Rude!

Abigail and Dolley readers I live (and I honestly believe that Jesse Helms is rolling over in his grave) in a swing state.  A much sought after 15 electoral vote state, NC is being inundated with political ads and stump speeches.  The Dems are courting the NC vote, hoping to repeat the upset of 2008.  As such, they need to learn a bit about the folks here.

We've been raised with and value manners.  We do not take pleasure in rude, abrupt behavior.  We are not humored by rough speech or borish demeanor.  In the Southern mind, Joe Biden as the absolute epitome of a rude Yankee.  We don't like Yankees.

His adoption of a Southern Accent declaring to a largely black audience that we're going to put them back in chains was so outside of acceptable social and political behavior as to drew a collective gasp from the Southern voters. Interruption is not admired, we are taught to "wait your turn."  We will often defer, saying, "Please, you go ahead."  Speaking over someone that has the floor, whether you agree with them or not, is simply not done in polite society.  We are Christians, largely Baptists, and there are many who can quote chapter and verse as easy as a Yankee fanatic can roll off stats.  Thus, as I tried to watch the Vice Presidential debate, a Scripture kept rolling over and over again in my mind:

Joe Biden Rude Behavior

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV)

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community."

The entirety of the South shakes their heads and declares, "Joe Biden, bless his heart."