January 2012

Frightful or delightful? Local weather projected for 2012 — Pg. 4 LLE I V HE AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER

January 2012

Vol. 8, No. 2

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Leftists taking U.S. on totalitarian path, filmmaker charges

Funeral held for death of Bill of Rights

On the three-month anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, members of Occupy Asheville held a series of activities Dec. 17 in downtown Asheville to mourn what the group termed the “death of civil liberties.” Specifically, the OA billed its event as recognizing the “local and national loss of rights, Bradely Manning’s detention and passage of the

Daily Planet Staff Photo

Defense Authorization Act.” In blustery cold weather, about 30 protesters gathered first in Pritchard Park for a funeral, after which several pall-bearers were selected to carry a casket for the Bill of Rights (above) to the steps of Asheville City Hall, where a candlelight vigil was held. A story on the protest appears on Page 16.

By JOHN NORTH HORSE SHOE — Former Idaha state Rep. Curtis Bowers said America’s communist movement has been tremendously successful and is rapidly transforming the culture, putting it on a trajectory that will eventually result in a loss of individual freedom and totalitarian control by certain elites.

Bowers, producer of the 2010 anti-communism documentary “Agenda: Grinding America Down,” addressed about 50 people during “An Evening With Curtis Bowers” program at Grass Roots Café here Dec. 2. After his speech, Bowers fielded questions from the crowd.

His documentary is promoted as “an exposé on the socialist movement in America, and highlights the trail from the Fabian Socialist Society in Britain in 1883 up to the Oval Office in 2009 ... The only way to fight an enemy is to know him, to understand his strategy and his goals” in “the war that is being waged in American homes, in American schools, in our broadcast and print news media, in our political system and in our churches.”

During his Horse Shoe talk, Bowers said of the communists, “They’re changing our country by capturing the hearts and minds of our children.”

He also charged that the leftist agenda includes — among other concerns — elimination of all laws, promoting pornography and obscenity, infiltrating churches and replacing “revealed religion” and “discrediting the Bible” with “a whole philosophy that puts man above God ....

“Ninety percent of seminary students don’t believe the Bible is God’s word,” Bowers said, in citing recent surveys. “They’ve been very successful.”

While some American may think communism is dead, Bowers contended that it only has been renamed. He said it is presented now as socialism, progressive thought and social justice. “And if you look at their entire list, they are horrifyingly close to realizing their goals,” he said.

See TOTALITARIAN, Page 15

Immigration protesters express rage over raid From Staff Reports A recent immigration raid in which 12 workers — allegedly in the United States illegally — were arrested at Shogun Buffet in Asheville triggered a Dec. 18 protest in downtown Asheville.

Despite chilly weather, the midday gathering drew about 100 people to the Vance Monument area in Pack Square.

The program began about 35 minutes late and featured several speeches. Then, the contingent marched around the downtown streets, chanting “No more raids” and various other slogans. Among the signs they carried were “Justice for the Shogun 12” and “ICE out of our communities.”

The marchers paused twice — at Pritchard Park and at the Buncombe County Courthouse.

Among those present at the protest were some of the arrested workers, including Audencio Diaz, 23, of Asheville. He marched with his wife and 1-year-old daughter. The Guatamala native was a cook at Shogun and, in various media reports, expressed fear about how he will provide for his family. After being jailed in Hender-

sonville for four days prior to his release, Diaz will face a deportation hearing in Charlotte at an as-yet-undetermined date.

The Dec. 1 raid of the Brevard Road eatery was staged by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Some protesters said the raid ran counter to a recent Obama administration policy change focusing immigration enforcement on criminal activities and threats to the public.

The protesters were asking for an end to deportation hearings against the Shogun 12 and for humane immigration reform.

Of the 12 arrested, nine have posted a $2,000 bond each, allowing for their release from the Henderson County Jail, which is the local ICE holding center. The remaining three workers are being held at the regional ICE facility in Georgia.

An elected official attending the protest rally — and marching — was Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell, who told the Daily Planet in an interview, “I think our immigration laws and immigration enforcement is misguided. There are people who have waited 15 years to move through our immigration system.”

Bothwell, who also is running for the seat now held by Rep. Heath Shuler, DWaynesville, added, “There are people who want to work and jobs needing to be done.

We should speed up the process ....

“Give green cards immediately,” he said.

Bothwell then slightly modified his answer to say that green cards should be approved “as soon as possible.”

He also called for “a reasonable fasttrack to full citizenship.” On the critical side, Bothwell said, “Something should be applied against employers who violate the law — not the workers. He also said that, “in this raid,” the workers should have been issued a “warning” before being arrested.

“Illegal workers are usually willing to work cheapr because they do not have legal recourse” with their employers, he said.

As for contentions that illegal workers are taking jobs away from American citizens, Bothwell said, “Farm and restaurant jobs are available to Americans (too). They should go apply” for those jobs.

“The truth is, there haven’t been enough U.S. workers who want to work on farms and in restaurants,” Bothwell added.

Emily Blanco, 5, daughter of Ruth Blanco of Asheville, holds a “No more raids!” sign at the Dec. 18 immigration protest in Asheville.

2 —January 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet

Asheville Daily Planet — January 2012 — 3

4 - January 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet

Expert predicts milder-than-normal winter for area From Staff Reports A relatively mild winter was predicted for the Asheville area by retired meteorologist Tom Ross during his Dec. 6 lecture at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College’s Ferguson Auditorium.

“December 2011 looks quite mild, after Wednesday (Dec. 7). I don’t think we’ll get any major snow ‘til after Christmas,” Ross said. (Asheville just got a dusting of snow that night.)

“The remainder of the winter will play a tug of war between warm and normal” and “to wet, alternating with dry and cold.”

However, he also predicted “above-average” snowfall for the Asheville area this winter, at 15-plus inches. For downtown Asheville, he said the average winter snowful is 13.5 inches.

Ultimately, Ross said with a grin, “When you come right down to it, only God knows for sure” about the weather.

His hour-long talk, “The Long-Range Winter Forecast for Western North Carolina,” was the fourth in A-B Tech’s Institute for Climate Education lecture series spanning 2011-12. About 40 people attended.

Ross was introduced by meteorologist Pamela McCown, who noted that he would be addressing the question of: “What is going to happen this winter?” She also pointed out that the “meteorological winter” runs from Dec. 1 through the last day of February.

After five relatively mild winters, Asheville and Western North Carolina had experienced two “gnarly winters” in a row, said McCown, who is director of communications and outreach for Education Research Services Inc., and vice president of the board of Colburn Earth Science Museum located on Pack Square in downtown Asheville.

Ross, who lives in Fairview, began by noting that he has “been in weather for about 35 years.” He recently retired from the National Climatic Data Center. Prior to that, he worked for AccuWeather, a weather media company that provides for-profit weather forecasting services worldwide.

“Meteorologists have thick skins, so it’s OK if you throw tomatoes,” he told the crowd. “A lot of people call us ‘knuckleheads.’ Yeah, we take the butt of the jokes in the media.”

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He added, “I look at it (meteorology) as an art and a science. After I got out of Penn State, I worked for AccuWeather for 10 years.”

In contemplating developments during his career, Ross said, “We’ve come a long way in weather and climate science.”

Predicting the weather in the Asheville area is particularly challenging, he noted, because the elevation ranges from 2,000 feet in the valleys to 4,000 feet atop the peaks of Madison County. Ross said it would not be unusual for the temperature to be 37 degrees in downtown Asheville — and a much warmer 47 degrees at the airport.

Options “for getting the weather” include the National Weather Service, AccuWeather and Ray’s Weather, “up at Appalachian State” in Boone.

“I really recommend Ray,” Ross said.

“He does a really good job on winter weather.”

In speaking of a major influence on weather, Ross said, “There’s so much water on earth,” noting that it compromises 75 percent of the planet’s surface.

He then defined La Niña and El Niño as “drivers of the currents in the atmosphere,” with the former bringing “cooler than normal” weather, and the latter, “warmer than normal” temperatures.

In noting that meteorologists “always hedge their bets,” he said, “We’re in a La Niña pattern right now,” which is a “very important” fact for farmers and others in agriculture to know. He also said, “Look for the La Niña effect through March.”

He predicted there would be some snow the next night — Dec. 7 — “a dusting to an inch, depending on where you live.”

“Forecasting is like baking a cake, OK?” Ross said. “We don’t even know of some of the ingredients in it ... So there are a lot of things that go into the soup” for predictions.

“One of the phrases we’ve got in weather forecasting is: ‘Canada didn’t close the picket fences,’” referring to cold weather arriving in the area.

Prior to the settlers entering what became north Buncombe County, Weaverville was known as “Dry Ridge” to the Indians “because it’s so dry,” averaging just 37 inches annually in rainfall, Ross said.

“The warmest January on record” in Asheville was in 1950, when the average temperature was 51.6 degrees, Ross said.

“It was more like April. Everything came out (bloomed) in late January.” After that, “it got cold and there was snow the rest of the winter.”

In contrast, Asheville’s coldest winter was in January 1977, while its coldest recorded tempterature was minus-16 degrees on Jan. 21, 1985. The city’s deepest snowfall was 25.5 inches in February 1969.

“Sixty-four percent of the time, our snowfall is 15 inches or less,” Ross said.

He added, “When you have two atypical years, you don’t normally get a third ...

There could be a lot of snow in North Buncombe and nothing around the airport (to the south). That’s often the case — and the school system is getting smarter by closing parts and opening parts of the system on snow days.”

In speaking of nearby high-altitude Boone, Ross marveled, “Boone’s snowfall is between double and triple ours,” as it averages 42 inches per winter.

In a question-and-answer session, someone asked if the yearly numbers for ice, snow and rain are measured at the Asheville Regional Airport in Fletcher, or in downtown Asheville.

“When you hear the numbers, it’s usually from the Asheville airport. They manned that beginning in 1964 ... There are many (weather) stations around the region,” he noted.

A woman noted that on Sunset Mountain near the Grove Park Inn in North Asheville, “it tends to snow on one slope and not on another.”

Ross acknowledged that he has seen that pattern.

To some other questions, Ross said, “Our weather here (in the Asheville area) is fairly tranquil. We get snow, but winters

Tom Ross last only a week or two.”

A man asked, “What the difference between ‘partly cloudy’ and ‘party sunny?’”

As the crowd laughed, Ross said, “There’s basically not much difference.”

In general, Ross asserted, “Everybody uses the same weather data ... A lot of people take that data and make different models and forecasts ... The secret is putting as much information in the beginning of the forecast to ‘wow’ people.”

In a critique of Ross’ profession, a man suggested that a meteorologist needs to “open the window and look outside before you make a forecast.”

“That’s right,” Ross said, agreeably.

A woman said that after the open cut was made in the mountain near downtown, “it’s affected the weather” in Asheville.

“Yes, it’s possible,” Ross replied.

“Whenever you change the terrain,” it can change the local weather.

Asheville Daily Planet — January 2012 - 5

Despite weak economy, Asheville, Buncombe officials cite gains

By JOHN NORTH The local economy is relatively rough, but through cost cuts and efficiency improvements, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County have managed to not only stay afloat, but to progress, two leading municipal officials said during a Dec. 9 “issues meeting” of the Council of Independent Business Owners.

City Manager Gary Jackson and County Manager Wanda Greene addressed, respectively, “the states of” the City of Asheville and Buncombe County, during an earlymorning session in the food court at Biltmore Square Mall in southwest Asheville.

The program drew about 80 people.

Jackson was invited by CIBO to address questions that included: “What are the emerging issues that the city is facing?” and “How are revenues/expenditures stacking up?”

Questions Greene was asked to address included: “How is the economy affecting the county?” “Are revenues meeting expectations?” and “What is the status of the courthouse addition?”

Speaking first, Jackson said, “I’m really thankful for the opportunity” to serve the city. With a note of pride, he added, “We’ve had over 100 applicants for police chief.

We’ve created a place where professionals want to live.”

Jackson then noted that “we’re all in this together ... Since the economy turned (down) in 2008, we’ve done everything we could to reduce costs ... When someone retires, we don’t replace them.”

He acknowledged, however, that “there are tradeoffs ... Cost cutting can only go so far. Gaining market share ultimately is important.”

