Originally Posted By dshyates Living here, I know what happened. I knew Obama wasn't going to win a couple of months ago (before Rev. Wright) when during my weekend visitation with my 2 DDs, my 12 year old asked me, "Is it true that if Obama gets to be president, he is going to get rid of all the churches in America." So after I picked my jaw up I asked her where she heard this. She said from her best friends mom. Her friends mom had told her that Obama was a Muslim, and going to get rid of Christians if he was president. Well, after I explained that Obama isn't a muslim and the he is a christian, the Rev. Wright issue arose and last weekend she said that her stapdad had said in a conversation with another bubba that if obama is president he was going to nuke Jerusalem. You have to understand where they live. They live down in the coal fields, where everyone dresses in camo from head to toe. Drive giant pick-ups. Where ball caps everywhere including church. My kids step dad is a retired coal miner and for my 6 year old daughters birthday he bought her a pink camo ATV. We have a huge problem with rednecks killing themselves on them. So in the process of showing her how to ride it safely, he flipped his over on himself breaking his leg in 3 places. From what my kids tell me there is a lot of "Nigger this... Nigger that..." talk around the house. Their step dad is a Vietnam Vet and is so racist against Asians he won't let rice be served in his house. WV has been firmly democratic ever since Kennedy came here and gave everyone "Store-bought Liquor", but in 2000 & 2002 George won simply because he sort of sounds like them. And against guys with ties like Gore and Kerry, well, you get the picture. So the election results were no surprise to me. Yesterday, they did their part in stopping the Muslims from nuking Jerusalem. Good job guys.
Originally Posted By DAR Your state has elected Robert Byrd how many times? This man was the grand wizard of the KKK, sorry but none of this is shocking.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy Please move somewhere else, then. And thanks for stereotyping an entire state of people with your own narrow lens. Maybe you should get out and travel the state more. I was more than happy to cast my vote in yesterday's W.Va primary. I don't own any camouflage. I don't own an ATV. I'm one of those college educated folks who is supposed to go for Obama, but I guess I just refuse to be stereotyped that way.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << Your state has elected Robert Byrd how many times? This man was the grand wizard of the KKK, sorry but none of this is shocking. >> Senator Byrd renounced his association with the KKK over 50 years ago. He rightly admits that it was a mistake that will probably be engraved on his tombstone. Senator Byrd was also one of the lone voices in Congress to speak out and vote against the war in Iraq. That vote alone makes me realize what a good choice W.Va made in keeping him there for so long.
Originally Posted By barboy I love Harpers Ferry---- just a stunning place rich in beauty and historical importance. Charles Town interests me too. I wish we had some Shenandoah type beauty out here in Calif.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>Your state has elected Robert Byrd how many times? This man was the grand wizard of the KKK, sorry but none of this is shocking.<< He was never a grand wizard, and he's only said he was wrong about 52,000 times. I'm pretty forgiving if people admit they were wrong, especially when they were young.
Originally Posted By dshyates First off I apologize for obviously offending you SG and anyone else. And I didn't mean to imply that EVERYONE who voted for Hillary here, was like I discribed. Because that is obviously wrong. And while my original post was a bit harsh, it is mostly out of frustration of the ignorance I hear my daughter repeating. After I explained that Obama wasn't a Muslim, she went to school and tried to explain to the other kids, and she came home crying because the other kids were calling her "nigger lover" and what not. So I knew that that kind of talk running around the coal fields was going to be a problem for Obama. As the coal fields are a significant percentage of the states population. "Please move somewhere else, then" I sent out 19 resumes yesterday. "Maybe you should get out and travel the state more." I was born in Beckley in 1963, and have lived here for most of my life. With some stints in Richmond VA, Orlando, and Denver. I am a news photog who drives an average of 140 miles a day and cover 9 counties from Pocahantas Co. to Tazewell Co. VA. I interview Joe West Virginian 10 times a day everyday. And have traveled every corner of the state. There are some very nice areas. Particularly the Eastern Panhandle where you are going to find most of the college educated white demo. Many of who are non-native, work in DC and take the train everyday. And even in Southern WV we have very nice areas like Greebrier Co. I usually defend WV on almost all accounts. It is, in my opinion, the most beautiful state east of the Mississippi. And will give New England a run for its money on the Fall Foliage tours. We have the best Whitewater Rafting on the planet. And some cool funky towns like Shepherdstown, Berkeley Springs, Fayetteville, and Lewisburg. Then there's The Greenbrier. A nice little shack in the woods. SG, I have to ask where in Wild and Wonderful WV you live? I am actually quite proud of WV's coal heritage and if you've never been down in the coal fields it is a place all West Virginians should go. Also I think the John Sayle's film "Matewan" is required viewing. I could give you a great tour and we could cap it off here, of course we would have to rent a few ATVs before we head down. <a href="http://www.trailsheaven.com/" target="_blank">http://www.trailsheaven.com/</a> PS: 2 thumb's up on Bob Byrd.
Originally Posted By barboy Ya I can see why you want out of WV because: "aroun these parts there be coal mine, moonshine.........or just move on down the line"
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << SG, I have to ask where in Wild and Wonderful WV you live? >> I'm a resident of Charleston. It's where I grew up. I've spent plenty of time in the coalfields. I have neighbors who are coal miners. I prefer "October Sky" to your "Matewan."
Originally Posted By DAR <<I'm pretty forgiving if people admit they were wrong, >> So if the President were to apologize for the last 7 1/2 years????
Originally Posted By ecdc >>So if the President were to apologize for the last 7 1/2 years????<< Depends on how he approached it. It doesn't mean I'd think he was a good President, obviously. But if he recognized that his basic ideology was completely off-base - which is what Byrd did by recognizing that his racism was completely off-base - then I'd gain a lot of respect for Bush.
Originally Posted By dshyates I love Homer, I've had to interview him several times for the October Sky Festival. He's great. If your a fan of the movie or of his books you should head down to Coalwood for the Festival. We should get together sometime, I'm only an hour down the road. I live at the Ghent exit. About a mile from Winterplace. We can mourn the passing of The Disney Store at the Chas Towne Center. We were there 2 weeks ago to hit Ringling Bros. and were shocked at how fast the wandering toy store moved in that space.
Originally Posted By jdub Pretty disturbing, the audio cuts I was hearing on the radio this morning--W-Vas explaining why they wouldn't go w/Senator Obama: 'Well, Obama sounds like Osama, and...' 'He's a secret Muslim!' To be intellectually honest, of course, we must admit there are nincompoops in every state.
Originally Posted By dshyates I just wish the truly ill informed would not vote or tell other people how to vote.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Apparently the West Virginians were prescient, anyway: >>...but in 2000 & 2002 George won...<< My beloved DlandJB lived in Virginia for many years before moving out to California. There's definitely a love/hate thing with parts of that state, and West Virginia. I am sorry that you have to put up with so much of it.
