I don't give 2 shits about "Region Bashing" and neither should you.

[Tyler Durden]

Bash Michigan all you want. I was born and raised here and it ain't got SHIT on any other "REGION."

If someone wished to be a "REGION CHAUVANIST" and get pissy every time someone bashes your area, then grow the fuck up.

You know who will give you an EARFUL about how far his home state (Alabama) has to go in equality and fair treatment? MORRIS DEES of the Southern Poverty Law Center. I once had the HONOR of listening to him outline the many blemishes still in the South and Alabama, but he said, off the cuff, that we had to stop defending the group unless we wanted to be identified with them (or something similar. I was much younger and in college the first time).

SO GROW THE FUCK UP and BE AN INDIVIDUAL for crying out loud.

You know what? In BLUE MICHIGAN, the legislature PISSES on Detroit from a great height because it's POOR and BLACK that Detroit is in danger of losing the Detroit Medical Center, SW Michigan's premier Level one Trauma Center from lack of funds.

PISS on Regional Chauvanists. Quit taking offense at the fact that YOUR state voted for Bush and someone wants to make a big deal out of it, unless you want to get lumped with the Single Strand DNA Bush Supporters. Be ye WEST or SOUTH or OHIO.

Well, I think we can all still piss on Ohio.

JOKING! JOKING!

[Tyler Durden]

1. Someone voted, but nobody wants to fight.....

...or agree. durn.

[RagingInMiami]

2. I, for one, am sick of the Florida bashing

[marbuc]

12. No disparaging words for Florida here

had a great time in Miami a couple of weeks ago.

[RagingInMiami]

19. I'm glad you had a good time even though the Canes won

I would have been at that game had I not been in DC for the protest. Where did you end up hanging out?

[marbuc]

26. I enjoyed the game very much despite the loss.

I was quite pleased the Orange Bowl sells beer (most college stadiums don't). I enjoyed the weather, and what I saw of the city.

We hung out in the Grove on Friday night. We ate dinner and had drinks in that little outdoor mall area, then finished up at a bar up the street.

We were planning to go to South Beach Saturday night, but the gametime sun and booze beat us into submission. We went to the mall area for a few drinks, and turned in early.

I wish I had more time to check out the city and local flavor (particularly the Cuban cuisine), but now I have reason to return.

[RagingInMiami]

28. Well next time you come, let me know

We'll go out for beers or something.

In all honesty, South Beach would have been a headache because parking is expensive and scarce, not to mention that traffic is horrendous on a Saturday night.

But it's definitely an experience.

And next time you're tired, be sure to drink some Cuban coffee. That will give you a kick in the ass.

[marbuc]

30. By the way, you were right about the Heineken

it seems like everyone in Miami drinks it. I drank some Presidente, and liked it very much.

[RagingInMiami]

32. Speaking of Heineken

This was taken of me last football season. Note the bottle in my hand.

[Touchdown]

35. Why do you need an SUV in Florida?

Speedbumps get snow cones dropped on them often?:evilgrin:

And...are you weraring Speedos underneath that 13 shirt?

[RagingInMiami]

41. It's not my SUV. I don't even know who it belongs to

That was just the right place to stand to get the words "Miami Orange Bowl" in the background.

I drive a Honda Civic Coupe EX. The perfect car to zip in and out of traffic in Miami, even though not the best car to drive to the edge of the Grand Canyon in.

[Touchdown]

74. So, no comment on the Speedo thing, huh?

;)

[RagingInMiami]

83. If I would have worn speedos to the Orange Bowl ...

I would have gotten my ass kicked despite me going for the home team.

I was just shorts or jeans or something.

[marbuc]

67. Great picture, Like the beer, hate the jersey!

Actually, not really. I've always had a soft spot the Canes, starting in the Bernie Kosar era. I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture of the Orange Bowl sign.

[Qibing Zero]

13. Even from those of us that live here? :D nt

[RagingInMiami]

18. That's different

I'm talking about the people who don't live here and are compelled to write an "only in Florida" post everytime something happens down here.

Yes, a lot of things happen down here, but we're also the fourth most populous state, and we tend to attract the sickos from other states.

So my point is, if people don't like hearing about Florida in the news, then let them keep their scum from moving to Florida from their respective states.

[mondo joe]

21. From your post it sounds like you are saying Florida has a

disproprtionately high number of "sickos" and "scum", though they may originate in other states.

Is that an accurate understanding of your feeling?

