Maizie is safe at home in Murphy with mom Gena Waples.
Maizie turns town’s heads
On Aug. 5, my crazy little Yorkie, Maizie Dae, escaped from the office in the center of downtown Murphy at the roundabout. True to her “rat terrier instincts,” she ran after cars all up and down Valley River Avenue. She believes she is a fearless warrior.
I, however, was a crazy woman running down the middle of the streets with my hands flailing in the air, praying that traffic would see her and she would survive this “adventure.” She did, and I am forever grateful for all the wonderful people who helped.
My co-worker, Shonia Burch, who noticed Maizie escaped. Charles McHan, who sits at the round table daily and pointed me in the direction Maizie was headed. The gentleman at The Mason Bar who further pointed me around the corner to Murphy’s Chop House and who ultimately nabbed her when she ran back his way. Thank God for you, sir, plus the couple walking near Mason Bar who helped corral Maizie.
The woman heading west on Valley River Avenue who helped block traffic and got out of her car to assist. The woman in a pet rescue van heading east on Valley River who stopped traffic and also got out to assist. The person in the little brown truck who recognized Maizie was chasing their vehicle and pulled over to get her to stop. And the dozen or so other vehicles in the roundabout and along Valley River Avenue that stopped their cars to allow Maizie to get to safety.
I am deeply moved and beyond words that express my gratitude for a community that cares for and looks out for others. Thank you.
Gena Waples, Murphy
President has power to tariff
In a letter published in the July 6 edition of the Cherokee Scout, Tom Hudon responds to a letter I submitted. He quotes me, then says I “got things wrong.” I feel that I must respond.
First, had I attended the gathering you speak of, I would have given my copy of the booklet to someone who doesn’t have one.
One more booklet would only add to the many copies of booklets I now have. My favorite booklet contains the Magna Carta, Patrick Henry’s Call to Arms, Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Washington’s Farewell Address. This booklet was given to me in 1968, shortly after I received an award for my studies in American history.
Did I get things wrong? Hudon cites Article I, Section VIII of the Constitution, and concludes that the president “has no power to tariff.” Let’s take a look at that. From the earliest days of our country, Congress has delegated through legislation the power and authority to set tariffs to the president. He would also know that this has been challenged in the courts dating back to the time of Chief Justice John Marshall; Wayman vs. Southard (1825) comes to mind. However,
the 1892 landmark decision in the case of Field vs. Clark, Harlan said the president was acting “in his executive role executing congressional policy.”
In 1934, Congress passed the “Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act.” This gave FDR the ability to change tariff rates by 50% and negotiate bilateral trade agreements without additional approval from Congress. According to the National Constitution Center, “Since then, the president has mostly controlled and executed tariff policies as defined by Congress.”
The Congressional Research Service says there are six statutory provisions in place that control how the president can use tariffs.
President Donald Trump used Section 232 of the “Trade Expansion Act” (1962) for steel and aluminum imports. According to the NCC, “the CRS has concluded, that based on precedents dating back to the time of Chief Justice Marshall, judicial precedent has given the president broad latitude to exercise his tariff authorities.”
Yes, sir, the president has the power to tariff. Study history; it is both enlightening and educational.
Carl Townson, Murphy
Israel is still blessed today
Coverage of what’s happening in Israel has been deplorable. I agree with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who says, “The sad part is that most of the information comes from Hamas. When they say that IDF soldiers are just mass shooting innocent people coming to feeding sites to get food – that’s a lie. They’re the ones who are murdering people ... and then they blame it on Israel ... The international media just buys it – hook, line and sinker – reports it as truth, and perpetuates one of the biggest lies in all of history.”
Unfortunately, there are American citizens who also buy into and repeat the lies, and curse Israel. They evidently don’t know the history of the Palestinians, who are immigrants in Israel, or believe the biblical account that says the land in all of Israel is God’s promised land to them – which they fought for.
Israel is blessed and not cursed. I don’t need anyone to pay me for telling them that, and where it is found in Scripture. In Numbers 22:6, Balak the king of Moab, sent for Balaam to come and curse Jacob and defy Israel for him. Verse 12 says, “God said to Balaam, ‘Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” [12].
Numbers 23 repeats this story in verse 7. In verse 8, Balaam said to King Balak, “How can I curse whom God has not cursed? Or how shall I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced?”
It would be wise for anyone who cares about their eternal life to ask themselves this question, and be concerned about what is in their heart and what comes out of their mouth, especially about God’s chosen people.
Shirley Frisbee, Marble
Christianity ‘great nation’
This is a rebuttal to Thomas Schilgen’s letter.
In your post, you said, “Concerning Jesus not being from the 12 tribes of Israel, one asks, what Bible and pastor are you using to come up with this notion that Jesus isn’t Jewish?”
