On Sept. 10, 2023, as I pulled up to the pump at my local filling station, a looming, white pickup truck came in behind me. The other driver was quicker getting out of her vehicle (because I lumbered gathering together cash).
I stepped inside to pay and found her jabbering away with the clerk; she had a friendly mile-a-minute mouth. She spoke about how bad is the economy when the last person to fill up could only afford $3.75 of gas. Context: Price at the pump paid in cash or by debit card was $5.50. So that customer got less than one gallon’s worth.
“I used to work for Trump!” she continued. There was more equality, because the economy was so much better under Trump and created more opportunities for everyone. Chopping the air with her hands, she continued: “They’re trying to divide us”, explaining about increasing racial and economic class tensions. Oh, did I mention that she is black? I call out race, since stereotypically all Trump supporters are supposed to be (racist) white males.
Stepping outside, I heard her talking into the air to Joseph Biden—as if he could hear her. She blamed him for the price of gas, among other things. Interestingly, a Toyota Prius pulled alongside the adjacent pump. Looked like a mom and dad sat in the back; two adult daughters hopped out to gas up. They were greeted by the flaming Biden blame fest. The family, who, incidentally, also are black, bristled at the commentary.
You know how some people look liberal (or conservative)? Manner, physical appearance, and body language gave away the leanings of this family. How funny: Lefties drove their fancy hybrid Prius (how is that not stereotypical), while the conservative (and former military) schlepped along in the big pickup truck.
Let’s talk Featured Image, which was shot using Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra specifically to illustrate this post. I don’t just happen to have Trump paraphernalia laying around, so I made due with the flag logo on one of my T-Shirts. Vitals: f/2.2, ISO 500, 1/30 sec, 13mm (film equivalent); 6:45 p.m. PDT, today.
Gotta say, this part of San Diego is liberal land. When I wear this tee, the waters part, so to speak, as I walk about. Largely, my greetings of “Good Morning” or “Good Afternoon” are ignored when I wear this shirt. By contrast, folks are friendlier and responsive when my tee is plain. Somebody tell me when Old Glory came to be so offensive to so many liberal folks?