It should not be any surprise that I have thoughts about what occurred over the weekend. Even as I find immense joy in Australia, there is still no escaping the horror resounding from the States.

I did not divulge it in my letters but, although I am a born-and-raised Oregonian, Minnesota is my father’s home state. It’s a state in which I have spent significant amounts of my life. What’s happening there is heartbreaking, but it also has revealed some facts that I have known for some time.

1. Minnesota and Oregon are siblings. They entered the Union as the 32nd and 33rd states respectively and while both have taken different paths in politics, their history as Northwestern territories and lumber states means they come from a common origin.
2. Minnesota is the only state that has seen through the bullshit that is the Republican party since Eisenhower left. My grandfather was a canvasser for the Democratic Farmer-Laborers party. It’s a party distinct from (but still caucuses with) the Democrats and one that retains connections and represents worker interests, something the Democrats at large should fucking try sometime. Per my grandfather’s words: “I liked Ike.” He didn’t like what came after. Nor did Minnesota; they have gone blue every election since 1960 and will probably continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
3. Minnesota was the first state to offer volunteers to the Union in the Civil War (mind you they had just been admitted as a state naught but three years prior) and the 1st Minnesota were pivotal in keeping the line at Gettysburg and capturing the colours of the opposing 28th Virginia regiment. But here’s where it gets interesting: Minnesota kept the flag, and it is owned by the Minnesota Historical Society. Every time Virginia legislators or others have requested it back, the society has said no. In the words of the former governor, Jesse Ventura, “Why? I mean, we won.”

In short, all these facts point to to a fear that the United States has entered a state of Civil War; one side just hasn’t started shooting back yet.

However, the current administration fucked up by messing with Minnesotans. That whole “Minnesota Nice” thing? It’s a kind facade to the fact that one should fear the wrath of a gentle people. Once you break the facade, they will brook no shit.

Minnesota and Oregon are now two states are on the front line of resistance against a tyrannical executive branch. I could not be happier with the fact that I have ties to both.

Kick some ass, Minnesota, and give no flag back.