:::No big deal.  I would encourage you to get a login, it's free. 

 :::Considering that we are discussing the opinions of the locals, opinion pieces are a valid indicator that such an opinion exists.  The opinion clearly exists so the question becomes, 'is the sentence FACTUALLY accurate'?: 

 :::"Many residents of Western Massachusetts take a cynical attitude towards Boston  the state's capital and largest city  and talk of secession appears periodically." 

 :::The word "many" means "a large, indefinite number" according to the American Heritage Dictionary.  While the word can sometimes be interpreted as meaning a majority, that is not implied by the text of the sentence.  Clearly, an anti-Boston sentiment exists in some "large, indefinite" portion of the populace: 

 :::# Reference #3 above involves discussions amongst academics and political leaders talking about said divide. 
 :::# Bay State's east, west look for ways to repair the divide - AP article in South Coast Today talking about the east/west divide in Massachusetts and hopes to repair the split. 
 :::# Reference #5 above states: Massachusetts' Fast Lane system, which has become a target for Turnpike critics, got off to a slow start with massive traffic jams, hefty losses in toll revenues and police overtime, and a revolt by western Massachusetts drivers that forced the Pike to provide them with more than $517,000 in free transponders.  (Emphasis mine) Clearly, they're talking about a political backlash, not an armed uprising. 
 :::#  Berkshire Town Sends Giant Ball of Cheese to Washington A historical article reinforcing the historical origins of the divide. 
 :::# shaysridesagain.org An anti-corporate, pro-local governance group in Western Massachusetts harkening back to the Shays Rebellion. 
 :::# Local Reps Distrust UMass Trustees Article in the Valley Advocate talking about disempowerment on the UMass board: "What's eating at legislators like Kulik and Story is the fact that right now, there are no residents of western Massachusetts on the board..." 

 :::The mere existence of pro-secession websites indicates that some "talk of secession" exists, and the disappearance of one of those sites reinforces the "periodic" nature of the discussion. 

 :::The anti-WalMart sentiment point is neither supported nor refuted by the existence of WalMarts in the region.  WalMart is infamous for moving into areas over the objection of the local residents.  This is how they got into Vermont as well.  Again, I'm not saying that EVERYONE hates WalMart... heck, I used to work at the one in Hadley, but I have been aware of the controversy.  The debate's STILL going on in Greenfield, more than a decade later, if you can believe it. 

 :::Anyway, my supper is ready, so I'm going to wrap up.  The point is that the sentence is FACTUALLY correct.  Can it be improved and made less ambiguous?  Of course, but I don't believe that any of the facts in that section are wrong.  I agree that "personality" isn't the best title for the topics covered, maybe "political climate" would serve better? 

 :::Oh, just to be clear, I didn't write the article, nor even the whole section.  I simply tweak it and clarify, like most editors. 

 :::BTW, I have also lived in the area for years.  I'd really like to avoid trying to figure out whose blood is bluer.  That said, I'm not entirely sure how you could have missed all the anti-Boston sentiment. ) -  19:46 September 6, 2005 (EDT)