Funeral Services Held for Sgt. 1st Class Brad Thomas
- By Gilbert Scales
Funeral services for Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Bradford “Brad” Thomas were held at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, on Sunday afternoon.
Sgt. Thomas was killed along with two of his fellow soldiers by a suicide bomber while on patrol in the city of Khowst, the Capital of Khowst Province, 95 miles southeast of Kabul.
Brad Thomas graduated from Travelers Rest High School in 2000 and went to work with Charter Media.
After Sept. 11, 2001, he enlisted in the S.C. Army National Guard, and was first deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
He was a member of the 133rd Military Police Company, 51st Military Police Battalion in Florence, SC.
The Company was deployed to Afghanistan last November to assist in the training of the Afghan Military and local police officials.
Sgt. Brad Thomas was buried with full military honors, including a Caisson pulled by two mounted horses for the last two miles to Nine Forks Baptist Church in Dacusville.
Patriotic citizens, including small children with American flags, were standing on both sides of the road leading to the church cemetery.
The American Flag was presented to his wife, his father and his mother by a US Army Officer.
The South Carolina State Flag was presented to his wife by Howard Metcalf, Director of Veterans Affairs Office in Columbia.
Sgt. Thomas is survived by his wife Jana, and son Cayden, and his parents, Bud and Marsha Thomas of Easley.
Republicans Angry About Obamacare
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Will Angry Conservatives Remain Energized Until November Election?
Four days after the US Supreme Court declared Obamacare constitutional, pollster Scott Rasmussen informed Newsmax that Conservative anger against Obamacare is hitting “stratospheric levels.”
U. S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) said, “The Supreme Court may have failed to stop this government takeover of health care, but the American people will not. Since the day this law was rammed through Congress, the American people have demanded repeal, and today’s ruling doesn’t make Obamacare any less dangerous to our nation’s health. Freedom-loving Americans are disappointed, but we cannot be discouraged.”
Mike Fair Holds Senate Seat
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Tommie Reece May Challenge As Petition Candidate In General Election
State Senator Mike Fair has won the Republican nomination to keep his seat in the State Senate. He defeated challenger Chris Sullivan, leading him by 499 votes out of 6,395 cast.
School board member Tommie Reece was removed from the ballot by a Supreme Court decision. She sued the state and election commission, but was denied by the court. Her supporters are saying she will collect signatures and challenge Fair in the General Election as a petition candidate. If she does that, she will have to give up her school board seat. Filing for school board opens in mid July.
Donna Wood Defeats Steve Parker
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Donna Wood, above, speaking at the Greenville RINO Hunt meeting last Friday, defeated incumbent State Representative Steve Parker in the Republican Primary contest in Spartanburg House District 37. Rep. Parker was one of the “Spartanburg Six” that killed the school choice bill last year.
Square Parsons
- By Keith Crowe
This week I am featuring one of the true gentlemen in Southern Gospel Music. This artist is none other than Squire Parsons. Squire is from a little town in West Virginia called Newton, which is about fifty miles from Charleston. He stated that his farther was active in the music program of his local church and also was part of a local quartet. Other members of Squire’s family were also active in music in one way or the other in the different churches located in the area.
Plot to Steal 2012 Presidential Election
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Rank and file Democrats across the nation are worried. They are fearful that their party will lose the 2012 presidential election and the senate. You can see some of them on the liberal television networks and occasionally on FOX. They are almost in a state of panic.
The relatively small group of insiders close to President Barack Obama, however, are not worried at all. In fact they are a little cocky. Could we safely say they are downright arrogant? This group of advisers and czars are confident that their plan will bring victory at the polls or at least an illusion of victory.
Preacher, Pilot, WWII Vet Sam Sarvis Passes Away
- By Jeff West
Sam Lloyd Sarvis, Sr. of Loris, S.C., passed away on February 28 after a long illness. Times Examiner readers may remember a 2006 series of articles about his incredible Christian testimony and may have seen his subsequent appearance on Channel 16’s Nightline, when he was interviewed by Greta Campbell. A very humble man, he held two doctorates but insisted upon being addressed as “Mr.” His life was a unique and inspirational witness to the incredible power of God, as he spread the Gospel for virtually his entire life. Mr. Sarvis leaves behind a son Samuel, daughter Sheila, and brother Dave. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Lee Bright Survives John Hawkins
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Palmetto State’s Most Conservative Senator Holds His Seat
Incumbent Senator Lee Bright retained his District 12 State Senate seat in the Republican Primary over challenger John Hawkins. The district covers parts of both Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. Bright carried precincts in both counties by almost two to one.
