Diane Sawyer report on Appalachian Poverty (state, run, sound)

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by tibor75

Not the worst place on earth - one of the worst in America. Along with Indian reservations, inner cities, the dust towns in Kansas that are dying, etc. To not accept that eastern KY is in many ways is one of the worst areas in teh US is to not accept reality.

Very true. There are many dark and sad places in this nation and they all need to be addresssed.

[kentuckydad95]

If you think anyone is EVER going to get rid of poverty, homlessness, poor, broke, hungry, down on their luck, peace in the middle east, or whatever, you are extremely naive. There will ALWAYS be some sort of poverty. Why? Because there has ALWAYS been some sort of poverty.

You can only treat the disease and can't cure it. There is alot of arguing for nothing. Too bad efforts can't be put toward helping people instead of worrying about who has the "worst" area in the U.S./World.

[carmelbell]

Originally Posted by stx12499

ABC News: 'A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains'

This story could have potentially devastating effects on the image of a state already in dire needs of a better national image. I am surprised a Louisville native, whose poster hangs on a skyscraper downtown, would do such an expose. Perhaps she feels the country need to know about the third world that exists in America. I think it exposes some truths, but I also believe this kind of poverty is just as real as in any inner city in America. Hopefully it will bring some sympathy dollars into the region. However, the average viewer may only see it flipping through channels and think, "Kentucky, wow it REALLY is full of toothless hicks!"

Anyone who would think that only verifies ignorance in America and really verifies that they don't have worthwhile opinions anyway. People who want to make a positive difference see this as a very sad living condition for anyone to have to deal with and wants to do whatever they can to help these people. It isn't about a state's image as a whole, it is about these people who desperately need to be assisted so that they can have good lives. And yes, this may happen in other places and she could have picked anyone of them to do the report. But who cares? Shouldn't we know about them all? Chicago and huge cities in California are talked about all of the time. The mountains in Kentucky are not as frequently spoken of, so it is great that someone brought this to the nation's attention.

[Cattknap]

Originally Posted by carmelbell

Anyone who would think that only verifies ignorance in America and really verifies that they don't have worthwhile opinions anyway. People who want to make a positive difference see this as a very sad living condition for anyone to have to deal with and wants to do whatever they can to help these people. It isn't about a state's image as a whole, it is about these people who desperately need to be assisted so that they can have good lives. And yes, this may happen in other places and she could have picked anyone of them to do the report. But who cares? Shouldn't we know about them all? Chicago and huge cities in California are talked about all of the time. The mountains in Kentucky are not as frequently spoken of, so it is great that someone brought this to the nation's attention.

I agree!!

[nawog]

Does anyone know of organizations who serve this area, particularly within KY since most of the responders in this thread are Kentuckians? I think there is a Catholic church in Fredericksburg, Holy Trinity, who collects donations of clothing and other items. I'll check with relatives and follow up next week.

I am sure others can list sites.

[dixiegirl7]

Originally Posted by nawog

Does anyone know of organizations who serve this area, particularly within KY since most of the responders in this thread are Kentuckians? I think there is a Catholic church in Fredericksburg, Holy Trinity, who collects donations of clothing and other items. I'll check with relatives and follow up next week.

I am sure others can list sites.

Many of the churches in my area and I am sure all across Kentucky take collections of clothing, food, and other items to take to that area. They also send mission teams there several times a year. Also, "Save the Children" does a lot of work in many impoverished rural areas in the US and other countries. You can donate on their website:


Programs in the U.S.

[rjim]

Originally Posted by Miss Blue

So when was the last time you visited, spent any time, or lived in Eastern Ky? Obviously you know diddly about it I have spent time in Chicago, don't particularly care to live there, but I would not jump in the Chicago forum just to spam the good folk there...

PLEASE REREAD, I wasn't knocking the people in eastern Kentucky but rather refering to how the GOVERNMENT oppresses the poor regardless of where they are from so the wealthy people can profit, this includes BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES!

[marmac]

-----Obviously you know diddly about it "-------

One doesn't have to --spend time --or live-- on Indian reservations in the northern part of my state to know conditions there are bad

One doesn't have to --spend time --or live-- in certain neighborhoods in the biggest city in my state to know conditions there are bad.

If they did a documentary on those areas in my state ( which they have ) I didn't get all riled up and defensive.

Maybe my skin is a little thicker.

[Davart]

Originally Posted by marmac

-----Obviously you know diddly about it "-------

One doesn't have to --spend time --or live-- on Indian reservations in the northern part of my state to know conditions there are bad

One doesn't have to --spend time --or live-- in certain neighborhoods in the biggest city in my state to know conditions there are bad.

If they did a documentary on those areas in my state ( which they have ) I didn't get all riled up and defensive.

Maybe my skin is a little thicker.

Maybe your state isn't being constantly ran down in the publics eye, maybe your state isn't being endless labeled as backwards and poor, in spite of the facts. Maybe your not constantly fighting stereotypes. I doubt your skin is any thicker, it just hasn't been beat by the media and northern and west coast elitist enough.

But since you don't list your state, you must not be that proud of it.

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by Davart

Maybe your state isn't being constantly ran down in the publics eye, maybe your state isn't being endless labeled as backwards and poor, in spite of the facts. Maybe your not constantly fighting stereotypes. I doubt your skin is any thicker, it just hasn't been beat by the media and northern and west coast elitist enough.

But since you don't list your state, you must not be that proud of it.