Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

bigtree

(85,919 posts)
Fri May 11, 2012, 12:28 PM May 2012

Gov. Perdue: 'We look like Mississippi'



GREENVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue had strong words Friday when asked about Tuesday's vote on Amendment One.

"We look like Mississippi," the governor told WITN-TV.

Perdue, who previously said she was against the amendment, told WITN that the vote is wrong for the state.

"People around the country are watching us and they're really confused to have been such a progressive forward thinking economically driven state that invested in education and that stood up for the civil rights people including the civil rights marches back in the 50's and 60's and 70's," said Perdue. "People are saying what in the world is going on with North Carolina, we look like Mississippi."


read: http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=8657823
82 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Gov. Perdue: 'We look like Mississippi' (Original Post) bigtree May 2012 OP
she hit the bigot on the head, with that one. ChairmanAgnostic May 2012 #1
You know you're living in sharp_stick May 2012 #2
Sorry, Gov; if the shoe fits, you gotta wear it. Bake May 2012 #3
She was against the amendment. emulatorloo May 2012 #12
I think you're missing her point, which is your point. Hissyspit May 2012 #33
I'm referring to the state/voters, not the Gov. Bake May 2012 #44
She forgot to throw in, "no offense!" immoderate May 2012 #4
or "with all due respect" grantcart May 2012 #17
or "Bless their hearts" FailureToCommunicate May 2012 #37
Snort! nt jobycom May 2012 #38
or "Blessed their hearts"--a fairly damning phrase when it ends a sentence emsimon33 May 2012 #48
If she had offended anyone DearAbby May 2012 #58
And the bigots in North Carolina are surely taking this as a compliment. Zorra May 2012 #5
She should have compared them to S. Carolina. Chan790 May 2012 #11
Hm. That might be useful. daaron May 2012 #18
As someone who lives in North Carolina not far from the South Carolina border... Hissyspit May 2012 #35
As someone who lives in South Carolina, not far from the Georgia border... GoCubsGo May 2012 #40
There is a big difference between the two states obamanut2012 May 2012 #51
Such as? GoCubsGo May 2012 #52
I've lived in both states, and there is a huge difference obamanut2012 May 2012 #54
Like what? GoCubsGo May 2012 #55
NC Rittermeister May 2012 #59
Yet, as Tuesday's vote demonstrates... GoCubsGo May 2012 #63
Well, the original point was about perceptions Hissyspit May 2012 #57
The amendment passed with 61% of the vote. GoCubsGo May 2012 #65
As an Air Force brat, I lived in BOTH North and South Carolina! tblue37 May 2012 #56
I was planning a bumper sticker that says "North Carolina, the new South Carolina". mmonk May 2012 #64
yep. barbtries May 2012 #6
Yes! And I am ashamed of us North Carolina folk. I honestly thought we were more enlightened than patricia92243 May 2012 #8
What a crock, a politician cares what they look like just1voice May 2012 #7
She is against the amendment. emulatorloo May 2012 #13
If I were from Mississippi, I'd be pissed. zzaapp May 2012 #9
If I were from Mississippi, I'd be used to those comparisons by now. kayakjohnny May 2012 #10
But is it a fair comparison, or a stereotype? zzaapp May 2012 #14
Mississippi has a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman emulatorloo May 2012 #16
Curious zzaapp May 2012 #20
No. The point is 86% voted for it, and only 14% voted against it. In 2011 poll, only 13% supported emulatorloo May 2012 #22
Point well taken... zzaapp May 2012 #25
Many. Rittermeister May 2012 #60
I'm sure many Mississippians find the comparison flattering. emulatorloo May 2012 #15
Why would they find it flattering? zzaapp May 2012 #26
Because they agree with North Carolinians that gay marriage should be banned. Selatius May 2012 #74
Thanks, I'm curious zzaapp May 2012 #75
Like, Mississippi, it was a referendum put on the ballot. The voters decided this issue. nt Selatius May 2012 #77
The will of the people.....I guess zzaapp May 2012 #79
If I were from Mississippi I'd be pissed to... snooper2 May 2012 #19
Mississippi bought this dog in the 50's, and they are always going to own it. Zorra May 2012 #21
What's interesting about "That dog" zzaapp May 2012 #23
If Mississippi someday legalized same sex marriage like Massachussetts has, Zorra May 2012 #32
My point was.... zzaapp May 2012 #34
MS one of six states that is required to have changes to its voting laws vetted by the Fed, MA isn't LanternWaste May 2012 #71
Good Point. zzaapp May 2012 #73
As a matter of fact.. zzaapp May 2012 #36
Really? xmas74 May 2012 #46
xmas74 zzaapp May 2012 #66
That's the point. xmas74 May 2012 #67
Nah...you'd be expecting it Stuckinthebush May 2012 #27
For the record.. zzaapp May 2012 #28
Wow.....can't we all just get along? zzaapp May 2012 #30
I am and I am. But, you know... jobycom May 2012 #39
agreed zzaapp May 2012 #43
Interesting graphic for those interested in stereotyping any one particular state. zzaapp May 2012 #42
A group could be one person. Ruby the Liberal May 2012 #53
Plus Rittermeister May 2012 #61
interesting map--California is No. 1 in Hate Groups... marions ghost May 2012 #68
Highest population = most hate groups. jeff47 May 2012 #69
If you go back to the graphic I think you'll see marions ghost May 2012 #81
Thanks Mr/Ms Ghost. zzaapp May 2012 #72
Georgia makes jokes about Alabama. Alabama makes jokes about Mississippi. Erose999 May 2012 #24
Yeah, but we all hate Atlanta Stuckinthebush May 2012 #29
Hate is such an ugly word, zzaapp May 2012 #76
Lighten up Frances Stuckinthebush May 2012 #78
Lighten up Frances....I love it...lol zzaapp May 2012 #80
It will be on the ballot in here in Minnesota too Harriety May 2012 #31
OUCH!!! - K&R! DeSwiss May 2012 #41
Argh... the fact that we keep leaving marriage to the states infuriates me. Initech May 2012 #45
Up to this point, if it had been left to the federal government, it wouldn't be legal anywhere. n/t hughee99 May 2012 #47
I get her point... YoungDemCA May 2012 #49
I wish she was running again obamanut2012 May 2012 #50
What can I say? She's right! Tarheel_Dem May 2012 #62
Many times the truth is exceptionally harsh. Dawson Leery May 2012 #70
She's going to catch hell but she's not wrong. Arkana May 2012 #82

