*Nobody* is more “bitter”, “bible/gun clinging” and than the SCOTS-Irish. [not “Scotch]
I AM Appalachia.
He is -not- doing well amongst us and never will.
The term used by the Scotch-Irish for hundreds of years has been “Scotch-Irish” and I see no reason to change.
When “Scotch whiskey” becomes “Scots whiskey” then get back to me, maybe I’ll change.
You might find it interesting to read some of the history of the Scotch-Irish people in the proceedings of the SCOTCH-IRISH Congresses compiled in the 1800s. These works were published for a number of years and provide a much richer and deeper history than the shallow work of Jim Webb.
* * *
“The Scotch Irish people have been second to none in their influence upon modern civilization. Their impress upon American institutions has been especially strong. They have been leaders in every sphere of life, both public and private. They were the first to declare independence from Great Britain, and foremost in the revolutionary struggle; leaders in the formation and adoption of the Constitution, and its most powerful defenders; most active in the extension of our national domain, and the hardiest pioneers in its development.
“The associations suggested by a few of the illustrious men of the the stock are sufficient to outline the extent of their influence. Among them were Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Witherspoon, John Paul Jones, James Madison, John Marshall, Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant.
“That they have been no less conspicuous in the material development and intellectual progress of the country is evidenced by the names of Robert Fulton, Horace Greeley, Robert Bonner and the McCormicks.”
I am a Tennessee redneck, descended from the folks Parker is talking about.
I don’t know how long it has been since Parker has been in Appalachia, but she is dead wrong in her assessment of folks here.
Very few folks here in east Tennessee support Obama. Most, even the hardcore democrats I know, will not vote for him, as we cling to our guns and religion here too.
All of the democrats I know here are either sitting the election out, or voting for McCain. But if Obama wants to come here and waste his time and money, that’s fine with me.
Grammy, what are you seeing and hearing over in middle Tennessee, which has more liberals than my area?