What Is The Worst Town In Nebraska? (Omaha, Lincoln: unemployment, nicest)

[Nitemarehippy]

nebrgirlgeorge,

I'm going to respond to your post paragraph by paragraph. Not because I think less of you, but due to me being tired from writing the previous post.


1. I get all my benefits. They have only increased under the Obama administration. If there is some article that you can refer to, then I can respond better to this question. There have been no cuts to any benefits under Obama. Trust me. The G.I.Bill was just expanded, and now pay's a larger percentage of the Vet's entire monetary need while they attend college. Republican's fought against this.

2. I only said I wasted my time, due to the length of the thread and how nothing was really solved. More likely, I said it to be funny. I'm glad that you like all races and that your dad looked like a Native American. My Hispanic great grandfather also looked like a Native American. I think smoking in bars is something that should stop. If nothing else, for the sake of the people that have to work in that atmosphere every night. If it helps more people quit, I'm all for it. I also used to smoke. It turns out it's not good for you. Also the biggest infringement on the rights of Americans would have to be the Patriot Act. The Government already tells you what to do in your own home. You can't beat your kids, you can't manufacture drugs, the list is long. Some I agree with , some I don't.

3. I think what is perceived as a "chip on my shoulder", is actually an intimate understanding of what Nebraska is like and the likely hood that I will encounter similar interactions with people due to who I am and what I think. I grew up in Nebraska, right along the Platte river. I swam in that pesticide ridden river every summer and loved it. My family even had an Air Boat. So, unless Nebraska has made huge strides in the past 11 years, then I already know what to expect when it comes to the negative side of some of the local residents. I'm sorry you face discrimination due to your size, that's not cool.

4. I would never hit a woman. I am for equal pay for women, even if it means affirmative action. I say we put and end to every female only making 75 cents to a man's dollar. My personality skills are fine. Communicating on a forum is different than in real life. I was responding to what the previous people had posted. I would never hit a woman.

5. Redneck is a derogatory term and I should refrain from using it, just as I hope the people of my town curb their racially charged epithets. I'm pretty much a pacifist and I'm not looking for any fights. I will defend myself though. I was on the Speech and Debate Team in High School, I like words over fists. I am far from the smartest person on this forum, but I don't hide what intelligence I do have.

6. I won't put down, but only defend my own ideas.

7. I won't talk about my education or any of the medals I got while in the Service any more. I didn't get any of the good medals anyway. Trust me my humor is very self depreciating.

8. I love everyone, it does not mean I need to adhere to everything they do. I don't think bad about you, everyone has a right to post their feelings.

9. I would be delighted to break bread with you.

I hope that answers your questions, and I hope it didn't sound too snide, it's hard to portray emotion or intent through text.

Thank you for your reply

NH

[MICHAEL J]

Just a couple of quick points, then I'll get off of this tread. As I said in an earlier post I am a redneck and damn proud of it. The term redneck is not derogatory to a redneck. When redneck is preceded by the word "bigot" it becomes derogatory.

Secondly, you can demand respect all you want, but respect is earned. You will learn that when you get that chip knocked off your shoulder.

[mattpoulsen]

I didn't say anything about you not being welcome in a small town in Nebraska. I simply offered an alternative explanation to some of the "reports" on this thread. You are trusting them on blind faith, with not ever hearing the other side of the story. I didn't for a second suggest that racism doesn't exist. My point, however, is that it does NOT exist in Nebraska at any higher rate than it does anywhere else. You thinking it does is nothing more than your own stereotypes shining through. Maybe the stories are true. I don't know...but neither do you. I just know that people on this and other boards often post some pretty ridiculous and outlandish crap and often the root of the problem is not the town with which they are condemning but the posters themselves.

As far as your beliefs, they aren't that dissimilar from mine. I am actually a pro-gay pro choice agnostic. You take the fact that I'm a republican, apply your preconceived stereotype and assume I'm a Rush Limbaugh clone. I also am what many would consider an "elitist" academic as I have a Ph.D. I am republican, however, because I am a staunch fiscal conservative. I believe in reasonably affordable healthcare, but do NOT believe the government should take too great of roll. The government's only roll is to protect the pubic from being gouged by insurance companies. In places that financial incentives lead to a more efficient and better product then they should remain in place. I believe that truly socialized healthcare in America would be an utter and total disaster.

As I said before, no one is going to ostracize you because of your stances. They will, however, do it if you present your ideas with a condescending tone. Your first post on this topic came across in a very condescending way and that is exactly why you received the negative response that you did. It isn't because you're liberal. Its because, I'm sorry to say, you came across as pompous and condescending. You would have received the same response if you posted content indicating you were a 60 year old white republican male.

