Southern misconceptions thread

[Dob Bole]

I sometimes wonder what some DUers are smoking (you don't have to tell me) when they spout out all their misconceptions about the South, so I'm going to put them to rest.

1. Since 1% of the wealthiest Southerners owned slaves in 1850, all Southerners in 2003 are racist and we don't need them. (This is quite obviously false.)

2. If we win New Hampshire in 2004, we don't need Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia, even though there is a Democratic majority present. (Actually, redistricting benefited Republicans, so we will need more than one more state next time.)

3. The Democratic Majority in the South is just like Zell Miller PLUS they're racist and we don't need them.

4. The South has always been so Republican that there's just no hope for us and we don't need them. (Actually, no Republican ever substantially won the whole South until the Reagan landslide in 1984.)

5. The South is poor and stupid and mean and we don't need them. (Good to know that liberals suddenly only need rich and powerful voters.)

6. I watched Gone with the Wind and Roots. That's just like real life, right? (uh, no)

7. I saw President Bush. All Southerners are like him! (He is from Maine, but that's irrelevant since west Texas is not Southern.)

8. I saw Sean Hannity on TV. Isn't he from Alabama? (No, the Californians exiled him.)

9. Those damn Southerners are so racist that they racist racist racist into the racist mother racist sons of racists. And we don't need racists like those racists who should go to racist hell, racist pigs! (And WHERE did the Civil Rights Movement begin?)

10. Honkies are evil!!! (Even if you wanted to write off all honkies, you could get out the black vote and still accidentally win Southern States.)

[Dob Bole]

1. Oh yeah,

and I claim no responsibility for the flames that are probably about to come. Are Democrats now the elitist ones? Should I train to become a conservative and switch parties or something?

[Upfront]

4. Northern guy Hear

and I love the south, go there every winter. We have lots of red necks up hear but we call them ceder savages. We need every southern vote we can get, and we know it. Bush has got to go. We are on the same team . :toast:

[NewJerseyDem]

2. Response to 9

Well where was segregation? That is why the civil rights movement started there. It wasn't as badly needed in other parts of the country. I don't think all southerners are racist or that even there is a much greater amount in the South. I just don't like the accent and I can't take another president with it.

[Dob Bole]

5. Everywhere else in the country

there is still segregation. It's just not government-mandated. I'll try to not get started on L.A. However, I sincerely apologize that your big tent cannot accomodate the somewhat-British accent that we possess.

[NewJerseyDem]

9. Accent just annoys me

I'm not saying we should ignore the south or not consider it in election strategy. It just bothers me. I don't want it to bother me, but it does.

[comsymp]

15. Props for trying, anyway

re: not wanting it to bother you...
But just out of curiosity, which Southern accent? Here in NC we have *at least* 3 or 4 distinct accents. Which ones tend to get on your nerves?

cs- who couldn't sit thru a 30-min episode of The Nanny...

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

20. Dont't forget those Appalachian accents in GA! Nothin like Atlanta

and to the thread starter,Dob Bole, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Southerners take quite a bit of bigotry by some who think they are better even though nearly every major city has seen racial unrest.

I know what it is like to live with sin, my state gave the nation Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan! *sniff*

[comsymp]

24. NSMA! MY SISTA!!!

As soon as I saw this thread I immediately thought of you... well, after I finished screwing my cousin, of course :evilgrin:

How ya been?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

64. ROFL! Good buddy nice to see ya!

BUt I thought your cousin was your dad! :shrug:

[comsymp]

67. ehhehe

Yup, and Uncle Grandpa sends his regards! As does Cousin Simple the Chicken F***er~

In case I haven't mentioned it lately, thanks for all your support when regional bigotry rears its ugly head (regularly)

xox-
cs

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

73. All you fuckers just charm the socks offa me!

SMOOCHIE

[NewJerseyDem]

21. I'm not sure

There may be some areas of the south where the accent is fine. I actually think that a VERY slight southern accent can be nice. However, I have been to Virginia and was annoyed by the accents there. And when I listen to Bush, Clinton and Edwards I find myself irritated by it.

