Talk:Columbia, Illinois

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[edit] Duh!

I don't believe this entry is biased. I know Columbia well (my wife grew up there) and I don't think I came across anyone who wasn't of German descent. Look at the local phone directory. Virtually everyone has a German name. This is a German town. That is a fact, unfortunate though it may be in some people's minds. This shows one of the weaknesses of Wikipedia. Without a knowledge of a subject, a person can reach the conclusion that a particular entry is biased because it does not confirm to their world view. Bottom line, Columbia is one of the most ethnically German communities in the United States. Just look at the demographics.

As for the source of the information: Why would anyone reach the conclusion that a town website in Germany that decides to post an entry about its sister city in the US is automatically "biased"? Bias refers to a predisposition that prevents objective analysis. Wikipedia should remove this entire thread.

[edit] Strong German influence here

I currently live in Columbia, there is definitely a strong German flavor to the town. It is a great place to live, though. Great churches, schools, and activities. Needs some more retail shops and dining, but St. Louis is next door for that too.

I'd say it has a strong german influence, and we've got our very own Gestapo police force and racist attitudes to go right along with it.