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Read comments (76)So when the State Department began to place thousands of Somali refugees in cities and towns across the country over the past several years, they moved to towns where the best opportunities existed.
And just as many Hispanics have found over the past decade, who came to this country with few modern skills and no knowledge of the language, for hundreds of Somalis, Bedford County has been an attractive place to find a job and begin a new life.
"Refugees are expected to become self-sufficient as quickly as possible, so early employment is a must," Regina Surber, director of community services in Tennessee for the Department of Human Services (DHS) said. "Resettlement agencies focus the majority of their initial and long-term services on finding employment."
To do so, the agencies build relationships with local employers to assist in the refugees' finding a job, Surber explained.
"Obviously, language and culture issues create obstacles that must be overcome for the entire refugee families if they are to become self-sufficient," Surber says.
So the case managers in the resettlement agencies work with the family during their initial period of resettlement "to assist them in getting acclimated to their new surroundings, schools, housing, transportation, employers, medical care, etc.," Surber stated.
As for jobs, most, if not all of the Somalis in Shelbyville appear to be employed at the local Tyson chicken processing plant, but Holly Johnson, director of Catholic Charities of Nashville said her organization does not have "a formal relationship with Tyson in Shelbyville because it is so far from our office."
Johnson added that while many employers contact them when they have openings, "Tyson is not typically one of these employers."
According to Gary Mickelson, director of media relations for Tyson Foods, out of the 1,100 Team Members Tyson employs in Bedford County, just over one-quarter of them are Somali.
Mickelson stated that just like other prospective workers, the Somalis applied for employment through one of the area Job Service offices.
"They have heard about employment opportunities at Tyson primarily through word-of-mouth," he said. The initial arrival of Somalis happened about four or five years ago, based on Mickelson's recollection.
"Our Goodlettsville ... case-ready meats plant had finished staffing its second shift and began telling applicants of other job opportunities in the company, including positions at Shelbyville," he said. "Some of these applicants subsequently traveled to Shelbyville to apply for work."
Given that the Somalis' culture and religion are vastly different from American norms, Mickelson said that Tyson has done their best to "value and manage the cultural differences of the people we employ."
"Requests for religious accommodation are handled on a case-by-case basis," Mickelson said. "In addition to two, 30-minute breaks per shift, all Team Members are also given a seven-minute break. Some Somali Team Members use this break for their prayer time."
Mickelson added that Shelbyville's facility also has three part-time chaplains who provide a ministry of care and support to employees, regardless of their religion. Tyson is also addressing language issues with bilingual Somali employees "who spend part of their time on the job helping with translation."
As for health concerns, which has been an issue in other communities where Somalis and Tyson Foods work together, Mickelson says that company require all newly hired workers to complete a post-offer health assessment.
"It is a health history questionnaire and asks each new worker questions about their medical background, including whether they have TB or been tested for the disease," he said.
Depending on the responses received in the questionnaire, new workers are sometimes referred to a local medical provider or the county health department. In addition, Wally Taylor, manager of Tyson's Shelbyville Complex Manager, is on the board of directors for the local Community Clinic, which meets monthly to discuss community health topics, Mickelson noted.
Health care issues are major concern that have been expressed by local citizens, citing worries about communicable diseases, such as TB or HIV.
But according to Sherry Adams, spokesperson for the Columbia office of the Tennessee Department of Health, the rate of communicable illness here are no higher than in other areas of the state.
Adams said the department does not release numbers that state a country of origin, but said in the 12 county district they cover, there were only 13 cases of active tuberculosis in 2006 and just seven so far this year.
Refugees entering the country are screened by health care professional and the local offices are notified if there is a problem with anyone in the area.
Adams added that nothing like TB or other diseases can be spread through casual exposure and that the public would be at a very low risk even if someone was infected.
Mickelson added that the transition of the Somali into the Tyson Food workforce has gone "relatively well." The plant conducts monthly communication meetings involving hourly employees, which give workers the opportunity to raise questions or express concerns.
The Somali Community Center of Nashville has also been a resource in assimilation efforts and has been working with plant management on ways to help supervisors better understand the Somali culture, Mickelson explained.
The "peaceful" religion of Islam…….Honor Killing? Beheadings? Body-bombs? How about female genital mutilation (FGM)?
Brigitte Gabriel, author of "Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America" and founder of the web site ACT For America!, where Ms. Gabriel states, "I founded ACT! for America because Islamic militants have declared war on America....We are in for the fight of our lives...." Become involved in your future and the future of your family. Visit ACT for America's website, chapter info and become involved as a member of an existing chapter or become a chapter leader and start one in your area.
No, animals are the most discriminated, exploited and abused group on this planet. Tyson proves that everyday; legalized, funded by government, condoned by consumers - INDUSTRIALIZED ANIMAL ABUSE AT ITS WORST! Tyson cares about Tyson's profits and nothing else. Keep fooling yourselves, keep consuming their products with out a thought for the untold suffering endured by the creatures who provided the flesh on your plate.
Tyson exploits vulnerable people, who are forced to take repulsive, emotionally and physically damaging jobs in their killing facilities, just as it abuses in the most brutal manner every animal/bird/creature it can get its hands on...all for greed and profit.
