I now live in Spokane, WA after 10 yrs in Portland. Today I saw

[Pretzel_Warrior]

Not one but TWO overpasses along I-90 with people waving flags and Impeach Obama banners. Seriously....what the FUCK?!

I'm laughing at them as I drive giving them the thumbs down sign and I'm thinking, "Impeach him for what, you fucking racists?"

All of the people were, of course, white. This is the day after I stopped by Democratic Party headquarters in downtown Spokane to say hi and get voter registration cards.

I guess it's good I'm in a more conservative part of a very blue state so I can see this politically asanine group up close.

And.....I'm just miles from Idaho, one of the reddest states out there. I relish the opportunity to get involved here.

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. There's some good folks up there, but they don't call it "The Ingrown Empire" for nothing.

Take a day trip up to Nelson, BC, some day for a total change of ambience. Nelson has the highest proportion of white guys with dreadlocks per capita of anyplace I've ever been.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

3. Thanks for the suggestion. One thing I'm looking forward to

Next summer is taking trips with wife and boy (who will be 2 yrs old then) to parts of Canada not very far from us.

I love the natural spots of beauty close by, and I know there are a good group of progressive and middle of the road people.

It should present great stories and some humor. I'll keep people posted.

[yourout]

20. You mean "The Inbred Empire"?

[Cha]

2. Good Luck, Pretz! My daughter and her fam live in Portland, Ore..

gotta love it.. for all its crazy progressiveness!

But, you moved to Spokane, WA.. Look at you.. looking at the Bright side!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

4. Thank you, Cha! I will rely on DU even more for solace and for ideas

You are right that leaving such a wonderful and progressive city like Portland, Oregon was tough...but I carry with me so many great ideas and attitudes about life that I can hopefully use here.

I will keep you apprised of my experiences in general but especially of a political nature. Here's hoping.

[Cha]

8. I wanna be kept "apprised".. as well as so many others, no doubt..

on the DU. This actually is pretty exciting.. our Pretz going on Reconnaissance!

Buenos Suerte! Bon Chance! Good Luck!

[JDPriestly]

30. Register lots of Democrats. It's precisely in Republican areas that we need to be out

and talking to Democrats and Independents about voting.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

32. thanks! I definitely plan to do just that.

it is an interesting time to be here when these folks must not only deal with their own reflexive hatred of Democratic platform items such as social services, equality for LBGT, and abortion rights but they must also deal with "that MAN in the White House". Kind of makes me laugh how fucking stupid that is in 2013.

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. they can wave banners all they like . we are going to have 8 yrs with a black prez

Nothing they can do about it

[cilla4progress]

6. Howdy, neighbor

Not too far away from you - Entiat, also in the Empire. Moved here from very liberal Vermont 35 years ago. Somehow managed to stay and survive, but not always easy. Except for the incredible natural beauty!

Experienced much culture shock upon moving here.

Welcome, and good luck!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

7. Glad to know some DU'ers are in the area. It has been a bit of an awakening for me

I am sure even though I dealt with Dubya and McCain stickers in Portland area it was NOTHING to what I will deal with in 2014 and then presidential year. WOW. I want to get my engines revved early. Kinda licking my chops.

Before, it was sort of too easy. The GOP in Oregon is kind of a train wreck right now so it was shooting fish in a barrel. I like the idea of making a difference.

[cilla4progress]

71. Absolutely! I hear you!

When I moved to cowboy country in 1978 out of Univ. Vermont (Burlington, VT - what more need I say) - following a 1 yr. stint as a VISTA volunteer in inner-city KCMO no less), I was looking for somewhere "different" to live for a year or so, kinda to see if I could survive! A lot of my fellow UVM graduates (maybe smarter than I) moved to OR for the politics and culture. I had a plan to move and live in a number of spots around the country.

I didn't expect to stay here, believe me, but met my then future husband and he was immovably rooted here. We've made a life here, incorporating many elements that are truly important to me: rural living, a little acreage, horses and chickens, wild nature nearby. Our college age daughter (only child) at first high-tailed it out of here to WWU in Bellingham, even spending the summer after her freshman year there!

And guess what...this summer, her sophomore, she came home to work for the forest service in our local ranger district as a recreation aid and is loving it! Finding this rural life did make an impression on her, and part of her identity which she loves!

I found liberal groups in the environmental organizations and the Unitarian Fellowship. Two great sources. In fact, I know a few in Spokane! I'm sure you will gravitate to those groups where you fit in. You will find your tribe there, as I have here. Makes for some interesting interactions, and there's a lot to learn in that funny kind of "diversity"! As well as impacts to be made, as you say.

