Reagan-Eisenhower Dinner Scheduled for Novermber 3rd

Just a note to let everyone know that The Potomac Highlands Republican Club will be holding the second annual Reagan-Eisenhower dinner on Nov. 3rd at 6pm, in Romney at the Loy Foundation (former Coke Bottling Plant), 426 East Main St., Romney, WV 26757

Guest speakers are:

• Secretary of State Betty Ireland
• WV Director for Fred Thompson for President Gary Abernathy
• State Senator Clark Barnes
  
• State Senator Dave Sypolt.

Tickets are on sale now $25.00 per person.

Christy Barnett can be reached by email texanyankee1@yahoo.com or 304-790-0522
Steve Smoot at 304-788-1573 or smoot.stephen@gmail.com

Hope to see everyone there!

Christy Barnett

The American GI: Our secret weapon

I had the opportunity to speak with an Iraq/Afghanistan veteran. The young man stopped by my store to pick up some parts. He explained he had been a mail order customer of mine in Germany when he was stationed there.

I immediately thanked him for his service to his county. I think we all should thank any person who is serving or has served his country every time we meet one for it is they that give us our freedom.

He spoke about how his grandmother wished all our troops could leave now from Iraq. He told me he explained to her that if we did it would all fall apart, and all the sacrifice that had been made would have been for nothing. He also stated that he explained to his grandmother that we have been in Germany for 62 years since the war ended. This young man who had been on the front lines sees the big picture that the Harry Reids of the world can not see.

His thoughts turned to locals he has interacted with. He talked about children that had nothing hanging around outside the camps and fire bases of Iraq and Afghanistan. Many without shoes or proper clothes. The GI's would give them candy, food and discarded items.

It brought to my mind the GI's through history. Whether it be the GI's in the UK during World War II giving the kids candy, because they had none due to sugar rationing or the film of the young Japanese kid shivering with fear on Okinawa as a US Marine gave him his canteen to comfort him. The candy bombers of the Berlin Airlift. Through Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. the American GI's just being themselves win the hearts and minds of the next generation.

America's true secret weapon is the GI. Not because they are the best fighting force in the world (and they are by far), but because they represent America. Whether from the city or the country they are fair minded and are willing to lend a hand to those in need. GI's have a big American heart. Many of those kids that were given candy will remember when they are older and somebody says America is bad that is not true, because they have met true American's.

Dignity

During George Washington's first term as president, his old friend Governor Morris of New York came to the capital city to visit. Washington's close adviser, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, met Morris on the street. Morris asked where he could find Washington, who happened to be strolling away from them down the street as they spoke. Hamilton told Morris that President Washington would like nothing better than for his old pal to come up behind him, slap him on the back and jovially greet him.

Morris did just that, earning a stare from Washington that must have frozen his very soul. Washington then walked on without a word. When he looked back at Hamilton, he saw his fellow New Yorker laughing uproariously at the practical joke he just pulled. George Washington understood that as president an individual must show not only ability, but also dignity.

Where has that dignity gone? The Democratic presidential candidates seem to have lost all pretense to it, subjecting themselves to online debacles. Questions are asked in ridiculous ways. Certainly the famous "boxers or briefs" question posed to Clinton was a milestone in the loss of respect for the presidential office, then again so was the scandal of Watergate.

That being said, dignified is as dignified does. Despite the avalanche of satire, most of it extremely trite and shallow, directed at the current president, few can argue that George W. Bush does not handle himself with dignity. He expects respect and gets it as well as any president in the past hundred years. The Republican frontrunner's Fred Thompson and Rudolph Giuliani have acted similarly, not exposing themselves to silly requests. Credit Hillary Clinton with at least looking uncomfortable in the situations in which the Democrats expect her to perform.

Certainly we must expect our presidents to conduct themselves with strength. We must also understand that a certain amount of personal dignity is necessary to maintain respect. These men and women are not here to sell used cars, but to lead the free world. Republicans understand this, Democrats at this point do not.

Cleaning Up

Last Thursday's meeting of the Mineral County Clean Up Committee showed major differences between the two sides over the proposed future ordinance.

The basic difference lies in the scope of the law to be written. Gary Howell and others have argued over a period of months for a tightly written and strictly defined law. The ideal law for the Howell side restricts the power of government. If a structure or the condition of a property affects the health and safety of neighbors then the county ought to have the authority to act. Just having a property that someone deems as "junky" should not be a basis for government action.

The law must respect the basic rights of property owners. It must not encourage using the government for the purposes of harassment. Substantial penalties for noncompliance, up to $100 per day, have been suggested. This penalty could violate the US Constitutional prohibition on excessive fines. It certainly would prevent most honest citizens from using a natural right of appeal when they might have a legitimate issue with enforcement. Any major fine ought not be assessed until the entire appeals process has been exhausted. Protections for the disabled, poor and elderly must be specifically included.

