Bob, could it be that you have trouble facing the diversity that is characteristic of the human animal.  Perhaps, you yourself are a victim of “us” vs. “them” social categorization.  Perhaps you surround yourself with those who think just like you and your visit to southeastern Oregon was a very unpleasant encounter with a different face of humanity.  I read your essay as judgmental.  I appears to me that you think your way of thinking is superior.  It must be tough having to rub shoulders with people who think differently than you do.