A note of personal thanks to all DUers from *libnnc*

[libnnc]

Re: East Waynesville Baptist Church

Wow.

I'm sort-of new to DU. I've been posting only a few months. Been a "Roosevelt Dem" all my life. I'm the daughter of a widowed, working woman who was raised a Roosevelt Dem. Mom has spent the last 20 years serving her community as an elected official.

What you all have done here in regards to the East Waynesville Baptist Church incident--I'm not sure you realize the importance of your attention in this matter. Now that Chan Chandler has gone on to more *ahem* shall we say--"fertilized" pastures--that church and the elderly folks who have spent most of their lives committed to their house of worship, can now live and pray in peace, without fear of being trounced for their personal politics.

There's an interesting point of view among mountain folks, (especially older mountain people) that comes from a fierce independence and stubborn resolve. That point of view is complete personal autonomy in regards to religion and especially politics. This is something that runs very deeply. You don't know how your actions here have helped these people in this church remain independent. They may be more socially conservative than we are, but make no mistake, they exist by the credo "Live and let live".

If they could thank you, they would. I'm sure they'd pause to think, knowing the person who shared their plight with you folks was a fire-breathing liberal lesbian. B-)

Now that Mr. Chandler is gone, now that those folks have their church back, I just wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. My mother likes to tell people that I'm an "activist". I've never really felt like one. You folks here at DU are the real activists. I'm just following your lead. You have made a very, very big difference in a small town in Western North Carolina. And for that, this hometown daughter will always be grateful.

libnnc
www.folkmoot.com

[mike_c]

1. salute to you....

God loves fire-breathing lesbians. :toast:

[DanCa]

2. Libnnc I know it can be rough

I have been at DU for a little while but this place is great. . DU can be such a great tool in helping people. Anyhow if you want to talk please pm any time. I have had a priest or two that I have had problems with priest like this chan chandler. If you ever want to talk privately let me know.

[true_notes]

3. Thanks lib,

And I will keep fighting, along with the rest of us if we we see any kind of corruption or wrong-doing anywhere. I personally have the back of anyone in trouble, and/or anyone blinded by sides. Take it easy, and keep NC clean and beautiful!

[Clark2008]

4. Very nice note

I was too busy looking for and then starting a new job to participate much, but I know some of my fellow Dems in East Tennessee did their part.
Will pass on the kind words. :hi:

[seabeyond]

5. did you get a chance to talk to the soldiers family

this pasture was a gift to many. he opened a lot of peoples eyes. the nation truly drew the line, as did the nation with congress interfering with shiavo. and it wasnt a split down the middle. it was repugs along with the dems, outraged

a fine opportunity for us all. and thank you for sharing, and thank your mom too

[libnnc]

8. I sent a copy of Clete's letter to my mom yesterday

and asked her to convey our best wishes to his family the next time she sees them. Its such a small town, she runs into folks all the time. She used to work with Clete's dad a few years ago and sees him often in town.

I'd love to corner Chan Chandler and compell him to sign up to go to Iraq and help out the older brother of our classmate. What a damnable, worthless coward Chandler is. Thanks for your attention.

libnnc
www.folkmoot.com

[jojo54]

6. Keep the fire burning, girl

Very nice letter and welcome to DU (a little late). This WAS a very big issue here 'cause we don't like them fundies that think they can will their message to all citizens of this country.

And I think that everyone at DU can say they are very happy that our voices have been heard!! :applause:

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

7. If you ever speak to any of those people...

Tell them that their ability to worship in the manner they see fit is as inportant to a lot of us as our ability to worship in the manner that we see fit.

My great uncle was Clifford Sondley. Google the name. A real North Carolinean and a renaissance man of the highest order. Down that way, it has never been considered polite or seemly to mix politics with religion, especially from the pulpit. Church was church and that was that. That is what my people always taught me, and they were as southern as they come.

The Reverend Chandler seemed to have surrounded himself with a lot of young and immature people, both young in their years and "in the spirit", for I have a feeling he was, in many ways, young himself, and not just in years. He was also immoderate in his ways. That is not considered polite in those circles. As you know, politeness is everything.

I predict that in the years to come, The Revereand Chandler will start a "ministry" that will come to evince a lot of the indicators of a cult. Why? Because a lot of this has been about The Reverend Chandler. Not his flock. Not his religion. Him.

[enigmatic]

9. You're welcome

And thanks for fighting for what is right. We need more people like you in the world.

[FLyellowdog]

10. You do good work!

Paw Paw would be so proud of you. :loveya:

[cry baby]

12. Welcome to DU!

Hope you have fun!:hi:

[libnnc]

15. I know you...

Hey there!

[newyawker99]

38. Hi FLyellowdog!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[proud patriot]

11. face it you are an activist

:D :pals:

[Catherine Vincent]

13. We should thank you too.

You alerted everyone to what was going on. And the next time you talk to you mom, tell her thanks also.

