Slander Has a Magnificently Short Half-life | Eastern North Carolina Now

The benefits derived from slander are fleeting at best; the consequences of deliberate retribution immense.

    Publisher's note: This began as a comment to a short comment that Charles Hickman made in response to a Beaufort Observer re-post, on BCN, entitled "Too many bullies, not enough servants". Once I got started, I just had to continue, as if this cathartic moment might relieve me of the weight of what I know. It didn't. In fact, it prepared me for a promise I intend to keep.

When I make a promise, I always strive to keep it.

    What was so disturbing about those political consultants, unaffectionately known as the 'Three Stooges', Washington Strategic Group (WSG), is that they participated in the slander of my person through the mailers and the "whisper campaign" employing only pure lies about my good character. This all occurred in 2014 Republican primary, when I sought re-nomination to continue as a Beaufort County Commissioner.

    The last, and most slanderous, mailer by those 'Stooges' even proposed the slander of a 'current marijuana usage' (as per that WSG mailer) against me, in which they used comments, taken out of context and syntax, from a debate within a commissioners' meeting, when that debate was centered on the Southwest County Jail. I was hot with my utter disdain that the Gang of Four were jamming 2 million dollars of public money down the throats of real taxpayers, which was reserved for consultant fees for design and development, with no financing in place.
The Washington Strategic Group is unaffectionately known as Washington's version of the "Three Stooges". The intellectual resemblance is uncanny.

    Understandably, I was incredulous over the matter. Ultimately, during the argument (yes, I argue), Commissioner Ed Booth offered the non sequitur, "At least I don't' smoke dope", where I countered, "Maybe you should, it might make you smarter."

    Considering that the Gang of Four was possibly wasting 2 million dollars of taxpayers' money then (it is becoming more certain now that they will waste it), I was not about to defend that I do not smoke marijuana, when there was true stupidity afoot by four other commissioners, so I answered the actions of Commissioner Booth rather than defend against his allegations.

    Later, I discovered that the 'Three Stooges' (WSG) took great offense to my position on the jail, and, consequently, the saving of the taxpayers' 2 million dollars (that equals about 6% on one's tax bill in one year) until funding was in place. It was their position that the Southwest County Jail was important to them, and the candidates that they represent, so they chose to participate in the whisper campaign against me, and thus published the mailer, through their sycophant county commissioner candidate, Don Cox, intimating that I smoked pot at midnight (whatever the Hell that means).

    What is so oddly disturbing is that I have contributed a great deal of time to Ashley Woolard and Greg Dority on their various unsuccessful campaigns, as they must have duped me into believing that they were real Republicans. Everybody makes mistakes, this was mine, and it is one I deeply regret.

    Greg Dority, Ashley Woolard and Bill Tarpening's support of the Southwest County Jail 'come Hell or high water' is their position. OK, I get that now. Accordingly, their candidates that they control never took a position against it, and the Washington Strategic Group (WSG) slandered me because I did, as evidenced by that last mailer. Whatever friendship they may have had with me is irrevocably gone because of that slander, and causes me to deeply question their character, and their honor as to relative to mine, which is all I know to do. Hell, I don't care that they are not real Republicans, what troubles me is that slander is their one tool to debate an issue that they are in opposition if, which is the nature of their political business, and that is unforgivable.

    Accordingly, It matters not that Greg Dority, Ashley Woolard and Bill Tarpening (WSG) are in favor of using 2 million dollars of the taxpayers' money, without financing in place, to build a jail over 6 miles southwest of the county seat. It makes poor business sense, even by government standards, but all people are welcome to their own expressed opinions on positions, and I respect that; however, a governing difference of opinion with me on the proposed jail does not qualify these three men's slander of my character; to marginalize my position on the 2 million dollar question at that commissioners' general meeting, and now probably wasted on that Southwest County Jail. Obviously, this prompts me to question: the depth of their character as to the lengths they will stoop; their ability to make strong decisions at appropriate times if put in that position to do so; and their complete abdication of honor and integrity as people with the assumed power to know better; and I won't tolerate that on so many levels.

    My advice to two of the 'Three Stooges': Don't ever run for office again, anywhere, at any time. Should you be so foolish to do so, I will be there watching with a keen eye, and I won't hold back, and this I promise: I will never employ slander to diminish your prospects. I won't have to. You have, and you will, give up too much ammunition otherwise.

    Remember this one truth, I am reaching more people every day, through BCN and other Moderated Informational Platforms, and I won't tolerate dishonorable conduct against honorable people, from such dishonorable men.

    This is not a threat, this is my promise.

poll#52
Which was a better expense for Beaufort County taxpayers' 2 million dollars?
91.07%   Loan it to Belhaven government, as a first mortgage, to help them keep their hospital open.
6.43%   Give it to consultants to plan a Southwest County jail with no financing in place.
2.5%   Find another overpaid Economic Developer, who won't move to Beaufort County after he gets the job.
280 total vote(s)     Voting has Ended!


poll#49
Considering that Beaufort County may build a new jail /sheriff's office: What should be the best course?
7.51%   Build a modern jail/S.O. in the southwest corner of the county
43.3%   Build a modern jail/S.O. behind the courthouse in the county seat
49.2%   Do not build a jail/S.O. anywhere
746 total vote(s)     Voting has Ended!

