Does America really have only 11 main cultures? That's what a new map by Colin Woodard suggests, and it has lots of people arguing. I grew up in Yankeedom (Cleveland), went to school in the Midlands (Saint Louis), and now live in Tidewater. Naturally, Saint Louis and Cleveland are more similar to each other than either are to Washington, D.C., but the map seems to get Ohio mostly correct. Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati are all culturally very different. And one thing I appreciate is that the East Coast is divided up. As much as people (rightly) despite being labeled as "flyovers," people on the East Coast don't like the overly broad label either. Bill Kristol on the Jamie Weinstein Show. Our esteemed editor at large joined Jamie's podcast at National Review to discuss year one of President Trump. Take a listen. Congratulations are in order! For the ever talented Katherine Mangu-Ward—a former TWS reporter—who has taken over as editor in chief of all Reason content--print, digital, and video. If you're not already a subscriber, you should become one. Joe Arpaio is a bad candidate. Warren Henry has a good take at the Federalist as to why Joe Arpaio would probably cost the GOP another seat in the U.S. Senate. Arizona Republicans may have to ask themselves whether nominating an octogenarian who thinks illegal immigrants are a bigger priority than murderers and rapists, and who has a track record of abusing his power is worth possibly losing another Senate seat in a year when the electoral map greatly favors the GOP. The liberal tears that would surely follow an Arpaio nomination would be tasty, but would they really be worth it? Knowing a little bit about Arizona politics, I suspect Henry's fears that a divided primary could result in GOP nominee Arpaio are definitely well founded. Of course, a lot depends on who wins the Democratic nomination, but make no mistake: it's going to be a bumpy road through Arizona. Headlines that aren't made up: "Nancy Pelosi is going to be a guest judge on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars’" Wazed and confused. A New Jersey suburb wants to go Full Christie. But rather than shut down a bridge, they want to fine outsiders for driving through their suburb during rush hour, a problem that has increased since traffic apps have sent commuters that way during rush hour. Naturally, I doubt such a plan would survive legal scrutiny, but it's an interesting addition to the neo-Luddite movement. Here's how they plan to execute this new strategy: Leonia's police department plans to distribute yellow tags for residents to hang in their cars and employee/visitor tags for motorists who have a viable reason for driving through the town regularly. Waze is great, but it's not perfect and without unintended consequences. During the California wildfires, Waze suggested drivers head toward the fires. Of course the roads were clearer there. —Jim Swift, Deputy Online Editor Please feel free to send us comments, thoughts and links to dailystandard@weeklystandard.com. -30- |