Several months ago, I wrote a post explaining that Cash for Clunkers had destroyed the used car market. Later, I had a long twitter debate with well-known Democratic blogger in Ten [...]
The long-awaited drinking game is here. After writing a voter guide drink menu for tonight’s festivities, here’s how to play the game* If you need suggestions for drinks, cli [...]
Welcome back, dear readers. In case any of you are still sober, here are the drink match-ups for the the TN-03 race. Sadly, this is where my knowledge of Volunteer State politics e [...]
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Tomorrow is a day that I marked on my calendar a while ago. Not because of excitement for our opportunity to exercise Constitutional voting rights, but because I’m ready for this bloody primary season to be over.
Given the sheer insanity of the gubernatorial race, the national awareness of Basil Marceaux, the weirdness of the Hamilton County Republicans endorsing a Democrat to protect the good ol’ boy system and a final end to Mudfest 2010: Robin vs. Chuck, I’ve created the first-ever CosmoCon Election Night Drinking Game.™ Even a teetotaler from the Southern Baptist Convention would have to agree that we deserve this as a state, especially Hamilton County. We’ve known about Basil Marceaux for a lot longer than anyone else in the country.
This game is split into three parts. Part 1: Gubernatorial Candidates Described by Mixed Drink and Part 2: TN-03 Candidates Described by Mixed Drink, Part 3: Primary Returns Drinking Game Rules.
(I sincerely apologize if this offends anyone. These drinks are meant in jest.)
I’m posting part one today because it also doubles as a handy voting guide if you’re still confused about who to select on the ballot. If you want a real voter guide, go to Chattarati.
Part One: Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Described by Mixed Drink
Basil Marceaux.com
How do you find or create a drink recipe worthy of this viral sensation? At this point, I can’t come up with much more to write about him. If you’ve missed your latest Basil news, click here.
Last night, Colbert did a special on the race featuring our favorite spice candidate. The boys at Red State Update also met up with him. Unfortunately, Basil is wearing a tie from my alma mater in the interview.
I present, the BasilMarceaux.com:
2 parts Southern Comfort
1 part Mountain Dew
1 part Cranberry juice
fresh basil leaf
Fill a mason jar 1/4 to 1/2 full with Southern Comfort, depending on how strong you want the drink. Fill the jar the rest of the way with a combination of Mountain Dew and cranberry juice. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf. Stir and enjoy! Add some ice if you plan on drinking this over a period of time. (Developed from here.)
The Wamp!
I’ve been upfront with my support about Congressman Zach Wamp. He’s done a great job representing TN-03. He’s a solid Christian, a great family man and has been a staunch advocate for conservative values in DC. However, I acknowledge that he can be…intense…at times. Hence his official drink, a play on Red Bull and Vodka. I’m calling this The Wamp!
2 oz. vodka
6 oz. cranberry juice
4 oz. Redbull
Chill ingredients, then mix into glass. Serve cold or on the rocks. (Drinknation.com)
As much as I love the time period of Mad Men only a few outfits have stood out to me. Overall, the costuming is impressive, and I love the accuracy. Previously, I loved both of Betty’s white dresses from season 3, and most of Joan’s wardrobe is still wearable today.
Once I finally got to watch episode 2 last night on iTunes, Janie Bryant completely replaced Tim Gunn as my fantasy shopping buddy. She’s even from Cleveland, Tennessee, which is just 30 miles from my hometown. It could happen.
The houndstooth suit on Dr. Faye Miller took my breath away. Typically, I avoid using overwrought expressions like “j’adore!” but when I saw that suit, I clapped my hands in glee and exclaimed it aloud.
While I have a long-standing obsession with anything houndstooth. (Really, I do. I love the fabric.) The outfit was utterly perfect for the setting. Dr. Miller, who likely would have a doctorate in psychology since only undergraduate advertising programs existed at the time, would have been one of the very first women in her academic and professional fields.
This type of market data is very common to American consumers now, but in 1964 this was an idea out of left field. To be a woman championing such a radical concept as correlating relationships with our fathers to the brands we purchase was as extreme as the field got.
In the early 60s, black was not the foundation color of every woman’s wardrobe. Wearing something black-and-white-checked was on the cutting-edge. While it’s in a cut similar to something Doris Day would wear in a Rock Hudson rom-com, it is not a solid color. The check makes it edgy and bold without being threatening. Something that matches her professional field.
