Posted on 08/26/2007 3:00:04 PM PDT by hardback
Sunday, August 26, 2007 Underestimating Southern Demeanor
John Wayne wasn't a Southerner, but he had a firm grasp on the mindset of BEING from the south in some cases. "Talk low, talk slow, and don't talk too much."
From Wikipedia (I know it's generally not considered a refined source, but for general information, sometimes it's a great place to look for things):
The Culture of the Southern United States or Southern Culture is a subculture of the United States that has resulted from the blending of a heavy amount of rural Scot-Irish culture, the culture of African slaves, Native American culture, and to a lesser degree that of French and Spanish colonists. Southerners have a unique shared history, which includes remembrance of difficult times such as the institution of slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Great Depression, segregation and the Civil Rights Movement, and more recent events or tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina.
The South also hosts a vibrant African American subculture, a sense of rural isolation, and a strong regional identity. It has also developed its own customs, literature, musical styles (such as country music, bluegrass, southern gospel, rock and roll, blues and jazz), and cuisine. This unique cultural and historical blend has caused many scholars such as sociologist John Shelton Reed to speculate that Southerners are a separate ethnic group.
The largest group of Southerners are primarily the descendants of the Celtic immigrants who moved to the South in the 17th and 18th centuries. According to an 1860 census, "three-quarters of white Southerners had surnames that were Scottish, Irish or Welsh in origin." 250,000 settled in the USA between 1717 and 1770 alone. They were often called "crackers" [2] by English neighbors. As one wrote, "I should explain… what is meant by Crackers; a name they have got from being great boasters; they are a lawless set of rascals on the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas, and Georgia, who often change their places of abode." Most had previously lived in Scotland, usually in the Lowlands and Scottish Border Country. The "Celtic Thesis" of Forrest McDonald and Grady McWhiney holds that they were basically Celtic (as opposed to Anglo-Saxon), and that all Celtic groups (Scots Irish, Scottish, Welsh and others) were warlike herdsmen, in contrast to the peaceful farmers who predominated in England. Author James Webb uses this thesis in his book Born Fighting to suggest that the character traits of the Scots-Irish, loyalty to kin, mistrust of governmental authority, and military readiness, "helped shape the American identity," and indeed, these features commonly seen in the South have long been woven into fabric of American society and policy.
The other primary population group in the South is made up of the African-American descendants of the slaves brought into the South. African-Americans comprise the United States' second-largest racial minority, accounting for 12.1 percent of the total population according to the 2000 census. Despite Jim Crow era outflow to the North (see Great Migration (African American)) the majority of the black population remains concentrated in the southern states, and have transmitted their foods, music (see "negro spirituals"), art, and charismatic brand of Christianity to white Southerners, and the rest of the nation.
There has been much criticism over the years by both Southerners and Northerners alike of the negative stereotypes of southerners (especially those of the Appalachian regions) depicted in the media and in the general attitudes of some people from other regions. Critics argue that in this age of "political correctness" and sensitivity (especially taught in American schools since the 1990's) that the people of the southern United States are today one of the few groups that can be openly and "safely" ridiculed and discriminated against[citation needed]. This is primarily due, critics point out, to other Americans' lack of knowledge of the region and because of hostile feelings and prejudices in response to the south's history of poor education (in some areas) and racial problems. Offensive terms such as "redneck" and "hillbilly" are often used to pervasively blanket the entire region.
It is this mindset that seems to have shrouded Fred Thompson during the first stages of what is likely to be his bid for the White House. Critics, especially Northern critics, have labeled him as "slow, unfocused, and gloomy." Is it gloomy to present the reality of things to the American people rather than doing the standard dance of rhetoric? I think not, and in Jonathan Martin's Fred: Sober and Serious, I find that I'm not alone in thinking so.
Fred: Sober and Serious
INDIANAPOLIS — Fred Thompson thinks the country faces a tough road ahead and he's not glossing over the problems we face. In fact, he's anxious to outline the daunting litany and appears to be basing his forthcoming campaign on the assumption that his party shares the same outlook.
In a 25-minute after-dinner speech to attendees of the Midwestern Republican Leadership Conference here, Thompson offered a stark assessment of what he described as America's perilous condition.
"I simply believe that on the present course that we're going to be a weaker, less prosperous, more divided nation than what we have been," Thompson told the crowd in a deep baritone that rarely strayed from an even tone. "I do not say that lightly, but I think it's the truth. And I think the American people are ready for the truth."
There are three major challenges, Thompson said, and none are being given appropriate attention or sufficient commitment. National security ("our country's in danger; it's going to be that way for a long time to come"), the economy ("we are doing steady damage to our economy, that if we don't do things better it's going to result in economic disaster for future generations") and the polarization, cynicism and incompetence gripping the capital ("in order to have leadership you got to have somebody who's going to follow; our people follow, but they don't have any confidence in what's being said or who's saying it").
