The Clinton body count. The video Hillary Clinton doesn't want you to see.

Marine Loses His Hat In The Wind Until President Trump Picks It Up And D...

 Weir Only Human - by Bob Weir 

Savages are being released onto our streets!

Every time I see a news story about another grisly crime, committed by someone with a long rap sheet, it makes me realize how vulnerable we are to the criminals in our orbit.

Once upon a time, there was something called a “three-time loser,” meaning that someone arrested three times for serious crimes would be considered too dangerous to be walking freely among innocent people.  That didn't mean an execution, or a life sentence, unless one of the crimes included murder.  However, it did mean that the recidivist criminal would be put away long enough either to learn that crime doesn't pay or at least to stay off the street.

Not anymore!  The justice system, which we pay billions of dollars for every year, does a pathetic job of serving up justice.  I don't think I need to supply you with a bunch of statistics; you can see it every day on the news.  I'll just mention the grisly rape and murder of Eliza Fletcher, in Memphis, Tenn. The kindergarten teacher, while out for her early-morning jog, was attacked and dragged into an SUV, allegedly by Cleotha Henderson, AKA Cleotha Abston, a recidivist criminal who had spent more than half of his life in prison.  The 38-year-old suspect had been recently released after serving 20 years of a 24-year sentence for the abduction and robbery of an attorney in 2000.

His rap sheet included five charges of aggravated assault, rape, and larceny, and additional charges associated with those arrests.  Henderson's original sentencing, after the conviction of kidnapping the lawyer at gunpoint, included a court-ordered decision that he serve 100 percent of the 24 years due to his violent criminal past.  Needless to say, the 34-year-old mother, an avid runner who had qualified for the Boston Marathon, would still be alive today if the system had done what it's supposed to do.  Ms. Fletcher became another victim of a feckless system that would be discontinued for gross incompetence if it weren't for the fact that it's operated by the government.

We've come to a time in our history in which we must conceptualize the fact that we are all potential victims of an unstable structure that merely gives the appearance of safety for its citizens.  When Ms. Fletcher left home early in the morning for her usual exercise regimen, she undoubtedly felt safe because it was a routine she had followed for years.  How could she even imagine that a savage criminal in the area also had a routine, one in which he stalked possible victims?  How could she even imagine that the people responsible for her safety had released a wild animal to prey upon her, and ultimately take her life?

There are those who are saying a woman should not have been alone on the street during the dark, early-morning hours.  Although there might be some logic to that reasoning, women are not the only ones attacked on the streets, and the time of the day or night is not factored into the assaults.

Moreover, it's obviously a way to blame the victims rather than their attackers.  Yes, everyone should have some responsibility for his own safety!  Nevertheless, one has to ask why there are so many violence-prone sociopaths roaming the same areas traveled by law-abiding people.

In most states, when a sex offender is released from prison, he must be registered as such by local agencies.  That provides residents with a warning about the despicable predilections of those in their neighborhoods.  Why not have the same registries for the dangerous thugs who have repeatedly proven their unwillingness to become civilized?

By the way, another function of prisons is to rehabilitate the inmates.  Yet, given the fact that most former convicts return to their nefarious pursuits before the ink on their release papers is dry, it's more proof that we are on our own!  Did those responsible for releasing Cleotha Henderson think he was ready to be a respectable member of society?   

As for the failed system called "justice," we can no longer rely on it.  Ms. Fletcher relied on it, as do millions of other decent people across this country.

Perhaps you're reading this and thinking such tragic incidents only happen to other people.  I wouldn't be surprised if the murder victim in this case felt the same way as she tied the laces on her running shoes that morning.  Meanwhile, as more violent, unrehabilitated beasts are released into our communities, the same worthless system is demanding that gun-owners give up their only means of defense against the creatures stalking them.  This is the insanity that masquerades as a benevolent caretaker of our safety.

Every elected official should be on record as a strong supporter of the police and tougher penalties for convicted felons.  If you voted for those who have not consistently advocated for laws that protect you, I suggest you think twice about lacing up those shoes.  Alternatively, perhaps you should learn how to jog with a gun strapped to your shorts.

 

Bob & Annette's Abbot & Costello routine

 

Mike LaPierre running for Congress in South Carolina's 3rd District.

Rudy Giuliani blasts Biden on his way out of court in Georgia defamation...

Oncologist, Dr. Dennis Costa, talks about cancer

 

Thanksgiving – a uniquely American tradition

 

As we prepare for the annual Thanksgiving feast with family and friends, let’s keep in mind how fortunate we are to live in such a bountiful country. Even those considered poor will have access to turkey dinners, complements of the social service agencies in every town and city from coast to coast. With all of our political and social differences we are always united in our belief that no one should go hungry. We are a wealthy and proud nation that was born and nourished with the philanthropic milk of human kindness.

However, even humanitarianism must have limitations; otherwise, it will lead to abuse. The reason our country is in this wealth-sucking black hole is because of an elite ideological group of elected reps who think they can wave a magic wand and create, not equal opportunity, but equal results. Hence, if you didn't work hard and save enough money for a down payment on a house or a car, that doesn't mean you should be denied something that others have.

Our parents wanted to make us happy, but they understood the danger of taking satisfaction to the extreme. In addition, they understood the need to teach us the merits of self-sacrifice. They realized that we would grow up and be released into a world in which discipline was a key factor in our maturity. If you had permissive parents, they probably gave in every time you pouted, screamed, or engaged in other childish tantrums. But, if you were really lucky, you had parents who taught you that life isn't always fair and that nobody owes you a living. They were preparing you for adulthood.

