The state of Mississippi has long been a target of political hum drum from liberals and particularly from the news media. There's just something about my home state that liberals cringe when they hear the word Mississippi. Yes, we had our fair share of racial disputes in the past,but for the most part, that is a thing of the past.
When news anchors report about Mississippi they often portray the state as a backwards hillbilly country filled with uneducated, poor people which is not an accurate description. Mississippi has come long way in all areas. Education has improved dramatically and so has technology. There are several electronics and high-tech companies in Mississippi that give way to high paying high tech jobs for engineers and technicians. There are still poor people here in Mississippi, but that is everywhere and not limited to just one state.
The majority of Mississippi are conservative and as friend pointed out to me once, Mississippi is one of the last standing states where we have CONSERVATIVE PRO-LIFE DEMOCRATS serving in the Senate and House. I consider myself a conservative Republican, but many who consider themselves democrats here in Mississippi are still pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, and are still conservative in their faith and religious moral beliefs.
Liberals often tout Southern conservatives more because of our longstanding and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and the word of God, the Holy Bible. Conservative Mississippians share this faith and often show it in our political decisions which liberals hate even more.
During the 2004 presidential election there were eleven states who had a same-sex marriage ban proposal on the ballot. Mississippi was the leader with an 83% vote to ban same-sex marriage which is the highest percentage vote of any state concerning this issue to this day. Mississippi also is one of the hardest states to get an abortion in because of strict stipulations brought on by religious pro-life conservatives such as the organization Pro-Life Mississippi (www.prolifemississippi.org
Once again liberals are going mad all over the nation because conservatives want to put back the institution of God into the very classroom that it was taken out of by the radical left since the 1960s liberal revolution. All over the United States the debate of Intelligent Design vs. the Theory of Evolution and what can and cannot be taught is going on.
Just recently Mississippi made a bold move that may change the course of everything on this issue. Mississippi has now paved the way for Intelligent Design to be taught in schools along side of evolution. Conservative Republican Governor Haley Barbour signed a new state law that basically says that no restrictions can be placed on teachers or students when discussing the origins of life in the classroom. This law basically allows a student to question evolution and to discuss Creation if that student or teacher chooses to do so. The new law prohibits the school board, superintendent, or principal from placing restrictions on discussions about the origins of life.
This new law is a breakthrough to me because that means that the age of indoctrination is over in the classroom. Students can legally question the theory of evolution and legally challenge it with discussions of creation in the classroom. I am sure this will be a model for other states to follow and the sooner the better.
The Tupelo, Mississippi based American Family Association (www.afa.net
Lately AFA has put the hurt on Ford Motor Company by placing a boycott on all companies worldwide that are owned by Ford such as Volvo, Lincoln, Mercury, and others in the group. This boycott started as a way to tell Ford that conservative Christians do not appreciate Ford's political involvement and promotion with gay and lesbian activist groups. Ford refused to stop supporting the groups so AFA launched a boycott that, at first, seemed to not be working. Then the figures came out.
A recent report says that Ford dealers are feeling the effects of the boycott. Because of the boycott, Ford's sales have dropped by 5 % in march of 2006. Since the boycott began, Ford's stock has dropped 14% which is the lowest in 20 years. Even some preachers have been speaking the message in the pulpit to stop buying Ford until they stop support homosexual activist groups against traditional marriage. I own a Ford myself, but if Ford continues in their ways, I will be one of those looking elsewhere when it comes time to buy another vehicle.
Liberals still hate Mississippi and Mississippians still value traditional marriage and Biblical values. Some things never change. Many have said that Southerners are hard-headed and downright stubborn when it comes to changing our belief system just because someone said it is "old-fashioned". I guess we really are. People call me old fashioned because I still believe in waiting until marriage for sex, marriage is reserved for one man and one woman, abortion is murder, the Bible is the infallible word of God, and only salvation through Jesus Christ can get you into Heaven for eternity. Call me old fashion and hard-headed if you want, but like I said before - some things never change. My faith and belief system is one of them. Where do you put your faith?
ABOUT ROB HOOD
Rob Hood grew up in rural Mississippi and was rooted in the doctrine of the Southern Baptist Convention and its teachings of Biblical right and wrong, accountability to a higher authority, and the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was a participant in Bible Drill for nine years, a Southern Baptist Convention program devoted to educating children and youth with scriptures from the Bible for use in everyday life situations. He graduated from Holmes Community College in Grenada, Mississippi with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Electronics Technology and is currently employed as an Electronics Technician with HAM radio equipment manufacturer. He is also a Federal Communications Commission licensed Technician Class HAM radio operator and lives in North Mississippi.