I submit this should pertain to anyone, not just Muslims, who come into a country. Learn and use the language, learn and use the customs, learn and obey the laws. In other words.....assimilate and become part of the country where you are living.

Here's Gray's statement, with edits "I submit this should pertain to anyone...who come into a county. Learn and use the language, learn and use the customs, learn and obey the laws. In other words.....assimilate and become part of the county where you are living."

There's been a number of statements elsewhere about how folks that have lived here for years and years are not accepted as locals. I think the re-worded statement above may be a view into why - they didn't try to come in and fit in, they tried to come in and change it to better fit their idea of what they wanted - largely based on where they came from.

I suppose that crosses into the realm of WildFlower's argument about only changes offered by locals being accepted as legitimate change, versus that proposed by non-locals. But that too is impacted by the statement above, as those who have become a part of county where they are living are more likely to see it from a viewpoint that the locals would espouse as well.

Shadow

This is my kirttimukha

quote:

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So let's change it to fit into the limitations here. I think there's an echo here of what Why was talking about previously in another topic (forgive me, Why, if it was someone else).

Here's Gray's statement, with edits "I submit this should pertain to anyone...who come into a county. Learn and use the language, learn and use the customs, learn and obey the laws. In other words.....assimilate and become part of the county where you are living."

There's been a number of statements elsewhere about how folks that have lived here for years and years are not accepted as locals. I think the re-worded statement above may be a view into why - they didn't try to come in and fit in, they tried to come in and change it to better fit their idea of what they wanted - largely based on where they came from.

I suppose that crosses into the realm of WildFlower's argument about only changes offered by locals being accepted as legitimate change, versus that proposed by non-locals. But that too is impacted by the statement above, as those who have become a part of county where they are living are more likely to see it from a viewpoint that the locals would espouse as well.

Shadow

This is my kirttimukha

Edited by - ShadowMan on 09/05/2006 8:53:29 PM

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quote:

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The claims that many people come to this area to change things (what ever that is)for their own personal benefit is a myth. There are a number of reasons.The cry of "they want to change everything"is the excuse that they can all understand.I know at least one-hundred people who have came from Florida,none of them are interested in any changes.What they are interested in though, is their rights ,under the laws. That's my opinion WRJ P.S. Most of them,comming from Fl realize that they will feel the unwelcome sign.

William R.Jenkins

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Just because we may disagree doesn't mean that I can't like and accept you as a neighbor. When that disagreement becomes a way of life and the purpose of life then the problems begin. If we remind each other of our differences each time we meet, then we will never find common ground other than thinking the other one is wrong and foolish. I would not expect my neighbor to change were I to move to some other area or other country, I feel that it's my responsibility to addapt. In working in different areas I have found that if I addopt the local customs (as long as I don't have moral or legal objections) I will enjoy my stay there and accomplish my tasks much easier. If I approach a local person in the area I am working and say, 'I need to do so and so", and then tell them they are doing what ever they do wrong, then I probably won't get very far.

Transplanted people are similar to transplanted plants, they are fine unless, like kudzu they try to take over. I saw a recent article in the AJC (I think) about non-native plants that flurish in a garden and zoo but must be constantly watched or they would over grow the garden and distroy the overall look and atmosphear of the native plants. Are all plants that are transplanted this way, no, as not all transplanted people are that way. I feel that we have had a lot of very good people move in here and so many have made great contributions to the area. In fact in many instances the transplants have been more concerened about preserving the local history and historical sites than the locals. Several local businesses have been started by transplants that have helped the local economy.

Just as America was built by immagrants from many nations, so has Union County been built by people who have moved in here from other areas. May family originated in the Carolinas some where and moved here in the 1800's. But we also must remember that each culture that is made a part of the mixture brings not only its good but also its bad. The many countries repesented brought the labor and know how to build America, but they also brought in Opium, whiskey making, slavery (although the Indains already would capture people from other tribes and use them as slaves), taxation, and the desire to take the land for their own at the expense of the Native Americans.

It is your right to disagree with me, it's you right to vote your beliefs, it's your right to voice your opinion, it's your right to expect equal representation as a CITIZEN of Union County. Just owning land here does not make you a citizen, really living here and taking part in everday life and understanding the overall atmosphere of the area makes you a citizen, more than that it makes you a part of the flow and ebb of the area. Take down your posted signs and put out the welcome mat. If I make eye contact with you I am going to speak to you or at least acknowledge you, please do the same with me. Remember, as I read in some little funny story recently, you may drive a 50 thousand dollar car and have a 20 thousand dollar boat but the man in overalls you just met comming out of the bank may own a 100 thousand dollar combine that he uses twice a year or 100 thousand dollars worth of tractors and equipment that he uses three to four months a year. He also may have in that bank all the money he made selling off one of his farms to you or your neighbor.