However, the accessories tone it down. Dr. Miller isn’t dressed as severely as Peggy, who is still finding her balance between woman and career-girl. Peggy is essentially wearing the female version of the suit. There’s absolutely nothing feminine about her outfit except for the little hair flip.
Dr. Miller’s blouse and chunky pearls feminize the outfit to the point that she’ll be taken seriously, yet doesn’t emasculate any of her colleagues. Her make-up is soft, and her hair style emulates what Joan sports, the epitome of 1960s sexy.
Seriously, I want this outfit. While it’s on the tad over-the-top side of stuffy DC, I would happily wear this exactly as it is. I’d likely replace the double strand of pearls with something a little chunkier, but otherwise it is perfect.
Heaven knows that I spend a lot of time here at CosmoCon talking about traditional gender roles and etiquette. I don’t know if this is an extension of my conservative values, faith or Southern upbringing. It’s probably a combination of all three. What else can happen when you throw a God-fearing Southern Belle into politics?
Southern Living, my ultimate favorite magazine and the official bible on how to be a Southerner (this magazine is a close second), tweeted a link to a blog that republished an article on how to charm a woman in the South. It picks up on issues that I’ve written about here, and it’s the type of thing that usually ends up as an email forward. Without getting into politics or taunting those vile feminists, it captures how I think. I know many of my Southern readers will appreciate it.
My current favorite viral celebrity was featured on one of the most prominent cable television shows.
We all know these whackadoodle politicians. They exist in every town across this country and serve to remind us how awesome democracy is. Before the Sex Poodle’s great invention, we couldn’t share them. They just got old and annoying because they won’t go away and run for some office every election. However, the wacky politician in your hometown is hilarious in mine. Bless the interwebs.
Keep in mind, this program hasn’t been implemented yet. What happens when Congress goes back to “fix” some of the issues? This chart is doomed to get worse. Far worse.
Every time I run by Target or the grocery store at Potomac Yard, I wish that my church — National Community Church — had a location there. Since the mission of NCC is to meet at places of business in the DC area, it’s the perfect location.
A few weeks ago, my prayers were answered. Pastor Mark announced that the movie theater at Potomac Yard would be the sixth NCC location!
To help promote the initial meeting about the launch, Pastor Kurtis, the campus pastor for the new site, made a rap video. Pastor Kurtis is an extremely talented musician, but I had my qualms when I heard about it. However, it became an instant NCC classic, and people requested that they put it on YouTube to promote the new location. It may even replace my favorite NCC bumper of all time.
As soon as I heard the news, I knew that I had to be involved. I’ve served on the Hospitality Team at the Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse location for a couple of years, and I helped out at Embrace Church when I lived in Chattanooga. Over the next month, I’ll be transitioning from co-leader on the Hospitality Team at Ebz, to Hospitality Leader at Potomac Yard. (Hence the new church responsibilities.)
If you are in the area and looking for a church or just want to give church a try, stop by the movie theaters on September 12. If you are a Believer, we would appreciate prayers for this launch. A large percentage of NCCers were previously de-churched, meaning they grew up in the church and stopped going for a year or more. There’s huge potential here. Just consider the neighborhoods surrounding Potomac Yard: Crystal City, Del Ray, Arlandria, Rosemont, Old Town, Pentagon City and Four Mile Run. So many people live in this small area of Northern Virginia.
Generally, I shy away from blogging about church because I don’t want people to think that NCC is only filled with other right-wing crazies like me. As I’ve said before, NCC does an awesome job of staying above the political fray. In fact, I appreciate the refuge from the political world. Without taking a few hours a week to leave partisanship at the door and just focus on God with fellow Believers, I don’t think I could survive life in the Beltway.
Mark your calendars for the Potomac Yard launch on September 12!
If blogging has been light lately, it’s because a few priorities are shifting in my life. A new responsibility has emerged at church (more about that tomorrow!), I’m in a leadership position with the Junior League and work has gotten busier.
Rather than worrying about getting a blog post up every day or at least every other day, I’m going to scale back to posting about twice a week. Of course, every time I try to slow down, I spend the next few weeks furiously adding content. Who really knows what will happen?
At the moment, church and work are priorities, and those are enough to keep me busy! Part of getting older is learning boundaries, and that’s finally a lesson that I’m picking up.
Please don’t stop reading but don’t get disappointed if a few days go by without a new post. Instead of assuming I’m watching Mad Men, protesting at a Tea Party or making a feminist cry, I’m probably volunteering or working on a project that been sitting on my to-do list for a while. I’m changing the pace rather than stopping.
