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Tell Willie: 9/4/08

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Note:  Comments posted at the bottom of this page are not submissions for the print version of Tell Willie and are for online readers to discuss today's Tell Willie column in real time.  To submit a question or comment to Willie for the print newspaper <a href="/tellwillie/send/">click here</a> or call 864-882-0903 and leave Willie a message.  He checks his voice mail daily.

Note: Comments posted at the bottom of this page are not submissions for the print version of Tell Willie and are for online readers to discuss today's Tell Willie column in real time. To submit a question or comment to Willie for the print newspaper click here or call 864-882-0903 and leave Willie a message. He checks his voice mail daily.

Willie,

In response to the woman that called in about the backpacks that were given out. She has teenagers and they were not given any backpacks — only grade school kids. I do know that Total Communications was giving out free school supplies to any age kids. It was a really good thing and I know it will be even bigger next year.

Willie says:

Great to hear other businesses are generous and community-minded when it comes to outfitting kids with their school supplies. Hopefully, the mom that wrote to me will look into that for her children next school year.

Willie,

A sawmill has been built where the old Cadillac Ranch used to be and they make a lot of noise. I’m a day sleeper and it’s been difficult for me to sleep. I was wondering if there were any noise restrictions for a business like this and whom can I complain to?

Willie says:

As the opponents of zoning would tell you, a man’s property is his castle. There is no zoning in the rural areas of Oconee County. You can pretty much build whatever you want, wherever you want and that’s what’s happening. I feel for you partner, but this is just one more reason we need some land use planning and zoning in this county. Until then, I guess you’ll just have to buy some earplugs.

Willie,

Considering the severity of the current drought situation, I would have hoped Duke Energy would be more diligent in their enforcement of the water restrictions that they have placed on Lake Keowee residents. I personally have observed numerous homes that I know for a fact draw water from the lake for lawn irrigation doing so on days other than the Saturday that Duke has permitted. Some of them are doing it as often as every other day. I have contacted Duke Energy directly and was given a local phone number to call, but after repeated attempts with the same results that the individual’s voicemail is full. Why not set up a link on their Web site that allows us to report violations and have them checked out. We are all suffering from the drought and the vast majority is doing its share by abiding by the restrictions and trying to conserve.

Willie says:

The folks at Duke told a source at the newspaper that their reporting line is working. Not sure what number you were told to call, but give this one a try: 1-800-443-5193. You could also get after those neighbors of yours yourself. This drought is getting serious!!

Willie,

I don’t know why you never print what I call in, but my concern is that at Seneca High School they hold the Miss Senconian pageant with the same judges there every year, and every year they always choose the same girls. Why get the same judges? The other girls don’t have a chance. I know of one girl that won every year. This is not fair to the other girls, and they need to get judges that don’t know any of these girls.

Willie says:

Willie may be a good-looking guy, but I’ve sure never had anything to do with pageants: beauty or otherwise. You should contact the organizers of the pageant and voice your suggestions about rotating judges from year to year.

Willie,

I see in the paper where the city of Walhalla is going to do a little bit of sensible ordinance making requiring and policing yard sale signs and any kind of signs outdated with possible fines attached. I applaud Walhalla for doing it. It is an eyesore in our county and I wish they would do something about it.

Willie says:

Congratulations to Walhalla for addressing the problem. Willie’s motto is “If you put it up, you take it down.” All local governments need to get on board.

Willie,

I agree that the roadwork that SCDOT is doing does indeed make the roads look much nicer, however the crap that Blue Ridge is spraying does not. Where we used to have miles upon miles of lovely, yellow flowers there are now miles and miles of dead, brown, decaying underbrush and it’s not very pretty.

Willie says:

I guess Willie didn’t see the miles of yellow flowers. Are you sure they weren’t “dandy-lions”?

Willie,

Don’t send those ladies all the way to Central for sewing materials. Smith Textile Outlet on First Street in Seneca has everything they need. I always buy from them. They are always nice folks, they are local and they’ll order something if you need it.

Willie says:

I didn’t send the nice ladies there; Willie was just printing a reader’s suggestion! Now I’ll print yours!

Willie,

Election season is upon us again and so are the vicious smear campaigns. I do not understand why people vote for those who are the most grotesque in their smears. Right now, the Republicans are leading in the ugly smear charges. If the candidates had good ideas on issues then they would not need to smear the other candidate.

Then we could vote for the candidate who has our best interests in mind. Our best government would be run by our best leaders, not by those who can stoop the lowest.

Willie says:

Politicians that sling mud usually end up getting big globs of it on themselves.

