The Freedom Press

12/15/2025

Opening on Mount Jackson Town Council!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Town of Mount Jackson Announces Councilwoman Bonnie Good's Resignation and Next Steps for Council

MOUNT JACKSON, VA — December 15, 2025 — The Town of Mount Jackson is announcing that Councilwoman Bonnie Good has submitted her resignation from the Mount Jackson Town Council, effective December 9, 2025. The Town of Mount Jackson extends its deepest appreciation to Councilwoman Bonnie Good for her years of devoted public service and her dedication to our community.

Councilwoman Good’s commitment to Mount Jackson began long before she was elected to the Town Council. Beginning in 2003, Councilwoman Good served as a devoted volunteer on the Planning Commission, where her focus on responsible growth helped shape the future of our town. Her foundational work there—advising on zoning and long-range planning—laid the groundwork for her later contributions including being a part of the comprehensive plan task force. As a member of the Town Council, having first been elected in 2018, Bonnie served as the Chairperson of the Public Services Committee, overseeing the essential operations of our water, sewer, and sanitation systems, ensuring these vital services ran smoothly for all residents. She was also a dedicated member of the Public Properties and Ordinance Committees and most recently Public Safety Committee. Her direct and thoughtful approach to complex issues, from town infrastructure to land-use matters, demonstrated her deep care for the residents she served.

Mayor Donnie Pifer shared his appreciation for Councilwoman Good's service: "Bonnie's time on the Council, and before that on the Planning Commission, showed a true heart for Mount Jackson. She wasn't afraid to share her opinions, be a part of the discussions, and tackle the hard, day-to-day issues like public services that directly impact our community. We thank her for her commitment and wish her all the best in her next chapter."

Councilwoman Good’s current term was set to expire in 2026. The Town Council will now follow the process outlined in the Town Charter and Virginia State Code to appoint a qualified resident to fill the vacancy for the remainder of her unexpired term. This transition presents a vital opportunity for a committed resident to pursue the motto of Service to Others.

The Town Council is actively seeking applications from individuals who feel called to civic service and have a passion and interest in making a difference. Desirable qualities include: an understanding of basic community development, an interest in business and economics, an awareness of current issues, and the ability to express views thoughtfully.

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be a registered voter and reside within town limits.

APPLICATION & TIMELINE:
December 15 through January 2: Interested parties are encouraged to submit their application with accompanying information.
January 5 through January 9: Interviews will be held for qualified candidates.
January 13: The Council will enter closed session to discuss the candidates and appoint the new member during the return to open session.
February 10: Appointed Council Member’s first Town Council Meeting.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION: Applications are available on the town’s website: https://www.mountjackson.com/get-involved/page/serve OR in-person at the town office (5901 Main St, Mt Jackson, VA 22842). Once completed, please email your application to the Town Clerk at [email protected] OR return in-person to the town office. Completed applications must be received no later than 5:00PM, Friday, January 2, 2026. Please do not mail applications---to ensure they are received by the deadline. Should you have questions, please call the Town Office at 540-477-2121.

ABOUT THE ROLE: The Town Council is the legislative and policy-making body responsible for: focusing on major community goals and projects; setting overall policy; approving the budget and tax rates; adopting local ordinances; and appointing members to various boards and commissions. Council members are required to chair one of six steering committees, as well as serve two others.
• Meetings: Held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM, with quarterly work sessions.
• Term & Election: An appointed council member will serve until December 31, 2026 (the end of Councilwoman Good’s current term). If the appointed individual choses to continue they would be required to run in the general election in November 2026 for a full 4-year term.

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION regarding the process and the duties of a Council member, please see the Town Code available on our website, www.mountjackson.com

12/15/2025

Updates on the trial by WHSV.

Important question: Why aren't the rest of the students in Stonewall Jackson High School being heard? Two of the plaintiffs have graduated from the Governor's School and no longer go to the building. So that leaves 3 students that remain as complainants out of the entire student body.

Fridays trial began by continuing Thursdays final expert witnesses emotional testimony regarding the massive resistance era which described how the school system was avoiding desegregation back when it first built Stonewall Jackson high school.

12/15/2025

https://www.shenandoahatwar.org/statementofsupport

Statement of Support: I encourage the Commonwealth Transportation Board and Virginia’s Passenger Rail Authority to work in partnership with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation to purchase 48.5 miles of the historic Manassas Gap Railroad, currently owned by Norfolk Southern, construct a h...

12/13/2025

Yes, those poor Ms Universe Victims.....

12/13/2025

Congratulations to the State Champion Strasburg Rams!

12/13/2025

Some Big News on the Rail Corridor Issue!

The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, the chief advocate for restoring rail to the Valley, is now positioned to lead development of the region’s 49-mile rail corridor after the Commonwealth Transportation

12/09/2025

When Intolerance Wears a supposedly friendly cloak.

History shows us what happens when dissent is crushed instead of debated. Fascist regimes silenced opponents, destroyed livelihoods, and demanded ideological conformity. Today, we see similar pattern, just under different branding. Today's branding shows us that those marching under the flag of anti-fascism are actually exhibiting the activities of the fascists.

