I was born and raised in New England and I now live in New York. I'm a Northerner to my roots. And I have to say, my image of the South is overwhelmingly negative. All through my education, from kindergarten through college, everything I ever learned about the South was negative. And everything I see in the news and have experienced seems to just reinforce this negative image I have of the South, to the point where, when I hear a southern accent, it almost seems as if that person's IQ just dropped a few points.
I often wonder what the US would be like now, had the South managed to separate from the Union during the Civil War. In my mind, I always imagine a much more prosperous United States, without the old, worn-out, ignorant ties of the South holdings us back and constantly providing us with nothing more than racism, ignorance, and a chain of crap presidents. And I imagine the South on it's own, as it's own entity, struggling like Haiti and running across the border to the US in search of a better life.
Maybe, Mr Dickey, you should also do an article about North-South tensions in the US. I know I am not the only person who feels the way I do about the South. Northerners discuss it amongst themselves pretty regularly. And it seems that, with the devastating presidency of Dubya, those tensions are only increasing. What will happen in the future?
Southern Discomfort
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Posted By: alimilton @ 08/03/2008 6:19:28 PM
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Posted By: eheathrn @ 08/03/2008 8:07:44 PM
So...have you actually been to the South? Or are you basing your impression not on your own eyes and ears but on those of others, who may or may not be right?
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Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/03/2008 10:00:52 PM
She's basing it on her education, the things she's read and the people she's met, I should imagine. Have you ever been to the North? Would you agree, there seem to be North-South tensions, particularly in this election season? Or is it merely the hicks and hayseeds vs. the urban educated?
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Posted By: eheathrn @ 08/03/2008 10:44:37 PM
I have been up North, to visit a friend in Minnesota, and found it lovely, although I love Georgia and would not want to live anywhere else. Honestly, I had no idea there was still this much tension between the North and South today. It's certainly not something that comes up in my life. There is something about a lot of these posts that seem almost grade school- calling people "racist" and "ignorant" and "damn yankees", without even knowing the people you're referring to! It's so counterproductive. I feel like many of these people would see the "bare bones" of me- that I'm white, from rural Georgia- and automatically think that I'm ignorant, racist, and Republican. They'd miss that I'm college educated, definitely not a racist, and a Democrat voting for Obama, all because of these labels and preconceived notions. Please don't presume that we are all the same. That's ignorance.
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Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 08/06/2008 5:38:41 AM
When you feel the need to say you're a southerner but you're not a racist, that's a big clue as to how pervasive racism is in the south.
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Posted By: eheathrn @ 08/06/2008 11:05:36 PM
Please tell me you are not another Northerner who has never been to the South but is judging us based on "education". If you're going to make a statement as grandiose as "how pervasive racism is in the south" you should have some experience to back you up.
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Posted By: Cssndra @ 08/04/2008 10:36:45 AM
I've travelled all over the country, the carribean and Europe. I found LA and Jamacia to be the two worst places I've visited in terms of racism. New York was nice but full of beggars. Europe was nice and clean (and no, people in Paris were not rude just because I was American, in fact, they like my nice SOUTHERN accent).
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Posted By: Barjor @ 08/03/2008 11:31:31 PM
Terrific comment!
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Posted By: SPIRITED AWAY @ 08/03/2008 10:56:58 PM
Great post! I'm in GA, too. Go DAWGS!
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Posted By: SPIRITED AWAY @ 08/03/2008 10:42:52 PM
Wow. Your ignorant and close-minded remarks are disheartening. I was raised in a Southern city. Being an only child of two boomers, I was afforded the luxury of a good education and the opportunity to travel. And as an adult I lived up North from 93-96 and again from 2000-2001. To be frank, I NEVER experienced racism to the degree that I did during my years in Maryland and Ohio. I'm still shocked and appalled at some of the things I heard. And now hearing what your "educated" opinion is of "southerners", I wonder if some of my northern friends were secretly making fun of me simply because of my accent. Most, not all, of your comments are ignorant and sad. : (
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Posted By: alimilton @ 08/05/2008 2:04:56 AM
To Spirited Away:
I really dont dispute that some of the comments I made above are based on ignorance and yes, indeed, it is sad. But this article has given an opportunity to express, without holding back, what is going through people's minds on this topic. Would you prefer that I covered it all in sugar and pretended that there is no problem? Of course there's a problem. I posted my comment to emphasise how deeply I feel the issue myself. And from looking at other people's comments, i'm not the only one.
