For all the red staters and those in red counties and cities...

[Kerrytravelers]

Several months ago, I posted a thread just asking how you're doing. Some of us are very spoiled. We live in blue states, blue counties and blue cities. We always feel our votes are counted (for now) and that electorally, our votes aren't negated by the nutcases. Some of us are lucky to work in very blue professions and have blue families (for the most part.)

Last time I posted this thread, a ton of you wrote in your own accounts of how you hang in there and stay strong when surrounded by insanity, stupidity and inhumanity. You are, more than likely, stronger than someone who is liberally spoiled (so to speak) like me

As things continue to get worse, with protesters in Crawford being smeared, the increase of the religious fanatics, evangelical fundies calling for assassinations, pro-war enthuaists banging the drum even louder and becomeing even more inflamatory... how are you all doing?

Check in and share with us... and hell, just vent it all out. Those of us who can literally go entire weeks without having to talk to a rethug *-loving nut all day need to be reminded how strong you all must be, those of you out there in the red trenches.

[Newsjock]

1. It's ugly

In this undisclosed location that's in a massively red part of a blue state, I've been seeing many apparently-new W'04 and Bush/Cheney bumper stickers over the past few weeks. And, I'm also seeing a resurgence of something I hadn't seen in a long time -- cars with those flapping flags attached to the windows (and reasonably untattered flags, suggesting they're fairly new), often driven by older folks who may or may not be veterans.

But I'll also add this: On the highways around here, people are a lot more angry these days. In a place where folks normally drive too fast anyway, people are driving really fast now, and far more aggressively, too.

It's really like something's going to explode.

[moc]

2. I'm very careful whom I talk to

Some of the rethugs are easy to point out (like with the Bush/Cheney sticker on the minivan and the flag waving off the side), but others are not. I tend to assume "foe" until proven otherwise. I have something of a mental catalog of who is safe to vent to and who is not.

One of the best things about the vigil last week was being with 300+ like minded individuals in this very red county (Collin) of a very red state (Texas). It made me feel so much less alone. :patriot:

[noahmijo]

3. Yea it's really rough I do plan to move asap

I live in Tucson a city that many regard as "liberal" which complete and total bullshit.

First off Tempe, Arizona is actually more liberal than Tucson, secondly take a look at our elected officials: ALL Republicans except for the pima county attourney who is so strapped with scandal right now that she is likely to be replaced by a Puke in the near future.

Not to mention the so called Democrats out here for the most part in my opinion would be considered moderate Republicans in true blue cities.

[mongo]

4. I'm in an economically depressed area in a slightly red state

and the sentiment against Bush and the war is growing every day. People are realizing that they have been had, and that this is just a war for the profit of the military-industrial complex.

Out here it is the price of gas that is fueling their anger (no pun intended).

We are really hurting out here. The time is right for another new deal.

[katsy]

5. Anger... everywhere.

Once upon I lived in a community. People held to their own beliefs, but interacted personally and graciously. There's little happiness to share anymore, little interaction. Some people have been hit to one degree or another financially. Others just stopped communicating. Anger... I sense it everywhere, especially in myself.

This was a big destination for Canadians and the English... but the tourism has dried up. They don't come here anymore except to check their 2nd homes a few days at a time.

I trust no one here and therefore have little incentive to invest emotionally in a community whom I hold responsible in part for the state of America.

For my part, I'm making plans to move back to my blue state roots. I'll move my family back to live with people who value their community above politics and tax breaks.

[ignatius 2]

6. The repugs at my office are EXTREMELY quiet these days and one

of my friends in a different office,she voted for Kerry..her 1st vote ever for a democratic presidential candidate..due somewhat to my influence thank you very much..told me that the most vocal Bushbot has even said negative things about Herr Bush.

No, I said,please tell.

Turns out it was mostly about the price of gas(you gotta hit 'em where it hurts) but the tide is definitely turning here in Indianapolis,Indiana.

[kliljedahl]

8. I live in Indy too

The "softer" * supporters seem to be wavering. The hardcore ones ( my employers) seem to be entrenching themselves. I don't think they're gonna give up easily.

[ignatius 2]

11. Oh you are so right..even the hard core guy I mentioned

occassionally badmouthing Bush says it very quietly and there is no doubt in my mind, he will still vote republican,no matter what. But some of the others who still have somewhat of a mind left are beginning to see what the hell we have been trying to tell them for the last 4 1/2 years.

It is always nice to meet a fellow Hoosier.

[kliljedahl]

12. Check the Indiana forum

I'm trying to organize a DU meetup. But I'm not a Hoosier, just live here.

Any suggestions for a good place to meet would be appreciated.

[faithfulcitizen]

21. How about Loughmiller's?

It's on washington & senate, across from the government building. There's political memorabilia on the walls. They were always nice to the clark campaign. It's never too busy, and pretty good food for the price. Also, those under 21 could attend.

also, the Rathskellar is very accomodating, but much more expensive.

[faithfulcitizen]

22. oops, dupe. ignore

[faithfulcitizen]

20. hey, me too! actually hendricks co....very scary!

but you are sooo right! Just talked w/someone recently who is a lugar republican, a war vet, and not at all religious. With the oil prices, his stock took a nose dive. Yes, he's an old greedy bastard, and he too has been hit where it hurts. support for bush is waneing...then another bushie (hard core) just told me they would like to put a bullet in Cindy Sheehan's forehead, talk about digging in!

