Let a court decide Cawthorn’s accusations
To the Editor:
In your article, “Words matter: Rhetoric became rage in D.C. insurrection,” Rep. Madison Cawthorn admits that he cannot prove fraud in the presidential election, but is quoted as saying “.what I can prove is that the Constitution was definitely subverted and circumvented.” He does not share his proof so we, his constituents, can evaluate his position, but there is a larger question.
For over 200 years, the courts and especially the United State Supreme Court have been the arbiters of constitutional questions, not individual congressmen. If we want to leave a functioning republic to future generations, we need to respect our institutions and let them fulfill their proper roles. Anyone can have opinions about what is and is not constitutional, but if every one of our 535 representatives and senators think they understand the constitution better than the courts, we will have chaos.
Help clean up the Tuckasegee River with Trout Unlimited at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. The group will meet at the church parking lot near the Webs.
Rathbone hired for state ag role
Waynesville resident Kaleb Rathbone is now serving as an assistant commissioner to N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, overseeing Western N.C. agricultural programs and small farms.
Rathbone most recently served as director of the Research Stations Division, leading the state’s 18 research stations scattered from the mountains to the coasts. Prior to that he was superintendent of the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville for nearly eight years and served as that station’s research specialist for more than five years. He replaces Bill Yarborough, who recently retired as special assistant to the commissioner and will assume additional duties and oversight as an assistant commissioner.
People must be held accountable
Sedition: “conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state.”
Terrorism: “the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.”
The Trump “rally” was clearly sedition, and the subsequent riot was clearly terrorism. Those who spoke at the rally are clearly guilty of sedition.
The entire rally was based on the lie that the election was stolen from Trump. No one has presented any evidence that there was voter fraud of any magnitude during the 2020 election. If there had been enough fraud to change the outcome of the election there would be evidence of that. There is none.
National forests announce seasonal road closures
Seasonal closures in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests have begun, with affected roads closed to motorized vehicles through April. Planned opening dates may change depending on weather.
These closures help reduce road maintenance costs and decrease wildlife disturbance, allowing the animals to conserve energy while food is scarce. During long bouts of adverse weather, roads may also be closed to protect public safety. Emergency closures can occur at any time. Contact the district ranger office for information about current road conditions.
Pisgah Ranger District
The following roads will be closed until weather and road conditions improve: Avery Creek (FSR 477) from the horse stable to U.S. 276, Yellow Gap (FSR 1206), Headwaters (FSR 475B), Wash Creek (FSR 5000), Bent Creek (FSR 479) from Ledford Branch to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pilot Mountain Road (FSR 229) and Courthouse Creek (FSR 140).