Keeping the people of Alabama informed!
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Posted on 04/01/2010 6:29:19 PM PDT by myknowledge
Furious Alabama residents have hit out at Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and demanded he issue an apology for his "redneck" comment.
US media organisations, including the New York Times and FOX News, picked up Rudd's remarks, which followed US comedian Robin Williams joking "Australians are basically English rednecks".
Alabama newspaper, the Birmingham News, ran an "Australia vs Alabama" headline on the most prominent section of its website and asked readers to comment.
They did not hold back, with one accusing Rudd of making a "racial epithet" while another wrote "if it weren't for some Alabamians fighting in the war, the Australians would be speaking Japanese".
"I'm going to go to the zoo and punch a kangaroo in protest," another wrote on the Birmingham News site.
"I spent a month in Australia.
"Ninety-five per cent of it is a desert wasteland and looks like a Mad Max dump. There is a good reason Britain sent its criminals there."
The furore began earlier in the week when Williams, who just returned from a two week trip to Australia, appeared on Dave Letterman's US TV talkshow and joked that Australians are basically English rednecks.
Rudd, during an interview on Eddie Maguire's Triple M radio show, responded by saying: "First of all, I think Robin Williams should go and spend a bit of time in Alabama before he frames comments about anyone being particularly redneck".
Alabama Governor Bob Riley waded in on Wednesday by defending the people of his state as "decent, hard working, creative people".
Rudd should expect plenty of irate emails and comments on his Facebook page with links to both pasted on the Birmingham News site.
"Calling someone a redneck is the equivalent of a racial epithet," a reader wrote.
"Australian prime minister and Robin Williams should apologise."
Another wrote on the site: "The prime minister should call with an apology".
The war of the words is not the only Australia vs Alabama battle, with the Alabama government furious about last year's 18 month jail sentence handed down by the Queensland judicial system to Alabama resident Gabe Watson for the manslaughter of his wife during a honeymoon scuba diving trip on the Great Barrier Reef in 2003.
An "extremely upset" Alabama Attorney-General Troy King is investigating whether he can prosecute Watson in Alabama in what could be a death penalty case.
Some Alabamians agreed with Rudd's redneck comment and defended Australia.
"I have been to Australia several times and it is a modern progressive society with strict environmental laws and good schools," a reader wrote.
"Basically the polar opposite of nasty Alabama. The PM nailed Alabama perfectly."
Another wrote: "I also have been to Australia and was amazed at the beauty and friendliness of the country and the people.
"Most nations remember how Alabama at one time treated the blacks in Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham - they have a perfect right to view us as a bunch of rednecks, and unfortunately, they are largely correct!"
...by KRudd.
If Mr Rudd thinks there are rednecks in Alabama he’s obviously never been to west of the Blue Mountains. They got rednecks - ranchers, miners, truckers and... uh, professional women. Think Eastern Nevada only BIG. Fun place actually. Watch the snakes.
Mr Rudd could have perhaps said something different but Robin Williams is an ass. Of course whites are fair game.
***”Calling someone a redneck is the equivalent of a racial epithet,” a reader wrote. ****
When did “White Trash” become respectable and “Redneck” take it’s place?
I MUST BE A REDNECK ‘CAUSE I’M NOT UPSET AT ANYBODY!
...and aborigines only got the right to vote in 1962...
Now, wait. The rednecks of Alabama are upset at being referred to as rednecks????
Thereby earning the title of red neck A.G.
Like the Aussie sentence or not, there was no crime committed in Alabama.
Why in the world do people watch or care about anything said by either Robin Williams or David Letterman??
‘Coz they’re libbie airheads?
If you stare for hours at a can of frozen orange juice because the label says “CONCENTRATE,” you might be a redneck.
All of you folks, LIGHTEN UP!!!
This kind of hysterical pantie-twisting histrionics is for Dems and Libs.
Sit down, drink your beer and chill out!
Actually, that is what the British think about Australians (LOL)....I have heard it from them many times.
I wish the Alabama governor would say something like, "The Aussies are no better than your typical prick from New York." Heh!
Not only did Australians rob graves to send aboriginal specimens to the British Musuem, according to writings of Edward Ramsey (Australian curator of the Syndney Museum), fresh "samples" were appreciated and he also gave tips on how to 'plug' bullet wounds.
which followed US comedian Robin Williams joking “Australians are basically English rednecks”.
ok....that was pretty funny. : )
I spent 7 years in UCLA...Upper Corner of Lower Alabama...ie Pensacola area...and Redneck isn’t considered such a bad thing there.
Or should I say not such a bad thang there?
Or go into seizures because the bottle says “shake well”...?
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