Wondering if I'll fit in.... (Metlakatla: live in, moving to, farms)

[Metlakatla]

Kyle, the type of place where you're most likely to be assigned to as your training ground is not well represented on this forum.

Most people in rural Alaska don't care much about your views on national politics, unless, like Rance says, you try to cram them down anyone's throat, and you don't seem the type to do that.

In some of the Native villages you won't find that much good feelings concerning the former governor but you also won't find her talked about much among the locals.

It's going to be a different world. Keep an open mind.

[richelles]

It is obvious that there are different viewpoints and none of them of them can be right all the time. As long as you can read about what other person's viewpoints are and you can defend their right to express them then I would think you are in safe territory. Just don't think only you can be right all the time and you should be OK in this place.

[Grannysroost]

You know what your job standards, regulations are....don't let your personal views come into play...it can get difficult at times in Alaska, as well as anywhere else...you can't escape in that field of work....

[Lawman_Kyle]

Oh I'm definitely not one to cram my thoughts or beliefs down someone. I'm a quiet person in most respects. I have to be in my line of work....

I just noticed myself mentally going against quite a few of the political threads in here and just worried I might be moving up to a place I stuck out like a sore thumb in. I'm looking forward to getting up to Alaska and learning new culture. I definitely didn't mean this thread in a negative way....just wanted to voice a concern I have is all.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by Lawman_Kyle

Oh I'm definitely not one to cram my thoughts or beliefs down someone. I'm a quiet person in most respects. I have to be in my line of work....

I just noticed myself mentally going against quite a few of the political threads in here and just worried I might be moving up to a place I stuck out like a sore thumb in. I'm looking forward to getting up to Alaska and learning new culture. I definitely didn't mean this thread in a negative way....just wanted to voice a concern I have is all.

In religion and politics, it is a no-win situation since both sides think they are right. I didn't see anything in your original post that was so outlandish that you'd not fit in. I find these two subjects are best not discussed at work since it can lead too easily to disagreements. No, you will not stick out like a sore thumb. If I were you I would not even worry about it. Your beliefs are fine and in tune with many people. If we all thought the same way it'd be a boring world. I don't take the word of a few people who may disagree with my thoughts on any of these forums to represent what the State is like.

[notreesininceland]

Originally Posted by Alaskapat528

In religion and politics, it is a no-win situation since both sides think they are right.

No, it is a win-win situation. If both sides think they are right we have two winners.

I didn't see anything in your original post that was so outlandish that you'd not fit in.

The business of whether something fits him or not is something that should be between him and his tailor.

I find these two subjects are best not discussed at work since it can lead too easily to disagreements.

In fact, Kyle should discuss not two, but 10 subjects, at work. Disagreements lead to introspection which in turn brings about refinement in one's thinking.

Your beliefs are fine and in tune with many people.

Yes, bring your iTunes with you when you come here.

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by notreesininceland

Yes, bring your iTunes with you when you come here.

Here meaning Silicon Valley?

[notreesininceland]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

Here meaning Silicon Valley?

No, Alaska. I don't have to bring iTunes to Silicon Valley. iTunes was born here in the Valley, a couple of miles down from where I type this.

[juneaubound]

Originally Posted by Lawman_Kyle

So I've been reading on this forum for a month or two now, and I've really found myself going against the majority in here when it comes to political issues and some life things in general. It really has me worried that I won't fit in.

I'm a republican, I can't stand our president, the healthcare reform is a one way street to a socialistic America in my opinion. I DO like Sarah Palin, I love to hunt and fish, so naturally I'm completely against gun control. If someone spit in my food, I'd be really apt to find them when the time and place is right and kick their butt.

I believe in hard work, God, and being a gentleman to women. I have no problems with welfare, but I can't stand people who are too lazy to get off their butts and work, and would instead live off the government. I am disgusted by people who take the free road, and live a better life than those of us who struggle to work for what they have.

I do not get along with liberals very well at all. PETA and organizations like it make my skin crawl.

Your belief system is fairly much in line with most other law enforcement officers I have known over the years. Just be yourself and true to your own values on a personal level, and true to the value of enforcing the law equally in your professional life and you will be fine. At the end of the day it is about coming home safely to your family, and being able to look yourself in the face in the mirror.

Oh - and cops generally do not eat any food that is not made directly in their presence (eg. Subway). And that's for a reason.

[Metlakatla]

I don't think that in rural Alaska you'll have to worry about anyone spitting in your food or some such bs. The eating establishments are owner-operated and the people have more self respect and are more gracious than that. If you end up on POW and have anything like that happen to you, you let me know and the idjits will be dealt with.

Politics just aren't going to matter. What sometimes does matter is the attitude a cop might bring with him from elsewhere and I've seen no indication of that sort of attitude in your posts. What I'm talking about is a certain rookie trooper last summer who tried to browbeat me into pushing my crew into overtime to process for free a bunch of confiscated halibut. He acted like he could come around pushing people around just because he was wearing a uniform and trying to intimidate people. He learned differently. Then there was the matter of the cop who tried to harass my offspring when he was walking the dog on his father's private property. That didn't go over well either. That's the sort of thing that causes problems for rookie cops rather than their political beliefs.

Kyle, the fact that you're even wondering about it speaks well on your behalf. I'm sure you'll do fine. You may feel at first that you have little in common with the locals but the chances are that you won't even know their political views at all.