May 22, 2006
Dear Friends and Voters,
My last statement caused a bit of a stir among the media and others.
We
have a presumption in law that paragraph headings are not to be taken
as the
text of the statute itself and they are not controlling. So too are
the
headings on my website. They are there to get attention but the
readers are
encouraged to READ the statement.
Had they done so, they would have noticed that I did not say that
anyone had
endorsed me. The statement said that I had met Dean Smith. I did. He
told
me a story about Andy Griffith and politics and we took the picture and
moved on. I did not say that he endorsed me. He is free to support
and
endorse anyone and the question of how he votes and for whom he votes
is
between him and his Creator.
I have changed my website now and hopefully this will clarify things
and
allow Dean Smith to get back to work at UNC and me to move forward with
my
campaign.
However, I find the attention to both him and myself unwarranted. We
have
major problems facing our country and there are also issues of import
in
North Carolina. The people would be better served if the media pursued
some
of these issues with the same zeal that they pursued my meeting various
people.
I also take issue with the calls for me to apologize. Has President
Bush
been asked to apologize to the American people for lying about going to
war
with Iraq or for secretly monitoring our phone calls? Has Vernon
Robinson
been asked to apologize for insinuating that Congressman Brad Miller
was a
homosexual because he was childless? Has Nathan Tabor been asked to
apologize to me for trying to get me fired while I was recovering from
surgery? Has Ferrell Blount, the NC GOP Chairman, been asked to
apologize
for attacking me, when instead of getting condolences for my illness,
as
Elizabeth Edwards received, I get comments like "I hope the bitch dies"
instead?
The answers are no, no, no and no. When these individuals apologize, I
will
think about apologizing. Until then, I will not apologize as I have
done
nothing wrong.
Benjamin Franklin told a story to Thomas Jefferson when the latter
winced at
the editing that was made to the Declaration of Independence.
John Thompson, Hatter, makes and sells hats for ready money,' with a
figure
of a hat subjoined. But he thought he would submit it to his friends
for
their amendments. The first he showed it to thought the word 'Hatter'
tautologous, because followed by the words 'makes hats,' which showed
he was
a hatter. It was struck out. The next observed that the word 'makes'
might
as well be omitted, because his customers would not care who made the
hats.
If good and to their mind, they would buy them, by whomsoever made. He
struck it out. A third said he thought the words 'for ready money' were
useless, as it was not the custom of the place to sell on credit.
Every one
who purchased expected to pay. They were parted with, and the
inscription
now stood, 'John Thompson sells hats.' 'Sells hats!' says the next
friend.
'Why, nobody will expect you to give them away. What then is the use
of
that word?' It was stricken out, and 'hats' followed it, the rather as
there was one painted on the board. So the inscription was reduced
ultimately to 'John Thompson,' with the figure of a hat subjoined."
The point of the story is that while people have suggestions, one
should not
always take the advice that is offered.
We are all creatures of habit and as we age, we like change even less.
I
understand that and I understand that my campaign may make some
individuals
uncomfortable. But as I said in my last statement, I am a different
kind of
candidate and am running a different kind of campaign. And while I
value
your thoughts and opinions and will give them due consideration, in the
end
I will decide about how my campaign should be run and I will accept the
consequences that follow.
Best wishes,
Rachel Lea Hunter
Candidate for NC Supreme Court Associate Justice
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