Testing the Water

 

My kid brother John is the most diehard Trump supporter I know, a real MAGA guy. Me, I’m just a conservative Republican: I voted for Trump because he wasn’t Clinton, and I’ll vote for him again because he’s still not Clinton. But John loves the guy.

Last week, while I was back in Albuquerque visiting family, my brother and I decided to do something wildly out of character: go out to our favorite sandwich place — Schlotzsky’s — wearing our approval of President Trump on our sleeves (figuratively), and then stop at Starbucks for a cup of coffee.

That’s his hat I’m wearing: I don’t actually like Trump well enough to buy a hat, and anyway I think “MAGA” is an ugly acronym. But for the sake of the experiment I was happy to wear it.

The sandwiches were great. They always are: a Schlotzsky’s Original on sourdough with jalapeños is about as good as fast food gets, in my opinion. I got the large, 1,550 calories of spicy deliciousness. Then we headed to Starbucks, where I got what I always get, a large dark-roast, black, and he a medium medium roast with half-and-half. Don’t judge him: he’s a great guy and no sissy.

For the next hour, we sat in the chairs in front of Starbucks, basking in the mid-afternoon New Mexico sun … waiting for someone to say something.

We were approached twice. Shortly after we arrived, a shaggy 20-something Starbucks customer stepped away from his laptop, walked up to us, and said “thank you for being willing to support our President.” I thought that was an interesting phrasing, the “being willing” part, as if unobtrusively expressing support for a guy half the electorate voted for is somehow an act of political derring-do. But I think that’s the point we’ve reached.

Half an hour later an older fellow walked up and suggested that, if we stayed out in the sun, we were in danger of getting a tan. Rather than take that as a crack about our general pallor, I figured he was just a guy trying to express friendliness — at least, non-hostility — without actually voicing a political position. So we chatted for a minute or two about the unseasonably terrific weather, the possibility of an El Niño event this year (growing), and the state of the Albuquerque aquifer (improving, apparently). Then he wished us a nice weekend and was on his way.

That’s it. No one else accosted us or expressed any kind of disapproval. We got a few glances, but none that I could confidently characterize as critical or even uneasy.

New Mexico is a blue state, and I expected some kind of reaction. I was mentally prepared to be a model of civility, a calm voice of reason in the face of inchoate rage. The last thing I expected was to end the outing having experienced only positive feedback.

I wonder if the crazy people are less common than anecdote suggests.

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  1. JosePluma Coolidge
    JosePluma
    @JosePluma

    Great view of the Sandias in the background; one of the few things I miss about New Mexico.

    • #1
  2. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Don’t they show up mostly where they are told to show up either because  an event or because Trump supporters are customarily at some site? They can’t pay enough of them to be everywhere.

    I salute you guys as well.

    • #2
  3. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    JosePluma (View Comment):

    Great view of the Sandias in the background; one of the few things I miss about New Mexico.

    Yeah, I miss the Rockies too. (You’re looking east in the picture; pretty sure those are the Manzanos you see. ;) )

    • #3
  4. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Good work, guys.

    With a light-medium roast you taste the coffee. With a dark roast you taste the roast.  There is such a thing as coffee roasted too light, though. I’m not yet coffee-snob enough to go to extremes.  

    • #4
  5. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Good work, guys.

    With a light-medium roast you taste the coffee. With a dark roast you taste the roast. There is such a thing as coffee roasted too light, though. I’m not yet coffee-snob enough to go to extremes.

    Thank G-d taste is a highly personal, subjective thing. Otherwise I’d be tempted to castigate your gustatory peccadilloes. 

    • #5
  6. Hammer, The (Ryan M) Inactive
    Hammer, The (Ryan M)
    @RyanM

    I really hope it is not an El Niño year. Will ruin the snow in the Pacific NorthWest!

    • #6
  7. Al French, sad sack Moderator
    Al French, sad sack
    @AlFrench

    Albuquerque May be blue, but it isn’t Portland. Why don’t you come here and repeat your experiment?

