nazi compound (to live in, dangerous, moving to)

[mejaka]

Just a couple notes:

Idaho's not full of fancy upscale smart-kid boarding schools, and those aren't typically the kind of schools where truculent types would be sent against their will. So I'm picturing the kind of school RLangben is likely attending, and what he's saying is making more sense.

RE: Southern Idaho: North Idaho seems much more socioculturally relaxed to me, and I've loved living here for the past 7 years. Before that, I lived in Pocatello for 15 years and had friends and so on there, but didn't much care for it in general. And I'm white (well, not fully, but it's the Norwegian that shows), lifelong active LDS, and left California before the age of reason. So if it can feel a bit tight to me, I can only imagine how it might feel to someone who stuck out. Central Southern Idaho is where I grew up, and I can see both the good and bad small-town stereotypes at play in my hometown; I could tell you two stories that would reflect two very different realities of which I have first-person knowledge. Western Idaho might be better. On the other hand, I've heard a lot of folks who weren't in the subcultural majorities say that they were surprised at the acceptance they felt, speaking of both areas of Southern Idaho.

So maybe the old story has some truth to it--Guy comes into a town with his family, sees an old fellow at the gate. Asks him what the town is like. Old man says, "What was the town you came from like?" Guy says, "Horrible. Judgemental, narrow-minded, mean-spirited. Couldn't wait to get out." Old man says, "A lot like here, then." Guy moves on.

Another guy comes, same exchange, only he says, "Wonderful! The people were kind and supportive and there was a great sense of community." Old man says, "A lot like here, then." Guy smiles and leads his family through the gate.

[bandguy]

Seems a few years back an hispanic lady was drivinfg past the compound when her car broke down. Some guys from the group stopped and beat the crap out of her. She found a good laywer and sued them out of existence, they had to give the compound to her settle the court decision and she donated it some some cause, Scouts or church group or something.

[TohobitPeak]

Originally Posted by freespeech?

Another incident in Northern Idaho, this one targeting black folks.

Teen: Blacks targeted by 2 men in N. Idaho | Idaho | Idaho Statesman (broken link)

And your point? Are you trying to somehow justify this as a normal occurance? Stuff like this goes on everyday in multiple areas of the United States and is not confined to North Idaho nor does this describe the attitude in North Idaho. It is sad this these actions take place period, but think about this: how often does the news report a caucasion being bullied by mexican gangs or african american gangs?
North Idaho is heaven on earth and the kindest people you will meet anywhere live there. The incident you were so eager to post is not typical of North Idaho and the state in general.

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by TohobitPeak

And your point? Are you trying to somehow justify this as a normal occurance? Stuff like this goes on everyday in multiple areas of the United States and is not confined to North Idaho nor does this describe the attitude in North Idaho. It is sad this these actions take place period, but think about this: how often does the news report a caucasion being bullied by mexican gangs or african american gangs?
North Idaho is heaven on earth and the kindest people you will meet anywhere live there. The incident you were so eager to post is not typical of North Idaho and the state in general.

This is a great comment. I moved to New Mexico from Idaho several years ago and was shocked at all the implicit racism around here. Not only is there a cold bitterness at the Caucasians, but Mexicans, Hispanics, and Native Americans (I guess it's back to "Indians" now... ref. George Carlin for a compelling explanation) all have conflicts that are vehemently contentious among "minority" equivalents to the types that fall into "white pride" racism (i.e., angry, uneducated, lower class).

The irony is that a lot of people I talk to here in New Mexico have to ask about what it was like living around "racists" when I lived in Idaho. I just say to them, "you live in New Mexico, you tell me." If they have half a brain to appreciate wit in response to stereotypes, that starts an educational dialogue. Just because some people in an area choose to be racist does not make any region as a whole worthy of such a derogatory label. I made lots of friends and even more acquaintances all over Idaho. None of them were racist and I can count the Mormons on one hand.

Most people in Northern Idaho disagree with racism and the Aryan Nations faction that was up there. Most assaults nowadays are more likely to just be typical bar fights or assaults by indiscriminately cruel hoodlums. Just because one race gets attacked by another does not reveal the motive. Even if racial slurs get uttered, that's still more often a result of impulsive antisocial idiocy than a reflection of actual beliefs.