[RagingInMiami]

22. It comes with the territory

For years, this has been one of the fastest growing states in the country. And it has always been perceived as a place where you can start fresh.

So yes, it does attract a fair share of criminals and scum.

[mondo joe]

23. In that case, and I ask this sincerely, if you yourself say Florida

has a disproportionately high percentage of "criminals" and "scum" why would you be bothered by other people decribing Florida in similar ways?

[RagingInMiami]

27. The same reason why black people are allowed to call each other

The "N" word.

It's my state, I say what I want about it. But when people who have never been down here are the ones who are always bitching about it, well I take offense to it.

Is it really that hard for you to figure out?

[mondo joe]

71. I don't think that makes any sense, but thanks for answering. n/t

[dalaigh lllama]

82. It makes sense to me

It's like one's family. When I was a kid, I used to fight with my sibs all the time. But let anyone else give one of them a hard time -- they took us all on. It's the same with the little town I live in: those of us who live here can diss it to each other, but find it quite offensive if an outsider passing thru does the same thing. On a broader scale, we on DU go on about how stupid our fellow Murkans are who voted for *, but wouldn't you be a little steamed if you were overseas and someone who had never been here looked down their nose at you and said, "You Americans are quite stupid."

[mondo joe]

86. No, I wouldn't - not if they were accurate.

I wasn't pissed at the French or Germans, for example.

And though I can see a child holding that sort of double standard, I don't get adults doing it.

I'm reminded of Al Franken's bit about how repubs love America the way children love their parents while dems love America the way adults love their parents.

[RagingInMiami]

88. One more time

I'm goddamn sick and tired of people judging my state by what they hear in the media.

Most people who are bitching about it have never been to Florida, or if they have, it was either to Disney World or to a hotel strip on the beach.

In other words, they have no clue about the real people and the real situations going on down here.

But whatever, if it makes you feel superior, then just keep at it. But it just makes you look just as ignorant as those people who continually bash the south or Texas.

[mondo joe]

96. But I don't think those people are saying anything different than YOU are.

It sounds like you agree with them, you just don't like them saying it.

That's your right. Doesn't make sense to me, but it's your right.

[RagingInMiami]

97. Don't put words in my mouth

Take those games somewhere else.

[mondo joe]

100. I don't need to - you put your own words in your posts.

You already said Florida has a lot of "criminals" and "scum".

You already said you feel you can say these things but others shouldn't.

That's a double standard - the sort of which is is typically employed by repiglicans.

But again, it's your right to hold it.

[RagingInMiami]

110. Ah, yes, the old DU playground insult

Comparing me to a republican. Does everybody in DU do that? What the fuck.

Is this what happens when I don't bow down and agree with everything that is being said?

In this thread, I was just trying to offer a logical explanation as to why it seems things are so wacky down here. I'm not saying things are perfect down here. But I'm not writing the state off as the plague of the USA.

This is different than saying that "Florida should be wiped off the map" or "I hope the hurricane really fucks that state up" or whatever.

Those quotes are not verbatim because I'm not going to go searching through the archives, but it is to the degree of what I've read on DU. I'm talking about the very generalized statements that lump everything they hear about Florida on the news as an accurate representation of the entire state.

The people in this state are more progressive than those of many states in this country. The problem is that we're going through a low point with Jeb, as this country is going through a low point with his brother in the WH. And yes, Jeb was reelected by Diebold in 2002.

I'm sure you don't like it when Europeans judge every American as to what they on the news going on with shrub in the WH. Or maybe you do.
I sure as hell don't. I like to give ourselves more credit than that.

What you fail to see is how incredibly resilient Florida is. How many other states can go the turmoil this state has gone through in the last three decades, immigration, hurricanes, high crime, corruption, and not self-destruct?

[mondo joe]

113. I'm glad you weren't trying to offer a logical explanation.

And as I've said several times now, I don't care what people say about my state or country as long as they're accurate.

You've already stated that you can say these things but don't want others to do so, whether they are true or not.

And yet again, that is your right. It doesn't make sense to me, and if that bothers you I suggest you worry less about my approval.

[RagingInMiami]

116. I knew it was about making yourself feel superior

Your approval is the last thing I seek. Get off your high horse.

[mondo joe]

117. To the contrary: it is about getting clarity about your standard, or

determining if you even have one.

[RagingInMiami]

120. No MJ

It's about you taking a subject that you know I get heated about, and adding more fuel to it, just to see if you get a rise out of me.

