Surely you’ve heard of Tennessee. We’re the 16th state, home to Music City and the Great Smoky Mountains. We’ve produced Dolly and Elvis, and plenty more of music’s best. We’re proud to live here, and proud to say we’re from here - most of the time. Unfortunately, we’re also known for our elected officials that just don’t know when to keep their mouths shut. And on behalf of them, and behalf of all [or at least most] Tennesseeans, I would like to apologize.

Surely you’ve heard of TN State Senator Stacey Campfield. Yeah, we’re sorry that you have. We’re not really sure where he came from, but he’s pretty set on making an ass of himself. He’s the one who wants it to be illegal for Tennessee elementary and middle school teachers and students to “say gay.” He was also dead set on allowing guns on college campus (for real). More recently, he’s become known for claiming that AIDs was first spread by a man screwing a monkey, this during a radio interview with an LGBTQ radio station. 

There’s also TN State Senator Richard Floyd. He was recently quoted as saying that he would “stomp a mudhole” into any transgender woman who uses a public restroom in Tennessee. Based on Southernisms, “stomp a mudhole” basically means “beat the shit out of.” [There’s a petition to get him out of office here.] While I’m sure he’s not the first to say this, I think you’ll agree that it’s just not a statement that a should-be-respectable politician should make.

I think that many people have come to the conclusion that Tennessee is an exclusive state, but that’s only our bad rap. There’s just never a good reason to be so blatantly mean to people, and truth is, Tennessee is home to some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. While you may encounter an occasional bad apple, the majority of our people know their manners and treat people with the respect they deserve as fellow human beings.

So, on behalf of Tennessee, I apologize and hope to see you soon.

- John

The last time I was in a Walmart, I purchased about $41 of merchandise. A couple of movies, a gift bag, and a card. It was going to be a last minute Christmas gift for a friend, one that had literally no meaning but was only to save myself from the embarrassment of not having a gift. The next afternoon, I took everything back and got back my $41.

I didn’t take back my purchase because it was a crappy gift… the movies were good ones, and I could’ve used the bag and card for another gift in the future. The problem was that I couldn’t stomach the fact that I had made a purchase from Walmart.

I’m sure that at this very second, people all over the country are waiting in the checkout lanes, overly excited about the great deals they found on all kinds of merchandise, and groceries. The truth is… these deals suck! But what’s better than $.50 flip-flops and $1 t-shirts? Well… I’d pick a good job.

The truth is that Walmart does create jobs. But in the midst of creating them, thousands more are being lost. Walmart workers enjoy minimum wage, and great benefits… from the government! In fact, more than 10,000 Walmart workers in Tennessee alone are on welfare. There isn’t enough money for better schools, roads, and public amenities because all of the taxpayer money is being used to pay for Walmart’s health care benefits package… the government.

Hundreds of thousands of US jobs have been lost because, in order to sell to Walmart, manufacturers having to drive down the cost of merchandise to Walmart’s standards. Levi Strauss Jeans, some of which were manufactured in Knoxville, TN, moved their factories to Mexico so that they could sell their products to Walmart at a low cost, but still make a profit. 

The truth is that if we want well-paying manufacturing jobs in the US, we have to stop supporting those jobs in other countries (where workers are treating to low wages, and concentration camp-like factory housing… and pay the factory rent). So start now. Don’t buy from Walmart, and if you can’t find it elsewhere, just go without. Your spending a few more pennies on blue jeans, t-shirts, and even groceries will in turn bring more jobs back to the US. It will all come full-circle.

It’s been awhile since I last blogged, and with good reason. My brain has been thinking a mile a minute since graduation, and trying to write anything down has been impossible. Now, I’m starting to settle down into my new stage in life, college.

I’m taking 14 hours this semester at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, hoping to major in Economics with a concentration in International Business. Sounds fun, right? (I actually get asked everyday why I would choose the major in economics.) In case you’re wondering, my current course load consists of French 211, Psychology 110, Geology 100, and Business Admin 100. Oh… and the Math 100 course that my advisor insisted I take (for the most part because I have a 19 in Math on the ACT).

My schedule officially sucks… some would think, but I love it. I wake up at 8 for French, but don’t have to be to Geology until 1:30. I personally need the time, because it’s on the Hill (a.k.a. a long walk from my dorm). On Tuesdays and Thursdays I only have one class… except days when I have a two-hour Geology lab.

The best part about UT so far… besides the education… the food! There is a KFC only 5 floors below me, and the food’s always fresh! (I would know, I ate there three times last Thursday!) And, the dining halls always have awesome meals, too.

I’m still rusty, so we’ll let this be a test post for the wonderful blogs to come! Until next time, keep living!

- John

I’m not sure yet. It will change everything about our health care system as we know it, but whether or not it will be a good thing, only time can tell.

Ask me anything