Our local media made a point of covering the issue, but it seemed to be very nebulous at that time. No one here in Catawba County seemed to understand what the vitriol was about, when it was purported that Mr. Burleson was an outstanding Superintendent and a few rogue School Board Members were behind his non-contract renewal/dismissal. The BurkeEd blog has more in-depth information than any of us ever received from our local media. This issue has long since left the radar of the people in Hickory or the coverage it received from the media in Charlotte.
The BurkeEd Blog is very thorough and lays out a lot of issues that definitely weren't relayed to the public a few years ago by the media. One of the comments posted relating to the Taped Conversation article hits the nail on the head and so I am going to repost it here on the Hound. It relates to the 4 classes of people who live in Burke County (but I think it relates perfectly to the whole area) in terms of understanding and action towards Power Politics. I could not have written the following any better. It defines the issues that we face when it comes to the Powers That Be in our area's control of our governance versus the average working class citizens who mostly don't participate in the political process, because of the complexity and murkiness of the dynamics in which it operates.
Burke County is an odd place. We are segregated into four distinct groups:a) There's the Elite Viewpoint held by those whose noses are firmly planted in the clouds; most of them are condescending, high-maintenance, snooty people who simply do not associate with the under-educated "rednecks" of Burke County. They're religious, but not overly-so (not your Holy Roller types at all). They're more your Sunday-only County Club Christians. These people are also known as "Townies". They expect and almost always receive the edge of favoritism from our local governmental entities. Money talks. Loudly. And so does the old family name. They managed to get two new high schools built for their children, and they can attend them whether they live within that school's boundaries or not. Their children are allowed to transfer to the elem-middle-high schools of their choice regardless of where they live and how overcrowded the school is (Patton High and Forest Hill Elem), their spouses/relatives/friends are given cushy local gov't jobs they may/may not be qualified for, etc. Of course, these special people are a small minority of people in the county. Superintendent David Burleson was at the beckon-call for this group, as are the SWAT board members. With their mouths they say they're for "all children"; with their actions they show their true allegiance.b) Then there are the people who believe everything that those in category (a) say without verifying the facts. Even if they knew the truth, it appears they wouldn't even care. This is the majority of the county's population. They'll take the short-end of the stick without questioning it; it's just always been that way. (Of course they have the voting power to overrule those in category a; they simply choose not to recognize or use it).c) Then there are the people who know the truth about how things work around here - and about the corruption - but are too afraid to do anything about it. Reason? See item d.d) Then there's the regular guy who has wised up and does publicly speak out about it. I'd say that's where I fall. People in this category are "persecuted" or vilified for their beliefs' retaliation is the name of the game. Those in category (a) will, without mercy, make up rumors about the category (d) people (affairs, "open marriages", financial problems, say we threw a fit in a library about a book, say we called a politician on the night of the election at 11pm, waking up her children, to gloat about her losing the election, etc.) they'll boycott our businesses, send letters to our franchisors (those of us who have one), refuse to do business with us - even to the point of not selling us products we'd like to buy (hint: cutting their nose off to spite their faces), remove us from receiving band parent notifications (shun them), etc.So those in category (d) above do try to avoid the repercussions of speaking out by remaining as anonymous as possible. Hence, no author names on burkeed.
And there you have it! This isn't from a "Conspiracy Theorist," this is something that a lot of us have witnessed. But, we need to ever vigilantly shine the light.
Do you understand the symbology of Vampires and why they operate at night under the cloak of darkness and are fearful of the day and light. Vampires stalk their prey and increase their energy level by sucking the blood (life force) out of their victims. They do this through deception and they always operate in the shadows, not out in the open. When light is shined on them (ie they are exposed) it destroys them.
We aren't out to destroy people. We are seeking understanding through truth and love. We are out to give people freedom. The Vampires complain that we don't talk about positives, which means that they don't want us to talk about the Powers That Be and accountability. They want us to talk about hyperbole and fluff like they do. They are the ones always trying to bring others under their control for their personal benefit. You pay the taxes. They reap the rewards. All anyone is doing by operating Blogs is bringing you a message. It is what the media used to do -- investigative Journalism and Opinion. Now the mainstream media has become a propaganda arm for governments at all levels.
If you don't agree with the commentary on blogs, then you are free to move the dialogue forward and give reasons why things were done in a certain manner. I know that all I want to do is ensure Freedom of thought and expression -- Critical Thinking. That is what this country was founded upon. We have lost that to a great extent. The Vampires want to control us and operate in the shadows. Their worst fear is when anyone uses their tactics against them. That is why they always complain about anonymous comments. They can govern anonymously, behind closed doors; but you are supposed to do everything out in the open, while they sit behind the mirrored glass spying on you. When you accept the way that they operate, then you are doomed. There are way too many people who accept this Shadow Governance. It is not the way that this country is supposed to operate. Shine the light!!! Our Freedom is at stake!!!