I have never believed, nor have I ever said, that Jesus wasn’t from one of the 12 tribes of Israel or that Jesus wasn’t Jewish. And you know it. God hates a false witness, Proverbs 6:19. You attempted to discredit me, to portray me as a biblically illiterate mouth-breather.
In your response to my Scripture challenge, you failed to cite the verse, “And I will bless them that bless Israel and curse him that curseth Israel.” Instead, you stated, “When one reads Bible verses and applies context, the KJV Genesis 12:1-3 clearly refers to Abram and his building of a great nation. What nation is that? Abraham, Issac and Jacob (aka Israel).” That’s merely an assumption.
Romans 4:13, “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” God’s promises weren’t obtained through obedience to the law, but by “righteousness of faith” in Christ.
Galatians 3:9, “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”
Galatians 3:7, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”
Galatians 3:16, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ.” Christ is Abraham’s “one,” “seed.” Christians are the chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 1 Peter 2:9. The “great nation” isn’t Christ rejecting Israel; it’s Christianity.
Mary Mason, Murphy
Don’t forget, thank Jesus
Did you thank Jesus this morning for another day?
Did you thank Him for the air you breathe, the food you eat?
Did you thank Him for your health, you could walk, see, move and work?
Did you thank Him for the job you have to provide for you family? Did you thank Him for the family He has given to you? Did you thank Him for His love for you and your family? Did you thank Him for leaving His wonderful beautiful home in heaven to die for your sins?
Did you thank Him for the 39 stripes He took, because 40 would kill a man?
Did you thank Him for the thorns they pushed down in His head? Did you thank Him for carrying His cross up Calvary’s hill so they could lay Him down?
Did you thank Him for the nails they hammered into His hands and feet?
Did you thank Him for suffering like no man has every suffered, think about that?
Did you thank Him for leaving His Father and dying for a world of lost sinners, like me and you?
Did you thank Him for rising again on that third and glorious morn?
Did you thank Him for coming forth out of that old tomb, to make a way for us to be saved and live with Him in Heaven? Or do you take this all for granted every day?
Please don’t forget to thank Him and make Him a personal Saviour!
Cynthia Pinkerton, Murphy
4 candidates & corruption
We write to express our collective and unequivocal disgust regarding the announced program for the upcoming N.C. District 11 Democratic Gala. Specifically, the decision to include only one Democratic congressional candidate, Jamie Ager, as a speaker.
This decision is deeply unfair and, more importantly, fundamentally undermines the principles of transparency, inclusion and neutrality that must govern the Democratic Party’s role in primary elections. When party committees and events show favor to one candidate over others, it not only tips the scales inappropriately, but it damages the credibility of our shared institution and discourages broad participation in our democratic process.
Let us be clear: it is not the role of any Democratic Party entity – whether it’s county, district or state – to anoint a nominee before voters have had their say. Showcasing a single candidate sends a clear and dangerous message that the primary is already decided. It suppresses debate, diminishes grassroots momentum and undermines the hard work of candidates and volunteers across the district.
We respectfully request that all Democratic candidates for Congress in N.C. 11 be given equal opportunity to appear, speak and engage at this important event and all events. The Democratic Party must be a fair platform for all, not a gatekeeper for a favored few, even if an operative is the boyfriend of party leadership and consultant to the one candidate speaking.
In addition, this may constitute a legal or illegal campaign donation by a nonprofit. Electioneering, where one candidate is promoted may be illegal in this circumstance.
We urge the N.C. 11 Executive Committee to immediately amend the gala program to include all qualified Democratic congressional candidates. Anything less will further erode trust and weaken our party’s ability to energize and unite voters heading into November.
We will picket and boycott the event unless level heads prevail.
Zelda Briarwood, Col. Moe Davis. Dr. Paul Maddox, Chris Harjes
The writers are Democratic candidates for Congress in western North Carolina.
Make better place to live
On Hiwassee Lake, there is too much wasted beautiful lakefront property. I can only wonder if this is because of lack of knowledge or lack of ambition.
When I lived in Murphy, I rented a boat slip every summer at Shook’s Boat Dock. It was an inexpensive, top-shelf luxury.
When they surveyed the land to see how much the lake would cover after the dam was built, the Tennessee Valley Authority miscalculated terribly.
The federal government should willingly intervene and give the property to Cherokee County to auction off to developers for the real estate value being wasted.
I’m older and disabled. I don’t water ski anymore, but I would love having a cabin on the lake close to Murphy. I still have family there. It would be nice to be able to see them more often.
I’m still a hillbilly, not a silly-billy. I’m all for anything that would make Murphy an even better place to live.
Tim Johnson, Ellenboro