Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me

Poor Poor Pitiful Me Linda Ronstadt - to hear song - click on link below (if above link fails)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srpwqf2MWAw

Poor poor pitiful me, Poor poor pitiful me, Oh these boys won't let me be, Lord have mercy on me, Woe woe is me

Breaking News Update 8/27/2020 on Harrison City Council vote for passage of "denouncing racism, and promoting inclusiveness and also asking the Arkansas State Legislator to consider and pass Hate Crime Legislation......In the end, two Council Members, Wayne Cone and Chris Head, voted against the Resolution with the rest of the Council Voting in favor and approving it."

Linda Rondstadt and I share something in common, Parkinson's. Only difference it ended her singing career. It didn't affect mine! Just causes me to create new interests -- research indicates that boxing can improve Parkinson's disease symptoms, helping people diagnosed with the disease maintain higher levels of function and quality of life than those who engaged in other forms of exercise. More about importance of doing something over just reading or saying it! Doctors keep telling me I'm in the early stages of other challenges. When you get old, early stages has less importance! I love challenges -- no time for poor, poor, pitiful me!

Recently an article by Wally Hall, Arkansas Democrat Gazette Assistant Managing Editor/Sports, titled "SEC treats Hogs like second-class citizens". With no conference wins the past two seasons, the SEC is not inclined to help teams who fail to help themselves. Bad coach selections! AD mishandling of supporters/fans money and priorities, putting his interests first (and yes,coach selection). Unfortunately having a defense ranked first in social distancing (on the football field) before the pandemic made it cool, wasn't helpful either. All the talking and writing won't help until there is positive action and results on the field. SEC said take it or leave it! no poor, poor, pitiful me!

My daughter with special needs (oral-facial-digital syndrome, type 1) reminded me of a story (I had forgotten) when she went to a special education school at Indian Hills in Ottumwa, Iowa after high school graduation. It was an eight hour drive one-way from Harrison. It was before consumer cell phones were reasonable, and Internet (what's that?), and she didn't drive; so our communication was primarily through a community phone shared by a dorm floor, hanging on the wall outside her room. Since it's the time of year when young adults normally head off to college or jobs; I was reminded by her, when she called crying about wanting to come home. She said I told her to "suck it up!", because she wasn't coming home. She was there for 4 years with regular trips home by car or plane, and did very well, no more poor, poor, pitiful me! (even today after a kidney transplant and both knees replaced she still sucks it up, and her favorite brand is "Life is Good"). We have some weak kneed residents that need to suck it up!

Point I made in an earlier article about Sam Walton and Johnny Morris' leadership style - There's a time for action based on research details, not opinions - rhetoric not enough - lead, follow, or get out of the way.

"On Tuesday, September 22, Tiger Woods will lead a quadruplet of golfing giants to the Ozarks for a charity round of golf.

Tiger will team with World No. 3 Justin Thomas to represent Team USA and compete against Team Europe fielded by Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. The 18-hole event will feature a mix of competition on the course including fourball, foursomes, and singles play.

The announcement comes as Phil Mickelson goes wire-to-wire to win the second event in one week of the Charles Schwab Series. Mickelson’s victory comes in his debut on the PGA Champions Tour by three strokes. His 191 total ties the Champions Tour 54-hole scoring record. (Another event in nearby Ridgedale, MO. Only 20 minutes north of Harrison)."

Morris' $100 million plus investment in Big Cedar / Top of the Rock reputation has been built on action and relationships, not marketing hype. Although Zinc in air miles is a similar distance from Ridgedale , MO and Harrison, you won't find a racists' billboard; any closer than Harrison.

"The Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently invited Mike Murphy, the “new” manager of Walmart, to speak and share the latest events.

Murphy said, “We don’t want to benefit from tragedy, but business has been good and strong since COVID-19. Our year-to-date totals are up 8%. We are on target to have one of our best years. But back to school sales have been a real challenge.”

Murphy said. “Our OGP (online grocery pickup) capacity is currently 350 customers a day, but we’re pushing it to 360. And I’m hearing about it from our staff, too. We need more room there. We are still No. 3 or 4 in the state for those online grocery sales.

Chamber president/CEO Bob Largent asked about the number of employees working. “We have about 445 total employees,” Murphy said. “I just hired four more. We have several part-time or temporary employees but at least half are getting full-time hours.”

Murphy was discouraged about the video that went viral about Harrison. (Subtle way of avoiding fact that Walmart stores, location of choice, have been connected with racial violence throughout the country.)

