I found it interesting that the "welcome to Louisiana" rest stop at the entry to the state on Interstate 10 was closed for repairs when I drove through Wednesday. Alabama's and Mississippi's welcome stations were open for business when I rolled through, but Louisiana's was shut tight. And as I drove west through Louisiana, I got the distinct impression that I was not encouraged to drive through New Orleans. Even Google Maps suggested I avoid the Big Easy on my trip to Dallas. Maybe it just made good travel sense, but maybe there was more.
Greg Palast, who you may consider a ranting evangelist for progressive causes (and you'd be right), believes deep in his radical little heart that the racial and economic makeup of New Orleans and Malibu can explain the difference in response to the areas' disasters by the Federal Government. I can't argue the point with him; I think he's right, even though I think his attribution of malevolent motive is suspect.
Back to the manner at hand. The welcome station to Louisiana was closed! No maps, no suggestions about places to spend your money in the State, no offers of discounts at casinos and restaurants and hotels! That's madness. If I were Tourism Director for the State, I would call loudly for the assassination of whoever was responsible for the ongoing closure of tourist information stops. I may do it anyway, but I'm not doing it now...let me be clear about that to those Bush troopers who are monitoring the religious and political comments made 'round the nation, hoping to catch someone breaking the Republico-Christian law of diminishing returns.
I found it interesting, too, that Louisiana's Democratic Governor was just turned out in favor of a Republican whose family moved to the U.S. from India. The Republicans, it seems, are catching on to the value of ethnic diversity, though their uses make me shudder.
I have no idea where I'm going with this, other than to provide anecdotal and subjective evidence that Republicans are treading on our liberties to the extent that they will rip our rights from in front of our noses. I'm not just anti-Republican. Let me be clear: I'm anti-Christian (the dogma, not necessarily the adherants), anti-Muslim (ditto), anti redneck, etc., etc. I am even anti progressive in some circumstances...for example, when ostensibly progressive concepts are presented as unquestionably good. I've found that automatically supporting Democratic positions is unhealthy and wrong. I tend and trend toward Democrat, but have been known to agree with some Republican positions and, more frequently, adopt independent positions when both Dems and Repubs are clearly on an issue for the personal political gain.
I'm bloody tired, as my post probably attests. I need many hours of sleep, followed by many hours of exercise. I will get the sleep. I will not be likely, just yet, to do the exercise. I'm off to bed. Maybe I will return to this tomorrow, correcting the bad stuff and polishing the gems of brilliance that must be there, somewhere.
3 comments:
The GOPers are "catching on" to diversity? They've had all kinds of tokens in the Shrub administrations: Clarence Thomas, Condi Rice, Fredo Gonzales, and any number of white wimminfolk who stood behind their menfolk, like Harriet Miers, Karen Hughes, now that Barbie press secretary, Dana Perino - but these people weren't really diverse other than their appearances. All were loyal soldiers of the GOP.
True that many Dems may as well be GOPers, but at least tehre are people like Gore and Russ Feingold, and a few others. You'll have to convince me there are any Repubs around who are trustworthy.
It is a shame that Louisiana may be too broke to invite tourists to spend money there.
Years ago, Bill Clinton said that Democrats want to fall in love while Republicans fall in line. It was funny and true. But now I think Democrats are pretty well falling in line, too. Maybe by necessity, but it still disheartens me. The Democrats line may be more attractive to me, but I don't appreciate the sound-bitey, groupthink/don't-think of it all.
Strange times.
I'm not on the GOPers's side, isabelita, but I do think there are a precious few who are decent people...just misguided in their ways. All in all, I've come to the unhappy conclusion that all the bastards seeking to get or hold office are disreputable thieves. KathyR and I are in the same unpleasant camp.
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