[sheshe2]

9. Hugs to you PW!

Be strong. We will be there with you!

Honestly we will!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

12. Thank you, sheshe! I believe you.

There are some scary ass rednecks in these parts. Not too far from white supremacy capital, USA either.

[sheshe2]

16. Well as I said

we are here for you, we are with you.

We have your back PW.

[nolabear]

10. Ah the dry side. When Stephanie Miller was in town there was a huge busload from there.

A bunch were sitting in front of us. Nicest folks in the world, but they were giddy from not having to hide their liberal selves.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

14. yes, that is one of those "positives". Not as much dreary rain. We will see how the winter goes....

It has been 23 years since I've been anywhere but Portland or Willamette Valley so I think I'll be experiencing flashbacks to my life in Chicago/St. Louis when the snows hit here.

I take it you are from the Seattle area?

I will be judicious at first, but I don't plan to hide who I am to folks around here. It is funny. We still have our Obama sticker on one of our cars and it hasn't been trashed yet, so that's a good sign!

[freshwest]

34. Beware of the Spokane Snowmageddon...

And welcome to WAH!

[cilla4progress]

73. I love putting out our political signs during the season!

At first I had some trepidation, now "everyone knows" - we are out and proud! Mind you, we've been here 30 years! :

I tell you though, over the years I have been very careful in new jobs and the like. Now, I won't work for someone if they aren't at least a Dem, or left. It's been tough to be closeted at times, but over time I've found those I can be myself with - they do exist, and I've also learned when it doesn't matter. The redneck ol' lady next door might yet be a lovely neighbor, y'know?

It's been sad to see folks move here thinking since we are in WA State we are somehow liberal like Seattle. Big eye-opener, over here east of the Cascades. More like n. Idaho, than Seattle! Oy!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

77. Good points all around!

[nolabear]

76. Yep, slap in the middle of the most liberal part of Seattle.

It's got its drawbacks. The PC-ness can bleed the juice out of a lot of things. I don't mean I want to insult or harm anyone or anything but even being brash and friendly as we Southerners tend to be can get you looked at as though you're kicking a baby seal.

I expect Spokane has a lot going for it. I actually lived there as a very very very small child and have always intended to drive over and take a look. In twenty five years I haven't managed it though.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

79. Yeah. I had a good laugh at Portlandia as it hits on a lot of truths about PC culture

Morphing into exclusionary culture. They've worked so hard at it that now you can get funny looks if you show up to a store without your own canvas bags or don't agree that "gluten free" is the only way to go.

If you ever make the 4 hour drive, you should check out the riverfront park where the 1970's World's Fair was held--lot's of charm.

[nolabear]

81. I think I'll put it on my list for fall. Should be pretty.

[Cha]

25. Sweet!

[Kennah]

11. Stay strong, fellow Evergreen Stater!

And to think I gripe about all my RW coworkers working for the state here in Olympia.

When I was working private sector, I had a Teabagger coworker who lived on Loon Lake there in your neck of the woods. When he told me that, I believe my response was, "Well, that explains a lot."

[Pretzel_Warrior]

18. yeah. people here are generally more laid back which is kind of nice

not so much of the urban facade....more genuine people so that is a plus. But I can say it has been shocking to me to see how WHITE this place is compared to Portland. Nothing wrong with white. I'm a white guy. But I think a highly diverse environment promotes more complex worldview. It would be easy for people to be insulated from what is really going on in the world if this is all they know--and for quite a few I've met so far....it IS all they know.

This has to change. Maybe I can do my small yoeman's work on that. But I know I won't be alone. I look forward to networking.

[defacto7]

13. My condolences on your move.

I grew up in Portland. Now I live in Utah. I think as far as political whiplash is concerned, I have you beat.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

15. uh yea. I cannot stand Utah. I don't know how I would survive. I also told my wife we are never ever

moving to Texas or Ohio or anywhere in the deep south unless it is some college town with a critical mass of liberal people (such as Austin). I don't mind trying new things....but I have limits.

as you said, for culture shock you've got me beat hands down.

[left on green only]

54. Imagine my shock upon moving here from the San Francisco Bay area....

...when I drove into town one day and saw 3 fully robed members of the KKK standing on the street corner in serious protest. (sorry, I can't remember what their signs said, or if said signs were even legible).

