Arkansas Blog

Govt to suspend 'cash for clunkers'...
Car dealer: 'If they can't administer a program like this, I'd be a little concerned about my health insurance'...

Obama, racist/dumbass gone in 4!

The "birther" issue is an obvious proxy for racism, so there is no mystery why the movement is strongest in the South. Ultimately, I believe the birthers and the anti-Sotomayor crowd will continue to define the Republican Party, which is good news for Democrats. Republicans don't seem to understand the first rule of holes, so they keep on digging. Four or five years ago, Rwingers were crowing about a permanent Republican majority. I'm having difficulty suppressing a really strong chortle.

"The Born Identity"

One more time, it's all clicky, not that this hilarious but factual piece will dent into the frozen tundra of minds like Harry Dique. It didn't matter to Lou Dobbs even if the hard evidence was presented on his network and on his show. Hey, if you can't build an audience from reasonable material, build it on racism, eh Harry. Wait! Harry has no audience, he only has a liberal blog
to use for claiming Obama may be like George H.W.Bush.

.

The answer to the subject question is that Southerners are fucking idiots. Always have been, always will be.

10:49 Harry,

The clunker program was to last till november or till the $1 billion was used up.

The one billion was used up so the program suspended taking applications.

How is that poor management?

"What's wrong with the South?"

Jesus, man...don't you know there is a god damn NEGRO in the WHITE HOUSE?
An uppity negro with his uppity negro wife and their uppity negro kids and hell he even moved in his uppity negro MIL and they are all looking down on all us white folks who could have been President instead if we had just not lost the war.
Just who the hell does he think he is?
Next thing you know all the darkies will be expecting to walk free on our sidewalks at night and allowed to break into their own homes and talk back to THE WHITE MAN without being harassed my the PO-LICE.

Seriously, these folks just cannot get past the fact that our President has dark skin AND is a Democrat. Rove promised them that they would have a conservative majority FOREVAH!!!

The Repubs made all sorts of promises to the social Right that they didn't keep, even though they controlled the entire government for six years. Didn't ban abortion, didn't ban gay marriage, didn't repeal civil rights laws. Now the survivors in Congress are so terrified that the teabaggers won't vote for them that they parrot their talking points, including Obama's birthplace. Guys--if the teabaggers haven't abandoned you yet, they won't now. Try reaching out to voters who aren't frothing at the mouth, too.

There are plenty of cities today in Arkansas that won't allow the sun to go down on black people. The secret service would have to call in reinforcements if Obama wanted to spend the night in Harrison, for example.

All birthers are racist, period. To them, all of this evil could've -- should've -- been avoided with a quick lynching.

The "Problem with the South" is age old.

Galileo Galilei had the same complaint. It was that supposedly intelligent people were denying what they could see with their own eyes becasue it conflicted with interpretations of an ancient book.

The telescope was determined to be a hoax because it clearly showed that the planets deffinately orbitted the sun, as did the Earth, as opposed to the interpreted fact that the Earth was the center of Creation.

The bible did not say the Earth was the center but an obscure report in the bible stated that the Sun stood still during a battle as long as Joshua raised his hands. Thus extending the day so that Isreal could defeat their enemies.

If the bible claimed the Sun stood still it is proof that the Sun moves. (can't stop what ain't moving).

Galileo was placed under house arrest for simply stating that the Earth orbitted the Sun.

The Pope had recently had Martin Luther in Germany protest and break away so the Pope could not allow anyone to question anything in the bible because if anything was admitted to be inaccurate that killed the claim that everything was fact.

That in a nutshell is what is wrong with the South.

Churches are so afraid of losing their claim to legitimacy if anything in the bible is shown to be inaccurate that the leaders even knowing they are lying rally their troops to fight any question.

The troops know in their hearts that if they don't defend the fact of EVERY word literally then they will not be able to defend ANY word.

I think Teleplayer is on to something. If he's illegitimately the POTUS then why not a lynching?

Can't you see it now, the next logical step for rednecks across America.

"Southerners are fucking idiots. Always have been, always will be." --- Gaddis

Hard to question that one after reading last week that 10,000 people flocked to East Dublin, Ga., for the annual Redneck Games, featuring such tradition-rich competitions as bobbing for pig's feet, belly-flopping into a giant mud pit, spitting watermelon seeds, and making farting noises with your armpit. Closer to home, I'm guessing the old boys somewhere up there in north Arkansas are still throwing turkeys out of airplanes. And then there's the Gillett Coon Supper. I love the South, but wonder if we'll ever grow up.

