Hattiesburg - Good place for liberal minded person? (Clinton, Memphis: transplants, crimes)

[jacksonian]

Originally Posted by OhioUberAlles

I contend that the election results do not show Jackson to be more or less liberal than Hattiesburg, only that Jackson has more Blacks, both numerically and as a percentage.

Election results are an inaccurate way to determine the political leanings of a town, at least the 2008 results, specifically in Mississippi and several other states.

My posts are absolutely on-topic.

Which is why I said "it would seem Jackson is more liberal," because there's not enough empirical evidence to show one way or the other based solely on the election results.

[Phil75230]

Originally Posted by jacksonian

Which is why I said "it would seem Jackson is more liberal," because there's not enough empirical evidence to show one way or the other based solely on the election results.

Partially true, Jacksonian. It depends on how you use the stats.

*Racial Composition: This certainly is useful - the more Af-Am a county's population, the greater Obama's share of the county vote. However, the way around this is to look at sub-county level data - i.e. precinct level data. Many Precincts ARE overwhelmingly one way or another. If you can find precincts that are overwhelmingly "white" (since this seems to be the race at issue),THEN you can determine the Obama percentages.

BTW, as I said earlier, I prefer Nader votes of November 2000 - for Nader, the Green Party candidate - made even Al Gore look like Ronald Reagan. High rates of Nader votes indicate actual liberalism much more accurately than Gore votes, or perhaps even Obama ones - precisely because Nader was so far to the left of the US mainstream.

Anyway, by the Nader litmus test, I judge Jackson's Fondren and Belhaven neighborhoods (near the corner of State St and Lakeland Drive) to be the most liberal part of the state -- closely followed by the Cities of Biloxi and Bay St. Louis. Furthermore, even Fondren/Belhaven has the same population size as a fairly typical small town. So if nothing else, you can check out F/B, and if you like it, just treat it as a charming small town that just happens to be more liberal than most small towns.

[jacksonian]

My precinct had a turnout of 458 voters.

449 of which voted for Obama.

I live in Fondren, and my neighborhood has a good bit of diversity, but I would say that the majority race is white. It really depends on where you draw the line though. There are streets that are located in Fondren that are predominantly black, and there are streets that are about 50/50.

[patterson7]

Originally Posted by jimdc58

I'm researching various warm-climate communities, and am interested in whether Hattiesburg, being a college town, is a good place for a liberal minded person to live?

OH NO liberals are spreading everywhere! lol

[jxndean]

Hattiesburg is one of the most liberal cities in Mississippi IMO.

[Scotslass]

Originally Posted by jxndean

Hattiesburg is one of the most liberal cities in Mississippi IMO.

Compared to the places i've been to i wouldn't exactly think of MS as liberal but what do you mean, liberal in what way?

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by Scotslass

Compared to the places i've been to i wouldn't exactly think of MS as liberal but what do you mean, liberal in what way?

I know what you mean. I don't think of any of MS being "liberal", no matter which political party certain areas lean toward. As far as being laid back and accepting, I don't think the coast (Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs) can be beat.

[Scotslass]

Originally Posted by jsherman9901

I know what you mean. I don't think of any of MS being "liberal", no matter which political party certain areas lean toward. As far as being laid back and accepting, I don't think the coast (Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs) can be beat.

I've heard the same thing about the coast though you've also got to worry about hurricanes, there is always something to worry about eh.

But I have to say as a whole MS is far from a tad liberal. I probably wouldn't fit in, or be liked for long.

[jxndean]

Liberal as in more accepting and open minded. I agree Mississippi is by far from liberal and is one of the most consverative, if not the most consverative state in the nation. Jsherman9901 you are right when you say Gulfport, Biloxi, and Ocean Springs are laid back and accepting.

[Calhoungrad]

Mississippi liberal?? I WISH!! It's the bible-belt personified. If you have a liberal opinion and express it, someone will probably want to "tar and feather you and ride you out of town on a rail". I consider myself liberal in that I think people have a right to make decisions for themselves and should be able to express their preferances, or at least be able to "agree to disagree" without being beat over the head with someone's bible. Being a Gnostic, believing that legalizing marajuana is the most reasonable answer to the drug wars, believing that abortion is up to the person that's pregnant, and ideas along these lines can make you the object of a witch hunt. Why can't people just think and believe according to the dictates of their own conscience and values and let everyone else do the same?? No one has to atone for my misguided notions except ME. Seems logical and reasonable to me. What do the rest of you think??? jbd