There is equal animosity between the north and south it seems, even from those who feel that they themselves are above it all. I was putting myself out there as an example. I hear all the time from southerners (and yes, I have been there, and yes, I know more than a few) about how northerners are stuck up, snotty, "preachy", about how we have no morals, no ethics, we're so liberal we cant see straight (I actually take that as a compliment) and how we will be the death of this nation, what with our acceptance of illegal immigration, abortion, lack of religion, etc etc etc. So really it goes both ways.
I dont expect people to like my comment. I didnt particularly like saying it out loud. But that's what's on my mind. I dont like it when people say those crap things mentioned above about me. But if that's how they feel, then it's valid. I wasnt expecting a cookie. So why dont you tells us what's on your mind about this issue? So, according to the comments posted, I am "educated" and "better than southerners" and "have a low IQ". What about you? If you posted what's REALLY on your mind, what would they think of you?
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Posted By: ncsucountrygal @ 08/04/2008 5:32:29 PM
Having been raised in a split-family home that included North Carolina and Massachusetts, I have seen both sides of the stories. I have found that people in the North love my southern accent although in the South I have been accused of having a slight Northern accent. Racism and bigotry run as deep in the North as it does in the South. The South at least owns up to it and the North dwells on the racism in the South. Racism was a major part of US history. If you weren't white, Protestant, and male in the early days, you weren't worth much in many people's eyes. And it seems like we're trying to follow in the footsteps of our forefathers by trying to bash Obama just because of his race. The only Catholic ever elected to the office of President was assassinated. What does that say about us as Americans and our supposedly progressive thinking? Comments like this from Northerners about Southerners show that ignorance and hatred goes both ways. "Them damn Yankees" and "those ignorant Southerners" is what this election seems to be coming down to. Now I guess the question is to figure out which side you stand on and where exactly do the candidates stand.
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Posted By: AlaTide @ 08/04/2008 1:17:57 PM
Alimilton,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HONESTY!!!! You are not alone! You would not believe the number of people that have this crooked view of the south. Its a view shaped by years and years of movies, bad TV combined with the unfortunate truth of our past. But nothing in life is (pardon the pun) so black and white. The South is as beautiful and flawed as the rest of e country.
Yes we do ear shoes. -
Posted By: REA49 @ 08/04/2008 12:20:41 PM
After reading this, there is no wonder there are North-South animosities. This was a paper on learned prejudice. Alimilton has been taught hatred and intolerance since kindergarten. Reading this will make it seem like Alimilon's IQ has dropped more than "just a few points". Alimilton, does it get lonely at the top, looking down on your inferiors?
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Posted By: REA49 @ 08/04/2008 12:07:20 PM
After reading this, there is no wonder there are North-South animosities. This was a paper on learned prejudice. Alimilton has been taught hatred and intolerance since kindergarten. Reading this will make it seem like Alimilon's IQ has dropped more than "just a few points". Alimilton, does it get lonely at the top, looking down on your inferiors?
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Posted By: jtrueloc @ 08/05/2008 1:42:04 PM
What a riveting article! I am counting on seeing the South split this November. A Southern Schism and a newly drawn electoral map will find Senator BHO in the Oval Office this coming January.
"In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything 'false' about hope."-
Posted By: rapidron @ 08/05/2008 1:55:39 PM
People seem to hate on 'hope' this election with such a feverish, cynical passion.
Hope is just a concept that we could move in a positive direction. Are the media pundits so hard up that they would destroy this idea to make a frivolous, baseless point?-
Posted By: jblackwell88 @ 08/05/2008 2:46:22 PM
That's because your "hope" is all spin, and Obama represents a step in the wrong the direction. What many of us are looking for is someone who'll restore our Constitutional Republic, say NO to foreign interventionism, actually reduce the size of government, and close the DAMN BORDER. Obama puts our feet firmly on the path toward socialism and globalism. He aspires to be MORE than an American when he's running for an office where his DUTY is to be OUR advocate, not a world messiah.
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Posted By: rapidron @ 08/05/2008 2:59:49 PM
How would you know for a fact that 'Hope' is all spin?
Don't all candidates that they will bring to the table a better life for their constituents? Herein lies the bias.-
Posted By: jblackwell88 @ 08/05/2008 3:32:29 PM
Obama is intentionally vague so people will read into him what they want to see. Whenever he is specific, like when he reneged on his commitment to end the war NOW, and back-tracked on privacy regarding wire-tapping, then his support melts away. I don't "know" that his hope is spin, I'm playing the odds given his ongoing lack of specifics. What are you hopeful FOR is the question.
