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Dennis J Brandt
(Whoretense Facepillow)

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(posted on 13 Aug 2024)

I made plans back well before 2016; in honesty that's because 1) I've spent enough time in BC to know without a doubt that the culture up there is kinder and gentler than even progressive western Washington State; after all BC legalized gay marriage waaay back in 2003 and 2) I met a Canadian who agreed to marry me (in 2015). Its taken until this July to make the move.

Yes. Canada. By marriage.

I tell people now that if Obama was in office, it would make it harder to leave the US-- but I'd still go. After Trump's recent moment of joy during the Republican convention, I was happy to head north and not look back. Now with Kamala apparently taking the reins I'm still glad we made the move (from Seattle to Vancouver). Culturally there is just so much more CALM up here. Vancouver is a very big city-- even so most people here are open, accepting, engaging, kind. Even civil, usually, when in their cars. Seattle by comparison-- as progressive as it is relative to the rest of the lower 48-- is full of stressed out people who are apparently always late; racing rats in a car-centric ring of Dante's Hell. Mind you I drive a car in Seattle all the time-- but I know what its like to ride a bicycle there. (While on a bike I was rear-ended by a car in White Center in daylight while pausing at a stop sign. The fender was shredded but I walked away. The helmet saved me.

I see good things looking forward for at least the next four years. I think Trumpsters are on their heels at least for the moment. Its that inevitable pendulum swing, currently moving the cultural dial a tiny bit left (thank gawd I'm not trans btw). Maybe for a little while progressives in the US will have their moment. (Meanwhile up here we'll soon be saying goodbye to Justin Trudeau and hello to Pierre Poilievre and his Conservative party). As for me, no regrets what so ever. Even Pierre will be a pale shadow of social conservatism compared to the MAGA crowd.