Speak Your Piece

E-m@il address

In addition to the telephone and the U.S. Mail, The Mountain Eagle accepts comments to Speak Your Piece by electronic mail. Our address is: mteagle@tgtel.com

The old saying is what goes around comes around. As you're lying there with your ankles and arm broken you can think about what you stole from that boy that his grandmother wanted him to have. Just think about it.

Howdy, people. This is youknow who again. That's right, the maroon drunk. I got into the cooler as soon as I got home from work and I'm feeling pretty good right now. So whoever called in the lies and the mean things about me in this last edition of Speak Your Piece, whoever you are — a pill snorter, one of their valued customers or anyone else — if you have something against me just flag me down and tell me. That's not such a good idea, is it? You say I don't have any friends, but I have my beer-drinking buddy and his hot sexy wife. If you think he's not my friend, say something bad about me to him. That's not a good idea either, is it? He can really kick butt. I've seen him do it up here before.

From the friend of the maroon drunk: We know who you are and where you live. You're just jealous because the maroon drunk doesn't like rump roast. Ha ha.

Hey, radar ears. How does it feel to keep losing? First you get beaten down and stuck with all those doctor bills. The jury wouldn't take your case because you lied and now your buddy stole some of your pills you were selling. What's going to happen next, another beatdown or your buddies taking the rest of your pills?

I was thinking of voting for John McCain until I heard on TV about the millions of dollars the oil and gas industry is putting behind him. It breaks my heart to learn that he's just like the rest of the Republicans who are in power today. It's becoming obvious that McCain would be no better than Bush, and maybe even worse. He's certainly a worse liar than Bush could ever dream of being.

It's going to be interesting to see how the mainstream media will handle some of the things John McCain has been telling about his time as a prisoner or war. No one wants to call a war hero a liar, but it looks as though Senator McCain borrowed a story about the actions of a prison guard holding him captive on Christmas Day in Vietnam. McCain claims the guard untied him and used his foot to draw a cross in the dirt before erasing the cross and tying McCain back up. Unfortunately, McCain appears to have lifted the story from a book by Russian dissident and author Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who spent years in gulags, or prisons, in Siberia before he was expelled from the Soviet Union in 1974. The real question is going to be whether McCain, who is an avowed fan of Solzhenitsyn, lifted the story from Solzhenitsyn himself or if he got the idea from one of his top campaign men, Mark Salter, who is a scholar of Solzhenitsyn.

It's amazing to me how a high school girl can curse her mother in public one week then the next week get on a public stage and throw her hands up in praise of God. Guess that's just kids for you.

I would love to meet the maroon drunk. He sounds like a fun person to be friends with. He is very popular with the fans of Speak Your Piece. I think there's a jealousy issue connected to some of the comments made about him.

To a certain blonde I used to like but have no use for anymore: I see you running around in that little white four-door car. You better get wise quick. You're fooling around with the wrong people and the wrong crowd. If your daddy's grandma was alive and knew the kind of person you were fooling around with she would have a little talk with you. But she's in Heaven, and your little friend is going to hell where she belongs.

I want to thank a certain person for the happy birthday wish on the 18th of August.

This is to everyone who smokes cigarettes: You need to understand one thing. If you are pregnant it is unsafe for your unborn child.

Hooray for the horse riders. Now that they have a place to ride on Pine Mountain they will quit whining about people having a nice decent place to drive on a hardtop road on the Little Shepherd Trail.

To the guy I saw in the veterans' park last Sunday in the pickup truck: I think we need to talk. So the next time you see me flag me over. We really need to talk.

I caught a certain female employee at a certain restaurant spitting into a burger.

To the lady who worked at a certain store: Did you like the fact that social services was at your house wanting to do a drug test on you and your husband? Keep it up and there will be a lot more than drug tests done on you all.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine. You are precious in My sight. You are honored, and I love you. Do not call to mind or ponder things of the past. Behold and do something new. Now it will spring forth. Will you not even be aware of it? I will even make a road into the wilderness, the rivers, the desert. I am the One who wipes out your transgressions, and I will not remember your sins …. Love you, Paulette and Joe. God bless.