Willie,

If you feel it necessary to not print my comments, I find you to be scared of your local law enforcement or council members that are in the wrong, and believe me I can print flyers for a small price and hand them out, put them on windshields to let the people know what you have to hide that’s being covered up. If you’re scared, say you’re scared of them. Check out the fy -07-08 and what was spent on gas, aviation fuel, airport hangers, mechanics, extra secretaries, rented houses on Nebo Church Road, car maintenance and the list goes on and on, millions of dollars! I’m saying, add it up or I can start my own newspaper in my basement as the great inventor Ben Franklin did! The chose is yours.

Willie says:

I didn’t know Ben Franklin had a basement.

Willie,

Anyone who paid any attention in school should know that when you combine two words into one that an apostrophe goes where the letter(s) have been omitted. Examples: “it is” becomes “it’s;” “you are” is “you’re” (NOT “your”) and “you all” would logically be “y’all.” You might not find “you all” in a text, but “ya’ll” just doesn’t make any sense.

Willie says:

I wasn’t trying to make sense. I just think y’all looks stupid. Besides, in English, there are always exceptions to every rule. Take “won’t” for example. If it followed the rule for contractions, the word would be “willn’t.

Willie,

In this time of extreme drought and leaders requesting people to conserve water, I am angry that (business name deleted) on the 123 by-pass watered their grass at least twice this week. I went by there on Tuesday and Saturday and water was out in the road from their sprinklers! I think they should show more class than that.

Willie says:

I agree.

Comments

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  1. September 4, 2008

    10:24 a.m.
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    greybeardmtn (Anonymous) says...

    Does Willie recycle the same letters until it creates a stir? Rehashed submissions are quite boring. Also, is Willie a woman? Just wondering based on the spelling of her name.

  2. September 4, 2008

    10:54 a.m.
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    kamriah (Anonymous) says...

    It sure does get old, and its not fun to read the same comments listed on two different dates. But Willie is a cartoon, so why bother caring what a cartoon says anyway? :)

  3. September 4, 2008

    11 a.m.
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    Eddo (Anonymous) says...

    "Election season is upon us again and so are the vicious smear campaigns. I do not understand why people vote for those who are the most grotesque in their smears. Right now, the Republicans are leading in the ugly smear charges. If the candidates had good ideas on issues then they would not need to smear the other candidate.

    Then we could vote for the candidate who has our best interests in mind. Our best government would be run by our best leaders, not by those who can stoop the lowest."

    Based on the mud being thrown at Sarah Palin AND HER FAMILY by Democrats, I think the Republicans have a long way to go to attain first place in the smearing contest! Sarah, Sarah, Sarah

  4. September 4, 2008

    11:32 a.m.
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    openup (Anonymous) says...

    Go Obama! Go Obama, yes we can!!!

  5. September 4, 2008

    12:55 p.m.
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    thlhjh76 (Anonymous) says...

    After seeing the success of Obama in the polls, I now believe any gifted speaker with the fan appeal of a rock star can be elected president. Apparently, all that's necessary is to say something like, "We need change! We need hope! Yes we can!!", and tear-soaked, wildly screaming, adoring groupies will run to the polls. What's behind all the rhetoric and crowd excitement? Who cares? What difference does it make, as long as we can have a good cry over the noncommital words and feel warm and fuzzy about ourselves....right?

  6. September 4, 2008

    3:39 p.m.
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    openup (Anonymous) says...

    no that is not the case. most regular folks realize that the "same old" good ole boy system just isn't helping the hard working class of this country. call it tear soaked and groupies if u want, but i call it hope in inspiring people from the bottom up and bringing reform to Washington. no more lobbyists, standard preK for all kids in the country, not just the at risk ones, lower taxes for MY class, $ pumped into our schools, would u like for me to continue?

  7. September 4, 2008

    4:22 p.m.
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    thlhjh76 (Anonymous) says...

    Yes, openup, with all due respect, I'd like you to continue. I've heard promises of universal health care, college tuition, $1,000 checks to everyone, no taxes at all for seniors who earn under $50,000, spend, spend, spend. We already have a national debt of nearly ten TRILLION dollars, thanks to both parties, and "soaking the rich" (the upper 5%) will only make everything they make or provide that much more expensive. Unfortunately, openup, we've evolved into a country with too many "Give me" voters, with no realization that we have to pay the bills for the tax funded or tax subsidized freebies. Soak the owners of Wal-Mart, for example, and watch the prices at Wal-Mart increase accordingly. By the way, as so many have pointed out in this forum, involvement in education, health care, etc are not even federal functions in the first place. Obama's $$$$$ largesse may sound good until we realize we will get the bills in the mail, rich and not so rich alike. Wealth redistribution was tried in Cuba, the former USSR, and other countries. It didn't work there, either.

