Echos of the Past: Anderson County Politics Cirra 1999

       Very interesting, SSHM. I can see that Items 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 translate well for them for use on the internet, specifically on sites such as this one.
       Item 3 worked very well for them, with Preston now gone and their being in control of the Council majority now.
       And on Items 4 and 5, they have simply transferred their hatred to William Floyd's widow, who is being marginalized by the new Council as we speak. Make no mistake about it: We were forced to ban a member who made specific allegation of racism against individuals, but there is no doubt that some of this continues to be racially motivated. Yes, even in the 21st Century America, almost a century and a half after the end of slavery and more than 50 years after the end of "separate but equal."
       I would ask ATZ members who are bent out of shape over what we're trying to do here - provide a forum for all points of view, not just one without having those posters, as SSHM noted, intimidated, demeaned, marginalized or made useless - to note the apparent effectiveness of this same group (and their converts) as it relates to those on this forum who disagree with their viewpoint.
        Sadly, their tactics are all too effectiv, especially when some of us who try to rein them are accused of arrogance or of being "crybabies with an agenda." I find it entertaining, though that they are sometimes reduced here to accusing others of being exactly what they are.

 

I had a good friend of mine provide me with an interesting gem from the past over this past weekend. Lets, for a moment, go back and look at Anderson County, almost 10 years to the week. One component of politics 10 years ago in Anderson County was an infamous "Anonymous Letter Writing Campaign" that was used to fuel a series of orchestrated whisper campaigns designed to discredit and harm local individuals...

-sshm

Wow, how long did it take for you to make all that up? With anonymous sources no less. Aren't we getting desperate!! A few things your little fabricated lie has failed to take into account (since apparently you weren't around or a part of what was going on at the time) Joey Preston and William Floyd were the darlings of the county at the time. You would have been hard pressed to find anyone to say anything wrong about any of them then. There was no "anonymous letter writing campaign" or any of this other BS you are trying to cultivate. If so show us one iota of proof. Post a letter, post a notarized statement by someone who participated or received a letter in 1999. All you've done is gone back over a bunch of posts and gleaned some details and tried to paste them altogether as some big conspiracy or some other BS.

If there were any letters written about anything to anyone it was about the untimely death of William Floyd and the circumstances surrounding his death. But the truth is the truth and is color blind.

Spare us the lies SSHM.

JDTippett, can you prove any of what you say or are you just making it up as well? Prove I am part of any group, prove I am anyone you say I am, prove you have banned me from this site, prove I am associated with any radio station, prove I am anything you have said. Just prove one bit of anything you are saying. Have these people got you so twisted in a knot you don't even know fact from fiction anymore?

It shows real desperation when you start race baiting.

       I have seen enough anonymous posting and unfounded allegations regarding Preston and former members of County Council  to believe what SSHM says on this one. Furthermore, I am aware of a letter-writing campaign to E.W. Scripps regarding the AIM's coverage of county issues, and I am even more aware of the stalking-intimidations-demeaning tactics used by this group against a variety of their critics, including me.
       My money's on SSHM's version of history in this case, not yours, Palmettopride. So sue me. Or stalk me. Or demean me. Or intimidate me.
       You have very quickly become irrelevant here, other than the fact that you've just made SSHM's point very nicely. He doesn't have to post a notarized anything just to satisfy your badgering.
        By the way, I don't think he was addressing you. Do you have to comment on EVERYTHING that's posted here? (I believe somebody asked me that same question last week on some thread.)

       I have seen enough anonymous posting and unfounded allegations regarding Preston and former members of County Council  to believe what SSHM says on this one. Furthermore, I am aware of a letter-writing campaign to E.W. Scripps regarding the AIM's coverage of county issues, and I am even more aware of the stalking-intimidations-demeaning tactics used by this group against a variety of their critics, including me.
       My money's on SSHM's version of history in this case, not yours, Palmettopride. So sue me. Or stalk me. Or demean me. Or intimidate me.
       You have very quickly become irrelevant here, other than the fact that you've just made SSHM's point very nicely. He doesn't have to post a notarized anything just to satisfy your badgering.
        By the way, I don't think he was addressing you. Do you have to comment on EVERYTHING that's posted here? (I believe somebody asked me that same question last week on some thread.)

-jdtippett

Ahahahaha, this is too funny. Now the two of you are verification for each others statements. I agree then, let me throw in my agreements. Everything you two are saying is absolutely right on. Like I said before, your excuse for your activities is WHAT...oh you claim someone else did it to someone else some other time (or some anonymous source said so anyway) and so that is why you are what you are. I think they have a name for that. This is hilarious.

Your little pity party won't work either. You have yet to show how anyone has tried to intimidate you, harass you, demean you, subpoena you, sue you or any of the other claims you have made to get sympathy. One poster got banned for asking you to prove it. You and SSHM just go have your little pity party and make up some more stuff. We will hold our breath while you come up with some truth somewhere. Hope it doesn't take too long. These old lungs aren't good for holding breath for days or weeks.

Wow, how long did it take for you to make all that up? With anonymous sources no less. Aren't we getting desperate!!

