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I am working on the template of this blog today in order to chase down some problems that have developed with my template and widgets.

Macon County Commissioners

Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County Board of County Commissioners.

Franklin Town Board of Aldermen

Coverage of the meetings of the Franklin Town Board of Aldermen.

Macon County School Board

Coverage of the meetings of the Macon County School Board.

Photoblog

Photos from my photoblog.

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Friday, March 30, 2012

The Tree

The Tree by Bobby Coggins If this tree could speak, what would it tell us? Would it remember generations who climbed and played on it? Would it remember the parades that marched by, year after year? Would it remember the rains, the storms, the lightning and the snow? Would it remember other trees that are no longer here? Or would it remain silent, knowing that spoke loudest of all? (function() { var po = document.createElement('script');...

Thursday, March 29, 2012

ObamaCare in the United States Supreme Court:
The Three Days of Arguments

This is a recap of the three days of oral arguments in the Supreme Court and excerpts (with links) to the coverage by SCOTUSblog and the Texas Public Policy Foundation. I've embedded the audio from the Supreme Court so you can listen to the full arguments by both sides and hear the justices speak for yourself so you don't have to listen to some talking head tell you what they said. You can also download a PDF Guide on the issues before...

Western North Carolina Alliance ‘Renewing Our Roots’ spring gathering in Franklin

PRESS RELEASE The Western North Carolina Alliance is inviting the community to join us for the “Renewing Our Roots” spring gathering, to honor and celebrate WNCA’s founding in Macon County. The event will be April 14 in Franklin. Several free family-friendly activities will be offered throughout the day, culminating in a barbecue dinner and live music celebration at the Memorial United Methodist Church where WNCA’s founder, Esther Cunningham,...

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Update on ObamaCare in the Supreme Court
Day One and Two Coverage

Today is the third and last day of arguments in the epic effort to overturn or blunt ObamaCare in the United States Supreme Court. I've been too busy to blog about it, but cannot let it go by unacknowledged. So, here are some links to what happened on the first and second day of arguments. You can also download a PDF Guide to the issues before the Supreme Court from the Texas Public Policy Foundation. I will post again after the third day, recapping...

Macon County Republican Party Convention Scheduled for March 31, 2012 Dale Folwell Keynote Speaker

PRESS RELEASE Dear Members:  Just a reminder that the Macon County Republican Convention is this Saturday, March 31st at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Building, 1288 Georgia Road. Registration is from 10:00 -11:00 a.m. with Precinct Meetings from 11:15 -11:45 a.m.. Representative Dale Folwell is the Keynote Speaker and there will be complimentary light morning foods. We hope to have everyone out of there by 1:00 pm. HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!  I...

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Tufted Titmouse

A Tufted Titmouse in a tree above one of my bird feeders. (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); ...

Monday, March 26, 2012

Iwo Jima Secured by US Marines 67 Years Ago Today

67 Years ago, over 6,000 men died in the effort to take Iwo Jima and provide a stepping stone on the way to Japan. That was an era in which valor was common. May we never forget the men who died there, and never forget to honor their memories. Visit Old Time Radio for some radio reporting from Iwo Jima as it happened. And here is the Academy Award winning film, "The Sands of Iwo Jima"... (function() { var po = document.createElement('script');...

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Vietnam Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony in Franklin

I am proud to live in a community that takes time and makes the effort to honor those who have served our nation. On Saturday, March 24, 2012, there was a parade and ceremony honoring the service of Vietnam Veterans in Franklin, NC. These are photos and video I took at the event. There is no video of the parade because I forgot to press the record button. I apologize for forgetting such a basic thing. Here are phoptos taken during the parade...

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Parade Vanguard

The vanguard of the Viet Nam Veterans Day parade in Franklin, NC today. I will have video and photos from the day by Monday. *note* The Internet has been down at my house since around 6pm last night and it has not been restored yet, so I'm not guaranteeing that I'll be able to post photos and video as I process them this weekend. Thanks a lot, Frontier Communications. Thanks to the Macon County Public Library for the use of their WiFi Connection....

Friday, March 23, 2012

Santorum: Might As Well Have Obama Over Romney
Full Video of San Antonio Speech

The latest brouhaha in this excrutiatingly long and drawn out 2012 Republican Primary (thanks for nothing, RNC dimwits) implies that Rick Santorum would prefer President Obama to President Romney. I think his words have been taken out of context. Mind you, I am saying this as a supporter of Mitt Romney. First, as is my custom, I present the full speech so that you may gain an understanding of the context of how and when the words were said, so...

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Richard Rivette for NC Senate

A former contributor to this blog is now running for office in the 38th NC Senate District. He is a solid conservative, and if you have the means, consider donating to his campaign effort. ~Thunder Pig March 22, 2012 PRESS RELEASE Richard Rivette for NC Senate URGENT CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY.  Resend to your patriot friends please! I need any donations anyone can spare since we are all down to our spare change. My Declaration of...

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Reception for New Franklin Police Chief David Adams

Members of the Franklin Police Department pose with David Adams, the new Chief of Police for the Town of Franklin, NC The Town of Franklin held a reception to welcome the new Chief of Police for the Franklin Police Department today in the Town Hall. David Adams has been on the job for about three weeks now. I attended the reception and here is a short video from that event: David Adams served as a Captain on the Hendersonville Police Department,...

Mitt Romney Wins the Illinois Primary

Mitt Romney won the Illinois primary last night with 428,434 votes to Rick Santorum's 321,079 votes.Ron Paul came in a distant third with 85,464 and Newt Gingrich finished fourth with only 72,942 votes. These numbers are with 99% of the votes counted. This latest victory puts Mitt Romney in the neighborhood of 300 delegates ahead of Rick Santorum, 430 ahead of Newt Gingrich and around 500 or so ahead of Ron Paul. In the next few weeks, the...

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Military Aircraft Over Macon County

A UH-60 flies just northeast of Franklin, NC. Ther have been a lot of military aircraft flying over Macon County this afternoon. Here are a couple of photos I managed to take. F-18 (I've been informed by someone I trust that this is probably an F-16 instead of an F-18). CH-46 (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; ...

Paul Ryan: The Path to Prosperity

The Chart above shows the two paths that America has before it. One of ever increasing debt, and another where we pay it down... Congressman Paul Ryan spoke about his new budget plan this morning [link to video] and the full plan is now available to the public to look at. I've embedded it below for your convenience. Republicans and Democrats have a chance to work together and reverse the economic death spiral our economy is in, but they have to...

Live Address by Congressman Paul Ryan at 11am
A Blueprint for American Renewal

**3.58pm** The Path to Prosperity is available.  Go take a look and download your own copy. [link] At 11am, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan will deliver remarks on the fiscal situation and economic challenges faced by the United States. These remarks will be followed by a question-and-answer period hosted by AEI President Arthur C. Brooks. Here is a preview: House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan details what the choice of...