Tyson cares neither for its employees or the animals it tortures, genetically manipulates for swift debilitating growth and murders by violent methods. Thus, workers turn violent...or crazy ..as you can see on PETA's latest undercover investigative film, filmed at two more of Tyson's "caring plants." Who, in his/her right mind or starving, would want a job mutilating, decapitating, maiming, terrorizing and boiling animals alive want to work for such a disgusting enterprise as Tyson. Animals and workers -TORTURED BY TYSON.COM.
Mark Geeting, you said "The thought that Shelbyville/Bedford County would stand by and let Al Quida bed-down in Bedford County is hateful." I highly doubt that any of the refugees that are living in Bedford County are part of Al-Qaeda, especially since many of the were persecuted by Al-Qaeda in Somalia.
Nope not me, I might wish that I were a supervisor though, but I am not. I did not say that everyone looks out for one another, I just said what happened to me.
I am defensive of things that I know are not true and I can not just be in a bubble and everyone just trying to make me happy... Why would they????
I am one of the first people that will jump up and say something when I see something that is wrong I don't care what your race, religion or anything else, right is right and wrong is wrong. If I truly saw "special" treatment I would be raising all kinds of heck...
Supervisor???? Maybe I will put in for it when another opening comes up... Just a thought.
I GUESS EVER ONE LIES BUT YOU AND THE COMPANY DOES NOW WRONG
Yup, just fearful of losing a job because it is easy to say Yes.
you have to be a supervisor or work in the office sorry i did not spell supervisor
-- Posted by shanafxx on Thu, Jan 3, 2008, at 11:09 PM
Definitely.....To defensive not to be one or the other. I would say a plant supiorvisor!
you so full of crap. Yeah Tyson, is so innocent and everyone there looks out for each other. Yeah right, you are a sheeple.
you so full of crap. Yeah Tyson, is so innocent and everyone there looks out for each other. Yeah right, you are a sheeple.
(dont not believe that i work 1st why???????)
That does not say you work first shift.
Well, you are wrong I am not a supervisor nor do I work in the office..
Leave.. just leave....
If you and your friend can't go up to the office that is your falt, no one elses...
I find it hard to believe that a supervisor was right there because you would of stated that the first time...
If you like others can not find at least one thing nice or half way decent to say than you really have not looked, you just want to see the negative..
As far as I am concerned our plant does there job and we do it well.
you have to be a supervisor or work in the office sorry i did not spell supervisor
the suervisor was there at the time
i said i do work 1st you need to read agin
shanafxx, if you do not WORK 1st than yes you are still lying, second shift is at work right now. DUHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! At the time of your post they are still at work and you want people to believe you???? So you either are lying about working there or have chose to lie about your shift because the plant does not run a 3rd shift...
So lets say that even if this did happen which it could not of because you just stated that you do not work 1st and we do not run a 3rd shift and second shift is still WORKING.. Well child ain't nobody going to hold your hand while you go to the office. You go to the office tell them what happened and she has you as a witness and then they take care of it. Do you think that there is a dirty mouth fairy that is going to just poof up and take care of it. No it takes action on your part. Supervisors can not stand over every employee at all times and make sure that there little childern get along together.
YA, wanna know how many times some one has called me that??? Many, guess what it is a word, I hear women using it referring to there friends (I would never refer to one of my friends that way). If you or anyone else lets a word that someone says bother you or hurt your feelings, I have news for you, you will be hurting the rest of your life. Trust me people say that I am the nicest person that they have ever meet and I still have been called that. (I know, I know I got off subject a little) Just take a little advice from a older woman ( at least I assume I am older) don't sweat the small stuff baby.
this is not about me i should not have to leave we should be treated the same that is all i am trying to say to day a somalian lady called the lady beside me a bict# do you want to know what happen not one thing now tell me that is ok becase thay do not under stand i dont not belive that i work 1st why???????
shanafxx,
I am sorry that you got hurt on the job and sorry that no one called you. What shift do you work and what area. I am going to assume that you work first shift by the times of your postings. This is truly things that I have not seen, If I had seen things like this for my own eyes I would say so. If they were getting privileges that I was not getting trust me I would say something I would be steaming mad. I am not seeing this in the area I work.
But truly if you are that unhappy there leave. I left a better paying job because I was unhappy knowing that I would probably never make as much money as I was making there.
shanafxx- than leave.......
no becauce the people i talk to say the same thing the plant its self is the desgrace i was hurt there on the job and on one called me and i was out for 3 months and i am not unhappy i am a very happy lady if thay would treat people the same it wouldbe a good place to work but what i saw i did see and i am not going to lie to save the plant are any one elso the somalis are no better thanthe americans that work there like me that is the plant is the desgrace becase thay think thay are
Guess you don't understand, yes I got their "approval" and their standards? I abided by the rules of what was given to me to qualify if that is what you meant. Their "standards" change whenever they feel like it, they will find ways out of paying anything for the betterment of anyone getting an education.
Now did you get there approval first? If you did, then did you meet all of there standards? Were you still employed there through out all of you schooling? Just a question.... I thought this was about the Somalians???? Not Evil Monkey's own issues with Tyson. Keep on bashing them if you want, I will keep stating what I know and what I have seen for my own eyes.
