We hope Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) looks closely the next time she rides in a Mercedes or a Hyundai or any other automobile manufactured or with parts made from a little ole Southern state, Alabama.

Washington, the state Murray represents, and Alabama are in a tug-of-war over a plant that will see airplanes built. In her interview with National Public Radio and broadcast worldwide, Murray had this to say about the building of the planes and why her state would be better: “”I have stood on the line in Everett, Washington, where we have thousands of workers who go to work every day to build these planes. I would challenge anybody to tell me that they’ve stood on a line in Alabama and seen anybody building anything.”

Our elected officials reacted quickly. Riley got riled; Session shot off a letter; even George Wallace Jr. laid in.

Sen. Murray needs to understand something from the Black Belt perspective. We work hard and long. We appreciate our jobs and that we’re able to contribute to society. Some mighty fine people are standing on lines at Hanil e Hwa, Bush Hog, International Paper, American Apparel (where do you think those uniforms for our soldiers come from)?

The Selma Times-Journal would personally invite the senator from Washington to come stand at our lines in our industrial parks; to see those budding businesses in our incubator.

Then, we’d like for her to see the pain on the faces of those who just this time last year lost years and years of seniority when the Cigar Factory closed down. We’d like for her to hear the stories about how many of the folks found other work; some, two or three part-time jobs.

She could talk to those who are not just sitting around, getting the unemployment check but who are taking courses and retraining themselves for another career.

Then, and only after she made this trip, would we allow her to shake the dust from her shoes.

This is Alabama. This is our state. We make products. We work hard.

Shame on you, senator.

Shame on you.