    • #7
  8. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Al French, sad sack (View Comment):

    Albuquerque May be blue, but it isn’t Portland. Why don’t you come here and repeat your experiment?

    That’s why they weren’t there, they were in Portland, where they live.

    • #8
  9. Boss Mongo Member
    Boss Mongo
    @BossMongo

    Henry Racette: New Mexico is a blue state, and I expected some kind of reaction. I was mentally prepared to be a model of civility, a calm voice of reason in the face of inchoate rage.

    C’mon, Henry.  Somewhere down deep, maybe just an itty-bitty, teeny-tiny, eensy-weensy part of you hoped something kicked off.

    Confirm/deny.

    Also, I know you don’t like MAGA. 

    I do.  Know why?

    Ya can’t say KRAV MAGA without it!

    • #9
  10. JudithannCampbell Member
    JudithannCampbell
    @

    We live in Western Mass; my husband wears a Trump hat from time to time. No one has ever given him the slightest bit of flack, although we live in a fairly purple/red part of the Commonwealth. Before the election, we knew a guy who used to wear a Trump hat to Northampton, which is a Western Mass version of Portland, but not really: he received some funny looks, but no one gave him any trouble either. I don’t know what to make of this: Northampton is very leftist, but apparently very different from Portland: Northampton is very clean, and really a beautiful town. No violence or anything like that, and according to our source, you can wear a Trump hat there and no one will bother you, although they will look at you funny :)

    Why are some leftists so much crazier than others? I wonder about these things :)

    • #10
  11. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Boss Mongo (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: New Mexico is a blue state, and I expected some kind of reaction. I was mentally prepared to be a model of civility, a calm voice of reason in the face of inchoate rage.

    C’mon, Henry. Somewhere down deep, maybe just an itty-bitty, teeny-tiny, eensy-weensy part of you hoped something kicked off.

    Confirm/deny.

    Also, I know you don’t like MAGA.

    I do. Know why?

    Ya can’t say KRAV MAGA without it!

    Heh. No, it isn’t that — shoot, I like practically everything Israeli and lethal. I just think it’s an ugly acronym. The truth, while I used to teach defensive shooting and I used to compete with a handgun, I’ve never studied any kind of martial art.

    I’d have been delighted if someone had been obnoxious, but I wouldn’t have wanted it to get physical, because I really don’t want to hurt people: I don’t think it works well for the cause of conservatism, however satisfying it might be. I’m not a pacifist — the one time I was in a lethal confrontation, adrenaline and brute strength worked (decisively) in my favor, for all my lack of martial knowledge — but I’d like real, and not Pyrrhic, victories.

     

     
    • #11
  12. Boss Mongo Member
    Boss Mongo
    @BossMongo

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    I’d have been delighted if someone had been obnoxious, but I wouldn’t have wanted it to get physical, because I really don’t want to hurt people: I don’t think it works well for the cause of conservatism, however satisfying it might be.

    Concur.  When I wear the MAGA hat (and, it’s not the red “Make America Great Again” hat; sorry, love the message but that’s just retarded.  It’s literally a black (quality) ballcap with MAGA emblazoned in orange) I’m the most polite dude you’ll ever run into.

    Okay, I’m always the most polite dude you’ll ever run into, but when I put on the MAGA, I’m a regular li’l Miss Manners.

    • #12
  13. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Boss Mongo (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    I’d have been delighted if someone had been obnoxious, but I wouldn’t have wanted it to get physical, because I really don’t want to hurt people: I don’t think it works well for the cause of conservatism, however satisfying it might be.

    Concur. When I wear the MAGA hat (and, it’s not the red “Make America Great Again” hat; sorry, love the message but that’s just retarded. It’s literally a black (quality) ballcap with MAGA emblazoned in orange) I’m the most polite dude you’ll ever run into.

    Okay, I’m always the most polite dude you’ll ever run into, but when I put on the MAGA, I’m a regular li’l Miss Manners.

    “Miss Manners.”

