Posted on 04/24/2012 6:36:46 AM PDT by Daffynition
It was a county formed 19 years before the Civil War.
But in the towns lying between borders in Owsley, in the coal fields of eastern Kentucky, a portrait of Americans shows a community that appears frozen in time, where many still live without water or electricity.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the Appalachian county has the lowest median household income in the states - a staggering 41.5 per cent of residents falling below the poverty line.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
As it happens, I am right this minute reading “The Grapes of Wrath” and while some of it might be hyperbole, I don’t believe that any of the “Okies” (and I don’t mean that perjoratively)would romanticize the Dust Bowl or their migration to California where they were met with hostility, lack of jobs, and violence. Those people would trade their lives for ours in a heartbeat.
If nothing else, reading the book makes me profoundly grateful for what I have.
So, what’s the difference between this, and any of a dozen Democrat-Run, inner-city hell holes I can name?
OH YEAH, no random drive-by’s. The welfare culture is damning to both blacks AND whites, folks.
The movie is highly recommended by Fred Reed (fredoneverything.net) because it is in Boone county, where he grew up. He said it is very, VERY real and accurately portrays what goes on there. I have yet to see it but I’m trying to find a copy.
Second in an article by a UK paper. I’d like to see a US paper do a couple of articles on poverty and trashed cities in the UK.
Bingo. Perusing the pics, the only poverty I see there is in cleanliness - something not cured by money. Sure they don't have much cash (that's apparent), but they have no less in essentials than I grew up with. Wood stove? yup, that was our heat source (and backup for cooking) in cold NY winters. Pots & pans? obviously far more than they need, enough to make a buck off selling or re-purposing most. Shelter? yup, and some labor & free supplies (see pic of donated lumber) will keep it functional & pleasant. Clothes? keep 'em maintained & tucked in. Care for what you have, riches will follow.
Almost funny how, in comparison, tinyhouseblog.com and minimalissimo.com depict struggles to get down to that same level of simple living.
"Generational malaise". Perfect term. It's not lack of money or opportunity, it's the systemic "don't care" of a region.
I've had opportunity to see a lot of the world, and been to places where there is a common well for a village, no electricity, families living in mud-brick huts with dirt floors, children running barefoot [giggling] chasing metal hoops with sticks. I would not dare to judge who is happier....them or me.
**“Be shot or be gone”. Never saw a Welcome sign.**
A dear friend has this sign on all his doors:
**There is nothing on these premises that is worth dying for.**
**no one pictured is starving**
Nor did I see anyone morbidly obese, like I do here, in the checkout lane with their Cheetos and chips, soda and food stamps.
Makes me stop to think when the SHTF, what life will be like, in our tony little town, with these people who can not fend for themselves. Least these families in the hollow that are depicted can fend for themselves....here, affluence of any kind will be stolen by the have-nots.
originally an invite to a 2005 Corporate Party.
**Almost funny how, in comparison, tinyhouseblog.com and minimalissimo.com depict struggles to get down to that same level of simple living.**
So long as you are still within driving distance of a Whole Foods.
Obviously waiting to be drafted into L B Johnson’s WAR ON POVERTY while still drawing a gov’t check.
Proud Georgia hillbilly here.
Thanks for posting.
Toast to you!
I’m absolutely convinced that Poverty is all a state-of-mind.
Corn liquor?
My gosh, I thought the War on Poverty (1968) and all the billions spent since then were suppose to solve this. /sarc.
FUBO and the DemocRAT party.
“Abbreviated title: America’s poorest county: Proud Appalachians who live without running water or power in region where 40% fall below poverty line
...Rich in the things that matter.”
Indeed.
What’s the crime rate here, vis-a-vis places like Detroit or Baltimore?
Why is that?
If this is truly “America’s poorest county”, shouldn’t the crime rate also be the highest, because (as we all know, right?) “poverty causes crime”?
In any case, a good video by Darrell Scott:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69BwNVtyCKs
You’ll never leave Harlan alive...
**"I've never been nowhere in my life where you can live any easier than right here in this part of the country." Neial Bowling**
Do you have running water? When I am *off-the-grid*, that's the hardest part.
The rainwater washtub...pretty much useless in the winter. Heh. :)
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