“I know that’s not who this community is and Walmart believes in inclusion and diversity,” he said. “But those comments were not seen by the viewer. I would never want to hurt the reputation of this community or Walmart. But all that I said was not what the viewer got to see.”"

Note: although reputation of this community or Walmart are mentioned, there is a need for action versus words, including Walmart; covered later in article. The second Walmart in Harrison, personally chosen by Sam Walton, and its importance, is an important missing piece of Harrison history overshadowed by racism.

Not a surprise both Walton and Morris developed businesses that excel in tough times, while others sit around, playing the blame game - poor, poor, pitiful me!

The main thing I've learned over the past year is Harrison's failure to take action. Mentioned by a speaker supporting resolution at the city council meeting, concerned about negative feedback about "most racists" city image that he got when traveling personally or on business. You can skip to 1:05:00 mark to pick up discussion and vote.

Couple of action items, more to follow -

1. Lot of details still missing on the viral racists video. Need to resolve before any more protests under the Black Lives Matter umbrella.
2. Why hasn't anyone placed blame on the creators of "most racists" city in US moniker? It would solve the current billboard issue.

Both are addressed with action items later in article

Research methods and reasons:

Over the past year I've done extensive research on the financial impact of Harrison's racist image. (Which has easily created losses in the $100's of millions)

A former Quorum Court member questioned how I could prove that? My response was -- I started with fact that local Mike Masterson reported in his opinion column last Saturday - "Harrison has been saddled for years, even nationally, with the unfair stigma of a racist community when that’s far from its true nature…… “Yet Harrison is labeled nationally as the most racist town in America if you were to Google it."

Quote in Washington Post (anecdotal evidence) -- "I had to travel to Harrison several times a year, while my company consolidated in Harrison. Funny thing was that only 10 out of 250 folks (4% is well below normal) accepted transfers to Harrison… I asked the significance of Zinc and was told Zinc is the HQ for the KKK.”  

Again if you are either a homeowner or have rental property - $10's and $100's of thousands are lost when people make a decision like above to not move here because of racist perception. Impacts property owners (less demand) and retail businesses as well.

Do your own comparisons - If you compare median home prices in the Harrison area to Mountain Home, Rogers, Siloam Springs, Lowell, Springdale, Huntsville or Monett, Branson, Joplin, Ozark, Poplar Bluff Missouri all in Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri you'll find Harrison is less than all and in most cases much less

My research approach was not to assume anything, and question everything; including how the experts arrived at their conclusions.

How my approach was and is different from others who have attempted to solve the racists image, and were hindered by committee bureaucracy and political pressure: (no doubt Mayors who have run successful businesses are frustrated by their attempts to solve it)

• I was motivated by AP News, Wikipedia, Google, YouTube, and other media's negative racial slant financial impact on Harrison. 
• How much is self-inflicted, and how much is created by the media with an intentional or unintentional bias?

e.g. recent anecdotal evidence on how journalists use vague Harrison racial encyclopedia references (un)intentionally - Short video spurs anti-bias measure- BILL BOWDEN ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE https://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/ArDemocratNW/  

Even though article is primarily favorable about Anti-Racism Resolution, the following was included "The Encyclopedia of Arkansas says, “Though nowhere near as murderous as other race riots across the state, the Harrison Race Riots of 1905 and 1909 drove all but one African American from Harrison (Boone County), creating by violence an all-white community similar to other such ‘sundown towns’ in northern and western Arkansas.”

Don't ever let facts screw up a good story.

Harrison "nowhere near as murderous" actually means there were "zero" killed in Harrison riots but lynchings in others? No jobs for black and white residents, when railroad went bankrupt. If it had been about race, many would have been killed! Instead zero! By definition of "sundown towns" it means no blacks, but in Harrison there was one left (Not zero, and adjoining Newton County had several blacks, which is never mentioned by historians living lives of peaceful coexistence). As far as sundown signs the authority (see link below) "don't know" about Harrison (I never saw one, but they said "similar" even though they "don't know" about sign?), but they do know sign below was used in Rogers. N__-Don't let the sun go down.

Excerpt from 8/30/2020 Arkansas Democrat Gazette “Now, about 1% of Harrison’s almost 13,000 residents are Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau”.

Surrounding Arkansas cities - similar percentages in southern Missouri.

Amazingly how the hypocritical press likes to refer to it when all of north Arkansas and southern Missouri have a small percentage of blacks. Lowell .82% less than Harrison, and Rogers 1.46% slightly more. Diversity is more from Latino’s. There are a wide range of professionals with Latino or Hispanic heritage. I live close to a Filipino (Hispanic) therapist, and until recently the Latino owner of a Mexican Restaurant, both very successful.So many errors about Harrison's racial history are perceptions that are difficult to get corrected until Klan is gone! Poor, poor, pitiful me!

