Over spring break, my family drove to Asheville, North Carolina, for an extended weekend trip. Despite having visited the town several times, it always seems like a new place to me.
Asheville has experienced a population growth of nearly 30% since 2000, but it’s not just that growth that has changed the town. It has also managed to keep its downtown alive and thriving with its high-quality restaurants, stores, museums and arts venues. Additionally, as my 7-year-old daughter noticed, it has an abundance of ice cream shops!
“Not all mass shootings are ideologically motivated — far from it. But when there is an ideology involved, it’s usually a far-right one. “All the extremist-related murders in 2022 were committed by right-wing extremists of various kinds,” said a February report from the Anti-Defamation League.”
What is a “conservative” viewpoint these days? “Limited government intrusion”? Nope! “Fiscal conservatism”? Not a chance! “Freedom”? Are you kidding? “Leaders who tell the truth”? No, 30,573 times in 4 years. “Upholding our Constitution”? What Constitution? “Sustaining our democratic principles?” On a bungee cord! “Maintaining the peaceful transition of power?” January 6… “Approve free and fair elections?” Let’s vote on it. “One man, one vote!” Disenfranchisement. “Equal pay for equal work.” $0.75 on the dollar. “Blood coming out of her wherever”. Trump administration. “Grab them by the pu$$y…” Replacement for “In God We Trust” on money.
Right Jim , and Tommy is seeking middle ground? He better move the Rs way over ,backtracking to the opposite of your keen observations ? What do they see when they look in a mirror? A piece missing? Or another George Santos? A jackal ? Self Righteous in a group?
Middle ground for what, a future in elected office. Shucks, Tommy is seeking the center of a herd of sheeple, dressing up in sheep clothing, while clicks the heels of his ruby slippers!
Not surprisingly, Asheville is becoming one of the most dangerous cities in NC. "..violent crime in Asheville, a town of approximately 90,000 people in the Blue Ridge Mountains, has surged in recent years. Aggravated assaults rose by 21.8%, and armed robberies increased by 20% from 2021 to 2022, according to APD statistics."
Michelle Goldberg of the New York Times writes, “Today’s Republican Party can scarcely tolerate anything getting between an eager buyer and a deadly weapon.
It’s hard to think of a historical precedent for a society allowing itself to be terrorized in the way we have. The normalization of both right-wing terrorism and periodic mass shootings by deranged loners is possible only because Timothy McVeigh’s views have been mainstreamed. “In the nearly 30 years since the Oklahoma City bombing, the country took an extraordinary journey — from nearly universal horror at the action of a right-wing extremist to wide embrace of a former president (also possibly a future president) who reflected the bomber’s values,” wrote Jeffery Toobin, in his book, “Homegrown”.
According to representative Marjorie Taylor, Greene of Georgia, “The second amendment has very little to do with hunting, unless we’re talking about hunting tyrants!“ it seems that in her mind, the South is rising again!
Tommy, overall, I agree with you. People are people and typically have the similar trials and challenges, illnesses, money, family issues, etc. The subject of politics is so different. One party has moved so far to the right that it has become dangerous for just about everyone! When you can’t even go to a store, a church, synagogue or mosque, a school, a parade, or to work without fear of being mowed down by a madman with an AR15 and politicians can’t even see past the NRA money to do anything about it, your country is in big trouble! When one party, fueled by hate, lies, vitriol, and who wrongfully believes they have been cheated out of their choice for the presidency, attempts to violently overthrow the Capital, yelling “kill him with his own gun,” while tasing a policeperson, and smears feces over statues and walls of the Capital and hunts for Certain Representatives and the Vice President to kill, your government is in peril! When members of one party refuse to accept the “peaceful transfer of power” from one president to another, your nation is at risk! When one party refuses to even acknowledge that those actions should be condemned, they are not being honest! When one party spews lies and condemnations of the other party, your populace doesn’t even know what the truth is, your democracy is threatened! There is much, much more of this divisiveness, but you get the point. Until the people vote against these politicians who are actively seeking to destroy democracy, we cannot agree even to disagree.
