I wrote earlier this week about the negative campaign tactics that have become the fallback for the weak-minded and the exploitative tool of the weak candidate.
And no kidding, in the three days since running that column, I have received five mailers from Republican gubernatorial candidates in Tennessee.
Four of those had a photo of Bill Lee on them; only one was paid for by the Lee campaign.
Jay GreesonThat's right, Lee was the target of three negative, over-the-top smear jobs from Dianne Black and Randy Boyd, or at least outfits supporting them (the fifth mailer was another negative slinging of mud at Black from Boyd).
As for Lee, well, he had the nerve to send out advertising touting his skill set and listing his objectives for our state.
Egad, the humanity.
Well, that tactic worked at our house.
Friendly reminder
Gang, construction on the road up Signal Mountain has started.
And it's intense.
There's a temporary red light in place halfway up the main road, and everything - repeat everything - is going to be slower.
Yes, we are all in a hurry. Yes everyone's time is supremely valuable.
But know it's coming, whether you're coming or going up the main road.
Leave early. Expect delays. Try to remain patient.
It will be over in a month - six weeks tops.
And if the road fell off the side of the mountain, think how inconvient that would be.
Travel lessons
OK, part of the reason I have missed a few days last week was heading to and fro Atlanta each day to hear a river of coaches' clichés at SEC Media Days.
Yes, the Atlanta traffic was staggering. And stagnant.
Yes, the College Football Hall of Fame is a much better backdrop for a football revival than the Galleria outside Birmingham.
The biggest takeaways from the week of miles and smiles are as follows:
Nick Saban is the best ever. And he's even shorter than you think.
College football players are more entertaining than most people think. And they are even bigger than you think.
And the hands-free, no-device law makes a clear and noticeable difference in the way people in Georgia drive.
Seriously. I grew up there and learned to drive in the Atlanta area. It was tough and crowded.
And while the numbers will not be known for a while, the difference in the actual lanes was staggeringly clear.
Tennessee needs to make this happen sooner rather than later.
Saturday's stars
To everyone who has voted early in the Tennessee election and those that participated in the process in Georgia.
Yes, politics are as contentious and confusing and frustrating and, heck, fill in about any word here and it works, right now as ever before.
But that makes it even more important to make your voice heard.
It's good to be back.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343.