Those Not Welcome in Oregon

As I mentioned, at times much of the discussion we had with our housemates centered the issues of being an uncover Trump supporter in a liberal area, to the point of fearing for one's physical safety. Along these lines, Erika and Rick had many observation regarding both Oregon and California.

But at least in Oregon, that wasn't the only threat they faced. As it happens, while they were living in Eugene, the car that Erika owned was a battered well-used Toyota Prius that he had more or less inherited from a friend who had recently passed away. The car bore California plates, which is not uncommon to see in Oregon.

Of course, as anyone who has lived in Oregon knows, there has long been an antipathy towards Californians that has ranged from manifestations of "Oregon Pride" (such as appeared in the 1986 gubernatorial campaign), to downright contempt of those arriving from south of the border (the Oregon-California border that is, not the U.S.---Mexican border of course!).

But as with the hub-hub over White Supremacy winning the Super Bowl, I had not anticipated how bad things had gotten in regarding to this issue. What has simmered below the surface is now breaking into overt expression. Rick and Erika reported two separate incidents in Eugene that occurred while they were in traffic, in which a nearby motorist had rolled down their window to express extreme displeasure at their presence, manifestly because of their license plates.

These incidents were but one of the factors that made Rick and Erika reconsider their entire plan of buying property in the Northwest. Everything around Eugene seemed too expensive.

"The owners are just sitting on things, waiting for the Californians to arrive and pay top dollar," said Rick.

In any case, they were both relieved when the deal they set up in Eastern Washington fell through, forcing them to reboot their entire plan.

Moreover, the Prius is now history, having been sold while they were in Santa Cruz to empty Erika's storage unit.

While the packed up their recently purchased SUV in our driveway yesterday, almost ready to hit to the road, I mused about their destination, which would take them many days of driving to reach.

"It's sort of ironic that you're going to Maine," I told Rick. "It goes back to an old nativist Oregon thing, called the James G. Blaine Society."

I explained that Blaine was a one-time U.S Senator from Maine in the late 19th century. At one time he was nominated as the Republican candidate for President, to run against Grover Cleveland. During the campaign, Blaine visited every U.S. state except for Oregon.

Then in 1960's, when many native Oregonians felt the state was becoming too crowded with newcomers (in a way that was ruining the natural environment), a well-known Oregon historian formed a tongue-and-cheek society named for Blaine as an encouragement for others to avoid visiting the state.

I added that I had visited the Blaine mansion in Augusta. "It's right across from the capitol," I added, pretending as if I were welcoming them to Maine. It's such a pleasure playing host to good folks.