[brattpowered]

I've been to Alabama several times and didn't really get a "family values" feeling. I had never been to a place where booby bars were as prominent as churches and scattered liberally along the roadsides. I have also never been to a place where I (as an average looking white American male) was stared down by a restaurant full of people in a small town for just being "not from around there." Also, I kind of got the feeling that people didn't care enough about kids to raise the level of schoolin' to anything above abysmal.

I wouldn't get family values mixed up with conservative values of insularity, ignorance, and hypocrisy. The place I found family values to be the greatest was in Southern Vermont, a very "liberal" place. Parents taught their children the value of acceptance, the importance of helping thier neighbors and all fellow human beings, and a love of nature and wariness of ignorance.

[harry chickpea]

Get out much, Brattpowered? I grew up in Vermont, and have lived in New York City, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, as well as visited most of the lower 48 states. I disagree with you on a few points.

The "liberal" of Vermont has become entrenched second and third generation liberal with eco-nuts pushing it further to the left. Alabama ***** bars are nowhere near as common as those in Florida and Georgia and surrounding states. It is interesting to cross borders from AL into those states, as there are often liquor stores, clubs, lotto sales, and other "sin" enterprises just outside the AL borders.

FWIW, I've been stared at in local Vermont restaurants as often as anywhere else. In AL, after the initial stares, you might even be invited to join in certain conversations if you pass muster.

[brattpowered]

Yes, I have "gotten out." I grew up in Connecticut, lived in downstate New York, Vermont, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. I've also been to most of the lower 48 states.

Yes, there are a lot of environmentalists in Vermont (although some may see this as a virtue) but the reason I brought up this example was to show that "family values" are alive and well in liberal towns, more so than in conservative ones in my opinion. And I'm not sure what your issues with Vermonters are or where in the state you are from, but I have never been stared at in Vermont with the same level of derision and suspicion as in Alabama.

[Braves_fan]

Brat,

Folks stare at other folks no matter where you're at. If ya look like your from out of town like maybe the way you dressed or spoke, then folks are just curious.

This isnt like the 60's or 70's where people get run out of the county...

I think its just your conscience and paranoia... no offense.

[brattpowered]

Staring isn't the status quo where I'm from. Perhaps in regions where folks aren't taught tact or manners this is the case, but there is a point where curiosity crosses the line into offensiveness.

[Braves_fan]

Well.. I'm sorry but I guess my suggestion is going through the Drive Thru at a MacDonalds the next time your hungry and traveling down our way.
You seem to be making this a Liberal vs the rest of the normal world issue here because all of us arent tree huggers with the same views and opinions as you share Bratty.

[brattpowered]

The liberal/conservative issue was brought up earlier in the thread. Read back if it's not too much effort for you.

[msjbrent]

Originally Posted by brattpowered

Staring isn't the status quo where I'm from. Perhaps in regions where folks aren't taught tact or manners this is the case, but there is a point where curiosity crosses the line into offensiveness.

He is exactly right. I have never encountered a lack or manners or class then I have in Alabama. Moderator cut: removed flames/insulting remarks
No matter what some of the Alabama "homies" here want to say- it's true.

[Keeper]

I do have to disagree since I live in one of those small towns and I can tell you I saw more pickup trucks in rural FL with a gun rack and dog pen in the back than I have here. I have had men open doors and tip their hats when passing which never happened in FL. People say 'hello' even though they don't you when passing you in the store and every child I have met has been polite, yes even the teenagers.

[msjbrent]

Originally Posted by Keeper

I do have to disagree since I live in one of those small towns and I can tell you I saw more pickup trucks in rural FL with a gun rack and dog pen in the back than I have here. I have had men open doors and tip their hats when passing which never happened in FL. People say 'hello' even though they don't you when passing you in the store and every child I have met has been polite, yes even the teenagers.

That is not 100% of the time and you are a local- not passing through. Your comparing things to FL for some reason. I don't know or claim to know about rural Florida.