Tennessee
Letters: Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn breaks China in ridiculous display of ignorance
Editor’s note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to the bottom to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree. We welcome diverse viewpoints.
Blackburn’s ‘break China’ commercials mystifying
I find Marsha Blackburn’s current ad called “Breaking China” disgusting and racist. As she breaks her dishes, she makes several statements of hate.
First of all, is she talking about Chinese people or the countries of Taiwan or mainland China? Does she know the difference? By the way, Taiwan is an ally of ours, and it produces most of our computer chips.
She says China stole our jobs. Let me remind her that American businesses consciously offshored (not just to one Asian country) their manufacturing, seeking lower wages and less environmental concerns. This move was a strategic move to increase profits regardless of patriotic concerns. So, why is she saying just China?
China turned loose the virus on the USA? Actually, it was the world, but don’t let that get in the way of a political argument. I want proof, which would be impossible because she doesn’t know. Opinion is not fact.
Finally, she says we must break China, the world’s largest goods manufacturer. She makes it sound so simple, but it is a ridiculous statement. Hint: The USA is not the only trading partner between the Chinese. Buy American if you don’t want Chinese goods, and do not add fire to our adversarial relationship.
James Allen, Dickson 37055
Blame USA policy for wanting cheap goods and labor
I have to laugh somewhat when I see Marsha’s political ad on TV lately, smashing plates labeled China. Any fool who knows history of the U.S. knows that the jobs lost have been since the 1970s when the fat cats in business ( especially down south where many jobs went because of lower wages) wanted profits to go higher so sent jobs to Taiwan, Japan, Korea and China.
Union workers lost out to cheap labor. Republicans had been in the leadership in the House and the Senate during some of this time no matter who was president. So, Marsha , look into the mirror for the blame. Enough said!
Richard Smith, Spring Hill 37174
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Tennessee
Four-star 2026 defensive back Justin Hopkins narrows list to 12, including Tennessee football
Ensworth defensive back Justin Hopkins included Tennessee football among his final 12 schools in a social media post Wednesday.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound four-star cornerback listed the Vols along with Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Duke, Missouri, Indiana, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Iowa, Ole Miss, Auburn and West Virginia on his X account, formerly known as Twitter.
He’s the No. 9-ranked prospect in Tennessee and No. 18 nationally at corner for the class of 2026, according to 247Sports Composite.
Hopkins also holds offers from Cincinnati, UConn, Memphis, Miami (Ohio), Purdue, Toledo, UNLV and Western Kentucky.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel guided the Vols to a College Football Playoff berth as one of the 12 teams in the newly expanded field. Heupel has had success securing some of the state’s top recruits in recent years, including Brentwood Academy quarterback George MacIntyre, Hopkins’ teammate, defensive tackle, Ethan Utley as well as Baylor wide receiver Joakim Dodson, Jefferson County offensive lineman Nic Moore and Sheffield wideout Radarious Jackson.
Hopkins helped guide Ensworth to an 11-1 record that included a trip to the TSSAA Division II-AAA state semifinal game. He finished the 2024 season with 42 receptions for 705 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, he added 16 tackles, two for a loss, seven pass break-ups, two interceptions and a defensive TD.
Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.
Tennessee
Titans, Bengals Linked to Intriguing QB Trade
The Tennessee Titans need to find an answer at quarterback, as it’s looking more and more like Will Levis is not the answer for the future.
Yes, Levis played some solid football for a stretch this season, but he was recently benched in favor of Mason Rudolph, perhaps sealing his fate.
So, what will the Titans do under center?
The clearest path to landing a franchise quarterback would be drafting one, but Tennessee may not be in a position to land Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward in April. Could that means the Titans may explore a trade?
Justin Melo of Titan Sized thinks so and feels that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning could be an option for Tennessee during the offseason, noting that Titans head coach Brian Callahan served as Browning’s offensive coordinator in Cincinnati.
“Browning showcased the ability to execute the Zac Taylor and Callahan offense,” Melo wrote. “[Joe] Burrow’s backup is under contract for next season, but the Titans shouldn’t have too much difficulty working out trade compensation should they decide to travel that route. If Carthon and Callahan prefer to avoid making a lucrative investment, Browning would make some sense.”
With Burrow having the quarterback position locked down for the Bengals, Browning won’t get an opportunity to start in Cincinnati, barring an injury.
Remember: last year, Browning replaced an injured Burrow midseason and was very impressive, throwing for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 70.4 percent of his passes and posting a 98.4 passer rating over nine appearances and seven starts.
The 28-year-old played his collegiate football at Washington and went undrafted, but he eventually made his way to the Bengals’ practice squad in 2021.
Browning has clear talent and should be able to start somewhere, and Tennessee could represent a perfect destination for the Folsom, Ca. native.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Tennessee
Tennessee man held on $1M bond after Adair County fatal crash
COLUMBIA, Ky. (WBKO) – One of two men charged in a fatal crash in Adair County last weekend remains jailed on a $1 million cash bond.
Joel Hammack, 46, of Crossville, Tennessee, appeared in court Monday morning for arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol.
The crash, which occurred Dec. 21 near Adair Elementary School in Columbia, involved two vehicles. Several individuals were injured, and a child was killed.
In court, Hammack reportedly expressed remorse, telling the courtroom, “I am sorry for all this. I am. I am truly sorry,” according to the Adair Community Voice.
Police who detained Hammack at the scene found three open beer containers in his truck. He was arrested and taken to TJ Samson Hospital in Columbia, where a blood test was administered.
Hammack, who has at least three prior DUI convictions in other states over the past decade, is set to appear in court again on Dec. 30 for a preliminary hearing. If the judge determines probable cause exists, the case will proceed to a grand jury for possible indictment.
A public defender has been appointed to represent Hammack.
Copyright 2024 WBKO. All rights reserved.
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