A Call for Justice

You may have all noticed that Miss Ive has an addictive personality. If not, just so you know, she does. After last week's success on the zoo vote, she is now going after bigger fish.

I am enclosing a post from a contributor on Peterman's Eye today because it moved me. Really. It will you, too. A very eloquent plea. Please read and pass. Especially to powerful can-do types, like yourselves. Love ya'll.


Friends,

If I may turn the subject a little bit, let me tell you how an exemplar of courage, hard work, and self reliance may benefit from your practical assistance.

Lancaster, SC ( pronounced LAN kuh ster, not like LAN CASS ter, PA) is a sleepy place. The entire county has just over 60,000 residents. The county was founded in 1785 and their red brick courthouse was designed by Robert Mills, who also designed the Washington Monument. Lancaster was the home of Col Elliott White Springs and Springs Mills was for a long time the dominant employer. I will leave for someone else the pleasant job of discussing Col. Springs, a colorful man who had much in common with President Roosevelt.

On monday, the historic courthouse was badly damaged by an arsonist's efforts. In South Carolina, the prosecutor is called a SOLICITOR and the Solicitor whose territory includes Lancaster is a fine fellow of just under 50 named Doug Barfield.

You would like Doug. He has a Harley Davidson, but he doesn't talk about it much. He is a graduate of Clemson and USC Law. His wife teaches foreign language at the local high school, where Doug's father was once the Ag (riculture) teacher. They have two sons. A couple of years ago, Doug had himself an intestinal disaster while visiting his inlaws near Charleston. He ended up with a colostomy bag for about 4 months and a fairly entertaining routine of stories and commentary about the experience. He had few complaints. He is a thorough and methodical trial lawyer, more given to persistence and details than to flash or histrionics. He doesn't try many cases, because defense lawyers know that he usually wins.

I am telling you about Doug because it seems pretty clear that someone burned the courthouse to stop him from trying some criminal case. Just now, which criminal case is unclear. In case there was any question, Doug announced on Monday that court would go on, in an alternative location. On tuesday, they began the process of cleaning up, while carrying on the usual business of criminal court in a small southern town. Early this morning, the same forces struck again, this time burning Doug's office across the street.

Once he gets the mud cleared away, I am sure Doug will repeat his intention not to be stopped.

While the contemplative discussion of this community is a fine thing, I am asking each of you to see what you can do to assist Jeff Hammond, the affable and capable Clerk Of Court for Lancaster County, SC, and Doug Barfield, the Sixth Circuit Solicitor. Someone will eventually organize some kind of relief project. Eventually, Insurance companies will reimburse losses. But today, there is a need for clerical help and the most basic kind of grunt work. Your efforts to call attention to this situation will help.

Thanks

Willie Trask