[danielj72]

THe confederate flag is not a symbol of hate, it is a symbol of the south. THe confederate flag also stands for states rights and rebellion against the federal goverments overeach for power. Had our founding fathers been alive in 1861 they would have at least understood why the south left the union. I love the south, and I support states rights. I am also very interested in history and the war. For that reason I fly a confederate flag. Sometimes the first national, sometimes the third national and sometimes the battleflag everyone knows. Does it offend people?, Im sure it does. Is it politically correct?? no it is not. Other peoples ignorance of history and thier adherance to political correctness is not my problem, so I dont care if others do not like it. The flag is not about racism, the klan or any other hate group. It is about history, culture and politics however.
Now someone mentioned people flying a nazi flag, that is different. The nazis were evil, and everything they stood for was evil. Flying a swastika is dispicable and un-American.

[michigan83]

Originally Posted by danielj72

THe confederate flag is not a symbol of hate, it is a symbol of the south. THe confederate flag also stands for states rights and rebellion against the federal goverments overeach for power. Had our founding fathers been alive in 1861 they would have at least understood why the south left the union. I love the south, and I support states rights. I am also very interested in history and the war. For that reason I fly a confederate flag. Sometimes the first national, sometimes the third national and sometimes the battleflag everyone knows. Does it offend people?, Im sure it does. Is it politically correct?? no it is not. Other peoples ignorance of history and thier adherance to political correctness is not my problem, so I dont care if others do not like it. The flag is not about racism, the klan or any other hate group. It is about history, culture and politics however.
Now someone mentioned people flying a nazi flag, that is different. The nazis were evil, and everything they stood for was evil. Flying a swastika is dispicable and un-American.

I see what you are saying, but you are going to have a hard time convincing anyone that the confederate flag doesn't represent racism, at least on some level. The states were fighting for their right to do one thing in particular... hold slaves. People associate that flag with racism, whether you like it or not.

[Stringerjr]

My father said he used to go up to saginaw during the summer, back in the 60's and you would have thought you where downsouth, people would raise chickens, and plant their own food in the backyard
the neighborhood of brightmoor in detroit also reminds me of a southern city

[MS313]

Originally Posted by Stringerjr

My father said he used to go up to saginaw during the summer, back in the 60's and you would have thought you where downsouth, people would raise chickens, and plant their own food in the backyard
the neighborhood of brightmoor in detroit also reminds me of a southern city

I would have to agree with that. Brightmoor is unfortunately one of the worst if not the worst neighborhood in Detroit for crime and blight. And I believe in the history of Brightmoor the homes was built to look like the south for some reason. And I believe poor people have always lived there. I believe it was built for them.

[darstar]

What has always beebread excepted as real is the fact many people came from the hills if the mid south to work in the car factories. This has been going on for a long time, several generations. And yes, many brought their lifestyle with them. Many of the rural woods, hills, looked a lot like back home. We all can think of those places ,all over southern Michigan.
What's changed now, is the car plants have moved to the mid south, and many are having a hard time finding skilled workers. There is a shortage of skilled workers/ trades all over the country, as the economy comes back. It does take some skill to operate CNC machinery.

[YAZ]

Here's something that I noticed:

When down south, if folks don't like you.....they're still nice to your face.

Rural Michigan?

You'll know right away.

[ram2]

Originally Posted by MarvinStrong313

No not really. May have some similarities here and there but overall, hell no.

Mississippi and Michigan are (as someone earlier mentioned) worlds apart. The only real similarity I can think of is both names starting with the letter M.

Michigan has about 9 or 10 million people. And is in the top 10 most populous states in the country.
Mississippi is in the top 40 most populous states in the country. Mississippi is 2 or 3 million. That whole state is like half the size of the Detroit area. And probably the size of west Michigan.

Michigan's largest city is a major city in the top 20 largest in America with a large Metro area.
Mississippi has no major city and it's largest city (which is Jackson) is not even the size of Grand Rapids.

Mississippi's top 10 largest cities.
Jackson, MS
Population: 184,256 (US Census 2000)

Gulfport, MS
Population: 71,127 (US Census 2000)

Biloxi, MS
Population: 50,644 (US Census 2000)

Hattiesburg, MS
Population: 44,779 (US Census 2000)

Greenville, MS
Population: 41,633 (US Census 2000)

Meridian, MS
Population: 39,968 (US Census 2000)

Tupelo, MS
Population: 34,211 (US Census 2000)

Southaven, MS
Population: 28,977 (US Census 2000)

Vicksburg, MS
Population: 26,407 (US Census 2000)

Pascagoula, MS
Population: 26,200 (US Census 2000)

Michigan's top 20 largest cities
Detroit: 713,777
Grand Rapids: 188,040
Warren: 134,056
Sterling Heights: 129,699
Lansing: 114,297
Ann Arbor: 113,934
Flint: 102,434
Livonia: 96,942
Dearborn: 98,153
Troy: 80,980
Farmington Hills: 79,740
Westland: 84,094
Southfield: 71,739
Kalamazoo: 74,262
Wyoming: 72,125
Rochester Hills: 70,995
Pontiac: 59,515
St. Clair Shores: 59,715
Taylor: 63,131
Dearborn Heights: 57,774

Michigan's largest Metropolitan area
6 million when Windsor and Ann Arbor is included.

Mississippi's largest metro area
539,057 (smaller than Detroit proper)

Michigan has 4 pro sports teams
Mississippi has none.

I can go on forever about this. Fact of the matter is these 2 states are world's apart. Michigan may have it's country ways but Mississippi is the REAL DEAL when it comes to being country. All it takes is a cruise down I-94 or I-96 vs any freeway in Mississippi and you can clearly see that MI is much more urban. Now if were talking about the UP then that is a different story.

The northern half of the lower peninsula of Michigan is not urban.

[MS313]

Originally Posted by ram2

The northern half of the lower peninsula of Michigan is not urban.

True, but I was comparing the state overall to the state of Mississippi overall. MI does have much more urban areas then MS.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

I got my ancient Pioneer Seed Corn hat during a visit to MI!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by ram2

The northern half of the lower peninsula of Michigan is not urban.

That is correct. 94% of the population of Michigan lives in either 1) metropolitan county (MSA) or 2) micropolitan county (small city)