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Date: Fri, 26 May 2000 09:27:16 -0700
From: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: NORTHER/SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WAR?
Sender: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>



As an inhabitant of eastern Washington, I can concur with Johnnie's
identification of the eastern/western Washington 'conflict'. It is not a
particularly hot issue, but it's definitely a simmering one. As the
eastern portion of the state (roughly two thirds, or anything east of
the 'state divide' of the Cascade Range) continues to be developed, and
the recreational migration every weekend, when vast numbers of
westerners (colloquially and somewhat derogatorily known as 'Coasties')
, increases, easterners just may continue to develop an attitude of
'independence'. I believe the last time a US state was formally
partitioned was Virginia in 1863, when West Virginia came into being.

The process of division is further complicated by several counties on
the western side of the Cascades, which are encountering movements which
advocate bifurcation. Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties all have
predominantly rural eastern regions, which have factions thirsting for
freedom from the growing urban sprawl along the I-5 freeway corridor.
They are putting up billboards which proclaim rugged individualistic
titles for their counties, like 'Pioneer' and 'Freedom'.

India, no stranger to Partitions, is rather bolder in the matter. New
states are being proposed within old ones, such as Jharkhand and
Uttarkashi. A few districts in the southern state of Tamilnadu have been
bifurcated, as well as the important district which surrounds Calcutta
to the east. Known as 24 Parganas District, it was split into North 24
Parganas and South 24 Parganas. The historic name was retained, I
presume, as 'North 12 Parganas' and 'South 12 Parganas' would be
mathematically correct, but then again, perhaps the parganas
(subdistricts - magisterial I think) were not so neatly divided.

Stay tuned for ongoing bifurcations - worldwide!

Brian

Brian P. Bach
Maps Specialist
Documents/Maps
Central Washington University Library
400 E. 8th Ave.
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548
USA
[log in to unmask]

>>> [log in to unmask] 05/25/00 07:55AM >>>
     Since Mr. Minton has invoked my name and my standing on the Globe
I must reply.  The North VS South regional conflict in California has
a
long history and is based in geography, politics, economics, culture,
and utopian publications.  The Pacific Northwest has had many such
regional conflicts, for example the Eastern vs Western sections of
Oregon and Washington. These regional conflicts are not uncommon in
the
United States, both currently and historically.  In all of these
conflicts that I have seen an important part of the support for a new
region or state is a map.  The we vs them thinking that produces the
concept of a new region depends heavily on a map to show boundaries
and more important to establish credibility.
     Every few years a new regional concept for the entire United
States is published along with maps that show the boundaries and the
new states that should be created. As a 'map' person I always pick up
the book to see on what the author has based his new boundaries.  The
reasons have varied from the academic, to the reasonable, on to
utopian.  None of these concepts will occur because the power of the
U.S. State.
     Mr Minton refers to my 'standing' on North VS South California.
Well as a 5th generation Oregonian and a member of the John G. Blaine
Society, I can only hope that the war is real and keeps all those
Californians South of the border.
     What is Mr Minton's 'standing' on the East VS Middle and West
Tenneessee conflict?  I have talked to several natives of Tenneesee
that view Mr Minton's East Tenneessee as a vile traitor during the
late
conflict.  And of course there is that awful orange check the
hill-billies wear.  There is a rumor that their leader, the Gore, has
taken the UT's mascot's rifle away and given it to Moses.  Jim, have
you made a map of the two states of Tenneessee?
Lets see you tap dance theough that today.

Johnnie Sutherland
Curator of Maps
University of Georgia

On Thu, 25 May 2000 09:04:24 -0400 JAMES OSCAR MINTON
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> MAPS-L FOLK:
>
> Was just listening to NPR about an art exhibit at the Sou. CA Art Mus
(I
> think in Laguna Beach, CA) which depicts a supposed "war" between N.
S
> California.  Sounds like fun!.  Which side would you take? I think I
> know where Johnnie Sutherland stands (other than the Globe). They
also
> interviewed Kevin Star (Starr?) who is the state librarian.
>
> Maybe a map librarian in the LA area could check on the exhibit and
> report to us if there are any maps involved.
>
> Jim Minton
>
> P.S.  Also heard that it is National Tap Dance Day (YUK!)
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