[comsymp]

25. If you're talking about the Richmond- W'burg area

tidewater accent, I agree... and whatever you do, stay the HELL away from Hyde County NC!!!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

72. Actually the only ones that ever really bugged me were in Deliverance

but since my best friend grew up on the river where it was filmed in Raybun county, I've adjusted :D

She's gorgeous, keeps a Python 357 magnum under her bed, and is on a double dose of Zoloft...other than that she's a really nice girl :nuke:

[PinkTiger]

138. Yeah, and like your NJ accents are so fabulous, yeah.

I'd rather listen to nails on a chalkboard.

[TennesseeWalker]

30. I like our accents JUST FINE

very historical, and mountain accents are VERY similar to those used in Elizabethan England....

[mitchum]

6. apparently it was needed in South Boston in the 70s...

unless I just imagined all of that televised violence while in a teenage marijuana haze.

[comsymp]

8. Ummm, okay...

The Civil Rights movement wasn't as badly needed in the other parts of the country... interesting twist. You try Googling Boston Busing Riot or Howard Beach prior to reaching that conclusion?

ON EDIT: GMTA, Mitchum

[NewJerseyDem]

12. Busing isn't the same

Having blacks and whites live in seperate areas of town due to cultural problems isn't the same thing as having laws that require seperate schools and having blacks sitting in the back of the bus. Also, it was the northerners who forced the southerners to accept civil rights and end segregation.

[comsymp]

17. Northerners like

MLK, John Lewis, Jesse Jackson and LBJ?

And it seems odd to me that sitting in the back of the bus (offensive as it clearly is) is more disturbing than being afraid to get on/off the bus for fear of your life... but that's just me.

cs- who's sorry to say that his Grandfather was in the KKK... in PA

ON EDIT: "Cultural problems"... like virulent racism???

[NewJerseyDem]

28. In the senate

All those senators that were trying to filibuster the civil rights acts seemed to be from the south. Isn't that funny, maybe it was just a coincidence but for some reason I doubt it. Also, as I understand it those Jim Crow laws were in the south.

I said cultural problems because it wasn't the same type of racism. It was a situation where the people didn't want blacks and whites to live together which is wrong but there wasn't the same feelings that blacks were inferior which was in the south.

And I certainly think that there were a lot more southern blacks that were afraid to get up every morning because of racists and I don't think that anyone can argue that there was more racism in the south than in the north.

[comsymp]

41. Uh huh, and most were also Dems

Although the chief filibuster-er (???) was from a former Union State (Byrd, D-WVA)
And as for arguing about whether there "was more racism...", hell, I'll go for it- lay your cards on the table and I'll show mine. But I thought the discussion was about what "is."???

[NewJerseyDem]

49. Don't forget Strom

He was a Democrat then but later led many southern right wingers in becoming a Republican. He gave the longest filibuster of all on a Civil Rights bill of over 24 hours. And he is definitely from the Old Confederacy.

[comsymp]

57. Sure he was...

in fact, I think he may have held office under the CSA. So, is your position that both Southerners AND Democrats are, by and large, more racist than Northerners and Republicans?

[NewJerseyDem]

68. No

If I am not mistaken a lot of republicans joined the southern democrats in opposing civil rights legislation but the southern democrats were just the leaders. I just think that historically the south has had a lot more racism. Nowadays I don't necesarily think there is much of a difference and because there aren't as many conservative democrats around I think that perhaps now there are more racist republicans.

[mitchum]

19. No..southerners LBJ and MLK forced southerners to accept ...

civil rights and end segregation.

Please define "cultural problems"

[comsymp]

26. Jeebus, Mitchum

We ARE on the same wavelength tonight, aren't we!?

[mitchum]

37. Damn, it sure seems so

You know...I have just know figured out GMTA (and apparently they do)

[NewJerseyDem]

35. Cultural problem

I think that in the north there was a feeling that blacks and whites shouldn't live in the same neighborhoods and that people felt that people should sort of stay with their own kind. It was definitely bad and would probably be defined as racism. But, I don't think there was the same hatred.

And, even in my town, most of the blacks live in different areas from the whites. I certainly don't think that there is racism at play.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

79. Yes and the WATTS riots were not a bump on the chin of my state

nor were the 91 riots......

[Bake]

143. Somebody from Joisey talking about OUR accent!!!!

Now THAT'S ironic.

Bake

[NewJerseyDem]

3. #7 correction

Not that it really matters but Bush is from Connecticut. They just vacation in Maine.

