Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

Issac Bailey | Anonymity a last refuge of cowards

The cowards have crawled out of their holes. At least some of them.

They always show up about this time of year, taking anonymous swipes at political opponents.

And just as in most years, they aren't only cowardly, they're stupid.

In a flier titled "Time for Rebellion!!!!!" the flier coward cited the courage of the Founding Fathers. But the Founders were willing to stand up - publicly - for the principals they believed in, even if it meant death by hanging. The flier coward didn't have the gumption to sign a name to a piece of work seemingly written by a donkey on crack.

It attacks the current "power-hungry" Myrtle Beach City Council and warns citizens not to "let powerful business interests buy your government."

The flier coward aimed the most scurrilous accusations at Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, even suggesting his wife is an illegal alien. The flier coward was too stupid to realize that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.

Dean has taken bold stances in the midst of the economic downturn by doing what others are too often afraid to do - emphasizing the importance of marketing and advertising efforts to make sure our area doesn't fall off people's radar when they start traveling again. In hard economic times, businesses usually cut back on advertising to save dollars without realizing those are the dollars they can least afford to cut.

Having said that, it's legitimate for a group such as Business Owners Organized to Boost Tourism to question Dean, as well as City Council and its members, who received donations from veiled sources. That kind of public debate is necessary to sustain a democracy.

But the flier coward doesn't understand such things.

What the flier coward also doesn't understand is that the jury is out on what effects the curtailing of the motorcycle rallies will have.

A variety of businesses were hurt initially. The bigger question is if City Council can make good on its promise to lure back the families who stayed away during May because of the rallies. If they succeed, the short-term pain would be worth the long-term gain.

But the flier coward has the patience of a 5-year-old who can't project that far out.

I don't mind tough political fights. Politics is a big boy and big girl game. What I mind are those who hide in the shadows while throwing garbage into the ring.

And while we're at it, when will "Elmer Fudd" have the courage to come forward?