To my Southern friends here on DU:

[brentspeak]

I came across a Southern/Red State-bashing DU thread today that was perpetrated by someone claiming to be a resident of my state, NJ. I've lived in NJ my entire life, and the kind of Southern-criticism spouted by that idiotic (who-shall-be-unnamed) DU poster just plain does not exist. What goes on in the South, the people there, etc. -- it's just not an issue, a topic of discussion, positive or negative, other than, say "Hey, did you hear about the huge hurricane in Florida?" or "If you're driving to Virginia, you might want to take such-and-such route, otherwise you'll hit a lot of traffic." In other words, the South as an entity or a culture is not an issue. There's no "we from the North are better than you in the South" attitude. The same goes for pretty much every other state in the northeast. It's a manufactured controversy.

So, if you come across more asinine threads and posts on DU composed by alleged northeastern/California/northwest residents/elitist-types that make you feel uncomfortable, understand that the people behind them are either a) weirdos with very little in common with the average person here, or, more than likely, b) RW trolls just trying to pi$$ you off, create division on the boards, aka, "divide and conquer". With the latter in mind, we'll almost certainly see more of the pathetic, divisive hijinks from now until Election Day. Don't take their provocations seriously.

:dem:

[RB TexLa]

1. I'm from Louisiana, we already know what the rest of the country thinks of

us.

[waiting for hope]

2. Lived in Metairie for 13

years - was often told that the Mason-Dixon line was just above Shreveport......

[BOSSHOG]

6. If you live North of I-10 you are a Yankee

[waiting for hope]

10. Thank God!

Lived closer to the NO side...so those in Covington and Mandeville are Yankees? That explains a lot!

On edit: I am being a bit fatuous....

[BOSSHOG]

12. We lived in Slidell for 11 years

before moving to Pearl River County. We truly loved Slidell, still do, but made a real estate killing in Mississippi. And our home in Slidell was just a speck north of the interstate so we were Yankees.

[waiting for hope]

18. Worked at the Copeland's in

Slidell for 2 years in the early 90's - loved the drive over the bridge early in the morning, the water always looked like it had diamonds sparkling. I miss so many little things about the area, I guess you don't truly appreciate it until you're gone.

[KamaAina]

13. But Boss, you live north of I-10 (and even I-12), don't you?

I, on the other hand, am safely ensconced in the southernmost of the 50 states, so take that, you Yankee! :-)

[BOSSHOG]

16. Oh yeah, I'm a Damn Yankee

We live 25 miles north of I-10. We can almost reach and touch Massachusetts.

[Behind the Aegis]

19. Yea! I am a Southerner...by a hair.

I-10 is a stone's throw north of where we live. I love New Orleans!

[Lowell]

3. I saw the same thread

I thought it was divisive also and I'm glad the mods locked it. We don't need that kind of writing here. We need to pull together regardless of our geographical affiliation. I immediately put the poster on my ignore list. They have nothing I want to hear.

[ThomWV]

4. I Am A Child Of The 1950's South

And I can absolutly assure you it was different back then, and we certainly aren't talking about driving directions either.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Thanks

but I have a different perspective. I live in South Mississippi and I see the evidence which justifies south bashing everyday. There is a ton of ignorance and intolerance around here. Latest example; the county will soon vote on allowing alcohol sales (currently only beer can be sold.) A recent ltte stated that allowing alcohol sales will result in higher out of wedlock pregnancies, aids, drunk driving accidents, divorce and on and on. A quick check indicated that the out of wedlock pregnancies was greater in this county with no alcohol sales then the neighboring Parish in Louisiana with alcohol sales.

I understand the south bashing but I think it is much more effective when it is based on eyewitness accounts. There has been some recent banter about the "racist asshole" Sherrif in St Tammany Parrish Louisiana, from people who don't live there nor have never met the man. And the band played on.

[AndyA]

7. I'm from Oklahoma, and am well aware of the impression many have

of this state. However, just as not all Americans support the Gestapo currently in power, not all Oklahomans or Southerners support them either. And it takes people all over the country to make a change. The efforts in some parts of the country may have more immediate results, but efforts in all states are just as necessary to effect change.

Not all of us here in the South support the right wing, so it's important to those fortunate enough to live in more progressive areas to remember you have friends down South who need your support and encouragement as well.

I don't take offense to those who are critical of Oklahoma, because very often they don't know what they're talking about. But it doesn't help when you realize the criticism is coming from someone you'd normally consider "friendly."

[stop the bleeding]

8. I usually do

not think too much of your posts and I am sure the feeling is mutual, but thank you for this clear headed line of reasoning.

:thumbsup:

[brentspeak]

17. I appreciate that

Thanks

[Lochloosa]

9. Let me say this reallll slowww

When I retire I'm going to move north and drive slow.:evilgrin:

[Kickoutthejams23]

11. Here is some serious south bashing

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1974180


I was trying to make a point obviously lost on the DU's that read it. :banghead:

[brentspeak]

15. Yeah, that kind of thing goes on way too often

The guy who used the word "cesspool", for example. Pointless, stupid, not to mention incorrect.

[blogslut]

14. Try being from Texas

Everybody wants to claim us or blame us. I try to ignore most of it but once in a while, it chaps my ass.

[mvd]

20. Locking

This is a continuation of a previously locked thread.

mvd
DU Moderator