We mentioned Toby Keith yesterday when we examined his fancy public relations tour for his song (and movie) Beer For My Horses that is perceived to be pro-lynching.

Well, the irony of all ironies has struck. Turns out Keith has purchased a 50% interest in the Heartland Shopping Center development in Owensboro.

From the Messenger-Inquirer (subscription only):

Phil Riney, spokesman for 54 Property Management, which owns the rest of the 65-acre tract that borders the U.S. 60/U.S. 231 bypass, said Keith flew into Owensboro “under the radar” back in February to look at the property.

Keith, who spent the day in town, liked the project, Riney said, and decided to buy half of the development.

“He’s a very nice guy,” Riney said. “He talked about performing at the Executive Inn years ago. He likes Owensboro.”
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He performed at the Executive Inn and signed autographs at the old Disc Jockey store in Towne Square Mall in July 1994. Keith returned to the Big E for performances in 1995 and 2001.

Keith’s investments include a chain of restaurants — Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill.

But Riney said there are no plans for one of the restaurants here.

“He’s not going to be involved with the project a whole lot,” Riney said. “But he might come in for the grand opening.”

What we find most interesting, though, is that Owensboro was home to the last public hanging or lynching in the United States:

The last public execution in America was that of Rainey Bethea in Owensboro, Kentucky, on August 14, 1936, because it was the last death sentence in the nation at which the general public was permitted to attend without any legally-imposed restrictions.
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All of the executions which have taken place since the 1936 hanging of Bethea in Owensboro have been conducted within a wall or enclosure.
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For these reasons, Owensboro was the site of the last public execution in America, and some 20,000 men, women, and children witnessed it without restriction– no enclosures, no walls, and no sheriffs’ passes. Any other conclusion would necessarily ignore the legal definition of “public execution.”

Additional links here, here and here.

Oh, the irony.

(We’ll wait patiently while everyone freaks out by commenting that they know a black person or someone who knows what real racism is. You’ll then promptly tell us how mean it is to bring this up. Especially the “compassionate” types who like asking whether or not Obama promotes “black power.” Just like always.)