Government tyranny here
Governments are, by nature, coercive – and the larger they become, the more repressive they become.
When threatened, those involved in government adopt tyrannical measures that expand state powers and limit civil liberties in order to protect vested interests, not to mention their hold on power and access to wealth.
What we see happening in our nation today is nothing new, however. In order to ensure there would be no repeat of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars that followed, the victorious European states treated their populations as objects of suspicion, thus justifying surveillance and repression.
This circular logic created a vicious cycle that engendered popular resistance, which then demanded more surveillance and repression. Larger state security bureaucracies were created, travel restrictions were imposed, communications were monitored and republican “terrorists” were brought to “justice.”
This paranoia drove European governments to centralize administrative controls, expand internal policing to unprecedented levels and stifle reform movements. In this environment, the modern national security state was born.
Fast forward 200 years and – aided and abetted by big tech and the media; using the fear it generated through Covid – tyrannical government is alive and well and on full display today.
Larry Parker, Murphy
Protect our businesses
Below is an email sent to me by County Commissioner Dan Eichenbaum, speaking on behalf of the commission concerning any future government shutdowns of Cherokee County businesses.
“As the chair of the commission, I will do everything in my power to be sure that Cherokee County remains open for business without medically unnecessary restrictions on our constitutionally guaranteed individual rights.
“The U.S. is a constitutional republic, not a democracy. For me, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights protect our natural law rights, which are violated by business shutdowns, vaccine requirements, etc.
“You might recall that I wrote the resolution that declared Cherokee County a ‘Bill of Rights Sanctuary County,’ which protects our citizens from abuse of power by the federal and state governments.
Dr. Dan Eichenbaum” I myself own a business in Cherokee County and as governments begin to discuss any future shutdowns, it is imperative that our commissioners protect county businesses.
The Constitution and North Carolina statutes do provide citizens protections under the law.
Under the Fourth Amendment, businesses are entitled to constitutional protections from unreasonable government seizure. This protection also gives privacy against government intrusion.
At least 14 states allow citizens to resist an unlawful arrest or detention: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
NC GS 14-51.2(b)(1) gives citizens the right to forcefully defend one’s workplace against person(s) who unlawfully and forcefully enter the workplace and remove, or attempt to remove, one against their will from the workplace.
I expect the commissioners to honor their word, and protect Cherokee County businesses and residents from any future government overreach.
D.L. Wright, Murphy
Numbers on climate change
Did you know English vineyards suffered catastrophic decline due to climate change? The timeframe was from 950 to 1250 A.D.
Climate change has been with us since creation. As for scientific consensus, in 2013, President Barack Obama claimed 97 percent of climate scientists agreed that man was responsible for climate change.
Interestingly, a lesser reported survey was conducted that year by the American Meteorological Society, which also sampled meteorologists and atmospheric scientists (n=1851). The result was 52 percent of the respondents agreed; however, they were not asked if the change was harmful.
Statistical results can be manipulated. Developing elaborate physics equations to create a climate model has limitations.
Three examples are: measurement error – The global average surface temperature measurement error (accuracy, readability, human error), as studied from 1961-90, calculates to a temperature trend that is statistically indistinguishable from 0C. Sun’s energy-climate science uses watts per square meter (Wm-2) for energy flow determinations. Depending on the season and latitude (U.S. resides in the latitudes 25 to 45) the energy from the sun that reaches the ground varies between about 600 and 350Wm-2. Universally accepted that about 31 percent of the sun’s energy is reflected and of the remaining energy 47 percent reaches the surface.
The U.S. government and NOAA report that greenhouse gases contribute between 3.2-3.6Wm-2. If approximations of the sun’s energy are off by as little as 1 percent, that error would cancel out the greenhouse gas influence. Clouds: clouds reflect incoming radiation and trap outgoing. Clouds decrease the sun’s energy that reached the earth’s surface by about 28Wm-2. Since clouds exist at different attitudes, layered and sizes, the error of uncertainty is +/- 4Wm-2.
This thermal uncertainty is beyond the accepted greenhouse gas energy input. “Scientific method” – systematic approach to gather knowledge and solve problems based on reproducible data.
Thomas Schildgen, Andrews
Happened all because of you
I would like to personally thank my incredible family, friends, community members, businesses and other organizations like Penland Senior Center (Meals On Wheels), Cherokee County Department of Social Services, Adult Protect Services Department, local law enforcement, Rotary Club of Murphy, Cherokee County Schools and so many more.
Thanksgiving at Main Street was an extreme blessing to many. Everything ran smoothly, with total teamwork.
Because of you, we served 896 meals and gave out over 250 bags with socks, gloves, blankets, personal care items, etc.
Because of you, 896 people were fed.
Because of you, 250 people will be warm.
Because of you, 896 people feel loved, wanted and valued.
My family is overwhelmed with love and gratitude. We are thankful to you for being an example of God’s love.
Thank you, from my family to yours. We appreciate all of your support.
Cecilia Crawford-Faulkner, Murphy
The writer is executive director of Reach of Cherokee County Inc.
Critical race theory hustle
Critical race theory claims America was founded on racism, oppression and white supremacy. Surrogates of this theory teach that whites, from the Founding Fathers to current population of 252 million white people, are internal enemies. In practice, CRT is a form of state-sanctioned racism.
CRT theorists have the right the express their beliefs as individuals, but taxpayers aren’t obligated to subsidize their beliefs and incorporate them into school boards, academic programs or military curriculums. CRT tears our country apart and traumatizes children.
Democrats use this theory as a power grab based on identity politics. An earlier version for this hustle was black Americans are targeted by law enforcement based on their skin color – not criminal behavior.
Forget analyzing empirical private and government crime databases. These archives affirm that, despite decades of liberal policies, blacks have six times more offending rates per capita than whites, an alarming 72 percent children out-of-wedlock rate and among the lowest school test scores of any groups in the country.
Well-respected crime researchers warn that race-based attacks on the criminal-justice system are eroding laws and risking lives. They underscore black males are several times more likely to engage law enforcement than all other races combined.
Democrats plan to correct phony racism by giving control to those who support reparations and income redistribution programs.
Students of history know that CRT’s predecessor was affirmative action, which originated under President John F. Kennedy on March 6, 1961. The order directed contractors to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated fairly during employment, without regard to race, creed, color or national origin. The goals failed in the free market because implementation used racial preference hiring systems.
After 60 years of affirmative action and $50 trillion in costs, liberals still blame black failures on spurious racism.
Terry Payne, Marble