state by state posts a why

[SwampG8r]

regionalism is one of many things we allow to divide us
i live in the south and i love my home
i have relatives in several southern states and they are overall good people
when i come here and see where we live used to somehow tear us down
(and i mean all of us now not the southerners only)
i have to shake my head and wonder
where i live is determinant in the quality of my humanity? how stupidly stupid an idea that is should be apparent to all
in meta one day i saw a thread asking if regionalism was ok to use as a basis for insult
one reply said we should go through every state and let everyone have a free pass
so i did and frankly i did not know what to expect
so far the southern states we have gone over were treated quite respectfully and i am heartened by this
california has gotten major love as does colorado
that is the back story of the series
i hope everyone feels invited to participate whether its your state or not
thanks for your time

[Ecumenist]

1. Swampg G8r, I LOVE that you're doing this and kinda wished I'd thought of it myself!

Learning alot about other states.

[SwampG8r]

4. so do i

like i said it was someone elses idea i just ran with it
hootinholler i think was involved
and one or two others
i had a post about alabama to start and expected flames but it was kind of sweet the things people said

[Angry Dragon]

2. In the North

We walk on water during the winter

[SwampG8r]

3. my uncle said folks up north

were "holier than thou" now i know why

[Angry Dragon]

7. Just part of the year

[pamela]

5. I agree completely.

I've traveled throughout this country a lot during the past 7 years. (Thanks to Bush, in a weird way-long story.) Since 2005 I've been to Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennesee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota, Utah, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, West Virginia, Nevada, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey and Florida. All of these trips have been road trips so I've really gotten to see lots and lots of things in each of these states. I have found something beautiful and interesting in every state I've been to and I've met wonderful and cool people everywhere I've been.

I think regionalism is ridiculous and I hate the whole red state/blue state meme. On our first cross country roadtrip in '05, I was kind of nervous about all the red states we would be passing through. I remember being in a diner in a state that went 55-45 to Bush and thinking "everyone in here voted for Bush." Then I realized no, just a little more than half of the people voted for him. Heck, when you consider that some didn't vote at all, less than half probably voted for him. That probably sounds silly but it changed my whole perspective about these "scary red states." Sure, I saw signs of wingnuttery in places but I also came across little bits of amazing progressiveness in the most unlikely places.

This is a beautiful country. The political stuff gets ugly and there are plenty of assholes but there is so much beauty and people who are so kind it takes your breath away. That's why I've made a point to respond to all of your state threads and to say positive things about each state. I feel so bad for the people who live in states that get bashed and it's so stupid and unfair. Just think of how cool these people must be to be a progressive in an area where they feel so out-numbered. So much of this divisiveness is media driven and I'm embarrassed that I use to fall for it. I can't even begin to tell you all that I would have missed out on these past few years if I had avoided the states or regions that get bashed here.

[Angry Dragon]

8. Good post on your insight

[Warren DeMontague]

6. I'm finding these threads fun and educational.

[MineralMan]

9. Here's an idea. Put a link to each state's DU Group in the

OP for these posts. That might actually increase traffic in those groups.

[JNelson6563]

10. Oooh! Good idea!

I too have been enjoying the series. Will comment when states I've been to are posted and will certainly join the discussion when Michigan is up!

Julie

[SwampG8r]

11. i have been

[Blue_In_AK]

12. As an Alaskan, I can relate to what you're saying.

Please be advised that Sarah Palin is not representative of the good citizens of this state.