You're not fooling anybody.

[mondo joe]

122. If you get too "heated" to have a discussion that's your issue, not mine.

I've sincerely asked questions and referenced your own statements for clarification.

I'm not responsible for your behavior. If you are too "heated" to have a discussion, I suggest you leave the thread to those who can.

[RagingInMiami]

124. Yes, we all know that GD

is an exemplar of a level-headed discussion forum. Sorry to break that mold.

[mondo joe]

125. I don't consider bad habits of others an excuse. If you're not interested

in a rational discusssion please just say so and we can end this.

Thank you.

[TahitiNut]

99. "They have no clue about (what's) going on down here."

This is EXACTLY what I heard from good ol' boys in Alabama back in the early 60's ... about the freedom riders and the civil rights volunteers for the "Mississippi Summer Project."

"Outside agitators."

So, Florida is effectively a foreign country to people in the rest of the U.S.??

Just sayin'. :shrug:

[RagingInMiami]

101. Have you ever been to South Florida

The old joke was that you needed a passport to get from Broward to Miami. Now the jokes has changed. You need the passport to enter the tricounty south florida area.

And I don't think it's fair to compare Alabama in the 1960s to Florida today.

[mondo joe]

106. I haven't been to Iraq. Does that prohibit me from talking about it?

Have you been to Iraq?

[RagingInMiami]

111. Who the fuck is trying to prohibit you from talking about anything?

I just said I was sick of the Florida bashing. Just cause I'm not marching in tune with the DU majority doesn't mean I'm trying to stomp on your First Amendment rights.

[mondo joe]

114. I'm trying to figure out your standard, which seems to change from post to

post. You say you don't like it when people who have never been to Florida comment on it. How do you feel about people who have never been to Iraq commenting on it?

[RagingInMiami]

119. If they comment on our country's involvement in Iraq

Whether they agree with it or not, then it's really not comparable to what is being said about Florida.

If they start bashing or as you like to call it, "commenting", for example, criticizing the local customs and culture as to why they can't be more American -- which if you think about it, is one of the reasons we invaded them -- then that is based on ignorance.

But we all know there is no law against being ignorant in this country.

[mondo joe]

121. Really? So if people comment on local customs like female sexual

mutilation, or if they comment on activities of the Taliban, or the change in culture pre to post war, none of that is okay?

And I don't know why you changed you standard to one of "ignorance". You've already said even if people are ACCURATE you don't want them saying the very same things you yourself say about Florida.

[mondo joe]

103. It's funny - I don't care what people say about my state or country as

long as they're ACCURATE.

Is Washington State home to some of the most far right conservatives in the country? Yup.

Is there a slim majority of much more liberal voters? Yup.

I don't care who says it.

[zanne]

3. Amen.

If you live in a racist, redneck state, don't cry about it; try to change it. (And this is 53 years of trying to change NH talking).

[Beaverhausen]

4. I'm sick of all the California bashing

We didn't all vote for the governator, you know!

[Moochy]

8. Viva Grey Davis

I've never uttered a less hearty viva, but he was 100x better than Arnold, even without a charismatic personality.

[Greyhound]

38. Hey, the only reason that human doorstop got re-elected was that

the morans that run the CA repug party managed to find the only guy in the entire State that was so objectionable even Beige Davis could win.
Remember how they rejected Dick Riordan as too liberal? Now don't get me wrong, I hate the repugs with a frightening passion, but it was Davis & the Sacramento Morans that bankrupt the State with their spineless idiocy. I advocated, and still think he was right, Mr KFI's plan for the manufactured "Energy Crisis". That would have shut Enron and the other companies up, but quick, and we (now you) would have the money to keep the hospitals and schools open.

[Moochy]

5. Regionalism (like nationalism) is a poison

Piss on California all you want everyone, look at our governator for gods sakes! :evilgrin:

Dotted lines on maps dont divide us and our shared desire to take the country back from this neocon death cult unites us. (thanks Marc Maron)

[incapsulated]

6. Fine. But touch NYC and prepare to die!

:mad:

I don't diss entire regions or states.

Well, that's a lie. I just don't do it in public.

[BootinUp]

53. You know how I feel about NYC!

My short vacation there was awesome. Maybe I can do it again in a year or two.

:)

As for region bashing, its a bad habit of mine cause I am from SoCal which is far superior to the rest of the country, I just couldn't afford to stay. ;)

[etherealtruth]

7. OK Tyler, I'll give you an agreement ...

... and a kick.