Ladies, have you noticed that the old tomcat from Partridge has lost a lot of weight? The Viagra did not work.

I live in the last house in the hollow and I believe that everybody else who lives in the last house in a hollow should quit paying taxes. They do not service our roads, but they want our taxes at the end of every year. Remember, all of us who live in a last house vote. Let's band together and vote in people who will give us gravel like they are supposed to and cut our weeds like they are supposed to. We pay taxes; we should get services. They can come up here and fix our roads just like they pick up our garbage.

(Are you familiar with the federal court case from earlier this summer in which officials from neighboring Knott County were convicted of criminal wrongdoing for misusing taxpayers' money? It's a safe bet those officials now wish they hadn't paved or put gravel on private roads that didn't serve two or more separate households.)

I just want to say I think these two women on Goose Creek at Neon are some kind of women. They sure do their part in working around their homes while other old women sit around and chew on their cuds just like old bulls out in the pasture. I admire both of these women. I think they are super. Ladies, keep up the good work.

I am a career criminal and I'm calling in to complain about the food at the Whitesburg jail. I was in there very recently and it was bad. I wish they would serve us steaks, or at least order pizza two nights a week. It's bad for us career people to be eating such garbage for food. Maybe you'll catch me in your house or maybe you won't. If I do get caught I'll be back in there having to eat those junky bologna sandwiches again. This is one criminal's opinion — steak, mashed potatoes and gravy.

You can thank your loud friend in the black Corvette with the Virginia tags for the lights. They're going to stay on all the time now. The cameras are still rolling, children. I see who is doing what.

The citizens of Letcher County are wondering where the jail work crew has been this year. They've not been doing a lot this year compared to last year. Last year we could see them every other day cutting grass in graveyards, working at Fishpond Lake, etc. This year we don't see them anywhere. Is it laziness or the high price of gas?

To Bonnie and Clyde: I see that Clyde is kicked back and taking it easy, trying to stay out of trouble. As you know, Bonnie is still hiding out in Georgia. Clyde took the rap and she is in hiding. Good luck to both of them.

Hey pervert. I know you live on Bill Moore Branch and you know you messed up her life. Now I'm going to mess up your life. You know who I am and you know who she is. You're going to get yours. Later.

Hey, Brushy Bill. If you will, this is Plowboy here. If you'll pick me as your VP we will create a scene that's never been seen. We'll knock their hat in the creek.

I just want to say that the girls who work at Frazier's give such excellent customer service.

This is concerning the comment about the boy who fell out of the truck: You say they need to be punished, but you cannot punish kids for peer pressure. What parents need to do is teach their children not to do what others do — that just because someone tells you to drink something doesn't mean you have to drink it.

To a guy in a black vehicle with Tennessee tags: I can't stand you. You need to stop talking on your cellphone while you're driving. It's really a nuisance to those following behind you.

So John McCain says you have to make $5 million a year before you are considered rich. What Bush did this joker fall from? My friends, we are in deep trouble if we elect this man to the White House.

Now experts have decided that sunshine is good for you after all. What a surprise. The vitamin D is critical in preventing cancer and other diseases. You need 30 minutes to one hour of sun every day. Just don't overdo it. People have been out in the sun for centuries without getting skin cancer. If you have a problem with the sun you are lacking certain nutrients or foods that have sunscreens in them. Also, certain medications and interact with the rays from the sun.

I have said for years that tanning beds were bad for you and can cause cancer. Now there is a survey out saying that women between the ages of 19 and 29 are suffering from a rash of skin cancer. It's amazing how this information comes out years later after so many have died.

To the maroon drunk and the ones who complain about him: I know I shouldn't get into this, but grow up. I did a long time ago when I was 2. I am only 15 now. I'd rather read about something else. Whatever you have to say, say it to each other or don't say it at all. I'm only writing this because I have a stepbrother who does pills and drinks. His wife is eight weeks pregnant. You would think they both would quit after he took a seizure. You all should be planning ahead, getting a job and buying yourselves a house. It's a shame I work every day and go to school. I am only a freshman this year.

