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Submitted by Thomas Antkow –
LATEST IMAGINED HEADLINES:
- TN Department of Homeland Security Driver Improvement Section endorses D.E.I. guidelines. Adopts rule change to identify non-English speaking, non-citizen aliens on newly issued licenses. Licensing rules for foreign, novice and CDL drivers remain the same. Minimal at best.
- Governor Bill Lee to receive honorary “Purple” Heart award for his work with Democratic Legislators.
- Sponsorship of Nissan Stadium sold to “Blue Cross Blue Shield”. Soon to be re-named “Blue” Cross Field.
- UT Board votes to add “Blue” trim to all Orange Vols uniforms.
- Tennessee scientist at Oak Ridge invents hybrid versions of kudzu that produce blueberries.
- Denver Colorado names Nashville as it’s new “Sister City”.
The “Red” wall dividing West, Middle from East Tennessee is showing major cracks. My wife and I moved out here after owning property overlooking Cherokee Lake just outside of Morristown for several years. As property owners, we were entitled to stay on site at the “Manor House” for five days each year.
During our annual pilgrimage we thoroughly enjoyed the many amenities the Knoxville area had to offer. That included the area just to the south and east of Knoxville. Small-town villages and burgs with a Christian conservative vibe. Our grandson was a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard and when we asked him where he believed the best place to live in the area was, he suggested Maryville.
After several more visits to research the area, we decided to sell our house in Colorado Springs, have a house constructed in Maryville, retire, and make that our home forever. We made a final move in early 2020.
When we resided in Colorado Springs, we began noticing that the “Red” lining the sunsets in the beautiful skies over the Rocky Mountains and inherent in the political culture of the rural and ranching areas was taking on a distinct purple tint.
First, mostly in the Denver metro cities and surrounding areas in the north. My wife was a native Coloradan. She was aware of the change almost immediately. I was a transplant from San Diego. San Diego County at the time was the largest Republican stronghold in the entire state of California.
Blue Flags were popping up quietly but everywhere in our county. The transformation from red to blue in the north specifically Denver, Boulder and the college towns made a dramatic shift when recreational marijuana sales became legal. The mass exodus from blue states drawn by legalization, culture shift and especially the affordability of housing had begun.
I witnessed the transition daily as a Conservative radio talk show host. The mayor of “the Springs” at that time held firm, denying pot sales in our city. John Suthers was the former Republican Attorney General of the State. Our then mayor was raised in Colorado Springs and felt it would be detrimental to allow local sales.
The mayor was convinced it would bring harm to the thousands of military members and family members residing on multiple military bases in our county. Outnumbered by surrounding towns who embraced legalization, history would prove him to be right.
These “headlines” may seem non-sensical, but sometimes fact is truer than fiction. I have noticed the many changes and “Blue Flags” here in East Tennessee. Gradual insidious change. Creeping like the ever-present kudzu. I just wish that imaginary scientist would invent a hybrid version that produced strawberries.
THOMAS ANTKOW is currently a freelance writer and produced and hosted his own daily radio show on KCSF AM 1300 and co-hosted talk shows for KVOR AM 740 for Cumulus Broadcasting in Colorado Springs. He can be reached at taradio863@gmail.com. You can subscribe to Tom’s FREE newsletter at: Antkow.substack.com
