Teabaggers termed twisted
in defending Big Business

I agree with (recent letters) in the Asheville Citizen-Times, arguing that the “teabaggers” have it twisted.

The original tea party protested transnational corporations that destroyed local colonial businesses. We must engage in revolution against mega-corporations of banking, Wall Street and other special interests that have already appropriated our government billions in contributions and lobbying.

They are poised for total control of our republic. Through their newly acquired Supreme Court legacy, they will blitz their way in hot pursuit of all elected officials who would oppose them or have the temerity to propose a necessary constitutional amendment that would eliminate their misbegotten “personhood” — erroneously conferred upon them in 1886, as revealed in Thom Hartmann’s book, “Unequal Protection.”

While we need millions of teabaggers, we need them to focus on real solutions to the greatest threats to our nation, a constitutional amendment and publicly supported campaign financing.

LEW PATRIE
Asheville

Integrity: What I am
looking for in a candidate

The definition of integrity comes from the word integral which means wholeness or soundness.
In it’s broader application it refers to (1) adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. (2) the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire. (3) a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship’s hull. This is the kind of person I will vote for in this coming election.

I’m not interested in who your parents were. They are not running. I’m not interested in who your spouse is for the same reason. I’m not interested in which “church” you attend. I am interested in whether you know the Word of God and treat others with respect, dignity, and fairness no matter their position, faith, race, or political affiliation.

I’m not interested so much in your “education,” how many ‘training sessions’ you have attended,or in which “political party’ you belong to. I am interested in your reputation in this county and whether you pass the character test with most of the people you know and deal with on a regular basis.

I am not interested in how long you have lived and/or worked in this county. I am interested in whether or not you know the North Carolina State Constitution and U.S. Constitution and understand the limitations they place on you as an “elected” official.

I am interested in whether you will take an oath to uphold the Constitution of both North Carolina and the United States and if you will swear to abide by them no matter what. In other words, will you openly declare that you are not above the LAW and will behave as a law abiding citizen of this County, North Carolina, and the United States?

Will you swear that you will not use the power of your office to practice tyranny against those you disagree with or those who openly oppose your actions? Will you remember and uphold the freedoms that have been given to “We the People” and not use your office to destroy our Constitutional freedoms?

Further, I am not interested in your qualifications to hold office if you have never attended an official meeting of the County Commissioners, the City Council, the School Board, or the DSS Board, posted anything on any opinion page signed by you, or written a letter to the editor stating your beliefs or taking a side on an issue.

For way too long people have been elected to office even though they have never taken part in any community government entity or meetings, never given an opinion publicly, and never revealed their associates who are either behind them or supporting them.

I am interested in your proven character only. Many have been duped into supporting people for the wrong reasons.

Now is the time to go with true, solid character. Nothing else will do this election!

Betsy Soler
Green Mountain

Google lambasted
for waging a witch hunt

Even as Google celebrates acquiring five-year-old cyber-phenom YouTube, the corporate giant is using ancient star chamber tactics to wage a modern-day witch

hunt. Google is crying crocodile tears when it opposes Chinese censorship in public while privately repressing American Pagans at the same time.
Google posted a sinister disclaimer about local Coven Oldenwilde’s Real Witch Magic Class video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvjYTomtLLw): The following content has been identified by the YouTube community as being potentially offensive or inappropriate.Viewer discretion is advised.

YouTube provides no way to vet the veracity of anonymous complaints, and no way to repair a reputation ruined by innuendo. It puts the onus on the accused to prove their innocence. What’s next — spectral evidence? This policy smacks of the Burning Times to me.

Coven Oldenwilde is a 501(c)(3) religious nonprofit that only posts original, empowering material. The video explores a chapter in my and my mate’s The Goodly Spellbook: Olde Spells For Modern Problems. It’s simply unconscionable that Google is pumping sincere Seekers with baseless fear about our work in this manner.

Nor are we alone: Google posted the identical warning about Staten Island High Priest and Practical Magick Shoppe owner Mark Eadicicco’s innocuous video:  http://www.youtube.com/user/PracticalMagickSI#p/a/u/1/5BzZUpDX4pU.

Google is encouraging bigots to make false accusations about Witches. Whether by corporate fiat, or from an anonymous rival, cyber-bullying is increasing, and the industry must drop such slanderous policies or risk being sued into oblivion.

LADY PASSION
Asheville

Hubble Telescope termed
greatest gift for taxpayers

The greatest gift ever given to humanity by the American taxpayer, is the knowledge of our universe, gained by the NASA missions and Hubble Telescope.
It is difficult to comprehend the level of this achievement and how much it has expanded our understanding of ourselves and our place in this vast galaxy, which these never before seen images reveal.