I guess that was just the warm up for what happened at the high school the following Halloween when one boy dressed up in black face paint and two of his buddies dressed up in their father's KKK robes and put a noose around his neck, as they led him around campus.

When the town's weekly newspaper came out with an article about it, I remember that some of the town's good ol' boys were quoted as saying, "Whul shit, theys just some of our young'ens out havin a little funin." "Ain't nobody got no reason to take offense".

I kid you not. This is a really small town. Everyone in town knows what prescriptions I buy at the pharmacy. NSA? Nah, doesn't bother me a bit.

LOGO

Upon edit: I almost forgot. One issue of our weekly paper had a guest editorial that was written by our local lawyer in praise of the swastika. You can't make stuff like this up!

[Lizzie Poppet]

75. Yep, that's a big gap!

Portlander here...grew up in Arizona. So I understand...

[Spitfire of ATJ]

17. Yell, "Jump!"

[Pretzel_Warrior]

19. that one is over my head. :) edit: never mind. now I get it

I forgot I was originally talking about overpass Teabaggers

[Spitfire of ATJ]

36. You could have them bungie dunk into a pot of boiling water.

[lumberjack_jeff]

21. Lyndon LaRouchies have too much time on their hands. n/t

[Pretzel_Warrior]

22. ?Do you mean the unaffiliated right wing anti government weirdos are mostly unemployed

therefore more time to spread their craziness?

[lumberjack_jeff]

23. Medicare scooters have a surprisingly long operating range. n/t

[Pretzel_Warrior]

24. still not getting you. mostly senior citizens bored and spreading the crazy?

if you know anything about what is driving politics in Spokane, I'd love to know.

[jmowreader]

33. Bleedover from Kootenai County, I think

The county in Idaho that contacts your county has been upgraded to "the most Republican county in the most Republican state in America."

[Pretzel_Warrior]

41. wow. yeah. I can tell the difference when I go to downtown Spokane vs. Couer d'Alene

I will keep that in mind. Just for the fucking hell of it I want to go to the campuses in Idaho to promote the Democratic Party. Turn Idaho Blue!! lolol. There's actually a group called that.

[jmowreader]

48. Come to the North Idaho Fair on Thursday or Friday

I'm supervisor at the Democratic Party booth from 10am to 2pm Thursday, and again 2pm to 6pm Friday...and with the number of teabaggers expected I could use another liberal on hand.

Our very best liberal is a gentleman named Justin StormoGipson (this guy is so liberal that when he got married, instead of his bride taking his last name they stuck their two names together...he was born Stormo and she Gipson) but because of a tragedy in his family we have relieved him of his duties for this year. So yeah, we need more libs over here.

BTW, if you REALLY want entertainment go to the North Idaho Fair Wednesday, and you can see all the Republican booth people scurrying around attempting to put their displays together. Our shit will be 100 percent squared away two days before the fair, it always is, but the Repukes are never ready.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

53. I may just take you up on that!!

I am eager to make some connections over this way. I will let you know. Thank you for letting me know about it.

[Rex]

28. Most certainly they do.

nt.

[HangOnKids]

37. Bazinga! n/t

[Springg]

26. must have been an organized RW rally today

Leaving Table Rock Lake and heading back to Ohio this morning, my husband and I saw 2 people holding a huge Impeach Obama sign on an overpass outside of Branson, Missouri. They also were waving large American flag. My husband said it should be illegal to hold something that large on an overpass where it could potentially fall onto cars below.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

31. that's a good point. Hey, when you said Table Rock I immediately thought of Missouri

I spent a couple of years as a kid in Springfield, Missouri area and had some nice times camping/fishing at Table Rock and Taney Como.

[Scootaloo]

27. Eastern Washington is... different

They get too much heat, I think

[Pretzel_Warrior]

29. It has been about 10 or so degrees warmer than I'm used to.

but it cools down an awful lot at night! I'm used to being swaddled in a weather tempering marine layer of clouds.

[Left Coast2020]

35. If you get a chance, head up north to Deer Park

Been awhile since I've been to Spokane. Its nicer as you get out of city. I think there is nudist park

there too near Deer Park.

Oh, and if the paper is still the Spokesman-Review, some call it

"The Spokesman-No Clue".

[Pretzel_Warrior]

42. interesting! I'll have to check it out.

I know what you mean about Spokesman Review. I have been reading a local weekly called the Inlander that has some pretty good progressive stuff plus concert dates.

