Publisher’s Positions
Peace Through Strength
It is fair to say one thing that brought Donald Trump back to the White House was the fact that he was a far more recognizable figure in the president’s role as Commander-in-Chief. Joe Biden’s fundamental incompetence due to his mental decline not only raises the big question of who was really running the White House, but also the unelected “politburo” that was running the country in his name. They were incapable of doing more than splashing around in the swamp and weakening the country. Both the Biden and Obama administrations operated from a weakness that did not encourage confidence in our allies or other Middle Eastern countries. President Trump’s bringing an end to the war in Gaza is a historic accomplishment that neither Biden or Obama could achieve. Both Obama and Biden tried the standard approaches that have not just grown stale in Washington, D.C., but have begun to rot on the vine. Trump thinks outside the box and is not tied to, much less obliged to follow, the traditional approaches to how things are done routinely in Washington. It proved not only what Washington and our country needed but also what the Middle East needed. American presidents need to show not only compassion but also strength. Without strength, America loses a vital component in keeping our country safe and prosperous.
President Trump is disliked by the “neo-cons” precisely because he does not want to go to war anywhere for any reason. Trump has been brokering peace, but as our president, he doesn’t hesitate to use our military strength. Appeasement of terrorists and brutal regimes has invariably been a failure of policy. Hitler’s war machine grew and was strengthened while other countries tried to appease his appetite for more territory.
“Peace through strength” has proven to be not only wise but also quite true and effective.
Vote NO On The Proposed City Tax Increase
Early voting has started in the City of Knoxville election. On the ballot are five races for city council AND a referendum sponsored by Mayor Indya Kincannon to raise the sales tax. It’s past time for folks to recognize that the City of Knoxville has a spending problem. Kincannon keeps trying to offer up different flavors of slices of pie as bait for sympathetic voters in an attempt to pass the tax increase. It is very important for voters to go to the polls and take advantage of early voting to vote in the city council races, as well as against the proposed tax increase.
City officials keep talking about “affordable housing” by raising taxes. The last property tax increase, which followed similar increases in the administration of Madeline Rogero, was an increase of 40%.
Knoxvillians have to know that housing doesn’t become more affordable by continuing to escalate property taxes. Blue cities across the country have literally driven out the middle class into the suburbs because of constantly raising taxes while subsidizing others. It is the classic version of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Raising property taxes also raises mortgages and rents. The idea that constantly raising taxes makes things more affordable for consumers is neither logical nor true. In fact, it’s just plain stupid.
Tucker Blakely Memorial Dedicated
The new stone memorial for Tucker Blakely is as welcome for our community as it is warranted. Tucker Blakely was a Knox County Sheriff’s deputy who answered the call to duty to serve our community. On October 1, 2023, Blakely and fellow officers responded to a domestic dispute, and a man inside a home began firing shots, one of which struck Deputy Blakely. Rushed to the hospital, the young deputy, a husband and father of a 5-year-old son, died at age 29. Tucker Blakely’s life was a testament to everything that is good about those men and women who dedicate themselves to protecting the cities, towns, and counties of our country. The loss of so fine a young man was devastating not only for his family and fellow officers but also for those of us who are grateful for their service. And Tucker Blakely’s life was one of service to others, as he had been in the Army prior to becoming a law enforcement professional.
The stone memorial for Tucker Blakely is located in Powell and is a reminder of a brave young man who gave his life for the people of Knox County. It is located right next to Powell High School, which is where Tucker met his future wife, Katarina. The memorial is beautiful and fitting. Someone once said, “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day . . . unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.” Truer words have never been spoken. The Focus remains grateful for the life of Tucker Blakely and his service to his fellow human beings.
