Is Alabama the Armpit of America...?

[Caveman]

I've read a few posts in several OT threads over the past few weeks (Luxury cars, Troy State University, etc...) and have discovered a few ignorant comments about the state.

I grew up in the north (Minneapolis, MN) and had the stereotypical view of AL... people not wearing shoes on their feet, big dogs on porches with men holding shotguns...

I've lived in AL (Huntsville) for the past 13 years and although I've had my preconceptions about AL proven on occasion, these negative types of perceptions just aren't accurate.

Keep in mind that there are more PhDs per capita in Huntsville, AL than anywhere in the world - and this is a city of about 180k - not a one room schoolhouse town of 20 folks...

The world's third largest Research Park is in Huntsville (behind "Silicon Valley" and "The Triangle" in NC).

When Mercedes decided to build it's M-Class vehicles in AL it was because of low taxes and the large pool of technical talent from the Redstone Arsenal/Marshal Space Flight Center as well as a large host of companies that offer engineering and scientific services...

 

[FoBoT]

no
there are plenty of fine people in Alabama

they get a lot of crap, it is just another stereotype / bias

i worked a job while living in atlanta that covered GA and AL , i met many people in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Gadsden and other places that just like those i met in NY and out west , etc , etc

 

[conjur]

I think Fresno is the armpit of America.

 

[matt426malm]

no, Florida is the wang so that makes Alabama the area that get's sweaty when wearing boxers in hot weather.

 

[StageLeft]

Often seen that way by those who have spent little time here. I expected to see lynchings on a nightly basis when I came down here and people sitting on porches with shotguns, overalls, and corn in their front yard.

Of course some people do fit that description but I've enjoyed the state.

 

[T2T III]

I expected to see lynchings on a nightly basis when I came down here and people sitting on porches with shotguns, overalls, and corn in their front yard.

Maybe, you're not straying too far off the main roads to see incidents of this nature. Then again, it could happen in any state.

 

[SherEPunjab]

I know this may be in reference to my post in the luxury car thread so, i wouldn't consider this a thread jack but..

If I'm putting 50k down on a 'German' car, I expect 'German' quality. Is German engineering superior to American. YES. So is Japanese. Read about ML owners experiences on the internet...

edit: ppl in Alabama need how to make decent cars.

 

[burnedout]

Alabama is seriously a great state and wonderful place to live. I have kin near Athens close to Huntsville. Have visited there a couple of times.

Most, if not all, of the negative comments towards Alabama are uncalled for.

 

[isekii]

how is Arkansas

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: isekii
how is Arkansas

Every state has its good and its bad areas.
Every state has its good and its bad people.

Same could be said for every country, too.

 

[Caveman]

SherEPunjab...

There are an unusual amount of Germans here as well... Read up on the history of America's Space Program... Werner Von Braun and a load of other German scientists decided to settle here after WWII because it reminded them of their home at Penemunde.

So... Mercedes settling here isn't that much of a stretch...

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Caveman
SherEPunjab...

There are an unusual amount of Germans here as well... Read up on the history of America's Space Program... Werner Von Braun and a load of other German scientists decided to settle here after WWII because it reminded them of their home at Penemunde.

So... Mercedes settling here isn't that much of a stretch...

Yeah, and there is that german restaurant with huge portions of cake

 

[SherEPunjab]

Originally posted by: Caveman
SherEPunjab...

There are an unusual amount of Germans here as well... Read up on the history of America's Space Program... Werner Von Braun and a load of other German scientists decided to settle here after WWII because it reminded them of their home at Penemunde.

So... Mercedes settling here isn't that much of a stretch...

Yes, I know it was the Germans that took NASA where it is today - again, Germans are some of the finest engineers. Until I see a bunch of beer guzzling men running around in skirts with little feathers stuck in their hats playing the trumpet - fat chance.

 

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech

I expected to see lynchings on a nightly basis when I came down here and people sitting on porches with shotguns, overalls, and corn in their front yard.

Maybe, you're not straying too far off the main roads to see incidents of this nature. Then again, it could happen in any state.

I think that type of thing is possible in Irondale...at least the parts of it I was in in 1994.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech

I expected to see lynchings on a nightly basis when I came down here and people sitting on porches with shotguns, overalls, and corn in their front yard.

Maybe, you're not straying too far off the main roads to see incidents of this nature. Then again, it could happen in any state.

I think that type of thing is possible in Irondale...at least the parts of it I was in in 1994.

I think it's no better. It's the nastiest place I've thusfar been to.