Referring to Asheville’s high numbers in national accreditation on various city

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son said, noting that functions, Jackit was spent on the son noted that installation of LED “we’ve been bulbs in streetlights really successand further reducing ful in marketenergy consumping” them. tion by “getting the “Our costs for dogs out of the (city garbage pickup” vehicle) fleet.” and many other As for Asheville’s services, he economy, Jackson said, “are very said the city, like competitive.” other American He added, municipalities, “Weve gone to Wanda Greene saw a significant a one-stop shop Gary Jackson increase in housing for permitting. activity with “the low-interest mortgage We’ve gone from 73 employees to 54 ... money” through the First-Time Homebuyer Some of that comes from investment in program, “but it’s bottoming out,” now that technology. Automated meter-reading ... is the federal plan has ceased. the most recent change.”

“Based on permits, we’re seeing a sigAs a result of the investment, city worknificant interest in apartments — or modiers can read meters from their trucks on fying current buildings,” Jackson said. “In “drive-bys,” saving on time, Jackson said. terms of city revenues, the ‘new normal’ What’s more, the city manager said that, despite the ailing economy, “We also have that we’re expecting” is a continuation of the poor economy, and “we’re not counting gone ahead with a significant number of capital improvements,” totalling $8 million on tax revenue growing” from year to year, to $14 million. “We’re actually doing more as in the past.

“We’ve done what we could. We sort of in capital improvements now than at any took it on the chin ... to encourage Occupy time in the past five years.”

Among the capital projects he noted were Asheville to locate in front of City Hall ...

You can (legally) be on the sidewalk there the 51 Biltmore Avenue Parking Garage, which he said, is “80 percent complete — anytime.” However, Jackson said there have been problems with the Occupiers and and it’s got a roof on it.” He also cited the that he has proposed an ordinance to City recreation center in the south area, the greCouncil, prohibiting two-sided structures, enway system — for which work is being such as tents, from being erected on the done to complete the connection between city’s property.

UNC Asheville and downtown, adjoining In a brief question-and-answer period Broadway Street — and sidewalk imafterward, a CIBO official asked, “How provements. much overtime have we (taxpayers) had to The city has received about $10 million spend for Occupy Asheville?” stimulus money in the last few years, Jack-

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“The principal cost to taxpayers is overtime” for police officers, Jackson noted. He said the Occupy movement has required regular patroling of OA sites. “What we’re primarily trying to avoid is a violent confrontation.”

CIBO member Mac Swicegood complained that Asheville City Council “seems to have more ‘sensitivity’ to them (OA protesters) than to the bigger community” of hard-working, taxpaying citizens.

Jackson responded that “their (OA’s) activities at various events” require police surveillance and, as for OA’s encampments, “they’ve been a haven for drugs, prostitution and have drawn the homeless.”

In her talk, County Manager Wanda Greene said that Buncombe’s budget had dropped from $330 million to $303 million because of the bad economy.

She noted that 86 percent of the county’s revenue comes from three sources: property taxes, sales taxes and intergovernmental revenue.

She added that “we’re seeing the greatest growth in” intergovernmental revenue — “unfortunately.”

Further, Greene said, “We’re right on par with collections as last year.” She noted that county officials have “worked out a lot of agreements with people in a jam” (financially).”

With a note of sadness, she pointed out that Buncombe is paying $70 million per year in food stamps,” the growth in demand for which she described as “tremendous.”

On the bright side for the county, Greene said, “We’ve got a really good bond rating. We have absolutely no findings in our audit report.” She added that she was “very proud” of the county staff.

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6 —January 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet

Daily Planet Staff Photos

A electric vehicle gets a recharge at the Brightfield Station in Asheville.

Driving on sunshine?

Virtues of Asheville’s 1st charging station touted

From Staff Reports The alternative energy company BioWheels Responsible Transportation Solutions on Dec. 12 unveiled its Brightfield charging station in the parking lot of the Asheville Public Works building on Charlotte Street.

Despite chilly, blustery weather, about 80 people huddled around to hear speeches by local officials and business leaders, extolling the project, after which a ceremonial ribbon was cut.

Stan Cross — and his BioWheels partners Matt Johnson and Patrick Sherwin — welcomed the crowd, noting that they believed in “sustainability, environmental justice” and “a desirable future.”

In stating that the region “is well on its way to driving on sunshine,” Cross called the Brightfield charging station a “first of its kind” in the area.

Cross said the project was supported by a $376,000 federal stimulus grant that was funneled through the North Carolina Green Business Fund. He called it “an example” of what can be achieved by a company, such as BioWheels, working with Asheville, Buncombe County and UNC Asheville.

By the end of 2014, he said about 2,000 electric vehicles are expected to be operating on the roads in and around Asheville.

To that end, he said the region will need to install some 900 public charging stations to serve those drivers. He added that making the stations solar could save 43,000 barrels of oil and reduce greenhouse gases by 80,000 tons.

Cross also said the EV industry — locally — could create 1,500 “quality” jobs, and save $2 million fuel dollars in the community.

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, who helped to obtain the stimulus grant, said there are “three positives” he sees in the project, including reducing greenhouse emissions, creating jobs and the pride in it being “made in America. We have innovation and creation.”

Shuler added, “Everybody has worked together to make this possible ... Cleaner air to beath, cleaner water to drink. Thank you, BioWheels, for leading the way.

Thanks to Asheville, for leading the way.”

Next, Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy introduced as “an infrastructure partner,”

recognized two City Council members present — Cecil Bothwell and Chris Pelly.

Further, Bellamy said, “I’d also be remiss if I didn’t congratulate former council members Brownie (Newman) and Holly (Jones) for challenging the city to reduce its carbon emissions by 80 percent.

Regarding the charging station, she said, “This is the first in Asheville ... Today is a big to-do for the City of Asheville. It shows what we can do,” working together in partnership with BioWheels, the city, the county and UNCA. Scott Hamilton, chief executive officer of Advantage West, said he was “proud to be here ... It’s a great project. Over $3 billion leaves North Carolina to purchase energy. This shows we can create quality jobs here.”

Next, Dale Carroll, state deputy secretary of commerce, said that the rate of entrepreneurship in North Carolina “exceeds the average in the United States.” What’s more, he said, “The rate of entrepreneurship in Western North Carolina exceeds the average in North Carolina,” prompting a cheer from the crowd.

“So we know we’ve going to be successful here,” Carroll said.

He added, “You know, Gov. (Bev) Perdue was the champion of the Green Bussiness Fund ... This project is part of 360 such projects in North Carolina funded by $100 million in recovery funds.”

Carroll concluded by saying, “On behalf of the governor, congratulations.” To Shuler, he quipped, “Congressman, we may need to take one of these cars down the road.” Shuler and many in the crowd laughed at Carroll’s levity.

During a question-and-answer session after the speeches, Cross and his partners said that, on average, one would spend about $4 to go 100 miles in an EV, versus $14 to $15 to travel 100 miles in a gas vehicle.

Cross also noted that, for the first two years, there will be no charge for anyone to use the Brightfield recharging station.

Somone asked how far one can travel on a fully charged electric vehicle.

“One hundred miles” in a Nissan Leaf or other all-electric vehicle, Cross said. and 30 miles on the battery in a Chevy Volt, after which the gas engine would power the vehicle.

Asheville Daily Planet — January 2012 - 7

Foundation to buy Health Adventure property for UNCA From Staff Reports UNC Asheville will end up with the property in Montford that was once planned to be the new location of The Health Adventure, the school announced Dec. 15.

UNCA has no immediate plans for the 8.9 acres and school officials said it could be two to four years before any decision on its use is decided.

The school is in the process of updating its campus master plan to include the site.

The UNC Asheville Foundation stated that it will buy the property at Broadway and Catawba streets in what the school described as a combination sale/gift. In essence, it will pay less than market value for the property.

“This combined gift/sale helps assure a bright future for UNC Asheville, and we are grateful to TD Bank for creating this opportunity and providing a great example of how to be community-minded,” UNCA Chancellor Anne Ponder said.

Given that UNCA does not have much vacant, flat land available for expansion or other building needs, university officials said the land acquisition was an opportunity too good to miss.

“It is exceedingly rare for a large parcel of land adjacent to campus to come on the market,” Chuck Wood, chairman of the UNC Asheville Foundation, said. “The UNC Asheville Foundation is very pleased to be able to secure the property for the university.”

Terms of the transaction will not be released until after the sale closes, which is expected to be in February.

The foundation, the school’s charitable arm, will transfer the property ot the school later. No state funds or student fees will be used for the purchase, UNCA officials said.

Property owner TD Bank bought the property in November after it foreclosed on a $1.8 million loan The Health Adventure had taken out on the tract. At the time, a bank official had said that the bank would resell the property.

The Health Adventure had spent $8 million on planning and infrastructure to locate a new museum — to be called Momentum — on the property, breaking ground for it in 2008. Howevever, it eventually abandoned the $25 million project because of financial problems. The Health Adventure filed for bankruptcy in April.

Meanwhile, UNCA officials said they

Area universities slash budgets, raise student fees, cut offerings From Staff Reports As a result of the continuing economic downturn, UNC Asheville, along with other state universities, was asked in December — by UNC President Tom Ross— to cut its expenses by 2.5 percent for the remainder of 2011.

Ross also asked the state universities to prepare budgets for 2012 that include 15 percent in cuts. For UNCA, the latest cut would total another $6 million.

The 15 percent cut at Western Carolina University would amount to $13 million and at Appalachian State University, $21.3

million.

Officials at the schools said it is likely there will be fewer class sections, larger class sizes and, for some students, increased time to be able to take the classes they need in order to graduate.

Despite the looming cuts, UNCA is moving forward with several large construction projects, which are funded through other sources than the general fund.

To soften the blow of the budget cuts, UNCA is raising its in-state undergraduate fees by $193 in 2011-12, ASU by $282 and WCU by $232.20.

WWC names new president SWANNANOA — Warren Wilson College recently named Steven L. Solnick as its seventh president, effective July 2012.

Solnick, appointed after an eight-month search, is a Ford Foundation representative and former Columbia University professor.

He is succeeding Sandy Pfeiffer, who is retiring in June after six years as president.

Regarding Solnick, WWC Board of Trustees Chairman Joel Adams said, “Steve has a wonderful coalescence of intellectual curiosity, ability and intregrity to lead Warren Wilson forward.

We are delighted to welcome him and his family to the college and its greater community.”

Solnick, a Jersey City, N.J., native holds a Steven L. Solnick bachelor’s degree in physics from the Massachuesetts Institute of Technology, where he was a Phi Beta Kappa. He also holds a doctorate in political science from Harvard University.

He also has a bachenlor’s in politics and economics from Oxford University, where he was a Marshall Scholar.

He was a National Fellow at the Hoover

Institute at Stanford University and a Fullbright-Hays Fellow at Moscow State University.

Solnick and his wife Maeve O’Connor have three children — Elinor, Naomi and Reuben.

expect to allow a city greenway — that parallels Broadway Street. along Reeds Creek, to the south of the tract — to extend through the property.

A greenway now runs along W.T. Weaver Boulevard on the south side of the UNCA campus, so the Montford tract segment would link the campus’ greenway to the city’s along Broadway, connecting the school to downtown via the footpath.

In addition, Karen Cragnolin, RiverLink executive director, stated, “RiverLink is excited about the opportunity to partner with UNC Asheville and the community

to develop a greenway along the property, with an eye to eventually expanding and linking the UNC Asheville campus to the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay along the French Broad River and downtown.”

UNCA, which has an enrollment of 3,665 students (up 3.9 percent since 2007), projects moderate growth for the future.

About 4.2 percent of its students live on campus and demand for on-campus housing usually exceeds supply.

The school eventually would like for half of its students to live on campus, UNCA officials said.

8 —January 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet

From Staff Reports Ashevlle Mayor Terry Bellamy announced recently that she is running for the 10th District congressional seat now held

by Republican Patrick McHenry.

Bellamy, a Democrat, would have to win a primary against at least two other candidates before taking on McHenry next November.

In announcing her bid, Bellamy said Washington is broken and citizens want Congress to get things done, especially getting more people working again.

Meanwhile, Rep. Patsy Keever announced that she will run for Congress in the 10th District after being drawn out of her state House district by Republicans in the General Assembly. Among her opponents in the primary will be Bellamy.

Keever said she was placed in the same legislative district as Rep. Susan Fisher, another Buncombe County Democrat, and that she did not want to run against Fisher.

Keever, 63, is a retired teacher who said her campaign would focus on job creation and representing the intrests of women and middle-class voters.

McHenry, a Gaston County Republican, has held the congressional seat for four terms. He rolled over his Democratic op-

ponent in 2010 with 71 percent of the vote.

Keever, who is considered one of the most liberal members of the House, charged that McHenry is “one of the most right-wing representatives in Congress.”

