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Willie,
I would like to thank the people in Salem including the churches and the hard working crew that volunteered to put on the fireworks and the wonderful time that we had. There were free hot dogs and free water and everything you can imagine and the fireworks were fantastic. The little town of Salem did a great job.
And …
Willie,
I am writing about the Salem Fourth of July fireworks show. I would like to say a great big thank you for several people. I read in “Tell Willie” some one just thanked the Burgess lady and I know it could not have been done without the help of Salem Baptist Church and Thurman Coward and I would like to thank all the churches who came together and worked together. The show was a big hit! Once again, thanks to all who helped, we are all looking forward to next year!
Willie says:
Good things come in small packages — like a little town with a fantastic celebration.
Willie,
On July 4, our 18-year-old grandson was severely beaten and robbed at Newry Beach. Were thankful he wasn’t killed. All the information has been turned over to the Sheriff’s Department, and we are relying on them for justice. I’m asking that anyone that finds his wallet to please turn it into the Sheriff’s Office. It contains important personal papers.
Willie says:
If anyone knows anything or can return the wallet to help these good folks out, I’d be really obliged.
Willie,
In your July 5 column, you posted a question about the Chitlin’ Strut in Sally and ignored the racial “joke” about the White House chefs needing to attend. You were probably right to ignore it because it’s an ignorant comment, but I am not as willing to overlook stupidity. We have an election coming up and race will be an issue because a man who is partly African-American will be running. Every person has a choice. You can choose to look only at his racial background and vote for the other guy solely because of that. The other choice, and the one I hope every person makes, is to look at the content of the candidate’s character and how they stand on the issues and make your decision based on that. It’s beyond time for us as a nation to get over our racial differences and see people for who they are instead of just seeing color. Comments like the one posted makes us all look bad and reinforce the “prejudiced Southerner” stereotype that many of us are trying hard to live down.
Willie says:
I gotta tell you … I guess that thing about the chefs being some racial joke went right over Willie’s head. Sometimes I’m too innocent for my own good. Willie never has and never will treat any one — man, woman or child — like they’re not as good as me because our skins are different colors. Prejudice is not only ignorant, it’s evil.
Willie,
I was recently at the scene of a boating accident victim search and witnessed first hand our county emergency services at work. They did an excellent job. There were no issues of finance or whether or not they had on life jackets, they just did their job and they did it well. The dive team searched into the night to find our loved one, even when you could hear thunder in the distance they did not let up. I understand everyone’s bottom line is money, but they make sacrifices and risk their own lives every day to save someone else. Next time you want to gripe about the way someone is doing their job, maybe you should take a step back to remember that you do not know all the facts all the time.
As for the dive team I am grateful for the job you did. You helped a lot of people rest a little easier that night knowing our loved one was not at the bottom of the lake. Thank you so much for all you do!
Willie says:
Willie is very, very sorry for your loss. We are all fortunate to have selfless, dedicated emergency services workers and dive team there for us when tragedy strikes.
Willie,
As one of the more than 400 volunteers working at the decorators showhouse at The Reserve, I want to thank the Daily Journal/Messenger for the wonderful article in the paper on Wednesday, July 9. With so many of us trying to help our hospice house we need all the help we can get in advertising. Thank you very much.
Willie says:
It’s just what the folks at the Daily Journal/Messenger try to do — serve and inform the community.
Willie says,
To the caller who complained about the Pickett Post fire chief, your comments are libelous and I can’t print them. I know for a fact, that some of the issues you raise were addressed by the paper months, if not more than a year ago. As for the comments regarding the way Mr. Burdette is running the emergency department, Willie’s answered them and answered them. You really need to move on — time is.
Willie,
Clemson track runner Travis Padgett will be an alternate in the 2008 Olympics, but what’s the top sports story? A football player jailed for assault. Does this paper care about any sport where you can’t dunk, swing or throw pigskin? I hope Padgett gets better coverage if he hits Beijing.
Willie says,
I went back and checked and they have had all the news on Padgett's accomplishments at the NCAAs and the Olympic trials in there, plus there was a big feature story done on him before he went off to the NCAAs last month about his chance of earning a spot in the Olympics. I guess you missed that. It appears the guys in sports think just like you and do care about other sports where you can't dunk, swing or throw a pigskin. As for the football player who was arrested, and I'm assuming you are speaking of the McDaniel case, if you don't understand why news about a Clemson football player isn't important, then go to Clemson and see that 80,000 seat stadium. That should help you to understand why. By the way, without football at Clemson, it's unlikely many of those sports where you can't dunk, swing or throw a pigskin would even exist.
