Happy 2009!

Doesn't it seem like yesterday that everyone was bracing for the Y2K "disaster" that never came?

And here we are -- another New Year in its infancy. I'm not one for resolutions, but you're reading one of them. I resolve to get out my feelings more this year. They're disjointed, with no connection whatsoever, but here they are.

By this time next year I'll be the mother of an official driver-license-holding teenager, on her way to spreading her wings for independence. I've devoted so much of my being to this child that I'm not sure I'm ready for the empty nest.

She's beautiful, brilliant and sensitive -- exactly what this world needs for its future. Can I let her go? I don't know. She needs to be let go, and I hope and pray I'm not so selfish I can't let that happen. I love her fiercely. She's my life's joy.

I'm recovering from some funky stomach malady, so the first nibble of the day wasn't black-eyed peas and greens. I hope the New Year's gods can forgive this indiscretion and bless me with luck. It would be nice to win the lottery, but you have to play to win. If I can't swoop up on Powerball winnings, I hope I can at least keep my head above water this year.

My little dog isn't getting any younger. He's had eye and back problems this year. I wish him an easy, healthy year as we grow older together.

It's my fervent prayer that the economy pull out of this dismal slump. Uppermost in my mind, of course, is the fate of newspapers. So many good people have devoted their lives to the truth with very few monetary rewards. Please, for their sake -- for my sake, even -- don't let newspapers die. We're not perfect, but we're out there trying our damnedest to give the public an unbiased look at the events coloring their world. The same cannot be said of so many bloggers and citizen journalists, many of whom color themselves as objective but reveal their bent. Kind of like Faux News with a keyboard.

(And yes, I do realize I'm using a blog as my podium. I, however, make no claim to be a journalist here. This is where I blow off steam -- it's subjective, and I have no plans to change that.)

I have high hopes for our new POTUS. Barack Obama is no messiah, but he gives me optimism. New ideas are needed. The status quo is not working. I now count down the days to the end of the error -- a man neither elected by the people nor for the people.

Reading about the possibility of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner having a New Year's baby makes me smile. It's irrelevant to my daily life, but I think they're absolutely darling. So many times I've latched my hopes onto a Hollywood couple -- Brad and Jennifer, Reese and Ryan -- only to see it end in divorce. (I still haven't forgiven Brad for cheating with Angelina Whorlie.) I have faith in the Afflecks. They seem ... almost normal.

Why was Friends the last great sitcom? I love The Office, but there is still a void left by the six people who gathered in my living room every Thursday to make me laugh .. and cry. Though I've always loved Friends, I still mourn for the pre-Monica Chandler and the Joey who was dumb and lovable, not brain dead.

Of course, Jim Halpert does help ease the pain somewhat ... (Is he gorgeous or what?!?)

And speaking of guys who make you drool, I'd gladly be Rob Pattinson's cougar. Long or short hair, bald ... I don't care. Just in case anyone out there knows him and wants to pass the word ...

Happy New Year, everyone! Both of you.

*Real* journalists? Pffft!

OK, I'm pissed.

I just read a blog from a guy who was touting that he was a "real" journalist because his blog "broke a story." Then he chided an actual newspaper for "claiming to break the story.

Puhleeze.

The "story" that was broken was a link. No details -- just here it is, folks.

The newspaper, on the other hand, had a reporter who actually made phone calls and dug for facts. Furthermore, the reporter's name -- his REAL name -- was at the top of the story. Not some pseudonym or cutesy screen name to hide behind and to abandon when the heat's too hot in the kitchen.

I like blogs. Hell, here I am spouting off on one. And I won't deny for a minute that I'm using my own cutesy screen name.

Is this a news source? HELL NO. I'm not even going to pretend it is. It's my forum for letting it all out. Sometimes, I use it as a sounding board about current events. But breaking news on it? Hardly.

I've broken a few stories in my day -- using my name. My real name. Have I received criticism? Sure. If I put it on the line, I should take my licks like a big girl. In my real name.

There are some good blogging news sources. But there are more (and they're breeding like bunnies, folks) bad ones who want to play "journalist" without getting their hands dirty.

To give the devil his due, there are some bad journalists out there, too. (Jayson Blair or Jean Cooke, anyone?) But, believe it or not, they're a rarity.

Most journalists are underpaid and overworked. They care about getting the most accurate facts to you. They confront politicians on behalf of you.

Sometimes, what looks like a good news story just doesn't have the facts behind it to come together. The reputable journalist will recognize that. His real name and reputation are on the line, after all.

OK, this is disjointed and in all likelihood, not my best work. But there it is. And even without my real name on it, I'll take my licks.

After all, I'm on both sides.

Ummmm ... you forgot someone!

I generally dedicate my Sunday mornings (and sometimes, like today, Sunday afternoons) to catching up on bloggers around me.

I generally leave the computer enlightened, even if I'm not seeking it.

Today's readings generated something interesting from Cup of Joe Powell. He lists the top 10 of Tennessee's "Power 100" from Business Tennessee.

