Let's handle our business. Yikes, lots to get to, including the question if Nate Oats is the best college basketball coach in America.
Before we get to the Rushmores, rules and the mailbag, I saw this social media clip of the queen who is Dolly Parton with Miley Cyrus and I loved it. Thought I would share and man, for all her roller coasters, that Miley Cyrus as surged through the other side in ways that are pretty dang-nabbin impressive.
Rules and all. Here's Paschall with your UT football update.
Wow, we ran out of time for the Rushmores. Check back at lunch. Deal? Deal.
To the bag.
From JoeDon
JG: Just curious ... have you ever played Augusta National? Rumor has it you've snuck in 18 down in southeast Georgia, but I'm just trying to confirm.
As iconic as Augusta National is and as picturesque as it is during The Masters, I'm not so sure any holes at Augusta make the Rushmore of best golf holes on the planet, unless it's #12.
Since you've asked about the world's most famous golf holes, what would be the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Rushmore of famous golf holes (and the Mad Hatter at Sir Goony's does not count)?
I will offer:
The Honors #15.
Lookout Mountain #13.
Chattanooga Golf & Country Club #1.
Black Creek #17.
JoeDon,
Well, OK, this escalated.
Yes, I have played Augusta National. Twice, in fact. And there are numerous holes there that make the Rushmore.
But your question is great.
Without question No. 1 at Chattanooga is on the list. Standing on the tee box and looking at the river that so creates our city is really cool. I have played The Honors multiple times — have I mentioned that I have played Augusta National twice — but No. 1 at Chattanooga is assuredly on the list.
But from there, what is the definition of the list? Prettiest holes? Hardest holes? Because known this: The Farm in Dalton is every bit the challenge The Honors is.
So my answer as a working man who has played way more great courses than one fellow should, I will offer — and this in terms of standing on the tee and knowing you are playing somewhere special, and in no specific order, and without duplicating at a specific course — No. 1 at CGCC, No 1. At McLemore, No. 9 at The Honors (where you can hear the caddie tell you Tiger took an 8 there) and No. 10 at Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club.
But that's me.
From Mike D
Jay, I love the 5@10 and have always wanted to ask a question for Friday's mailbag but did not know if I had one that was good enough.
So my buddy and me want to ask you what song makes you overly emotional and of all the musicians who died young, whose music you miss most.
Mike D,
Wow, thanks for the kind words and for playing along with the silliness.
Such a great and multi-layered question.
As for the first part, well, I was driving to pick up my father — most around here know him as Pop — for his first brain surgery on March 15, 2018, and "That's My Job" by Conway Twitty played on the radio.
That song brings me to my knees. But here as a daddy of a 13-year-old blonde girl, there are a slew of others, including, this Kenny Chesney classic.
The second part of your question opens a slew of conversation topics.
My first thought is John Lennon, because I for sure remember the Howard Cosell event on MNF.
But my answer, and I think the clear answer for folks my age, is Kurt Cobain.
He's right there with River Phoenix among the amazing talents that left our world on their choice too soon.
From Todd
Fashion test. What do you call this? Guy in his 30s or 40s wearing his ballcap backwards? Same guy, wearing a team jersey? Ok doing both and driving a Subaru?
Todd,
Wow, you are getting in my kitchen.
Let's go to my personal playbook, and there will be folks who I respect who have issues with this and that's OK. This is my list.
First rule of fashion: If you are a dude older than 14 you can't — CANNOT — wear a jersey unless it is handed to you by someone you call coach. Period.
Second, unless you are at the beach, a grown man's toes shoe be covered by shoes.
Third, if you are above the drinking age, wear your cap forward — unless of course you are catching a doubleheader in the late 1970s.
Finally, if you are checking multiple of the above boxes — hey, the Misses is super complimentary of the safety of Subaru, but I would never drive one — well, I am open to being part of your interventions.
From Chas
About the Chuck-Ronna-NBC kerfuffle. No argument with your take, just a few additional words, which you may agree with.
As a private company, NBC can hire or fire anybody they choose at will. Apparently there was a widespread pushback on the hiring, not just Todd. I think wise management listens to the people who make the enterprise run.
While I sometimes disagree with their positions on some issues, I find that without exception the conservatives/Republicans hired by mainstream media add value to the public forum. They all have been reasonable voices, and we need their part of our political spectrum heard.
ABC hired former RNC chair and Trump Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. CBS hired former Trump Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. CNN brought on two political commentators loyal to Donald Trump — Jeffrey Lord and Kayleigh McEnany — as well as former Republican National Committee spokesman Doug Heye, former Ted Cruz staffer Amanda Carpenter, S.E. Cupp and Ana Navarro.
The problem with McDaniel isn't where she is on the political spectrum. The problem is that she carries water for The Donald, who attempted to subvert our democracy and tells the Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen. And she declares the media is the enemy.
I don't see why anybody would expect her to be more connected with reality going forward than she has been. Presenting "alternative facts" to the public serves no one.
Chas,
So many good points, and of course NBC can hire or fire anyone they choose. But I think we can agree that whomever did the hiring of Ms. McDaniel should also get being a visit from the Pink Slip Committee, too.
Also, of course the random moderate conservative voice is much-needed because it is the only balance in most occasions on those broadcasts.
(Side question: Why does everyone blast newspapers as failing when mainstream TV is circling the drain? Side question on the side question: If I said the most trustworthy TV broadcast was either Daivd Glenn locally or The Weather Channel nationally, would you argue?)
All of the names you have mentioned are fair and discussion worthy.
But my questions of why someone like Donna Brazile has never been questioned by the industry remains.
In fact, most of the aforementioned names were lured/hired to try to connect with conservative viewers who already thought those networks were too blue to believe.
I don't believe that, but the mainstream TV media market is a political version of televangelism.
From Mark
Does Peyton Manning have a second Super Bowl title with the Colts if it was played under the new kicking rules? I like the idea of bringing excitement back to kick returns, but the sneaky surprise onside kick coming out of the half or right after scoring will be lost forever and I don't recall that many onside kick injuries — except for the Colts losing a Super Bowl to the Saints.
Mark,
The onside kick being kicked to the side is such an underreported aspect of this. And in truth one that will not translate as the NFL rule changes trickle down to lower levels.
As for Peyton, well it's likely in terms of your projection.
Uncless of course ESPN decided to give that Super Bowl to Charles Woodson.
Happy Easter and have a great weekend, friends.