[ricfly52]

I was born and lived 46 years in central Idaho. When I moved to Las Vegas in 1999, one of the first things I had to put up with was, when people found out I was from Idaho, they accused me of being an Aryan, racist.
Geez, there are twenty times more Aryans in Las Vegas than in the whole state of Idaho! LOL People sometimes just don't have a clue.

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by ricfly52

I was born and lived 46 years in central Idaho. When I moved to Las Vegas in 1999, one of the first things I had to put up with was, when people found out I was from Idaho, they accused me of being an Aryan, racist.
Geez, there are twenty times more Aryans in Las Vegas than in the whole state of Idaho! LOL People sometimes just don't have a clue.

That's really all it is... ignorance and ego-centricism. Anyone who's bothered to travel outside their hometown with any semblance of a receptive attitude should quickly come to realize that those specifically generalized questions/labels (oxymoron intended) are pretty absurd. It usually just goes to show people who got to know the world via the shallow hype of the media instead of via personal experience, in-depth research, and receptiveness.

I always try to stick to very generalized questions (e.g., "how was that?" or "what's that like?") until someone relays a specific passion or peave about an area, and that's the point where the discussion can engage specifics. Further, one source may have a wealth of experienced info, but still can't speak for everyone in a region.

For anyone who really can't resist diving right into specifics without having any idea what someone knows/thinks about said specifics (and those people should check their conversational savvy/manners), it should start with "I've heard..." or "Is that where...?", 'cause nobody can blame you for curiosity or relaying a commonly circulated rumor for experienced clarification. The obnoxious thing is claiming to know or asking in such a way that makes it apparent that you believe the rumors at face value.

Lastly, people who jump to conclusions/labels without even questioning are exhibiting a prejudice that renders them unworthy of the air they breath. Seriously, a lobotomite makes better use of his/her frontrol lobe and thereby the oxygen that feeds it.

[Syringaloid]

I think a lot of the misconception of Idaho from some out of staters is a mix of the out of staters own ignorance, stupidity, assisted with the national media's stupidity on the subject.

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

I think a lot of the misconception of Idaho from some out of staters is a mix of the out of staters own ignorance, stupidity, assisted with the national media's stupidity on the subject.

Probably a mutual cause-effect of sorts. Stupidity breeds vulnerability to the media as a credible source from which to form/base opinions, and the media breeds further ignorance, sustaining and even reinforcing stupidity.

Of course, that's not to say the media as a whole is stupid (then I'd be participating in the very thing I'm mocking). On a fairly regular basis, channel surfing can yield wit and depth that an aware, educated person can surely appreciate. People just need to understand that the media only has the time and resources for shallow coverage, and there are many very biased people in the upper echelons of all major conglomerates (which are becoming fewer via consolidation [mergers] over time). If the media is the sole source a person uses to develop his/her worldview, then in essence he/she has joined the reactionary minions responsible for many of history's most reprehensible atrocities. Media snippets are no substitute for direct involvement in anything. That's not to say they're worthless, but just to say that they shouldn't hold so much sway.

[boi2socal]

I agree the misconceptions run rampant mostly due to media portrayal. My friend who is half-Chinese grew up in Boise and never had an incident of racism. Within weeks of living here in a Los Angeles suburb she was subjected to indirect racism; someone asked if she were Korean in which she responded "no" and they then went on how they hate Koreans.

Sadly, although there are more level headed people on this board and others there is still enough people that post things that reinforce views of Idaho. Posters on IdahoStatesman.com are a key example. Also others tend to equate conservative with racist, sometimes that does apply but in most cases it does not.

[Trace_Rinaldi]

Its funny, Tom Metzger founded White Aryan Resistance in Fallbrook Calif. back in the 80's, and it still has quite a presence out in that area. You dont ever hear about Southern California being a hotbed of Nazi activity though. I've heard it from people that live not more than 15 miles down the freeway from Fallbrook. "Oh your going to Idaho with all the skinheads"?? I just kind of laugh inside, and smile.

I guess all in all its good people think this way, I know Im crashing the party too, but I dont want everyone moving to Idaho..LOL.