Yes, you read that right. Imagine Veranda meets the NRA.
Several years ago, I stumbled upon Garden & Gun and was amused by the eccentric pairing of topics. It makes sense. Most Southerners have some innate love of both gardens and guns, so why not combine them?
The magazine is truly a work of art. The photo spreads are beautiful, and it’s printed on heavy stock. I love the design & layout. Plus it has interesting features and recipes. The homes and gardens are lush and high end. Then there’s the guns.
In my excitement over this deal, I added it to my gchat away message, and a number of people commented on it. Thus, dear readers, I hope you will also invest the $3.75 and experience the awesomeness of Garden & Gun.
Until this week, I had lost faith in my home state of Tennessee to match Alabama and South Carolina in political absurdity. Sure, the TN-03 race could be a case study in the art of mudslinging and the gubernatorial race is heading toward a multi-generational blood feud, but it’s nothing compared to legendary YouTube ads or astounding dark horse candidates. Even the George Washington Chrysler ad had more political pandering than anything coming out of the Volunteer State.
Hamilton County, the part of Southeast Tennessee where I spent most of my life, you restored my faith.
First of all, you made the rest of the country aware of the amazing platform that could only belong to Basil Marceaux. Prior to his viral video, the only people who knew about him were the unfortunate drivers who saw his enormous sign at the intersection of Hamill Road and 153 during the 2008 election, Tea Party attendees, the editors at Chattarati and me. His uniqueness was just too much to keep within the Scenic City.
Yes, America. You can thank us. The anti-stop light lobby has a spokesman…finally.
Now, prominent members of the Hamilton County Republican Party have taken the bold step of endorsing…a Democrat!?! That’s right, a number of influential people behind the county party — with the largest Pachyderm Club in the country — endorsed Bill Knowles, Democratic incumbent, for county clerk.
As concerned Republican leaders and citizens, we do not wish to watch a travesty take place in Hamilton County such as the one that occurred recently in the South Carolina primaries.
Dude. If you’re going to endorse a member of the opposing party, there really isn’t a reason to mince words. At least they are honest with their intentions.
However, we as Republicans ‘cannot’ support Mr. Heathington for county clerk due to his numerous criminal convictions which are a matter of public record.
Since this is a county position, no one really pays attention. It’s a shame, and I confess to ignoring county races. Unless I happened to read Joe Lance’s excellent voter guides to Chattanooga-area politics, I honestly voted for the candidate with the best yard sign. (This evolved after someone put the Disney type on their yard sign. Anyone willing to use that typeface should not hold public office regardless of party.)
The office of county clerk doesn’t seem that contentious, and Bill Knowles has been there for 36 years. Renewing your license plate is actually one of the easiest things to do in Hamilton County, and the folks in the County Courthouse are always incredibly friendly. If this was the Assessor of Property, the office that raised nearly everyone’s property assessment in a year when the housing market took a national nosedive, I could understand a race that’s closer than normal.
What has scared Republicans enough to endorse a Democrat in the section of Tennessee that has voted mostly GOP since before the Civil War? (Watch Senator Alexander give an excellent explanation of the political makeup of Tennessee if curious.)
Mr. Heathington, the Republican, appears to have a bit of a criminal background. Apparently he:
-Pled guilty in Federal Court to failure to comply with federal officials and directives, 1982. Sentenced to 30 days in jail, suspended and placed on probation.
-Pled guilty to assault in 1983 and received six months suspended sentence.
-While on federal probation, pled guilty to DUI in 1990 and received 11 months/29 days, suspended after 45 days in jail and $500 fine paid.
-Pled guilty 1990 to driving on a revoked license and was given 30 days in the workhouse as well as fined $200.
-Pled guilty August 2008 to possession of gambling devices or records and was fined $50.
While I’m willing to give people second chances, especially for crimes committed twenty years ago, he really has HamCo insiders frightened. What triggered this? According to an opinion piece from Roy Exum, who publishes almost weekly opinion pieces at Chattanoogan, an online poll has them concerned.
As of 5 a.m. this morning with 1,528 responses, a poll asking, “For county clerk of Hamilton County, do you favor?” the poll showed Bill has a comfortable 66-34 margin over his Republican rival, Chester Heathington. What everyone with any knowledge of Hamilton County knows is, that last number is insane
Facepalm? Online polls are hardly accurate, and Chattanoogan polls can stay open for weeks at at time. You can even vote more than once. I’m frankly surprised that 1,500 people took the time to click a response on an issue regarding the county clerk.
