Corrupt Christians, part 2

Awhile ago, I saw a vehicle with official plates being misused. of course I reported it to the state. The state, as I expected, responded in a professional and timely matter. They usually do, Kentucky is generally a great place. The problem is, the vehicle didn't belong to them. it belonged to a neighboring county. That explains perfectly why the person in question thought it was perfectly okay to use a government owned vehicle as a privately owed one. To better illustrate the mindset in this county, you just have to know that they haven't updated their flood maps since the dam went in in the 1950's. Why would any county do that, you might ask. Not updating your flood maps would seriously hurt economic growth in the county. Yes, it does. It also means if you want to buy a house there, you need to go through one of the 2 locally owned banks. Outside banks will not give you a mortgage in a flood zone. So for 60 years, the people of the county have accepted a banking monopoly dictating the terms of home ownership with nary a whimper. Something tells me they wouldn't be too concerned with someone using a county owned vehicle as their personal one.

Not From Around Here

The strangest part about Appalachia is the clannishness that allows nastiness to prosper. For the most part, the people here are good people. They're willing to work hard and just want to be left alone. The problem comes from two sources. The entrenched nobility, as I call them, the descendants of the first families who own everything and will go to extreme lengths to make sure it stays that way, and the lower classes, that generally makes life a living hell for everyone around them.

One of the first things you notice in Appalachia is that you can't call on local officials for help unless you're one of the entrenched nobility. You're basically a target for whatever the lords of the welfare check want to throw your way. You don't count.

The amazing part is, that the good people outnumber the problem people by a large margin, but refuse to do anything about it. The shocking part will come to you the first time you sit down with one of these people and listen to them rail on about the evils of the county. Your initial response will probably be to agree with them and relate a problem of your own. That would be a mistake. as soon as you do this you'll here something like, "You're not from around here, don't go disrespecting our culture". It won't do any good to point out that you're just agreeing with them. As far as they're concerned, you're not from around here, you don't count.

Their concept of "their people" is more important to them then a decent standard of living. Of course the Boss Hoggs and the welfare kings use this to great advantage. It's a pity.

School Violence

An interesting event at the local high school this week as well as an interesting week at the Kentucky Community College System. It's rather karmic in a way. During our last "workplace survey", about a month ago, I mentioned that the potential for student violence was increasing.

The week started off with a box cutter attack at a neighboring community college. two guys got into a disagreement over a girl. Then a few days latter during college and career day at the local high school, while all the college recruiters were assembled, as if on cue, one student beat up another and sent him to the hospital, over a girl again, believe it or not. Seems I was right.

Chain Gang

While driving between work sites today, along a narrow, winding, mountain road, I came upon two prisoners engaged in picking up trash by the side of the road. A fairly common sight. About 100 yards down the road I came upon a hitch hiker going the other way. Now that was strange, since in the past decade, I've never seen a hitch hiker on that road. That coupled with the fact that there were no jail officials on the road, also strange, and you have to wonder. It's probably completely innocent. It just seemed a might coincidental.

Corrupt Christians

I don't know whether to call it chutzpah, ignorance, or criminal behavior. One thing you can say is that Appalachian folks tend to do whatever they want, whenever they want. I keep pointing this out to them as the major reason why this area is economically disadvantaged. They don't buy it. They still think it's because there aren't enough roads, or because enough money hasn't been funneled into the area.

I first noticed the state provided pickup truck because of the fish symbol on the back. You don't usually see a state license plate and a Christian symbol on the same vehicle. To be honest, I really wouldn't have gotten too annoyed with that. I just would have considered it rude behavior. What really caught my attention was when the driver turned off the main road, showing the side of his vehicle on which were displayed the magnetic signs advertising his business. It must be nice to have the taxpayers underwrite your business expenses.

Of course this particular morally upright Christian probably feels secure in his behavior. He's connected at work and in church. If anyone complains about him and he gets in trouble, depending on how highly placed he is, if the complainant works in the county, their job will be in jeopardy, if they don't then there's a good chance that future travel through the county will result in an undue level of police attention.

Can you say corrupt, third world, hell hole? And yet  they wonder why they can't get businesses to move here.

Exploding Trash

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