We Do Things Differently Around Here???

So I will start the blog off this morning by saying that I have many character flaws...one of which is "moodiness." And let's just say that today is not a good "mood" day!! I'm tired...and it is my fault...but I'm also intolerant and today everyone is getting on my freaking nerves. Which leads me into my "rant" of the day.

I was having a conversation with someone that I work with...and in the midst of our discussion he said "This is Alabama...we do things differently here!" What the hell does that even mean?? I have heard this sort of rhetoric my entire life and it has always irritated the crap out of me. And this is why...usually when that is stated it's normally in refernce to some bass-ackwards way of doing things...or a way to condemn someone else's mode of thought. Also...it is usually in reference to someone "liberal" or "progressive"...or more specifically...someone who would rather read a book than shoot somebody brown!!

Now...let's think about this for a second. I know that I will not be greeted with a warm reception with regard to this blog because I'm going to step on some toes...that being said...this is about honesty not about placating to the feelings of others. So if you are easily offended by people who think differently than you do...my best advice would be to stop reading now...

So...we do things differently around here. That ranks right up there with referring to people as "yankees" in my book (another absurd expression). If someone is from "the north" and they are disliked...the first thing you here from most southerners is "oh well..they are yankees...what do you expect." What a crock of shit!! I personally don't think a geographical position predisposes someone to being a "jerk." I think being a "jerk" is determined by...well...being a jerk!! I mean come on...has the south really cornered the market on "nice." Let's take a walk down memory lane..shall we...

In Alabama...where we do things differently remember...life is like a bowl of cherries!! We are number 49 in education (thanks Mississippi)!! We have a Governor who doesn't want to be your "brother" if you aren't a fan of Jesus. We'd rather watch millions of dollars leave the state than allow the "mafia-controlled" lottery to enter our borders. Less than 10 years ago...an ammendment to "legalize" interacial marriage BARELY PASSED with a statewide vote. And to top it all off...we elected a Supreme Court Chief Justice whose claim to fame is creating a 1200 pound granite sculpture of the Ten Commandments...just to make a point and challenge the "system." Yeah...we do things differently around here...that is unless you are living in 1846...then we are right in line with the status quo!!

Why do many southerners think that we are so much better than the rest of the world? It is unbelievable that there are still people who re-enact Civil War battles...and think that the South should have won the Civil War?? I mean...seriously...do they really think things would be better?? Man...owning people sure would be cool!! Oh yeah...and that whole Industrial Revolution thing...the one that began "up north"...way overrated!! I'm going to go on record and say this now...if the South had been victorious in the Civil War...the southern U.S. would be HAITI!! We would be impoverished, starving and even more riddled with ignorance than we are now...if that is even possible!!

I'm not saying the South is all bad...it isn't. There are aspects about our culture and way of life that I deeply cherish. However...to truly respect and revel in your own culture...you have to do the same for others!! Who the hell do we think we are!! 50 years ago...we were sicking dogs on people and turning hoses on them. Our Governor stood in a state college doorway...just to prevent young black people from getting an education. Is that in the past...of course...but sadly...so many people "mentally" are still there. How many times in my life have I heard "I'm not a racist but..."...if you start a sentence off that way...guess what...you are a racist!! There are plenty of things that culturally I don't understand...but that goes for whites, blacks, mexicans...whatever. I have too many quirks of my own to spend valuable time pointing out the mistakes and stupidity of others. Of course...I'm spending valuable time doing just that...right now!!

The next time you hear someone in Alabama say "we do things differently around here"...stop for a second and just ask...can you explain that?? See what they say. Maybe they will prove me wrong and put together a logical and well thought out response...but I have my doubts. I just wish would take the time and realize the world is a big place...and differences of opinion shouldn't create a self-imposed "isolationism." Hitler said it best "Keep the masses ignorant and hungry and you can rule the world." Just ask Sarah Palin...I'm pretty sure that is in her book somewhere...right next to pictures of her killing moose and throwing blood on someone at an abortion clinic (that was harsh...and I am positive that made some people mad)!! I'm not saying you have to agree with me on everything...in fact I don't expect MANY people to agree with me. I just wish there was someway to help people understand that things that are different...aren't to be feared. I don't want a world of James'...how boring and horrible would that be!! I like the fact that we live in a world of varying opinions and feelings. If you don't...there is a fast and easy solution...Dr. Kevorkian still has a few good years left. I'm sure he wouldn't mind dusting off the old "Adios 5000."

I have ranted enough for today...and I do apologize if anyone was grossly offended but unfortunately "we do things differently around here!!'

Until next time friends...