Southern by the Grace of God--On Pit Bulls, Collard Greens and Lockjaw Politics

When I was a kid we had a pitbull named Roosevelt. He was a sweet dog, except for when he killed things. We fed him, he loved us and he lavished us with sloppy wet kisses. But the poor bunnies he set his sights on were lunchmeat every time.

When Sarah Palin made the "pitbull with lipstick" reference I couldn't help but think of Roosevelt --how loyal a pet he was, how he bruised my cheek once when he playfully lunged at me, and how his tail would slap me really hard when he wagged it.

Most pitbull owners don't believe in the "pitbull lockjaw" theory. They say the dogs' jaws don't actually lock, and instead, pitbulls are just stubborn. I agree. But I'd like to add, I've seen my mother prying a disfigured, dead animal from Roosevelt's jaws and I remember the malevolent and unrelenting look in his eyes. It was a frightful stare and back then I was glad it hadn't been meant for me. Now I'm wondering, has the Democratic campaign become a bunny in the cross hairs of pitbull politics? Or, worse, have I?

Last week I began a blog mostly to assuage my concerns about the Palin nomination. Since then, my site's had over 1000 visitors and I've found out what happens when the Right has "that look" in their eyes. Their responses to my posts have been surprisingly vicious and unexpectedly personal.

"Who the hell are you?!" respondents have screamed at me in caps. Who me? I'm just one female voter with the inalienable right to freedom of speech. Er, I think.

Other emails have called me a "left wing nut" and a "narcissistic liberal". Perhaps. Publishing a blog does sort of imply I think people will want to hear what I have to say.

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But I'm not the enemy. In fact, my DNA actually contains a few Right-leaning molecules. Let me explain. I'm Southern. As a little girl I lived on a farm in South Carolina. I hunted, I gutted things and I ate those things with collard greens and homemade biscuits. And let me be clear, by "things" I'm not talking about chickens.

When I was ten, my family moved to California. My dad retired from the Marine Corps and started a gun business. Selling weapons and military supplies at gunshows became a family affair and I was, pigtails and all, right beside him at the table. Hello, my name is Tracy, would you like to buy an ammo can or a bumper sticker that says, "American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God?"

When I was fourteen, to help make ends meet, I got a job on a charter fishing boat. I woke up before dawn and worked all day, baiting hooks, cleaning fish and scrubbing decks. I know a hard day's work.

Twenty years later, you could call me a New Yorker, but I'm still soothed by a Southern accent, I've got a thing for country music, military guys, Ford Mustangs and Gone with the Wind will always be my favorite movie. By the way, the only jokes I know are Jeff Foxworthy ones.

What I'm trying to say is, my heart is with the rural South, the working class, N.R.A. members and military families. That's where my heart is. But my politics are somewhere else. I've been on both sides and I don't care about Blue or Red, I simply believe in Barack Obama and the Democratic ticket.

Having said that, why does my opinion necessitate such a visceral response? Is it because, I, and those who share my opinion, represent a perceived threat to the Right's existence?

The responses I've received seem to signal how deeply divided and intensely afraid the people of this country are.

And it's fear, says Neil F. Neimark, M.D., that triggers our fight or flight system. In the case of the McCain ticket I think it's fair to simply call it the "fight system".

"When our fight ... system is activated," adds Neimark,"we tend to perceive everything in our environment as a possible threat to our survival. By its very nature, [it] bypasses our rational mind...and moves us into "attack" mode...As such, we tend to see everyone and everything as a possible enemy.... We narrow our focus to those things that can harm us."

To that end, my criticism of the Republican campaign has clearly hit a nerve with some readers. And by voicing my opinion, I've inadvertently embedded myself in the middle of the culture war. There's a lot at stake for our country and fear is natural, but whatever the case, the Democratic campaign should be prepared. The pitbull is loose in the yard and it's not gonna let go without a fight.

Comments

[bernusdellus]

Look. I'm not a muslim fundamentalist. However, I am a durn furriner.

I don't have a beef with America. I married one and my kids are 50/50% American.

BUT. If you guys invaded my country the way you've invaded Iraq... I'd definitely be sitting behind a rock picking off 'our boys' as fast as I can.

You [Americans] need to get it. You're not welcome anywhere outside America except as paying tourists. Get those guys out of Iraq - They are the invaders. Stop messing about with other peoples right to life and liberty and get back to enjoying yours.