Those old boys dressed in camo and driving 4 wheel drive trucks are the only thing keeping the deer from eating your plants in your yard, they also built your house, paved your roads, taught your children and run some major companies when they are were not hunting.

That older lady not dressed in the most stylish dress and the older gentleman in his overalls and tatered hat probably raised their children on more sweat in a day and less money than in a year than you produce in a month. They used what was available and what they made with their hands. What they weren't able to produce for themselves, their neighbors could and trades were made. May be these people here are set in their ways, maybe some of you (and me) could learn a lot from them.

Better stop now as this has become a book instead of a reply. Guess to sum it all up, If you want to be wanted, try to be someone who someone would want.

why

Mr Jenkins, the Borg are a race of cyborgs from the TV show and movie "Star Trek" universe. Their favorite phrase is:
"We are the Borg. Lower your shields and power down your weapons. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated."

Shadow

I came here because I love it, not because I own it. Jesus himself had to move from place to place in order to be accepted. He lived many places and was frequently not welcome.

Seems to be a way of life for some to make others feel that way. I myself welcome all! For those who demand change, it probably won't happen just as you'd wish, just like the alcohol vote, but some change is gonna happen whether I like it or not.

It's in God's hands really. However since Mr. Jenkins does not believe in that type of thing, I kindly say it's a matter of fate and the will of the people who both live here now and will live here in times to come and their ability to actively fight for what they truely want for this town.

I myself am happy and content here as is.

There were people in Murphy, NC who hated the Humane Society. As far as they were concerned, there was no need for it. Animal welfare was not on their priority list. I've heard their "the way it used to be" speeches. The county quit giving them any monetary assitance.

When I had a Pit Bull show up, the Humane Society could not take it because it had attacked another dog. Animal Control would not handle it and the guy in charge complained about all the "regulations" you have to follow today. A lady at the courthouse suggested that I just shoot it.

Meanwhile, people were moving in from elsewhere and wondering what on earth to do about all the stray dogs roaming their neighborhoods.

I also knew a guy who complained that you couldn't have junk cars piled up in your yard anymore. He blamed newcomers on that development.

So, exactly how do you define what change is acceptable and what is not?

Wildflower

Sometimes I get the feeling the whole world is against me.
But deep down, I know that's not true.
Some of the smaller countries are neutral.
~Robert Orben

Amen!

Does this mean you're a Space Trek nerd?

Wildflower

Really, I for one think a change that lessons the desireability of my living here is bad and anything that improves my desire to live here is good. The problem is that you and I (or x and y) may look at the same change with different views. If it were only the two of us then we could do like Ellie Mae Clampet and offer to 'rasle it out, but since many are involved, we must find a way to settle the matter. To me the vote is the answer, not who has the loudest voice (or fattest wallet) when dealing with the county government. I personally like junk cars (in reason), but I don't like big dogs comming in my yard. I like local shops, but I don't like Walmart. I like the sole commissioner form of government, but I don't like a multi-person commission.

I like small cabins hidden in the mountains and houses in the valleys, but I don't like houses hanging on the sides of the mountains with all the trees cut. I like fishing boats crusing down the lake, but I don't like jet skis cutting up the water. I don't mind crusing motorcycles, but I don't like crochrockets comming around a curve flying and leaning so much you think you are going to take their heads off.

I've said that to say this, if it bothers me it can't be good, just like if it bothers you it can't be good. There has to be a meeting point. Change for the sake of change is almost never good.

The locals get mad if a transplant suggests something they don't like just like the transplant gets mad when the local suggests something or opposes the transplants idea. We are pretty hard headed here, thats why we have been able to survive in these mountains, you might be able to talk us into something, but you can't make us do it or to like it when and if it gets done.

Read this as many times as you like and it still solves nothing. Much of the opposition is a matter of attitude and perception. We didn't know we were doing things so wrong for so long until someone came in to tell us.

Many transplants came here to escape something, wheither it was the over population of the city, the cold of the north, the storms of Florida or the influx of "them people", well to many locals they are "them people" they might not be a different race or national orgin but they are not "us". If some condition made it so bad that I wanted to escape from where I lived then I would be willing to accept the loss of some of the things I may have gotten used to where I left.

Had to quit writting and get back to work.

Does any of this make sence??? Some body tell me.
why

Blairsville, Georgia - home in the North GA Mountains

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