Category: Uncategorized

EXSUM 5

EXSUM 4

EXSUM 3

ISS HW 4

IS Homework 3

EXSUM 2

EXSUM 1

“USDA Appropriations”

 

On April 23, 2015, the USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the government spending of six rural electric infrastructure projects. Over half of which taking place in North and South Carolina, these projects focus on not only power lines, and fuel resources, but solar. This funding would allow for the expansion of the national solar grid, and promote an increase in electricity for rural residents. Funds are being appropriated to Chocowinity Solar, Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, Broad River Electric Cooperative, and Washington Electric Cooperative for the various projects. The USDA has been committed to rural electric improvements since the birth of the Rural Electrification Administration in 1935. Although this comes at the same time as Obama’s release of the first ever Quadrennial Energy Review, a review of the energy plans for the United States.

I see this as a mere political move for the Democratic Party. Why else would the USDA release this information at the same time as Obama’s “FIRST EVER” QER? Although, this isn’t the only coincidence in this picture. With Earth Day in sight, the media’s talking points of the week surely will encompass Earth Day festivities, and conveniently they have good news from Washington about such things. I, along with many others in the rural regions appreciate the emphasis and funding the government has provided to the communities. With that said, I don’t believe the “good news” from Washington spurred from the priorities they seem to think they are portraying, but more for their own image to the country. Sort of like a kid trying to get attention “Hey, look what I can do! Wanna be my friend?”

“Understanding of Infrastructure”

 

Infrastructure is simply the broad term to describe the working parts of all levels of society, from the small towns of Idaho to the United States as a whole. Any information, stories, decisions, actions, ideas, and theories, can all be looked at from an “infrastructure perspective”. Stating that infrastructure is “simply” the working parts of any level of society is a mere understatement. Defining infrastructure is far too vague to fit on paper. No, it is not simply something that can be seen; yet as a country we constantly view it as such. Infrastructure is more of the thoughts, and ideas that shape society. Infrastructure as defined by each person in a society is different. Yet far to many “important” people tend to overlook this concept. Thus, societies can never agree on anything. Take the implementation of pipelines along the rural east coast for example. One group argues that it will benefit the work force in each locality, the other group argues that it will affect the environment, another group argues that having the pipeline on their property infringes their rights, and so on and so forth. These different opinions are based on different priorities. Everyone in the world has his or her own set of priorities, and no one will “fully” agree with the other. Fortunately the United States is a democracy, and majority rules, making infrastructure decisions somewhat simple to decide. But should it be? Should a public official in Texas, put in position by the people of Texas, make a decision for the people of North Carolina? Is the “infrastructure perspective” the same for both parties? Here lies the issue with “Infrastructure” as seen in the United States. Sure infrastructure encompasses water, fuel, transportation, economics for the smallest localities, and every other moving part of society. But is our government looking at the problems and who they impact, or the problems and their impact on their own lives? Is the “infrastructure perspective” really where it needs to be in modern day society? Washington’s priority of a certain issue should be taken into consideration, but not as much as the people’s priority of the issue. Some may think that this analysis of infrastructure in the United States is far too critical. But should we take decisions that impact everyone in this great country lightly, or should we understand that fact that infrastructure not only encompasses the physical dimensions of society, but every decision that has an impact on society?

Besides corn and coal, moonshine has arguably been one of the most important money making avenues for people in the Appalachian region for many years. Still today, there are frequent instances where individuals get caught on the wrong side of the law for such act. However, moonshine hasn’t always influenced bad things. It has generated notable things that have made the people of Appalachia proud of the heritage. Television shows on the History Channel like “Moonshiners” and the Dukes of Hazard have established a name for the culture and created a sense of pride throughout the region. Although the television shows have outspoken the moonshining lifestyle, one of the most popular sports in the nation was created through moonshine running. To some, Nascar isn’t very important, but to others, it’s life. Nascar is arguably one of the most beneficial outcomes of bootlegging, for not only the thrill of racing, but the heritage of the Appalachian region.

