Sometimes the best blog entries are simply the words of others.
As I wrote in my November 20th blog entitled Not so hidden racism:
”According to the US census, Vermont and Maine are tied as the
”Whitest State” in the nation with about 96% in each state self
identifying themselves as white.
”Perhaps as a result, some of us have developed a not so
subtle form of racism that finds an outlet in the online comment
columns of the Portland Press Herald, the Waterville Morning
Sentinel, The Augusta Kennebec Journal, and the Bangor
Daily News.
”When a person of color or an immigrant is in the news,
the columns are often full of the most vile, bigoted comments.
In some cases, readers report these comments are
”inappropriate,” in some cases the newspapers themselves
monitor these columns, in other cases the comments remain
for hours or even days and months in the archives…
The great irony is that these newspapers would never allow
these vile comments to appear in their paper editions as
comments (Letters to the Editor), but allow the filth to appear
under their Corporate logos [in the online versions].
On December 17th, the Portland [Maine] Press Herald and the Waterville [Maine] Morning Sentinel published articles concerning the relocation of Iraqi refugees to Maine.
The first article was “A haven from violence, war”, and was published in the Sentinel as “Iraqi refugees hope Maine is last stop”. The second article, “Iraqi refugees won’t be left out in the cold”, appeared only in the Press Herald.
The following quotes have been taken unedited from the articles’ comments sections:
standup of skowhegan, ME
Dec 18, 2008 12:30 AM
why not put them in washington,dc so they can keep an eye on them better. Let me know where they work cause i sure the f$%#$ won’t be doing business their just what we need more people for hand outs.
f(*^^ing washington.
dennis arsenault of rumford, ME
Dec 17, 2008 8:32 PM
i also say americans first
and what is our own kind?imo not anyone covering thier face and wearing long robes
my grandfather immagrated from france to canada then to mass. and finally to maine and he did it without $$$$$$$$$$$$ from the govt.move to maine if you wish rag heads
i will welcome you if i do not have to pay for you.i am having a hard time paying for myself
and if my spelling and puntuation is not correct
go f,, yoursself vet
Denny of Portland, ME
Dec 17, 2008 9:59 AM
First it was 200, now it’s 300. Soon it will be 1,000 and more. If these people cared about their own country and took the action necessary to change it, they wouldn’t have to come here to live off our welfare. Our country went through a devastating civil war to cement our values and principles that remain to this day; the Iraquis need to do the same… take charge of their own sorry country (yes, I’ve been there), fix it and stay there, rather than bailing out and living a good life at our expense.
Here’s a question: Why don’t they move to New Hampshire? The answer: Because New Hampshire does not give away the store to freeloaders. The message: As long as Maine continues to be excessively generous to those who won’t carry their own weight, we will continue to import them from less generous states. If the Iraquis (and Somalis, etc.) were truly sincere about becoming productive residents, they would stay where the U.S. Government settles them and make the most of the benefits that are provided in those locations. Their migration to the states with better benefits is nothing more than a money grab, and we’re paying for it.
CRD of Southern, ME
Dec 17, 2008 9:46 AM
Should we erect a huge statue of Baldacci in Portland harbor with an inscription that says send us your poor, unemployed, criminals, single moms, drug addicts, etc. ……………
SL of SP, ME
Dec 17, 2008 9:46 AM
How many of you bleeding hearts actually believe the stories? The first one…they would have shot the males first, not a girl… The nightmares comment guarantees a PTSD diagnosis for the wife and kids, this makes them disabled and gathers more hand-outs. Then the tale of being a sunni..sunni’s did the same thing to shiites.. Great movies he is watching and exposing his young kids to…this is how you do things in America..I have an idea, they are called adult ed english classes…id you take any in Atlanta?
These stories are coached to many of the refugees because they hold the buzz words that will give them status over others trying to get a free ride to America or Europe.
You applied to 30 jobs in Atlanta, how many have you applied for here, it’s been a few months? Soon enough we will see what happens when you bring a large sectarian group of people to a foriegn place…you should see how they treat females in the work place, I have seen this first hand…you’re fired!
Back to work so I can pay for the next 300…
tax payer77 of kingfield, ME
Dec 17, 2008 9:08 AM
I have spent considerable time in the mid east. Plain and simple…they truly hate us and they do not support most of what we value. They kill women and children to make a religious point. If things are going so well back in Iraq, why not send these folks home. If welfare bennies are not so good in other states then we can expect to see a continous flow of the welfare savy arriving in Maine until we stop this madness.
Anti Liberal of Taxland, ME
Dec 17, 2008 8:58 AM
“After four months in Georgia, the family had seen a sharp cut in local benefits, he said, so that they couldn’t afford rent.”
Well…let mainers pay your rent, food, clothing, education, medical bills, take care of your kids, and while we are at it…what the hell, let us give you a new car and a plasma tv!!!
