Topic: Journalism

Writer’s Conference: John Seigenthaler Sr. offers “A Word on Words”

By Turner McCullough Jr. | July 26, 2008 |

Famed writer, editor, publisher and 1st Amendment advocate encourages audience, “Everyone has at least one story to tell!”

The Clarksville Country Club Dining Room was the host site for this year’s Writers Conference Buffet Dinner, which featured John Seigenthal Sr. as their keynote speaker.

In listing his many life achievements, one must acknowledge his 43 years as an award-winning journalist of Nashville’s The Tennessean being editor, publisher and CEO; his tenure as president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors; serving as the founding editorial director of USA Today; and being an administrative assistant to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and chief negotiator with the governor of Alabama during the Freedom Rides. In 1991, he founded the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, whose mission is creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values. Seigenthaler is also the author of the 2004 biography of American President James K. Polk. He currently hosts a weekly book-review program, “A Word on Words” on Nashville public television station WNPT. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Business, Events, News | No Comments

The Leaf Chronicle should be ashamed

By Bill Larson | June 28, 2007 |

It was indeed a glad and gracious time, and the half dozen rash spirits that ventured to disapprove of the war and cast a doubt upon its righteousness straightway got such a stern and angry warning that for their personal safety’s sake they quickly shrank out of sight and offended no more in that way. - Mark Twain’s War Prayer

In the Leaf Chronicle today was an un-attributed editorial, for which any organization that prides it’s self on having the highest journalistic standards should be ashamed for publishing. Their editorial paints those who disagree with the policies of politicians with the taint of not supporting the troops, of disloyalty. Indeed they proclaim that America would do well to heed the words of the commander of the 101st airborne division:

The last thing that you want to have happen is an Army in combat, with people saying that we really question what our government is having them do - Major General Jeffery J. Schloesser, the commander of the 101st airborne division

I could not disagree more. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion | 2 Comments