The Drive up I-65

No where (that I can think of, yet) embodies the elements necessary to scare the shit out of a Yankee visiting the state of Alabama than a drive along I-65 North from Montgomery to the state line of Tennessee. It has just about everything you could ask for, from the Confederate battle flag to Religious fundamentalism to outright hatred of democrats.

Good lord, I nearly shit my pants everytime I drive it.


The first thing you come up on is in Autuaga County, about 20 miles north of Montgomery. If traveling north, you'll see a beautiful waterwheel built into the side of a hill that's right next to the highway. The property is / was owned by this guy, who owned a construction company and who loved God and America.

Subtle, right?

Later on down the road you get the ultimate expression of Confederate pride; a giant (and I do mean giant) Confederate battle flag flies over I-65, placed there by the Sons of the Confederacy. I didn't have a chance to snap a photo, but I did find one online which gives a pretty decent view of the scale.

And how nice is that, right? Nothing like sticking your middle finger up in the air and telling everyone to kiss your ass if they think you're a racist. And it really doesn't matter, anyway, because you'll probably admit you're rascists anyway.

Yay, Sons of the Confederacy! (ugh.)

Now, there are more signs like the next one in Georgia and along I-75, but again in Alabama along I-65 they take our politics and religious fundamentalism seriously. And one of the biggest issues some of these people have is over the governement allowing abortion. They're still pissed about Roe vs Wade and, wait a minute....I am sorry to interupt this, but there is another very pressing message I need to bring to you about the future of your soul, and it comes from our friends at AvoidSatan.com, ans it come in the form of a question.

"Where will you spend eternity?"

Where indeed? I've got a question for you: Where did I spend the time before my parents made me? I wasn't necessarily worried about where I was spending my time before I was born, so why should I worry about where I spend my time after I am dead? Hmmm....????

Last but not least is the piece de resistance, and I'll set it up like this:

Imagine you've spent your entire life in the Northeast, only to have to up and move to the deep South for your wife's job. No big deal, you think. "I can handle it. Hey, I've made bigger moves, remeber Singapore in high school?" Piece of cake.

Now, you're aware of the stereotypes people have of the South, of Southerners, etc. And while you've met people who clearly are not that way, who do not conform to the stereotypes at all, and indeed reject the attitudes and notions that pertain to them, you know that where there is smoke, there is fire. That there is a reason stereotypes exist in the first place. And they are confirmed when you this sign.

Yup.

Everyone of those b#%stards in DC is responsible for turning this country into a Socialist state.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not a fan of the current healthcare bill. As soon as they killed the single payer option and removed the introduction of competition from the table, my support evaporated. At the same time, however, its a start that will be reformed. Its better than nothing.

But, seriously? What is wrong with you people? Have we not heard of bi-partisanship and working together?

Appparently not.