First he writes "Southern Man," now this!

"Just because I'm famous doesn't mean that I work for the audience. I'm not obligated to do anything. I'm an artist. I will do what I want to do. Whatever the consequences. ... I certainly hope that it's a civilized reaction." — Neil Young.

Neil Young is one helluva songwriter. He has an amazing method about his music and in many ways he's very much a pioneer in Rock n' Roll. However, while I've always had my doubts about the size of his ego, I don't have to doubt anymore. Turns out that he is an ungrateful, arrogant ass. Much like Paul McCartney might I add.

Tell you what Neil...Next time you want to turn up and play your music for the common man, play for free. If you don't owe anything to the audience and you do it all for yourself then why ask them to pay? I mean, you're an artist right? It's not about the money, it's not about paying the bills, it's about singing your songs and telling the audience to "Fuck Off!" right? Hell, you can do like all of the rest of us do, you can go out, get a real job and every year you can hope an pray that your boss gives you a raise so you can keep up with inflation. Then, and only then, will you know what it's really like to live and work in the real world.

Do yourself a favor Neil. Get out of that fantasyland bubble in L.A. and join us out in the real world.

Can We Officially Say Football Season is Upon Us!?

The Panthers started practice this past weekend in the hotbed town of Spartanburg. The Mighty Carolina Gamecocks, with possibly some of the best talent they've ever had since 1984 will start practice on Friday. My friends and I are starting to plan for the tailgating ventures and needs. Anticipation is starting to build.

The first game is Thursday night, August 28th, Carolina vs. NC State!

Time to devise a plan for sneeking airplane bottles into Williams-Brice Stadium.

Go Cocks! Fight! Win! Kickass!

You Might be Smarter than your State Representative if....

So I recently emailed my local State House Representative, Martha Alexander (D), to ask her what the State House of North Carolina is doing to try and help the growing economic situation and the effect gas prices are having on the economy.

Here's my exchange with her:

Me (Sent on July 15, 2008):

Representative Alexander,

You and I have had some communication regarding crime in and around our area of Charlotte. Also, as my local representative I wanted to contact you before contacting other state representatives.

My email to you concerns gas prices. What is being done on a state level to curb this problem? I know on a national level talks are beginning that might consider regulation of the industry a little more since prices are being driven up due to commodoties speculators/investors. However, on a state level what are you all working on? For example, I believe there is currently a $.24 per gallon state tax on gasoline. Is the House working on anything to help North Carolinians alike (possibly reducing the tax)?

Thank you for your time.

So, after not getting any response from her I sent this email to her on July 22nd:

Representative Alexander,

I sent the below email to you on August 15th and have yet to get any sort of a response from you. I would appreciate it if you would read my email and follow up with a response. Thank you.

Finally, today (July 24, 2008) I get this back from her (or maybe one of her staff members):

Dear Mr. Chandler,

Just a quick note to let you know gas prices are regulated at the Federal not the State level.

Representative Alexander

Okay, nervous yet? So, tell me, when did the government start regulating the price of gasoline? Also, if gas prices are regulated on the Federal level why is the state charging a $.24 per gallon tax? Ladies and gentlemen, this is what 1/3 of your paycheck goes to. I'm sure Martha Alexander is a wonderfully nice individual, but I find it troubling that a State Representative of North Carolina(who represents the citizens) doesn't know anything about the Gasoline industry; therefore, making herself look complete out of touch and completely un-educated on the issue.

Oh yea, and my response to her:

Thank you for your note.

What about the state's $.24 tax on each gallon of gasoline (Or am I wrong that the state does not charge a sales tax on each gallon of gas). Also, If gas prices were actually regulated by the Fed. Gov't wouldn't they be the same price in each state? Right now, I can buy gas in South Carolina for an average of about $3.87 per gallon and in NC the average price is about $4.00 per gallon.

If you think I'm being too hard on her then grow a pair. 1/3 of my check and $.24 per gallon of my gasoline goes to pay for this garbage. Hell, she didn't even answer the question and because her response was so far from the truth I had to educated HER on something that she should fully be aware of.

Vote Democrat, Socialism works!

Okay, so I'm half kidding, but I had this idea early today and it got me to thinking....

I've been reading a good bit about China lately. National Geographic and Golf Digest have both recently done large pieces on China in their most recent issues. A few interesting pieces have come out of this and it got me thinking about America versus China.