To my uncle: I hate that every time you work you go out and blow your money on beer and liquor and everything. With all that money you could have a good home and family. That's why you don't have a wife. She left you because you drink and you beat on her. That's why you don't have a girlfriend. I watch you read Speak Your Piece, so please straighten up.

What are you going to do, call the cops and tell them I got your pills? The whole neighborhood heard it, skank.

I am calling about a certain church. Preacher, if you are wondering why things keep going wrong, start at the beginning and look at your members. Your Sunday School teacher is a hypocrite. She is deceitful, a liar, a destroyer of families, and is sleeping with a man almost twice her age. She is far from saving herself. When she misses church they are going out to have sex. How gross. She is trying to read a book she has never read from beginning to end. There is no way she has God's spirit inside of her and lives the life of a deceitful devil. The truth always comes out, and there it is.

Quoting Bible passages and playing the martyr is not going to excuse you when you stand before God. You are not fooling anyone.

I would like to know who can help all of the high school kids in Letcher County. They need to realize these students are on a school bus over 40 hours a month just to get to the high school. They spend two hours a day just to get to and from the new high school. That's a long time and many hours on a school bus.

To a certain woman: You think you're smart and you're fooling around on your husband while he's in jail. Hopefully he'll leave you this time and never come back to you.

I am a 25-year-old male looking for a nice young woman who is in love with Appalachia. I think I found her. She drives a little white car.

We would like to wish Hailey Kuracka a happy birthday on August 31. We love you. Dad, Mammaw and Papaw Kuracka.

What do you seek with your drink and drugs?/Do you seek for happiness or maybe for love?/ Are you trying to hide or escape from your worry?/These things are not the way, they only lead to trouble in a hurry./If you're looking for a way to put trouble behind/I think you should talk to a good friend of mine./He can lift you much higher than other things can./If you put your faith in Him, you have to answer to no man./If you will only give your heart to Christ above/You'll never be alone and you'll always have His love. C.A.C.

I am sitting here reading Awake the Sleeping Giant and thinking about the years that I lost out on with my friends and grandchildren. I try to be a fruitful Christian, but in depression I went to bed and pulled the covers up and forgot everyone and everything. Now the grandchildren don't want my hugs. I am not going to fret about it, but I will pray and listen to God's word. I am reading Listening to God's Word by Robinson. Thank God I am awake and can be a guiding light and all my children and grandchildren will know the path of life. Thank you, C.A.C., for 'Power'. I'd like to read more. Come and go to church with me. Is Matthew Robbins the reverend at Middlesboro? May God bless you and yours. A.B.C. P.S. My mother had these rules for today: Do nothing that you would not like to be doing when Jesus comes. Go to no place where you would not like to be found when Jesus comes. Say nothing that you would not like to be saying when Jesus comes. She didn't teach me about life, but she kept God in the house and in our lives. I was down and out and reached for my Bible and found $100. God is there always on time. Thank you.

To the one that has the keys to my place, has the keys of hell and of death (Revelations Chapter 1:18): Are you the synagogue of Satan (Revelations Chapter 2:19)? I am sorry for being a stumbling block. If I have every been a Jezebel, I am truly sorry (Revelations Chapter 2:20). You better get the key of David (Revelations Chapter 3:7). Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The false prophet wrought miracles, was cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone (Revelations Chapter 19:20, 20:10, 22:12). And, behold, I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give every man according to is work shall be. Alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Do you have the right to the tree of life (Revelations Chapter 22:14)? The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (John 3:16).

