FSP Columnist spends time with judicial champion – Judge Alfred E. Ferguson

30 Dec

December 30, 2022

Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

Judge Alfred E. Ferguson has served Cabell County in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court for over 47 years and is the longest sitting circuit court judge in WV history.

It was a superb day for the first day of doe hunting season!  My friends and I had decided to take advantage of this unseasonably warm day in December in a tree stand in the woods of Wayne County, WV.

Now, being a rookie huntsman, I don’t claim to know much about deer hunting, but I do know they have an amazing auditory range.  I’m sure the fact I couldn’t stop asking questions of my hunting partner was a contributing factor in us leaving the tree stand empty-handed.  But only empty-handed in terms of harvesting a deer! I certainly didn’t leave empty-handed considering the memorable experience of conversing with a legendary defender of truth and justice for over 60 years, Judge Alfred E. Ferguson. 

Born and raised in Cabell County, Judge Ferguson graduated from Marshall University in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, subsequently earning a law degree from West Virginia College of Law in 1962.    Prior to being appointed to the bench, Judge Ferguson served 1 year as Assistant Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney and 2 years as Divorce Commissioner.  Judge Ferguson was also a lawyer in a private practice for fifteen years.

In 1977, then Governor John D. Rockefeller IV appointed him to the bench in the Sixth Judicial Court from which he has served the people of Cabell County for more than 46 years.

Judge Ferguson has also served his community as a part-time instructor at his alma mater, Marshall University, teaching criminal, juvenile, civil and divorce law for more than 20 years. He is a former member of the Judicial Investigation Commission and was the first presiding judge on the first Juvenile Drug Court established in West Virginia.  Additionally, Judge Ferguson has often been appointed to serve on the Supreme Court in place of a justice who was recused from a case.

In a campaign questionnaire, Judge Ferguson described the competencies required for his job. “A fair temperament, along with open-mindedness, courtesy, courage, firmness, compassion, ethics, and plain common sense are the most important traits a judge must have,” Judge said, “It’s essential a judge must be able to communicate with counsel, jurors, witnesses and all parties involved in a proceeding.”

One would think that years of experience in the judicial system would desensitize anyone to a degree, inadvertently, if not subliminally, causing them to become a bit callous in the face of seemingly increasing, often repeated transgressions.  But nothing could be further from the truth, with Judge Ferguson.

While adhering to the letter of the law, Judge Ferguson’s goal is to be the catalyst for positive change. He seeks to mentor, if not minister, to those who face judgement in his courtroom.  To the degree applicable, he seeks to guide defendants toward making better life choices, despite their past behaviors.

 I personally know individuals who, after receiving a fair sentence in Judge Ferguson’s courtroom, were able to transcend their past iniquities and become contributing individuals in society as a result of his circumspect, sensical approach in the courtroom.  

I listened to Judge Ferguson as he described how he wanted repeat offenders to understand their purpose in life and that their calling is to be much more than they have chosen to be.  They need only make better choices.

Over the years, Judge Ferguson has proven his determination to make decisions within the boundaries of the law while doing everything within his power to serve the best interest of the community AND the individual.

He is, in my humble opinion, a judicial hero.

Many ask Judge Ferguson if he intends to retire at the end of his term, in 2 years.  I humbly believe if any member of the judiciary deserved a lifetime appointment, Judge Ferguson does.

I suppose it’s a moot point, considering voters have opted to issue the judge his lifetime appointment at the polls.

Government, by the people, at its finest!

Thank you, Judge Ferguson for your service and the judicial legacy you are still building from behind the bench.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant!

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Mark Caserta: Don’t complain about what you permit!

12 Nov

Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and resides in Huntington, WV.

November 12, 2022

A wise man once said, “Don’t complain about what you permit”.  That fits perfectly within our current political environment.  It’s indeed baffling to understand how citizens of the greatest nation on earth could allow a dark, sinister, manipulating government to attack our country from within with such a lack of resistance.

First, anyone who would vote to continue what is happening to our country is either worryingly uninformed or dangerously averse to the human condition around us.

In fact, the ludicrous nature of our predicament forces one to question whether we can continue to trust U.S. election results or if there are, indeed, a rising number of voters who really don’t like America very much and would much rather live precariously in their lives of relative morality and digressing virtue.

I am forced to believe that anyone with the conviction to vote in an election, must also possess intent.  If not, why waste the time?  Additionally, voting in alignment with the progressive, liberal ideology those on the left have adopted, speaks volumes in terms of their intent to be self-serving and apathetic to the lives of those around them.