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Posted By: rapidron @ 08/05/2008 4:20:53 PM
For most policies that he states, he has been concrete on what he is going to do. How else would the media and his opponents constantly say he is changing his stand if he did not have a stand in the first place. 'Flip-flopping' has become so important, but not for the reason why it should be.
On one hand, a candidate could change their position and explain themselves. If their explanation and method has merit in that it will actually be better than the original stand, it is quite different than what has often happened in the last 8 years where changes of heart have been as arbitrary, as well as downright criminally unilateral (toward US citizens--I too could care less what others think).
On the other hand, McCain is the one that is truly vague with policies that don't hold water. I don't look to democratic sites for figures to contradict what McCain states, but instead to sources like the department of energy or experts who have been in the field and have credibility. The truth is, his stands as well as knowledge are often in question from all directions. It seems that he has resorted to a purely negative campaign, so it is not without irony that McCain supporters lose sight of this and focus so adamantly on Obama without thinking twice about this glaring fault.-
Posted By: sharenews @ 08/05/2008 8:45:40 PM
Uh, how does Obama explain THIS scary flip flop?
OBAMA SAYS: Dont tell me words dont matter!
OBAMA WORDS: Iran, Cuba, Venezuela -- these countries are TINY compared to the Soviet Union. They DONT pose a serious threat to us!
TWO Days later . . .
OBAMA WORDS: Iran is a GREAT threat! Iran is a GREAT threat (REALLY)! Iran is a GREAT threat (I AM NOT KIDDING HERE)!
WHAT does Obama really believe?? What are we supposed to think if he tells us words DO matter and he flip flops on such a major belief issue??. I can see why the Jewish voters are not warm and fuzzy about this guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lx-QcstDcU
SERIOUSLY, how do you explain this one?-
Posted By: rapidron @ 08/06/2008 2:25:05 PM
This is your example?
So he can't change his mind and decide that his old assessment should be revised?
McCain has flip-flopped on much worse and many more times, you just don't want to see it. You have a problem with flip-flopping but not when McCain does it--what does this tell you?
P.S. Mr. McCain: there is NO czechoslovakia... they've told you 2-3 times now!
Lol, couldn't help myself. Another Bush in the making...-
Posted By: sharenews @ 08/06/2008 10:40:53 PM
Old assessment? He said what he said and flipped over to say IRAN was now a great threat because of the negative publicity he was getting for such a sensitive-ridden belief. It really threw Israel and US Jewish community into an anti-Obama mode. Thus, he did what was politically expedient against his original belief all for the sake of pandering to the people (Ok people, I changed my mind, Iran and a great threat. Now will you vote for me?) LOL.
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Posted By: sharenews @ 08/05/2008 8:32:40 PM
Obama is in love with the idea of power and being the first black President. That is why he has continually thrown all of his values and beliefs and people under the bus for political expediency. He has shown this over and over. His pompousness has been seen over and over also.
DEFINITION OF POMPOUS
Main Entry: pomp·ous Pronunciation: \??päm-p??s\ Function: adjective Date: 15th century
1 : excessively elevated or ornate <pompous rhetoric>
2 : having or exhibiting self-importance : arrogant <a pompous politician>
EXAMPLES OF OBAMA POMPOUSNESS
* Created his own presidential campaign seal in the image of the official Presidential seal (altering the words). http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/06/23/obama-seal-no-more/
* Obama requested to accept the Democratic presidential nomination at a 76,000-seat open-air stadium (a rather dramatic venue) rather than at the site of the Dems national convention location across town where nominations usually are held (holds 20,000 seats). (This moves creates many logistical problems the DNC twill need to deal with as well as raises security challenges). All because he wants to be idolized by people in massive proportions all around him (like Caesar or Nero) in a grandeur atmosphere. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/07/politics/main4236555.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_4236555
* Obama requested aides to try to arrange a speech at a second DRAMATIC VENUE: Berlins Brandenburg Gate! The same venue that Ronald Reagan spoke at and JFK made a speech in front of when they were Presidents, not wannabe Presidents.
* Obamas speech in Germany was a whole bunch of pompous clichés. Stuff like IT FALLS TO US TO ACT WITH THE SAME SENSE OF PURPOSE AND PRAGMATISM AS AN EARLIER GENERATION, TO JOIN WITH FRIENDS AND PARTNERS TO LEAD THE WORLD ANEW --wrapped around the conventional wisdom. And that is all there ever has been to Barack Obama: symbolism and grandiloquent speeches.
Uhhhh, does anyone still think that Obama is not FULL of himself? Do you really think he cares about us people or the power of the Presidency?
