Patriotism and Constitutional Democracy

Since March 2003, the definition of patriotism has needed clarification. During that month the United States launched its second war in Iraq, and a majority of Congress and the public supported the decision. Those who dissented from the majority opinion were labeled as unpatriotic.

Today the Charleston Gazette published a much needed commentary on the matter. In summary, the newspaper explained patriotism as pride in one’s country, not unquestioned support of the political establishment.

Constitutional democracy was the most necessary and innovative political creation in history, Robert Byrd said yesterday before a celebratory assembly in Charleston. The state’s senior senator was adamant that government must serve the people, and not the opposite.

Ironically, in the 2004 election West Virginia supported the course set forth by President Bush, despite Sen. Byrd’s warning that the administration was not acting in the best interest of the country.

As mid-term elections near, the state’s citizens would be well served to reflect on their views of patriotism, which is not to suggest that we withdrawal support from our troops, but more so that we seek to better understand the motives of those in power. If we find that those motives are indeed not in our best interest, then working to change course does not mean we are unpatriotic. It means we are championing our democratic rights.

School Board Positions West Virginia as Intolerant

The recent Harrison County Schools' decision to uphold the display of Jesus' likeness at Bridgeport High School hurts West Virginia’s image. Although I am a Christian myself, I still recognize the significant importance of separating church and state.

Even the Charleston Daily Mail, a traditionally conservative newspaper, acknowledged today that the school system's judgment on this matter was not prudent.

Too many Christians are compelled to force their beliefs on others. Perhaps they feel like less of a disciple if they fail to do so. This is religious arrogance and civil narrow-mindedness. The United States has been defined by its tolerance of differing religious viewpoints.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson’s decision ordering Alabama’s Supreme Court to remove the Ten Commandments from its rotunda is a sensible application of the Constitution's position on church and state. I don’t consider that a liberal decision, I consider it an American decision, which upholds freedom and recognizes diversity.

Unfortunately, a majority of Harrison County school board members feel they must subtly proselytize to students through the image of their savior, and they apparently don’t understand (or care) that there are citizens of the state with different beliefs. This episode reinforces an image of West Virginia as an intolerant state. William Stewart is correct, a judge will probably strike down the school system’s decision. It should never have come to that point.

Metro-Government and West Virginia Identity

In March, after several years of debate, the state Legislature authorized counties and municipalities to form metro-governments, giving them the ability to merge or share services upon voter approval. This option would help governments be more cost-effective and work more efficiently, the thinking goes, and create advantages for attracting federal funds and business development.

Not only has the Legislature signed off on the idea, but some county and local officials have publicly expressed support, such as Kanawha and Marion county commissioners Dave Hardy and Cody Starcher. The first step toward metro-government reality came last week, when Fairmont City Council and the Marion County Commission created a study committee to explore the option.

Several newspapers, including The Charleston Gazette and The Herald-Dispatch, have editorialized their support for allowing voters to decide the matter for themselves. The general public sentiment has yet to reveal itself.

In large part West Virginians identify themselves according to their cities, counties, major employers, and schools. They can be very protective of such, an example being the various controversies surrounding school consolidations in the 1990s. I too still proudly relate with Fraziers Bottom, Putnam County, and Winfield High School.

Today being West Virginia Day, we recognize our inception as a state and entry onto the national stage. But since 1863, West Virginia has often been framed nationally as a state that is slow to change and innovate. Implementing metro-governments, where beneficial, could be a mechanism to remind us of our ability to effect policy, and demonstrate that we aren’t adverse to change.

Filming of 'We Are Marshall' Could Have Lasting Impact in West Virginia

Renewed focus on the tragic plane crash that shocked the Huntington and Tri-State area in the early 70's may likely spur future development within the twenty-first century, not only from a tourism and economic development standpoint, but culturally as well.

It appears that the December 2006 release of "We Are Marshall" will frame West Virginia in a very positive manner, highlighting the strength of its people, and downplaying stereotypical views of the state. Director McG and actors Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox approached the story in a very reverent fashion and took time to learn from and involve community members.

This film will honor the Marshall University football players and staff that perished, and at the same time invigorate a sense of local pride. It will acknowledge West Virginians as real people and not fictitious hillbillies. The limitations often perceived about the state are not as real as they appear, and in many cases they are a significant by-product of early twentieth century depictions of Appalachians as backwoods, uneducated, and unmotivated. I hope that this real story will remind West Virginians of how strong they can be, and help us move forth accordingly in all endeavors, be it political, economic, or social.

Thank you Rick Lee for providing a glimpse of the filming process, it certainly adds to the excitement.

Business Cards Can Be an Effective Means of Targeting Promotions

Too often organizations don't take time to best identify their audience. Sending promotional pieces just for the sake of doing so will lead to wasted resources, no matter how visually appealing or well-worded, as Emily Bennington points out.

There are numerous methods of pinpointing a targeted mailing list, but one of the simplest I've found is to look no farther than accumulated business cards. This assumes that you've been devoting time to network within professional settings that are relevant to your services.

Whenever we make face-to-face contact with prospects, this provides them with an introduction to who we are and what we do. Although some introductions go better than others, all have the potential to yield better results than a "cold" mailing, due to the value of the human element.

Realize that each networking opportunity is the start of a business dialogue process, and plan your collateral materials accordingly. Along this line of thinking, you might realize that the opportunities lost from pitching business cards may cost much more than printing and stamps.

Remember West Virginians: Today's Attitudes Reflect Tomorrow's Reality

I am proud to have been born, raised, and educated in West Virginia. Given that I chose to stay in the state, I am somewhat of an anomoly, as many of my peers sought greener pastures in other areas of the country. The exodus of the state's youth may be a consequence of an overall negative attitude promoted within Appalachian-culture that discourages innovation within politics and business.

I tried not to let such misperceptions curb my belief in progress and decided that my professional and civic efforts would be most effective at home. Perhaps this was the path of least resistance, but I'd like to think it's just the opposite. It's easy to be a naysayer and lambast the Mountain State as behind the times economically, politically, and socially. It's another thing to take responsibility for the challenges that exist, and address them accordingly, in a manner that promotes cooperation, growth, and investment.

Unless the mature and young citizens of the state become more concerned, involved and self-empowered, the likelihood of progress will remain unnervingly slow. Instead, we must educate ourselves more on the state's complicated social history, apprise ourselves of the existing political and economic landscape, and use our individual talents and ambitions in a manner that helps create a better tomorrow, and not sustain the status quo.

To the young people of West Virginia, you can make a difference here. There is no better time than now to begin taking the reigns. Make yourself ready and be excited, for you are the future, and your involvement is critical for progress to be made. To the aged, don't fear change, but embrace it. Erase the cynicism you have learned, and believe in better days, in which West Virginia is seen as a progressive state, and celebrated as a national treasure.