Thus, is the posture of the new Democrat Party.  Self-serving, narcistic and emboldened by perceived government power over the people, liberal Democrats are pushing relentlessly to achieve their destructive goals while they can – at the expense of American citizens.  Armed with their “net of endowment”, Democrats are spending billions of your tax dollars marginalizing citizens’ ability to prosper on their own without relying upon the government for sustenance.

Two mantras come to mind regarding Democrat methodology:  “Never allow a crisis to go to waste” and “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”. 

They are winning elections with this philosophy.

So, who does change depend upon?  Well, allow me to ask this question.  What is the only demographic liberal Democrats have not been able to purchase or oppress – yet?  Christians!

If you didn’t vote in this November election, shame on you.  By not speaking with your vote, you’ve spoken very loudly as to your level of disregard for your fellow man.  Statistics reveal that 64 percent of Americans identify as Christians. With 331 million people in the U.S., if only half of them voted, we would dominate politics across the country!

Bottom line:  Returning America to her greatness is going to take more than a man – it’s going to take God.  God is not going to send Angels to vote on our behalf!

It’s up to us to take a stand.  By not voting Biblical principles, you are simply allowing the enemy to run wild!  You’re also paving the way for pain and persecution of your children and their children’s children.

The Bible says, in James, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

So, what will you do the next election?  If you don’t vote, then don’t complain about the consequences.  You’ve in fact, taken the wrong side of God’s battle.   

Get mad if you want, but I wouldn’t want to stand before God and have to explain my lack of care for my fellow man.

If we continue down this road in America, we won’t recognize her in a few years.  It’s up to Christians to change things.

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Mark Caserta: Columnist spends time with true American hero – Joseph Whitt

25 Jun

Note: This column is a reprint of an article published in 2016.

Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot
Judy and Joe Whitt

Americans love extolling our heroes, but it isn’t often you actually get to meet one. Recently I was blessed to share some time with one of our nation’s most esteemed living patriots – Joseph Whitt.

Joe was aboard the U.S.S. San Francisco during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and is currently one of four remaining survivors.

Joe is truly representative of the “Greatest Generation” our country has ever produced.

 While the years have stolen nearly all of his eyesight, Joe hasn’t lost his memory of that infamous day, which I believe tortures him still.

As I sat across the table from Joe and his lovely wife, Judith, in a restaurant near Bethel, Ohio, where they reside, I couldn’t help but politely ask questions about his experience.

I listened intently as Joe attempted to describe the indescribable.

“I saw the Arizona blow up,” Joe said, speaking of the U.S.S. Arizona, the most heavily damaged of all the vessels in what was called “Battleship Row.” He labored to describe the chaos of that day and his fallen crew mates.

The assault, which lasted nearly two hours, claimed the lives of more than 2,400 people and destroyed nearly 20 American ships and at least 300 airplanes.

At the age of 92, Joe understandably has some difficulty recalling the intimate details of his experience. I was touched by the way Judy (some years younger) would, at times, lovingly step in to finish a portion of Joe’s story. It became particularly difficult when he shared his ghastly recollection of the sharks that rapidly infested the waters to feast upon the ensuing carnage.

We cried.

My heart swelled with love, admiration and appreciation for Joe and Judy as they painted a haunting picture of Joe’s tumultuous experience.

One might think increasing apathy from some would callous the heart of an individual who gave so freely to his country, but Joe’s humility and entrenched love for America guide his path. My heart ached for this man obviously encumbered by a horrific memory that would never, ever go away.

Joe never mentioned it, but I learned he earned 17 battle stars in World War II and has been the recipient of multiple honors throughout the years. But he’ll never receive just recompense.

Joe Whitt represents an iconic America that’s rapidly slipping away.

He and others like him believe freedom is something worth dying for. And they’re prepared to do so, without question.

After talking with Joe and Judy, I have a renewed respect for those who’ve given their very best to purchase the freedoms we enjoy in this great country.

But amid this patriotic swell, I’ve also acquired a refurbished disdain for those who take this sacrifice for granted and mock our flag.

Words are darn cheap – cheaper than ever. And we’re getting loads of dung-ridden verbiage shoveled at us every day.

But the bravery of men and women like Joseph Whitt made America great.

It’s now up to us to keep it going.

