"The mobs of conservatives that show up at these town meetings (some armed and actively making death threats) to scream, shout, and making democratic discourse impossible, or the mobs of progressives that are showing up in response to shout back at them? So weird how turning the table is tantamount to treason for these people. Ideally, both mobs would realize they're making our country a much, much scarier place..."

-- wolfmason

Wolfmason posted what I was thinking too. Conservative mobs are "heroes" and "patriots" while progressive ones are "terrorists". Don't believe me? Look at Scrub's last eight years and there are plenty of Republicans who call dissenters to the Iraq war traitors to the country. Wow, it's not to much fun anymore when the table are turned, aren't they "Brooks Brothers" protesters. And the defenders calling them "normal middle class people" are laughable. You guys do not stand for me and never will.

It seems the more liberal the state the worse the people treat each other. I guess if you subcontract personal responsibility and charity to the governement (we have all seen those stats where republicans and southerners give more money to charities) you no longer feel you need to be a decent human. Not trusting your governement and not wanting it to take over your life doesn't make you a bad person. Being an a**hole for no reason does. I don't care what happened in the past. Right now Texas is doing better economically, socially, and in football than anyother state.

-- m11618

I'm a belle who moved from Savannah, GA and currently works in New York City. I've lived in the south all of my life and was taught to be polite, courteous, friendly, professional, all of the things that defines a belle (and I have no accent!). I continue to be this way to the present time. My chosen field of work has led me to the Northeast where I am humble to be working full time in a promising career. I've always preferred cities so moving into a metropolis wasn't that big of an adjustment and it was a very exciting time for me. I've fallen in love with the Big Apple as many, many, many people have and made efforts to get to know the area better. Despite the outside descriptions people have of New Yorkers, I have to say that I get along with the natives alright. The tough attitude and tough skin is definitely there, but along with it comes much gutsy respect. Something I truly appreciate, especially when people tell me the truth to my face instead of talking behind my back. I like that, especially when I do something wrong. Otherwise, I've never had so many men hold the door for me, people compliment me, and just people open to conversation in general. Granted, sometimes I forget myself and say "ya'll" and I get giggles, but it's nothing crushing to the soul. I make fun of them back when they are sweating buckets in the summer :). It takes rolling with punches and not acting like a delicate flower. I can say that I've grown up more and regard myself as a more street smart & stronger person (both mentally and physically) thanks to living here. For that, I am grateful.

M11618, with that kind of attitude, you are not going to get any compassion up here because they know you've already prejudged them. You get treated by how you treat others. Believe me, New Yorkers will not hesitate to tell you if you been acting like an asshole. They won't just tell it to you for no reason either since everyone here is doesn't have time to be concerned about your personality disorders. And this coming from a city where just about 250 languages are spoken. People from around the world come here everyday, not just to find a better way of living but tourists to want to visit. The most visited U.S. tourist site is Times Square, even more than the Grand Canyon. You don't care what has happened in the past, but a lot of people do. Need I say many big apple natives up here survived 9/11? Something not really many people elsewhere have. Your attitude is disgusting and I am glad my parents no longer live in Texas. By the way, does your Governor still want to leave the union as he threatened to do so? By the way, M11618, you should hang around better people. It sounds wherever you go you attract assholes. Good luck, sucker.