Progressive Revival

No debate in Mississippi? Well, at least we wouldn't have to help all those poor, deprived visitors understand the differences between grits and hushpuppies, cornbread and cake... molasses and glue.

Thursday September 25, 2008

I hope both Senators Obama and McCain show up for the debate at Ole Miss. Its important to see our two choices together, interacting, answering the same questions. Showcasing why they should be President is pretty much their job right now. Walking away from debating before the American people, when the choice we must make is so important for our future, should be as hard to do as a working American telling his banker he thinks he'll suspend paying that mortgage until the economic crisis is over.

I'm a Mississippian. In fact, I grew up 45 minutes or so from Ole Miss. Its always fun welcoming people to my motherland. But, its always hard work, too; helping poor, deprived visitors understand the differences between grits and hushpuppies, cornbread and cake... molasses and glue. I saw a Northernor once mistake glue for molasses... it wasn't pretty when he ate those biscuits (just kidding.)

Of course, we don't have moose but we have plenty of deer, quail, rabbits, squirrels (no, they're not rats with tails) and other game animals for those visitors who are part of the national press corps and may want to actually experience hunting or shooting a gun since they write on these things.

A fun side show for us locals will be going down to various local Double Quick convenient stores and watching visitors try to understand the directions the cashier is sharing... "Yall go down there past the third cotton field and look to your right, that will be Mr. Smith's farm. Don't turn there. Go past it and take the third right before you cross Dry Creek..." I understand. Do you?

In other words, we'd really like to have everyone visit Mississippi for the debate. If there is no debate we don't get to showcase our small towns, new gleaming elementary schools, Main Streets with their steepled churches and wonderful families offering a smile and slice of apple pie. What a shame.

But the real shame is simply not debating. We have serious issues in this nation and world. We must hear our choices for President debate each other. We must have the opportunity to make honest, educated choices.

The future is not in one year or two. The future is in about 40 days. Suspending the debate is pure negligence.

So. I want to be the first to welcome all of yall to Mississippi. God Bless.

Advertisement
Comments
Stacy Kidd
September 25, 2008 5:37 PM

Amen and amen, Honey! Bring it on boys!

Cindy Akins
September 25, 2008 5:45 PM

I've lived in MS all my life. 53 years to be exact and I hate grits. People tell me I'm not a true Mississippian because of it. I love my biscuts, expecially with gravy on them and I love my Mississippi. I agree the debate should be a go especially now. We need our next president to give us insight as to how he is going to fix this mess we are in. We need reassurance. Times are tough and I'm just a bit frightened.

eric
September 25, 2008 6:12 PM

Burns,
I hear you on trying to explain all that stuff...I feel the same way every time I try to explain what real BBQ is to Mississippians when they come up to visit in NC :)

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.



Please type the text you see in the box below to verify your post and help us prevent spam. You have a limited time to type - you may wish to compose your comment in a separate document and paste it here upon completion.

Type the characters you see in the picture above.

Advertisement

Search This Blog

About Progressive Revival

Diana Butler Bass and Paul Raushenbush both stand firmly within the Mainline Protestant tradition and, along with guest bloggers of all religious backgrounds are dedicated to the revival of religious progressivism and its influence in American politics.

Contributors

Diana Butler Bass
Diana Butler Bass is a commentator and scholar in American religion. She is the author of seven books including A People's History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story (HarperOne, 2009).
» Posts by Diana Butler Bass
Paul Raushenbush
Moderator of the Progressive Revival blog and the Associate Dean of Religious Life at Princeton University.
» Posts by Paul Raushenbush
More »

feed icon Subscribe

RSS Feed

Receive updates from Progressive Revival

Calendar

Advertisement

Advertisement


About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.