"Jesus, man...don't you know there is a god damn NEGRO in the WHITE HOUSE?"

Oh, any*mouse...you've got me rolling with laughter. I just love it when someone cuts through all the surface crap and gets to the REAL issue. It's almost fun watching em struggle to find more media-acceptable words than 'He's a gd n****r.' The FOX goobers can barely keep their, well...'guests' within acceptable nuttiness.

The South, as much as I love it, never fails to remind folks why the federal government has had to step in more than once. Aside from the obvious rednecks (lordy, durango!), Southerners are notoriously set in their ways...bad and good. I'd like to think, optimist that I am, that one day the non-hating southerners will out number the hate-filled ignorant folks. But we're a long way from that day. And, until then...force is all they respond to.

Hubby works for a steel company (no details...he has to work there and it's a very small state); and the stories he tells me about the political opinions of 99 percent of the folks who work there...are scary. The only remaining question for them is whether they hate the 'negro' more than the bitch Hillary. And they don't give a damn about facts/reason.

Thank god that Obama is such a brilliant charismatic educated human with a family that any sane person would want to emulate. But it's sad that he confirms all the stereotypes about how much a woman/minority has to excel to 'just' become politically even with the likes of a white inbred Monkeyboy.

When Bill Clinton was running in one of his elections for governor the whole campaign against him was that he was a Rhodes Scholar and since that proved he was smart was proof he wasn't like us.

That is the problem with the South.

Wouldn't pick a brain surgeon because he drove a pickup but that is how the South picks it's leaders.

Wouldn't pick a brain surgeon because he has a smiling wife and four kids in his brochure but that is how the South picks it's leaders.

Wouldn't rule out a brain surgeon because he was not a member of your church (might even pick him because he WAS jewish) but that is how the South Picks it's leaders.

That is what is wrong with the South.

Answer:
-Intransigent culture
-Bible Belt fundamentalism/dogma/obstinate anti-intellectualism
-Low education rates/not enough colleges
-Fewer good colleges

Result 1: People like Harry Dique
Result 2: People who are more educated tend to leave

Is NC south anymore? Once it started getting more educated, it voted for Obama. Duke, NC, Davidson, etc have brought large segments of it through enlightenment, as well as attracted more educated northerners.

Basically, that's what'll take to root out the Diques of the South. Better schooling and education.

"Result 2: People who are more educated tend to leave"

And then there are the many like Warwick Sabin who come and stay. Somebody please explain it.

Cowardice.. Southerners are cowards. Afraid of thought, afraid of questions, deeply afraid of reason. So afraid of helping a fellow brown citizen or guest, or fellow impoverished white person out they will deny themselves (even their own kin) a fight for fair wages or health care or liberty.

They took us into war and torture based on lies..and have yet to admit it was a mistake. How much more clear can it be... that they are determined to be mean and stupid pawns?

They are cowards who look for security in all the wrong places... They sold out their good common sense long ago... what few had it to begin with.

"And then there are the many like Warwick Sabin who come and stay. Somebody please explain it."

I'm not sure if you could call it "many," Durango--at least if we're speaking in relative terms. I was just speaking in generalities. Sabin's a clear exception.

No offense meant.

Oh, worse than Obama isn't an American: he's the Antichrist. Well, according to World Net Daily.

Or is he?

They're not sure. They put it out there, complete with entertaining and (supposedly) frightening video.

Then pretend they're "not sure."

Oh, those Christians.

And here is insight into the "mind" of the birthers. Including Lou Dobbs and CNN, the increasingly irrelevant "news" network that enables him.

JD, absolutely no offense taken. It was a serious request (not directed at you) that somebody explain why a NY, Oxford-educated young fella like Sabin would come here and stay. Or, for that matter, tell me what Stanford-educated Max Brantley is doing here running an alternative newspaper and a blog when, with his talent, he could easily live anywhere in the world?

I understand why Win Rockefeller came to Petit Jean to stay, but why are his heirs, who could afford to live in London or Boston, still here in LR? When I say "many," I mean many, JD: Like in my neighborhood, filled with brilliant transplants who came to places like NCTR and UAMS years ago and have rejected all kinds of lucrative offers to relocate. Why is that?

I Am Curious Yellow!

