Two Links

[tealin]

My good friend tony_cliff has written an excellent entry calling out 'fine art.' Preach it, Tony!

Then, just when I thought I had settled in, I read a surprisingly insightful article on rednecks and was reminded that this is a completely foreign country.

Comments

[beckychan.livejournal.com]

Wow! Makes me just a little less proud of my Irish heritage. ^_^O But he's right, the author. So many of the things that are looked down upon as redneck traits are hero-worshiped in Braveheart.

Yeesh.

[noodledaddy.livejournal.com]

That's a good article. It doesn't reflect my long-held definition of "redneck," but is essentially accurate.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Especially that scene where they deep-fry pickles and grilled cheese sandwiches in preparation for battle! So stirring!

[septentrio.livejournal.com]

That is so horrifying and depressing. I don't know what I'll do if McCain is elected. I really don't. I honestly think I'll cry. Argh, I want California to become its own country and I'll just move there. :\

[noodledaddy.livejournal.com]

Those were actually Mars Bars they were deep frying. It's just back in the day they didn't have the same preservatives and the candy turned a little green.

[azvolrien.livejournal.com]

I feel vaguely offended that he refers to 'Scots-Irish'. Um, hello? Two different countries? It's about as accurate as saying 'Scots-English'.

[followthatcab.livejournal.com]

tony_cliff = Plato's LJ Nom de Plume?

Also Re: Today article: I rarely experience I Work in Politics Righteous Anger, but am now and cannot even add a reader comment. Radio 4, for the first time in years I am shaking my internet fist in your internet direction.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Might I direct your attention to the large pink blob that sits like a hat atop the U.S. of A on many maps? Every time there's an election in the States, Canadians revel in celebrities saying 'If _____ wins, I'm moving to Canada!' The election happens, that candidate wins, and then everyone forgets Canada exists. It's like one giant blue state. With the possible exception of Alberta, but in an American context even Alberta is more of a purplish hue, even though they wear cowboy hats.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

I believe what he is referring to are the Ulster Scots, the population that was settled in Northern Ireland in the 1600s to bolster the Protestant population, if memory serves. Some of them then migrated to America and were one of the core groups of original settlers.

Ah yes, here we go: ask Wikipedia! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Scots_people)

[beckychan.livejournal.com]

:rofl: You know, deep fried pickle doesn't disturb me as much as deep fried twinky.

Help? (unrelated)

[lastimagination.livejournal.com]

I am SO sorry for asking this here, but have no idea where else/who else to ask that I might get an answer from.
1) How do you name the links instead of being stuck with the url?
2) Is there any way to get rid of parentheses around cuts? Or make them fit nicely in with text?
Thaaaaaaaaaanks. :)

Re: Help? (unrelated)

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Unrelated but fellow LJers might like to know ...

The formatting of the cut is impossible to modify, unless you make it a link to another page entirely.

You can find the HTML code for links here (http://www.quackit.com/html/codes/html_link_code.cfm). Just replace their url and text with yours. Make sure you preserve the brackets and quotation marks.

[septentrio.livejournal.com]

I have thought of that, but I think I'd be lonely up there (though, same with moving anywhere) and I don't know *anything* about Canada, whereas I do know a little bit about England. But I did think of going to the Vancouver Film School for a while.

I live in Phoenix right now, though, so pretty much anywhere is going to be freezing in comparison. I even think California gets cold. I grew up in Colorado and I'm not really a fan of snow. :\

[canisdoofus.livejournal.com]

I fail to see the benefits the US ever got out of stealing California from Mexico!

They can have it back!

I love my country! I have always been proud of my country! I love being able to freely own the firearm(s) of my choice -- and be able to conceal it for my personal safety without having to break the law! I love hunting! That does not mean I am uneducated: quite the contrary. I have traveled all over the world and appreciate every corner of it and its various cultures without judgement. However, I must never lose sight of my roots. For better or for worse, they are a part of me. And everyone else who dares to his or herself "American".

It is NOT "horrifying and depressing" by any means! What you are saying is nothing short of racist!

I loved the article, though. And yes, what Tea is saying is true: if you don't like it here, you are welcome in Canada.