-palmettopride

Ummm ... it actually is anonymous because there is no indication on the document as to who authored it. Would you like me to get a notary to sign it to prove there is no signature (yes, I see the humor and lunacy in what I just said)?

A few things your little fabricated lie has failed to take into account (since apparently you weren't around or a part of what was going on at the time) Joey Preston and William Floyd were the darlings of the county at the time. There was no "anonymous letter writing campaign" or any of this other BS you are trying to cultivate.

-palmettopride

Actually, there was a campaign. I've seen first-hand the letters that were mailed out. All worded the same ... all a whisper campaign ... in black & white. I'll see what I can do to post a copy, should it somehow "become necessary." No guarantees, as it was my intention to draw attention to the approach used both then and now - not to resurrect old political battles that, in some instances, have been resolved in a court of law.

If so show us one iota of proof. Post aletter, post a notarized statement by someone who participated or received a letter in 1999. All you've done is gone back over a bunch of posts and gleaned some details and tried to paste them altogether as some big conspiracy or some other BS.

-palmettopride

Actually, this is an original post. Sorry to say, but this is the first time I've written on this matter. Not to mention, from what I've been able to search here, this is the first time such a discussion has ever come up.

If there were any letters written about anything to anyone it was about the untimely death of William Floyd and the circumstances surrounding his death. But the truth is the truth and is color blind. Spare us the lies SSHM.

-palmettopride

Thanks for validating points 2 and 10 in your closing paragraph.

- SSHM

I am even more aware of the stalking-intimidations-demeaning tactics used by this group against a variety of their critics, including me.

-jdtippett

Have you even thought for a moment it may be someone who just hates your guts? That it has nothing to do with politics, or Preston, Cindy, county councils I & II, or anything else on these forums. They just simply hate your guts to the core and everything you do on this forum just makes it worse and adds fuel to their fire. If you handle your personal life and people, the way you handle this forum, it comes as no surprise to me. I don't even know you, but just the actions and words of your postings here would not seem to put you as the winner of a popularity contest.

Of course you have to blame everything and everybody else, come up with all these groups and agendas, these anonymous people and all this other BS because you can't come to grips with the fact that someone somewhere may despise YOU that much.

       Well, Palmettopride, have you ever considered the possiblity that I am banning you ffrom this site because I hate your guts? That wouldn't be true, of course, since I don't know who you are, while y'all have every right to dislike me because I can't hide behind my anonymity like you can.
       But I am banning you as of right now for two weeks for continually attacking moderation and other posters. (Your e-mail says it's a permanent ban; I've reconsidered in the two minutes since I sent it.)
       Take time to decide if you want to be a part of a CIVIL debate here or not. If you want to return after the ban expires, let me know. My guess, though, is that details of and commentary on this will wind up on that buzz site before the end of the day.
       Let's see if I'm right. Can't wait to see what ol' Cro has to say about this.
       Oh, and for the record, I care little about popularity contests. I have a dog, you know. And a family that likes me at least some of the time. That's all I need.

       Nothing "ironic" about it, SSHM. The whole weekend was basically a bitchfest about moderation and "who said what, when and can you prove it." It's Monday now. Patience is all used up.
       Anyway, if you have one of those anonymous letters from a decade ago, or even more recently, feel free to scan it in and post it here. It might be interesting to read. Anybody else who wants to post CONCRETE INFORMATION of a POLITICAL (not personal) NATURE backed up by DOCUMENTS should also feel free to do so if you can without compromising confidentiality or anonymity.
        If demands for proof of potential lawsuits against ATZ continue, I can scan in a letter from the attorney representing one of those aggrieved parties, but I really don't want to do that because those issues have been resolved to everybody's satisfaction (at last, to my knowledge they have.) But, as a matter of courtesy (strange concept, huh?), I will identify neither the attorneys involved nor the potential plaintiffs who retained him even though in one case the potential plaintiff's identity is obvious.
        ATZ members need to be aware of what is going here and why the actions taken recently have been taken. This site welcomes all viewpoints, but it will not be allowed to become a one-sided forum like WAIM. No one will be shouted down, taunted by duckcalls, humiliated or intimidated by any poster here.
         JDTippett has not lost his mind, thrown a temper tantrum, or gotten his boxers in a wad because of anything said to or about him. Facts, details and opinions we welcome. But enough is enough. The taunts and putdowns - from BOTH SIDES - end now. If we have nobody left to post, then so be it.

JD,

You'd think people would head to the lake or something. It was nice this weekend. I enjoyed my weekend hiatus. Sad really ... go out and enjoy the sunshine.

As for the anonymous letters, let me sift through the handful or so I have and find one that is not likely to kick off a firestorm, yet still contribute to the debate. I wonder if that old scanner still works . . .

- SSHM

Another abuse of power. Is one of the rules now that the moderators cannot be questioned?

