I don't think it's a West Coast/East Coast thing. I think it is the desire for some to fill a vacuum. Sometimes they fill one that doesn't exist and that causes trouble.
The OG's have always fought for the image of "respectability" which IMHO is impossible to reach. We will never get any love publically because we are a forum. Forums cannot tightly control what is said because they are forums. The only thing you can do is control who SEES what gets said and I haven't seen any indications that is a desire. In the meantime, I think we overreact in order to reach for that "respectability" ghost.
Two things keep us in the loop: Faster news dissemination and the DC Chapter activities. We were first/best in the cycle on things like Columbine and 9/11. It sure beats flipping channels.
In reality, I believe this is true...my point was that the lack of face-to-face communication has lead to the lack of understanding between the two sides. The East/West Rivalry is a little too reminiscent of the HipHop wars...LOL!!
FReegards...MUD