Sitcom Coincidence

My friend Jeff Robertson also pointed out that Thelma Harper was the name of the main character on the show Mama's Family back in the 80's.

Hatch Been Parodied

From one of my loyal readers:

Senator Hatcher,

I'm appalled by your recent vote against allowing pseudo-cities such as Mashsqueal
to decide their own policy concerning indoor farting laws. Your job is to
protect the welfare of your constituents. Methane is a dangerous
byproduct of the dangerous, addictive habit of indoor farting. If a community
decides that it wants to protect itself from this type of carcenogenic odor, it
should be allowed to do so. To hide behind a state law that was obviously influenced
by taco bell lobbyists is despicable on your part. This issue alone convinces me
that you should not be allowed to serve in office any farter.

"Phhhfftt !!!",

Jefferson D. Falkner
Coontown, AL

Hatch Mad

Well, I got so riled up yesterday about the smoking policy bill that I actually emailed Senator Thelma Harper. Below is the complete text of that email.

Senator Harper,

I'm appalled by your recent vote against allowing cities such as Nashville
to decide their own policy concerning smoking laws. Your job is to
protect the welfare of your constituents. Cigarette smoke is a dangerous
byproduct of a dangerous, addictive drug. If a community decides that it
wants to protect itself from this type of carcinogen, it should be allowed
to do so. To hide behind a state law that was obviously influenced by
tobacco lobbyists is despicable on your part. This issue alone convinces
me that you should not be allowed to serve in office any further.

Sincerely,

J. Alan Hatcher
Hermitage, TN


Here's the kicker. She called my house last night and left a message for me to call her back, which I plan to do this afternoon. Stay tuned for more.

Smoky Politics

Tennessee still seems to be in the grip of the tobacco growers lobby, since a state senate committee recently voted against a bill that would allow local municipalities to pass their own laws concerning smoking.

The whole argument against this is that restaurant owners should have their own say about whether to allow smoking. I think this is a fallacy. In my mind it's the same thing as regulating what chemicals can be used in a restaurant or how clean a restaurant is. We have inspections to guarantee the health and safety of customers, why would it be so wrong to prevent a carcinogenic substance from being forced upon non-smokers? There's no "right" to release deadly chemicals into the air.

The Heartbreak of Hatch Bloat

This wasn't a good week for weight loss. I weighed in Monday night at 295, the same as the week before. I'm not exactly sure what caused it. I'm either on a plateau or the Chinese buffet I dined at 2 times last week had some hidden carbs in their meat offerings. For the next week or so I'm going to avoid eating out and bring my lunches in so I'll know exactly how many carbs I'm taking in.

Loo With A View

I love London. A new piece of artwork outside the Tate museum is certainly a creative idea.

Uncle Bud

Did you really mean to throw away that beer can last night that was still half full? Uncle Budweiser is not pleased.