# Damn, but it's good to be a Blue stater! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 8, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644 "2004-11-08T14:36:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/41 "2004-11-08T17:26:24Z")
Gotcha. I understand why you might feel that way. I think, though, the evidence favors the theory that we’ll be targets of terrorism regardless of the administration. Note all of the terrorist attacks on Clinton’s watch, including 9/11, which was planned for years. None of this is to blame Clinton. The whole nation was blind to the scope of the danger then. However, it illustrates that America is a terrorism target because it is America. The political affiliation of the current White House resident has little to do with this. ---
**Author:** ![cj\_finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@cj\_finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cj_finn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/42 "2004-11-08T17:31:38Z")
> [@Rashak Mani](#): > > Took the words out of my mouth… exactly what I was going to say… 🙂 Let me add that those in the blue states, who as pointed out have more to worry about wrt terrorist attacks, aren’t the ones driving the hysteria about terrorism. Basically, they blue states seem to have a bit more steel in the spinal column on that issue. Its their neck on the line and they have spoken with their votes. Perhaps the red states should consider that when looking at how the US approaches security issues. cj ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/43 "2004-11-08T17:35:35Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > And I’m grateful to 'em, believe me. I’d like to raise their pay and increase their benefits, but that’s not to going to happen with the GOP in charge. January 1st 3.5% pay increase across the board. Basic allowance for housing going up. Increases to combat pay and family separation allowance made permanent. Thanks for your concern. ---
**Author:** ![Freyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freyr/32/5763_2.png) [@Freyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freyr)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/44 "2004-11-08T17:40:01Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > And, yeah, you pissed me off by voting for those stupid anti-gay marriage amendments, but all you’ve managed to do is to chase out educated LBGT professionals into the larger cities on both coasts. Thanks! Tell you what, Ohio–we’ll take your gay lawyers, entrepreneurs, and software engineers who could have helped renew your fractured economies, and you can keep your ministers and blue-collar jobs. Gay people have renewed decayed neighborhoods into blooming health–we’ve done wonders for the U Street and Columbia Heights neghborhoods in DC. You could have had that, too, but, oh, well. Your loss is our gain. > > One of these days, the poor workers who’ve voted “values” will realize that health care, decent jobs, and clean air and water are more important values than what other people do in their bedrooms. Thanks, **Gobear** for posting this! I don’t agree with you on a few issues, but with this election and its aftermath, we’re in accord. I can’t stand the gloating from the right and the shrill cries of hysteria from the left. Maybe in a few weeks it’ll die down and we can get back to some sense of normality, but I’m not holding my breath. In the mean time, I’m going to enjoy the beautiful blue of California. ---
**Author:** ![LeeshaJoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@LeeshaJoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeshaJoy)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/45 "2004-11-08T17:40:32Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Only Quadling Country. > > Munchkinland is, however, a blue state. > > Gillikin Country is purple and Winkie Country is yellow. > > And of course, the Federal District is green. > > So obviously Oz is a multi-party nation. Yes, but Oz is also a hereditary monarchy, so the political views of the masses don’t really matter, do they? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/46 "2004-11-08T17:43:08Z")
> [@LeeshaJoy](#): > > Yes, but Oz is also a hereditary monarchy, so the political views of the masses don’t really matter, do they? They do in local affairs. Besides, Ozma is a benevolent despot. ---
**Author:** ![Rashak\_Mani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rashak\_Mani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rashak_Mani)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/47 "2004-11-08T17:43:08Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > The whole nation was blind to the scope of the danger then. However, it illustrates that America is a terrorism target because it is America. The political affiliation of the current White House resident has little to do with this. You are right that all americans are targets and that the current situation is “bi-partisan”. Still even if Bush might not be responsible for 9/11… his policies are creating the resentment and support for terrorism that will fuel terrorist attacks in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/48 "2004-11-08T17:45:53Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > They do in local affairs. Besides, Ozma is a benevolent despot. Wasn’t the Ozma Regent de-throned when the Wizard arrived? Shouldn’t his reign be considered a dictatorship? I’m thinking way too hard about this. Ava ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/49 "2004-11-08T17:47:01Z")
This is beneath you, gobear. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/50 "2004-11-08T17:48:43Z")
So who’s responsible for the resentment and support for terrorism that prompted the first World Trade Center bombings, the attacks on our embassies in Africa, the USS Cole attack, and 9/11? C’mon now, if terrorism can always be blamed on somebody, someone in the U.S. is responsible for these attacks. I’d like your take on who that individual is. Or, you can just go along with my theory. It makes far more sense. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/51 "2004-11-08T17:54:02Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > They do in local affairs. Besides, Ozma is a benevolent despot. Sure, that’s the part line, but you try voiceing any dissent, and see how long it takes Ozma’s ruby jackbooted thugs to come and kick down your door. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/52 "2004-11-08T17:54:06Z")
