Anger over the Democratic Nomination

[fabrisse]

I don't want someone who has not completed a term in the Senate (or a minimum of three terms in the House or been governor of a small or medium sized state -- I don't want someone who's been governor of a large state as they tend to think they know what they're doing without being a little cautious.). I especially don't want someone with no foreign policy clue: that Mr. Obama is not attending his committee meetings is the worst kept secret on the Hill.

I don't want someone touched, however gently, by the Chicago political machine. The current Mayor Daley may be running his fiefdom well, but the Chicago machine tends to cause more problems than it solves on a national level.

I don't want someone whose public speeches give no specifics, but I can find the specifics on his website. I have relatives who have never used the internet in their life. They have no access in a couple of cases because they are older and housebound. They don't want "hope", they want specifics on why they should hope and that means specifics on the national network news. (Don't get me started on the way the networks have abrogated their FCC mandated responsibility to inform the public.)

I'm pissed at the media for the "Hillary Deathwatch" type sites which seemed to imply she had no business remaining in the race. She did. Maybe she should have dropped out sooner, but I bloody well respect her for not giving in to the pressure. Had I seen the Slate and other sites grave dancing and been the candidate, I would have kept going too. That kind of "commentary" is unnecessary and nasty.

I'll hold my nose and vote for him, because I think the Republicans need to be out. But I don't see the elderly voting for him and they are the strongest single voting bloc in the country.

Comments

[wadjet-theperv.livejournal.com]

McCain is much more than a redneck -- and I mean that in a good way. Also, as a descendant of rednecks, that's a term that could be taken amiss.***

That's obviously a Limey's misunderstanding of the term. I've only ever heard it used in a disparaging way for someone who is as far away from liberal as one could possibly get.

My apologies, I didn't intend to cause offence in any way.

What does the word actually stand for?

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Rednecks have red necks because they are farmers. The term was originally a pejorative for rural -- especially Southern -- people. It got picked up as a point of pride at least partially due to Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a redneck if..." schtick. I like his comedy, and I recognize the stereotypes. Foxworthy's point was that rednecks come from all over, not just the South.

Technically, if you have a college education and don't work on a farm, you're not a redneck.

Southerners can be ignorant (or even stupid), but it's not their default setting. I have cousins who are proud that my great-grandfather ran the last black people out of their small town in Maryland. But I have cousins who deplore his actions too. Both can fairly be described as rednecks.

edited to add: I also know you're from the UK, so I didn't take offense. I just wanted you to know the word has connotations for many of us.

[wadjet-theperv.livejournal.com]

Now that makes sense. It's a shame that it's only been picked up as a derogatory term.

Thanks for cutting me some slack and explaining the nuance :o)