A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
|
|
|
A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
|
November 13, 2003San Francisco By The FjordAfter the rush of posts yesterday, it's been a quiet day here in Centerfield. I'm forced to travel overseas and visit Norweigian blogger Bjørn Stærk who makes a number of interesting observations about America's political divide. So what does it tell us that anti-liberal and anti-conservative books are read by millions of politically interested Americans? It tells us simply that American political culture is polarized. And we along with it. It's easy to compare the political mood in Norway and the US and conclude that Norway is peaceful and rational, and the US high-pitched and irrational. There are no Norwegian equivalents to Moore and Coulter. Our political books are rather dull. But change the perspective a bit and you see why the comparison is false. We haven't copied US polarization, we've become part of it. Norway is one big extension of the American left-wing. We read Michael Moore, we love his movies. We snipe at the American right in the same way - with the same words - as the American far left does. We have adopted their worldview, their rhetoric, their thinkers. Norway's not polarized, the West is, and we're in the San Francisco camp.I seem to be a sucker for these left-wing places. My vacation this summer was to San Francisco, and Yosemite. My wife and I are thinking of going to Europe next summer, and Scandinavia is one of our possible destinations. Is it more fun to go on vacation to a left-wing community? Often yes. But some may fall under the rubric of "a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there." Posted by rickheller at November 13, 2003 05:41 PM Comments
Yes, SF certainly has its quirks, and the city on whole is most definitely further left that I am (and I find myself to the left of center on most things). For my part, I commute through the city, but don't live there. I'd have to say that most of the SF Bay Area (with few exceptions) is considerably liberal. Now, I know that's a pretty well qualified statement (few, considerably), but that is the truth. The Bay Area stands as perhaps one of the most liberal areas in the nation, and I gotta say I'm pleased with that. BTW, I'm not anti-America, I don't love dictators, I fly my flag on holidays, I am spiritual if not devoutly churchgoing, and I am grateful for the sacrifice that our armed forces go through so I can sip a latte each morning and look out at the hustle-and-bustle of the city. Posted by: RoQ at November 13, 2003 06:02 PMHave a great trip Rick. That's an interesting take from your buddy. Maybe it's worth following up with some other Norwegians as to whether they see themselves as strongly allied with the left wing. Instead of jam or canned meats, you can bring us back some insight. :-) Posted by: bk at November 13, 2003 07:20 PM |
Archives
March 2006
February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003
Recent Entries
Dubai Out
Why So Long Between Democracies? Round One, Centrism Rock Lobster? Blackwell Releases "Worst-Treated" List "IRV" used in Burl., VT for mayor election. Great idea! Random Thread Election 2006: Round One A Proper Multiculturalism Bush proposes line item veto act - what's changed?
|