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Posted By: rapidron @ 08/06/2008 11:15:03 AM
To say he doesn't, like you know due to your 'non' evidence is pompous a full of bs, actually.
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Posted By: rapidron @ 08/06/2008 11:11:25 AM
Yes I do. Good job with the constant attacks though.
One might call that propaganda since there isn't much substance to it, you're blaring in caps, and trying to appeal to people's baser instincts. Sad that it has all come to this: the most aggressive and angry, know-nothing loudmouths are the ones making so much noise.
At least Obama is positive and gives nmew ideas instead of just negative ads and speeches.
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Posted By: bluebloodedLV @ 08/05/2008 6:33:10 PM
Are you aware that Obama taught constitional law? At least he won't *** on the constition the way the Bush administration has. You cannot disconnect that fact that McCain has voted with Bush some 95-98% of the time. McCain gets praised for crossing party lines and "flip-flopping" on his views to get something done. Obama get reemed for doing the same. It's that damned liberal media, LOL.
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Posted By: penandink @ 08/05/2008 5:28:04 PM
"...He aspires to be MORE than an American..."
Heaven forfend we should see ourselves as having a common humanity before a common nationality. The world is changing: globalization is fact, and blame cannot be laid at the feet of whomever one desires to term "liberals." The WORLD is changing. Interactions between nations are changing because interactions between individuals across those national borders are changing. A working economy is change. Even if slamming the breaks on globalization were possible, it would be inexcusably ill-advised. If America walls itself within its national identity (...which is already one of immense diversity and assertive of the primacy of humanity, no?), it will die.
Civilizations have died from time to time, and worms have eaten them. Paraphrase complete.
This comment was intended to be non-partisan. Stew pointlessly if you must.
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Posted By: knoxscoop @ 08/06/2008 6:34:12 PM
What a load of bull hockey. Dickey's treatise is a thin patchwork of much-overworked cliches about hangman's nooses and rampaging rednecks. Thank God for Meacham and (surpise!) George Will, whose column on the European Union had the last word. from a real son of the South, Wiliam Faulkner: "the past isn't dead, it isn't even past."
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Posted By: forgiven99 @ 08/04/2008 8:09:15 PM
Obama will lose because of his positions, not because of his skin color. To me, Obama is as white as he is black but the media wants to call him the "black" candidate. I pray for all the unborn babies who will be murdered under Obama's presidency if he wins.
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Posted By: jnakhoul @ 08/06/2008 4:40:36 PM
honestly take a look in the mirror, is that your only concern for this country?
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Posted By: stephenprestwood @ 08/04/2008 8:23:13 PM
I pray for the all the living people who will die this year because they have no health insurance or because they lacked proper medical care for years when they couldn't afford it. I pray for all the dead men, women, and children in Iraq. I pray for all the fallen soldiers and their families. I pray for the end of ignorance; for the end of racism; for peace. I pray for the equality of women all around the world. I pray for a world free of scapegoating; free of homophobia; free of spitefullness and petty disagreement. I pray for the living who don't know that their minds are dead.
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Posted By: constitutionlawprofessor @ 08/04/2008 10:22:05 PM
I too applaud your clarity and compassion. Bit by bit ignorance and bigotry is declining - it has been a long time coming.
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Posted By: gala_wine @ 08/04/2008 9:09:30 PM
well said stephenprestwood...
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Posted By: CSAcitizen @ 08/04/2008 8:23:38 PM
First off - Obama is NOT "black:"! He is Arab-American and this fact he goes to great lengths to conceal !
To many Southrons, it is the fact that he is from the land of Lincoln (ill) and a Yankee, but moreso even a Foreigner who was raised in Indoensia and has always been Muslim no matter how much he chooses to lie about it. The history record shows opposite of what he tries to claim. His father was NOT black, he was Arab. It stated so on his birth certificate. Obama is loyal to Africa, not America as he has several times declared himself a "citizen of the world" - not America ! And remember NO candidate has EVER kept any of their promises they made on the campaign trail ! NOT ONE ! I'm voting for the only real AMERICAN running - Chuck Baldwin.-
Posted By: jnakhoul @ 08/06/2008 4:37:05 PM
kenya is not in the middle east. You don't even have to be literate to read a map you big dummy
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Posted By: raddave @ 08/06/2008 12:42:16 AM
Obama's father is listed as African on his birth certificate, NOT Arabic
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Posted By: Open Your Eyes @ 08/04/2008 11:38:23 PM
stupid...Wow
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Posted By: teddyo @ 08/04/2008 8:54:39 PM
If you really want to know the truth but I suspect you don't but just in case.. His dad was from Kenya and his mom was from Kansas and he is a Cristian babtized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) Read your Bible... It also states.... All Liares will have there part in the lake of fire (HELL) so stop spreading lies..................... You Know the truth.