God bless you, Joe and Judy.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

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Mark Caserta: All the Supreme Court did was return the abortion question to the Legislators and voters

25 Jun

Not many people have actually read the Supreme Court’s final opinion. All they did was return it to the states and legislators for whom you vote! It’s not SCOTUS’ job to make law, only interpret it.

The opinion concludes.


“Abortion presents a profound moral question. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and Casey arrogated that authority. We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives.”

No area of the Constitution mentions a woman’s right to choose to abort a pregnancy! The 14th amendment protects privacy and secures existing rights! It doesn’t great new ones!

Study Margaret Sanger and how Planned Parenthood began. It was eugenics!

We have to study the facts and vote our hearts. Don’t rely on the media or the hype on TV or radio!

And pray for understanding!

Row v Wade Overturned by Supreme Court

24 Jun

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/24/roe-v-wade-overturned-by-supreme-court-ending-federal-abortion-rights.html

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Mark Caserta: Gas Prices are at a record high!

6 Jun

Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor at Free State Patriot

June 6, 2022

“You never let a serious crisis go to waste,” quipped then President Barack Obama’s White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.  “And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”

Well, look around you. The Democrat mantra espoused by Emanuel in 2008 has been executed to perfection!  Our nation is witnessing the real-time impact of Democrat policies forced upon society in the wake of Covid-19.

Despite every corrupt liberal media outlet scrambling to provide damage control for Democrats and the Biden administration, are we to seriously believe that Democrat policies are not to blame for the remarkable downhill spiral American economics has taken in two short years?

It’s always been the “Democrat way” to cause the American people to pay the price to fund their liberal policies – no matter what! 

Take, for example, fuel prices. It’s important to not allow the media to cause us to forget history.

During a 2008 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle editorial board when soon to be President Barack Obama unleashed his plan to kill coal.

“Under my plan … electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket,” Obama told the Chronicle.  “If somebody wants to build a coal-fired power plant, they can.  It’s just that it will bankrupt them.”

Remember in March 2016, during a Democrat town hall in Ohio, when Hillary Clinton responded to an energy policy question?  “We’re going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.”

Democrats simply don’t care how much it costs the American people as long as they can achieve their clean energy goals based on activists’ man-made climate change myth. 

If you don’t believe it, simply look at the price of gasoline now!  A recent CNBC headline reads, “Gas prices just hit an all-time high!”

Oh, but it’s not Joe’s fault!  It’s all because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Liberal Democrats are the most intellectually dishonest people on earth in my opinion.

As soon as Joe Biden took office, he conceded America’s energy independence by terminating the Keystone XL pipeline signaling his hostility to the fossil fuel industry. He then pledged to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030.  We could be working with our friends in Canada rather than relying on oil imported from Russia!

If we had remained at our level of energy independence during the Trump administration, along with our resolve to continue sourcing our own oil reserves, we would not be facing gas prices nearing $5.00 per gallon right now – period!

Per The American Oil and Gas Reporter, the United States has more oil reserves than any nation in the world with 264 billion barrels of recoverable oil reserves, followed by Russia with 256 billion, Saudi Arabia with 212 billion, Canada with 167 billion, Iran with 143 billion, and Brazil with 120 billion.

Whether it’s by increasing your taxes, your utility costs or making you pay more at the pump, Democrats are more than willing to spend your money to attain their goals.

Remember that in November.

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Mark Caserta: Where have America’s defenders of truth and freedom gone?

26 Mar

Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot.

March 26, 2002

President Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States

Throughout history, America’s evolution into becoming the greatest nation on earth and exemplary in the display of American exceptionalism has been forged in fire by great leadership and an unwavering faith in God.

But where have America’s great leaders and defenders of truth and freedom gone? 

President Ronald Reagan was quoted as saying, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.  We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream.  It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same.”

So, who is “We” in this quote?  To whom do you suppose the man known as the “great communicator” was referring?

President Abraham Lincoln told us, “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”

To whom do you suppose President Lincoln was challenging to protect the minds of our precious future – our children?

Per the Department of Defense, the total number of Americans killed in all U.S. wars is more than 1.1 million brave men and women.  Many of us have family members who are included in this devastating statistic.

For whom do you suppose these heroes were willing to give their lives?

I dare to make the comparison of Jesus dying on the cross for future generations’ salvation to these heroes who so willingly gave their lives for our current freedom, but yet they are similar in spirit.

Salvation and freedom, alike, were far from free.  They both came at the precious cost of life and each involved someone taking action on behalf of God.  In the event the freedom of God’s people was at risk, His will was set in motion by a deliverer.

