Best job I ever had, let's keep it that way

By Chuck Thompson | The Sunday Column

OPINION — A few days ago, someone sent me a meme or poster / drawing – whatever you want to call it, and it was a complete fabrication that “newspaper” stood for some crap like “north, east, west, south past and present event report” and it doesn’t. That’s completely false, fake, made up and spread around the internet and we wonder why with all this information at our fingertips that people are somehow less informed than ever… it’s because they find something online and think “ah, that makes sense, let me share this and contribute to spreading things that aren't true.”

They could have just googled it, but they didn’t. They took it for face value.

Do you know why a newspaper is called a newspaper? Because it’s NEWS printed on PAPER.... That's it. That's all. Nothing to it.

But people believe what they like. And everyone accuses everyone else of doing it.

I get online and constantly see Lefties mocking and attacking Righties and see Righties mocking and attacking Lefties. I get hate mail every now and then but it's usually in private messenger or email, never out in the public eye for everyone to see because most people know not to blatantly slander if they can't back it up with facts - and then I read this shit:

The name and profile photo have been redacted here in this column out of courtesy for the slanderous poster, even though it was posted publicly on a public news post and therefore free to share and discuss.

What.... am I supposed to delete the news story now? Am I supposed to slide to the left and only publish socialist manifestos and never mention another Republican or Democrat again?

I survived a 100% blockage to my right coronary. After going through that difficulty I'm not letting you take me down over a news story.

News isn’t meant to be agreeable; that’s something we as consumers of information have forgotten in the past decade or so. 

News is news, whether we like it or not.

The news story that caused such a vile comment can be found via the link here so I don’t waste your time explaining it, just go read it yourself.

The bill was vetoed by the governor; I’m not sure what she is upset about. It was news and the news was delivered to the readers, and I guess she allegedly didn’t like that the readers were informed about it? Not sure what else it could be.

But I’m the Nazi?  The truth is stranger than fiction.  

I'm also spreading propaganda, apparently. And y'all are ignorant.

This uninformed person had no definitive argument. She couldn’t state her disagreement in a fair and constructive way.

Or maybe that was the point… it only takes one person who reads that comment where she publicly smears a small, one-man team, and hopes I’ll remember what happens to certain individuals when they get called Nazis? I don't know, but it seems that way, in my opinion

Maybe she did hope that it would intimidate me... Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you want to look at it) she doesn’t know me. I’m a seasoned journalist; I’ve had my fair share of death threats, bullying and mockery.

Please try again. That doesn’t work on me.   

I think we’ve all learned what happens when you use such words (as stated in the comment) to express hatred while accusing others of the very malicious hatred you’re expressing yourself upon others.

People tend to say a lot more things online that they wouldn't say in person and are possibly unaware of the severity of their comments when they do — or maybe they are aware.

Maybe it’s intentional… As of 8/23/26 the comment still hasn't been edited or deleted by the poster. But before we consider if it was intentional, first we have to cover the ignorance of such a comment.

Let's be clear, The Shelby Independent will not tolerate such comments. You're potentially putting this journalist's life at risk by making such accusations.

IGNORANCE:

Speaking of “ignorant” (as was mentioned in the comment to insult you, the readers) actually ‘independent’ isn’t a political term, it means not corporate owned.

‘Independent journalism’

(Not hard to figure out in this scenario)

The Shelby Independent was founded and is managed by me, your usual (but not always) Sunday Columnist. I don’t have a staff of employees. It’s just me and some occasional wire stories and the occasional submitted OpEd or temporary intern writing a piece, or just a contribution by a resident or special guests invited to write for The Sunday Column. However, there are actual corporate-owned newspapers that have the word “independent” in their name, too.

I know it can be confusing for some.

cue the NBC “The more you know” jingle

THE INTENTION:

Name-calling is nothing new, but this whole Nazi name-calling the Far-Left uses against Republicans / Conservatives, and anyone else they see as a threat to their agenda, is getting old, and yes it's dangerous. The Right has their own problems; no denying that but Si keeps getting hit by the Left and the only conclusion I've drawn is because it's clearly not corporate media. 90% of news outlets across the nation match their narrative. Large media corporations sponsored by other large corporations. SI is like nothing else in Cleveland County. (Also, this message seen below, by a leftist activist, from 2025 kinda gives it away)

Not mad! I worked for large corporate media and had enough. Didn't miss that. I know how corporate media works. Thank you for your comments!

This shows, yet again, the ignorant sizing me up incorrectly but at least this message was civil and clean, even if it was intended with disdain and unpleasantries; the message was very appropriate - if not completely wrong.

But the Nazi thing... whoa.

I think we should have all learned by now what happens when we use such rhetoric to justify hate and censorship. To downgrade and degrade, to make those involved seem like an enemy and to dehumanize has got to stop. It only takes one mentally-ill person who decides they will fix this "problem" once and for all; this is why such unwarranted language will not be tolerated on the social media platforms, nor the website of, The Shelby Independent; which is free for all, no subscription needed.

THE MANIPULATION & INTIMIDATION:

September 10, 2026 is the one-year anniversary of a perfect example of what happens when you convince the mentally-ill that someone needs to be eliminated by using such words again, and again. 

Charlie Kirk, 31, was called a Nazi time and time again and look how that worked out, tragically. Is this strategy supposed to work on anyone labeled as such, even a local news website?