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Posted By: PutTheLotionInTheBasket @ 08/04/2008 8:52:38 PM
Like the famous song says, he wants to paint the White House black.
Maybe Hamas, Amadenejad, Reverend Wright, Marion Barry and O.J. will drop by the paint party and donate some labor.-
Posted By: jnakhoul @ 08/06/2008 4:33:09 PM
i love that song! ludacris sure pissed alot of people off.
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Posted By: Open Your Eyes @ 08/04/2008 10:04:11 PM
You are a sad sad person that represents everything wrong with our country. People like you almost make me feel ashamed to be an American. Almost. Marion Barry? OJ? Haiti? Really, you need to do a little more research and quit believing everything you see on Fox or hear from the Savage Nation. What a small simple mind.
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Posted By: Tre4one @ 08/04/2008 10:12:39 PM
Simple minds come from those who believe what politicians are spewing out. Even those vying for presidency. When someone says they are looking to "bring change" yet never exactly say what they are wanting to change. Hmmmm.
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Posted By: Open Your Eyes @ 08/04/2008 11:21:40 PM
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. So you believe that this is what people will think of when they think of Obama. (In generalities of course) Only if they are simple minded racist pigs. Talk about needing a change, you obviously have some serious issues that need working out. Please stop trying to justify your attempts at racism. It is completely blatant and utterly pathetic. I can't even imagine how you could rationalize any of that crap.
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Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 08/04/2008 10:40:35 PM
Things need to change only if you think the USA should not be spending billions every month in Iraq while Americans work harder and get less. It's called a lower standard of living. If you don't mind outrageous oil prices, decaying infrastructure, inadequate health care and education, then nothing needs to change.
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Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 08/04/2008 10:15:00 PM
Ignorant racist. I'd like to meet the psychiatrist who could help you.
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Posted By: Taxpayer @ 08/04/2008 10:06:25 PM
Did you get beyond eighth grade<
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Posted By: clover23 @ 08/04/2008 10:46:48 PM
So, based on the article, since I am white, I should not vote for Obama because he is black????
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Posted By: Mr.ChitownKid @ 08/05/2008 3:20:52 AM
No, because he is Liberal!
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Posted By: jnakhoul @ 08/06/2008 4:24:56 PM
why's that bad?
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Posted By: LSUTigersfan1 @ 08/05/2008 1:51:59 AM
Freedom of religion (not just the Christian faith) is still supposed to be practiced in this country, isn't it? I am pretty sure our forefathers wrote that in for a reason, correct? After reading these comments, I do not think this country will ever learn the true meaning of "tolerance". Are we still to believe that only Christians should be elected President?...talk about "never-changing".......
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Posted By: Mr.ChitownKid @ 08/05/2008 2:01:45 AM
No Jesus-No Peace-Know Jesus-Know Peace. allow Christ to Find You.
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Posted By: bernsteinjerome @ 08/05/2008 2:22:15 AM
Enter Your Comment: Christ found George Bush and look what we got! We would have been better off if he stayed a cokehead
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Posted By: Mr.ChitownKid @ 08/05/2008 3:10:43 AM
25 million Iraqis might disagree.
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Posted By: jnakhoul @ 08/06/2008 4:05:01 PM
did you subtract the hundreds of thousands that have died. how can a chrisitian support such a futile bloody war?
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Posted By: M@gnolia @ 08/06/2008 3:37:26 PM
Wow. People seem to be AWFULLY sensitive. He's not talking about you--he didn't interview you. Why are you going ballistic?
BTW, I'm a Southerner.
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Posted By: kevjohn @ 08/06/2008 3:28:32 PM
YOUR ancestors built this nation?? Oh, I didn't know that. Look up s"slavery". Any real southerner knows the word.
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Posted By: wrlegion@gmail.com @ 08/06/2008 3:13:46 PM
ONe more point. In your article you say how you interviewed a trailer park filled with mexican immigrants. And when you pulled up one child yells out "La Migra! La Migra!" And you find nothing wrong with this? My ancesters built this nation. Look up Andrew Pickens. Any real southerner knows the name. Thats my great great... etc grandfather. He would be disgusted to see this. We're in a major economic holocaust and you liberals want to invite MORE immigrants here to take the few jobs left that have not gone overseas. And where was this? In your words "in a poor town" . I'm sure the jopbs these people have couldn't have gone to a legal American family, could they. That seems to be your and Obama's message. "This country is done anmscrewed so lets just give it away.
