Reply #36: East Tennessee and especially Northeast Tennessee are the IRISH.

[Soup Bean]

First government west of the applachians was formed here. Mostly Irish settlers, sent down here during the War Between the States. Tried to start their own State of Franklin, with Jonesborough as its capital.

The ultimate outsiders. That's us. We love a good pub fight, a good arguement, good music, and a great debate. We love to fight. But we're good folks. Watch some of us....come to Jonesborough Days and the Appalachian Fair. Come to the National Storytelling Festival. Come to see "The Wataugans" and see how westward expansion began. See our pristine rivers, lakes and mostly unspoiled countryside. Meet us. Flyfish and canoe with us. Learn to quilt, to make apple butter, to enjoy sweet tea.

Sure, we've got a bunch of churches. But most of them aren't nuts. They're a little aggravating to deal with, but if you're honest they'll let you in and you'll have no better supporters, EVER, even if they don't agree with you fully. As long as they TRUST you, you'll be ok, because they'll be praying for you to to even better, because you're a good person.

Then form your own opinions.