[jmowreader]

51. Yes, the Inlander is excellent.

They put out a magazine every year called the Annual Manual in addition to their weekly paper. When that hits the stands, get two in case you lose one.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

55. will keep it in mind!

[hoosierspud]

38. I live on the east side of the Spokane metro area, and can see Idaho from my house.

I was in Coeur d'Alene a week or so ago and a bunch of white trash families (possible Honey Boo Boo relatives) were holding signs and flags at the I-90/ Northwest Boulevard overpass. I wanted to pull over and ask the 8 year-old girl what crimes and misdemeanors that Obama should be impeached for, since she was holding an "Impeach Obama" sign.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

44. wow! I am so glad I'm finding so many in the area.

yeah...still not sure how I feel about all of this.

[progressoid]

39. He's gonna have to do something really bad to get impeached.

Like lying about sex or something criminal like that.

[DonRedwood]

40. good luck!

[Rebellious Republican]

43. Whaaaat, this did not happen in Florida, Texas or in what is considered the South in general?

Cant be true! Everyone knows that hate and racism only happens in the above mentioned places. The rest of the US is pure Utopia, just ask anyone here at DU. Sorry for my bad attitude, I am sure some one will find a way to tie this into one of the above mentioned places.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

46. lol. I hear ya. it is not just a southern problem.

[Rebellious Republican]

49. Thanks, I wish more people would wake up and see what is happening all across the nation.

[cilla4progress]

74. I've diagnosed it as

a rural / urban issue, not north / south. In my experience...

[Rebellious Republican]

83. Spot on cilla4progress.

[quakerboy]

45. Not just Idaho, Northernish Idaho

Scary scary place.

I expect stupid people. I'm rarely surprised.

What I cant take about that area is the climate. From green portland to the abundant black widow bushes of the plains. No thank you.

[iemitsu]

47. I'm g;ad you have arrived with such a good attitude and so much optimism.

Spokane can use your voice. So can the rest of Eastern Washington and all of Idaho.
You will find some kindred spirits there.
But its not Portland.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

50. I'm looking forward to it. I did time in a town of 800 in Kansas with some real yokels

so hopefully I can compare this town and area to that instead of comparing to Portland. I plan to fly/drive back to Portland to visit friends a few times a year (and let's face it...to shop without sales tax!).

But I am in observation/investigate mode at the moment and will reach out soon.

[iemitsu]

61. Spokane is an interesting and historic town

with some nice buildings in the downtown area, and a lovely park.
If you like seasons, Spokane has more distinct ones than west of the mountains.
I have not lived there but have several friends, who have. They seemed to like it.
I would miss the salt air.
Have fun, Spokane is certainly more larger, more diverse, and more liberal than a town in Kansas with only 800 souls.
That sounds like doing time.

[tofuandbeer]

52. That would annoy the hell out of me.

Good luck!

[7962]

56. Why do you instantly label them as racist? DIdnt the banners just say "Impeach Obama"?

I'm not saying they're the brightest bulbs; theyre probably idiots who may also think he was born in Kenya or the moon. But it's entirely possible they want him out just because theyre sore losers. Remember they also wanted to impeach Clinton as well. And I'd bet if Hillary wins in '16, you'll see the same banners for her.
Now if the banners actually said racist stuff, thats a different story. I just tire of automatically hollering "racist" at every dissenter. Remember, there are many here on DU that have been blasting the president too. Although I dont think ive seen any calling for an impeachment!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

57. because at this point in his presidency....only racists would be that motivated absent any ACTUAL

scandal. Tell you what. Next time I see these slags up there, I will go pull off the freeway and ask them why they are calling for his impeachment and get back to you. Let's say my history tells me that with a 95%(+ or -2%) confidence interval these douchebags are racists.

[bluestate10]

66. You should read the justification for Impeachment in the Constitution and the allowances

for Executive Privilege. Not in the remotest has President Obama met the requirement for Impeachment. The only President in history who did was Richard Nixon. Even Andrew Johnson didn't meet the standard. If republicans attempt Impeachment, they will destroy their party for good.

[7962]

69. I'll sure agree with you there.

I'd bet most of em dont even know what violations apply in an impeachment proceeding. Its just "i dont like him, impeach him".
And your final point is spot on.
I just think the race card is thrown out way too often. Its too easy; if you're against Obama, it has to be because he's black. At work I deal with a few who are against the president. While ive only heard 1 mention impeachment, the others all talk about "liberals", abortion and spending "their" money. But they've never mentioned race because I guess he's done SO MUCH wrong to them.
I've laughed at them and told them if they think Rand Paul is the party savior, start practicing the words "President Clinton" again!