She said most people want a more moderate point of view from their congressman and someone who is an advocate for the middle class, “not the (wealthiest) 1 percent.”

In a Dec. 19 filing, Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger said he will seek his first full term in office in November’s election.

Reisinger, a Democrat, replaced Register of Deeds Otto DeBruhl, effective March 1.

Among changes Reisinger noted under his administration were the addition of accepting credit and debit cards and offering more services online.

“I pledge to continue to provide the high-quality, efficient, innovative service that the people of Buncombe County deserve and have experienced during my tenure as register of deeds. I would be honored to be elected to continue to move this office forward.”

Challenging Reisinger will be Republican Pat Cothran of Leicester, who previously announced her candidacy for the job.

Ron Paul Meetup Group organizes in Asheville, sets sights on S.C. caucus From Staff Reports A Ron Paul Meetup Group organized on an ad-hoc basis drew about a dozen people to an initial meeting Dec. 18 at an art studio in Asheville’s River Arts District.

The group, targeting Buncombe and Henderson counties, agreed to offer and provide help to any groups in the nearby Spartanburg-Greenville, S.C., area in their efforts to promote Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, for the U.S. presidency.

Several attendees noted that South Carolina holds its Republican presidential caucus much earlier than does North Carolina, so the Buncombe-Henderson group could be more helpful to Paul’s efforts by also supporting his South Carolina efforts.

“Hopefully, if Ron Paul does really well in the first three caucuses, it could look good for him,” Bernard Carman said. Carman is a former chairman of the now-defunct Buncombe County Liberterian Party.

Notwithstanding, Robert Malt emphasized, “This is not a Ron Paul discussion group. This is about ‘getting it done.’ This is about activity, not talk.” Malt is a former chairman of the Buncombe County Republican Party.

Malt added that “we’re fortunate to live near the third primary,” which is in South Carolina on Jan. 21. (The earlier primaries were held in Iowa and New Hampshire.)

Further, Malt said, “If Ron Paul wins Iowa, it’s ‘game on.’ It’s the GOP nightmare if he wins.” (Paul finished a close third in the Iowa primary on Jan. 3.)

Since North Carolina’s primary will not be held for many months, Malt asserted, “I’d be in favor of doing” whatever is possible in South Carolina to help Paul.

“Anything in Greenville-Spartanburg, I’m up for doing it.” Others at the meeting agreed with Malt’s suggestion.

Carman added, “We could do both” — promote Paul’s candidacy “in both South Carolina and in North Carolina.” At that point, the group agreed to contact any proPaul groups in Greenville-Spartanburg to see if they have any needs the local group could meet.

Carman triggered laughter from the crowd when he quipped, “Yeah, this is ‘the

revolution’” and it “‘will not be televised.’” However, he added that it would be reported because the Daily Planet had a staff member covering the meeting.

Alan Rosenthal emphasized that he would like to see the group function on an “ad-hoc” basis, with the specific task of helping get Paul elected president.

During the group’s discussion of Paul’s prospects, Malt noted, “Things are shifting ... in Ron Paul’s favor. Plus, he’s got the money to keep this going for a while.”

On another matter, the group agreed to rent a house at the corner of Sweeten Creek and Airport roads to serve as its Buncombe-Hendersonville Ron Paul Headquarters. The location is a high-traffic area, from which the members could wave signs.

The house also is accessible from both Buncombe and Henderson — the two largest-population counties in Western North Carolina — from which the group hopes to draw members and contributions.

Malt noted that the house “doesn’t have heat,” but that it does have electricity and that the owner told him the group could use space heaters there.

Later, he added, “The only guy with (big) money (in the GOP presidential campaign) is (Mitt) Romney.” However, in Malt’s estimation, “the people here represent at least $100,000 in money” to Paul, through their potenial efforts.

Carman added, “This time, he (Paul) is known. Now we need to get people out to vote.”

Gary Shoemaker asserted, “I think we could at least quadruple the (size of the) group.”

Carman asserted “Unfortunately, the primary is the only important election ...

If you wait, you’re voting for a statist” for president.

Afterward, Shoemaker sent a summary of the meeting — from his viewpoint — to the Planet, noting, “I was very impressed with the young people” at the meeting.

“Several of them have stepped up to the plate to do actual work — phone-banking, putting out yard signs, setting up social networking all over the Internet and writing press releases.”

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Casino’s role as economic tool praised by Eastern Band official Second in a series of two stories From Staff Reports Larry Blythe, vice chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, reeled off a couple of one-liners that provided a splash of humor for attendees of the otherwise highly serious AdvantageWest Economic Summit on Nov. 14 in Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place in downtown Asheville.

About 300 people attended the summit, during which a panel mostly discussed ways that the private sector and the state General Assembly could drive growth.

Blythe, in one stretch of the program, added levity by deadpanning, “In 1492, if we’d only known” of the problems that the colonists would bring.

He added, “We (Cherokee) say — jokingly — we’re getting it back $1 at a time,” when people come to gamble at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. The crowd laughed.

More seriously, Blythe said that before the casino was built in Cherokee “we were a tourism-based economy. We were poor.

When winter came and the tourists didn’t come,” times were hard.

However, he said, “One door opened; one door closed ... Furniture factories closed down, but we had a workforce with a good work ethic. We were able to turn them” toward the hospitality industry.

Specifically, he told of the significance of the federal law — passed in the 1990s — allowing gambling casinos on reservations, which served as an economic tool.

“Our tribe decided we were going to seize the economic opportunity” and worked out a deal for the casino to open on their reservation.

Now, more than 2,000 people work at the casino, and about 85 percent of the workforce is comprised of non-tribal members.

About 1,500 of the 2,000 workers are from Swain and Jackson counties.

With a note of pride, Blythe said the unemployment rates in Swain and Jackson counties are less than the state’s average.

“We’re very proud of the casino.”

As for his tribe’s economic future, he said, “That’s the $64,000 question ... We’re negotiating with the governor (Bev Perdue)” to expand gambling to live dealers.

(That change has since been passed.)

Blythe also said, “The tribe made a decision about five years ago to expand the casino ... We’re in the fourth year of the five-year expansion,” including the addition of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and other related businesses. In all, the expansion is expected to result in 300 more jobs.

The addition of the live dealers will add about 400 more jobs, Blythe noted.

He said that, under the proposal to add the live dealers, Perdue “wants 8-1/2 percent of the revenue.”

“How does the Eastern Band feel about that?” moderator D.G. Martin asked.

“Again, we’re ... negotiating,” Blythe replied with a wide grin. The crowd laughed at his care in choosing his words.

Another panelist, state Sen. Martin Nesbitt, D- Asheville, the Senate minority leader, said, “There was 30 to 40 percent unemployment on the reservation” before the casino was added.

“These people found a way to pull themselves up — and we’re very proud of them. For one, I’ve been mad that we (state officials) want the money ... We ought to let them proceed and take that region to another level.”

Nesbitt asserted, “If you want to see an example of pulling up from their bootstraps, look at the Eastern Band.”

Yet another panelist, State Sen. Tom Apodaca, R-Hendersonville, chairman of the N.C. Senate Rules Committee, said the Eastern Band plan had “support from both sides of the aisle,” so he did not see any problem in it passing. Apodaca also praised the Eastern Band for having “school facilities that are second to none.”

Panelist John W. Bardo, former chancellor of Western Carolina University, said the casino provides an example of “a base on which you can build other things.”

Continued from Page 5

“All of that came forward in the budget process,” Greene replied. “It’s a complex process because we’re looking at compensation” as well as “ways to bring the costs down. While the economy is maybe” bottoming out, “it’s not turned up” yet.

When an unidentified CIBO member asked about Jones’ questioning of the county’s generous longevity pay policy, Greene answered, “I’m going to defend longevity. We don’t do merit pay” or other such incentives. “Longevity helps. Otherwise, they (county employees) move out the door.”

Swicegood asked Greene and Jackson, “A lot of people are paying all they can pay right now. Any provisions to help further because I know you’re squeezing your budgets.”

“There will be no tax rate adjustment,” Greene replied. “Sometimes, you can’t lose the advantage of a downturn in the economy. We’ve been able to turn things over to contractors” to save money.

Jackson said, “Our strategy has been to streamline to be frugal ... In terms of capital, we’ve avoided bond offerings ... Our capital program has largely been pay-asyou-go, or reserve-based. We’re looking at partnerships in a business-like and entrepreneurial way, even with naming rights.”

(His reference was to the city’s plan to sell the naming rights for the Asheville Civic Center to U.S. Cellular.)

Greene smiled when Jackson added, “I can’t believe how the relationship between the city and county has improved in the last five years.”

Officials

“We have a lot of construction going on, mainly to get out of leased spaces, including the Life Safety Tower in the back of the county courthouse. “Next week, we get the bids back on the new courthouse. There’s a lot of construction going on that you don’t see,” such as at the Social Services building. “We expect to save $300,000 per year from all of this work.”

She also said the county has “sustainability plans going on” and two parks and recreation plans are complete.

Greene concluded by noting that “we do plan a retreat with our board (of commissioners) to re-address our (comprehensive) plan, especially since the board is expanding from five to seven members.”

In questioning after her talk, Swicegood asked about the “revaluation.”

“We have to do a revaluation no less than every eight years,” Greene replied. “For us, that’d be at least 2014. Many properties have dropped in housing values.”

CIBO member Carl Koon asked, “Could you comment on more aggressive efforts on tax collection?”

“If we know a business is closing, we let them know their responsibilies,” Greene answered. “Now, we are fairly aggressive.”

Commissioner Bill Stanley quipped, “Compassionate tax collection — that means the deputy doesn’t bring a shotgun when he shows up.”

Some CIBO members asked Greene about the compensation study, which Commissioner Holly Jones has criticized.

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10 - January 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet

Calendar

Send us your calendar items

Please submit items to the Calendar of Events by noon on the third Wednesday of each month, via e-mail, at calendar@ashevilledailyplanet. com, or fax to 252-6567, or mail c/o The Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 288148490. Submissions will be accepted and printed at the discretion of the editor, space permitting.

To place an ad for an event, call 252-6565.

Friday, Jan. 6

POET’S LECTURE, 9:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. Poet Rodney Jones will present a lecture on “Poetic Language and Credibility: The Poem That Does Not Seem To Be a Poem” as part of WWC’s Master of Fine Arts Writers Program series.

POET’S LECTURE, 10:45 a.m., Fellowship Hall, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. Poet Margot Livesey will present the lecture “Mrs. Turpin Reads the Stars,” which focuses on creating fictional characters, as part of WWC’s Master of Fine Arts Writers Program series.

DENNIS MILLER SHOW, 8 p.m., Peace Center, Greenville, S.C. Comedian Dennis Miller, former “Saturday Night Live” cast member, talk show host and political comic, will perform. For tickets, call (800) 888-7768.

READINGS, 8:15 p.m., Fellowship Hall, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. Robert Boswell, Heather McHugh, Margot Livesey, Ellen Bryant Voight and Peter Turchi will read as part of WWC’s Master of Fine Arts Writers Program series.

Saturday, Jan. 7

TREE RECYCLING DAY, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Jackson Park, Hendersonville. Henderson County’s annual Christmas Tree Recycling Event will be held. Christmas trees will be chipped into mulch, a fragrantly fresh pile of chips will be available for free gathering. In addition, hot apple cider will be served by volunteers with the Environmental and Conservation Organization. Christmas trees may be dropped off to the parking lot for Field No. 6 at the park, beginning the day after Christmas.

However, trees wii be chipped only on Jan. 7. No balled trees, wreaths or greenery with wire will be accepted.

GUN/KNIFE SHOW, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Western North Carolina Ag Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd. (off I-26, Exit 40), Fletcher. The two-day Land of the Sky Gun & Knife Show will conclude from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 8. Admission is $7.

BOOK SIGNING, 3 p.m., Malaprop’s Bookstore/ Café, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville.

Charles Dodd White will sign “Sinners of Sanction County” and “The Lambs of Men.”

Monday, Jan. 9 DEMOCRATS’ MEETING, 6:30-8 p.m., Democratic Headquarters, 951 Old Fairview Rd., Asheville. The Buncombe County Democratic Party will hold a public meeting with party officers.

WEST COAST SWING CLASSES, 7:30 and 8 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Hotel, Fletcher. Free beginners’ lessons for West Coast Swing will be held at 7:30, followed by intermediate lessons at 8 every Monday. The lessons are free. After the lessons, an open dance will be held.

CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m.,Grey Eagle. 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. A contra dance is held weekly. Admission is $6.