And Tealin: PLEASE DON'T DEFRIEND ME FOR THIS! I just needed to get that off my chest. I felt like... well like a redneck! Having to defend my honor! :P Sorry if I sound a bit aggressive.

BTW, us Cuban-Americans have always been "Redneck wannabes". Our cultures are very similar.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to defriend you! As long as you don't make a habit of aggressive intolerance and open bigotry you're welcome to any opinion you wish to carry (though perhaps 'racist' might be going a bit far because I don't think rednecks quite qualify as an ethnic group). Honestly I'm surprised no one else has spoken up for middle America here. In fact it seems everyone agrees to some extent with what the article says, whether they think it's 'horrifying' or something to be proud of.

What baffles me here is that there are bear-hunting, moose-eating, flannel-wearing, rodeo-going, beer-quaffing, pickup-truck-driving, rifle-toting conservative Christians all across Canada (heck, I've got loggers, truckers, farmers, oilers, and drag racers in my own extended family) but they hardly fall within the bounds of 'redneck' (especially when compared to their American counterparts) and are nowhere near as extreme and aggressive a voting block as they are down here. The most redneck people I knew in my time there were, perhaps ironically, absolutely raging liberals to the point of socialism. And all the 'Canadian rednecks' in my acquaintance were fully capable of analysis and a certain degree of objectivity, things which do not seem to be hallmarks of American redneck culture. I theorize that the similarities arise from a similar history (settling and taming a wild land) but are some of the differences perhaps due to different national backgrounds? I don't know how much of Canada was founded by the Scots-Irish. Scots, yes, and Irish, but a)they seemed to identify with their old-world roots more closely and for a longer time, b)there were significant waves of immigration to the west from Eastern Europe in the late 19th and 20th centuries, which along with French Canadian homesteaders might have lessened the Scots-Irish cultural monopoly (if it existed at all), and c)Canada never broke off its ties with the UK; in fact it's idolized the UK for most of its history as far as I know, so the British (Victorian?) ideals of decorum and sobriety (not literal sobriety; these are the Brits) have permeated Canadian culture as a whole. Maybe what it comes down to, in a personal way, is Great Big Difference #1 in Canadian vs American culture: Canadians mind their own business. Every social group in America is comparatively in-your-face, from urban African-Americans to counter-culture homosexuals to East Coast intellectuals, so perhaps the extremity and abrasiveness of the rednecks is only to be expected.

By the way, Americans got tons of Californian gold a few years after stealing it from Mexico. This is not a benefit? I'm just checking in case you might have forgotten. Also there are several excellent ports, which are handy for both trade and defense. And good wine country. And a western source for winter produce. So not a complete waste of a war and statehood, I argue.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Canada is basically a hybrid of the US and the UK ... a bit like if the Colonies never declared independence, plus some French.

Okay, you're never going to get anywhere as hot as Phoenix (part of why I love it!), but Victoria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoBHLCfpSZA&feature=related) is lovely and Osoyoos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osoyoos,_British_Columbia) is practically a desert!

[septentrio.livejournal.com]

Racism isn't the proper term, as I'm not actually judging people based on their race. Guns make me uncomfortable. I never said rednecks were unintelligent. Congratulations on having traveled the world, but I would say a vast majority of "rednecks," a term I don't really care for, have not gone to other countries and don't want to.

I like America just fine, but I don't, however, think it's the best country there is. I think it's dangerous to be patriotic to a fault. I don't believe in wars or violence, and that is really the only reason why I'd be afraid to see McCain elected. I'm also terrified of Sarah Palin, particularly her stance on abortion; she's against it even in the case of incest or rape, which I just cannot agree with.

I'm also not really religious, and I certainly wouldn't be Christian, so I really can't relate to the ideas or feelings of McCain and Palin, and, apparently, "rednecks." All I know is I'm pro-choice (and I don't take the decision lightly) and anti-war/violence. Therefore, because I believe McCain wants to stay at war for as long as possible, I would be horrified if he was elected.

[canisdoofus.livejournal.com]

Awww... thanks! ;) I love you, Tea! (and I doubt you would have posted such an article if you didn't want at least a little open discussion.

"As long as you don't make a habit of aggressive intolerance and open bigotry you're welcome to any opinion you wish to carry (though perhaps 'racist' might be going a bit far because I don't think rednecks quite qualify as an ethnic group)."

