I was born in Boston, but grew up in VT and NH, then lived in Mass again after college...and in my angry mid-twenties I shared your view, and used the term "M*ssholes" liberally.
Then I lived for a while in upstate NY. Then back in VT. Some time in Maine, then California, back to New England (where I fell in love, got married, kids..) and now in KY.
And there's one thing I've learned: There are a-holes, and there are great people, in every town in America.
(Rascism? Ya, it's everywhere, usually subtle, on all sides. Here in Kentucky they do a weird thing where they'll whisper the word "black" if they ever use it to describe someone. Worst I saw was in California, Bay area. I was once called "Jew Boy" and hassled all the way down the street by 3 black teens I barely looked at [I'm Irish/Italian]. My sister's Irish/Asian boyfriend, a postman in SF, wouldn't watch the NBA b/c he said there were "too many blacks". Lots of black/white tension all around and everyone seems secretly jealous of Asians and NO ONE likes the poor Mexicans, who were by far the sweetest and nicest people there!)
Sorry for the derailment, but my wife and kids are out of town and I'm bored! :yawn2: Next week I join them in good ol' New England, lobsters and steamers and...ok I'll shut up now.
