The Cleveland Daily Banner

Copper mining caused Tennessee’s 'Badlands'

The Ducktown Basin used to be known as “Tennessee’s Badlands.” But unlike the Badlands of South Dakota, Tennessee’s version was manmade. After the Civil War, companies began mining copper … more

BILL CAREY | 6/29/22

Pranks are funny until someone gets harmed

We all played pranks, but most of us grew out of it.I participated in a ding dong ditch mission or two back in my day. And I was an accessory once to calling the grocery store and asking if they had … more

BARRY CURRIN | 6/29/22

Dems' demagoguery

Instead of trying to win over voters by putting forward the best thinking in the marketplace of ideas, Democrats use government to make people do what they want them to do. If the people do not, the … more

RON HART | 6/29/22

Don't get Bigfooted by scammers

There’s an old saw among journalists: If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out. In other words, get another source. I’m as grizzled, jaded, skeptical and untrusting as a … more

J. TODD FOSTER | 6/27/22

High court dissents often are more important

Whenever the Supreme Court comes down with a particularly momentous decision, it’s customary to look at the majority opinion. After all, the majority makes the law. Sometimes, though, it’s the … more

CHRISTINE FLOWERS | 6/27/22

Forgotten salves

I was packing for our recent trip to Mexico when I found the old tube of V05.“Do I still have this?” Apparently, I did.Even though my husband, Peter, and I had moved a year ago, a lot of … more

CARRIE CLASSON | 6/27/22

Media ignores unabated persecution of Christians

I watched one of my favorite movies the other night, “Quo Vadis.”Despite the cheesy costumes and over-the-top acting, it has important historical value, in that it describes a critical but faded … more

CHRISTINE FLOWERS | 6/24/22

30 reasons to love the USA

What a country, right? As we celebrate America’s 246th birthday on the Fourth of July, let’s pause and list a few reasons to love America.Thanks to cable TV and YouTube, we can still enjoy the … more

DAVID CARROLL | 6/24/22

1/6 hearings not changing minds

As the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U. S. Capitol heads into its final public hearings phase, early indications are that despite compelling testimony, the … more

CARL GOLDEN | 6/22/22

It only would have been a little white lie

Doctor patient confidentiality is a great thing. It’s necessary. That’s what keeps doctors from spilling the beans on their patients to just anyone.It protects people’s privacy. Think about … more

BARRY CURRIN | 6/22/22

Ridin' and fallin' with Biden

Readers ask me if I think President Joe Biden can do anything more stupid than he just did. I really wish they would stop asking me, as it seems Biden is taking that as a challenge.There could not be … more

RON HART | 6/22/22

The Postscript: Lucky squirrel

My husband, Peter, and I went to our first concert in the park last week.We brought our folding chairs and ate food from the food trucks. The weather was perfect, and the music was good. But … more

CARRIE CLASSON | 6/20/22

Let's declare independence from foreign drug supply chains

While Americans prepare to gather for Independence Day on July 4, there is a silent crisis that threatens the quality of life for every American.Since the start of COVID-19, increasing attention has … more

MATT MACKOWIAK | 6/20/22

Ghost town was scene of violent Depression-era strike

If you clear away the weeds, you can find the tombstone in the corner of the remote cemetery. Barney Graham, it claims, is “gone but not forgotten.” Eighty-nine years after his murder, I fear … more

BILL CAREY | 6/17/22

Father's Day perfect game

On Father’s Day, 1964, Philadelphia Phillies’ right-hander Jim Bunning pitched a perfect game against the New York Mets in Shea Stadium.Bunning’s two-hour, 10-minute masterpiece ⏤ 90 pitches, … more

JOE GUZZARDI | 6/17/22

Pain at the pumps: lessons learned

Oh, how our nation has changed in recent years. We have lost more than a million people to a disease that some said would go away in a matter of weeks. We started wearing masks and stopped eating … more

DAVID CARROLL | 6/17/22

Eisenhower's baseball 'secret'

Since baseball’s earliest years, U.S. presidents have been big fans of the national pastime. Among the most avid baseball fans were William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson and Richard M. Nixon. After … more

JOE GUZZARDI | 6/15/22

Democrats would screw up a one-car funeral procession

Believing a politician cares about you is like believing a stripper at a "Gentleman's Club" out near the airport cares for you. The same people believe a strip joint is a "gentlemen's club." Such is … more

RON HART | 6/15/22

Which are you, adviser or advisee?

There are two types of people in the world: Those who say, “I’ll tell you what you should do,” and those to whom it is said.I am almost always in Group 2.The expression comes in several … more

BARRY CURRIN | 6/15/22

Local Conasauga nearly key to Tennessee history

As the only river in Tennessee that is not part of the Mississippi River system, the Conasauga River is the answer to an interesting trivia question. It nearly became a lot more than that. The … more

BILL CAREY | 6/13/22