VOLuntarilyConservative

Due to an abundance of recent activity, this version of the Blitz extends back into last week:

• On Thursday night, the VOLConWife and I attended the South Knox Republican Club's monthly meeting. South Knox is our local club and meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at Gary Underwood Park. With the speaker for the evening being Congressman Jimmy Duncan, turnout was more than usual, with Knox County GOP Chairman Brian Hornback, State Senator Jamie Woodson, and State Representative Frank Nicely finding their way to our normal meeting. Duncan spoke at length about several issues, including his recent ranking by a liberal group that had him as the 425th most liberal Member of the House (he was a bit irked, though, because he was 429th last year). As has been the case nearly everywhere I have gone over the past year, the issue of illegal immigration saw the most passionate discussion from the audience members. Nicely also spoke briefly, drawing out the Ford family tree, complete with indictments, convictions, allegations, and expulsions. Nicely argued that Harold Ford, Jr.'s family was a relevant issue because all of the allegations against them stem from their activities in public office and he by his own admission admits that he has learned many lessons from his family members, a position I have held for several years now.
• Not much to report on Friday, with the exception of a beautiful evening trip to the 1st District. I love hunting on my Granddady's farm in Greene County, and we even bagged a few squirrels this time.
• Obviously, Saturday brought the annual struggle to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide. Before the game, the VOLConWife and I made our way to the Corker for Senate tailgate, where we spoke to TN GOP Vice Chairman Robin Smith and other local Republicans supporting Bob Corker. The talk of the tailgate were Ford's unstatesmanlike actions on the previous day in Memphis (more to come on that, for sure). We then made our way to a friend's tailgate that was near Harold Ford's set-up. This was right before the Vol Walk, but no one was at Ford's little shindig. After grabbing some grub and watching the Pride march into Neyland, I was able to meet up with Bob Corker and my old boss, Senator Fred Thompson. As Fred and I chatted briefly, I got caught up with some of the media that were surrounding the duo. So, if you read any quotes from me in the Post or on Salon.com, that's where they nabbed me. We made our way into the stadium, had a blast at the game (wow, was that 4th quarter intense!), and capped off the night with our first trip to Wasabi's off of Kingston Pike. Days don't get much better than this, my friends.
• Sunday was a day of recovery, working around the house, and watching teams that aren't as good as my Chicago Bears (who were on a bye this week) try to play football like Da Bears.

It was another great weekend, but, as Monday morning has made clear, winter is just around the corner...