Letters from Readers - 2007
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Dec. 10, 2007 Christmas thanks Special thanks to the Piedmont Ministerial Association for the week long “Old Fashioned Country Christmas” program. Sunday night the First United Methodist Church and the Piedmont Cumberland Presbyterian Church did a wonderful program. On Monday night the First Baptist Church of Piedmont and Wellspring Church of God on Highway 278 also did a wonderful program. Tuesday night the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Piedmont Church of the Nazarene did a wonderful program. And on Wednesday night, the conclusion of the week long festivity, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church did a wonderful program. Thanks to each of these groups for the beautiful music, singing, dancing, and spirit of the Lord. Special thanks to the Piedmont Disabled American Veterans for use of their building for the Piedmont Senior Citizens, who sold hot drinks each night during the week-long services. Thanks to the Piedmont city employees who worked each night setting up and tearing down for the program and especially working on Thursday night, parade night. Special thanks for Mr. Jack Holder and the Piedmont Welcome Center for being open each night with hot apple cider and gingerbread cookies for all who stopped by. Special thanks to Tracy Hutcheson and Piedmont Pallet for use of their trailer each night during the festivities. Use of the trailer allowed everyone in the streets to see and hear each program so much better. Special thanks to Ms. Kelli Johnson for her beautiful music at the Clyde H. Pike Civic Center after the conclusion of the parade. She always does a wonderful job for our city and community. Thanks to the senior citizen group for feeding everyone after the parade home cooked chili, hot dogs, and sandwiches. Everything was truly wonderful at the civic center on Thursday night. Special thanks to Wal-Mart Store No. 809 for the contribution of the 1,000 candy canes used by Santa Claus in the 2007 Christmas Parade. And special thanks to Precious Memories Photography for setting up for pictures with Santa Claus at the civic center after the parade's conclusion. Special thanks to each entry in the 2007 City of Piedmont Christmas parade and congratulations to each float winner. Special thanks to Brian Pike for Santa Claus and to Devon Davis and the elf assisting Santa Claus. Special thanks to the 2007 Christmas Parade committee: Michelle Franklin, Amy Ragsdale, Jeff Formby, Craig Russell, Kelli Winkles, Stephen Bradley, and Matthew Yakely. Special thanks to Mayor Charlie Fagan, City Clerk Bill Fann, and the Piedmont City Council for their wisdom and guidance in letting the parade committee put on a “first class program” for 2007. Thanks, also, to anyone we may have missed. Thanks to each and every person who attended the nightly services and for
attending the 2007 City of Piedmont Christmas Parade. We hope that you
enjoyed each night and the parade. May God bless and watch over our city and
community all throughout this very special Christmas Season. Dec. 3, 2007 Black Friday, indeed Friday morning I made the grave mistake of venturing out into the darkness in hopes of saving money on some Christmas gifts — a mistake I shall not make again. Folks were at Wal-Mart ahead of the 5 a.m. start time, standing in front of certain items ready to snatch and grab. Their ability to get up that early should beget them that worm, but darn, why take so many of them? Now on to K-Mart. The Friday after Thanksgiving is referred to as the
biggest shopping day of the year, so why in the name of retail were there
only three registers open? The poor woman at the electronics counter was
under siege, with no help in sight! A quick glance over to the customer
service counter saw only one person on the job, while there were several
lines of at least three deep on the other side. I wasn't sure who to feel
more sorry for, the employees who actually showed up or the customers who
were going to wait for such a long time. Next year while I stay in bed,
pleasantly full of turkey and pie, I hope K-Mart will be better prepared for
Black Friday.
This latest discovery of a large mass grave in from the genocidal war in
Bosnia in the early 1990's is an insult to humanity and a shame on the human
race. When will our world learn that barbaric crimes such as this are
horrible and accomplish nothing except evil?
Shades of Orwell's "1984". The bill makes no attempt to define an "extremist belief system." Nor does it define "facilitating ideologically based violence." However, the bill accuses the Internet and its open market for the flow of ideas and information as part of the problem! It says: "the Internet has aided in facilitating violent radicalization, ideologically based violence, and the homegrown terrorism process in the United States by providing access to the broad and constant streams of terror related propaganda to United States citizens." Based on the bills vague and open-ended language, there is a concern that
is a thinly-veiled and dangerous attempt to criminalize legitimate dissent
and trample basic rights to freedom of speech and assembly. This "thought
crimes" act awaits the Senate's vote. God help America. Nov. 26, 2007 Christmas lights Drive under the icicle-lighted archway and see the myriad of multi-colored lights in our front and side gardens. Ooh! and Aah! at the mystical blue trees and the house and the house, all
aglow from top to bottom in a balance of white icicles and multi-colored
lights. Come see the nativity, a reindeer and an assortment of lighted gifts
and packages. This year Santa is arriving in his traditional sleigh as well
as by helicopter. This labor of love wouldn't be complete unless it was
shared with others. So please come on by 6039 Rosemary Lane in Cedar Bluff
and enjoy!
Suddenly, I found myself nose diving, head first, onto the floor of the lift. I was in pain and my sister asked a waitress at the restaurant (who just happened to be outside on her break) to come help. She immediately saw the predicament we were in and sent someone inside for some men to come help lift me. Fortunately, there just happened to be a volunteer fireman who came to my rescue. Due to small cuts on my face and arms, there was blood. He took right over and cleaned my wounds. Between him, my husband and the waitress, they got me back in my chair. Needless to say, we were quite shaken. The waitress returned to her job as soon as she was sure I was alright. I failed to get her name but I did find out the fireman's name, Cody Dobbs. I think he was a Centre volunteer fireman but I am not sure. I am only sure of one thing. God sent two angels to us that night and even though this was not an official 911 call, Cody stayed with us until he was sure everything was OK. A lot is to be said for these volunteers who help when no one is watching. I might add he refused payment for his services -- not even payment for his dinner! I hope someone who knows these two people will get the word to them as to
how grateful I am that they were there for me. Nov. 19, 2007 High-quality care Early Friday morning it was obvious he was not going to be able to travel home and I called Dr. Walker. He called me back, which I still find amazing, and instructed me to take him back to your hospital for surgery. Dr. Walker was there by mid-day and performed a three-hour surgery on my husband. Every employee we encountered at your facility went out of their way to ease the stress of the situation, to make my husband as comfortable as possible and to keep me informed every step of the way. We were truly impressed with the level of care and concern given by your
entire hospital. Centre should be very proud of the men and women that make
your hospital one to be proud of. We will be forever grateful to Dr. Walker
and your hospital.
I think Mr. Dial and Mr. Bradley should get their facts straight before they go to the press with a problem. Every person who lives in Cherokee County has a higher tax bill than ever before. I have lived here most of my life. My family owns property on the lake and last year we paid around $1,100 in property taxes. This year, we will pay about $3,600. We have been to the tax office and were told that the increase was due to the value of the lake property being so much higher. Everyone I have talked to that lives in Cherokee County will be paying a lot more in property taxes. So it's just not the out-of-town property owners who are getting hit with this increase. We have all enjoyed low property taxes for a long time and all good things come to an end. Maybe the higher taxes has something to do with all of the out-of-town and out-of-state folks coming into our county and making the lake property skyrocket in price. Now, thanks to everyone wanting on the lake, our taxes are higher. Don't misunderstand, people coming into out county only helps the economy, but when they buy a summer home on the lake, they have to expect to pay higher taxes. I wonder why Mr. Dial and Mr. Bradley didn't buy lake property in Etowah
County? Maybe the taxes are too high there.
But the conspirators can't get away with it if Congress does its job
protecting the U.S. and our Constitution. Block the N.A.U. (H. Con. Res. 40)
by de-funding the S.P.P., and repeal N.A.F.T.A. Oct. 22, 2007 Nepotism alive and well A few months ago I went to the local hospital to apply for a job in housekeeping. I told them my sister works there. Since the job applied for was on a different shift and across the street in the doctors' offices. I believed it might not matter. They called me in for an interview. They told me I had the job. When I got home, they called to say their boss would not let them hire me. No relatives allowed. Well, this week, the story seems to have changed. They hired a man whose mother works in the same department. What is the difference in his case and my case? I sub for the janitors at Centre Elementary. I have been subbing for almost three years. I thought some day that I would get a regular job. With the way jobs are filled, I am starting to doubt this. There is another sub that works with us at Centre, as well as Sand Rock. This year, a job opened up. My fellow sub was overlooked for the job. The person who got the job was someone with kin in position to help her. A job came open at Centre Middle School this year. Here I went for with a letter of recommendation in-hand. It said I had a good work record and was qualified. I was overlooked for someone's relative who came in with no experience. All sorts of things go on like this every day. There is a lot of it in
the school system of Cherokee County. Don't think it happens only to support
personnel. Sand Rock folks, what happened to your band? We will get to vote
one of these days and I will remember.