Tuesday, Jan. 10

TANGO LESSON/DANCE, 6 p.m., The Boiler Room, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. Tango lessons will precede a dance.

SWING LESSON/DANCE, 6:30 p.m., Club Eleven, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. A lesson will be followed by a dance, with live music.

COIN CLUB MEETING, 7 p.m., basement conference room, Grove Arcade, downtown Asheville. The Buncombe County Coin Club will meet.

SHAG DANCE, 7-11 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Inn Airport, 550 Airport Road, Fletcher. The Mountain Shag Club’s weekly dance will feature a DJ. At 6:30 p.m., free lessons will be offered by Paul and Debbie Peterson. Admission is $5.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

TAI CHI CLASS, 3:30 p.m., Harvest House, 205 Kenilwoth Rd., Asheville. The city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department will offer an eight-week session of tai chi chih classes, beginning Jan. 11. Cost is $70 for the eight weeks, with a minimum of five students required.

For more information or to register, call 3502051 or visit harvesth@ashevillenc.ogov.

TEA TIME SOCIAL, 6 p.m., Apollo Flame, 1025 Brevard Rd., Asheville. The Asheville Tea Party will hold its weekly Tea Time Social. All interested are invited to attend.

Thursday, Jan. 12

BOOK DISCUSSION, 7 p.m., Accent on Books, 854 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. Book Discussion X will discuss “Lady Chatterley’s Lover.”

“GREAT QUOTES” PROGRAM, 7-9 p.m., Smoky Mountain Auditorium, Lake Pointe Landing, Hendersonville. The speaker will be Fred Hoffstadt and his quote (of Ayn Rand) is: “I swear — by my live and my love of it — that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.” He will explain the quote, including its background, and will suggest how it could apply to one’s life. A donation will be requested.

CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m., Bryson Gym, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. A contra dance is held weekly, preceded by beginner’s lessons at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6.

Friday, Jan. 13

CONCERT, 8 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville.

The American Players will perform in the Asheville Chamber Music Series.

STEEP CANYON RANGERS CONCERT, 9 p.m., The Orange Peel, downtown Asheville. The Steep Canyon Rangers will perform. For tickets, which are $20 in advance and $22 at the door, visit www.theorangepeel.net.

Saturday, Jan. 14

CHARLEY PRIDE CONCERT, 7:30 p.m.,

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee. Charley Pride will perform in concert.

For tickets, which are $30, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster. com.

B.B. KING CONCERT, 8 p.m., Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, downtown Asheville. B.B. King will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $39.50, $49.50 and $75, visit the box office, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

BOB SEGER CONCERT, 8 p.m., Bi-Lo Center, Greenville, S.C. Rocker Bob Seger will perform in concert. For tickets, call (800) 745-3000, or visit 222.livenation.com.

Sunday, Jan. 15

STAMP CLUB MEETING, 2 p.m., Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community Center, 1617 Hendersonville Rd., Blues singer-guitarist extraordinaire B.B. King will perform at 8 Asheville. The Asheville Stamp Club, featuring p.m. Jan. 14 in Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in downtown Asheville. stamp-collecting for all ages, will hold its monthly meeting.

PEACE/VIOLENCE PROGRAM, 2-3:30 p.m., WEST COAST SWING CLASSES, 7:30 and 8 YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St., downtown p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Hotel, Fletcher. Free Asheville. John Spitzberg will honor Martin Luther beginners’ lessons for West Coast Swing will be King Jr.’s birthday with a presentation on “Peace held at 7:30, followed by intermediate lessons at and Violence: Two Perspectives into Action — 8 every Monday. The lessons are free. After the MLK Jr. and Johann Galtung.” Tying in his work lessons, an open dance will be held. and belief system to that of MLK Jr., Spitzberg CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m.,Grey Eagle. 185 will introduct Galtung, a Norwegian man in his Clingman Ave., Asheville. A contra dance is held 80s who also is known for his work for peace and nonviolence. A discussion will follow the presenta- weekly. Admission is $6. tion. Afterward, time for informal conversation will See CALENDAR, Page 11 be provided.

Monday, Jan. 16

Asheville Daily Planet — January 20112 — 11

Calendar

Continued from Page 10

Tuesday, Jan. 17

TEA PARTY DINNER/MEETING, The Bay Breeze Restaurant, 1830 Asheville Hwy., Hendersonville, 5:30 p.m., The Henderson County TEA Party will meet for dinner, followed at 6 by a business meeting. The HCTP will welcome its new general coordinator and organization for the future. At 6:30, Kenny West, a Clay County businessman, will give the first of the HCTOP’s 2012 Cooper Union addresses, followed by a questionand-answer session. At 7:30, a town hall meeting on county issues will be led by Bill O’Connor, vice chairman of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners. O’Connor also was among the founders of the HCTP. TANGO LESSON/DANCE, 6 p.m., The Boiler Room, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. Tango lessons will precede a dance.

SWING LESSON/DANCE, 6:30 p.m., Club Eleven, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. A lesson will be followed by a dance, with live music.

SHAG DANCE, 7-11 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Inn Airport, 550 Airport Road, Fletcher. The Mountain Shag Club’s weekly dance will feature a DJ. At 6:30 p.m., free lessons will be offered by Paul and Debbie Peterson. Admission is $5.

FLUTE RECITAL, 7:30 p.m., Thomas Auditorium, Blue Ridge Community College, East Flat Rock. A flute recital will be held. For tickets, which are $10 for the general public and $3 for students, call 694-1743.

Wednesday, Jan. 18 TEA TIME SOCIAL, 6 p.m., Apollo Flame, 1025 Brevard Rd., Asheville. The Asheville Tea Party will hold its weekly Tea Time Social. All interested are invited to attend.

Thursday, Jan. 19

DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S DINNER, 6 p.m., Democratic Headquarters, 951 Old Fairview Rd., Asheville. The Buncombe County Democrtic Party Women’s Club Dinner will be held. Dinner is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Attendees are asked to contact JoAnn Morgan vie e-mail at jm15450@charter.net, or call her at 626-2112.

SPEAKER, 7 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Damali Ayo will speak in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week. Ayo, an activist, speaker and artist, will use her humorous stories and award-winning art to provide practical tools for building better communities. “Her creative, pragmatic and satirical approach makes hard conversations about racial justice more accessible,” UNCA noted in a promotional brochure. Audience members will receive a copy of her “I Can Fix Racism” guide following her talk. Admission is free and open to the public.

ACOUSTIC CONCERT, 8 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, Pack Place, downtown Asheville. Depue Brothers Band will perform. For tickets, which are $30 for the general public, $25 for students and $12 for children, call 257-4530 or visit www. dwtheatre.com.

CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m., Bryson Gym, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. A contra dance is held weekly, preceded by beginner’s lessons at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6.

Saturday, Jan. 21

WINTER BEER FESTIVAL, 3-7 p.m., Asheville Civic Center, downtown Asheville. The fourth annual Winter Warmer Beer Festival will be held.

Tickets, which are $39, include a souvenir mug, samples during the event, live music and food provided by a local caterer. Brewing participants from Asheville and the region include French Broad Brewing Co., Highland Brewing Co., Green Man Ales, Pisgah Brewing Co., Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., Heinzelmannchen Brewery, Appalachian Craft, Wedge, Craggie, Lexington Avenue Brewing and Catawba Brewing Co. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to RiverLink, a local nonprofit working to revitalize the French Broad River as a place to live, work and play.

ACOUSTIC CONCERT, 8 p.m.,Diana Wortham Theatre, Pack Place, downtown Asheville. Susan Werner and David Wilcox will perform. For tickets, which are $30 for the general public, $25 for students and $12 for children, call 257-4530 or visit www.dwtheatre.com.

The Soweto Gospel Choir will perform at 4 p.m. Jan. 29 in Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in downtown Asheville.

Monday, Jan. 23

WEST COAST SWING CLASSES, 7:30 and 8 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Hotel, Fletcher. Free beginners’ lessons for West Coast Swing will be held at 7:30, followed by intermediate lessons at 8 every Monday. The lessons are free. After the lessons, an open dance will be held.

CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m.,Grey Eagle. 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. A contra dance is held weekly. Admission is $6.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

TANGO LESSON/DANCE, 6 p.m., The Boiler Room, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. Tango lessons will precede a dance.

SWING LESSON/DANCE, 6:30 p.m., Club Eleven, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. A lesson will be followed by a dance, with live music.

COIN CLUB MEETING, 7 p.m., basement conference room, Grove Arcade, downtown Asheville. The Buncombe County Coin Club will meet.

SHAG DANCE, 7-11 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Inn Airport, 550 Airport Road, Fletcher. The Mountain Shag Club’s weekly dance will feature a DJ. At 6:30 p.m., free lessons will be offered by Paul and Debbie Peterson. Admission is $5.

Wednesday, Jan. 25 TEA TIME SOCIAL, 6 p.m., Apollo Flame, 1025 Brevard Rd., Asheville. The Asheville Tea Party will hold its weekly Tea Time Social. All interested are invited to attend.

Thursday, Jan. 26

CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m., Bryson Gym, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. A contra dance is held weekly, preceded by beginner’s lessons at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6.

Saturday, Jan. 28

CANDIDATES’ FORUM, 1 p.m., Skyland Fire Department, 7 Miller Rd., Skyland. The Asheville Tea Party will hold an N.C. 11 Congressional Candidate Bipartisan Forum. The forum will be precededed at noon by a meet-and-greet the candidates reception.

CIVIL WAR LECTURE, 2 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. A lecture on “Rebels and Tories in the Mountains” will be presented by Steve Nash of East Tennessee State University. Nash’s talk is part of a three-lecture series on the “Civil War in the Mountains,” co-sponsored by the Western North Carolina Historical Association, N.C. Center for Creative Retirement and the Zubulon Vance Birthplace State Historic Site. As seating will be limited, reservations are recommended by calling 253-9231 or visiting education@wnchistory.org.

The lectures are free to WNCHA membes and $5 for nonmembers.

Sunday, Jan. 29

GOSPEL CONCERT, 4 p.m., Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Asheville Civic Center, Hawood Street, downtown Asheville. The Soweto Gospel Choir will perform. For tickets, which are $15 to $60, visit www.ticketmaster.com, or call 225-5887.

Monday, Jan. 30

WEST COAST SWING CLASSES, 7:30 and 8 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Hotel, Fletcher. Free beginners’ lessons for West Coast Swing will be held at 7:30, followed by intermediate lessons at 8 every Monday. The lessons are free. After the lessons, an open dance will be held.

CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m.,Grey Eagle. 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. A contra dance is held weekly. Admission is $6.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

TANGO LESSON/DANCE, 6 p.m., The Boiler Room, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. Tango lessons will precede a dance.

SWING LESSON/DANCE, 6:30 p.m., Club Eleven, Grove House Entertainment Complex, 11 Grove St., downtown Asheville. A lesson will be followed by a dance, with live music.

SHAG DANCE, 7-11 p.m., The Hangar, Clarion Inn Airport, 550 Airport Road, Fletcher. The Mountain Shag Club’s weekly dance will feature a DJ. At 6:30 p.m., free lessons will be offered by Paul and Debbie Peterson. Admission is $5.

Wednesday, Feb. 1 TEA TIME SOCIAL, 6 p.m., Apollo Flame, 1025 Brevard Rd., Asheville. The Asheville Tea Party will hold its weekly Tea Time Social. All interested are invited to attend.

Thursday, Feb. 2

CONTRA DANCE, 8 p.m., Bryson Gym, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. A contra dance is held weekly, preceded by beginner’s lessons at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6.

Saturday, Feb. 4

DANCE-A-THON, 11:59 a.m.-11:59 p.m., Justice Athletic Center, UNC Asheville. The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center will hold its inaugural Asheville Dance-a-Thon

Damali Ayo will speak at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 in Lipinsky Auditorium at UNC Asheville. Her program, which is part of UNCA’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week, is free and open to the public.

featuring a crew of Asheville’s dancers and instructors, with 16 genres of dance available.

The 12-hour, all-ages, all levels event will include two dance floors. Tickets can be purchased to dance all night long for $75 or simply to watch, $15. For tickets and more information, visit www. ashevilledanceathon.com.

TO REPORT AN ERROR

The Asheville Daily Planet strives to be accurate in all articles published. Contact the News Department at news@ashevilledailyplanet.com, (828) 252-6565, or P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490.

12 - January 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet

Daily Planet’s Opinion At last, Asheville goes electric

Kudos to all involved in the Dec. 12 unveiling of Asheville’s first public charging station for photovoltaic-powered electric vehicles.

