Peter, we sort of kid around about the red states and the blue states, etc. The "normal" part of our country does have an unfortunate perception that the North(east) is a nest of commies, best avoided.

The fact is that normal people are normal wherever they are, and when you get out of the cities, folks are folks.

The reverse situation is the effete perception of the commies in those same cities that anyone who doesn't live within walking distance of a Baskin-Robbins, a Starbucks, and a healthfood store must be an illiterate goober.

Southern and mid-America folks who visit regular New England go away amazed that people are just like them, because they have had the perception I talked about for years. One great guy, a retired SF CSM from Texas, was here a while ago for a few days and was flabbergasted to discover that folks were just like home. 'Course we're nowhere near them city folks I mentioned.

Fascinating stuff.

Bob K-