Your Views

Legal system fails us again

Attorneys make up the judiciary and 91 percent of elected government officials, making them responsible for our failed and corrupt legal system.

Over the last 10 months, I sought justice for the victims and families of Cherokee County by filing a “cause for removal” petition against an unfit sheriff. My quest for the fair application of the “rule of law” has failed with the following:

1) All five county commissioners, along with the county attorney, failed in condemning Dustin Smith’s egregious actions and lack leadership. All five commissioners must be primary-ed and the county attorney removed, if for nothing more than just being spineless.

2) I then met with assistant district attorney Jason Arnold in Franklin to present my “cause for removal” petition. Not only did Jason not know the law, but he and District Attorney Ashley Welch had no understanding of the civil procedure or process for removing an unfit sheriff. Welch has the authority to remove Smith, but recused herself instead. Welch must be primary-ed for neglecting to represent the victims and families affected by the unjustified shooting and civil rights violations by law enforcement.

3) I then notified the N.C. Sheriff’s Association, which represents all 100 sheriffs in North Carolina. They also declined to remove Smith from their association. They never gave me a reason other than “we will look into it.”

4) In a desperate Hail Mary, I contacted the NAACP as their mission statement says, “We protect everyone’s civil rights no matter the color of one’s skin.” Yeah, right, you can imagine how that went over. Made me laugh, too.

I permanently removed my badge nine years ago, as my service began in the 1980s. We no longer have a justice system – it is now a legal system that has been weaponized against the innocent.

I am sorry I failed the victims and families of Cherokee County.

Darrin Wright, Murphy

Roundabouts can save time

I totally disagree with Dr. Dan Eichenbaum (a Cherokee County commissioner). Roundabouts are much faster, easier way to get through intersections – no red lights to sit through.

Roundabouts are common in Franklin now, and it is so much easier to get around. Nothing worse than sitting in the middle of Murphy at the red light with not a single car anywhere, burning up fuel and wasting your time.

When I used to go to VA in Franklin, it was a pain getting through all the red lights. Now with the roundabouts, it takes a third of the time.

Lee Daniels, Murphy

Saturday is a day of prayer

If you have watched the national news lately, it ought to be enough to convince you that revival in the church, God’s people and a spiritual awakening in the whole culture is essential – this is our only hope.

A solemn assembly of people from across North Carolina made up of all ages, denominations, political affiliations and cultural backgrounds will gather at the state Capitol in Raleigh to pray as one body, in Jesus’ name, for our cities, state and nation Saturday, Oct. 14, from noon-2 p.m. Through the generosity of our local churches opening their doors for prayer and streaming the event live, all of us will be able to participate.

For the first time, it is possible for prayer for North Carolina to take place simultaneously in each of our 100 counties and at our state capitol. 

The following churches will be open Saturday and livestream the event so you can pray along with the folks in Raleigh.

Please stop by between noon and 2 p.m. and join in prayer for North Carolina. Bring your friends and family with you. Stay as long as your schedule allows. If you must leave before the prayer event ends at 2 p.m., please depart the sanctuary quietly so as not to disturb the prayers of others.

Please pass this information on to your friends and family in other counties and via social media.

Cherokee County

  • First Baptist Church of Murphy, 517 Hiwassee St., Murphy.
  • Valleytown Baptist Church, 360 Wakefield Road, Andrews.
  • Andrews First Baptist Church, 485 Aquoni Road, Andrews.

 

Clay County

  • New Life Church, 34 Sunrise Place, Hayesville.

To livestream

Elana Stockman, Hayesville

Let’s invest in Ukraine

Have these U.S. House and Senate Republicans never heard of the military/industrial complex?

The House Republicans who do not wish to continue funding for Ukraine are saying they do not want to support American industry.

Remember that all of these military funding packages are money being spent here in the U.S., supporting American jobs and the bottom line of these defense contractors.

These contractors vary in size: Boeing, Raytheon, Winchester and, in some cases, our own IOI. They all share in these funding packages.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky knows how many defense contractors are in his state, and that is one of the reasons he supports these bills. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, on the

other hand, cannot see what places like Huntsville military bases and defense contractors contribute to Alabama, one of the many reasons why he should stop his objections to health care for military families.

The money being spent to help Ukraine is less than 1 percent of the DOD’s total defense budget. The best investment this country has made in a very long time. We have no boots on the ground.

Ed Marx, Murphy