I agree Durango that there are many people in the medical/research/university communities that have come to AR and chosen to stay even though they might make more money elsewhere. For some who have chosen to stay they like the quality of life here. They may not make as much money, but it is cheaper to live here. They can be close to all kinds of outdoor recreation, natural beauty and still live a a community that offers art, theater, scholarly events etc. and have a reasonably short commute to work. I'm sure each person has a variety of different reasons, but the above are some that I have heard from people I work with. In some instances, they went to school here (at UAMS) for a graduate degree and liked it and chose to stay. Others went to school elsewhere and came back here because they have family in the state. They do not necessarily vote Democrat, but they certainly are not part of the fringe group of Republican who are birthers.

Part of the reason that south has more birthers may be due to the lack of education as mentioned previously. They have become indoctrinated by Fox News and don't question what they hear. It is an unfortunate fact that the South has a less educated population (link at name for map). That is not to say that there are areas with more highly educated people who chose to live in the South. It's just that the under-educated outnumber them. I have to agree also with the idea that the people who keep this crazy story going do so out of racism.

"And then there are the many like Warwick Sabin who come and stay. Somebody please explain it."

Lu didn't have enough room in his U-Haul?

NVR, you've provided some very thoughtful and I think factual explanations, and I thank you for them. I agree with everything you wrote, including the comment about Fox News and those who watch it. Were you the student and I the professor, you'd get an "A" on this one. I've got my red gradin' pencil in hand and my readin' glasses on in case anybody else cares to submit a paper.

Uh, Doc, you're a noble spirit and all that, but ya get a big red "F" on your submission. Sorry!

Durango--sorry that you were offended by my sense of humor. I don't know Mr. Sabin. He could be a prince for all I know. He was just one of many victims of guilt by association.

If my son just HAD TO leave Arkansas, I'm glad he's still in the south. (The closer he is the easier it is for me to get my share of hugs...even if I still have to take em, ha.)

Just joshin' you, Doc. Truth be known, I got a good laugh out of your response. I don't know, but as best I can tell, Sabin left UCA and moved over to the Oxford American full-time because the magazine is his passion. I don't think he could be considered (or sees himself) as collateral damage from Lu's doings. I say that because Allen Meadors, the new UCA president, tried to talk Sabin into staying with the university.

Bless your warm little Arkansas heart, zelda. There is no love like that of a mother's. When one of my nephews left Little Rock to seek his fame and fortune in Washington after college graduation years ago, his mother cried inconsolably for three weeks. At one point, my worried brother thought she might need to be hospitalized.

And then one bright sunny morning, she awoke and declared that if the boy was happy, then mama oughta be happy; that after all, that's what they'd tried to instill in the young man --- the independence, ambition, and motivation needed to go wherever his dreams took him. Mama, papa, and son (now with a family of his own) have lived happily ever since. You will, too.

Dont forget the endless cycles of poverty, violence, ignorance, and blatant racism passed down in plenty of families.

people like Warwick Sabin will also often choose to stay here because it's a great place to raise kids. Lots of freedom and not much danger, most of the time.

zelda, my older son has been trying to get a job in hong kong ever since he graduated from law school. now THAT won't be many hugs. But if he's happy, then I say go for it. It's not like he's waiting for my opinion, anyway.

I'm here because I like it here. I like the culture and I like the people. I'm also here because I don't think Southerners are stupid. I do think quite a few of them are ignorant, and ignorance can be changed. If I didn't think so, I wouldn't have brought my daughter back from Atlanta (which, yes, is in the south, and which is a very cultured and beautiful city. Besides, if I have a people, these are my people.

An "A" for you, John A Arkansawyer.

Thanks for the "A" Durango. Sometimes my book learnin' pays off!

durango- I'm one of them furriners, transplanted here by the military some 42 years ago. I left the state once after getting out of the military, but came back in less than a year. Why? The best explanation is I got a good education in another state and have had an easy life competing (for jobs, etc.) here in Arkansas. Had I moved back to my home state for good, the competition would have been a lot tougher with a much more highly educated population. And that's it in a nutshell.

At one of my high school reunions they had a map showing how many members of our high school senior class out of 550 or so were living in Arkansas. I was the only one at that time.

Sound Policy, an "A" goes to you for your condor and for being smart enough to locate yourself where life is easy. Thanks to the latter, you may live longer than classmates who stayed home to duke it out for jobs where the competition was tougher. Question (which, if too personal, you may choose to ignore): Everything considered, have you suffered financially for spending your life here? Or, asked another way, is your lifestyle at a lower level than that enjoyed by most of your classmates?