it is simply an insidious ignorance and fear of other cultures

I have to say Mac people scare the hell out of us PC people. LOL

Do some research on the extermination of many Native American tribes in the North, Jodi.  Visit Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.  Talk to my grandmother who has very few nice things to say about Native Americans, sentiments that abound even today in the North.  The plains states are rife with racism and prejudice against Native Americans.  You can disagree with it all you want, but it's true.

Matt I thought Indiana and the states around here were considered the North. My bad. I just didn't understand the Indian thing relating to Indiana.

And just as a side note: Indiana hates skinny people because we love to eat fried fattening food and we are one of the top fattest states. :0)

Mark McKay wrote: Quite possibly a group of people more oppressed, or at least equal than, African Americans.

I couldn't agree more.

I agree Matt. I lived on a reservation during my high school years, in Northern Wisconsin, and there was always racial strife going on. Quite possibly a group of people more oppressed, or at least equal than, African Americans

I knew poverty was a big issue but I had no idea on the hatred. Very sad.

than the masked version she would see so often in Minnesota.

What is "Masked Racism" ?

Geoff I am sorry but the "Love it or Leave it" statement is crap.

When I wrote letters to the editors about invading Iraq was wrong, it wasn't the Bushies that wrote that on the newspapers forums, it was republicans. My and they had such lovely things to say. Now did they express what all republicans felt, no. But come on Geoff I'll agree we have some crazy PETA people in my party, wanting to use breast milk instead of cow's milk, that's just crazy talk.

Jodi --

I think you misunderstand me.  I'm not defending the statement as much as I'm defending Bruce.  His point was (as I read it at least) if you hate the region leave it -- why stay someplace that makes you unhappy?  Not the extremeism of "Love it or leave it."  When anyone were to leave the south and head north (for example) they'll likely find that there is as much racism (for example) as anywhere else.  And my larger point we agree on -- that representative of both parties often play bullshit games villafying the other side. 

Now I've been blessed -- I've been in 24 of the fifty states and I do have some thoughts about specifics to the regions.  The just plain nicest people I encountered have been in the midwest.  Indiana, Kansas, and Minnesota I saw more smiles than I can count.  The best bar-b-cue is in the south -- North Carolina specifically had the best consistent quality, pulled pork, chicken, and ribs (but the best ribs I've had were in Memphis).  The Best Pizza and Deli are in the greater New York city area.  The best mexican food is in the south west and in southern california.  The sky in the southwest is amazing.  The way the sun sets into the gulf in Key West -- its like the sun's been swallowed by water.  But I don't think any one region has more or less biggotry.  Its everywhere, in every  village, town and city.