Comments by Gene Scarborough | Eastern North Carolina Now

The Washington Post addresses the SC Confederate flag issue:

www.washingtonpost.com

Commented: Sunday, June 21st, 2015 @ 11:42 am By: Gene Scarborough

Depending on the denomination, Pastors have protection or "all at risk." I know too many who look at their retirement account numbers before taking any stand. The ones who stay the longest either have a good church with good laypeople or they rule like the new King Pastors of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Independent Baptists have "a way" under the democracy of their churches --- the Pastor has the deed to the property in his name since he started that church! Methodists avoid the issue because the denomination owns all the property rights and their top-down structure goes from Denomination Headquarters to District to local church. Preachers are assigned to their churches and no local group can dismiss them. They are assigned by the District Superintendent.

Catholics totally control their clergy and churches straight down from the Pope, Cardinals, and Bishops. Amazingly, they take in new and strange groups so they get the bucks from them even if they are somewhat crazy. The Catholic Charismatic Movement is the classic example of "spirit-controlled" folks being included as long as they give to Rome!

Here, in eastern NC, Baptists are biggest followed by Methodists and Presbyterians. In this particular corner the Church of Christ (Christian Church) is the most numerous and that is a "NC exception." The reason is they have schools at Wilson and Elizabeth City which produce clergy for the many churches around here.

Commented: Saturday, June 20th, 2015 @ 1:37 pm By: Gene Scarborough

Ted---you live in the same Atlanta metro I grew up in. A black person speaking perfect British English blew my mind years ago on a visit I made to England.

Us Southerners expect the slang of the black south and that does not exist in England---except for the Cockney accents of the lower classes. All societies make a quick distinction over the way a person speaks . . .

Commented: Saturday, June 20th, 2015 @ 1:11 pm By: Gene Scarborough

"The Nature of Prejudice" is the book. The link gives you the PDF on it so you can read the entire thing for yourself and decide on its validity . . .

Commented: Saturday, June 20th, 2015 @ 12:59 pm By: Gene Scarborough

Oops --- Wayne Dyer . . .

Commented: Friday, June 19th, 2015 @ 6:30 am By: Gene Scarborough

The Great Depression struck over several years although the official day Wall Street fell apart is at the end of this article's beginning note we might be getting in trouble.

The corporate and rich theory of today is "always use other people's money." That means rich folks own banks until they are bought out by more paper transactions and stock transfers than a slick Philadelphia Lawyer can imagine! A quick look at "Wall Street," the movie give the insider traders view of GREED.

I believe Oliver Stone's father was a broker at such so take it as "modern day biblical observation." Remember the Gecko comment: GREED is GOOD. Bull---greed landed him in a federal prison for his shenanigans. . .NEVER put any money in any stock you can't afford to loose --- YOU CAN BANK ON IT!

Commented: Thursday, June 18th, 2015 @ 9:38 am By: Gene Scarborough

Great old time article written in the ear just before the Great Depression struck. It is called the Roaring 20's where all people in the US thought the party and drink were the rewards of having money---far more than any wise investing. The best investing is in land because "God ain't making any more of it!"

The best Economics 101 rule I have ever heard came from the Kingfisher of Amos 'n Andy fame. He was the scheming businessman on the show with the fine zoot suit. He said:

"If yo' out go exceeds yo' in come --- yo' up keep will be yo' down fall!"

Wise people who want a future NEVER forget it!!!

Commented: Thursday, June 18th, 2015 @ 7:23 am By: Gene Scarborough

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution sums up the activity:

www.ajc.com

Commented: Wednesday, June 17th, 2015 @ 5:03 pm By: Gene Scarborough

Nice thoughts / nice pics --- when the clouds are "just right" you better have your camera "just handy and right." Stan, you did both---THANX!!!

Commented: Wednesday, June 17th, 2015 @ 4:57 pm By: Gene Scarborough

We are an ENTERTAINMENT WORLD these days. Normal thinking is not part of the picture anymore. In the day of only print news, you took it in and pondered it. Next, came the radio world where words drew people close to the little box in the corner and, again, imagination was involved along with the ability to listen.

Now, "If it bleeds, it leads / if it burns or wrecks, it's next." After a bit you become like my aged mother in her elder years of seeing Atlanta News. The awful stuff could be 60 miles away, but she just knew it was in her back yard!!! Living in a world of bleeding, wrecking, robbery, and killing is not good for old folks.

Commented: Wednesday, June 17th, 2015 @ 9:38 am By: Gene Scarborough

I spoke --- none of the Commissioners seemed to take in. No one was taking notes even. The others got the same stone faces by and large. I think we have reached the point we feel we are wasting our time with folks whose minds are already made up!

