28 p.m. the Associated Press declared Bill Haslam the winner. Republican Haslam, mayor of Knoxville, and Democrat Mike McWherter, a Jackson businessman and the son of former Gov. Ned McWherter, sought to succeed outgoing Gov. Phil Bredesen. With nearly half of the precincts having reported, Haslam controlled about 70 percent of the vote. During his victory speech Haslam — who had spent a part of the evening chairing the Knoxville City Council, one of his mayoral duties — expressed excitement about the tasks at hand. “I am looking forward to working with Gov. Bredesen–we are starting as early as (Wednesday),” Haslam said. “It is my duty to make certain that Tennessee continues to move forward. While it’s time to celebrate the victory, we must not forget that we face some major social issues.” It also appears that Tennessee has approved a constitutional guarantee to hunt and fish. Much like what other Southern states have done — South Carolina, Alabama and Arkansas — Tennessee will now have the right to hunt and fish implanted into the state’s constitution. While it does not change the law, it prevents from hunting and fishing from being outlawed without changing the constitution. Several participants from COMMA volunteered at the News Channel 4 studios Tuesday night. The COMMA students (members of the Communication Majors and Minors Association) answered phone calls from all around the state to...
by Jake Morgan | Jul 29, 2010 | News Slider, Opinion
There are currently over 27 million people enslaved around the world. This might seem like an outrageous statistic, but it is shockingly true. Earlier this afternoon I had conversation with a coworker who’s coordinating a mission trip to work with female victims of sex trafficking. It was at this moment I extemporaneously spurted out a statement which I believe stands true to injustice. With all the pain and suffering slavery throws into our world, there’s a triumphant opening for ministry and reconciliation. That’s where heroic bodies like International Justice Mission (IJM), World Vision, and The Polaris Project come in for a landing. As former President of Lipscomb University’s IJM Campus Chapter, I’m the most familiar with International Justice Mission’s work against the darkness of slavery and human trafficking, which brings me to an noble, innovative project known as “5 Weeks For Freedom.” This summer, IJM is sponsoring a cycling team of dedicated justice seekers as they peddle their way along the trail of the Underground Railroad. The team departed a historic slave port in Mobile, AL several weeks ago and they’ve been riding through triple digit temperatures and high humidity ever since, recruiting people to cause of combatting slavery at every stop. This weekend the justice cyclers made their stop in Music City to continue the campaign. The riders arrived on Friday, July 9th to find a welcoming group of excited supporters. The following night, IJM hosted Freedom Night at Belmont Church so the riders could share testimonies and experiences from the road. Along with a great Q & A session, the folks at IJM scored musical artists Christa...