During the reign of Pharaoh, God sent Moses to deliver the Israelites from bondage. During the reign of the Roman empire, God sent His son, the Messiah to plant the seed of Christianity for the deliverance of all mankind.  Indeed, throughout history, God has positioned men and woman of valor to orchestrate His Will, such as our Founding Fathers and great presidents.

God takes care of his people, but we are the tools by which he provides His freedoms.

Yet, as Americans we find ourselves threatened domestically and abroad by those who would sacrifice both salvation and freedom of others simply for power.  In a treasonous manner, these individuals are attempting to rewrite history and relinquish our sovereignty in the name of progressivism.

The liberal methodology is to equate the advancement of science and technology with the need for a social evolution which includes a sliding scale of morality which leans incessantly toward the left.

What amazes me about God is he never seems to require an army!  Jesus took 12 men and shook the world!  Paul wrote two-thirds of the New Testament.  Ronald Reagan was the father of conservatism!

All God requires is the obedience of a few.  Even the Bible says, “One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the Lord your God fights for you!”

Are you willing to stand by idly while a few evil people steal our freedom?  Are we willing to continue to allow our voices to be drowned by a few treasonous individuals?

All the liberal media and evil on the planet cannot overshadow even the tiniest portion of the power and will of our mighty God – if only a few will rise for battle.  It is in our weakness His strength is made known.

Yes, returning our nation to greatness will take more than a man – it will take God.  But a man, with God by his side, can move mountains.

Don’t allow this generation to be the one where we succumb to evil and lose our freedom.  As with generations of the past, a deliverer arose. Are you willing to fight for the freedom of the next generation?

We are the chosen few.  We are the shakers and movers. We are the ones who are called to protect our freedom and defend truth.  It begins with you!

Commit to being an instrument of change – good change.  God will do the rest.

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Special Counsel John Durham Drops Clinton Russia Bombshell

16 Feb

https://aclj.org/government-corruption/special-counsel-durham-drops-clinton-russia-bombshell?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=d-02152022_seg-jayfb_top-GC_typ-AR_con-Clintonattorneyspy_var-A&fbclid=IwAR0ZE1lfkY9YWDJlE9UQGV-oNsw_Whfoghse-azS6PuQbNQb1wNeE8jnrig

Mark Caserta: Raise your hands to fight!

24 Nov

The battle belongs to the Lord!

Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

Have you looked around lately?

It’s as though people are walking about dazed and confused as to how our country hit rock bottom so rapidly.  Drivers stand at the fuel pumps shaking their heads at skyrocketing gas prices.  Grocery carts seem less filled as shoppers attempt to navigate incredible pricing.  Lines at benefacting institutions inundated with people hoping to be able to provide for their families this time of year.

I downloaded a police scanner to my phone the other night, simply needing traffic information, and I had to delete it!  The flurry of activity of the downtrodden and hopeless was inescapable!  It made me anxious and irritable, just as the mainstream media news does to so many people!

There was a time when evil tried to disguise its antics, but that’s no longer the case.  It’s ramped and in your face!  Government officials are wielding the power they’ve finagled to obtain for years.  “We the People” have become the enemy of the left.  The Constitution of the United States is being portrayed as an antiquated document written by white supremacists in an era falsely portrayed by historians.

I’m appalled at those claiming to have “awakened” to social injustice in our nation when they don’t know the first thing about history!  It’s akin to those engaging in a riot when they haven’t a clue why they’re there.  They simply join the emotions of the moment.

Abraham Lincoln once was quoted as saying, “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next”?  I believe we are in the season of harvest for just that sort of progressive planting by liberals. 

For decades progressives have fought tumultuously to remove any semblance of God from society, beginning with the classroom.  Without the Bible, morality and principles fall on a sliding scale commensurate with the movement of the day.  Activity one witnesses on mainstream television would have been deemed highly inappropriate even 20 years ago.

Liberals operate in a process called, “desensitization”.  Their modus operandi is to gradually move the needle of acceptable behavior with an infinite number of small victories.  Incorporated into a long-term plan, these wins moderately but consistently produce an altered degree of acceptance.

We essentially have become desensitized to the behavior and allow it to exist.  Yes, we allow it.

Why do you think the Bible says dozens of times that God’s Word is everlasting? It brilliantly reflects the holy, unchanging character of God Himself!  God knew that mankind, in their consistent failures, would attempt to change the rules to accommodate their lustful behavior.  Hence, removal of God’s Word is prerequisite to an adaptive and progressive lifestyle.

