In a recent letter to the editor [“Good Ol’ Stomp-and-Chant,” Jan. 2], reader Jason Korol attempts to address some of the interesting questions posed by Lady Passion, Diuvei and Coven Oldenwilde in these pages [Let’s Have a Good Ol’ Stomp-and-Chant,” Dec. 26], who have challenged the fire-breathing Carolina Stompers to a live debate that they have humorously characterized as a “Spiritual Smackdown.”
I have enjoyed Mr. Korol’s reply, and others I have seen here and there. But I think an actual formal debate ought to take place instead of a virtual debate online, in the papers and through e-mails, amounting to a series of disconnected rejoinders. Let the Christians and the Pagans make the best case for their particular brand of mystical faith, directly and in person, using all of the logic, evidence and persuasive power they can muster—if any. And let each argument rise or fall on the merits.
All of this confrontational challenge-and-response comes, as your readers may recall, after Stompers Richard Bernier and Chad Nesbitt filmed and published videos of Asheville City Council candidate Elaine Lite participating in a protest demonstration to bring attention to the illegal, unethical and incompetent sale of public property to a private developer for erecting a nice block of condos a stone’s throw from City Hall—a story covered in your Dec. 5 feature article “Fighting Mad” about the Stompers, their members and their intentions.
Thankfully, the famed magnolia tree, which was the symbolic focal point of the demonstration, is still standing. And still no condemnations from the Stompers of the government corruption that compelled the protesters to demonstrate their deeply felt concern in the first place.
Since that negative political attack ad was made, the Stompers have also challenged their adversaries—Elaine Lite and other progressives and libertarians—to sit for interviews on URTV and submit to so-called “honest conversations.” If this is the model the Stompers uphold for rational debate in Asheville, then the Wiccans are simply following the standard set by the Stompers themselves.
To date, the Stompers are still searching for their spines and furtively mumbling amongst themselves in dark corners, offering little more than the fallacious tu quoque (or, “You too have shied from our challenges; therefore, so shall we”). It seems oddly out of character for the Stompers to wither in face of an honest conversation.
Where now are the posturing Stompers and the former adolescent bravado that has so far typified their clique?
— Tim Peck
Asheville
I have gone to their website & read their unmittigated nonsense, born of ignorance and bigotry. There are few words to describe just how un-American & anti-Christian they are.
Bring it.
Why should any group submit to what could only be described as a circus show? Anybody with serious political intentions regarding the direction of public policy in the area and intent on influencing a sane and reasonable electorate would be utterly foolish to entertain such a public fiasco.
The “Stompers” are better advised to continue on the path they have chosen and let the fringe elements carry on with their ad hominem strategy in the discussion boards and blogs. (That is not to state that the “Stompers” themselves are not immune from their own ad hominem approach)
Travelah, seriously now, are not the stompers a fringe group?
No, they are not a fringe group. They have an eclectic approach and they are reactionaries but there is a significant group of people that are just as frustrated with the current perverse state of affairs in Asheville. They are a “colorful” representative of a significant electorate block. Contrast that with the fringe of the Lite candidacy.
In any event, the best advice for the Stompers is to ignore the rabble of those who have made it a personal vendetta. The Democrats are a legitimate constituency. The Pagan rocks and trees are not.
One thing the Stompers article did was expose the vitriol that some on the left have towards conservatives, be they from a fringe group, or mainstream republicans. I hope this next election produces a president and congress that most of us can live with no matter the party. This extreme bickering isn’t good for the community or the country.
Tim,
As you & many others know, I am not a member of Carolina Stompers which you like to add to all of your stories that you post.
By being a new member/producer of public access tv, I have learned the need to copy right my programs.
I will be more than happy to sit down with you on “Sound Off Buncombe” which is a program that broadcast on URTV Public Access TV here in Asheville.
I think this is fare,dont you Tim?
Richard:
You should know by now Tim is not concerned with facts, only vengeance.