>From a city "suit". Although I understand that the term "suit" is used perjoratively to identify those white collar persons of authority who can't poor piss out of a boot, I think that there are some of us who know what is really valuable in life. I believe I saw the documentary at issue (about coal miners and their families fighting for the basic elements of human dignity that we are entitled to as Americans), and it sent a message of courage, honor and pride to me. I, for one, am aware that "ignorance" is in the mind of the beholder who is conditioned to believe that those who dress, act or talk differently are than he are somehow lesser beings. People with true life experience who have weathered hardship and adversity and overcome them jus know the only ignorant people are those who fail to respect other human beings. I met my first Eastern Kentuckian when I was in the Army. He certainly fit the vision I had of a "hill billy." He was big, strong, tough, talked funny and, thank God, courageous. Now, he wasn't very good at reedin', and writin' and calculatin' weren't really his things either, but let me tell you, he was one of the guys I wanted at my backside in a fight. He not only was courageous, but had great common sense and was a natural soldier and leader. I value no person in my life greater than him. Nothing teaches real democracy and human decency and caring faster than a little foxhole time with your buddies - - ask anyone who has been there. I think one of the greates compliments I ever received is when he told me "You shot as good as most Kentucky boys. Hell, you shoot most good as me." (He was convinced that shooting straight was the most important things one could do, and was rightfully proud of his skill. I agree) Since those days of my youth I have found over and over that courage and dignity are not functions of how you dress, talk, eat, etc. They are places in your heart. I saw that kind of courage and dignity in the people shown in that HBO movie. I think they people repesent the values that make America great. I know that is what I fought for - - the right to live with dignity. How does this relate to genealogy? Well, you just don't know your roots till you know your roots. I discovered two years ago that I wasn't just a descendent of some Ozark hill billys, but Kentucky hill people, and Virginia hill people as well. When I first saw the facts, I thought back on that foxhole buddy of mine, and knew why I was a straight shooter - - and was and am darn proud of it. And thats all I have to say about that! Bill -----Original Message----- From: Ann Lemaster- Applegate [mailto:annapplegate@maysvilleky.net] Sent: Friday, December 03, 1999 11:19 AM To: KYJOHNSO-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: EASTERN KENTUCKY This list isn't country Vs. city. HBO aired documentaries on Eastern Ky that apparently made all of us Kentuckians look like we are too ignorant to work, live in shacks and survive on welfare and foodstamps. The "city suits" I referred to are the executives and directors that dream up these crazy documentaries in order to boost their ratings and make a buck or two at the expense of we Kentuckians. Please do not twist my words to make it appear I said something that I did not. If you have a reply to this, do so by private e-mail Ann Lemaster-Applegate annapplegate@maysvilleky.net ==== KYJOHNSO Mailing List ==== Comments or suggestions pertaining to this list may be sent to: annapplegate@maysvilleky.net Visit the Johnson County Historical Society homepage: http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyjchs/johnson.html