Ahhh…Wheaton !!! I have a cousin living there. Forgot about that on the UPW. You have to go through a lot of scum hell to get there from the city.
I remember when DuPage County was staunch Republican. I don’t know what the heck happened there ! Maybe Rauner scared them. Still JB, the asshat he is does throw his weight around, so maybe he bought a few people. My hope is someday he’ll join Madigan in the pokey.
Not likely….Pritzker family is part of the OG corrupt oligarch. Penny Pritzker & co got unknown Obama into IL senate & presidency. They’re a way back family. Jennifer Pritzker (formerly James) has been a huge pusher of the trans lobby which is why IL is so effed up. Rumor is Gavin is being thrown under the bus with illegal migrant protests & JB comes out looking pretty for 2028….except nobody told Dems that obesity doesn’t sell no matter how rich you are!
Wheaton is my hometown. I grew up there in the 1990s and 2000s, but moved to Jacksonville, FL, in 2011. It’s sad to hear how much the city has changed for the worse. It’s interesting what you state about being unable to get books like Gender Queer out of the school libraries. In the mid 2000s, I remember the principal of my high school, Wheaton Warrenville South, rejected a gay student’s article about how it was good to come out of the closet to be included in the school newspaper because it didn’t (correctly) reflect the values of the local community and the student politely accepted the rejection without any complaints. My how times have changed! And yes, Wheaton was never considered a wealthy suburb when I lived there. It depresses me to read how “sickening progressive” it’s become.
🤔🤔🤔 you got me wondering. Which train line, which rich suburb ? West - Maybe Naperville, Lisle, Downers Grove ? North - Maybe Lake Forest (2 stations), Kenilworth, Highland Park…perhaps Libertyville ? South - uhhhhh, can’t think of too many there.
You’re describing Portland. Downtown was heaving with the protests. The revolution. The new thing. I’m leaving Portland and America in 6 months. I wish I could be sadder about it. But really I left 4 years ago as it’s not been the same since Covid, for all the reasons you describe.
Move to the Southern States, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky. Yes, the people are largely conservative but that’s why you don’t have naked bike riders.
What about Oklahoma (south, but west of AR) and Texas (southwest of AR), and the Carolinas (east and southeast of Tennessee); Florida (as well as Georgia); and Alabama / Mississippi (as well as Louisiana, which I've shied away from b/c of the ridiculous destructive weather (plus ditto reptiles)? (Also, now that I think about it, Virginia?)
I’m moving back to the UK. I’m not sure how it can be worse than Portland but I’m sure we can find a way. I’ll keep you posted. I’m currently looking up ‘volunteer work on farms in Japan” so maybe I’m secretly not so optimistic.
Oh, God, thank you for saying it. I have thought the same thing: they are not even human. When I hear or read, "don't let 'them' divide us, we have more in common than what separates us," I want to punch people's lights out. Delusional. There are no building materials to bridge the gap we're talking about.
These are people that never grew up. They so bad want it to be 1969 and they’re back at Woodstock. They’re sad, pathetic losers that think their sagging body parts are “sexy.” They’re ugly in every way a mammal can be ugly.
I played the ai voice to read it to me (I never do bc it irritates me so much) but it was kind of entertaining in this context! I’m in rural MA it’s the same here. Minus the naked cyclists 😮💨 our tiny town is full of the same, the over aged hippies with their signs today, Jesus Christ…
This that you said, sums it up perfectly: "People like this are, quite literally, the circus freaks of 100 years ago, but they believe they’re normal now."
Thank you for putting words to the disgust we all feel at being subjected to such ugliness.
Vermont naked bike ride day! I think that kind of thing goes on all the time in certain parts of So. Cal. Actually in downtown LA when I had to work down there, at any time I could see some homeless guy just drop drawers in the middle of the sidewalk and take a dump or whip it out and pee in the flower beds surrounding City Hall. I'm so glad I don't have to be down there anymore. However, now these Metro electric trains easily carry people from Long Beach, to downtown Los Angeles, to the suburbs of San Gabriel Valley as they camp out around and under a bridge on Route 66 and set fires all the time around the bicycle trail (that goes from the mountains to the beach - never ride on that alone or any other time). I hope we make it through another July 4 without a major fire because we still have a few cities that will not ban fireworks of all kinds. All cities near the foothills with dry brush should ban fireworks. We live in fear of becoming homeless because of all the idiots that like to set off all the illegal fireworks like bottle rockets, etc. that can torch the place down! We no longer live in the open Wild West of the late 1800s. We have a lot of dense housing (and more crammed in every day). I guess there is no ideal place to live. I see people posting videos of places around the world that I've never been to and have images in my head of them being lovely places, then I see that almost all these places are filled with the same fast food franchises, overcrowding, trash, graffiti, homeless on the streets, etc., and I'm glad I stay close to home also.