The opposing side calls for a broadly based law that assigns more power to the county government. Additional powers come from the construct of the law that leaves such terms as "overgrown vegetation" undefined. Without strict guidelines, such issues become very subjective depending upon the attitude of investigators and the Enforcement Board. Committee member Kolin Jan even suggested that when the appearance of a property offended a businessman from outside the region, that he ought to be able to file a complaint against the owner, citing an "adverse effect" on economic development. How many of us have properties that would meet the aesthetic standard of a big city businessman?

Another issue lies in the well-known fact that politicians do not always act in accordance with ethical standards or even the law itself. Members of the committee denied that reasonable and honest public officials would ever abuse this law. And they would not. Mineral County's current officials are honest and trustworthy people, but they will not always be in office. The history of West Virginia demonstrates that all too often, elected officials do not follow the law. West Virginia elected officials have been known to take bribes, misappropriate federal and state funds, commit voter fraud, intimidate witnesses, one even bit a citizen in the nose. With this record, citizens are wise to prevent much power from falling into government hands.

The cold fact is that those that want broad powers and sweeping language in this ordinance could win unless the public speaks. Citizens concerned about their rights need to inform committee members such as Gary Howell that they want their rights protected. Additionally, they need to let the county commission know how they feel. This government body will have final say over the creation of the law. I know a lot of folks are worried about this, they need to speak loudly and often between now and teh next meeting. Make your voice heard.

The Value of People Behind the Scenes

As we approach another important election cycle, we will hear more than we ever wanted to about the candidates. Their faces will dominate the news shows and their spin will consume endless advertising dollars. Candidates whether for president or county commission will travel all over, meeting people, discussing the issues. It's easy to forget that behind each candidate, organizing each campaign, are the men and women behind the scenes.

How does that candidate know the local history of some tiny little town? Why does it seem like another candidate has an amazing ability to discuss every conceivable issue? Of course the candidates themselves are usually pretty sharp. However even the best candidates need help.

Some operate firms that help advise candidates and organize their approach. They specialize in efficiency, publicity, and actually saving campaigns money. One such firm is Abernathy Strategies run by Gary Abernathy. Others volunteer to work for the party itself. Perhaps a lot of voters have not yet heard of New Creek resident Christy Barnett, but the West Virginia State Republican Party valued her tireless energy and organizational skill enough to name her to its State Executive Committee in the past year. Barnett has shown a strong ability to get politicians on the west side of the mountains (especially in Charleston) interested in this region. Without the unpaid labor of people such as Barnett, candidates will not enjoy success.

Just as important are the thousands of conservatives that care enough to play whatever part they can. Some trudge valiantly into areas such as the notoriously left wing Morgantown neighborhood of South Park to get belittled for hours. Others drive out country roads to pass out literature, spending a lot of dollars and hours because they care about their community, state, and country. This is why some get extremely disappointed when elected officials do not measure up; they didn't just get a vote, they got a huge measure of a person's time for a few months.

West Virginia's Republican Party is gearing up yet again for an exciting political season. This will be a tremendous year in terms of candidates for office at all levels. Mineral County, for example, is very lucky to have extremely experienced men and women running for Delegate and State Senate. Even as we give these hard working candidates their just due, we must also remember the people that work behind the scenes that make victory possible.

"Commedians" and Jesus

I had no idea who Kathy Griffin was until this week. Nor did I care. I still don't really care, but now I know who she is and maybe that is the whole point.

At an awards show recently, alleged commedienne Kathy Griffin went on a rant attacking of all people Jesus Christ. Predictably it made national news. Mission accomplished for Kathy Griffin, we all know who she is. Unfortunately the majority of Americans likely dislike her and will avoid whatever she does at all costs.

Every time a famous individual attacks Jesus Christ, they always come away looking silly. The fact that fools such as Griffin see Christ as a figure worthy of attack demonstrates the power He has. People such as this sad woman understand on some level the power of His influence, so they realize that attacking Christ buys them cheap attention.

As to the power of commedians, it is rare that anyone takes them seriously. It is rare enough anymore that modern comics get real laughs from real jokes. Instead they resort to statements that rely on shock value rather than genuine humor. The best commedians, such as Bill Cosby of an earlier time and "Larry he Cable Guy" today relate stories based on shared experiences. We understand Cosby's old (respectful) religious humor and stories of his family. Larry the Cable Guy taps into the shared experiences of rural life in America. CBS' 60 Minutes recently profiled him. They did a good job of showing just how confused the entertainment industry was about his success(of course his producer comes from West Virginia.)

Both of these comic figures share a definite confidence in their lives and performances. They are strong and (at least until Cosby's son died) fairly happy looking people. It also is not shocking that both tend to support more traditional American values. Other commedians, such as Griffin, share neurotic and depressed outlooks on life that may have something to do with their reliance on negativity and shock value.

When comedy is at its best, we are all in on the joke and we laugh. Shocking statements masquerading as comedy with no other discernable purpose reveal a shallow mind and a hollow spirit.