Money still controls all
It’s always been about the money, you know. From the manifest destiny of the early American settlers resulting in the decimation of the Native Americans to the slavery on Southern plantations, nothing could stand in the way of the relentless pursuit of wealth and power. Freedom, justice, equality – all pretty and noble words, as long as they don’t interfere with making money.
The U.S. Supreme Court decisions that money is free speech and corporations are people pretty much sealed the deal. Most Americans would like to have universal health care, a livable minimum wage, affordable housing and stronger environmental regulations, but we don’t get any of them because the millionaires and billionaires contributing to (bribing is a better word) politicians don’t want them.
Locally, almost no one wants to see our Forest Service lands auctioned off to build hotels and resorts, but it’s what the rich people want, so most likely it’ll happen. Welcome to the American dream – shopping malls, expressways, condominiums and church steeples from sea to shining sea.
This is the end of the letter where I’m supposed to tell you that if you support a certain candidate or join a certain political party, your voice will be heard and make a difference. I have no such illusions. If you have any extra time or money, you might consider helping someone who is hungry, homeless or having a hard time making ends meet.
Most politicians aren’t going to help anyone but the ultra-wealthy, who give them money and keep them in office.
Bob Kilpatrick, Murphy
A negative on positive
Has anyone else noticed that with every column of “Our View” that David Brown writes, somewhere, usually in the last couple of paragraphs, no matter how positive an issue he tries to write, has a huge negative inserted into his column.
For example, a few weeks ago, Brown wrote a column lauding Robert Garland’s efforts to help a lady that was in distress with the Cherokee County Tax Office and their collections attorneys.
The praise for Garland’s efforts were overshadowed by Brown’s inserting the last paragraph stating that Garland has had his own run-in with Cherokee County.
And then in the Nov. 5 issue of the Scout, Brown’s column regarding “Coaches adding waste in government spending,” Brown included a paragraph about Kirby Smart and his enormous buyout, should it come to that. His column was nicely written until he just had to add that Smart’s buyout would be “enough to build one-third of a new ballroom where the East Wing of the White House used to stand.”
Can Brown not write a decent column without criticizing other people? Come on, surely you can do better.
Shirley Voyles, Murphy
Antifa works vs. fascism
Antifa is a word derived from the German word antifaschistische, meaning anti-fascist, i.e. against fascism. The word came into being in 1930 and was used by the early resisters to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Within a few years, the word was shortened to antifa.
When I say that I am antifa, I am not referring to any kind of organization with membership, leaders or hierarchy. I am simply saying that I and others who resist are against fascism. The non-violent
rallies on Oct. 18 of 7 million people nationwide as they occurred with no police arrests cancel the lie, “antifa’s masked thugs.”
They cancel the lie, “antifa’s thuggish vigilantism.” They cancel the lie, “antifa’s ‘direct action’ smashing windows, doxxing innocents.” The only masked thugs I am aware of are those of government agents raiding homes without warrants and ignoring fourth amendment rights.
Every accusation is a confession. Has anyone forgotten Jan. 6, 2021?
The whole purpose of antifa is to stop fascism and to honor those, like my father, uncles and all who made that horrendous sacrifice. A woman was arrested for waving a gun at protestors in Myrtle Beach. S.C.
Bill Bagwell, Hayesville
Destroying our America
Apparently, a bunch of President Donald Trump’s MAGAts are about to destroy America’s federal government by acting as un-Christian as possible. They’re pushing to behave badly enough, for as long as it takes, to generate enough of a public rebellion to enable them to invoke the Insurrection Act, then install martial law and, certainly, cancel next year’s midterm elections.
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, America’s largest internal police force, captured Subu Vedam, 64, as he was being released from prison after serving 43 years for a murder for which he’s been found innocent. A deportation order had been issued 37 years ago for Subu, based on his imprisonment.
Do you want a president whose family makes $13.5 million a day, 365 days a year?
Harry Holdorf, Blairsville, Ga.
Not buying what selling
Nope. Not buyin’ the response to the writer’s letter regarding Publisher David Brown’s column stating more liquor businesses would be “nice additions” to the existing 20-plus such establishments in downtown Murphy.
Under the column title “My View,” Brown’s comments are self-explanatory as the word “view” is defined in the dictionary as “opinion; in expectation, as a hope or wish.” The thesaurus adds, “position, perspective, orientation, intent, persuasion.” Despite the response denial, it’s an endorsement.
Brown could easily have published “The Impact of Main Street” report from Downtown Development Director Laura LaChance that he referred to as a stand-alone article. Instead, he chose to include it in his personal” My View” column. Nope. Not buyin’ the denial response.
Another show of bias in the same issue appears in Randy Foster’s article about the Cherokee County Sheriff Office. It states, “A court order also sealed the sheriff’s office’s evidence room after an audit found evidence could be missing.”
It’s my understanding that the time frame concerning such missing evidence was during then-chief deputy Chris Woods’ watch (second in command), who is now running for Cherokee County sheriff.
How strange that this important fact was left out of the article and, therefore, kept from the public. The intent of this failure to inform is obvious. Nope. Not buyin’ Foster’s misleading reporting as well. I hope you don’t either.
Why don’t you write an article telling citizens of all the good Sheriff Dustin Smith has done and all the progress he has made since in office? Now that would be an article worth writing and reading.
It’s especially important that citizens know these facts before the upcoming election. Don’t keep this needed information a secret. Factually inform, as a good writer and newspaper should.
Mike David, Murphy