In Greenville County, Bright received 1,355 votes or 64.46 percent to 747 votes and 35. 54 percent for Hawkins.
Mike Barnes Tromps Joe Baldwin for District 18 County Council Seat in Republican Primary
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
All Other County Council Members Win Primaries
Few observers thought Mike Barnes had even a slight chance of defeating Joe Baldwin in the GOP Primary race for Greenville County Council in District 18. Baldwin is a former member of Greer City Council who replaced Councilman Tony Trout when he was convicted of a federal crime and sent to the federal prison in West Virginia.
Some of the District 18 constituents thought Baldwin remained loyal to the city of Greer and paid less attention to the rural parts of the district. Barnes was apparently able to tap into that sentiment and rack up votes outside the city.
Barnes received 1,103 votes or 55.54 percent of the vote to 883 and 44.46 percent for Baldwin.
Tom Corbin Wins Big in Senate District 6
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Wyatt Miler out of Race
Rep. Tom Corbin beat Amanda Tieder Somers more than two to one in the District 5 State Senate Republican Primary. Corbin received 2,404 votes or 66.29 percent to Somers’ 1,139 votes or 31.39 percent.
Corbin won in all the precincts outside Greer and Somers won in 3 Greer precincts by a slight margin.
Corbin defeated Incumbent Harry Cato two years ago and became the District 17 state representative. When Phil Shoopman suddenly announced that he was withdrawing from the race as the incumbent state senator, leaving only Somers on the ballot, the state Republican Party opened the filing period and allowed other candidates to file in accordance with state law. Tom Corbin and Wyatt Miler filed for the office.
The White House Secret Kill List
- By Chuck Baldwin
In a recent column posted on LewRockwell.com, Judge Andrew Napolitano highlighted a recent New York Times investigative report that reveals how President Barack Obama is engaging in secret assassinations worldwide. Judge Napolitano begins, “The leader of the government regularly sits down with his senior generals and spies and advisers and reviews a list of the people they want him to authorize their agents to kill. They do this every Tuesday morning when the leader is in town. The leader once condemned any practice even close to this, but now relishes the killing because he has convinced himself that it is a sane and sterile way to keep his country safe and himself in power. The leader, who is running for re-election, even invited his campaign manager to join the group that decides whom to kill.
The Enemy is Ruling South Carolina
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
A preacher once informed me that: “We don’t want to anger Satan, it will cause dissension in the church.” The same advice would apply to the members of the South Carolina legislature, election commission, ethics commission and Supreme Court. When conservative Republicans began insisting that elected officials with an “R” following their name conform to the Republican Party Platform or be replaced, the pretenders panicked and disrupted the entire legislative and electoral system in order to protect their positions of power. The South Carolina General Assembly, theoretically controlled and dominated by a majority of Republicans and the Supreme Court Judges they appointed and re-appoint every ten years, have disenfranchised thousands of South Carolina voters by removing their candidates from party primary ballots.
Dill Presented Judah P. Benjamin Award by UDC
- By Pam Evans
Bob Dill, founder and publisher of The Times Examiner, received the Judah P. Benjamin award No. 406 from Winnie Davis Chapter No. 442, United Daughters of the Confederacy. The award was presented by Mrs. Dona Morgan, President of Winnie Davis No. 442, UDC in Greenville at a joint meeting of the Winnie Davis Chapter and the Greenville 16th Regiment SCV Camp 36.
The Award and Certificate presented to Dill recognizes outstanding endeavors characterized by the publishing of feature articles that honor the South and the Confederacy.
Martha Rogers Van Schaick, President General, UDC and Jeanell R. Kutterer, General Chairman, Judah P. Benjamin Committee signed the award certificate.
Greenville County Community Patrol Deputies … Improving Our Quality of Life
- By Tammy Johnston
What is the role of a Greenville County Community Patrol Deputy and how do they make a difference in the lives of our communities?
Deputy Brown is a Greenville County Community Patrol Deputy and a Certified Crime Prevention Specialist for the Mauldin, Simpsonville, and Fountain Inn areas. He affirms that “We are a liaison with the Greenville County Sheriff’s office; to provide crime prevention knowledge and understanding in our communities, build relationships with them in order to provide the residents a higher quality of life.”
Religious Freedom Rally at Greenville County Square
- By Henry Pickard
Several hundred concerned citizens, activists, families, clergy-members and local media gathered on the parking lot of Greenville County Square at noon Friday for a “Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally.” Dr. Tony Beam served as master of ceremonies and opened the Rally with a prayer and singing of The Star Spangled Banner. He clearly stated, “This rally is non-denominational, non-partisan and not ecumenical in purpose.” He introduced the opening speaker, Josh Kimbrell, local radio and conservative activist. He was followed by Lenna Neill, CEO, Piedmont Women’s Center and Fr. Dwight Logennecker, Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church. Also speaking to the assembled crowd were Suzette Jordan, Constituent Services Representative in Congressman Trey Gowdy’s Greenville office, Kristie Killough, RN and mother of six, and Valerie Baronkin, Piedmont Deanery Respect for Life Coordinator.
