Turning red?

The Washington Post identifies Wisconsin as a Gore state that may well swing toward the Republicans in these presidential elections (article here). Along with the Gore-win states of Pennsylvania, Iowa, Minnesota, and New Mexico, Wisconsin seems on the brink of turning a Republican red. Why? The GOP is blitzing the state with ads attempting to move the focus of voters here away from the economy onto cultural issues.

Not being much of a TV watcher, I’m not sure what that means: is the state more culturally aligned with the Republicans these days? What is the source of the alignment? Culture: is it that the Republican-to-his-shrinking-midriff, Tommy Thompson, is at the forefront of the war on obesity (and Wisconsin both has an unreasonable case of Tommy-worship and a problem with obesity)? Is it that Kerry has historically supported gun control, while for many in this state, bliss means draining the contents of one barrel (beer-filled) and filling the contents of another (gun)? [An aside: I have recently learned that there is a town in Texas CALLED Gun Barrel—see site here—how odd is that?]

The Post states that only 18 states seem still in the running: strategists for both sides have all but conceded the remaining to one another. I suppose it is somewhat of an honor to have Wisconsin still in the race, though I was happier when we were heralded as a progressive Edwards-Kerry battle ground. This new image of Wisconsin turning toward the GOP is more disconcerting: haven’t we incorporated enough red already into our Badger state culture?

Evidence of Spring Break, continued

Spring Break is in full swing. Need evidence? Consider the following:

1. Students are blogging more (after all, they have more time), faculty are blogging less (after all, they have more time);
2. The Madison temperature outside is plummeting again to levels generally associated with regions of the Arctic tundra;
3. I could cross University Avenue on a red light without being run over by a steady stream of traffic (crossing on a red light is such a cultural thing. No one in NY would be foolish enough to wait for a green light—why follow rules made for everyone but you? ..whereas in Japan, it may be empty, it may be 2 a.m., it may be raining, sleeting, thundering—no matter, you wait for the little green man and the chirping bird to give you permission to cross);
4. My stack of “to do” lists grows each day, as I spend a considerable amount of time slumped in a reclining position thinking about what else should be added.

Since there is no holiday or event associated with Spring Break (meaning nothing to cook for), the week becomes one long guilt trip, filled with remorse over not doing enough. Can’t wait for classes to resume: the stress of the Break is killing me.