The Nashville Manifesto and “The Tennessee Three”

Nothing made me more proud than seeing how the Nashville police officers handled the chaotic scene during last month’s sad circumstances off of Hillsboro Pike. Of course, the whole story is sickening, sad, and we all wish it never happened. But why did it happen? What was going through the mind of the killer? Well, I, for one, don’t care.

Some people are calling for the public release of everything the killer left behind (manifesto, journals, etc). If it were up to me, I’d burn everything without every laying my eyes on a single word. A hateful act was carried out by a person in need of lots of help. What else do we need to know?

In a private message to a friend on Instagram, Hale (the shooter) wrote: “One day this will make more sense. I’ve left more than enough evidence behind.”

Sorry, no ma’am. Wherever you are, I’d love for you to know everything you wanted us to read was burned along with your memory. In fact, it really ticks me off that she thought anyone would care about what she had to say. Instead of writing it all out for us to read later, she could’ve, ya know, TOLD SOMEONE IN REAL LIFE! Save a life or a dozen, including your own.

Seven people passed away in Nashville because of this person. Why should we give any more attention to her? Burn the manifesto, the journals, papers, writings. Trash it all. Shred it. Put it in a barn with Alex Murdaugh. Send it on a road trip with Brian Laundrie. Cover it with chicken broth and set it on the shore of a Florida Lake. Whatever you want, but we don’t need to read it. She doesn’t deserve that from us.

As much as the teachers, school, and police offers filled me with pride for a city I lived in for so long, I feel equal amounts of embarrassment about “The Tennessee Three.” This term has been given to three politicians using very immature tactics, and breaking rules along the way, to hijack the Nashville story. Honestly, they seem to care more about having attention on themselves than mourning with and supporting the hurting families of those that passed away. I’ve never believed more than I do today that to be a politician, you have to have a certain level of narcissism. Probably the same as being an actor, actually. I understand that we have to be our own biggest fans and all, but the more I hear and read about the three attention-seekers in Tennessee, the more annoyed I get.

Recently, it was announced that the three disgruntled politicians have been invited to the White House. At least they’re getting a little bit of punishment, right? Of course, they won’t see it that way. To them, it’ll be such a confirmation to delight in their newfound fame and to shake hands with other narcissistic politicians. Some are asking why the families of the victims haven’t been invited to the White House yet. To that I’d say, haven’t they suffered enough already?

See you tomorrow.

-Out of the Wilderness

Jewish Garage Graffiti Commercial – What’s the Big Deal?

During an episode of American Idol (the one where 10 contestants paled in comparison to Zachariah Smith, Lucy Love, and Iam Tongi) an advertisement aired that I had to rewind and watch again. It’s the first I’ve seen from the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. Check it out then scroll down for more info…

According to the ad, 1 in 4 Jews were victim of hate in 2022. For more stats like that, this site gives a good amount of data. For instance, “The ADL… counted 3,697 antisemitic incidents in 2022.”

From those, 111 were physical assaults. Crazy.

I’ll be totally honest by saying I’ve only heard of antisemitism, I’ve never seen it in real life and I even wonder where it’s happening. It’s kind of like my experience with racism. I hear a lot about it in the news but I can’t think of any instance where I was with anyone of any race and something hateful was done or said. But to be very clear, I believe racism and antisemitism both exist, I just can’t figure out why. I remember Kanye West getting into hot water last year with a series of social media posts that were described as antisemitic.

Why would, or does, anyone hate a Jewish person? Thugs, criminals, rapists, murderers, arrogant narcissists… I can understand why there would be ill-will towards a person like that. But Jews? Really? What has any Jew ever done to harm someone as an extension of their faith or heritage? I just don’t get it. Maybe it’s jealousy?

I write about commercials a lot, and as for this specific ad, I think it’s very well done. I was moved so much that I had to rewatch it a few times during the Idol commercial break (side note, I also write about American Idol). The natural conversation between mom and daughter really stands out. I noticed it because one of my biggest pet peeves on TV and in movies is when kids speak lines so obviously written by adults. The child in this commercial speaks like kids do and I love that, especially when she asked, “Did you paint it or something?” Exactly what a kid might ask in that situation.

Great ad. Wish it wasn’t necessary.

To end on a lighter note, here are some graffiti photos in my personal gallery. Graffiti I can stand behind, and these pics are available for purchase if you’re so inclined. 🙂

-Out of the Wilderness

American Idol – Singers Disappoint and Audience Boos in Hawaii

HelloOoOoOo and thanks for dropping by for a general recap of part 2 of the 26-singer voting round. If you need to see who performed in part 1 (including my favorites Iam Tongi, Zachariah Smith, and Lucy Love) check out this post… American Idol – The Good, the Bad, the Ugly in Hawaii.

Well, not more than a day after I posted about wishing the judges would stop being so “nice,” Katy Perry got booed! She told Nutsa to use less glitter and the audience wasn’t having it. I’m kinda with Katy on this one (but not this one) because glitter is THE biggest nuisance. If you don’t believe me, spread some on the floor in your home and let me know in which decade you finally get it all out.