Bake

(21,977 posts)
3. Sorry, Gov; if the shoe fits, you gotta wear it.
Fri May 11, 2012, 12:32 PM
May 2012

If you don't want to look like Mississippi (OMG!), don't act like it. Stop pretending you're any better than the last state in the Union, because hey, YOU'RE NOT.

Bake

Hissyspit

(45,788 posts)
33. I think you're missing her point, which is your point.
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:44 PM
May 2012

Perdue, a Democrat, spoke out against the amendment. She also is not seeking another term and so apparently feels more free to speak harshly against the voters of the state. For a politician, this is actually a pretty harsh dig at the voters.

emsimon33

(3,128 posts)
48. or "Blessed their hearts"--a fairly damning phrase when it ends a sentence
Fri May 11, 2012, 06:15 PM
May 2012

that comments on someone or their actions.

 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
11. She should have compared them to S. Carolina.
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:00 PM
May 2012

There isn't a North Carolinian alive, bigot or otherwise, that wants to be compared to South Carolinians because they look at S. Carolina the way we all look at the rest of the South.

 

daaron

(763 posts)
18. Hm. That might be useful.
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:16 PM
May 2012

That is, if we wanted to go the route of SHAMING North Carolina. Maybe a bill at the Federal Level to combine the two states into "Carolina"? I'm from out west, and all those eastcoast states are just so teensy. Mash 'em together, kick out Texas, throw in Puerto Rico and the Northern Marianna Islands, and we won't even have to change our flags!

Hissyspit

(45,788 posts)
35. As someone who lives in North Carolina not far from the South Carolina border...
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:45 PM
May 2012

there is much truth to what you say.

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
40. As someone who lives in South Carolina, not far from the Georgia border...
Fri May 11, 2012, 03:15 PM
May 2012

I keep hearing how North Carolina is a much more liberal, superior place compared to this state. I have been criticized for pointing out that there really is little difference between the two. This vote proves me correct. AFAIC, North Carolina is just a more populous version of its neighbor to the south.

Rittermeister

(170 posts)
59. NC
Sat May 12, 2012, 03:44 AM
May 2012

Traditionally is more progressive economically, spends more on schools (UNC is probably the best university system in the south), spends more on infrastructure, has significantly higher taxes, and is much more likely to elect Democrats. Handled desegregation far better, among other things. If you honestly can't see a difference between NC and the freaking Last Bastion of the Confederacy, I don't know what to say.

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
63. Yet, as Tuesday's vote demonstrates...
Sat May 12, 2012, 07:37 AM
May 2012

It's just as bigoted and homophobic as it's neighbor to the South. If you honestly can't see that, I don't know what to say.

As for being more likely to elect Democrats, you mean like Heath Schuler and Mike McIntyre?

And, FWIW, I think South Carolina is one of the biggest shitholes on the planet. I just don't think its neighbors on either side are any different. They're bigger, but not better.

