ASHLAND — Don’t just follow party or group

Right now we have a lopsided government. We have at least two political parties with men from both parties elected by their individual states.

As Americans they are expected to put the people and the country first. They take an oath on the Bible to do this. In the best interest of the country, they should all work together in a nonpartisan mindset.

Unfortunately, this is not happening. The checks and balance of Congress is not working. Why? It’s because one party has control of th U.S. Senate with a president and vice president who do what they want without considering the Constitution or the will of the American people.

Our country has been hurt by the failed policies and changes being forced down the throats of the American people. Unemployment is high. It seems every trick in the book is being used to shut our country down. Bad judgment? No! A plan? Yes!

The people have to take our country back. Vote for the right man in November. Vote like your children and grandchildren and your future depends on it, because it does.

We have senators who have to go. They are on a mission to change this country along with other factions.

Don’t be a party or group follower. Educate yourself by reading and watching all the different news media. Think for yourself, country and family.

If one media tells you the other outlet is lying, use your comment sense and find the truth.  Don’t be lazy.

There are no freebies. Someone has to pay. Anyone offering freebies wants much more in return: Our freedom!

Norman Rist, Ashland



Obama commentis quite revealing

There are times in people’s lives when they say or do something that opens a window to their very soul. It might be at a time of stress, fatigue, joy, or anger but you say what you really mean.

That occurred recently when President Obama said, “If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.”

I think that is the most arrogant, ignorant, outrageous comment that I ever heard a president or a presidential candidate make. 

Dick Gephardt used to refer to the wealthy as “those who have hit life’s lottery.” All Democrats play the class warfare card, but to tell business owners who have been on the front lines in creating businesses and taking all the risks involved that someone else did it for us is tough to take.

President Obama believes that without government, none of us could possibly survive. He wants us all to need government. He who writes the checks makes the rules. He doesn’t like we old-fashioned folks who not only don’t need the government’s help but we don’t want it. Obama would redistribute every dime in this country if he could get his way.

You got a glimpse of the real Obama with the above comment. How anyone who gets out of bed and works every day could vote for this man is beyond me. This is from a man who has never had dirt under his fingernails.

Grant Stevenson, South Shore



Wishing benefit was not necessary

Many businesses have donated items to be auctioned to benefit Margaret McCue Parnell. Margaret was featured in The Independent on Dec. 5, 2011. Since then, Margaret’s doctor has located two tumors and I offered to do a benefit.

In March, a representative of an organization in which Margaret is a member seemed delighted to help, but the organization has a new boss. I told him Marshall University may donate football tickets and that it needed something on an official letterhead.

He said that he wasn’t going to sponsor this benefit. He said I had mailed things to them when I was told not to. I told him that long before he was there, I had gotten permission to have tickets and autographed items mailed there. “I’m terminating this conversation,” he said as he hung up, further delaying the benefit. He could have taken 45 seconds to fill out this form.

His organization has no obligation to help, but I think it should honor conversations that occurred before the new director's arrival.

There is a rumor that Margaret is well and doesn’t need help. The gossipers need to do some studying or need to talk to Margaret’s physician, Dr. Malcolm H. King. They could talk to Dave and Haley Lovins who lost their mother, Tracy Cumpton Lovins (Russell High class of 1993), to cancer in 2009. Dave, Haley and their father, Todd, could shed some light on the enemy called cancer,

 I called State Rep. Kevin Sinnette and U.S Rep. Geoff Davis. People at their offices were very helpful. They told me that an area hospital did receive grant money for situations like Margaret’s. However, the person who oversees the grant money has not returned my calls. I wish Margaret’s situation could be handled this way and the benefit wasn’t necessary.

For benefit information, call (606) 325-0091.

Kent Juett, Ashland



1952 RHS classs planning reunion

The Raceland High School class of 1952 will have its 60-year reunion on Aug. 25 at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park.

The class will meet at 1 p.m. for a shrimp cocktail party under the trees and enjoy renewing friendships. Dinner is at 6 p.m. with entertainment at 7:30 p.m. After the entertainment, games will be played until midnight.

We will have a farewell breakfast at 9 a.m. Sunday with class members responsible for their own meals. Cost for the reunion is $25 per person. This includes the shrimp party, the evening meal, the entertainment and games.

People from other classes are welcome to join us. The contact person for the class of 1952 is Dan Kearns at (606) 836-3037, (606) 922-2954 or (606) 922-8003. We have 15 rooms at the Greenbo lodge. Rooms must be reserved by Aug. 1. The room rate is $71.96 plus tax, but you must tell Greenbo that you are part of the class reunion to get that rate.

Dan Kearns, Flatwoods



Effort to preserve cemetery begins

A board of trustees has been formed consisting of descendants of those buried in the Bartram/Fort Gay High Street Cemetery in Fort Gay, W.Va. We’re seeking the help of family members and loved ones buried in the cemetery.

Now that the cemetery is virtually full, within a couple of generations there will be no one left who personally knew those buried there. We want to prevent the deterioration of this beautiful cemetery and to preserve, protect and honor those who have gone on before us. More than 300 are buried in the cemetery.

The cemetery has no perpetual care fund. An interest-bearing trust has been established at Fort Gay Bank.

Any and all contributions will be greatly appreciated. However, the Wayne County Genealogical Historical Society is giving a book to each person who donates $100 or more to the fund. The book will consist of the names of each person buried there, plus a brief history of what they did.

Make checks payable to the Bartram/Fort Gay Cemetery Fund. The email address is fortgaycemetery@yahoo.com.

Jarret Peters, chairman, Wayne County Genealogical Society, Fort Gay, W.Va.



Letters invited

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