I am a parent of one of the players. I would like to say that I know for a fact that was said in that letter is false. We have had a great season so far, as far as the coaching goes. I would like to say that if there is any bad example as far as the season it is the parents who lower self-esteem and the expectations of those players, especially the parents who get mad about their child not playing as much. You get mad at the coaches and you should be mad at yourself. Let me give you a few examples: 1) Some parents don't even come to practices to see how their child is doing; you need to be there. 2) You make your child feel bad when you pull your child out of the game while the game is being played. You get mad and instead of being a grown-up, you go to the field and take your child out of the game and leave. What does that say about the parents? You child is not mad at the coaches, they are mad at the parent for taking him out of the game. Also, not one time has a coach said that only a few players will play in the game so that they can win. Winning is important to these kids and coaches, but we will not play a player who does not come to practice, does not give it their all, and is only there because of parents. At the beginning of the season these players were told nothing was going to be given to them, that they had to earn it. Now you tell me where it's fair to take out a player who is giving his all in favor of a player who is "just there". What's fair about that? If your child is a first-year player, they may not get to play much because they don't know the game as well as others who've been there for years. The coaches are great about teaching the fundamentals. But if your child is not willing to learn, why have him there? We have a great coaching staff this year compared to the past. We have an outstanding program and it's a few parents who want to make it hard for these kids and coaches. Those parents should be ashamed of yourself for being so selfish. I'm not talking about all of the parents in the league, but a select few. Work with us to help make your child a better player so he can play more. Set an example and encourage your child to do his or her best. It starts at home. We don't mind hearing the concerns of parents, but not screaming at the
players, cussing because your child did not play, smarting off every
opportunity, cussing the coaches, or acting like 2-year-olds (which we have
seen enough of this year). Please quit being so nasty and rude and support
your child and their team. Oct. 15, 2007 No more saving face Still fresh out of training, my unit deployed to the Persian Gulf. First Battalion, 4th Marines, was one of the spearheads of the initial invasion of Iraq in March 2003. My first tour lasted nine months. In 2004 we returned for another nine months. I lost friends and comrades there, but what pains me most is the question many Americans are waking up to today: What are we fighting for? The proponents of the Iraq invasion timed their argument soon after Sept. 11. Americans were raw with emotion, hungry for revenge. It didn't matter who it was. "We are the most powerful nation in the world. How dare anyone attack us!" The moment was seized by those we voted into power. As it turned out, however, our elected leaders believed in an imperial United States. Our country went to war with Iraq because our leaders wanted us to. Today, I realize that many Americans are still entangled in their pride.
We seem to think that it is a matter of honor to "stay the course" in Iraq.
I was one of those people but not anymore. I've come to realize that some
things just cannot be fixed. This war has cost over $450 billion and the
lives of over 3,700 of our military men and women. Please wake up to this
mistake before more of our soldiers are allowed to die for the sake of
saving face.
Broncos football Sure, in practices they mostly get to play, but in the game only a select few play, no matter how many mistakes they make. About 10-15 young boys are just itching to get out there and do what they are supposed to be taught in practice, but they are left on the sidelines to watch the coaches get mad, yell and pitch a fit with the selected ones. Never do they let them go in and try to make a difference. To me this is telling these young boys they are not good enough, that no matter how much they try they will not get to play. I have voiced my concerns to the coaches but am told they want to win and only the select few will play. I understand this is how it will be in high school but most of these young boys are still in elementary school. It would be different if the select few even looked like they were tiring. I say let the ones play who actually try during practices. What the coaches are doing is setting a bad example for these young boys.
Most children do not learn from watching all the time, but from using what
they are taught. Children have to grow up fast these days. Why take all the
fun of the sport away too soon? The select are not sure they will get to the
NFL -- that is up to someone else. Teach our children how to play for the
love of game but not by lowering their self esteem. Oct. 8, 2007 Ron Paul is different Over the years I've read many of Dr. Paul's speeches and taken note of his outstanding conservative voting record. He is the only candidate in either party who does not accept corporate money. He has never voted for a tax increase in all of his years in Washington. He proposes ending birthright citizenship for illegal aliens, and has vehemently opposed any plan that would grant amnesty to those who have broken our laws. Dr. Paul has a perfect record on the Second Amendment. He is also unquestionably pro-life. He has also been a tireless advocate for decreasing government spending and ensuring that you and I have the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. As we in Alabama are very much aware, a politician who isn't out to line
his own pockets is a rarity, indeed. I believe Ron Paul is one of those rare
persons whom we as conservatives can support without reservation.
According to the Constitution, only Congress can declare war, then the president becomes the commander-in-chief. Congressman Ron Paul told Congress that if we were going to war, Congress had to declare it, but they didn't. Instead, they let the president usurp power from Congress to declare war. They could have stopped it by refusing to fund the war, but they didn't. Some say that we can't leave Iraq until the job is done. We left Vietnam. Why are we staying in Iraq? Twenty-five percent more soldiers have been killed than people who died in the towers. More than ten times as many soldiers have been wounded and maimed than people who died in the towers. Hundreds of billions of borrowed dollars are being spent on the war in Iraq. All of the Democrat Party presidential candidates are saying let's get out of the war. But can we vote for them when they say that it's alright to kill unborn children, or raise taxes, or take away our rights to bear arms, or allow illegal immigrants to take over our country? I can't. So, I'm going to vote for Dr. Ron Paul of Texas for president in the Republican Primary on Feb. 5, 2008. You say, I don't know him; of course you don't, because the media has
seen to that. So, to find out about him, go on the Internet to
www.ronpaul2008.org or just Google
Ron Paul. The public library has computers for those of us who need them and
they have someone to help those who need help to use the computers.
Support right to repair Vehicles engine, safety and entertainment systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Servicing these vehicles will require that independent shops have full access to the same information and tools that the car companies make available to their franchised dealer network. However, in many cases the car manufacturers are making it difficult to obtain the information and tools needed to repair today’s vehicles. Absent full access, local repair shops might not be able to compete, thus creating a repair monopoly where affordable and convenient repairs currently available to car owners is sacrificed to increase profits for the dealer service bays and big car companies. Car companies say it is in their best interest to make information and tools available to independent repair shops, but the truth is that they and their franchised dealers are making more money servicing vehicles than they are selling new cars. Therefore, they have little incentive to work with the independent service industry to ensure that we can compete on a level playing field with their dealers. That’s why the future health of a competitive automotive repair industry is dependent upon the immediate passage by Congress of the Motor Vehicles Owners’ Right to Repair Act. This legislation requires that car manufacturers make available to independent service shops the same information and tools that they provide to their dealerships. After all, shouldn’t the car owner make the choice of where they have their vehicle repaired and not the car company? I urge everyone who owns a car to contact their elected official in
support of Right to Repair legislation. Go to
www.righttorepair.org for
additional information and to send a letter in support of this legislation.
Oct. 1, 2007 No money for the children The recently passed bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for 6.6 million kids and invests an additional $35 billion over five years to expand health insurance coverage for millions more low-income children and to improve the quality of health care they receive. With their votes against the measure, these Alabama lawmakers stood with President Bush against Alabama families. While the president has spent half a trillion dollars in Iraq, he says this legislation to provide millions more kids with health coverage is just too expensive. But, for the amount of money Bush spends in Iraq in one week, we could cover 800,000 uninsured kids for an entire year! The needs of our children and other priorities here at home, like education and prescription drugs for seniors, have been shortchanged for far too long while President Bush spends billions and billions each week in Iraq. We understand that these lawmakers don’t have much of a history breaking ranks with President Bush, but when it comes to taking care of children who are most in need – we thought they might be able to make an exception. But once again, they chose to put blind loyalty to this president ahead of the basic health care needs of thousands of children in Alabama. When it comes to spending $10 billion a week fighting an endless war in
Iraq – Reps. Aderholt, Bachus, Bonner, Everett and Rogers can find the
money. When it comes to shelling out billions of dollars in tax breaks for
the special interests – they can find the money. But when it comes to
providing basic health coverage for nation’s most vulnerable citizens – our
children – none of them can spare a dime. It sends an unwelcome message to
the Alabama families who pray each night that their children don’t get sick
or hurt – a message that it’s more important to protect President Bush’s
irresponsible policies than it is to protect our children. Sept. 17, 2007 Disgraceful advertisement I first heard of Gen. Petraeus while I was serving in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) from 1997 to 2002. He was already a legend, and went on to become division commander of the 101st during the early stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also commanded several other posts before taking over as commander of our forces in Iraq. Knowing these facts, I know he has seen the evolution of this operation morph from removal of Saddam Hussein's regime to the current Iranian- and Syrian-sponsored proxy war of today. Politicians, whether it's George Bush, Dick Cheney, or Hillary Clinton, don't plan combat or peacekeeping operations for soldiers to execute because they are completely clueless as to what assets (SOG, Army, Marines, or Navy) are needed to execute an operation. Politicians did the planning in Vietnam and we know how that one turned out. Gen. William Westmoreland did not deserve the smear attacks he was subjected to in the 1970's and Gen. Petraeus does not deserve the attacks currently being directed at him. Gen. Petraeus is probably one of the most qualified men in the world to lead our soldiers to victory. Let the soldiers do the fighting and the politicians can debate and figure out what kind of support the unstable Iraqi government needs. Don't smear our heroes on the pages of the New York Times. Yes, Americans have the First Amendment right to say or print just about anything we want, but there are some things that are sacred. Our men and women in uniform should be respected for putting their lives on the line everyday so we can have these rights. I think that everyone should spend a few months in some Third World country wearing body armor and sleeping on the hood of a truck. Then, I guarantee you, they would appreciate the American way of life and what our soldiers are doing to preserve it. In the heat of battle, soldiers don't think about what politicians on the
left or the right are going to think if they succeed or fail at their jobs.
