The Only Thing We Have to Fear...

is ape-shit-crazy.

Probably me, but it feels like Memphis is near hysteria. Usually crime puts us in these zones of self-loathing and hopelessness, but this time it's political corruption -- MLGW, of course. It's made us ape-shit-crazy.

I think it's important to recognize these moments of a-s-c. Consequently I've re-organized the Gates of Memphis Research to work on an ape-shit-crazy Early Warning System. Before funding ran out, we had hoped to develop a completely automated system based on "chatter" -- blog posts, letters to the editor, talk show call-ins, water cooler conversations, gun battles between previously law-abiding citizens, etc.

Nope. All we have now is a draft set of classifications that span the spectrum of our polity's mental state, from genteel obliviousness to apocalyptic hysteria.

Early indications are we are hovering at the lower cusp of "The Bottom of Your Shoe".

This rating/warning system varies from most because neither end of the spectrum is preferred. "That's not Magnolia!" is, in my twisted opinion, the healthiest place to be. In fact, it's usually skipped over as the city's mood swings.