The complexity involved in bringing together so many brilliant minds from such diverse fields of endeavor, such as propulsion, electronics, optics, astronomy, to name only several required to place this “eye” on the universe, and bring back to us sights of stars and galaxies heretofore unknown.

We have always sought to understand the world we live in, to explore to the very limits of our ability, to perhaps actually realize our own potential.

All of the elements, with a greater atomic weight than iron, would have had to originate from super novas, perhaps thousands of light years outside our solar system.

Heavy elements such as lead, gold, uranium, etc., would have been liberated in the enormous explosions of super novas.

Our sun may very well be a second or third generation star. Possibly, the organic elements that made life possible, may have originated outside our solar system.
As we capture the images (light) from vast distances, (tens of thousands of light years) we are traveling through time, giving us more clues to the origin of life
The Galactic Vision Studio is giving away at no charge all 22-inch photographic overrun images of the enhanced giant nebula at no charge. Check out the web site. www.thegalacticvision.com or call (828) 253-0454.

KIRT GRAYSON
Asheville

Domestic partner benefits
sought for gay city workers

As of March 3,  nearly 30 leaders of various faith communities in Asheville have signed onto a statement expressing their support for the recent decision of the Asheville City Council to pursue Domestic Partner Benefits for city workers who are in committed, same-gender relationships.

Standing on the steps of First Congregational United Church of Christ in downtown Asheville, these leaders released a statement that concludes Domestic Partner Benefits will contribute toward fairness and equitable compensation and create “a strong family-supporting community, of which we are proud to be a part.”

Faith leaders who signed the statement represent a variety of traditions, including Jewish, Christian, and others. Some are members of a local group, People of Faith for Just Relationships, which organized the news conference.

The statement said: “We, the leaders of a number of faith communities in Asheville, express our personal appreciation for the leadership and foresight of the Asheville City Council in proposing and moving toward a positive vote for Domestic Partner Benefits for city employees who are in same-gender relationships. As faith leaders, we are aware that the passage of this measure is significant to many members of our congregations, regardless of sexual orientation.

“We conclude that despite varying religious views about homosexuality, a civil society should work toward fairness and equitable compensation for everyone in the community, including public workers. Providing Domestic Partner Benefits for City employees who are in same-gender committed relationships contributes toward this goal and creates a stronger, family-supporting community, of which we are proud to be a part.”
Among those signing were the following, with their faith institution included for identification purposes only:

  1. The Rev. Jim Abbott, Rector, St. Matthias Episcopal
  2.. Rev. Byron Ballard, High Priestess Mother Grove Goddess Temple
  3.. Rev. Bill Buchanan, Associate Minister, Grace Covenant Presbyterian
  4.. Rabbi Rob Cabelli, Beth Israel Synagogue
  5.. The Rev. Brian Cole, Cathedral of All Souls, Episcopal
  6.. The Very Rev.Todd Donatelli, Cathedral of All Souls, Episcopal
  7.. Rev. David Eck, Pastor, Abiding Savior Lutheran
  8.. Rev. Dr. Paul Hamilton Fuller, IV, Episcopal, The Church of the

Advocate
  9.. Rev. Howard Hanger, Minister of Ritual, JUBILEE! Community
  10.. Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss, Co Pastor, Land of Sky UCC
  11.. Rev. Joe Hoffman, Senior Minister, First Congregational UCC
  12.. Rev. Joyce Hollyday, Co-Pastor, Circle of Mercy
  13.. The Rev. Deacon Bill Jamieson, The Micah Institute
  14.. Katherine Kowal, Clerk, Asheville Friend’s Meeting of the Religious

Society of Friends
  15.. Rabbi Batsheva Meiri, Congregation Beth Ha Tephila
  16.. Rev. Gabrielle Michel, Minister, Unity Church, West Asheville
  17.. Rev. Anne Morgan, New Hope Presbyterian Church
  18.. The Rev. Brent Norris, Rector, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
  19.. Rev. Michael Poulos, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian
  20.. Rev. Mark Ramsey, Senior Minister, Grace Covenant Presbyterian
  21.. The Rev. Canon Austin K. Rios, La Capilla de Santa Maria, Episcopal

Church
  22.. Rev. Steve Runholt, Minister, Warren Wilson Presbyterian
  23.. Rev. Ken Sehested, Circle of Mercy
  24..  Jackie Simms, Ethical Society of Asheville
  25..  Rev. Shannon Spencer, Associate Minister, First Congregational UCC
  26.. Rev. Margaret LaMotte Torrence, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian
  27.. Rev. Mark Ward, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville
  28.. Rev. Sara Wilcox, Co-Pastor, Land of Sky UCC

Though not a faith leader myself, I am part of People of Faith for Just Relationships and am moved by the actions of these leaders.  Over the coming weeks others, both faith leaders and lay supporters, may sign the statement. Send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details.

MONROE GILMOUR
Asheville