Alcohol in many forms
This holiday season, why don’t you bless your friends with a little maritime fun, with names like screwball peanut butter whiskey. I’m sure we can find a friend or two like that.
How about Damn Fine Liquor – when you see that pretty someone this holiday season when words just won’t do.
Or the Bombshell Gin for the shy guy to give out.
Cape Fear Maritime Gin for those your scared of. At the office holiday party … or to be afraid of … Chemist Liquor Gin for the chef that puts things together.
Blue Shark Vodka for those Shark Tank Business Professionals.
Defiant Whiskey for well those who just won’t listen – you know who you are.
And, finally, Amara Oscura with a hand-painted hand with unfortunately we don’t know what it is – just like those of us who keep you guessing.
In saving the best for last, check out the Second Amendment Kentucky Bourbon with a gun case. Yes, keep those guns locked in cases as a reminder.
Have a safe and wonderful holiday and, as always, have a designated driver when you are drinking.
Shelley Dietrich, Murphy
Trade lands for real peace
Dear Mary Mason:
I was too succinct. I meant that the Israelis should turn the other cheek; but, actually, it’s good advice for both sides.
I suggest Israel withdraw all 700,000 illegal Israeli West Bank squatters in order for the Palestinians to acquire full control of the entire West Ban, as their homeland. And turn the Gaza Strip over to Israel.
Also, I think it’s unfair to hold modern-day Israelis responsible for what their ancestors did to our Christ more than 2,000 years ago on the cross, when He turned His other cheek.
Thanks for your thoughtful journalism in the Cherokee Scout.
Harry Holdorf, Brasstown
America is at a crossroads
When President Donald Trump was elected by millions of voters to “Make America Great Again” what condition was America in? What condition is it in since Joe Biden was elected?
Our once great country is no longer a constitutional republic but has become an ineptocracy. We are now a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.
The occupy protesters and illegal immigrants are part of the ineptocracy movement for example. The real truth is they’re Snollygoster’s, interested in getting re-elected, and that’s all they care about.
America is at a crossroad today. As far back as 1954, Sen. William Jenner warned in a speech: “Today the path to total dictatorship in the U.S. can be laid by strictly legal means, unseen and unheard by Congress, the president or the people. Outwardly we have a constitutional government. We have operating within our government and political system … a well-organized political-action group in this country, determined to destroy our Constitution and establish a one-party state. … The important point to remember about this group is not its ideology but its organization … It operates secretly, silently, continuously to transform our government…. This group … is answerable neither to the president, the Congress, nor the courts. It is practically irremovable.”
Thomas Jefferson warned: “The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution.”
As long as America has cretins voting, our country will remain an ineptocracy. We can never create enough laws to control evil … evil does not obey laws!
Ed Huber, Copperhill, Tenn.
Scriptures back Israel
Mary Mason, your advertisement in the Cherokee Scout’s Nov. 29 “Your Views” showed interest in Scriptures that support Israel. Thank you.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).
“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).
Numbers 24:9 states: “Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he who curses you.”
The Jewish nation and Jewish people are His chosen, “the apple of God’s eye.” This was true during the days of David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel and remains true today.
Jerusalemprayeneam.org explains, “ba•vat ey•no” (the apple of his eye) expresses the most precious and the dearest thing one has.
“He brought out His people with rejoicing, His chosen ones with shouts of joy’’ (Psalm 105:43).
According to Zechariah 2:8, “For thus says the Lord of hosts: He sent me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.”
God (the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end), knows all from start to finish. There are no surprises, and God doesn’t change His mind.
War is horrific. Innocent people suffer. Many others die. If I could, I’d prevent all wars. However, the battle in Israel is spiritual. Hamas is pure evil and must be stopped.
Someday, our Savior Jesus (Jewish by birth, born in Israel) will return there to the Mount of Olives.
Watch The 700 Club for factual war reports with biblical backup. Available for any dollar amount donation, order the Christian Broadcasting Network’s DVD “Whose Land Is It?” Or you can borrow mine.
May God walk with you on your heart-opening journey to truth. Shalom.
Tamara Phillips, Murphy
Grateful for arts support
Community artists, members of the Valley River Arts Guild,and supporters of the arts all came together this past week to add their photos, paintings, poems and newspaper clippings to each of the 42 reserved spaces marked out on the concrete floor of the new Special Events Gallery at the Murphy Art Center.