And Thompson's tonic for these thorny matters?
Well, befitting his still not yet being a formal candidate he didn't have specific solutions. Instead he returned to what he calls "first principles."
"I don't think the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are outmoded documents," Thompson declared, finally giving the crowd something to clap about after the gloomy bill of particulars was laid out. Federalism or devolving power to the states would help, he said. Also, the rule of law, the market economy, respect for private property, free trade and competition came in for praise — hardly dangerous ground among conservative activists.
Perhaps recognizing that all his rhetoric was depressing a crowd that given him a loud and extended welcome, Thompson said it was very much possible for things to turn around. "We know how to do that, we've done it so many times before," he reminded.
We do know how, and yes, we have done it before.
In my mind, Fred Thompson's greatest opponent will not be Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama. The greatest challenge will be in fighting Southern stereotyping. Fortunately, there seem to be enough educated people stepping up to the plate from other sections of the country to help fight this.
And I think we can surpass it, and Fred Thompson can win the Presidency.
I sure hope he recognized it! Americans don't want a leader who tells us about how bad our problems are, we already know that. Americans want a leader who optimistically tells us how he will lead us to victory and success.
I support Fred and hope I never hear another speech like that from him.
Illegal immigation isn't a problem? Or is that supposed to be implied somewhere in national security, the economy and political polarization?
When some Republican candidate decides to go full out in telling it like it is -- without generalized platitudes that could mean anything and nothing -- wake me up.
Did you listen to the speech? He mentioned both the borders and terrorism—early in his speech.
>Americans want a leader who optiisticaly tells us how he will lead us to victory and success.<
You are so right. That is why when people listen to Duncan Hunter they hear his solid, well thought out answers to our problems. They hear a vigorous man determined to turn the ship of state out of the fast sea lane to disaster on so many fronts. And they are turning to Duncan Hunter in droves.
Most of the Republican candidates are taking pages out of Duncan Hunter’s book. And Fred will be no exception.
Ah, yes—Hunter and his non-existent campaign: You can’t see it, you can’t hear it. It’s just alive enough for the pittance of donations to dribble into his PAC.
Where are they turning to Duncan Hunter in droves? Maybe in your bizzaro world fantasy land that you live in where Hunter has a snowball's chance in hell of even making it to New Hampshire. Here in the real world, droves of people aren't doing anything at all regarding Duncan Hunter. They're quite happily ignoring him.
Maybe you and I saw different speeches?
GRAPEVINE -- The good news for U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter is that he should get plenty of exposure during the Texas Republican Straw Poll during the Labor Day weekend.Now they didn't allude to the crowd but did mention a few of the staff/help... So I can't conclude that he had a drove there or no one showed up but a couple from the media.The bad news is that on Wednesday afternoon, only one newspaper reporter and one TV news crew showed up for his news conference at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center.
But the California Republican was all smiles. He was courteous when members of Gaylord security staff showed up and mentioned that they had learned about Hunter's news conference on the Internet. Politely but firmly, they told him that they expected to be notified of future events.
I’m not even quite sure who Duncan Hooter is.
Absurd. Completely absurd—and the data available [polls and donations] prove that your comment is absurd.
Define “well.”
Maybe top four or even top three. It really depends upon the make up of those delegates that attend. I have no idea who is movtivate and who isn’t to attend this event. But apparently it hasn’t been received with the enthusiasm as the promoters had hoped for.
I don't believe in all this comparisons of Fred to Reagan, each is/was their own man. I do, however, think it would be a good exercise for Fred to watch a recording of his latest speech with Reagan's words in mind. He might see that he needs to change his rhetorical direction a little.
As long as he does'nt utter the words "I Don't Feel No-Ways Tired" he should be fine.
“I sure hope he recognized it! Americans don’t want a leader who tells us about how bad our problems are, we already know that. Americans want a leader who optimistically tells us how he will lead us to victory and success.”
Patriotic Americans want brutal honest truth.
I disagree strenuously. PART of our problem is that we DON’T now how serious our problems are. What we hear is a great deal of rhetoric and 20 point plans (to quote Fred) to fix this or that issue. We haven’t LEADERS. We have politicians.
Fred is going to educate us (that’s my opinion) on our real problems. He WILL offer solutions and remedies for them- but first he has to get our attention.
Optimism is our strength and we CAN overcome our problems- but I see us sleeping in entrenched right v left hatred, utter lack of trust in our government individually and collectively.
Fred is not going to sugarcoat. America simply MUST wake up to itself before ANYONE can lead us forward to our future greatness.
I was moved and inspired by the speech- because someone told me the truth. The facts are where we must begin.
I may not want to hear more speeches like last night- but I think I need to- think we ALL need to. We have to snap out of it.
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