In medicine there is a perspective called The Captain of the Ship.  This comes from the navy where the Captain on a ship is responsible for everything, even the decisions of others he’s appointed or who function in his name.  Similarly, a surgeon is responsible for his helpers in the operating room, and I am responsible for my staff and the patients in my office.  In fact, if an unattended person falls off my examination table and is injured, that is malpractice and I’m responsible.

So what are we to think about the newest revelations of Benghazi, the political machinations of the IRS or the surveillance of AP (Associated Press) phone records by the Justice Department?  This trifecta of disasters cannot be excused or easily rectified.  Attorney General Eric Holder is President Obama’s appointee and the Chief Law officer of the country.  Should he be allowed to recuse himself and blame his subordinate for the AP wire taps?  Harry Truman famously said, “The buck stops here.”  Now a news outlet asks of the President, “The buck stops…where?”  Mr. President, you are responsible for the actions of your appointees, just as I am for my staff.

Our country is founded on English law rather than Roman law which allows for Caesars and Kings.  Our Republic is founded on the rule of law and therefore when this law is flouted or broken, we citizens cry out for and expect justice.  It’s different when the King determines what is just and is the law.

I first came across the term oligarchy when it was used in post Soviet Russia.  The term refers to power that is concentrated in the hands of a few and at the discretion of the leader.  In America the President and his like-minded appointees, as well as the agencies of the Government, are all supposedly under the rule of law.  And now we learn that the rule of law has been violated and some expect us to merely accept excuses.

Forty years ago a bungled burglary of Democrat Party offices at the Watergate complex precipitated a scandal that eventually led to Nixon’s resignation.  Interestingly, Nixon’s crime was trying to cover up the break-in rather than ordering it.  What are we to think of the Benghazi debacle where mismanagement led to the deaths of Americans and talking points generated at the highest levels of the CIA, the State Department and spouted by the White House misled citizens?  Hillary Clinton cravenly asked, “What does it matter?”   Mrs. Clinton, it matters that Americans died in a now conceded terrorist attack and we citizens were misled by our Government and its agents.

David Axelrod, Obama’s former presidential adviser, and other shills in the mainstream media say the government is “too vast” for Obama to know its details.  Is this not a principle reason for the grass roots TEA Party movement which was a reaction to a Government grown too big and out of control?   I suspect Obama did not make decisions during the Benghazi attack.  But, he was missing for seven hours during the attack, and we know the situation room at the White House was never used as it was during the killing of Osama.

Every President has an agenda and logically appoints those who have his views and whom he trusts to carry out his agenda.  Obama’s views and his agenda understandably percolate down through his ministers and their agencies and down to government workers.  The dictates may be specific or subtle and may cause a worker to try and please the boss at all cost.  Anyone who’s worked in an office has observed this influence of the boss.  The President is responsible for those he puts in high places and those who carry out his agenda.  He may claim ignorance of a worker, but he remains responsible for their actions.

Five hundred years before Homer wrote his epic poem the Iliad, a battle raged in 1250 BC with life and death consequences.  As Moses was leading the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt, the city-state of Troy (in modern day Turkey) was under siege by ancient Greeks, including Achilles.  We all know the story of the Trojan Horse.  The Trojans thought the giant Horse was a gift from the Greeks to honor their brave resistance.  However, the Horse was full of Greeks and after the Trojans pulled it into the city the Greeks crept out opened the gates of the city and killed the sleeping Trojan warriors.  The enslaved Trojan women watched their city burned to the ground as their children were slaughtered.

For a long time there was doubt whether Troy was just a Homeric legend.  Then in 1868 Heinrich Schliemann found the ancient city and the myth became history.  I have stood on the excavated ruins of Troy and looked out over the surrounding plain where heroic Trojans stalemated the besieging Greeks for ten years.

There is a parallel to this story because history repeats itself primarily because humans forget its lessons.  Rush Limbaugh once said of Obama, “I hope he fails.”  What he actually said was he hoped the policies of liberal-democrat-progressives like Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi failed to save America.  I also hope Americans will awaken before it’s too late to defeat these modern-day invaders spilling out of America’s Trojan Horse.

