Happycamper wrote on Mar 18, 2008 6:41 AM:
" To:Hmong.italian.american...Yes, they are very naive. Pretty sad, I know. They're angry and want to blame minority groups for THEIR problems. The car reference...ludicrous. Please know that the majority of citizens do not feel this way. "
hmong.italian.american wrote on Mar 17, 2008 2:40 PM:
" also, i was unaware that the hmong people "are treated better than people who were born here". where are you getting this from? what personal experience do you have? i have never felt like i was treated any better or any less then anyone else. then again, not only am i hmong, but i was BORN here also. plus, there are a lot of comments about hmong people driving newer vehicles. i started laughing after i read those. EVERYONE in america has debt. has anybody heard of the word "loan"? do you really think that all people who have nice and expencive things can afford them or have paid for them in cash? how naive. "
hmong.italian.american wrote on Mar 17, 2008 2:39 PM:
" wow. i am really surprised by many of the comments posted below. i'm first generation hmong-american and my husband is first generation italian-american. will our daughter, who is only five months old, have to grow up listening to these racial attacks, too?
is it not true that america has made promises that she cannot necessarily keep? well, this current situation stems down from one of them. don't get me wrong, america did try. she just didn't realize that the genocide would still continue 'til this day. "
madcow wrote on Mar 16, 2008 6:12 PM:
" honestabe,
Hmong is not a religion, nor a country. Hmong is a ethnic group of people. Hmong is a minority in Laos. Hmong is their native language.
Please tell me how do you go from seeing a Hmong driving a $25,000 car to the conclusion that the government gave them the car? Please tell me. I could only afford a $5,000 car. I want a free $25,000 car.
"
dianah wrote on Mar 16, 2008 2:33 PM:
" cocacolagirl you really need to opend up your eyes a tid bit when responding in haste. First of all the Hmong people are not illegal immigrants, 2nd of all...WE ALL DON'T belong in America...this country was stolen from Native American's, so if you're intending to have the Hmong go back to their country or roots--rethink about yourself first. You should go back to your origin also. And to others who don't understand why the Hmong in America has $25,000++ vehicles is due to the fact that they are hard working labored people who earn their money from working 40+ hour factory jobs. They learn how to manage their savings quite well, unlike some other races who have been in this country for over 100 years and have nothing because of laziness. Come from a more open-minded view and there will be much more respect to you...take care. "
HonestAbe wrote on Mar 15, 2008 3:02 PM:
" I type in to google earth search 'hmong' and it gets confused .... I type in 'laos' and it zooms me to that place on the map. "
HonestAbe wrote on Mar 15, 2008 2:57 PM:
" Oh, and hmong is their religion, they are from Laos and are Laotian. Please get this right. Imagine if someone asked 'so what nationality are you' and they answer 'christian'. That is what is going on everytime they or someone else refers to them as 'hmong'. "
HonestAbe wrote on Mar 15, 2008 2:55 PM:
" Personally, I don't think anyone has a problem with helping those that helped us. THE PROBLEM is that they are treated better than people that were born here. That is the root of my anger, not so much at the laotions, but our govt that doles out everything and anything they need, gold plated.
