Looking For You All My Life Part 58

Now she was mad. "I'll have you know, Mr. Ebbert, that

I do read your letters. And for your information, the reason

I don't print them in our paper is because they are filled with

hatred, bigotry, and racism. And while those may be your

opinions, they are hurtful and mean-spirited and bring

absolutely no good to this community. So unless you can

think of something else to write about, you will never see a

single word of yours printed in this paper!"

"Fine!" He turned on his heel. "I've come up with

another way to get the word Out before this whole town is

crawling with a bunch of undesirables! If we don't protect

the motherland, who will? Certainly not bleeding heart lib-

erals like yourself! You think you're going to change this

town, Ms. Carpenter-well, you're in for a big surprise.

There are more of us than you think. We were here long

before you came, and we'll still be here after you leave!"

"For your information, Mr. Ebbert, Pine Mountain is my

home, and I have no intention of leaving, thank you very

much! And as this is my home, and I am an American, I will

continue to stand up for the rights of all Americans-for no

matter what our religion or skin color is, we are all Ameri-

cans-and that's what this country is all about. If you don't

believe me, maybe you'd better leave. Go take a look around

your 'motherland,' as you put it, and you'll quickly discover

that our country is made up of many people from all kinds

of ethnic backgrounds."

After this little speech, Abigail, Scott, and even Clyde,

who had just slipped into the reception area, burst into

hearty applause and cheers.

"Speaking of leaving," said Clyde as he stepped up to Mr.

Ebbert and opened the front door, "don't let us keep you.

94Melody Carlson

And don't bother sending any more of your hate mail here

again. It's just a waste of good paper and ink."

"A lot like your liberal rag of a newspaper!" he growled

as he stomped out the door. "I wouldn't even use it to line

the bottom of a birdcage!"

Clyde slammed the door behind him, then said, "I'd say

that's good riddance to bad rubbis.h.!.+"

"Man," said Scott, turning to Maggie. "You're like a

magnet for trouble, aren't you?"

She held her hands up helplessly. "I guess so. Honestly, I

don't know why I keep attracting these troublemakers."

"It's because you stand up for what's right," said Abigail

"and there's nothing wrong with that either."

"Thanks for stepping in, Clyde," said Maggie. "And

thanks to you guys for standing behind me like that. It meant

a lot."

"That guy's a total jerk." Scott started to head back to his

office and then paused. "And I don't believe a word of his