Crazy In NC: Mayoral Edition

General Says Respect All

General deals major blow to military’s superiority myth - Salon.com:

...But whether or not you like McChrystal, nobody questions his loyalty to the military itself, which makes his declaration particularly significant. Here you have the rare military leader who is willing to publicly reject Military Exceptionalism, to insist that America show equal respect to all kinds of public service, and to additionally declare that military service is one way to build patriotic character – but not the only way.

In America, that’s a radical notion – but it only is because we are so inculcated to accept the assumptions baked into the theology of militarism. But when even a general steps up and starts questioning those core assumptions, it is a welcome signal that the theology may finally be on its way out.

The Other White Minority

Update: Please read the comments.

Appalachian Americans: The Invisible Minority - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com:

Appalachian-Americans are not generally discussed in multicultural textbooks or thought of as a distinct cultural group, yet they exhibit major cultural differences when compared to the common social construct of 'white America'. For this reason they continue to be marginalised, even in a time when acceptance of ethnic minorities and ideals of a pluralistic society are the norm...

...Coal companies hired thugs to intimidate both miners and outsiders who might bring attention to exploitation that bordered on slavery. Union members' houses "were raided by dozens of machine-gun-carrying deputies. Miners were beaten and murdered..." (Rorrer, n.d.)...

...The centuries-old stereotype that anyone with an Appalachian accent possesses a "natural stupidity," is still perpetuated by the media. Television shows like "Beverly Hillbillies", "Green Acres" and "Hee Haw" have been described as "the most intensive effort ever exerted by a nation to belittle, demean and otherwise destroy a minority people within its boundaries" (Bower & Growick, 2003). In one night of reruns, hillbillies are shown being conned into buying the White House, cuddling a talking pig, and rising from a corn patch "to cark the sickest jokes on TV..." (Bower & Growick, 2003). ...

These excerpts are only part of the article, which is long, detailed, and well-cited.

 

Saving America

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Happy Birthday, America

A member of my family has fought in every war the U.S. has endured since The French and Indian War (with the sole exception of Desert Storm). I have a few high-placed relatives who fought in the Revolution and I had relatives on both sides during the Civil War. My son is in the Middle East now.

All of which somewhat explains why I get so infuriated when Republicans accuse liberals and Democrats of not loving their country, of not being patriotic. My family is by far majority Democrats and liberals-- all the way back as far as I can tell, so excuse my liberal cheers for my country-- and no, you are not going to take it back from me.