[patdem]

9. Honey, I was born and raised in VA and the joke was..The South will rise

again..the punch line was...yeah...shit floats! And we would laugh!

[LittleClarkie]

25. Even so, would you take mild offense if someone

posted a dialect that was supposed to be Virginian to criticize, however much the subject needed criticizing.

as in "Well, sheet boyah, that be y'all problem. Ya ain't got not sense" or somesuch.

There's criticism. And then there are stereotypes. I for one would prefer folks don't use stereotypes to criticize.

[patdem]

33. If they'all do it in their best southern accent...and failed...maybe

but I don't talk southern...at least not since I was 16 and used to take a shayer and dry off with a tayall...Oh, well I guess we all have our peccadillo's? :hi:

[LittleClarkie]

36. I used to go to the tall-let

aka the toilet, so yeah, Virginians have something of an accent. Still and all, we had to think first before we decided "North or South" in the Civil War. And by no stretch of the imagination do we sound or act like something out of Deliverance, In the Heat of the Night, or Cool Hand Luke.

What we have here is a failure to communicate in a politically correct fashion.

(Erica the transplanted Virginian, Norfolk in fact. Daddy was a sailor, dontcha know.)

[patdem]

64. Sugar, Richmond was the Capital of the Confederacy...

We had to think before we decided North or South?..Sorry...Norfolk is full of transplanted fromwhereverians...but Virginia as a whole was VERY Southern!

[Withywindle]

70. Yes, Virginia did dither a little...

...I think that was more political maneuvering, though. Now, Robert E. Lee himself, the choice was honestly difficult for him.

There were plenty of Union sympathizers in VA - (just like there were plenty of Confederate ones in Maryland). Hell, the whole western half of the state broke off and went Union.

[LittleClarkie]

87. I remember hearing that Lee was waiting to see

how VA would go before he decided. That's what I based my comment on.

[charlie]

10. Southerner here

It's never bothered me. I've never understood regional boosterism or defensiveness. Color me clueless, I guess.

[skids]

11. You sure you're not from New Jersey? n/t

[imperialismispasse]

14. I agree with that

I make fun of Santorum as much as the next person and plus the whole area of the state between Philly and Pittsburg is "Pennsyltucky". Theres probably no more backward, racist, redneck part of the country anywhere. Just because I like where I live doesnt mean I cant see the bad parts of it and I sure dont take offense when other people point them out.

[greekspeak]

15. I am from Missouri and live in Florida...both need a good bashing

to make them wake up to the fact that each is politically screwed up. Missouri, I found out yesterday, ranks FIFTIETH in pay for state employees. There is a lot of work to be done there. Or representatives are so bad in Missouri that we voted for a DEAD MAN and he WON!!!!

We cannot even VOTE in Florida and know it counts, and it does not seem to set off many people down here. They just do what the poll workers say and let it go at that. And that panhandle that is as red as Rudolph's nose needs to learn that the RED people they vote for do not give a steaming sh*t about them. If you are stupid enough, both in Missouri and Florida, to keep voting red and letting them screw you over, then you deserve some sort of tongue lashing.

[clichemoth]

80. Alabama is also in need of bashing . . .

"Our representatives are so bad in Missouri that we voted for a DEAD MAN and he WON!!!!" <--- Well, consider the alternative. Carnahan was dead, but Ashcroft was, well, himself.

And it's too easy to bag on Alabama. Our schools suck by design so we don't have to educate the poor or minorities or teach any sort of useful science at all. School districts can't even afford toilet paper, much less more educational things. Not being 100% fundamentalist neo-Christian is grounds for being expelled via the Florida border. Our current Repuke governor is the only Alabama governor in the past 20 years to have not been indicted for anything...yet. Our outdated patchwork Constitution needs a new statewide amendment everytime a county wants to raise property taxes by 2 mills, and still recognizes segregation to boot. Roy Moore's from here. We didn't bust Dubya for AWOL in 1972. I can keep going . . .

[blindpig]

16. I am an individual

who resides in the South, though not a native. Don't need anyone to tell me how fucked up it is around here. What sticks in my craw is when we get one of those Christian Exodus threads. "Let them have South Carolina!" the chorus bellows. Well fuck you people, I live here too. So do a great many Democrats, blacks, gays, lesbians, pagans. How fucking inconsiderate. If the Democratic Party gave a good goddamn about turning southern states blue they would be channelling FDR. Instead they offer nothing while the rethugs offer false morality, which is apparently better than nothing for a lot of folks. Seems like I've heard that bread and butter issues win elections.

