Watching the south

The Institute for Southern Studies' Facing South blog is always a good source for some revealing news not reported elsewhere. A couple new things there today:

In their continuing reporting on the Tennessee Senate race between Harold Ford and Bob Corker, a good compilation of revelations on who's behind some of the worst advertising, particularly the NRC ad that's gotten much publicity. Is it a Karl Rove job? The Southern Strategy Unfolds.... Says R. Neal:

This is as nasty a campaign as we can remember in recent Tennessee history and we still have a week to go. Everyone agrees it has no place in politics but nobody seems to know what to do about it

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And here's another revealing posting, Southeast targeted for wildlife cutbacks, listing several wildlife refuges in the Southeast that are losing staffing and/or visitor amenities. Among them, the first ever American wildlife refuge, Pelican Island in Florida. Several other Florida refuges are included, including 'Ding' Darling on Sanibel/Captiva, and the Florida Keys.

(Added later:) On the Ford/Corker campaign ads, Vanity Fair's James Wolcott has a bit more to say. Warning, this one could offend, folks:

Bob Corker is gay. He may not know it yet, he may never know it, he may go to his sarcophagus wrapped in denial, but his fascination with Ford's prowess and good looks gives him away, as does his political affiliation. All Republican political figures are gay, especially the men.