Last winter following the presidential election, I wore an Obama stocking cap on my daily journeys around Branson. In our closed ranked Taney County, (68% McCain), I drew much commentary.  With no exceptions, comments were offered as humorous acknowledgments of our competitive spirit much in the way that Missouri Tiger supporters exchange greetings with Kansas Jayhawk fans.  During the recent cold weather, I again pulled on the Obama cap.  Perhaps arising from the unusual cold, more likely from the years accelerating media polarization, and almost certainly cued by the struggling economy....well all the humor seems to have diaappeared.   At Walmart, restaurants, city hall, The Landing, and indeed everywhere, public note of an Obama reminder, is now being met with controlled disdain and implyed threats.  There is no mistake.  The main street mood in our community has moved way past "partisan within a united context".  Indeed it is, I sense, pushing the limits of civility.  Here in Branson, where the local economy is built on the celebration of  "traditional values", next years visitors may start seeing entertainment venues  featuring  Paul Revere , the Minutemen, the Continental Congress and other rallying images for a revolution minded populace.  It is a scary time!.