These last two weeks have rekindled some hope in this warrior who soon expects another IRS audit.

“She’s not gonna let us out.”

That was the memorable line from George Clooney’s character, ship captain Frank W. “Billy” Tyne, Jr., in “The Perfect Storm.”  The Andrea Gail was fighting valiantly, but the storm was not going to allow the fishing vessel to escape.

Admit it, Tennessee fans… you thought that the “Curse of Kiffin” was about to finally let you and your program out of the rough waters.

I call it the “Curse of Kiffin” because ever since Lane Kiffin was hired as Tennessee’s football coach on December 1, 2008, it has been one devastating experience after another for the UT athletic program.

Is there any moment you can hang your hat on?  After Kiffin’s midnight run to Southern California the Vols hired Derek Dooley, who will be remembered as the worst coach in the past 100 years of UT football.  The football team has gone 23-27 in the past four years, with no bowl victories and three straight losing seasons.

The Vols basketball program got to the Elite Eight for the first time in 2010, only to see its coach (the beloved Bruce Pearl)  fired after he lied to the NCAA about a barbeque (it still sounds surreal two years later).  They have yet to return to the NCAA tournament under Cuonzo Martin.

The Lady Vols basketball program saw its head coach (the beloved Pat Summitt) retire following the 2011-2012 season after her diagnosis with dementia.  On the court, the program hasn’t been to the Final Four since April 2008.

The baseball program hasn’t been to the SEC tournament since 2007.

The swimming program was rocked by scandal when long-time coach John Trembley was fired due to “gross misconduct” in 2012.

Tennessee’s track programs are no longer national powers.

The Vols have had athletes arrested.  There have been lawsuits filed against the Tennessee athletic department.  The buyouts that former coaches and administrators have received have been comical and a financial strain on the department.

With the exception of the softball team (Women’s College World Series appearances in 2010 and 2012), and Men’s Tennis, Tennessee athletics has felt the full effect of the curse over the past four and a half years.

Vols fans needed something, someone to believe in.

They got it in new football coach Butch Jones.  Since his hiring on December 7th, Jones has spoken to numerous groups, gone on many television and radio programs, been active on twitter… and most importantly has been recruiting at a high level.

According to 247Sports, the Vols currently have a Class of 2014 that is in the top five in the nation.

He’s basically been the anti-Derek Dooley.

Jones has fans excited about the football program.  So much so that an announced crowd of more than 61,000 fans showed up for the Orange & White game.  And while the team likely will have their struggles in 2013 (road games at Oregon, Florida and Alabama… Egads!), the future of the program looks much brighter today than it did last fall.

But what has been the big news with Tennesseee sports recently?

The firing of Jenny Wright.

Wright was the director of the office of judicial affairs at UT, and according to Jimmy Hyams from The Sports Animal, she was terminated for refusing to cooperate into an investigation as to whether she had inappropriate relationships with athletes.

This followed the news that Tennessee basketball player Trae Golden was leaving the program.

The rumor mill is flying, and the University of Tennessee public relations folks are trying to put out yet another fire.

Look, it could be worse.  The Chicago Cubs have tried to break their Billy Goat curse, which is still alive and kicking.  The team hasn’t won a World Series since 1908, and hasn’t been to the World Series since 1945.  Cleveland’s major professional sports teams haven’t won a title in any sport since 1964.  The Vols have many years to go before reaching that level of futility.

The school year has ended.  This is supposed to be the time when things slow down on campus.

But if we’ve learned one thing over the past few years, it is that the Kiffin curse can, and will pop up at anytime.

Be warned, Orange and White…

There was a moment in Carter High’s spring football scrimmage against Hardin Valley Academy that created an uneasy feeling for some observers.

Carter head coach Heath Woods had erupted.

“Easy, coach” was probably on many minds, on the field and in the stands, when it happened, and understandably so.