There's an unconfirmed rumor going around Letcher County that a local convenience store clerk actually said 'thank you' as he handed change back to the customer after his purchase. If this is true, this would be the first time since the 1994 Mountain Heritage Festival when a newly hired clerk just back from college, where he majored in courtesy and ethics, actually uttered these words to a customer as he handed back her change and, unbelievably, put the coins in her hand instead of laying them on the counter for her to have to scoop up. This startled and shocked the customer so much she actually fainted and had to be revived with the clerk's NASCAR hat being used as a fan. Since that time I reckon it's been against the law to say 'thank you' to a customer. The more common language is 'whattal you want?' or 'whattal you need, dude?' Or better still you might hear 'there you go, buddy' as he holds your change six inches above your hand and tries to drop it into your hand without actually having to touch you. After hearing this rumor I decided to stop at my local convenience store here in the county. I went inside the store and purchased a Mountain Eagle and handed the clerk a dollar. He laid my change on the counter as I stood there with my hand open thinking he might make a mistake and actually hand my change back into my hand. As others were watching, I quickly swatted at the air with my open hand as if I was shooing an insect away. I was embarrassed because the clerk thought that by putting the coins in my open hand I might give him some exotic incurable disease. I don't think there's any substance to the rumor of this clerk actually thanking a customer, but more study has to be done to be completely sure. We'll not have people say 'thank you' in this county.

Happy birthday to Baby Ballard who will be two years old August 20 on Wednesday. He is Barry and Kathy Miles's son. They live on Big Cowan, above us. Thank you, Stanley Pack.

Thanks again to five good Supreme Court justices who ruled that a lowlife scumbag rapist and murderer could be executed in Texas. Two of these justices were nominated by George W. Most of you are probably not familiar with the case. A few years ago in Houston, Texas, this subhuman Mexicanborn piece of human offal and five of his gang members brutally raped and murdered two teenage girls, ages 14 and 16. The police and rescue workers on the scene when the girls were found four days later near the railroad thought that they had been hit by a train because the scene was so horrendous. It was later learned through testimony that the nowdeceased piece of garbage stood on one's throat as she begged for mercy. The attorneys for the rapist murderer argued that he was not allowed Mexican counsel. This is a sovereign nation, and Texas is a sovereign state. The crime was committed in Texas, and Mexico has no jurisdiction here. Wake up, people, and see what certain people are trying to do to this country.

I was sorry to hear that Judge Wood may be retiring. That would be a big loss for the county. He has been a good, reasonable, honest judge, and has also done a valuable job in domestic violence, drugs, and other problem areas. It would be an even greater loss if any of the lawyers I've heard mentioned for the job should replace him. From what I've heard, they all have a lot of baggage. In any event, the word is that the replacement would be decided by a group of lawyers — that the public would have no involvement. That seems very wrong to me. Why is there no public process I the county? We haven't had a chance to vote on several of the people in office, because they've had no opposition, and that's bad enough, but to just have someone appointed is even worse. Having lawyers involved doesn't give me a very good feeling, either.

It's my opinion that the drivein restaurant at the top of Garner Mountain at Isom is the best place to get food in Isom. Clean and really great food. So come on, people, help me keep this place open. Go up there to get something to eat. I sure would hate to see it close down.

I think it's a disgrace when a girl shows up dressed like she's attending a nightclub instead of a church where her mother-inlaw was.

After listening to Gary Rogers from Letcher Fire Department on the scanner for so long, making a fool out of his people, treating them like idiots, I finally saw him and his crew at work and he proved what I suspected all this time, a monkey could do what an EMT does. Letcher has the potential to be a first-rate fire department and ambulance service so why doesn't our county judge step in, clean it up, and get it on the right track?

I would like to thank my socalled Christian friends for their concern — not. It was a shame that only four out of the whole church really cared. Where were the visit and phone calls from the preacher? What a joke. You know that God knows your heart better than you and when you say or claim to love me and my family and not mean it with a sincere heart, God knows the truth and you are lying through your teeth and it become a sin. Just pray that one day that things won't happen to you and you will then have to depend on someone else. I believe it has to do with money, clothing and activities you are into. I have none that are good enough. That is alright. Your days of lying will come out. If I have so-called friends like this, then who needs enemies?

Our thanks to all the individuals, businesses and organizations in Whitesburg and surrounding communities who supported our free RAVS veterinary clinic August 3-8 at the old Whitesburg High School. A special thanks to Recycled Friends for local arrangements, The Mountain Eagle for free advertising and to the City of Whitesburg for the use of the old high school. Thank you, Bettina Vanover and Donna Howard, for handling appointments. And above all, thanks to all the wonderful cooks who fed the 40-member veterinary clinic staff; we ate like kings. The clinic provided medical services for approximately 250 animals. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your community. Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) is a program of The Humane Society of the United States.