[Tyler Durden]

17. I have NEVER called my self a NORTHERNER....

MICHIGANDER
UNIONIST
BLUE STATER

OR ANY OTHER SUCH HORSE SHIT.

In case any of you haven't noticed, the WHOLE GODDAMNED WORLD IS A FUCKING LIFEBOAT. It's time we stopped the assholes at one end, drilling holes to make themselves a swimming pool.

I AM A HUMAN BEING, AND SOMETIMES I EVEN DO A PISS POOR JOB OF DOING THAT.

AGAIN I say, GROW UP and quit "ROOTING" for your group like this was some fucking football game. In this game if one side loses, EVERYONE loses.

[crispini]

42. It may all be one lifeboat, but the fact remains

that for one person to change the entire world is impossible. One person may (and SHOULD) take actions locally that impact the entire world. And, here's the thing -- those people who get out and try to make a positive impact on their neighborhood, city, or town by civic activism, participating in politics, and PAYING ATTENTION to the local level are naturally going to be happy about the good things that they accomplish, and take some pride in the area where they have made their accomplishments.

In fact, I'll go so far to say that civic pride and regionalism is natural and healthy!!

It shows that that person is connected to their community and engaged. Far too many people-- yes, even people on DU-- don't get involved in local politics.

Here's a quick check:

Do you know the name of your senator?
Your member of the House?
How about the name of your state senator?
Your STATE representative?
Your city councilperson?
Your county commissioner?
Your county Democratic party chair?
Your Democratic party PRECINCT chair?

I bet you a nickel that 9 out of 10 people on the street can't do so. And I bet that 7 out of 10 people on DU can't do so. Which is a shame. In fact, I think there is NOT ENOUGH local pride, participation, and regionalism.

[DemBones DemBones]

43. That's because nobody has ever ATTACKED you for being a Northerner. nt

[AnnInLa]

98. ding, ding, ding

[raccoon]

118. I second that emotion. nt

[mondo joe]

20. I wonder if most people would be willing to admit there are regions

that in GENERAL have a pervasive anti-gay atmosphere.

And if they would admit that, would they also admit there are areas with pervasive racism.

[LittleClarkie]

24. It's not that

It's about perpetuating stereotypes when we're supposed to be the enlightened ones.

Take what you just said, and apply it to an ethnic group.

Would you tell a black person to get over it if someone here insisted on posting about Little Black Sambo or Stepen Fetchit?

Neither do we want to read what some folks think is a funny Southern stereotype right out of "The Beverly Hillbillies."

[eeyore]

29. The only news that ever comes out of Oregon is about the freaks here...

In Oregon, we are know world-wide for the likes of Tonya Harding, Bob Packwood, Monica Lewinsky (went to school here), and the Rajneshisi compound. Bush the elder dubbed Portland "Little Beiruit" for our rabid anti-war protesters. Then there are the federal suits against our Medical Marijuana and Assisted Suicide laws.

Basically, the right thinks that we are a bunch of liberal freaks mixed in with some out of control trailer trash.

Sounds about right to me, and I like it that way. I say the more freaks the better. We're happy to be the left coast lunatic fringe.

[Ron Green]

34. Yeah, but make a trip out to Eastern Oregon and you'll surely see

the other side of our fair state. It's as red as Idaho out there.

[progressivebydesign]

39. I like Oregon. It's got a lot of individuality. I love visiting!

Just wish your State government would do a better job of taking care of people and schools. I know that they are hamstringed by the unfunded mandates, but it seems like there's lot of infighting in the State govt that keeps things from getting done.

[depakid]

51. We're hamstrung by Republicans AND big money that comes

from out of state interests to lobby for right wing legislation and promote ballot initiatives (to the tune of being outspent like 10 to 20:1).

Certain regional interests- Dick Armey's group, for example- just can't keep their rotten, dysfunctional policy proposal to themselves.

Let them screw their own regions- fine. Texas wants to suck- let Texas suck- but leave Oregon alone.

That's the problem, though- it's not in their nature to leave other regions alone. And to the extent that it reflects the majority thinking in certain other areas, I'll bloody well bash them for it.

[XanaDUer]

44. Slightly OT, but do you remember when the

Rashneeshees attempted to poison citizens of The Delles, Oregon?

[eeyore]

58. I do!

Once again Oregon made national headlines because of the kooks. It's okay, let people think that this place is too wierd for them - it just might be!

[XanaDUer]

59. I think that was actually the first biological terrorist attack

in the USA.

[NervousRex]

31. Bravo

I'll be first in line to bash NE Wisconsin, where I was born and lived for 21 years....and ran away from without looking back. This blue state/red state tribalism is idiotic at best; manipulative divide-and-conquer strategy in reality.

[progressivebydesign]

37. I don't get offended because there are millions of other people out there.

I have no responsibility for potential idiots living in the state with me... I'm from California, and I could care less if someone bashes it. Hey, living there I could see the bad and the good. I live in the Pacific Northwest, and I love it. But I'm not going to give myself hypertension if someone bashes it. They aren't talking about me or my close friends or family when they complain.. so no biggie.

[DemBones DemBones]

40. You don't get it BECAUSE you are a Northerner,

living in a state that was never conquered and occupied by its enemies.

You understand why Iraqis hate U.S. liberation forces, right?

If you've given any thought to it, and you know anything about the history of conquered peoples worldwide, you know the Iraqis will hate the U.S. centuries from now, assuming the planet lasts that long. The Sunnie, Shiites, and Kurds have hated each other for centuries; we just stepped into that minefield.

If you've given any thought to it, and know their history, you know why the Serba and Croats hate each other.

If you've given any thought to it, and know their history, you know why Irish nationalists (Catholics) hate Irish Protestants and the British.

Apply some thought to what happened when the Confederate States and the United States went to war against each other and to what was done to the conquered Confederate States and you might be able to understand why Southerners are so fucking tired of holier-than-thou Yankees.

BTW, in case you haven't noticed, it's not Southerners starting Yankee-bashing threads that are the problem.

[PassingFair]

45. Sorry for your permanent

victim status.

All northerners sewing lips up, lest we make you feel worse.

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[skygazer]

48. If you knew your history

You'd know that that the war began because a bunch of cry-baby southernors were more concerned about keeping millions of blacks in bondage than maintaining the ties to the country as a whole (and please don't give me that "state's rights" crap - states right to do what? TO KEEP SLAVES! And to overflow into the territories).

It's people like you who insist on continuing the Civil War ad nauseum (and making the south sound like it was some sort of noble, oppressed land of peace and plenty) that cause people to think of the whole region as a backward, pathetic anachronism.

[TahitiNut]

56. Naww... you got it all wrong.

The blacks in the south were angry that abolitionists wouldn't let them and their children continue in the family careers as slaves. The Northern states tried to expel the southern states from the union, starting with South Carolina, and that's why Fort Sumpter opened fire on the southern forces who where defending themselves.

:dunce: :dunce: :dunce:

[raccoon]

123. The war began because the Southern states seceded and the

North didn't want to let them secede.

The power elite in the South, the small percentage who were slaveowners, wanted to keep millions of blacks in bondage.
(Same shit, different century.)

Most Southerners didn't own slaves.

The Confederate soldiers had a strong motivation to fight; they were invaded. I guess the Northern media could've called them "insurgents."

[zanne]

55. Uh oh. It IS about the Civil War, isn't it?

I've always suspected that, but I was never sure.

[mondo joe]

72. When is the last time I heard someone call themselves a "northerner"?

Let's see....

um....

never.

And if you think having been "occupied" is a reason for Southerners to gripe, would the same rationale give Northerners a reason to think of Southerners as racists?

[McCamy Taylor]

73. I'm a Southerner and I am proud to start Southern bashing threads

cause we need it. Lots of it. We are in serious denial about our problems. For over a century, we have been blaming the Yankees and the Reconstruction for every god damned thing that is wrong with us.

Maybe it is time for the South to grow up and accept responsibility for some of its own problems.

[QC]

75. You don't have much to be proud of, do you? n/t

[really annoyed]

93. Thank you

I totally agree. Everytime somebody brings up the topic of the South, somehow racism and all its problems becomes a bastion of the North.

[QC]

94. You live in the most segregated state in the country,

yet you seem to focus all of your attention on what's happening down south. That attitude, a common one, is what makes people get prickly.

According to the U.S. Census, Michigan is the most segregated state in the nation. Five of the 25 most racially segregated metropolitan regions in America — Detroit, Saginaw, Flint, Benton Harbor, and Muskegon — are in Michigan. The next closest state is New York, with four. Two more Michigan metropolitan regions — Grand Rapids and Jackson — almost made the top 25.