Not that it is any of your business but I have been hurt there more than once and I was taken care of by the managment and nurses at the plant. My boss at the time and my bosses boss both called me at home as well as some of the team members (my extended family). Maybe that is just because I am there "cheerleader". I know I am the only team member they have ever cared about. Man am I lucky...... I have been to several funeral visations for other team members or for some one in there family every time I have went to pay my respects I just knew that I would not know anyone there and would go in and leave quickly each and every time I would see a sea of Tyson management and team members.. No they couldn't care.... Come on if Tyson was half as bad as you all want to make them out to be than I would not be there.
I do believe that they take care of there employees. They pay us every week. We have insurance, they pay our short tearm disability for us, they provide us with pastors to speak to when we need to (how many companys have pastors to just come around and talk to there employees and give them guidance?) What else are they supose to do????
I can tell you what they do!!! We have several different things through out the year just for the employees. They do take peoples needs into concern, contrary to what some will have you to believe. They have several different meals for there team members. The company as well as it's team members are involved in many different charitys here in Bedford county.
This is also something I have said before.
I have never heard of someone getting fired from somewhere and say that it was there falt it was always the companys they could of never done anything wrong. (once again evil monkey before you get your tail all curled up I am not saying this is true about you.)
I also find that people that are just unhappy in life will never be happy with where they work at not for long anyways and will chose to say only negative things and leave out the good. I could probably take some people more serious about the negative things if they could come up with a positive also. My rule of thumb for every negative thing you say have two positives to go with it..
Btw, it is spelt doubt...not dought. Guess Tyson's educational reimbursement program isn't getting utilized like it should, oh wait I forgot, they didn't reimbursement me for my 4 years of MTSU or my 5 IT related Certificates or financed any of my current MSCE endeavors.
Yeah I can see how Tyson really makes sure that this town grows and gets stronger and smarter. Instead it seem they want to keep people dumb, in fear, and in debt. Then they can offer the lowest wages possible.
I never thought I would agree with Evil Monkey about anything however I stand corrected on this one!
I have never worked there myself but have known many that have. I say have (past tense) and I dont know of one person that was treated fairly! There are employment laws for a reason and Tyson should be held to the same standards as any other company. Not just hiring illegals but taking care of their employees after they have been hurt on the job! I know of many that have been hurt or disabled there and ended up being fired for some petty reason!
Shelbyville my home! You need to ask for a raise, you make a great cheerleader on their behalf! I also hope you are never injured there because you will see you are no more that a number to them and can be easily replaced!
dought it Evil Monkey, I recall you said that you no longer work there, there for you know not what I make a hour. Trust me if you truly make 10 times more than me than I might want to get a job where you are at but there is no way possiable. My comment was about the fact that you need to stop making comments about a company that you no longer work at and have not for over 2 and a half years. Things change and I think that they were not thast bad when you were there, but that is my thinking..
Ok well, very mature of you, Yeah you, you make a whooping $400 for 50 hours now. Yeaah for you... stick up for the small guy that is getting taken advantage of, Yeaaaa you! You so much smarter than I am, you have so much more experience with the world than I do. Yeah you! ROFL. Guess it really damaged me since I am making about 10 times more than you do, guess it pays to be stupid and Tysonless.
Dianatn- no I do not agree with there exceptions for school. Yes they must learn American ways but that does not mean that they have to give up everything that they know either. It will take them a while to completely understand everything or at least enough to help them not be so miss understood.
Evil Monkey, As far as who you think and don't think works there it really does not matter, You are no longer there, I on the other hand am (yaa!!! me) and do know who is there and know who was there before I came and who has been there for 2 and a half years or longer. To what you said about Tyson never benefiting to the local area. Well this is not true. They employ over 1,100 people just at the plant not including truck drivers, chicken farmers, grain farmers, etc. etc. This is benefiting the community.
As for what Has Tyson's done. Every year they have donated Chickens to the local churches that have asked for it. The company as well as its team members are involved in several United Way activites every year (that money stays in this county). They raise money for the heart walk and involved in it ALSO. There are many other things including helping house fire victims, tornado victims and many others. Tyson also has helped in supporting all of our parks and being the majority giver if not sole giver at 2 of them. I am sure that there are a lot of other things that I am forgetting but saying that they do nothing.... Come on... When I started working there all they said they would give me was steady work and a paycheck everyweek for it and insurance, but they have gaven me so much more.
You can call it "unwarranted propaganda" if you want I call it love for the place I work for the only place I have ever worked and made fill like I was truly part of something that no matter what I did made a differance. I wished that everyone could be that happy with where they work at. I am very sorry for people that are not. I have also learned that people who are not happy with where they work are in generally just unhappy people, so it would not matter for some people they are going to complain anyways. Now of course that is just my opinion which I believe that I am intitled to.
shanafxx- TO YOU MY DEAR... For someone to come on here and still be working at the plant and say the things you did and make and sound like you did is a disgrace to all of us who work hard everyday to put out a good healthy product for our family and everyone elses. This is the place that pays your bills, this is the place that pays you to where you can have internet and go on line and run them down. You should be ashamed. You yourself know that it is not as bad as people are saying and you just put more gas on the fire and stead of trying to say something positive anything positive. Worst thing is you are probably someone I talk to everyday. That just burns me. I hope that you will see what a great company you work for, for when the people in the car parts factorys around here get laid of because of the economy you my dear will still have a job. Go figure.....
too shelbyvillemy home i am not a liar for what i seen i have alot of people that have seen it too a i am not stupid
no they never came back, Trust me, I still have alot of their phone numbers. And I talk with them on a regular basis. So I really believe this is unwarranted propaganda on your part for Tyson. They have never benefited any local area.