They just want their buddies on the left and right of them to make it out of
there alive. Medicare fleecing I was confused about the need to re-enroll, but did it anyway. I received all my confirmations and then I received my new monthly premium. Wow! I was shocked because it was a whopping 60 percent higher than the old premium in my home state of Tennessee. I called the customer service line and basically was told the rate was so much higher because of the fact I am in a rural area. I have also been checking to see which doctors in this area are accepting new patients. That is not going to good, either. So far the closest is about 35 miles -- a 70-mile round trip. With gas figured in, my overall healthcare costs are about 80 percent higher. I just wanted to let The Post know about this fleecing of fixed income retired or disabled people living in rural areas who have to use Medicare. One more note: When I changed my address I did not receive increased
disability payments. So why should I have to pay more? Why should anyone in
a rural area have to pay more than those in populated areas? We already have
to pay more for our products because of the cost to get them here. Aug. 27, 2007 From hospital CEO I want to thank this patient for sharing his thoughts and impressions of our hospital. In most aspects of his recent experience, we clearly failed to meet his expectations. For that, we offer our sincere apology and welcome any constructive feedback as an opportunity to improve. I would like to note, however, that there are several discrepancies in the experience that was described and out records indicate a different chain of events that transpired. I want to assure the patient, who I have spoken with, and this community, that the experience described is not indicative of the care that we provide on a regular basis. Historically, we have received very high patient satisfaction scores, so we regret that we did not provide this patient with our typical level of performance. From the concerns this patient relayed in his letter, it is obvious that we need to do a better job at managing our patient throughput and length-of-stay in our ER. This has been an on-going issue for CMC, but we have several strategies at work right now that are designed to reduce patient wait times. The first involves faster triage (initial evaluation and treatment) of non-emergency patients when they first arrive. Secondly, we are looking at patient flow and trying to maximize out space to accommodate a larger number of patients at peak times. Finally, our long-term strategy is to expand our ER and thereby create more capacity to treat more patients at the same time. It is worth noting, however, that the national average of patient wait time in ERs is 3 hours and 42 minutes. CMC's average patient wait time in our ER is 2 hours and 18 minutes, almost and hour-and-a-half below the national average. But, further improvement is needed and our intention is to address these issues in an expedient manner. We thank this patient for choosing Cherokee Medical Center for his
healthcare needs. We remain committed to providing him, his family, and all
the citizens of Cherokee County with quality healthcare services in a clean
and safe environment. Our ultimate goal is to become a great place for
people to work, physicians to practice medicine, and patients to receive
care. Property owners have seen a dramatic increase in the assessed value of their property. Consult with any real estate agent and they will tell you that real estate prices have rapidly doubled, tripled and quadrupled. Who knows what the assessed value of your property will be five years from now -- not to mention 30 years from now! Because of the escalating real estate prices and their assessed values, we need a bond issue to vote on that doesn't obligate taxpayers to such a long period of time as 30 years. Let us move forward in the county with fiscal responsibility that will not put taxpayers at risk for financial hardships. I certainly do not want to sign a blank check. Do you? Aug. 20, 2007 Hospital's reply We want everyone to be satisfied with his or her care and are always willing to listen to complaints and constructive criticisms. Our administrator has contacted the patient to address his concerns and he asked me to evaluate and respond to the complaint as presented. I would like to put this complaint in perspective and correct some of the factual inaccuracies of the patient's recollections as published. I am sorry the patient did not contact me before going to the press. I am limited by patient confidentiality to offer information except to the extent necessary to address the concerns he already raised publicly. When we go to the ER, we all want the fastest possible service. The ER staff however, has to make some tough decisions to prioritize the level of urgency of the presenting problem and the available resources. A patient having crushing chest pain or a serious accident will be seen before a problem like this patient, who had been having progressive leg swelling for a week. When examining rooms are available, the staff can put a patient into a room as soon as the nurses have obtained vital signs and made an initial assessment or triage. Unfortunately, each of our four rooms was in use when the patient presented for care and he had to wait for approximately 35 minutes after triage before being given a bed in the hallway of the ER to begin his care. To the patient this may have seemed an eternity. But it may be helpful to realize that the patient then abruptly left approximately 10 minutes later without communicating his unhappiness to the nurses or M.D. who were busy with other patients' needs and arranging an emergency patient transfer. Obviously, we failed to meet his expectations. It is always upsetting when this happens and our staff agonizes and truly loses sleep over such complaints, wondering if they could have sensed his dissatisfaction and communicated better. Incidentally, our average time to triage evaluation was out best ever recorded in July, in that nurses saw patients an average of five minutes after arrival. It's unfortunate that we were busy and did not achieve our average with this patient. I want to assure the patient and this community, that while standing
behind the care given that day we will always strive for improvement and
want each patient to feel well served. We thank this patient for choosing
Cherokee Medical Center for his healthcare needs and hope he will give us
another chance. Aug. 13, 2007 Local emergency room On Tuesday, July 24, I woke up with my left leg swollen twice its normal size, with redness and tingling on the bottom of my feet. Emergency room? Absolutely! Upon arriving we filled out all the paperwork, checked blood pressure and temperature, and returned to the lobby. This was a little bit after 8 a.m. At 11 a.m. I was moved to a hallway gurney. Thirty minutes later, NOTHING! Neither the emergency room nor doctor was at all busy. The doctor never even left his seat in the office. So I left Cherokee Medical Center and went to Gadsden for some help! I checked into the emergency room shortly after noon. The paperwork, my emergency room bed, exam, and treatment all took about 30 minutes. Turned out I had two blood clots in my left leg. The doctor said I was lucky to get treatment when I did, that I was 50-50 to live. I could have died. The IV's and IV medicine, Heprin (blood thinner), saved my life. After six days and nights bedridden, I still wonder if I would be alive if I had stayed in the emergency room at Cherokee Medical Center. Something to think about, huh? I'm still recovering and trying to get my blood just right. My family
doctor said he has received other numerous complaints about our local
emergency room. Anymore complaints or gripes out there? I'm just glad I'm
still alive!
Keep animals cool Many people don't know that dogs have a harder time handling the heat than humans do. Dogs cannot perspire; the only way they can rid their bodies of heat is through their mouths, by panting. During a heat wave, that may not be enough to keep them cool. Brain damage can occur in minutes-please don't learn this lesson the hard way. When temperatures soar, keep your dogs well-hydrated and in the shade or an air-conditioned space. Don't walk them or, heaven forbid, have them run behind a bicycle-in the heat. Watch your dog carefully and pay attention to the temperature of the pavement or sand, which can be 30 to 40 degrees hotter than the air you breathe and can easily burn a dog's paws. If heat prostration occurs, lower the dog's temperature by hosing him or
her down, and give the animal a damp towel. Transport the dog immediately to
a veterinarian. And please, pass the word on to anyone you know who has a
dog. Aug. 6, 2007 Buried by communists? Now 44 former state attorneys general have asked Congress to investigate whether the prosecution of Siegelman was influenced by partisan politics within the Department of Justice. That request is consistent with support of status quo politics or for those who have accepted the unconstitutional reconstruction of the proper relationship between the federal government and the formerly sovereign states. As a candidate for attorney general in the Democratic primary election who carried 33 of Alabama’s 67 counties, I terrified the Marxist leaders of my own party because I championed states’ rights and other practical cures to the ills that plague Alabama. As attorney general I would have demanded the federal government drop its prosecution of Siegelman and Scrushy because we have our own laws and don’t need its meddling. Practically all state officers or agencies have exchanged responsible
local control for the federal (central government) dollar and its attached
strings, and love it. Background: After three years' unemployment, Washington lawyer Roy Pearson was appointed an administrative law judge and treated himself to a $1,000 suit. He took it to local dry cleaners for $10.50 in alterations. Proprietors Soo and Jin Chung couldn't immediately find the pants and after they did, Pearson said they weren't his. Pearson refused their offer of new pants because the sign in their store said "Satisfaction Guaranteed" and he wasn't satisfied. So he sued. For two years Pearson, acting as his own attorney, pursued the Chungs through the courts, exhausting their savings. He turned down a $12,000 settlement offer. He wanted $67 million. A judge has dismissed the suit, galvanizing Prince to say the system worked "to weed out frivolous lawsuits." Tell it to the Chungs. Their defense costs were $100,000. For two years they suffered mental anguish approaching torture because a greedy lawyer set his hooks into them. Now, the clueless Prince says, everything is just fine. It isn't. It's a train wreck. The Chungs are still in tort hell. Even if Pearson is ordered to pay Chung attorney fees, can he? Will he? This is Prince's "proof positive?" Please. Should lawyers be allowed to sue anytime they want over anything; what of thresholds? What if you were the Chungs? Prince's outfit recently changed its name to the Association for Justice.