Census figures also show that Michigan has the most segregated public school systems in the nation. For example, 613,000 students attend public schools in 83 school districts in Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties, according to an analysis by the National School Boards Association. Roughly 180,000 of those students are black and 82 percent of black students are enrolled in just three districts — Detroit, Highland Park, and Inkster. Some 90 percent of white students — 540,000 kids — are enrolled in Detroit-region schools where 10 percent or less of the students are black.

http://www.mlui.org/reportarticle.asp?fileid=16480

[BlackVelvet04]

47. I agree....

I find the whining about southern bashing more annoying than the bashing.

[thinkingwoman]

49. Every time I see your thread line

my feeble brain reads "Reagan Bashing"...

and then I hear Roseanna Roseannadanna saying "nevermind."

and then I... :rofl:

Thanks. :-)

[erinlough]

50. Right on Michigan

finally someone says it like it is. I'm from Michigan too and we are fucked up alot. So what. I agree people should grow some and quit whining about it all the time. It never changes the way I feel about them, just confirms it.

[OKNancy]

52. Okay - since a regional chauvinist would be an ass, then

I will piss on the person who thinks that their place or region is better than another.
By definition a regional chauvinst would have the strong and unreasonable belief that their own region is the best or most important.

ALSO to bash someones region is to break DU rules. I know people don't bother to read them but here it is:

Do not post messages that are bigoted against (or grossly insensitive toward) any person or group of people based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, lack of religion, disability, physical characteristics, or region of residence.

[zanne]

57. If we went by those rules, OKNancy....

We'd all be kicked off for being grossly insensitive toward rightwingers.

[QC]

65. The rule says nothing whatsoever about political beliefs. n/t

[Czolgosz]

54. "REGION CHAUVANISTS" -- lol

[xchrom]

60. kick california all you want -- i love it here --

but we brought you reagan.

i have no notion of regionalism -- but i don't have a nationalistic bone in my body either.

[liberal43110]

61. I live in Ohio

...and you are welcome to piss on it. :)

[Blue Diadem]

69. Born and raised here and I agree! n/t

[liberal43110]

76. I moved here less than 5 years ago

I live in Columbus, and I like living here a lot. But a lot is way, way crappy, including the 2 decades of Republican control (and corruption) of every office and branch of government at every level of state and local government. Plus, we are the crime scene for the stolen 2004 election...we deserved to be pissed on just for that!

:dunce:

[LiveWire]

62. As we say here in Orange County...

FUCK NorCal!

[Vektor]

79. Whaaaat? Heeey!

Ok, I live in a real shithole town up North, so piss away.

[moobu2]

63. I think it’s OK to region/state bash…I live in Alabama.

65% of my county voted for *.


Just keep in mind there are a lot of good people here though.

[Generator]

66. Oregon is superior to Washington

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. }( Don't even bother to ask my feelings on California(though I married a Californian ..he's only getting redeemed by being married to a native and having kids here)

[skooooo]

107. no way! Washington rulz!

[McCamy Taylor]

68. Bravo.

[RoyGBiv]

77. Small point ...

Morris Dees doesn't bash regions indiscriminately with childish jokes or broadly paint entire peoples with stereotypical images. In fact, much of what Dees is all about is directly opposed to such things. Mr. Dees would very likely argue the opposite. He assaults individuals and the extremist groups of which they are a part and notes in no uncertain terms that they do *not* represent "the South" or Alabama.

You might also become acquainted with the fact that Mr. Dees is well versed in the history of the South, in particular the part of it involving the failure of populism due to exploitation of both over and latent racism among the white South's working population. A great opportunity was wasted, indeed lives were lost, because the "Conservative" opposition could exploit the stereotypes seemingly well-meaning Northerners spread about the South and Southerners when making broad brush statements about entire regions without bothering to consider the effect of such statements on individuals.

If it makes you feel better to take out your frustrations on an entire, ill-defined region, feel free. Such tactics are, however, entirely unhelpful.

I'm guessing you don't support the 50 state strategy...

[Skittles]

78. LOL...........Tyler

I catch your drift :D

[B Calm]

81. I live in Indiana.. The further south you go in this state, you'll notice

the people will have protruding foreheads and very few teeth. Especially in Dan Burtons area..

[RagAss]

84. It's simple...the country is just too fucking big.......n/m

[Liberal In Texas]

85. Tyler. We're going to have a talk.

And I'm prepared to take the WHOLE rest of the night to TALK to you.

