For lunch, Clyde and I visit a Jackson institution: Penn’s. Best known for their chicken on a stick and catfish, Penn’s also offers a country buffet — a retail equivalent of “dinner on the grounds” at country churches. If you like fried meats and buttery veggies, Penn’s is Jackson’s tastiest option.
We sit at a corner table, minding our own business. A round-shouldered, pot-bellied man in a Meadowbrook Church of Christ t-shirt approaches us as though he knows us. “I want you to tell me something,” the man says. “Is this LSU rivalry for real, or is it something they just play up, you think?”
I blink. “I have no idea.”
He turns to Clyde. “You don’t follow ball?”
Clyde blinks. “No.”
He turns back to me. “So how about this Haley Barbour? You think he’s gonna beat Musgrove in the next election? They say it’s gonna be close. I’m thinking it’s gonna be close. You think Barbour’ll win?”
I blink. “I have no idea.”
“I’m hoping he will,” our new friend says, not missing a beat. “It’s about time for him and that George Bush to start showing the country that our kind of people mean business. Know what I mean? That George Bush knows what the country needs, and I think Haley Barbour does, too. Don’t you?”
I blink. “I have no idea.”
He wanders off, still talking. “We need more people like that Haley Barbour,” he tells the table behind us. “We need leaders who ain’t afraid to take a stand and do what’s right. You know it? That Haley Barbour, he knows what people in Mississippi need…”
Crazy … or someone practicing an innovative form of candidate marketing?
I have no idea — but if I were Ronnie Musgrove, I’d be delighted to know people like this fellow were out representing Haley Barbour.
The number of strangers who feel the need to approach people is unnerving. I enjoyed reading you.
People like what?? if you are a democrat which you story makes me believe…you are supposed to be a “party for the people” is this man not a part of those people?
Mark wrote: If I were Ronnie Musgrove, I’d be delighted to know people like this fellow were out representing Haley Barbour.
Will asks: People like what??
Mark replies: Specifically, people who do not understand that forcing themselves and their views on total strangers in public places is rude and unwelcome.
Will writes: [Democrats] are supposed to be a “party for the people” is this man not a part of those people?
Mark replies: Even those of us in the “party of the people” have a right to lunch with a “party of two.”
Thanks for stopping by!
Hopefully, Haley is headed back to Washington.