[_Jumper_]

7. The racist Southern Strategy employed by the GOP in the South

Has made them OWN the South. In no other part of this nation has racism translated into political hegemony. If the South wants the rest of the world to think it's not racist they need to put their votes where their mouths are. Only 31% of white Alabamans support interracial marriage according to a Gallup Poll(the national number is about 2/3 in support). Is there any other place in the world, save South Africa, where "racial purity" is so important?

[Dob Bole]

10. Aside from Alabama and Mississippi

that's not much of a problem. It definitely isn't where I live, but of course that's only 10 miles from Carter's house. Georgia is pretty much under a lot of Carter influence.

[_Jumper_]

13. Carter used racism to get elected Governor

nm

[Dob Bole]

16. Actually, no.

He won by default because he was a Democrat and there weren't really Republicans there in the late 60s. However, he grew up in Plains with mostly black childhood friends. When elected Governor, he placed a picture of MLK in the state house and declared "the end of racism in Georgia." Sounds pretty racist to me. But those Southerners are, you know...

[_Jumper_]

31. He wasn't a racist

But he used it to be elected governor because color-blind Southerners wouldn't elect anyone if it they weren't a racist back then. His campaign, among other things, passed out racist literature. It is true that once he got into office he denounced racism but he used it to win. I guess the ends justify the means.

[TennesseeWalker]

59. Racist literature?

Like what?

[_Jumper_]

66. Fliers I think

I read this a few years ago. Go check on it but it is hard to imagine someone winning in the South in 1970 without the support of the racist right.

[TennesseeWalker]

104. I'll try to find out something, Jumper

but don't diss my man JC without proof...I'll take your word for it until I find out different....

[_Jumper_]

105. I said he wasn't a racist

He just did what he had to do to win. If I was in his shoes I'd have done the same. Once elected he renounced racism.

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[nothingshocksmeanymore]

23. What business are they of yours?

[comsymp]

29. So how do you feel about

interfaith marriages? Jewish/Catholic or Baptist/Presbyterian, for example?

[Misinformed01]

Hi Comsymp!

Long time, no see...this is Stephanie---reading the "Southern Misconceptions" thread. They are always good for a laugh-

Hope you are doing well, and not having to work too hard-

Steph

[comsymp]

44. Hiya Steph!

Was just thinking about you today- had to clear out my Palm- hope you're well???
Yeah, I love these threads too- the attitudes expressed make me wanna rush out and marry my dawg!

[Misinformed01]

48. Yep, no kidding

nothing is more amusing than watching the enlightened Liberals try to understand the South. Sooner or later, you would think they would get tired of it and worry about their own damned neck of the woods.

I would love to see a Northwesterner post something to the tune of, "I finally managed to get my ass off the stool at the coffee shop, and noticed the racisim in this state!"

Bet me it's never going to happen.

[comsymp]

58. Nope-

We have a lock on racism... and ignorance... and incest... and mobile homes...
BTW, gotta PM you with my new 336 phone- heads up!

[Misinformed01]

63. By all means!

Definetly send me a PM; would love to hear from the Raliegh crowd...hey, I logged back on just for that!

Would love to hear how things are going with you and your cousin and dawg in the mobile home park. Things are going well here so far...no tornados down this way, yet!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

77. Hey did you go back to your old handle and try to hide it from me?

Gosh all my favorite southerners are here! I think I need a pecan pie. :D

[Kathy in Cambridge]

32. Have you time-traveled here from the 1950s?

Or are you from an older generation, SouthernGent?

[_Jumper_]

36. I think he traveled here from...

...www.freerepublic.com...

[_Jumper_]

34. Yes you do

Believing something without an reasons for holding that belief is insane. I seriously doubt you hold this view for no reason. You have a reason or reasons for your view but you just don't have the courage to state them.

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[Isome]

22. You don't have to "support"...

interracial marriage. As long as you're not in one that is. Those who are only need everyone else to keep their bs opinions about it to themselves.

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[TennesseeWalker]

42. *sigh*

I hope you and your 7 posts aren't really from the South. I just took all kinds of trouble to right a post when I'm about to fall asleep at the computer. Nobody's asking you to "support" any kind of marriage, and I'm sure no one cares whether they have either my support or yours.

Just don't keep making the South look bad. Things are a lot better here now than when Kennedy was killed. Bashing just makes it worse instead of better.

[Misinformed01]

40. "I don't support interracial marriages?"

Tough shit; it's not your place to support them or not. Just like abortion: none of your damned business.

