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♦ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2006 4A Houston Daily 3Jourtutl OPINION / Daniel F. Evans Editor and Publisher Julie B. Evans Vice President Don Moncrief Foy S. Evans Managing Editor Editor Emeritus Why not advertise here? Hey advertisers. Why not us? Why not advertise - our apolo gies and our sincere and continued than} to those of you who do -in your local community paper? What' the deterrent? Is it because you >(>lm ' < lhr subscription numbers between us and our competitor are that far apart? \re you sure? You might want to ask. ! it bee list you believe you’ll get more ' h for your buck elsewhere? Yes, your ved by readers in Dodge, s >rd Pulaski, Jones, Monroe and a long list of other counties, but come on, do you really think with gas prices being what they are people will travel that far to save a few pennies? And odds are if there’s one of you, there are more you’re a chain. And even if you aren’t, it’s a given fact that in today’s economy you d the market on anything, give us a call. You’re rare id we’d like to do a story on you. in- ve bringing this whole ad thing up? . no particular reason and for good rea son. The truth is, a newspaper might survive, ni ht tay in the black, only on its read nd we do love and cherish our but in order to be truly healthy, i hat take some advertising dollars, i < ; at ur competitor. How many times < ■ < h rd it how many times have you It nothing but advertising.” Of not true but it does have ou know what, they’re loving every minute of it. \V d too, but we'll tell you straight up. I ire - and that isn’t to say it to be able to build a bigger and pis idiu. 1 1 i.e. hire more staff members, ■a ! in : urn translates into more coverage of Houston County) for you. Letters to the Editor Patriots have gone silent V !■ liiivi' .ill our Patriots gone? We used to have theni. We had them through World War 11, ■ hav ti ied to exercise our destiny as a force ■ a tin i ugiiout the world, our patriots have become • I Where has the loyal opposition gone? We 'l'jfxtion but it is not loyal. It is divisive and mg! vn h nothing more in mind presently than seeking power in our upcoming elections. Where have all our Patriots gone? Are we going to amply let President Bush be our only voice in support it out countrv? Are we going to forget the old quotation l a IWe Si and, Divided We Fall?” Is the opposition da media frenzy that will take this nation dowi Is th( American Nation afraid to stand up for what right and honorable? Did we learn nothing in Vietnam ' hoiv ; a united population made things difficult i our ir ops? Does no one notice that the violence in a iq and \tghanistan increases as the divisive remarks in ur country lower the people’s confidence in our govern ment "s ability to do the right thing for freedom? Where have all the Patriots gone? I believe there are many around but they are silent. Please God, let them speak up and unify this wonderful nation so we can defeat terrorism and lead oppressed people to freedom and justice. Where have all the Patriots gone? Are you a Patriot? Can we the people count on you? John F. Wylarn, colonel, U.S. Air Force (retired) Many share illegals blame Our cm 11 in illegal alien situation is the direct result of three conn cutive “do nothing” Presidents, corrupt U. S. legislators who have sold out to “big business” who want cheap labor, and a corrupt political party which seeks not only to flood our country with even more aliens, but See LETTERS, page Is it because you believe you'll get more bang for your buck elsewhere? Yes, your ad might be viewed by readers in Dodge, Crawford, Pulaski, Jones, Monroe and a long list of other counties, but come on, do you really think with gas prices being what they are people will travel that far to save a few pennies? Pre-K lottery right way to go Houston County schools are doing the right thing by using a lottery to determine which students will be accepted for Pre-K next year. Enrolling students on the basis of first come, first served had two major flaws. First, it gave an advantage to parents who had the time to sit in line two or three days and nights. I have had friends the past couple of years who camped out at one of the elementary schools from Friday afternoon until Monday morning to get their children enrolled in Pre-K. It was an endurance test they should not have to endure, but hundreds of parents did so for their children. It also was unfair. Many parents have responsibilities that make it impos sible to spend so much time away from home. First come, first served gives a decided advantage to parents who can spend such a long time in line. Using a lottery is the fair way to select students for Pre-K as long as the state does not make enough money available to accommodate all students. Parents have their own ideas about which schools are the best and, there fore, it has been at these schools where parents started camping out early. The local school system hopes that money for two more schools for Pre-K, which will alleviate the problem some what., will be forthcoming. However, the number of children in Houston County is growing each year and, without doubt, not all students will be accepted. As usual, it all boils down to money. Or lack of it. At least, the inequities of the past are being dealt with. ■ ■■ How about that maid seen riding if ONLYWbM HADN'T UED ASOOT WMD'b AMO e>TAfcT£DTM£ WAte IN IRAQ,.. ...6NO&AM WOULD STILL OE. IM9OWER ...WE COULD 7e ReATENTHE 1 [...AND WE CERTAINLY WOULD '\JE Wwe WOOLOSEHAVE HIMSELF.,. I TALIBAN IN AFGHANISTAN.,. CAUGHTIaden: \ ARE TOO /VI AMY AMERICANS.*) HI WHERE AKETHE. /NSUR6ENT6>?JT T ° , ' “■v. - .