[K8-EEE]

14. I Love This Post

Thank you so much!! I do think DU is a great vehicle for speaking truth and truly it is like a ripple in a pond....truth IS more powerful than lies. Thanks again for the inspiring post, I also loved the NC woman wo called Ed Schultz today. Gives me such hope! Best vibes to you all in NC from L.A....Solidarity everybody, resist Bush whereever you are, we will take this country back.

[libnnc]

17. "We will take this country back..."

one small town at a time

thanks

libnnc
www.folkmoot.com

[Vektor]

16. You're welcome!

Thank you for the great post.

[ms liberty]

18. I thank YOU for getting the story out...and those parishioners

should too! Without DU I doubt the story would have gotten ANY press at all and that unchristian-like dipwad right now would be crowing to all his wingnut buddies about what he'd done. He not only drank the kool-aid, he took 2nds and then asked'em to make the next batch stronger!
I 2nd your sentiments about DU. I came here and "lurked" a bit, then signed up, then "lurked" some more. I didn't post for a very long time - partly because I was working 2 jobs (plus 6 dogs, a cat, a husband and a house and yard!) and partly because I was shy...but I came here and read pretty regularly. DU is the best!

edit to add: This story hit a little too close to home. I live in Hiddenite, NC (Alexander County - it's about 15 miles west of Statesville and 15 miles north of Hickory). There's only about 35,000 people in my whole county and guess who they voted for overwhelmingly? So I really appreciate you - and DU - working to make this a national issue. I'm hoping this will strike a chord with people and along with the repugs other overreaching power trips help them to wake up and realize just how extremist the Despicable Ones have become.
On another note, I've seen you post that you are in Winston Salem. I have to brag on my niece...she's been accepted and will begin at Salem College in the fall, and won a partial scholarship (she wouldn't be able to afford Salem otherwise). She's so smart and I am so proud of her - and not because she's so much like me! (I tell my sister that it's payback)

[FLyellowdog]

19. You caught me!

I don't know how to do this stuff here, but it's a great place. Thank goodness there's a place where people are intelligent enough to know what they're talking about. I just can't believe the whole country doesn't see what's right in front of their faces. USA Today was saying that the poverty level has risen by 12.5% since 2000. Wonder why....And then all the Homeland alerts that were exaggerated to scare us. This is not what our country is supposed to be about. Keep on keeping on. As I said before, you do good work. :kick:

[libnnc]

21. Ladies and gentlemen...

May I introduce my Aunt, FLyellowdog.

Glad you've found us. Stick around and post some more. Folks here are really friendly.

Welcome FLyellowdog!!

:toast: :bounce: :hi: :loveya: :hug:


:yourock: :applause: :woohoo:

[FLyellowdog]

24. Glad to meet everyone.

I've been lurking around. As most of you know we sort of live like mushrooms here in FL. You can't swing a dead cat here without hitting a republican and then they won't let you hit 'em but once! I'm still trying to find a good all night progressive radio station to listen to while I'm battling insomnia and looking for more dead cats. We really do have to get more air time. Too many of us are hungry for the truth but all we can get is drivel and deceit. I'll continue to search. :patriot:

[libnnc]

28. Air America Radio,...

Just click on the links to "Listen Live" toward the top of the main DU page. DU almost always has links to progressive/liberal talk on the main page. Or go to the Air America site. It streams 24/7. You can stream online all you want.

www.airamericaradio.com

libnnc
www.folkmoot.com

[FLyellowdog]

33. Okie Dokie

[flygal]

42. LOL - Welcome!!

Loved your post. I've been in republicanville quite a bit and it sucks. I miss Seattle - used to live in the university district. Damn I miss that!!

[ultraist]

48. Welcome FLyellowdog!

:hi:

[ms liberty]

26. Welcome to DU FLyellowdog!!! n/t

[Maru Kitteh]

23. WELCOME FLyellowdog! Pull up a chair and a cup of coffee

and don't let DU scare ya, it's rough and tumble but big hearted and informative too. :donut:

[proud patriot]

25. Welcome Underground FLyellowdog

:patriot:

[G_j]

27. welcome!!

FLyellowdog

and thanks for contributing! :hi:

[SheepyMcSheepster]

29. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[enigmatic]

31. Welcome to DU!

You and your niece are very special people; welcome!

[FLyellowdog]

32. Raised Well

She was raised very well. Note that political dogma was not a part of her upbringing. We just all lived the way our parents had lived and tried to make our lives meaningful. We helped others when we could and we stood for the rights of others. It seems nowadays the kids are so selfish and self centered that no one wants do for another. We're rearing generations of mean-spirited persons and it looks like the teachings are coming from so many places that once espoused compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness. I don't understand the fear in this land from our counterparts on the far-right. They truly are afraid of the liberal interpretation of being an American. Where does this come from? Churches are preaching hate, parents are teaching greed, and government is doing everything it can to keep the downtrodden down and the needy needful. I guess if power is the issue, then it all makes sense, but how dangerously close to fascism it seems. Sorry to rant, but sometimes I get real discouraged. Then something like the Baptist Church debacle in Waynesville happens and I can see that all is not lost. Sometimes the good guys really do win. As my niece said, one little town at a time.

