November 7, 2005

Today's Reading List

The War: Donald Sensing writes: "I have reason to believe that my son, Lance Cpl. Stephen Sensing, is part of a large force of US Marines and Iraqi troops fighting al Qaeda in and around the city of Husaybah, 200 miles northwest of Baghdad."

Politics: A.C. Kleinheider isn't happy with Sen. Lamar Alexander. ... Meanwhile, in the latest story from the deep, deep waters of the Tennessee legislature's ethical swamp, Matt White's blog points to the Chattanooga-Hamilton Civic Forum blog, which White says reconstructs a troubling timeline that seems to indicate that Lt. Governor John Wilder used his position to influence legislation and contracts on behalf of a Texas collections firm." White comments on Wilder's "I can't remember" defense, and links to the Chatt-Ham blog post.

Nashville: Blake Wylie is not only one of Nashville's best bloggers, he's one of the Nashville area's best photographers too.

Blogging: Michael Silence takes a look at the strength of the Tennessee blogosphere, in a front-page story in the Knoxville News Sentinel. I have to agree with Matt White, who praises Bob Krumm's blog in the story, saying it is "of very good quality," and "is already on my 'must read' list'." It's made my "must read" list as well. ... Also covering the blogosphere in recent days, the Williamson County section of The Tennessean, which reports on the impact of an anonymous blog, Drinkin' The Franklin Koolaid, on government and politics in the Nashville suburb of Franklin. And it's having an impact that it only going to grow over time:

Alderman Dana McLendon said Koolaid influenced his decision to create his own blog. After repeated private e-mails between the two, McLendon said Koolaid convinced him to start his site, which is now linked from Koolaid's. Several other aldermen and recent candidates, including Dan Klatt, Dennis Phillips and Beverly Burger, have created blogs and Web sites, too, which are also linked to Drinkin' the Franklin Koolaid. Also in cyberspace are blogs on Nolensville and Maury County politics, as well as other blogs that dissect the workings of Franklin's government.

Religion: Tod Bolsinger reviews Common Grounds, a new book that presents a fresh way for Christians to engage non-Christians - both seekers and skeptics - in conversation about Christianity. Bolsinger's own book It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian is one of the best books I've read recently about authentic Christianity.