BioWheels-Asheville and its partners deserve much praise for offering a viable future for driving on sunshine, rather than depending on oil from foreign suppliers who sometimes are enemies of America.

Plugged in at the event were a Tesla, a Volt, two Leafs and a hobbyist’s 1970 Jeep conversion.

Some critics have claimed electric vehicles are incapable of providing the driving range and horsepower needed in today’s society.

Others have said that EVs merely replace oil with coal.

However, the driving range and horsepower of EVs is ever-increasing and, even if the grid were total-

ly coal-fueled, carbon emmisions would be a wash with oil. And experts say criteria pollutants and primary energy consumption would be reduced by a shift to EVs. The area’s coal grid fraction is 60 percent and falling — and installing PV to offset EV energy consumption will reduce that fraction.

While critics contend that EVs do not pay for themselves, it’s clear to us that technological advances — and dwindling oil supplies and soaring prices — likely will eventually make EVs economical.

What’s more, the compact size of the EVs that boosts their performance will reduce the costs in volume manufacture.

Best of all, EVs could help the U.S. attain its long-desired goal of energy independence.

From the left: North of the border

In the late 1970s, a friend of mine moved to Tucson, Ariz., where he took a job with a roofing contractor. Over the next 10 years he became a hot-mop expert, endlessly repeating the process of installing layers of tar paper, steaming liquified asphalt and gravel.

Working on top of buildings in southern Arizona in summer heat, carrying buckets of stinking molten tar and spreading tons of gravel is about as unpleasant a job as I have ever done. And I did it, joining him on a couple of jobs when I traveled there in the early ‘80s.

When I worked with Terry, he told me that I was the first Anglo he had seen on a roofing job, other than himself. The Mexicans he worked with, day in and day out, had often commented on that fact as well.

At least in those decades, no white person cared to do that work, although it paid well and there were plenty of roofs, new and old, that needed mopping.

This past fall there was news from farms across the country that crops were going unharvested for lack of migrant farm hands. Immigrant workers were in short supply, and farmers asserted that it was fear of federal enforcement that was keeping undocumented agricultural crews away— although the Great Recession may have played a role as well. Other reports indicate that the immigrant tide has shifted during the current employment doldrums.

One onion farmer near Vidalia, Ga., was quoted to the effect that he tried hiring some field hands through a local temp agency, but that none of the people who showed up lasted half a day. The work was too hot and too hard, and his local hires walked off the job.

Some would posit a genetic factor in the willingness or ability of Mexican workers to engage in brutally unpleasant work for pretty meager wages, but that’s obvious nonsense. Human beings who are acclimated to hot weather adopt coping skills, as did Terry, changing diet, water intake and clothing habits. And anyone who needs a job badly enough can drive himself to do what needs to be done, as the temp workers in Vidalia clearly did not.

America needs its immigrant workforce.

There is simply no getting around that fact.

However, politicians of a certain stripe are eager to fan the flames of racial prejudice and nationalism. They pretend that building walls or enlisting more police will solve our nation’s woes, and peddling fear of the “other” is an easy game.

Cecil Bothwell The principal scare tactic is to claim that undocumented workers are stealing jobs. To the extent that this is true, it isn’t because employers prefer non-Englishspeaking employees, but because they will either do work others will not do, are more expert at the work needing to be done, or ... and this is the biggie ... will do the work for less money. And the reason those people will work for less is because they are in no position to demand fair wages or safer working conditions, because they are “illegal.”

If one deems this to be unfair, either to the citizens who miss out on jobs due to cheap competition, or to the workers soemployed (and I do, on both counts), the obvious solution is to streamline the path to citizenship.

Meaningful immigration reform must include more work permits for seasonal workers and an expedited process for naturalization. It is beyond crazy that people who live here, work here and raise their families here wait 10 and 15 years to obtain citizenship, and no one whose family arrived on this continent voluntarily in decades or centuries past has any basis for yammering about today’s newcomers.

Where did you say you’re from?

The other complaint one hears is that undocumented workers pay no taxes. That argument is fallacious on multiple counts.

Low-wage workers pay approximately nothing in income taxes. Their tax burden comes from sales and gas taxes, both of which are paid regardless of the card in your wallet. Immigrant workers who offer fake Social Security numbers to employers who then withhold taxes are actually benefitting the rest of us, since they pay into the system with no chance to ever benefit.

And those who rent or buy homes contribute property taxes like anyone else.

No fence, no border patrol, no rash of deportation is going to “fix” immigration.

And while the hate-mongers spew their invective, our food is rotting in the fields.

• Cecil Bothwell, a member of Asheville City Council, is a candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District.

Letters to the Editor Entitlements termed corrupting, destructive

Having most anything provided by certain government or other sources outside one’s self, even by rights or lawful claim, is extremely addictive.

The external focus for fulfillment by others reduces productivity, self-esteem and independent functioning by individuals.

Weaker individuals are easily manipulated and used.

Entitlement and special rights granted by different branches of government can be seen with the conspiring by illegal immigrants and apple farmers, the millions given by Solyndra and for extended unemployment coverage. There seems to be an element of corrupting energy for all associated with entitlement.

There are no freebies in the real world.

The individual is responsible for his or her own behavior, which will be its own reward and as with a child, it is destructive to do for the individual what the individual can be responsible for.

The Government might want to give up some of its control and follow the same advice. Anne Lindbergh noted, “I love you

so much that I want you to be free, even of me.” Ain’t love wonderful.

DON BOONE Asheville

Rep. McHenry accused of protecting corruption

U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry should quit protecting his corrupt colleagues and immediately cosponsor legislation that would prohibit insider trading of securities by members and employees of Congress.

It’s time for Mr. McHenry to end his silence on this important issue and to start doing the right thing for the people he represents. The politicians in Washington continue to get the gold mine while the people get the shaft.

The corruption in Washington is an outrage to everyone, but instead of standing up and speaking out against it, Mr. McHenry continues to condone the despicable and unethical behavior of people who somehow think they are above the law.

No wonder the approval rating of Congress is at an all-time low.

Continued on Page 13

The Candid Conservative

Marking end of adventure

Anyone attempting to sell our eight-year military adventure in Iraq as defending America needs medication, a lie detector test, or a kick in the fanny. Seriously claiming success by sacrificing our young in that quagmire mirrors Coach Sandusky pretending to uplift kids with private lessons. Military adventurism is different than military defense and one never serves the other. In fact, our foreign entanglement in Iraq has placed America at great risk. We’ve neglected our military infrastructure and spent tomorrow’s defense dollars on this police action. That’s criminal behavior and treason, not something to celebrate. We should be treating the people responsible like social pariahs, not respected statesman. We won’t, because too many people buy the red, white and blue sales job. Still, there are two things to celebrate as we leave Iraq. Our troops fought with courage and tenacity. And, finally, most of them are coming home.

Regarding American Exceptionalism America has a long history of serving as the beacon of the free world. That light dimmed dramatically with this century’s decision to expand our role as the world’s policeman. That deal with the devil got us focused on mowing the other guy’s grass instead of our own. We’ve spent a trillion-plus dollars on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya and foreign aid to equally ungrateful countries. They’ve replied back with a reality check on the limits of U.S. power. We live in a crazy world and it’s getting crazier.

It’s not necessary we become isolationists, but the sooner we start working on America the sooner we can turn our light back on. We serve the world best as a model, not a benefactor or policeman. America has been exceptional and can be again. Productivity, responsibility, excellence, service, creativity, and persistence are the keys to happiness and cultural sanity.

The sooner we shut down the left’s efforts to take us to socialistic mediocrity, the sooner we can renew our relationship with prosperity and a future of hope — no matter what our crazy world does.

Round Three for Germany Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor, is not the front man one would expect for the rebirth of an empire. Nonetheless, that’s precisely the

Carl Mumpower role she’s playing and it’s all coming together thanks to Europe’s persisting fascinations with the seductions of socialism. That boat always sinks, and when it does, the castaways start looking for an island of stability in the midst of the chaos. Enter Germany, a country no bigger than Montana, that’s the third largest exporter in the world. They’re also the only country in Europe that has prioritized productivity and prudence. All the rest, to one degree or the other, have lived large and passed the costs forward.

The bill is due and it’s overwhelming. What Germany couldn’t do with war, they’re now doing through economic turmoil. Germany remains as dedicated to power as ever — history tells us it’s in their DNA. The German leader to watch out for waits in the shadows.

The Need for an Adult President Hope springs eternal that this time America will elect an adult to the presidency. Voting on the basis of personality didn’t work so well last time. That exercise in feel good folly got us things like a publicity hound burning 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to plant a tree on earth day. It also got as an offshore drilling embargo, lawsuits against states resisting illegal immigration assaults, a new and well used teleprompter in the White House press room, an iPod for Britain’s queen and DVDs for its prime minister, 57 states instead of 50, an unannounced Air Force One joy ride over Manhattan, 32 new czars on a government power trip, and a healthcare plan that puts those same wise and frugal bureaucrats in charge. The presidency is an executive position. That means the job centers on administration, not personality. We’re moving into a darker time for America. We need a president who can turn on the lights — not just his fan club.

• Carl Mumpower, a former member of Asheville City Council, may be contacted at drmumpower@thecandidconservative.com

Letters Continued from Page 12 I support H.R. 1148 - the STOCK (Stop Insider Trading on Congressional Knowledge) Act, legislation that would prohibit lawmakers and employees of Congress from buying and selling securities based on nonpublic information they obtain because of their status.

McHenry, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, is not supporting the legislation and has remained silent on the issue.

Insider trading by lawmakers attracted national attention and outrage with the recent publication of a new book, “Throw Them All Out” by Peter Schweitzer and featured on the CBS News program “60 Minutes.” The book outlined unethical activity by members of Congress, and pointed out at that Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Alabama, made more than 40 stock trades in his personal account in the months before the U.S. economy collapsed in 2008.

Bachus is chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and received “insider” information about the failing state of the U.S. economy.

After he received a private briefing on the impending collapse of the economy and the U.S. financial system from the Federal Reserve and Treasury officials, Rep. Bachus bought and sold securities that nearly doubled his money.

Rep. Bachus should resign today, and Mr. McHenry should show him the door — right after McHenry signs on as cosponsor of the STOCK Act. Ken Fortenberry Denver, N.C. • Fortenberry is McHenry’s opponent in next May’s GOP primary.

Does anyone in U.S. really want a balanced budget?

Many are calling for government spending to be reduced and budgets to be balanced. Debt is overwhelming, we need to cut back.

Why, then, when a spending cut is proposed in any area, do articles appear in the media condemning the cuts as having disastrous consequences? Education cuts will place our children’s future in jeopardy. Cut Medicare, and people will be thrown onto the streets. Cut welfare, our poor will starve.

Cut the military, and we cannot defend ourselves. We have become so used to living beyond our means, both in our personal lives and our government that no one has the courage to do the right thing. We can’t see what is happening in Europe will happen here.

Massive government regulations only add to the problem.

We need strict budgets that do not exceed government revenue, then hire people who will live with them and get rid of the ones who won’t. Governments (state and local) should be allowed to go bankrupt if that is what it takes to correct the situation. No federal bailouts again.

When $45,000 a year income for a family of four is defined as poor, we need to redefine poor.

Allyn M. Aldrich Asheville

Hold your nose, if needed, but cast vote for Ron Paul

By now, most recognize that the “establishment” parties, Democrats and Republicans have become two sides of the same coin.

They serve the very powerful interests that support each of them financially. Each has a huge vested interest in the status quo.

After all, each party savors the chance to al-

Asheville Daily Planet — January 2012 — 13

locate the trillions of dollars that our government doles out each and every year. It is exactly like two giant corporations vying for control of the worlds largest prize: The United States Treasury.

This “establishment” owns all of the mainstream media. That’s right: just six corporations control 90 percent of television, movies, newspapers, magazines, etc. Even the Internet is now a Wall Street commodity.

(In fact, Obama last year gave his blessing to the merger of Comcast and NBC Universal, two media behemoths, so he too is establishment).

Remember that when you hear ugly things about a candidate from the media, it is probably because they represent a challenge to this establishment. Ron Paul is one such very real threat. And that is why the media will try to defame him. If you follow his career, you will quickly see that he has been a constant thorn in the side of the establishment — both left and right wings — for over 20 years.

Ron Paul fights against bail outs and Corporate Cronyism as fervently as he speaks out about Welfare State-ism. And he is just as quick to expose the military-industrial war machine and the war on drugs, as he is to ridicule the “Nanny State” and its freedom-sucking laws on civil liberties. Rest assured, the establishment media will try to destroy him.

