Sparta Live

My ninth grade civics teacher (also 11th grade history teacher), Burl Johnson, was also a county commissioner and deeply patriotic. This was in the ‘80s, when - as had been true for well … more

Troy Smith | 5/28/23

Calling all chess fans: White County Chess Club forming

It is early 1984, and I am sitting across the board from one of the top-rated women chess players in the state. Susan Smathers was a high school student just like me, and she was intimidating. I … more

John Gottlied | 5/28/23

A final word (for now) on perception

About 20 years ago, I wrote a novel about our local Confederate guerrilla, Champ Ferguson. Champ was a divisive character in both history and historical memory (how groups remember something). At his … more

Troy Smith | 5/11/23

Censorship, book bans, and rewrites: why you should care

I will upset some people with this article, but I will try to be plain. Some states have been banning books from schools. One book mentioned in the ban, “Are You There God? It’s Me, … more

John Gottlied | 5/11/23

Perception is not reality: A response to “A Liberal Dose”

Recently, Troy Smith has devoted his column to discussing how our brains perceive situations differently based on life experiences. He also showed different movies and television series that … more

John Gottlied | 5/4/23

Frustration, rage, and searching for the American Dream

In recent weeks I’ve talked about “Falling Down,” “Breaking Bad,” and the American Dream. I’ve done this in context of getting a finger on the pulse of … more

Troy Smith | 5/4/23

Shot for getting the wrong address - what is happening?

In about one week’s time, there have been FOUR national news stories about people making simple mistakes and being shot by paranoid people with guns. In St. Louis, a black teenager with a … more

Troy Smith | 4/27/23 | 1 comment

A response from Rep. Sherrell and hope for the future

Last week I asked State Representative Paul Sherrell to set the record straight. Thursday night, I received a call from Representative Sherrell. He told me that he had been unable to contact anyone … more

John Gottlied | 4/27/23

Calling on Rep. Paul Sherrell to set the record straight

I have explained that I do not advocate for the Republican Party. Neither am I an advocate for the Democratic Party as Troy Smith is. I have my opinions and encourage you to think for yourself. I … more

John Gottlied | 4/20/23

Breaking Bad and the receding American Dream

Recently, I wrote about Michael Douglas’s character in “Falling Down,” William Foster. Foster was a middle-class engineer who had followed all the rules throughout his life, but, … more

Troy Smith | 4/20/23

What does it mean to be a Liberal or a Conservative?

Last week, I said that using this column to teach a class would be boring, but I do not want to leave the topic of political terms too quickly. After reading this series, you should have the … more

John Gottlied | 3/23/23

Perceptions of reality defined by your perspective

On March 19, I heard yet another interview with science journalist David McRaney, whose book, “How Minds Change,” has been in the news a lot the last couple of years. His book, and his … more

Troy Smith | 3/23/23

What is behind the rage against drag shows?

I recently heard someone say, “Tennessee is currently the most anti-gay state in America, as judged y legislative activity.” I’m not sure if that is true, but, if not, we have … more

Troy Smith | 3/16/23 | 3 comments

What does it really mean to be left or right?

Someone mentioned to me that my articles sometimes confuse her. She told me that sometimes I sound like a Republican and sometimes a Democrat, sometimes a conservative, and sometimes a liberal. So, I … more

John Gottlied | 3/16/23

Let’s all find the better angels of our nature

I want to begin this column by acknowledging John Gottlied’s statement last week that, despite our many disagreements, he is never attacking me personally because he believes I am a good man … more

Troy Smith | 3/9/23

Two years after Trump - just where are we now?

I am writing this on the second anniversary of my beginning this column. I still have a lot to say, and the world keeps giving me more every week, but I thought this would be an appropriate … more

Troy Smith | 3/3/23 | 1 comment

Reactions to Troy Smith and readers who wrote me

I am writing this entry as a response to a statement Troy Smith has made a couple of times since I have been writing my column, but I believe this is something that we all should consider. Troy has … more

John Gottlied | 3/3/23

What should we expect from public education?

Education is a long and complicated discussion this country needs to have. This country has some excellent educators, and it has some dangerous people posing as educators. Fortunately, our … more

John Gottlied | 2/24/23

Thinking about issues that concern Native Americans

My apologies for going AWOL last week. It is an incredibly busy time at work, and I couldn’t find time to write a column. This week, I want to respond to a couple of things my friend, … more

Troy Smith | 2/24/23

Mourning the death of the American dream

I had intended to submit an article on the State of the Union address and the Republican response. Instead, I will just summarize that fact checkers (Breitbart, USA Today, CNN, Fox,…) … more

John Gottlied | 2/17/23