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Post by drlj on Oct 9, 2011 8:14:40 GMT -5
Just returned home from a week in PA. We visited Lancaster Co. and saw many huge Amish farms, buggies and people on really cool scooters all around. There was a bit a tension in the Amish community, though, and this story came out while we were there. I found it interesting and it has its elements of history repeating itself. It was front page news on several of the PA newspapers including the Pittsburgh paper I have linked. Good to be home! www.post-gazette.com/pg/11281/1180676-455.stm |
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Post by fatstrat on Oct 9, 2011 8:30:29 GMT -5
That's is disturbing. The thing that strikes me is that aside from trying to just get away, the Amish likely will not attempt to defend themselves. As in w/a weapon. Takes alot of courage to attack someone who won't fight back.
BTW, Lancaster PA has what is IMO the best Pizza in the nation. Haven't been there in a few years, but man I loved Hot Z's pizza.
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Post by drlj on Oct 9, 2011 8:46:56 GMT -5
There is a lot of division because the Amish believe that pressing charges is the same as getting revenge which is against their beliefs. Those who have come forward are in a delicate position and not all the Amish support them. The police have known of the attacks for some time but have not been able to do anything because those attacked have refused to press charges.
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Post by Village Idiot on Oct 9, 2011 10:01:31 GMT -5
That's a sad story. I would think that since it's a terrorist attack that charges wouldn't have to be made in order for the sherrif to move forward, but what do I know. Sounds like a bunch of looneys out there.
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Post by John B on Oct 9, 2011 10:07:06 GMT -5
Thank God that the attackers are only shaving their victims, not torturing or killing them.
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Post by Don Clark on Oct 9, 2011 10:07:28 GMT -5
Brings all new meaning to "Turn the other cheek".
Kidding aside - it is awful, cruel, absurd, and pointless all rolled into one.
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Post by sidheguitarmichael on Oct 9, 2011 17:34:47 GMT -5
Gross. Where is Harrison Ford's character (the movie Witness) when you need him.
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Post by Resolve on Oct 10, 2011 7:36:33 GMT -5
It just amazes me that some human beings have such an evil nature. What goes through their minds....?
"Disturbing" ...indeed.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2011 11:01:53 GMT -5
It just amazes me that some human beings have such an evil nature. What goes through their minds....? "Disturbing" ...indeed. Can't account for their minds but a good load of rock salt through their butts might produce a more pleasing change in their attitudes. |
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Post by millring on Oct 10, 2011 11:23:05 GMT -5
It might just be one of those many situations where its imprudent to pass judgment on the way someone (or group of someones) is handling a situation because we're further from the conclusion of events than we think we are.
It's quite interesting to contrast the Amish with us English. First of all, many (if not most) of our notions about their quirky behaviors are conclusions poorly drawn for even poorer information.
For instance, they really aren't nearly as Luddite as they are Separatist. Therefore, we are often surprised at what we think are inconsistencies in their beliefs -- not because we understand those beliefs, but because we have clearly misunderstood their behaviors (as per the short thread we had recently on the Amish use of power tools and knowledge of tractors).
I think we also embrace a subconscious misunderstanding of evolution wherein we accept technological advancement as intelligence. Therefore, anyone who eschews the technology that we think makes us "advanced" is, by definition, less intelligent. So we accept the Amish seemingly not accepting of modern ways as a sign of people less intelligent. Add to that the fact that they choose the lifestyle for religious reasons, and you only compound the assessment of inferior intellect in a world that accepts the model that faith and reason are not compatible (rather than that they are, of necessity, indivisible).
But look who's having the last laugh. In a general society at the point of collapse, the Amish still have incredible personal wealth (and even if you don't accept that appraisal when compared to Rockefellerian wealth, at least one much concede that there is almost no debt in the Amish society). They have stronger than the national average family units, and the very fact that this story (the beard thing) is making national news is testimony to its man-bites-dog nature. It's rare, as is most crime among the Amish. If there's crime in the Amish community, it is generally being perpetrated on, not by them.
In short, their conclusion to turn the other cheek may turn out well for them. Maybe not, but we're not at the end of the story yet.
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Post by theevan on Oct 10, 2011 12:27:33 GMT -5
If I'd had any notions about lower intelligence (I didn't) they would have been quickly disabused by the Mennonite publication we used to receive. The level of writing, mostly by uneducated farmers and farm wives, is very high, even elegant at times, and always heartfelt.
My Maasai friends choose separateness as well. No lack of intelligence there either.
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Post by omaha on Oct 10, 2011 12:43:55 GMT -5
The Amish provide an interesting contrast to the OWS folks.
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Post by billhammond on Oct 10, 2011 12:50:20 GMT -5
The Amish provide an interesting contrast to the OWS folks. And to the Tea Party folks, for that matter. |
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Post by omaha on Oct 10, 2011 13:10:15 GMT -5
The Amish provide an interesting contrast to the OWS folks. And to the Tea Party folks, for that matter. Perhaps, but you'll have to expand on that. Its my view that the Amish are doing rather well for themselves. Why then are the OWS folks not doing well for themselves? How are the two groups different? The obvious answers are industry, thrift and non-participation in the modern (ie, Wall Street) economy. The OWS folks say we need to reform Wall Street in order that then can live as they desire. The Amish demonstrate that you can live just fine without Wall Street. The problem for the OWS folks is that they dont want to work as hard a the Amish. They want to tear down without having any idea how things are held up. In that way, they are in sharp contrast to the TP. OWS says they are against bail outs, but they dont mean it. They are demanding more bailouts (ie, student loan forgiveness, etc) at this very moment. Thats the critical difference between OWS and TP: OWS says the problem with bailouts is that the wrong people (defined a anyone other than themselves) got the money. TP says all bailouts are wrong. One position is coherent, the other is just self-serving. |
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Post by Doug on Oct 10, 2011 15:30:44 GMT -5
Can I get back the money that I paid for my student loan?  |
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Post by drlj on Oct 10, 2011 18:33:06 GMT -5
I would like to get back the money I paid for Saturday's lunch.
LJ
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Post by millring on Oct 10, 2011 18:35:52 GMT -5
I would like to get back the money I paid for Saturday's lunch. LJ You bought lake perch again think it'd taste like bluegill, right? |
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