The Nashville Connection Heroes Salute presents the American Veteran Traveling Tribute
- By Anna Owens
The Nashville Connection Heroes Salute has teamed up with the esteemed sponsors Heritage Funeral Home and Mr. William Stubbs to bring the American Veterans Traveling Tribute, a portable scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to Greenville’s TD Convention Center for public display June 27-July 1st. The four- day tribute provides a moving opportunity to honor, respect and remember the men and women of the US Armed Forces who served in the Vietnam War.
Supreme Court Orders Second Wave of Decertified Candidates
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Tommie Reece and Wyatt Milar off the Ballot in Greenville County
Democrat complaints against Republicans in Florence County resulted in another court decision that impacted candidates across the Palmetto State. In Greenville County, two senate candidates who have hundreds of signs on display in Senate Districts Five and Six were notified that they are no longer official candidates. Although their names will appear on the ballots and many absentee ballots have already been cast, County Director of Elections Conway Belangia said their votes will not be counted.
The Time Is Now for Crisis Preparedness
- By Dr. Thomas Kendall, Sr.
Having just returned from New Jersey where I attended the quarterly board meeting of the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons, I realized how critically important a crisis medical preparedness strategy has become. The AAPS is the organization which represents patients and physicians in a public forum for the defense of the private practice of medicine. With the Supreme Court's decision on the misnamed Affordable Care Act forthcoming in June, the potential for extreme and innovative measures looms likely for the preservation of essential principles which have created and maintained the highest quality medical care in the world. Although many important factors must be in place to ensure this highest quality, the necessary and most important component must be the vigilant guarding of the patient/physician relationship.
The Obama Justice Department Takes Another Stand for Voter Fraud
- By Dr. Tony Beam
If you are a science fiction fan you know that a popular story line in science fiction stories is the alternative universe theory. From Star Trek to Lord of the Rings fiction writers have advanced the idea that there are multiple alternative universes in various time frames that allow for all sorts of fantastic storylines and otherwise implausible and illogical outcomes. In Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Peregrin Took (Pippin) finds the allure of Saruman’s crystal (palantir) to be irresistible. When he takes it from Gandalf he is treated to a vision of what Middle Earth will be like if Sauron’s forces are successful. It is an alternative universe that happily for the Hobbits never comes to pass. In Star Trek The Next Generation it seems the crew of the Enterprise is always messing with the “space/time continuum” creating all kinds of rifts in time that allow those pesky alternative universes to pop up.
Vote, Vote, Vote!
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
The Democrat and Republican primaries will be held Tuesday, June 12th. Primaries are not elections. No one is elected to public office as a result of a primary. The purpose is for political parties to select candidates to represent them in the general election in November.
Republican and Democrat presidential and vice presidential candidates will be selected by delegates from the various states and territories at conventions later in the summer. Some so-called “third party” candidates have already been selected. Delegates at conventions select most of them. All of the selected primary and convention candidates for all qualified political parties will be on the ballot for the 2012 General Election in early November. That is the only election, except special elections, where anyone is elected to any public office.
Congressman Trey Gowdy Speaker at Greenville County Memorial Day Program
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Music by Upstate Senior Concert Band, Vocalist Kay Crowe-Baine, Scottish Piper Kenneth MacCallum
The Greenville County Veterans Memorial Day program was held at County Square, Monday, May 28 at 10: 00 AM. The program featured Fourth District Congressman Trey Gowdy as guest speaker, music by the Upstate Senior Concert Band with vocalist Kay Crowe-Baine and Scottish Piper Kenneth MacCallum.
State Senator Mike Fair, Chairman of the Greenville County Legislative Delegation, presented special medallion awards to each member of the Joint Veterans Council for their participation in and planning of the Armed Forces Day Parade and the Memorial Day Ceremony.
Greenville County Schools Provides Free Summer Lunch Program
- By Press Release
Fifteen locations in Greenville County are providing free lunches and breakfasts* from Monday, June 4 through Friday, August 17 for any child 18 years of age or younger. Meals are provided without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion or national origin. Some sites require enrollment in their program to receive free lunch and breakfast. Parents should contact a participating site for details and hours of service. Times may vary by location.
