More great things from the South
My post criticising the ubiquitous "Fuck The South" meme sparked an interesting discussion on Hit And Run, the interactive portion of Reason magazine. I'll let the variety of arguments speak for themselves. So read them.
Also, a few readers have pointed out to me that while the Wright Brothers did use a North Carolina hill and a strong breeze to launch their aircraft, the majority of the planning and construction was done in Ohio. Just another example of what emerges when Blue and Red states cooperate.
And yes, I realize that the B52s aren't a very hip reference. So how about this: The South is the birthplace of crunk. There are many afficionados of that fine and subtle musical form in the cities of Atlanta and Houston, specifically, who will be glad to have a calm discussion with you if you insult their homes again. And on their new album The Dirty South, The Drive-By Truckers sing, half in-character, half-not, "Don’t piss off the boys from Alabama/you know they won’t let it slide."
Let's be civil, people. These should be your friends. Underground Texas rap and The Drive-By Truckers are for everyone.
From the Reason posts, an expanded list of great Southern things began to emerge. Feel free to add if you see fit:
Willie Nelson, William Faulkner, Hunter S. Thompson, Andre 3000 and Big Boi, Elvis, The Polyphonic Spree, Norah Jones, Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll, bourbon, corn dogs, moonpies, Coke, Pepsi, Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison, Mike Judge, the Shenandoah Valley, the Smoky Mountains, mint juleps, Thomas Wolfe, Walker Percy, hush puppies...and twins!