I thought I'd take it a step further, and list some of the ones who might strike a familiar chord in my little corner of the state. (I have to wonder, though, how Coach Phil Fulmer was bested by Dave Cooley. Then again, I wonder why my name wasn't among them!)

For your perusal:

99 Jack Fishman
President, CEO & Publisher • Lakeway Publishers
Flat out the most influential businessman in Morristown but who also has considerable statewide and national reach. Publisher of more than a dozen community papers, magazines and Web sites across East and Middle Tennessee (and Missouri) including The Citizen Tribune in Morristown, The Tullahoma News, The Grundy County Herald of Tracy City, The Herald Chronicle of Winchester, The Manchester Times, and Elk Valley Times of Fayetteville. Member, State Board of Regents (over six universities and 13 community colleges). Director, SunTrust Bank, Morristown, Knoxville. Former Morristown Chamber head who has led local economic development for decades. One of just 22 board members of the Associated Press, the largest and oldest news organization in the world with 243 bureaus in 97 countries. Past president, National Newspaper Association. Director, Newspaper Association of America.

94 Phil Fulmer
Head football coach • University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Recovered from first losing season in 13 years to capture nine victories and a New Year’s Day bowl appearance. Topped it off with a banner recruiting year (top five nationally). Remains an entrenched powerhouse in Big Orange nation leading a football program and financial rainmaker for the university and state that is near and dear to many top Tennessee CEOs and average Tennesseans alike.

84 Lincoln Davis
4th District Congressman
Represents broad swath of rural East Tennessee as member of the new Democratic majority. But makes list more for prowess as a political animal than a policy tool in Washington D.C. Always heavily involved in other people’s campaigns (chaired the recent Ford Jr. for Senate campaign), Davis’ hip-tight relationships with party faithful across state is expected to bolster an eventual gubernatorial run by the former state Senator from Pall Mall.

71 Gerald Boyd
Manager of Oak Ridge Operations • U.S. Department of Energy
Top federal official in Oak Ridge with oversight of all Department of Energy facilities and assets there (as well as contractors UT-Battelle and BWXT). Essentially the CEO of a multi-billion business that contributes mightily to Tennessee’s business success and climate. DOE and its federal contractors represent about 12,000 Tennessee jobs with direct wages and salaries totaling more than $650 million.

48 Bruce Hartmann
President & Publisher • Knoxville News Sentinel
Runs Knoxville News Sentinel, with its circulation of over 121,000 daily and over 153,000 on Sunday. Recently rolled out new monthly business publication in concert with Knox Area Chamber of Commerce. Newest board is Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Previously chaired Tennessee Theatre Foundation efforts, raising $24 million in restoration funding. Credited with aiding Gov. Bredesen’s surprising win in Knox County in close 2002 election.

47 Jim Cooper
5th District Congressman
Policy co-chair of powerful Blue Dog Coalition comprised of more than 50 deficit-hawkish, socially conservative Democrats now equipped with a lot of bargaining power in the Democratic-controlled House. Member, Armed Services Committee, spearheading call for Iraq war strategy shift. Recently added to congressional watchdog committee, targeting waste and fraud. A highly respected go-to guy for new majority in nation’s Capitol.

44 Jeff Wadsworth
Director • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Heads globally significant facilities that house the $1.4 billion Spallation Neutron Source, the world’s largest civilian science project; the Department of Energy’s first nanoscience center; and the world’s largest non-classified computer. Under Wadsworth, ORNL has emerged as arguably America’s most relevant National Lab and the preferred location of federal decision makers for important and big dollar scientific endeavors. (Could a more public leading role on alternative fuels research be next?)

40 Mike Ragsdale
Mayor • Knox County
Recently re-elected president, state association of county mayors—an ideal platform to nurse a future gubernatorial run. Lack of personal wealth—though not qualification or personality—needed to be successful in that endeavor may hold him back. Despite recent acrid political environment, has helped turn county around with ability to govern, make friends, accentuate the positive and produce results.

38 Dave Cooley
Principal • Cooley Public Strategies
Political strategy whiz that recently departed post as Tennessee’s Deputy Governor (running day-to-day operations of the $25 billion business that is state government). Gov. Bredesen’s longtime trusted adviser, Cooley has now formed a consulting group attached to Tennessee’s largest public relations firm, McNeely, Pigott & Fox. Well placed outside the administration but with unsurpassed access to it, Cooley’s power remains strong across the state’s business and political spheres.

36 Zach Wamp
3rd District Congressman
While it would be better for Tennessee to have a majority Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee controlling where federal spending goes, that committee is historically less partisan than many, so Wamp’s presence on Tennessee’s behalf remains crucial (consider ongoing Chickamauga Lock funding). Wamp is also revered by East Tennessee leaders, in part for his role in the life of the Tennessee Valley Technology Corridor, a business development phenomenon.

35 Pat Summitt
Lady Vols basketball coach • University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Winningest coach in college basketball history—including Bobby Knight. Cheatham County native who fashioned the template for income-producing women’s college game nationally (and deserves much credit for the viability of the pro women’s game as well). As the genesis of such parity, it is all the more impressive that she remains a top-five program year in and year out. Like Dolly Parton, a recognized Tennessee brand in international circles.