Now I do believe that I know who you are.
I don't know everything about the plants maint department I do know that the machines run and if who ever you said did not order parts must because as long as I have been there we have never been down area wide or plant wide for not having parts to fix a machine. I am not saying that maybe all parts were ordered all the time that is just something that I would not know. As far a maint men leaving I think your account of how many have actually left that were the "old hands" is off and several that did leave came back because they did not like the companys that they went to work for or those companies closed up shop and moved to mexico like every one keeps saying Tyson should do, so I guess if we keep sending companies down there we will have to move there oursselves. I can not think of a single Somalian that is in maint.
Tyson isn't the only place they work.
There is another company with employees who have been there too long. These refugees make cheap replacements for us American workers.
Thing is, What Tyson did affected me to this day. As for the Union rules? well FYI the Union is in Tyson's pocket, they ripped me off just as badly as Tyson did. There are no Check and Balances there, it just doesn't exist, if you have a complaint, an issue, or something that needs to be resolved. Their way of resolving the issue is to get rid of you.
For example, I had filled out paperwork to get parts 7 times. This was to fix their processing machines, after the machine finally broke down. It was my fault, but for 5 weeks I asked the maintainance manager where are my parts? All he could say is in the shed. I said I checked and they weren't there. And he refused to take me there. He did this allt he time. He never ordered the parts for anyone.
So I will say this, it might be all grand right now, but back when I was there, it was a nightmare because we were not allowed to do our job and were blamed all the time because we were unable to fix anything. So let me ask you this? How many maintainance people have been there and left in the past 2.5 years? I can tell you this, I know of only 5 of the original 60 that are still there. Half of them left within a month of me getting fired due to mistreatment.
Maybe you didn't read what their expections are:
http://ww2.saturn.stpaul.k12.mn.us/somal...
I am truly sorry, But you do have some wrong information. Oh, I know about the grant money but this does not apply to every Somalian, and how many it does apply to I will not guess. I do my best to state what I know is true.
Foot bath haven't seen any of them at the plant. I really do not know where they are hiding them because I am all over that plant all day.
To the best of my knowledge we have no one hired at the plant just for tranlation they use hourly team members that speak both languages and have them translate. You would be suprised how many of them do know English and can carry on a conversation with you. This is one thing that I do like about them, most but not all are learning english.
My personal Opinion I am glad they made room for them to pray in a out of the way place that way I would not have to step over them at the lockers or in the bathroom. I don't have to be bothered with there prayer. By no means was a room built for them. They just got a corner in the building that was not being used anyway.
I do believe that several people whether on here or in public have exaggerated things about the plant. That is why I am so defensive about the things that I do know to be true and of the things that I know is not true.
I never said that Tyson did anything out of the goodness of its heart (though I have seen that happen many times) but I did say they are abbiding by the hiring laws. Trust me they are not making any jobs just to hire Somalians, matter of fact just from looking and seeing people come in for oreintation I would say that there is a slow down on Somalians coming here. These things usually happen in waves.
For the people that are saying Tyson fired them for no reason or to give a Somalian a job. Well, I am sure that I was not in the room when they got fired because I don't work in the office what I am sure of is that as many non Somalians get fired as Somalians. Have you ever known anyone to get fired and say oh ya the company had a good reason. I haven't.. (no, evil monkey I am not saying you are lieing, just saying I was not in the room :})
This is a hot issue here I don't want you or anyone else to think that I am just taking there side (somalians) because I work with them. No, several years ago I would of been on the other side of this fence but like with all groups there is good and bad, There is a learning curve here for them most, not all, are trying and I think that it is just bad for us to put them all into "that" group.
>>>It is the very first line under the laws. So maybe the Somalians should start trying to work with all of you or take your company to court and make them. Now would you not just rather leave them where they are at????
Nowhere in that law does it say I must create a job for them nor does it say I must fire other employees in order to give them a job.
Neither does it say I must cater to their religions or their culture. Nor do I have to hire translators to teach the English Language. I do not have to supply prayer rooms or foot baths. They must also be CAPABLE of performing the job at hand regardless of what nationality they are.
So why does Tyson Foods cater to them? I'll give you a hint, MONEY Grant Money
Quite honestly I would not have a problem with the Somalis if they would just try to fit into America instead of trying to bring Somalia here. If I wanted to live in Somalia I would have moved there!
How many Somalis have you seen working for Walmart or maybe Kroger...how about Ruby Tuesdays or Chilis? Maybe McDonalds, Wendys, Hardees?
This is the reason Tyson hires Somalis.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/data......
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/data......
Employment Subsidy Program
Tyson don't care if they are helping the Somalis so don't even try to make out like they are being good hearted. It is all about the money for Tyson Foods. It always has been. I guess next thing you are going to try and tell me is they never hired illegals either.
Ask around the next time you are at work and see just how many lawsuits Tyson is involved in Right Now for unlawfully firing employees.
Under federal law it is unlawful to discriminate against an employee or potential employee on the basis of national origin. That means employers may not discriminate because the employee comes from a particular place, because she is a member of an ethnic group, because she has an accent, or because it is believed that the employee has some particular ethnic background.