How unfortunate for you! As for me, I am not subjected to full body nudity in metro Atlanta, but I see greatly overweight, skimpily dressed women every time I go to the grocery store in my suburban neighborhood. Beyond belief.
I alternated between bursting out in laughter at your hilarious descriptions of these gorgons (oogly-mogly!) to near crying at the state of society. Excellent essay.
I wish I didn’t understand what you were writing about, but Columbus is heading the same way. I got a huge property tax hike last year, but the city’s gone to shit since the Summer of Floyd. Potholes no one can be bothered to fix, potheads no one can be bothered to care for, and our idiot mayor focuses on adding bike lanes and increasing recycling pickups because that’s what the trust fund hippies who elected him want. It makes me wonder whether my brother-in-law who homesteads might be onto something.
Josh, you’re so right. I hate leaving the house too for all of the reasons you initially stated. People in general have become, lawless, moral-less, and just in general royal pains in the ass. I guess if I had a choice of watching idiots march illegally for illegals or fat pale naked 90 year olds, I’m sorry, I’d take the latter. 🫣🫣
We all have to go out at one time or another. But given what’s out there these days, being a shut-in is all the more appealing. At least you have a good neighbor you can look in on.
You did outline and express this quite well. Thank you … you’re not alone in your feelings.
I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard, and at 61, that’s saying something! 🤣🤣🥹 As I wipe the tears of joy from my eyes, I can’t shake the hilarious image of those naked riders you described—those saggy breasts and the knee-length sack hanging in the breeze! Josh, you’ve truly given me sore ribs and a night full of likely vivid dreams. Thank you for this unforgettable dose of laughter! 🙏🤣🤣🤣
I laughed so hard — while also reflecting that my adopted “not really New England” state of New England, Connecticut is not so far behind — that it actually hurt! Thank you for the laugh and the tears. We’ve just preserved the veneer of faux gentility here in CT a bit longer. But our Legislators are working OT to gut those vestiges, too. We are currently fighting that HB 5002 be vetoed by Gov. Lamont. If affirmed it will literally strip all local control of zoning from towns, open every vacant lot to multi-dwelling/“affordable housing” developers at their will and without regulation (including they need not provide parking), and prevent towns from regulating public space. Town Greens could theoretically be used for homeless encampments and there would be no authority to prevent it. You could not even put in a park bench with a central arm rest bc all benches would need to be long enough for sleeping. This is the most micromanaging and aggressive destruction of local control imaginable, largely a push to destroy the cultural character of CT.
whatta hoot! yup, upschtate central newyawk has fallen similarly (worse'n fallen arches)...ya might like readin' Ben Bartee's stack--straight guy who also takes no prisoners when it comes ta trannies an' fatties who flaunt their giblets & their bacon! OMlordy--here's one but I didn't have time ta dig 'round (he too write about thangs far more serious) but also wicked-funny!
Ah, that's a hard one as I cain't speak fer the entire enchilada (an' we'ze relatively recent transplants from Brokelyn!) but Utica is purdy "special" in terms of side-show attractions as it's also fairly "woke" & has a strange mix of coke-headed zombies, poor, hipsters-trannie ahrt stewdents, dubious-dude grifters an' giant welfare mamas--but all species of such larger-than-life "whales" seem ta have the tats (even "right-leanin'" couch tater-dudes waddlin' ta git their Gatorade at the StewAhrts--which is a good place ta pee!-- have faded heavy-metal ink spannin' their hammy bare calves) highlighted by the dirty worn flip flops (all seasons!), an' oddly not just the young'uns but a fair amount of middle agers in stretch pants clearly lackin' a mirror at home seem ta sport fadin' / badly dyed purple & "blew" hair... Yikes!