  8. September 4, 2008

    4:54 p.m.
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    shaft319 (Anonymous) says...

    I'm not sure who I'm going to vote for yet, but you can't honestly say that Obama is just talk. He has very specific solutions to the issues as does McCain. Just because he's better at speaking than McCain doesn't mean he's more/less able to be President. In all honesty, I've had to go on both their websites to see what they stand for since NEITHER of them actually speaks on specifics.

    BTW, healthcare is only part of what a President deals with.

  9. September 4, 2008

    7:26 p.m.
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    article1section8 (Anonymous) says...

    shaft319, you just made the point that thlhjh referred to, when you said, "healthcare is only part of what a President deals with". No, nothing in the Constitution allows the President or Congress authority in health care, or as thlhjh said, education or shifting money from rich to poor. Thlhjh may (?) be a McCain person, but I can't vote for either candidate (third party for me). McCain is also pandering to voters with his own version of some of the same things Obama is, just to a lesser extent. McCain is also guilty of defending a war that was not specifically declared by Congress, another Constitutional no-no. Both candidates are ignoring the portions of the Constition that list their authorities and limits. Many candidates for Congress are also ignoring their Congressional limits while promising things they have no authority to deliver. But you're right, shaft319, both are skillful at being vague when it's to their advantage.

  10. September 4, 2008

    7:44 p.m.
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    price2544 (Anonymous) says...

    If Obama is elected rest assured, openup, you and I will be paying more taxes. Who do you think is going to pay for all these programs he will put into place. They are not free!! Also, his health care program will be fashioned after the health care programs of Europe. You won't have a choise which doctor you can see or when you might be able to see one. I, for one don't the government dictating when I can see a doctor, or more important, when one of my children can see a doctor. Obama's oratory skills, with all the bells & whistles can whip a crowd into a frenzy but is he ready to lead the most powerful country in the world? His chrisma doesn't qualify him to be president. I'm afraid of the unknown and Obama falls into this category.

  11. September 4, 2008

    8:53 p.m.
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    whatsthepoint (Anonymous) says...

    If Obama gets elected, Openup may as well change their name to BEND OVER!

  12. September 5, 2008

    12:06 a.m.
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    davidpatrick344 (Anonymous) says...

    obamma is just another lawyer that hasnt done any thing yet on the other hand mc cain is a loyal american that has served his country for years and palin has even run a goverment and both familes ar blue star familes with kids serving obamma cant even com close to any of those facts

  13. September 5, 2008

    8:32 a.m.
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    jsl47 (Anonymous) says...

    I think I'm just going to "write in" Elmer Fudd.

  14. September 5, 2008

    8:47 a.m.
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    openup (Anonymous) says...

    David Patrick is it? i bet i could describe you to a tee. it is time for this country to get out of the good old boy box u crawl into every night. i understand these programs have to be paid for. i am paying for this war on fear that your good old boy proposed and i will continue to pay. i want to pay for things that help my children and the future generations to sustain this country that we love. i don't want to pay for your generation's past. the future, baby. the future. let me pay for things such as education, innovative technology to get rid of our dependence on foreign oil. Obama is Loyal, has a wonderful family and has worked his butt off to get where he is. it is too bad there are too many closed minded folks like u david patrick that are "skeered" he is going to take something from u. the fact is, u probably don't even make enough for him to take, don't worry.

  15. September 5, 2008

    3:38 p.m.
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    Ken (Anonymous) says...

    Well said davidpatrick344. Obama is a nobama.

  16. September 5, 2008

    5:10 p.m.
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    thlhjh76 (Anonymous) says...

    Openup, you just said, "i want to pay", and "let me pay for things", referring to your list of social programs. Fair enough. YOU can send the U. S. Treasury a huge check every month to pay for all the things your candidate is proposing. YOU send that check, to pay for YOUR spending list, and leave me out of it. I don't want to continue dumping billions into the social program money pit. But I also don't want to continue spending ten billion dollars every month on a war that may go on for years to come. I feel like Obama wants money from one pocket, and McCain wants money from the other. I just want our government to forget everything beyond "Absolutely necessary", and just leave me alone. Just think....if we didn't spend ten billion on the war next month, and we cut another ten billion in liberal social programs next month, that would be twenty billion dollars they could refund to American taxpayers in just one month. I kinda like the sound of that myself.

