United States of Canada vs Jesusland.

I have chosen this map because of its satirical jab at an America under the presidency of George W. Bush. To give the map some context, it began to emerge online during 2004 after the re-election of Bush when he campaigned against John F Kerry.

"This map was to demonstrate the political divide between the Bushites on one side and rational people in the US and elsewhere."

It's interesting to note that this map shows the more liberal parts of the United States to be in conjunction with Canada. After the election in 2004, it's fair to say that admitting you were American in different countries came with a great deal of stigma due to the perceived representation of all Americans being idiots because their President was less than intelligent. By joining up with the "cooler" side of the continent (Canada), it separates those who were against Bush and those who were for him in America.

It also reiterates the fact that the South of America is often represented as being more traditional with their values, hence the use of the world "Jesusland", representing a deeply Christian section of America. It also suggests that those in "Jesusland" are cut off from rational thinking and the rest of the population. It is "Jesusland" that supports Bush and them alone. Alaska is presumably also included within "Jesusland" because of their remote location and lower population. Connecting George Bush with Jesus suggests that those in the South and Alaska have been brainwashed by stories and believe what they are told to believe. "Jesusland" loves its President and loves its religion.

Interestingly, there has been a total disregard of the word "America", suggesting that it has been handed back to the continent, instead of being consumed by the United States of America. "Jesusland" is therefore not seen as America as we know it, but as a new America. One that is hugely differing from what America is supposed to represent to the rest of the world.