If there is anything else your little heart desires, please let us know, baldi, the governor just slashed some spending so we need to waste,ahhh spend, it elsewhere.
Welcome to Maine!
Biddy of Arundel, ME
Dec 17, 2008 7:08 AM
Merry Christmas people! We’re in the good ‘ol US of A! If you’re born here you get to struggle to survive and get the third degree if misfortune strikes and you need help. If you’re a refugee you get red carpet treatment and help with everything.
I think it’s absolutely appalling that we have 50 million plus Americans without health insurance yet can offer health care to non Americans.
Look at the food this lady is preparing. How many Americans can afford fruit and vegetables? Some of our Seniors eat cat and dog food so they can afford their medicines and heat.
Of course we shouldn’t turn our anger toward the refugees. They are just taking advantage of what is offered them by OUR OWN KIND!! They are looking to make a better life like we are.
My anger is directed at those who bring these people here and provide them with everything. We should know WHO they are. My bet is they are the same people who refuse to help their own American citizens who need help. HOW can we do this considering the state and Federal budget cuts that are hurting so many?
MainenCrisis of Portland, ME
Dec 17, 2008 6:56 AM
This article makes me want to throw up!!
Ford1600 of Canaan, ME
Dec 17, 2008 5:44 AM
Where are these jobs coming from that this group is going to get these people.
Why hasn’t this group gotten jobs for the people here in Maine that are out of fuel and food for their kids???.
Is this group blind to deaths of their own neighbors kids deaths due to crime here in their own country,,,,.
Send all of them back to their own countries to tuff it out just as we do!!!.
THAT GOES FOR ALL IMMAGRANTS
Jack of nowhere, ME
Dec 17, 2008 6:49 AM
You guys are pathetic. Spoiled rotten brats, even. You’re whining about 200-300 people moving to your state because you might have to shell out a couple of extra bucks in taxes, and want to see these people sent back to be raped, shot, forced to see family members killed, have acid thrown on them…. You people disgust me. You don’t know what hardship is.
Peter B Hayward
Copyright © 2008 Peter B. Hayward All Rights Reserved
A Maine Armchair Philosopher
Vox Populi – On Iraqi Refugees in Maine
December 18, 2008 · 1 Comment
Sometimes the best blog entries are simply the words of others.
As I wrote in my November 20th blog entitled Not so hidden racism:
”According to the US census, Vermont and Maine are tied as the
”Whitest State” in the nation with about 96% in each state self
identifying themselves as white.
”Perhaps as a result, some of us have developed a not so
subtle form of racism that finds an outlet in the online comment
columns of the Portland Press Herald, the Waterville Morning
Sentinel, The Augusta Kennebec Journal, and the Bangor
Daily News.
”When a person of color or an immigrant is in the news,
the columns are often full of the most vile, bigoted comments.
In some cases, readers report these comments are
”inappropriate,” in some cases the newspapers themselves
monitor these columns, in other cases the comments remain
for hours or even days and months in the archives…
The great irony is that these newspapers would never allow
these vile comments to appear in their paper editions as
comments (Letters to the Editor), but allow the filth to appear
under their Corporate logos [in the online versions].
On December 17th, the Portland [Maine] Press Herald and the Waterville [Maine] Morning Sentinel published articles concerning the relocation of Iraqi refugees to Maine.
The first article was “A haven from violence, war”, and was published in the Sentinel as “Iraqi refugees hope Maine is last stop”. The second article, “Iraqi refugees won’t be left out in the cold”, appeared only in the Press Herald.
The following quotes have been taken unedited from the articles’ comments sections:
standup of skowhegan, ME
Dec 18, 2008 12:30 AM
why not put them in washington,dc so they can keep an eye on them better. Let me know where they work cause i sure the f$%#$ won’t be doing business their just what we need more people for hand outs.
f(*^^ing washington.
dennis arsenault of rumford, ME
Dec 17, 2008 8:32 PM
i also say americans first
and what is our own kind?imo not anyone covering thier face and wearing long robes
my grandfather immagrated from france to canada then to mass. and finally to maine and he did it without $$$$$$$$$$$$ from the govt.move to maine if you wish rag heads
i will welcome you if i do not have to pay for you.i am having a hard time paying for myself
and if my spelling and puntuation is not correct
go f,, yoursself vet
Denny of Portland, ME
Dec 17, 2008 9:59 AM
First it was 200, now it’s 300. Soon it will be 1,000 and more. If these people cared about their own country and took the action necessary to change it, they wouldn’t have to come here to live off our welfare. Our country went through a devastating civil war to cement our values and principles that remain to this day; the Iraquis need to do the same… take charge of their own sorry country (yes, I’ve been there), fix it and stay there, rather than bailing out and living a good life at our expense.