What our government is doing today exemplifies the permissive parent/spoiled child syndrome. Liberal ideologues say you should have everything you want, that freedom is unlimited, and every grievance should be soothed by the curative balm of government largesse. Conversely, conservatives say you must take responsibility for your own future and not use the blame game as a crutch. When you take advantage of a legal product like cigarettes, despite warnings of ill effects, you should not expect a multimillion dollar “reward” for your own lack of discipline when you get sick. Blowing up like a tick on fast food burgers, fries, and shakes doesn't mean you have the right to get rich as part of a class-action lawsuit brought by an army of obese opportunists. And getting pregnant because you didn't behave responsibly by taking precautions shouldn't give you a license to kill the child growing inside you.

Behavior must have consequences; otherwise, we'll be ruled by animal instincts. Freedom must have limitations; otherwise, we'll have chaos. Civilization is a social contract in which the participants must agree on the terms of an orderly existence. Those terms involve moral obligations that are consistent with the dominant culture. History teaches us that great civilizations are conquered from within, perhaps because, in their striving for greatness, they neglect and abandon the principles that built their success. Those principles usually were, and are, grounded in religion. Before there were laws in books, there was religion in the hearts and minds of people struggling to carve a decent life out of a cruel and brutish landscape. Before there was a constitution to guide us in the building of a nation, there was religion to guide us in the spiritual recognition of a soul.

Yet in spite of all the lessons of history, we find ourselves in the classic struggle between good and evil. Murder, rape, child abuse and pornography have become so commonplace that the public pays scant attention unless the victim, or the offender is a celebrity. Bodies found in garbage dumpsters may not be mentioned at all if a sports playoff game is in the headlines.

We have been systematically conditioned to tolerate behavior that once would have elicited gasps from even the most seasoned exhibitionists. It appears that we have lost our ability to be shocked. Nevertheless, in the face of all this evidence that we are in desperate need of a spiritual Renaissance, those who strive for a rebirth of values are pejoratively referred to as members of the “religious right.”

In other words, if you want a return to the days when twelve-year-olds were not having sex with their teachers (an almost weekly headline), child molesters weren't soliciting children on the Internet (NAMBLA), and murders didn't occur in multiples (daily headline), you must be some sort of extremist. Well, if being an extremist means having faith in a higher power and clinging to a values-based moral code, it’s a label we should wear proudly. It was worn by our ancestors when they celebrated the first Thanksgiving in the new world.

 

Warner Bouzek running for Simpsonville Mayor

 

With Election Day about 2 months away, candidates for political office are reaching out to voters to provide information on their background and to explain their reasons for running. One candidate, local entrepreneur Warner Bouzek, came over for a video interview to highlight some of his reasons. As the owner of King Tut Grill in Simpsonville, Mr. Bouzek, a longtime resident of the city, talks about some of the issues that motivated him to run for the office.

In addition, Mr. Bouzek talks about his business career, as well as his career as a championship wrestler. His local involvement includes Hillcrest Booster Club, raising funds for various sporting activities. Among the issues he talks about is the traffic problems in the city, and wants to improve the infrastructure, mainly the roads. He is financing his own campaign, so he doesn’t foresee any need for fundraisers.

Election Day is November 7. Voters can obtain information on registering, early voting, absentee voting, etc., by clicking on South Carolina Election Commission: www.scvotes.gov

Meet the Mayor of Mauldin, South Carolina

 

After 33 years living in Flower Mound, Texas, my wife Annette, and I moved to South Carolina to be closer to family. For many years, while living in the Lone Star State, we filmed video interviews of prominent people in all walks of life, including elected officials, entrepreneurs, CEOs of charitable organizations, and others who were part of the community landscape.

Now that we’ve settled in our new home, in the Parklynn Hills development of Fountain Inn, we look forward to continuing to contribute to our new community, including cities and towns contiguous with Fountain Inn. Annette is the videographer for the interviews, which will be posted online at the Simpsonville Sentinel newspaper and widely distributed on local social media platforms. On Monday, we interviewed Fountain Inn Mayor George Patrick Mcleer. Earlier today (Wednesday), we interviewed Simpsonville Mayor Paul Shewmaker.

This interview of Mauldin Mayor Terry Merritt took place Wednesday afternoon.

Mayor Merritt sent the following short bio:

Native of the great state of South Carolina and a full-time resident of Mauldin since 1969 (Except for 4 years USAF service and 2 years in southern Greenville County); Graduate of Hillcrest High School.

Married for 55 years to Dianne Roberts Merritt, 3 children; Terri Lynn(deceased), Stephen and Jeffery, all graduates of Mauldin High School; and 6 grandchildren.

1982 graduate of FURMAN UNIVERSITY

Veteran of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) during the Vietnam War, 4 years active (1969 – 1973) plus 2 years Inactive (1973 – 1975) Reserves (USAFR). Now retired, after 32+ years as IT professional.

Member of Mauldin 1st Baptist, where he currently serves as a Sunday School Teacher.

Former member of Mauldin Rotary Club. Charter Board Member of Mauldin Civitan Club.

Volunteers at Ronald McDonald House, Greenville.                                                                                   Member of Carolina Corvette Club. Member of American Legion Post 271.

Served 5 years as City of Mauldin Councilman, Seat 3 (2015 – 2019).

Currently serves as Mayor of the City of Mauldin (2020 - ).

Member of Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC):

Municipal Elected Officials Institute Graduate

Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute Graduate

Current Member of Association of South Carolina Mayors.

Current Member of Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study (GPATS)Policy Committee.

January 25, 2022, recognized by the Greenville Business Magazine as one of the 2021 Top 50 Most Influential People in the Upstate of South Carolina.