On TV: 'Moonshiners' or 'Lizard Lick Towing?'
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
This week the Discovery Channel network brought television channel-surfers another gem to go along with similar off-the-grid shows like "Ice Road Truckers," "Pawn Stars," "Ax Men," "Swamp People," "Deadliest Catch," "Hillbilly Handfishin,'" "Gold Rush Alaska" and a few others that appear anywhere on the dial (do TVs still have dials?) from the History Channel to TruTV.
There's even a show called something like "Lizard Lick Towing." Honest.
The latest installment of certain television offerings makes some of us wish for the days of "Gunsmoke," "My Three Sons" or "Leave it to Beaver?" (And it proves virtually anyone can sell a TV show with limited talent, minimal effort, no writers, no actors and no redeeming social value.)
So, what's the new Discovery program, you ask? "Moonshiners."
Straight (like good bourbon) from the hills of Appalachia, "Moonshiners" is a show about, well, the making and selling of moonshine. (I once dated a moonshiner's daughter, but that's another column.)
Back in the day – a little more than four decades ago – a fellow near and dear to my heart dabbled in bootleg spirits (hint: think of the title of Coach Barry Switzer's autobiography).
Given as though the statute of limitations has likely expired for any perceived wrongdoing and given that even if it hasn't, the alleged wrongdoers have all been gone for more than two decades, I may share a recollection or two one of these days. Earlier this week, however, I watched a three-minute video introduction of "Moonshiners," which supposedly takes viewers behind the scenes of the illegal alcohol trade.
Naturally and predictably, they had the obligatory outlaw wearing bib overalls (no shirt), a ballcap and sporting a red bandanna hanging from the hip pocket.
Personally, I didn't think too much of "Moonshiners." But maybe that's because of my own history with the business back in the 1960s and early '70s. When it comes to moonshining, I'm more of a Junior Johnson aficionado.
Junior Johnson – Robert Glenn Johnson, Jr., if you please – is called The Last American Hero. Junior turned 80 this year. He was born in the Depression South in 1931, five years before the aforementioned spirits manufacturer of my youth.
He was one of NASCAR's first superstars. In fact, he came into auto racing the old-fashioned Southern way, through the illicit moonshining trade where he would outrun liquor agents and local law enforcement in his "souped-up" stock cars.
A post on Wikipedia says the North Carolina native "consistently outran and outwitted local police and federal agents in auto chases, and he was never caught while delivering moonshine to customers."
Much like Waylon and Willie and The Boys in Texas, Junior Johnson became a legend in the rural South, where his driving expertise and "outlaw" image was much admired.
In 1955, Johnson shifted gears from moonshine courier to NASCAR racing. He posted five first-place finishes in his first full season. The following year Junior was arrested and convicted of moonshining and served 11 months of a two-year sentence in federal prison in nearby Chillicothe.
Junior paid his societal debt and returned to racing, winning the Daytona 500 in 1960. He retired in 1966 with 50 career victories.
On Dec. 26, 1986, President Ronald Reagan granted Johnson, a lifelong Democrat, a presidential pardon for his 1956 conviction. Johnson called the pardon "one of the greatest things in my life."
In 1991, he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame, and in 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
And just four years ago, at age 76, Junior Johnson became a part owner in a North Carolina distiller so he could market a legal version of the old family recipe. His company markets Midnight Moon and Catdaddy in 37 states. (With thanks to a good brother-in-law, I've enjoyed a Buttmonkey beer. Maybe one of these days I'll try Catdaddy liquor.)
And I might even watch an episode or two of "Moonshiners" if there's nothing better on TV. Like "Ice Road Truckers meet The Blob and Jaws in Amityville." The horror.
* * *
Ohio EPA director
praises Hillsboro partnership
Ohio EPA Director Scott J. Nally had an interesting column in the Dec. 3 Marietta Times (www.mariettatimes.com), in which he referenced the city of Hillsboro.
Director Nally said: "The Ohio EPA is committed to working with communities across the state to help improve Ohio's water resources, and we have given more than $5.4 billion in below-market financing for sewage treatment plant upgrades and other water quality improvement projects in this effort. These low-interest loans are significant during these difficult economic times, saving borrowing communities close to $1 billion in interest...