  17. September 6, 2008

    10:32 a.m.
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    reebop (Anonymous) says...

    We are going to be in trouble no matter who wins this election! I'm not supporting either one. We better be praying God wins!! Tossed this in for good measure, got it in an email.

    Can Muslims Be Good Americans?
    Maybe this is why our American Muslims are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities. This question was sent to a man who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years. This is his reply:
    Theologically - no . . . because his allegiance is to Allah, the moon god of Arabia.
    Religiously - no. . . because no other religion is accepted by his Allah except Islam (Quran, 2:256) (Koran)
    Scripturally - no . . . because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.
    Geographically - no. . . because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.
    Socially - no. . .because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews

    Politically - no. . . because he must submit to the Mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan.
    Domestically - no. . . because he is instructed to marry four women and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Quran 4: 34)
    Intellectually - no. . . because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.
    Philosophically - no. . . because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.
    Spiritually - no. . . because when we declare ‘one nation under God,’ the Christian’s God is Loving and Kind, while Allah in Never referred to as Heavenly father , nor is he ever called love in the Quran’s 99 excellent names.
    And Barack Hussein Obama, a Muslim, wants to be our President? You have GOT to be kidding! Wake up America!
    Obama even says if he wins the election, he will be Sworn in on the Quran---not a Bible!
    Footnote: He was sworn in on the Quran for his current office and he refuses to pledge allegiance to the United States or put his hand over his heart when the National Anthem is played! The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within.
    Hello! Having a Muslim president would seem to fit the bill! Will you trust this man with our national secrets?

  18. September 6, 2008

    2:10 p.m.
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    shaft319 (Anonymous) says...

    Reebop,
    You're an idiot and prove that you have NO clue about reality.

  19. September 6, 2008

    4:15 p.m.
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    lgt814 (Anonymous) says...

    THAT was hilarious!

  20. September 7, 2008

    7:30 a.m.
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    reebop (Anonymous) says...

    I have been called alot worse!

    If you had read closer, I said I received this in an email and threw it in for good measure. Was it that, or the part about "we better be praying GOD wins" this election that makes me an idiot?

    Evidently, I have more CLUES about reality than you do, otherwise you would not have called me an idiot. You would have paid attention to what it said instead of resorting to name-calling, dropped to your knees and went to praying for our country and its people.

    lgt814, if you think it's so "hilarious", Maybe you and shaft319 will start praying the rest us can be laughing with you after this election is over.(sarcasm - for those who don't recognize it.) But I don't see it happening.

  21. September 7, 2008

    11:24 a.m.
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    lgt814 (Anonymous) says...

    Reebop-

    You know, I didn't even bother to read your whole post about Muslims. I just thought it was hilarious that someone called you an idiot.

  22. September 7, 2008

    3:16 p.m.
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    Ken (Anonymous) says...

    Reebob is right guys whether you like it or not.

  23. September 7, 2008

    11:17 p.m.
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    shaft319 (Anonymous) says...

    You're an idiot for posting that crap in the first place. Obama is no Muslim and you could make many of the same arguments about Christians because they are to serve God and nothing else.

    Again, you're an idiot.

  24. September 7, 2008

    11:38 p.m.
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    superduper (Anonymous) says...

    rebop, is it true he WILL NOT do the pledge allegiance?? Just wondering!!!

  25. September 8, 2008

    8:15 a.m.
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    Ken (Anonymous) says...

    Everything I have heard about Nobama is negative including his disdain for this country. He may in fact be a Moslem after all. If he wins and takes the oath on the Koran instead of the Bible it will then be too late.

  26. September 8, 2008

    8:18 a.m.
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    bluebutt (Anonymous) says...

    superduper: Of course it's not true.

    Ken: Reading things like what's posted here makes me feel a general disdain for the country. I'm also not pleased with the current politics. I'm fairly certain this doesn't make me a Muslin. Nor an anti-American. Just anti-stupidity.

    I've been forwarded many e-mails about alien encounters and big foot. Doesn't make them true. It's one thing to not like a candidate, but at least have some intelligence about it. Do some research before you blindly copy and paste everything you read on the internet like brainless sheep.

  27. September 8, 2008

    8:56 a.m.
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    superduper (Anonymous) says...

    just wondering! I agree with you. I don't always believe what I read unless there's facts. Even though my question may have been stupid I still like to get more info. I guess that's just the way I am. Sometimes I ask alot of stupid questions but at least I ask before I go repeating something that's not true because I believe in the truth.

