Dear Readers:

Have you noticed the campaign to stop littering in Tennessee, advertised on TV and billboards? People say they are sick of seeing candy bar wrappers, cigarette butts and dirty diapers along our streets and sidewalks.

While I certainly do not want to see trash everywhere, I feel I must take a stand and put the Stop Litter group in its place. Clearly, their energy is wrongly directed.

That is why The Pulse is launching its own campaign: “Toss it, give a prisoner some fresh air.”

That’s right, the next time you finish some delicious fast food or a tasty cigarette while driving down the road, don’t look for the nearest trash can or ash tray, simply fling it out the window and go about your business without a care in the world.

As you may know, the U.S. incarcerates a greater percentage of its citizens than any other country in the world. This short-sighted anti-littering campaign will do nothing more than render this great resource useless, and we can’t have that. So the next time you’re thinking about not littering, don’t not do it and you will be utilizing one of the most abundant resources in the country: inmates.

But don’t let your summer fun end with littering, this Pulse is packed with great activities that will keep you busy all season long. We’ve offered just a few of our favorite summer pastimes, from going to the drive-in to hiking at a state park to visiting the Frist Center to attending a race, the Mid State is filled with great experiences just a short drive away.

The Pulse welcomes those working with the local Youth Culture and Art Center to their new office location next to the Pulse down here in the Court Square Building. These girls and guys are trying to provide something positive and creative for the youth in the area.

I see another nice story on the Southern Girls Rock ’n’ Roll Camp (put on by the YCAC) in our future . . .

While discussing the glories of peanut butter last week, I was reminded of all the sweet things it goes with, you know, jellies, jams, honey and chocolate, to name a few. But let’s not forget, some like their peanut butter with pickles, and if you think this most wondrous of all butters made from the little guys neither a pea nor a nut does not go well with meat, you have not met my little sister, Emily, who prefers her peanut butter paired with turkey.

Behold the gooey gobbler.

Peace,

Bracken Mayo, Editor in Chief