With a replacement computer waiting for me back home, I’m briefly stopping in to OaD from a Vermont internet cafe, of all places. A little-known fact about the Green Mountain State: In 1832, Vermont became the only U.S. state to vote for a presidential candidate running on the Anti-Masonic ticket, a feat yet to be repeated. Theories on why the state is an apparent bastion of liberal politics in contrast to its rural (i.e. conservative) geography range from its proximity to Canada to the ecomic influence vacationing Bostonians & New Yorkers wield in local communities.

Two things I like about Vermont:

Vermont abolished the death penalty in 1964. The last state execution was carried out in 1954.

Vermont is one of four states (along with Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine) to have prohibited all billboards from view of highway rights-of-way by law, except for signs on the contiguous property of the business location.

And one more from CNN:

Test scores are in: Northeast still has dumbest drivers
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The tiny state of Rhode Island still ranks rock bottom in terms of driving knowledge, according to a national test conducted by GMAC Insurance. Oregon drivers answered the most questions correctly.

The test revealed that about one in 11 licensed drivers in the United States would fail a state drivers test, according to GMAC Insurance.

Rhode Island ranked last year, also, with an average score of 77. Last year, Oregon’s average score was 89, which still placed at the top of the rankings that year.

Based on average scores, northwestern states generally ranked highest while the bottom-ranking states were mostly in the northeast. One exception was Vermont, which ranked third. Washington state drivers ranked second. Drivers in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia ranked at the bottom, with D.C. finishing just ahead of Rhode Island.

Also, I’ve got to say that people are damn friendly here, and not just because they’re obliged to be by social graces, as we’re often accustomed to in the south. Not to mention the kind pints of tasty ice cream. Arepamonger, you spent some time up here, what do you think?

Back next week from home, thanks to Judas for the computer hookup.