Another abuse of power. Is one of the rules now that the moderators cannot be questioned? - lee-cole

 
      Of course moderators can be questioned, Lee-cole. Five of your last 25 posts have either questioned the moderators or criticized moderation on the site, and you're still here.
      But if you consider the following to be "questioning" then you have a different understanding of the term from most people's understanding:
 

     Have you even thought for a moment it may be someone who just hates your guts? That it has nothing to do with politics, or Preston, Cindy, county councils I & II, or anything else on these forums. They just simply hate your guts to the core and everything you do on this forum just makes it worse and adds fuel to their fire. If you handle your personal life and people, the way you handle this forum, it comes as no surprise to me. I don't even know you, but just the actions and words of your postings here would not seem to put you as the winner of a popularity contest.
       Of course you have to blame everything and everybody else, come up with all these groups and agendas, these anonymous people and all this other BS because you can't come to grips with the fact that someone somewhere may despise YOU that much. - palmettopride

     There was one question there: "Have you thought ... it may be someone who just hates your guts?" I'll answer that. Of course it is. That post is just another in a long list of anti-JDTippett (not anti-moderation) posts. I'll elaborate further. I don't care.
     The rules here aren't that complicated compared to other websites: Keep it (relatively) clean, keep it civil, avoid personal attacks and don't get us sued for libel/slander/defamation. And even then, it takes multiple offenses before we ban anybody. Of course all bans are arbitrary to the extent that we don't have to ban anybody except under a legal order.
      But how much patience to we need to show to make you accept that we have the right to maintain order and civility here, as much as some don't seem to want that?

To get back to the topic (instead of more of JD's fan club for a sec).

 I didn't join in the local political foray till just a few years ago.  I'm curious as to how many members of the current council are/were part of the political scene a decade ago?  I can only see Ms. Floyd as one member ( I have to look at those photos on CC chamber walls to get an idea), and JRP.  Who were these dissenters from ten years ago?  Is there a group or individual from way back when who is still present in this chaotic string-pulling contest?

Those old letters, I'd be interested to see them.  A comparison of those from a decade ago to the current slew of smear campaigns waged with Scripps, AIM, ATZ/Straight Talk, certain recent political campaigners and Council at large by those eager-beavers led by a local radio scam would be facinating.  

      Here, Wyatt, read this from 2002. It's a positive spin on Preston's history. There are a few familiar names, but you'll recognize a number of projects that are still at issue today and a reference to our old friends, the Anderson County Taxpayers' Association. This is just a continuation of an old war, with some new faces and a lot of old ones.
       Read it closely. Maybe you'll understand why the new bunch so despises Gracie, and you, and anybody else who is "progressive" (including, yes, us "progressive" conservatives - we do exist.)
       It apparently hurts their feelings when somebody proves Anderson County IS capable of moving beyond the 1950s.

http://americancityandcounty.com/mag/government_high_times_joey/

Thanks JD.  I don't have all the intel some do, so appreciate the back story when I can get it.

After reading the story, it is amazing that progress has been resisted so feverently and foolishly by ACTA and members of council.   The fact that multiple multi-million dollar projects were brought here, and tax base expanded while taxes remained low shows progressive thinking was what Anderson needed.

        Ah, Wyatt, but County Councils from 1996 - when they hired Preston with the clear understanding that he was "progressive" and would be taking bold steps in that direction - until the one you have now DID NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF PROGRESS, despite the protestations of ACTA and others.
        And that, in a nutshell, is what led to the revenge fest we're seeing now by the old ACTA and the "no tax increases for any purpose, ever" crowd.
        It goes far beyond a hatred of Joey Preston. They have a dislike for all things associated with Preston and progress - including the Civic Center, William and Gracie Floyd's transportation and other efforts on behalf of Anderson's working poor, Freedom Weekend Aloft, the Farmer's Market, the Anderson County Museum, industrial recruitment, etc., etc., etc.
         Kind of educational to read that seven-year-old article, isn't it?

Ive always said about "their" tactics that it was all about how much mud they could throw. They knew full well that it was all made up and lies...but eventually some of the stain sticks if you throw enough of it..

that was why cindi couldnt let a council meeting go by without accusing someone of taking a bribe..or being corrupt...

she never once provided a shred of evidence, but still made countless allegations..many of which even ended up in print in the newspaper...without any proof ever..

they know full well that even an elephant can be killed by a toothpick..if you poke him enough times with it...

I found it a facinating back story on JRP.  

 You're correct. The previous council WAS pro-movement.  And it's ironic that the current council has taken credit for putting the "books" online ( thanks Angie!), taken a previously bonded park fund for District five ( Thanks Mike) and given the whole tamale to Waldrep for new baseball field ( isn't that a warm&fuzzy deal?) and trampled the shelter project so Moore could steer the project towards his interests in a metal building company in Starr.

 While also touting Open, Honest government by hiring a former adversary (Burns) to take the reins of their downward spiraling sled ( sorry for the SLED pun...) of mismanagement, diversionary tactics, firings( oops, terminations) and side step of Home Rule Laws.  I like the "hiring" during a employee freeze of Daniels, who admitted he was not doing what was asked or promised ( a forensic audit) and is diverting his tax liabilities through his bus company.  The recently-passed budget was nothing moore than an illusion and diversion of funds from one department to another, with no resolution on how to pay the legal, investigative or court bills.

If this is the basis of ACTA's improved government in action, dump the ACTA into Boston Harbor.