Maw's Friday Questions ~ Week 240

Since politics and religion are considered “taboo” conversation topics by many folks, your old Uncle Apollo [being the rabble-rouser I am...] figured it’d be good fodder for Maw’s questions of the week. Have fun with these and, as always, play nice with one another. UA



POLITICS:

1. What sources do you utilize to inform yourself of the political issues that may/may not affect you?

2. Do you watch political debates, forums, or conventions in order to better choose any candidate for elected office?

3. How often do you vote; every-time, sometimes, rarely, not-at-all.

4. Are you personally involved in local/state/national party politics? If so, at what level?

5. Which do you think will happen first; the end of the current two-party political system, or…Puerto Rico becoming the 51^st state?



RELIGION:

6. Are you a practitioner, adherent, or devotee, of a particular faith-based religion or movement?

7. How much do you know about the various religious beliefs in the world; very knowledgeable, somewhat knowledgeable, don’t care.

8. Have you ever experienced persecution or ridicule as a result of your beliefs (religious-based or not)?

9. Do you see persons of faith and faith-based institutions becoming more, or less, relevant in American society?

10. Which do you see occurring first; all U.S. religious institutions and churches losing “tax-exempt” status, or… a European nation leaving the EU and embracing a religious theocracy form of governance?

Wet versus Dry...

This topic may be wierd to the majority of readers. My city (rural community located in Western Ky, pop.6300) is about to have a special election in August on the issue of allowing the sale of alcohol within the city limits. This will be the 4th time this issue has come for a vote here since 2000.

The "wet" supporters (Mayor and assorted business owners) are approaching this from an economic development standpoint, while the "dry" opponents (Southern Baptists) are utilizing moral arguments for continued prohibition based on Scripture.

If this vote fails again, as has in the 3 previous attempts, the next opportunity to place the issue on the ballot will be in 2015! Meanwhile, in the period since 2000, all of the neighboring counties, except one, have passed similar measures and all were opposed by Southern Baptists!

For those not familiar with the concept of what a "dry" city/county is...it is an area that has prohibited the sale, consumption (in public places), distribution, manufacture of alcoholic beverages within its boundaries; ala the 18th Amendment of the US Constituion. In order for a resident who wishes to comsume or purchase such beverages your options are:

> Join a Private Club...there are 4 here,
> Purchase from a bootlegger...we currently have 2 of those,
> Travel to a neighboring county or city where alcohol is legally sold...of the neighboring 6 counties...only one is "dry" besides ours,
> Make your own (wine, beer, moonshine, etc)
> Go without for fear of being "kicked out" of your church...
> Travel far enough away where no one from your congregation will see you...


Now, here's where the post really begins. Since, 96% of all the counties in the US allow the sale of alcohol in some form or another, AND given that it is resonable for me to assume that most, if not a good many of you, live in one these counties...I have some questions to get your thoughts on:

1. If your home city/county were "dry", would you want it to go "wet" and why?

2. What if the situation were reversed ("wet" now...but wanted to go "dry")...would you support the instituting of alcohol prohibition in your community?

3. Do you think that the 19th century idea of prohibition can be viable in the 21st century?

4. Do you feel that prohibiting an otherwise legal product, prevents or promotes consumption of said product?

Curious to know what y'all think...

Top 10 signs you're at a NASCAR fan's funeral

From the September 20th, 1999 issue of Autoweek magazine...

TOP 10 SIGNS YOU'RE AT A NASCAR FAN'S FUNERAL:

10. Gasket features GM GOODWRENCH paint scheme.

9. The deceased is referred to as "being out of provisionals."

8. Heart-stirring eulogy delivered by Dr. Jerry Punch.

7. "Amazing Grace" is performed by a 9-year-old girl from Bristol, TN. --who has ALL her teeth!

6. Only 43 cars are allowed in the funeral procession.

5. The Hearse is referred to as the "pace car."

4. Cars in the procession weave back and forth to keep heat in the tires.

3. Cars caught speeding leaving the church/funeral home have to go to the rear of the procession.

2. First-time mourners have a yellow "rookie stripe" on the trunk of their cars.

#1 sign you're at a NASCAR fan's funeral...

NO COOLERS OVER 14 INCHES ALLOWED IN THE CHAPEL!!

A Kentuckian's big city adventure...

This is almost too weird for words...

(for the firewalled...)

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - Metro police say they've never encountered a man quite like William Todd, who they say in just nine hours managed to wreak havoc on Nashville.

"He was just on a terror. I've never seen anything like this before," said Sgt. Tony Blackburn.


Police said Todd traveled to Nashville on a Greyhound bus. During his nine-hour layover, officers said he committed more than 10 felonies.

Officers said Todd broke into the Slaughterhouse and stole a Taser, revolver and shotgun. Then, they said he shot the business up, stole a T-shirt and set the business on fire.

Police said Todd then found four people leaving a local bar. He held them at gunpoint, tased one, pistol whipped another, then took off with their cash and credit cards.

Five minutes later investigators said Todd carjacked a cab at gunpoint, then headed off to commit fraud, and used his newly acquired stolen credit cards to buy food.

"He was able to find the Walmart on Nolensville. He goes there and purchased $199 worth of items," said Blackburn.

Next stop: Hotel Indigo at 6 a.m.

Police said Todd broke into a law office there, ransacked the business then defecated on a desk, smearing feces on some of the framed law degrees.

He then knocked on several hotel room doors pretending to be a female housekeeper.

In one case, police said Todd stole $600 from a Canadian couple at gunpoint, crying the whole time.

Before taking off in his stolen cab once again, officers said Todd opted for a new look.

"We have him on video leaving the hotel with a shaved head," said Blackburn.

At 9 a.m., police said Todd crashed the stolen cab into a parking garage.

At 11:30 a.m., he hailed a new one and headed to Opryland, then held the cab driver at knifepoint.

Police finally caught up with Todd at noon. They said he was hiding on top of Opryland, submerged in a water-cooling vat with water up to his nose.

It was just a quick nine-hour pit stop in Nashville, but now Todd won't be headed home any time soon.

"He rode the Greyhound bus and had a layover, then left in blue lights. There definitely could be more charges. We hope that there are no more victims," said Blackburn.

Todd is now facing 11 felony charges. Officers said he's also wanted out of Kentucky.


Copyright WSMV 2012 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

http://www.wsmv.com/story/17368824/metro-police-charge-a-man-for-committing-more-than-10-felonies-in-9-hours

Ship vs. Bridge collision

Last night, around 8pm (CST), a vital transportation link between Bowling Green and Murray Ky was damaged less than 30 miles from where I live. Known locally as the Eggners Ferry Bridge, this bridge, which is part of US Hwy 68/Ky 80 corridor, spanned Kentucky Lake/Tennessee River at the Eastern entrance of the USDA Forest Service Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

Thankfully there were no deaths or injuries from the accident, but the resulting redirection of traffic will add 60 miles to the commute to those who utilize this route and possibly mean severe economic hardship to many area businesses. Interesting side-note; an AT&T fiber optic trunk line, that ran under the bridge, was severed and has caused loss of communication and Internet service to homes, schools and businesses as far as Paducah, Murray, Benton and parts of nearby Cadiz Kentucky

Photos:
http://www.wkdzradio.com/pages/12115190.php?imageGalleryXRefId=2691934#imgXR

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Photo-Gallery-Eggners-Ferry-Bridge-collapse--138200619.html?gallery=y&img=0&c=y

Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area: http://www.lbl.org/index.html