I see so many of them driving brand new vehicles worth $25,000, $30,000 ..... and there's no way someone fresh off the boat can afford that. They get more kickbacks and 'help' than residents, and that, ... that is wrong. "
Michael Welch wrote on Mar 15, 2008 1:10 PM:
" 'You don't leave your people on the beach' -- those you owe are not 'freeloaders'; they are allies. Further, the off budget for the endless war is $12 billion a month; the 'final' cost (if it EVER ends) is projected to be THREE TRILLION -- lot of health care possible in amounts that massive eh? Gas prices are headed to $4 a gallon while the Federal Reserve bails out major 'freeloader' Bears Sterne investment bank -- but it won't help you pay your mortgage. Blackwater and Halliburton are getting richer and richer while the nation goes into a major recession; no I don't think doing the right thing for the Hmong is 'the problem' at all... "
just the facts wrote on Mar 15, 2008 12:14 PM:
" Oh, and by the way ,taxpayers of the city of LaCrosse ARE ,assisting our Hmong community. I read in the Tribune legal notices last week that the city awarded $60,000, of community development block grant funds, to the new Hmong center on Ward avenue. Likley Swantz and Medinger engineered this , after assuring us that no taxpayer dollars would be used on this project. You can learn a lot of information, that the Tribune does'nt publish, about the dealings of the city and county by reading the leagel notices. "
just the facts wrote on Mar 15, 2008 6:13 AM:
" We owe the Hmong people a debt that can never be repaid, and we should be proud to have them among us! They are right to demand that our government get involved, RIGHT NOW! What we don't need however, is the pious young girl interviewed on WIZM, who screeched that the U.S.should take the money it is spending on that " useless" Iraq war and use it for repatriation! She should know better, and reflect on where she came from! It's no coincedence that John Medinger is their leader and organizer. That kind of bitterness is preached by him and taught by our schools, and is not helpful, at all! "
Yellow media watch wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:04 PM:
" Good point, maybe we should war "over there" so we don't have to "over here" and they won't come and implode our social services system. "
HonestAbe wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:14 PM:
" If there are still problems there, lets mobilize and go back in. If we fix the problem there, then the problem is solved, right?
If that is the only way to stop the influx, it's got my vote.
LEARN TO DRIVE "
JohnnyHobo wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:43 PM:
" As a Vietnam vet (USN BUD/S) I am all-too aware of not only the service that many Hmong warriors provided for American, but also assistance many Hmong families provided to individual soldiers and patrols. The issue I see expressed here is by those who feel that the many Hmong remaining in Thai camps really haven't earned, nor are entitled to the privilege of migrating to the United States. While common sense would tell you that it's been a long time since the falls of Vientiane and Saigon, we still can't be assured of the safety of the Hmong if repatriated. The US Government needs to work with the Laotian government to assure the safe repatriation of the Hmong. "
Just Some Dude wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:16 PM:
" buckets- what I meant to say was I didn't serve. "
Just Some Dude wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:16 PM:
" Phil-if that was all that you got from my post, I should quit wasting my time.
Buckets- I honestly served myself, my grandfather was a war hero in the Korean war, what I was getting at is that not only did these Hmong soldiers believe in what we stood for, but they were willing to have their whole family tortured and murdered for picking up a gun and joining our side. I am guessing that that is more than what 90 percent of these posters would be willing to do. The Hmong people stand for what this country was founded on, it isn't a place it is a belief, if some of these posters had to fight for their freedom like the Hmong had to they might think a little different about it. "
buckets wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:08 PM:
" Dude-Thank you for your service. I had family and friends in Viet Nam and I greatly appreciate your service and that of the Hmong. I also am white and my forefathers have been here since 1860. I just don't understand racism. It's ugly, very ugly. "
Phil wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:07 PM:
" Just some dude: learn how to spell "
Just Some Dude wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:05 PM:
" Phil-I am guessing that you faught for this country as well? Please explain these "freeloaders" you speak of. For the record I am a republican, you whining about this country being so horrible and "needing a change" sounds an aweful lot like you know who...........(Obama) "
Phil wrote on Mar 14, 2008 2:59 PM:
" Michael Welch: You use the words many and some, except you are confused in your usage. You have them backwards. Many are dependant, and some have integrated and speak english. Its ok though, you along with all the other liberal feel good people in this country can go on beleiving there is nothing wrong here in America. Health care costs and alot of other factors figure in with the horrible state our country is in. Freeloaders are the problem, and it not just the Hmongs. "
