Knoxville-Knox County Planning: Agricultural Should Not Be Rezoned to Rural Residential! (published 8-23-2026; article #572)

Source: Knoxville-Knox County Planning: Resources: news: 860: img-4500

Introduction

Does the above image imply that Knoxville-Knox County Planning's focus is to break up agricultural land so “McMansion” subdivisions can be built? A “McMansion” subdivision, by my definition, is a row of costly houses, built side by side, on postage-stamp-sized property. Next-door neighbors could shake hands through open side windows. The above image is found prominently at Knoxville-Knox County Planning: News: 7/30/2026: UDO Module D Articles and Second Draft Map Available.

Greetings, dear reader. This entry focuses on agricultural landowners in Knox County, Tennessee, and the recent behind-the-back rezoning proposal by Knoxville-Knox County Planning. Of course, I have a few questions. The conclusion includes links to my relevant articles from 2022 and indicates my further action.

To a wider audience, how would you like it if your property were proposed to be rezoned behind your back without notice? That's what was proposed recently in Knox County, Tennessee.

Fortunately, wisdom postponed the rezoning proposal until the new county mayor and county commission members take office on Tuesday, September 1. The postponement gives agricultural landowners greater opportunity to speak their minds about their concerns.

Agricultural Rezoning Behind Farmers' Backs

Around the middle of the month, local television news stations in Knox County began airing segments about Knoxville-Knox County Planning. A big change was that land originally zoned agricultural was proposed to be rezoned to rural residential. The proposal was arranged behind the backs of agricultural landowners.

Two of several sources are “Knox County zoning overhaul raises concerns among farmers: Proposed Advance Knox plan would reclassify agricultural land by default; farmers say they found out through social media.” WVLT News, by Caroline Mueller, 8/10/2026, and “Farmer raises concerns over proposed Knox County zoning changes.” WATE 6 On Your Side, by Drea Peebles, 8/11/2026.

Initially, zoned agricultural landowners would have to submit opt-in forms to retain their current zoning. Otherwise, their property would be rezoned to Rural Residential without any notice.

Behind-the-Back Rezoning Postponed

As the previously referenced news sources indicate, agricultural landowners caught wind of the behind-the-pack proposal. They started “making hay” by speaking out in opposition. As a result, the proposal was put on hold.

Advance Knox: Unified Development Ordinance (UDO): Work on Draft Map 2 Has Been Paused states (with my underlining added for emphasis):

Due to significant interest and feedback, work on this draft map will be paused until a later date. Property owners who currently have Agricultural (A) land do not need to fill out an opt-in form. Additional comments can be made by calling 865-215-3085, submitting a comment on the map, or emailing contact@advanceknox.org.

The “Draft Map” link on the previously mentioned web page opens ArcGIS: Apps: Dashboards: Knox County Unified Development Ordinance: Proposed Zoning Map — Draft 2. Clicking the link immediately opens a prominent pop-up box stating, “Work on Draft Map 2 Has Been Paused: Due to overwhelming feedback, work on this draft map will be paused until a later date. Property owners who currently have Agricultural (A) land do not need to fill out an opt-in form. Comments on the map will continue to be accepted.”

Clicking past the pop-up on the “Draft Map,” I selected the tab “Compare Proposed and Existing Zoning Maps.” If you do likewise, you will see, on the right, the “Existing Zoning Map” and, on the left, the “Proposed Zoning Map – Draft 2.”

Opening the legend for the “Existing Zoning Map” shows the light green properties that are currently zoned Agricultural. Those properties compose most of the rural land in the county.

Opening the legend for the “Proposed Zoning Map – Draft 2,” however, shows the proposal to rezone Agricultural land to Rural Residential (dark green). It would be a significant change.

A down-to-earth summation of this section is Knoxville-Knox County Planning got caught with their hands in the cookie jar! The "cookies" were the zoned Agricultural land, which Knoxville-Knox County Planning proposed to rezone to Rural Residential.

My Questions

A few questions come to mind. First, why did Knoxville-Knox County Planning (KKCP) want to rezone Agricultural land to Rural Residential? What was the motivation?

Additionally, why did KKCP not consult first with zoned Agricultural landowners before making the proposed rezoning? Did they want to rezone behind the backs of those landowners?

Further, why would a property owner of zoned Agricultural land, proposed to be rezoned to Rural Residential, have to opt back into zoned Agricultural land? Would it have been better to ask those landowners to opt in to change their land from zoned Agricultural to rezoned Rural Residential if they wanted to do so?

Finally, from the “I smell a rat" department, are property developers influencing KKCP? If all zoned Agricultural land were to be rezoned to Rural Residential, would property developers not swarm down on rural landowners like buzzards on freshly killed meat with their marketing efforts to buy the land? Will agricultural landowners begin hearing their doorbells ring as door-to-door property developers drop by to buy their land?

