Pubdate: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 Source: Toccoa Record, The (GA) Copyright: 2009 The Toccoa Record Contact: http://www.thetoccoarecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5073 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n896/a06.html Author: Kathleen Townsend and Ramon Townsend TRASHY RAG SHOULDN'T HAVE PUBLISHED LETTER In what way did you show common sense or professionalism in publishing the defamatory letter by Frank Whittle on Sept. 24? Such eye catching headlines like LOCAL POLICE WHIPPED INTO FRENZY BY DRUG FABRICATION!! Are you serious?? Never mind that much of the letter was pure refined bovine excrement. That would have been enough to inform me and your other thinking readers that you only want to sell newspapers. Why don't you just rename the Toccoa Record The Toccoa Trashy Tabloid?? AH I see that light in your eyes! Yes your thinking, that might be just what this hum drum little rag needs to spark things up around here. If this wasn't enough, the writer went on to touch a very sore nerve in this community, about the tragic death of Pastor Ayers. The investigation is not done yet, and the family is still grieving. This kind of irresponsible journalism just shows your callous disregard for the sensitivities of the community you supposedly serve. The letter also stated, "This fabrication! (What fabrication?) has tainted the community with innocent blood." Hello! Was he insinuating that the Anti-drug coalition,SCADC, some how was at fault for this young man's death? This is outrageous! It just reeks of reckless journalism and I use the term "Journalism" loosely in this regard. Mr. Whittle expressed concern with some clear violation of the "supposed" separation of church and state. Gee I didn't know the SCADC was a denomination/church? Or that they were imposing their will on the population of this county? Unlike the Church of England in past history. Someone's lack of education is showing. Does the idea of slanderous libel ring a bell here? Accusing an organization by inference that they are responsible for a man's death is a pretty strong allegation. Would not the vehicle that published such slanderous libel not be culpable also? Oh I forgot, we have freedom of speech in this wonderful nation of ours. For now any way. The only thing I agree with about this letter was his concern over the amount of drug stores in this county. Pretty please someone tell me how we could have that much need for prescription drugs in thislittle burb of a town? Is it maybe to fuel the amount of illegal sales of prescription drugs on the street? Which gives the lie to the premise that good ole Frank made that WE DON"T HAVE A DRUG PROBLEM HERE! Wakey , Wakey we sure the Hades do! Legal, illegal manufactured , inhaled , shot up you name it! Ask Miss Kayla Barrett to sit you down Frank and 'splain it to you. Kathleen and Ramon Townsend Toccoa - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake