Posted on 03/16/2007 1:55:36 PM PDT by Hildy
A performance by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra featuring John Schneider and Tom Wopat, who appeared in the 1979-85 series The Dukes of Hazzard was canceled after complaints that the series had "racist overtones," according to Ben Jones, who played Cooter on the show and later served two terms as a Georgia Congressman.
"What could these politically correct vigilantes possibly be thinking?" Jones said in a statement, in which he called the cancellation "a dangerous affront to the rights of performing artists and their audiences." Jones particularly criticized the NAACP for endorsing the cancellation. "I'm a life member of the NAACP and proud of it," he said. "Denying an artist an opportunity to entertain an audience because of somebody's wrongheaded political viewpoint is just plain un-American. I have fought for equal rights all of my life, and that is why I am speaking out on this."
Schneider and Wopat were to have headlined a PBS special by the Cincinnati Pops on July 14 titled "Patriotic Broadway."
They never got specific with it on the Andy Griffth Show but they made it pretty plain that she had passed away.
Now I know, I know, the vast majority of people who wave the flag are not racists. I know that the vast majority of soldiers who fought under it never owned slaves. And I know that to most poeple who actually fly it, it symbolizes valor and courage and not slavery or racism. General Lee himself was opposed to slavery, as was Stonewall Jackson.
But it is perfectly understandable how some people can associate it with slavery, and therefore racism. It's not an accident that the KKK and other racist groups use it.
You are correct, sir! Ben "Cooter" Jones ran for the House in a Southside Virginia district, as a Democrat, and I believe he may have even used the ol' General Lee as a prop at some of his campaign stops! (I can't remember whether the flag was still on the roof or not.) Corin, do you know whether Jones played up his "Hazzard County" roots or not when he ran?
Fortunately, the folks in his district figured out that though Mr. Jones has serious "good ol' boy" credentials, he's still a liberal and bad for them, and for America.
Lie down with a flea-infested hound dawg, Cooter, and y'all're gonna wake up with fleas.
}:-)4
You explained my comment better than I did.. thanks..
With respect to some shows, I think the main purpose was to create a vehicle for the star rather than advance any agenda. The odd family arrangements made good comedic/dramatic material. For example, I have read that Bob Newhart wanted no kids in his TV marriage with Suzanne Pleshette, because that was not the kind of material he wanted to do.
tain't nuffin else 'llowed!
This is the second time I've read somebody concerned about this problem. Your concern wasn't as ridiculous as the other thing I read.
OK, I may be wrong. If he served two terms as a Congresscritter from Georgia, then who was it that ran in Virginia recently and lost? I'm confuzzled.
}:-)4
"See also Andy Griffith..."
Opie's Mom passed away, hence the need for Aunt Bea.
If Andy Griffith isn't wholesome enough for you, nothing is.
Jones does have it all over his own website:
http://www.cootersplace.com/
It wasn't plain to me, but then again, I haven't watched all that many episodes. I never heard a single reference to her in any episode I watched. Perhaps I haven't seen the one where they deal with the issue.
I don't think he's a leftist as much as a RAT who felt he had to toe the party line.
Ben Jones, the ex-congressman from Georgia, moved to Virginia, ran for Congress, and lost.
America is DOOMED to die a slow death due to PC!
Phew. OK, thanks, I thought I was hallucinating. :)
I'm not sure where "Cooter" stands on the War on Terror, but I'm guessing, reading about his upbringing, that he's from the old mold of Southern populist Rats--probably moderate-to-conservative socially, but all for wealth redistribution and big gummint programs.
}:-)4
Cooter has got baggage. He lived a few doors down from some friends of ours in Decatur. He was an alcoholic, who was charged with domestic abuse. He also has a poor marital history with multiple divorces. I can't remember exactly how many. Our friends didn't think he was the best of neighbors.
Only if you teach that he was gay.
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