That said, it's "spread" 'round a bit ta less-woke burgs that are somewhat (also) less po' such as Rome, Oneida, New Hartford.... etc. I even see it (in variation) in the more upscale ManlyYess (but I like it too lol) & Fayetteville which feature the more bougie/UpScale (that's in kilos too) versions. Cologned tan men in fugly beach boxers showin' off their gym rat bodies, hair plugs obvious & back hair peekin' out from the lime neon tank top an' it's effin' Trader Joes so cain't the man at least put on a proper shirt ta shop?! Lotta fat-girl-ho's in "blow outs" & shimmery overtight spandex talkin' trash like black rappers (with the blackccent!) an' carryin' $60 Stanley Cups with press on slutgirl nails long enuf ta open cans 'er perform emergency surgery on their weird inbred toy dogs which they allow ta sit on their laps or in the passenger seats at their peril...(an' that've the rest've us on the road). These dee-lites git the mocha-carmella frozen lattees at the StarBUCKs in the Target an' kin be seen enterin' TJ Max, credit cards poised...
The near-empty (cept fer store clerks) "Destiny USA" Mall (maul!) has Wally World GIANT massage chairs fer Sumo-Wrestler sized Big Gulp drinkers.... We tend ta avoid the Wall-Marts (yuk) but Target (practice) an' even Home DePOP offer sites fer sore eyes.... THIS is America?! Not sure if here-bouts it's wurse 'er better than other places but dang it's OOGLIE....
Ahhh…Wheaton !!! I have a cousin living there. Forgot about that on the UPW. You have to go through a lot of scum hell to get there from the city.
I remember when DuPage County was staunch Republican. I don’t know what the heck happened there ! Maybe Rauner scared them. Still JB, the asshat he is does throw his weight around, so maybe he bought a few people. My hope is someday he’ll join Madigan in the pokey.
Not likely….Pritzker family is part of the OG corrupt oligarch. Penny Pritzker & co got unknown Obama into IL senate & presidency. They’re a way back family. Jennifer Pritzker (formerly James) has been a huge pusher of the trans lobby which is why IL is so effed up. Rumor is Gavin is being thrown under the bus with illegal migrant protests & JB comes out looking pretty for 2028….except nobody told Dems that obesity doesn’t sell no matter how rich you are!
Oh, agreed. I’d still like to see his smug ass taken to task though. We can only hope, right ?
Wheaton is my hometown. I grew up there in the 1990s and 2000s, but moved to Jacksonville, FL, in 2011. It’s sad to hear how much the city has changed for the worse. It’s interesting what you state about being unable to get books like Gender Queer out of the school libraries. In the mid 2000s, I remember the principal of my high school, Wheaton Warrenville South, rejected a gay student’s article about how it was good to come out of the closet to be included in the school newspaper because it didn’t (correctly) reflect the values of the local community and the student politely accepted the rejection without any complaints. My how times have changed! And yes, Wheaton was never considered a wealthy suburb when I lived there. It depresses me to read how “sickening progressive” it’s become.
🤔🤔🤔 you got me wondering. Which train line, which rich suburb ? West - Maybe Naperville, Lisle, Downers Grove ? North - Maybe Lake Forest (2 stations), Kenilworth, Highland Park…perhaps Libertyville ? South - uhhhhh, can’t think of too many there.
Just curious 😆😆
I remember shame. Clinton’s presidency killed it.
You’re describing Portland. Downtown was heaving with the protests. The revolution. The new thing. I’m leaving Portland and America in 6 months. I wish I could be sadder about it. But really I left 4 years ago as it’s not been the same since Covid, for all the reasons you describe.
Thank you, Dan. Interested in learning more about where people can move to not be bombarded with these indecencies. Thank you for posting.
Move to the Southern States, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky. Yes, the people are largely conservative but that’s why you don’t have naked bike riders.
Already did, 15+ years ago, after some heads-ups on the direction(s) things were headed and thorough research. Thanks
What about Oklahoma (south, but west of AR) and Texas (southwest of AR), and the Carolinas (east and southeast of Tennessee); Florida (as well as Georgia); and Alabama / Mississippi (as well as Louisiana, which I've shied away from b/c of the ridiculous destructive weather (plus ditto reptiles)? (Also, now that I think about it, Virginia?)
(I was asking about other countries, BTW)
I’m moving back to the UK. I’m not sure how it can be worse than Portland but I’m sure we can find a way. I’ll keep you posted. I’m currently looking up ‘volunteer work on farms in Japan” so maybe I’m secretly not so optimistic.
