I think most people, including politicians, if they carry the consciousness, can see goodness in people while as you say, nudging them forward…

it seems candor and deep kindness would effect some part of evolution for many, had they eyes to see, ears to hear…

Personally, with regard to concept of 'the other who is not like me' whether by race or economic class or heritage,… to my mind, the conversation has not been raised and remained above the waterline ever. Too many stuck in bellowing. Too many gone silent. One speech about 'race' is a teaspoon in an ocean. Especially when done by only one person.

Such an important matter, I think, just my .02, …The 'conversation' needs millions, all with their own experiences… to both tell to others … And especially to listen to how uniquely each person holds their experiences and views.

we shall see. hang in there,

one of the ways we are able to listen to one another as never before, bypassing 'official' spokespersons only, is here, on the invisible waves that carry words across oceans and nations. Amazing. Truly amazing

Thank you, r.
dr.e

Even in this tiny town, there was a clearly demarked (though not with fences) wrong side to the tracks, Everyone knew without being told with whom they should not socialize.
The children of migrant workers (the economy was largely fruit orchard based) were not harassed. They were ignored and neglected shamefully by teachers.
Since my father was not a mgrant, I was accepted fairly easily, Yet, as an immigrant child , I also remainded the 'different' one.
I was caught, at a vey young age, between wanting to fit in and wanting to speak out about what was never openly discussed.

When I arrived in a larger metropolis, I felt I was breathing free for the first time in a long time.

Yet, it is absolutely true that the vast majority of the people were good people within their undestanding of what 'good means.

I wonder, though, whether politicians do the country any favors by reiterating how good they are without simultaneously trying to nudge them forward in their thinkking..

I think dear Tim-in_Wisconsin, incidentally, Wisc. one of the most beautiful states in the US with all its blue lakes and woodlands and big water (compared to the southwest where what is called a lake looks to me like a mudpuddle…lol). I think I was saying much less eloquently than you in #1, about the institution of a certain kind of thought, a kind of very old 'below the Mason Dixon line” way of thinking that permeates south, east and west more than north. I dont want to name-brand all the Hoosiers this way, and you are accurate about the state's multi-layered groups.

Down near Louisville, Ky (just over the bridge from the Indiana border) (Pronounced Loo-vil) where we used to sneak to go to juke joints, Ky and Indiana seem to merge for about 200 miles in ea direction. You wouldnt know which was which right off, unless you asked. There are borders between states that seem far more clear cut than those.

I'd have to mention that Indianapolis has since forever, some say, wanted to be like Chicago, (big city, big shoulders et al) but 'up to the state capitol,' by many people's sights, it is a wannabe made of solid but also 19th centurish minds. Daniels 'selling' of the tollroad, just a recent example, according to much popular opine.

Regarding Notre Dame, I can only tell you that Fa. Hesburgh, now in maybe his late 80s or even 90s, used to say that in the stands at the 'Touchdown Christ” stadium during games that all of the state north to south was emptied out, standing at radios or tvs watching the game, or else, by virtue of ther soft southern Indiana accents, were in the stands yelling Go Ah-rish.

I believe you are right, Sen Clinton is likely to win Indiana. I dont think it will be based on 'gas tax charade' though Tim, I think it will be on other grounds.

Knowing many of the good people of Indiana as I do, for many Tim, it's going to be somewhat of a Hobson's choice. Take the horse closest the door, (your values) no matter what condition it's in. I dont mean that as a put-down, just a fact. Your additions filled out the view of Indiana nicely. Thanks.

dr.e

For example, your assessment of Indiana's loyalties to Notre Dame are greatly exaggerated. South of U.S. 24, there are very few Irish fans, and south of I-70, few are even aware that Notre Dame is even in Indiana. The predominant media center in the state is Indianapolis, and neither the TV stations nor the Indianapolis Star make more than passing mention of the Irish. It's Hoosier and Boiler country, with a healthy amount of Butler thrown in.

There may be Catholics in the north, but as you drive south of Indianapolis they become few and far between until you hit the Ohio River where they reappear in places like Evansville and suburban Louisville. The Pentecostals and Seventh Day Adventests are big in the south, along with the standard mainline Protestants.

I would wager that in southern Indiana, you'd find more confederate flags per capita than you would just about anywhere in the true south. There's no pretending that it's about state's rights or sotthern heritage, either. Despite the fact that Indiana sent more volunteers to the Union Army than just about any other state, many modern Hoosiers think the outcome of the war was wrong.

In fact, race is going to be a big problem for Obama. Outside of Monroe County (Bloomington), Clinton will dominate the southern counties. There are very few blacks outside of the major cities and “da region,” which again has to do with the legacy of the Klan. To this day, blacks travelling through Martinsville will not stop there.

The Indiana I know is dominated by conservative whites who will vote against their self-interest and the interest of the state or nation as long as it looks like they'll get a tax cut out of the deal. Look for Clinton's gas tax charade to play well tomorrow.