No action taken on Klan even though there are facts on damages to Harrison community, not false perceptions.

Here's why we can't ignore it! Customers of corporations with offices here, put pressure on them to move, based on perceptions alone!

"The racist image issue is a big concern for national and international corporations. Harrison has 10 or so large corporations considered prime, where payrolls are paid by sales – products and services- made outside the Harrison area. Any of those could easily move, if Harrison was determined to be as racists as the SPLC and media have tried to paint it. I’ve visited with a FedEx executive and that point was clear."

For more details on research skip to background below or just read it later

Update

"As mayor I must serve all people however; I also support what’s in the best interest of our community, so with that said, Harrison was peaceful before Quinn and Amanda arrived with their Black Lives Matter, agenda. They claim, they are protesting police brutality, but that does not, and, has not existed here. We have the best law enforcement including Harrison Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, and Arkansas State Police. Both Quinn and Amanda know it, and should stop the craziness, just as Jeff Crockett should show his love for Harrison by removing the Black Lives Matters, billboards. This also keeps stirring the pot. I have received many complaints, so let’s now, all do what’s best for the community. I will not be responding to any comments. Thank you.”

Commentary: Only a few weeks ago I wrote an article on the Black Lives Matter protest march at Branson Dixie Outfitters. Nathan Robb and wife ownership connected their store to the Klan in Zinc and Harrison. Brother of Jason Robb, and son of Thomas Robb which caused BLM to schedule next activities in Zinc and Harrison.

At that time, I stated the obvious, until Harrison gets it own identity back it will be a divide and conquer from BLM and Klan. Does "Harrison was peaceful" mean willing to accept "most racists" city title in the US? Issuing statements and social media posts won't cut it. Research and taking action will. I have experienced several "go fetch" requests from locals who don't understand why area is considered racists and why care? Nice thing is I have timestamped and documented my findings over past year - facts not perceptions for those interested. Much of my research was done before BLM appeared in Harrison. My experience running a global technology business from here, gives me a different perspective.

Things to watch for / check off : In business these are called "action items" for a reason.

• Avoid being known for all rhetoric and no action. Take ownership and execute an action plan.
• It's not enough to issue condemning press releases or make resolutions – e.g. viral racist video - information should be gathered on source, reason for coming to area, who did he meet with, financial support, identify and interview all participants, location, law enforcement, notify diversity councils of local businesses, and in the case of Walmart contact their ethics department, and make them aware of action taken on their property. Not only are their customers being broadly categorized as racists, the creation of violent confrontations that could be escalated to another Walmart property shooting. NOTE: Reason I mentioned Walmart previously, Walmart serves a large regional market, so knowing where people in video are from is important for multiple reasons (marketing and racists / terrorists acts). Also there was mention by Bliss in Washington Post article "The most frightening interaction, Bliss said, was when a man in a cream-colored Camry drove by flipping him off and moments later returned to warn, “About 10 minutes, I’m gonna be back. You better be f------ gone.” “That guy was definitely implying that he was going to go get his gun and come back, which is terrifying,” Bliss, 31, told The Washington Post. Should be enough for Walmart to investigate and implement a plan. As much a Walmart issue as it is a Harrison one! "Walmart stores across the country have faced a stream of threats in the wake of the deadly shooting in an El Paso supercenter that left 22 people dead and 24 more injured."

More information from Black Lives Matter should be gathered on the viral racist video, prior to approving additional protest marches - are they responsible for liabilities created by rogue members? Who's in charge?

• Create own identity – Contact any area hate group on map, and make them aware they are no longer welcome  https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map/by-state Make it their responsibility to be removed from list or move. Note as far as protest marches and events on public property - cities may charge for the actual costs of a demonstration, including the costs of processing permits, traffic control, certain narrow insurance requirements and some clean-up costs, as long as they aren't excessive.
• Again in the Masterson opinion column there’s another reference to Harrison being the “most racist town in America. Failing to respond to moniker has cost Harrison $100’s of millions, as well as the current billboard travesty. Connection – Tom Robb (KKK) -> billboards -> create 11 area hate groups with essentially the same address and phone number -> gets SPLC to accept them -> send communications to British tabloids, noting Harrison has more hate groups than other cities (most racists) -> then it gets published. (Klan did similar thing with Black Lives Matter protest march recently, check https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8586773/Demonstrators-march-entrance-KKK-national-director-Thomas-Robbs-Arkansas-private-compound.html ). Klan again used their tabloid network to build coalition against BLM. Reason facts are important.