32 Bill Haslam
Mayor of Knoxville
Now three years on the job, the former Pilot Corp. and Saks executive and member of the prominent Haslam family has become a legitimate prospect for governor. With the Haslam family purse strings (and East Tennessee political heft), he would be under any circumstances. Well regarded for business-like approach to running city government. Knoxville is in strong financial shape and increasingly the darling of national business press.

31 Bill Sansom
Chairman & CEO • H.T. Hackney Co.
Owns and runs one of Tennessee’s largest private companies, $3 billion plus, 116-year-old, Knoxville-based wholesale food distribution business (serving 20,000 independent grocers with 25,000 different products). Subsidiaries include bottled water company and furniture manufacturing outfits. New chairman of TVA, the nation’s largest utility, steering it toward a nuclear future. Former state commissioner of transportation and finance. Cross-state public company board service includes Mid-America Apartment Communities, First Horizon and Astec.

30 Jimmy Haslam
CEO • Pilot Corp.
Leading Tennessee’s second largest privately held company, Pilot Corp., 50% owner of the nation’s largest travel center operator. Has grown father’s company to more than 270 locations, and, by introducing fast food partnerships, has become one of America’s largest restaurant franchise operators. Reunited company with Marathon. Purchased Williams Travel Centers. Steadily supplanting father as both the chief business and political fundraising force in East Tennessee.

29 Julius Johnson
Chief administrative officer/lobbyist • Tennessee Farm Bureau
Columbia-based voice of the largest Farm Bureau Federation in the United States based on membership and one of the top insurance companies in Tennessee. As such, steers the most powerful lobby watching over the state’s legislative process and actions of largely rurally elected lawmakers. Represents state’s agricultural sector and its tens of billions of dollars in annual output, now benefiting from over $60 million in state investments in alternative fuels research.

19 Jim Clayton
Founder • Clayton Homes
Legendary Knoxville businessman who sold his manufactured home empire to renowned investor Warren Buffett, grossing $474 million and raising East Tennessee’s business profile in the process. Now having a profound impact on the East Tennessee region via venture capital. Also building a statewide community banking empire, FSB Bancshares. And boldly and profitably consolidating the manufactured housing lending market. Clayton Homes donated tons of mobile homes following Hurricane Katrina disaster.

16 Lamar Alexander
U.S. Senator
Tennessee’s senior senator, though in the minority party. Named to Senate Appropriations Committee determining where federal money flows. Also on the Environment Committee. Crafty politician who will find ways to be a player and affect Tennessee in positive ways despite his minority status. The only Tennessean popularly elected both governor and U.S. Senator. Former U.S. Education Secretary and UT president. Maryville native founded what’s now America’s largest provider of worksite daycare.

14 Dolly Parton
Entertainer & Entrepreneur
Among nation’s most-recognized entertainers (recently awarded nation’s highest arts award, the Kennedy Center Honor), its leading tourism spokesperson and champion of children’s literacy (her Imagination Library program, through which 160,000 kids receive free books monthly, covers Tennessee and increasingly the United States). Businesswoman behind Pigeon Forge’s Dollywood amusement park, Tennessee’s top tourist attraction, drawing over two million visitors annually. Recently pledged $500,000 toward construction of replacement Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center.

12 Gerald Nicely
Commissioner • Tennessee Department of Transportation
Gov. Bredesen’s right-hand man called on in 2002 to usher in a new era of public interaction and consensus-building at formerly insular TDOT. Tabbed during last year’s highway trooper cronyism scandal as interim director of the Department of Safety. Against the backdrop of aging highways and budget cuts, will influence Bredesen’s policy direction on possible gas taxes, bond measures replacing pay-as-you-go formula or creation of toll roads.

8 James “Big Jim” Haslam II
Chairman • Pilot Corp.
Founded state’s second largest private company, co-owner of the largest operator of highway travel plazas in America and the largest seller of over-the-road diesel fuel. Company employs over 13,000 in 40 states and recently expanded footprint to Canada. Top Tennessee political fundraiser and currently (he is retiring soon) the most powerful University of Tennessee trustee (who gave school $34 million gift last year). Boards include First Horizon and Ruby Tuesday.

7 John Petersen
President • University of Tennessee system
Chief operating officer of geographically diverse, well-staffed, multi-facility University of Tennessee system, making him a rare example of a person whose power is scattered from border to border in Tennessee. Now a few years in the position, and with a bold new strategic mission in place, Petersen is a person whose power is escalating fast as he emerges fully as a voice in statewide political and business circles.

6 Ron Ramsey
Lt. Gov. • State of Tennessee
Blountville Republican who this year amassed the votes needed to at long last topple longtime Tennessee Lt. Gov. John Wilder from his Senate Speaker post. Vast new powers include selecting committee heads, determining the path of Senate legislation and serving as a roadblock to Gov. Phil Bredesen’s legislative agenda where deemed necessary by the GOP. Also appoints (or chooses not to re-appoint) citizen members to influential state boards and commissions.