Two Links

[tealin]

My good friend tony_cliff has written an excellent entry calling out 'fine art.' Preach it, Tony!

Then, just when I thought I had settled in, I read a surprisingly insightful article on rednecks and was reminded that this is a completely foreign country.

Comments

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I realized after posting that the 'make a habit of' line could be interpreted as 'I'll let you get away with it this once...' but I couldn't think of a better way to word it. Sorry! I only wanted to make a point of it because the only person I have ever struck off my friends list (and only then after much deliberation and a very long grace period) was someone who did make a habit of it, and with increasing vehemence.

Rednecks are absolutely a cultural group, with that I have no argument. Just not a race. Nothing biological sets them apart.

That's a cool story about the Guajiros, thanks for sharing!

Canadians do value their privacy and freedom, though they are generally much more favourably disposed to what right-wing Americans would call 'big government:' there are extensive government programs for practically any disadvantaged group, there's a great big safety net if you lose your job or are disabled in any way, there's tons of support for students, subsidies for ... well ... everything, and health care! There's lots of debate on how to reform the health care system, but the one thing everyone can agree on is 'We don't want what the US has.' And, frankly, having lived in both places as an adult, now, I heartily agree with them.

I think California's (and Oregon's, and Washington's) congresspeople are just reacting to the perception that the representatives of all the red states think they know what's right for them. The whole political system runs on reciprocation and vindictiveness!