[Forkboy]

95. Glad you said it

saves us the trouble.

[TennesseeWalker]

27. Now doggone it...

...stop that...not everyone is a racist just because we're down south...and in Tennessee, there are a lot of black/white couples, even here in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

It is VERY rare that I hear a racist remark in public, and white people seem to be the ones being made fun of the most. I keep seeing an add for a video game called "Big Mutha Truckers"...has a mullet wearing, toothless redneck with a southern drawl driving it. CBS wants "the REAL Beverly Hillbillies"....major attack on Freeperville.

And who cares? Those people aren't me, and if they behave like idiots, they should have to look themselves in the mirror. If you don't want people to think you're silly, don't do and say stupid things.

Make an effort to be respectful to everyone, and things usually take care of themselves. Treat everyone with proper respect, and people will just be people, instead of European-Americans, African-Americans, Native Americans, Freeper-Americans, whatever!

I'm sick of labels, sick of stereotypes of all kinds, and STOP BASHING the SOUTH! Most folks here are GOOD people....they were just brought up to respect God, the Flag, the President, and college football.

Stereotypes always depict the very worst of any particular group. White people are getting theirs, and have been for a few years now. The Daily Show had Steven Colbert reporting from Murphy, NC when Eric Rudolph was captured, and was standing in front of a Sav-a-Lot grocery store, while cursing Jon "The Electronic Jew" Stewart for being safe at home in New York.

I like living down here, even if I can't run my mouth as much and still be invited to Sunday dinner....so what? All life isn't about politics, and the people down here know we have a nut job in the White House....he scares across party lines, so I guess he IS a uniter.....

He's going to be taken out of office...I don't know when or how, but I suspect the 2004 election will do it....so keep your fingers crossed, and have a drink of sweet tea...the "house wine of the South"...

You'll be all right...

;)

[_Jumper_]

39. Gallup Poll

How do you explain the massive gap in support for interracial marriges in Alabama(31% among whites) versus support in the rest of the nation(almost 2/3 nationally, probably between 70-75% outside the South)?

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[_Jumper_]

47. Yes

I oppose racism of all kinds. Just ask certain people that post here...

[TennesseeWalker]

51. I reread your post above, Southern Gent

and you didn't say what I thought you said. My mistake. It is certainly your choice whether or not to participate in any kind of relationship. I just don't want others judged who want to just love someone no matter what color they are. It's hard enough to get by in this world without running off people to love.

[_Jumper_]

53. Why hasn't he answered the questions...

...about interethnic and interfaith marriages? Don't let him off the hook yet...

[Kathy in Cambridge]

56. Maybe He's Been Tombstoned

He personally attacked someone on another thread. His attitude is anything but that of a gentleman...

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[_Jumper_]

70. Think about it now and answer

:D

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[nothingshocksmeanymore]

87. May I ask your general age?

I am assuming with the way you said it you are older. Although you were quite honest in your opinion you weren't disparaging or disrespectful but are you older? Younger? Just a ball park age.

[Name removed]

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[nothingshocksmeanymore]

156. oops yes, I forgot to come back (sorry)

I was wondering more if your aversion to interracial marriages might have a bit to do with the era in which you were raise which if you were older would have just been the way it was back then.

[TennesseeWalker]

88. The reasons that it matters to some people

are rooted not simply in a disdain or hatred for skin color. Spencer Tracy said in "Guess who's coming to dinner" that he worried for his daughter not because of the man she was marrying, but for the great hardship that it would bring to her life due to the stigma that IR marriage carried at the time. That stigma is going away slowly but surely.

Plus, people seem to be happy only when they have something to fuss about.

[_Jumper_]

94. He didn't say anything like that

He implied that "races" were created for a reason and should be kept separate. That's essentially what Strom Thurmond ran for president on in 1948.

[Dob Bole]

96. In his defense...

he didn't say anything about Strom Thurmond either. Are you trying to pick a fight with the guy?

[SouthernGent]

98. My opinion

I post my opinion looking for a good discussion but I feel as though Ive been strung up for everybody to see.

[TennesseeWalker]

106. LOL

That's what America is all about. At least you've got the guts to actually STATE your opinion, and this bunch likes to argue. That's a GOOD thing.....

There HAS to be an arguement...it's the only thing that keeps civilization moving forward....