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
65. The amendment passed with 61% of the vote.
Sat May 12, 2012, 07:53 AM
May 2012

South Carolina's marriage amendment doesn't ban ALL domestic partnerships, not just same-sex, unlike that of its neighbor to the north. That's reality.

tblue37

(64,982 posts)
56. As an Air Force brat, I lived in BOTH North and South Carolina!
Fri May 11, 2012, 11:04 PM
May 2012

Of course, that was many years ago.

patricia92243

(12,590 posts)
8. Yes! And I am ashamed of us North Carolina folk. I honestly thought we were more enlightened than
Fri May 11, 2012, 12:52 PM
May 2012

the vote indicates. Guess I was wrong

 

just1voice

(1,362 posts)
7. What a crock, a politician cares what they look like
Fri May 11, 2012, 12:41 PM
May 2012

They don't care very much when taking money from huge corporations and special interests.

emulatorloo

(43,982 posts)
13. She is against the amendment.
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:01 PM
May 2012

Her statement is not about what her state looks like, it is about what the voters of the state have done.

See post 16 below.

emulatorloo

(43,982 posts)
16. Mississippi has a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:06 PM
May 2012
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_Amendment_1_(2004)

Amendment 1 of 2004 is an amendment to the Mississippi Constitution that prohibited same-sex marriages from being conducted or recognized in Mississippi. The Amendment passed a public referendum on November 2, 2004 with 86% of voters supporting and 14% opposing.

The text of the adopted amendment, which is found at Article XIV, section 263A of the Mississippi Constitution, states:
Marriage may take place and may be valid under the laws of this state only between a man and a woman. A marriage in another state or foreign jurisdiction between persons of the same gender, regardless of when the marriage took place, may not be recognized in this state and is void and unenforceable under the laws of this state.

See also

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Mississippi

A November 2011 Public Policy Polling survey found that only 13% of Mississippi voters supported the legalization of same-sex marriage, while 78% were opposed and 9% were not sure. A separate question on the same survey found that 38% of respondents supported legal recognition of same-sex couples, with 10% supporting same-sex marriage and 28% supporting civil unions, 60% opposed all legal recognition, and 2% were not sure, making Mississippi one of the most conservative states in the country on the issue.

emulatorloo

(43,982 posts)
22. No. The point is 86% voted for it, and only 14% voted against it. In 2011 poll, only 13% supported
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:27 PM
May 2012

In the 2011 poll, only %13 percent supported marriage equality, while 78% were against it and 9% were 'unsure.'

Your question was "But is it a fair comparison, or a stereotype?"

This data supports it is a fair comparison and not a stereotype.

 

zzaapp

(531 posts)
25. Point well taken...
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:32 PM
May 2012

But are there other states that have that ammendment? I'm too lazy to look it up. lol

Selatius

(20,441 posts)
74. Because they agree with North Carolinians that gay marriage should be banned.
Mon May 14, 2012, 03:50 PM
May 2012

Perdue's reference was to Mississippi's own referendum on gay marriage several years back. The amendment was written overly broad to ban both civil unions for gays and regular gay marriage.

 

zzaapp

(531 posts)
75. Thanks, I'm curious
Mon May 14, 2012, 04:07 PM
May 2012

Is it the "politicians" of North Carolina who want the ban?
Or was this put up for a vote to the people of North Carolina?

Zorra

(27,670 posts)
21. Mississippi bought this dog in the 50's, and they are always going to own it.
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:25 PM
May 2012

Here's another reference to Mississippi's bad old dog:

Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition Dubs Occupy Phoenix the 'Mississippi of this Movement'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-dangelo/jesse-jackson-group-dubs-_b_1130021.html

 

zzaapp

(531 posts)
23. What's interesting about "That dog"
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:29 PM
May 2012

Is that the first race riots I remember as a kid happened in Boston.

Just sayin..

Zorra

(27,670 posts)
32. If Mississippi someday legalized same sex marriage like Massachussetts has,
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:42 PM
May 2012

(which is never gonna happen), maybe they could put mean old fido to sleep.

And maybe not.

AUGUST 10, 2011 7:00PM
Mississippi is Still Burning with Racism

http://open.salon.com/blog/ryanpsych/2011/08/10/mississippi_is_still_burning_with_racism

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
71. MS one of six states that is required to have changes to its voting laws vetted by the Fed, MA isn't
Mon May 14, 2012, 02:56 PM
May 2012

Only six states in the US are compelled to have any changes in state-mandated voting laws to be reviewed at the federal level due to their history of disenfranchisement. Massachusetts is not one of them, Mississippi is...

Some black marks are merely history, while other black marks are part and parcel of the here and now.