What a laugh! You can call a shark a kitten fish, but I still wouldn't let
my son swim with one. July 16, 2007 A historian once wrote ... "The basic theories of government were amended for all time by certain principles enunciated in the Declaration of Independence. Those principles became a part of the very foundation of our republic. And they said that man has certain unalienable rights which do not derive from government at all. Under this theory, not only the Sovereign Conqueror, but the sovereign people, are restricted in their power and authority by man's natural rights, or by the divine rights of the individual man. And those certain unalienable and divine rights cannot be abrogated by the vote of a majority any more than they can by the decree of the conqueror. "The idea that the vote of a people, no matter how nearly unanimous makes or creates or determines what is right or just, becomes absurd and unacceptable as the idea that right and justice are simply whatever a king says they are. Just as the early Greeks learned to try to have their rulers and themselves abide by the laws they had established, so man has now been painfully learning that there are more permanent and lasting laws which cannot be changed by the sovereign kings or sovereign people, but which must be observed by both. And that government is merely a convenience, superimposed on divine commandments and on the natural laws that flow only from the creator of man and man's universe. "Now that principle seems to me to be the most important addition to the
theory of government in all history... And the American republic has been
the first great example of that principle at work." I hope the liberals will not convince America to tuck-tail and run in
Iraq just for political gain. July 9, 2007 Success in Piedmont First we would like to thank Mayor Charlie Fagan, City Clerk Bill Fann, and the Piedmont City Council for their help and support of the Freedom Celebration Committee. We are very thankful to the City Council members for working all day cooking the food that was free to the general public. Second, we would like to thank all the Piedmont city employees who worked on this project both before, during, and on the day of the event. Special thanks to the city employees' spouses and children who also worked on the Freedom Celebration. We would like to thank our sponsors who helped contribute to the overall success of our program: State Farm Insurance, Guttery Insurance Company, Piedmont Family Practice, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, American Homeless Veterans, Norco Oil Company, Wachovia Bank of Piedmont, Metro Bank of Heflin, American Legion Post No. 98, and H&R Block of Piedmont. Special thanks to the exhibitors and vendors who set up with us like the Piedmont Senior Citizens, H&R Block of Piedmont, Posey's Snow Biz, and the Piedmont High School cheerleaders. Special thanks to our entertainment Three on a String, the Piedmont Male Chorus, and Kelli Johnson of Jacksonville. Everyone enjoyed all three groups of entertainment and we do truly appreciate each of their help. Thanks to Matthew Yakely of the Army National Guard for the climbing wall and to Bass Master's Casting for Kids for being with us that day. Thanks to the Piedmont Disabled American Veterans for taking care of the Veterans tribute and to Sonny Miller and Chad Richmond for speaking at the tribute. Special thanks to the Gadsden High School ROTC for their Color Guard Group presenting colors for the tribute. They did a truly exceptional job. Thanks for Aaron Williams for playing TAPs and to Karen Lane for performing the National Anthem. We'd also like to thank 810-AM Classic Country for holding a live remote at the Freedom Celebration, and for all they do for the city and community. As you can see, there were so many people involved in making the 4th
annual Freedom Celebration a huge success. Thanks to all of you who spent
the day with us at the Clyde H. Pike Civic Center. We truly appreciate your
support Piedmont and the surrounding areas. Without you the program would
not have been so successful. We hope all of you had a truly wonderful 4th of
July 2007.
Your article ('Weiss at winter pool by July 27,' front page story, July 2) is evidence that unless northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama get a monsoon, this level will not be maintained. Good writing, too. Will Alabama Power give any notice that the level will be dropped to winter pool so that people with boats can get them out of the water/mud and on trailers before it is impossible? Last year, I am told, the water level dropped rapidly after Labor Day and stayed low until it came back this spring. A neighbor had to leave his boat in the mud over winter because he could not get back to move it in time. It would be a service if Alabama Power could at least let you know ahead
of time so we out here away from the lake, could read and get our boats out
before it is too late. July 2, 2007 Lest we forget The REPUBLIC, not the DEMOCRACY. What's the difference? Democracy means "man rule." Republic means "rule by law." The law is the same for everyone, all the time. Democracy -- rule by man -- is whimsical, as is man. Our government officials are expected to obey the law. The Constitution is the public law that our government officials swear to God and everyone else to obey! When they break that promise they violate the law or commit crimes against the Constitution. When George "the First" Bush went to Malta to meet with a communist dictator to plan "perestroika" -- the new world order -- that was a major crime against the Constitution and the American people. Now, when George "the Second" Bush follows in his father's footsteps and meets with far-left foreigners to plan NAFTA -- to cut the United States into strips to accommodate the North American Union (NAU), what kind of "prosperity" is that? Since Congress buckles at the knees at Bush's every whim, these strange partnerships with foreign elements make the president a dangerous servant. We the people still have the responsibility to demand a repeal of NAFTA,
and Congress should scrap the NAU and the SPP. We don't need them. They are
destructive to America. When did we start having to pay for something we don't use? Does this mean that if we use our cell phones instead of an in-house phone we have to pay for phone service, since there are telephone lines available on our street? If we have a satellite dish for TV service, will we now need to start paying cable just because cable TV is available on our street? I seriously doubt the legality of this charge and I'm wondering if the folks who imposed this charge checked with an attorney about it before they sent out their letters. Another issue which concerns me is the solution town officials arrived at for repairing our street. Due to traffic consisting of heavy equipment and trucks involved in construction at the end of our street, the street had bulked up in places to the point that it was puncturing tires and actually posed a safety problem for both automobiles and pedestrians. Several times we asked that the street be repaired. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, the town sent someone out to dug up the pavement with heavy equipment. Now town officials are telling us there is no money available to re-pave the places they dug up, so they will remain unpaved. This street is within three blocks of Town Hall and is heavily traveled, as there are two recreation areas off it. We purchased lake property on a paved street and are paying taxes toward street maintenance and we're now eating dust. I'm wondering how anyone could think the solution to repairing a badly damaged paved street is to dig up the pavement and leave a dirt surface? Who is making these decisions? June 18, 2007 Barron had it coming The question must now be asked: Is Charles losing his punch? And it was not the action, but the location of the action, that might constitute cause for embarrassment. But it only added embarrassment to disgrace. It was the only event I can think of that could adequately punctuate that laughable session. If someone had to be punched, Barron was an excellent choice. He carries a penchant for cursing those he debates, off microphone, and he frequently uses words that denigrate someone's mother. Bishop grew up in rural Arkansas, I in rural Alabama. You cannot be raised where we grew up and not fistfight. My first was the second day of 1st grade and fairly often thereafter. If you were invited to meet for a fight at recess, lunch break, or after school it was always good to specify fistfight. I faced knives on three occasions and a broken bottle once. And if someone cursed your family, your mother in particular, the
response had to be visceral and immediate. Anything less would brand you and
your family. Those kinds of things stick with you. Just outside of Centre on the Appalachian Highway, we pulled off the road and into a furniture store parking lot to let the pups go potty. Three seconds later, three schnauzers and our "Wal-Mart special" puppy took off at high speed, straight for the four-lane highway. None of their hours of training to WAIT, FREEZE, DROP, or STAY worked. They managed to shed their collars and leashes like kids racing for the river on a hot day! They headed straight for the highway and started to race down the road. My heart was pounding. I was not dressed (or fit) to run after fast-moving pups. My husband was trying to get out to chase, too, but had to put our expectant schnauzer back in the car first. I was totally amazed at what happened next. I feared my beloved babies would be crushed by a car or truck. I was screaming at them to stop, come -- anything -- just please don't get hurt -- or worse -- killed. People STOPPED and HELPED! I am so very, very thankful to those beautiful people who stopped to help us keep our pups off the road until we could get them back in the car. One fantastic and caring gentleman got out of his truck and kept our baby pup and our old pup from running back onto the road, and then stayed close by to make sure they all got back in the car safely. He lost his pup to a car accident and I am sure his pup is waiting jut over rainbow bridge to tell him "Great going!" We're thankful to those thoughtful, caring people who stopped and blocked the road so we could capture the pups. So very thankful. What beautiful, thoughtful people you have! We lost a baby in November to
cancer and the people in Auburn showed us love and caring. Now, we see the
same caring from the people in Centre! Amazing -- and a sincere, heartfelt
THANK YOU to the wonderful people who helped us. Your kindness and
thoughtfulness will never be forgotten. June 11, 2007 Rock Village break-in On a recent climbing trip to Cherokee Rock Village near Sand Rock on June 5, my friend's car was broken into. We heard that break-ins had become commonplace around Cherokee Rock Village, but I never thought it would happen to me. I would like you to investigate the situation and ask your community to take back that area. Your town and county have always made me feel so welcome. I feel it is very unfortunate that a criminal element has set-up residence there and prays on your visitors. I hope that community action is possible to stop the crimes or at least put up signs to warn of the dangers near that beautiful place. The Post seems to have the ability to let the others in your area know what is taking place. If there is any information that you would like or find helpful from me
please contact me.