China is a Socialist society. They are strongly regulated by Government and much like the Democrat ideals in the U.S. they have established a system in which their citizens are largely dependant on the Government in the way of Government programs and handouts, like Universal Healthcare.

It is estimated that China will surpass the U.S. in many respects in the next 10 or 15 years. In China the average annual income is somewhere around $2500/year or something similar, while in the U.S. my guess is that the average American income is roughly $40,000/year. America loses jobs to China daily. China's economy is booming and their job market is a hotbed for opportunity.

So....what's my point.......?

Well, as we learned in Economics school in theory Socialism is the best economic system. You see, people are greedy by nature. We always want more than we have and we are always looking for something better (Just look at the Commodoties market and the price of gas). In the U.S., a free society, that thrives on Capitalism, your dream is your dream and it's ultimately up to you to make it happen. If you work hard, you can provide yourself with a roof over your head, food on the table and hopefully a comfortable life. In China, you work in most cases for a fixed wage, the Government covers much of your standard day to day expenses; therefore, you can get by on maybe $200 a month. When you translate that to producing in the U.S. vs. China it's no wonder many companies are shutting down in the U.S. and moving their production over the China. Economically it makes sense and economically it's a great example of Capitalism vs. Socialism. Currently, it's interesting to see who's winning the fight.

While the Democrats will refute this until their blue in the face, everyone knows that Democrats are very much into Big Government. Further, with Obama being from Chicago he is no stranger to Socialist theory. He was a Law Professor at the University of Chicago, a school notorious for its strong Socialist leanings. Also, Chicago has long been known as the Socialist Capital of the U.S.. You see where I'm going with this? I'm not kidding when I say this, Socialism, from an economic standpoint is extremely efficient....much more so than Captialism. There is heavy regulation and wages are normally sustained and sufficient. Of course, the problem with Socialism (and Capitialism) is it is easy to fall victim to corruption. However, in a Socialist society you are not necessarily granted the freedom of speech to call out your Government when they extort money for special interest or their own wellbeing while you suffer.

Think about it....

Considerable Waste

Here's some interesting insight. In looking over my paycheck I was taxed 1/3 of my income for Federal, State, Social Security and Medicare. Now, explain to me why I shouldn't be outraged?

Just this week it was reported that Mary Easley, the NC Governor's wife, spent over $100,000 to travel to Europe to hopefully improve diplomatic relationships. She stayed in $800 per night hotels, ate $500 per night meals and hired a Chauffer to drive her around in a Mercedes SUV at a cost off about $25,000.

So, this week I took home 2/3 of my earnings while 1/3 of my earnings go to make sure Mary Easley can live the high life in Europe for a few weeks.

Tell you what Mary....I've never been to Europe. Would love to go, but because you took 1/3 of my paycheck I'm going to take what I got and use it to make sure I have food to eat, gas in my car and a roof over my head. Mary, instead of trying to improve diplomatic relationships why don't you spend more time in your own country and state trying to encourage your husband to do something about the State of North Carolina's &.24 per gallon tax on the purchase of gasoline!

Of course, with $100,000 trips to Europe to try and lure loaner art for the NC Art Gallery I can see why you need 1/3 of my weekly income. Those trips are expense!

This is the Southland

Welcome to the Southland. Welcome to the land where the traditions of the English Country-side still survive. Welcome to a mindset that is more than day to day. Welcome to the Lowcountry, the Blue Ridge, Sand Hills and Swamps.

This is my land, this is my place. Come and go as you please, but leave it as you found it.

We gave you the Drive By Truckers, Avett Brothers, Allman Brothers, Widespread Panic and so many more. We built Charleston, New Orleans and Savannah. We've been burned to the ground, homes lost and lands foreclosed. Yet our culture and traditions still remain.

The South is football, hunting, fishing and drinking. It's Bear Bryant, Steve Spurrier, Peyton, Eli and Archie, Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson. In the South we know that sweet tea is still the coldest and best drink on a hot day. We cook whole hogs, half hogs and shoulders too. We rarely travel without a cooler full of beer, bourbon and mixers. The Good Ol' Boy Network is not what you think it is, but is everything you hoped it would be.

"I wish I was in the land of cotton/
Old times they are not forgotten/
look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land"


This land is part of us and we part of it. And, as has been the case through the teachings handed down through the generations that came before us. We respect the land, we do our best to preserve the land and in doing so, it will preserve our culture for generations to come.