That being said, the topic is with merit, but further, and without going into cynical politics, let me add that perhaps I have noticed a slight tension and/or utter shock at my appearance in certain public areas. I will say that I don't think it's as bad as was pointed out, but I will also admit my window into the world is basically limited to what I see here in the hills of Appalachia.
This is an important point, because my region of the planet is highly conservative, religious, right wing, and basically, unchallenged. What I mean by this is the far (religious) right has a safe and firm grip on this area and that's not likely to change anytime soon. Most of our local elections, as well as state elections (from local districts) are uncontested Republican races. Democrats need not apply, even if you're a "Blue Dog Democrat". And not just any Republican will do. On our primaries, the winner is generally the more right wing of the others. A northern or west coast Republican also need not apply.
So, the result of all of this is that what few liberal minded people there are here are generally not seen as a threat to the conservative way of life. Thus, there isn't really a major push back. Though I'm not really liberal minded, I'm sure I come off that way to many both in my opinions and my dress. (My opinions generally lean Libertarian, but I generally realize that I'm a political idiot and will be the first to admit that when it comes to public policy, I don't know what I'm talking about [0]).
So anyway, I think part of the reason that members like Dillon and Carl, and maybe others might be noticing a stronger push back against anyone eccentric in the least could possibly be summed up with a simple analogy of arm wrestling. As you know, the act generally involves to people sitting opposite one another with their arms clasped together at their hand. The object is to force the opponents arm down to the table.
The actual physics of what happens is as one person applies force, the other applies an equal amount of force. Eventually one will overpower the other and the other arm will fall to the table. To continue on the analogy, right now those who desire true freedom [1] are straining, locked in tight combat with those who desire their version of "freedom" (basically, you're free do to whey they want you to do). They are equally straining. And so that's where I think we are at right now, and that's why I think certain people are getting more obnoxious and mean. Basically we are in the midst of a massive social war with little factions everywhere.
In my region, as I stated above, liberalism just isn't a thing, so anything that comes off "un-conservative" is viewed as more of a harmless quirk rather than a real threat to their way of life.
I want to say that I'm not a threat, God knows I don't try to be. Unlike many people who identify as liberal, I generally respect people's right to hate. Though I will admit it pains my heart to see folks who pay lip service to Christ and yet harbor unyielding intolerance, self righteousness and hatred in their heart. It also annoys me to read these ultra conservative blogs and other articles that spout "WE'RE FOR FREEDOM! FREEDOM FOR ALL!" And yet, the first time someone does something they don't like, they want to bring the whole damned sky down on that poor soul and harass that person back into obedience and compliance. --NOTE: The left is just as guilty of this. [1]
I'm sorry, that's not freedom, that authoritarianism. The two are polar opposites of one another. If that's their opinion, then fine, it's their right to have it, but lets just cut the bull sh!t about them saying that they're "freedom fighters", because they're not. They're fighting for their own world order imposed on everyone, not free will. They'd be more accurate to stop flying an American flag from their porch and fly the North Korean flag, or some other such state, because they'd fit in better there. And I already know that's going to rub a few here the wrong way and might even get this post flagged (no doubt from those who fancy themselves stewards of "American Freedom and Democracy"). I'm sorry if the fact of the matter hurts, but the fact is, you can't sit here and cite that you're pro-freedom on the one hand and on the other seek to restrict anyone who does any [harmless] thing contrary to what you think they ought to be doing!
You have a right to hate me, you have a right to shun me, if I walk into your business wearing a skirt and you turn me away, fine, I'll respect that (wouldn't want to spend my hard earned money on such an establishment anyway), but your right to hate me stops at my right to live my life as I CHOOSE, provided I'm not bringing any injury on anyone.
Anyway, I'm just rambling on. I guess my final point is, I suppose things may be getting more tense, and let me say, if Pete Buttigieg somehow manages to win the Democratic nomination then you better brace yourself, because the far right will go into full blown war, which is why I personally think it's a bad idea right now. If Trump wins 4 more years that doesn't really bother me as much as I thought it might have 2 years ago, after all, despite all the scandals and nonsense, my life remains largely unchanged, I've still got food to eat, I've still got a roof over my head, and I'm still wearing skirts freely, but most importantly with the current administration, nobody is challenging that the Earth isn't flat, and thus, the neo-cons are safe in their mindset. This makes my life easier. Right now the residents of Russell County likely look on me as a odd ball fruit cake of a "man", but a harmless one, and so they turn, point, snap their photos, laugh, so on and so forth, but they physically leave me alone. I'd rather have it that way than my tires being slashed every time I turn around, my house being spray painted, windows busted out, fired from work, weekly visits to the E.R. for stitches, etc etc.
Dillon and Carl live in liberal islands surrounded by suburban rednecks with disposable income. I think that might be why their perspective is that we are always in a social toxic stew. But I could be wrong, I, after all, do not live in their regions and see what they see day to day.
But right now, if Trump has shown us anything, it's that our nation just isn't ready for someone on the fringes of society to that extent (like a homosexual) to be the leader of the free world. Now, mind you I personally don't have a problem with it, but I think there is just too much hatred and willful ignorance in this nation right now, and I believe it will ultimately bring down baneful results on the rest of us. We are a powder keg... Obama set the keg in place, Trump laid the fuse, Buttigieg will light it.....
Last night while I was checking the fluids in my car after dark, my next door neighbor went outside talking on the phone. He didn't see me (I was wearing my pajama pants anyway) and I don't know what exactly he was talking about, but in a very ANGRY redneck tone I heard him rant (from a hundred feet away) "It just makes me hate Amurica [sic], that G-- damned faggot", and at that point I heard the storm door slam behind him.
Get ready boys....
[0] My political shortcomings and lack of savvy combined, my overall view can be viewed thusly: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, take care of the planet, strive to improve, be charitable, avoid excess consumerism, maintain the government at a size no larger than what's needed, dodge animals that are in the road if you can (including snakes), take care of and respect wildlife, waste no food, if you can work for your bread, do so, if you can't work, be grateful to others who provide your charity and the moment you get back on your feet, do so, leave the world a better place than when you found it, and of course... JUDGE NOT."
[1] This foot note is referenced twice in my post, as I do not believe the far left is any better, for they too seem to seek to restrict that which they do not agree with. It creates a vexing notion in my mind, and the question remains, "what exactly are we really fighting for?" Both sides seem to want to simply control the other, and myself and people like me are just caught up in the middle. Perhaps that's part of the reason I don't take any of it seriously, just smile, and carry on. I guess as long as the two sides are locked together in mortal combat to see who has the bigger ------, then maybe... just maybe, true freedom continues silently in the background.....
It's like being a child when your parents are fighting all day, you can literally do whatever you want in the yard and go into all the forbidden places because they're not paying attention anyway!