[SouthernGent]

110. Very true Tenn.

As long as I have the strength to draw a breath I will continue to voice my opinion and not lay down to the masses.

[Dob Bole]

111. You go boy...

but beware the lynch mob!

[SouthernGent]

117. Thanks Dob Bole

Thanks for the warning, I'll remember to keep my back to the wall at all times.

[SouthernGent]

119. Thanks Dob Bole

Double post, my fault.

[Name removed]

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[Dob Bole]

137. No, Southern Gentleman

indicates a vestige of Victorian British culture. And in fact, a little bit of Napoleonic culture, by way of Louisiana. It dictates "manners" but not racism. It's not racist to give up your seat to an elderly or pregnant person.

[_Jumper_]

147. Racial separation is considered good manners in the South?

?

[Classical_Liberal]

151. being against the right of interacial couples to marry is not the

the same as letting an old lady have your seat.

[Name removed]

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[Classical_Liberal]

155. because he is against the right of interracial couples to marry

. He is against it on priniple reguardless of right, as well. I don't think I can do a better job of explaining than you did.s MOst bigotries are traditional so the fact that it is traditional means nothing.

[TennesseeWalker]

113. Just pick your battles carefully

...something our GREAT LEADER should be learning just about now...LOL

[_Jumper_]

114. Answer post #99

:)

[Name removed]

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[_Jumper_]

107. His fundamental reason for opposing interracial marriages is...

...the same reason Thurmond opposed them and supported segregation.

[Dob Bole]

115. Not necessarily...

You don't know the guy. I can tell you like to argue with people. Hitler liked to argue too, so I can rightfully call you "Hitler" from now on. Give me a break. I doubt very much that the man was alive in 1948.

[_Jumper_]

123. 1. He believes "races" exist for a reason

2. He wants to preserve the "races" as they exist.
3. Thurmond and other segregationists supported segregation so they could preserve the "integrity" of the races and prevent the "mongrelazation of America." They just believed "races" "exist" for a reason and wanted to preserve them, like SouthernGent.

He supports sexual segregation because "things are a certain way for a reason." Does he support total segregation? Using his logic against IR it is likely he does.

[NewJerseyDem]

130. Where did he say that?

I couldn't find where he said those things.

[_Jumper_]

136. He clearly implied it

.

[NewJerseyDem]

148. I'm sure he did

I don't think that you would lie. But, I couldn't find any post where it was implied and I just assumed I couldn't find it and was hoping that you could point me in the right direction.

[TennesseeWalker]

102. Well, OK

Personally, I think the reasons there are different "races" (silly term...we're all part of the HUMAN race") is because of where we migrated when early man first left Africa. A black man's skin has more melanin to protect him from extreme UV radiation...different climates result in different features, each suited for prospering in whatever environment the people started up shop.

And congrats to Dob Bole...we've managed to discuss IR marriage, religion, affirmative action, segregation, evolution, atheism, and rascalism all in a Southern thread.

Thank GOD we didn't discuss all the problems with Alabama football.

[TennesseeWalker]

76. Variety is the spice of life

and no one single group or religion has a total lock on the answer to the ultimate question of Life, the Universe and Everything. And an atheist and a Christian could probably learn something from each other and help both of them...

....OR, it could wind up in divorce, like a WHOLE BUNCH of OTHER MARRIAGES, whether they're Christians, Marxists, Wiccans, Jews, Smurfs, or Tennessee Football devotees.

[SouthernGent]

86. Quite True Tennessee.

Thanks for sharing your view on my opinion without laying into me.

[Dob Bole]

54. I don't think

that interracial marriage is the huge issue of the day. Nevertheless, I've lived in Alabama and the reason the number is so high is that the black folks also don't like it. But if you're in love with the person, screw what everybody else thinks.

[_Jumper_]

62. It does matter IMO

It is the true test of color-blindness. If you won't consider marrying someone because of their color you are not color-blind. That poll was for whites only BTW.

[Dob Bole]

71. oh ok...

sorry I reread your post. And I agree with you that marriage is the ultimate test, and I don't know why the number is so high- lurking bad theology perhaps? But the world's racial problems aren't going to heal in an instant. And Alabama and Mississippi are the most Republican states in the region.

[_Jumper_]

80. Good point

Alabama is a very reactionary state. Nonetheless, given the South's history it is safe to say there is at least an iota of more racism there than in other parts of America and the world. Let's not forget how big an issue the Confederate Flag is in Georgia and SC.