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Posted By: cultusdeus @ 08/06/2008 7:45:36 AM
Chris Dickey drop dead you piece of filth; you only want to influce the south for that dirtbag Barack Hussein Obama who wants to throw away American money to poor black nations. As one southerner I am not voting for that idiot.
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Posted By: rapidron @ 08/06/2008 1:51:41 PM
So dumb...
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Posted By: cmccracken @ 08/06/2008 1:12:41 PM
And isn't it hilarious how mad people get? Drop dead you piece of filth? Wow. It would be funnier if it weren't so creepy. Maybe a vacation Cultus? Massage? A nice trip to the mall to buy yourself something pretty?
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Posted By: Jackerella @ 08/05/2008 11:52:23 AM
Here's one for EVERYONE to think about>
CATCHING WILD PIGS
You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are use to coming everyday, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are use to coming. When they get use to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get use to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four Side's of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs that are use to the free corn start to come through the gate to eat, and then you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd. Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so use to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so the accept their captivity. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO AMERICA. The GOVERNMENT keeps pushing us toward socialisn and keeps spreading the FREE CORN out in the form of PROGRAMS such as SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME, TAX CREDIT FOR UNEARNED INCOME, TOBACCO SUBSIDIES, DAIRY SUBSIDIES, PAYMENTS NOT TO PLANT CROPS (CRP), WELFARE, MEDICINE, DRUGS, ETC, ETC, ETC. While we continue to LOSE OUR FREEDOMS- JUST A LITTLE AT A TIME. One should REMEMBER THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH !! Also, A POLITICIAN WILL NEVER PROVIDE A SERVICE FOR YOU CHEAPER THAN YOU CAN DO IT FOR YOURSELF. So if You see that sll of this WONDERFUL government "HELP" is a problem confronting the future of DEMOCRACY in AMERICA, you might want to copy this little message I have sent to you and send it on to your friends. IF YOU THINK THE FREE RIDE IS ESSENTIAL TO YOUR WAY OF LIFE THEN GOD HELP YOU WHEN THE GATE SLAMS SHUT !!! This is a "VERY IMPORTANT" Election Year, listen closely to what the candidates are promising you - just maybe, you will be able to tell who is about to SLAM THE GATE on AMERICA. ' A Government big enough to give you Everything you Want, is Big Enough to take away everything YOU Have' Thomas Jefferson-
Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/05/2008 1:05:33 PM
More fear, fear and more fear!!! Socialism!!! EGADS!!! How scary!
Whatever you want to label it, I could sure use some decent health care for my brother, who is nearly uninsurable and who can't qualify as a dependent, though he is... I can't get him coverage under my own employer health plan and have to pay an exhorbitant fee to have him covered on a plan that, if I ever did need to use it, probably would turn down his medical treatment anyhow.
You're all just so brainwashed about "socialism" -- that's so the GOP can protect the big insurance companies. Get the insurance companies OUT of our health care system, and get everyone coverage. If that's "bad" like losing our "freedom to be wild pigs" then bring it ON...!!!!! hahahaha.
Socialism - bring it on! If it means we get something decent for our tax dollars, something real and tangible that impacts our daily lives in a positive way, then I'm all for it. If my tax dollars could be spent on helping all Americans get health care, I'm all for it!!!
Bring it on, for pete's sake and stop listening to stories like this one about "wild pigs" - ridiculous!!! sounds like the GOP - concocting stories to scare you into the very trap they warn against. Lack of freedom.-
Posted By: pearsoncrz @ 08/05/2008 3:12:21 PM
So, are you also willing to help bail out social security and medicare?
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Posted By: catspaw @ 08/05/2008 5:52:34 PM
What about us who are medically dependant, don't qualify for Medicad or medicare, or any other State or Federal Medical Program because I make to much money, but insurance cost to much and won't cover my pre-existing condition and we need the money we do make for our meds. So you can just stuff it.
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Posted By: jimbo3800 @ 08/05/2008 9:14:29 PM
I suggest you move to Cuba; Newsweak tells us that they have terrific healthcare there!
By your own admission, you don't qualify for assistance because you make too much money. So quit your b_itch_in.-
Posted By: News and Notes @ 08/06/2008 1:00:19 PM
That comment is overly hostile. Not everyone who supports health care reform is Michael Moore
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Posted By: raddave @ 08/06/2008 12:04:39 AM
Didn't you read the rest of the comment. Health insurance costs too much and will not cover a pre-existing illness.
