``I like both St. Clair and Henwood and continue to learn from both of them; their jabs at each other are amusing.'' CGE
``Some examples of the the witless sarcasm and vitriol which increasingly substitute for political analysis on the American left.'' Marv Gandall
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I agree with CGE and disagree with Marv Gandall. The sarcasm is witty and betrays an interesting political dynamic, the opposition between urban and rural.
JSC felt the need to visit SF and look at a Vermeer because?... art criticism has a certain urban cashet not expected of Oregonians. In the same spirit, I would advocate that Doug pose next to a tree (that wasn't planted by somebody) as proof he is one with nature. A photo of Doug camping might be even more definitive.
Under all that is a much more important division between urban and rural codified by the red and blue state divide. It is constantly manipulated by the wealthy elite as part of its toolbox to impose its will on the rest of us. The example par excellance is Max Baucus of Montana. What makes Baucus and other Senators from rural nowhere so attractive is they are relatively cheap to buy. You get more bang for your buck. As a senate reform of the old seniority system, these days the amount of money you can attract to your party's bank account gets you those all important chairs.
CG