September 12, 2003

How Times Have Changed

To show you how much the GOP now dominates the South, here's a little anecdote from Lt. Smash's tour of the Georgia governor's mansion:

We started at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, also known as “The House That Lester Built.”

The volunteer guides were very sweet. In the dining room, one docent helpfully informed us that the table, as currently configured, could seat eighteen people.

“Not with only ten chairs, it can’t,” I replied with a wink.

“Well, we do have othah chairs we can bring in,” she elaborated. She went on to explain that the table could be contracted, to seat only two or four.

“I’d like to see that,” I declared.

“Well you’ll have to come back anothah time,” she retorted, smiling sweetly.

“I’ll be sure to call ahead, to let you know when I’m coming.”

“We’d surely appreciate it,” she responded.

In the drawing room, another docent drew our attention to a portrait of Andrew Jackson on the wall. “Now of course, Presuhdent Jackson was from Tennessee—I’m not sure why we have his portrait, seeing as how he had no Georgia connections…”

“Well, he was the first Democrat to be President,” I offered.

“Oh,” she responded. She leaned forward and asked in a whisper, “Are you a Democrat?”

“No Ma’am.”

“Good,” she said, appearing somewhat relieved. “I don’t lahk them.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I’m not really a Republican, either.

When we were out of earshot, Doc expressed his amazement at her remark. “I never thought I’d see the day,” he declared, “when I would hear those sentiments expressed aloud in the Georgia Governor’s Mansion!”