Corn was the predominant cash crop through out the region. By 1840, Tennessee was one of the largest corn producing states (Williams 119). With the lack of transportation in the region, it was very hard for a strong market on the corn or anything for that matter to grow and prosper. Trading between households was the norm while very little money was made each year. The terrain was very rough and hard to navigate. Often times, guides would have to help people navigate the thick brush, vast poplar forests, and steep mountains (Ledford 47-66). This terrain and risk made transporting goods out of the region very hard and nearly impossible. People lived off the land and made use of what they had. Appalachians sewed their own clothes, had gardens and orchards, hunted deer, bear, and various other wildlife for food. Although this lifestyle was common all throughout rural North America throughout the early 19^th century, homemade whiskey is what set the Appalachian region apart from the other areas. This became the common way of life throughout the region, women stayed at the home to cook and take care of the kids while the men would hunt, farm and make shine.      With the lack of money and transportation, going to school was not a high priority. Not only was it out of the question, it was almost looked down upon. In the northern district of the Shenandoah National Park lies the Hull School House, which is now in present day Rappahannock County, Virginia. This school is outside of the Appalachian region, but shares many of the same characteristics. This schoolhouse was much like the ones all throughout the region of Appalachia. With only a few kids able to make it to school during the day, and very little supplies, teaching was very hard. Once kids were old enough to drive a tractor, or cook, they came home and lived the lives of their parents. Though individuals still had contact with the outside world, with very little knowledge of it the development of a narrowed minded vision ensued upon the people living in the area (Giardina 165). They focus much of their attention on working off the land and rejecting change. With this concept of life, the individuals began to form their own means of relaxation. They constructed their own form of music and brew. People in the region began to realize that people outside of the region were very interested in their “fun”. Their music not only interested people living outside of the mountains, but their moonshine would soon have more of an impact on the region than they ever thought.

Moonshine is a brew made through a series of time sensitive process that develops a very potent liquid. The use of cold spring water to condensate the steam produce from the mash is very important, making the spring-laden mountains a perfect area for production. Proofs reaching 190 were very common. The people of Appalachia made Moonshine with what they had available. Corn being the most common crop to the area was the predominant ingredient in the mash. Because of its sweet taste and availability, apples, and peaches were common ingredients in mash as well. Being very common fruits throughout the region and like corn, easy to maintain, allowed them to be perfect ingredients. To the average Appalachian, the sweetness of apple pie or apple brandy was treat, and a rare commodity. The sweetness of the moonshine made with fruit is not found in regular corn whiskey, and the brew could only be found one place, the mountains. With word spreading fast, people from all around wanted a taste of the moonshine. Mountain people soon began to realize that money could be made through the sale of moonshine to outsiders for a hefty price. With Appalachian families starting to get wealthier, word spread all throughout the region like a wild fire. People starting selling it more frequently, and mass-producing it for sale. People of the region saw a boost in their lifestyle, although this came with a price. With the brew being made up in the mountains, and no governed way of making it, the government could not control the manufacturing of it. This led to the deployment of federal officers to the region, hoping to put a stop to the moonshine making and selling.

Fierce gun battles soon ensued all throughout the region. Moonshiners achieved a rogue status all throughout the eastern United States. Moonshine cartels, and underground work soon became popular throughout the Appalachian region. The federal agents hit distilleries hard, but could not stop the distribution. People in the city started to realize that getting moonshine was hard, and that the moonshiners paid a huge price for bootlegging. Moonshiners soon realized that heat was on them and something had to change. The males of the family, which dominated the moonshine making, realized that they could not get imprisoned because their families depended on them to bring home the money. The price of moonshine rose, and the reward became worth the risk. Running from the police was the beginning of one America’s greatest sports, something that Appalachians never thought would be created from their homegrown business. This brought notice to not only their families, but their heritage.

With federal agents driving very fast cars with high performance engines, and moonshiners driving cars with regular stock engines, there was no match. Stock engines were being overrun at the blink of an eye. Moonshiners began using decoy vehicles, and different tricks to outsmart the federal agents. Outrunning them would be out of the question, but they had something the agents didn’t, the knowledge of the landscape. This became very crucial to the moonshiners success. Although running from the police and using the landscape to the moonshiners advantage was a relatively new concept, the idea of mountain people using their knowledge of the landscape relates back to the earliest explorations of the area and the tough time outsiders had navigating the land. Though this trick worked significantly, moonshiners realized they would need faster cars and couldn’t get around it. This spurred a speed movement throughout the moonshining community, and they began emphasizing the importance of their cars. Money that was made through the sale of moonshining was spent on motor parts, and body kits. This created a style of moonshine running that carried very far. Moonshiners were now known for not only the taste of their brew but their driving skill. Soon after this, people began hiring out drivers for their moonshine operation. It was quite the organization that was developed. Some individuals owned cars, body shops, and hired mechanics (NASCAR). Others owned the distribution centers if you will, these individuals hired out cars and drivers for their operation. Money was circulating all throughout the Appalachian region, and everyone was either making moonshine, running moonshine, or knew someone that did. People like Junior Johnson, a small town, backwoods man from North Carolina would soon learn not only the skill of moonshine making, but driving. By the early 1930’s people began taking notice of drivers like Junior Johnson and their skill of driving and began attracting many people (Thompson 83). Federal agents were now being out run by the police and were no match to the skillful drivers that knew the land and had fast cars. Television shows like the Dukes of Hazard and the Beverly Hillbillys were made to depict this lifestyle and tradition (Ballard 144). Though the release of this show happened long after the transition to running moonshine for profit, Bo and Luke Duke became household names that everyone relating to this lifestyle could look up to. The fascination with such television shows and silent films portraying the traditions became very popular throughout America (Billings 5). Though not just television shows were created to portray this kind of lifestyle. A sport that would soon grow nationwide, and capture the attention of everyone would be born.

