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I was a resident of Grant County from 2003-2007. There are many good well meaning residents there; some of which have become life long friends of mine. I can say from experience however, that in many ways it is an intollerant community. There used to be a joke that if you wanted to see the real "Survivor" drive a Volvo with a pro- gay rights and "I support Obama" sticker through the county and see how long you last. I would love too see people who are ethnically diverse for this region or who do not share the pollitical beliefs of the majority, (there were roughly 500 democrats out of 8000 residents in 2006) visit John day and report on how locals treated them. I'm sure most would be cordial, but it only takes a few. Moreover, I would love to see the residents of Grant county live up to the ideas of equal rights they are now proclaiming is such a valued asset to their community at long last. 

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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