With all due respect to progressives in Western PA...

[LiberadorHugo]

Why are racism, fundamentalism, and political illiteracy considered patriotic to John McCain?

[polichick]

1. Because it's only those blinded by racism, fundamentalism and ignorance...

...who can be fooled by a talentless hack like McShame.

[No Elephants]

2. They aren't, but he will take any vote he thinks he can get.

[Buzz Clik]

3. You're not helping the conversation.

Saying that crap is no different than Palin claiming that those who don't support their ticket are un-American.

[barack the house]

4. I think it shows what he thinks of troops as there a numerous minorities proudly serving.>

Support the troops John and cut the crap from your supporters. I think Olberman could make quite significant commentary on that one really.

[mwb970]

5. I have been to Western PA once. Once.

It was in the 60s. My buddies and I, all from the Cleveland area, were looking for a nearby spot to camp out and compete in the annual amateur radio "Field Day" contest. We decided to operate from the highest point in Ohio, but that turned out to be a tiny hillock (on private property) surrounded by dozens of other tiny hillocks - not what we had in mind. The highest point in PA is Mt. Davis, near Somerset in the SW corner, and that's where we went! (You can see the tower we operated from here.)

The reason I bring this up is because of the impression I and my buddies got from Somerset and the surroundings and the people we found there. It was terribly depressing. The towns were all run-down (think Wasilla, after being abandoned for ten years). The people appeared washed up and seedy looking and they all seemed so sad all the time. Nobody laughed or smiled. It was the grimmest place any of the three of us had ever been to (hey, we were young). None of us would have ever suspected that we were in the "real America". It felt like an outdoor prison camp.

That was years ago. PA DUers, is it any better or different there now? All I can say is, that was one downer of a visit!

[mwb970]

6. PS. Mt. Davis is part of a 30-mile ridge called "Negro Mountain".

Just thought you'd want to know. (Wikipedia link)