There was a TV show 2 or 3 years ago called How the States got their shapes. Very interesting, to a geek like I am. One I remember was the Idaho/Montana border was moved westward to throw the gold bearing mountains into Montana, creating the odd (to me) Idaho panhandle. But politics made a difference in a lot states - the Missouri bootheel and the Oklahoma panhandle, for two.

As those of you who pay attention will remember, I have said I would support the secession of Texas from the US if it ever came up peacefully. There is another secession movement - the secession of Northern California from the State of California (not from the US). This movement is opposed by the Democrats, because it would likely result in the addition of two GOP Senators. Supported by the GOP, for the same reasons. The northerners are tired of SF and LA running their business. They want representation! The idea that DC is somehow different is a sham.

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