Joe Bageant

Where in the World is Joe Bageant?

Sunil K. Sharma, my good friend and the editor of Dissident Voice, has been a strong supporter since he posted my first online essay almost two years ago. Last May, when I began working on my book to be published next year, I stopped writing the essays for a while -- I'm not a good multi-tasker. Sunil claims many of his readers missed my rants and some even said my absence caused them to worry about me. So, Sunil posted the following note:

Clairol brunette, 71, laments the Jesus-blinded

Hey, Joe Bageant! It's getting so I see a paragraph somewhere or even just a quote, and I think, "That's good old Joe B." I got your style under my skin.

I'm not a screaming liberal, just liberal, I guess, when I bother to think about it. I'm a bit tired of labels, screamed at me by the likes of that power-hungry creep O'Reilly who now hardly even tries to disguise his lust for making policy and choices -- the way he was slamming Dean (not that he doesn't deserve to be slammed), but ... and his moronic call for boycotting the French all by himself (wouldn't that mebbe be a gov policy -- which isn't saying much really either?) or hide his spin (he puts toy top to shame). Not a blond, nor young (ah, "you'll look YOUNGER", the mantra they pummel the women with, fostering artificial insecurity so they buy buy buy).

I'll share your thoughts with my born-again brother

Hi Joe,

I enjoyed your piece on the Age of Reason Web site. I have often had the same thoughts, and I plan to share it with my born-again brother, who believes everyone who does not worship on Saturday (the Sabbath) is going to hell.

One thing: I have often thought the Christian fundamentalists want a war-torn Middle East and, in particular, Israel. But doesn't Condolezza Rice's peace efforts on behalf of the Bush administration belie that belief.

No name or city.

Amongst the furry-backed and beer-bellied

Joe,

I  am a "consultant" -- that is, an out of work over-educated rural woman. I read your article and was gratified that you too think it not a waste of time to go talk revolution in the bars and other haunts of the working poor. Thanks for the well thought out analysis. I have chosen to live amongst the furry-backed and beer-bellied and although my car is loaded with lefty bumper stickers, I am one of the educated that gets confided in and I still have high hopes for the ultimate reeducating of my comrades. Our interest is the same. Thanks for the wonderful piece.

Cass
DuQuoin, Illinois

We have no condescension for the working poor

Hello Joe -

Just a note to thank you for this piece. First off it's well-written and funny and I enjoyed reading it. Have forwarded it on to several friends. But even better, it comes at just the right time for me.

I'm a die-hard liberal finishing my PhD this year and then taking a faculty job at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. Small city (pop. 100,000) in rural tobacco farming NC where the university and medical center are the main employers. My husband and I will likely live in an even smaller town about 15 miles east, since we'd like to be near the water (is that too elitist?). We're moving to Bible-belt country. I'm an atheist and he's a Buddhist. Our biggest concern isn't moving to a smaller town, but rather the "cultural divide" you describe in your article.