I copied this straight from
http://www.tennesseeemploymentlawcenter....
It is the very first line under the laws. So maybe the Somalians should start trying to work with all of you or take your company to court and make them. Now would you not just rather leave them where they are at????
It is a crying shame this country has come to this. Our founding fathers are probably rolling over in their graves. What I feel sorry for is our kids going to grow up in this situation , it's only going to get worse. Maybe they can import a bunch of them and give them amnesty and we can work for them someday or work for Tyson,"about the same!"
Dianatn ,
Yes I do have the right. I work there and I am out on that production floor every day. For shanafxx to say those things about the company that feeds him/her is wrong. How would you like it if someone who worked at your company was saying things that you know are not true.
I am not saying that evey thing is perfect there it isn't any where. It sure isn't as bad as shanafxx said. That is what is bothering me the most. We can blame a company but not our law makers for the laws that they have put into place... uh???? I don't see hardly anybody writing about the law makers that have allowed this.. Hey if it is that bad to all of you get a petition going. Hey I will sign it just for the plan fact that you all are taking action, instead of just complaining. Just remember it was our law makers, not our companys.
This is America, we are all product of immigrants, that is unless you are 100% American-Indian...
{I know people who were taken from their regular jobs and given lower paying jobs and their old job given to Somalis.
written by Dianatn }
This is hard for me to believe due to the union rules. These people would of got there job back.
As far as LABOR day goes we can't blame that on anyone but ourselves it was us (though not all of us)that voted it in in the union contract..
I personally don't care if Tyson foods stays or goes. If they stay I want them to stop hiring illegals and bringing refugees into our town. I also want them to start treating their American employees with the same respect they treat the refugees. I don't think that is asking too much afterall name one other business in Shelbyville that is hiring Somalis at the rate Tyson is hiring them? They seem to be doing okay hiring Americans.
You have no right what so ever to call shanafxx a liar You have no idea what Tyson has done to him/her.
I personally know several people who were let go from Tyson Foods after being there for years for petty reasons. I know people who were taken from their regular jobs and given lower paying jobs and their old job given to Somalis.
What part of that is Fair and makes Tyson Foods a good place to work?
Well, Lets be all grown up and just run Tyson out of town. Yep that will make every thing better. We will put the 60% that are Americans out of a job, but that is o.k. We will put a lot of farmers out of business also, and that will be fine to. So then we will have almost another thousand family's in Bedford County on food stamps, Tenn Care, and family's first, Unemployment, and what ever else is out there to get on.
WAIT, WAIT, don't think just the chicken farmers oh no honey that isn't all. The grain farmers where do you think the chickens get feed from it doesn't just fall out of the air. Now lets get down to the truckers..... It takes a truck driver to get the grain to the feed barnes, to the plant, and when it leaves the plant because we all have worked so hard to make the food that you put on your tables fresh and the best that it can be... So how many jobs and peoples lives and families do you think that you are affecting now?
Don't forget the U.S.D.A that works there. Yep, no more jobs for them
AWWW! Lets just do it anyways just run Tyson's out of town. See there employes by pencils and pens from us but when we lose there business because they no longer have a job we can make it through it our company will not cut a one of us..
Do I really need to go into the whole funny thing I have in my head about the car parts companys, wal-mart, etc.. etc...
Folks, all of us here affect each other, no matter you thoughts on the Somalians, we all affect each other.
shanafxx, My darling my fellow employee.
CHILD IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET ON HERE AND LIE ABOUT THE COMPANY THAT PUTS FOOD ON YOUR TABLE AND A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD AT LEAST SPELL RIGHT!!! My goodness no wonder people think us Tyson folks are stupid....
framestraight,
You know, I could actually shake your hand right now, That was a good read. Made me laugh, made me cry because it was pretty damn true.
TYSON is a cancer to people of Bedford county.I'm sorry too say this for the american born citizens that work there.Why can't TYSON move to mexico with all the other industries? The reason tyson has the somolians working,is because our federal government gives them money to work each of them.This makes me so excited every week to go to work and pay taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe if we could get rid of Tyson Foods We could get rid of our problems and I think that could have something to do with why Shelbyville's industry has died out in the past few years also. We have too many refugees and immigrants here. Some American Companys want American people that speak and understand ENGLISH to work in their factory's. We need to take a stand and take our city, county and country back.
And I bet Shelbyville's air would smell alot better without Tyson Foods also.
You know, this is a great blog. It's coming from the HEART of Bedford County. The Truth:
I look at the blogs in the paper for 2 things: To see if my name is in the Obits and to see how I am going to be scammed. Today a woman scammed for $7,000. SLINGSHOT & DIANATN's Blogs are my exact feelings. I would vote for 90% of the people on this Blog, if they ran for office. Austin Swing & Randal Boyce have plenty of problems and they say so. I know of a local man who was a Tyson supplier and it was over barn cleaning. The illegals didn't follow directions because they didn't understand English. When he presented a shotgun, THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT. Result: Tyson put him out of business. You Old Timers know who I'm talking about.About Scams: CARBON OFFSETS: Gore's vision of a Huge Money maker- Never heard of such S%$^&T.
