Exactly. I had to laugh when the article mentioned "the true grit" of the West, as if this is just supposed to be a local phenomenon, unworthy of our more "cultured" types. I'm definitely not out to belittle westerners, and indeed I salute them, too. But hel-
lo! This isn't just "western" heritage that we're talking about; it's
American heritage - you know, American Revolution, Boston Tea Party, Whisky Rebellion - any of that ring a bell with these people?
I guess we're not supposed to talk about that stuff.