The Light at the End of the Purple and Geauxld Tunnel

2016 has been the craziest year that I can recall. From Prince's death to Donald Trump's rise to violence in the streets, this year has provided no shortage of memorable, and often troubling, moments.

Throughout it all, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been the epicenter of American consciousness and thought in 2016. Baton Rouge is the heartbeat of our nation right now, for better or for worse.

I remember exactly where I was when I first saw the Alton Sterling shooting video. I knew that video would be the one which sent the country into a tension-fueled race relations frenzy. I was correct.

Guess where that video was shot? Baton Rouge.

Guess where the aftermath of that shooting occurred? Protests, speeches, boycotts, mass hysteria, etc.? Baton Rouge.

In the aftermath of the Alton Sterling shooting, a lone wolf madman murdered three of Baton Rouge's finest on a bright, sunny Sunday morning, once again sending this nation into a frenzy.

I won't joke about that.

Just a few weeks ago, South Louisiana, and in particular Baton Rouge, was decimated by apocalyptic flooding. The streets became canals, the Cajun Navy sprang into action, Donald Trump passed out toys, and the President visited and called for humanitarian relief and assistance.

The damage from the Baton Rouge flooding has now exceeded the total for Hurricane Sandy.

Videos of Coast Guard rescues littered our social media feeds. Donations of food, water, and cleaning supplies flowed to Baton Rouge like water. We are happy to help.

As a result, and once again, after the floods, the epicenter of American thought was Baton Rouge.

LSU fans, I offer a glimmer of hope.

Today, August 31, 2016, as we stand on the cusp of the last quarter of, perhaps, the zaniest year in American history, a year where Baton Rouge, and her valiant, determined people, have dominated American thought, I offer you hope.

At almost every Sonic Drive-In franchise in our great land, corndogs are only 50 cents all day today, Wednesday, August 31, 2016.

This is not a joke, this is not a mistake. Corndogs are fifty cents all day.

Load up the kids on the airboat, and head to your neighborhood Sonic, folks. Today is a day for celebrating two things uniquely Louisiana: a state-wide determination like no other and battered and deep fried hot dogs.

This corndog's on us, LSU. You've earned it.