> [@avabeth](#): > > Wasn’t the Ozma Regent de-throned when the Wizard arrived? Shouldn’t his reign be considered a dictatorship? > > I’m thinking way too hard about this. > > Ava Well, yes. Since the _true_ events of those years have been revealed by the famous investigative reporter Gregory McGuire of the Kuttenklip Gazette, we’re pretty much forced to consider the Wizard a tyrant. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/53 "2004-11-08T17:54:33Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > There’s something to consider here. > > The primary targets of terrorism are blue states or blue cities. And the people serving in the military come disproportionately from red states and red areas. > > So, in essence, the red areas are protecting the blue ones. > > Enjoy DC, Wilson Boulevard, and Old Town all you want, **gobear**. The guys in the fighter planes and helos above DC will be covering your tail while you do so. Well for one, are they really protecting us? I know that they want to protect us but the idea that invading Iraq was protecting us is what we disagree on. Another thing is, did they join up to protect us? Most of the poeple I know in the military would say that one of the reasons they joined was to hopefully get an education and to get the hell out of the small town they grew up in and see the world. They couldn’t find a decent job. The could not afford college. So they joined up. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/54 "2004-11-08T17:54:48Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Come check out [Crane’s Beach](http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/294_crane_beach.cfm), right here in John Kerry’s home state. Oh, and scroll down to “Nearby Places to Visit” links in the left-hand column for more great stuff in my neck of the woods – all within a few minutes’ drive of each other. And all of this is less than an hour’s train ride away from Boston. Been there. We generally don’t do the North Shore unless we go to Rockport. The water is too cold! Duxbury is our normal haunt, but even that is too cold. For true bathwater, the Bourne/Falmouth area is best. We were swimming up until the last weekend of September this year! And it’s really not much more than an hour away. ---
**Author:** ![LeeshaJoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@LeeshaJoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeshaJoy)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/55 "2004-11-08T17:59:01Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Sure, that’s the part line, but you try voiceing any dissent, and see how long it takes Ozma’s ruby jackbooted thugs to come and kick down your door. That’s _emerald_ jackbooted thugs. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/56 "2004-11-08T18:04:11Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > Well for one, are they really protecting us? I know that they want to protect us but the idea that invading Iraq was protecting us is what we disagree on. > > Another thing is, did they join up to protect us? Most of the poeple I know in the military would say that one of the reasons they joined was to hopefully get an education and to get the hell out of the small town they grew up in and see the world. They couldn’t find a decent job. The could not afford college. So they joined up. I didn’t mention Iraq. That is a subject of legitimate debate. I will posit, though, that the mobilization of the military within our borders and in Afghanistan did afford America extra protection against terrorism. As to why people join the military, they do it for a number of reasons, as numerous as the men and women doing the job. I can tell you, as a veteran myself, that all of that doesn’t matter much to the military in the end. Why you joined is your own business. The purpose you were recruited for is set by national policy. That policy has always been to protect America and America’s interests. Right now both objectives are met by battling terrorism militarily. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/57 "2004-11-08T18:10:04Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Well, yes. Since the _true_ events of those years have been revealed by the famous investigative reporter Gregory McGuire of the Kuttenklip Gazette, we’re pretty much forced to consider the Wizard a tyrant. Well, yeah. Having read both the series _and_ Wicked, I can’t keep my friggin’ history straight. So what _really_ happened when the Wizard was overthrown? I put my money on the Winkies orchestrating a grand plot and covering it up. I think I saw one of them hiding out on the grassy knoll. Ava ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/58 "2004-11-08T18:21:48Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > This is beneath you, gobear. Sir, you’re opinions have been colored by Mr Bear’s uncharacteristic spirit of bipartisanship last week. I know, it knocked a lot of us off kilter but it’s a whole new week and the snark is back. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/59 "2004-11-08T18:23:09Z")
> [@avabeth](#): > > Well, yeah. > > Having read both the series _and_ Wicked, I can’t keep my friggin’ history straight. > > So what _really_ happened when the Wizard was overthrown? I put my money on the Winkies orchestrating a grand plot and covering it up. I think I saw one of them hiding out on the grassy knoll. > > Ava Try having the events of “A Barnstormer in Oz” rattling around in addition to the series and “Wicked”! As for the Wizard, it’s generally acknowledged among royal historians today that Madame Morrible was devastated at the Wizard’s decision to end their clandestine relationship and take Glinda as his new mistress. Blackmail being her second favorite political art (murder being the first), she had been quietly extorting continued attention from the Wizard for several months. When the alien child Dorothy appeared in Oz and smashed the Wizard’s main external enemy, he decided it was time to get out of Dodge and escaped, leaving Morrible and Glinda to battle it out for supremacy. Glinda defeated Morrible and began to feel guilty about what happened to Elphaba. Determined to retire to her family’s estates in Gillikin Country, she placed the Scarecrow in charge of the Emerald City and fled into seclusion. The reappearance of Ozma is history you know, so… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644/60 "2004-11-08T18:24:20Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Sir, you’re opinions have been colored by Mr Bear’s uncharacteristic spirit of bipartisanship last week. I know, it knocked a lot of us off kilter but it’s a whole new week and the snark is back. Yeah. Isn’t it great?! 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-but-its-good-to-be-a-blue-stater/273644.md?page=4)