When have I ever? And you are right regarding rednecks being an "ethnic" group: I have actually met some black "rednecks" (gun-toting, anti-federal, Republican-Voting, hunting, fishing...) in central Florida. Nevertheless, they should definitely be considered a "culture". In fact, "yokel culture" exists all over the world. We Cubans call them "Guajiros" (pronounced Gwa-HI-ros). The term was coined during the Spanish-American War, when Roosevelt captured San Juan Hill. The poor farmers of Eastern Cuba that took up arms beside the Americans were known amongst their comrades as "War Heroes". Now imagine someone saying that term in swarthy Cuban Spanish. What comes out is "ese tipo es tremendo guajiro!" ("That guy is an awesome war hero!")

I can totally see where mainstream Canada is coming from. Privacy is a very cherished entity there. Canadians love freedom. Like middle America, they enjoy not having a large federal government interfering with daily life. They cherish being able to do what their hearts desire in the privacy of their own home without fear of breaking the law, or offending anyone. For example: *cough*MARIJUANA*cough* (no pun intended), gay rights, reproductive rights, rights to own firearms, etc. without a Big Brother figure's approval.

Lately in American culture, this view of the local state governments having more power than the federal government has gone astray. Across party lines, most Republicans would actually fall under this 'libertarian' umbrella, with the very notable exception of a certain buffoon sitting in the Oval Office right now. Most Democrats, on the other hand, favor a large government being "mother hen" with regards to wealth redistribution, affirmative action, government programs, etc.: this is where Obama and Bush actually have AAAAALLLLOOOOTTT more in common than the media would EVER in 100,000,000,000 years admit.

I digress: why CAN'T someone like myself (a Catholic Hispanic and HARDLY "middle American") who holds a college diploma and who has gotten to know the world beyond US borders at a relatively young age also cherish the mainstream ideals and values that define "Middle America"?

Yes, I did not mean that about California. I DO love Sonoma.... and its wines! :) It's just not my favorite state. I just wish their representatives and senators would stop assuming that what is right for California isn't necessarily the same thing that is right for Florida. Or Missouri, Or Montana...

On a side note: My dad has gone hunting in British Columbia many many times. He loves it there. The only time he was upset was when some animal rights activists at Vancouver Airport stole his black bear skin. He got it back, though.

[packy.livejournal.com]

But does Canada really want all these disaffected US citizens moving in and making nuisances of themselves?

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

That ... that is extremely correct.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Presumably the ones moving to Canada are the ones seeking a liberal society and are horrified at the thought of a redneck president, so they have a lower likelihood of being a 'nuisance,' or at least the type of nuisance that would offend most Canadians.

Then again, Canada is a sovereign country and you can't just walk in and say 'I live here now,' which might shock and amaze some of the Americans planning to move up there.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I realized after posting that the 'make a habit of' line could be interpreted as 'I'll let you get away with it this once...' but I couldn't think of a better way to word it. Sorry! I only wanted to make a point of it because the only person I have ever struck off my friends list (and only then after much deliberation and a very long grace period) was someone who did make a habit of it, and with increasing vehemence.

Rednecks are absolutely a cultural group, with that I have no argument. Just not a race. Nothing biological sets them apart.

That's a cool story about the Guajiros, thanks for sharing!

Canadians do value their privacy and freedom, though they are generally much more favourably disposed to what right-wing Americans would call 'big government:' there are extensive government programs for practically any disadvantaged group, there's a great big safety net if you lose your job or are disabled in any way, there's tons of support for students, subsidies for ... well ... everything, and health care! There's lots of debate on how to reform the health care system, but the one thing everyone can agree on is 'We don't want what the US has.' And, frankly, having lived in both places as an adult, now, I heartily agree with them.

I think California's (and Oregon's, and Washington's) congresspeople are just reacting to the perception that the representatives of all the red states think they know what's right for them. The whole political system runs on reciprocation and vindictiveness!

[azvolrien.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes. I seem to recall that in very, very general terms, the Scots went to Canada and the Irish went to America.

[thefordmustang.livejournal.com]

By the way, that was me who made the anonymous comment.