Axl, Bill, Tony, definite ramblings

Did you miss me? Thought not. Took a five-day weekend; headed down to Florida to catch the first part of the Guns N’ Roses U.S. tour.

Thought about mentioning it before I left. Because I thought it would be funny if some clown wanted to swing by my pad when I wasn’t there. I’d let them deal with my vodka-fueled giant of a brother and his biker pals. Funny. But not really safe. For them. I decided to let it go. I’m rambling. I know.

Anyhoo, Axl Rose – even at almost 50 – can still bring it. The true porch screamer. From skinny metal head in the 1980s and early 1990s to a now-a-days outlaw. After the band released Chinese Democracy, the government over there banned him from the country. Cool thing to have on the resume.

I might put that one on my bucket list, so long as it isn’t America that bans me. Tennessee, however, would be more likely. I mean, just ask Gov. Big Bill. If he doesn’t like what you say, he’ll just have his goon squad throw you in jail.

Heh.

Speaking of the man who controls the state and has aspirations for the country (in say four to eight years), a reader sent me the form letter his office gives to anyone who complains about the curfew, arrests, whatever.

He got it on Oct. 28. Here:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for writing to Governor Haslam and sharing your concerns regarding the Occupy Nashville protests. Listening to and learning from Tennesseans is very important to us, and we appreciate hearing from you.

We all have a right to peaceably assemble, and those assemblies should be safe, sanitary, and non-destructive.

Criminal activity and deteriorating sanitary conditions over the past several days on Legislative Plaza created an environment that is unsafe for the protestors, state employees, and everyone who lives, works and enjoys downtown Nashville. Therefore, permits will be granted to protestors on a daily basis from 9:00am until 4:00pm.

While this administration wholeheartedly supports freedom of speech, assembly and petition, it is our responsibility to keep people safe on state property. Abiding by these hours allows for a safe event, while ensuring the people's right to peaceably assemble.

Again, thank you for writing. We look forward to working with you and all Tennesseans to make our great state an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Kindest regards,
The Governor's Office of Constituent Services

OK, some more stuff to catch up on.

The St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series. Cool. I like Tony LaRussa. Glad the coach is going out on top.

I hope you had a good Halloween.

The Knoxville mayoral election is next week. If you don’t like any of the candidates, write in my name.

I’m not going to address the recent hate letter that disparaged a mayoral candidate and a bunch of supporters. OK, I will address it. Whoever wrote it is a dick.

Moving on here.

My boy Larry Van Guilder over at the Shopper News just had surgery. He’s feeling a lot better, and he should be back in force soon.

That’s also pretty cool.