[Dob Bole]

93. Yeah...

I've never really understood the Confederate Flag debate though. Nobody really thinks it's that racist. I know of an African American man who rides across the country wearing one. I guess that whole issue does serve to feed the Myth, though, since the Old History and TV movies state that the Civil War was expressly about Slavery.

[NewJerseyDem]

75. Do you support affirmative action?

Because if you do than you're not color-blind.

[Dob Bole]

78. Ok...

I'll assume that question was addressed to me. We now have a new regiment for one to become not racist, because if you're a Southerner the burden of proof is on you (exactly what my post is about.)

Yes I support affirmative action. I have a number of classmates who would likely not be my classmates without it.

[TennesseeWalker]

83. I support giving disadvantaged groups a leg up

....but Affirmative Action needs to be modified for gains that HAVE INDEED occurred since the law was put in force. We must make up for the harm we did to certain groups, but someday, there should be no use for Aff. Action....and we should strive to make it to that day

[NewJerseyDem]

90. It was addressed to jumper

But anyone can answer it.

[SouthernGent]

112. My age.

For those that care to know I'm 17.

[NewJerseyDem]

124. Shocking

I don't think that many people saw that coming. But, I sort of did. I think that older people would be uncomfortable saying that they are opposed to interracial marriage.

[SouthernGent]

128. Hopefully

people will be shocked in a "good way" I like to think that I sound at least semi-intelligent at times. I promise this though, I will not hold anything back in my opinions.

[_Jumper_]

135. Over 90% of teens support it according to Time magazine

If he actually is 17 he is an ultra-reactionary. He can't come up with a reason he opposes it. He is probably an old person who opposes it just because "that's the way things are done." Remember, anyone can lie about their age on the internet.

[NewJerseyDem]

145. True, he could lie

But, I like to think that someone wouldn't do something like that. He didn't HAVE to tell his age and I would hope he wouldn't lie about it.

[_Jumper_]

82. No

The best way to end racialism is to stop making race a factor in everything.

[NewJerseyDem]

91. I agree

I thought I was the only one here who doesn't like affirmative action but I guess I was wrong.

[ButterflyBlood]

120. I'm not in favor of it either

unless it's based only on class, which is more fair.

[SouthernGent]

103. Finally

Something both you and I agree on, though I see it as more of a job/education thing but thats a totally different topic all together.

[Isome]

60. I don't recall ...

an objection interracial marriage being brought up in the initial post. I doubt anyone would unless they're carrying around some type of bigoted / prejudiced / supremacist-like issues they probably only acknowledge when in the company of like minds. When not in the company of like minds, they utter nonsensical responses to the issues, like "I believe things are they way they are for a reason."

[TennesseeWalker]

52. I don't know...I didn't participate in any poll...

....and those numbers don't reflect my views or the views of the people I associate with. Pretty much just like all those great re-elect Bush numbers...I can't find anyone who'll say anything good about him...

[Classical_Liberal]

55. That wasn't debunking

That was just trolling.

[Dob Bole]

61. Nah

It wasn't meant to be. It's just addressing a real problem on this real message board, which is that there is a double standard and bigotry toward Southerners among some members. It may simply be lack of historical knowledge beyond MTV. I don't know.

[Classical_Liberal]

101. You didn't bring up contrary facts.

and you smeared legitimate opinions like the fact that the South is mroe conservative and republican with truely bigoted ones.

[Dob Bole]

108. That's the problem...

it is an opinion that the South is Republican and bigoted, but it's not a legitimate one because it's just not the truth. I gave the most contrary facts that I could without boring people with absolutely long posts. When I think of really right-wing people, I think of certain areas of the West. I'm just wondering how we got drug into that. Perhaps it's this flawed formula:

If Jesse Helms= 1 Southerner

THEN

1 Southerner= 1 Jesse Helms

[Classical_Liberal]

122. The South IS Republican so you are doing it again

I said nothing about bigotry, but saying the south is more republican is just a statistical fact. You misquoted me on the bigotry thing, which is why I know you are not interested in disgussing the topic seriously.

I said nothing about Jessie Helms either. you are beating a strawman.

[NewJerseyDem]

126. Let's be civil!!!!!!!

No need to insult one another.