[Jamaal510]

58. They just want to impeach him for being of the opposite party.

As far as I know, Obama has done nothing to deserve impeachment. He didn't mislead an entire country into waging a couple of wars and having thousands of young men and women killed.

Whenever their guy doesn't win, they try as hard as possible to manufacture any "scandals" against elected Dems. They tried pulling that with Clinton in the 90s, but eventually paid a price for it in the midterms. Basically it's like a person picking a fight with the other team after losing a ballgame.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

59. not just losing a ballgame. getting swept 2 games to none by combined score of 30-3

[Le Taz Hot]

60. This happened in Central California about a week ago.

I'm going down the freeway and what I assumed were TeaKlanners were setting up the same posters on one of the overpasses. On my way back, the CHP were having a little chat with them and it looked like the banners were coming down.

It sounds like the Teahadists had some sort of coordinated plan. Must have found that other brain cell.

[davidpdx]

62. Geez, Spokane?

You might want to think about getting a bulletproof vest.

[B Calm]

63. Probably Rand Paul democrats. .

[leftyladyfrommo]

64. I'm from Spokane.

My brother and his family still live there.

Really, it's a pretty liberal place. Most of Washington is.

Now, Northern Idaho?

[Pretzel_Warrior]

80. Yes..."pretty liberal" compared to much of the country--but not compared to PDX

Or Seattle. However, I do believe it must be pretty good considering the whole county only went to Romney 51% to Obama's 47% and that counts more conservative areas of the county.

[Motown_Johnny]

65. I saw one in Suburban Detroit

Maybe this was something organized. I had no idea why they were out there, but if you saw them in WA too then maybe it was something widespread.

Of course I was on the road for over an hour yesterday and only saw the one.. so that in itself says something about their movement.

[bluestate10]

67. The internet connects those losers. Most don't have lives that are worth shit. The see themselves

as permanent victims, regardless of how much benefit they get from government.

[LuvNewcastle]

68. They did the same thing in D'Iberville, MS on Saturday.

D'Iberville is next to Biloxi, which is where I live. They showed it on the news last night. They were standing on an overpass as well; looked like there were about 10 of them. Must have been a coordinated effort to show off their ignorance.

[Fringe]

70. It's the red part of the state.

Many republicans in eastern Washington and in washington state in general are always angry because king co with its very large population makes or Breaks the election and king co is very liberal.

Spokane went for Romney by 51% to Obama 45% and is like most of eastern Washington, more conservative.


I once got into an argument with a guy around 2009 in Washington state because he couldn't shut up about how much he hated Obama while we were sitting in a sauna !

He was loud and angry and all I wanted to do is relax in a quiet sauna at the end of a hard day.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

84. Yep. You are right. I used to visit Eastern Oregon--same thing

Less populous, less prosperous, more conservative with more agriculture than manufacturing or service sectors.

I can kind of deal with it because Spokane itself is a little better size.

[one_voice]

72. I saw some in Delaware yesterday...

on an overpass. We tooted the horn and we all flipped them off. I know, pretty immature, but what the hell.

[brewens]

78. I'm in Lewiston but I work for the blood center based at Spokane.

Check out the state rep from Spokane Valley. That dudes a real piece of work.

You're up against it there alright. They talked those idiots into voting Tom Foley out of office! It turned out we lost The House anyway and he wouldn't have been speaker anymore had he won but sheesh! If Lewiston Republican was speaker somehow, I'd have a hard time not voting for him/her.

[Shankapotomus]

82. It is good you're in a more conservative area

You can let the air out of their tires for us.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

85. I moved to Spokane in 1977

Before that I've lived in DC and the UK. I was surprised at the almost total absence of black people, but was pleasantly surprised at how nice we were treated. (interracial). I remember at one point joking to my friends back home, 'It seems like there's only black person here, and he's the mayor'. lol.

Spokane has really grown. I remember riding over the Sullivan Road bridge on my horse and my son on his pony!

I moved deeper into the red zone almost 30 years ago. But still in the 5th. We've retired from politics now, but were very active for a while in the 5th.

The Steam Plant and Grill in owned by some very nice liberals and is a good place to eat. I found The Spokesman Review's political reporter, Jim Camden, to be dishonest and stopped subscribing years ago to the SR when he wrote bullshit about my husband and all other Democrats.

Spokane is a pretty nice place to raise kids.