  28. September 8, 2008

    9:08 a.m.
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    openup (Anonymous) says...

    fact check on that forwarded "he is a muslim" email will show you that email is all lies. he is a Christian. a born again Christian. and the sad part is, he has shown his Christianity much more than McCain has, yet so many see his skin rather than his born again status. and these are the same ones touting God as the answer. Yes he is the answer, and surely you will realize "KEN and REEBOP" that God does not see color the way you do and Heaven will be integrated.

    again, GO OBAMA!!

  29. September 8, 2008

    12:56 p.m.
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    odj (Anonymous) says...

    Color, What color? He is White/Arabic, and scary

  30. September 8, 2008

    1:03 p.m.
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    Ken (Anonymous) says...

    Reebob and I are still correct in advising caution where Obama is concerned. His church does not support this country and it is entirely possible that he does not salute the flag. And openup, neither reebob nor I raised the issue of color, you did and it is neither warranted nor appropriate. As to his “born again” status, that remains to be seen. Obama’s total life experiences do not qualify him to hold the office of President of the U.S. On top of that we have a liberal House and Senate and we need a conservative President to balance the system and maintain our system of checks and balances. We cannot have a liberal President on top of a liberal House and Senate. To do so would toss this country so deeply into the socialistic trash bucket that we might not ever be able to recover.

  31. September 8, 2008

    4:48 p.m.
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    oldsouth (Anonymous) says...

    Bluebutt...your quote, "Reading things like what's posted here makes me feel a general disdain for the country. I'm also not pleased with the current politics. I'm fairly certain this doesn't make me a Muslin. Nor an anti-American.
    I'm confused...you're not anti-American yet you feel a general distain (look upon or reject with distain, feeling of contempt) for our country???? I wouldn't let anything that's said in this comment section make me have negative thoughts about my country....the greatest country in the world, and especially put it in print. And,I'm dead certain I'm not muslin, not just FAIRLY certain. Also, Obama is like most politicians, if it takes a lie..or two, to get elected Obama doesn't mind fireing them off. My opinion, which I'm entitled to just as yourself, he carries a lot of baggage and I don't think we need a president has to have "on the job training". I'm sure I could be a "community organizer" without any problem but I'm also certain that doesn't qualify me to run for President of the U.S.. like Ken stated, if Obama is elected you might realize it's too late.

  32. September 8, 2008

    6:18 p.m.
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    Ken (Anonymous) says...

    Well said oldsouth!

  33. September 8, 2008

    6:30 p.m.
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    Sparrow (Anonymous) says...

    In the Sept 7th Stephanopoulos/Obama interview, here's what NoBama had to say....

    "Asked about whether McCain himself has done anything to suggest he’s Muslim, Obama said, “Let’s not play games. What I was suggesting — you’re absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith. And you’re absolutely right that that has not come
” “Christian faith,” Stephanopoulos interrupted, correcting Obama.

    “
 my Christian faith.

  34. September 11, 2008

    11:12 a.m.
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    odj (Anonymous) says...

    You can bet that it would never SLIP out of my Christian mouth..........and it wasn't a slip on Obamas part, either. It came out of his mouth naturally, as it would any other Muslim.

  35. September 12, 2008

    1:28 p.m.
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    somethingstinks (Anonymous) says...

    Isn't it funny how the folks that despise the race problems in our country the most are the ones who play the race card the fastest? Ken and Reebop, I join you in prayer for our nation.

  36. September 16, 2008

    9:33 a.m.
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    openup (Anonymous) says...

    yea i am praying too...for the bigots of the upstate. Go Obama Go. let's show the country that just because they hide in the woods of Oconee County doesn't mean the ignorance has spread all over our great country. YES WE CAN!!!

  37. September 16, 2008

    10:13 a.m.
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    Sparrow (Anonymous) says...

    To suggest that those of us who choose not to vote for "yes we can" are racist is insulting, is it possible that there are many legitimate reasons why we won't vote for him such as, he's just not qualified for the job? Isn't it also racist that more blacks than ever are crawling and being yanked out of the woodwork to vote this time? If I were black I would be insulted that there has never been this aggressiveness to get my vote before. Isn't it also racist that Oprah has never publicly supported a candidate until a black one appeared? If it were true that I'm a racist and I won't vote for "yes we can" because he's black, isn't it just as true that blacks are racists because they are voting for him? Isn't it funny that only white people are called racists?

    I beg to differ with you openup but with so many across the country thinking like you, yes, the ignorance has spread.

  38. September 17, 2008

    12:39 p.m.
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    Ken (Anonymous) says...

    Good reasoning sparrow.

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