(Liberian) Community Mourns 7 Killed in House Fire

AP via AOL News ^ | December 28, 2007 | KATHY MATHESON, AP

[rightwingintelligentsia]

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 28) - Dozens of Liberian immigrants mourned Saturday at a house where seven members of their community died in a fire that a survivor said started when a kerosene heater spilled fuel and exploded as it was being moved outdoors.

[org.whodat]

The neighborhood is home to many of the city's 15,000 Liberian immigrants.

Man does this country have a problem..

[FreeperinRATcage]

Liberians in Philly are, in general, honest, hard working, legal immigrants. in fact, the black community typically looks down at them and victimizes them BECAUSE they have the temerity to actually WORK for a living!

[org.whodat]

Sure, sure!!!

[rightwingintelligentsia]

That is my understanding of the Liberian community, as well.

This is a terrible tragedy. I do find it interesting, however, that while Liberia was first settled by former slaves in the US who emigrated back to Africa, now it seems that many are returning here.

[conservativeharleyguy]

I was at my group Christmas dinner in Princeton, NJ recently, and was pleasantly surprised to meet and hear a colleague (a Liberian native) express her absolute contempt for Jessie Jackson, and his divisive politics.

She and her husband (also Liberian) both loathe Jackson and his minions. They absolutely love America, and the opportunities it has afforded them, and aren't afraid to say it. There's something about having your country overtaken by murdering thugs, and being lucky to have escaped with your lives, to make you appreciate America.

I hope they weren't affected by this tragic accident, and offer prayers and condolences to those who were.

[conservativeharleyguy]

"I do find it interesting, however, that while Liberia was first settled by former slaves in the US who emigrated back to Africa, now it seems that many are returning here..."

Hmmm..... maybe it was as simple as this: Live in abject poverty and horrific war conditions in Liberia, be forbidden to work unless you are of the right tribal origin, and risk the very real prospect of seeing your children's arms chopped off, being raped, beaten, and murdered for nothing more that your shoes.

Or..... come to the US and have the opportunity to work like anyone else, and live free. Pretty easy to decide; harder and riskier to actually pull off. I say, give 'em some respect.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.