Nobody I talk with is happy with their Property Taxes, but they all shrug their shoulders and say, "They are going to do what they are going to do and we are already screwed by them . . ."

On the other hand, I know of NO ONE who would complain with a 30% decrease in taxes in this difficult time. It the Commissioners want to go down as the best bunch of representatives ever---they would take notes, help the people in a hard time, encourage all departments to do as the Sheriff has done~~~REDUCE SPENDING!

Commented: Wednesday, June 17th, 2015 @ 9:28 am By: Gene Scarborough

The Internet and its freedom are at the core of "Freedom and Justice for ALL."

Our Forefathers came from the oppression of the Old World. It had reached the point only the rich and powerful had a say in most anything. If you were Royalty and had a Title, you had a say---otherwise you slaved to get enough to eat and wear.

People lived in hovels while the Rich Ones enjoyed their fine castles and food galore. The New World offered, at its core, OPPORTUNITY / FREE SPEECH / RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. An Open Internet is the New World of today's electronically connected world.

I applaude the FCC now having a basic rule of "Anyone with a connection can say and do whatever they please. Just remember that in America, since 9/11---we are being watched as never before! I sometimes do transaction via Western Union or Moneygram. About 3 years ago a white government-tagged car cam in my yard. Out of it came 2 investigators who presented me with their Homeland Security business cards. They were both nice, but full of questions over some recent transactions I had made. They had a file folder with the original copies of my transactions. They asked if they might take my computer in as part of their investigation. I knew if I did not comply they could come back later with a court order to seize it.

I had nothing to hide so I consented. It was back within 5 days. I know little about how spies can operate and assume they found nothing of interest. Did they imbed any software that put me on their IPS? Who knows.

The most frightening thing in this was a letter sent to me within that same week. In essence it said, I "might" be called to Federal Court in New Bern and would be well-advised to employ Counsel, should that occur!

Do I feel threatened --- HELL YES
Did I get any letter or call to court --- NO, thank God
Do I feel my privacy as an American is invaded --- HELL TRIPLE-YES!!!

Commented: Wednesday, June 17th, 2015 @ 6:23 am By: Gene Scarborough

The actual Greek translates "husband of one wife." Go figure, Ted. Most things have room for interpretation. I would not deny a good man (or woman) the honor of the diaconate as long as they did their best to make their first marriage work and then went on to a real one later.

I would certainly prefer such to some choir singing jerks who got elected because they were seen or sang good. . . It is a spiritual office to help solve problems and help minister.

Commented: Tuesday, June 16th, 2015 @ 3:40 pm By: Gene Scarborough

"I bend a sympathetic ear
To other people's woes
It matters not how hard to hear
Their real or fancied throes
I pay to every single line
Attention undiminished ----

Because I plan to start on mine
The minute theirs is finished!!!

Commented: Tuesday, June 16th, 2015 @ 1:58 pm By: Gene Scarborough

Thanks, Stan for the good and honest coverage. It is hard to pay my taxes with a smile when I have no say in anything decided by the Ruling Board of Directors instead of Representatives of the People.

I grew up in the world of Baptist Democracy with my father being the Preacher and, later, doing the same as I pastored some dozen churches in my career. The major difference between the Baptist Church and Board of Commissioners is their power to tax.

In the church you can shame and encourage people to tithe (10%), but you cannot make them do it! It is a matter of a willing heart and something you have a say in each time. If I don't pay my Property Tax, the law allows for it to be taken and sold on the courthouse steps to pay them.

That is a fearsome power which should be handled wisely, in my view. It appears our Commissioners do not care to listen to us who pay the freight. One lady addressed the Board with her concerns over school funding. Another man praised the new Sheriff who has adjusted his budget down by a great percentage. Others, including me, gave our views that the Property Tax is most excessive right now.

That is Commissioner Richardson's honest view trampled over by 6-1 along with attempts to meet outside the public eye. That is not Democrat nor Republican wisdom at work!

I have actually met and know honest politicians and businessmen in my life. They might have gotten rich and powerful, but NEVER forget they are servants and co-workers with all who voted them into office.

The old adage: "Pride goeth before a fall" comes to mind.

By the way ~~~ you and I are more than AGREED on this one . . .

Commented: Tuesday, June 16th, 2015 @ 8:22 am By: Gene Scarborough

Then, Stan ---are you one of the wealthy or corps with bucks which went down too?

Commented: Monday, June 15th, 2015 @ 3:23 pm By: Gene Scarborough

You are the first I have heard say this---what was your secret to avoiding your increase, if you will, sir . . .

Commented: Monday, June 15th, 2015 @ 2:51 pm By: Gene Scarborough