In Portland, I worked for a high profile women's health organization. Despite the controversy surrounding the organization, protesters were few and they never interfered with my ability to get to work and do my job. Patients were fully able to safely attend their appointments without fear of harassment. We understood that we disagreed, but we both respected each others right to be there.
Politically, Portland leans left, but other than the stupid paper bag ban, it is rarely shoved in people's faces.
Religiously, Portland has its share of synagogues, churches, mosques, temples, etc. and there are plenty of people who attend. For most people, it seems to be a portion -- but not a consuming portion -- of life. We are good, but not necessarily god fearing people. (My favorite evidence of that is the Catholic church near my house that offers confession once a week from 4:00 to 4:15.)
When it looked like I was headed to Emory University in Georgia, I was warned by several people that I would experience a culture shock moving to the South. A former student at Emory explained to me that while people are very vocal about their religious beliefs, their actions do not always reflect their professed values.
The differences between the states I have called home and the South became most clear as I entered Florida. I have never thought of Florida as part of the South, but at least the northern portion can be considered solidly Southern.
On my way from Baton Rouge, I passed many billboards. One stood out as it was not advertising any upcoming petrol station, motel, or outlet mall. Then I passed another. And another.
In my first 3.5 hours in Florida, I passed 7 anti-choice billboards.
The absurdity of these billboards is beyond discussion (Why put them on the highway? What effect do you think they are really going to have? Do you really want someone making a life-changing decision based on a billboard? Would you feel any differently if the person in question was an undocumented immigrant? etc.). There is certainly a discussion to be had here, but I'm sure it has nothing to do with a sign along the highway.
Along the road, I also spotted several more roadsigns I'd first encountered in Austin, but don't ever remember seeing in the Pacific Northwest.
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| Does this look familiar? |
When I arrived at my hotel, I turned on the TV and chuckled to myself as it was tuned to Fox News. Silly previous guest, I thought. After I located and spent some quality time with the Food Network and HGTV, I turned off the TV and went to dinner. When I came back, the TV did not return to Iron Chef or House Hunters, it was back on Fox News. The TV was set to start with Fox News.
During the course of the evening, I watched the programs I usually watch . . . plus many more political ads. It dawned on me that this is a swing state and it became clear that residents are bombarded by messages all day telling them that America is going down the toilet unless you vote for THIS guy. No! America is fine, but it will go down the toilet if you vote for THAT guy.
It's clearly crazy making.
When I was a kid, I spent a good deal of time on the computer with Mavis Beacon. Her goal was to teach me typing and one of the games included in the program involved typing words you passed as you drove along in a car. If you typed something incorrectly, a bug would smash against your windshield in glorious CGA detail.
Passing through Florida is literally and metaphorically like that.
(I'll spare you the pictures.)
Tomorrow, I head to Hogwarts at Universal Studios!
Odometer Start: 39073
Odometer End: 39330
Miles Driven Today: 256
Miles Driven Total: 5492
Today In/Around: Orlando, FL
Tomorrow: Orlando, FL again
States Visited: 12 (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida)
Anti-Choice Billboards Passed: 7
Bugs Who Sacrificed Their Lives Against My Windshield: So, so many
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