Thankful for rabies clinic
New Digs for Dogs Rescue Group would like to thank Dr. Amanda Gambill and the entire staff of Marble Veterinary Hospital.
On March 31, they hosted a rabies clinic and in addition to helping provide low cost vaccinations to our community pets, they donated their proceeds to help New Digs For Dogs.
We cover a large area, trying to help animals in need of rehoming. We help with all the medical that we can, and Marble Veterinary has helped us with many rescue efforts.
Please have your pets spayed and neutered and vaccinated for rabies (required) and other vaccinations for good health and protection. Also, identify your pets with an ID on a collar or micro-chip.
Thank you.
Terry Drinkut, Brasstown
The writer is president of New Digs For Dogs.
The dark side of EV batteries
If “Oil destroys global society,” then those owning electric vehicles are supporting modern-day child slavery and causing as much environmental damage – if not more – than those driving global society killing “vroom vroom” gasoline vehicles utilizing lead/acid batteries. Lead/acid batteries are 100 percent recycled.
A key component of EV batteries is cobalt. The Democratic Republic of Congo produces 50-74 percent of the world’s cobalt through both industrial mines and “slave labor artisanal mines.” These artisanal mines use thousands of families and traffic children earning a low pay rate of $1-2 per day.
Not only is this modern-day slavery a problem, the disposal of these used/damaged/worn-out EV batteries is a huge environmental issue. They are non-repairable, and not really designed to be recycled, so less than 5 percent of these batteries are recycled. The remainder go into a landfill, where they leak hazardous chemicals into the soil and groundwater.
The recycling of these batteries utilizes two methods: pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, both which are energy intensive and produce extensive hazardous wastes and greenhouse gases. Recycling only aims to recover the cobalt and nickel, the most valuable components.
Another issue with EVs, are the auto insurance companies. Since these batteries are not repairable and any damage can possibly cause a fire, insurance companies will “total” the vehicle if a minor collision occurs and the battery gets a scratch.
Let’s not forget that 40th parallel, almost Mr. Mason and Mr. Dixon’s line (N39.43 degrees). Some should consider moving north of that, or maybe west of 115 degrees east longitude. These areas are certainly not desirable for us Red Awake (as opposed to Awoke) Petrol, Right-to-Life Southerners.
In the spirit of transparency, inclusion and equity, we bought a hybrid vehicle before we knew the dark side of these batteries. We also grow organically and utilize a solar PV system.
Don Reynolds, Murphy
No one forced to have a drink
In response to a recent opinion on public drinking:
It seems that there may be some in our community who need some clarification: the Murphy Music & Brews festival is a charity event for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
No one is forcing another person to partake in drinking alcohol. None of our leaders are pushing anything on anyone. Just because someone may not agree with an action, it doesn’t mean that action is being forced upon others.
Adults make their own decisions and if that includes enjoying a craft beer while simultaneously helping a veteran, where’s the problem? I’d say it’s a safe bet that most people can enjoy things without alcohol, but if a legal adult chooses to have a drink, let them be.
There’s so much negativity and judgment in this world, and it gets us nowhere.
I, for one, am glad this brewery has joined our community as they do a ton of good such as raising money for veterans and many other local charities, and they participate in litter cleanups in our county while also providing an awesome place for people to get together and enjoy events and live music.
Sarah Wright, Murphy
Den of thieves, or turn to God?
God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and the Lord said, I will destroy whom I have created from the face of the earth; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah makes the ark for his wife and three sons and their wives and of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee, they shall be male and female.
Years, after the flood, they said, let us build us a city and a tower, who top may reach into heaven; but, the Lord came down and confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech and scattered them abroad – and today we have 3,000 different language and dialects.
In time, Jesus went into the temple of God and began to cast out all who sold and bought in the temple and said, my house shall be called the house of prayer, but, ye have made it a den of thieves. The chief priests, scribes and the Roman centurions heard about it. But Pilate find no fault in him, and Jesus died for our sins and rose on the third day.
God’s wrath is here (not climate change) and more to come, the seals, the trumpets, the vials and the merchants will find nothing to buy or sell.
The world pagan economic system will collapse for God at last, judges the “New World Order” and the Babylonian system for its treatment of God’s people, children and unborn (Revelation 18:9-10).
It is the right of the people to abolish the den of thieves and turn back to the word of God, and common sense, before God comes.
Cotton Allen, Brasstown
ER and EMTs showed care
I want to thank all of the people in the emergency room at Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital for helping my daughter, Colleen Markey, when she was so ill. Thanks also to all of the EMTs who came to our house to help her move.
You are all so caring, especially on her last day. I know you did all you could.
Rebecca Markey, Murphy