By Lynn R. Mitchell
As I sat across the table from a friend earlier this week, our discussion naturally turned to politics.
Both of us held leadership positions and were once very involved with the Augusta County Republican Committee but were pitched out in 2009 by the then-chairman Bill Shirley who illegally purged 56 members, most who to this day remain estranged from the local party (see Augusta County officers resign in protest of 56 purged members).
Many of those 56 still stay in touch including my friend and I who meet regularly throughout the year for lunch.
He looked across at me and said, “I have always considered myself to be a conservative person.”
I nodded in agreement. That was certainly the truth. He is one of the biggest second amendment people I know — he is a cop.
He continued, “In the current atmosphere, I am now considered a moderate.”
I laughed and again nodded my head.
“Yep,” I responded. “They call everyone moderates and, the interesting thing is, we haven’t changed.”
He agreed.
I added, “It depends on who gets to define the word ‘conservative.’ ”
A somewhat sad smile came to his eyes and he slowly nodded his head. And the beat goes on….
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