Only in America

Sailor Steve · 11-23-11, 12:00 PM

Wait! You're saying Canada isn't part of... ?

Whut?

frau kaleun · 11-23-11, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Wait! You're saying Canada isn't part of... ?

Whut?

Don't be silly, Canada isn't part of the USA. Never has been.

Canada, as we all know, is America's Hat.

So, more like an occasionally fashionable accessory.

CCIP · 11-23-11, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Wait! You're saying Canada isn't part of... ?

Whut?

There are, by the way, also large Mennonite communities elsewhere around the world. Like Mexico, although I guess technically the US is part of....

Sailor Steve · 11-23-11, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCIP

There are, by the way, also large Mennonite communities elsewhere around the world. Like Mexico, although I guess technically the US is part of....

Yep, they're everywhere. One funny part of it is that I live in the heart of Mormonville, and we find that many people think Mormons are like Mennonites. Mormons are just the opposite - as thoroughly modern as people can be, at least in lifestyle.

Platapus · 11-23-11, 12:43 PM

Volunteering in animal rescue, I have a slightly different viewpoint of the Amish and Mennonites. Some of the worst puppy mills are operated by the Amish and Mennonites.

This is not surprising as both cultures tend to treat animals as commodities.

Unfortunately, few prosecutors are willing to accept the political risk of going after these "simple religious folks".

The PA legislature and the PA Department of Ag have exempted Amish and Mennonite farm animals as well as other farm animals from being subject to the animal cruelty statutes. The Amish tourist trade brings in a lot of money I guess.

The Amish and Mennonite cultures are identical to other human cultures. There is the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of human cultures.

While I can appreciate the good aspects of their culture, I also recognize the bad and ugly aspects too.

CCIP · 11-23-11, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

While I can appreciate the good aspects of their culture, I also recognize the bad and ugly aspects too.

Totally understandable. I think there is this sort of "noble farmer" romance around them that is unfair and overlooks the real problems they have strictly because they're so wildly different from how we're used to living.

AVGWarhawk · 11-23-11, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Volunteering in animal rescue, I have a slightly different viewpoint of the Amish and Mennonites. Some of the worst puppy mills are operated by the Amish and Mennonites.

This is not surprising as both cultures tend to treat animals as commodities.

There are other puppy mills in other cultures/societies as well. We sing their praises yet these folks also breed dogs for profit. Breed the female to exhaustion. Mix breeds such as pugs/beagle for puggles for profit. On it goes. The Amish have not cornered the market on such practices. But, by and large, I believe the Amish do regard animals as nothing but property. When the property does not produce the work it is the end of the line for the animal.

11-23-11, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCIP

Totally understandable. I think there is this sort of "noble farmer" romance around them that is unfair and overlooks the real problems they have strictly because they're so wildly different from how we're used to living.

Interesting, I suppose I look at the way the UK has changed since the 60s and how it's being led into a Euro pot of politicaly correct "every tomatoe must be the same size" normality. Then I see this Amish way of life that simply challenges all around me, it can only happen in America.

I recon I see, not a way out, but an alternative and somewhere between the madness and insanity of religeous cults and the madness of not having TVs in every room and driveways full of cars, but a normal life led at a pace that even a horse and a buggy can manage.

AVGWarhawk · 11-23-11, 01:30 PM

Quote:

TVs in every room and driveways full of cars, but a normal life led at a pace that even a horse and a buggy can manage.

In some Amish households this is changing. There are some that have gotten a phone or a car. Others still go strictly by the book. I remember reading years ago about a cocaine ring in Lancaster PA ran by the Amish.

http://www.rickross.com/reference/amish/amish2.html

Sometimes the outside world provides a strong magnet to breaking the ideals they set out to live by.

11-23-11, 12:00 PM	#1
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Wait! You're saying Canada isn't part of... ? Whut? __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

11-23-11, 12:43 PM	#5
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,438 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Volunteering in animal rescue, I have a slightly different viewpoint of the Amish and Mennonites. Some of the worst puppy mills are operated by the Amish and Mennonites. This is not surprising as both cultures tend to treat animals as commodities. Unfortunately, few prosecutors are willing to accept the political risk of going after these "simple religious folks". The PA legislature and the PA Department of Ag have exempted Amish and Mennonite farm animals as well as other farm animals from being subject to the animal cruelty statutes. The Amish tourist trade brings in a lot of money I guess. The Amish and Mennonite cultures are identical to other human cultures. There is the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of human cultures. While I can appreciate the good aspects of their culture, I also recognize the bad and ugly aspects too. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.