Classified Document ‘stink piles’ – they’re everywhere!

feelings we have that we can’t find words for, or don’t HAVE words for in the English language.

They say French is the language of love. If so, then I guess English is the language of, well, merely getting by and hoping we make ourselves understood.

As I said earlier, it (the English language) is growing every day and we are adding more to it as time goes by. As for me, I hope to be able to keep understanding it more every day. I hope to be able to use it in my profession to be able, in my native tongue, to write that sentence “as clean as a bone”, so that just what I’m feeling when I see a beautiful woman, child, sunset, or any beautiful thing that God in His “amazingness” has created, all so this simple writer can understand things about life; and find a way to put it onto a page of anything I have written; any column I have penned. Maybe then it will make a difference in somebody’s life.

I’m never sure, especially since my columns and articles will (most likely) never get beyond this small town paper; this small town where (and which) my wife and I call home. And especially since my chosen profession – admittedly not the original one I wanted for my life – is one which most people see as of no great import, so far as I can tell, anyway, in the great scheme of things.

Still, the fun part of journalism, for me, is being able to tell people’s stories. That’s a BIG trust and a BIG job! In my time of doing it, I hope I have done it well. I hope I haven’t let anyone down.

But more than anything, I hope I haven’t butchered the language I love in doing my job. Because… English! If I did? Now, THAT would break my heart!

Glenn Mollette Guest Editorial

An Old Testament story records an overwhelming infestation of frogs throughout Egypt. There was no place in Egypt where frogs were not present in large numbers. The plague was sent in response to Pharoah’s attitude toward the Israelite people who lived in slavery under his rule. When God ended the plague there were piles of dead frogs all over Egypt. In the streets, bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, storage facilities, and places we can only imagine. It became a very stinky situation as they raked up the dead frogs and piled them up all over Egypt.

The Classified Document saga seems to be growing in similar fashion to the dead frogs of Egypt. They appear to be everywhere and they stink. The odor has to be particularly bad for Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden as well as Vice President Mike Pence.

First came the big raid of Trump’s home in Florida. Late at night, FBI agents went through his home and personal items and carried out boxes of documents.

Next, we hear that Biden has had classified documents in his home for years. They seem to be scattered everywhere throughout his house. Then, Mike Pence in Indiana has more classified documents. What are these men doing with these documents? They are scattered out like the dead frogs of Egypt!

Again, what are these individuals doing with classified documents? I used to keep a big box of comic books when I was a kid. I would read a comic and then put it in the box. Sometimes I would read them again.

I definitely knew that I had them. Why would past administrations hold on to classified documents? How did they get to the locations where they were found?

The National Archives has asked all the former Presidents to check for classified documents. Jimmy Carter? Where would he have them? In his family Bible? Mixed in with old Sunday school lessons that he has taught at the local Baptist church? I don’t think so but you never know who might have picked them up, packed them in a box, and placed them on a shelf in his garage.

What about George W. Bush? Could documents be under the seat of his old truck? Bill Clinton has emphatically stated he does not have any classified documents but he has made emphatic statements before. These former Presidents have said they do not have such documents. Did Trump carry these documents out of the White House when he and his family climbed aboard the Presidential helicopter?

I’ve never seen Trump or Biden carry anything. Which aid picked up some boxes and tossed them into the moving van? Where is White House security when it comes to classified documents?

Only time will tell and we may never know for sure about the plethora of classified documents. We hope they aren’t reading some of them in China or Russia. Who can say for sure where they are not being read? We do not know for sure whether or not someone else has them. Could another family member have a box or two somewhere? How much money would China, Russia or others pay for classified documents?

Democrats and Republicans will point fingers and scream about all this in the next election. Both sides will try to make the other side look worse but it appears there is plenty of stink everywhere.

I have been very blessed in my life to have had some very good friends. Most of them – years ago –were friends that I made at school or church. I was blessed to attend Tryon School in grades one through twelve. A good number of my classmates at Tryon went to Shady Grove Baptist Church as well. It was so amazing to see my friends at school through the week and then at church on Sunday. There was a special bond there with us that still exists today.

By Anne S. Haynes

years. They are a super couple who love the Lord and have tried to serve Him throughout their lives.

Bill and I worked on many committees together through the years, and Jane and I were involved in women’s missions together. Tommy and Bill served as deacons together and the men’s mission activities as well.

It’s amazing to me how God continues to bring people together over periods of time. There is a special couple named Bill and Jane that I used to go to church with for many

Recently, Bill celebrated a major birthday with his family and friends coming together to honor him on his special day. Tommy and I had a great time helping Bill as he celebrated.

The special occasion caused me to stop and think about birthdays and celebrations and how im- portant it is to honor such events. It made me think about special people who have gone on to heaven and what a time of celebration there will be in heaven one day. But it also made me think about how important celebrations are here in this world. Birthdays are certainly a great time to celebrate each other, reflect on the past, plan for the future, and give praise to God for His many blessings.

Now, I can’t begin to tell people how to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions, but I do think such times bring joy to us and honor to God because He is the Creator of life. His name is above all names and “greatly to be praised.”

So, ‘Happy Birthday’ again “brother Bill,” and may God continue to bless you and Jane and your wonderful family!