I expect every (expletive deleted) in the House, the Senate, and the administration to be honest, honorable, faithful and, above all, statesmen. I do not expect ANY of them to lie, cheat, steal or abuse the authority and trust given them in any way. I will not tolerate it. I expect them to abide by the letter and spirit of the law and enforce it. They have taken a serious oath that by its very nature and wording excludes partisanship. Those who cannot abide by the oath they took must be recalled or not reelected. They are not honorable enough to serve. The American people do not have to live with Third World leadership. Those we elect must listen and they must do what the majority of us reasonably demand or we are obligated to ensure that they look for other employment. A government that ignores its electorate is, by definition, a tyranny.
Those that govern ignore the reasonable will of the people at their peril.
King George made that mistake once. The result was the American Revolution.
At that time, only Alabamians on Medicaid could qualify. Since then, I have been pleased to be able to assist in changing eligibility requirements so that many other means of verification have been added. Categories now include food stamps, public housing, HUD section 8 programs, SSI, TANF, and LIHEAP. Anyone currently receiving services from one of these programs should qualify. Any citizen who is currently receiving assistance from one of these
programs should contact their telephone company to obtain an application to
apply for Lifeline LinkUp. If you qualify, the program can pay up to half
the original installation of a telephone and half the basic monthly service.
For information call my office at 334-242-5191. May 21, 2007 Who's 'gutless' now? Wood is credited with being the force behind efforts to motivate the anti-SPP measure in both houses of the Idaho Legislature. And yet, President George W. Bush and his administration deny the existence of the North American Union. And some local "newspaper" editor refuses to publish the map of the NAFTA superhighway that I provided him, from an issue of "The New American." The fact that we, the people, are so undernourished regarding current events proves that the managers of the media are purposefully keeping their subversive activities secret, and the local "yokelizer" is part of that problem. Talk about "gutless Democrats! Hah! Look who's calling who gutless! I'd like to know if senators Shelby or Sessions would be willing to send me a copy of the plans for the NAFTA superhighway that will split America into three parts -- for Mexico, Canada and the United States? Also, will they read those plans before they send them to me? I'm writing to them now. They are our shame A friend has said, with ample justification, that half of the politicians and all of the media hate America. I believe he is right. Those kinds of people cannot be trusted to lead or inform this nation. They cannot even be trusted to discipline themselves to resist treason for the dollar or political gain. To them, truth is unimportant, and ethics passé. They are neither patriots nor our best and brightest. They are our shame. The best of America are selflessly tracking our enemies through the sights of a rifle, delivering food and medicine to needy people and repairing decades of decay in the infrastructure of another country, trying to give them a taste of the freedoms we so unthinkingly take for granted. In one day, the U.S. military does more good for humanity than the media
and politicians have ever done, or will ever do until the next American
Revolution. May 14, 2007 Injured race fans at 'Dega I'd still like to think that the beer can throwers comprise a minority that shows large on the cameras. Add some alcohol to some race fans and all intelligence is lost. I really don't like when Gordon or Johnson wins (and I work for Lowe's), but there is never a good time to toss trash at a driver. The bottom line is track safety. As one of my friends in a Yahoo! NASCAR
group told me when she attended the race, a lot of the objects never cleared
the fence, and several innocent people and kids were hurt.
I was once in a doctors’ office and a nurse came running out to ask another patient not to wear perfume the next time she came in, as one of the doctors was allergic. (The woman reeked!) The response was a worried inquiry as to which doctor, and when it was not her doctor, she said she didn’t like the doctor who was concerned and didn’t care if anything happened to him. A few months later, that doctor died from an acute asthma attack. I have always wondered if she even gave a thought to what she had said. It is for this reason that I do not even boo the drivers I don’t like. I remember fans yelling at Earnhardt that they hoped he would crash. I remember the “Anyone but Earnhardt” T-shirts, as well as those against Jeff Gordon. I have heard Gordon being wished a wreck. I will admit to wishing engine failure on pit lane. But, I won’t wish or hope for anything that could cause anyone an injury. I just wonder how many of the anti-Earnhardt people yelled that they hoped he’d wreck and got their wish at the 2001 Daytona 500? I wonder how they felt afterwards. And, I wonder how those folks who throw things at the track will feel when someone gets seriously hurt or even killed? I’m glad that I don’t have to worry about it. It’s too bad
“sportsmanship” has gone bye-bye. Thanks again for your article.
I was under the impression that politicians were responsible for removing
their signs after the election. All the other signs from the other
candidates have been removed. Why hasn't Borders been required to do this
also? May 7, 2007 A couple of letters My wife and I live in Centre and read The Post, although we do not
usually agree with your politics. Thanks for your time and please print both
letters.
I received a couple of questions about the news this week. From here
the situation shows overall improvement. There continues to be one or two
days per week with spikes in violent activity but compare that to the daily
levels through the fall into the first of the year. I support the plan in
place and want our country to do the same. I continually give you my opinion
but attached is an article I read a few days ago. It is written by a soldier
who is out on the streets. He is one of the soldiers who is face-to-face
with danger on a daily basis. I thought you might appreciate hearing someone
else's perspective. We are the ones who live the conflict every day, who see the progress day-to-day. We are the ones who experience the sorrows, deal face to face with the people and see the enemy's effort to undo every good thing the Iraqi people and coalition forces have done. What all Soldiers want is to succeed in the mission and go home to our Families. The things we do each day allow us to do just that. The soldiers make the many successes of the coalition possible. My unit, A Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), is no exception. The most important success is getting the Iraqi security forces organized and capable of handling every problem that may arise in the future. Accomplishing this happens on all levels, from the commanders down to the average private. Our soldiers develop friendships with the Iraqi troops and police. We joke, eat, talk about Family and conduct missions together. We provide a model for the ISF during the time we spend together. We have a training program where Iraqi Army soldiers come and learn the same basic tasks every U.S. Army soldier knows. Every day soldiers work hand-in-hand to teach the IA to succeed in securing their country. The ISF have been the main effort. Our joint successes include finding countless caches, killing or capturing anti-Iraqi force personnel and thwarting attacks targeting coalition forces. The ISF continue to gain the confidence of their fellow countrymen. We are also building important and long-lasting relationships with the surrounding communities. We continuously visit schools and neighborhoods to give the kids backpacks full of supplies, hand out candy and listen to the concerns of the people. We ask about their basic services, such as food, water, electricity and fuel. We hand out cards with hotline numbers to address any problems, and we share handshakes. We see the smiles of a hopeful generation firsthand and see the efforts of anti-Iraqi forces to shatter those dreams. Recent tactics by the insurgents are trying to break these bonds. There has been a major effort by insurgents to sell and hand out a wide variety of realistic-looking toy guns. Their hope is for the ISF and coalition forces to engage children. But with constant training and help from the communities, we will yet again foil the enemy's plans to promote chaos and hatred. Every day we interact and help Iraq grow, we are one day closer to success and one day closer to seeing our families. What does the average soldier think on a daily basis? He wants to
accomplish the mission. He wants to see the smiles of the Iraqi people
endure. He is grateful for everything he has back home, and he wishes the
