WILD WING NOT LEFT WING

I hope that you and your publication realize the price the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence paid!

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured to their deaths. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Continental Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 men fought and died in the Revolutionary War. They signed and pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners: men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships destroyed by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in Congress without pay and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were seized, and he died a poor man.

Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge and Middleton had their properties looted and destroyed. Thomas Nelson Jr. quietly urged General Washington to open fire on his own home because General Cornwallis had taken it over as his headquarters. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis' property was destroyed; his wife was jailed by the British and subsequently died in prison. John Hart was forced to leave his home while his wife lay dying in bed. Their 13 children fled and were scattered all over New England. His property was destroyed while he hid in caves. A few weeks later he died without his family of exhaustion and some say a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution.

These men who gave everything, they were not narrow-minded ruffians that wanted to pick a fight. They knew all too well the repercussions of their declaration. The Revolution that followed led to the adoption of the Constitution that we honor today. The freedom of speech is one of the corner stones of that Constitution. The representatives of Flagpole have the right to print almost anything they see fit; there are few limits. Wild Wing Café and myself respect the Constitution, but we believe that the overall political position of the Flagpole is derogatory towards what America is about.

The events of September 11, tragic as they were, brought this nation closer than it has been for decades. For the first time in many Americans' lives, the 4th of July meant more than watermelon, picnics and fireworks. Instead of embracing and celebrating this newfound nationalism and the sacrifices that were made to obtain it, the Flagpole chose to publish articles that focused on negativity and discontent for our government in its editorials and tasteless political satire on the cover. This opened my eyes to the overall left wing extremist stance that your publication adopts. Wild Wing Café is an upbeat, positive and fun concept, In light of your July 2 publication we do not believe that the target demographic of the Flagpole share the same lighthearted and jovial feeling that our business tries to convey. As of this week, Wild Wing Café will significantly reduce the amount of advertising and support that we have given the Flagpole in the past.

I have discussed this issue with many of the business owners that advertise in your publication, and with very few exceptions they share my sentiments. This letter is not intended to be critical but more to be insightful. I hope that you and your staff realize that it is "cool" to be proud to be an American.

Les Hendricks, Owner, Wild Wing Café
Athens

LET THE BIG DOG PAY



I was disappointed by the unfortunate letter by Ed Vaughan and the response by the Sierra Club. Those of us acquainted with Ed know him to be a passionate fellow with a love of hyperbole. He is also a working class guy whose passions extend to the environment and the disenfranchised. He has a curious "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" naiveté that has brought him some trouble. I believe that he has been too easily dismissed.

I consider myself a populist Republican so I am at odds with some of his positions. He is, however, a veteran, a city planner and a serious man.

The Sierra Club showed, for good or ill, its ties to the Democrat Party. There is no room for those who dare to challenge the Democrat machine. Ed Vaughan simply is the standard bearer for their causes and they know it. Sadly, the Sierra Club will toe the party line.

Ed Vaughan's comments were coarse and embarrassing but they contained elements of truth that have gone unexplored by our media. Our local politicians appear to care more about UGA and the transients than the long term conditions of the town and the permanent residents.

One often hears that UGA was first and the town was built to service it. This plantation mentality has not benefited the servers. The University is unquestionably important. However, one should look at how Athens compares to other communities in terms of ratio of Ph.D. to illiterate, income disparity, and our shrinking tax base.

Are we not ready to at least consider some changes?

Terry Stewart
Athens

THANKS TO BARROW



We at Georgia Theatre would like to thank Lt. "Mac" McCrary for the years of service he has dedicated to the downtown Athens community. Always behind the scenes, his expertise and experience are evident in all the progress downtown has made over the years. I cannot count the number of times over the last decade that I have been in "the business" I have relied on Mac's advice and opinion. It might not have always been what I wanted to hear, but it was always right on. I understand that after his official retirement from the ACC Police, he will continue in a less official role with the Downtown Development Authority. Believe me, if you are new to downtown business or an old townie like me, we can all be thankful to still have Mac on board.

Kyle Pilgrim
Athens