    LOLing out loud. ;)

    • #13
  14. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    I used to have a NOBAMA bumper sticker on my back bumper.  I live in deep-blue Western Washington, and whenever I was at the gas station, whoever was behind me always gave me a smile and thumbs-up.  There seem to be a fairly large number of closeted conservatives out here.

    On Halloween, my “costume” is going to be MAGA hat, Trump t-shirt, and signs on my desk and to carry for Trump Campaigns.  Scary!  Most of my coworkers know my sentiments, and not one has objected.  I pass out Ricochet cards whenever I can.  Recruiting for the cause.

    • #14
  15. Gossamer Cat Coolidge
    Gossamer Cat
    @GossamerCat

    Henry Racette: I wonder if the crazy people are less common than anecdote suggests.

    I have to believe this is true.  

    • #15
  16. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    Sorry, can’t do Starbucks for any reason. And I love the lemon cake and a white chocolate mocha latte with whipped cream. Together. But they got on my last nerve with the day of diversity training for all. 

    Great experiment though. My husband has a wide variety of offensive t-shirts which he wears every day – we live in a fairly purple county – and gets some dirty looks, but that’s about all.

    My bumper sticker is : To Do List – Pray, Vote, Buy More Ammo. I get lots of likes on it.

    • #16
  17. Boss Mongo Member
    Boss Mongo
    @BossMongo

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Good work, guys.

    With a light-medium roast you taste the coffee. With a dark roast you taste the roast. There is such a thing as coffee roasted too light, though. I’m not yet coffee-snob enough to go to extremes.

    Thank G-d taste is a highly personal, subjective thing. Otherwise I’d be tempted to castigate your gustatory peccadilloes.

    Okay.  Not that I’m trying to pump an all-veteran, true-blue ‘Murican coffee, but give Black Rifle Coffee Company a shot.  Personally, I’m a huge fan of their “blacker than black” roast.  But they’re awesome.  As I just commented elsewhere, they don’t need a schtick.  But how can you not love these guys:

    • #17
  18. OkieSailor Member
    OkieSailor
    @OkieSailor

    Henry Racette: I wonder if the crazy people are less common than anecdote suggests.

    I have no doubt they are. However, the real question is how many in the muddled middle will have their votes influenced by the crazy people? And which way? Can’t wait to see how this turns out.

    • #18
  19. Simon Templar Member
    Simon Templar
    @

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):
    My bumper sticker is : To Do List – Pray, Vote, Buy More Ammo. I get lots of likes on it.

    RicoComment of the Day.

    • #19
  20. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    This is another example of how Twitter/MSM aren’t real life.  I don’t believe you can take a sample of fascist douchebags in someplace like Portland and extrapolate that we are close to a shooting war in the country at large.  It still holds true where I travel that “who did you vote for?” is not anywhere near close to the first question people ask one another.

    On a side note, I have a similar hat that says “Make Concrete Great Again”.  lol   Gets a lot of double takes.  hehehe

    ?

     

    • #20
  21. Songwriter Inactive
    Songwriter
    @user_19450

    Concretevol (View Comment):
    …Twitter/MSM aren’t real life.

    Now there’s a pretty good bumper sticker.

    • #21
  22. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Good for you, @henryracette! Yeah, I suspect people overall are pretty tolerant. The noisy ones get the attention (which is precisely want they want), and we shouldn’t assume everyone is as nutty as they are. BTW, that’s your brother? He looks LOTS younger than you. No offense. ;-)

    • #22
  23. David Carroll Thatcher
    David Carroll
    @DavidCarroll

    Viewpoint tolerance is the American ideal.  I am glad to see it is alive and well in Albuquerque, one of my favorite places.

    • #23
  24. Hammer, The (Ryan M) Inactive
    Hammer, The (Ryan M)
    @RyanM

    Al French, sad sack (View Comment):

    Albuquerque May be blue, but it isn’t Portland. Why don’t you come here and repeat your experiment?

    … they’d likely be assaulted. 

    You’d get comments in Seattle, too. Of course, people in Seattle have been accused of a lot of things, but “nice” is one I’ve never heard.