Yes Tommy , Joyce explained very well why the book store you were in had political left books about the problems of today . You didn’t know why? The Store owner wants the truth not R propaganda spreading false talking points to get votes ?
Tommy ,I fear for little children brought up and raised by R extremists that ignore mass killings of innocent children and people across America today .
Our only hope is that they realize the atrocities caused by their parents condoning a political group that causes all this .
Tommy, can you verify that you indeed are the one credited by the R leaders in Ky legislation for the gerrymandering of Franklin co voting district where we have no apparent viable representation in the Ky government ?
I’ve noticed that people that are silent or do not advocate against wrong doings are as guilty as those that inflict wrongdoings on others .
I would like to ask this syndicated columnist fellow what right wing drivel he would recommend for this bookstore to carry? On of the 11 tell-all book by a former Trump aides and cabinet members who refused testify when subpoenaed by the House impeachment committee hearings?
I heard about an accident where a construction worker was in an elevator shaft and a piece of sheet metal came falling from above and cut his whole left side off !!!! But the doctors say he all right now !!!!!
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“Not all mass shootings are ideologically motivated — far from it. But when there is an ideology involved, it’s usually a far-right one. “All the extremist-related murders in 2022 were committed by right-wing extremists of various kinds,” said a February report from the Anti-Defamation League.”
What is a “conservative” viewpoint these days? “Limited government intrusion”? Nope! “Fiscal conservatism”? Not a chance! “Freedom”? Are you kidding? “Leaders who tell the truth”? No, 30,573 times in 4 years. “Upholding our Constitution”? What Constitution? “Sustaining our democratic principles?” On a bungee cord! “Maintaining the peaceful transition of power?” January 6… “Approve free and fair elections?” Let’s vote on it. “One man, one vote!” Disenfranchisement. “Equal pay for equal work.” $0.75 on the dollar. “Blood coming out of her wherever”. Trump administration. “Grab them by the pu$$y…” Replacement for “In God We Trust” on money.
Right Jim , and Tommy is seeking middle ground? He better move the Rs way over ,backtracking to the opposite of your keen observations ? What do they see when they look in a mirror? A piece missing? Or another George Santos? A jackal ? Self Righteous in a group?
Middle ground for what, a future in elected office. Shucks, Tommy is seeking the center of a herd of sheeple, dressing up in sheep clothing, while clicks the heels of his ruby slippers!
Not surprisingly, Asheville is becoming one of the most dangerous cities in NC. "..violent crime in Asheville, a town of approximately 90,000 people in the Blue Ridge Mountains, has surged in recent years. Aggravated assaults rose by 21.8%, and armed robberies increased by 20% from 2021 to 2022, according to APD statistics."
Who legalizes assault weapons Ken ? No false talking points necessary, just the truth please.
Michelle Goldberg of the New York Times writes, “Today’s Republican Party can scarcely tolerate anything getting between an eager buyer and a deadly weapon.
It’s hard to think of a historical precedent for a society allowing itself to be terrorized in the way we have. The normalization of both right-wing terrorism and periodic mass shootings by deranged loners is possible only because Timothy McVeigh’s views have been mainstreamed. “In the nearly 30 years since the Oklahoma City bombing, the country took an extraordinary journey — from nearly universal horror at the action of a right-wing extremist to wide embrace of a former president (also possibly a future president) who reflected the bomber’s values,” wrote Jeffery Toobin, in his book, “Homegrown”.
According to representative Marjorie Taylor, Greene of Georgia, “The second amendment has very little to do with hunting, unless we’re talking about hunting tyrants!“ it seems that in her mind, the South is rising again!