I would also agree with the "demanding respect" comment above. Respect isn't something you can demand. This may sound trite, but it is something that can only be earned. To say one "demands" respect reminds me of the old mafia movies with the lead gang member talking about "getting respect." Well, obviously the moral of the story is one can try all they want to "demand" respect with money, guns, violence or any other means. At the end of the day, however, the person doesn't actually receive respect...even if they do receive acquiescence. One gets respect only by earning it.

Finally, its not "Matty."

[Nitemarehippy]

Mattlock!

Don't get all grumpy. I think my posts were adequate at achieving their goal, making people talk to me and responding to the off topic thread. You can sound condescending too, Matthew.

Oh and there are high amounts of "not racism", higher than any other state? What are you talking about there? How does one measure something that does not occur.

You and your way of thinking are the exception, not the rule. You can at least admit that.

I came here to debate. If I poke you in the ribs a few times, well that's just part of growing up. I, in return, full-heartedly expect to be poked back. No hurt feelings on my side.

I'll start a blog for all of you to follow. My exploits in Small Town USA.

[mattpoulsen]

"My point, however, is that it does NOT exist in Nebraska at any higher rate than it does anywhere else."

How is that confusing?? That is pretty plainly stated. Racism does NOT occur at a higher rate in Nebraska than it does in any other state. I didn't use the term "not racism" anywhere. I qualified the metric as a per capita measure, and that is pretty clear.

I'm not at all grumpy, but I'm not sure what you expect. You said you came here to debate, and that's what I gave you.

Finally, I am not the exception. Every single republican I know personally is liberal on at least one issue. Many republicans I know are pro-gay marriage. Many others are anti-death penalty. I am simply saying you should stop applying your stereotypes to all Nebraskans or all republicans...just as YOU would expect others not to apply a stereotype to you.

[Nitemarehippy]

Sorry, this argument got so boring it started blurring my vision. I read your post wrong.

Just kidding.

I'm about done unless something new is brought up.

I'll be there soon. Love and Kisses.

[mckalk]

I tend to think it is coincidence, but when I think of poor treatment or bad travel experiences it's true Western NE does come top of mind. Treated very rudely at a hotel in Kimball where the owner would not honor our AAA discount despite being listed as a AAA hotel in the literature.
Dear Ogalala, full of high priced dumps and bad food. Yes, I had the cockroach in the bed horror experience and waited an hour for a pizza. I have pioneer roots in the Alliance area and I love traveling through the Sandhills, but something about that Kimball/Og/Scottsbluff area. Maybe a lot of jerks pull of off the interstate and the locals are dubious of all outsiders?

[rickers]

Originally Posted by Nitemarehippy

No, I'm already an arrogant elitist.

You said it not us.

[nebrgirlgeorge]

HERE is Obama's RESPONSE WHEN HE BACKED OFF FROM HIS DECISION TO

LET THE MILITARY PAY FOR THEIR WAR INJURIES.........

Bad press, including a major mockery of the plan by comedian Jon Stewart,
led to President Obama abandoning his proposal to require veterans carry
private health insurance to cover the estimated $540 million annual cost to
the federal government of treatment for injuries to military personnel received during their
tours on active duty.
The President admitted that he was puzzled by the magnitude of the opposition to his proposal. "Look, it's an all volunteer force," Obama complained. "Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to have known and accepted the risks. Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice ? It doesn't compute.."

"I thought these were people who were proud to sacrifice for their country," Obama continued."I wasn't asking for blood, just money. With the country facing the worst financial crisis in its history, I'd have thought that the patriotic thing to do would be to try to help reduce the nation's deficit. I guess I underestimated the selfishness of some of my fellow Americans."
I guess OBAMA just doesn't get that the American people love and appreciate
our military guys and gals who lay their lives on the line so we can lay our heads down at
night in peace.

That's because he is not an AMERICAN at heart. That much is obvious.
Why in the world people voted for him I'll never know, but we all will
surely pay the price and rue the day that he took office. America is getting change but not the
change they were looking to get.

It's a shame but the people have been had again.

(AS FOREST GUMP SAYS : "Stupid is as stupid does")

SEND THIS TO EVERYONE TO SHOW JUST WHAT HE THINKS OF OUR MILITARY WHO
FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY AND GET HURT PROTECTING OUR FREEDOM

Yes, it's true! I looked it up!! Read on!

