\u201cWhy is it that every time we go to southern California, we are absolutely the Clampets?!\u201d\u00a0 A personal favorite Bartlett-ism from The West Wing<\/em> gospel files. President Bartlett and his staff have travelled to California, where they need to really impress some people who could help them get re-elected, and calimity ensues. Ultimately, his personal aid and his White House Communications Director get into a bar fight\u00a0and wind up in jail.<\/p>\n Thinking of that moment as I wonder: Why is it that, whenever southerners\u2013especially religious southerners\u2013make the news, they are absolutely the Clampets?! I am from Kentucky, so I can get red when the need arises. (If you don\u2019t know what that means 1- i can\u2019t explain it to you and 2-you will probably have to learn the hard way some day. Appalachian Lexicon in progress.) But<\/em><\/strong> I know how to assert this area of my heritage and being in appropriate context. I claim it with pride. However, appropriate context never makes the news. What makes the news is to follow\u2026<\/p>\n I\u2019m\u00a0going to share two stories here with some striking paralels. Not making any comment on either of them, except that\u00a0I\u00a0read one yesterday\u00a0and it made me think of\u00a0the other\u00a0immediately. One of these stories is true, and one is comedic\u00a0satire. Also, one of\u00a0them has some gospel value, and the other is\u00a0just absolutely the Clampets Go To Worship.\u00a0<\/p>\n So, read the story; watch the video; draw your own parellels and find your own little gospel moments. But most\u00a0importantly\u2013be nice to your\u00a0Ministers of Music. And if you live in the south, always dress for adventure when you head to church of a Sunday.\u00a0<\/p>\n First, the Clampet\u2019s Absolute Worship Experience\u2013click here:<\/em> http:\/\/blog.al.com\/live\/2011\/08\/mobile_county_sheriffs_office_8.html<\/a><\/p>\n Then head on over to Pascagoula for a revival\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n