I ,too, found what you were saying was a little confusing but I now understand.

[Dob Bole]

133. If it's such a statistical fact that the South is Republican...

then why are the majority of Southerners still Democrats?

"While Democrats still hold several governorships in the South and an overall majority in party affiliation, conservative Southern Democrats have shown an increasing willingness to cross party lines and support GOP candidates."

http://www.townhall.com/news/politics/200008/POL20000817i.shtml

That's the sort of misconception that I'm talking about, which is usually thought to be "statistical fact."

Just because Southerners control the Republican party, that doesn't mean that Republicans control the South. It's just that Bill Frist and Trent Lott are public figures put in place so that the GOP can try to win over the South.

[NewJerseyDem]

141. Only 4 democratic governors

Only Virginia, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Tennessee have Democratic governors in the South. And there are only 9 democratic senators and most are in 3 states. Plus, those are usually moderate to conservative democrats. Southerners probably still hold registrations from back when the south was more democratic. Also, they are probably democrats because they like local conservative democrats but not the national ones. They did vote solidly for Bush.

[TennesseeWalker]

149. Yep

That's true...the only really liberal area in Tennessee is Memphis

[Dob Bole]

150. We got screwed in 2002

or there would be at least 6. Most statewide offices are still Dem, like Lt. Governors, but you're right- Bush carried a lot of them, I expect through his "compassionate conservatism." However, he didn't follow through with any of that. In fact, I'll admit to voting for Bush in 2000 because it was my first time voting and I thought he was mor "compassionate" and "Christian." His numbers can only go down from 2000.

[Classical_Liberal]

153. His record was already well established in Texas

His numbers may go downs, because the uppermiddle class are finally feeling pinched, but we didn't get screwed. It simply reflected the conservatism of the electorate in those states.

[NewJerseyDem]

154. But their DINOs

If George Bush ran as a Democrat it wouldn't make him any better. And some of those statewide officeholders and legislators are Bush sympathizers. Also, there has to be something wrong with Alabama if they elect that right wing nut chief justice all the time. If they can elect him than there aren't many real democrats there.

In a seperate story, According to Larry Sabato the chief justice (Roy Moore? I think) in Alabama might challenge Shelby in the GOP primary. Maybe than the people of Alabama will come to their senses.

[Classical_Liberal]

142. The Democratic Party in the South used to be the more conservative

party. The parties have flipflopped, particularly after Nixon's Southern Strategy, which was partially antidsesegregation backlash, but also has to do with the religious right. I also said more Conservative, which is a statistical fact as well, and was even when the South was a democratic stronghold. They just never bothered to switch their registration. They dont' have to because many Southern States have open primaries anyway.

[pstokely]

69. Hannity is from NY

he claims

[Dob Bole]

74. He would...

watch out. NY might become the new conservative Mecca.

[Aristus]

85. Texas-born Washingtonian here.

I consider myself a northerner now, but I miss the smell of honeysuckle, sandlewood, and the sound of the cicadas in the trees. Sigh.

[Dob Bole]

97. Mmm... honeysuckle....

that's good stuff.

[TennesseeWalker]

118. Don't forget the JULY BUGS

...whoops...I mean JUNE bugs...and sweet tea

[haymaker]

100. I am from a mixed marraige, mom from south, dad from north

My father is from Vermont, my mother is from the panhandle of Florida. I was born is Massachusetts, lived in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and for the lion's share in Ohio. I went to college in Florida. So I have relations and friends from all over the spectrum.

My experience is that you cannot pidgeonhole anyone from those places but some stereotypes do fit. I find that in the north there are moreso bigots, and in the south there are moreso racists. I can define my experience for you in more detail if needed, but you should get the idea.

I am in no way saying that everyone from either region is one way or the other, but there is a difference in their feelings regarding race.

The south has had a much deeper, day to day education on race relations than the north. In the north, there was complete segregation, and the races, from my experience, were not as intermingled. In the south, the races were much more intertwined, and that could explain the stronger feelings.

My belabored point is this: The south, while harboring a much more racist element in its populace, probably produces more truly race tolerant people. The north, while on the surface appears more tolerant, might produce race tolerant people, but more because of education and less because of interaction and true understanding.

In summation, the south is not as bad as you might think, but can still be very, very racist in some respects. While the north might not be as good as you think, but on the whole, is more enlightened through education and social pressure, a pressure which is not as prevelent in the south.

