To begin with, this isn't a personal attack Ed, trust me...just wanted to explain why I made that post...

No Marc. Re-read my post please. I never "said most of the country" can't read.

Well, ok, you said "He (Gene) thinks the percentage of W's fan base"... (half the country like it or not) ..."were rednecks and "I think the percentage is much much higher". 

I was wondering to myself "rednecks", why does that word pop up so often in liberal vernacular? That's about as derogatory as a conservative saying that liberals are all elitist birkenstock wearin', kumbaya singin', tree huggin' pansies...or would that be a compliment? I don't know...but it seems offensive either way to me. It just isn't a productive way to convince a conservative of your viewpoint. Or are you simply wanting to preach to the choir here?

The post was meant as a snide dig at Laura Ingraham (and yes, I have listened to her show) and anyone who would cite her as an authority on anything other then pandering. She is a an opportunist riding the current right wing fashion and making a good living whipping idiots into a lather. And I bet most of her followers read at a sixth grade level. Sorry for the overstatement....

Well I'll totally agree with you on the "opportunist riding the current wave whipping idiots into a lather" statement.  But that differs from the left's Michael Moore in what way?  I am totally confused now.

What is the point of your posting the demographic map of the 2000 election? Everyone knows Al Gore won the popular vote.

No, not everyone does. At least half the country doesn't, nor does The US Supreme Court.  Haven't you ever read, the NORC study?  If not, you can read it [here].  No, I'm afraid anyone who still believes that, including Mr. Gore himself, is in complete denial.

All that red on the map represents vast empty spaces.

Empty? I don't think so, but if you mean lacking the population of the coasts, well then perhaps you have a point to some degree.

Now I could use that "vast empty spaces" metaphor as a cheap shot but I'm a bigger guy than that. Truth is, nobody lives out there; so even though all that land appears red and went for Bush it doesn't mean anything.

Oh yes, there are people out there. Lot's of them too. And the fact that they went for Bush DOES mean something. It means Bush is the President.

Lastly, what's with the "food on the table" comment? Do you think I'm on food stamps or that my own (more than) full time job doesn't produce wealth for others to put food on the table?

First, no, I don't think you're on food stamps and I'm sure you do fine in providing for your family. I made that comment exactly because you DID dismiss that red area as vast empty space on the map, which you should already know is where the majority of the food that winds up on your table is grown or raised... by the very folks you consider to be redneck, illiterate Bush supporters.  Yes, you can work a full time job to purchase it, but you have to have somebody to purchase it from to begin with.  I just don't think it's right to look down your nose at your suppliers...it smacks of ....hhhmmm.....elitism?

Whose table do you put food on?

Mine, but I do respect who I got it from.

Am I alone in this?

not by a long shot