Willie,
You need to go try the new McDonald’s in Seneca. It’s a nice building and it’s nice inside and outside.
Willie says:
Already been there and done that and I’m lovin’ it!
Willie,
Why does the new McDonalds have two drive-thrus that let people cut in front of other people and make people angry? If you could ask the people that run McDonald’s that, it would be greatly appreciated.
Willie says:
Obviously the new McDonald’s was built with two drive-thru order locations to give us all better, faster service. Also obviously, when one window opens up the next car in the whole line of cars should get to move up to place their order. That’s just plain old common sense courtesy. Sounds to me like what you’re seeing is some selfish vehicular line-jumping going on. Come’on folks, shape up!
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July 16, 2008
7:10 a.m.Report inappropriate content
The author's comments above concerning the racial issue in the up coming election is correct. There will be people voting for one of the candidates JUST BECAUSE of his skin color....doesn't matter if he's capable of doing the job or not. I tend to look at all the baggage he carries with him, such as his inexperience, the people he's been associated with, the inmature comments he's made, his warbling on issues, (doesn't actually know where he stands), his raising of our taxes,(if he 's elected). Do we need a tax increase and gasoline at approx. $5 per gal. by election time. He makes a great speech but that does not make a good president. I'll take experience anytime over a novice. We really don't have time to train a sitting president...God forbid that he gets elected. The author above is REALLY correct....skin color will not be an issue when I cast my ballot.
July 16, 2008
9:25 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Yeah, and I'll bet you voted for Bush twice too. How's that working out for you? You must be making over $250,000 per year since you expect Obama to raise your taxes. If McCain is elected I guess we'll "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" shortly after. Since McCain admits to not knowing much about the economy, he must think we can afford another war.
As a woman, McCain's misogynistic comments, and those of his surrogates, about women have deeply offended me. Since you are so concerned with Obama's former associates, perhaps you had better look a little deeper into McCain's. Charles Keating, convicted of fraud and racketeering, Joseph Bonano, head of a mafia crime family, Pastor John Hagee, whose racist, bigoted comments and endorsement McCain had to reject, ditto for Rod Parsley, McCain's so called spiritual guide, and most recently Phil Gramm, a McCain adviser who said that the economy is not that bad, that we were just a nation of whiners. How about Cindy McCain, whose billions have propped McCain up for years? For some reason she was never charged for her own admitted fraud and theft of presciption painkillers. Don't forget to look into all of the corporate lobbyists who are financing McCain's campaign, just like they did for Bush.
McCain's own past history is remarkably similar to that of Bush. He was an underachieving, randy flyboy, who managed to lose 5 Naval airplanes before being taken as a prisoner of war. He can thank his father and grandfather, both admirals, for not being bounced out of the Navy. Instead the priviledged McCain, married to an heiress, retired as a Captain and receives a $58,000 per year veteran's disability pension.
Finally, a quote from Mississippi Republican senator Thad Cochran, who has known McCain for 30 years, "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me." Senator Cochran originally endorsed Mitt Romney. Ironically, Cochran is now endorsing McCain, for the good of the party, of course.
July 16, 2008
9:32 a.m.Report inappropriate content
*pops some popcorn and gets ready for a fun day*
July 16, 2008
10:11 a.m.Report inappropriate content
RE: Politics
A conservative is man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward.--FDR (D)
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but
is morally treasonable to the American people. -
President Teddy Roosevelt (R)
Re: the new McDonalds
I visited the new McDonalds on my way to work at 6:15 a.m. this week and like to have been late for work just down the street at 7:00 a.m. One cashier working with 4 ladies waiting to clock in at 6:30. Appearantly the owner would rather nickle and dime than keep customers. Working people have little time to wait on breakfast. Sure would be nice if the local Mom and Pop's restaurants would give away coffee to the senior citizens and help get them off the bypass so the clock punching crowd can grab a bite on the way to the job. Bothing against retirees, but if you happen to be one and see a younger person that you know is going to be late for work, maybe you could give them a pass until McD's gets its act together?
July 16, 2008
10:23 a.m.Report inappropriate content
fralene,
So you think its a good idea to raise taxes on people who earn more than $250,000 per year? That shouldn't worry any of us who make less. Guess what. Those people that earn $250,000 or more are the small business owners in this COUNTY that provide jobs for the rest of us. The top 1% of wage earners already pay 40% of the taxes in this country. Do you want to tax them more simply because they make more than you? Its unfair to you? How much more should the top 1% pay to make it fair to you? You want us all to make the same amount no matter what we do? Spreading the wealth to citizens through taxes is a very poor idea. Increasing the taxes on $250,000 or higher wage earners will cause them to cut employees or not hire any new. Do we really want to take away incentives to being a business owner and make money? The ability to own your own business and make money is what this country is/was about.
