The big news is that Fred Thompson is visiting Lakeland this weekend. Great exposure for Lakeland and Polk County correct? Not so fast.

As the article states, I think some local folks hoped Fred would be doing something, err...more positive in the area.

It's not the big sit-down dinner and speech at the Yacht Club that local Republican Party planners had hoped for, but the former U.S. senator from Tennessee and now presidential candidate, Fred Thompson, will be in Lakeland at 11 a.m. Saturday to speak to those attending a gun show at The Lakeland Center.

I imagine that the national media will be covering Fred's Florida tour. What will be shown about Lakeland in the national spotlight? A gun show.

Why is it that each time our area makes the national news it's always 'interesting'. Hopefully Fred's handlers will keep him from nude-alligator wrestling.