Seen on a Georgia bumper
A family wedding took me deep into the belly of the South – to South Carolina. Not exactly battleground territory. Conservative enough that it DID cross my mind someone might see my bumper stickers and slash my tires or otherwise vent their anger at my politics. The
n to my surprise, THIS car brought out my own inner tire-slasher. Gathering photographic evidence proved satisfying enough, as did high-tailing it home.
Also of note were billboards for “The World’s Largest Tobacco Outlet!!” and more than one smoke-filled restaurant, still. And topless truck stops right there along I-95.
But that’s all minor stuff compared to Spanish moss, magnolias, 75-degree sea air and family. Especially the bride, who belted out “Me and Bobby McGee” accompanied by the awesome Bee Bop Hoedown Band out of Roanoke, Virginia. 
{ 19 comments }
I’ve just been reading a BBC reporter’s blog which says that a lot of Americans distrust Obama because he’s ‘too European’. I’m not quite sure why that should be a bad thing! But you know, I think that bumper sticker is right in a twisted sort of way. As far as I can see, there are Americans – and there are non-liberal Americans. Luckily, I’ve only ever met Americans.
Please don’t think all southerners are are so hateful.
Many of us are liberal, American, and proponents of tolerance (even of conservatives who put nasty bumper stickers on their cars).
Susan T., I’m so glad you weighed in on this. It’s easy for us northerners to fall back on some outdated stereotypes. Of course, Susan Harris’s headline for this post makes pretty clear that she’s not lumping all southerners into the same illiberal pile.
–Kate
You are right, Kate–I don’t for a minute think Susan is lumping us all into the same stinky pile. I just wanted to give up a little squeak for those of us who are southerners/westerners and as appalled as everyone else at the hatefulness.
BTW, there’s an American flag attached with duct tape to my Obama yard sign.
Hey y’all, I’m a Southerner, too.
Hey, Susan. Hope you didn’t take offense at my defense. I didn’t mean any.
Love your blog, BTW. Esp. the anti-lawness of it…
How quickly folks have forgotten that liberals brought them the 40 hour work week, decent wages and pension benefits.
There’s crazy extremists in every area of the political spectrum. Crazy people are everywhere. It’s not a geographical thing.
Gulp. Well, Susan H., like I said, us northerners can get caught in our own set of stereotypes. Case in point–my assumptions above. Another good reminder–
Kate
Just want to chime in that neither all Southerners nor all conservatives fall prey to hate-mongering idiocy. I’m glad to read that doesn’t seem to be the case here either (: Also, please please please don’t judge the south or South Carolina on the travesty that is the I-95 corridor!
I miss the Spanish moss, oak trees, and the (unofficial) largest magnolia in my southern hometown which just happens to be in my family’s front yard. Thanks for the beautiful photo!
Us Southern Liberals have much to put up with, the least of which are stupid bumper stickers. But we do exist. (Try being a Southern Athiest Liberal.) I’m proud to say my state went blue this year – Yay!
Congratulations, Wicked. That’s more than Montana managed–though it was a close call.
–Kate
So many southerners are transplanted northerners these days. I think half of NC is from Buffalo.
It can get weird sometimes down here.
I know this is an old post, but people still read it so I thought I would comment.
I see nothing hateful about the bumper sticker. It doesn’t say, “I hate Liberals”. I think people need to lighten up. Dare I ask what political bumper stickers you have on your car? Are they disrespectful towards conservatives? Is there a double standard here?
There is a legitimate concern amongst many Americans that a Liberal agenda is a socialist one, and that is not what America is about. Not everybody who possesses that opinion is a tire slashing redneck and you shouldn’t arrogantly assume so. Americans have always had a healthy mistrust of government, going back to the founding fathers with the writing of our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Many Americans can see the side effects of Canada’s liberal government and policies and give a thumbs down to the mediocrity a nanny government breeds. To some it is indeed anti-American to want to transfer this country into the model used by others, especially when that model, arguably, doesn’t seem to work as well.
As I said, the bumper sticker is just one man’s opinion. Nothing hateful about it, unless of course YOU just hate people who disagree with you.
The problem with people like you Bill is you dont know what a ’socialist agenda’ is it just sounds nefarious and you like to be scared and scare people.
You right now dont get to decide where your tax money goes so what on earth is the difference between tax money going to a useless cold war weapon system that sits in a shed and healthcare for a child?
I’ll tell the difference one is a positive, decent use of tax money and one is designed to fatten up an already rich industrialist.
As long as taxes goes up it only comes down to preference. Healthcare for children is no different a kind of spending than another weapon. Well it is different one is useful and one is useless. We already spend 10x more than any other country on weapons while our country falls apart.
So basically thats why liberals view people like you who bleat ’socialist’ as idiots. You havent sat down and thought about the issue, you’re a parrot. A tool of propagandists and industrialists who dont want their cookie given to a poor kid, despite them having 1,000,000 cookies in storage.
Just a quick reply. How do you know what I do or do not know? Have you ever lived in a socialist country? Well, I have and I do know what I’m talking about — I’m no parrot.
How did we go from a discussion about a bumper sticker to evil industrialists who deprive children of healthcare. Are you insane?
By the way, it’s hard work, business, and a strong milita
Just a quick reply. How do you know what I do or do not know? Once again you make outrageous statements without possessing any facts. Have you ever lived in a socialist country? Well, I have and I do know what I’m talking about — I’m no parrot. If “socialist” offends you, substitute “social democracy” with my apologies. I do agree that the word “socialist”, in the strictest sense, is overused by right-wing nut-jobs. Hint: there are left-wing nut-jobs out there too.
How did we go from a discussion about a bumper sticker, and someone’s right to express an opinion without some crazy woman contemplating vandalizing their car, to evil industrialists who deprive children of health-care or cookies …. laughing. Are you insane?
Bye the way, private health care is affordable in most cases and government assistance is already available to anybody who does their homework. America already spends more money per child on education than ANY other country. Do your homework before you run your mouth like a “parrot”. This information is readily available online. Hint: Google.
If you want to place blame for suffering children, blame irresponsible parents not the government. If you want to see suffering, go to a developing country. If you want to help people, give to a children’s charity that assists in developing countries where it is truly needed. I do.
May I also suggest that you get out and see the rest of the world. I don’t get the sense that you are very well traveled. Before you suggest fundamental changes to America go out and see the alternatives. America offers everything to it’s citizens, especially choices. The fact that you have to earn it seems to offend some people. It’s about personal responsibility, or at least it used to be.
I see no honor in a mindset that thinks it’s someone else’s job to provide them or theirs with health-care or other entitlements. My guess, you’re divorced and living off the settlement/alimony. Have you ever worked for a living? …. laughing. It really makes me sick to hear an American bellyaching about how tough anybody in this country has it. Your opinions in the clear absence of knowledge or experience is the quintessential definition of ignorance.
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