Pet peeves aside, Nutsa was in my top two this episode, an episode where the confusion surrounding the 26 singers was finally sorted out… and the surprise addition wasn’t Fire. But still, except for a few the singers were stale, or boring, or just not on the same level as contestants in the first episode of this round. My top choices were Michael Williams, who reminded me a lot of one of my favorite singers, Jon McLaughlin, and Nutsa, who was very entertaining in her performance. Using my foolproof criteria, here’s how I rated each contestant in this episode.

I’m crossing my fingers (and I texted my vote) for Megan Danielle who has an incredible voice much more fitting of a seasoned and chronic smoker (I mean that in a good way). Her voice was fantastic but her body language seemed rigid and uncomfortable on stage. If she just had a spoonful of Nutsa’s energy, she’d be golden.

The only other contestant standing out was Wé Ani. Stage presence, voice, overall vibe, really good. But in my humble opinion, everyone is fighting for 4th place behind Lucy Love, Iam, and Zachariah.

What do you think about the episode? Who are your favorites this season? Comment below!

-Out of the Wilderness

Amazon woman has a hairy upper lip – Hot or not?

Amazon Prime has channeled their inner Greek mythological warrior in a recent ad called “‘Tache.” If you’ve seen it, you’re very aware the whole commercial revolves around the hairy upper lip of a high school student. Not a dude, though. It’s a woman sporting a ‘stache and by the end of the ad, she hates it no more. In Greek mythology, the Amazon women were warriors sharing similar characteristics as men. In fact, the women-only society only let men for breeding purposes. Some viewers of the commercial think breeding purposes is the only way this mustached woman would ever be able to get a date.

I had no idea when I first posted about the commercial how vocal people would be. Some take the ad on surface level… a woman with a mustache should just shave it because it’s gross. Don’t normalize something that’s not normal, they’d say. She could spend a few dollars for a razor but instead spends hundreds on clothes and music to build a personality around the mustache.

On the flip side, some viewers extract a deeper meaning: Love who you are and who cares what anyone else thinks! This can be a noble quality as seen in the movie Teen Wolf, which is a lot like the commercial. In the film, a high school guy turns into a werewolf every time his temper flares. At first, no one knows what to think. Eventually he (and his town) embraces his canine characteristics and everything is great. In the end, this type of mindset can go one of two ways for the Amazon woman. She’ll either spiral out of control with no limits because she’s just being her “authentic self,” or she’ll genuinely appreciate the way she was made, full of confidence with grace for those who don’t approve.

Perhaps the best way to be is the secret third option (because there’s always a secret third option). It’s a combination of the two ideas above. Take care of yourself so you’re at your best and healthiest and at the same time, care a little less about what other people think.

You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.

David Foster Wallace

I do think it’s interesting that Amazon hired a beautiful woman, who doesn’t have a mustache in real life, to play the part of the quirky student. Did they have any discussions about having a real woman (not an actress) with a real mustache play the part? Certainly there is something attractive about natural beauty that businesses use to promote products. Sex sells, right? So Amazon is walking the tightrope here. A lot of beauty with just a dash of ‘stache.

-Out of the Wilderness

American Idol – The Good, the Bad, the Ugly in Hawaii

Hello and welcome to an American Idol reaction post as we finally get to vote for our favorites! The judges narrowed it down to the top 26 contestants (with some confusion, of course). Last night for part one of a two-episode round, 13 contestants performed everything from Little Richard and En Vogue to Adele and Minnie Riperton. Who were my favorites and who had the most forgettable performances? Well, to answer that I came up with a list of categories with which I’ll be rating each singer.

Do I like the song choice? Yes/No

Does the performance move me? Yes/No

Am I entertained? Yes/No

Overall Rating: 1-10

The Good. 27 levels above everyone else was Zachariah Smith singing “Lucille” by Little Richard, Lucy Love with “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”, and Iam Tongi’s take on “Don’t Let Go” by Spawnbreezie. Each of those got high marks because in their own way, they were entertaining and captivating. In other words, they were incredible. I was also impressed with Nailyah. Love her style and her voice got crazy high. Matt Wilson serenading his wife was sweet. OK, you’re about to get an inside look at my little black book where I write down grocery lists, sermon notes, and triathlon training times. Now it’s also where I scribble Idol notes…

The Bad. As you can see in my notes, I thought Oliver Steele really missed the mark with his performance which is a shame because I really like his voice. He simply picked a song that showed off none of his soulful, smokey vocals and that might hurt him when the votes are announced. Haven’s quirky take on “The Middle” is still not sitting right with me. I get it that she can’t always sing the heart-wrenching ballads but without her songwriting, her voice doesn’t stand out. Major kudos on her wardrobe, though. She always has awesome outfits. I just don’t know if earth big enough for two Taylor Swifts? Other forgettable performances were Elise Kristine, Mariah, PJAE, and Warren Peay.

The Ugly. Using the definition of ugly as “disagreeable or unpleasant,” I have to comment on the judges. I actually wish they were MORE disagreeable and unpleasant. There’s a difference in being nice and having kindness and, while they’re definitely kind, they’re just too nice! It’s possible to dish out some critical comments while still being kind (see: Simon Cowell). With that said, I think Katy, Luke, and Lionel did their best to give some helpful advice last night. Hopefully the singers can sift through some of the more thinly-veiled praise to hear real critiques.

Feel like arguing with me about who did well and who didn’t? Comment below and let’s fight.

-Out of the Wilderness