    • #24
  25. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Henry Racette: They always are: a Schlotzsky’s Original on sourdough with jalapeños is about as good as fast food gets, in my opinion. I got the large, 1,550 calories of spicy deliciousness.

    Their buns are fantastic.  That’s what really sets their sandwiches apart.

    • #25
  26. George Townsend Inactive
    George Townsend
    @GeorgeTownsend

    Thanks for the piece, Henry. Nice.

    I would rather wear a Disney Hat, than a MAGA one. I’d prefer Micky, but even Goofy would be preferable to something call MAGA. As much as I dislike Trump, I would never think of going up to anyone, and bothering them over their politics. Who does that? It is none of my business. No matter what I think, let people alone. This what our Narcissistic/Solipsistic culture has come to. It is sad.

    • #26
  27. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    Henry Racette: They always are: a Schlotzsky’s Original on sourdough with jalapeños is about as good as fast food gets, in my opinion. I got the large, 1,550 calories of spicy deliciousness.

    Their buns are fantastic. That’s what really sets their sandwiches apart.

    I usually get the Original on sourdough, too, but I’ve never ordered the large size.  If I know what’s good for me I just order a small, but sometimes I don’t know what’s good for me.  

    • #27
  28. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    George Townsend (View Comment):

    Thanks for the piece, Henry. Nice.

    I would rather wear a Disney Hat, than a MAGA one. I’d prefer Micky, but even Goofy would be preferable to something call MAGA. As much as I dislike Trump, I would never think of going up to anyone, and bothering them over their politics. Who does that? It is none of my business. No matter what I think, let people alone. This what our Narcissistic/Solipsistic culture has come to. It is sad.

    I hear you, George. I don’t like the sound of “MAGA,” and I find some of the more thoughtless sound-bites associated with it to be unpleasant.

    But think about it. For a moment, try not to hear it as a slogan associated with a man you don’t like, but rather as an expression of value: “Make America great again.”

    One can argue (as I have) that America has always been great and still is. One can argue (as the left does) that America never was great and isn’t now. But one can also, I think, be perfectly justified in arguing this:

    “‘Make America great again’ is an expression of love for what America has traditionally represented: individual liberty, limited government, equality of opportunity, social and economic mobility, rule of law, freedom of conscience, and self-governance. It’s an expression of love for those things, but also an expression of the suspicion that we have wandered too far from them in too many ways, and that we are in danger of no longer valuing or preserving those things. And so it’s a call to re-embrace those principles.”

    I find much to like in that interpretation of the phrase, and I suspect a great many of us who voted for Trump would say that, yes, that’s what we had in mind when we voted for him: preservation and restoration of those aspects of America that we love.

    Not a Mickey Mouse idea, that.

    • #28
  29. George Townsend Inactive
    George Townsend
    @GeorgeTownsend

    Henry Racette (View Comment):
    “‘Make America great again’ is an expression of love for what America has traditionally represented: individual liberty, limited government, equality of opportunity, social and economic mobility, rule of law, freedom of conscience, and self-governance. It’s an expression of love for those things, but also an expression of the suspicion that we have wandered too far from them in too many ways, and that we are in danger of no longer valuing or preserving those things. And so it’s a call to re-embrace those principles.”

    I do like that you write above. Knowing you, as I think I do – from your writings anyway – I would expect no less.

    It shows you how much people can say the same identical things, and, depending who the person is, the thought turns us either on or off. I believe Ronald Reagan used the expression. I’m pretty sure Bill Clinton did also. Now, these are very different people. If there are people who I respect less than Trump, they would be the Clintons. I believe I know the late great Ronald Reagan’s heart as much as one can know by reading about the person. So my reactions are colored that way. 

    By the way, I don’t wear hats generally. A cap if it is really cold. But if someone were to send me a Reagan cap I’d wear it proudly! :-)

    • #29
  30. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    We were in Santa Fe for three days last month.  I love New Mexico.  It’s too beautiful a state to be run by blues.

    Wanted to try Schlotzsky’s where I saw one, but the wife had other ideas.  Maybe next trip . . .

    • #30
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