If the JOKING thing was meant to deflect the obvious, do you mean:

A) I'm just kinda drunk and am spouting, 'cause I can.
B I really believe this shit, but I better put "joking" on the end so DU'ers won't flame me..
C) Regional Chauvanism is something that I really think is a good idea.

If (C) then we (YOU AND ME) have a problem.

First of all, I was born in Michigan. I now live in Texas.

I spent a lot of time in Nebraska as well. Now, what do you make of that?

-I will continue this if I see you haven't passed out yet.

[fujiyama]

89. I'm with ya completely

It seems immature.

It's almost as bad as nationalism. People have to admit their region/state/city's faults and grow up.

But I do think they have a point in one way - those of us in so called blue states shouldn't act as though all the brain dead are south of the mason dixon border. We have more than our fair share - 48% did after all vote for the coked up monkey.

[U4ikLefty]

90. It's a funny thing...you have to have a thicker skin as a Californian

in some American states than you so in some other countries. Especially if you are from L.A. or San Fransisco...somehow it just doesn't make sense, but I guess it's just our "liberal" burden to bear until the rest of our country can catch up.

[TheModernTerrorist]

91. w00p w00p

MICHIGAN!!!!
Born/raised/live here. And DAAAAMN do we have lots of *insert generic stereotype here*

:-)

just adding to the conversation

[really annoyed]

92. Thank you, thank you, thank you....

Michigan is just full of ______________________.

I could say plenty about my home state, but I won't. ;-)

[mmonk]

95. I don't give a crap

about region bashing. Every region has its problems. We all have a problem in the way this country is being run right now. I would rather be focused on that problem.

[McCamy Taylor]

102. Be suspicious when any region gets too defensive. It has something to hide

[OnionPatch]

104. I live in California

and we get all kinds of crap about our state. If it isn't something about "those Hollywood whackos", they're calling us "fruitcakes" or they're bashing the "tree-huggers." They call us fools for living in earthquake territory and fire-prone places. They laugh at the governator.

I think everywhere you live you're going to get some "input" about your area from the rest of the country. It's like a family. Everyone has their ideas about the rest of the family member's lifestyles and opinions on everything they are doing wrong. But they mostly love each other anyway. I try not to let it get to me.

I did grow up in Ohio, though, so I have to take issue with that last remark! ;)

[WritingIsMyReligion]

105. Piss on Maine all you want.

You can piss on us as backwoodsmen, whatever. Maine has problems, for sure. :D :D

[melody]

108. Yes, Master

Sorry, but I think that's disingenuous and ill-advised. We all come from our own cultures. Culture is largely a positive thing. To bash one culture over another is tantamount to racism.

What we need to do is realize the US comprises many different cultures and learn to live with each other without pointing fingers.

[Baclava]

109. Florida is a horrible place...nobody should ever come here...

Hurricanes, swamps, mosquitoes...stay away!

...that leaves more room for me.

[RandomKoolzip]

112. You know what *I* don't like? (Like anyone cares....)

I'm from Branford, Connecticut, a small suburb of New Haven. My family was working class. My dad grew up in a trailer park. My mom was a librarian, my dad worked for the post office. We never had much in the way of amenities as kids, my brother and I, but we put up with the class disdain we were met with from the other kids who lived in our town who were much more affluent. When you buy all your clothes at thrift stores while every other kid has Ocean Pacific t-shirts and Banana Republic gear and 100-dollar sneakers, you tend to stand out in a crowd. I've had to deal with being the brunt of some class hatred my whole life. It's not fun to grow up poor in a rich town.

But then I moved to the South: New Orleans, to be exact. When I told people that I was from Connecticut, immediately they'd start in with the "butler" jokes and japes about "summering in the Hamptons." Many people assumed I came from a rich family just because I'm from Connecticut; I've been called an elitist by Southern coworkers (who made more money than me!) simply because I didn't have a Southern accent. When I moved to Nashville, TN, it got a lot worse. The fact that I was a working class atheist living in Nashville made life almost intolearble. I was called "rich boy," ""carpetbagger," you name it. You couldn't talk politics with people because they'd immediately discredit anything a "northerner" would say.

I live in Chicago now, but even here, I get jabs about "Connecticut elitism" from people who oughta know better.

This is what gets to me: assumptions about people based on their regional background.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

115. Well, that's five wasted seconds I'll never get back.