She said, He said it better.

Dolly Sods, WV

I don't know if you've paid attention, but Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia had been in the news a lot for the past several months. He is a moderate Democrat who sometimes agrees with President Biden and sometimes does not. This is frustrating to some. Obviously, it was to Bette Midler when she tweeted her disdain for him.  She is entitled to her opinion and feelings, as everyone is, but what I and many others had a problem with is she included the entire state of West Virginia in the derogatory remark. 

Below is an opinion piece written by Stephen Baldwin and published in the Charleston Gazette-Mail newspaper about the Bette Midler tweet. 

As you know, this is not a political blog. Not at all. But I wanted to share an example of someone taking the high road because that is not the way many do business these days. (Or at least according to the news.)

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Stephen Baldwin: Bless your heart, Bette Midler

By Stephen Baldwin, Dec 29, 2021

On Dec. 20, singer and actress Bette Midler tweeted, “What #JoeManchin, who represents a population smaller than Brooklyn, has done to the rest of America, who wants to move forward, not backward, like his state, is horrible. He sold us out. He wants us all to be just like his state, West Virginia. Poor, illiterate and strung out.”

When I read that, I just shook my head and muttered, “Bless your heart, Bette Midler.”

I felt sorry for her, because she obviously never kayaked the Greenbrier River. She never watched the sun rise over Dolly Sods. She never heard Bill Withers belt out “Lean On Me” at church on Sunday morning. She never experienced the hospitality of a West Virginian who would literally give anyone the shirt off their back and the food on their plate if they came through town needing help.

I’m a lifelong West Virginian, and we’ve heard the jokes our whole lives. Jokes about dental care, substance abuse and statehood. One time, this country boy checked into a hotel in the big city. I presented my driver’s license for proof of identity. The clerk said, “Oh, you’re from the western part of Virginia?” “No ma’am, I’m from West Virginia.” She replied, “I didn’t know it was a separate state.”

“Yes ma’am,” I replied, “We’ve been the keepers of God’s country since 1863.”

Contrary to Midler’s short-sighted tweet, we hold a long history of substantive contribution to American

democracy that has helped move the country forward.

West Virginia is the home of Katherine Johnson, who was such a brilliant mathematician that her colleagues at NASA — especially astronaut John Glenn — trusted her more than their advanced computers.

West Virginia is the home of Woody Williams, who is America’s oldest living Medal of Honor recipient.

West Virginia is the home of James Rumsey, inventor of the steamboat.

West Virginia is the home of Booker T. Washington, who was born into slavery and yet became one of the leading American intellectuals of the 19th century.

West Virginia is the home of Chuck Yeager, who was the first human being to break the sound barrier.

West Virginia is the home of Pearl S. Buck, who remains one of America’s greatest authors.

Despite this rich history, do we struggle? Yes. One-quarter of our children live in poverty. Our overdose rate is the highest in the nation. Our greatest export is our high school students — they graduate and leave. As a pastor and state senator, these are the issues I spend every day working to overcome alongside my fellow mountaineers. 

Honestly, we could use Midler’s help, rather than her judgment. She’s a wealthy, well-known professional. Condée Nast recently named West Virginia one of the best travel destinations for 2022. I invite Midler to come visit West Virginia.

When Anthony Bourdain, God rest his soul, visited us in 2018, he said, “Here, in the heart of every belief system I’ve mocked or fought against, I was welcomed with open arms by everybody.” As a fellow New Yorker, I think Midler will find the same thing. We will welcome her with open arms. Apology accepted.

Yet, the nation remains divided — along partisan, cultural and geographic lines, as this incident exposed. What can we do about it? Hear me out. Rural America is often criticized for being out of touch with the modern world. I think the modern world is out of touch with the real America. The real America is a land of contrasts — big and small, rich and poor, black and white, young and old, city and

country. Most people spend time in both worlds, and most of us see the value in both worlds. The truth is that we need each other. America is not America without the country and the city. The country pastor and the city actress.

So, bless her heart. Seriously. I wish Midler all the best and God’s blessings this holiday season.

Let’s you and I do our part to heal this deep divide in America today. Come on down to West Virginia and see why it’s called “Almost Heaven.” We’ll save you a seat at our table.

West Virginia Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin, D-Greenbrier, is pastor of the Ronceverte Presbyterian Church.

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The continuing story- 

After backlash, Ms. Midler tweeted this apology.

"I apologize to the good people of WVA for my last outburst. I’m just seeing red; #JoeManchin and his whole family are a criminal enterprise. Is he really the best WV has to offer its own citizens? Surely there’s someone there who has the state’s interests at heart, not his own!"

I have several things to say about her apology, but I'm not sure I can take the high road like Mr. Baldwin, so I won't comment. :)

Until next time...