Ice arrest in a rural Montana town pushed a deeply conservative community to take action

[Amaryllis]

In a northeastern corner of Montana sits the small town of Froid. Rural and deeply conservative, it backed President Trump during every one of his White House runs. But earlier this year, when federal immigration agents detained one of the town's longtime residents, this tight knit community pushed back.

[Aristus]

1. You wouldn't have had to "push back" if you hadn't fucking voted for Trump!

Dickheads!

"Well, I guess since we live in East Nowheresville, Population: 12, Collective IQ: 10, that we have to vote for Trump. It's just what we do."

Eat shit and die, hicks!

[2naSalit]

3. Painful as it was...

They learned a number of valuable lessons, and there is change that comes with the knowledge they now have. Won't work on some but it did with many others.

I lived in small towns in Montana for decades, some a little to left, some not. The eastern half of the state is real red while a lot of the western half, with most of the cities and attractions, are more open and liberal-ish. Was a purple state when I moved there. Could be again soon from what I hear from friends there.

[progressoid]

4. And they'll do it again.

I don't know these people but I know people like this. Introspection is not a strong point with them.

[2naSalit]

2. There were...

Quite a few towns that were pissed about that and a couple who weren't. Judges at that level, are elected in Montana. Fortunately a small majority are reasonable people.

[hatrack]

5. Lah-dee-fucking-dah . . .

"This had to do with one of US!! Gonna raise hell! Minneapolis? What"s that?"

[Skittles]

6. such a CHRISTIAN attitude

hypocrites!

[OC375]

7. It's a great start!

Next step is to vote Blue.

Everyone is welcome.

Bring a friend.

[orangecrush]

8. I'm amazed by how many hate hearing good news

About when ordinary people put decency before politics.

Reinforcing the stereotype of Democrats as being elitist snobs who look down on "hicks" and "hillbillies".

There are progressive Democrats in trailer parks, rural small towns, and farmhouses.

I know some of them.

And registration to any party is not a prerequisite for being a good person or standing up for what is right.


Enough already.

[Amaryllis]

9. They also have much more limited media from which to form their opinions.

[LuvLoogie]

10. If all they read was the Bible, then they would know

that trump was a sin sucking racist piece of shit. They know it, though. It's why they voted for him.

[orangecrush]

14. Many of them voted for him

And the vast majority stood up to him for this man.

[LuvLoogie]

18. My cat, who is an asshole, had another sparrow in its mouth this morning.

He tried to bring it in the house. My wife, who was outside watering, managed to get Syd to release the bird, which flew off to freedom--
this time.

I hear ya, though. I remain skeptical of any lasting change, however. Doesn't mean we don't keep trying. But I think trying means to lead by example. When you have Democrats like Ossoff and Warnoff voting for the Laken Riley Act, rather than spending the intellectual energy to argue that this law is a bad idea that further perpetuates institutionalized white supremacy, our example fades into political expediency.

These rurals get that. It's why the rurals respect AoC, Talarico, Bernie. It's not that hard.

[orangecrush]

21. I get it

My Bombay is indoor, but watches birds with ill intent through the window.



Pretty much agree with what you said.

[orangecrush]

22. Also a limited exposure to other races and cultures

Which is why it's easy for them to believe Fox lies

Until they meet someone who is a great person that is different from them.

Then all the hate propaganda falls apart.

[chia]

13. Exactly. The fact that rural Montana stood up for this man... that's a big thing. Minds were changed.

That's what we need. That gives me hope.

[orangecrush]

15. Same here

[OC375]

16. Politics has moved to the "join or die, now, and no takebacks" phase. Hurt people, hurt people.

We're sick with rage, depressed by the climate, and the loudest people want payback, reckoning, and yes... revenge.

We are firmly in "dig two graves" revenge territory.

I do it too sometimes, and it will be our end.

[Initech]

11. You get what you vote for!

Don't vote for Trump. Stop watching Fox.

[erronis]

12. Great program by PBS. I'm glad it's still kicking!

Thanks, Amaryllis.

[Mysterian]

17. Montana is becoming a shithole like West Virginia thanks to republicans

Throw a good man like Tester out of the Senate for a piece of shit grifter like Sheehy and put republicans in total control of the state. Republicans in Montana will get everything they deserve. Pollution and poverty.

[edhopper]

19. Get back to me

when we see how they vote in November.
My guess is it's still solid GOP, which would mean they learned nothing.