As a sixth-generation Montanan, and longtime
subscriber to High Country News, I usually just read your great
paper and keep quiet. But this time I had to pick up my
writin’ stick. Lisa Jones’ attempt at regional satire
(HCN, 10/27/03: My sensitive man meets culture shock on the range)
left me wonderin’ where on earth she came from and if HCN is
getting desperate for publishing material.
She seems to
forget that if all the peaceful, stable, sensitive Vermont farmers
had stayed home milking cows they never kill, there would be no
Western culture (as we know it) for her to criticize.
Perhaps, in 200 years, we lowly Westerners will evolve to the level
of her sensitive Vermont sweetie who doesn’t eat meat and
sports a complicated goatee. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we will
just have to try to tolerate uppity New Englanders with our good
ol’ Western hospitality. “Once again, it’s a question
of temperament — regional temperament.”
Mike
Stevenson
Swan Valley, Montana
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline What’s with the uppity New Englanders?.
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