Just Some Dude wrote on Mar 14, 2008 2:57 PM:
" buckets- while I am very proud of my white skin and my heritage, I am just as proud to be an american. I am even more proud to be what america stands for. What our troops along with the Hmong did in that war was very heroic, it indirecly led to the fall of communism in Russia, no more fallout shelters, no more arms race, and no more cold war. It is still suprising that today when every toher car you see has the yellow "supportour troops" ribbon on it, we still don't respect the troops (and that includes the Hmong) of the wars past. "A nation that forgets it's defenders, is a nation that will too be forgotten" "
Just Some Dude wrote on Mar 14, 2008 2:51 PM:
" If it wasn't for my heart doctor at Gunderson (who is Hmong) I would not be here right now....and that is a FACT! He is one of the nicest most respectable men I know, even when I was out eating at a local restrant recently he remembered me and came over to my table and talked to me and my family. The guy is a class act, my wife is pregnant with our 3rd child and our white doctor still doesn't ever remember our names or who we are. "
buckets wrote on Mar 14, 2008 2:38 PM:
" For a community that is rallying around a bunch of light bulbs...take a look at the hatred here and on the cross forum. Take a look at yourself La Crosse. You are so proud of your lit cross on a hill and your white skin and your forefathers! Stop and find some love in your heart. And what the hell does "When does deer hunting season open?" mean? I find name calling distasteful but REDNECK sure seems to fit. Travel sometime...and that doesn't mean Iowa. "
MEXIMAN wrote on Mar 14, 2008 2:20 PM:
" Well said "Michael"...i frequently am reminded of how people here are quick to forget the services that "Other Cultures" have provided to this country. When will they change..???? "
Michael Welch wrote on Mar 14, 2008 1:55 PM:
" Of course what 'Phil' (is this 'Phil O'Bates'? I hope not!) is saying below IS racism -- many Hmong HAVE integrated into the community and speak English fluently but remember some indeed are dependent (English is not the easiest language to learn and many older people come from an illiterate culture) and find solace in their own communities just as did Germans, Norwegians, Italians etc. -- or what about Westby and Genoa? Lutheran services in Norwegian after all ended in Westby only in the late 1980s. These 'expressions' are really the purest, most ignorant racism albeit slightly disguised as disgruntled so-called nativist 'Americanism'; not to recognize that, 'Phil,' is lying to yourself... "
Michael Welch wrote on Mar 14, 2008 1:23 PM:
" One 'benefit' of this blog I guess is catharsis; but it reveals there's so much resentment of the Hmong living in La Crosse, even after more than twenty five years, and that's disturbing and discouraging. As a Vietnam war veteran myself I think the war was unnecessary and a horrible national mistake as is today the war in Iraq but I strongly support bringing Iraqis who have helped the US to the states when they are in danger of being killed. The Hmong are targeted in Laos as US 'allies' and no matter the time passed we do 'owe them.' I wrote yesterday 'You don't leave your people on the beach!' and it really is a matter of American honor and I regret there are so many below who embrace more national disgrace because they can't overcome their racism... "
Phil wrote on Mar 14, 2008 1:18 PM:
" I saw no racism written here. I beleive what everyone is sick of is the fact that the hmong have been here many, many years and it is clear that they do very little to find employment or even speak our language. How many years must this go on? I am all for equal rights for everyone. But that does not mean it is ok for everyone who works to support people who wont work, who beleive it is the governments responsibility to take care of them!!! "
MEXIMAN wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:45 PM:
" I agree 100% with you "Peace Now"...i'm glad i moved too. You can only take so much of the rednecks. "
tax justice wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:59 AM:
" Lets send back all the people from the past 20 years including the Hmong. Then we can go to Illinois where 30% of the doctors are foreign born or over to Gundersen where the top 3 cardiac doctors are foreign born. The doctors we need won't be there but we can take care of ourselves?
And let's send back all crap that isn't made in American. I am willing at anytime to go through the closets and homes of all you who complain about immigration and take away all the products you have that were made in China. My god, your house would be empty. Let's benefit from there slave labor and cheap resources. Its our American right to take what we want and leave the rest behind. "
Peacenow wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:06 AM:
" After reading the posting on this story. I am so glad I moved out of LaCrosse. The racism that runs rampant on these posts is alarming. The Hmongs are trying to show the plight of their families. When we ignore the oppression of others thoughout the world we see what happens. Genocide after genocide. "
cocacolagirl wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:55 AM:
" I agree with Tribaud...
we can't save the world
and whatever war we may have..
we can't save everyone.