While Mr. Exum has a valid point that straight-ticket voters could elect Heathington, local primaries have notoriously low turnouts, particularly ones during peak vacation periods like the beginning of August. Honestly, if Bill Knowles got all of his friends and family turned out to vote, he’d have a greater impact on the election than any other factor.
The real problem here is that it is incredibly easy to run for public office, and the Republicans still couldn’t find anyone to primary Heathington. That shows a far bigger issue than an online poll having a narrowgap of 17 points! There are strong arguments for eliminating national parties since we no longer need their machines to elect a majority party. The only reason to keep local parties around is to recruit and train future candidates.
The Hamilton County GOP is huge. Why aren’t they working to motivate and train potential candidates? That scenario alone exemplifies why so many grassroots Americans are fed up with the GOP. We may be leading on the generic ballot nationally, but Americans are more upset with the Democrats. We’re not the favored party. We’re the lessor of two evils. That’s not a good place to be.
Obviously, this system is failing us. If local insiders can’t recruit a friend to run for office (and apparently lose) or discourage anyone from running against a popular incumbent, there are far bigger issues than a 17 point gap on an online poll. Tennesseans want training, activism and leadership not social functions and good ol’ boy networks.
According to the BBC and Double XX, moonshine is now an accepted beverage among foodies.
As part of the movement to grow and process your own food, home breweries are popular. I guess moonshine was the next logical step. Per the BBC:
Though most prosecutions continue to be in the south, many of today’s new moonshiners are hipster kids, foodie enthusiasts and hobbyists on America’s coasts, making booze in their kitchens and bathrooms.
Growing up in the foothills of Appalachia, this just seems…strange. To me, moonshine means redneck and white trash. If you’ve ever seen or smelled a still, I question the desire to build one in your kitchen and bathroom.
Certainly moonshining is part of the cultural fabric in the South. NASCAR got its start when moonshiners built fast cars to escape local authorities. Reports of knowing someone who bought moonshine from a neighbor’s brother’s cousin’s fraternity friend are not that exceptional. In college, I had co-workers who frequently bought moonshine in Scott County, Tennessee. And by tradition, some people keep a jar of moonshine in their car in case they run out of gas. Other friends actually drank some of the famous apple pie moonshine that Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton made that the Double XX story mentions.
According to both stories, part of the allure of moonshine is breaking the law and sticking it to “The Man.” So of course Double XX makes the leap to Tea Party folks:
Despite the potential appeal to Manhattan cocktailers, the real draw of moonshine at this moment in time may be its links to “the elemental rural libertarianism that shaped American politics.” (Tea Party moonshine, anyone?)
I can somewhat understand the appeal. Sometimes both sides of the political spectrum move so far to the fringe that they share common beliefs. The anti-commercialism, anti-corporate urbanites are drawn to the illicit spirit just like Middle America libertarians are. To my understanding, it’s not illegal to make moonshine for personal consumption, but it is illegal to sell it. (Someone, please correct me if I’m wrong.) That feeds into the personal liberty trend growing in this country.
There are drawbacks. Sales of moonshine are illegal not only because of lost tax revenue, but also because homemade grain alcohol can be dangerous. Moonshine is almost pure alcohol and isn’t that far off from the ethanol used as a supplement in gasoline–hence the reason to keep a jar in your trunk. Anti-government types and foodies may like the naturalness of moonshine, but there are benefits of buying liquor and food from licensed companies that follow safety regulations.
Stories like this make me wonder why urban-dwellers are so pretentious and look down at those in the South and fly-over country. What’s redneck to me is apparently cutting-edge to hipsters.
Update: So Hot Air picked up on the video. Remember where you saw it first though folks. (Well, me and Post Politics).
Also, if you want even more Basil action, follow his Twitter feed.
When South Carolina hasn’t been in the news, Alabama candidates have filled the void of interesting political stories this cycle.
Tennnessee, here’s your chance to share some of that glory. I’ve briefly mentioned Basil Marceaux, a Chattanoogan who appears to run for something every election cycle. For the first time, I present Mr. Marceaux in his own words.
I’ve previously stated that Dale Peterson needed to have a cable news show with Alvin Greene. I take that back. I think Mr. Marceaux here is a better match for the dark horse candidate from South Carolina.
