Southern Discomfort

An excellent article.
A sincere thank you for crafting words that the reality for us native southerners.
Warm regards,
An Atlanta native, born 1960

THE TOM BRADLEY EFFECT.....
Obama simply cannot win. Too much is known about him now, especially the list of all his pals. Despite all of the ultra left-wing socialist weeping and hand wringing, here's EXACTLY what WILL happen on election day (and you know in your heart that it's true): It won't matter one iota what people have told pollsters. It won't matter at all if Obama and his socialist coven, Nancy Lugosi etc., are up by 10% on the last day. The Sheeple smile and tell pollsters what pollsters want to hear because the Sheeple have had PCness pounded into them for the last forty years. But as sure as God made green apples they're going to step into those voting booths and they're going to think about Rev. Wright, Obama's wife, the O.J. trial, Al Sharpton, Marion Barry, the Shabaz Fish Shop, the murders and rapes in cities, and recently near colleges, on the TV news, the behavior of the Katrina crowd when Texas took them in and gave them shelter, the L.A. riots, the Miami riots, Cops, America's Most Wanted, the Bloods, the Crips, Ludicris, not feeling safe when they take their families to the movies at night, and they're going to punch the chad for......McCain. They will prefer bland McCain to Obama and ultra left-wing socialism and the prospect of the USA becoming Haiti in four short years. End of story.

An excellent article.
Thank you.

A southern girl - born Atlanta, 1960.

This article is typical northern prejudice. I grew up and live in the deep south and work extensively in the north (tri-state New York, New England, & the rust belt.) For a decade now I have been appalled by "Yankees" willingness (desire) to share their racist beliefs with me assuming since I am from the south I must be racist too. The Northeast's prejudice against the deep south and their determination to portray a negative stereotype on us that they secretly hold themselves is a bigger issue in America that racism in the South. And let's not forget the holier than though "Yankees" that have only been exposed to the one upper middle class black family in their town and don't understand how the south can be so "shallow". Where I grew up in New Orleans the black culture is as unique and different than the white communities as Bosnians to Serbians, and learning to live together has been just as challenging. Yet there is plenty of blending in between, including within my own family. The south has evolved more than anywhere else, the South has evolved while facing the bigger challenge of being on top of each other every day. I would love to know which has had more black politicians, the North or South? I've only known black mayors my whole life in multiple southern cities, my state is run by an Indian immigrant. And he didn't need a sex scandal to get his job - we elected him. Why would electing a black president be a bigger challenge to someone in the South? The North needs to take a long look in the frosty mirror.

To truthseeker4now.

Backward, pasted-obsessed, closed minded, old family network South. You raised my blood pressure a bit. That???s o.k. Guess that's what you???re trying to do? Maybe you???re the author Dickey. When folks have a respectable conversation about religion, racism and politics; emotion is par for the course. Why don't you come down here and see who we really are. Stay a while. Don't depend on what you are fed or what you have been led to believe by others. As for the child-like religious beliefs, at least I have a peace knowing where I will be when I die.

Recently in New York City... I was riding the subway out of Manhattan with the car packed full of a people of diverse skin color and cultural backgrounds. At each stop it became quite obvious that whole races were exiting the car over a period of one or two stops. First the Orientals would exit the car in unison. Then over the next several stops the Puerto Ricans would exit. Finally the blacks. Each group returning to their own segregated neighborhoods to live amongst themselves. Towards the end of the line only the Caucasians were left on the car. Only then did it become readily apparent to me that this diverse multi-cultured society of the North was nothing but a farce. Segreation and racism is much more readily apparent in the North than elsewhere. Perhaps those of you in New England should examine the racism in your own backyard before trying to lay false accusations at the feet of the South.

This article is typical northern prejudice. I grew up and live in the deep south and work extensively in the north (tri-state New York, New England, & the rust belt.) For a decade now I have been appalled by "Yankees" willingness (desire) to share their racist beliefs with me assuming since I am from the south I must be racist too. The Northeast's prejudice against the deep south and its determination to portray a negative stereotype on us that they secretly hold themselves is a bigger issue in America that racism in the South. And lets not forget the holier than though "Yankees" that have only been exposed to the one upper middle class black family in their town and don't understand how the south can be so "shallow". Where I grew up in New Orleans the black culture is as unique and different than the white communities as bosnians to serbians, and learning to live together has been just as challenging. Yet there is plenty of blending in between, including within my own family. The south has evolved more than anywhere else, the South has evolved while facing the bigger challenge of being on top of each other every day. I would love to know which has had more black politicians, the north or south? I've only known black mayors my whole life in multiple southern cities, my state is run by an Indian immigrant. And he didn't need a sex scandal to get his job - we elected him. The north needs to take a long look in the frosty mirror.

