rural diners will be declared off-limits to corporate media for ‘security concerns’

We'll let you down every time.

Outside of those blue areas you saw on the 2024 map, you have the rubes, the rich and the racists. Just like that dipshit sheep farmer said, he doesn't blame Trump, he blames Congress. But if King had asked him who in Congress he blames, he would tell you it's the "radical left liberals" who are keeping Trump from succeeding.

He likes Trump because Trump "likes a fight". In other words, Trump is an asshole, and I like assholes, because I'm an asshole, too.

My wife's family is a prime example of the mindset.

Mother and Father living on Social Security, Medicare and the proceeds of asbestos litigation (mother's step-father was retired Navy and died of asbestosis)

Sister - soon to be retired public school kindergarten teacher. 35-years on the job.

Brother-in-law. "Disabled" cop, so he gets a full salary from the Dayton PD, but he also works a full-time job as a truant officer in a local school district. Health insurance is through the sister's job.

Every fucking penny these people have is from tax dollars, union representation and programs that the Republicans make every effort to defund and destroy, but every fucking one of them votes Republican because they're ignorant racist fucks and Trump is an ignorant racist fuck. Ohio is full of ignorant racist fucks.

So, don't count on Ohio.

that I have found in life is change, it can be excruciatingly slow at times, but nothing is stagnant.

People in rural areas don't live in the same culture vacuum as they did only 20-30 year ago.

I think they are waking up, that's why the GOP has demonized being awake, aware, or "woke."

but when all they watch is FOX "news" and Sinclair Broadcasting local shit, it's not like they're trying to broaden their horizons.

staying in their comfort zones as I think most people do, but that still won't stop the inevitable tides of change.

Canute Rebukes His Courtiers by Alphonse-Marie-Adolphe de Neuville

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Cnut_and_the_tide

I think at some gut level most of them know this as well.

Because that's where they're heading.

"Short term pain for long term gain"

They rhetorically ask me: What is it worth to stop Iran...yada, yada

(can't fix stupid)

They'll vote trump. All we can hope is they will stay home.

I've seen a lot of nasty flags come down, but anyone who would raise one in the first place is just lying low, or has a quibble.

and we're thankfully in Columbus.

Maybe my wife and I could have an early morning emergency on election day that requires them to hightail it over here in the morning, to dog sit and pick up their grandson after school. Might be able to keep them away from the polls until they close.