very same freedom he is fighting for, upon the country of Iraq. April 30, 2007 Communities like yours Now who I am is not really important. But the work I have done, where I have been, and what I have experienced is. I've seen the results of situations like this go without attention, and it will come to be a big problem as time goes on if it is not fixed. First of all, I will acknowledge that there are more important things going on in this world than who gets paid how much. There are American soldiers dying every day, people are starving and the country is being invaded at its own borders. But we must take care of the things at home first. To me, that means hard work and making decisions based on moral and religious thinking. We need to support the local departments in our government. In this day and time, as I said, moral standards and the lack of religious upholding -- not to mention the epidemic of drug use and newer and sophisticated ways of fraud and theft -- are taking a toll on even your little community. And I can assure you of one thing: The people in the emergency response business in your area are not doing their jobs because they were worried about how much money they would start out making. They are truly special people. I have had the pleasure of speaking to Sheriff Shaver on one occasion, and found him to be a pure and genuine law enforcement officer. I also encourage The Post to maintain public awareness of the situation of the loss of manpower and services as it pertains to the local ambulance service. This is not a joke or situation where the public should be left with the thinking someone else will take care of it. Maybe it doesn't effect them now, but what happens when it does? Then, they will be the ones who will really suffer, from not having the support that it takes to combat all the illegal activity going on. Officers are required to be certified. And most small or underpaid law enforcement departments suffer financially because of the funds they spend trying to supply certified and qualified personnel to protect the citizens. But when something happens -- such as a merchant gets upset because the sheriff's office has not served a bad check warrant -- then it is all the sheriff's fault. Things are happening in your area, like bypasses, Wal-Mart, lakefront condos, and the Centre city limits being expanded. The next thing you know, Centre will be the size of Rome, Ga. Have your readers asked themselves some questions, such as: Did the Centre Police Department add more officers when they expanded the city limits? Were they short-handed already? When the money was spent to build a bypass around Centre, was that really needed? I'm not looking to step on anyone's feelings but that bypass was one of the most unnecessary and costly things I have ever seen in such a small community. It makes me wonder who actually benefited from it, the community or some local contractor and politicians? The money may have been spread around as far as Montgomery. The county commissioners need to understand that in order to keep the body of the local government intact and strong, they must first give attention to the needs of the inner structure. And the people in the community need to encourage them to look at this a little closer. From what I have seen they are just tossing it around. Now where I come from we would request an evaluation of pay in other areas. Why should local officers not get paid the same as officers working in Birmingham or Rome? I mean, do you think a murderer from Birmingham is not going to come into this community just because the officers don't get paid as much as the ones in Birmingham? You bet they will, but your officers are not getting the same consideration and respect as those in other areas. Your local deputies and police officers most likely would not do this, but if it were me I would consider contacting and out-of-town lawyer and suing the county under a class-action lawsuit for better wages and working conditions. Then I would contact the Union of United Brotherhood of Law Enforcement Officers, which covers all city and county departments (and not just law enforcement). If the sheriff is not given the money he needs for wages to provide the manpower or equipment it takes for him to protect the public, then he is involuntarily in violation of his oath of office. If he can't provide enough qualified officers because the commissioners won't let go of the money, then it is also not unheard of for the sheriff to issue arrest warrants for all the commissioners charging them with obstruction of justice and hindering law enforcement. If you don't think that can happen then just have someone check federal case law and you'll see. I've gone on enough, I guess. I think you get my point. I ask The Post to continue the good work; the public needs you to take care of them just as they need trained, qualified public servants. They just won't know it until it's too late. Your situation and community are in my prayers. God Bless. Do not try to push your beliefs on another. Let adults make their choices and live with them. It will benefit our city with tax revenue for schools and street improvements. Or maybe we should hold a vote to increase property tax and ad valorem tax so that the nays can help with the improvements? A few want to complain about the sales of alcoholic beverages but when it comes down to it, they sure don't want their taxes to increase. I moved here from Albany, Ga. and have a story to tell. A strip club came to town and they were able to avoid certain city ordinances because they served food. Every day for months, people were outside the business protesting it being in town. They had signs and all the media coverage they wanted. Did it do any good? Nope, the strip club was plastered all over the newspapers and TV. Nowhere could you go without hearing about it. The parking lot stayed full. Finally, the protesting stopped and so did the media coverage. Within six months the strip club was closed. Sometimes it is best to let things run their course. Maybe we could learn
a lesson from that. April 23, 2007 The Wrong Angle You should let the facts be known, that if any liberal political figure
does anything out of the ordinary, it's OK with you. No personal attacks, no
articles week after week, no lies, no stories blown out of proportion. It is
clearly a double standard for all Republican conservatives. Lord help us if
we spit on a sidewalk or carry our guns proudly, or believe in fighting for
our liberty, freedom and our country. Thank God you had no say so during
World War I or World War II, for surely we would be speaking a different
language and ruled under one dictatorship. Who knows? In the next ten years,
if you liberals have your way, we may be speaking Spanish or Arabian. And
then you'll be begging for help and blaming everyone else. You liberals will
not be happy until you bring us all down with you. Imagine what a life! Theoretically, Mrs. Pearson, your opposition to U.S. involvement in the United Nations is to be applauded. The U.N. is the single biggest foreign policy goof our country has ever made. We caused it. It's our fault it even exists! However, if we pull out, a power vacuum would be created that would likely suck in some very frightening countries that would then have power to enforce their values on the world and we would no longer have any say about it. We've made our bed and now we have to lie in it. It serves us right if the U.N. stinks and we have to pay for it anyway. The joke's on us, and we pulled it on ourselves! Consider the Supreme Court of the land. All too often it foolishly curtails the moral law, the decent freedom, so that corporate greed, disease, abortion, and immorality can flourish and so generally baser sorts of people can practice at the expense of the decent! One could theoretically argue the Supreme Court as terrorists! But then we would also risk falling into the anarchy and terrorism of the French Revolution. (No thank you!) My point is this: Nothing in this world is at it should be! Would you have me to believe the U.S. is actually any different than the U.N? Our country is just as broken. But at least, in principle, we still trod the high road -- a positive influence that the U.N. desperately needs! Ah, but don't worry! This stuff is only temporary but it must and will happen. Jesus said so. But instead of sighing over these things, look up and have hope! Jesus is coming back and His rule will be moral, righteous, eternal and iron-clad! When He takes the throne of this planet there will be no more abortions, no more drugs, no more addiction, no more U.N., no more Supreme Court, no more dictators, no more war, no more hunger, no more divorce, no more greedy labor unions or greedy corporations, no more snobby lake homes, no more poverty, no more democracy, no more theft or robbery, no more immoral people flaunting their diseased immorality in the faces of decent people and children. I personally put all my hope in Jesus and in Him alone to come and make things right. Neither al-Qaeda nor the Pentagon is going to like it. Liberals won't like it. Conservatives won't like it. Congress won't like it, no matter who's running it. Disney World won't like it. Many church members won't like it. Ah, but for us Christians! That will be a sweet day! He will rule with a golden rod! So cheer up! This crap we live in is only temporary. The worse it gets,
He says, the closer His return. Watch and pray. He's on His way! He was like everyone else in this county, making sure the same political leaders in this county maintained control as they have for 25 years. We may still have people in control who were involved in the past corruption. I believe there are still Democratic party leaders who call all the shots, including electing this sheriff. The people you elected are bought and paid for by the same people. This
paper and this county need to wake up! Please dig up the campaign ad and run
it with your deputy pay articles. I understand that it takes time but there
is a change coming. The new people moving into this county will not be as
foolish. You have cited the opinions of attorney Glenn Greenwald as your so-called proof of an impeachable offense. Did you know that Mr. Greenwald is one of the most vocal, vitriol-spitting, Bush haters in America? To imply that Mr. Greenwald could be remotely objective about the Bush presidency is like saying Rosie O'Donnell is objective about Donald Trump. Why am I not surprised that Mr. Greenwald's book was so close to your desk? Your supposed impeachable offense refers to the Patriot Act -- specifically, the ability of our government to monitor communications. It is partially true that the National Security Agency (NSA) eavesdropped on American citizens without warrants. This partial truth is what Mr. Greenwald and other liberal-minded folks wrap themselves up in as the end of American civilization. The full truth is that the American citizens who were eavesdropped on had made or received communications from suspected terrorist groups or individuals. It is my opinion that anyone who tries to communicate with the operatives of any terrorist organization, or receives any communication from an operative, should be monitored; warrant or not. In an article entitled, "Bush Lets U.S. Spy on Callers Without Courts",
published in December 2005 in the New York Times (and available online at
www.commondreams.org), we have the
following: "(Officials) said the eavesdropping program had helped uncover a
plot by Iyman Faris, an Ohio trucker and naturalized citizen who pleaded
guilty in 2003 to supporting al-Qaeda by planning to bring down the Brooklyn
Bridge with blowtorches. What appeared to be another Qaeda plot, involving
fertilizer bomb attacks on British pubs and train stations, was exposed last
year in part through the program, the officials said." As I have thoughtfully and methodically outlined, your attempt at providing an impeachable offense has fallen short. We all fail. It's OK. May I respectively suggest to you, Mr. Wright, that you take time to ask yourself why you hate and chastise President Bush so much. Your family, friends, and readers, will love you for taking the time. Perhaps, after some time for reflection, you could write on some wrong