Nascar was established in the late years of moonshine running. It was a way of allowing moonshine runners to show off their skills and make money. Household names like Junior Johnson, and “Big” Bill France began to set the stage for racing (NASCAR). Junior Johnson once said, “It gave me so much advantage over other people that had to train and learn how to drive.” (NASCAR). Daniel S. Pierce, an associate professor and history professor chair at the University of North Carolina, Ashville studied Nascar and it’s roots in an academic setting after being introduced to the sport in 1994 (NASCAR). He stated, “I started doing research on NASCAR, and obviously one of the important questions I wanted to look at was the whole role of moonshine” (NASCAR). Pierce’s researched led him to findings that uncovered the true essence of Nascar, and its very evident root, moonshine (NASCAR). He concluded, “That was my expectation, but the deeper I looked into the whole thing and the more research I did, the more liquor I found. It was just so foundational. I knew it played a role, but the thing that surprised me was that it was so much a part of the foundation of the sport.” (NASCAR). Besides occasional book published about the history of Nascar, Pierce’s study of Nascar has been the only finding from an academic standpoint.

The first big name non-automotive related company to spur Nascar was the Reynolds Tobacco Company (Howell ix). This starting a relationship between stock car racing and fortune 500 companies that would last for years. Nascar today is a multi-million dollar organization. With sponsors like Oakley, Spy, Bass Pro Shops, Amped, Dupont, Nationwide, and M&M the popularity of Nascar has become very prominent. Nascar today is broken into many categories much like it was back in the beginning of bootlegging. Teams like Hendrick Motorsports, and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated (DEI) have drivers that work for them. Drivers are rarely seen driving for themselves. These racing teams rule Nascar and determine who will race. Some drivers actually drive for their own companies. Dale Earnhardt Junior used to drive for his mothers company, DEI. Tony Stewart currently drives for his own company. These teams are multi-million dollar companies, with massive amounts of sponsors. Teams are broken into the make of vehicles they adopt. Hendrick Motorsports for example has adopted Chevy as their maker. Although the main four are Ford, Chevy. Toyota, and Dodge. Nascar as it is today has gone farther than the early moonshiners ever thought it would.

In conclusion, the establishment of Nascar provided an avenue for Appalachians to show their moonshining heritage and to relive their past. Today, Nascar has grown into a multi-million dollar sport with thousands of people showing up to Saturday night and Sunday races. The idea of bringing an illegal act into focus, and broadcasting the obvious skill of each driver, proved to be promising for everyone tied to the sport. Appalachians from the beginning times of moonshine production would be proud to see what their work turned into. The sport has grown to audience across the globe and brought drivers in from many different countries. Junior Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s father, and “Big Bill” would be proud to see where the sport wound up. Not only are the drivers putting on a show for spectators, but also in their spare time, along with their teams, they sponsor charities, and organizations like Wounded Warriors. No one would have ever thought that poor Scot-Irish immigrants in the backwoods of the Appalachian region would have set the footstone for such a promising and rewarding avenue for people to recall history and connect with the culture every weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

Billings, Dwight B., and Katherine Ledford. “A Landscape and a People Set Apart (Narratives of Exploration and Travel in Early Appalachia).” Back Talk from Appalachia Confronting Stereotypes. Lexington: U of Kentucky, 2001. 47-66. Print.

 

 

 

Billings, Dwight B., and Sandra Ballard. “Where Did Hillbillies Come From? Tracing Sources of the Comic Hillbilly Fool in Literature.” Back Talk from Appalachia Confronting Stereotypes. Lexington: U of Kentucky, 2001. 144. Print.

 

 

Billings, Dwight B., and Denise Giardina. “Appalachian Images. A Personal History.” Confronting Appalachian Stereotypes: Back Talk from an American Region. Lexington: U of Kentucky, 1999. 165. Print.

 

 

 

Billings, Dwight B. “Introduction.” Confronting Appalachian Stereotypes: Back Talk from an American Region. Lexington: U of Kentucky, 1999. 5. Print.

 

 

“Citation Machine: MLA Format Citation Generator for Websites.” Citation Machine: MLA Format Citation Generator for Websites. Web. 17 June 2015.

http://www.citationmachine.net/mla/cite-a-website/copied

 

 

Howell, Mark D. From Moonshine to Madison Avenue: A Cultural History of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State U Popular, 1997. Print.

 

 

“NASCAR’s Earliest Days Forever Connected to Bootlegging | NASCAR.com.” NASCAR’s Earliest Days Forever Connected to Bootlegging. Web. 17 June 2015.

http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2012/11/01/moonshine-mystique.html

 

 

 

Thompson, Neal. Driving with the Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, and the Birth of NASCAR. New York: Crown, 2006. Print.

 

 

 

Williams, John Alexander. Appalachia a History. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina, 2002. 119. Print.