July 16, 2008
11:02 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Oldsouth and fralene above have reinforced my intention to vote for my third party candidate. They both laid out, very clearly, why I can't vote for the lesser of two evils just to keep the other from winning. No, a vote for a third party candidate is not "wasting my vote". Wasting my vote would be voting for someone I believe would do a miserable, even catastrophic job as president. Rather than encouraging either McCain or Obama with my vote, I'm more convinced than ever to vote for someone I believe would do a better job. My candidate has no chance of winning, but I'll leave the voting booth able to sleep that night. A few years from now, when President McCain or President Obama has done what I believe either will do, I can honestly say about my vote, "Not guilty".
July 16, 2008
11:27 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Might as well save your breath llinsin, the majority believe that we have a 2 party system and no matter how hard we try, we can't convince them otherwise.
There are 3 choices on the ballot, Evil, Lessor of 2 Evils and your Conscience, which vote will you make? My money says Evil will win, anyone want to make a wager otherwise?
As far as the race issue goes, Blacks will vote for Obama and the rest of us won't vote for him because he's black. Now take that however you like but the fact of the matter is, no matter how many good legitimate reasons I come up with for not voting for Obama they will still accuse me of not voting for him because he's black, since it's a no win situation, I'll just state up front, I won't vote for him because he's black. Now everyone is happy, I won't get a headache from trying to defend my views and they can relish in the delusion that they were right.
lgt814, can I share your popcorn?
July 16, 2008
11:39 a.m.Report inappropriate content
llinsin- If you are not going to vote for the democratic or republican candidate you are certainly wise to vote for a third party candidate. While I do not think it would be the case here in Oconee, I have heard that there are some SC County Elction commissions so partisan towards the GOP that when a voter skips the top of the ticket and votes down ballot races they take it upon themselves to fill in the blank for the status quo SC Grand Old Party. Watch for details coming out of Newberry County in the coming days where 125 young republicans were registered at the Newberry College Presidents office where there are no beds or baths, many of these voters have already graduated and moved on to places as far away as Arizonia and NY- and may have voted there, too! Also, there are too many people still on the voting rolls that have been in the grave for years. This issue makes it near impossible to meet the 15% benchmark for citizen driven ballot quasetions to be voted upon because of the number of signatures required verses the voters that are actually listed on the books. From what I hear one of the dead voters in one of our counties was even a former member of the county election commission, now how could they have not known this one had expired? Bottom line--VOTE-- It almost worked the last few times except for places like Florida and Ohio! Maybe one day we will get a varified paper reciept so we can know if we actually cast our ballot for the candidate we intendded to vote for actually recieved our vote! Thanks for all you do llinson in this great experiment we like to call a democracy!
July 16, 2008
12:18 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Sparrow, Thank you. I share your opinion as well. Even though there are hundreds of reasons not to vote for Obama we as non-africanAmericans will be blamed for racism, so what the heck, may as well get it out. I too will not vote for Obama because of the color of his skin. Now, lets just get all of the "legal" immigrants to not vote for him and we will be okay.
July 16, 2008
12:36 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Sparrow, I will vote for him, not becasue he is black or becasue he is a Christian, but because he has given us an alternative to third Bush term. The working folks can ill afford another four years of borrow and spend with inflation out of controll, while Americans CEO and big oil execs make mega profits. For those worried about his color keep in mind he is half honky, but all donkey, and the last donkey we had in there brought us 8 years of peace and prosperity and left a budget surplus that the current occupants have spent while our 401Ks and the Dow has dropped to about where it was when Bush took office. Under our last president it went from 2K to 10K! In other words, absolutley no progress made in eight long years and way too many jobs lost and everything from gasoline to milk skyrocketing. Please do not swallow the koolaid of morality, we still have gays and abortions, think about the 20 million jobs created from 1992-2000 and the half a million already enrolled in the unemployment line in this year alone. While Obama was not my choice in the primary, I had rather vote for a blind jackass than more of the same old failed policie sof the past 7 years, and that is exactly what you will get with McBush!
July 16, 2008
1:24 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I don't agree with you on Obama's christianity but there's a bigger issue, you seem to be one of those who believe in the old 2 party system.