He kept the Nobel money, however, the Scientists that helped him with the report gave the money back because they had doubts about their own report. Walmart: Low prices but watch out for the lead. Global Warming: Normal weather patterns. Gun Control: Big Brother keeping an eye on legal citizens. The Clintons: Arkansas land deal where they profited but the trail ended with Vince Foster, and their both attorneys. Bush: Selling the U.S. down the river with his fathers vision of One World Government. U.S. Dollar worth $.60 TODAY. Staph infection at the Post Office: 1 year ago I acquired the Staph from working on 2 G.I's cars that returned from Iraq, from a leg injury no bigger that a pencil eraser. I've almost died 3 times since October 2006 from this nasty infection. Now, I can hardly walk because of the nerve damage to my legs & back.
Disease: Notice Measles, Mumps, TB, etc. are coming back? All these diseases were eradicated by the 60's.Now there back, and I'll give you 3 guesses and the 1st 2 don't count. Insurance: I suffered a roof claim in October 2006, with replacement value. By the time the claim was so-called settled, took over 60 days. Complained to my Nashville agent. No result. I used to be an Adjuster for 11 years, and I know how to get claims paid. 1 month ago, I got my $1000.00 back. I wanted to change agents. Went to our local agent, personally. I've been waiting 2 months for a phone call because he's too busy ribbon cutting and such.
I moved to Bedford County in 94 because it was a down home place. I could have picked any place in the country, but I picked Bedford County. There is a solution. When you buy or vote, think carefully, because the only way we can hurt these people, is in their wallets. There are genuine people in this county that are younger than I, that could make a difference. Change the Old Guard. It will make a difference.
Just my $.60 cents
Mark, I agree with everything you just said but I as an American and a Shelbyville Resident have no say so in who comes into our country or our town. We could all gang up and run them out of town but do you know who would be in the wrong and be put into jail ...it would be us.
There is not one community across the USA that has these refugees in it that are pleased with them coming to their town and they have been fighting getting them out with OUR government but it has all been to no avail. What makes you think anyone with the power to do anything, will listen to what we want?
I personally have been fighting and arguing for 3 years about our troops being in Iraq but it has done no good whatsoever. They are still there dying needlessly for people who hate us.
It seems to me Our very own government has turned it's back on us as Americans and our cries fall on deaf ears.
My father and grand father fought for our rights as Americans and they were proud men. I thank God they are not alive to see what has happened to our country.
It is not Tyson's integrity I question, that was lost a long time ago. However, the perception is that the people of Bedford County, local officials especially, seem to possess an unforgivable lack of commitment to the Global War on Terrorism. I am currently on my second tour in Iraq and a native Bedford Countian. The thought that Shelbyville/Bedford County would stand by and let Al Quida bed-down in Bedford County is hateful. All we can do is write little hate blogs under our breath in the local newspapper.
Honorable,Hispanic, military-aged men and women die each day in Iraq violently trying to gain their United States citizenship the honorable way and trying to contribute to our efforts as Americans. I appeal to the citizens of Bedford County to NOT mistake these people with the drain on our ecomomy currently squating on Belmont Ave., Moody and White Streets and making English the second language at SCHS.
However, Shelbyville's traditional spineless, resignation to accept Al Qiada terrorist into Bedford County gives me little or no hope of being able to return to my home.
All of this due to the LITTLE revenue from Tysons or the cringing fear by Bedford County teachers and law enforcement officials of the reprisals by ACLU radicals who don't even live here.
I will no longer purchase Tyson products either, not only for boycott purposes but for fear of what my family is eating. What kind of future are my children going to have when they go out into the workplace? I bet they won't even be able to get jobs or if they do they will pay next to nothing because all the companies can get immigrants to work so much cheaper. Let me remind all these businesses.........you should take care of your own first. We are the people that have kept you in business all these years and buy your products on a regular basis. Before long we are going to be out of jobs and the government won't give us food stamps so you better hope all the immigrants like chicken because they will be the only ones that can afford to buy it!!!!!
We as a society have become nothing but complainers. We think that if we voice our opinion and someone reads or hears it then we can forget it and everything will correct its self. We do not act nor stand together any more. Dont worry about the Somalis comming here to take jobs and force people to their will. IT WILL happen because they will stand together and will make sure to put people in office that will do what they want. Look at Prayer in school and work they took it out and we let them. BUT dont worry. If we wait the Somalis will get it back in our school for us just like they have in their workplace. You will sit on a taped line face toward Mecca open the Koran and pray to whatever they pray to. WE THE PEOPLE TOGETHER CAN MAKE CHANGE IF WE "and that means the majority" DO NOT LIKE WHAT IS GOING ON WE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE IT. We have to get involved in decisions our policy makers make, and do it before they make them. I am just as unhappy as alot of the citizens with the direction our city and country is going with Imagration. It is OK to complain so long as you try to impliment good change to what is wrong. Before we put people in office make sure where they stand on the issues that mean the most to us. Call your congess man or woman BUT DO SOMETHING. Come on people lets stop complaining and do something about it. This is the only post I will submit here thats why I picked this user name. Good Luck "MAY 'GOD' BLESS YOU" and I hope each and everyone of you had a VERY MERRY 'CHRISTMAS'"
>>>"Adams added that nothing like TB or other diseases can be spread through casual exposure and that the public would be at a very low risk even if someone was infected."