"We were able to help Hillsboro by providing them with a $10.2 million, 1-percent interest rate loan and $5 million in principal forgiveness, money the community does not have to repay, which saved the city $11.7 million in financing costs over the life of the loan."
Director Nally's version of the EPA's assistance to the city is in sharp contrast to a vulgarity-laced report from Dec. 1 in the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette (www.mlive.com), in which the agency and the state of Ohio were held in very low regard by a county resident. (Think "expletive verb form" followed by "the state of Ohio.")
Director Nally has an undergraduate degree in biological sciences from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree in science from the University of Wyoming, plus six years at the Indiana Environmental Protection Agency before coming to Ohio, so considering the two sources, reasonable minds ought to conclude that the director knows what he's talking about. We'll have to follow up with him on this.
* * *
Ohio lawmaker
clears up House Bill 388
Lastly, our thanks to Ohio Republican Rep. Rex Damschroder for introducing legislation (HB 388) for a much-needed statewide restriction of the popular practice known as "double dipping." And thanks to 86th District Rep. Cliff Rosenberger for clearing up any ambiguities in the bill's language.
Double dipping refers to retired public employees who return to work at taxpayers' expense. It's common practice in Ohio and other states that permit it. Not all do.
As reported earlier this week, the initial announcement brought mixed reviews on our website. One of the first comments by "a taxpayer" was to the effect that "It's about time," followed by "as long as it applies to state lawmakers."
At first glance, the bill appeared to include an exemption for elected officials. It doesn't. Rep. Rosenberger consulted with Rep. Damschroder on Tuesday and assures us that is not the intent of the legislation. Good.
Rep. Damschroder also pointed out that the widespread practice of double dipping means that fewer jobs are available for other employees. No kidding.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott proposed similar legislation this year, saying that double dippers cost the Sunshine State $300 million a year on top of their respective pensions.
One caveat on Rep. Damschroder's bill: Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder, according to a Dec. 5 editorial in the Akron Beacon Journal, receives a $100,000 a year public pension in addition to his $94,500 annual salary. As the Journal asks, will the speaker allow the bill to move forward? We'll see.
Meanwhile, Rep. Rosenberger has promised to keep us posted on House Bill 388.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press, Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper.[[In-content Ad]]
There's even a show called something like "Lizard Lick Towing." Honest.
The latest installment of certain television offerings makes some of us wish for the days of "Gunsmoke," "My Three Sons" or "Leave it to Beaver?" (And it proves virtually anyone can sell a TV show with limited talent, minimal effort, no writers, no actors and no redeeming social value.)
So, what's the new Discovery program, you ask? "Moonshiners."
Straight (like good bourbon) from the hills of Appalachia, "Moonshiners" is a show about, well, the making and selling of moonshine. (I once dated a moonshiner's daughter, but that's another column.)
Back in the day – a little more than four decades ago – a fellow near and dear to my heart dabbled in bootleg spirits (hint: think of the title of Coach Barry Switzer's autobiography).
Given as though the statute of limitations has likely expired for any perceived wrongdoing and given that even if it hasn't, the alleged wrongdoers have all been gone for more than two decades, I may share a recollection or two one of these days. Earlier this week, however, I watched a three-minute video introduction of "Moonshiners," which supposedly takes viewers behind the scenes of the illegal alcohol trade.
Naturally and predictably, they had the obligatory outlaw wearing bib overalls (no shirt), a ballcap and sporting a red bandanna hanging from the hip pocket.
Personally, I didn't think too much of "Moonshiners." But maybe that's because of my own history with the business back in the 1960s and early '70s. When it comes to moonshining, I'm more of a Junior Johnson aficionado.
Junior Johnson – Robert Glenn Johnson, Jr., if you please – is called The Last American Hero. Junior turned 80 this year. He was born in the Depression South in 1931, five years before the aforementioned spirits manufacturer of my youth.
He was one of NASCAR's first superstars. In fact, he came into auto racing the old-fashioned Southern way, through the illicit moonshining trade where he would outrun liquor agents and local law enforcement in his "souped-up" stock cars.