It's on record what the Klan has cost community.Any claim they have prevented diversity chaos, is not supported. Latinos have been successful diversifying, and black percentages are minimal throughout north Arkansas and Southern Missouri.

Need to be notified that billboard should be immediately removed, based on past losses. Rumor is that Jason Robb bought property and billboard. Any local banks and real estate agents involved in purchase should be identified? Push back from local Klan network much bigger than I anticipated.

• Check out local Klan Harrison network – Robb Holding, LLC investments, use of VK Russian Facebook clone (now owned by Kremlin) to hide hate crimes , Knights Party Committee (KKK) principal address on 220 West Stephenson. Klan broadband use in Harrison. Council and QC can walk across the street, no need to go to Zinc.

The protest occurred days after the publication of a viral video of a man holding a sign reading “Black Lives Matter” in Harrison, Arkansas and receiving verbal and racist abuse from passersby. The KKK lists Harrison as its national headquarters.

Ignoring Klan use of VK for provocation, and hiding hate crimes,and the Russian manipulation of US dissidents during election, could have serious consequences, as an accessory or aiding and abetting.

• Getting history corrected (railroad went bankrupt on July 1, 1905, creating hardship for the townsfolk and the railroad workers who had moved to the area). No one killed in riots, all about the jobs. Check neighboring Newton County where there were more blacks, no bankrupt railroad, no riots, no expulsions, but eventually left area for jobs in Oklahoma and California.
• https://sundown.tougaloo.edu/content.php?file=sundowntowns-whitemap.html Sundown cities by definition excluded nonwhites in communities – e.g. 507 in Illinois, 1000’s across US.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_expulsions_of_African_Americans Check all the local area towns where there were killings (lynching’s) – While no deaths reported in Harrison riots! Race riots in 1905 and 1909.

Background:

My following views are strictly those as a capitalist.

I’ve known the real story about Harrison for a lifetime. How and when did identity theft on the highest level happen? Whole city and community? That can’t happen! 

I hated to see the Harrison and KKK issues resurrect in the State Newspaper, and an AP News Byline across the country. Timing was terrible for business! That has served as my motivation.

It's not just the publication, it's all the links to social media and searches. When I travel to a location, I always do research to be socially aware and relevant in my communications. I'm sure similar things happen when researching my company or location in Harrison.

Ways that my capitalist approach differs from the Harrison efforts in the past:

List was made September, 2019 - very few changes.

• Eliminated committees and time delays in making decisions – Lone Ranger approach. Similar to Robb at the Zinc KKK?
• I didn’t ask anyone about doing it – private or public officials – no requests to find out if my independent actions were OK. No one has tried to control my approach. It was a personal business decision.
• Taking immediate action, and as an individual accepting the consequences
• I have detailed and reported my steps through a Facebook Group and LinkedIn posts.
• Too much time in past has been spent treating the symptoms. Re-branding, new image, videos, etc.
• Time to treat the cause, not the symptom.
• Key is finding the source. Realizing KKK is not the news and media source. Need somebody with credibility, spoiler alert – hint the initials are SPLC
• Show that KKK strategy was based on manipulating SPLC starting in 1984. 1984, how appropriately George "Orwellian", connoting things such as official deception, secret surveillance, brazenly misleading terminology, and manipulation of recorded history by a totalitarian or authoritarian state
• SPLC has lowered standards for making their hate group list, their contributions come from finding hate.
• Show Boone County is near expensive family tourists’ areas, Big Cedar and Top of the Rock multi million dollar complex targeting middle to upper income families in Southern Missouri, no longer wooded, remote area.
• Without quality Internet service, area not interesting to white supremacists who want to post manifesto and communicate. Prefer cities and suburbs near larger cities. They are in locations where society has its way of irritating them on a daily basis. Media missing profile again.
• Show KKK no longer exists in Harrison area (the Jewish DFL, much more interested in identifying neo Nazi groups like the KKK) doesn’t recognize them, and only briefly mentioned the Arkansas-based Knights Party that drew attention after sponsoring a racist billboard in their home state. No location mentioned.
• Show all the SPLC seven hate groups in Harrison area don’t exist
• Can you really imagine anyone joining Robb’s version of the Klan to wear suits, and attend church, to spew out hatred? Most can do that in their current church. White supremacist want to go where the action is – drugs, guns, sex, and race riots.