Some Thanksgiving thoughts from a blue redneck

[ruffburr]

First, Happy Thanksgiving To all,
I would like to share some thoughts especially with all redneck brothers and sisters across the country, I was raised like you on the farm /ranch etc. And heard all the racial crap etc. But as a very young man i realized that i loved all my dogs, horses, equally no matter what their color and never thought about it , So personally i take that attitude about people also ,The redneck tradition is family , hard work and love for your neighbor, Somehow this has become perverted with hate and religious dogma from right wing extremists, So this is my Thanksgiving wish, Please see your fellow man as you would like him/her to see you, Not judge by skin color or station in life but in the kindness in that person, If you still don't get it we are all human beings and one way or another we are in the same damn BOAT!!!!

[RKP5637]

1. Well said !!! n/t

[fleur-de-lisa]

2. I kind of think the term 'redneck' is rather antiquated . . .

But if the label is one you want to retain, I will humbly accept your decision.

I am in the deep south and I understand the original meaning of the word 'redneck', and that it has historically been applied to farmers and other people who work out of doors. Most of my ancestors were farmers, railroad workers, and others who labored outdoors.

But I now believe this term is more relevant to a state of mind . . . particularly that of bigots. It seems that their philosophy is 'anyone who is different from me is suspicious, unworthy of my compassion and undeserving of my concern'.

I think there are 'rednecks', meaning bigots, in every corner of the world. And you, ruffburr, with your compassionate view of your fellow man (and animal) certainly do not fit that bill.

[PD Turk]

13. Where I come from

Where I come from, "redneck" just means a glorious lack of sophistication. Like, if you have a matching set of salad bowls and they all say "Cool Whip" on the side, you might be a redneck.

[Little Star]

3. Well said!

[southernyankeebelle]

4. Nice thoughts. Somehow the church left that bit out of their teachings. I was raised not to

look at a persons color, ethnic background and treat people the way you want to be treated. I always have done that and usually I get positive feedback. Somewhere along the line the church has lost its way. I have faith and feel spiritual but won't go into a church.

[RKP5637]

14. Same here. The church and Boy Scouts taught me some very positive traits

as a youth and I still value them and use them today.

... but somehow many churches and the Boy Scouts IMO have strayed off the initial mission and have lost their way. ... either that or I was fortunate to have had an exceptional Minister and some incredible Boy Scout leaders, both of which I think were the case.

I am not in the least a religious person, but some of the traits have held with me. My liberal interpretation of the 10 commandments and the golden rule ... basically employing my sig line all of the time plus what I learned in Boy Scouts,Teammanship and working together.

[southernyankeebelle]

15. You I agree with that. For me when the catholic church married the evangelical churches

over gay rights and abortion rights that is when things really changed I think. Personally I'm not for abortion unless in rape or if a relative has his way with his daughter,niece or whatever relative. However, I am not the abortion patrol and I have no right to tell others what to do and neither does anyone else. The churches have all but forgotten what they are there for. The catholic church used to be in the streets standing with poor and marching in the streets. The church has turned their backs on them. Only the nuns are still there.

[pangaia]

5. I have a VERY small business.

Last edited Thu Nov 22, 2012, 09:43 PM - Edit history (1)

My one employee is dynamite at what he does and we are good friends, even though I am 69 and he is 28.
He refers to himself with a smile as a 'liberated red-neck' and to me sort of a 'bleeding heart liberal.'
True, my political leanings are way over to the left. He is a bit right of center. We get along great. Our occasional political discussions are always interesting because we both try to come to them with ideas based on facts as we know them in addition to our own preferences. I must say, he is more open minded than I am and his arguments are often a challenge.
He is a rabid Buffalo Bills fan and has season tickets. I love minor league baseball. I am working on showing him that baseball isn't as boring as it may look, and he is trying to teach me that football isn't as dumb as it looks...which I know but don't want to let on too much. :&gt
He drinks Bud light and I prefer French wine and fine tequila.. But he also likes strong dark beers, German and small brewery American...
He voted for John McCain in 2008. I did finally convince him that perhaps that was a mistake. :&gt )
Anyway.. just interesting to me..

[voteearlyvoteoften]

6. He'll yeh

Had wild turkeys in the yard today while we were eating out on the back porch.
Turkey day down south

[pangaia]

11. Did you say you had some Wild Turkey in the back yard? :>)

Umm-- 8 year old, 10 year old.??

[Go Vols]

7. This Redneck

approves this post wholeheartedly.

[aaaaaa5a]

8. Excellent post. nt

[freshwest]

9. Well said. And all need to respect folks making a honest living, who make things work for all us.

[Not Sure]

10. My hat's off to you, ruffburr, for this Thanksgiving wish

I'm right there with you. This Texan redneck railroader believes we can all get along. Happy Thanksgiving!

[Liberal In Red State]

12. Amen!

[southernyankeebelle]

16. Funny how it use to be really neat that variety is the spice of life. Now you don't dare

because someone might jump your comment. Of course I still speak my mind and you know what they say. If your a woman your a bitch if you are a strong woman with an opinion. While a man is considered ambitious.

[kydo]

17. Well said - Loved the: I love ALL my dogs equally no matter the color

But one thing and this is in NO way a slam on you or your post. It is just me with a big pet peeve. It is this quote

Please see your fellow man as you would like him/her to see you,

Its the way we as a people have used the term "man," that Itake offense. I am not a man I am a woman. It is an old sad term to use man to mean human. If a person comes in a come and asks for every man to stand up half the people won't stand up because they are women. So why say man created this and man did that, it takes however man hours. Screw mankind. It is a term that has lived long pasts its due. Kinda like the dark ages called and wants their term for humans back.

We are humankind, human beings, people, not man.



Ok sorry I just had to get that of my breasts.

On the OP, I really love the way you used your animals. That was a wonderful analogy

[bvar22]

18. DURec!

Drop in for some GreenBeans & Cornbread if you're ever in this Neck of the Woods!

[UTUSN]

19. R#61 & K for, blue rednecks are my favorites!1 n/t