This event was called “Buried Treasure” for a reason. Each special memento added to the concrete floor featured a slice of each individual’s life, with those mementos now buried beneath the new floor that graces the gallery at the back of the MAC.
Underneath this pretty new floor is an artsy time capsule featuring family photos, favorite inscriptions, gorgeous paintings, art photography, and even pictures of beloved family pets. Each space was graced with the name of the artist or supporter, and there is even a space featuring a large photo of all of the Arts Guild members’ smiling faces, captured as we stood proudly in front of our newly acquired MAC building from last year.
Will any of you who contributed still be alive when, and if, the floor is replaced in the distant future? Either way, you have left a living legacy for the arts by contributing to this creative fundraiser, and your souvenirs will be there to discover by future generations.
Make sure you tell your children and grandchildren about your time capsule space at The MAC, so they can be on hand when floor renovations are happening.
The Valley River Art Guild wants to thank everyone who came out to contribute to our Legacy fund through the Buried Treasure fundraiser. This moves our hardworking organization ever closer to our goal of burning the mortgage by 2032.
We will be sure to invite all of you to the big bonfire.
Debra Vanderlaan, Murphy
The writer is president of the Valley River Arts Guild, Murphy Art Center.
Edwards did right thing
We deserve to be grateful to U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) for his affirmative vote cast to remove former Rep. George Santos from the People’s House.
The citizens of Cherokee County should be appreciative that this congressman voted with his conscience to cleanse the House of this shameful individual, whose multitude of offenses are beyond debate. Our congressman did not offend common sense for the party’s short-term interest in maintaining its slender majority.
Principle prevailed over an end justifying the means, as in the position of those opposing the ouster.
Dr. Joe Keffer, Murphy
Group wants to save lake
We represent a group of citizens, residents and business owners surrounding Lake Chatuge.
Some of you have addressed the Parrot Feather Invasive weed that is present in Lake Chatuge in your publications. It has devastated the south end of the lake and will continue to spread if it isn’t addressed aggressively with a safe and comprehensive plan of treatment.
We encourage you to make certain that the public continues to be informed of the significance of the situation. It is going to require support and funding from our tax dollars or grants to treat and reclaim Lake Chatuge. We must control the Parrot Feather while keep it from spreading to other areas. Our politicians must step up and lead this process.
The treatment process has to start in the spring 2024 when the growing begins. Callie Moore with Mountain True is a great source of knowledge and information. Her contact information is on our website.
Please visit savelakechatuge.org and share it with others.
The community needs your assistance and support to Save Lake Chatuge. Let’s save the lake, together.
Andru Ramker, Young Harris, Ga.
Office has a bad history
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has a sordid history of prisoner abuse, SBI investigations and lawsuits.
In 1986, the sheriff and two of his deputies were indicted for vote-buying.
In 1995, the sheriff’s office was sued when an inmate tore out his eye with his fingers, as taxpayers paid $13,000.
In 2001, the sheriff’s office was investigated by the SBI for the death of an inmate. The sheriff and his chief jailor were indicted.
In 2003, the chief deputy was indicted for sodomy with an inmate.
In 2010, the SBI investigated the sheriff’s office after 31 seized guns and $30,000 in cash went missing. The probe led to former sheriff Derek Palmer and current Sheriff Dustin Smith. The SBI and district attorney fumbled, and corruption recovered.
In 2018, the sheriff’s office was sued when another inmate died, as taxpayers paid $1.8 million. The same year the sheriff, chief deputy and jail administrator were investigated by the SBI after an inmate was chained naked to his cell floor.
In 2019, the sheriff’s office had two deputies indicted for allegedly assaulting inmates.
In 2021, the Department of Social Services was sued, as taxpayers paid $53 million. Palmer’s wife was in charge of DSS when some of the abuses occurred.
In 2023, the sheriff’s office is sued for unjustly shooting an unarmed man in his home. May these officers reap in spades.
My point is that systemic corruption is deep-seated, and until local residents overcome their prejudices as to outsiders and stop electing moral degenerates, this community will continue its descent into lawlessness.
Darrin Wright, Murphy
Thankful for toy fundraiser
Wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone that came out Saturday morning to Buck Bald Brewery for our Toys for Tots fundraiser breakfast.
We appreciate all of the businesses that donated to this event: Ingles, Dunkin’ Donuts and Adams Farms.
Thank you, Murphy, for always being so generous and allowing us to be part of this wonderful community.
Sarah Wright, Murphy