BY KEITH THROCKMORTON

Editor’s NOTE: Several years back I noticed – we all noticed – that much like the news section, the opinion section of the local dead tree media was dominated by leftwing columnists who pontificate about national issues — folks who think they know more than we do.

I sought to change this dynamic by opening the opinion pages to local columnists from all perspectives and points of view – left, right, center, dog, cat. My intent, then and now, was to share diverse ideas so that people could be more informed about their government and community. That’s radical thinking because the mainstream media only presents its narrative and censors opposing viewpoints.

Rather than national pundits from the echo chamber, I sought writers from the community because I thought I’d rather read what my neighbor thinks than some idiot living in New York or Washington who doesn’t give a damn about people in rural America. Often, people from the community offered clarity and common sense to the issues. Worth noting, that open door/inclusive approach to media management generated circulation and ad growth.

During my time as editor, I met many talented writers, including Keith and Pat Throckmorton of Hertford. They’ve written about a wide variety of matters – politics, faith, law enforcement and conservative values. Keith is a retired lawman (Fairfax County Police) and Pat is a retired nurse and published author. I’ve published their columns at the many newspapers where I’ve served as editor during the past few years – Ohio, Mississippi and Kentucky. 

I hope you enjoy Keith and Pat’s columns – we’ll probably begin running them on the weekends.  

Thanks for reading – and if you want a free subscription, either go to our webpage and sign up or send us your email at albemarle.observer@gmail.com and we’ll sign you in. 

WOKENESS IN OUR MILITARY, GOOD OR BAD?

By Keith Throckmorton

Support Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Department of Defense. Pete is the man for the job. Demand your U.S. Senator to confirm him or fire that senator who does not election time. Jesus was the only perfect person to live. We all have skeletons in our closet, and I have many of them as does you and so does the elected senators who are making the decision on confirming Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. It is time to have confidence in our military after this past betrayal of four years. Pray for America January 20th!

Woke is now defined in Miriam Webster’s dictionary as “aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice) ” and identified as U.S. slang.  It originated in African American English and gained widespread use beginning in 2014 as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.  Unfortunately, by the end of that same decade, some applied it as a general pejorative for anyone who is or appears to be politically left-leaning.” But, as many Americans today are asking, are Woke and CRT ideologies legitimate during the political onslaught of acceptance and indoctrination?

Does the “Woke” ideology have a place in our armed forces?  In a time of combat, we all bleed the same color of blood.  Many serving in our armed forces will agree that this is the bottom line, not any divisive ideology, such as Woke.  As a Vietnam veteran, I could not agree more.  We were American military and depended on each other regardless of race, creed, or color.  From day one, basic training focused on our military missions and serving our country.  We were comrades and brothers in arms!  Therefore, we would never have been exposed to divisive social ideologies such as Woke and CRT.

Today, what has happened to that mindset?  It is a total failure of leadership and responsibility for our military services and America’s safety.  Who is responsible and why?  Elected and appointed leaders are imposing Wokeness in our armed forces by executive orders from the White House, Congress,  and senior active career military officers and employees in the Pentagon.  They have little or no understanding of the purpose, character, traditions, and requirements of the military institution when the Woke agendas are ordered.

Consider the mission of our military – it appears that senior active military officers may be more concerned for career reasons.  Perhaps more anxious about not violating the rights of transgender military people, creating a racial diversity atmosphere, incorporating LGBTQI ideology into our troops, and not insulting our enemies than their primary mission of winning wars.

The demise of our military for these reasons has been recognized by over one thousand retired Generals, Admirals, non-Flag Officers, and enlisted personnel.  However, the most significant threat they see in our current military is the weakening of its fabric by radical progressive (or Woke”) policies imposed by the very leaders charged with ensuring our Nation’s military readiness and in direct conflict with our Constitution.

Flag Officers (Generals and Admirals) 4 America and the Committee to Support and Defend combined forces to alert the Nation to significant national security issues if the Woke ideologies continue in the military.

The Committee to Support Freedom released a robust public letter warning of specific threats to our Constitution and freedom due to the Wokeness agenda in our military.  Over 1000 signers have reaffirmed that the oath they took to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, has no expiration date and that the current military leadership promoting “Wokeness” undermines the military’s war-fighting mission.  This position closely follows that of over 200 generals and admirals who signed the Flag Officer 4 American open letter.

General Joe Arbuckle states: “Critical Race Theory and other such programs are intentionally designed to divide people into groups based on oppressors vs. oppressed; sowing discord and distrust in each other.  This is exactly the opposite of the team building based on the essential trust and confidence needed in military units for unit cohesion and readiness.  If allowed to continue, CRT and other such divisive programs will do tremendous damage to our military, its missions, and, therefore, our Nation.  No doubt our adversaries across the globe are carefully watching how this unfolds.”

The letter’s signers said: “The focus of our military should be on training, readiness, and the defense of our Nation, not left cultural Wokeness…We oppose the politicization and ideological purging of our military.”
MARK 3:25 KJV tells us: “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”  Pray for America!

Keith Throckmorton, Fairfax County Police (Retired and Chaplain) Hertford, NC

Make Music in Your Heart

BY PAT THROCKMORTON

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Ephesians 5:19-20 KJV

Live each moment with a sense of responsibility, with a keen sense of knowing the meaning and purpose of life.  Allow the wonders of God’s creation to stimulate you through your mind, heart, and soul.  Be filled with joy at the marvels all around you.  Use your time wisely, refraining from the despondency of the difficulties surrounding you.  Lift your hearts by singing hymns and just making music in your heart for the ears of God!

 “What then shall I do?  I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind.  I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” 1 Corinthians 14:15 NIV

Don’t be vague about your beliefs, but take a firm hold of what you know to be the will of God and move forward.  Do not be afraid to live with Christian purpose.  That is the beginning of a new year – 2025!  Now is the time to make the necessary changes in your life.  Suppose your circle of acquaintances leaves you feeling sad and unhappy; perhaps you need to find new ones.  Of course, we are all uniquely different, but if you are having much difficulty “fitting in with” someone, that one may not be for you. 

If your eating habits and lack of physical activity are missing healthy qualities, aggressively make the changes necessary to bring you to the place of recognizing your body as God’s temple.  Should you find yourself in a religious group that is not Bible-based, bolt for the door for fear the words of a false teacher will sway you.

Only you are responsible for your state of mind and well-being.  Sing spiritual songs and hymns, making melody in your heart and remembering to give thanks for the bounty of all God has given you.  Fill your mind and your soul with joyous entities.

LORD, cleanse my heart, mind, and soul of all negativity.  Fill me with hymns and spiritual songs that I will be drawn closer to YOU.  Thank YOU, LORD, for the abundance of YOUR love and forgiveness.  In JESUS’s name, I pray.  Amen.