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Comments

( September 4th, 2014 @ 8:36 am )
 
It is always better when the public, at large, pays attention, and usually they don't.

BCN is here to educate as the communities only Moderated Informational Platform. Our traffic has been brisk of late. So, hopefully, we are making some difference.
( September 4th, 2014 @ 5:47 am )
 
I listened intently to the debate last night between Candidates for US Senate, Kay Hagan and Tom Tillis. It was most informative for me!

It was done by NC Public Television and also ran on Channel 15. I presume U-Tube gets it for those who wish a reprise. Normally Public Television re-runs such programs.

The format and moderation allowed each candidate plenty of leeway to make their case. I came away with a good and clear picture of each candidate. Their ads hardly do them justice. They are both most capable of representation.

The voter must decide who will represent their position the best in Washington.
( September 3rd, 2014 @ 11:55 am )
 
I don't think we have had an election in many years which deals with more real issues like busted economy / high taxes / wasted money on public projects / people with real needs of health and safety being neglected.

Will any candidate for public office dare to think and express their view along with possible solutions so I can make an "informed decision" at the voting booth???
Somebody said:
( September 3rd, 2014 @ 8:46 am )
 
It's foolish to let paid scoundrels think for you

People not doing their own research on elections should not vote.

All this money in our local elections has not resulted in clarifying the issues for the voting public. Unfortunately, this phenomenon has obscured the issues by replacing them with juvenile, dishonest, comic strips and shifting, sliding, ducking and running positions on real issues by candidates using this service.

It is depressing to know we are leaving our children a world where charlatans pay scoundrels to lead idiots around by the nose.
( September 2nd, 2014 @ 11:13 am )
 
Stan--I join you in wondering what the "every kid gets a trophy" deal accomplishes --- except to make them lazy and without ambition to do better next game!
( August 29th, 2014 @ 12:50 pm )
 
You know, I too enjoy those memories. Back then winning was important.

Now, everybody wins, every child gets a trophy.
( August 29th, 2014 @ 12:09 pm )
 
The last competitive spots I played was intramural basketball and football at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The most interesting thing was that the fundies would clip and push and do anything the could to win.

My most vivid memory was of a big, fat fundy going for me on kickoff. At the last second I ducked to his knees and sent him splattering over my shoulder. I think he might have violated his "perfection" with a cuss word even!

Man, that was more fun than a barrel of monkeys!!!
( August 29th, 2014 @ 10:06 am )
 
You may me right, however ...

As a competitive athlete, I never did much talking, disturbed my concentration too much. Instead, when I dealt with the talkers, I just played tougher defense in basketball, and in football, I tried to get a good solid hit in when they least expected it. There was a certain growl effect that left them groveling for breath or worse.

Now, when dealing dishonorable people, and people in general, I just always tell the truth, and I database everything in an extremely manageable, and efficient manner.

Actually, that is a big part of what I sell.
( August 29th, 2014 @ 9:13 am )
 
Stan--the first good coaching trick is to make you opponent mad by saying hateful things to him while facing off before the hike. You tell him his sister and mother were both delightful lovers and see if he can keep his mind on his game.

He does not realize you are smaller and a little less talented if you get him to be emotional with abject hate!
( August 29th, 2014 @ 8:44 am )
 
It's not that I know hate; Hate is a big word.

What I know all too well is stupid. I see egregious stupidity quite often, every day, and often I feel compelled to call it out.

Washington's "Three Stooges" are a great symbol faux Republicans locally, and they need to be exposed before they do anymore damage to the public, and what is left of the Republican brand.

Their lies, and rumors of lies are more a product of stupidity not hate. Where I feel stupid is ever trying to help any of them get elected, and for that I apologize to the electorate at large. Once, I finally figured out their pathetic intentions were completely dishonorable, I pulled back the help. Two years later, they go after me.

In this post, I made a promise. It is a promise I intend to keep.
( August 29th, 2014 @ 8:33 am )
 
So well said, Stan!!!

You, of all people, know first hand the horror of hate! It is totally UN-DESERVED in my view, buddy. Keep you integrity and refuse to be bled dry by keeping your mouth shut.

Until hate is put aside in favor of serving the citizens of Beaufort County we will continue to have excess evaluations on Property Tax and waste of tax money out the wazoo.
( August 28th, 2014 @ 8:49 pm )
 
That is very true, hence the correct descriptor of the group: "The Three Stooges".

However, I reckon I should have described my position better, and referred to those that seek the WSG's "consultation" as egregiously stupid, or ... quantifiablely stupid, or, simply, momentarily brain dead ... maybe politically vegetative.

These are not words of condescension, because, I too have helped two of these "Stooges" to further their political careers. Now, I will exist on a 180 degree vector from that misapplication of valuable resources - time I will never get back; however, I am in a fine position to rectify that personal naivete, should I be called to do so.
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