found a cute regionalist "analysis" by Newsweek's Michael Hirsh (Stacy M's scare quotes—but they fit) that explains how Americans have been moving South and West, and this has been a Bad Thing. Because Southerners are bad. And Westerners are . . . well, Westerners don't really exist. Beyond the Continental Divide, there be monsters.

Because if one were to actually include the Southwest in extrapolating from these demographic trends, one might be forced to look at the ultimate Southwestern "state"—Southern California.

Which is not "red" at all, conservative Orange County and mixed/centrist San Diego notwithstanding. The three "Californias" are, top-to-bottom, blue, red (central California, where our agriculture is, along with a lot of our small towns), and blue.

Though those who maintain that California will never again get "into play" should look at the careers of our current governor, as well as Richard Riordan, L.A.'s mayor not too long ago. (Riordan was the first Republican I ever voted for.)

The entire Newsweek piece smacks of East Coast jingoism, and includes this choice bit of self-parody: "We have become an intolerant nation, and that's what gets you elected."

And Hirsh knows his intolerance. But he shouldn't be writing for Newsweek; he should be writing for The Onion.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 12:09 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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