Just my experience, not gospel.

[TennesseeWalker]

109. I COMPLETELY AGREE

The only person I've completely agreed with all night. Everybody's got a little bit of good in them, and everybody's got a little bit of bad in them....

Let's see...who was it that said..."Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"?

[Dob Bole]

121. Nuh uh...

if people believe what he said then they're racist bigots! (Just kidding, another post altogether)

We may have to defend ourselves and form a Southern caucus. Has SouthernGent been lynched yet?

[_Jumper_]

125. I never will try to censor anyone

If David Duke posted here I'd rather debate him than censor him.

[TennesseeWalker]

129. Lynched...lol

...can't we all just get along? And just go back to bashing the pResident?

[SouthernGent]

131. Still breathing

I haven't been killed off quite yet.

[_Jumper_]

144. The use of the word "lynched" in defense of Southerngent

Reminds me of Pat Buchanan and Dick Shelby defending Trent Lott.

[TennesseeWalker]

134. A Southern Caucus? What'll we call it?

Dixiecrats? Haven't I heard that somewhere before? ROFLMAO

[Dob Bole]

140. LOL!!! NO!!!!

No Dixiecrats!

Sweet Tea Democrats?

[TennesseeWalker]

146. Thanks for making me fight the WAR OF NORTHERN AGRESSION

again tonight, Dob Bole! It's been fun, but I gotta go load 16 tons in the morning, and get another day older and deeper in debt...


LOL...does anybody remember when country groups used to make songs that were pro-union....oh, FORGET IT......I can't DO this anymore!!!

LOL

Goodnight, my argumentative friends! Lick Bush in 2004!

[Dob Bole]

152. goodnight

I'm going to bed too. It's 2 am and I have a test and work tomorrow. Thanks for the great discussion everybody!

[shatoga]

157. View from the deep south

4. The South has always been so Republican that there's just no hope for us and we don't need them. (Actually, no Republican ever substantially won the whole South until the Reagan landslide in 1984.)

Actually a web search for
"Nixon's southern Strategy"

will show anyone that Republicans decidedafter 1964, that they don't need "negroes" to win elections.

Republicans deliberately opposed civil rights and white Democratic bigots switched sided to make th edeep south of today monolithically Republican bigots.

5. The South is poor and stupid and mean and we don't need them. (Good to know that liberals suddenly only need rich and powerful voters.)
Regards Alabama and Mississippi, where I spend most time.

Bigoted white southerners are proud of their stupidity!
they hate any intelligent person who can complete a sentence without the word "nigger" being included.

I've had to fight my way out of legion posts and clubs in both insanely stupid states.
there are many good decent people in both states.
They stay home and keep their mouths shut when out in public.
the KKK types rule both states.

7. I saw President Bush. All Southerners are like him! (He is from Maine, but that's irrelevant since west Texas is not Southern.)
I used to campaign for Dubya's daddy in Houston,
have attended Bush family barbecues and spent time among them.
Dubya is a Texan more than a mainer.
He is proud of his Texas roots and was responsible for his daddy losing a Republican primary to Ron Paul.
Over Dubya's blatent drug abuse.

Houston is East Texas!
Baytown's county courthouse is where Dubya got his new ID issued and his past criminal history sealed, way back about 76.
I was there that day.

9. Those damn Southerners are so racist ......(And WHERE did the Civil Rights Movement begin?)
It began with black americans who got fed up with the klan lynchings and the other BS.
It was yankees who came down south and registered blacks.
then went back home to their all-white communities.

California has more Klan in Orange county to the Oregon forder than the deep south has!

I was in Stockton when a klansman used an AK to kill black schoolchildren in a schoolyard.

I was also one of the whites who called Jesse Jackson, after a black boy was found hanged after dating a white girl relative of a Sheriff's deputy.

He left no footprints below the tree he was found hanging from.
Cops called it suicide.
As it is still suicide for a black boy to date a white girl in Mississippi or Alabama.


Most (if not all) klansmen (and women)
would appear more intelligent if they had bones through their noses,.

The south is not alone in being infested with klan bigots.

republican dominated districts all over Amerika are infested with these ingorant assholes.

We'd be better off if they all got aids.

[newyawker99]

158. I am locking this thread...

Please continue the discussion here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=68387&mesg_id=68387&page=1



NYer99
DU Moderator