If we citizens really want change — and that’s why many of us voted for Obama — I am afraid we have little choice but to support Ron Paul.

Hold your nose if you must, but vote for Ron Paul. Even if his tenure is brief, he will upend this establishment and shine a light into the dark, dangerous and corrupt government that now controls us. All the other candidates are puppets, whose strings are pulled by the 1 percent who currently use the power of “Law” to greatly enrich themselves.

That, my friends is the stark reality we face today. Its a critical moment in our history. Ignore the media; do your own homework; and have the courage to follow your instincts!

Steven Chase Miami Beach, Fla., and Boone, NC

Ron Paul’s understanding of economics touted

I’m sure readers are as concerned as I am about rising prices that we have been experiencing over the past couple years. What’s not being talked about is the reason why.

Historically, there has never been an instance where prices have increased without a previous increase in the money supply.

Large increases in the money supply, like we’ve experienced under Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke in the form of QE1, QE2 and the recent agreement to lend money to other nations at less than the rate it is being lent at home (basically QE3), have given us the rise in prices we’ve seen lately. This is a major reason for the continued economic downturn we are currently experiencing.

And it is the reason why Ron Paul is the only presidential candidate, including the incumbent, who will stop this kind of irresponsible monetary policy and put our economy back on the right path. Ron Paul has consistently spoken of the need to audit the Federal Reserve for years. We need a president who understands economics in its proper context. No other candidate possesses this understanding.

Betty Jackson Asheville See LETTERS, Page 14

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14 - January 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet

Guest column

Why haven’t North Carolinians historically been pro-union?

The labor dispute at Sitel brings up the important topic of labor unions — and why North Carolinians haven’t historically been pro-union. I see two reasons. One goes way back in our history; the other has to do with modern Christianity.

The textile industry started moving South in the 1880s, feeding on the cheap labor of dispossessed farmers. When many mills went bankrupt after World War I, surviving mills “stretched” more work out of employees. They increased the number of looms assigned to each worker, paid workers by piece rates and increased the number of supervisors to keep workers from slowing down. Local strikes broke out all over.

When Franklin Roosevelt took office in 1933, Southern mill workers flocked to the new union made possible by the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA). The union was their Moses leading them out of bondage.

By mid-1934 the United Textile Workers had 250,000 members. An agency set up by the NIRA set minimum wages and workers’ hours–but employers countered the new minimum wages by increasing further the pace of work. And when the labor board set a 40-hour work week, mill owners required the same amount of work in those 40 hours as they had in the previous 60-hour week. The textile industry was a powder keg.

The union wasn’t ready for the huge

Lee Ballard strike to come, and the government had no power on the ground. The Graniteville, S.C., mill struck to force implementation of the new rules. Instead they got special deputies and a machine-gun unit of the National Guard. The NIRA sent special investigators, but they only urged workers to return to work. When workers tried to return, however, mill owners refused to take them back and even evicted strikers from company housing. The NIRA took no action to stop the employers from violating the codes.

The fat was in the fire. Hundreds of thousands of textile workers went on strike in the South (early on in Gastonia) — and state governments responded violently.

South Carolina and North Carolina governors deputized “every good citizen” to maintain order, that is, crush the strike.

Georgia’s governor declared martial law and directed the National Guard to arrest picketers, holding them in a former World War I prisoner-of-war camp.

The strike was a total defeat for the union. Workers were utterly demoralized by the strike and by the blacklists that

followed. They wanted no further part of unions.

The second reason I see for anti-unionism in North Carolina is more complex and harder to understand. It has its roots in 1979 with the founding of the Moral Majority — which especially opposed abortion, homosexuality, women’s liberation. No surprises there. These goals fell within what they called “traditional family values.”

Even 15 years later, when the Christian Coalition put forth its “Contract with the American Family,” the goals were familyoriented. For example, a Constitutional amendment to allow prayer in public, retirement accounts for women who stay home to care for their families, protection of children from computer trash.

In the time since then, however, “faithbased” Christian organizations have steered conservative Christians toward different goals. Family values are still there, but now, more prominently, are issues more closely tied to politics. We hear tirades on Christian radio against climate change, tax increases on the rich — and labor unions.

And we see the Family Research Council contributing to anti-union efforts in Wisconsin. Perhaps a majority of conservative Christians in North Carolina now regard pro-business capitalism — and anti-unionism — as articles of their Christian faith.

That’s where we are today — and it’s

really too bad. We take for granted today the benefits working people enjoy that were won for us by labor unions: workplace safety, break times, vacations, overtime pay, The Family And Medical Leave Act and the right to protest working conditions without retaliation — the main issue at Sitel.

And lest I forget–unions gave us the weekend. Before unions, 60-hour weeks were the norm. And also, incomes we can live on. It’s absolutely clear from census data that right-to-work states have much poorer middle classes than non-right-towork states.

I have no doubt that labor unions have a greater role to play in our future. As the cost of living goes up, so do salaries of company presidents. But ordinary working people are paid as little as possible. Now with an abundance of skilled labor, pay is low. Supply and demand is fine for pricing rare coins but not for people. To fail to pay workers enough to live on, when profits are high, is immoral.

I would hope unions will refocus themselves, away from the greed of the last century and toward powerful advocacy for workers’ wages and working conditions.

I would also hope conservative Christians will see through the political motivations of faith-based organizations and adopt the cause of working people.

• Lee Ballard lives in Mars Hill.

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Greenlife Grocery/Merrimon Ave. Drip-O-Lator coffeehouse/Broadway St. Bob Lawrence Power Equip./Broadway Five Points Restaurant/Broadway St. Eblen Short Stop-Citgo/Broadway St. Citgo/Beaver Lake/Merrimon Ave. Marco’s Pizza/Merrimon Ave. El Chapala/Merrimon Ave. Rite Aid/Merrimon Ave. Mountain Java coffeehouse/Merrimon Ace Hardware/Merrimon Ave. Subway/Merrimon Ave. Urban Burrito/Merrimon Ave. Luella’s BBQ/Merrimon Ave. Brugger’s Bagels/Merrimon Ave. Two Guys Hoagies/Charlotte St. Express Lanes/Charlotte St. Rosebud Video/Charlotte St.

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Montford Store Reader’s Corner

Ice Service Station/Haywood Rd. Burgermeister/Haywood Rd. Mercado Mexicano/Haywood Rd. La Catrachita Tienda/Haywood Rd. La Piedrita/Haywood Rd. Go Grocery/New Leicester Hwy. El Mariachi restaurant/New Lcstr. Hwy. Leicester Post Office/New Lcstr. Hwy. Miles BP/Patton Ave. Veracruz restaurant/Patton Ave. Mr. Suave conv. store/Smoky Park Hwy. Asiana restaurant/Smoky Park Hwy. El Chapala/Smoky Park Hwy. BP Station, Brevard Rd.

UNC Asheville Health & Wellness Ctr. Reuter Center New Hall Carmichael Hall Dining Hall Highsmith University Union Rhoades-Robinson Hall Ramsey Library Lipinsky Hall Karpen Hall

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Mars Hill Wagon Wheel Restaurant Mars Hill College Bookstore Original Papa Nick’s Pizza Mars Hill Exxon

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Swannanoa/Black Mtn. Swanannoa Post Office Amazing Savings/Swannanoa Consuela’s restaurant/Black Mtn. Cherry Street (newspaper row)/Blck Mtn. Hardware store/Black Mtn. Kiwanis Thrift Shop/Black Mtn.

Fairview/Reynolds Dickie’s Foods/Fairview Fairview Post Office Kounty Line/Reynolds

Hendersonville/Fletcher Fletcher Post Office Park Ridge Hospital Papas & Beer Hot Dog World Janitzio Mexican Restaurant

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Asheville Daily Planet —January 2012 — 15

Totalitarian Continued from Page 1 The free lecture was organized by Tom Wise, a Mills River resident who is founder of the Anti-Communism KTM (Kitchen Table Meeting). Wise told the Daily Planet his group has about 200 members. The café normally is closed during December, but reportedly opened up just for the program.

The film, a few brief excerpts of which were shown, presents the case that communist beliefs are tearing down American culture in surprising ways, especially in attempts to remove God and traditional values from the United States. Bowers sold DVDs of his documentary at the conclusion of his program.

Support for the film has been voiced by many conservative Christian groups, including Concerned Women of America.

It is a 2010 Jubilee Winner — Best of Festival — of San Antonio International Christian Film Festival.

Before introducing Bowers, Wise gave a mini-address, beginning dramatically by intoning, “This special meeting of the anticommunists is now in session!”

As several in the crowd chuckled, he added, “This is the only place I can do that and get a laugh!”

More seriously, Wise said, “The crux of the matter is communism wants to get rid of Judaism, not Christianity ... It’s because the Torah is ‘the law’” — and the communists oppose the rule of law.

In praise of the Jewish faith, he said, “Capitalism is in Judaism.”

On a lighter note, Wise asked, “Who is the savior of the communist movement?”

“Karl Marx!” a woman in the audience said.

“That’s right,” Wise said with a laugh.

Bowers began his talk by playing a film trailer moderated by Ronald Reagan prior to his rise to the presidency. In the clip, Reagan asked, rhetorically, why the left would be pushing its socialist agenda on the U.S. He said there were just two possibilities — out of ignorance or evil.

As for his documentary, Bowers described it as a 90-minute film “on how we got where we are.” He noted that it traces differences over the past 50 or 60 years.

“I was a state representative in Idaho and wrote a letter to the editor and it blew up ... People were marching in the capital (Boise), demanding that I resign.”

Bowers’ letter, he said, prompted pages of angry letters to the editor in response, although one man wrote that “the things I (Bowers) said were true, but there was nothing new” in Bowers’ letter.

He urged those in attendance to obtain a copy of “The Naked Communist,” written in 1958 by W. Cleon Skousen. (“The book posits and seeks to describe a geopolitical strategy by which the Marxist-Leninist Soviet Union was attempting to overcome and control all the governments of the world that were not members of the Communist bloc,” according to Wikipedia. “At the time that the book was published, during the Cold War, fear of communism was common among people in noncommunist nations.” In his book, Clousen also lists 45 communist goals, Wikipedia stated.)

In 1992, Bowers said he managed to wrangle an invitation to a communist meeting. “I dressed casually,” thinking mainly young radicals would be there. Instead, to his surprise, “it was all 50- and 60-yearolds with briefcases — and suits and ties,” Bowers noted with a laugh.

He said the communists at the meeting outlined their goals, which included destruction of American families, businesses and traditional moralities.

“If they could get all the kids by six months old, they could control (American) society within a generation,” Bowers said.

“They said they were going to dstroy so-

Curtis Bowers ciety by getting behind the environmental movement.”

He added, the communist’ final goal was “to destroy traditional morality by getting society to accept homosexuality.”

With a wry laugh, Bowers said, “Now, environmentalism is so mainstream, you’re considered a nut if you’re not on board.”

The aforementioned experiences — from the reaction to his letter to the editor about his inflitration of the communists’ meeting — prompted Bowers to feel that “I’ve got to quit my job and make a film.”

In noting that Chairman Mao of communist China “massacred an estimated 50 million of his own people,” Bowers reiterated, “They’re changing our country by capturing the hearts and minds of our children.”

Further, Bowers asserted, “The influence the radical left has is significant ... It’s amazing what they’ve done to radicalize our country.”

At that point, he said, “It’s not (President Barack) Obama. I mean that’s one of the problems.” However, even worse, he asserted, is that “we’ve lost our culture ....

We’re in a crisis in this country right now.

The people have changed. Once you get more than 50 percent of the people ... it’s a big problem ... Big government will come in and slowly take control of things.”

What’s more, Bowers said, “I know it sounds crazy ... It sounded crazy to the people of China ... of Russia ... and 70some countries where communism took over in the 20th century.”

He then warned, “Don’t think it can’t happen here.”

After a pause, he said, “Shame on us, if we don’t stand up now. “ Bowers charged that the leftists are “mocking the deaths of our boys (military personnel), who gave up their lives to keep us free ... Fifty percent of people don’t even vote in the country.”

He contended that most of recent generations of Americans have been “takers,” However, Bowers added, “The good news is, we’ve got the truth on our side.”

He added, “The statistics show we lose 85 percent of our children after one year of college,” Bowers claimed. “The game will be over if you can’t keep some of that 85 percent on our side ....

