An interesting map in which geography is weighted by population density.
I've been watching the miniseries "North and South", a 20-hour Civil War drama. Methinks history is repeating.
People, now as then, are increasingly pressed to choose sides. A key point in such ideological division leading to conflict is the need for a clear geographic division, whereby people can physically position themselves as "us vs. them" and overcome psychological barriers preventing a physical manifestation of ideological self-defense.
Visualizations such as the by-county and by-population-density maps are critical to quickly convincing people that we are one nation with variances in political preference. Without it, ideologically stressed people may be swayed quickly toward civil strife by "ha-ha only serious" dark humor such as the Jesusland map. Once people convince themselves of geographic us-vs-them divisions of ideology, strife follows.
Take them seriously. The only thing they lack is a leader he11-bent on power by any means necessary, one who needs followers and has swaying us-vs-them rhetoric. (Can you say ... Hillary?)
What I'm hoping for is success in Iraq followed by a run by Giuliani. That would end most of the divisiveness.
Failure in Iraq and/or a collapse of the economy might result in chaos.
An interesting map in which geography is weighted by population density.