Woods, 45, is back coaching again after suffering a stroke at Carter’s season-opening game at Grace Christian Academy last year and having to sit out the remainder of the games in 2012.

At first, Woods didn’t want to talk about the fiery moment that occurred halfway through the May 10 scrimmage at Carter, but then explained, “We weren’t very crisp. Somebody’s going to have to light a fire. That feeling took over instinctively. Then I got back to my other mode.”

That other “mode” for Woods, who has earned a reputation of being an intense coach during his 11 seasons at Carter, will still include intensity, but also an effort to stay under control and avoid aggravation.

“There’s a difference in getting the team fired up and getting aggravated,” he said.

Getting mad and aggravated, Woods said, caused him to get ejected in the first half of that season opener last year.

When he saw the two penalty flags, Woods recalled immediately thinking he had committed professional suicide. After all, the game was being played on a Thursday night and televised. Grace was coming off an undefeated season and playing on its new artificial turf. There was a lot of hype and a lot of high school fans watching from far and wide.

“I was more mad at what I’d done than what happened to me (the ejection),” said Woods.

There’s different theories about what caused his stroke, which occurred “45 minutes to an hour” after the ejection, Woods said, and no proof the two were related.

“What was so embarrassing ended up being a great blessing,” said Woods, pointing out he was fortunate to be close to so many medical people in his emergency.

He was on the phone with his wife, Kristi, and his oldest son, Clay, 13, was on the sidelines with the team when Woods said he “started feeling bad and getting light headed.

“The (Grace) gym I was looking at didn’t move, but the sky was green and the ground blue.”

Hillary Stanley, Carter’s athletic trainer from Knoxville Orthopedic Clinic, was the first to assist Woods, who said he had become deaf in his right ear.

“I remember seeing Joe Henderson (Knox County officer) running toward me,” said Woods, who also was assisted by Benson Scott, Carter’s team doctor.

“I’m having a stroke. I’ve lost all my balance.”

Woods, who also was having difficulty speaking and couldn’t feel his right foot, was taken to University of Tennessee Medical Center.

“The EMT and everybody were just wonderful,” he said. “I hated to be sick, but they were right on top of everything that needed to be done.

“They didn’t care who I was. They were there to save you, take care of you. I was able to see it first hand.

“That night took forever. I remember thinking to myself, ‘Stay alive long enough to get the breathing tube out of your mouth.’

“I was very fortunate the good Lord shined on me. I thought I had strong faith until this happened. Then I realized my faith could get a lot stronger.

“Without tons of prayers, a lot of surrendering to God and all that faith, I don’t know if I would have made it.”

A stint was put in Woods’ right vertebral artery. He was in the hospital and at home “flat on his back” for two to three weeks.

At a Carter home game, a message from Coach Woods was read over the public address system to fans, thanking them for their support and prayers. He also appreciates everything the community did.

Woods wasn’t released to coach on Friday nights, but after a month, he was able to attend practices Monday through Thursday in a supportive role for the team.

“Our coaching staff was terrific through all this,” said Woods. “I was extremely impressed with Justin Bailey. He went from a position coach (defensive backs) to defensive coordinator and having head coaching responsibilities.”

Offensive coordinator Rocky Riley also handled part of the head coaching duties.

As for his players, Woods said, “We’ve talked several times about the cards that life deals you. You’re going to have to play them. I told them, ‘You’re going to have to go and play ball, another team is coming Friday night.’ And they did.”

Woods was able to return to teaching half a day in late November and started back full time after the holidays in January. He teaches Wellness, Weightlifting and PE 1.

“I was very fortunate not to be debilitated,” said Woods, who emphasized his respect for stroke victims. “I was very, very lucky.”

He still works with neurologists and radiologists and is up to six months between visits.

As with most who experience life-threatening issues, Woods’ priorities have changed, he said. “First and foremost needs to be God and second needs to be my wife. These boys (Clay and 8-year-old Dalton) need to be third and what I do with the football team needs to be after all those things.”