What do you attribute that to, Ken? Wokeness?😜
Tommy, overall, I agree with you. People are people and typically have the similar trials and challenges, illnesses, money, family issues, etc. The subject of politics is so different. One party has moved so far to the right that it has become dangerous for just about everyone! When you can’t even go to a store, a church, synagogue or mosque, a school, a parade, or to work without fear of being mowed down by a madman with an AR15 and politicians can’t even see past the NRA money to do anything about it, your country is in big trouble! When one party, fueled by hate, lies, vitriol, and who wrongfully believes they have been cheated out of their choice for the presidency, attempts to violently overthrow the Capital, yelling “kill him with his own gun,” while tasing a policeperson, and smears feces over statues and walls of the Capital and hunts for Certain Representatives and the Vice President to kill, your government is in peril! When members of one party refuse to accept the “peaceful transfer of power” from one president to another, your nation is at risk! When one party refuses to even acknowledge that those actions should be condemned, they are not being honest! When one party spews lies and condemnations of the other party, your populace doesn’t even know what the truth is, your democracy is threatened! There is much, much more of this divisiveness, but you get the point. Until the people vote against these politicians who are actively seeking to destroy democracy, we cannot agree even to disagree.
Yes Tommy , Joyce explained very well why the book store you were in had political left books about the problems of today . You didn’t know why? The Store owner wants the truth not R propaganda spreading false talking points to get votes ?
Tommy ,I fear for little children brought up and raised by R extremists that ignore mass killings of innocent children and people across America today .
Our only hope is that they realize the atrocities caused by their parents condoning a political group that causes all this .
Middle ground:
Tommy, can you verify that you indeed are the one credited by the R leaders in Ky legislation for the gerrymandering of Franklin co voting district where we have no apparent viable representation in the Ky government ?
I’ve noticed that people that are silent or do not advocate against wrong doings are as guilty as those that inflict wrongdoings on others .
I would like to ask this syndicated columnist fellow what right wing drivel he would recommend for this bookstore to carry? On of the 11 tell-all book by a former Trump aides and cabinet members who refused testify when subpoenaed by the House impeachment committee hearings?
I heard about an accident where a construction worker was in an elevator shaft and a piece of sheet metal came falling from above and cut his whole left side off !!!! But the doctors say he all right now !!!!!
Would a R believe that? About being all right ?
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State-Journal.com’s comments forum is for civil, constructive dialogue about news topics in our community, state, nation and world. We emphasize “civil” at a time when Americans, in the words of the current president, need to “turn down the temperature” of political debates. The State Journal will do its part by more carefully policing this forum. Here are some rules that all commenters must agree to follow:
Absolutely no attacks on other commenters, on guest columnists or on authors of letters to the editor. Our print and online opinion pages are sacred marketplaces of ideas where diverse viewpoints are welcome without fear of retribution. You may constructively critique the ideas and opinions of others, but name-calling, stereotyping and similar attacks are strictly prohibited.
Leeway will be given for criticism of elected officials and other public figures, but civility is essential. If you focus your criticism on ideas, opinions and viewpoints, you will be less likely to run afoul of our commenting rules.
Keep comments focused on the article or commentary in question. Don’t use an article about the Frankfort City Commission, for example, to rant about national politics.
Hyperpartisanship that suggests anyone on the other side of an issue or anyone in a particular particular party is evil is not welcome. If you believe that all Democrats are socialists intent on destroying America or that all Republicans are racists, there are lots of places on the internet for you to espouse those views. State-Journal.com is not one.
No sophomoric banter. This isn’t a third-grade classroom but rather a place for serious consumers of news to offer their reactions and opinions on news stories and published commentary.
No consumer complaints about individual businesses. If you’ve had a bad experience with a private business or organization, contact the Better Business Bureau or the government agency that regulates that business. If you believe the actions of a private business are newsworthy, contact us at news@state-journal.com and we will consider whether news coverage is merited.
Absolutely no jokes or comments about a person’s physical appearance.
No promotion of commercial goods or services. Our outstanding staff of marketing consultants stands ready to help businesses with effective advertising solutions.
If you state facts that have not been previously reported by The State Journal, be sure to include the source of your information.
No attacks on State Journal staff members or contributing writers. We welcome questions about, and criticism of, our news stories and commentary but not of the writers who work tirelessly to keep their community informed. Corrections of inaccurate information in news stories should be sent to news@state-journal.com rather than posted in the comments section.