I was a Democrat for many years, voted for Bill Clinton and have no regrets, and even though I don't vote party line, I NEVER voted for George Bush and have no regrets about that either. A few years ago I had the privilege of hearing Michael Badnarik's classes on the Constitution and immediately changed my affiliation to Libertarian. http://www.archive.org/details/Michael_B... is where you'll find his online videos.
Even though RON PAUL is a registered Republican he is a Libertarian by heart and my vote will be cast for him. He's the only candidate that believes in the Constitution as it was written, that believes in limited government, that believes that the IRS should be abolished, that the invasion of Iraq is UnConstitional, who believes that we're heading for a third-world style North American Union, who believes that we need to do whatever it takes to secure our borders, that supports NO amnesty for illegals , that supports NO welfare for illegals, that supports ending birthright citizenship, only candidate who voted against the Patriot Act and I could go on and on. Can you claim the same from your 2 party candidates?
July 16, 2008
1:32 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Back to the Christianity issue, what proof do you have that Obama is a Christian? Because he says so? Because he is a member of a Church that espouses Africa first and get Whitey? Going to Church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a hospital makes you a Doctor.
July 16, 2008
2:06 p.m.Report inappropriate content
*chomp chomp chomp*
July 16, 2008
3:14 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Fralene...I really didn't know I made it so evident I made over $250,000 a year, lol . Boy, I wish that were true. But true or false, I don't enjoy the fact of getting my taxes raised. Rest assured if Obama is elected we're all going to feel the pinch and we're all going to pay for his inmature mistakes. True, McCain doesn't have all the answers either but Obama's depth in his political career is a major concern for me. This ought to be a concern for all voters. As I stated before, many will vote for him just because of his skin color. If he had no education and didn't know how many states we have, some would still vote for him because of skin color. I'm still glad we live in a nation where one has that freedom.
concernedinkeowee...you have some valid points ", but because he has given us an alternative to third Bush term" we're don't what this alternative is. I have great concern with a man sitting in the highest position in the nation with only 3-3 1/2 yrs experience. He has no track record. I know one might say McCain's record is not so good either but.... .
July 16, 2008
3:20 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Sparrow
The only proof I have of Barack Obama's salvation is the same that I have with the 300 or so Christians that I attend church with most every week. His outward expression of an inward experience. And the fact that is he has told me personally that he is a child of the King. If Jesus Christ's blood can not cover the Muslim, the Jew, the atheist, etc. then it can certainly not cover mine or your sins. I have meet Sen. Obama at three of the Democratic debates held here SC and had recent discusions via a conference call with him regarding this and other issues.
I stated he was not my first choice, likely not even my second choice, but he dang sure better than what the other side offers and if you think Ron Paul, Bob Barr, Ralph Nader, or Cynthia McKinney has a snowballs chance then go ahead and cast your vote. In fact, send them money so they will have a better shot. I have sent my parties guys and gal a some over the past year or so to try to change this debacle we currently find ourselves in today. Keep in mind the only thing worse than doing nothing is doing something that amounts to nothing and I am afraid you are headed in that direction.
July 16, 2008
4:02 p.m.Report inappropriate content
lgt814 - Love your humor! My kinda guy/gal...And all the rest, with the religious stuff.....read Sparrow's comments...I am in aggrement. Going to church only means you "go to church" that's all, well, plus it does mean you have a "club" that will stand behind you no matter what you do. That's all church really is....a club of sorts...just a religious club. But you gotta belong to one of some kind if you want to be in politics,etc...seems as though the public demands it. No one ever knows what's in another's heart or mind....What comes out of their mouth is usually a different story, depending on whom they are trying to impress. But that seems to be the way people like it; so be it. I am with lgt814....give me some popcorn!
July 16, 2008
4:23 p.m.Report inappropriate content
By your own words, there's an admission that he is the lessor of 2 evils and with that admission you're saying that you're voting for the lessor of 2 evils, if that's the case, you're still voting for evil. So, you think sending money to your "less than favorite" candidate will somehow change the face of politics as usual, that's a bit naive don't you think?
July 16, 2008
4:47 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Sparrow,
Not sure who you are speaking to when you says sending money to the "lesser ofthe two evils"? I have never, nor will I ever send any Republican candidate for President money. They cost us enough when they are in office! Oh, they will never admit it, as Mondale said; both Mr. Reagan and myself are going to have to raise your taxes, the difference is I am going to tell you upfront and he is not. The GOP has proved over and over again they do not know how to run the White House. Study your history. The only good thing about Mr. McCain winning in November is that when we hit bottom and more banks close and more folks lose thier jobs and homes, it will be the Republicans that will get the blame as they did under Mr. Hoover and then I will not have to see them back in there in my life time. The Democrats took control in 1932 and it took 20 years before the American people we be doped into electing another Repulican to the Presidency. This is not rocket science, it is politcal science and history. Vote, it alomst worked last time around!
