Ken Turner, a native of Greer, South Carolina, (make that “Apalache”) was named the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion “Living Legend” for 2010 by Charlie Waller during the 23rd Grand Ole Gospel Reunion at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, Saturday, August 21st, 2010.  This is an annual award presented to only one deserving individual.

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Cadet Bryce Tyson, son of Bruce and Gwen Tyson of Greenville, completed Cadet Basic Training at the U.S. Military Academy.

Tyson entered West Point June 28 and has successfully completed seven weeks of CBT.   Also referred to as "Beast Barracks," CBT is one of the most challenging events a cadet will encounter over the course of their four years at the academy.

Greenville veterans were honored with a special celebration last Saturday at Haywood Estates retirement community, located at 1180 Haywood Road.

Haywood Estates residents, members of the American Legion Post 3, and more than 60 people from the local area attended the Freedom Days event, which included a presentation of the colors, patriotic music from The Upstate Senior Band, refreshments, patriotic decorations, and a special Wall of Honor dedication.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced last week that he intends to retire next year. His retirement opens the door for the appointment of Sen. Lindsey Graham as Secretary of Defense by President Obama.

Gates was appointed to head the Department of Defense in 2006 by President George W. Bush at the insistence of Democrats who hated his predecessor Don Rumsfeld. President Bush apparently thought the sacrifice of Rumsfeld and others would satisfy them, but he was mistaken. Gates was retained as Secretary of Defense by President Obama as a “token Republican” compatible with the Obama agenda. 

The decision by Congress to socialize medicine in the US ranks among the most draconian, most egregious, most horrific actions ever taken by the central government in Washington, D.C. This bill rocks the principles of liberty and constitutional government to the core. It changes fundamental foundations; it repudiates historical principle. Oh! The same flag may fly on our flagpoles, the same monuments may grace our landscape, and the same National Anthem may be sung during our public ceremonies, but it is not the same America. The Congress of the United States has now officially turned America into a socialist state.

On March 21, 2010, Congress passed, and on March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the dreaded national health care bill into law, and as such, these dates join a list of dates that have each inflicted unconstitutional, socialistic, and sometimes even tyrannical action against the States united and have, therefore, contributed to the destruction of a free America.

The 65th Anniversary of the End of World War II

Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park honored veterans of World War II with a “Spirit of 1945 Ceremony” on Saturday, August 14, 2010.

Direct involvement of the United States in World War II began with the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The war ended in Europe on May 8, 1945; however, the Japanese were determined to fight to the death to defend their homeland. A ground invasion of Japan would cost thousands of lives on both sides. The atomic bomb shortened the war and saved both American and Japanese lives.

Filing Closed at Noon Monday with all Incumbents Challenged

Taking funds from classroom teachers, increasing debt and raising taxes during a deep recession and period of high unemployment are some of the factors attracting candidates to challenge members of the Greenville County School Board this election year.

Political opposition can change the attitude of incumbent school board members who may have been less than sensitive to their constituents during their lengthy four-year terms.

We look to Greenville to uphold our conservative values

Glenn McCall, one of South Carolina’s two national committeemen, told the Upstate Republic Women, Monday, that the Greenville County Republican Party is the benchmark that other county Republican parties strive to follow.

“We look to you to uphold our conservative values,” McCall said, citing the leadership of chairman Patrick Haddon and Dan Herren, state executive committeeman.

The proposed referendum for Sunday Alcohol Sales in unincorporated areas of Greenville County never made it to the County Council for approval on second reading. The measured was killed by a vote of 6 in favor to 5 in opposition in the Committee of the Whole. Seven votes were required to move it forward to the full council.

“Stronger Than Even in Reagan Years”

Richard A. Viguerie, one of the founders of modern conservatism and author of Conservatives Betrayed: How George W. Bush and other Big Government Republicans Hijacked the Conservative Cause, noted that voters in the Senate Republican Primary Elections in Colorado and Connecticut favored conservative candidates. Viguerie is optimistic about the outlook for the upcoming general election.

From 10-17 July, 2010, 17 Blue Ridge cadets attended Cadet Leadership School on the campus of Converse College.  There were over 300 cadets present, representing 22 high schools from North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina.  This annual event focuses on developing leadership skills, teamwork, attention to detail, self-discipline, respect for authority, and Air Force related academics.  Five Blue Ridge cadets were recognized for their outstanding performance.

With the midterm general election only 10 weeks away, many Americans are worried about whether we can count on having an honest election in view of the Obama Administration’s track record and especially the Justice Department’s handling of the New Black Panther voter intimidation case from the last election.

Editor David Kupelian has addressed the issue head-on in the current issue of Whistleblower.

Arizona's new law that requires the police to ask people to show ID, which was just knocked out by a supremacist judge, may not be the most controversial Arizona law about illegal aliens. Governor Jan Brewer signed another law this year that bans schools from teaching classes designed to promote solidarity among students of a particular ethnic group.

This law bans classes that "promote the overthrow of the United States government" or "promote resentment toward a race or class of people" because schools should treat all pupils as individual Americans. The issue arose because the Tucson School District offers courses in Mexican-American studies (known locally as Raza Studies) that focus on that particular group and its influence.

Northwood Middle School Math Teacher

Greenville County Schools Superintendent Phinnize J. Fisher announced the selection of Wakesha Fogle, Northwood Middle School mathematics teacher, as the 2010-11 Greenville County Teacher of the Year.

Kansas City, MO - August 6, 2010 - South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd today announced that South Carolina will retain its unique status as the nation's First in the South Republican Presidential Primary, with a new rule passed by the Republican National Committee.

The date of the primary will likely be set in late February of 2012, after the Iowa and New Hampshire contests. All other states are encouraged by the new rule to have their contests in April, but can go in March so long as they award their delegates on a proportional basis.

Left to right: Lewis and Lila Vaughn with Bob and Marlene Dowd at the Abbeville Opera House to see, "Man of Constant Sorrows, The Story of the Stanley Brothers" and their struggle to become part of mainstream bluegrass music.

So Much for Campaign Promises of “No Tax Increased for Middle Class”

Unless the Democrat dominated Congress acts before December 31, 2010, Americans of all income levels will face massive tax increases despite the appealing promises of “no tax increases for those making less than $200,000,” made by Candidate Barack Obama before becoming President of the United States.

Rowena Booker, at right, and fellow Conservative. See the story of the South Carolina Black Conservative Movement Anti-Illegal Immigration Rally with photographs and comments by Rowena Booker, Charles Earley and others on Page 5.

More Than 200 Military Physicians Sign Letter to Senators

The 16,000 member Christian Medical Association has sent a letter to US Senators signed by more than 200 military physicians who have served U. S. Soldiers asking them to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act for 2011. The act contains

an amendment by Sen. Roland Burris that would remove restrictions on performing abortions in military facilities.

As I left the Petersburg National Battlefield, about which I wrote last week, I turned right onto Crater Road. I did not have far to go before I found another site of historic interest – Blandford Church.

I pulled right onto the grounds of the extensive cemetery, drove around a bit, then parked near the church in order to get a photo. Unfortunately the photo turned out rather dark. (I am definitely getting a digital camera before my next trip.) It was evening time and the building was closed for tours for the day, but I later looked up the church on the internet and found some information.