Last night I rode on the Johnson County Democratic Party entry in the Holden, Missouri Street Fair parade. I have a passing familiarity over the years with the town a shortish drive from the county seat on 58 Highway. During the 2008 Obama campaign I walked the town door-to-door for a literature drop.

“Holden, Missouri is a small town in western Johnson County with a static population of a little over 2000 people…” The 2000 Census reported a population of 2,210. The 2010 Census reported a population of 2,252. That’s the definition of static.

By observation Holden doesn’t appear to be a wealthy town, but neither does it appear to be destitute in comparison to others. There’s a modernish high school and middle school complex on the south side of town. The four acre site of the 1928 school in town, buildings still standing, though boarded up (with some broken windows), has apparently been sold for development or salvage or both.

Generally, homes in Holden are nicely-kept, some, like all communities, showing more personal prosperity than others.

Which brings us to the question. Why Donald Trump (r)?

A veteran, by his cap, exhibited his sustained displeasure to Democrats:

I wanted to ask, would you pose for a photo with a grin and a thumb up at a gravestone at national military cemetery? Or vote for someone who did?

As the Johnson County Democratic Party entry proceeded along the parade route we were greeted with blank stares from a significant number, as if those observers were looking through us, enthusiastic MAGA adherents perfectly happy to show us their hats or their opinions, friendly waves from neighbors waving back to folks on the parade entry, just to be neighborly, applause and cheers from Democratic supporters happy to see us there, and one shout of “Baby killers!”

Welcome to out-state Missouri.

These are images similar to those in the previous post about yesterday’s Holden Street Fair parade – with a wider field of view for the most part.

There is not a monolithic view of the world in Holden, Missouri. On the parade route, downtown:

There is no monolithic view of the world anywhere in America.

A vendor, along the parade route, also downtown:

A question. What is the significance of the “Q” on the tee-shirt? “I don’t always ride through Lawrence, Kansas, but when I do it smells like smoke.” Celebrating murder and terrorism appears to be a thing.

Another nicely-kept house:

The lawn statue on the lower right appears to be a soldier carrying a comrade. Again, I wanted to ask, would you pose for a photo with a grin and a thumb up at a gravestone at national military cemetery? Or vote for someone who did?

If you believe?:

If not the first two, then what?

Previously:

Street Fair Parade – Holden, Missouri – September 14, 2024 (September 14, 2024)