We have to have some cut off point.
We can't save the Iraqis or the Hmong
or any other race that we have conflicts
with because of wars.
We seem to be becoming the minority here.
I wasn't born yet in the era of the Vietnam war
so call me clueless.
I'm just saying U.S.A. is only so big
and we can't cram everyone here.
I'm sure there are alot of nice Hmongs out there and every other race out there...
but we can't save everyone "
Yellow media watch wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:07 AM:
" take off work...good one! "
DutchBoy wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:30 AM:
" I have a tendency to paraphrase Mark Twain here, "Rumors of Hmong deaths are greatly exhaggerated." While chatting with Tong Lee a few months ago, I asked him if the Hmong faced persecution if they returned to Laos. He responded point black, "We don't know." The Laotian government has said that they will welcome the Hmong back, PROVIDED they accept the sovereignty of the Lao government and agree to live peaceably. Anyone with a brief understanding of the Hmong know that being subjugated really isn't one of their traits. Likewise, anyone with a brief understanding of the Lao know that they aren't the most trustworth folk on earth. Personally, I'd like to see the Hmong repatriated to Laos, provided they face no repercussions "
tribaud wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:25 AM:
" Did all these 200 people need to take off work to stage their protest? "
tribaud wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:21 AM:
" My problem with this situation is this: when does it end? The war has been over for 35 years. So anyone there under the age of 35 couldn't possibly have helped us. Do we owe every future generation of those that helped citizenship, financial assistance, etc? In 10 years, we will be facing the same situation with our "allies" in Iraq. At what point does our responsibility to these people end? never? I have ancestors that fought to save France - twice. If I went to France today and demanded citizenship, aid, etc. what do you think they would say? The US can't save everyone, everywhere and it's time we started facing that reality. "
StarsandStripes wrote on Mar 14, 2008 9:14 AM:
" If you guys want some facts about this issue, go to www.factfinding.org. "
Just Some Dude wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:54 AM:
" Wakeup- in a way you are right, if we leave Iraq before it is over, the EXACT same thing is going to happen, it is time you people stop protesting this war, and start supporting that we win this one and take care of business now, so we don't have to in another 30 years. "
wakeup wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:53 AM:
" The really sad thing here, besides the continuing persecution suffered by the Hmong people in Laos and the ignorance of some of the people posting here, is that we are now creating a similar problem in Iraq. There are at least 2 million Iraqi refugees, thanks to our invasion there (and probably at least another 2 million "internally displaced") yet the US has accepted only a few hundred to come here. All those translators, spotters and other people who helped with the invasion are left hung out to dry. This is the pattern of an empire. Read "Iraq refugee crisis 'deepening'" at http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hvUCPK-LOVyUlElUcc6552wRY4IA "
mby wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:34 AM:
" I think it's funny they still quote John Medinger before they quote or ask the current mayor. LOL. "
Just Some Dude wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:25 AM:
" Man you uneducated people in here are killing me today. Do you have any idea at all the agreement we made with the Hmong people that picked up guns and faught for our country and against theirs in the war? Until you learn about that, you should really shut up and stop preaching your nonsense. "
Just Some Dude wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:22 AM:
" Cocoa do you have ANY clue at all (again)? It is real nice that you start preaching slogans from Obama, your plan seems to be the same as his......you don't have one. You first of all need to talk to a Hmong, if you are looking for any to talk to you can ask me I know several who have stories of sneaking through jungles to a safe area so they could get here before they are murdered. You can guarantee that ever Hmong resident here (or their parents) were a key part in us having a chance in the war. They believed in what we say this country stands for......and that is not "change for a brighter future", it is give us your tired, your beaten and your poor and we will ive them a chance. "
nana3 wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:20 AM:
" How many hmongs have we brought to the USA? Surely more than the lives lost in the Vietnam war. We need to put our country first and do what is best for us, we now know who will stand behind America when we are attacked by terrorists. Wake up people and quit biting the hand that feeds you. "
nana3 wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:15 AM:
" Americans are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Everybody wants something, if we don't give in we have to hear about what was done for us up to 300 years ago. Third world countries are taking more and more of our jobs away every day. The Native Americans want millions of dollars for land deals that were made hundreds of years ago. America, JUST SAY NO! "
cocacolagirl wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:14 AM:
" We got to focus on the present not focus on the past...and look for a better future "
cocacolagirl wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:11 AM:
" All I'm saying is that I'm not trying to offend the American soldiers...yes the Hmongs were there to help the U.S. and I'm not diputing that...it's just that we got to live in the present not focus on the future.