What causes such childish and ignorant hissy-fit behavior by people?

What triggers them to be offended by one delivering the news? 

In its original intent, news isn’t meant to be agreed with, it is only meant to inform.

Here's an email I received a couple of months ago. I'm flattered this person spoke as if a whole team works at The Shelby Independent. "All of you resign!! Then go hurt yourself!" it said.

I guess I publish enough things to make it seem like there's several employees. What a nice compliment. All of me, myself, and I should go hurt myselves. How thoughtful. This person was obviously too nice to want to hurt me himself so he asked me to do it myself... Well, surprisingly, I did have a heart attack later that same month and it was very painful and I almost didn't survive, so you're welcome, Coops Loud Guitar 1968.

Maybe the anger, and thus the attempt to manipulate by some, stems from the fact certain news wasn’t censored and hidden from the public and thus they were able to decide for themselves?

Most all of us have disagreed (or will disagree) with news stories by how they were presented but never degraded to such use of this language; a permission slip to green light the deranged to potentially commit violent acts.

THE ATTEMPT AT CENSORSHIP:

Although I have the right to ban and block the 'Nazi' accuser for using such language, I haven’t. You can still read the comment. However, that might change later, because I really don’t care to have some moron who wants to be praised taking a shot me while I’m buying socks and underwear from Walmart because he read that comment and decided to do something about it. Anything is possible these days.

I do strongly request that you do not say anything (nothing) to this commenter; leave her alone. Do not interact. Anyone that says anything personally hateful to her it will be removed and the person possibly banned from the social media page. Please do not. This isn't about the specific person, it is about how this has grown to where people think this dangerous and slanderous language is acceptable. We all need to use civility when we interact. It's a free country, she can say what she wants but it won't be said on The Shelby Independent's social media.

(Here it is again, so you don't have to scroll back up to look at it again while reading)

"The Poopyhead Times" would have been a better choice.

I've never known of anyone's life being potentially put in danger for being called a poopyhead. Anything is possible, but the likelihood is much smaller than being called a Nazi without any warranted provocation or evidence to do so. Such comments not only put a journalist of said news outlet at jeopardy but also affects perception / reputation and advertising / financial revenue. Hence, malice.

It’s ironic how some want news censored while calling others fascists. They loathe the idea that things are printed / published for the readers to decide for themselves, not fitting their narrative, while accusing others (such as me / The Shelby Independent) of controlling the news.

Make it make sense.

Whether this is just dumb, childish ignorance, or intentional malice - whatever the case, it’s a shame common sense isn’t common, and diversity of thought apparently only means “as long as it agrees with me”  - which absolutely puts the moron in oxymoron. How ignorantly shameful and disappointing, but not surprising. 

It should also be noted: The Nazi comment in the screenshot was posted on a news site for anyone to see, to allegedly garner support and admiration and to publicly attack, without credibility, the reputation of The Shelby Independent, which is unfortunate.

Everyone is welcome to comment on The Shelby Independent’s website and social media, but comments like that do not have to be tolerated. She could have used any other words.

But nope, she went straight to the alleged “lets try to get you killed” insult.

That might sound far-reaching and over the top, and I would almost agree, but look what has happened when that word Nazi is used:

from google search

Since The Shelby Independent is a free news site, it is free to read and free to block and be blocked.

Just because you are offended doesn’t make you right, or give you the authority to label actual news as Nazi propaganda.

Ironically, it's usually the Far-Left / Socialists (not normal Democrats) that call INDEPENDENT free-thinking news outlets, like The Shelby Independent, "Nazi" which actually is the first two syllables of "Nationalsozialist" (National Socialist).

You can't make this up.

So, in closing, let's have a pop quiz:

Question 1: NEWSPAPER STANDS FOR – nothing. It’s news on paper.

Question 2: INDEPENDENT in the name of this online news site means – Independent Journalism. It’s not a political term, it's not a corporate owned news site; just me doing it mostly by myself; that’s all. Small timer compared to corporate media. Nobody in a metaphorical CEO office ten floors above the newsroom can tell me what I have to write about or censor my news stories.

Disagree with SI all you want, but do so within reason; use civility. I encourage you to comment and share your thoughts, appropriately.

Again, I ask you to please not say anything to this person. Let's be civil and keep the peace. Don't make me block you, too.

Many other news outlets reported on this specific veto news story; I wonder if they were given the same slanderous bashing; I sure hope not. We all need to turn down the rhetoric a notch.

I hope you all have a great week.

It should be noted: There are limited ads on The Sunday Column for a reason, because the opinions and viewpoints expressed in The Sunday Column may not represent that of our regular news advertisers.

....Except for these businesses below, who also may not share the opinions expressed here, but the owner has been very supportive of me and helped me keep the lights on with his advertising when business dollars were disappearing into this brand-new news venture.

If only he could get rid of the insane whack-a-doodle comments I receive, as good as he is at treating your septic tank, my life would be much easier (but I'd also have less material to write about).

It's not "coming soon" anymore, he's ready to go! Give Shelby Septic Services a call today: 704-300-8763 and Land Pros.

Read The Sunday Column, every week, only in The Shelby Independent.

Chuck Thompson is the founder, reporter and a columnist for The Shelby Independent.

The Sunday Column. Aug. 23, 2026