While Mr. Keillor always writes as if he has a point, and yet, when he does, he fails to notice it. As one poster already mentioned, the problem could lie with Southern Men. But more to the point, the "sweetness" paradigm that Keillor notes here is, in many ways, a sign of traditional gender roles. This is how women should act, and so on. The cheery Southern Woman is only a few steps away from the Angel of the House, who was supposed to keep the domestic space tranquil and happy.

What should have been a clue to Mr. Keillor was the woman on the plane whose contribution to thoughts on Dr. King's Legacy was that none of his children gave Mrs. King a grandchild. Perish the thought! The focus here on grandchildren reveals how an otherwise "sweet" and "kind" person would elect a regressive, homophobic warmonger that preaches family values. Never mind taking up Dr. King's fight againt racism -- if only he had had some grandchildren!

As a NYer who's lived in the South for the past 15 years, I find GK's observations to be extremely apt. Coming from a culture in which I was taught to relate directly and honestly with people, I find the whole "smiling on the outside, plotting your murder on the inside" approach both scary and infuriating. Because you never know who you're dealing with. I'd much rather someone said to me directly, "FUCK YOU, I hate you," than "sweetie" me to death. As to causes...the prevailing attitude, at least around here, is how dare people from other parts of the country settle here. We're greeted with the "you stole our land" glare--despite the fact that American citizens are free to move anywhere in the US, as far as I know, and we've paid exorbitantly jacked-up prices to do so. There's a deep-seated suspicion of anyone from outside the immediate culture, and with that seems to come hatred, instead of curiosity. Especially for NYers and Texans. NYers are inured to the fact that there will always be foreigners moving into town, and are pretty much jaded about it. Who really cares if the newcomers are gay or nonchurchgoing or whatever? It's not our business (and we don't tend to have preachers who tell us to make it our business or we'll go straight to hell). The other side of it is powerlessness. This is a culture that has traditionally been poor and undereducated. So they strike back in the ways that they can, and of course that won't be overtly. But passive aggression is such an infuriating trait because, again, you can't deal with it directly...which is, I guess, the point. And when you've been suppressed long enough, you tend to get hostile--and find politicos who reflect that hatred. Unfortunately they're also in positions of power, so can pass that hatred into law.

Garrison--

Read a book called Albion's Seed, by David Hackett Fischer. Then you will know. No kidding. Love,

Hey Garrison-

Being a Minnesotan, I've been exposed to my share of the Keillor-collection: Occassionally A Prairie Home Companion will show up on my radio, when The Current is off on a tangent I don't appreciate. I'll also read half of some of your Salon.com articles until work gets in the way or I read something I've heard somewhere before. However, I usually end up feeling a sense of dread when experiencing your work. It might be your overly folksy delivery or your New York stint that makes me think the Keillor-collection is more of a brand than a philosophy.

However, this short article (Terms of endearment) is one of most sincere pieces of work I've read in a very long time. In a few short paragraphs you've encapsulated some very complex ideas on politics, left vs. right, them vs. us in a very personal way. Thanks, Garrison. I hope to read more like this.

As a Georgia-born, North Carolina-bred Southern liberal, I've got to agree with Mr. Garrison that it does seem backward that such a friendly culture elects such appalling politicians to represent us.

I hate to throw mud at my own people, but I think the fundamental problem is education.

Yes, we have some excellent colleges and universities (Duke, UNC and Wake Forest spring to mind, of course) but we also have some of the most dismal public schools in the country.

And it's true damn near anywhere that less-educated voters are easier to sway with catch-phrases and attitudes that seem in tune with their raising. Call us credulous, I guess, or optimistic.

If people are not taught to think critically and study candidates, of course their votes go to people whose public image mimics our cultural values.

What are those values? Church, family, service to country and community (remember: Southerners represent a huge portion of military recruits; that's not an accident), hospitality, and tradition.

Also? Education stats aside, no one likes being treated like a slow step-child.

I'm smart, well-educated, well-traveled, over 30 and established in my profession. Believe me when I say that if I have to choose a way to be patronized, I choose someone who calls me "sugar" and listens to my ideas than someone who calls me "Ms." and treats me like an idiot bumpkin.

Have you looked at a "red/blue" map lately? The entire mid-section of the country is "red" from our border with Canada to our border with Mexico. There are pockets of "blue" in the south, just as there are pockets of "red" on the east and west coasts.

I'm sick of people blaming the south for this mess. If it was only the south, we wouldn't have a Republican President and a Republican majority in Congress.

You northerners need to stop being so goddamned self-righteous.

Southernism is a disease spread by WASPS with glib tongues like Lindsay Graham, so slick of speech and completely bereft of any patriotism for america.

I hate that guy and his kind and what they are doing to destroy our democratic values on so many levels most especially the final nail in the coffin of democracy. And that nail is called the just signed torture legislation.

Southerners and Republicans claim to be americans but if they truly were they would have screamed against the torture legislation as evey american SHOULD/MUST do unless they are a southerner, republican, Catholic or SBC'er.

Those groups support and endorse this piece unholy/satanic legislation. I am sick, angry and feel dirty by what has been done to me and all americans via this legislation.

EWTN, the catholic cable channel, and that Notre Dame law professor defend that legislation, if you can. You people are all sick. I would think that Mother Angelica being a woman and especially being a nun, as my aunt was, would see through the evils of the Bush/Repubs and that satanic piece of legislation.

And finally speaking of things southern, EWTN is located in of all places, Alabama one of the bastions of racism.

If you hate and despise the torture legislation, as I do, blame EWTN, which I now almost never watch. My aunt, a Dominican nun and long deceased would be sickened by the pope and catholic support of this vile piece of legislation via the Bush Repubs. I hope she doesn't know anything about what is going on in america. She was sweet, kind and gentle and this kind of legislation is a desecration to her life of as a nun and all that represents.

I weep for all the members of my family, of Italian descent, and the enormous bravery of my grandparents who set off from Italy heading to a better life in america and now what has become of their america.

I don't concern myself with my brother and sister anymore who are republicans and support Bush and all his evil/ satanic deeds. They will have to speak for themselves on judgement day as will Santorum and his southern friends. I am ready for that day and approach it with a clear conscience.

Al Quaeda, Osama and the Saudi family don't have to do anymore terrorism the Bush family, the Republicans,the Pope and the southerners are destroying america, we will self destruct now that our rights, freedoms and our Constitution have been taken away by the so called party of god(small g) and our american dictator George Bush.

If you like the torture legislation thank a Republican and especially the catholic repubs who are most responsible and should know better but obviously do not.