Enough is enough! As a southerner I know the problems with this region, and it’s not these simple annotates. The main reason is a lack of information... plain and simple. When I tried to explain Bush’s economic policy and how it was not helpful to them, they either looked confused or wanted proof. Whenever I gave them proof they still seems doubtful – most likely because it was a topic they really didn’t understand.
Whenever I brought up of Bush’s foreign policy, they seemed understandable – dare I say agreeable – but the media that they get their information from has to have ads, so the news cannot go outside the parameter these business people want.
On issues of abortions and homosexuality, they simply want to ignore it; NOT ban it. Having the topic thruster into their face is not welcoming to them. In many ways they are more center than “right wing” on the topic. The only reason they seem hostile is because the right-wingers have made Armageddon on this topic; so they agree with them, if only they would shut-up (!) on the topic. Maybe that’s a sign of homophobia, but I doubt it is that drastic.... seeing how homosexuals are not in high numbers in rural community’s – and that the education system is deliberately poor... always has been, and most likely, always will be.
Anyway, I consider myself a liberal. Subscribe to several liberal material (*), some of them are even socialist material – and I own 55 shares of JNJ stock... thus I’m open minded. If I’m getting tired of these bigoted, stereotype comments, just think of what the other open minded southerners are thinking.
Thomas Kelly Tuscaloosa, Alabama
(*) Monthly Review, Left Business Observer, The Nation, The Progressive, Z Mag, In These Times. I also occassionally read The Economist, WSJ.com, Extra!, and ISR [International Socialist Review]. Not bad for a "redneck" from Alabama, whose been "self-employed" - read semi-employeed - for two years, with a shitty education. :-!