"Obama health meeting draws Appalachian protesters" (Snicker)

Daily Press ^ | 07/29/09 | Duncan Mansfield, AP Writer

[TennesseeGirl]

Obama health meeting draws Appalachian protesters

By DUNCAN MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer

July 29, 2009

BRISTOL, Va. - More than 200 protesters from a conservative corner of Appalachia showed up Wednesday in opposition to President Barack Obama's health care reform effort.

Some held signs reading, "Obamacare is political malpractice" and "Keep your hands off my health care."...

...The protesters, who came from the tri-state area of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, were focused on who will get to make health care decisions.

Art teacher Angie Meade, 39, of Bristol said she worries that government control of health care will mean she can no longer pick her own doctor.

Elaine Powers, 69, also of Bristol, said she thought people over 65 would receive only what she called "end of life care."

Powers said she believed the elderly would be given only pain pills.

The audience inside the town hall meeting was to include about 100 union-represented and insured cashiers, baggers, managers and clerks at a Kroger grocery store. Cincinnati-based Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery chain, operates in 31 states and spends more than $1 billion a year on health care and related benefits. (Article posted is truncated)

[TennesseeGirl]

I like how they stacked the audience with long-time union members who have "cadillac" health insurance benefits (My ex-hubby was a Meatcutter & union member -- the insurance was WONDERFUL). WBIR in Knoxville was the only station to run vid of the protesters. Katherine Howell on NewsTalk99 in Knoxville was a reporter on the scene. She told the 3 p.m. host that protesters "far out-numbered supporters".

[Darksheare]

I find their mention of “Appalachian” to be sexist, racist, and bigoted.

[OpusatFR]

Bristol VA is not truly Appalachian.

They are using the term to denote the poorest, most uneducated mountain folk opposing Zero.

Don’t these mountain filth know what’s good for them? /s

[tet68]

Gee, you’d think the headline would read,

Protestors from THREE STATES converge
on Obama health meeting.

Sounds better to me.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

As do I.

They are trying to make, obviously educated, well read, concerned citizens (of a three state region) out to be toothless hillbillies (were they wearing shoes???) Geesh...que the bango music. This written like a scene out of Deliverance.

[AHerald]

Forgive me for suspecting that the AP uses "Appalachian" in the headline so as to conjure up images of inbred hillbillies from Deliverance brandishing horribly misspelled protest signs.

[patriot08]

.

A TEA PARTY NEED TO BREAK OUT ALONG OBAMA’S ARRIVAL ROUTE AND OUTSIDE EVERY BUILDING WHERE HE INTENDS TO HAWK HIS DEATHCARE. BOO THE MUZZIE SOB DOWN

.

[Servant of the Cross]

Speaking of "transparent", you've all hit on the elitist AP looking to malign good people who disagree with the Dear Leader as "inbred hillbillies from Deliverance". Not going to fly AP. Also, no different than 0bama's bigoted portrayal of middle America as bitter clingers to our guns and religion.

[quikdrw]

As someone who grew up in the major metropolis of Ansted, WV, I agree that mentioning “Appalachian” is sexist, racist, and bigoted.

[Congressman Billybob]

This is my territory. I embrace the title "Appalachia." I'm proud to be a Redneck Republican, and intellectual, LOL.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "Remember Casey Stengel? Raise Your Hand"

[HiTech RedNeck]

REDD NEKK

[Darksheare]

Yes, one would think they’d write something that was neutral.
*cough*
But they instead wrote it in such a way as to be condescending and disdainful of those who oppose them, as Servant mentioned.

[Darksheare]

LOL, I like your humor.
Living in NY state, they use “Appalachian” or “Appalachia” to mean “ignorant” and “bigoted”.
But a good portion of the state is in ‘Appalachia’.
Screams of elitist snobbery to me, but I’m a displaced Buckeye anyway, so my observation of it is ‘tangential’ anyway.

[wvguy]

Living in NY state, they use “Appalachian” or “Appalachia” to mean “ignorant” and “bigoted”. But a good portion of the state is in ‘Appalachia’.

You're darn tootin'!

[wvguy]

As someone who grew up in the major metropolis of Ansted, WV...

Hawk's Nest, New River.. Beautiful area!

[lucias_clay]

So what they are saying is Obamas plan is so dumb even uneducated hilbillies can tell it won’t work ??????

[This_far]

Max Buchus, the Chair of the committee, is having a fund raiser in Big Sky MT.

He won’t be there.

[This_far]

further explanation (too fast on the mash button).

Max is having a fund raiser, $2500 per guest.

Max won’t be there, but his staff will.

ooooh, sign me up... NOT.

[quikdrw]

I worked at Hawk’s Nest State Park during 3 years of high school. I started as a bus-boy, moved to a dish-washer and ended up as maintenance & security.

Learned to drive a stick on the state trucks.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Powers said she believed the elderly would be given only pain pills.

I see she is paying attention.