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Memphis Regional Chamber Challenges

This is an interesting article on changing priorities of chambers of commerce—in this instance, in Memphis, Tenn. My friend Dave Cooley was president of the Memphis Chamber in the 1960s and again in 1985-95. His words back then remain relevant today:

“The greatest barrier to a better Memphis is ignorance. What are some of the problems of urban growth — a deteriorating central city, bad housing for a large percentage of our people, lack of skills training, poor workers mobility, undereducated and underemployed people in large numbers, token acceptance of blacks in decision-making.”

Memphis Regional Chamber Challenges - Memphis Magazine - February 2014 - Memphis

Construction continues on building for Greater Waco Chamber

Photo taken Saturday, December 8, 2007

Senate to rework ambitious energy bill

Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Expected to Be the Focus of Energy Bill

Democratic leaders in the Senate are planning a vote on a retooled energy bill late next week after they failed to muster enough support yesterday to prevent a filibuster of ambitious legislation passed by the House on Thursday. —by Steven Mufson and Jonathan Weisman, staff writers, The Washington Post

Georgia Tech fires coach after six winning seasons

"Nobody likes to get fired," Georgia Tech head football coach Chan Gailey said. "But all they can take is your job. They can't take your faith, they can't take your family and they can't take your integrity. ... You deal with it and you go on."

"I've got to be a little unique," he said. "I'm not sure there's any coaches out there that were in the NFL, went to the playoffs both years and got fired and went to a bowl game six straight years and got fired."
—by Mike Knobler, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

I trust them

by Mike Lukovich, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta: New York with Southern manners and charm?

Brand Atlanta, the group formed two years ago to help the city define its image, is switching from the use of slogans to sell the city to the use of themes aimed at specific demographics, Executive Director Melinda Ennis-Roughton said Thursday.

For instance, when the campaign rolls out its newest ads aimed at professionals ages 25-44 this January, the organization will use "City Lights, Southern Nights" -- one of 16 tested themes -- to emphasize Atlanta's reputation as a youthful and energetic city, with great restaurants, shopping and nightlife, said Ennis-Roughton.—by Leon Stafford, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Honored Baptists rejected by own

Al Gore became the third Baptist to win the Nobel Peace Prize, joining Jimmy Carter in 2002 and Martin Luther King Jr. in 1964.

How is it that three sons of the Bible Belt have each won the world's most prestigious award for their advancement of human rights, peacemaking and now earth care?

The Bible is surely part of the answer, because of the role Scripture has played in shaping their moral vision and values.—By Robert Parham, an ordained Baptist minister, and executive director of the Baptist Center for Ethics in Nashville from the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Who will succeed Al Gore?

Seeing Al Gore so deservedly share the Nobel Peace Prize, it is impossible not to note the contrast in his leadership and that of George W. Bush.

“Gore, even without the presidency, used all the modern tools of communication, the Internet, video and globalization to reach out and galvanize a global movement,” said David Rothkopf, author of the upcoming “Superclass: The Global Power Elite and the World They Are Making.”

“Bush took the greatest platform in the world and dug himself a policy grave," Mr. Rothkopf said.
—by Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times

Gore donates prize to Climate Protection group