Greenville County GOP Sets Special Meeting to Expose RINO's
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Executive Committee Concerned About Democrat Involvement in Republican Primary
The involvement of Tommie Reece in the Senate District 6 primary race as a Republican has upset the Republican faithful. Allegations that the liberal school board member has engaged fat cat Democrats, to whom she has made campaign contributions in the past, to help turn out the Democrat vote for her in the Republican primary has added fuel to the political firestorm.
The Greenville County Republican party Executive Committee, following a lengthy, spirited discussion Monday night, voted unanimously to hold a special meeting of the committee at 7 pm on Monday, June 18 in the event a runoff in one of the county senate races involves a candidate who is a practicing Democrat according to the public record, but is engaged in mendacious conduct in order to seek election to a powerful legislative office that they could not be elected to if they were truthful.
Tony Beam says “We Are Citizens and Ambassadors.” Really?
- By James Whitfield - Clear Creek, Iowa
A “citizen” is defined as a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to his/her government and is entitled to its protection. Are Christians, therefore, really called to become loyal members of an artificial man-made entity that is, at once and by definition, at odds and at enmity with God? Does God require Christians to look to anti-God entities for protection instead of to Himself?
Was Jesus, when He said, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s,” really telling us that we owe Caesar any obligation? Caesar’s image and superscription may have been ON the gold, but Who MADE the gold (and to Whom, therefore, does it belong)?
Delegates and Alternates to GOP National Convention
- By Press Release
State Convention attendees elected at-large delegates and alternates to the Republican National Convention to be held August 27-30 in Tampa, Florida. They are listed below with each person’s vote total following:
Colonel Pittman Completes Second Air Force Career
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Colonel Benjamin C. Pittman, Jr. has completed a second career serving his country in the United States Air Force. He retired from active duty on March 31, 1993 having accumulated 2,000 flying hours in the B-52, AC-130, WC-130 and T-43 aircraft. Flying out of Thailand and Guam, he completed two “Arc Light” tours in the B-52D, logging nearly 400 combat hours over North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Children of Conferacy Convention in Greenville
- By Pam Evans
The South Carolina Division of the Children of the Confederacy held its annual Convention in Greenville, SC, on May 18-19, 2012. Joseph Evan Davis Chapter #907, CofC, was the host Chapter for the event. Winnie Davis Chapter No. 442, UDC, assisted in hosting the Convention. Young people from all over the state of South Carolina, and others from North Carolina and Georgia attended the meetings. The Convention theme was "Show Your Southern Pride." The event began on Friday evening, May 18, at the Museum and Library of Confederate History, 15 Boyce Avenue, Greenville, SC.
Greenville County Republican Women Celebrate Legislative Day in Columbia
- By Mary Ballinger
Before sunrise more than fifty women from the Greenville County Republican Women’s Club were getting ready to board their chartered bus to Columbia for the annual Legislative Day sponsored by the South Carolina Federation of Republican Women. They joined other women from across the state for breakfast and were welcomed by Chad Connelly the chairman for the SCGOP. During breakfast, they heard updates from the South Carolina Constitutional Officers – Secretary of State Mark Hammond, Treasurer Curtis Loftis, Attorney General Alan Wilson, Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, and the Secretary of Education Mick Zais.
Betty Poe Receives South Carolina Republican Party’s Highest Honor
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Mrs. Betty Poe, lifelong Greenville resident and current Chairman of the Greenville County Republican Party, was presented the Roger Milliken Award, the highest award given by the South Carolina Republican Party, during the annual Silver Elephant Banquet in Columbia, Saturday night, May 19, 2012.
The surprise award was presented by South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Chad Connelly following an address by Florida U. S. Senator Marco Rubio before an audience of more than one thousand leading Republicans.
Marco Rubio Addressed S.C. Republicans
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Senator Jim DeMint introduced Senator Marco Rubio to the audience during the Silver Elephant Banquet in Columbia on Saturday night. DeMint had encouraged Rubio to run against a popular moderate Republican.
“When I launched my campaign for the U S. Senate in 2009, I was considered a long shot and was predicted to lose big.” Rubio said. “But we prevailed on a pledge to stand up to Washington’s reckless spending and its assault on the free enterprise system. Today, I’m proud to represent Florida in the United States Senate where I’m working to fulfill my promise to restore fiscal discipline and give job creators more certainty and confidence to open new businesses or expand existing ones.”
Betty Poe Presented Roger Milliken Award
- By Press Release
Greenville County GOP Chairman Betty Poe is presented the Roger Milliken Award, the highest honor given by the South Carolina Republican Party, by State GOP Chairman Chad Connelly during the Annual Silver Elephant Banquet in Columbia, Saturday.
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