The Tennessee political pundit who periodically dings me with news from the Volunteer State dropped this jewel into my inbox yesterday about a new MTSU poll (that's Middle Tennessee State University) examining the prevalence of various anti-Obama rumors making the rounds.
The birther movement is still going strong, with just over 1 in 3 Tennesseans saying it is "either probably or definitely true that Obama was born in another country." Among Republicans, this number jumps to 47 percent.
The Muslim rumor has similarly impressive legs: A full 30 percent of Tennesseans believe Obama is probably or definitely a Muslim. (Make that 48 percent of Republicans.)
Even more pervasive is the socialist slur: Forty-six percent say the president is probably or definitely a socialist--a number that jumps to a whopping 71 percent among Republicans. (Although, to be fair, a lot of these folks consider anyone to the left of Mark Levin a pinko).
And, finally, the jack-booted-thugs-coming-for-your-firearms rumor is quite popular: Thirty-five percent of Tennesseans--55 percent of Republicans--think Obama will definitely or probably try to take away their guns.
Whoo-whee. Looking at these numbers, all I can say is these folks are damn lucky that gullibility and paranoia aren't, in fact, disqualifications for gun ownership.
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COMMENTS (11)
It's time to send Mark Roth down to Tennessee. Let him drain the last of the oxygen out of their brains and replace it with hydrogen sulfide. Or if that doesn't work, the other way around.
It's also time to seriously consider forcing the red states to secede from the union.
I'm sure in many other ways these folks are quite appealing. But enough is enough in a nation that supposedly prides itself on an intelligent exchange of opinions.
You know, like mine.
; o )
gw
It's time to send Mark Roth down to Tennessee. Let him drain the last of the oxygen out of their brains and replace it with hydrogen sulfide. Or if that doesn't work, the other way around.
It's also time to seriously consider forcing the red states to secede from the union.
I'm sure in many other ways these folks are quite appealing. But enough is enough in a nation that supposedly prides itself on an intelligent exchange of opinions.
You know, like mine.
; o )
gw
But sometimes the sky is blue here in East Tennessee, the mountains are inviting, and the people are friendly.
But sometimes the sky is blue here in East Tennessee, the mountains are inviting, and the people are friendly.
Irony, are they as inviting if you have an Obama sticker on your car and they see you get out of it?
Irony, are they as inviting if you have an Obama sticker on your car and they see you get out of it?
Well, I had one from Aug to Dec on the car, and never heard so much as a hostile beep. Admittedly, in these parts Knoxville counts as liberal territory despite the fact that the map of the county vote distribution looked like a red jelly blob surrounded by blue frosting.
But I took it off when I drove from TN to New Orleans at new year's, and I didn't put it back as old election stickers annoy me.
Well, I had one from Aug to Dec on the car, and never heard so much as a hostile beep. Admittedly, in these parts Knoxville counts as liberal territory despite the fact that the map of the county vote distribution looked like a red jelly blob surrounded by blue frosting.
But I took it off when I drove from TN to New Orleans at new year's, and I didn't put it back as old election stickers annoy me.
I wonder how Tenn's percentages compare to national polls. That would be interesting. Americans are suckers for fables, we really are. If the storyline is sufficiently intriguing and provocative, you could get almost any Yank to believe it. Even me. (well, not quite, but you get my point)
I wonder how Tenn's percentages compare to national polls. That would be interesting. Americans are suckers for fables, we really are. If the storyline is sufficiently intriguing and provocative, you could get almost any Yank to believe it. Even me. (well, not quite, but you get my point)
irony,
Not a single man, women or child in Wilkes Barre has ever heard of Tennessee. East, West, North or South.
On the other hand, not just a few of them believe Barack Obama should be a slave name.
Still, outside the city in Miners Mills no one has ever heard of either one of them.
It's a funny, bitter world I guess.
Though up in those parts not necessarily in that order.
gw
irony,
Not a single man, women or child in Wilkes Barre has ever heard of Tennessee. East, West, North or South.
On the other hand, not just a few of them believe Barack Obama should be a slave name.
Still, outside the city in Miners Mills no one has ever heard of either one of them.
It's a funny, bitter world I guess.
Though up in those parts not necessarily in that order.
gw
"Not a single man, women or child in Wilkes Barre has ever heard of Tennessee. East, West, North or South."
I know. They keep wandering down along the Appalachian Trail and eventually find themselves here. But even when we go up to them and shout "You're . . . in . . . Tennessee!" they just look bemused and fearful.
"Not a single man, women or child in Wilkes Barre has ever heard of Tennessee. East, West, North or South."
I know. They keep wandering down along the Appalachian Trail and eventually find themselves here. But even when we go up to them and shout "You're . . . in . . . Tennessee!" they just look bemused and fearful.
Irony, I think that Knoxville is right about where George wandering down the Appalachian Trail from Wilkes-Barre and Mark Sanford wandering up said Trail from Columbia meet and discuss woodworking, tan lines and whatever else comes to mind.
Irony, I think that Knoxville is right about where George wandering down the Appalachian Trail from Wilkes-Barre and Mark Sanford wandering up said Trail from Columbia meet and discuss woodworking, tan lines and whatever else comes to mind.
:)
:)
".....even when we go up to them and shout 'You're . . . in . . . Tennessee!' they just look bemused and fearful."
gw:
What do you expect? It's not like they shot Deliverance in Wilkes Barre, right? And really, you tell me, what's the difference between BeckWorld in Georgia and BeckWorld in Tennessee?
And what they were bemused and fearful about was seeing that boy with the banjo again. You what's coming, right?
; o )
gw
".....even when we go up to them and shout 'You're . . . in . . . Tennessee!' they just look bemused and fearful."
gw:
What do you expect? It's not like they shot Deliverance in Wilkes Barre, right? And really, you tell me, what's the difference between BeckWorld in Georgia and BeckWorld in Tennessee?
And what they were bemused and fearful about was seeing that boy with the banjo again. You what's coming, right?
; o )
gw
"Irony, I think that Knoxville is right about where George wandering down the Appalachian Trail from Wilkes-Barre and Mark Sanford wandering up said Trail from Columbia meet and discuss woodworking, tan lines and whatever else comes to mind."
gw:
No, Mark was explaining to me how he made you squeal like a pig. What the hell does that mean, anyway?
Oh, and he still has your banjo. I think it's time to pack away the dream they'll make a sequel.
; o )
gw
"Irony, I think that Knoxville is right about where George wandering down the Appalachian Trail from Wilkes-Barre and Mark Sanford wandering up said Trail from Columbia meet and discuss woodworking, tan lines and whatever else comes to mind."
gw:
No, Mark was explaining to me how he made you squeal like a pig. What the hell does that mean, anyway?
Oh, and he still has your banjo. I think it's time to pack away the dream they'll make a sequel.
; o )
gw