The BruceV Blog, Memphis Flyer

Haslam Vetoes "Ag-Gag" Bill

Bruce VanWyngarden — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:03:00 -0500

In a mildly surprising show of fortitude, Governor Bill Haslam stood up to Big Agriculture special-interest lobbyists and vetoed Tennessee's controversial "Ag Gag" Bill, which I've written about.

Here's the governor's official statement:…

A Western Pennsylvania Fishing Trip

Bruce VanWyngarden — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:59:00 -0500

Every April since 1993, I've been trekking to the Laurel Mountains of Western Pennsylvania, east of Pittsburgh, where I used to live, for a week-long fishing trip with old friends.

We go to a rustic cabin along Beaver Creek, which at its widest could handle two rowboats passing (if boats were allowed), and which narrows to 10 or 12 feet in many spots.…

Associated Press Twitter Hacked; Market Tanks

Bruce VanWyngarden — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:08:00 -0500

If you're one of those who doubts the power of social media, check out what happened to the Dow-Jones today when the Associated Press' Twitter account was hacked and the following tweet appeared:

A precipitous drop occurred on the tweeted "news" that the president had been injured in a bombing incident at the White House.…

RIP Richie Havens

Bruce VanWyngarden — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:56:00 -0500

We'll miss him. What a man. What an artist.…

Campfield Posts Pressure Cooker Bomb Joke

Bruce VanWyngarden — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:47:00 -0500

I probably shouldn't post this, because it's just another "Stacey Campfield is an idiot" item, but, well, it's a slow news day.

The irrepressibly wacky legislator from Knoxville thought it would be hilarious to post a "humorous" graphic of a pressure cooker as a weapon.…

Alleged Ricin Letter Writer Also Does Prince Impressions

Bruce VanWyngarden — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:00:00 -0500

As Jackson Baker reported Wednesday, a Corinth, Mississippi, man — Paul Kevin Curtis — was arrested on charges he sent letters poisoned with the chemical ricin to President Obama and Mississippi senator Roger Wicker.

Subsequent reports indicate that Curtis was also an Elvis tribute artist.…

"Ag Gag" is Really a "First Amendment Gag"

Bruce VanWyngarden — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:57:00 -0500

As Bianca Phillips reported Thursday the Tennessee House has passed what's been termed the "Ag Gag" bill. UPDATE: The Senate has also passed the bill.…

Tiger Woods' Penalty: A New Reality Show?

Bruce VanWyngarden — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:42:00 -0500

The Masters is over with. Adam Scott became the first Australian to ever win one of these things.…

Memphis' Valerie June Wins Fans at ACM Awards

Bruce VanWyngarden — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:24:00 -0500

Memphis singer/songwriter Valerie June got some national television exposure Sunday night on the Academy of Country Music awards show. Singing harmony behind country star Eric Church, June created a buzz, as the Internet lit up with people searching to discover who she was.…

Fog in Memphis

Bruce VanWyngarden — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:31:00 -0500

Fog enveloped my Midtown home this morning, as the sun, emerging for the first time in several days, began lifting moisture from the soaked ground. An hour later, as I drove to work, the fog was gone from my neighborhood, but it still lingered downtown, giving the city a steamy morning mood.…

Some Things to Worry About

Bruce VanWyngarden — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:57:00 -0500

Wednesday morning is meeting day around these offices. The Flyer's out on the street and the staff gets together to go over and critique the issue and plan for the upcoming weeks.…

Welcome to Memphis. And Check Out Our Trash!

Bruce VanWyngarden — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:11:00 -0500

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an editor's note about the trash floating in Wolf River Harbor. It was in response to John Branston's column on the mess at the new Beale Street Landing dock, and the bad impression it would make on those who would be soon arriving via riverboat if it wasn't cleaned up.…

You Might Be a Redneck, If ...

Bruce VanWyngarden — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:35:00 -0500

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy has made millions by telling one joke with hundreds of punchlines. As in, "You might be a redneck, if ... you think loading the dishwasher means getting your wife drunk."…

Jesus Christ: Surfer Dude?

Bruce VanWyngarden — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:48:00 -0500

Yesterday, I brought up the little spat arising from the fact that the Satan character in The History Channel's The Bible mini-series looks remarkably like President Obama.

Which brings up the question: If the devil looks like Obama, what does Jesus look like?…

"The Bible" — Starring Obama as Satan?

Bruce VanWyngarden — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:55:00 -0500

There's a bit of controversy arising around the History Channel's new mini-series, The Bible. No story chronicling the Bible would be complete without a convincing Satan, of course, but the Internet is abuzz today about the appearance of the actor who plays Satan — he's a dead ringer for President Obama.…

MTSU Prof Drives Across the U.S. Without Using Gas

Bruce VanWyngarden — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:23:00 -0500

Well, this is pretty cool. From an MTSU press release:…

Proof That Paper is Not Dead

Bruce VanWyngarden — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:51:00 -0500

Does paper have a future, or are all future communications destined to be digital? Here's another point of view.…

Commercial Appeal Tightens Online Access

Bruce VanWyngarden — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:29:00 -0500

In a full-page letter to readers in Monday's Commercial Appeal, publisher George H. Cogswell III laid down the CA's new online strategy. Basically, it's a "no more free lunch," policy, meaning almost all online content is now behind a pay-wall, available only to paid print and online subscribers.…

Those Big-Bass Signs on the Pyramid

Bruce VanWyngarden — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:53:00 -0600

I'm on record as being a fan of the Bass Pro Shop moving into the Pyramid in downtown Memphis. I think that it's a perfect fit for this market, that it will bring needed retail to downtown, and will re-energize the Pinch District, which has faded since the Pyramid was moth-balled a few years back.…

Nashville Teabillies Continue Their Lunacy

Bruce VanWyngarden — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:55:00 -0600

As Jeff Woods of the Nashville Scene reports, officials from Vanderbilt University were summoned to the Tennessee legislature today to defend the university's right to have its own police force.

If you're saying, "Huh?", you're not alone.…

KKK in the Attic?

Bruce VanWyngarden — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 12:48:00 -0600

This Jeff Danziger cartoon hits a little too close to home, wouldn't you say?

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Woman Sues FedEx for Pot Delivery

Bruce VanWyngarden — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:59:00 -0600

A Massachusetts woman is suing Memphis-based FedEx for erroneously delivering seven pounds of pot to her house. The woman said she was expecting the box to contain a birthday gift for her daughter, but surprise, surprise — it was reefer.…

The Ultimate Act of Sportsmanship

Bruce VanWyngarden — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:44:00 -0600

If this video doesn't make you tear up a little at the end, you're not human. …

"Wine in Grocery Stores" Bill Moves Out of Committee

Bruce VanWyngarden — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:14:00 -0600

A controversial bill that would potentially allow wine sales in grocery stores in Tennessee was passed 5-4 by a state Senate committee, which will enable the legislation to move to floor for a vote by the full Senate.

In previous years, the bill has died in committee as a result of opposition lobbying by an unlikely coalition of liquor store owners and the religious right.…

Got the Blues? I Can Help

Bruce VanWyngarden — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:25:00 -0600

You say you're stuck at work, staring at a computer screen, can't get motivated? Your boss just stuck you with another load of stupid crap to do?…