The Civil War

[AU_Tigers]

If I can be serious for a moment, not that I expect y'all to reciprocate. 

I have lived all over the country at one time or another, and have actually been in all 50 states (and no, I have never been a truck driver, actually I am a mechanical engineer). I am fully aware of the the view the rest of the country has of the south, which has long been promulgated by TV and in the movies. While I admit there are definitely areas where your biases would be spot on, for the most part it is far from the truth. For instance, I spent about a year in southern Michigan on a long term project and I heard the N word more there than I did my entire life in the south.  Whereas racism is rampant in large cities all over the country, you would find it curiously absent throughout the rural south. You see, we grow up together, play sports together, hang out together, and often live on the same streets.

It wasn't until I moved to Memphis that I felt the need to get a concealed carry permit. The racial antipathy here is very strong, and frankly it is coming from the black community. My neighborhood in middle class suburbia is unusually racially and culturally mixed because the international headquarters for FedEx in very nearby, but the folks here aren't a problem - we have a great community. It is the "urban" element that creates the unease, and that has nothing to do with a man's skin color - it is 100% cultural in origin.

Now you may resume your normal activities......

[AU_Tigers]

Possibly the greatest American Admiral ever, David Farragut, won several decisive victories in the War of Southern Treason, including one in Alabama.

"He is remembered for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay (which he won), usually paraphrased as "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" in U.S. Navy tradition"

Damn the Tigers, full speed ahead.

Also well known for diddling his midshipmen.

[Missouriscribe]

 
Well that didn't take long.

[bones129]

If I can be serious for a moment, not that I expect y'all to reciprocate. 

I have lived all over the country at one time or another, and have actually been in all 50 states (and no, I have never been a truck driver, actually I am a mechanical engineer). I am fully aware of the the view the rest of the country has of the south, which has long been promulgated by TV and in the movies. While I admit there are definitely areas where your biases would be spot on, for the most part it is far from the truth. For instance, I spent about a year in southern Michigan on a long term project and I heard the N word more there than I did my entire life in the south.  Whereas racism is rampant in large cities all over the country, you would find it curiously absent throughout the rural south. You see, we grow up together, play sports together, hang out together, and often live on the same streets.

It wasn't until I moved to Memphis that I felt the need to get a concealed carry permit. The racial antipathy here is very strong, and frankly it is coming from the black community. My neighborhood in middle class suburbia is unusually racially and culturally mixed because the international headquarters for FedEx in very nearby, but the folks here aren't a problem - we have a great community. It is the "urban" element that creates the unease, and that has nothing to do with a man's skin color - it is 100% cultural in origin.

Now you may resume your normal activities......

Point proven.   

[AU_Tigers]

If I can be serious for a moment, not that I expect y'all to reciprocate. 

I have lived all over the country at one time or another, and have actually been in all 50 states (and no, I have never been a truck driver, actually I am a mechanical engineer). I am fully aware of the the view the rest of the country has of the south, which has long been promulgated by TV and in the movies. While I admit there are definitely areas where your biases would be spot on, for the most part it is far from the truth. For instance, I spent about a year in southern Michigan on a long term project and I heard the N word more there than I did my entire life in the south.  Whereas racism is rampant in large cities all over the country, you would find it curiously absent throughout the rural south. You see, we grow up together, play sports together, hang out together, and often live on the same streets.

It wasn't until I moved to Memphis that I felt the need to get a concealed carry permit. The racial antipathy here is very strong, and frankly it is coming from the black community. My neighborhood in middle class suburbia is unusually racially and culturally mixed because the international headquarters for FedEx in very nearby, but the folks here aren't a problem - we have a great community. It is the "urban" element that creates the unease, and that has nothing to do with a man's skin color - it is 100% cultural in origin.

Now you may resume your normal activities......

Point proven.   

Huh?

[AU_Tigers]

If I can be serious for a moment, not that I expect y'all to reciprocate. 

I have lived all over the country at one time or another, and have actually been in all 50 states (and no, I have never been a truck driver, actually I am a mechanical engineer). I am fully aware of the the view the rest of the country has of the south, which has long been promulgated by TV and in the movies. While I admit there are definitely areas where your biases would be spot on, for the most part it is far from the truth. For instance, I spent about a year in southern Michigan on a long term project and I heard the N word more there than I did my entire life in the south.  Whereas racism is rampant in large cities all over the country, you would find it curiously absent throughout the rural south. You see, we grow up together, play sports together, hang out together, and often live on the same streets.

