Day: September 24, 2017

Titans Boycott National Anthem, Judd Matheny Blasts NFL Team for ‘Disrespect for Those Who Fought’ for Their Rights

Admin

  The Tennessee Titans made the politically charged decision to boycott the national anthem in their home NFL home game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, choosing instead to remain in the locker room while the rest of the game’s attendees honored the flag. “As a team, we wanted to be unified in our actions today,” the Titans organization said in a brief statement, released via Twitter. “The players jointly decided this was the best course of action. Our commitment to the military and our community is resolute and the absence of our team for the national anthem shouldn’t be misconstrued as unpatriotic.” Statement from #Titans organization on Titans vs. Seahawks national anthem. https://t.co/DPTG14HDoO — Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 24, 2017   Reaction from fans and elected representatives in Tennessee was fierce. “Unfortunately, Tennesseans were subjected first hand today, to the disrespect to those who fought for the right for these players, to even be in uniform.  The TN Titans wanted us to believe that their ‘unified decision’ still reflected a commitment to the military, in the absence of our TN team from America’s National Anthem and that it shouldn’t be misconstrued as unpatriotic,” State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) and a…

Read the full story

Real Courage: Only One Pittsburgh Steeler Stood for National Anthem Sunday, Former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva

Tennessee Star Staff

Initial reports were that the entire Pittsburgh Steelers football team would forego the pregame national anthem for their game in Chicago after comments from President Donald Trump set a firestorm across the NFL. Well, that turned out to not be entirely true, as one member of the Steelers did come out of the locker room for…

Read the full story

1 Dead, 8 Injured in Antioch Church Shooting

Admin

  At least one person is dead and eight more are injured after a gunman stormed the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch this morning. WKRN reports: One woman was killed and eight people, including the gunman, were injured in what officials are calling a “mass casualty” incident at a church in Antioch Sunday morning. Metro police responded to the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ on Pin Hook Road at 11:15 a.m. The preliminary investigation shows the gunman, whose identity has yet to be released, arrived to the church in a blue SUV wearing a mask. Metro police said he immediately confronted a woman outside the church, shooting her at least one time, killing her on the scene. Developing… UPDATE: Metro Nashville Police has released the shooter’s identity as Emanuel Kidega Samson.      

Read the full story

Nearly a Half-Million Dodge Ram 2500 Trucks Recalled Over Fire Risk

Admin

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles initiated a voluntary recall of 494,417 Dodge Ram 2500 trucks worldwide after a potential of fire due to a malfunctioning water pump was discovered. “Affected are model-year 2013-17 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups; and 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs,” the company said in a statement, released Tuesday. The recall, limited to trucks with 6.7-liter engines, applies to some 443,000 trucks in the United States. Another 50,000 trucks in Canada and across the world may also be effected. “Customer feedback prompted an FCA US investigation that discovered certain trucks are equipped with a water-pump bearing that, after exposure to certain conditions, may overheat and potentially cause an engine-compartment fire,” the company stated. “Compromised water-pump function may activate a warning light in an affected vehicle’s instrument cluster. Customers are urged to consult their dealers whenever they observe warning lights.” Fiat Chrysler said that customers affected by the recall would be advised when service is available. The water pumps will be inspected and replaced if necessary. The potentially faulty water pumps are no longer being installed in trucks,” the company said. “As always, FCA US urges customers to heed information on all recall notices; those who have questions or concerns may…

Read the full story

Trump Boosts Luther Strange in Alabama GOP Senate Runoff, Polls Favor Conservative Roy Moore

Tennessee Star Staff

President Trump on Saturday beat back the chief attack on his his candidate in Alabama’s Republican runoff election for U.S. Senate, saying Sen. Luther Strange had proven himself to be his ally in the fight against the Washington establishment. “I’m telling you because I’ve seen him. He is tough as hell,” Mr. Trump told a rally…

Read the full story

Commentary: Goodell, NFL Players’ Defense of Anthem Protesters Likely to Backfire

Tennessee Star Staff

President Donald Trump blasted “son of a b**ch” National Football League (NFL) players who choose to protest by kneeling during the national anthem at games during a raucous Friday night rally in Huntsville, Alabama. Trump showed up to stump for Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.) in his upcoming GOP primary bid against Judge Roy Moore, but he…

Read the full story

President Trump Withdraws NBA’s Warriors Invitation to White House

Admin

President Donald Trump said Saturday he was withdrawing a White House invitation extended to the Golden State Warriors after several players on the NBA championship-winning side voiced misgivings about attending a reception. Writing on Twitter, Trump singled out Warriors star Stephen Curry, who on Friday had signalled that he would vote against attending the White House…