that we can agree on. I look forward to it. Bush and his cohorts in the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR) are now using their secretive abilities to divide the United States into three parts. He is dividing the "indivisible" with Mexico and Canada. Our republic is labeled a "democracy" and is being divided up between our neighbors. That's TREASON against the Constitution and betrayal of the American people. And the major parties are both controlled by the same Marxist outfit -- the CFR -- that President Bush is working for. Like Wallace said, "Not a dime's worth of difference." Is impeachment enough? JAIL! And clearing out the traitors as soon as
possible. All CFR agents should be fired. The United Nations should be shut
down. And the Bush war should be stopped and our troops returned home, etc.,
etc. April 16, 2007 A double-dog dare What your article plainly expresses is a hateful, mean-spirited resentfulness because you cannot get over the 2000 election. The Supreme Court did not "give" the election to President Bush. Every recount by every liberal group showed that President Bush won. Why would anyone want Al Gore to be president if he could not even win his own state? Obviously, they knew him best. On the evening of Sept. 11, 2001, I got on my knees, along with millions of other Americans, and thanked God that George Bush was president. We all knew that we were at war with Islamic fascists. How many more attacks would we have invited if our commander-in-chief was the diminutive Al Gore? We knew the better, and most qualified, real man won. So you go on and call for your impeachment proceedings. I believe divine
intervention kept the likes of you from stealing the 2000 election. I also
believe that divine intervention will protect President Bush from calls of
impeachment from the likes of you. You say George Bush is the worst president in the history of this Republic. You don't give any reasons for this assertion. Instead, you quote two people who are critical of him. How does that make him the worst president? You say every good American should want to see "that idiot" (Bush) out on his ass. What does that mean? If you don't agree with Scott Wright you are not a good American? That's the epitome of arrogance. You say God knows there are plenty of offenses to choose from to file articles of impeachment. Maybe God knows, but do you? Just what "high crimes and misdemeanors" is he guilty of? Maybe the list is long, but you wouldn't know it from your writing. Or should I say ranting? You don't give even one example. When you say Bush is the worst president, does that include Jimmy Carter? When Carter was president, we had to wait in long lines to be able to purchase five gallons of gasoline. When Jimmy Carter was president, Alabama had double-digit unemployment rates. When he left office mortgage rates were over 20 percent and the inflation rate was 13.5 percent. Do you remember Jimmy Carter's stagflation? Probably not. Did you know that Alabama's current unemployment rate of 3.3 percent is the lowest it has ever been? Probably not. As far as the Democrats being gutless: shameless yes, gutless no. They
would impeach Bush in a minute if they had the numbers. At least 20 percent
of Democrats You make your opinion clear, but your reasoning is unclear. Based on your
writing skills, I say you are a pathetic example of a writer. You are just upset that "Klinton" did get impeached for lying and your twisted thoughts make it fair game on Bush. I have yet to see anything useful from the Democrat Senate and House. I did watch them belly-up to the feeding trough for some good old pork-barrel eats on the Iraq funding bill. I'm glad President Bush has a "pair" and will veto this bad bill. Maybe the Democrats should show the leadership they said they would and not buy votes with taxpayer funds? You and those just like you are entrenched on defeat for this country.
You hate America and use President Bush as the whipping boy to drum up the
kook-fringe political left. Keep cheering for the wrong team. I believe the
Democratic Party is making the case for a Republican president in 2008. April 2, 2007 Happy birthday, Vladimir! When the federal government got so big it surrounded us, the elite bosses of the communist conspiracy named it "The Environmental Protection Agency." The EPA tells us -- in typical Aesopean language -- that we're surrounded, and that our surroundings must be protected from us because it now belongs to the elite Council of Foreign Relations (CFR), which has taken over our government and discarded our Constitution. But we weren't using it, so we didn't miss it much, eh? When a lady asked Benjamin Franklin "What have you given us?" after the Constitution was ratified, Franklin answered, "A republic, ma'am, if you can keep it." "If you can keep it"? Keep it? And for a long while American citizens did keep it. They were very much aware and watchful to make sure our public servants did not become dictators. But wolves in sheep's clothing crept into responsible positions and in the Fabian way (patient gradualism) they pulled the wool over our eyes. Now we don't even expect them to obey the public law they swore to honor and uphold. So, beginning with Abraham Lincoln they began to turn our Republic into a whimsical democracy. Any whimsy the president -- or his bosses -- feels, he can do as he pleases and we don't even realize we are supposed to have a voice or objection, possibly. That's democracy, and that's what is wrong with America! Whimsical man rule! If we knew our Constitution we would realize how it has been violated. We are losing our liberty and our very country. The "North American Union" -- like the European Union -- is a region of the New World Order. Hitler never had it so good. He only dreamed of a new world order. The CFR has it already working for them. They took it by sleight-of-hand tricks, deceit and pretty words. Words like "security," "prosperity," "protection,," etc. They own the United Nations. Our independence could be restored by getting us out of the United Nations. Happy Earth Day? Hah! EPA? Bah! Fire the CFR! I wrote this so you all would know that what's wrong with me does not have a thing to do with my children. I am tired of this county treating my kids unfairly because of what I say and do, including my actions in the past few years. I can't help what I do although on heavy doses of medication trying to control my illness. Everyone who has known me, including the people who knew me before my illness, knows I have always called a spade, a spade, and right, right and wrong, wrong. For the ones of you who know my children, they are the polite ones -- please correct me if I'm wrong. I heard it numerous times from anybody that they stayed with or knew up until my illness. Since then they act as if my kids were the ones who were ill. This county and community needs to know that you don't judge people by the actions of their parents. There are a few who did and still do and the people around them know who they are. You are to love one another and treat everyone equally, but in this county there are a few who think they sit on top of the world. They need to stop and smell the roses and take a good look at their own
family. You can judge me as you like, but leave my children out of it. March 26, 2007 Sleep on, citizens The CFR Marxist outfit was one of Edward Mandel House's treacherous toys. Being a Marxist himself, House was determined to make America over to a socialist (communist) state "as dreamed of by Karl Marx." As Woodrow Wilson's alter-ego or "other self," House provided the CFR agent that Wilson appointed to lead the State Department, and ever since then Marxist CFR agents have been secretary of state. That's what I call a worm in the heart of America. By now just about every department secretary in our federal government is a Marxist CFR agent (worm). Some U.S. presidents have been CFR worms, too! Now, the politician was more subtle than any beast of the field. He had a forked tongue. He could double talk, pick your pocket, pat your back and sell you out through the treacherous Security and Prosperity Partnership with Marxists and call himself a "war president." All the while, he was lying about his excuses for attacking an unsuspecting country and sending American youths off to be killed and sacrificed for the United Nations -- another CFR power structure. Oh, this is a big can of worms, the CFR. And it's in total violation of the law of the land -- our Constitution. While making a big noise in the east, the subtle politician strikes in the west. Conspiring with Marxists to divide the United States with Mexico and Canada, said politician is working for the Marxist CFR worms. He is their front man, carrying out their orders to bring their United Nations into full power over the United States and their world government. Sleep on, citizens. If you're lucky you'll be dead before your children live under communism. But watch out for the "super slab" -- the humongous wide-corridor highway that is being built through the USA from Mexico to Canada. Shhh! Go back to sleep. Make no mistake, we must secure our borders first. Then, and only then, should we tackle a comprehensive resolution. In this age of terror we cannot have millions of illegal aliens crossing our borders at will. There are three things America should require before citizenship is granted to new immigrants: First, require immigrants and their families’ to successfully complete citizenship courses in American history and American values. Second, require greater proficiency in the English language. A recent 2006 Rasmussen poll showed that 85 percent of Americans want English as our official language. Mastering the English language is essential to successful integration into our American society. And last, no dual citizenship. Dual citizenship is dangerous because it does not require would-be citizens to forsake loyalty to any other government in order to become an American. Securing our borders and assimilating new immigrants into our American
culture are not Democrat or Republican issues, they are American issues.
Confronting these issues is in the best interest of our national security
and for the future of our unique American culture. Let’s take a stand
against the usual elite establishments in our country and demand action!