Just sayin', Part II

 

zzaapp

(531 posts)
36. As a matter of fact..
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:54 PM
May 2012

The first and only real Ku Kluxers I ever saw where walking down the street at night....in Connecticut.

Scared the crap out of me.

xmas74

(29,658 posts)
46. Really?
Fri May 11, 2012, 06:01 PM
May 2012

I thought they were everywhere.

I know I can drive about an half hour from my house and find some right away. They used to be in my town but the Neo-Confederate/Neo-Nazis drove them out of town.

xmas74

(29,658 posts)
67. That's the point.
Mon May 14, 2012, 01:16 PM
May 2012

They are everywhere, not just in some small examples one or two here would like to provide.

Stuckinthebush

(10,816 posts)
27. Nah...you'd be expecting it
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:35 PM
May 2012

Misssissippi really does suck. However, they did defeat that personhood silliness a few months back so they have that going for them. Maybe NC is really worse than MS now.

 

zzaapp

(531 posts)
30. Wow.....can't we all just get along?
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:41 PM
May 2012

I'm sure that every State has it's good and bad points.

"If there is one thing I hate, it's people who are intolerant
of other peoples culture....that ...and the DUTCH"

jobycom

(49,038 posts)
39. I am and I am. But, you know...
Fri May 11, 2012, 03:09 PM
May 2012

I'm pissed at her comparison, but a lot more pissed at Amendment One and the people who support such things.

And even us liberals in Mississippi (or from Mississippi, since I moved away) understand why our state means what it means. Fighting bigotry by appealing to bigotry is never the best strategy, but I've given up hoping for a high road in politics.

Ruby the Liberal

(26,217 posts)
53. A group could be one person.
Fri May 11, 2012, 06:50 PM
May 2012

Mississippi is only behind California and Texas in number of groups. If you rank that as a % of population, thats pretty ugly.

jeff47

(26,549 posts)
69. Highest population = most hate groups.
Mon May 14, 2012, 01:46 PM
May 2012

If there's only 10 white supremacists in your town, you aren't gonna be able to form two separate groups.

Judean People's Front excluded.

marions ghost

(19,841 posts)
81. If you go back to the graphic I think you'll see
Fri May 18, 2012, 08:40 AM
May 2012

that California is WAY out in front, relative to the populations of the next most populous states (Florida, Texas, New York, etc)...

WAY out in front.

Work it out statistically--it's fair to say that California has the edge in hate groups in this country.

Erose999

(5,624 posts)
24. Georgia makes jokes about Alabama. Alabama makes jokes about Mississippi.
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:31 PM
May 2012

They really are the laughingstock of the South.
 

zzaapp

(531 posts)
80. Lighten up Frances....I love it...lol
Tue May 15, 2012, 01:26 PM
May 2012

I was being sort of sarcastic, when I said "Hate is such an ugly word" It was aimed at the hypersensitive. I haven't
got the hang of the icons yet.


"We're all very different people. We're not Watusi. We're not Spartans. We're Americans, with a capital 'A', huh? You know what that means? Do ya? That means that our forefathers were kicked out of every decent country in the world. We are the wretched refuse. We're the underdog. We're mutts! Here's proof: his nose is cold! But there's no animal that's more faithful, that's more loyal, more loveable than the mutt. Who saw "Old Yeller?" Who cried when Old Yeller got shot at the end?"

Harriety

(298 posts)
31. It will be on the ballot in here in Minnesota too
Fri May 11, 2012, 02:42 PM
May 2012

Our Governor was opposed to it but the Repub legislature voted to have the amendment up for vote during this next election. I hope we here will be above voting for that POS amendment, but some people have a strange way of thinkin' and I don't care where they are from.

 

DeSwiss

(27,137 posts)
41. OUCH!!! - K&R!
Fri May 11, 2012, 03:31 PM
May 2012
- They're three states over and in a southerly direction, so she should be good......

Initech

(99,915 posts)
45. Argh... the fact that we keep leaving marriage to the states infuriates me.
Fri May 11, 2012, 05:05 PM
May 2012

That was just another one of fucking W's miserably failed policies. It should not be left to the states!! It should be legalized on a federal level.

hughee99

(16,113 posts)
47. Up to this point, if it had been left to the federal government, it wouldn't be legal anywhere. n/t
Fri May 11, 2012, 06:13 PM
May 2012
 

YoungDemCA

(5,714 posts)
49. I get her point...
Fri May 11, 2012, 06:15 PM
May 2012

..but still, not cool to put down an entire state like that.

There are good people in Mississippi.

obamanut2012

(25,911 posts)
50. I wish she was running again
Fri May 11, 2012, 06:30 PM
May 2012

She's far from perfect. but she has some some good guts against the NC GOP.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Gov. Perdue: 'We look lik...