I looked out my kitchen window this morning, half expecting to see Jeff Krimminger walk up as he has for the past three years. Jeff has been my helper and friend for that time. Jeff showed up one summer day and asked if I had any work he could do. From that day on, he was my right hand. Carpentry, plumbing, roofs, sheetrock, painting, landscaping — he could do it all. But I knew I would not see him this morning because he died Sunday.
Jeff’s heart stopped several days ago. He was revived, but his brain was without a blood supply for too long. Only his basic function to breathe and have a heartbeat remained. My wife, Chris, and I went to see him before he died. He did not know us, but opened his eyes. We watched helplessly as Jeff struggled to hold on to his last shred of life as it slipped from him. We did not expect him to live through the night. But he was stubborn and strong and held on for another night. Chris told him it was all right to let go and be with the angels.
I have known Jeff all his life. He was a likeable rogue, a lady’s man, a charter boat captain, business owner, building contractor and my friend. He was a great help and comfort to me. I could trust him to do things right. He even kept a notebook with a list of all the jobs we needed to do. We talked often about politics, family, relationships, his addictions, his ailments and most every subject under the sun.
Most people will scarcely note the passing of Jeff Krimminger. But Chris and I will. We cared about Jeff and still do. We both cried as we watched him struggle to stay in this world. But we knew he could not stay. Goodbye, Jeff. We will miss you and remember you fondly for your conversations, your help, your humor and your efforts to get your life on track. You weren’t perfect, but at least you tried.
— Tony Hilton
Landis

I enjoyed reading Dr. Ada Fisher’s column “Immoral Mondays through Sundays.” As with her book, “Common Sense Conservative Prescriptions,” Dr. Fisher always displays a keen sense of reality.
I remember when N.C. state Sen. Thom Goolsby called Moral Monday “Moron Monday.” The national (and local) media went ballistic for days and days. Well, Goolsby’s at it again, but there’s no outrage this time; only silence.
Maybe that’s because Goolsby’s latest newsletter reveals that the groups who make up the Moral Monday crowd received over $100 million from taxpayers while the Democrats controlled North Carolina; and they’re upset that the newly elected Republicans cut them off. Goolsby writes: “With the latest revelations from the Raleigh-based Civitas Institute, I should have referred to the demonstrations as ‘Money Monday.’ ”
Then there was Saturday’s editorial, “Restoring early voting days,” which said that N.C. Republicans have discouraged voter participation by cutting early voting from 17 days down to 10. Apparently, because Obama supporters voted early in 2008, it’s now a “civil right.” Even though early voting didn’t start until the 2000 elections, we’re being told that these “victims” are now too helpless to vote when everyone else does. How insulting is that?
Naturally, the editorial ignored the additional voting locations and longer hours of operation. In reality, early voting isn’t shorter, just more cost effective.
We now have 11 million fewer Americans working than when Obama became president. Our national average income is down 4 percent, but for blacks, it’s down 11 percent. Income inequality is growing four times faster than under Bush. Even the New York Times reported this (9/1/2013), adding: “The reasons for the widening income gap aren’t entirely clear. Yes, the nation has had a big recession, but recessions typically tend to lessen inequality rather than increase it.”
The reasons aren’t clear? Are you kidding? Obama’s printing a trillion dollars a year to give Wall Street bankers while destroying American morals, values and job creation.
— Steve Pender
Rockwell