Liberty Bowl exec congratulates WVU
On behalf of the members of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association, the staff of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and our community volunteers, we want to thank and congratulate West Virginia University. We enjoyed hosting the Mountaineers and their wonderful fans at the 62nd Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
With the leadership of Dr. Gordon Gee, university president; Shane Lyons, director of athletics; and Neal Brown, head coach — West Virginia University has a bright future both on and off the football field. We were proud to host the Mountaineers in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in recognition of their successful season and overcoming the challenges of 2020. While their stay at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl was brief, we hope the Mountaineers and their fans made memories that will last a lifetime.
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has a long history and tradition of showcasing many of college football’s greatest teams, players and coaches over the past 62 years. We are proud that game MVP and Outstanding Offensive Player Award recipient T.J. Simmons, Outstanding Defensive Player Award recipient Josh Chandler-Semedo, Coach Brown and the entire 2020 West Virginia football team are now a part of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s rich legacy.
Happy New Year and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2021!
Steve Erhart
Executive Director
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Memphis, Tenn.
Coup attempt and BLM protests not the same
To those who claim to see some kind of equivalency between the coup attempt on Jan. 6 and the Black Lives Matter protests that took place over the summer and over the years: Please consider that the BLM protests are a response to the repeated murders of Black individuals by police officers who have faced minimal consequences, if any. These protests have occurred — and will continue to occur — in pursuit of racial justice.
The rioters who invaded the Capitol did so because their candidate lost an election, legally and fairly. Their candidate illegally attempted to influence election results and intimidate officials to tamper with vote counts. The rioters carried Confederate flags and wore neo-Nazi tattoos and symbols.
The immediate reason for the invasion may have been the election, but it was really about race. This invasion occurred in pursuit of white supremacy. Protest, including the destruction of property, is warranted when the law fails, over and over, to provide people with equal protection — when the officers of the law are themselves committing, over and over, violence against Black individuals, when Colin Kaepernick and countless others engaging in peaceful, “civil” demonstrations are shouted down, blacklisted, arrested and tear-gassed. What other recourse is there when centuries of history have supported this type of ongoing violence?
The rioters on Wednesday were protesting little beyond the fact that they did not get what they want: That their country voted out a man who has lied continuously to them and to the entire world. They were out to prove a point, and the point they proved with chilling effectiveness was the difference in the way the law perceives threats depending on the color of a protester’s — or terrorist’s — skin. There is no equivalency here.
Lynne Stahl
Morgantown
Morgantown Mylan plant should’ve been kept open
We’re being robbed! One of the most valuable assets of our community is being stolen from us. I’m certain that those involved in the Mylan merger were partially motivated by the potential of increased profitability by the closure of the Morgantown plant.
Out of respect for the founder of Mylan Pharmaceuticals, there should have been a stipulation that the Morgantown plant continue to operate. Instead, one of the best things that has happened to this community will be gone, as if it never existed. The negative impact will be felt for decades.
It seems that this past year should have provided us with valuable lessons on bottom line economics and the manufacture of vital medications overseas. It’s as if a giant central phalangal appendage has been displayed to our community specifically, and our nation in general.
Patrick Nabors
Morgantown
Remembering ‘The American’s Creed’
On April 3, 1918, Congress passed a resolution titled, “The American’s Creed” during a worldwide pandemic and World War I. Many of the events and uncertainties of that era appear to be similar to what we have experienced in 2020. As we begin a brand new year in 2021, may we pause, reflect and consider this 100-plus-year-old creed for each of us and for our country, the United States of America.
The American’s Creed by William Tyler Page:
“I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
“I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag and to defend it against all enemies.”
Charlie and Jan Byrer
Morgantown