So, what does all this have to do with what’s happening around us?  Everything!  Understand, God’s strength is made manifest in our weakness.  We must humble ourselves and seek His face in resolving the world’s problems.

No man or woman is going to be able to repair the devastation in which we find ourselves.  God may choose to use them as an instrument, but His Will and Works will be the key.

Every election season, people ask me how they should vote.  I will continue to recommend they become knowledgeable about the issues and pray about how and for whom to vote.

Only God knows at this point. 

I heard a pastor from my church recently say, “When I raise my hands to fight, I raise them like this!”  He had his hand raised in the air, praising God!

Good words for us all.

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Mark Caserta: Should I or shouldn’t I take the COVID-19 Vaccine?

13 Sep

Here are some things to consider…

Mark Caserta is an opinion columnist and editor for Free State Patriot

September 13, 2021

Should I or shouldn’t I take the COVID-19 vaccine?  It’s arguably the question paramount to our times and potentially to this century. As a Christian conservative, it’s certainly one I’m being asked most regularly by friends, relatives, and acquaintances.

Now, I’m not going to cite scientific studies or medical dissertation, because frankly I don’t know who to believe anymore.  As with nearly all the information we are force-fed daily by an irresponsible, negligent, liberally complicit media, the facts will be skewed by the degree of skin they have in the game and to whom they serve – money or man. 

They can’t serve both, so history compels me to believe it’s money, nearly 99 percent of the time.

To support my disbelief in the unprincipled media, I’ve chosen to take a sabbatical from the 24-hour, vomitous mass of so-called journalism designed to persuade rather than inform.  My decisions are made and validated by what I see happening around me and the unction I feel from the Spirit that dwells within me.  That is all I trust.

Conspiracy theories aside, I don’t trust government to do the job of protecting my family.  Historically, government fails at most everything.   Abe Lincoln assured us that, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.” I hope he was right. But it’s certainly on life-support, with failing vital signs, under our current administration. 

While I respect our form of government; I loathe the actions of the individuals responsible for it right now. “Why we continue to re-elect vermin to represent us” in government may supersede even the query of taking the COVID vaccine – it’s close. The old saying which asserts that a fool is someone who represents themselves, should also include those who hire another fool to do so!

I’m burdened over the number of COVID deaths in America.  I’m distraught over the number of individuals in our region who have lost their lives.  I’m devastated over the number of friends and loved ones who have lost their lives to this disease. 

Is this disease man-made or is it an anomaly of genetic research?  Is the COVID Delta-Variant an intentional perpetuation of the original virus or is it a random mutation?

I don’t much care at this point. I’m not in a position to research, investigate and determine the facts on my own and it serves no purpose for me to grasp to some television pundit’s view as my own.   

All I know, for sure, is that it’s my responsibility to make the right choices in life for my family. 

For me, there are criterion on which I make my decision:

  1. I absolutely will not allow my disdain for an administration or government to influence my decision to take the COVID vaccine or allow my family members to do the same.  Grandma called that, “cutting off you nose to spite your face”. 
  2. I will gather as much information as I possibly can regarding events confirmed by facts.  It’s too important of a decision to rely upon hearsay or opinion.  It’s my responsibility to do the work.  I’m not going to allow radio talk show hosts, Fox News or CNN to persuade me – period!
  3. I’m not willing to risk losing a family member simply to make a political point.  If you disagree, fine.  I don’t much care. I have other ways to fight for our Republic, the most important of which happens at the polls.
  4. I will have faith in my God, but I am not willing to test my faith with the lives of my family.  I also have faith that God has given us wisdom and a free will.  I believe He will honor our actions if we honor Him in all that we do, regardless of outcome.
  5. If we love God, and are called according to His purpose, all things work together for good.  I’ve been in situations where I try to “over think” an outcome.  I have learned God simply wants me to trust Him, even if it appears my prayer did not get answered the way I wanted it to be answered.  That’s faith.  God will prosper our efforts and perseverance in Jesus’ Name.
  6. Finally, I will seek God for the right answer.  I don’t need a burning bush or miracle. I just need fervent prayer and a relationship with my Heavenly Father. 

Anyone who attempts to tell you to either take the vaccine or not, turn and walk away. While they may be well-meaning, they don’t have a stake in the safety of your loved ones.  If it’s “freedom” you want to protect, then vote!

At the end of the day, the choice must be yours and made for the right reasons.  Anyone who tells you differently is likely selling something.

Godspeed.

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