I don’t know if I could go back to Germany, after living first in California, now in Michigan (❤️)
Over there, same shit different continent 😬
Yes. This is Portland to a T.
These human trolls are exhibiting pathological passive-aggression and loving every minute of it. I'm not even sure they are human.
Oh, God, thank you for saying it. I have thought the same thing: they are not even human. When I hear or read, "don't let 'them' divide us, we have more in common than what separates us," I want to punch people's lights out. Delusional. There are no building materials to bridge the gap we're talking about.
Thank you for articulating "exhibiting pathological passive-aggression." I think that many have been trying to find words to describe this phenomenon.
I agree!! That’s exactly what these flaunters/protesters are doing.
These are people that never grew up. They so bad want it to be 1969 and they’re back at Woodstock. They’re sad, pathetic losers that think their sagging body parts are “sexy.” They’re ugly in every way a mammal can be ugly.
They clearly didn't get the memo that body positivity went out the window the second Ozempic hit the market.
I played the ai voice to read it to me (I never do bc it irritates me so much) but it was kind of entertaining in this context! I’m in rural MA it’s the same here. Minus the naked cyclists 😮💨 our tiny town is full of the same, the over aged hippies with their signs today, Jesus Christ…
I’m in Florida but that sounds like central New York, oh man!
You probably remember when people didn’t wear pajamas to Walmart. I’m so sad spandex was invented. Traumatizing.
(No offense to fit folks)
I’m underweight from autoimmune issues, not judging the obese but cover it up
This that you said, sums it up perfectly: "People like this are, quite literally, the circus freaks of 100 years ago, but they believe they’re normal now."
Thank you for putting words to the disgust we all feel at being subjected to such ugliness.
Vermont naked bike ride day! I think that kind of thing goes on all the time in certain parts of So. Cal. Actually in downtown LA when I had to work down there, at any time I could see some homeless guy just drop drawers in the middle of the sidewalk and take a dump or whip it out and pee in the flower beds surrounding City Hall. I'm so glad I don't have to be down there anymore. However, now these Metro electric trains easily carry people from Long Beach, to downtown Los Angeles, to the suburbs of San Gabriel Valley as they camp out around and under a bridge on Route 66 and set fires all the time around the bicycle trail (that goes from the mountains to the beach - never ride on that alone or any other time). I hope we make it through another July 4 without a major fire because we still have a few cities that will not ban fireworks of all kinds. All cities near the foothills with dry brush should ban fireworks. We live in fear of becoming homeless because of all the idiots that like to set off all the illegal fireworks like bottle rockets, etc. that can torch the place down! We no longer live in the open Wild West of the late 1800s. We have a lot of dense housing (and more crammed in every day). I guess there is no ideal place to live. I see people posting videos of places around the world that I've never been to and have images in my head of them being lovely places, then I see that almost all these places are filled with the same fast food franchises, overcrowding, trash, graffiti, homeless on the streets, etc., and I'm glad I stay close to home also.
How unfortunate for you! As for me, I am not subjected to full body nudity in metro Atlanta, but I see greatly overweight, skimpily dressed women every time I go to the grocery store in my suburban neighborhood. Beyond belief.
I alternated between bursting out in laughter at your hilarious descriptions of these gorgons (oogly-mogly!) to near crying at the state of society. Excellent essay.
I wish I didn’t understand what you were writing about, but Columbus is heading the same way. I got a huge property tax hike last year, but the city’s gone to shit since the Summer of Floyd. Potholes no one can be bothered to fix, potheads no one can be bothered to care for, and our idiot mayor focuses on adding bike lanes and increasing recycling pickups because that’s what the trust fund hippies who elected him want. It makes me wonder whether my brother-in-law who homesteads might be onto something.
Josh, you’re so right. I hate leaving the house too for all of the reasons you initially stated. People in general have become, lawless, moral-less, and just in general royal pains in the ass. I guess if I had a choice of watching idiots march illegally for illegals or fat pale naked 90 year olds, I’m sorry, I’d take the latter. 🫣🫣
We all have to go out at one time or another. But given what’s out there these days, being a shut-in is all the more appealing. At least you have a good neighbor you can look in on.
You did outline and express this quite well. Thank you … you’re not alone in your feelings.
All this is why I have not visited any part of the USA for two decades and nor visited anywhere in North America since COVID.
