Toadman: I don't believe anymore that Americans want compromise. I don't believe anymore that Americans want bi-partisainship or “working together-ness” or any other pie-in-the-sky dreamy political nonsense. I think Republicans and Democrats are completely at odds with each other and will never be able to amicably work together and do anything meaningful to help average citizens. The divide is too deep. The worldviews too far apart. I no longer believe in the American people in general to be a reasonably thinking entity at all. Individuals, yes, as a society, no.

Question: Does Toad have a point — that Americans at this point are incapable of political compromise?

Toadman: This is why we generally come to hike Stickman’s hill in the fall. It’s quiet. Also, though we’re from Spokane, and have only lived in the area for seven years this September, we don’t feel like outsiders anymore. We feel we’ve become locals. What do you think? Seven years = Inland Northwest local, or no?

Question: Do you become a native Inland Northwesterner in 7 years?