It wasn't until I moved to Memphis that I felt the need to get a concealed carry permit. The racial antipathy here is very strong, and frankly it is coming from the black community. My neighborhood in middle class suburbia is unusually racially and culturally mixed because the international headquarters for FedEx in very nearby, but the folks here aren't a problem - we have a great community. It is the "urban" element that creates the unease, and that has nothing to do with a man's skin color - it is 100% cultural in origin.

Now you may resume your normal activities......

Point proven.   

My 16 yo nephew works at this Kroger, or did I should say. It is totally a cultural thing - this would never happen "back home."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/08/teens-attack-man-kroger-memphis_n_5785164.html

[XocolateThundarr]

If I can be serious for a moment, not that I expect y'all to reciprocate. 

I have lived all over the country at one time or another, and have actually been in all 50 states (and no, I have never been a truck driver, actually I am a mechanical engineer). I am fully aware of the the view the rest of the country has of the south, which has long been promulgated by TV and in the movies. While I admit there are definitely areas where your biases would be spot on, for the most part it is far from the truth. For instance, I spent about a year in southern Michigan on a long term project and I heard the N word more there than I did my entire life in the south.  Whereas racism is rampant in large cities all over the country, you would find it curiously absent throughout the rural south. You see, we grow up together, play sports together, hang out together, and often live on the same streets.

It wasn't until I moved to Memphis that I felt the need to get a concealed carry permit. The racial antipathy here is very strong, and frankly it is coming from the black community. My neighborhood in middle class suburbia is unusually racially and culturally mixed because the international headquarters for FedEx in very nearby, but the folks here aren't a problem - we have a great community. It is the "urban" element that creates the unease, and that has nothing to do with a man's skin color - it is 100% cultural in origin.

Now you may resume your normal activities......

Point proven.   

My 16 yo nephew works at this Kroger, or did I should say. It is totally a cultural thing - this would never happen "back home."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/08/teens-attack-man-kroger-memphis_n_5785164.html

Hosie posted that on Twitter earlier today.  Disgusting.

[bones129]

I hope the south gets over it.

[HerrSonntag]

If I can be serious for a moment, not that I expect y'all to reciprocate. 

I have lived all over the country at one time or another, and have actually been in all 50 states (and no, I have never been a truck driver, actually I am a mechanical engineer). I am fully aware of the the view the rest of the country has of the south, which has long been promulgated by TV and in the movies. While I admit there are definitely areas where your biases would be spot on, for the most part it is far from the truth. For instance, I spent about a year in southern Michigan on a long term project and I heard the N word more there than I did my entire life in the south.  Whereas racism is rampant in large cities all over the country, you would find it curiously absent throughout the rural south. You see, we grow up together, play sports together, hang out together, and often live on the same streets.

It wasn't until I moved to Memphis that I felt the need to get a concealed carry permit. The racial antipathy here is very strong, and frankly it is coming from the black community. My neighborhood in middle class suburbia is unusually racially and culturally mixed because the international headquarters for FedEx in very nearby, but the folks here aren't a problem - we have a great community. It is the "urban" element that creates the unease, and that has nothing to do with a man's skin color - it is 100% cultural in origin.

Now you may resume your normal activities......

Point proven.   

My 16 yo nephew works at this Kroger, or did I should say. It is totally a cultural thing - this would never happen "back home."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/08/teens-attack-man-kroger-memphis_n_5785164.html

On that trip to SC, i spent a night on the roadie in Memphis.  I liked the place, walked around downtown at night with FreundinSonntag and didn't feel unsafe.  After the fact my buddy who lives there that i met up with for a beer alluded to some of the problems in that city and i had others express similar concerns when i told them of my time there.  I don't claim to understand the dynamics of the place but i can't claim to not have observed what they were referring to.

[HerrSonntag]

Guess i'm glad we didn't need anything at Kroeger whilst there 

[AU_Tigers]

If I can be serious for a moment, not that I expect y'all to reciprocate. 

