Knoxville Pastor's Cartoons Showcased on CNN

Last weekend, CNN showcased political cartoons drawn by local pastor John Stuart. To see the report, click on the following screen. After a quick advert and some guy prattling on about get out the vote, you'll hear Scottish pastor John Stuart talk over his cartoons.

Local Pastor's Political Cartoons to be showcased on CNN

Local Presbyterian pastor, John Stuart, is to have some of his political cartoons showcased on CNN International this weekend. He's been drawing and blogging them since June 2007.

His 200+ cartoons reflect most of the political campaigning that has gone one for almost eighteen months. As he states on his blog, Pushing the Envelope, this is his way of "offering payback for the American people on all those slick politicians who put us through a never-ending Presidential campaign."

John's cartoons are frequently seen on the Knox News-Sentinel bloggers page, as well as being posted in other blogs around the world. He uses his cartoons to highlight the gaffes and inconsistencies of both the Republican and Democrat campaigns.

In the interview, John states that "satire is one of the best methods that people have to remind our politicians that we choose them as our leaders, and not the other way around."

John signs his cartoons as 'Stushie', which is a Scottish nickname for Stuart, but it is also a Scottish word that means 'causing a ruckus.' Pastor Stuart hopes that his cartoons inject some humor into the current political election.

The cartoons will be broadcast at the following times:

SATURDAY 7:30A EASTERN
SUNDAY 2P EASTERN
MONDAY 9A EASTERN
MONDAY 1:30P EASTERN

John Stuart is also a regular guest on the daily political talk show, "The Voice," which is broadcast by WQBB 1040AM.

Hoots Mon! Celebrate World Tartan Day

Sunday April 6th is World Tartan Day, so wherever you are inTennessee, wear your plaids and tartans! Practically everyone in Appalachia has a Scots-Irish connection, so celebrate the day by wearing your most colorful plaids.

In Knoxville, Erin Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Kirking of the Tartans worship service. A piper, a drummer, and some kilted representatives of the Scottish Society of Knoxville will be present. They will be proudly bearing their Scottish clan banners and presenting them for a blessing by the minister.

Scottish pastor John Stuart, who is a regular Monday guest on The Voice (WQBB 1040AM 10-12noon weekdays), will be conducting the service. One of John’s ancestors, Captain John Stuart, was the first Superintendent of the Cherokee nation, and was stationed at Fort Loudon centuries ago.

During the service, Pastor Stuart will explain the story about the blessing of the Tartans, which informally began in the 17th century when the Scots were prohibited from wearing their plaids. Three centuries later, Scots preacher Peter Marshall, who was Chaplain to the Senate on Capitol Hill, revived the ceremony which is celebrated throughout the United States.

The worship service and parade begin at 11.00AM. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the spectacle!

Erin Church is located on Lockett Road, which is just off Kingston Pike on Bearden Hill.