Comments on: Because Our Voices Matter Too

By: Dave Yaros

Dave Yaros — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:52:13 +0000

Well, I was born, bred and educated in Da’ Region. And, I certainly am more than familiar with the term “Region Rat.” I guess I never saw it as demeaning. In fact, I think of it sort of as a badge of honor.

If the region is anything it is, and always has been, diverse. I mean how can an area be a melting part of cultures and not be diverse? Yes, it is true the area has struggled with regard to that diversity over the years; there is a love - hate thing at work here, and always has been.

The bottom line, however, is that only those ignorant of the history of the Region smugly tack a label onto the population and environs of the Calumet Region. In doing so, they exhibit their own shortcomings, not any deficiencies in the populus or of the environment known as the Region.

I am proud to be from the Region (Gary). I invite others to explore its rich diversity by visiting the Dave’s Den web site. The url for the site is http://GDYNets.WebNG.com. A visit there just might change your perceptions.

By: R. Mildred

R. Mildred — Sat, 10 May 2008 20:01:06 +0000

but what he misses is a major point. Hoosiers don’t “always vote Republican.”

And on that note can we just shoot, in an especially painful place if we were to talk of my preferences about such matters, the electoral college system, that encourages the partisan gerrymandering, which in turn creates the whole “red state/blue state” framing in the first place?

By: belledame222

belledame222 — Sat, 10 May 2008 02:29:29 +0000

for that matter, can we lay SNL to gorram rest already? it’s more undead than McCain, and about as funny most of the time.

By: Prospects at Faux Real

Prospects at Faux Real — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:43:39 +0000

[...] short piece on the Indiana primaries has been expanded and highlighted on The American Prospect. Check it [...]

By: Ron O

Ron O — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:42:46 +0000

Can we just let ‘da __’ die already? It was funny 15 years ago. Not so much anymore.

By: La Lubu

La Lubu — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:47:35 +0000

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank the fuck outta you!!

We get the same thing down here south of I-80 (Chicago is supposedly the only “blue” area of Illinois, even though Galesburg and the Metro-East (though I prefer Riverbend—roughly Jersey/Madison/St.Clair counties, the area across from St. Louis) are both solidly blue, with the rest of the state more “purple” than anything. Shit, we aren’t toes-up yet.

And kudos for the Debs poster. It’s similar to one I have in my house (that I got from the Debs Society in Terre Haute!)

By: Melissa McEwan

Melissa McEwan — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:18:34 +0000

As an official born-and-raised-and-returned-in-residence Region Rat, it especially pains me to see “The Region” represented that way because we’re one of the few parts of Indiana that’s decidedly blue. Our congressman (Pete Visclosky) is a 10 term Democrat, and, because of the mills, it’s solidly blue union country. Also, it’s the most ethnically diverse and integrated Congressional district in Indiana. It’s not exactly a bunch of hillbilly rubes. Yeesh.

By: hydropsyche

hydropsyche — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:56:24 +0000

So much of what you’ve written applies to North Carolina, too, with a few details changed. How ironic that two states so looked down upon by the fauxgressives now have so much importance in the Democratic primary. (Except we’re not actually important, really, of course because we don’t have that many electoral votes and we all vote Republican against our own best interests, and we’re all too stupid to know better, and…)

By: Marked Hoosier

Marked Hoosier — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:11:05 +0000

W00t, do this article next please!

We are not just a bunch of stupid rednecks here in Indiana…

By: aufheben

aufheben — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:21:20 +0000

well said.

that piece in salon made me so crazy too… I was born in the region… and it pained me EVERY time I read the “da” in front of it. I still shudder to think about it.

that, and if you’re gonna tie Indiana to any film, especially if you want to, I don’t know, say, pay attention to how class conflict functions in Indiana, Breaking Away is just so much more apropos, and a better film.