Maine mayor tells Somalis to 'leave your culture at the door'

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Mainers are tougher than Vermonters.

I'm a Texican, what do you say about that?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I'm a Texican, what do you say about that?

Well I'm sure that a Texican thinks they're tougher than a Mainer, but could they survive the winter?

[Pooky 3,850]

Well I'm sure that a Texican thinks they're tougher than a Mainer, but could they survive the winter?

Not a hope.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Not a hope.

In Texas, they think they are tough. In Maine, they are tough.

[Pooky 3,850]

Tough is surfing off York beach in the middle of February.

It's also nutso beyond belief when the wind chill is -25 degrees F.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Tough is surfing off York beach in the middle of February.

It's also nutso beyond belief when the wind chill is -25 degrees F.

Tough is going in the water there in July.

[Pooky 3,850]

Tough is going in the water there in July.

Damn straight. Mere mortals (like me) lose all feeling in their toes in under 30 seconds. In July!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Damn straight. Mere mortals (like me) lose all feeling in their toes in under 30 seconds. In July!

And they Canadians come down because the water is warmer. They're tougher than Texans too.

[Pooky 3,850]

And they Canadians come down because the water is warmer. They're tougher than Texans too.

Except the Québécois.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Except the Québécois.

At least Texans are tougher than someone.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Well I'm sure that a Texican thinks they're tougher than a Mainer, but could they survive the winter?

I survive the one in northern Vermont just fine. Maine is not any different, perhaps more wet but definitely not as cold.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

And they Canadians come down because the water is warmer. They're tougher than Texans too.

They come here to get healthcare for being sick from the cold weather. And to avoid their 15% sales tax to pay for healthcare they have to come here for!

[Karee 4,191]

People from Quebec are not Canadians. They are an oppressed minority living under the English speaking oppressor's boot in Ottawa.

Vive Quebec Libre!

[scotinmass 588]

I am not offended by anyone, why would you assume I was? Where did I say it is offensive? Please copy and paste where I said it was offensive to me. Please. Unlike me, you want them oppressed and dependent. How is that for assumptions?

If you can find a place more accepting of people than Burlington VT I would certainly like to know where it is. Keep in mind my wife is an immigrant and she teaches other immigrants and interprets and translates for them. Good grief.

Ok you didn't say it was offensive but you were making disparaging comments about the way they dress. They dress in traditional clothes which look like they took all their drapes or bedsheets and covered themselves with them. I bet the Somalians think you look silly walking down the streets of Burlington in your Texan cowboy hat!

The OP was about the Somalians in Lewiston Maine. Not Burlington Vermont. I was pointing out that they have made a big contribution to Lewiston and most of them are trying to be self sufficient and the ones I have met seem to be very nice friendly people who at least try to speak English and fit in with the local culture whilst retaining parts of their own culture and religion as is their right. The majority of Lewistonians seem to accept them and don't have a problem with them being here but as with anywhere there is a vocal minority who want to stir things up and use them as an excuse for all Maine's problems. The mayor of Lewiston is one of them but I very much doubt he will be the mayor for much longer.

Vermont and Maine are the whitest states in America. People get set in their ways and don't like change so the sight of a lot of black faces in funny looking clothes is bound to upset a few but fortunately the majority seem to be able to get along with the newcomers just fine.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Ok you didn't say it was offensive but you were making disparaging comments about the way they dress. They dress in traditional clothes which look like they took all their drapes or bedsheets and covered themselves with them. I bet the Somalians think you look silly walking down the streets of Burlington in your Texan cowboy hat!

The OP was about the Somalians in Lewiston Maine. Not Burlington Vermont. I was pointing out that they have made a big contribution to Lewiston and most of them are trying to be self sufficient and the ones I have met seem to be very nice friendly people who at least try to speak English and fit in with the local culture whilst retaining parts of their own culture and religion as is their right. The majority of Lewistonians seem to accept them and don't have a problem with them being here but as with anywhere there is a vocal minority who want to stir things up and use them as an excuse for all Maine's problems. The mayor of Lewiston is one of them but I very much doubt he will be the mayor for much longer.

Vermont and Maine are the whitest states in America. People get set in their ways and don't like change so the sight of a lot of black faces in funny looking clothes is bound to upset a few but fortunately the majority seem to be able to get along with the newcomers just fine.

It is not disparaging. It is true. I do not wear a cowboy hat. More assumptions? More stereotyping? Isn't that kind of racist?

The OP was about foreigners in the United States and whether or not they should assimilate or maintain tradition. Lewsiton, by your own statement was trashed before they got there. Seems like any sort of life made an improvement, right? I am not talking about what they have done for the local economy, never mentioned it. Only that they have not assimilated, learned the language, or adapted to living and working here. All true. Assuming your impression of the results in Lewiston applies to all Somalians or others everywhere in the country is ludicrous. To put it mildly. By a huge majority the population of Somalians here are totally dependent on government handouts and always will be if they do not learn the language and adapt to their new home. Their choice, and I could not care less personally. They certainly have not hurt anything here. We have a microscopically low crime rate and no one is bothered by any of the refugees. Both Alla and I do work, both volunteer and paid, for Vermont Legal Aid, Association of Africans Living in Vermont, Vermont Refugee resettlement Program. There is no one more supportive of the immmigrants here than we are, even spending weeks working with Senator Leahy's office to craft legislation simplifying medical requirements for immigrants (I wish he would attach it to a bill that actually will pass). After all, our family IS made up of immigrants.

My family is made up of immigrants who had to learn the langauge and who speak multiple languages. Seriously, trying to paint me as racist or making assumptions about my clothing is foolish at best. Illogical actually. This IS an immigration website and we all are immigrants or have immigrant spouses and children. You think we do not like immigrants?

If you can tell me HOW they are better off to maintain tradition, NOT learn the langaugem, isolate themselves in society, then please explain how that works. If you want to continue make personal insults for lack of substance...here are a few clues, I do not wear a cowboy hat or boots. I am bald and used to be somewhat overweight but now I have lost 30 pounds and really it would be a stretch to say I was overweight, but hey, if it is all you got...go with it.

I await a reasoned and intelligent response.