Starting in November, I am going to be driving across the U.S. interviewing average US citizens to get their feelings on the pressing issues of our time: The war, gun control, government, gay rights, immigration, etc.

Too often, the media presents the feelings of people in the big cities (NY, LA, CHI) as the way that the whole country feels. I want to test that.

Gun control may be the norm here in CA, but what do they think about it in AZ.

What do the people in TX really think about immigration?

Anyway, I’m taking a mostly southern route, I-10, then from Florida up to NY.

I am planning to hit L.A., Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Santa Fe, Dallas, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Key West, Daytona Beach, Charleston, Raleigh, D.C., Phlly, Shanksville, Detroit, Boffalo, Boston, NYC, and I would love any suggestions on places/people who you think I should visit/interview.

As well as any suggestions on what I should take on the trip with me.

My vehicle will be a new 2007 Honda Element 4x4 EX, (color undetermined) with some camping gear. I’ll be hotelling it about every 3rd day, but I want to try as much as possible to stay with old/new friends as well as people I meet along the way.

I have driven across the country 4 times before, so I am not new to this. I am going to take a full 2 months this time and really get a good look around. The last time across (2002) I was stopped in Arkansass by a state trooper looking for drugs. It was the middle of winter and I had to either submit to a full search of the vehicle, or wait 30min. for the K9 unit to arrive for a walk around. I don’t do drugs, but I was not going to consent to any search without a fight, so I said I would wait. After 40miin, the trooper told me that the K9 unit was delayed, and it would be an hour. Fine I said. After 5 miore minutes, he let me go. FIgures it would happen in Clinton’s home state.

I’d like to avoid that BS if possible this time, (notice AK is not on the list) so if anyone knows of similar areas where that is the norm, I’d love to hear about it.

Packing firearms is not possible, as I will be in far too many places to obey all the laws. I will be relying on God’s good graces to see me through.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,

Given that you have decided on I-10, Louisiana has (or had) a big problem with parish (county) cops doing the same kind of shakedown you experienced in Arkansas, preying on out-of-staters in new vehicles. It was so pervasive a few years back it got 60 Minutes or 20/20 coverage, I forget which one. I smile in retrospection since they showed it in January, just in time to crap on Mardi Gras season.

Seeing that much of this was going on in the hardest-hit Katrina areas, I doubt it's a problem now. However, regardless, if you are a person of color, are under 35, or are not of neatly-trimmed white middle-class appearance, watch your P's and Q's in the Deep South states. As you have discovered.

Skip New Orleans, anyway. They have other issues of concern right now which are coloring their outlook. That is, unless you want to document how their particular angst affects their feelings on national issues.

Starting in November, I am going to be driving across the U.S. interviewing average US citizens to get their feelings on the pressing issues of our time: The war, gun control, government, gay rights, immigration, etc.



You could get all that perspective from doing a documentary about EOC.

And interview EOC members across the country. Of course, being Element owners we are not average. We are way above average smart people.

:)

Have driven across country a few times --- usually through Kansas on I-70. The only place that speed traps have been common.

I-64/I-70/I-80 will give you a nice cross-section. What's more average for the finish line: California, Oregon or Washington state?

hmmm...

I would reccomend Indianapolis. Only reason is because we are centrally located and are a major intersection for at least 4 major highways. True, we have lots of friggin' corn(lets get that out of the way) but we also have ALOT of people just passing thru and can therefor get a good opinion from the many out-of staters.

[QUOTE=hiker chick]You could get all that perspective from doing a documentary about EOC.

And interview EOC members across the country. Of course, being Element owners we are not average. We are way above average smart people.


I think that is an awesome idea. Any Element owners who would like to be interviewed, who are in a city on my list, let me hear from you.

I have no official opinion regarding illegal terrorist gay immigrants with guns.

You will be welcome in our area, with or without an interview. As long as your driving an E . :D Put an EOC sticker on it, then give me a call when you hit Mass. I can take you down to the gun club, the NBSWC ( a boating club ) or the local watering hole. You can get all the information you can stand! ( and then some). I wish I was going with you. It sounds like it would be a BLAST !

Dom

Hey, drop by Pittsburgh. We will take you out for a world famous Primanti's sandwich, a tail gate party at the Steeler's stadium, an E cruise through downtown to see the three rivers, and a trip up to Mt. Washington to overlook the city at night. We would love to have you come here.

PM me when you get ready to start....if you come all the way across I-10 to Jacksonville, I can put you up for a couple of days before you head to Savannah and Charleston.

Starting in November, I am going to be driving across the U.S. interviewing average US citizens to get their feelings on the pressing issues of our time: The war, gun control, government, gay rights, immigration, etc.

Too often, the media presents the feelings of people in the big cities (NY, LA, CHI) as the way that the whole country feels. I want to test that.

Gun control may be the norm here in CA, but what do they think about it in AZ.

What do the people in TX really think about immigration?

Anyway, I’m taking a mostly southern route, I-10, then from Florida up to NY.

I am planning to hit L.A., Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Santa Fe, Dallas, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Key West, Daytona Beach, Charleston, Raleigh, D.C., Phlly, Shanksville, Detroit, Boffalo, Boston, NYC, and I would love any suggestions on places/people who you think I should visit/interview.

As well as any suggestions on what I should take on the trip with me.

My vehicle will be a new 2007 Honda Element 4x4 EX, (color undetermined) with some camping gear. I’ll be hotelling it about every 3rd day, but I want to try as much as possible to stay with old/new friends as well as people I meet along the way.

I have driven across the country 4 times before, so I am not new to this. I am going to take a full 2 months this time and really get a good look around. The last time across (2002) I was stopped in Arkansass by a state trooper looking for drugs. It was the middle of winter and I had to either submit to a full search of the vehicle, or wait 30min. for the K9 unit to arrive for a walk around. I don’t do drugs, but I was not going to consent to any search without a fight, so I said I would wait. After 40miin, the trooper told me that the K9 unit was delayed, and it would be an hour. Fine I said. After 5 miore minutes, he let me go. FIgures it would happen in Clinton’s home state.

I’d like to avoid that BS if possible this time, (notice AK is not on the list) so if anyone knows of similar areas where that is the norm, I’d love to hear about it.

Packing firearms is not possible, as I will be in far too many places to obey all the laws. I will be relying on God’s good graces to see me through.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,

Better to happen in AK than our current President's home state where they shoot first and ask questions later.

Better to happen in AK than our current President's home state where they shoot and ask questions later.

Odd...I remember most of the wacko militia groups that stood up to the FBI & ATF over the last 15 years resided a bit north of Texas...quite a ways North...Michigan, the Dakotas and other Non-Southern state IIRC. :rolleyes:

How's this for a new twist on immigration views in the media. Come to Texas, interview an NON-MEXICAN LEGAL immigrant on their opinion on W's amnesity program. Get the opinion of those that struggled while still paying their share of taxes and following the rules to legal citizenship.

This is great. I would love to get you guys on camera. Keep the suggestions rolling in. I'll try to get to everyone.

BTW- Don't mean to diss AK. Nice people there. I just had a bad experience.

so what are the plans for the documentary once its all done?