By Dan Harvell
Anderson County Republican Party Chairman
The bi-annual convention of The Anderson County Republican Party (ACRP) was held April 15 at T.L. Hanna High School.
Last week’s Journal article about the convention, written by reporter Stan Welch, was lacking on some important facts. Furthermore, it would appear from the “anonymous” quotes used by Mr. Welch that this piece was more an subjective editorial than a news article.
By Stan Welch
It is axiomatic that all politics are local. That is to say that policies and laws and political philosophies are felt most keenly at the level of government closest to home, where we all live our daily lives.
It is also axiomatic that when one political factor or element or party gains dominance and power; and no longer has a viable opponent to fight with, they begin to fight with themselves. An increasingly clear example of the conflict between elements of the Republican Party is emerging, both nationally and locally.
By Stan Welch
I think my disdain and contempt for our current president is pretty well established. The depth of those feelings, however, sometimes surprises me, because I can usually find some reason to think kindly of almost any political figure.
I have always admired Jimmy Carter for his Habitat for Humanity work since leaving office, for example. I always gave Bill Clinton credit for his economic successes, despite his total lack of personal character. But I can find absolutely nothing in the personal or public conduct of Barack Obama that leads me to feel any respect or admiration for him.
By Stan Welch
I have just been looking at the agenda for the March 5 County Council meeting, and I’m sorry. I just can’t keep quiet any more. One of the major political issues in the country today is the size of government. Well, there are several aspects to that issue.
One is not just the sheer size, but the level of activity. Now, I realize I’m bringing this down to the county level; but as the adage says, all politics is local. The agenda I have just been looking at is almost three full pages long. I’ve been covering politics and government as a reporter for thirty years, and a three page agenda is a bright red flag to me.
By Saluda Sam
Do you know what a “Ye Olde Timer Athlete” is? That’s a guy now in his mid-seventies to past ninety who loves to talk about the old textile ball team. He will tell you he could run, bat, throw and field on the baseball field. How he could dribble, shoot and rebound on the basketball court. Each year he gets better and better.
By Stan Welch
Shortly before Christmas last year, another school shooting took place. The names Sandy Hook and Newtown, CT became synonymous with terror and tragedy. Since that time, the predictable uproar about gun control has been going on. As usual, it will accomplish nothing.
On the local level, a move is underway to increase security at our schools, through one method or another. The brief story of that movement so far appears elsewhere in this issue. Let me say that I in no way mean to downplay those efforts. I understand the emotional and parental source of the need to do something.
The brouhaha about assault weapons and the need to control them continues unabated, and with little, if any, connection to reality. The shootings at a Connecticut grade school are the latest flashpoint in the gun control crowd’s crusade to weaken the second amendment and leave law abiding gun owners less safe, not more so. It has been widely reported that Adam Lanza, the murderous lunatic who walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed more than two dozen people last month; did so with an assault weapon.
