Columnists
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Rise of the white necks Alex Debogorski Guest columnist Wednesday, January 21, 2009 Previous columns 
A redneck is a man or woman with red forearms, neck and face from being out in the elements for a substantial part of their constructive lives. They deal with realities and are usually practical. Decisions come quickly even if they are hard to make. Policies are a guide not an excuse or a commandment. Often rednecks wear their weaknesses on theirs sleeves. God, fate, larger elements of risk play a big part in life, often as much as planning does. They don't mind regulations until it impinges on their freedom. They know it doesn't take much regulation before freedom becomes eroded. When the government uses the mantra, "all for one and one for all," it smacks of communism. It sticks in the redneck's craw. The idea of a fat, dog-kicking. wife-beating, beer-swilling, greasy T-shirt wearing fellow in front of a TV set (I don't have a TV) being the redneck was invented by others to make these independent-minded and opinionated individuals look foolish and like asses. Who are these others? Who would the self-righteous opposite of a redneck be? I suggest this would be the "white neck." A white neck is a man or woman whose forearms, neck and face are only affected by the elements on days off, holidays and trips between the house, work and car. They tend to deal with abstractions and postulations. Postulations often convert to wishful thinking and Utopian ideas. Policy governs decisions. Individualism is dangerous because it makes one stand out from the crowd. Bonding together under banners helps white necks protect their collective rear ends. Regulations, rules, planning and enforcement keeps things running smoothly and extends one's lifespan. Freedom is for those with the political hammer. The rest get freedom as long as they bow to the regulations as the white necks pile them on. How often do the old regulations get removed to keep the number of regulations the same? How did we ever exist and prosper without the newly found regulations that are so needed and were missed in the past? If a white neck were to have a crown it would be called risk aversion! We are forever being saved from ourselves by these rule makers. I thought people were smarter now than in years gone by. Obviously, we are only smarter if the white necks keep making new rules and we continue to follow them! - Debogorski is a long-time Yellowknifer and star of Ice Road Truckers on the History Channel
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