Read the full story

Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood Face Off Singing “Does He Love You” at the Grand Ole Opry

Admin

Reba Carrie Opry Reba McEntire celebrated the 40th anniversary of her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry with a very special performance on the show September 22. Reba’s segment of the show was billed “Reba McEntire and friends,” and one of those friends ended up being her fellow Oklahoman, Carrie Underwood. The crowd went nuts…

Read the full story

Three Movies Still in Theaters That Conservatives Should See Now

Admin

Increasingly political celebrities and lackluster content and the traditional box office. Audience members are instead turning to streaming platforms — or skipping much of today’s artistic endeavors altogether. However, there is still a good amount of strong content hitting theaters today. This content includes no political sucker punches and is as strong as anything to ever…

Read the full story

Winners of Tennessee Star Constitution Bee Share Hopes for the Future

Wendy Wilson

PLEASANT VIEW, Tennessee — In his spare time, Noah Farley likes to read Supreme Court opinions and listen to audio recordings of oral arguments before the high court. “I’m obsessed with the Constitution,” Noah said. “I’ll admit that. I’m a nerd.” Noah spoke with The Tennessee Star after winning first place in Saturday’s Constitution Bee held by The Star and sponsored by the Polk Foundation. The inaugural event took place at Sycamore High School in Cheatham County. Noah won a free trip to Washington, D.C., along with a parent. His parents, Matthew and Kimberly Farley, were at the bee to watch their son compete. Kimberly, an occupational therapist by training, homeschools Noah and his two younger siblings. Matthew works as a business analyst. The family lives in Spring Hill. One day, Noah hopes to become an attorney. “He reads all kinds of books about law, history and even constitutional theory,” said Kimberly, who described Noah as her go-to guy when she wants to know something related to those topics. His expertise is now well beyond hers, she said. Alexandria Anderson was the second place winner. Poised and confident, the Stewart County High School freshman comes across as older than her…

Read the full story

Young Sisters Won’t Take No For An Answer, Persuade Tennessee Star Constitution Bee Organizers to Let Them in Competition

Wendy Wilson

PLEASANT VIEW, Tennessee — Abagail and Madalyn Falletti were determined to compete Saturday in the Tennessee Star Constitution Bee, and they weren’t going to let their ages stand in the way. Sponsored by the Polk Foundation, the inaugural bee was formally open to students in grades 8-12, with students in grade 7 to be allowed in with special permission. But 10-year-old Abagail and 11-year-old Madalyn are only in fifth and sixth grade, respectively. They wore down organizers with their enthusiasm. “They wouldn’t let me not allow them in,” said Michael Patrick Leahy, CEO and editor-and-chief of The Tennessee Star. Their mother, Jennie Falletti, said the girls became interested in politics last year when they cheered on Ted Cruz in his race for the Republican nomination for president. Jennie homeschools her daughters in Thompson’s Station and helped them get ready for Saturday’s bee. The girls read The Tennessee Star Guide to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and made flashcards. “I like challenges,” Abagail said. Madalyn said she wanted to participate so she could learn more about the U.S. Constitution. For the Preamble part of the contest, the girls stood side by side on the stage at Sycamore High School and recited…

Read the full story

Home Schooler Noah Farley Wins Tennessee Star Constitution Bee

Wendy Wilson

  PLEASANT VIEW, Tennessee — Sixteen students competed Saturday morning in the inaugural statewide Tennessee Star Constitution Bee sponsored by the Polk Foundation. The event was held at Sycamore High School between Nashville and Clarksville. The school is part of Cheatham County Schools. On the auditorium stage near a panel of judges, the sharply-dressed young contestants recited the Preamble and answered trivia questions about the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and Founding Fathers. They also tackled oral short answer questions on topics that required a bit of analysis. The first-place winner was Noah Farley, a 17-year-old homeschooled senior from Spring Hill, who won a free trip to Washington, D.C., along with a parent. Second place went to Alexandria Anderson, 14, a freshman at Stewart County High School, and third place went to Sunshine Coombs, 17, a senior at Stewart County High School. Another standout was Lauren Hunsicker, a 17-year-old Sycamore High School senior, who beautifully sang the Preamble instead of saying it and won “Most Creative” in the Preamble category. She sang the classic Schoolhouse Rock version. Bracey Hughes, who also goes to Sycamore High School, won “Most Persuasive” for her impassioned, dramatic recitation. Home schooled sisters Madalyn and Abagail Falletti…

Read the full story