Judgment in on Judge's House Upon entering the front door at the Judge's House we were greeted with such warm hospitality. The menu had so many excellent choices that we had a hard time deciding what to order. Between the three of us, we ordered the oven-roasted turkey sandwich, the Ruben sandwich, the bacon-cheese quiche, and the potato soup. Everything was so fresh, including the homemade bread on our sandwiches. Even though the portions were very generous and filling, we could not
pass up indulging in the homemade turtle dessert and chocolate pie. We also
had the opportunity to meet Tim and Tina Gossett, the owners, who are both
such sweet and hardworking people. We are so pleased that the Gossetts have
worked so hard to preserve a bit of history in Centre and create such a fine
place for locals and visitors to enjoy. We will definitely be going back to
visit The Judge’s House on our next trip to Centre. Feb. 19, 2007 Bush knows the Bible It is arguable that Bush slept through his classes in history, science and economics at Yale, but there can be no doubt that Bush was paying attention in Sunday School. The Bible is abundantly clear in its support for pre-emptive war, provided you think God told you to do it. At God's insistence, Israel massacred the inhabitants of Hormah and Bashan (Numbers 21), smote the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15), everyone in Heshbon (Deuteronomy 2 and 3), the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites (Deuteronomy 7:1-2 and 20:16) and almost every person living in Jericho (Joshua 6), as well as all of the inhabitants of Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, Debir, Hazor, Madon and Shimron (Joshua 10 and 11). Every one of the above wars was pre-emptive, because of what those millions of men, women and children might do in the future, not what they were doing or had done (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). King David was "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14). Every time he conquered an Ammonite city, he "brought out the people that were in it and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes, even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon" (1 Chronicles 20:3). Lest anyone think that God disapproved of this, "David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from any thing that He commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite" (1 Kings 15:5). Coincidentally, David pre-emptively extended the boundaries of Israel all the way to the Euphrates River (2 Samuel 8:3), exactly where U.S. Hummers are parked today. Will Syria be next (2 Samuel 8:5-7)? Numerous surveys have shown that most Americans do not know what the
Bible says. This is regrettable, because a knowledge of the Bible is
essential to understanding how our current commander in chief formulated
such disastrous foreign policies. Feb. 12, 2007 Thank you from Centre COG I would also like to give special thanks to Dan Hale associate pastor of the Centre Church of God for his coordination of this event. In addition, I would like to thank the church family unending efforts in making this an unforgettable event. As we tried to bless our community, little did we know that one week later our community would in turn bless us. In the morning hours of Feb. 1, I received a phone call that our church was on fire. As of right now, we are still uncertain of what will be done with the structure. Do not let the appearance of the outside convince you that it is not damaged. It is much worse than what appears on the outside. The Centre Church of God families and I are very grateful to those who helped in trying to save our church and want to thank the following for their help in this challenge that will end in a testimony that will show others how blessed we are to live in a very loving, compassionate community. The Centre Fire Department and Chief Kevin Ware, Cedar Bluff, Ellisville, Leesburg, McCord's Crossroads, Mt. Weisner, and Spring Creek fire departments. I was personally told by the ATF agent and the state fire marshal that if it had not been for the great response and effort put forth by these volunteers the church would be on the ground. They were compared to some of the best “paid” fire departments. They deserve every community's continued support. We'd also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the following: _ To Pastor Jim Wright of Centre First Baptist Church for quickly offering their facilities to our church family to hold services, and to the Centre First Baptist church family for understanding. _ To Celebrate Recovery for their equipment and furnishings to use while having services and their support. _ To Wendell Dutton and the Cherokee Baptist Association for their support. _ To Larry Hanson for volunteering the armory for the use of our church services. _ To area pastors and ministries for calling or coming by and offering their support, prayers, and facilities. _ To the Piedmont Ministerial Association for the offering and prayers. _ To Probate Judge Melvin Salter for his support and prayer. _ To the Church of God state and international headquarters for their immediate response and unparalleled support in this time of crisis. _ To Larry's Towing for their assistance in hauling supplies to and from the church. _ To all the individuals in our community who have called, came by, prayed, and supported us in any way. You are too numerous to name. You know who you are and we say “thank you." _ To my wife Dava Mackey Swafford and my sons Seth and Sam for their unfailing love and understanding of the task ahead. Your support means more than I can express and more than you can ever realize. I love you. _ To the Centre Church of God Family, you are champions! Your support and confidence is overwhelming. You have made your pastor confident and proud. I love each of you and together we will recover all! I have been asked by so many how they can help. First and foremost, through your prayers, they are much needed and greatly appreciated. Another way is through your financial support. We have an account at F&M Bank. Our services will be at the ROC on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. for Sunday school, 10:45 a.m. for morning worship and then at 5 p.m. on Sunday evenings. We will worship at Centre First Baptist on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. We will continue with our children's church (ages 6-11) services on Sunday mornings at 10:45 and our youth services (ages 12-19) on Wednesdays at 6:30. Finally, I want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ, the One from
where I draw my greatest strength. Lead me Lord, and I will follow. My God
bless you all. Feb. 5, 2007 Continuing cable TV woes I have never missed paying my cable bill and my bank faxed, as Charter requested, a copy of the check in question which cleared my account only a few days after I sent it. Once it was faxed I assumed that would clear up the matter. But on my next statement I was again informed I was past due and my service was terminated. An additional note said I would be charged $250 per TV to reconnect. Each month I'd make calls and each time it was like starting at square one. Each person I called knew nothing of the 20-plus other calls I'd already made, so I had to explain from the beginning. At one point, I was told to have my bank fax another copy of the check that had cleared my account. My most recent bill is still showing the "past due" balance even though my bank has faxed them proof -- twice! -- that they have received my check and endorsed it. Every time I call trying to get this resolved I talk to someone in a different state. Each call usually takes from 30 minutes to an hour and each time I hang up thinking the problem is resolved. One person I talked with suggested that my check might have been credited to someone else's account, so on my next call I asked to speak to the department doing the billing and was told this was not allowed. I then told the Charter person I'd hold on the phone while they called the billing department and was told the only way even they can contact billing is via email. I've exhausted all means to get this problem resolved but kept trying
because in one communication I was warned that this past due bill would be
reported and would reflect on my credit rating. This problem clearly lies
within the Charter organization but they are obviously doing nothing to
resolve it other than harassing my husband and myself. We are to the point
of hiring an attorney. Jan. 29, 2007 Contact the Legislature According to those who back the bill, the tendency of school systems in the state to begin classes in early August is killing the profits of restaurants, condos, hotels, museums and camps. They say starting school early makes it hard to schedule summer sessions and hard to find and keep cheap student labor through the summer season. In reality, however, Alabama's tourism industry has never been stronger. In 2005, 21.8 million people visited Alabama, and travelers spent nearly $7.6 billion in the state, according to the Auburn University Montgomery Center for Business and Economic Development. In a recent speech to state associations leaders, Retirement Systems Director Dr. David Bronner, who built the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, announced that tourism recently surpassed agriculture as Alabama's top industry. That doesn't sound like it needs to be bailed out especially at the expense of students. Mandatory school start date bills are bad for school children. They would rob teachers of two weeks of much needed instructional time to prepare students for Alabama's high-stakes accountability tests (since the test dates are immovable). They would make it almost impossible for schools on the block schedule to end the first semester before Christmas break. They would jeopardize some schools' fall break. And, they would bar block parents and educators helping to choose the calendar that works best for our community. Please join me in urging our local legislative delegation to send these
bills packing. Jan. 22, 2007 Call Wal-Mart and complain As everyone knows for such a long time we've had to drive to either Fort
Payne, But people like me cannot afford the high prices at specialty shops. Not only that, but the cost of gas and time spent to go to other stores makes it impossible to make our own clothing items. If you would like to see the existing fabric department remain in our local store, call 1-800-WAL-MART and let them know how you feel about it right away, as we are running out of time. I've known about this for over a week, so if everyone calls, perhaps this
could change their minds. I have already called. It's bad enough we lost the
lay-away department. Let's not lose this, too. They gave us a Wal-Mart and
now seem to be taking it away, little by little. Jan. 8, 2007 Self-serving interest In the past, there has been talk of saving money but that was just talk. For example, there was a $9,000 consulting fee spent to find out how to run a more effective government. On the other hand, they kept telling us how efficient they were. As for the Republican Party, it seems to me that were are in some kind of dictatorship. If you didn't agree, they would just get rid of you. Dr. Owens appoints people she can manipulate and turns them against people they have known for years. Why were the voting precincts changed? This change cost the county taxpayers approximately $100,000. This just confused the voters. The precincts were federally mandated. Where did the authority come from to change the precincts? If it isn't broken, don't fix it. As I said in my last letter (which was highly edited), there needs to be a change in the Republican Party leadership. We need a new leader--a progressive leader that is not led by self-interest. You won't find many people that think Dr. Owens has done a good job other than alienating the party members. You can see but the last election results that the Republican Party moved several steps backward. If Kirk Day had stayed away from the advice that was given by Dr. Owens, he would probably still be in the office. I have talked with a lot of people that believe in the Republican Party. They believe as I that Dr. Owens should resign. The Cherokee County Republican Party should have new leadership, new ideas and strive to accomplish what is best for the people. I feel that Cherokee County can and should be a two-party county with
cooperation with each party. I believe in strong leadership, loyalty, trust
and a look toward the future. During this time of crisis, the Republican
Party must ban together. There is no time for self-serving interest.
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