http://likethedew.com A journal of Southern culture and politics Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:18:05 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en http://likethedew.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/dew3_mh4feed.png http://likethedew.com 88 31 A journal of Southern culture and politics “Southern strategy,” supposedly put in place by Richard Nixon and his minions in response to the civil rights revolution of the 1960s, is generally evaluated on the basis of results — a disenchanted previously Democratic regional population electing Republicans to national office on the basis of vague promises to promote their sense of exceptionalism and moral superiority. That no tangible benefits were forthcoming to these voters has long been obvious and still the Republican base has not only remained loyal, but morphed into the Religious Right. Democrats scratch their heads in puzzlement. This Sunday’s article on Corrine Brown in the Florida Times-Union reminded me that the issue is more complex,]]> http://likethedew.com/2010/03/15/pr-and-the-southern-strategy/ http://likethedew.com/2010/03/15/alice-in-tigerland/ http://likethedew.com/2010/03/15/political-shenanigans-on-the-apple-isle/ Sean Cummings, who is spearheading the post-Katrina effort to rejuvenate New Orleans' riverfront, is among business and cultural leaders rallying in support of Constance McMillen, the 18-year-old Mississippi senior whose challenge to the Itawamba County School Board's policy against same-sex dates resulted in cancellation of her school's prom. The Clarion-Ledger reported that Cummings offered to transport Itawamba Agricultural High School students by bus  to one of his properties for a prom free of charge.]]> http://likethedew.com/2010/03/15/mississippi-lesbian-getting-plenty-of-prom-offers/ http://likethedew.com/2010/03/14/wisdom-from-the-dirt/ IEATAPETA Day: International Eat A Tasty Animal for PETA Day. It’s the day we ceremonially stick it in the eye of the good folks at PETA by consuming mass quantities of Animal Protein. As Alex Bensky says, “If it didn’t have a mother, it’s not on my menu.” “But, Steve-O,” you may be asking. “What did those nice people at PETA do to deserve this in-your-face opprobium?”]]> http://likethedew.com/2010/03/14/international-eatapeta-day-2010/ http://likethedew.com/2010/03/13/winter-spring-romances/ http://likethedew.com/2010/03/13/your-government-at-work/ http://likethedew.com/2010/03/12/sea-island-is-bankrupt-again/ http://likethedew.com/2010/03/12/greening-of-the-south/ know. But it was the best medical wisdom at that time. My grandfather had the same advice after his heart attack, and he lived to be 87. Actually, as Catholics, we weren’t obliged to eat fish. We just couldn’t eat meat. Except my brother. At our house, though, "no meat" meant fish. So we ate fish every Friday. We didn’t live especially close to the sea (Atlanta),]]> http://likethedew.com/2010/03/12/friday-fish/ http://likethedew.com/2010/03/12/on-googling-gods-and-willie-mays/ http://likethedew.com/2010/03/12/let%e2%80%99s-call-the-whole-thing-off/ Rockin' The White House, part 7 A Wicked Messenger? No, Kevin Mattson is a fine political reporter. His recent book, "What the Heck Are You Up To, Mr. President?" is an observant and thorough account of the strange days of July '79. America was reeling from inflation, oil shortages, and a sense, as Mattson phrased it, that the American century was dead. President Jimmy Carter was trying to maintain his political viability, all the while imploring Americans to renew the country's spirit. Mattson understands the lack of confidence Americans felt. He understands the challenges Jimmy Carter faced. As he's shown in his other excellent books, Mattson has a solid grasp of American history. He may have misunderstood Bob Dylan, however.]]> http://likethedew.com/2010/03/11/when-dylan-was-a-changin-rockin-the-white-house-part-7/ http://likethedew.com/2010/03/11/a-golden-time-to-downsize-government/