McLame McCain is the same McBush. McCain it too old and too backwards. And it is not clear that he will be better at war. Remember JOhn Dams said, "Great is the guilt of an uncessary war". And McCain is a bit of a warmonger to me. He is a military industrial complex person's best friend. He spouts out party lines that contradict many of his earlier positions. Although this is typical of people and politicians to modify their comments, McCain is really bad about this. Although I have to tell you that I like the fact that he hates the Farm Bill, unlike Obama. Regardless of what happens, there will be a Democratic majority in both houses, so if McCant gets in, then he will have to do alot of bargaining. And he will be much better at this than Bush. Bush is the worst president in US history for so many reasons other than Iraq.

to much racism, God is crying in the heaven

Dear Brainwahsed Partisan Fools, The real problem is that the Dems and repubs have sold out to corporate intererests that want no oversight for their actions. They are very similar on many things. Many coprs do not want to be challenged when they try to exploit our resources and they dont want to be regulated on the environment. The oild companies want you to think that by drilling in the US, the cost of gas will go down although we know that the oil will eb sold on the open market. So, the oil drilled in teh US will end up in a Chinese gas station as well as one in Ohio. As long as our congressmen take money from special inetrests and lobbyists, then we are all in a corrupt system that will do nothing but ter us apart while the big WAll Street fat cats laugh to the bank. Notice how with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the exec PRIVATIZE the profits, but the losses are socialized to all taxpayers? Everything must be regulated and the real debate is what types of regulation and protections can be installed to ensure equity towards all involved, including the environment. Why the environment? Because the earth will bat last in this game. It is a totally unlevel palying field for the richest 1%. These are the people that have the most influence in DC. Why do you think that the tax code is so complex? Well, it is because it favors the ultra wealthy with loopholes, tax breaks for billionaires, etc etc. Like Exxon needs more tax breaks. The tax code is the most politicized set of laws. Class warfare? Well, we know who is winning that war. Personally, I think the income tax is silly and we should only tax on consumption, but that is another story.

The South was Right per J.R.Kennedy and W.D. Kennedy, you still spit out he Northern Myth about the south, the winner writes the History , correct? You still call it the Civil War, It was the WAR for SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE and states rights. Racism and Slavery are wrong, only six per cent of the south at that time were slave owners, it was an agrarian sociey if you know anything. They are telling the Northern Lie all over again.

The only real solution is to demote the South to a status befitting of their behavior: one of territory, thus stripping the South of representatives, senators to the U.S. Congress and their right to vote in federal elections. It is only then that the country will finally be able to advance fully and leap forward unfettered.

Thank you for letting me know I live in a "troubled region". I got up this morning, went to work, had a productive day, did not meet a single person who I thought was troubled in any way. I am going to look for one tomorrow, suggest he/she vote for obama, and all his/her troubles will go away. Poof, Barack the Magic Negro does his thing. Thank you so much for this article (Hopefully sarcasm noted)

Blue States v. Red States is really the same great divide between the progressive, future-seeking, open-minded, egalitarian North vs. the backward, past-obsessed, close-minded, old-family network South since the founding of the Country. It's a shame that the South wants to lower us all to their status: one of poverty, child-like religious beliefs, stick-one's-head-in-the-sand to the real problems we face, settle issues with guns and tanks, and regressing the country backward as new competitors such as China advance. The only real solution is to demote the South to a status befitting of their behavior: one of territory, thus stripping the South of representatives, senators to the U.S. Congress and their right to vote in federal elections. It is only then that the country will finally be able to advance fully and leap forward unfettered.

I saw the story on the South as representing a backwards society holding onto past grudges and full of racism. I disagree with your characterization. I???ve traveled the world over and have come to understand that areas within the New England states harbor as much if not more racism than the South in general. There are nine properties that lie adjacent to the home within my Central North Carolina neighborhood. Four of those properties are owned and lived in by blacks whom I have good relationships with. The other five homes are owned by whites. One of those whites is a Long Island transplant. I???ll never forget talking to this New Yorker one summer evening as we stood over the fence on our common property line. A new neighbor, black, was moving into a recently finished home adjacent to mine. As we looked over towards the new home this Northern transplant spoke up, ???I don???t understand what it is with the blacks down here. Where I???m from they knew their place and wouldn???t ever consider moving into a white neighbor??? (I paraphrase). My Southern neighbors are much more respectful of others and have seldom exhibited such outwards displays of racism.

Blue States v. Red States is really the same great divide between the progressive, future-seeking, open-minded, egalitarian North vs. the backward, past-obsessed, close-minded, old-family network South since the founding of the Country. It's a shame that the South wants to lower us all to their status: one of poverty, child-like religious beliefs, stick-one's-head-in-the-sand to the real problems we face, settle issues with guns and tanks, and regressing the country backward as new competitors such as China advance. The only real solution is to demote the South to a status befitting of their behavior: one of territory, thus stripping the South of representatives, senators to the U.S. Congress and their right to vote in federal elections. It is only then that the country will finally be able to advance fully and leap forward unfettered.

Wake Up. Get with the 20th century. let alone the 21st. Talk is cheap.

I woke up this morning, went to work, had a productive day, and come home to read that I live in a "troubled" region. How in the devil did I make it through the day? I am calling friends as I type to see how troubled they are. Thank you for keeping us informed. (Hopefully sarcasm noted)