In last month’s letters to the editor, two writers enthusiastically endorsed the idea of a regional water authority. That this proposed authority is founded on the legislative theft of Asheville’s system apparently doesn’t matter. That this wondrous initiative gives other neighboring systems in Weaverville, Woodfin and Hendersonville a pass is quietly sidestepped. That local Reps. Susan Fisher and Nathan Ramsey laid the foundation, through Sullivan Acts II & III, for Rep. Tim Moffitt’s more recent shenanigans has been washed away. That the seizure of a $1 billion-plus asset is uncompensated remains just another overlooked insult to a remarkable injury. How anyone purporting conservative values — here or in Raleigh— could uphold this big government use of eminent domain offers a front row view of why the Republican Party struggles to capture the faith of the conservative-minded. Stealing is immoral – regardless of the denials of the thief. In the case of Asheville’s water system, thievery is the right word. Asheville’s forefathers had the wisdom to purchase the two reservoirs representing the heart of the system. The arteries, otherwise known as water lines, are also almost universally owned by Asheville. The few that aren’t — those covered by the first Sullivan act — are gone or in need of replacement. Proof the lines covered by this 80-year-old law are no longer relevant is found in the new legislation Ms. Fisher and Mr. Ramsey championed. If you are one of many who find it hard to sift through the spin on the water issue, consider this analogy. Imagine you own a beach cottage legally passed to you by deceased grandparents. You rent that cottage so others can enjoy it too. After a number of years, those friends and neighbors decide their yearly rental fees entitle them to a share of your cottage – and so, in the misbegotten name of fairness, they take it from you. That’s precisely what’s happening with Asheville’s water system. Anyone telling you otherwise is a player in the big con. Lying is reliably partnered with stealing.

America’s Trojan Horse

Most great societies end by betraying the principles that made them great to begin with. America’s abandonment of its historic and much denied Judeo-Christian value system mirrors that pattern. Correction is in our future and reflection on the form it might take is in order. The Roman Empire fell because their assumedly primitive enemy successfully cut-off the capital city’s water supply. America has water and food a plenty. Our dependencies center on energy and technology. The dangers of energy disruption were affirmed by last year’s widely underreported terror attack on a pivotal transformer station in California. Knock out a half dozen unprotected and hard to replace transformer facilities across the country and you have essentially shutdown the power grid. Then there are our technology vulnerabilities. To the extent that more and more of what runs our high tech society is built in China, we’re vulnerable, like Rome, to having our supply cut-off, or, of equal danger, poisoned. The knowhow exists to create micro-chip Trojan horses with a built-in shutdown dates. In the 21st century, armies, factories, utilities, schools, vehicles and hospitals without chips or power don’t work – just like Rome without water didn’t work. 

Marijuana is not your friend

One of our culture’s growing line of mythologies centers on the innocence of marijuana. Fun, convenient, and popular — yes — innocent, anything but. Humans have an infinite capacity to twist truth to their personal agenda. For example, it’s true that marijuana is a natural herb with medicinal and pleasure potentials that are not physically addictive. It’s just as true that marijuana is genetically manipulated, suppresses your immunological system, and is very psychologically addictive. Funny how people will run out the door over GMO corn, but puff away on a weed that’s one of the most modified organisms on the planet. Don’t believe it? Ask a child of the ‘60s to compare their pot to today’s five to 10 times more powerful versions. Although the medical values of marijuana are mixed at best, for those who need it, cannabis pills are easily concocted. In the 21st century does anyone really believe smoke is the fitting means to administering a medication? Isn’t the non-physically addictive nature of marijuana just peachy? Unfortunately, the psychological addiction will just as surely steal your soul. How you might ask? Well, consider the reality we are born, more or less, with the number of brain, muscle and fat cells we have for a lifetime. Those cells grow and shrink and are replaced under some circumstances, but what we start with is pretty much what we live with. It can be argued that the same thing is true with happiness. We get only so many spots of joy and artificially borrowing extra doses today insures matching emptiness tomorrow. Robbing yourself is not a smart play and that is precisely what marijuana or any other short-cut to happiness does. Worse, it feels good to feel extra good and so, for the more vulnerable among us, the temptation to take that short-cut evolves into habit. The more pronounced the feelings, the more addictive the fascination. Life exists on the pages of day-to-day reality. We are charged from our own account every time we step off the parchment. Anything aiding that misguided mission is the opposite of innocent.   

This Month’s Whistle Blower — Seven Shades of Blue

If you stand on the left side of things, you are probably a self-recognized advocate for diversity. For witness to the authenticity of that priority, reflect on your reactions to people who think, believe or act outside of your personal standards. In truth, most people on both ends of the political spectrum reliably function within the narrow parameters of their own comfort zone. A dedication to funky, unique, deviant or nontraditional is not the same thing as enthusiasm for diversity. Picture a conservative speaker attempting to raise their perspective at either Warren Wilson or UNC Asheville. These two bastions of liberalism masquerading as schools of the liberal arts are perfect examples of left-minded “diversity” in action. Is it not just a little bit disconcerting that Asheville, a city priding itself on diversity, has no conservative representation on its governing body? How’s that a problem? Well, for starters, monogamous groups don’t work. The lack of alternative thinking assures stagnancy – much like a pond losing its fresh water source. Asheville’s City Council is comprised of seven shades of blue. All are Democrats and all sport a liberal voting record. For witness to how that’s going to work out, peruse this year’s property tax increase and where your hard earned money was invested. Eagle Street just got another in a long line of multi-million dollar commitments supporting a subsidized housing initiative. A count of the other millions previously poured down that neighborhood drain is a shamelessly ignored community scandal. Same deal on the Haywood Street parking garage demolition. Millions in staff energies, planning documents, lawyer time, and other rat holes have resulted in a long-sitting taxpayer funded wasteland. The number one job of city government is service – not special interests. When you drive over your next pot hole, come home to a broken door and missing television, or turn your lip down at an ever expanding tax burden, remember diversity does matter. Balanced representation is necessary to — of all things — balance.

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 (Are you aware of something happening in our community meriting attention? Give us a call or an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will confidentially expose your concerns to public scrutiny. Bad things grow in the dark — and the Daily Planet has a flashlight.)

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 Carl Mumpower, a former member of Asheville City Council, may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it