“The truth of the matter is the children and grandchildren of the people who voted for Ronald Reagan in 1980 voted Obama in. We didn’t teach them (conservative values). We can’t continue to lose generation after generation ....”

Bowers singled out for condemnation George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), an Irish playwright, thinker and a co-founder of the London School of Economics.

He said Shaw was a member of the Fabian Society, which Bowers termed “the most influential (leftist) group in modern times.”

The Fabian Society’s agenda is “to work toward a socialist world by evolution, rathern than by revolution,” Bowers said. The group believes in transformation through “small, incremental changes in societies,” he said.

In Belgium, he said a survey was taken of the nurses there recently — and “50 per-

cent acknowledged giving lethal injections to keep (certain patients) from suffering ....

“Just wait till ObamaCare comes in,” Bowers noted. “Most of us, we won’t die from natural causes” as America’s health care reform bill is enacted. Under socialized health care, he said, “You can’t even use your own money for your own treatment ....”

Then, Bowers asserted, “I think one of the biggest threats right now is Agenda 21 ... I think it’s the tool they’re going to use to get at things they’ve missed ... like private property.”

He said Agenda 21 was developed through the United Nations — “not some crackpot leftist group.”

At that point, an unidentified man shouted, “They are a crackpot leftist group,” triggering laughter from Bowers and many of those in the crowd.

Continuing, Bowers said Agenda 21 revolves around “sustainable development” and will affect — among other aspects of Americans’ lives — ski runs, plowing of soil, building fences, single-family homes, paved roads, dams and reservoirs.

Bowers asked, rhetorically, “What is the only power source that’s natural and constant? Hydroelectric. But they’re not talking about” that.

“We (conservatives) are all for being good stewards of God’s creation, so we do care” about the environment, but not in the intrusive way proposed by Agenda 21.

Bowers charged that Microsoft founder Bill Gates once said that human beings need to cut their carbon emissions to zero and reduce the world’s population to under 1 billion people. “What are we planning to do with the other 6 billion people?” Bowers asked, warily.

“One hundred seventy countries already have signed onto Agenda 21,” he said (According to the sovereignty.net website, “Agenda 21 has never been debated or adopted by the Congress of the United States. Nevertheless, it is being vigorously implemented by the administrative agencies of the federal government, and by other nations around the world. More than 150 nations, including the United States of America, are participants in the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). America’s participation is not the result of an international treaty, ratified

by Congress. America’s participation is the result of George Bush signing Agenda 21 at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio, and the current administration’s desire to implement its objectives.”)

Bowers said, “We’ve seen what men are able to do with great power in the 20th century. We’ve got to stand up.”

In citing a story in Saul Alinsky’s 1971 classic, “Rules for Radicals” (believed to be a major influence on President Jane Bilello Barack Obama), Bowers told of Italian Marxist thinker Antonio Gramsci approaching Vladimir Stalin, leader of the Bolshevik takeover of Soviet state from 1917 to 1924, for his advice on instigating similar revolutions in Western democracies. Bowers said Lenin told Gramsci, “It (communism) won’t work in countries that believe in God.” According to Bowers, when Gramsci eventually was kicked out of the Soviet state, he returned to Italy, where fascist leader Benito Mussolini had him imprisoned. From jail, Gramsci penned many of his Marxist thoughts that were widely considered to be among the most influential of the 20th century.

(Gramsci “is renowned for his concept of cultural hegemony as a means of maintaining the state in a capitalist society,” Wikipedia noted.)

Alinsky read many of Gramsci’s writings, Bowers said, noting that they were

highly influential on his “Rules for Radicals.” He said Alinsky dedicated his book to Lucifer. “‘Rules for Radicals’ remains the playbook for the left,” Bowers asserted.

While “Rules for Radicals” claims “change comes from the conflict,” Bowers said of conservatives, “We believe in limited government. They love big government.”

Under the leftist gameplan, “Let the two ideas collide. Then they ask for compromise ... That’s what our country has been doing currently for 60 years. It’s called ‘gradualism.’

“They (the leftists) go as far as they can, ‘til they get resistance,” thereby shifting the debate ever leftward. “We need people in there (politically) who will stand up for what is right.”

Further, Bowers said, “So we need to clean the House and the Senate from a state and federal level because they’re not representing us.

“Some people are good at quoting the Founding Fathers, but not in following their words.”

Nonetheless, Bowers said, “The encouraging thing is that just a few people did this to our country ... Community-organizing is their whole thing.”

To combat the leftist gains, Bowers explained that he has visited 20 states in the last eight months to crowds eager to hear his message and watch his documentary.

He noted that the conservative English writer and thinker G.K. Chesterton (18741936), who has been dubbed “the prince of paradox,” once said that “emptiness doesn’t come from being weary of pain, but from pleasure.”

To that end, “For many people, saving the planet (via Agenda 21) is their point in life,” giving it meaning, Bowers said.

He also singled out German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who challenged the foundations of Christianity. “ He killed himself at the end of his life,” Bowers said.

“I think that’s where our college kids are.

They’re empty and they want to have some point to their lives,” Bowers concluded.

During the question-and-answer session, Jane Bilello, chairwoman of the Asheville Tea Party, noted that “Asheville is the crown jewel for Agenda 21 ... We have the Land of the Sky Regional Council — and that is Agenda 21 ... We need to run people against those (Buncombe County) commissioners” supportive of Agenda 21. “They have to go. We, as citizens, need to stand up and do this.

Asheville resident Ryan Croft said, “Once you have people awake, then it’s a question of what to do.” Further, he asked Bowers if the U.S. is at a point of “alter or abolish?” and “what do we do?”

“We need to start getting people together” to stage major opposition against those who are putting the U.S. on the road to totalitarianism, Bowers replied.

“They (leftists) have ‘Rules for Radicals,’ which has been the blueprint” for their movement, “while our side” does not have anything comparable with which to fight back. “We really need to work on laying out a blueprint, step-by-step.”

Bowers said the tea party movement, and other such conservative efforts, are a step in the right direction.

“I think we have to start with our circle of influence,” he noted. ”You’ve got to capture their (young people’s) hearts and minds with the truth. We need to get involved in our churches. If your pastor won’t stand up, you need to change your church.

“Whatever your passion is, get involved and get plugged in,” Bowers urged.

16 — January 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet

Occupy Asheville mourns loss of human rights From Staff Reports Occupy Asheville held a funeral at Pritchard Park and a procession with pallbearers carrying a cardboard casket to a candlelight vigil in front of City Hall on the three-month anniversary of Occupy Wall Street and to mourn what was termed the death of civil liberties on Dec. 17.

About 30 people, braving the breezy, frigid weather, gathered in the park for speeches that touched on the loss of rights, Bradely Manning’s detention and passage of the Defense Authorization Act. A press advisory noted that OA’s event would be “framed in context of historic and current assaults on constitutional and human rights.”

In addition, the advisory said, the movement “was inspired, in large part, by the sacrifice and determination of ordinary people fighting for democracy in the Arab Spring.

“But the celebration is bitter sweet. For decades, the assault on the constitutional and human rights of different communities in the United States has been persistent and alarmingly all-encompassing. This assault is brought home locally to those participating in Occupy Asheville by the blatant actions of the City of Asheville to shut down Occupy Asheville” during mid-December’s meeting of City Council.

“To honor this aspect of the struggle for democracy and human rights, a funeral for civil liberties will happen prior to the candlelight vigil.”

Members of the community were asked to honor “those freedoms they have seen lost, and communities that have been impacted,” including the following: • “Deprivation of Native American sovereignty in the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934; • “Assaults on organized labor like that which occurred during the Pittston Coal Strike of 1989;

Occupy Asheville currently maintains an overnight camp in front of City Hall in downtown Asheville.

• “Militarized policing of the largely brown and black urban poor via the U.S. government’s ‘War on Drugs;’ • “Demonization of people of Arab and Middle-Eastern descent following 9/11 and the passage of the Patriot Act; • “Criminalization of protest using militarized urban warfare strategies commonly called the ‘Miami Model;’ • “Destructive and terrorizing raids on immigrants and their families by the U.S. Immigrations and Enforcement;

Skeptic catches flak for putting the burden of proof on plaintiffs

Second in a series of two stories

By JOHN NORTH Atheist-secular humanist Billy Kelly drew return fire for making a number of skeptical comments about faith during an interfaith panel discussion Nov. 12 in the Grotto at UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union.

The program on “Is Religion Relevant Today?” drew a standing-room-only audience of about 100 people. A panel discussion featured about 16 represenatives of different ideas, religious and secular.

The goal of the interfaith dialogue was education and religious literacy, organizers said.

After Kelly asked for proof of various faith assertions, Steve Rasmussen, a Witch, said, “Frankly, I think it’s quite arrogant of us to say there’s no deity out there.”

Lady Passion, a fellow Witch and Rasmussen’s wife, added, “To that, I’d add that science was preceded by magic.”

Kelly replied, “I hope I’m not being arrogant, but the burden of proof is on the plaintiff.”

A Jewish rabbi noted, “Ideally, there’s a core of humility and gratitude” in both Judaism and Islam. “We can argue the same is true of science.”

On a lighter note, he prompted laughter from his fellow panelists and the crowd when he quipped, “It’s hard to be humble when you’re a human.”

Next, the panel addressed: “Is Religion Relevant to Society?” “Does Evil Exist?”

“Is Asheville a Cesspool of Sin?”

The Reform Jewish rabbi on the panel said, “People come to my (place of worship) for a sense of unity,” to reach their potential and to transcend who they are.

From her point of view, evil exists. “I don’t think any of us would be so arrogant as to say there’s no evil. The responsibility (in Judaism) is within the individual.”

A Zen Buddhist said he does not like the “dichotomy of the individual and ‘other.’

How can we have peace in the world unless you have peace in your individual world?

Who really are you?”

However, Lady Passion said, “Pagans would say, ‘We’re not evil at all.’”

A Christan man on the panel countered, “Objectively, evil exists. When evil is on our doorstep, we’d recognize it ... Christianity would say to see the evil out there” — and out there “is made up of people. If there’s evil out there, isn’t it likely it’d be inside us, too?”

A Zeb Buddhist asserted, “Zen is above morality., but morality is not above Zen. Evil is delusion in our original nature.”

A Sikh on the panel said, “From the Sikh point of view, we don’t come here to be spiritual. We’re already spiritual.”

The Conservative Rabbi said, “The balance between ego and selflessness — it requires a great depth of self-awareness ...

It’s not about spirits, but that each of us is a complex being.”

A Muslim asked, “How can you know the importance of good if you don’t hear evil? We have to control our actions.”

See SKEPTIC, Page 17

• “Imprisonment and torture of government whistle-blower Bradely Manning; • “Passage of the Defense Authorization Act allowing for the legal disappearance, imprisonment and torture of anyone — citizen or not — labeled by the United States government as a terrorist; and the

Daily Planet Staff Photo

• “Coordinated assault on Occupy by both federal and local governments to end the popular movement that seeks accountability and change to the massive profiteering of corporate/financial interests and corruption of the government for the benefit of the very few.”

Asheville Daily Planet — January 2012 — 17

Faith Notes Friday, Jan. 6

SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville.

UUCA Social Justice Film Night will feature “Carbon Nation,” a new documentary focused less on climate change problems, and more on solutions to fixing up what it claims is a warming world. “One of our goals was to make a film that wasn’t blaming and shaming, because we found that, just in our lives as people, that didn’t really inspire us to do the right thing,” Director Peter Byck noted. “ We wanted to make a film that was forwardlooking, find out who was doing good things.” Admission is free, but donations will be welcomed.

CONCERT, 7 p.m., Asheville North Seventh-day Adventist Church, 364 Broadway, Asheville. Kelly Mowrer will perform music.

Sunday, Jan. 8

PROSPERITY WORKSHOP, 1-3 p.m., Center for Spiritual Living, 2 Science of Mind Way, Asheville.

Zebulon Fry will lead a workshop on “Practical Prosperity.” Fry, a motivational speaker and coach (and CSL member), will teach techniques to foster a new business plan, clarity of purpose, prosperity and success. A love offering will be taken.

CELEBRATION, 3:30 p.m., Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 47 Eagle St., Asheville. One Youth at a Time will hold the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute to Children and Youth celebration. The keynote speaker will be Chaplain Robbie J. Williams. Music will be provided by the Erwin High School chorus and Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church youth choir and praise dancers.

