Simple question.

[SpiritofPickett]

[quote=Miss Markie]

On a non-CW note:
I feel like when this continent or civilization implodes, (whichever comes first) it'll more than likely start with the dropping off of either coast. And I have relatives aplenty on the west coast, so I'm not too excited about that.

Check out the East Coast too Miss M! Some Discovery channel or similar showed us in England that half of a volcanic island (Canary? Azores?) will drop into the Atlantic at some point in the future. The Tsunami will take out the entire Eastern Seaboard to about 40 miles inland.

Stay safe in the Mid-West...apart from the twisters and ice storms and such.....

[lrd89]

I agree with Miss Markie that the rivers being the highways of the era made the "western" region important. I've read that when the Mississippi River was blocked by the CSA that farmers in the midwest suffered economically and demanded action to allow the river to flow "unvexed to the sea", to quote Old Abe. The Cumberland and Tennessee rivers offered fine invasion routes into the Confederate heartland.
Roger

[larry_cockerham]

The inability of the Confederacy to control the northern and western parts of the Tennessee and Cumberland was a major failing in the war. Nashville was a major supply distribution point linked to the Nashville-Chattanooga railroad which Clifton, TN and Waterloo, AL served as downloading points for thousands of US soldiers.

[jkeith21]

Originally Posted by Miss Markie

I would have to say that the superhighway of the 19th century, the Mississippi River, was the main reason why the midwest was (and still is) important. I have lived on that river all my life, and know that no matter what happens in the US of A, it will somehow involve the mighty Mississip.

Ms Markie... I note that you've lived on the Mississippi all your life yet see your tag noting Wisconsin. I have very close friends in Milwaukee and visit often and spend a lot of time outside of Madison (possibly where you teach) at our place on Lake Beulah doing (overdoing) what cheeseheads do best with the fine-brewed products from the Milwaukee area.

However, I've never noted the Mississippi River there. Of course, I couldn't find my shoes or my wallet either... but I digress.

What you doing up there?

[ole]

Ms Markie... I note that you've lived on the Mississippi all your life yet see your tag noting Wisconsin. I have very close friends in Milwaukee and visit often and spend a lot of time outside of Madison (possibly where you teach) at our place on Lake Beulah doing (overdoing) what cheeseheads do best with the fine-brewed products from the Milwaukee area.

However, I've never noted the Mississippi River there. Of course, I couldn't find my shoes or my wallet either... but I digress.

You would be in LaCrosse Land in Madison, where Milwaukee brews are deservedly scorned. I believe Miss Markie roots and heart are considerably north, perhaps across the river from Minnesota's Twin Cities, or closer there than to Madison.

As a chronic misplacer, I've had to adapt with routine -- always leave the car keys in the same place. (That happens to be in the main right-hand pocket of my vest. However, I haven't quite conquered the rule of leaving the vest in the same place.) I've learned not to say, "It isn't there." It most assuredly is there. I have learned to say, "I don't see it," at which point dear one appears and virtually pulls the sought-for object from my left nostril. The problem is most evident in the misplacement of non-routine objects -- like that pen I had in my hand when I decided it was time to seek out a LaCrosse brew from the refrigerator (I always know where it is when I go get it; however, when I leave it somewhere, it's easier to get another than to locate the original.)

But, I digress. Got to go locate and dispose of cans of warm beer.
Ole