Conclusion

The acronym for “Unified Development Ordinance” is UDO. Odo, not Udo, was the changeling character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. When I hear UDO, I laugh and think about Odo, the changeling.

This article accuses the folks at Knoxville-Knox County Planning and their sidekicks at Advance Knox of being changelings. They have changed from upholding the best interests of landowners in Knox County to being influenced by pesky property developers who want to turn agricultural land into McMansion subdivisions for a huge profit. Farmers are being shafted. The roads and infrastructure will not support such changes.

I am not alone in my opinion. For example, “UDO Draft 2 Map and RR Zone Changes,” Knox Community Planning Alliance, 8/8/2026, has a much more in-depth response to the proposed zoning change than this brief article does.

Four years ago, I focused on Advance Knox and the land use and transportation plan in a series of four articles. The first article from 5/1/2022 includes a subsection titled “Advance Knox Psychobabble.” I followed up with complete articles from 5/8/2022, 5/9/2022, 5/18/2022, and 5/21/2022. Unfortunately, I have returned my focus to this matter.

After publishing this article, I plan to link to it in emails I send to Knoxville-Knox County Planning (contact@knoxplanning.org), Advance Knox (contact@advanceknox.org), and incoming Mayor-Elect Betsy Henderson (info@betsyhenderson.com). Further, I plan to send a modified email to the recipients on Knox Community Planning Alliance's Take Action: UDO web page.

This concludes my 78th entry in the Poly-Ticks: Greek πολλά (many) and ticks (bloodsuckers) Topic Section. If we could get the many bloodsuckers out of politics, we might find a few true statesmen and stateswomen left standing.

August 8th: Annual Emancipation Day (published 8-12-2026; article #571)

Leffler, Warren K., photographer. Civil rights march on Washington, D.C. / WKL. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2003654395/>. No known restrictions on publication.

Introduction

As it is said, “You learn something new every day.” Well, maybe not every day. Early last Sunday morning, a local television news station taught me something I had not known in my sixty-six youthful years of living.

To emancipate is to free from the control or power of another. In short, it is to be set free from bondage.

What did I learn? I found out that the 8th of August is the annual celebration of Emancipation Day. Why, as far back as I can recall, had I not heard about the day before? I don't remember hearing about the day until early last Sunday morning.

Annual Emancipation Day on August 8th

According to sources (listed below), on August 8, 1863, during the American Civil War (1861–65), Tennessee Military Governor Andrew Johnson freed the slaves he “owned” at his home in Greene County, Tennessee. This was after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, which became effective on New Year's Day 1863.

A few years afterward, Sam Johnson, formerly enslaved by Andrew Johnson, began to promote the annual observance of August 8th as Emancipation Day in Greene County. In time, the annual celebration spread to other towns in Tennessee and in nearby states.

In 2007, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen signed a bill into law, which acknowledged August 8th as annual “Emancipation Day.” Unless I missed them, I was not aware of special celebrations on August 8th until last Sunday morning.

For further reading about Emancipation Day on August 8th, I suggest the following sources:

“'When we know better, then we can do better' | Knoxville historians share stories of resilience ahead of Emancipation Day.” WBIR-TV (Knoxville), by Lexie Martin, 8/7/2026. I may have seen a repeat of the televised version of this article early last Sunday morning.

“The Eighth of August: Emancipation Day in Tennessee,” Tennessee Historical Society, by Skyler Gordon, 8/3/2018. The brief article begins with an observance in Clarksville, Tennessee, on August 8, 1941. It also reflects back to a celebration in the same town on August 8, 1898.

The National Park Service: Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, Tennessee, includes the following noteworthy entries: Emancipation Day (last updated 4/14/2015), August 8th (last updated 7/24/2020), and Slaves of Andrew Johnson (last updated 7/20/2023). In summary, the columns elaborate on the lives of the slaves whom Andrew Johnson freed.

The Beck Cultural Exchange Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, includes a column titled “Eighth of August History.” A section of it describes annual celebrations in Chilhowee Park during segregation. Also included is a link to an East Tennessee PBS documentary from August 8, 2016. Finally, three additional links direct to “More About the Eighth of August.”

I was pleased to discover Black in Appalachia: 8th of August: Tennessee's Celebration of Emancipation. The brief article embeds an audiovisual presentation, which is also available at “The 8th of August: Tennessee's Celebration of Emancipation,” Black in Appalachia (YouTube), 8/5/2022. Looking through the website, I learned the organization is headquartered in nearby Whitesburg, Tennessee. I may plan to visit them.

Finally, Tennessee State Museum: The History of Emancipation Day in Tennessee, by Stephanie Davis, 8-27-2021, includes an excellent historical synopsis of August 8th.

Conclusion

It is fitting for this brief article to become the 38th entry in the Appalachia—Northeast Tennessee Topic Section. I learned something profound early last Sunday morning. It began in nearby Greene County, Tennessee, on August 8, 1863. Once freed, Andrew Johnson's slaves did not wish to return to slavery. They were free to flourish as free men and women. Their accomplishments are described in the sources cited above.

Quoting from my inaugural article (3/6/2006), “To a true Appalachian, skin color doesn't matter. Of course, our necks may be a little red from getting out and actually working for a living, but you can be red, yellow, black, brown, or white and still be an Appalachian! Understand?”

This entry honors the freedom won by and the accomplishments of fellow Appalachians, deceased and living, with skin color darker than mine. We are relatives through the lines of the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. Every human is kin to one another. If all people could understand this relationship, nations and people groups would not antagonize each other.

To be emancipated from the evils of slavery is to be set free. Closing on a deeper spiritual point, my short story from August 14, 2022, briefly mentions my emancipation from sin and conversion to Christ on Monday, June 22, 1981.

I was once a spiritual slave, under Satan's control. However, as the Apostle Paul stated in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (NIV).

Are you free in Christ? If so, you are my spiritual relative. Are you still a slave to sin? If so, unyoke yourself by becoming a servant of Jesus. If you would like to begin a confidential conversation along this line, please email me using the Contact Form on this website. I am a former slave, whom Christ set free. I would like to share that freedom.

Finally, this article remembers my maternal grandmother, Lula Frank Amos Wood (6/16/1901-8/12/1991). Granny Wood went to her everlasting freedom 35 years ago today.

Is Anyone Missing a Tagged Pigeon in Morristown, Tennessee? (published 8-2-2026; article #570)

Photograph by my youngest brother on Wednesday, 7/29/2026, at 11:05 AM, showing the tagged right foot of a pigeon resting in his left palm.

Introduction

Acrobatic? It must have been awkward to hold a pigeon, perched on your left palm with the back of your left hand on green vegetation, and to photograph the scene using your cellphone camera in your right hand.

Welcome, dear reader, to the 127th entry in the Humor Topic Section. It really happened. My youngest brother texted the above image to my cellphone last Wednesday afternoon. My amazed textual reply requested to know “the rest of the story,” as Paul Harvey would have said.

A Pigeon in Hand: The Rest of the Story

Late last Friday afternoon, my brother called to tell me “the rest of the story.” He said last Wednesday started off as a usual day at work. (He works in Morristown, Tennessee.) Around 11 AM that day, while routinely walking from one building to another, he was surprised when a pigeon flew down and landed near him. As he approached it, he thought it would fly away. Instead, the pigeon flew up and rested on his arm!

Was it a homing pigeon? As in the above image, it had a tag on its right foot. My brother couldn't make out the tag well enough to identify the owner or any contact information for reaching him or her.

My brother said the pigeon followed him around and even rested on the palm of his hand, as in the above image. After taking the above photograph, my brother placed the pigeon under a shade tree and went to get a cup of water. The bird awaited his return and drank water from the cup.

Afterward, my brother went back inside to continue working. When he had opportunities, he looked outside and saw the bird still under the shade tree. After a while, however, my brother never did see the bird again that day. He looked for it over the next two workdays, Thursday and Friday, but didn't see it.

Conclusion

On House Mountain, I once saw a bald eagle perched on a tree branch near the upper-middle bluff. Standing nearby on the rock bluff, I was within a few feet of it. The bird flew off before I could photograph it.

The article from 11/19/2023 includes my photograph of an owl perched on a tree within feet of where Molly (our “old puppy”) and I were hiking. Molly and I were amazed it didn't fly off.

Countless times and in different hiking locations, I have come upon deer and startled them. Years ago, at Big Ridge State Park, a bear was on the trail I was hiking. Clapping my hands and talking loudly to it as I approached, the bear ran crashing down a ravine below the trail before I got to where it had been.

I have never, however, had a pigeon fly and land on my arm while at work, in the woods, or anywhere. My youngest brother has one-upped me with his pigeon story. Thanks for sharing your story, brother.

Is anyone missing a tagged pigeon in Morristown, Tennessee?

President Trump's Marketing Letter: A 50-Cent Coin from AMAC! (published 7-27-2026; article #569)

Saturday, 7-25-2026: A photograph by M. Fearghail of a 50-cent coin, front and back, as included in the same-day letter from President Trump.

Introduction

Early last Saturday morning, the United States Postal Service (USPS) sent me their usual daily Informed Delivery by USPS email. Aside from the usual pieces, I was surprised to see that a letter from President Donald J. Trump would arrive later that day.

During the morning, I wondered, “Does the president wish to consult with me?” I even speculated, “He may have finally replied to the letter I sent him on 4/21/2026.” (The article from 4/20/2026 includes the letter.)

My sarcastic jaw dropped when the mail arrived around noon. What? Not another marketing letter from the president!

President Trump's Marketing Letter

President Trump—addressing me only by first name, as if we were close friends—wanted me to join the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). It was merely a marketing letter.

In his brash and exaggerated writing style, the president contrasted the smaller but conservative AMAC to unnamed and larger “senior groups,” which the president described as “those Leftists.”

I yawned while reading the letter. I thought, “Doesn't the president have enough problems? Why did he allow a ghostwriter to send me a marketing letter?”

President Trump may never overcome his pompous personality. His undeclared war with Iran continues to drag on. American service members are being killed and injured. His unconstitutional tariffs change every few days like paper carried by a breeze. His undeclared war and tariffs continue to fuel inflation.

On balance, however, Trump was the better choice in the last election. He has secured the border, arranged the deportation of criminal illegal aliens, stood up for the right to life of the unborn, and established two genders, male and female. Further, he doesn't condone so-called gay pride.

The president's style, however, will ensure that the next president will be a Democrat or, even worse, a Democrat Socialist. His first presidency gave us the disaster of President Biden's four years.

A 50-Cent Coin from AMAC!

President Trump's letter was the cover for a four-page marketing letter from Rebecca Weber, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). Before opening the envelope, I wondered why I felt a hard, round object inside it.

The object was a shiny new 50-cent coin, as depicted in the image above. At least I became 50 cents richer by opening the mailing.

Rebecca Weber and AMAC have “launched an Emergency Membership Drive” in every state to encourage all conservatives, aged 50 or older, to join AMAC's fight to save America. AMAC, apparently, stands against the “secular AARP” (American Association of Retired Persons).

From the letter, all I have to do to save America is pay $11 for an annual membership, instead of the usual $19. Will paying AMAC $11 for a yearlong membership help save America? I don't think so. Actually, the cost would be $10.50, since I have a 50-cent coin.

Conclusion

What will save America? Political solutions without a national spiritual revival are insufficient. America's decline is a result of spiritual weakness and the following of unbiblical worldviews. The solution lies in godly churches and Christians seeking humility before God and leading souls to Christ, following the biblical worldview. I am not advocating for so-called Christian nationalism. Instead, I pray for spiritual renewal.

The context of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is God's appearance to King Solomon after the temple was completed (verses 11-22). Verse 14, often quoted, is from a section of God's words to Solomon. It reads, “...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (NIV). Initially for the Israelites, the principle applies for all of God's people.

This is the 126th entry in the Humor Topic Section because it was funny that I should receive a 50-cent coin in a letter from the president. I may carry it around in my truck for a while to see if I can buy anything for 50 cents.

Further, this is the 77th article for the Poly-Ticks Topic Section because I touched on the subject briefly. To read more about my stance on the biblical worldview, please read through the 25 articles so far in the Worldviews in Conflict Topic Section.

Now, where am I going to find something that costs only 50 cents?

What did I do with the letter from President Trump? It is in the paper recycling bin.

The “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025”—A Follow-Up (published 7-25-2026; article #568)

“Brown-and-white clocks,” Unsplash, by Jon Tyson, 8/18/2018. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

The second article from 7/16/2026 focused on the so-titled “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025”—a bill to enforce daylight saving time year-round—and asked if history will repeat itself. The federal government cannot legislate the protection of sunshine nor the saving of daylight. If the bill becomes law, it would permanently keep the clock forward one hour.

This follow-up entry to my previous article centers on my correspondence with Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, who is currently running for governor, and Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett. Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty did not directly respond to my online message.

Exchange with Senator Blackburn

After publishing the second article from 7/16/2026, I sent online emails to Senators Blackburn (https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/email-me) and Hagerty (https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/email-me/). The subject line for both was “The 'Sunshine Protection Act of 2025.'” Addressing each senator by last name, I submitted the following to both:

Greetings. Your conservative positions in the Senate have my support.

Please do not vote in favor of the “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025,” recently passed in the House. My second article today, The “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025”—Will History Repeat Itself? (published 7-16-2026; article #567), Appalachian Irishman, explains why we don't want to make the same mistake that was made in 1974. The article references three previous articles about so-called daylight saving time.

Regards,

Marion William Ferrell

As stated previously, Senator Hagerty has not yet replied directly. On Friday, July 24, I received the following email response from Senator Blackburn:

     Subject: Responding to your message
     Date: 24 July 2026, 10:05:07 AM
     From: Office of U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn
          <donotreply@blackburn.senate.gov>
     To: Ferrell516@comcast.net

July 24, 2026

Dear Marion,

Thank you for contacting my office regarding daylight saving time. I always appreciate hearing from Tennesseans.

“Daylight saving” is the practice of advancing clocks to leverage the longer daylight available during summer, so that darkness falls at a later clock time. This practice became common during World War II and was codified into federal law in the United States in 1966.

While later sunsets are a pleasant and helpful feature of the summertime, I see no reason for that not to be the case year-round. That is why I am an original cosponsor of S.29, the Sunshine Protection Act, introduced by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). This bill would make daylight saving time the new permanent standard time, while noting that states with areas exempt from daylight saving time may choose the standard time for those areas.

On July 14, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed an identical version of the Sunshine Protection Act. President Trump proudly supports this legislation and has called daylight saving time a “ridiculous, twice-yearly production.”

Sincerely,

     Marsha Blackburn
     United States Senator

Later the same day, I replied to Senator Blackburn by postal mail as follows:

     Senator Marsha Blackburn
     357 Dirksen Senate Office Building
     Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Blackburn:

Thank you for your email response earlier today to my initial online email on July 16 concerning so-called daylight saving time.

Unfortunately, your response did not consider the mistake made in 1974, when permanent so-called daylight saving time was briefly in effect. Further, your response did not consider the medical sources, suggesting yearlong standard time would be better than annual daylight saving time. Finally, your reply did not account for the majority of Americans who prefer permanent standard time instead of year-round daylight saving time.

If so-called daylight saving time becomes permanent, let us see what happens during winter when children arrive at school in darkness and workers arrive at work in the dark. Another backlash, as in 1974, will be the case.

Finally, President Trump is simply wrong in advocating for permanent so-called daylight saving time. The House of Representatives was wrong on July 14 when it passed the so-called “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025.” Please, do not be wrong by voting in favor of the bill.

With regards,

Marion W. Ferrell

I actually watched the postal carrier take the mail from our mailbox. If Senator Blackburn replies to my postal letter, I plan to publish an article about it. If I don't publish another follow-up article, the senator did not respond.

Exchange with Representative Burchett

As the second article from 7/16/2026 mentioned, Representative Tim Burchett had already voted in favor of the bill. Consequently, I did not reach out to him after publishing the article.

On Monday afternoon, July 20, however, I received the following unsolicited email from Representative Burchett:

     Subject: UPDATE: Burchett Votes to Lock the Clock
    Date: Mon., 20 Jul 2026, 3:49:18 PM
     From: Rep. Burchett
          <repburchett@mail8.housecommunications.gov>
    Reply-To:
          repburchett+newsletter@mail8.housecommunications.gov
    To: Marion W. Ferrell <ferrell516@comcast.net>

      Salutation,

Knowing of our shared interest in ending the outdated practice of changing our clocks twice a year, I want to update you on my work in the U.S. House of Representatives to make daylight saving time permanent.

Like you, I believe Tennesseans should not have to disrupt their schedules every spring and fall simply because of an unnecessary clock change. Families, workers, schools, and businesses deserve greater consistency throughout the year.

On July 14, 2026, I voted in favor of H.R. 139, the Sunshine Protection Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation would make daylight saving time permanent and finally end the practice of “springing forward” and “falling back.”

Tennessee is ready to lock the clock. In 2019, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a law supporting permanent daylight saving time once authorized by Congress. My vote brings Tennessee one step closer to making that change a reality.

Permanent daylight-saving time would provide more usable daylight in the evening, giving families more time together after work and school and allowing Tennesseans to enjoy more of our great state. It would also provide greater certainty for businesses and eliminate the disruption caused by changing the clocks twice each year.

H.R. 139 has been sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration. I am proud to have helped pass this commonsense legislation, and I urge the Senate to act so President Trump can sign it into law.

It is an honor to serve you in Congress. Please know I will continue working on practical solutions that make everyday life simpler for Tennesseans. If you’d like to stay updated on this and other issues, sign up for my newsletter at https://burchett.house.gov/contact/newsletter.

Sincerely,

     Tim Burchett
     Member of Congress
     burchett.house.gov
     
     Washington, DC: 1122 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC
          20515; 202-225-5435
     Knoxville: 800 Market Street, Suite 110, Knoxville, TN 37902;
          865-523-3772
     Maryville: 331 Court Street, Maryville, TN 37804;
          865-984-5464

Later that afternoon, I replied online at https://burchett.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact/email-me as follows:

Dear Representative Burchett:

We share an interest in not changing clocks biannually. Our interests, however, part on the choice of permanent standard time or daylight saving time.

Standard time, not daylight saving time, should become permanent. We do not need to repeat the history from 1974.

I encourage you to read my most recent article, The “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025”—Will History Repeat Itself? (published 7-16-2026; article #567), Appalachian Irishman. The conclusion references and directs to three previous articles on the topic.

Before voting in favor, I wish you had studied the history of the unpopular change to yearlong so-called daylight saving time in 1974.

