Free Republic

Patti Page, best known for such hits as "Tennessee Waltz" and "(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window," passed away on New Year's Day. She was 85. The legendary songstress, dubbed "The Singing Rage," was the top-selling female artist of the 1950s and sold more than 100 million records during her illustrious career. Page also had 24 top 10 songs, including four that reached No.1 on the charts.

In the ongoing political dance with ethical issues, performed to the tune of Tennessee Waltz, Republicans have at this point displayed a somewhat better sense of rhythm than Democrats. Granted, the Republicans had a head start of sorts. Insofar as indicted legislators go, the Democrats had three, the Republicans just one when the FBI stung those allegedly willing to take bribes. Not to mention a former Democratic senator plus the other two indicted fellows - "bagmen," to use the language of the indictment - who are also easily tagged as Democrat in orientation. So you might say that the Democrats...

A Knox County Republican political operative and county employee resigned Thursday, saying he has been harassed by county law enforcement officers and become an enemy of the now-former chairman of the local party. In a lengthy e-mail to Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale, Tyler Harber, 24, accused the Knox County Sheriff's Office of "vengeful and illegal actions" in recent days. "Last night, after I was followed by undercover officers and then forcefully removed from my vehicle, I was handcuffed and confined in the back of a Knox County Sheriff's vehicle, officers refused to show proper identification, read me my rights,...