July 16, 2008
5:16 p.m.Report inappropriate content
concernedinkeowee, You said, in so many words, that Obama was the lessor of 2 evils, you then said "I have sent my parties guys and gal a some over the past year or so to try to change this debacle we currently find ourselves in today." Hence my response to you asking, if you think sending money to the "lessor of 2 evils" will change the face of politics as usual.
Not to bust your chops but, you just said.........
"Not sure who you are speaking to when you says sending money to the "lesser of the two evils"? I have never, nor will I ever send any Republican candidate for President money."
that implies that you think McCain is the "lessor of 2 evils" but yet you endorse Obama. I've read enough of your posts to know that you are an intelligent person so you must have said that because of the confusion you experienced from my previous post.
July 16, 2008
7:13 p.m.Report inappropriate content
oldsouth, okay let's clear this up. You seem to have this thing about skin color. I'm female, middle aged and white. I'm voting for Obama. I am not liberal, nor conservative, but snack in the middle. I agree with you that Obama does not have a huge record. He is young. He will have seasoned advisers out the wazoo. He is intelligent, a much deeper thinker than McCain. He was president of the Harvard Law Review, no small feat. He has depth of character. No one paid his way. He has worked hard to get where he is and his life story is inspiring to anyone. He has worked as a community organizer and understands poverty and hopelessness. He was dead right on Iraq (Google his speech of 2002), he believes in personal responsibility and tends to be a bit preachy on the subject. Somebody needs to be. He taught constitutional law, and hopefully would have more respect for our constitution than an administration and its enablers (like McCain) that have used it for toilet paper. He has far more respect for women. That may not mean much to you, but it sure does to me. Obama was my first choice from the get go. Oh, and Michelle Obama rocks!
On the subject of taxes (and other things), go to CNN Money to find a side by side comparison between Obama and McCain. McCain promises more of the same. Obama's plan will increase taxes on higher earners and give tax breaks to the lower and middle class. Taxes are going to have to be raised somewhere. We are in too much debt, our infrastructure is crumbling, and we can not continue to afford to fight two wars. Since McCain doesn't know much about the economy, his plans have not been well received by economists. (For floridaboy, business taxes are not the same as personal taxes.)
On the subject of religion, our most self professed Christian presidents in recent memory have been Carter and Bush. Need I say more? Obama is Christian, for whatever that's worth. I would just as soon he be Wiccan whose motto is "and it harm none".
lgt814, can I have some of that popcorn?
July 16, 2008
8:41 p.m.Report inappropriate content
We're all going on the assumption that Obama will be the nominee, it ain't over until the fat lady sings and I heard rumors today that several of the previously committed Obama super delegates are having a change of heart.
Speaking of the Democratic Convention, seems like the DNC is making every effort to eliminate Denver's homeless from the scene. They are buying tickets to movies, museums, amusement parks, zoos etc to make sure they aren't visible during the convention, they are even going so far as to provide wide screen tv's to shelters so the homeless can watch the convention, now ain't that sweet of them. Could it be they just don't want to be reminded of their failed policies. Nah!
July 16, 2008
10:26 p.m.Report inappropriate content
fralene!!!!!!
another ignorant comment from a lefty, what do you think obama is going to do if he is elected president??? cut and run!!!!!
all obama does is give speahces that are up-lifting kinda like a motivational speaker, give false hope to the weary.
sure i admit we should have not even gone to iraq until afghanistan was taken care of, what kind of experience does obama have in running anything substantial?? if he is elected president his term in office will be just like slick willys, all fluff and no flavor.
i am in iraq right now so i think i know a thing or two about war, not everyone but the majority here does not want obama as our president because just like the dems in the house and senate he will not give his support to us here.
July 17, 2008
8:41 p.m.Report inappropriate content
The New McDonalds drive thru is a joke, still slow as ever, still can't make change if the register quits working, guess you can't expect to much when they hire back the same uneducated people, its pretty bad when you pull up to the pay window and hand them your money and have to tell them how much change you have coming back!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 7, 2008
10:34 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Obama= Bad choice McCain=Bad choice How about a third choice. What if people got out of the left right arguement between the better pick of the lesser of two evils and found someone in a party that is worth voting for? Independant or the constitutional party? This choosing between what THEY give you is such a joke.