Regards,

Marion W. Ferrell (M. Fearghail, pen name, on my website)

On Friday, July 24, Representative Burchett emailed a reply to my above response to his unsolicited email. In it, he understood my position and cordially suggested that I share my opinion with the senators from Tennessee, which I had already done.

Conclusion

Fortunately, this 76th entry in the Poly-Ticks Topic Section is being put to bed. It simply shares my follow-up to the previously mentioned second article from 7/16/2026.

A permanent switch to so-called daylight saving time is of little concern to my wife and me since we are both retired. We will accustom ourselves to the sun rising an hour later in winter. I wonder how parents of school-aged children and working adults will react once they realize they will be at school or work before sunrise.

Will the events of 1974 repeat themselves? We will see.

The “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025”—Will History Repeat Itself? (published 7-16-2026; article #567)

“Brown-and-white clocks,” Unsplash, by Jon Tyson, 8/18/2018. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

It's like déjà vu all over again, dear reader, with an apology to "John Fogerty—Déjà vu (All Over Again)," YouTube, by John Fogerty, 11/4/2025. Welcome, unfortunately once again, to another entry, the 75th, in the Poly-Ticks Topic Section. Please remember that “poly-ticks” is from the Greek “poly,” meaning “many,” plus “ticks,” blood suckers.

The US House of Representatives started it this latest time. Will history repeat itself? We will see.

The “Sunshine Protection Act of 2025”

On Tuesday evening, I first heard the truly “breaking news” story on a local news television station. Bouncing around several 24-7, 365 news channels, I learned “the rest of the story,” as Paul Harvey would say.

The next morning, I found the information online. The US House of Representatives passed a nonpartisan bill to allow so-called daylight saving time to continue year-round.

From Congress.gov: House Bill: H.R.139 - Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, 119th Congress (2025-2026), I learned that the bill was introduced in the House on 1/3/2025. The House passed it on Tuesday, 7/14/2026, at 5:18 PM. The bill would make so-called daylight saving time permanent.

Similar information is found at the US House: Clerk: Votes: Roll Call Votes: July 14, 2026, 5:17 PM; 119th Congress, 2nd Session; Roll Call Number: 238; Bill Number: H. R. 139; Bill Title & Description: Sunshine Protection Act. The bill passed with 308 (193 Republicans, 114 Democrats) votes in favor and 117 (22 Republicans, 95 Democrats) votes against, with six members (three Republicans and three Democrats) not voting. All nine representatives from Tennessee (eight Republicans, one Democrat) voted in favor, including our representative, Tim Burchett.

Will History Repeat Itself?

Did you know that making so-called daylight saving time permanent had been tried before? It happened in my teenage years in the 1970s.

The context was the Arab oil embargo in 1973. In December 1973, Congress passed and President Richard Nixon signed into law that the so-called daylight saving time would be year-round for about two years. Most of the country went on year-round daylight saving time on January 6, 1974. The switch was flipped.

By October 1974, however, Congress voted to end permanent daylight saving time and go back to standard time during the fall and winter months. President Gerald Ford signed the bill into law. The switch was flipped back.

Back then, public opinion shifted from being in favor of permanent daylight saving time to disliking the notion. What caused the shift? Children were arriving at school in darkness. Day-shift workers were also at work before sunrise.

One source from October 2025 is “America once made daylight saving time permanent. Here’s what went wrong.” National Geographic, by Jordan Friedman, 10/30/2025. The byline reads, “In 1974, the U.S. tried staying on daylight saving time all year. The result was darker mornings and public panic.” The article mentions, with the sun rising at 8:30 AM or later in winter, children walked or rode to school in predawn darkness in 1974. Back then, a few children walking to school were hit or killed by drivers who didn't see them. Near the conclusion, the entry indicated at the time, just over eight months ago, that recent Gallup polling suggested adults preferred keeping the country on standard time year round.

A more recent source is “The US Tried Permanent Daylight Saving in 1974 and People Hated It,” Newsweek, by Alice Gibbs, 7/15/2026. The author states, in 1974, children and commuters traveled to school or work before dawn. She further states, “Reports of schoolchildren carrying flashlights and parents accompanying children to bus stops before sunrise became a recurring feature of news coverage. Several traffic accidents involving children received widespread attention, further intensifying public concern.” The article concludes by stating, “For supporters and opponents alike, the events of 1974 remain the closest real-world example of what permanent daylight saving time could look like in practice.”

Conclusion

“Déjà vu” is a French adjective, which literally means “already seen.” I have been down the same road before in my stance against “guvrmint” time, as Papaw Ferrell (4/13/1880–11/21/1970) called it. Papaw despised so-called daylight saving time. So do I. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

For example, the article from 3/12/2023 was my rant against “guvrmint” time just over three years ago. The entry includes links to my previous articles on the subject from 3/19/2022 and 11/7/2021.

