Monday, June 06, 2005

Postcards from the Edge

Donnie Myers is a dangerous man. He seems to have the habit of drunk driving and—despite his protests that it was an emergency that forced him onto the road—keeping a cold Budweiser open in his vehicle. (Article here, second from top.)

But according to State Editorial page editor Brad Warthen, it's not the drunk driving that makes Donnie dangerous. No, killing another person or leaving them injured or scarred for life is not what is to be feared from Donnie's reckless behavior.

According to Warthen, there's a bigger problem. You see, in addition to being a (alleged) drunk driver, Donnie Myers is the Lexington County solicitor. How does that change things? Well, if Myers is proven to behave in a careless manner with a wanton disrespect for human life, that might diminish faith in government. In Warthen's words:

People such as Solicitor Myers help the folks who despise government and all who serve in it win converts to their worldview.

So, to recap, the real danger of drunk driving by an elected official is not that he might maim or kill someone but it might encourage people to question state power, official privilege, and support increased citizen autonomy.

Ironically, Warthen editorial actually does a good job of muckraking—dredging up evidence that absolute power does corrupt absolutely—and making us wonder if forfeiting our rights to the state is really all it's cracked up to be. Of course Warthen contends it's just a few bad apples. But the question lingers: does vesting too much authority in a few hands lead to corrupt and even dangerous behavior?

A final question for Mr. Warthen, who gravely warns against "pouring gasoline on [the] libertarian fire:" Isn't endangering the lives of innocent South Carolinians worse than undermining a worshipful attitude towards government?

Posted by Bill Smith at 9:46 AM | 7 comments

Comments:

Mr. Bill,

This one is not worth an "Ohhh Nooo." It's certainly not worth much at all.

Reading it makes me wonder just how many ghost writers you have.

Although it includes a healthy dose of your lackluster logic, it is missing your typical foul rancid slurs.

It reads like it was authored by Mary Poppins or by her ultra right wing neoconservative sister, Penelope.

Your readers may know Penelope by her married name: Penelope Poppycock.

Penelope is married to Mr. Bill's twin brother, the famous Pompous Poppycock.

Mr. Pompous Poppycock used to be on the staff here at The Daily Planet.

We had to let him go when he was found writing too much blatantly bombastic balderdash and an excessive amount of gratuitous grandiloquent gobbledygook.

He was also involved in pompously petty pontifical palaver with himself and his computer keyboard.

Mr. Bill, your trip to Charm School clearly helped, some.

It’s the on-again, off-again infusion of charm into your posts that confuses us, your loyal a devoted reader.

Love to you and yours,
TMS

# posted by

Anonymous : 6/06/2005 02:46:00 PM

It must be depressing to the author that so few people are posting here.

# posted by

Anonymous : 6/07/2005 04:22:00 AM

"It must be depressing to the author that so few people are posting here."

but they all work for The State. That means you people fear him.

# posted by

No One : 6/07/2005 07:36:00 AM

Silly, Mr. no one,

I keep telling you I work for The Daily Planet. Did you read Matthew 5:22?

Gotham City at its finest.

Since Perry White retired I have my hands full as News Editor, Editorial Page Editor and Chief Muckraker Fool.

Keeping up with mild mannered reporter Clark Kent, Lois Lane and the famous Jimmy Olsen is really a big challenge.

Together, we are faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a choochoo, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. We eat Kryptonite for breakfast!

Your friend,
TMNS

# posted by

Anonymous : 6/07/2005 07:37:00 PM

Boy, you've got some loony commenters here . . .

# posted by

kc : 6/07/2005 10:05:00 PM

KC,

Me? Looney?
HeHe...
HaHa...

Heeerrrrrzzzz Johnnie......
I'll be back......
Make my day.....
Have a nice day.....
Run Forrest, run.....
I wish I wuz in Dixie.....
Mine eyes have seen the glory....
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound....
Kirk to Enterprise...
Beam me up Scottie...

KC, if we ever meet we may find common ground. You have a sense of perspective and perhaps a sense of humor.

Your friend,
TMNS

# posted by

Anonymous : 6/09/2005 01:19:00 AM

Donnie Myers is, in fact, dangerous.

His prosecutions for murder are hypocrisy -- and a travesty of our judicial system.

# posted by

Anonymous : 4/29/2008 08:14:00 PM

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