Willie,

I am wondering why so many “natives” seem to have trouble with “Yankees.” I moved here from Utah a few years ago and do not consider myself a Yankee. I was born and raised in Texas, which I believe is further south than this glorious state. As for “native,” are these complainers true pureblood Native Americans? My great grandmother was full-blooded Navajo. I think that is pretty “native” in the U.S. Please use your words wisely and without prejudice. We are a melting pot. If you’re angry with “Yankee” complaints and their being here, step in their shoes. Not all of them came by choice. I myself moved here to take care of my father after my mother died. It was either that or put him in a home. If you went up north and thought them odd, would you want the same reaction? It’s easy to cross your arms and stamp your feet. Look outside the box. The world is a huge place. People are often displaced due to circumstance. Their dissatisfaction isn’t personal. Maybe it’s culture shock. To throw stones just enforces the very stereotype many accuse them of and does not help the situation, but makes it worse. Having been in the area for five years, I’d rather see us viewed in a positive Southern hospitality demeanor. If you agree with “Yankee, go home,” then you’re only hurting yourself.

Willie says:

Willie has said it before and will say it again. I do not care whether a person is man or woman; black, white or brown; what their religion is; where they or their ancestors are from; old or young; rich or poor; fat or thin, etc. (Are you getting the picture yet?) Who do you think created these people? The same God that created Willie. And He doesn’t love me one whit more than any other human being.

Willie,

I would like to inform folks that not everyone on disability is working illegally. There is a program called “Ticket to Work,” which allows folks on SSDI to work within limits. You can earn whatever for a certain time period, then your benefits are put on hold for 36 months pending and then they cease. Or, you can work in a limited fashion and still receive benefits. There are many who still barely survive with this option, but it does allow them to earn more than extreme poverty and cover some medical. We are not talking the run of the mill back injuries (which I am sure I’m going to get flack for, but seem to be the most common). We are talking true mental illness, blindness, those who have lost mobility or a body part, etc. Yes, I agree that there are many that abuse the system. There are just as many that abuse welfare. Make sure you know the facts before you blow the whistle or you cause needless paperwork, etc., also paid by tax dollars. There are many legit working disabled and I agree, that many are cheating the system. I’m just asking people to have all the facts before they cause disruption.

Willie says:

Yours is good advice. As in most things, folks need to have all the accurate facts before they just jump to conclusions.

Willie,

I have called a few local pediatric doctors and asked about the H1N1 shot. They say they don’t have any and aren’t getting any. Do you know if anyone has them? Do you know why other parts of the country are getting their children immunized while we wait? Thanks for any information you can provide

Willie says,

Most of the immunizations being given today are for regular flu strains, not H1N1. South Carolina received its first H1N1 doses this week. There were 39,000 doses for the entire state. Oconee Medical Center does not expect to get H1N1 vaccine until some time in Mid-November. Oconee County health officials have said nothing about when they expect to receive vaccine. Children, by the way, are not in the primary group of recipients. The most susceptible group are young adults and they will be targeted as the vaccine becomes more available.

Willie,

I watched Obama’s speech to the UN. I remember every president since Eisenhower and I’ve never heard such self-glorifying ego. I wish I had counted the times he said, “I have” or “I will” as he referred to the amount “he” has done in just nine months. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he told us “Next, I will rid the world of poverty, war and disease.” He already told us in the speech that he would bring peace to the Middle East so he’ll now have time to rid the world of those other problems. I can imagine the coming letters and comments from those who already hold this man in worship status.

Willie says:

I understand what you’re saying but it just seems like we should be supporting our president on issues like peace and world hunger and human rights. Just because we don’t like his politics — and a lot of us don’t — doesn’t mean we should criticize efforts that all of us should support. He may have a big ego, but show me a president who hasn’t and I’ll show you a president who hasn’t gotten elected.

Comments contained in the Tell Willie column are not intended to reflect the views of management or staff of The Journal. They are the opinions of readers who have submitted Willie items. The Journal makes no guarantee of the accuracy of comments contained in Tell Willie. As for the answers, Ol’ Willie does his best to get it right.