Here’s a question: Why don’t they move to New Hampshire? The answer: Because New Hampshire does not give away the store to freeloaders. The message: As long as Maine continues to be excessively generous to those who won’t carry their own weight, we will continue to import them from less generous states. If the Iraquis (and Somalis, etc.) were truly sincere about becoming productive residents, they would stay where the U.S. Government settles them and make the most of the benefits that are provided in those locations. Their migration to the states with better benefits is nothing more than a money grab, and we’re paying for it.
CRD of Southern, ME
Dec 17, 2008 9:46 AM
Should we erect a huge statue of Baldacci in Portland harbor with an inscription that says send us your poor, unemployed, criminals, single moms, drug addicts, etc. ……………
SL of SP, ME
Dec 17, 2008 9:46 AM
How many of you bleeding hearts actually believe the stories? The first one…they would have shot the males first, not a girl… The nightmares comment guarantees a PTSD diagnosis for the wife and kids, this makes them disabled and gathers more hand-outs. Then the tale of being a sunni..sunni’s did the same thing to shiites.. Great movies he is watching and exposing his young kids to…this is how you do things in America..I have an idea, they are called adult ed english classes…id you take any in Atlanta?
These stories are coached to many of the refugees because they hold the buzz words that will give them status over others trying to get a free ride to America or Europe.
You applied to 30 jobs in Atlanta, how many have you applied for here, it’s been a few months? Soon enough we will see what happens when you bring a large sectarian group of people to a foriegn place…you should see how they treat females in the work place, I have seen this first hand…you’re fired!
Back to work so I can pay for the next 300…
tax payer77 of kingfield, ME
Dec 17, 2008 9:08 AM
I have spent considerable time in the mid east. Plain and simple…they truly hate us and they do not support most of what we value. They kill women and children to make a religious point. If things are going so well back in Iraq, why not send these folks home. If welfare bennies are not so good in other states then we can expect to see a continous flow of the welfare savy arriving in Maine until we stop this madness.
Anti Liberal of Taxland, ME
Dec 17, 2008 8:58 AM
“After four months in Georgia, the family had seen a sharp cut in local benefits, he said, so that they couldn’t afford rent.”
Well…let mainers pay your rent, food, clothing, education, medical bills, take care of your kids, and while we are at it…what the hell, let us give you a new car and a plasma tv!!!
If there is anything else your little heart desires, please let us know, baldi, the governor just slashed some spending so we need to waste,ahhh spend, it elsewhere.
Welcome to Maine!
Biddy of Arundel, ME
Dec 17, 2008 7:08 AM
Merry Christmas people! We’re in the good ‘ol US of A! If you’re born here you get to struggle to survive and get the third degree if misfortune strikes and you need help. If you’re a refugee you get red carpet treatment and help with everything.
I think it’s absolutely appalling that we have 50 million plus Americans without health insurance yet can offer health care to non Americans.
Look at the food this lady is preparing. How many Americans can afford fruit and vegetables? Some of our Seniors eat cat and dog food so they can afford their medicines and heat.
Of course we shouldn’t turn our anger toward the refugees. They are just taking advantage of what is offered them by OUR OWN KIND!! They are looking to make a better life like we are.
My anger is directed at those who bring these people here and provide them with everything. We should know WHO they are. My bet is they are the same people who refuse to help their own American citizens who need help. HOW can we do this considering the state and Federal budget cuts that are hurting so many?
MainenCrisis of Portland, ME
Dec 17, 2008 6:56 AM
This article makes me want to throw up!!
Ford1600 of Canaan, ME
Dec 17, 2008 5:44 AM
Where are these jobs coming from that this group is going to get these people.
Why hasn’t this group gotten jobs for the people here in Maine that are out of fuel and food for their kids???.
Is this group blind to deaths of their own neighbors kids deaths due to crime here in their own country,,,,.
Send all of them back to their own countries to tuff it out just as we do!!!.
THAT GOES FOR ALL IMMAGRANTS
Jack of nowhere, ME
Dec 17, 2008 6:49 AM
You guys are pathetic. Spoiled rotten brats, even. You’re whining about 200-300 people moving to your state because you might have to shell out a couple of extra bucks in taxes, and want to see these people sent back to be raped, shot, forced to see family members killed, have acid thrown on them…. You people disgust me. You don’t know what hardship is.
Peter B Hayward
Copyright © 2008 Peter B. Hayward All Rights Reserved
A Maine Armchair Philosopher
Categories: Iraqi Refugees · Maine · Waterville Morning Sentinel · media · newspapers · portland press herald · prejudice · racism · xenophobia
Tagged: Iraqi Refugees, Maine, newspaper comments, newspapers, portland press herald, racism, Waterville Morning Sentinel, xenophobia