If you don't... Look out for me. I'll be the one behind the rock, holding the sniper rifle, pointing it at you.

[ArcticAquarium]

And I'll be behind the other rock, right next to yours, giving you backup. No offense to you Americans, but we fought off the Soviets and we would do the same to you.

[redchef]

Tracy,

Just remember, every time a Republican has a screaming hissy fit, an angel gets it's wings.
It is a barometer of the fact you are doing well. Keep it up. No, scratch that... redouble your efforts.

as a Michigan redneck I love ya!

[Tracy Saunders - Huffpost Blogger]

Redchef,

This is the best line ever..

"Every time a Republican has a screaming hissy fit, an angel gets it's wings."

Thank you for the smile :)

[yareallygotmegoin]

Hi Tracy:

Keep up the great blog. Very insightful. Ignore the cretins.

[Tracy Saunders - Huffpost Blogger]

Will do! Thank you :)

http://beyondthepretty.wordpress.com/2008/09/09/sarah-palin-leader-of-the-free-world/

[dadw5boys]

Putting a LIPSTICK on a Pig does not change much !!!!!!!!!

It is still a Pig !!!

In one Alaskan town they elected a Cat for MAYOR.

They claim the Cat has not broken any laws foring people, The cat has not run up $ 28,000,000.00 in debt and the Cat has not built any buildings on property the town does not own.

So they claim their Cat is more qualified than Palin for Governor.
The Cat will not bill the taxpayers to sleep in it's own Cat House.

[RoloTomassi]

[continued]

But now, Obama represents [at least symbolically] a firm threat to much of what these feckless cretins have established; unfortunately, the GOP base was never really in on the top level goals, and so they do cling to the god, guns and family/religious values that essentially mean nothing to the party they belong to, other than tools for political support. They lash out because, like every other faction that has been used and abused by feudal systems, they are told that all they hold precious is being threatened; never mind the proof--and here is the beauty in the foul concept--they have been convinced that faith in their party is the same as faith in their religion.

It will only get worse as we get closer to the election--GOP desperation is in the air.

[RoloTomassi]

Just another southern liberal here; I'll give you my take on this issue:

For me [as one who has always been politically aware, but politically engaged for only a few years], the US has slowly been succumbing to a form of political insanity, driven by the nature of our economy, government, and world leadership position; since the era of ronnie raygun, we've let the entitled few steer us away from the FDR-founded middle class structure. This was accomplished by a very savvy marketing ploy: combine hegemonic military goals with Friedmanite economics and fundamentalist religion-related family values.

We were primed for this by our own consumerism, and boy did it work out well for the GOP--that is, until the NeoConservatives got their timely "Pearl Harbor" in the form of the attacks on 9/11/2001. They were over anxious to get the ball rolling [previously Bush41's NeoCon agenda had run out steam, and all plans were put on hold], and over the course of the last 7 1/2 years they've gone way over the top in their hegemonic efforts. Unfortunately for the GOP, they have once again run out of steam before they could bring their plans to full fruition.

[gemcando06]

I love your blog - the way you condense your life like a pop-up book fit tightly into the space of a blog.

Work has become a battleground that demands more production with less money and benefits and always the threat - you don't like it, leave. I must report that persons without my senority are completely cowed by this, and are working at home to keep up. I blame the Bush administration for the change in mangerial attitudes. This has got to be the worst worker environment in the World -USA that is. My fellow workers are exhausted at the end of the week, and frightened that next week will be worst.

Meanwhile, benefits get more of the paycheck and there are no raises - only lay-offs and give backs.

Then here comes Barack Obama with a promise of change. Who of us wouldn't want change.

[Tracy Saunders - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes Gemcado06,

I know what you mean. I've considered moving to France if Obama loses but my mom tells me that would be unpatriotic!!

If you don't mind me asking, what industry do you work in?

Best,
Tracy

http://beyondthepretty.wordpress.com/2008/09/09/sarah-palin-leader-of-the-free-world/

[JaniceL]

Great article and I love your pitbull analogy! I hope you don't let those negative people stop you from voicing your opinion. If there were more discussion and less attack, maybe we could further the political dialogue to place that will help our country move forward. Wishful thinking, I guess.