Harrogate man ashamed of his generation

To the editor:

My name is Ronnie G. Partin. I live in Harrogate TN. I was born in the coal mining camp of Pruden, TN. in Feb. of 1947. The Company doctor came to the house to deliver me. The Company would provide all you needed to care for your family. All you had to do was work. My Dad and Grandfather helped to build the road from Frakes to the top of Fonde Mountain with picks and shovels and wheelbarrows for a dollar a day during the depression. I believe my generation followed one of the greatest generations this country has ever known. But I am saddened and ashamed of what my generation has done and let be done to this great country. We let one person say “I don’t want my child to hear prayer in school” and poof, no more prayer in school. No matter that thousands said we want it. Don’t offend. One person said I don’t think the Ten Commandments belong in our courthouses and poof, no more ten commandments. Again thousands said we want them. Don’t offend. Almost every country in the world will put you in jail or worst if you enter without permission. Sneak into the good old U.S.A. and you get free food, free housing, free healthcare, free schooling for the child you conceived while hiding from the border patrol even if an American has to be kicked off healthcare. Don’t offend. Our President went to Europe and apologized for our arrogance. If the count was right then there are over 100,000 U.S. troops buried in Europe alone. There not to show the world American arrogance but to help free them. But don’t offend. My generation has made the biggest steps in every field this world has known. BUT we have done more to take God out of our lifes and to change the things this great country was founded on. But don’t offend. Our founding fathers fought and died for this freedom we have and the generations that followed kept that dream and died for it. Now my generation has done its best to take it away and change it so it don’t offend. I’m ashamed of my generation. My name is Ronnie G. Partin and I hope I’ve offended.

Thank you,

Ronnie G. Partin

Harrogate, TN.

October is domestic violence awareness month

To the editor:

Domestic violence is much more common than most people are willing to admit. It touches the lives of most families. Neighbors know it happens. Police get weary of being called for all those domestic disputes that seem to go on forever.

Over 90 percent of domestic violence abusers (batterers, perpetrators, predators) are men. What’s wrong with men? Why do they keep on doing it? Do they enjoy punching, slapping, burning, kicking women, then cursing at them with constant put downs? What is going on here?

Part of the answer comes in three “P’s”: Pride, Privilege, and Power. We men have our pride. It seems built in to who we are and how we act and think and feel. In the Bible, pride is a major sin. We all need some pride but not too much. Too much pride is bad news, especially for women.

PRIVILEGE — In America, in our country and society, males have privilege. We have more freedom than women. I can run anywhere, anytime, except maybe in some neighborhoods in Washington D.C. Women have to run in safe places. When men and women are doing the same job with equal talents, abilities, and experience, the man often gets paid more. It is male privilege in action. Many churches teach male privilege. Women are to submit, to be quiet, to obey. Males are masters.

When we put the first two “P’s” together we come to an obvious conclusion: Pride + Privilege = Power. Men are granted power and they will do everything they can to keep that power, including keeping women in their place.

Men suffer from pride, privilege, and power while women face serious issues of self-esteem. Men constantly put women down, tell them they are helpless, worthless, and guilty of all wrong in a relationship to the point where women come to believe that they are the guilty ones for all the upsets that happen in their lives, as if low self-esteem is normal and natural.

Here is a personal experience that tells how the power/low self-esteem game plays out.

On September 28 the MEDIC mobile unit was in the area and I gave blood. I’m PROUD to be a regular donor. I was in the bed with my left arm extended and the phlebotomist asked, “Are you allergic to iodine?” before she started the prep on arm.

I said, “Hunh? I didn’t hear you. I’m deaf in my left.”

She raised her voice, “I’m sorry. Are you allergic to iodine?”

I said, “It’s no problem. You didn’t know I was deaf.”

She apologized again, “I’m sorry I didn’t speak loudly enough. I didn’t know.”

I told her I had no allergies. My pride and privilege kicked in and I was going to take a moment and teach her about her problem of low self-esteem. I tried to make a teachng moment out of it and said, “You don’t need to go around apologizing all the time for things that are not your fault.”

I botched my communication job for she apologized again, “I’m sorry I said I was sorry.”

Jim Woodring

Bell Co. Peace in Ky. Homes Network

Pineville