20061230 Crablaw calls to our attention a Sun article on Tom Schaller’s book

Bruce Godfrey at Crablaw calls to our attention a Baltimore Sun article on Tom Schaller’s book

December 29th, 2006

Writing for the Baltimore Sun, Andrew Green has a piece about UMBC professor Tom Schaller’s book, “Whistling Past Dixie: How the Democrats Can Win Without the South.”

A big thank you to Crablaw for calling the article to our attention.

In his post, Mr. Godfrey encourages his readers to be sure to read Mr. Green’s article.

I agree.

However, I’m encouraging “Soundtrack” readers to also be sure to read Crablaw’s post about Dr. Schaller’s book.

For a previous post about Dr. Schaller and his book, please read: “20061030 Appearance on the Mark Steiner Show.” And for other mentions of Dr. Schaller in “Soundtrack,” please click here.

I have come to really appreciate Dr. Schaller.

When I appeared on WYPR’s Mark Steiner show last October 30th, 2006, he was wonderful to chat with about current events, politics and the issues. To be certain, we agreed on very little, however, he was fun and engaging and kept it intellectual.

To be sure, we need more Dr. Schaller’s in the "public intellectual."[1]

I have not read the book; however, it is on my short list of “must” reading.

I have several colleagues who have read it and were excited about Dr. Schaller’s out of the box insights and fresh pragmatic approaches.

It is not really fair to comment on the book without reading it, nevertheless, my uninformed view is that Democrats will still have problems with some their party’s liberal positions in the Western United States. Positions on gun ownership comes to mind quickly.

Reading Mr. Green’s article reminded me of the “banter by way of song,” between Neil Young and the lead singer of “Lynyrd Skynyrd,” Ronnie Van Zant in the early 1970s.

What many in the public were not aware, is that the two talented songwriters and performers were quite good friends.

Nevertheless, on Mr. Young’s third album, one of my all time favorites, “After the Gold Rush,” released in 1970, there was a song entitled, “Southern Man.”

The lyrics[2] to “Southern Man” were a biting critique of Mr. Young’s understandings of race relations in the south in the 1960s.

Ronnie van Zant responded with “Sweet Home Alabama,” in which he attempted to portray what was good about the south. (“Sweet Home Alabama” was written by Ed king, Ronnie van Zant and Gary Rossington.)[3]

Mr. Green writes that “Virginia Democratic strategist and "Bubba vote" guru David W. "Mudcat" Saunders,” has taken umbrage with Dr. Schaller’s book.

Hopefully Mr. Saunders and Dr. Schaller can be great sports and get together some time and talk about the book and the future of the Democratic Party’s presence and strategy in the south.

That would be a great public forum at say, UMBC or UVa - - or somewhere. How about William and Mary in Williamsburg? Dr. Simon Stow could be the moderator. (See “20061005 Breakfast and a class at William and Mary.”)

Read Mr. Green’s Baltimore Sun article here.

Read Bruce Godfrey’s Crablaw article here.

Buy Dr. Schaller’s book here.

Kevin

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[1] Andrew Green wrote on December 27th, 2006 in the Baltimore Sun: “Schaller, 39, is a bespectacled, fast-talking political science professor who has been trying for the last few years to work his way into a career as a liberal talking head, or, as he calls it, "public intellectual."

[2] Lyrics to Neil Young’s 1970 "Southern Man"

Southern man; better keep your head; Don't forget; what your good book said; Southern change; gonna come at last; Now your crosses; are burning fast; Southern man.

I saw cotton; and I saw black; Tall white mansions; and little shacks. Southern man; when will you; pay them back? I heard screamin'; and bullwhips cracking; How long? How long?

Southern man; better keep your head; Don't forget; what your good book said; Southern change; gonna come at last; Now your crosses; are burning fast; Southern man.

Lily Belle, your hair is golden brown; I've seen your black man; comin' round; Swear by God; I'm gonna cut him down! I heard screamin'; and bullwhips cracking; How long? How long?

[3] Lyrics to Ed King, Ronnie van Zant and Gary Rossington’s Lynyrd Skynyrd’s early 1970’s “Sweet Home Alabama:”

Big wheels keep on turning Carry me home to see my kin Singing songs about the southland I miss Alabamy once again And I think its a sin, yes

Well I heard mister young sing about her Well, I heard ole Neil put her down Well, I hope Neil Young will remember A southern man don’t need him around anyhow

Sweet home Alabama Where the skies are so blue Sweet home Alabama Lord, Im coming home to you

In Birmingham they love the governor Now we all did what we could do Now Watergate does not bother me Does your conscience bother you? Tell the truth

Sweet home Alabama Where the skies are so blue Sweet home Alabama Lord, Im coming home to you Here I come Alabama

Now muscle shoals has got the swampers And they’ve been known to pick a song or two Lord they get me off so much They pick me up when I’m feeling blue Now how about you?

Sweet home Alabama Where the skies are so blue Sweet home Alabama Lord, I’m coming home to you

Sweet home Alabama Oh sweet home baby Where the skies are so blue And the governors true Sweet home Alabama Lordy Lord, I’m coming home to you Yea, yea Montgomery’s got the answer