Diane Sawyer - Appalachian Special

[Daisy and Delilah]

Joyce: It is very hard to articulate feelings on this issue. That's exactly what I was trying to say. There's no reason to flame you for what you said.

The family ties are nooses around the necks of future generations. Sad but true. I wish there was an easy way to get them to change but I don't see it in some cases.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Devil's advocate for a moment....

I have not posted any opinion in this thread because I cannot sort out my thoughts (and I did watch the program...)

But reading it I am left to wonder...I see LOTS of judging going on in the thread about the Octomom. (I have been one judging...truth in advertising)

Is it okay to judge her and not the people in this program? What makes the difference?

I am definitely guilty for judging Octomom. Personally, I think I am angered at the fact that she seems to have an ulterior motive in what she's done. Of course, this doesn't make it okay for me to judge her at all.

I can't compare the two situations either. Octomom and Appalachia are apples and oranges.

[pomtzu]

I am definitely guilty for judging Octomom. Personally, I think I am angered at the fact that she seems to have an ulterior motive in what she's done. Of course, this doesn't make it okay for me to judge her at all.

I can't compare the two situations either. Octomom and Appalachia are apples and oranges.

Agreed. But that doesn't mean I am disagreeing with anyone else here. Everyone has a right to an opinion - a right to their own beliefs in each matter - and it doesn't necessarily make either one right or wrong. However, Octomom has single-handedly brought despair to herself and all of her children, whereas the people of Appalachia have had it handed down to them from previous generations, and not by their own personal recklessness.

[Marigold2]

That was very unkind. To make a remark about one's children being depressed......... That is about as low as anyone can get. My child was born with depression and stuggles everyday with it and we the family do as well.

Marigold, You do not have a clue. You are totally out of touch with reality. All of the services you speak of are not even available in an urban setting, much less the most remote mountain areas where these people live. I really understand why your kids would be on antidepressants. You are in a world of your own.

[K9soul]

Kokopup apologized for her remark, and I think she was right to. But it's a bit ironic to read the outrage in your reply after extremely harsh and insensitive posts I have seen you make towards other people.

[Marigold2]

Back to social services for this is a concern. Aren't these services health, education, Medicaid, etc dictated by the state? Did any of these people go to elemantary school? Did they have a school principal or teacher to give the child and parents a helping hand as to what and where these programs are? I can see this being a problem in 1829 but not 2009. Aren't schools responsible for attendence? Or police for that matter if a child doesn't show up for class? Wouldn't a teacher ask about that child? Notice the child is hungry? Isn't there a free lunch program for these kids? That is state mandated I believe. Aren't their births recorded? School records recorded? Yes some will fall through the cracks but most should not. Most of these kids look like they have been to school and if they have they are eligible for social services. Teachers, pastors, social workers these all need to help and get involved and last, you can lead a horse to water but after that he is on his own. These are questions that should be asked and answers sought, not just pushed under the rug. What about the mayor, the governor, the chief of police, the church leaders do they not get involved or are they just overwelmed?
And no I am not bitter, I am practical. Each generation should improve on the last, otherwise we would all be living in caves. After all the Eyptains had flusing toliets 5 thousand years ago.

[Marigold2]

Well it was nice of her to apologize(thank you) but it was still a crappy remark and it was a direct hit against my kids and if there is one thing that I will defend and fight for is my kids, I am a lioness when it comes to them. They are not here to speak up for themselves so I will, it's what a mom does.

Kokopup apologized for her remark, and I think she was right to. But it's a bit ironic to read the outrage in your reply after extremely harsh and insensitive posts I have seen you make towards other people.

[pomtzu]

Kokopup apologized for her remark, and I think she was right to. But it's a bit ironic to read the outrage in your reply after extremely harsh and insensitive posts I have seen you make towards other people.

"She" is a "he"!.

[K9soul]

I understand your defense of them and I would feel the same; I just wish you could extend some of that empathy that you have for your kids and those close to you to others around you, too. I'm sure your child who suffers from depression has had some major trials and probably has been judged by other people.

You've implied these people are just lazy or simply don't want 'better' for their children enough to turn things around based off what you saw on a television show. It's no more right than someone making statements about your child's depression and the reasons for it. At least that is how I see it.

[K9soul]

"She" is a "he"!.

Sorry about that Koko .

[kokopup]

The apology was made to you Marigold not to your kids. The comment I made was never directed at them in the first place.

Although kokopup is a female dog the person writing these post is Male.
Maybe I need to change my handle to "Kokopup' dad"

[Daisy and Delilah]

Back to social services for this is a concern. Aren't these services health, education, Medicaid, etc dictated by the state? Did any of these people go to elemantary school? Did they have a school principal or teacher to give the child and parents a helping hand as to what and where these programs are? I can see this being a problem in 1829 but not 2009. Aren't schools responsible for attendence? Or police for that matter if a child doesn't show up for class? Wouldn't a teacher ask about that child? Notice the child is hungry? Isn't there a free lunch program for these kids? That is state mandated I believe. Aren't their births recorded? School records recorded? Yes some will fall through the cracks but most should not. Most of these kids look like they have been to school and if they have they are eligible for social services. Teachers, pastors, social workers these all need to help and get involved and last, you can lead a horse to water but after that he is on his own. These are questions that should be asked and answers sought, not just pushed under the rug. What about the mayor, the governor, the chief of police, the church leaders do they not get involved or are they just overwelmed?
And no I am not bitter, I am practical. Each generation should improve on the last, otherwise we would all be living in caves. After all the Eyptains had flusing toliets 5 thousand years ago.

I take this entire post as a person asking good questions. Questions you're asking because you don't understand what the problem is.
That is my point. You don't know these people, you haven't visited these people and you don't know what's right/wrong for these people.

You continue to group them together with the national standard. They are not the national standard. What else can I say?