HUH? TB is an airborne disease, if someone standing beside you at Wal-mart with TB coughs or sneezes, you are exposed to TB. And if you are elderly or have a low immune system you are that much more acceptable to the disease.
>>Mickelson says that company require all newly hired workers to complete a post-offer health assessment.
>>"It is a health history questionnaire and asks each new worker questions about their medical background, including whether they have TB or been tested for the disease," he said."
A questionaire? Oh well I feel much better now that non- English speaking refugees are given a questionaire.
I guess this must be the same questionaire that Tyson Foods in Kansas was giving their refugees because a refugee in Emporia, KS that was WORKING for Tyson Foods died of TB.
This is the quote from them:
"in a public meeting in Hagerstown we learned that immigrants with HIV and latent TB are allowed entry. The TB issue has been of great concern in Emporia, KS where a Somali refugee working in the Tyson's plant died of active TB"
IMHO, the "goal" of the Muslims is a take over "from within".
Thanks to Catholic Charities and other similar organizations, the USA is imploding from within!!
i hear you framestraight, i will never buy Tyson's products again either....and i also know quite a few other people personally that now feel the same way. It's not because of the Somalian people...its because we feel in our opinion that they are being exploited as were the Hispanics to keep wages low..i don't care how they disguise it...its all about Money, Money and more Money.
Hey Tyson: I'm going to make sure that I don't buy ANY of your products. The stupid ones might but I'm old enough to know better. When enough boycott your products, maybe you can get one of the Somalis a job as a Law Assistant.
I spent June 1992 to January 1995 in Saudi Arabia. NO ONE HELPED ME. 3 years of being threatened with prison for minute instances. Being hauled into a Mosque on Friday to witness be headings because they didn't have enough witnesses, while shopping for shop equipment. Being detained in the airport Captain's office for 3 hours for having a Bible in my suitcase. An auto accident when someone ran into me while I was stopped. I was at fault for being in the country. Personnel had to come down to the scene to pay the police off to let me go.
DO NOT KID YOUR SELFS! These people are Muslim. They came to this country, not like my grandparents did from Finland through Ellis Island. Take a picture of the Square immediately, because soon there will be a Mosque erected. Like every other illegal, they will construct their own communities, and the conflict will begin. In 5 years our Fed will offer them citizenship.
It just boils down to money for big business and problems for communities. I look at my father & Father-in Law's WW2 photos and wonder: They fought for this?
Next time you vote, think very carefully about who you are voting for, from your local representatives to National elections. Look carefully, candidates have a paper trail!!!!
I know you probably think it won't make much differance but you all need to start calling and writing your US Senators and your Congressman.
The State Department under President Bush is planning to bring 80,000 refugees to America over the next 10 months, but your elected representatives to Congress ultimately decide on the funding for all this---including the money that groups like Catholic Charities receive.
Tell them you want an investigation of how all this has come about in Shelbyville.
Tell them you want some say in the future of your community---that it shouldn't be decided by Tyson's Food and some "church" groups out of Nashville and Washington DC!
i work at tyson and it is bad. w e no loner get layber day off so they can have a somalis day that is in oct. that is not good.you would not belive the stuff that they get away with at tyson.if you new the stuff that goes on you would not eat tyson food. they are very rude they stand in the way and will not ge out of your way .they pick there nose on the work floor and keep on working.they wash there feet on the work floor and keep on working.they use cup in the bathroom they share them they notuse paper no soap. and they say that we are nasty.and win you say soming they say that is there way tyson
If anyone would look at how many County Commisioners, Zoning board members, Water Utility board members have chicken barns and make a living doing this for Tyson, then you should understand that they will never do anything that would hurt Tyson which in turn would hurt them. You can't say a word about them, because you elected them. I haven't look to see if Tyson gave money to anyone in the last election, but it might not hurt for someone to look.
There isn't anything wrong with someone making a living with chicken barns(wished I had 3 or 4 and they were paid for), but I was just wondering why so many elected officials have them.
Here is a link to all the Emporia Gazette stories on refugee resettlement.This similar to what you in Shelbyville have,and will go through.I hope you will find answers and the questions to ask your representatives in there somewhere.There are at least two pages-so click "older stories" for more.
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/somal...
Story Archive: Somali Influx | emporiagazette.com
Wake up Bedford County and smell the air! Not quite like it used to be is it? Immigration has to stop. Our town is changing fast and not for the better. Walmart is like shopping in Mexico. I agree with Medulla443 and frustrated american on this subject. Our small southern country town with all its heritage is soon to be a thing of the past. If I see another Mexican flag I swear I will start taking them down. They should not be allowed to fly them over the American flag.
"It is a health history questionnaire and asks each new worker questions about their medical background, including whether they have TB or been tested for the disease," he said.
Is Tyson kidding here? How do they know if applicants lie? All applicants need to have a TB test, regardless. Did you know that one Somali died of TB in the Tyson plant in Emporia, Kansas? Yes, died of TB. If he hadn't been hurt on the job and hospitalized, they would have never known he had an ACTIVE case of TB. The health department tells us that latent TB is not contagious as long as it is being treated. Hello? What about those who are not being treated? Many simply don't show up for the medicine. This is all sure hit and miss. Whose in charge here? Catholic Charities?