Consider these examples:

Cancel Culture: Careers and reputations ruined for expressing unpopular opinions. Authors, professors, and even comedians have faced coordinated campaigns to erase their voices.

The Cake Case: A baker’s refusal to create a custom cake based on personal beliefs sparked outrage not just disagreement, but harassment, doxxing, and threats. Disagreement turned into a mob enforcing ideological purity.

Doxxing as a Weapon: Publishing private information to intimidate and silence dissenters is becoming disturbingly common, creating fear instead of dialogue.

Healthy societies thrive on open debate, not coercion. When disagreement becomes grounds for destruction, we’re not progressing; we’re regressing into authoritarianism.

Stand for free thought. Stand against cancel culture and intimidation.

12/07/2025

Congratulations Rams!

12/07/2025

Today, we remember December 7, 1941—a day that changed the course of history. Pearl Harbor was more than an attack; it was a turning point that called a nation to unity, courage, and sacrifice. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt reminded us, this was a day that would forever be marked in our nation’s memory, as it will live in "infamy".

Let us honor the lives lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the generations who carried forward the torch of freedom. May we never forget the cost of liberty and the strength of a united America.

🇺🇸

12/03/2025

Black as a Symbol: From SS to the Modern “Anti-Fascists”

In N**i Germany, the SS wore black uniforms to project power, fear, and absolute control. Leaders like Himmler kept wearing black even after it was phased out because it symbolized elite status and ideological dominance.

Today, many self-described anti-fascist groups also dress in black using “black bloc” tactics for anonymity and intimidation. Ironically, while claiming to fight fascism, some adopt fascist-like behaviors: silencing dissent, using violence, and enforcing ideological conformity.

Same color, same tactics?

SS black = hierarchy, terror, suppression.

Antifa black = anonymity, intimidation, suppression (in the name of “justice”).

When fighting authoritarianism starts to look authoritarian, it’s worth asking: Is the method undermining the message?

12/02/2025

Yes you absolutely do provide the signs of fascism, with each act of projection you make.

11/29/2025

With the recent calls for our military to refuse to act on their orders, here is some information on how that is problematic and not simply able to be challenged by an individual. The shooting of the two West Virginia National Guard personnel who were gunned down in their duties as military police in Washington DC make this even more relevant.

Here is a synopsis of how it's not really up to a soldier or Marine to decide if their deployment itself is unlawful, however response to a direct order from an immediate superior may require such a decisive moment.

Definition of an Unlawful Order

Under the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) there is no single article titled “unlawful order,” but the concept is addressed through Articles 90 and 92:

Article 92 (10 U.S.C. §892): Makes it a crime to fail to obey a lawful order or regulation. This implies that only lawful orders must be obeyed.

Article 90: Criminalizes willful disobedience of a superior commissioned officer’s lawful command.

Key Principle:
An order is presumed lawful unless it:

Conflicts with the U.S. Constitution, federal law, or international law.

Exceeds the authority of the person issuing it.

Directs the commission of a crime (e.g., targeting civilians, falsifying documents, theft, assault).

The Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) states:

“An order requiring the performance of a military duty or act may be inferred to be lawful, and it is disobeyed at the peril of the subordinate. This inference does not apply to a patently illegal order, such as one that directs the commission of a crime.”



Process for Handling an Unlawful Order

Immediate Duty:

Service members must obey lawful orders.

They also have a duty to refuse manifestly unlawful orders. Obeying an illegal order can lead to criminal liability (e.g., war crimes charges).

Determining Lawfulness:

Lawfulness is ultimately a question of law decided by a military judge during a court-martial.

In practice, the presumption is that orders are lawful unless clearly illegal.

If You Believe an Order Is Unlawful:

Refuse the order if it is manifestly illegal (obvious and clear, such as an order to kill civilians).

Document the circumstances and seek guidance from higher authority or legal counsel.

Be aware: refusing an order that is later deemed lawful can result in charges under Article 92 or Article 90.

Legal Review and Consequences:

If a refusal occurs, the matter is usually resolved through:
Non-Judicial Punishment (Article 15) for minor cases.

Court-Martial for serious cases, where lawfulness is determined.

Maximum penalties for disobeying a lawful order can include confinement, forfeiture of pay, and dishonorable discharge.



Practical Examples of Manifestly Illegal Orders

Orders to commit war crimes (e.g., opening fire on unarmed civilians).

Orders to falsify official documents.

Orders to commit theft or assault.

Operational Risks to disobedience of orders can be costly in many ways.

Disobeying lawful orders can undermine unit cohesion, mission success, and trust within the chain of command.

In combat or critical operations, refusal can endanger lives and compromise objectives.

Also, the orders given by the Commander in Chief to his subordinates are not typically able to be challenged by the rank and file soldiers carrying them out, as they are not directly given to the soldiers themselves by the President.

The chain of command exists for a reason, and it's implementation and importance in politically charged situations is a major reason why it exists.