I love Neil Young for the totality of his work, but especially After the Goldrush (1970) and Harvest (1972). That said, I think Lynyrd Skynyrd had it more right (“Sweet Home Alabama” v “Southern Man”): we Southerners are best judged individually, just like every other American. I imagine Neil would agree today.
Nevertheless, it pained me to hear Georgia Congressman (and physician) Paul Broun say last month “… what I was taught in school … evolution, embryology, The Big Bang Theory … are all lies straight from The Pits of Hell!” (see recent YouTube video from the Liberty Baptist Church, NE Georgia).
His words pain me because I am a proud Georgian. And a proud Man of Science – indeed, a physician.
So for those of you who live in other areas of the country, and doubt the intellectual and creative capacity of your Southern Brethren, hear me when I say … don’t make the same mistake Neil Young made 40 years ago … Paul Broun does not define Georgian men, nor Georgian physicians. Let’s hope not anyway.