From a strangely unconcerned CNN:

A soldier undergoes therapy with both of his artificial legs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Senators slam plan for wounded vets to use private insurance

By Adam Levine
March 12, 2009
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering a controversial plan to make veterans pay for treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance.
Lawmakers say they’d reject a proposal to make veterans pay for treatment of war wounds with private insurance. But the proposal would be "dead on arrival" if it’s sent to Congress, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, said.
Murray used that blunt terminology when she told Shinseki that the idea would not be acceptable and would be rejected if formally proposed. Her remarks came during a hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs about the 2010 budget…
Asked about the proposal, Shinseki said it was under "consideration."
"A final decision hasn’t been made yet," he said…

(Thanks to AuntieAM for the heads up.)

I am sorry I had to paste in the whole controversy, but I couldn't find the original link, so I copied what I had found in an email. But if you google this, you will find many pages of it. But this had Obama's original reply. I just wondered how you felt about his thinking of doing this. It isn't going to happen, thank God, because more level heads will prevail over his.

As to your #2 - I know smoking is not good for you. And I also know that the govm't is already telling us what we can and can't do in our own homes. That is why the ban on smoking, and whether we can or can't dicipline our children is just one more step in the wrong direction for Americans. We came here to be free to do as we please, as long as it doesn't hurt someone else. I say, people who want the jobs - have a choice as to whether they work in a smoke filled bar, I don't smoke, and I have the choice to go to the sports bar where they don't smoke. I think half of what is wrong with todays kids is the fact that they weren't able to discipline their kids without fear of being reported. Now, I don't - nor has anyone in my family ever condoned beating a child or abusing one. But my mom said one swat on their diaper gets their attention before they touch that wood stove. Now I think a swat on the diaper startles them, before they do something that will harm them. I am in no was advocating abuse. There is a line between the two. But sitting them down for a time out at a young age, means nothing to them. They don't know what they did to get that time out. But that's my humble opinion, and please don't label me as an abuser of children. I never did anything but the slight swat on the butt of my son. As to when he got older, chopping wood for the winter was a much more productive discipline.

#3. You needn't apologize for my treatment - you weren't there, and I was not looking for sympathy. I just wanted to let you know, that I knew somewhat what you had to endure. But I don't go up to every skinny gal or guy and try to get in to a debate with them, or whip out any Dr.'s notes to defend my size. I was just saying - you are going to run into those types of people no matter where you go. They are all over the world, unfortunately.

#4. Again, I said at the time I was not inferring in any way that you would hit a woman. Didn't mean it then - don't mean it now. I would have to see you hit a woman before I would even think about it. What I said was your demeanor reminded me of an idiot that did. His wife said she couldn't teach me to be nice, now I know why she said it. And your confrontational post reminded me of him ... that is all I said. He had no personality skills what so ever. And again, I am not saying you don't, it is just that is how you came off in your first couple of posts.

#5. Redneck to me, describes what a person does,and how he acts. It doesn't neccessarily mean he has a low IQ. I have known some Rednecks with an exceptionally high IQ, but they still acted a little dueling banjo's, if ya know what I mean.

#6. You have every right to your own ideas. You just don't have the right to shove them done everyone's throat. (refer to #2)

#7. You have every right to be very proud of any medals you got. You served your country proudly, and should be treated with every respect you earn - no matter what color you are. I don't care if you are purple or lime green. As I said before, Sir, I thank you for fighting for my freedom to do as I choose! And the right to do as you choose!

#8. I am glad to hear you love everyone. I know I do, until they do me wrong, and you have the very same right! Amen, Brother.

#9. I too, would love to sit and listen to your stories, I am sure you have many good and sad ones to tell. Email me sometime, maybe we can break bread, we are not located that far apart. And I love to listen to everyone's stories. That is why I am a good teleb**ch. LOL!

My #10, I will be friends with anyone, until they give me reason to do otherwise. I have one friend who says I can talk to a post if it stands still long enough. And another one that says to never send me after a fire extingusiher, as I will find 6 people to talk to and the fire will be out of control before I get back.

And I hope you will answer me on Obama's idea of making the soldiers get their own insurance. I thought that was deplorable.

[Nitemarehippy]

FactCheck.org: Did Obama accuse veterans of "selfishness" and whining? Would he have forced them to "pay for their war injuries"?

FactCheck.org is a great website that I would suggest you give a perusal.

What your friend sent to you is a viral email, close to what was sent out about his birth certificate not existing. As a veteran, having people that disagree with his policies using wounded veterans as a tactic to stir resentment offends me.

For your friend who gave you this info.

YouTube - Ocean Front Property[George Strait tribute][lyrics in info]

I don't agree with a lot that Obama and his administration have or have not done. I'm registered independent. People often get partisan politics mixed up with my liberal view points. You sound a lot like my mom, who for the first time ever voted Democrat this election cycle. I wish I had more time to respond to your post.

Hope you are well. You at least seem stable in your mental capacities, some of the people on this thread are downright scary.