Coach Woods also reminds himself, “Don’t be caught up in the rat race again. Stick to your beliefs. You can say that all day. Better make sure you live it.”

As an eighth grader, Ron Graves played for Coach Dwane Ritter on the Gibbs Junior High School basketball team.  They had a 15-0 season and won the Knox County Championship.  By the time they became seniors on the varsity team, Ron knew the small, rural school had some of the best players in basketball.  “Who were they?” I asked—as if I did not know.  Graves named the five starters and their strengths.  Three players stood at least 6-foot-4 or taller:  Tommy Everette, David Widner, and Graves; Les Spitzer was a fast guard and great jump shot shooter; and another guard, Steve Wright, could score, as well.

“I knew we had the potential to be the best or one of the best in the Knoxville Interscholastic League (KIL), but I did not think about the state.” he added.  Graves pointed out the impact of today’s 3-point shot just as his head coach had done before.  “If there had been a 3-point shot then, it would have changed the game,” he said.

One thing that would not have changed is how this small community rallied around its high school team.  In the middle of our talk about basketball, I was intrigued to hear Ron say, “he encouraged us.”  It sounded like something I had heard about the Eagles’ beloved Head Coach, Bob Dagley.  This time, it was a compliment for someone else—Woody Lay, a school custodian.  “Coach Woody,” as they called him, would sit on the bench with the players and offer encouragement during the games.  Woody and his family were well known in the Gibbs community.  I knew Woody from church.  He and his wife, Marie, along with his son, Jackie Lay, and daughter, Polly Pursiful, and their families have been long-time members of Fairview Baptist Church.  I remember when Woody passed away in the early seventies.  It is remarkable the influence Woody had on these young players such that they would remember him decades later.

During tournament time in 1965, Ron set the screens for his teammates just as he had done all season.  The opponents’ relentless defense on the guards would not allow them to shoot the ball.     Graves, however, was barely guarded at all.  Lucky for the Eagles, Graves could score, too.  His teammates got the ball to him repeatedly during one tournament game.  At 6-foot-4, he could easily lay the ball in for two points.  And, he did—again and again.  In fact, Graves’ best performance on the court came during that tournament game.

No. 42 was crucial in helping the Eagles win the District 6 Championship and finish the season ranked No. 3 in the state.  His ability to screen and score helped the small school hold their own against opponents in a time when there were no divisions.  Small schools played the large schools.  Fortunately, for Coach Dagley’s Eagles that year, the eleven players on the team were loaded with talent and height.  Ron Graves was most definitely a link that made the team stronger.

(This is the tenth in a series about the amazing 1964-65 Eagles.  Next week will be my Memorial Day column.  My interview with No. 42, Ron Graves, will conclude on June 17.)

The news today reported student debt is closing in on $1 trillion, more than credit card debt which anemically trails at between $650-850 billion. ”Woe is us” seems to be the cry from the millions who have accrued debts for education.

According to Bloomberg, college tuitions and fees have increased 1,120 percent since records began in 1978. That’s even more than medical expenses that have tried to drive Americans to the poor house. Universities such as Harvard are requiring and getting $60,000 per academic year from a student. While I understand that Harvard is the gold standard for colleges, the cost of an education there is becoming prohibitive.

In our own back yard, the average cost for tuition, fees, room and board and books at UT hits $22,000 for an in-state student. Of course, Tennessee high school graduates can receive and maintain the Lottery Scholarship, a hefty $3000 yearly amount. That knocks a chunk out of every school year, and it is a deal for scoring a 21 on the ACT and maintaining a 3.0 grade point average.

At another state school, Tennessee Tech University, the cost per year is only $15,500. Why one institution is $6500 more a year than another one is a question that might be asked. Anyway, the HOPE Scholarship cuts the cost to $12,500.

Yes, college is an expensive choice, but it’s not for everyone. Some folks will find satisfaction in a technical school where they can learn a craft that will provide a solid income. Don’t turn up a nose to those areas because the individual who answers a call for a broken air conditioning system or frozen pipes wears a big smile when he hands customers the bills.