[checks-n-balances]

36. Welcome, FLyellowdog, & Thank you much, limnnc! You both rock!

:yourock:I like this family values thing on DU - let's everybody bring in a friendly relative & pool our common wisdom even more.

Rant all you want, FLy - I appreciate all that you say. And libnnc, I'm a libfromnc myself, but been in the now redstate of GA for 22yrs.

Do keep those posts & threads coming!:bounce:

[enigmatic]

49. You're absolutely right

And please, stay and post as often as you can; we need both of you here:)

[G_j]

20. thank you too!

I think many of us learned a lot from hearing these people interviewed. I gained quite a bit of respect for them for standing up and speaking out. They are obviously not publicity seekers and I'm sure they were not comfortable with all the attention. I am glad it worked out the way it did and it seems many of the biggest creeps left. Good riddance.

[Wheezy]

22. Bravo!

As a wife of a liberal pastor, I'd like to get rid of all the nuts who make the decent ones look bad.

Thanks for making it more personal for all of us. I'm watching for this kind of thing to continue in churches for a while, but eventually the moderate and liberal Christians will stop allowing this kind of crap to happen in the church...and it is already starting.

And I'd love to tell Selma what a hero I think she is.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

30. No.....Thank you!

you did an excellent job, thanks so much!
:hi:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

34. Warmest thanks to you and your mother

and hello to your aunt. :)

You did a wonderful thing posting your mom's initial email. The story may have made the rounds eventually, but your posting it here lit a fire under it. You have made a difference.

I am deeply appreciative of liberals who carry on the good work in red states, and of religious people who support the separation of church and state.
Here's to "live and let live." :toast:

[anarchy1999]

35. Salud! Cheers and peace to all in East Waynesville.

With the good Rev Chandler's demise may a better pastor be chosen. Hope you all survive.

DUer's once again, stand hand in hand and proud to be here.

May everyone please check out www.ecapc.org

Every Church A Peace Church

[meganmonkey]

37. Thank YOU, libnnc! And welcome to you and FLyellowdog!

Together, we can all get some things changed. We are quite a force when we put our energies into something worthwhile!

:grouphug:

[spooky3]

39. What a wonderful post!

[cap]

40. I hope those of us in the Catholic Church can follow your good example

and stand firm... We have a much more powerful adversary and the fight will be a hard ... but it's encouraging to watch your congregation take back its church. Hope we can do the same.

[Marnieworld]

41. We're all in this together

We're all just threads in the larger tapestry that makes up DU. Don't slight yourself for not being on the front lines. You are an activist. You brought something to our attention because of your insight and perspective. You are here reading and posting and clearly you can see from the impact that everyone here plays a part. You stood up and spoke for your community and made positive change. If that's not activism what is?

[Gothmog]

43. Thanks, having a person on the ground helped a great deal

I think that DU is somewhat responsible for this story getting the media attention that it did as fast as the coverage developed. You played a tremendous role in accomplishing this.

[starmaker]

44. Thanks libnc

It was amazing to watch the speed at which this story
spread.Even fox had a report on sat morning.My computer died fri morning so i had to rely on local media. Most people in haywood co
were against politics in the church and the local baptist ministers
echoed these feelings.Thanks to your mom and thanks to you.I know that
your thread led to the rapid result and return of church to the members.And thanks to WLOS for breaking the story. I bet sinclair high ups had a few words to say.
Trying to figure out who your mom is since i've probably voted for here and the relationship to folkmoot of which i know many.
Thanks again libnc. I told many over the weekend how the story
got out and though most will never know feel proud.

From one of haywires finest to another
PEACE

[MadHound]

45. Thanks back to you, for without you, I doubt we would have known

It was your doing that brought these matters to our attention, and without that, we would have been blind.

So good right back atcha!:evilgrin:

[Eloriel]

46. See? Here I thought YOU were the hero and we were just backup

That's a truly lovely post, libnnc. And it does my heart good. But don't kid yourself: you're one helluvan activist. You go, girl!

:toast:

[ultraist]

47. Thank YOU libnnc

for bringing this story to our attention. I have no doubts that your post about this, that led to posts at KOS and other places, was the catalyst that set in motion alerts by bloggers to the MSM.

I have to wonder if this story would have been told by the national media had it not been for you and other blogger activists (I really doubt it). Well done!


I'm also in NC and was thrilled to see so many DUers step up and reach into one of our towns to help out.

DU ROCKS! :yourock:

[UrbScotty]

50. God Bless You All!

That is, if He exists.

[Tinoire]

51. Welcome to DU!

It's a joy to welcome you. :toast:

Kudos to you!

[merh]

52. What a terrific post. I have to bookmark this thread and

include it with the postive posts that reflect what we have accomplished!

Thank you so very much. Welcome to DU! :hi:

I need to post a link in the ((((((((((((( Ripple Effect ))))))))))))))) thread.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1768573

:patriot: