03-14-2007, 09:04 AM
Since many folks in these parts are so ingrained in the Bible Belt that they use it to symbolically hold up their spiritual pants, the Old Testament tale of David and Goliath is as familiar as a double cheeseburger from Main Street.
As told in Samuel 17, the Philistines gathered for war against the Israelites, God’s chosen people at the time. The two armies set up on opposite hillsides, with a valley between them. Imagine thousands of soldiers with weapons on their sides and violence on their minds setting up camps on the mountains north and south of the four-lane highway between Murphy and Andrews, and you get the basic idea.
Even though God led Israel out of slavery and into the promised land, the Philistines had a not-so-secret weapon, a champion named Goliath who was more than 9 feet tall, wore armor weighing about 125 pounds and probably took steroids. The point of his spear alone weighed about 15 pounds, meaning he was one bad dude.
Being the bully that he was, for 40 days Goliath came down from the Philistines’ hill and taunted the Israelites. He offered to fight any of King Saul’s soldiers, mano-o-mano, and to the victor’s army would go the spoils. The Bible says Saul and all the Israelites were terrified, and for good reason: To the Israelites, who averaged about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, seeing that giant must have been like the guy who played Webster looking up at Shaquille O’Neal.
When no one would take on Goliath, David, a young shepherd who had three older brothers in Israel’s army, told Saul he was not intimidated. Drawing every ounce of faith and strength he could muster, David grabbed his sling, chose five smooth stones from a stream and walked out to face the Philistine.
The rest of the tale is historical fact, not urban legend. After some apocalyptic smack talk, David slung a stone and nailed Goliath on his forehead. If the bigger they are the harder they fall is science, then the sound the giant made biting the dust must have measured on the B.C. Richter scale. David finished the job by cutting off Goliath’s head using his own sword, and the rout was on.
This story has come to mind a lot over the last few months, as I’ve watched with interest the brouhaha between the Cherokee County Board of Health and county commissioners. Sadly, too many local residents seem to feel like David, full of conviction but still feeling small next to the Goliath of county government.
Dozens of people – including a fair number who work with the county – have called, written or stopped me to chat since I came to the Cherokee Scout four years ago this week to complain about some aspect of government, only to add, “Please don’t tell anyone my name, I need my job and I’m worried about retribution.” This is an outrage, as whistleblowers are among the most patriotic people in the United States. Yet, they have reason to be concerned.
The county’s perceived “we’re better than you” attitude could be seen at the March 5 commission meeting, when commissioners whispered among themselves about new health board members – during an open public meeting, mind you – while the courtroom’s microphone stayed off. That was even more of an insult than the complete disregard commissioners gave to the serious allegations former health board chairwoman Mary Miller brought to the attention of the board that night.
While Commissioners Jonathan ****ey and Dana Jones have had no problem using nebulous excuses in an attempt to discredit Miller, they refuse to even look into allegations brought against County Manager David Badger or anyone else deemed part of the inner circle. Clearly, it’s OK to skirt the rules if you’re part of the ruling party – not Democrat or Republican, but the GOB: Good Ol’ Boy party. And if you’re not a member of the party in charge, good luck trying to get anything done.
Of all people, Miller – a highly trained public safety professional – was the wrong person to pick a fight with. A few days ago, I spoke with a university law professor, who said Miller would have no problem winning a lawsuit – and a minimum judgment of $250,000 – if she decided to sue the county. Fortunately for the commissioners, Miller’s strong moral convictions have kept her from doing that – so far.
This has gone on long enough. How can ****ey talk about maintaining “integrity” when he and Jones have refused to offer any reason why the six allegations of “disrepute” they made against Miller shouldn’t be disregarded? How can commissioners vilify hard-working volunteers but not even pretend to hold paid employees to the same standards? How can they keep their heads buried in the sand in light of state studies that show environmental health needs more help? True leaders are not afraid to hold themselves, and their friends, accountable.
With every election, hope springs eternal that the new folks taking office will move things forward in a positive direction. Unfortunately, the county’s actions since Nov. 5 have caused many residents to wonder if we haven’t taken a giant step backward.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. You can reach him by phone, 837-5122; fax, 837-5832; or e-mail, dbrown@the cherokeescout.com.
As told in Samuel 17, the Philistines gathered for war against the Israelites, God’s chosen people at the time. The two armies set up on opposite hillsides, with a valley between them. Imagine thousands of soldiers with weapons on their sides and violence on their minds setting up camps on the mountains north and south of the four-lane highway between Murphy and Andrews, and you get the basic idea.
Even though God led Israel out of slavery and into the promised land, the Philistines had a not-so-secret weapon, a champion named Goliath who was more than 9 feet tall, wore armor weighing about 125 pounds and probably took steroids. The point of his spear alone weighed about 15 pounds, meaning he was one bad dude.
Being the bully that he was, for 40 days Goliath came down from the Philistines’ hill and taunted the Israelites. He offered to fight any of King Saul’s soldiers, mano-o-mano, and to the victor’s army would go the spoils. The Bible says Saul and all the Israelites were terrified, and for good reason: To the Israelites, who averaged about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, seeing that giant must have been like the guy who played Webster looking up at Shaquille O’Neal.
When no one would take on Goliath, David, a young shepherd who had three older brothers in Israel’s army, told Saul he was not intimidated. Drawing every ounce of faith and strength he could muster, David grabbed his sling, chose five smooth stones from a stream and walked out to face the Philistine.
The rest of the tale is historical fact, not urban legend. After some apocalyptic smack talk, David slung a stone and nailed Goliath on his forehead. If the bigger they are the harder they fall is science, then the sound the giant made biting the dust must have measured on the B.C. Richter scale. David finished the job by cutting off Goliath’s head using his own sword, and the rout was on.
This story has come to mind a lot over the last few months, as I’ve watched with interest the brouhaha between the Cherokee County Board of Health and county commissioners. Sadly, too many local residents seem to feel like David, full of conviction but still feeling small next to the Goliath of county government.
Dozens of people – including a fair number who work with the county – have called, written or stopped me to chat since I came to the Cherokee Scout four years ago this week to complain about some aspect of government, only to add, “Please don’t tell anyone my name, I need my job and I’m worried about retribution.” This is an outrage, as whistleblowers are among the most patriotic people in the United States. Yet, they have reason to be concerned.
The county’s perceived “we’re better than you” attitude could be seen at the March 5 commission meeting, when commissioners whispered among themselves about new health board members – during an open public meeting, mind you – while the courtroom’s microphone stayed off. That was even more of an insult than the complete disregard commissioners gave to the serious allegations former health board chairwoman Mary Miller brought to the attention of the board that night.
While Commissioners Jonathan ****ey and Dana Jones have had no problem using nebulous excuses in an attempt to discredit Miller, they refuse to even look into allegations brought against County Manager David Badger or anyone else deemed part of the inner circle. Clearly, it’s OK to skirt the rules if you’re part of the ruling party – not Democrat or Republican, but the GOB: Good Ol’ Boy party. And if you’re not a member of the party in charge, good luck trying to get anything done.
Of all people, Miller – a highly trained public safety professional – was the wrong person to pick a fight with. A few days ago, I spoke with a university law professor, who said Miller would have no problem winning a lawsuit – and a minimum judgment of $250,000 – if she decided to sue the county. Fortunately for the commissioners, Miller’s strong moral convictions have kept her from doing that – so far.
This has gone on long enough. How can ****ey talk about maintaining “integrity” when he and Jones have refused to offer any reason why the six allegations of “disrepute” they made against Miller shouldn’t be disregarded? How can commissioners vilify hard-working volunteers but not even pretend to hold paid employees to the same standards? How can they keep their heads buried in the sand in light of state studies that show environmental health needs more help? True leaders are not afraid to hold themselves, and their friends, accountable.
With every election, hope springs eternal that the new folks taking office will move things forward in a positive direction. Unfortunately, the county’s actions since Nov. 5 have caused many residents to wonder if we haven’t taken a giant step backward.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. You can reach him by phone, 837-5122; fax, 837-5832; or e-mail, dbrown@the cherokeescout.com.