Coping in "Redneck Country"

[BearClaws]

I live in northern California and am still depressed about *'s theft.
My community leans left and I have quite a few friends and aquaintances that share my feelings.
how in the world can a "lefty" cope while living in a "Red Zone"/
My heart goes out to you!

[Dez]

1. I live in a Red state

It's difficult. I was in a Blue state for 7 years, and I loved it up there! (Wa.) .. back in Az now, and it's just plain difficult *sigh*

[libbygurl]

2. Thank you. We'll need it for another four (or more) years. nt

[Dez]

4. What does "n/t" stand for??

[libbygurl]

5. "no text" follows subject line. Synonym = "eom" for "end of message." nt

[Dez]

6. Thanks Libbygurl

And do you know how long before I can start my own topic??

[libbygurl]

8. You're welcome. I think after a minimum number of posts, not sure

about the number, something like 100 nowadays--then you can start your own threads. I may be totally off with the number, can't recall the discussion here about the new rules put in just before the election.

(added on edit): Maybe just 50 posts. Anyone else know the minimum?

[Dez]

10. Thanks Libbygurl..

I have more than 60 posts now, still waiting. I don't post a whole lot, guess I should step it up a bit..

[TroglodyteScholar]

3. Well...

I've always lived in the red south, so I just cope, you know. At least my county went to Kerry, I guess.

[Coyote_Bandit]

7. I Live in JOklahoma

It ain't easy. I am looking for work elsewhere. And I'm guessig there are very few places in our country more intolerant of liberals.

[Mend]

9. I mentally beam

fatal diseases at them....them being people who still have their w stickers on, their flags, their choose life license plates, their yellow ribbons, ugly people in humvees that I just know are repukes...I give them the evil eye, slightly concealed "birds", and mentally transport really, really bad diseases at them.

[Dez]

11. I heard a rumor that Ashcroft

has pancreatic cancer. That would be his Karma! I know of one soldier who was stationed at Guantanamo came down with Encephalitis.. I think that would be his karma too!

[Nikia]

12. I live in a red part of Wisconsin

I was happy that there were many people who displayed Kerry signs. There were also many Kerry supporters who were not so brave. Even though the majority ended up not supporting Kerry, every Kerry voter in my area still contributed to Kerry winning Wisconsin and enabled each other to feel that we were not alone.
What I find more disturbing in my area is a less active local party, which is my fault too. There were few Democratic local candidates on the ballot, which was sadly more than there has been in a long time. There seemed to be little campaigning going on as well.
Other issues in my red area seem to be less political, but rather more cultural. Although people tend to discourage people who are different from them there are still likeminded individuals. If you don't try too hard to blend in, they will seek you out too. It may be difficult some to be a minority politically or culturually but many ethnic and religious minorities already do this, which is why they may be easier to make friends with in these areas too. They know what it is like to be an outsider also.

[AnnInLa]

13. Thank You, from Louisiana....n/t

[supernova]

14. I live in one of the liberal areas of NC

These two counties (Durham and Orange) vote reliably Dem year in and year out.

So, while I may live in a red state, I feel somewhat mollified by my little lefty neck of the woods. And I've made many new like-minded friends over the last several years.

Mostly the conservatives I come into contact with are at my church or they are old family friends. I still enjoy them. We don't discuss politics much beyond the agree to disagree stage. Ashame really, because they know that I do indeed have a moral sense and come by my POV honestly.

One on one interaction is the best way to counteract the negative sterertypes of liberals.