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They have a love of all things local, and a certain distrust of things that might be strange or different.
The Quincy grade school was going to be leased. Word was out that a strange Eastern Cult was going to be taking it over, and establish their cult identity over the area. A number of people in the community were outraged that such a thing could happen to their peaceful valley. Several people filed an appeal to the Columbia County Commissioners, stating that what was proposed was not a compatible land use. A public hearing was scheduled to be held at the Clatskanie Middle School, and some of the more "Christian" forces in the community were encouraging their members to be there.
Little Annie called up Sulo and told him that she expected him to give her a ride to the meeting.
"What meeting?" asked Sulo
"Don't you read the Chief?" replied Annie. "The Zen Community of Oregon is requesting a permit to be allowed to lease the old Quincy School".
"So?" Responds Sulo "Why should they need a permit to lease a building?'
"I think that they need a permit, because they're different than everyone else."
"That's dumb." says Sulo
"That's why you're taking me to the meeting." says Annie.
Sulo and Annie arrive at the meeting. They park in the school parking lot and walk into the meeting room, They find chairs and sit down. A small group of about 20 people are there, including the County Commissioners and Planning Department representatives. Some one from County Planning gets up before the group and starts to explain the law as it relates to the schools lease. Several people get up to speak. One man insists that the Zen Community is an un American organization that doesn't believe in saluting the flag or supporting the U.S. Constitution. "Besides", said another, "they aren't even Christian'.
"Since when does being Christian have anything to do with leasing a building?" Whispered Annie.
Testimony was taken, feelings were expressed, and the County Commissioners rendered a decision.
"We see no violation of local zoning regulations, and have no objections to the Zen Community of Oregon's proposed use…." Read the Commissioners.
A murmur could be heard from some of the audience members. It was obvious that this decision did not please everyone present.
Annie was smiling as they walked out of the school and had not yet reached the parking lot when she was met with an angry faced five foot three inch Ilse Heikkinen and her husband Arvid.
"How can you smile like that when we have some God hating child poisoning cult moving into our community?" Menaced Ilse
Little Annie was not about to be intimidated and looked down at Ilsa and her husband.
"Lady," said Annie. "My fifth graders have a better grasp of law than you do. The first Amendment of the Constitution guarantees freedom of Religion. That means that people can practice not only your kind of religion, but theirs as well. Those people don't hate God, and they don't poison children. You may not realize it, but they are Americans, and they enjoy the same laws and protections under the law that you do."
"I am not about to let some cult subvert our community." Responds Ilse "Look what those guys did to the town of Antelope. The next thing we know they will slipping food poison into the salad bar at Humps Restaurant.
Annie's eyes flash fire: "Zen Buddhism is not a cult, they are a recognized religion. I believe that they are the third largest religion in the world. I think you may have them confused with Ma Sheila, the Bhaghwan and Rajneeshpuram. Buddhists belong to a different religion, than the one practiced by the Rajneeshies."
Ilse fires back: "It don't matter to me, they're a cult and they're dangerous…"
"Lord save us from ignorance" says Little Annie. "Buddhists are just like everyone else. They salute the flag, obey our laws and support the Constitution. Their religion is one of peace. They believe in doing kindness, meditation, and focusing their energies in a positive manner. They are not a threat."
They're not like everyone else". Replies Ilse's husband Arvid. "And they aren't Christians".
"And you are?" Asks Annie.
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