To a certain woman: I know you've been sleeping with my husband because I now have the same STD you have. I also know he's been supplying you money for your drug habit. No wonder you lost custody of your kids. Like I told you the other night, you better never come back to my house. You're a lying, stealing, no good piece of white trash.

Frog Doctor says what's up, Jenkins? How is everyone doing? Life is getting better on my end. Going through a breakup in a marriage of 18 years, it's hard, but I have decided to take my life back and enjoy every day as it comes. To everyone that is going through the same thing: stay strong. It only gets better day by day. To the person that replied to the Frog is last week's paper: I really think you have me mixed up with someone else. I have never thought of myself as a fruitcake. I only had one addiction when I was there and it was not a substance, it was a certain person that made me feel good about myself, something that I hadn't felt in a very long time. But this person is a very loved and missed friend that I would love to talk to again. Seems like the past year we didn't get to see each other but just a couple of times. I didn't even get to see you before I left. I hope you are doing good and whoever you are with realizes what kind of man you are and appreciates that. I just wish that you would do something with your God-given talent. I wish that you could look at yourself through my eyes and see what I see. You would be amazed at the person I see every time I look at you. Remember what I told you, you are? And you can do anything. My peeps, I love and miss you all so much. I can't wait to come back in and be with my family again. Take care, be happy and remember the Frog Doctor says you are my world and my sister, the bird watcher, says she will be home soon and that she loves and misses you all.

I would like to wish my niece, Norma Darlene Potter, a very happy birthday on August 24. From your Aunt Reba and Tommy Wilkens in St. Augustine, Fla. We love you.

I wonder why the City of Jenkins is not getting after these people that are not buying city stickers. I think if we have to buy them everyone should buy them. I know that some have three of four cars and none of them have stickers. Also, I want to speak my piece about the Jenkins Lake. I rode up there the other day and you couldn't sit down on the swings because of the bird poop. There was garbage everywhere. The city should be ashamed of itself. There was even garbage in the lake. People are going to be going to the lake during Jenkins Day and this is what they will see. Shame, shame.

Can anyone tell me what the deal is with InterMountain Cable out of Jenkins? It's the only cable provider available in the area and I'm finding over and over that the service is extremely substandard. Since the digital listings it provides are always wrong, I went on-line to watch some of the Olympic Games. To watch them on NBC's website, you are asked to provided your ZIP Code and your cable provider, chosen from a list. When I did this, I got locked out from viewing anything for 24 hours because InterMountain Cable had not registered as airing NBC programs in this area. This is just one instance in a long line of irritations from the cable company. Let's get with the program, guys, and catch up to the rest of the world. Local businesses should stop holding us back.

I was born and raised in the beautiful mountains of eastern Kentucky — my home. There is nothing more breathtaking and spiritually renewing to me than to watch the sunset from the top of the mountain behind my house. I also love to see the mist that rises up from the mountain after a summer rain. These mountains, just like each of us, are God's creations. It is painful to know that we are allowing the mountains of Letcher County to be completely destroyed forever by mountaintop removal. I will never take my daughter up to the top of the mountain to see the sunset as I have my whole life, simply because it is not there. How can we let scab strip miners take this legacy away from us — from our children? More than that, how can we let them take our money and leave our economy depressed? Mountaintop removal creates 90 percent fewer jobs than traditional deep mines, so if you hear someone say 'well, I gotta live,' know that they would have a more financially rewarding life if mountaintop removal was banned. Mountaintop removal is the brutal rape of mountain people, our economy and our homes. There is a better alternative. I truly don't believe there are many more beautiful places in the world than the mountains of Letcher County. Why should Asheville and Gatlinburg get all the tourism dollars? We have Bad Branch Falls, Little Shepherd Trail, Fishpond Lake, the North Fork of the Kentucky River (a great novice canoe or kayak run), Pine Mountain, the Appalshop, and a plethora of rock formations and hiking trails. Our mountaintop views are a photographer or real estate developer's dream. Why shouldn't our mountain roads be dotted with quaint bed and breakfasts? Why do we only have one vineyard and winery? Why shouldn't we cash in on vacation rentals that would thrive in the pristine mountains of Letcher County? Consider how much wealthier our economy would be if we showed off our beautiful mountain home to the rest of the world rather than allowing just a few men to make a killing at the expense of us all. We should each share in the wealth rather than just handing it over blindly in our ignorance to just a few. My father and my grandfather were miners, but I'll be damned if the coal industry will reap one bit of profit from the sweat of my brow. If you agree, I have found a few websites you might enjoy, www.ilovemountains.org and Mountain Justice.

