Thursday, September 26, 2002

Political Correctness Alert!
The Washington Times claims Southern Pride:
Is being "just a good ol' boy" the equivalent of being a racist? Former Democratic Rep. Ben Jones - Cooter from the hit 1980s TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard" - has been tarred with that brush as he mounts a new campaign for a House seat outside Richmond. And it's not because of the grimy wife-beater T-shirt he wore in the show, but because of the car he drives.

Mr. Jones has made appearances with the souped-up, bright-orange, 1969 Dodge Charger from the TV show - the General Lee - which in addition to its day-glow hue has a huge Confederate flag painted on the roof. Mr. Jones, a liberal Democrat who was actively involved (on the right side) in the 1960s civil rights movement, and who has strong support from minority constituents, has been attacked by members of his own party for "insensitivity," and for making an implicit appeal to bigots. Former Gov. Doug Wilder wrote that Mr. Jones is "using his flying of a Confederate flag as a campaign strategy" and that the use of the General Lee is "of great concern to the broad body of responsible Virginians."
It's a tossup who's the bigger idiot, Ben Jones or Gov. Wilder.

But when does Daisy Duke show up?