AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
My Red and Blue Life.(the two Americas)(Column)
Byline: Maggie Cutler
Ever since the last presidential election, in which the states that went for Gore always (as if by grand conspiracy) were colored blue on TV while the states that chose Bush blushed red, it's been common wisdom that our nation is sharply divided along clear lines. In this color-war scenario, citizens of our red zone--the central swath where towns are small, skies big and churches crowded--are perpetually swapping sneers and jeers with their counterparts in the blue zone, the densely populated Northeastern and coastal states where (presumably) frolic our criminals, "furriners" and godless cosmopolitans.
Like millions of my compatriots, I live with a foot in both Americas. I spend weekdays in the permissive, risque, liberal hub of New York City. On weekends I commune with a deliberately obscure upstate country village I'll call Bluestone, in one of America's most right-wing territories. Straddling red and blue zones can be mind opening. It helps make sense of otherwise incomprehensible differences of opinion. For example, in cities where people live as close together as boxed chocolates, guns will always cause more problems than they solve. But up around Bluestone, where towns are far-flung, roads are rough and it takes police 40 minutes to respond to an emergency call, you don't have to be a gun nut to want a rifle or pistol in case some errant Rottweiler lunges at your kid or a rabid skunk goes after your houseguests. You understand why it's futile for reds and blues to debate gun laws. The issue isn't competing ideologies but conflicting realities.
Ecology presents another experiential disconnect. As a Manhattanite, every environmental regulation sounds good to me. Up in Bluestone? Not. When my neighbor complains that the government won't let him drain a puddle on his riverside property, and that to challenge this ...
- SEN. SCHUMER TO JUSTICE DEPARTMENT: REIMBURSE NEW YORK CITY FOR ALL SECURITY...
- News wire article from: US Fed News Service, Including US State News November 20, 2009 700+ words
...Attorney General Eric Holder to ensure that New York City, particularly the New York City Police Department, will be reimbursed for...courtroom. At the hearing, Holder agreed that New York City should not bear the financial burden and will...
- Comptroller sees $7.5 billion of bond sales by New York, New York City,...
- Magazine article from: The Bond Buyer Gasparino, Charles April 7, 1993 700+ words
...its bonding authorities, and New York City of about $4.52 billion. The...Other large offerings planned by New York City include an $800 million general...GO bond offering in June. The New York City Water Finance Authority, meanwhile...
- USA. New York. New York City. 2001. Photographer Bruce DAVIDSON. Photographed...
- Picture from: Magnum Photos Bruce Davidson January 1, 1900 700+ words
...01-01-1900 USA. New York. New York City. 2001. Photographer Bruce DAVIDSON...states of america new york state new york city usa continent us nyc american...and book covers usa. new york. new york city. 2001. photographer ...
- USA.New York. New York City. Opening night of East of Eden. Fleur Cowles (left)...
- Picture from: Magnum Photos Eve Arnold January 1, 1950 700+ words
...01-01-1950 USA.New York. New York City. Opening night of East of Eden...projection Media New York State New York City Cinema Auditorium Entertainment...entertainment) USA.New York. New York City. Opening night of East of ...
- USA. New York. New York City. Christopher Isherwood and W.H. Auden. 1952....
- Picture from: Magnum Photos Eve Arnold January 1, 1952 700+ words
...01-01-1952 USA. New York. New York City. Christopher Isherwood and W...America Nationality New York State New York City Profession Artistic profession...Famous person USA. New York. New York City. Christopher Isherwood ...
- USA. New York. New York City. Viewers with Gicometti's statue, Museum of Modern...
- Picture from: Magnum Photos Eve Arnold January 1, 1960 700+ words
...01-01-1960 USA. New York. New York City. Viewers with Gicometti's statue...Manhattan Museum New York State New York City Continent Museum (name of) Culture...Y.C. MOMA USA. New York. New York City. Viewers with ...
- USA. New York. New York City. Owner of 711 Bar. 1950. (LON42916)
- Picture from: Magnum Photos Eve Arnold January 1, 1950 700+ words
...01-01-1950 USA. New York. New York City. Owner of 711 Bar. 1950. Keywords...States of America New York State New York City Catering Trade & services...NYC N.Y.C. USA. New York. New York City. Owner of 711 Bar. 1950. ...
- USA. New York. New York City. Edward STEICHEN, director of photography at The...
- Picture from: Magnum Photos Eve Arnold January 1, 1959 700+ words
...01-01-1959 USA. New York. New York City. Edward STEICHEN, director of...Museum Nationality New York State New York City Optical instrument Photographer...Old man MOMA USA. New York. New York City. Edward STEICHEN, ...
Source: HighBeam Research, My Red and Blue Life.(the two Americas)(Column)