[Congressman Billybob]

This will be on several internet sites including ChronWatch, and may be on UPI. But, as usual, FR has it first. Enjoy.

[4CJ]

Excellent Congressman! I wish you well in your endeavors.

[4CJ]

It's on the 'blue line' highways of America, in places that you'll never see unless you deliberately choose to go there. But it is real and it is important, as real and as important to America as the high rise apartment you might live in or the high rise building you might work in. I urge you to choose such a destination, go there, and see what you will see. It just might give you a whole new perspective on the national and international policies of the federal government.

P.S. If your legislative talents are even a fraction of you're writing and legal abilities, you'll be the finest legislator we've ever seen.

[George Smiley]

Absolutely fantastic article.

One of the things my wife and I cite when we're asked about being still married the fact that we're both the sort of folks who, during any given journey, will say "I wonder where that road goes?" and then go that way just to find out.

[Howie]

"It's breathtaking in the late Fall when the beech trees are a translucent yellow, the maples and oaks turn deep orange and brown, and the sumacs add a dominant red."

This line reminds me of my childhood working on a towboat, clack-clacking up the Tennesee River, it truly was a sight to remember. Of all the rivers we worked we were all in agreement this was the most beautiful, with the Hickory, and other hardwoods turning to the colors of fall.

Gliding through the Shiloh Battle Ground park was an experience I will always remember. To heck with Europe I want to see America before I die! There is so much out there if one takes the time.

[knarf]

I left Boston in 1976 for the hills of West Virginia.

One does well to leave ones own 'culture' and go to another ... and ask for directions .... even if you know where you're going.

Excellent observation CB.

[Babsig]

I enjoy your posts. I have family that lives near Mt Airy. Is that your district, if so I will encourage them to vote for you. Sorry we cannot, since we live in upstate SC.

[VOA]

Possumtrot

One of the names considered at the founding of the city we now know as Kansas City, MO.

At least that's what I heard on the trivia show "What Do You Know?".

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

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[r9etb]

There is no room in these “bottom line” decisions for the lives lost as farmers die of despair, or sometimes even of suicide. There is no room for the loss of family farms, the breakup of families as the younger generation can no longer stay where they grew up. There is no room for a value to be placed on the need for willing and hard-working Americans to support themselves, their families, and their communities.

Didn't you hear? "The Market" will provide an alternative for this. Everybody says so.

[hattend]

BTTT

[F.J. Mitchell]

Possums don't trot, Possums don't do nuthin 'cept lay there in the road dead but still grinning, like dying is lots of fun.

[mhking]

BillyBob's journey is relevant to all, regardless of race, but I ask you all to take a look at a well-written piece from one of our own.

Black conservative ping

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[Eaker]

Ping to a thoughtful read.

[an amused spectator]

Dang. As usual, your words are poetry.

[billhilly]

Very, very eloquent. As an oldster now, and having grown up in hardscrabble rural America, a look forward is almost like a look back. "Things are tough and getting tougher" was a nightly refrain back then. Your Possum Trot was my Pea Ridge and we substitute Kentucky for North Carolina. In the end, there was a powerful resolve in our folks, and it usually ended in "we'll get by."

We need folks like you here in congress. I sure hope it works out that way for you, and for us.

[azhenfud]

Reading your work brings back some childhood memories - some good, some less than good.

It's well known, once a farm has been destroyed by adverse government and commerce policy, there's little chance of it ever returning or being replaced.

As you so eloquently point out, farmers can absorb and adjust from the occasional punch from bad weather or from bad crops, but the constant and increasing barrage from bad policy wreaks blow after blow that disheartens and destroys the inner hope one must have to farm.

In summary, not only are the policies hostile to the farm proper, but they're equally destructive of the farmer's hope for maintaining their standards, much less for better.

Commendations to you for a fine article, and best wishes for your bid to help lead this State.

Az

[EagleMamaMT]

This was beautiful. Thank you. And you're so right about there being Possumtrot Roads in every state. Here in rural Missouri, we're facing the most of the same problems. I wish we had someone running for Congress here who could speak about the problems as eloquently as you have.

[wattsmag2]

If ya include the Black Mountains crosschain, and I think most do, that maximum would be 6684 feet.

[cav68]

I grew up on a small farm in Isle of Wight county in southeastern Virginia. The farm itself is located on part of the the Old Pine Tree Plantation, the majority of the Old timers have gone and have been replaced by their children who have become the Old Timers of which I am one now. Our farm house is located on the Blackwater River which forms a peninsula which helps even more to seculde it from all others. Hurricane Isabel caused an extreme amount of damage to the tree crop and we have been cutting trees from our excess road for almost a month and with the grace of God I hope to have the road open at the end of the day on Saturday. As we toll along with our work we always take time to see the beauty the old place displays each time I visit, it remainds me of a quote from the movie Gone with the Wind, " The earth is the only thing that is worth living for" the smell of the soil especialy this time of the year as it is harvest time for the peanuts and corn and soy beans. As the combines come in and gather the fruits of bounty the earth give us a smell which seems to bring out only the best in the people involved, they all are happy and glowing with pride for its at this time they tend to share even more openly with family friends and if you are lucky enough starngers from time to time. My youngest son has the same feelings about the simplicity of the farm from riding on the tractor to a simple walk along the swamp area and he really gets excited when he sees the wildlife right up close, his favorite is the Wild Turkeys, as they are so colorful and he knows when you see one you have become part of that animals day. Well I am long winded but I too enjoy a simpler time where beauty at this time of year in my area is worth each morning I get out of bed, I can hope that others enjoy the scenery in their areas during the wonderful fall season. I hope everyone takes time one afternoon and watch the sun go down, the sky is truly a HD plasma screen of color.

[lilylangtree]

My friend's husband (they live in Carthage, NC) just lost his job about 3 weeks ago. Forwarded this article to them asking for their comments.