So, here we go again! Will the US Senate pass the bill that the US House passed? The president has already said that he would sign into law a bill making so-called daylight saving time permanent.

Must we relearn the lessons learned in 1974? Our nation's leaders need an education in history. As George Santayana (1863—1952) wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” (The Life of Reason: Reason in Common Sense. Scribner’s, 1905: 284). (Source: https://iep.utm.edu/santayan/.)

Another Fly-Killing in June: Cluster Flies! (published 7-16-2026; article #566)

Introduction

It reminded me of the scene from the 1986 movie Poltergeist II when Carol Anne exclaims, “They're back!” No, a poltergeist did not come back.

It also brought to mind the song by Harry S. Miller, who wrote and composed “The Cat Came Back” in 1893. No, a yellow cat did not come back.

What came back? It was those pesky flies! Welcome, dear reader, to the 125th article in the Humor Topic Section. If I were to record myself ad-libbing the reading of this article, I would do my best to sound like Jerry Clower talking about a rat killing. (I enjoyed listening to “Jerry Clower—Rat Killin,” YouTube, by ashleylynn1016, 7/2/2010.) I would be talking about flies.

Cluster Flies!

In June 2025, the article from 6/23/2025 included our new fly-killing record from last year. (The record is swatted between the sections about my sister-in-law's birthday and the USA's bombing of Iran.) Over three days in June 2025, my wife and I killed 83 flies inside our house! It set a record. We thought surely it was a one-time fluke. Our monthly pest control service is for spiders and ants. Aside from a fly or two getting in when an outside door is opened briefly, we have never had fly trouble like that before—until last month.

Last month, the flies came back just like in June 2025, a year ago! Five days later than last year, I saw and killed the first five indoor flies around 10 PM on Friday, June 26. Over the next three days, my wife and I killed 60 more flies for a grand total of 65 dead flies. The following is a photograph of the post-it note on which we tallied kills.

My wife killed 40, and I killed 25. You should have seen my wife on Saturday, June 27! She went on a fly-killing rampage that day!

After last month's “war of the flies,” my online research found out that cluster flies were the problem. I had never heard of them before. These types of flies are active in late spring and early summer, are attracted to sunlit windows, and can be found in large numbers inside homes even when sealed tightly.

Unlike houseflies, cluster flies do not usually breed indoors. During cool months, they hibernate in attics, wall voids, or crawl spaces. In late spring and early summer, cluster flies squeeze through tiny openings seeking to go outside. Many become trapped indoors.

I also learned that the offspring of cluster flies, somewhat like salmon, return to where their ancestors hibernated during the previous cool weather season. Again, I have never heard of these critters!

Conclusion

On Thursday, July 2, Mr. Mitchell—owner of Mitchell's Pest Control and recommended in the “Business Recommendations: Northeast Knox County, TN” section of this website—came by for the usual monthly spraying. I told him about our recent “war of the flies.” He knew about cluster flies but had never heard of any being around here.

Aren't we the lucky ones? As far as Mr. Mitchell knew, we were the first in our area to face cluster flies. We have now dealt with them for two years in a row!

Well, in late September this year, Lord willing, Mitchell's Pest Control will focus a spraying to eliminate the possibility of “War of the Flies III” next June. So, next June, if I don't publish an article about another fly killing, be assured that our pest control service took care of the problem.

As Jerry Clower might have said, “Haw! We done killed enough flies around here!”

Random Questions #2: Coping Sarcastically with Life's Realities (published 7-13-2026, article #565)

“Artistic Indecision 1” by Buddha Elemental 3D on Unsplash, 8/19/2024. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Just over 20 years ago, this witty barb penned Random Questions (published 6-3-2006). It was the second of four articles published on the same day. My, how time goes by! Welcome, dear reader, to the 124th entry in the Humor Topic Section.

The inspiration for this questioning treatise came from “Random Thoughts #82,” Professor Harold Black’s Webpage, by Dr. Harold Black, 7/9/2026. Dr. Black's website is one of three listed under the “Folks to Whom I Subscribe” section of this internet site. With rare exception, Dr. Black publishes a fresh article early every morning. I read each one, commenting at times. I may never catch up to his published 82 random thoughts since this is only my second “random questions” entry.

Random questions, however, pop into my mind daily. Don't they do to you as well? Remember, dear reader, sarcasm is an intelligent person's attempt to cope with the realities of life. The following is my recent attempt in four categories.

Commercials

What happened to the "My (huggy) Pillow" guy, Mike Lindell? His crass, pillow-hugging television commercials used to air during every commercial break on several channels. I don't miss the commercials, but I did laugh when I saw him hug a pillow.