The very day the first article came out about the Somalians, I witnessed a very irate Somalian woman in the photo area of one of our local drug stores. She was swinging her keys in the air and ranting some foreign "yak talk". The sales clerk obviously could not understand her and kept apologizing. I wondered....What did the sales clerk have to be sorry for? The manager came to control the commotion this woman was causing to no avail. He couldn't understand her either! duh!
25% my butt....i've been told practically all the night night shift is made up of somalians and way over half of the day shift...so they are saying 1 in 4 people at tyson's are somailian i think its the other way around. 1 in 4 are american...i will know exactly the amount by days end but i can almost say now on my life that at least half of the employees that work in the actual plant on west jackson street are Somalian....wonder why this man is trying to disguise the truth? Again i bear no ill will toward the somalians....i actually know a few that are quite polite and i like them, i think that there are good and bad in all races. I hope we don't start sterotyping this entire race of people.
Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1907
If they are going to live here they need to adapt to our way of life & speak our language! They are also the most hateful and rude people in this town. If you have any questions about what type of people they are...go to the public square on Friday's from 10:45 to 1:45 and see for yourself. Proceed with caution!
I think it's a shame that a small town newspaper is running a 5 part series about Somalis. If your coming to America and living in America you need to live by the same rules as we do. I can't speak for anyone else but the majority of people probably feel the same way but will not speak out. They are in MY country. We as red blooded americans need to speak up & take our country/ town back! If factories need this type of employees, then move to the country where your bringing them from & us as red blooded Americans quit buying products from anybody other than American Made!
The Nashville office has plenty of problems-
http://www.wsmv.com/iteam/13224577/detai...
Local Director Receives Grants Despite Charges - I-Team News Story - WSMV Nashville
And don't buy a used car from Mickelson,either!
jaxspike,
If you notice the catholic organizations that have been a part of the worst culprits didn't live anywhere near the areas the Somalians are being placed? For instance, the one in TN is in Franklin, TN, so no effect on their income or living. The one in Washington County, MD was from Richmond, VA. They are handing their "feel good deeds" while profiting off onto middle-class citizens struggling to feed their families and keep their homes while they live the good life.
I for one think they are EXTREMELY hateful when you see them in the stores, etc. I know most of the Hispanics came illegally but at least they are half way civil to us!
I am really suprised by the narrow minded people in this town. These people come from a very different world than ours and are just trying to better themselves just as you and I do everyday. You have no idea what they have been through and if they seem unfriendly, well they are in a strange place and a different world. I guess you learned everything you needed to know over night too huh? Try to help others, not hinder!
I am beginning to think the most discriminated group of people here in the United States is the natural born American citizen . . . we are expected to bend over backwards for everyone else that wants to move here and our tax dollars goes to help them but yet no one does the same for us.
It is sad really . . . and we just sit here and complain and do nothing about it. But really, what can you do. So far the issue has been sugar coated by the media (even the local one) and government. The government says it can't afford to maintain our infrastructure and veterans and the poor but we can accept Somalis and give them help and assistance and breaks. It almost angers you to a point . . . what a sad excuse of a government we have.
Also, the Catholic Charities Organization needs to quit lining their pockets with federal funding and go out and help those citizens that are already here. There are plenty here that need help without going out and looking for refugees and illegal aliens. Plus, the Tennessee Immigration and Refugee Center is a joke in itself and needs to learn to teach people coming in to adjust to our culture instead of demanding we change ours to suit their needs. If you don't like our culture then move to some place that accepts your given beliefs and culture, I think it is very unfair to demand that us to change ours when we have lived here our whole life.
BTW . . . I hope tomorrow's edition at least shows some actual viewpoints from the other side of the spectrum on this issue and not the sugar coating we have seen so far. Oh yeah, I am typically considered a bleeding heart liberal so if I see the negative side of this issue then there must be a problem.
Laura hits the proverbial nail right on the head.
Why is it that so much effort is made for American's to understand Somali culture and not the other way around?
When Somali's first assimilate and take American values as theirs, then, and only after that, should Somali's try to explain theirs'. Right now they have a bit of disadvantage, granted. But they will get nowhere by getting Americans to know their culture, unless, of course, by showing their culture they expect every accommodation to be made to change ours to fit theirs.
The efforts should be made to have Somalians understand AMERICAM culture first. You know, simple basic things like, treating women with equal rights, the need for car insurance, that all religions are equal but different and no one particular religion is preferred.
Tyson will soon have all the "people"from other countries take over Shelbyville and Bedford Co. Would other countries let us stay, rent free and give us money for moving there? NO,we would end up a nomads, Amercia is being taken over and we are paying these people to come over and drain the US people out of their hard earned money so that they could retire, wonder if there will be SS when by the time for U.S. people to retire? NO,NO.
What is the screening process? Just a questionaire?! Tyson has bent over backwards to give them all they want, yet we couldn't even get parts to make the machines work properly. Sad, simply sad.
So 25% of Tyson is refugees. They get a nice government tax break for hiring them, and citizens get a nice kick in the [deleted]. Just beautiful.
"The Somali Community Center of Nashville has also been a resource in assimilation efforts and has been working with plant management on ways to help supervisors better understand the Somali culture, Mickelson explained."
-Can I just ask, why? Why do we need to understand them better? We didn't move to Somalia.