I have lived all over the country at one time or another, and have actually been in all 50 states (and no, I have never been a truck driver, actually I am a mechanical engineer). I am fully aware of the the view the rest of the country has of the south, which has long been promulgated by TV and in the movies. While I admit there are definitely areas where your biases would be spot on, for the most part it is far from the truth. For instance, I spent about a year in southern Michigan on a long term project and I heard the N word more there than I did my entire life in the south.  Whereas racism is rampant in large cities all over the country, you would find it curiously absent throughout the rural south. You see, we grow up together, play sports together, hang out together, and often live on the same streets.

It wasn't until I moved to Memphis that I felt the need to get a concealed carry permit. The racial antipathy here is very strong, and frankly it is coming from the black community. My neighborhood in middle class suburbia is unusually racially and culturally mixed because the international headquarters for FedEx in very nearby, but the folks here aren't a problem - we have a great community. It is the "urban" element that creates the unease, and that has nothing to do with a man's skin color - it is 100% cultural in origin.

Now you may resume your normal activities......

Point proven.   

My 16 yo nephew works at this Kroger, or did I should say. It is totally a cultural thing - this would never happen "back home."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/08/teens-attack-man-kroger-memphis_n_5785164.html

Hosie posted that on Twitter earlier today.  Disgusting.

This scared the crap out of my sister because her son works (ed) there. She has been a elementary school teacher for many years in Memphis and made fun of me for a long time about my carry permit. And frankly I only carry when I go into Memphis, out here I don't see the need. Anyway, today she called me and asked me to help her pick out a gun and get her permit. Once upon a time she was a young idealistic teacher wanting to improve the world. Now she is jaded and just wants to make it to retirement. Memphis is a sad sad city - it reminds me a lot of Detroit.

I really liked living in Seattle long ago. Sure there were thugs there too, but it wasn't so racially divided.

[AU_Tigers]

If I can be serious for a moment, not that I expect y'all to reciprocate. 

I have lived all over the country at one time or another, and have actually been in all 50 states (and no, I have never been a truck driver, actually I am a mechanical engineer). I am fully aware of the the view the rest of the country has of the south, which has long been promulgated by TV and in the movies. While I admit there are definitely areas where your biases would be spot on, for the most part it is far from the truth. For instance, I spent about a year in southern Michigan on a long term project and I heard the N word more there than I did my entire life in the south.  Whereas racism is rampant in large cities all over the country, you would find it curiously absent throughout the rural south. You see, we grow up together, play sports together, hang out together, and often live on the same streets.

It wasn't until I moved to Memphis that I felt the need to get a concealed carry permit. The racial antipathy here is very strong, and frankly it is coming from the black community. My neighborhood in middle class suburbia is unusually racially and culturally mixed because the international headquarters for FedEx in very nearby, but the folks here aren't a problem - we have a great community. It is the "urban" element that creates the unease, and that has nothing to do with a man's skin color - it is 100% cultural in origin.

Now you may resume your normal activities......

Point proven.   

My 16 yo nephew works at this Kroger, or did I should say. It is totally a cultural thing - this would never happen "back home."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/08/teens-attack-man-kroger-memphis_n_5785164.html

On that trip to SC, i spent a night on the roadie in Memphis.  I liked the place, walked around downtown at night with FreundinSonntag and didn't feel unsafe.  After the fact my buddy who lives there that i met up with for a beer alluded to some of the problems in that city and i had others express similar concerns when i told them of my time there.  I don't claim to understand the dynamics of the place but i can't claim to not have observed what they were referring to.

I am sure you didn't feel unsafe downtown. That is the most heavily patrolled part of the city because of the tourists. Don't go to Beale street late on Saturday nights though. That is "Thug" night and people are always getting shot or stabbed.

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of really nice areas of Memphis, but you really don't want to go wandering off if you don't know the city.

[AU_Tigers]

I hope the south gets over it.

Been over it for a long time actually. Except for the cities.

[DQ12]

It's really thus this and thug that with this guy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[HerrSonntag]

We were at Beale on a Saturday, it was Memphis in May and there were alot of cops out, and we didn't stay much past midnight before moving to some of the DT bars, so that may have factored in.

