Joe,
I'm reading through your posted columns, and had to pause to express my appreciation. If you think small town Virginia is small-minded and mean, try Birmingham, Alabama, where I grew up. Thanks for putting into words what has been lurking in the back of my mind for decades now. I like to recommend books, and I have a few you might enjoy.
First, "Albion's Seed," by David Hackett Fisher; read the section "From the Borderlands to the Backcountry." It's a cultural history of your people, and mine. Those fundie rednecks were compulsively belligerent for hundreds of years before they even crossed the pond.
I also got a kick out of Marilynne Robinson's "The Death of Adam." She has a heartening defense of John Calvin, of all people. She also had a terrific article in the July 2006 Harper's, which might be sitting around somewhere. A vision of God, and of the godly, to replace the nightmare that is being peddled by your charming neighbors.
I assume that you've read Jim Goad's "The Redneck Manifesto."
Happy reading. I have to get back to your web site.
David
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Thank you so much David!
Oh yes, from what I saw there, Birmingham is much worse than Winchester in those regards.
I've read those things you suggested, and the borderlands section particularly moved my thinking while I was writing the Scots Irish essay.
Thanks again for connecting to a kindred spirit,
Joe