Another alternative might be attending a school like Pellissippi State for the first two years. Per year, a student spends approximately $7000, but with the HOPE Scholarship, $1500 is cut from that total. Yes, it’s still expensive, but not any more so than buying a $5500 used car or motorcycle. Most parents would gladly let their children live at home for these two years, especially if the savings can run into the thousands of dollars.

At some point, students must accept the responsibilities for their own education. That means they need to pitch in to help pay for college. Part-time jobs can make huge dents in the costs. The lowest paid McDonalds employee (the fry cook) is paid less than $8 an hour. If an individual works 20 hours a week, he can earn $8000 a year. That covers almost all the costs above what the HOPE Scholarship pays at schools like TTU. Too, if a high school student is intent upon attending college, he can begin his part-time work early so that he has a nest egg by the time he is ready to attend.

Is attending college a pricy thing? You bet it is. Should costs be cut to fall more in line with other things in our economy? Yes is again the answer. Should students who borrowed money for college have the debt forgiven? NO! They have an obligation to pay their debts, just as we all do. Too often, students CHOOSE to attend expensive universities, and many use student loans to buy cars, entertainment, and expensive items to make life nicer. That’s what bugs me.

My brothers, our wives, and I struggled to pay for college. We worked during the summers and the school year to pay for our educations. Plenty of beans and corn and bologna sandwiches were consumed during those lean years. In the end, we graduated with degrees and no debt. Was it hard? It certainly was, but the experience made us stronger.

The time has come for young people to stop whining, stop feeling entitled, and figure out a way to pay for most of the college expenses without loans. That might mean they have to attend a state school; perhaps they will have to work a job after classes and forego the social aspects of college life. Maybe it means they’ll have to join the service and then use their benefits as veterans. In any case, the decisions are theirs. Either figure it out or don’t go to college. The only thing I don’t want to hear is the whining about how unfair life is.

Attorney at Law

Almost five decades ago, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Title VII of that act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.  Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII.  According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s website, “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.”

Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. This law also applies to employment agencies, labor organizations and the federal government.  Sexual harassment may occur where the harasser’s conduct is unwelcome.  Sexual harassment can occur whether the victim is a man or a woman.  The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex.  The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.  The harasser can by the victim’s supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or a non-employee.

Sexual harassment is a violation of Title VII when submission to unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature is a term or condition of your employment.  For example, if a male supervisor threatens to fire a subordinate if she refuses to perform a sex act with him then that subordinate is the victim of sexual harassment.  The types of conduct constituting sexual harassment may include using sexually provocative language and other verbal abuse of an explicit or implied sexual nature, making advances of a sexual nature, sexual propositions and physical touching.

Title VII is administered by the EEOC and victims of sexual harassment should file a written complaint with that agency as soon as possible.  The complaint will be investigated and the EEOC will try to secure a settlement or file a civil lawsuit on your behalf.  If the EEOC has not resolved the matter or filed suit within six months, you may request a notice of your right to sue.  It is best to have hired a lawyer to take your case before you make this request because you will only have ninety days to file suit against your employer once you receive your notice of right-to-sue letter.

The State of Tennessee also has a counterpart to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 called the Tennessee Human Rights Act.  Enforcement of this act lies with the Employment Division of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) in Nashville.  This agency processes and investigates complaints of sexual harassment among other kinds of discrimination.  Unlike under Title VII, this Tennessee law permits employees to file a lawsuit in chancery court without having to go through the THRC’s administrative process first.  Complaints may be still be filed with the THRC but they must be filed within 180 days of the alleged act of discrimination.  The THRC investigates the complaint, conducts interviews and attempts conciliation.   Neither federal law nor state law provides for the recovery of punitive damages.

If you believe you are a victim of sexual harassment, you should contact an attorney to give advice regarding your specific circumstances and to ensure that your rights to compensation are protected.