[bshea85]

"Damn the Play-Actions, ISO up the middle!" - General Snyder during The Great Battle (really a massacre) of War Eagle.

[bones129]

I hope the south gets over it.

Been over it for a long time actually. Except for the cities.

No you haven't. You will never get over it.

[AU_Tigers]

It's really thus this and thug that with this guy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Whatever.

[Bloodfart]

Personally, I don't venture anywhere without a fully loaded judge. 

[AU_Tigers]

We were at Beale on a Saturday, it was Memphis in May and there were alot of cops out, and we didn't stay much past midnight before moving to some of the DT bars, so that may have factored in.

Yeah, Memphis in May is a different story. Even the locals go out then. lol

[AU_Tigers]

"Damn the Play-Actions, ISO up the middle!" - General Snyder during The Great Battle (really a massacre) of War Eagle.

THAT is funny. Well done!

[AU_Tigers]

Personally, I don't venture anywhere without a fully loaded judge. 

About five years ago I thought I was going to have to shoot a guy, in a nice part of town, and it scared the crap out of me. Long story short it was a dude with a history of mental problems and drug abuse, and technically I could have shot him without legal worries. He was very close and had a deadly weapon (a pipe) in his hands and acting aggressively. I didn't pull the gun but I had my hand on it and was trying desperately to dial 911 on my Blackberry (Yes, I had one of those then) while keeping an eye on him. I probably dialed every other number combination possible than 911. Adrenalin does funny things to you. Anyway, the dude finally took off and I was able to actually make the call. I remember that two thoughts were going through my head, "IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?!?!??!" and "I DO NOT WANT TO SHOOT THIS MAN". The best word to describe the situation is 'surreal'.

After the the thing was over and he was caught, cops asked me why I didn't shoot him. I told them that "I didn't see it in his eyes." All but one congratulated me on my restraint, but one was disgusted that I didn't shoot the guy. That cop was black, and so was the dude. Go figure.

[DQ12]

Yep.  Go figure.

[Bloodfart]

Personally, I don't venture anywhere without a fully loaded judge. 

About five years ago I thought I was going to have to shoot a guy, in a nice part of town, and it scared the crap out of me. Long story short it was a dude with a history of mental problems and drug abuse, and technically I could have shot him without legal worries. He was very close and had a deadly weapon (a pipe) in his hands and acting aggressively. I didn't pull the gun but I had my hand on it and was trying desperately to dial 911 on my Blackberry (Yes, I had one of those then) while keeping an eye on him. I probably dialed every other number combination possible than 911. Adrenalin does funny things to you. Anyway, the dude finally took off and I was able to actually make the call. I remember that two thoughts were going through my head, "IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?!?!??!" and "I DO NOT WANT TO SHOOT THIS MAN". The best word to describe the situation is 'surreal'.

After the the thing was over and he was caught, cops asked me why I didn't shoot him. I told them that "I didn't see it in his eyes." All but one congratulated me on my restraint, but one was disgusted that I didn't shoot the guy. That cop was black, and so was the dude. Go figure.

[clap] [clap] [clap] Good job!  Good effort!

[AU_Tigers]

Personally, I don't venture anywhere without a fully loaded judge. 

About five years ago I thought I was going to have to shoot a guy, in a nice part of town, and it scared the crap out of me. Long story short it was a dude with a history of mental problems and drug abuse, and technically I could have shot him without legal worries. He was very close and had a deadly weapon (a pipe) in his hands and acting aggressively. I didn't pull the gun but I had my hand on it and was trying desperately to dial 911 on my Blackberry (Yes, I had one of those then) while keeping an eye on him. I probably dialed every other number combination possible than 911. Adrenalin does funny things to you. Anyway, the dude finally took off and I was able to actually make the call. I remember that two thoughts were going through my head, "IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?!?!??!" and "I DO NOT WANT TO SHOOT THIS MAN". The best word to describe the situation is 'surreal'.

After the the thing was over and he was caught, cops asked me why I didn't shoot him. I told them that "I didn't see it in his eyes." All but one congratulated me on my restraint, but one was disgusted that I didn't shoot the guy. That cop was black, and so was the dude. Go figure.

[clap] [clap] [clap] Good job!  Good effort!

Again, huh?