Tear Down and Destroy the Good 'Ol Boy System

It blows my mind. Sheriff D. Brad Riley can do no wrong with his supporters. Literally, if we were to find out that the good sheriff killed someone, his supporters would still make excuses and find a way to justify it. How can this be? I believe it has to do with a feeling of importance in an otherwise boring or underachieving life. Quite possibly even a feeling of ‘does my life have meaning?” To be associated with Lindsay Lohan, with many, would still be an association. It equals a feeling of importance. How pathetic is that? Would you Riley supporters be proud of your children if they lied, cheated, stole and destroyed? Why else would former Sheriff Robert Canaday say “Thanks to all for supporting Sheriff Brad Riley. Please get as many as you can to go Vote on Nov. 2. I would be a shame to let such a fine law enforcement professional get away from us. We need him right here in Cabarrus County”. If Robert Canaday were so concerned for Cabarrus County he would be making these comments about David Graham. I have given it much thought. Do you know why Canaday can’t let it go? Because to do so would be to admit that he was wrong. If be didn’t stubbornly march forward against reasoning and right it would be to admit that his life’s work may be forgotten that much sooner. Did Lenin really want to go with Stalin? No! But to change “horses” at this stage of the game would be reversing his genius foresight for the future. Aww, but the Soviet Union did collapse.

What does it say to Cabarrus County voter’s that Sheriff D. Brad Riley’s trusted retired Captain Tommy Furr is out destroying David Graham’s signs? Riley first said he did not know that man in the picture. Of course, most people immediately identified the man. I find it interesting that you can go to Riley’s facebook page and so many of his followers make excuses for it. They even try to throw the focus back at Graham, a man who is clearly taking the high road. What great lengths his followers will go to. It was important enough for 36 News to cover it. But of course the Riley supporters are not so interested. Riley supporters will make every excuse to deny the truth. This is the same reason why the United States can not reason with Ahmadinejad. He can’t even admit that the holocaust happened. You know he knows it happened. But he will never give us the satisfaction of admitting it. To do so would mean to let go of his hatred and stubbornness. If he saw an American flag, he would tear it down and destroy it. And if he were caught on camera he would swear it was the wind.

We are dealing with an immature, childish, spoiled sheriff’s office. One unable to combat the problems of the 21st century. The good ol’ boy system has gone on long enough. It is time to hold an office accountable. Roberts to Canaday, Canaday to Riley. What did he do to earn it? I still have not heard. Stop this corrupt administration dead in its tracks. What more proof do you need then Tommy Furr destroying signs? Shouldn’t this give all of us an idea of what the future holds under Riley’s reign?

Riley on Crime in Cabarrus County.mov

Anyone who hasn’t seen the informative youtube video just released by Sheriff D. Brad Riley should make every attempt to watch it. It is truly inspirational. First, he points out that it is important for citizens to know that last year violent crime was down 36% and property crime down 12%. It is typical that a politician tells you want ‘he wants you to know’, rather than ‘what you want to know’. Why are you telling us now? Oh wait, yes now I remember, the election is less than two weeks away. Could it be because your job is on the line? Yes, it’s coming back to me now. Why are people thinking a whole lot worse than they thought before? Who are you speaking for? Is this to scare us? You, Sheriff seem to be the desperate one. Your deputies are pushing the envelope? Yes, I have read all the comments. They push the envelope after licking the stamp. So property crime has decreased by 12%? Where do you get your ‘gambit’ numbers? We are glad you are satisfied with your department’s accomplishments. However, I would like to point out that their job ‘is’ to patrol and be seen. I wonder if the citizens are satisfied with the services ‘you’ provide. The deputies should be visible. It does deter crime. But why are you not visible sir? So you want to communicate with the citizens now? What storm are you referring to? The election storm? The one sweeping you off of your feet? Yes, quite the storm indeed. You suggest we keep the community intact? So if you are voted out are you suggesting that we are losing our community? Our community is more than you Sheriff Riley. You obviously think highly of yourself. You are right however. This is an important time. That is precisely what I have been saying for the past few months. Why is this not the time to change horses in the middle of the stream? Thoroughbreds can swim. However, donkeys will not cross! So the worst thing you can say about David Graham is that he is retired? Thanks for going easy on him. But I dare say, I don’t think he will be retired much longer. Why is your time now? Because you are in the middle of it? Yes, you very well may come up short, thanks to Sheriff Canaday. If only he would have retired a little sooner.

Time Is Running Out

As we enter election time it is important to reflect what this blog has revealed to us in the past months. There have been numerous questions and concerns that have been asked. Obviously the local news outlets don’t do their jobs. It is too bad the Tribune and its journalists don’t care enough about this community to challenge the candidates all; sheriff, district attorney, county commissioners and clerks, to the slightest bit of interest or scrutiny to allow our citizens to be served by the best possible person. It seems a shame that the Tribune doesn’t understand what should be a sense of responsibility, or maybe they do understand. So what is our alternative when the papers protect their own favorites and ignore their obvious duties? Citizens who are fed up will take matters into the hands in the form of blogs. What have we learned about the 2 ton, ignored elephant in the room?

Sheriff D. Brad Riley does read this blog but does not have interest to answer to the easiest of questions. Of course, no one expected him to grace this site with his presence, but why not the newspaper or his websites? He did feel the need to slightly address concerns about overpopulation in the jail. But what of all the surrounding concerns? Mr. Riley has not been held accountable to his county citizens. Born here, raised here…whatever! Shouldn’t he face the music? Is this the leadership we deserve? There is no leadership at all. Not only will he dodge press conferences designed by him but won’t so much as return a phone call.
That many of his deputies are selfish, ruthless, profane, egotistical, suspicious people that do not deserve to wear badges and guns. Now with that said, most are outstanding men and women who love this community. These are the ones who need our support and new leadership. The most vocal and sometimes profane deputies, voice concerns so extreme that it shows the frustration clear and true. Most want change and need direction. Others want the ones who think differently then them to leave, telling them they are unwanted and unwelcome in their own department. Does this not scream to us, the citizens, of the turmoil in the sheriff’s office? It is an attitude born from the top. Sheriff Riley supporters claim these vulgar employees can not be tamed by the sheriff. If he can not control this own, then how can he lead them.

The time is now to bring about change and new leadership. Sheriff Riley has had an opportunity to make an impression upon all of us; whether good or bad. Have the undecided voters taken their responsibility seriously? Have they done research and met David Graham? He is a man with outstanding credentials and more importantly than that, he is a man who is respected by ALL who know him. He represents true professionalism and leadership. He has run an outstanding campaign. Let us not miss this opportunity to read our compasses correctly. It is time to sail in the right direction.