I attended Mountain Motor Speedway for the first time recently and the bathrooms were horrible. The health department need to shut those bathrooms down and bring in some portable bathrooms or something. I have a little kid and she couldn't even go to the bathroom because they were so horrible, and I am highly upset.

To Natasha Reed: Congratulations on passing your GED. Now you are preparing yourself for college. Tim Collier, the wonderful man you have in your life, your beautiful daughter Chloe Ann. God has blessed you. You deserve all good things in life. I'm so proud of you for what you have accomplished and I love you with all my heart. Love, Mom.

To the man driving a black vehicle in the Neon area: I think you're sexier than socks on a rooster. If you like big country girls, then we need to do some courting. I'll get all fixed up, put in my new teeth I just got from selling my Harley.

The Mitchell-Ison reunion was held July 25-27 at the SRS/ Calvary Campus outside of Whitesburg. All in attendance had a wonderful time and enjoyed so many wonderful events, games, foods, activities, and family memories. The families in attendance were as follows: Mitchell, Ison, Hampton, Hall, Wagner, Dove, Cornet, Noonan, Gould, Feasel, Pease, Thompson, Allen, Caudill, Stromsky, and Stillburger. Everyone who attended has a connection to the Mitchells and Isons who lived in the Whitesburg area back in the early 1900s to the early 1950s. This year there were over 70 people that made the trip to spend three days with family and friends. The family seems to grow yearly, but our closeness and family bond seems to get better every year. This is an every year event and reservations have already been made to meet again next year, the last week in July. Can't wait to see everyone again next year. Sincerely, Dudley Mitchell aka Dudman.

Are the church people who dug out that partial mountaintop removal site with the awful road down the hill near where 119 crosses Pine Mountain ever going to do any reclamation? That was like spraying graffiti on the Mona Lisa. Why would a church destroy God's creation?

Reading the paper this week I noticed that the school board will be making a decision about raising the tax here in Jenkins. I suppose that will be well and good because they have to get the money somewhere in order to operate. That will be putting a small burden on those of us who always pay our fair share of tax. I have to say though, what about the ones that tag their vehicles out of state to dodge paying the required taxes, but they don't mind to send their children to the school system? In my opinion that is something that should be addressed. You don't have to look far to see vehicles tagged in Virginia, several from one household, even as far as being tagged in Florida, and these residents have lived here for years. I'm sure that the garbage is being picked up at those households and the city is fully aware of this problem. Also, look around at the out-of-state vehicles that park all around Jenkins with no city sticker, and they are there all day long either working in the city or somewhere else, just taking up a place to park. Losing revenue there, wouldn't you think? Another thing, why not have an ordinance (unless you already have one) for the vehicles that park in the city to park in the direction of traffic or get a ticket? Also, with all that parking room that was made when the old station was torn down, why do workers have to park on the sidewalk instead of parking farther to the back? People have to try and dodge all the cars on the sidewalk in order to walk through Jenkins. The sidewalk was not made for the cars to park on but for people to walk on. Thank you. The Jenkins Detective.

The complaints about police and prosecutors sound an awful lot like what I have seen. They don't just run you off if you bring them a problem because they are, first and foremost, politicians. They try not to do anything to lose a vote, so they pat you on the head as they explain why they can't help you, and possibly why another office may be better. The end result is the same — no help, and an insult to your intelligence.