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Posted By: jnakhoul @ 08/05/2008 4:14:37 PM
we already are, like it or not. its not like i'll ever live long enough to receive either
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Posted By: jblackwell88 @ 08/05/2008 2:38:49 PM
Politicians like to talk about what they're going to GIVE you but never who they're going to STEAL it from. Government cannot give anything to the people that they didn't first take from them, and even when they try it, they always screw it up. Socialism is a non-corrective system that ignores economic realities, so instead of steering individuals constantly in new directions, it allows the entire country to hit the ditch at the same time. I'm sorry for your brother. I do not have health insurance either. But I consider myself a step ahead of any number of other nations, like Mexico, which is where we headed if we reject the founding principles.
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Posted By: slantoflight1 @ 08/06/2008 12:03:31 PM
I grew up in Greenville, SC. A lot of what you write about rings true.
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Posted By: SPIRITED AWAY @ 08/04/2008 12:13:45 AM
Dear Mr. Dickey,
Your choices in interview subjects reflect pure bias at it's worst. I thought you were a great fan of diplomacy and ambassadorship. And yet your article does a disservice to some of your fellow Americans?!! Your subjects DO NOT reflect the majority of southerners. Your article only helps to reinforce preconceived notions of the South and her citizens. Shame on you for such an utterly blatant biased article! : (-
Posted By: sarahjaneASU @ 08/04/2008 10:03:53 AM
This is the truth. As long as others view the south with this ignorance, they will never see the truth and therefore change can not happen. The fact that when I go up north people assume I am racist and poorly educated just because I am from NC is ridiculous, maybe it is time we focus on changing that. This article is very biased.
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Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 08/06/2008 5:30:04 AM
Right, southerners are responsible for the image they've projected about themselves and it seems on this board that many southerners are only too happy to defend it.
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Posted By: sharenews @ 08/04/2008 3:33:36 AM
Got post SPIRITED AWAY. I agree.
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Posted By: crx1 @ 08/04/2008 11:57:21 AM
A black MAN like Colin Powell would be a great President. The liberal messiah - not so much.
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Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 08/06/2008 5:25:21 AM
Colin Powell made a fool of himself at the UN with his dog and pony show about Iraq's non-existent weapons of mass destruction. Sen. Obama would not have used such poor judgment.
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Posted By: royalcat68 @ 08/04/2008 11:58:04 AM
I am a 58 year old, white, female Mississippian who will be voting for Obama. I would vote for a shoe as long as it wasn't a Republican. I want someone to come in who will stop the war, bring our troops home, do something about medical costs and rip-off insurance agencies, and get rid of the entitlement state we live in now, since Barber can't seem to do it.
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Posted By: Native Texan @ 08/04/2008 2:03:12 PM
royalcat68 - you live in la-la land if you think Obama is interested in anything you mentioned. you might want to look up marxism in the dictionary. Obama's picture will be there. You will lose what little you think you have now.
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Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 08/06/2008 5:23:48 AM
Nutty comment.
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Posted By: jfmccann @ 08/04/2008 1:35:22 PM
That's what you will get if you vote for Obama. A shoe with nothing above it.
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Posted By: no-american @ 08/04/2008 12:03:09 PM
And you think Obama can walk on water........
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Posted By: Doktor Root @ 08/04/2008 12:11:50 PM
The author is dead on about Southerns! I'm originally from the South, and hate it! Southerns are like cows. Dumb and unwilling to change for anything or anyone. There is so much subtle prejudice here that it is unreal. Yes, I'm white, my ancestors fought in the Civil war. They suffered under Sherman's hands. And slavery is wrong. The war is over, get over it. John McCain is an old fool! I'm voting for Sen. Obama. Grow up Southerners. Stop being so ignorant.....
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Posted By: jfmccann @ 08/04/2008 1:24:19 PM
We in the South "thank you" for moving.
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Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 08/06/2008 5:22:05 AM
The rest of the country thanks you for staying put. Ignorance is bliss, right?
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Posted By: vogelk2 @ 08/04/2008 1:30:53 PM
From one Southerner to the next, I admire your honesty. However, I do not hate the South, but hold great resentment for their ignorance. The perfect of example is the amount of people who believe Obama is a Muslim is greatly concentrated in the South. I am sad to say my deeply religious fanatic parents are one of them.
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Posted By: jfmccann @ 08/04/2008 1:44:25 PM
Have you been to the South or are you just following MSNBC''s Bias reporting?
Sounds like your parents have a lot more sense than the person they tried to raise.
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Posted By: newsnote @ 08/04/2008 1:11:32 PM
they'll be guilted into voting for obama, bc you're labeled a racist if you even dare to question anything about obama.