[tsuki]

7. Thank you, Kerrytravelers, for understanding our woe. It is difficult

sometimes to explain to others the area that we live in, and how we feel that we are beating our collective heads against the wall.

[rockymountaindem]

9. I can't gage this community anymore.

Seriously, it's become kind of hard to put my finger on the pulse of Colorado Springs these days. What confuses me is that the very conservative city council has endorsed two spending referenda on the November ballot, as well as standing up to local death-before-taxes asshat Douglas Bruce.

Otherwise, things are still pretty conservative. Yeah, it sucks. We were just rated the sixth most conservative city in America, and we're the largest one on the list. :(

[Jersey Devil]

10. You must never be intimidated and must always speak out

I have lived through a lot of the red years here in NJ that you are talking about though NJ is today thought of as a solid blue state.

For a long time NJ had a red state legislature, both houses. When I began posting at DU (mostly lurking actually) in 2001 I lived in a red state, a red county and a red town. Our Gov (NJ) was Christie Whitman, my county (Bergen) had a solid Republican majority and my town had a Repub Mayor and all 6 council members were Republican.

Today we have a Dem Governor, both houses of the state legislature are blue, the county government is 6-1 blue and though we still have a Repub Mayor (that will change in November) my town council is now 5-1 blue.

If you let it get to you it will never change, but if you continue to speak out for the things that are right you can change things.

[Ysolde]

13. It's tough to deal with at times...

My husband thinks we should just move (preferably to Europe) to protect our children, but our whole family is here and the folks aren't getting any younger so we stay. We're working in a progressive group that's trying to turn things around, but it'll be a loooong time coming here. This state is so backward it's unbelievable. Some Bushbots from work just claim that "all presidents lie" and there's nothing we can do about it. They're just resigned to things getting tighter and tighter. I call them on it, but it doesn't seem to sink in that there is an alternative. I guess for them, who only have the Far Right media in this state, they probably don't know that there is an alternative. And, with a dozen churches in every square mile they're not getting a positive message from that source, either.

[TexasLady]

14. wow thats a tough one, being in central TX

in the heart of bush country.. hey austin is so close! But sometimes it seems a world away!

As I drive along, with my DU sticker on my old Olds, I see people in big ol pick ups, MEN almost always, flip me off(just 2), or drive alongside me, and the usual not letting me pass through the two lanes, etc etc..

I posted about 2 weeks ago about a family member(husband of my cousin) get in my face because of my support of Cindy, and going to Crawford..

Turns out Im the topic of conversation in many friend circles now..I heard from a dear friend( who is apolitical) that her now ex bf was wondering what 'I was trying to prove" by going to Crawford. (He works for Homeland Security, lol)

I LOVE being the center of some of these conversations, if it means bringing the lies of Bush and Co. out into the open. Better to be discussed at ALL, than to be ignored!

[ignatius 2]

15. Hi,TexasLady. I sincerely hope that all turned out well for you and

your cousin after the birthday party and the nastiness from her husband.

Peace and thank you for all you are doing in Crawford. BTW,there is a poll saying out of 120,000 votes, 80% do not think Bush is doing a good job on Iraq. 80%!!! that is huge and undoubtedly, the vigil in Crawford is waking a lot of people up.

[TexasLady]

16. Its one of those..she makes her decisions and

I make mine. I answer to kids and husband. After that, I hope to at least piss SOMEBODY off in the process of my life!(Ill love my cuz in spite of her ol man!)

Thanks, ignatius 2, I must be doing something right, if I can piss off THIS many people! Cindy and other Gold Star family members are my ROCK when it comes to the assholes around here, be they family or texas nutheads for Bushie.

Its like being in a RW fog sometimes, and being here reminds those of us in the red states that we are living amongst the MINORITY in the US.

Thank GAWD!

[BlackVelvet04]

17. Thanks for asking.....

it's difficult to be surrounded by people who think bush is god. I live in the country but work in a small town and I feel stifled because I don't want to lose my job. Being vocal about not supporting the war could definitely cost me my job.

There is hope though, my dad, a republican all of his considerable life, recently stated he would vote straight democratic ticket in the next elections....both state and national and one of my sisters has seen the light so at least I can talk to her on the phone. I have one liberal friend and we talk but she feels stifled as well.

[seabeyond]

18. i saw a hummer this morning, on side of truck dominion homes

as i am thinking wtf, i have to call this company to see if it is what i think, i see a clear channel radio station.

my car is ful of bumperstickers, kids still dont want me to take them off though they are starting a new school. told youngest, those in his new boyscout might see it and have a problem, at 7 he says, they will have to deal with it

i heard two old boy texans talking about what a mess bush has created and we needed to get him out of office.

[Kerrytravelers]

19. Thanks for keeping our blue heads straight.

It is so easy for us surrounded in a beautiful sea of blue to say 'typical red staters." Mr. kt reminds me that even in Texas, 30% of the state votes morally. But, we all need to be reminded!

[Not_Giving_Up]

23. It's damn ugly

I'm going to Crawford this weekend, been trying to get there the whole month.

I live outside of Houston, in Tom DeLay country. Need I say more?

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. We had some good news here today

www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4460608

Also, a strong candidate has announced he is running against Connie Morris, the freak on KS State Board of Ed who is leading the creationism nonsense.

So all in all, things are looking up.