As for our U.S. government...It's ok to help the ones that helped us out but they need a cut off point because not everyone of them has helped in the war.
I do have to admit that yes there are some of them that do work and do make living as doctors, lawyers, and even good students. Sorry that I did call them moochers...(Wrong word) especially when it's not only them.
"
Lax wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:46 AM:
" People like cocacolagirl who complain about the Hmong are idiots. I bet they'd be first in line to protest if their English, German, French, Spanish, Norwegian or other relatives in Europe were being persecuted. Where the he11 does she think most Americans came from? The only true Americans are the native Americans—and, by the way, the white men sure persecuted the heck out of them! I think we should find out where cocacolagirl is from and send her packing just for being a moron! "
Just Some Dude wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:36 AM:
" listen to these hippies, I only care about myself whaaaa....I pay too much for gas whaaaaa......my doctor costs too much whaaaaaa. I have news for you buddy, if it weren't for our soldiers that fight for our freedom (YES IN VIETNAM TOO) you would have a hell of a lot more to cry about than this. Had communism spread (which the Hmong helped us prevent) and all of Asia, the USSR and China were all communist, you would be worried about an arms race and a cold war still NOT your precious gas prices..........if I remember correctly wasn't there gas rationing in the 80's? You might want to educate yourself before spewing crybaby remarks like that. "
elocs wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:12 AM:
" I am proud of the Hmong in our community as they become our teachers and doctors, excellent students and fine citizens. The CIA made an agreement with the Hmong people that if they fought for us in Vietnam that we would take care of them if we lost. Many U.S. pilots owe their lives to being rescued by the Hmong. They paid their passage here with blood and they have no country where they may return. We should continue to honor our word and help those Hmong who remain and whose lives are in danger because they helped the U.S. "
kbg23 wrote on Mar 14, 2008 7:11 AM:
" Heres a thought - go to Laos and march and protest in the streets. I think America has enough to worry about right now, our gas prices, economy, the war - its about time you babysat yourselves. "
Just Some Dude wrote on Mar 14, 2008 6:20 AM:
" Cocoa do you have ANY IDEA what you are talking about? If they are worried about their country they should move back there? Does that make any sense at all? Do you know what the hmong did for us in the Vietnam war? Do you know anything about what we gave them for betraying their country and fighting for us? These people faught for their freedom and stuff that is "handed" to them, did you? Didn't think so......now tell me again who is the moocher here? "
JD5400 wrote on Mar 14, 2008 6:18 AM:
" cocacolagirl: You are so ridiculous. Get out from behind your couch and join the real world. Start with educating yourself. "
Sully wrote on Mar 14, 2008 1:40 AM:
" cocacolagirl, You are clueless. Get the facts before you post your stupid redneck rumors. I challenge you to prove "mooching". "
cocacolagirl wrote on Mar 14, 2008 1:02 AM:
" I think that this is ridiculous!
If they are so worried about their country
so much then they should go back home...
Stop mooching off the government.
We don't need anymore illegal immigrants
in this country.
We have enough to have to worry about than what goes on over in their country.
We have starving people here, homeless people
in this country and people that don't even
have any healthcare and they get things
handed over to them.
It's nice that they helped some of our soldiers out in the Vietnam War but that wars been over
for a long time.
"
Yellow media watch wrote on Mar 14, 2008 12:01 AM:
" Boy...I thought ther'd be hundreds of posts on this story. I guess no one is interested...huh. "
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