Archive → May 28th, 2008
Review: Branson (MO) Getaways
With fuel prices out of control, it’s no longer easy to plan a vacation, and when the opportunity comes along, sticking closer to home always seems like the smarter option. That’s why I like the idea of a Branson, MO, getaway.
Thanks in large part to my parents’ musical tastes as I was growing up, I have a high tolerance for country music, and in the wake of 9/11, patriotic crooners like Toby Keith made for much better listening, to me, than most of the anti-American rockers out there.
Branson’s become famous as an alternative to Nashville as a country music getaway, and likes to bill itself as the “live music capital of the world.” But Branson offers a lot even for those who are not country music fans; attractions include a selection of theme parks, as well as magic, comedy, dance, acrobatics, and drama, all performed live on stage.
With most packaged ranging from $423 to $551, as well as a couple top-notch packages in the $623 to $925 range, there really is a package to fit most budgets; and while transportation down and back isn’t included, you can still get some reasonable air fare rates to Branson from most metro areas these days … it’s cheaper than driving, that’s for sure!
The WonderfulPessimist.com recommendation, though, has to go to the Great American Package (naturally). It features four days and three nights at the Welk Resort Hotel, and includes two adult tickets to the Magnificent Seven with Dinner, Legends in Concert and, of course, the Veteran’s Museum. Additonal activities are extra, but at $454 per couple, it’d be hard to find a better value.
J.C. Watts backing black news channel
J.C. Watts, the Oklahoma Republican who served at one time as the chairman of the House Republican Conference, has announced plans to start an all-black news network that will be carried initially in several major markets through Comcast, beginning in 2009.
Tentatively called the Black Television News Channel, in an interview with the New York Post, Watts said, “I’m not so sure that you see anything on CNN or Fox News that specifically targets the African-American community. Our community features millions of people with all kinds of backgrounds. There’s a much broader segment of the population than what we see in mainstream news.”
Given Watts’ solid conservative credentials, it will be interesting to see if the network he’s helping to launch with be just another liberal sound chamber, or a truly balanced news network that will reflect a wide diversity of views, not just ethnicity.
Thus far, no financial, executive, or on-air talent details have been announced. Personally, while an alternate-voice news channel’s a fine idea, I’d rather see Watts running for the White House alongside McCain, ready to step into the big chair once McCain leaves politics to hawk senior life insurance.
Unlike Obama, Watts is a man of wide and respectable experience and accomplishments, who is more than ready to sit in the Oval Office. And he’s a darn sight more conservative than John “Bradshaw” McCain will ever be.