SWNA honors KPD officers

By Tasha Mahurin

Tasha@knoxfocus.com

As part of an ongoing project, the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association (SWNA) in South Knoxville has set out to thank the civil servants in their neighborhood and let them know that they are appreciated. The organization began its mission in December of last year by thanking the postal employees at the South Knoxville Post Office branch.

Last week, they chose to thank area police officers who work tirelessly to make their neighborhood safe and quiet to live in.

“It’s serendipitous that we chose this week to recognize our police officers as it is also National Police Appreciation week,” SWNA president Janice Tocher.

National Police Week occurs each year during the week of May 15. The week was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962 and recognizes law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

The SWNA especially wanted to acknowledge their liaison with the Knoxville Police Department, Officer Dan Roark, who works with the group at their monthly membership meetings. Officer Roark discusses the issues and concerns of the neighborhood group and then takes that information back to the other officers on the South Knoxville beat.

“KPD does a great job of staying in touch with their customers, our neighborhood groups. They attend every meeting and take notes and proactively follow up on the issues brought forward at the meetings. This has resulted in several arrest and brings tranquility to our most important asset, neighborhoods,” Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis, who represents South Knoxville on city council, told The Focus.

Members of the group felt that all too often these officers don’t hear ‘Thank you’, so they took a moment on Friday afternoon at the City of Knoxville Police Department to offer their appreciation. The Village Bakery supplied cookies and cupcakes while River Dog Bakery thoughtfully donated baskets for the K-9 officers.

“Our thanks go not only to the officers who keep South Knoxville safe and their K-9 partners, but also to The Village Bakery and River Dog Bakery who are in full support of our community,” Tocher added.

By Focus Staff

This week’s Knoxville Focus poll asked the question, “In your opinion, should welfare recipients be required to submit to drug testing upon request by the government?”

Almost 80% of likely voters said yes, welfare recipients should submit to drug testing upon request by the government.  Just over 20% of respondents were opposed to the idea.

Every district in Knoxville and Knox County supported the notion; the greatest number of people dissenting came in the First District where almost 44% of respondents were opposed to drug testing for welfare recipients.

The district most strongly favoring the idea was the Ninth, which is South Knoxville, where more than 90% supported the idea.

Women and men supported the notion almost equally.

Click here to view full survey results.

On Tuesday, May 21,, a motorcade consisting of 60 motorcycles from the American Legion Post 2 in Knoxville will arrive at the World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville with police escort. While at the park the riders will hold a wreath laying ceremony complete with a bag piper in honor of Memorial Day. A lunch will follow shortly after provided by the American Legion Riders.

For American Legion Riders from Knoxville, this ceremony will also mark the beginning of a national annual ride to Washington, D.C. known as “Run to the Wall.” Motorcycle riders throughout the nation ride along predetermined routes to eventually end at the Vietnam Wall memorial in Washington. The annual Memorial Day weekend motorcycle ride is done in remembrance of fallen comrades, former prisoners of war, and warriors listed as missing in action.

Last year approximately 100,000 motorcycle riders descended on our nation’s capital for the ride.

In addition on Wednesday, the entire Run to The Wall group traveling along “the Southern rout” will be passing through Knoxville, and will arrive at TA Truckstop on Watt Rd at 9:55 a.m.  There will be a couple hundred motorcycles in this group. They will re-fuel and be on their way.  Area residents are encouraged to find a safe place along I-75 or I-40 to hold up flags or signs wishing these riders well. This group will be coming from Chattanooga on I-75, when the group leaves the TA Truck Stop they will head east on I-40 to I-81.

Festivities at the World’s Fair Park will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The event is free and open to the public.

About the Vietnam Memorial: courtesy of www. http://www.rftw.org.

There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.

39,996 on the Wall were just 22 years old or younger.

8,283 were just 19 years old.

The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old.

12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.

5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.

One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.

997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam.

1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam.

31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.

54 soldiers attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia.  8 Women are on the Wall. Nursing the wounded.

244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.
Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.
West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.