At the Youngstown, Ohio rally following the recent Wisconsin primary, International Association of Machinists President Tom Buffenbarger called Obama supporters “latte-drinking, Prius-driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies.” That reminded me of one of my favorite Ohio moments. A few years back I was stopped for gas at a Ravenna, Ohio gas station. Ravenna is one of those small rust-belt towns that the economy forgot. It’s been down-at-the-heel since I was a student at nearby Kent State in the late 70s and early 80s, and it shows no signs of recovering.
Anyway, I was pumping gas when a pick-up truck that had obviously been out “mudding” pulled into the pump right in front of me. One guy, in battered jeans and sweatshirt, got out to pump gas. His friend, similarly attired, hopped out and headed into the store. As he walked away, he shouted back over his shoulder, “hey, Bubba, want a cappuccino?”
So, I wonder today, if this cappuccino-sipping, work-boot wearing, pick-up truck driving guy and his friend are pondering the up-coming Ohio vote from the trucking view or the latte view?
Name calling, reductionist politics, will never move us beyond the mess we’re in. I think I’ll go have a mocha.
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Hey--did you know: the plural of Prius is Prii (pronounce Pree-eye). I know it must be true because I heard it on NPR.
I guess I must be a latte liberal, though, even though I wear crocs, not berkies, and (sometimes) drive a chevy truck. but you know I love my lattes (and I think Obama is pretty hip, too)
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