A post on Wikipedia says the North Carolina native "consistently outran and outwitted local police and federal agents in auto chases, and he was never caught while delivering moonshine to customers."
Much like Waylon and Willie and The Boys in Texas, Junior Johnson became a legend in the rural South, where his driving expertise and "outlaw" image was much admired.
In 1955, Johnson shifted gears from moonshine courier to NASCAR racing. He posted five first-place finishes in his first full season. The following year Junior was arrested and convicted of moonshining and served 11 months of a two-year sentence in federal prison in nearby Chillicothe.
Junior paid his societal debt and returned to racing, winning the Daytona 500 in 1960. He retired in 1966 with 50 career victories.
On Dec. 26, 1986, President Ronald Reagan granted Johnson, a lifelong Democrat, a presidential pardon for his 1956 conviction. Johnson called the pardon "one of the greatest things in my life."
In 1991, he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame, and in 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
And just four years ago, at age 76, Junior Johnson became a part owner in a North Carolina distiller so he could market a legal version of the old family recipe. His company markets Midnight Moon and Catdaddy in 37 states. (With thanks to a good brother-in-law, I've enjoyed a Buttmonkey beer. Maybe one of these days I'll try Catdaddy liquor.)
And I might even watch an episode or two of "Moonshiners" if there's nothing better on TV. Like "Ice Road Truckers meet The Blob and Jaws in Amityville." The horror.
* * *
Ohio EPA director
praises Hillsboro partnership
Ohio EPA Director Scott J. Nally had an interesting column in the Dec. 3 Marietta Times (www.mariettatimes.com), in which he referenced the city of Hillsboro.
Director Nally said: "The Ohio EPA is committed to working with communities across the state to help improve Ohio's water resources, and we have given more than $5.4 billion in below-market financing for sewage treatment plant upgrades and other water quality improvement projects in this effort. These low-interest loans are significant during these difficult economic times, saving borrowing communities close to $1 billion in interest...
"We were able to help Hillsboro by providing them with a $10.2 million, 1-percent interest rate loan and $5 million in principal forgiveness, money the community does not have to repay, which saved the city $11.7 million in financing costs over the life of the loan."
Director Nally's version of the EPA's assistance to the city is in sharp contrast to a vulgarity-laced report from Dec. 1 in the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette (www.mlive.com), in which the agency and the state of Ohio were held in very low regard by a county resident. (Think "expletive verb form" followed by "the state of Ohio.")
Director Nally has an undergraduate degree in biological sciences from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree in science from the University of Wyoming, plus six years at the Indiana Environmental Protection Agency before coming to Ohio, so considering the two sources, reasonable minds ought to conclude that the director knows what he's talking about. We'll have to follow up with him on this.
* * *
Ohio lawmaker
clears up House Bill 388
Lastly, our thanks to Ohio Republican Rep. Rex Damschroder for introducing legislation (HB 388) for a much-needed statewide restriction of the popular practice known as "double dipping." And thanks to 86th District Rep. Cliff Rosenberger for clearing up any ambiguities in the bill's language.
Double dipping refers to retired public employees who return to work at taxpayers' expense. It's common practice in Ohio and other states that permit it. Not all do.
As reported earlier this week, the initial announcement brought mixed reviews on our website. One of the first comments by "a taxpayer" was to the effect that "It's about time," followed by "as long as it applies to state lawmakers."
At first glance, the bill appeared to include an exemption for elected officials. It doesn't. Rep. Rosenberger consulted with Rep. Damschroder on Tuesday and assures us that is not the intent of the legislation. Good.
Rep. Damschroder also pointed out that the widespread practice of double dipping means that fewer jobs are available for other employees. No kidding.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott proposed similar legislation this year, saying that double dippers cost the Sunshine State $300 million a year on top of their respective pensions.
One caveat on Rep. Damschroder's bill: Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder, according to a Dec. 5 editorial in the Akron Beacon Journal, receives a $100,000 a year public pension in addition to his $94,500 annual salary. As the Journal asks, will the speaker allow the bill to move forward? We'll see.
Meanwhile, Rep. Rosenberger has promised to keep us posted on House Bill 388.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press, Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper.[[In-content Ad]]