A Sevier County Commission meeting in east Tennessee got ugly on Monday night when longtime Commissioner Warren Hurst broke into a disgusting rant about the "liberal agenda."
The meeting was centered around whether the county should become a gun sanctuary.
"We've got a queer runnin' for president, if that ain't about as ugly as you can get," Hurst said reffering to openly-gay Deomcratic presidential candidiate Pete Buttigieg.
The statement was greeted with an eerily enthusiastic reaction from the crowd.
Then, he turned his focus to the issue of race, where he thoughts were equally as backwards.
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"I'm not prejudiced, but by golly as a white male in this country has very few rights and they're getting took more every day," he continued.
Rest assured, whenever someone starts a sentence with, "I'm not prejudiced," they're about to say something prejudiced. Also, what rights are specifically being taken from white people?
Hurst's outburst prompted Sara Thompson, chair of the Sevier County Democrats, to bail on the meeting claiming: "This is not a professional thing, this is bullshit."
"I felt it was better for me to leave the room than to continue a scene or to listen to what apparently followed," she later told Knox News.
Hurst is a Sevier County commissioner who has held his seat for 33 years. He lives in Sevierville, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He also owns Warren Hurst Construction, a local contracting firm.
The viral outburst has local residents worrying that it'll paint a negative picture of the region, and hurt its tourism industry. The Great Smoky Mountains area popular tourist destination, attracting over 11 million visitors a year.
Dollywood, Dolly Parton's theme park, which attracts three million visitors a year, is also located in the area.
Dollywood spokesman Pete Owens said Hurst's comments "do not reflect the Dollywood experience in any way. Dollywood is open and welcoming to everyone, every day."
After the interview, Hurst told a reporter that he's entitled to his opinion and stands by it.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.