Itbia also why I don't want the absurdistan tourists anywherenearr the country road I live on.
There are plenty of places in the USA that aren't like that - most red and purple states, and even most blue-state suburbs.
I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard, and at 61, that’s saying something! 🤣🤣🥹 As I wipe the tears of joy from my eyes, I can’t shake the hilarious image of those naked riders you described—those saggy breasts and the knee-length sack hanging in the breeze! Josh, you’ve truly given me sore ribs and a night full of likely vivid dreams. Thank you for this unforgettable dose of laughter! 🙏🤣🤣🤣
It makes me happy that it tickled your funny bone!
I laughed so hard — while also reflecting that my adopted “not really New England” state of New England, Connecticut is not so far behind — that it actually hurt! Thank you for the laugh and the tears. We’ve just preserved the veneer of faux gentility here in CT a bit longer. But our Legislators are working OT to gut those vestiges, too. We are currently fighting that HB 5002 be vetoed by Gov. Lamont. If affirmed it will literally strip all local control of zoning from towns, open every vacant lot to multi-dwelling/“affordable housing” developers at their will and without regulation (including they need not provide parking), and prevent towns from regulating public space. Town Greens could theoretically be used for homeless encampments and there would be no authority to prevent it. You could not even put in a park bench with a central arm rest bc all benches would need to be long enough for sleeping. This is the most micromanaging and aggressive destruction of local control imaginable, largely a push to destroy the cultural character of CT.
whatta hoot! yup, upschtate central newyawk has fallen similarly (worse'n fallen arches)...ya might like readin' Ben Bartee's stack--straight guy who also takes no prisoners when it comes ta trannies an' fatties who flaunt their giblets & their bacon! OMlordy--here's one but I didn't have time ta dig 'round (he too write about thangs far more serious) but also wicked-funny!
https://armageddonprose.substack.com/p/fat-propaganda-roundup-social-justice?
Which part of Central NY is the worst?
Ah, that's a hard one as I cain't speak fer the entire enchilada (an' we'ze relatively recent transplants from Brokelyn!) but Utica is purdy "special" in terms of side-show attractions as it's also fairly "woke" & has a strange mix of coke-headed zombies, poor, hipsters-trannie ahrt stewdents, dubious-dude grifters an' giant welfare mamas--but all species of such larger-than-life "whales" seem ta have the tats (even "right-leanin'" couch tater-dudes waddlin' ta git their Gatorade at the StewAhrts--which is a good place ta pee!-- have faded heavy-metal ink spannin' their hammy bare calves) highlighted by the dirty worn flip flops (all seasons!), an' oddly not just the young'uns but a fair amount of middle agers in stretch pants clearly lackin' a mirror at home seem ta sport fadin' / badly dyed purple & "blew" hair... Yikes!
That said, it's "spread" 'round a bit ta less-woke burgs that are somewhat (also) less po' such as Rome, Oneida, New Hartford.... etc. I even see it (in variation) in the more upscale ManlyYess (but I like it too lol) & Fayetteville which feature the more bougie/UpScale (that's in kilos too) versions. Cologned tan men in fugly beach boxers showin' off their gym rat bodies, hair plugs obvious & back hair peekin' out from the lime neon tank top an' it's effin' Trader Joes so cain't the man at least put on a proper shirt ta shop?! Lotta fat-girl-ho's in "blow outs" & shimmery overtight spandex talkin' trash like black rappers (with the blackccent!) an' carryin' $60 Stanley Cups with press on slutgirl nails long enuf ta open cans 'er perform emergency surgery on their weird inbred toy dogs which they allow ta sit on their laps or in the passenger seats at their peril...(an' that've the rest've us on the road). These dee-lites git the mocha-carmella frozen lattees at the StarBUCKs in the Target an' kin be seen enterin' TJ Max, credit cards poised...
The near-empty (cept fer store clerks) "Destiny USA" Mall (maul!) has Wally World GIANT massage chairs fer Sumo-Wrestler sized Big Gulp drinkers.... We tend ta avoid the Wall-Marts (yuk) but Target (practice) an' even Home DePOP offer sites fer sore eyes.... THIS is America?! Not sure if here-bouts it's wurse 'er better than other places but dang it's OOGLIE....
Dude, I so feel you. I live in Portland. Sweet Jesus😳