Get whole truth about Ukraine
I am shocked some people in Cherokee County are upholding Russian President Vladimir Putin and his murderous campaign across Ukraine.
Local folks I have always thought were intelligent and claim to be a Christian have actually said Putin is doing a great job getting rid of the “bio/chemical plants” in Ukraine. That is a bald-faced lie that Putin has spread to justify killing innocent women, children and the elderly by bombing maternity hospitals, nursing homes, hundreds of civilian apartment buildings and churches.
Putin is a ruthless Communist dictator who in 2013 furnished banned chemical weapons to Syria, and 1,400 died. The same playbook is being used by Putin on Ukraine today. He is spreading lies and misinformation on chemical weapons because that may be his last plan; then he will blame it on plants that don’t
exist.
Putin’s premeditated genocide of Ukraine has caused catastrophic loss of life and unimaginable suffering from burned bodies from bomb blasts, babies and children lying in the streets, the elderly who have no medicine, and other civilians dying from the lack of food and water because Russian soldiers bomb humanitarian aid workers. Yet, we have those who spew the same lies of Fox News commentators praising Putin, whose
goal has always been to destroy the United States and their
allies.
If you want the truth about the Ukrainian war, watch ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN or the BBC to see the heart-wrenching carnage Fox News does not show. The fact that Russian television runs Tucker Carlson’s comments praising Putin should tell you something.
My uncle, Dr. Wray Birchfield, fought in World War II. He always told us: “Never take your freedom for granted, because there are those who will take it away.” Wise up, change the channel and get the facts.
Kandy Barnard, Andrews
Jackson is best of us
As the Senate Judiciary Committee began considering the nomination of the Honorable Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, I was once again moved to tears by the greatness of our American system of government.
Not just because Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court would make history, but because she has an impeccable record, as a judge and federal prosecutor, and also has the respect of colleagues on all sides of the political spectrum for her “judicial temperament” and endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police.
This time around, we have a nominee for the Supreme Court whose academic and professional credentials are so outstanding that few haved raised any questions about her character, integrity, academic credentials, work ethic or even-handed application of the law.
Jackson’s academic record is superb (attending Harvard University as an undergraduate, then Harvard Law School, where she served on Law Review). Few question Jackson’s long and distinguished record “on the bench” as a trial judge or district judge.
It’s remarkable that, after graduating from Harvard Law School, Jackson even spent a year as a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
Another interesting aspect of her nomination is that Jackson would be the only justice serving on the Supreme Court who has served as a federal prosecutor, trial judge and District Court judge. There is nobody else on the Supreme Court who has Jackson’s breadth of experience.
All Americans can be excited about Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court, and not just because our country will finally have a female African-American justice – but because she is a superb nominee, who clearly possesses the knowledge, experience and temperament to serve on the highest court in the land.
Jackson will make a superb Supreme Court justice. She represents the very best in all of us.
Alexandria Douglas-Bartolone, Murphy
Resolve local crypto mining
There has not been an article or letter about the noise from Harshaw Drive in the last two editions of the Cherokee Scout. Except, thank you Callie Moore for your concerned input.
The board needs to think about the whole community with purpose other than money.
I live 2 miles above the crypto mining facility. The noise is more consistent and loud as ever. Are the board of commissioners waiting for the next members to be elected to dump their misjudgment of this project, lack of concern for faithful taxpayers already here?
By the way, the company conducting the noise survey admitted to a spot sound check equal to 15 seconds or less and only at same altitude as the problem. How long will the board tolerate the failure of efforts so far to correct the issue?
I would like the board of commissioners and whoever sold the property for this purpose to camp out on Harshaw Road or anywhere nearby to experience the disturbance. Those living in Ranger, beware.
I guess residential development or more desirable economic development to benefit our taxpaying citizens is not enough for those of us already supporting our community. There must be a way to shut this place down or encase in a soundproof enclosure.
Please, someone explain how this happened and who is responsible. I understand there was no explanation at the last commission meeting when asked the same questions. It would make a great reality television show of local politics. Thank you.
Let’s keep the subject in the newspaper and expect a resolution, now.
MaryAnne Duffy, Murphy
Russia is in the right here
NATO is evil. It’s a military alliance of 30 nations. Its charter states in article five that if any member nation is attacked, all NATO members must defend that nation.
Russia is rich in natural resources, oil and natural gas. It supplies 30 percent of the world’s wheat and 25 percent of the world’s fertilizer. A group of NATO nations in dire financial straits could decide to attack Russia and divide the booty. But how? They would need to provoke Russia into a world war.
Did you know that about six weeks ago, NATO forces conducted military training exercises in east Ukraine near Russia’s border? NATO brought in troops, tanks, artillery and missiles, missiles that could
reach Moscow in five minutes. It takes at least 12 minutes to destroy an incoming missile.