Monday, Jan. 9 HEALTHY CONSCIOUSNESS CLASS, 7-9 p.m., Center for Spiritual Living, 2 Science of Mind Way, Asheville. The Rev. Barbara Waterhouse will lead a new class that explores “The Principles of Successful Living, The Law of Attraction, Using the Power of Mind and Spiritual Mind Healing.” The texts, “The Science of Mind” and “The Joy of Meditation” are available for purchase in the CSL Bookstore. The class will be held on Mondays until further notice. A love offering will be accepted.

Tuesday, Jan. 10 BIBLE STUDIES, 9:45-11:45 a.m. or 6:30-8 p.m., The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, 1 Porter’s Cove Road, Asheville. The center is offering two free Bible studies for women on Tuesdays. “A Life Guided and Cared for by God: A Study Through the Book of Acts” will be led in the mornings by Jane Derrick. “Take on the Challenge: Dissecting the Challenge Given in the Book of Joshua” will be led by Kendra Graham in the evenings Jan. 10-Feb. 21.

MEDITATION, 7-9 p.m., Center for Spiritual Living, 2 Science of Mind Way, Asheville. A global heart meditation, “Birth 2012: A New Beginning,” will be held. Information will shared from Barbara Marx Hubbard, Gregg Braden

and other visionaries for a new vision and a roadmap being created to accelerate the shift to a peaceful, sustainable, health and prosperous world. Attendees will learn how they can participate and give their greatest gift to the shift. The event also is billed as enabling participants to “connect to the energy of others, as you uncover your path to using your gifts, talents and wisdom in seeding the future of humanity through conscious evolution.” A love offering will be taken.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

ABUNDANCE WORKSHOPS, 7 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. Dan Beckett will present a program “Prosperity: Living a Life of Joy and Abundance” every Wednesday through Jan. 25.

The program is aimed at those seeking more joy, serenity, inner peace and financial freedom in their lives.

He will address the question: “Do you realize you can have it all and be a shining example for others?”

Through guided meditation, affirmation, focused group discussion and simple exercises, participants will learn how to tap into their divine guidance system, release their inner talents and gifts, and create a life of joyful prosperity. Topics include cultivating a consciousness of abundance, developing one’s spiritual compass, breaking down barriers to success, getting what one want in life, and living a life of joyful service. An individual may attend one or all of the workshops (each is different). A love offering will be accepted.

Sunday, Jan. 15

MEMBERSHIP MEETING, Center for Spiritual Living, 2 Science of Mind Way, Asheville. Following the weekly Celebration of Life, the 18th Annual Membership Meeting for CSL will be held. All members are encouraged to participate in the discussion of the business and future plans for CSL. Activities will include a review of the center’s 2011 financial reports and its 2012 budget ,and the election of one new board member.

COFFEEHOUSE CONCERT, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville.

The Mountain Spirit Coffeehouse series at the UUCA will feature the band Story Hill.

Tuesday, Jan. 17

SING ALONG, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. Sing Along is billed as an activity that welcomes all singers and music-lovers who enjoy group singing with friendly people. A wide range of well-known selections is sung and lyrics and music handbooks are provided. There are no auditions or musical requirements. The group is led by musiciancomposer Dave Bates.

Sunday, Jan. 22

FRIENDSHIP POTLUCK, 12:45 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. Attendees will be afforded the opportunity to meet others at Unity and are asked to bring six to eight servings of a main dish.

Skeptic Continued from Page 16 A Catholic priest on the panel said St. Thomas Aquinas “defined evil as the absence of good.” He added that “every Catholic church welcomes sinners.”

Speaking from a Sikh perspective, a panelist said, “We don’t come to the answers to life through our heads. We really need to be in our hearts. If you kneel down and bow for 11 minutes, you would find life is not so bad.”

Further, the Sikh said, “All of this talk) is not just scientific and not just faith, there’s experiential,” too.

Rasmussen, a Witch, said, “We’ve got 1 percent controlling most of the resources ...

Greed had been elevated ... Honestly, if you look around you, it sure seems that way ...

Most ethical people are focused on helping others.”

Lady Passion added, “It’s not a one-shot life. We, as Pagans, believe in reincarnation ... We’re immortal. We believe our souls

never die.”

A minister, referring to Christian writerthinker C.S. Lewis, said that if one considers one’s life a ship, the focus is on getting from point A to point B. “We’re searching for the broader answers ... I think we’re all asking the same questions.”

A rabbi asserted, “Arguably, religion has done far more of just the opposite.”

The minister replied, “But it can be said that much evil comes from the nonreligious.”

The rabbi said, “When we make that claim and therefore negate the value of others, then we have a problem.”

To that, Jackie Simms of the Ethical Society of Asheville said, “That’s where the separation of church and state comes in.”

During the question-and-answer session that followed, Kelly, the skeptic, told one of the believers on the panel, “I appreciate that you are nicer to me, as an atheist, than your God will be one day,” based on various religious teachings.

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18 - January 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet

Not finding much benefit in ‘friends with benefits?’

A divorced male friend and I recently became “friends with benefits.” However, I’m not receiving the same, uh, level of benefits as he is. He isn’t giving me orgasms from intercourse, and his pleasuring of me is measured in seconds rather than minutes, despite my telling him that this is a problem. (I haven’t felt this pressure before: “You’ve got 60 seconds to orgasm!”) He also keeps reminding me that he doesn’t want any kind of commitment. I get that, and I keep telling him so, but he’s persisted with the warnings to the point where I have to say stuff like “I hear and understand the boundaries of this relationship and am in agreement with them.” I’ve known him since we were 8, and he isn’t a player.

Part of me thinks he isn’t attracted to me. He’s fit and I’m … less-than-fit and have big boobs, and I think they freak him out. However, out of bed, we laugh and have fun and connect. Oh, what to do …

— Bothered This guy treats pleasuring you like it’s something on a chore wheel.

Bizarrely, you’re in “friends with benefits” relationship that’s short on benefits, which is like buying a blender that doesn’t blend, a Cuisinart that doesn’t cuise. Unfortunately, the elusive female orgasm is especially persnickety when one’s partner sets up a sexual ambience reminiscent of one of those movies where Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson are staring down a ticking time bomb: “Hey, baby, just relax, lay back and let it happen -- anytime before this kitchen timer I’ve placed on your nightstand strikes 60!”

Sure, poor Booboo might have niggling fears you’ll get attached, but it isn’t like you’re buying baby clothes and leaving wedding magazines around. It’s unlikely he’d force numerous icky conversations about boundaries on some chickie of his more recent acquaintance. But, probably because he’s known you forever, he feels free to go manners-optional and let his worries all hang out: “Don’t take your coat off. You won’t be staying. And by the way, I’d prefer if you’d fake your orgasms. It would be so much less work for me.”

Yep, this boy toy of yours is a real animal in bed — a rat gnawing away at your self-confidence. Why are you still involved with him? Well, there’s a tendency to try to fix a thing instead of just bailing and to get so caught up in the momentum of your efforts that you neglect to consider whether the thing should just be put out on the curb.

In continuing to get in bed with a man who can keep his hands off you and pretty much does, you’re a co-conspirator in your feeling like crap. It’s really damaging to be with somebody who isn’t into you. Even in an FWB situation, you need a man who finds you hot — or at least is enough of a friend to give you the sense that he’s undressing you with his eyes, not using them to drop a refrigerator box over you.

The cad catalogue

Three years ago, I was divorced six weeks from a 22-year marriage when I got involved with a married co-worker and persuaded him to divorce his wife for me. He has been married five times and cheated on all of his wives. I have reason to believe he’s still having sex with his ex-wife. I’m not sure what to do. I refinanced my house a few months after meeting him and paid off his and his wife’s $14,000 credit card debt (my idea, to help him out of the marriage).

He’s been repaying me $250 a month,

The Advice Goddess

Amy Alkon

although I also usually pay for his plane ticket here. (I moved for work.) He’s a pretty bad alcoholic. Not a mean one, just a goofy one. I know he has a bad marital track record, but he’s in his 50s; his marriage-hopping has to stop …you’d think. Crazy as it seems, I’m madly in love. He is charming, is generous, and shows me he loves me in little ways — cards, phone calls, etc. Really, I’m not dumb. I’m a librarian with a master’s. But, tell me: How bad is this?

— Shhhh…

Oh, the charming, generous things he does, like putting your credit card back in your wallet and closing the snap.

He doesn’t sound like an evil person; he just is who he is: an undercapitalized, serially married goofy drunk who’s probably sleeping with his ex-wife. Three years ago, you were just-divorced and probably panicking about your prospects, when you spotted your Mr. Right (aka an age-appropriate, conveniently located, attractive man with a pulse). Hellooo, confirmation bias!

That’s a common human irrationality -- the tendency to snuggle up to information that confirms what you want to believe and to ignore any information that doesn’t. Before long, you were slammed with “cognitive dissonance,” the clash of two simultaneously held opposing beliefs — your belief that this is a worthy love thing versus how this guy goes to the altar more often than some men go to the carwash.

To reduce the psychological friction of cognitive dissonance, you’re prone to justify whichever belief shines up your ego. The more some choice costs you the more driven you’ll be to defend it -- like when you’ve abruptly thrown 14K at the idea that you can change a man who thinks soul mates come in six-packs. And no, you aren’t that “dumb”; you’re just that human.

Deep down, you know that love -- real love — is never having to say, “Are you cheating on me with your ex-wife?”

Keep in mind that the term “madly in love” refers to a state where you aren’t making rational decisions. You need to get in the habit of standing back from your life and assessing what you’re doing — especially when you’re at your neediest. Recognize your human propensity to act irrationally — to let your emotions lead and then to mop up afterward with a bunch of self-justifications. If you can accept yourself as human and fallible, you won’t feel so compelled to toss less-thanflattering facts in the hall closet behind the badminton net. Be open with yourself (and even your friends) about your flaws and fears and you should start managing them in healthier ways — instead of paying off a bunch of pantsuits a guy’s wife bought five years ago at Macy’s and telling yourself you’ve found love.

If the shoo fits?

Through no one’s fault but my own, I am a rather pathetic, washed-up character — a man approaching 40, slaving away for $10/hour, and getting around on my bike after having to sell my car.

Yet, I’m ever driven by my wants — for pretty ladies in their early 20s. Do I have any hope?

— Seeking

It’s tough attracting the ladies when you have transportation issues: “I’ll be over at 8. Wanna run behind my bike, or would you prefer to balance yourself on my handlebars?”

This might fly if you’re 23 and parking your bike outside the drafty garret where you write mind-blowingly beautiful poetry or if your hobbies include shrinking your “carbon footprint” while snarling that the eco-posers tooling around in their Priuses are fouling the environment.

Unfortunately, most hot young chickies willing to date a guy cresting 40 expect him to have achieved some status and position, and not a position paying slightly better than fast food.

Still, if you can’t substantially increase your income, you might increase your status by making a difference. You could start and run a humanitarian organization (like Robert Werner, who started BC Digital Divide, refurbishing donated computers and giving them to the needy).

But, if you do this solely to get chicks, they’ll surely see through it. Ultimately, this mostly has to be about a passion to help others, and not just to help others who are 23 and hot out of their clothes.

— Betrayed When one dog tries to hump another, it generally isn’t because he finds the other dog ethically sketchy. I get that you aren’t a chihuahua with computer privileges, but there’s a good chance the thought process for these guys was dog-humpingly deep.

I had you send me your photo, and you’re gorgeous. Men make passes at women who are blindingly attractive — and not necessarily because they devalue them as friends or think they’ll be quick to toss their wedding ring on another man’s night table.

Sometimes, impulse, dirty martinis, desperation, and seven years of a woman’s hotitude just come to a head. This isn’t to say you should excuse what these guys did or continue being friends with them if that’s painful, but it may help to understand that the calculation here may • (c) 2011, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.

Poach class

The Asheville Daily Planet print letters to the editor, preferably less than 150 words in length. All letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number for confirmation purposes only.

Send your opinions to Asheville Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 or e-mail them to letters@ AshevilleDailyPlanet.com.

Two male friends who know I’m happily married have made a pass at me recently. One’s kind of a player, so… whatever. The other I considered a very good friend (of seven years), and I find myself remarkably angry with him.

Some friend. I feel like posting a blog item, “I have never been unfaithful to my husband and never will be.”

Write a Letter to the Editor

Asheville Daily Planet — January 2012 — 19

11,000

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Pat Newcomb 828.777.1226

Kay’s Cleaning Service Business

FREE ESTIMATES INSURED & BONDED Commercial

Residential

(828) 779 - 4375

To place a classified line ad in the Daily Planet, call 252-6565.

Rates are as little as $10 per month for 25 words or less!

20 — January 2012 - Asheville Daily Planet