Why are the United States and New Zealand the only two countries in the world that allow direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs? The federal government banned cigarette advertising on television in 1969. From the 1960s through the early 1980s, there was a de facto ban on televised pill commercials. In August 1997, however, the federal government opened the floodgate for television drug commercials. Close the floodgate! The article from 2/15/2025 explains what I call “Pill Commercial Overload Syndrome (PCOS).”

As a follow-up question, for my next annual physical examination, should I take with me a list of drugs advertised on television and ask my doctor if each one is right for me? Finally, should my wife and I simply move to Ireland to escape the onslaught of drug commercials? I don't take any prescription medicine.

Why are car salesmen's commercials so obnoxious? Do they have to be so excited? Why can't they wear clothes that match? Why do they shout at me? I ain't buying!

Switching to radio, why do local radio stations play the same commercials over and over again? Can't they get other businesses to advertise?

How many folks do you know who are stuck in a timeshare? Chuck McDowell, the founder and CEO of Wesley Financial Group, thinks many of us are stuck in one. I switch radio stations when I hear his commercials. I ain't stuck!

How many gullible property owners want to sell their homes and land for less than the fair market value? Patrick Martin, founder, owner, and chief executive officer of Pro Source Home Buyers, thinks we all do. Television and radio stations lose me when his commercials air. We aren't selling! The article from 6/10/2025 presents our experience with the business.

Why do I need a safe but just don't know it yet? Mark Brasfield, the owner of The Safe House in Nashville, Tennessee, tells me so frequently in his radio commercials. I ain't buying!

Well, I could continue, but let's move on.

Classic Rock Radio Stations

Why do classic rock radio stations play far too many rock songs that are not classics?

Why do these stations play good classic rock songs so frequently that I grow tired of hearing them? I mean, for example, how many times do you want to hear about Tommy, who used to work on the dock, and Gina, who works at the diner?

Why do these stations play songs, especially on a Sunday, in which the singer is excited about being on the highway to hell or running with the devil? Does anyone really want to go to hell? I will continue to follow Jesus' instructions in Matthew 7:13-14.

Why are several great classic rock groups not included in station playlists? For example, where are The Bangles, Chicago, Dire Straits, the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), the Go-Go's, the Pretenders, Santana, the Scorpions, Steely Dan, Supertramp, the Grateful Dead, Toto, and U2?

Where can I find a playlist that includes the bands mentioned above? Well, my iPod MWF Classic Rock station has them! I always listen to it while driving.

Is classic rock determined objectively? If so, who sets the standard? I can answer those questions if you ask!

Local Television Stations

How can every local television station be the most trusted, reliable, and accurate?

Is everything “breaking news”? Didn't they “break” the same news story yesterday evening or early this morning?

Why do these stations start off with a weather tease, only to return to the full weather forecast around ten minutes later?

Why do local stations show news segments from far-away states? Further, why do they show international news stories?

Why do these stations tell us that more information on a story is available on their website or news application (app.), which you can download? Why not tell us the full story now?

Why are we to be “weather-aware” only on certain days? I am aware of the weather every day, especially if I'm in the woods hiking.

Why do these stations constantly pitch for us to download their application (app.)? Do they earn money for each download?

Why do weather forecasters talk about upcoming weather, for example, “for your Tuesday”? Isn't it everyone's Tuesday? Why must they add “your”?

Finally, before going to a crass commercial break, why do the newscasters waste time by telling us, “What's coming up after the break”? Isn't that a tease? I am not laughing.

Politicians

This section separates politicians, who are many, from statesmen and stateswomen, who are few. A statesman or stateswoman is guided by the constitution, integrity, morality, and the common good. A politician, in contrast, is often focused on self-interest, party loyalty, and personal gain.

Should every politician be given a pacifier? Should they have their mouths washed out with soap daily? How often should their diapers be changed?

Do politicians running for office think that the number of mailings they send will influence me to vote for them? I glance at them before tossing them into the paper recycling.

How do political candidates get my cell phone number? Why do they text unsolicited campaign spam to my number? Do they not know how annoying it is? Don't they understand that it could turn me against them?

If it makes sense to turn right and go straight, why do politicians (and bureaucrats) think turning left and backing up makes sense? Don't they have any common sense?

When is “he's tough, like Trump” a good selling point for a political candidate for the Tennessee governor's office? Why not say “he's crass, like Trump”? Is Trump really tough, or is he a bully?

Why does a US senator from Tennessee want to step down to run for state governor? Wouldn't she serve the state better as a US senator?

Conclusion

Knowing that the previous random questions are largely rhetorical and sarcastic, you are welcome, dear reader, to comment and reply.

As the previously referenced 6/3/2006 article concluded, I likewise conclude. The glass is still half full. The meaning is that I remain an optimistic realist.

What say you?