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Posted By: markus1976 @ 08/04/2008 1:21:05 PM
if you question stuff relating to policies and what his plans for this country are, THAT'S fine.
It seems what people don't realize is what pisses Obama supporters off is to have the same lies perpetuated over and over again, LONG after they were already answered.
So, if you question his economic plans, or foreign policy, fine. But if questioning something about Obama comes back to the stupid Muslim bull, THAT'S when you're going to hear the racist charge, as you are disregarding fact...
you see, for many people, "Muslim" has become a handy new substitute for the N word...-
Posted By: newsnote @ 08/04/2008 1:27:46 PM
I stand by my original comment of being labeled racist is you question ANYTHING about obama.
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Posted By: markus1976 @ 08/04/2008 1:33:16 PM
is that really ALL you can say???
And that says ALOT, to be honest...LOL-
Posted By: newsnote @ 08/04/2008 1:37:43 PM
how about I work for a living and don't have all day to play on message boards?
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Posted By: markus1976 @ 08/04/2008 1:48:50 PM
as do I, but I'd take a moment out to explain an outrageous statement...lol
bottom line- the only time people get usually get accused of racism is when they continue to state the LIES about Obama (that he's Muslim, from a foreign country, terrorist fist bump, whatever else, etc) and use them as excuse to not vote for him. And those are usually the only things I ever hear people question!
Have you seen anyone on here post something about not voting for Obama because they dislike his campaign platform????????? Nope! All I've read is "He's Muslim, He's Muslim!"
Can you understand how people may view perpetuating that kind of lie to be viewed as racist?
The ONLY argument I've heard that has any level of merit is the inexperience question. I would NOT accuse someone of racism for questioning that. (despite the fact that Obama's resume is about as thick as Bush's was in 2000...LOL)-
Posted By: simply tracy @ 08/04/2008 4:02:50 PM
Ok, I don't like his platform. I don't like that he gives a speech in Berlin saying that we have to give up our standard of living for the third world country (rather than bring them up to our standards; no, it's easier to pull us down to theirs.) I don't like that he says we have to accept illegal aliens in our country; never mind they spit on our laws. I don't like that he says America is a great country; we have to change it. I don't like that he will raise taxes. I don't like that he has the most liberal voting record in the Senate. And I really don't like change for change's sake.
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Posted By: sharenews @ 08/04/2008 9:29:41 PM
I agree; and I didnt like Obama making negative remarksin his speech about our country while standing in front of 200,000 Germans!! He is a socialist in sheeps clothing.
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Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 08/06/2008 5:18:04 AM
Too bad you didn't like what Sen. Obama said in Germany about the USA because every word was true.
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Posted By: ssbn777 @ 08/04/2008 1:55:13 PM
The truth is all that's necessary. What do you have, there, genius? Not much from what I've read....
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Posted By: Cloudosmoke @ 08/04/2008 1:24:55 PM
If that's how you would like to look at it. On the other hand, Obama has many platforms to address many of the issues we face today. He has laid out his policies that are being developed. He has given the people insight into proposals would impact our lives. When anyone gives the people info on what they are proposing then that is the signs of a good leader. He obviously wants people to pick it apart and have their say. He is willing to "change" his stance in order to change the country. McCain on the other hand will change his positions to obtain the title of President. He doesn't want the work that comes with it. Obama has already addressed many Americans' plights and is developing policies to make life more comfortable. That's a leadership quality that is needed. Obama will reach across the aisle in order to make the choices that have both Republican and Democratic ideas. He will address the Congress in a respectful manner to ensure that the parties stay on topic. So why would you question his policy versus McCain who has no platform other than small quips against everyone else and has no policy developed? If you vote for McCain you are not really attuned to what's going on.
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Posted By: ssbn777 @ 08/04/2008 1:53:20 PM
He has many vague platitudes and flip-flops based on political expediency; that's about it. Count Florida and Michigan? Cmon, don't insult our intelligence. If they are counted 100%, didn't that put HRC in the winner's circle? No, the Obamessiah (PBUH) couldn't have that, so he fought tooth and nail against it. But now, he needs those Florida and Michigan votes, so watch him try to kiss those voters' butts....
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Posted By: sdhdavis @ 08/04/2008 1:47:22 PM
Really, where have you seen this behavior. One of the move liberal voting records in the Senate in 1 year. Reaching across the aisle, don't think so. You must be talking about McCain who votes against his parties wishes often. Talk is great, but I am looking for someone who has walked the walk he's talked!
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