Why Ukraine? It isn’t a NATO member. Because it borders Russia. Why was there a blackout of this NATO
provocation?
Putin insisted Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky remove NATO forces immediately as these tanks and missiles were a provocation for war. Zelensky refused. So Russian President Vladimir Putin, doing his job, protecting the Russian border, (imagine that) ordered tanks to the Russian border. This was NATO’s goal, to have a photograph of Russian tanks on its border, telling the world, “The Russians are preparing to invade Ukraine!”
In order to protect the Russian people, again Putin insisted Zelensky remove NATO forces and promise never to become a member of NATO. Zelensky refused, even though he knew it could mean Ukraine could be attacked. After numerous failed talks Putin had no choice but to protect Russia and “denazify” Ukraine. President Joe Biden has declared war on Russia with sanctions to starve and murder millions of Russians and to bring America hyperinflation, a financial collapse and starvation. Prepare for a New World Order world war.
Mary Mason, Murphy
Trash excuses by the bagful
I live close to the state line, and since 1996 I have picked up trash. I pick up on Murphy Highway, and people do not even change lanes as I am working. Many people have thanked me, but no one has helped. Some people actually complain to me.
A real estate agent said the pile waiting to be picked was trashy looking. One man thought I put my own trash in the pile. People think that I am scrapping or doing community service.
I had one man stop and hand me his trash. I have had them drive by me and throw trash out. People think I work for the state or county. People will stop and tell me where trash is.
Now a new one. A man stopped me yesterday. He thought that the trash pile waiting to be picked up, encouraged other people to add their trash to it, without proof.
Then he wanted to know how much of it was Georgia trash. He did not think that it was right that that the N.C. Department of Transportation was picking it up.
I do not ask where the trash comes from. I do both sides of the state line. Today, I picked up a hot tub.
If you are not going to help, just stay out of my way.
Thomas J. Shaffer, Mineral Bluff, Ga.56
Is Babylon here today?
Back in the 1960s, I remember asking my preacher daddy, the Rev. Sherman Swan (south Florida pastor), this question:
“Dad, how come there’s all those nice colorful world maps on the back pages of all the Bibles? They aren’t all about Paul’s missionary journeys.” And this was his reply.
Betty, “Mark my words, Honey, the day will come when the ‘wars and rumors of wars’ will break forth. You will find major clues to all future events in your Bible, and they are there in parallel form and code. Remember a couple of key points to never forget. (1) Keep your eyes on Israel, always praying for her protection. (2) Realize that Babylon in the Bible also represents the United States so operate accordingly. Not if, but when, the power goes off and you find yourself without news reports, maps and instructions, the Lord has provided His holy word. It’s all you’ll need, including the maps.”
Today, I wanted to take a quick look at how Ukraine, China and Russia appeared on a map. Yep, there it was right on my lap already … on the pages in the back.
A shocking book I read as a teenager in the 1950s was titled, Alas, Babylon! by Pat Frank. It was about American survivors from a nuclear blast. I used it as a book report for years in high school and college. When I looked up Ukraine in my Bible today, that’s all I could say … “alas, Babylon.”
Betty Luckey, Murphy
Clean energy helps us all
The unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine has shocked the world and brought tough sanctions against Russia, including the U.S. ban on Russian oil.
Most Americans see this as an appropriate action since Russia is financing their invasion using money from fossil fuels. Americans, however, feel the inflationary price spikes in the economy which was already hit hard by a supply chain still recovering from the stresses of the COVID pandemic.
Calls to drill our way out of the energy shortage are coming from the American Petroleum Institute, but this option would certainly compound our other major crisis: the climate. The latest IPCC report in February warns us that climate change could soon outpace humanity’s ability to adapt, this is no time to add fuel to that fire. Not only does doubling down on drilling worsen climate change, but it exposes us to future energy price volatility and continues to empower rogue states – like Saudi Arabia, Russia and Venezuela – to hold us hostage.
America should be taking steps to reduce our dependence on foreign fossil fuels by moving more quickly to renewable energy alternatives. Investing in renewable energy allows us to combat both the energy and climate crisis head on. Moving more rapidly to clean energy positions America and its allies for a more secure and stable geopolitical, climatic and economic world.
Please join the thousands of Americans who have been contacting the White House to ask President Joe Biden to keep focus on climate and to fast track the tax credits and other climate provisions that have been stalled in the reconciliation package.
David Miller, Brasstown
Have a place to sit a spell?
We are looking for a little Tennessee hospitality.
Four senior citizens with two teams of mules and wagons are needing a place to camp for five days in April during the annual Ramp Festival.
We don’t need facilities. Just a place to park our rigs, ride in our wagons and enjoy your beautiful area.
We can furnish local references and give free wagon rides. Any suggestions or contact info greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Pat Harden, Griffin, Ga.