—FE/KAIW ~YHE LEAVERLESG MUSLIM 1 fTISRAEL AND THE ARAfc NATIONS ... AND AHM ADINE3 AD WOULD EXTREME WOULD HAVE TO WOULD THEM $E A&LETO LIVE NO LONGER FEELTME NEED TO THROW INTHETQWEL... TOGETHER IN PEACE AND HARMONY... 301LD NUCLEAR ROMg>R?. r f 306 H, WITHOUT o5aMA?\ ® i t»2QO6 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC i—’ * r 9 ' * / -/ rt Liberal media allergic to American values CNN founder Ted Turner opened his mouth this week at the National Press Club, and promptly demonstrated why America needs Fox News Channel now more than ever. Three years after the invasion of Iraq, Turner is still pouting about pub lic displays of patriotism on American airwaves: “I mean, I just really wonder during the, during the last war, you know, what business did it have in the news sets to have the American flag flying in the background. Uh, I mean, it was like the news media covered the Iraq war, at least at the beginning of it, almost as like it was a football game with us versus them.” Funny, I can’t recall Turner getting his undergarments in a bunch when CNN chose Saddam Hussein’s side and former CNN executive Eason Jordan admitted the global news network had withheld reporting on Baathist atroci ties in exchange for inside access and protection of its Baghdad staff. Recall Jordan’s confession published in The New York Times after America toppled Saddam’s regime in April 2003: “I came to know several Iraqi offi cials well enough that they confided in me that Saddam Hussein was a maniac who had to be removed. One Foreign Ministry officer told me of a colleague who, finding out his brother had been executed by the regime, was forced, as a test of loyalty, to write a letter of congratulations on the act to Saddam Hussein. An aide to Uday once told me why he had no front teeth: henchmen had ripped them out with pliers and told him never to wear dentures, so he would always remember the price to be paid for upsetting his boss. Again, we could not broadcast anything these men said to us.” OPINION her motorcycle in Warner Robins and Centerville on her way to her jobs? Is she starting a trend? ■ ■ ■ President Bush was in Middle Georgia early this week and it is interesting to hear how local agencies are counting up the costs. Most law enforcement officers and others who had anything to do with providing security already are on the local payrolls and, with the possibility of a few hours overtime, didn’t cost any more for the President’s visit than if he had not come to Macon.. ■ ■ ■ This is promise season. Incumbents have an opportunity to brag on their accomplishments and promise to do more. Challengers, who have no record, can promise anything they like and find cures for problems that do not exist. It is interesting to see the candidates struggling to find that one issue that will make them stand apart. ■ ■ ■ Thank goodness our local candidates stick to what they perceive as issues and do not resort to the kind of per sonal attacks like you see in the con gressional and gubernatorial races. It’s fine and dandy for CNN to wave Saddam’s flag and carry his blood stained water. But when Fox News sticks a two-postage-stamp-sized American flag on its screen? Only then will Ted Turner declare that journal ism and reportorial objectivity have gone to hell. But Turner’s disdain for putting American citizenship above “citizen-of the-world” preening isn’t peculiar. It’s the prevailing attitude in our news rooms. Remember after the September 11 attacks when Stacey Woelfel, news director at KOMU-TV in Columbia, Mo., directed his staff to “leave the rib bons at home” in order to show viewers “that in no way are we influenced by the government in informing the pub lic”? Or how about when ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider told The Washington Post: “Especially in a time of national crisis, the most patriotic thing journalists can do is to remain as objective as possible. . . . [W]e can not signal how we feel about a cause, even a justified and just cause, through some sort of outward symbol.” Elite news editors shrug at their reporters’ highly politicized activities -- from AIDS fund-raisers to pro-abor tion rallies, environmental propaganda and unhinged Bush-bashing (new case in point: New York Times reporter Linda Greenhouse’s recent moonbatty screed at Harvard University assailing Foy Evans Columnist foyevansl9@cox.net mm .A HHBI UffJ Michelle Malkin Columnist malkin@comcast.net HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL When it is all over our local candi dates can shake hands, congratulate the winners and move on without any hard feelings. ■ ■■ There have been times in mayoral races in Warner Robins when things got downright dirty, but this was an exception, rather than the rule. This year, fortunately, the issue of who will be mayor of Warner Robins for the next four years already has been decid ed before the election. Mayor Donald Walker, who already has served longer than any other mayor, will continue to set a record that may stand forever. ■ ■■ I just returned from Hilton Head, South Carolina. Future homeowners, developers and builders in Houston County can .be thankful they do not face the kind of impact fees imposed in southern Beaufort County. The commissioners this week decided to increase the impact fees already in existence by $.3,250 per home. That would be unbearable anywhere except where most of the growth is provid ed by wealthy newcomers in a resort area. ■ ■■ On our way home we stopped at a State of Georgia rest stop a few miles west of Dublin. The place was an embarrassment. It was run down and the rest rooms were filthy. If the state is going to have these facilities on interstates, at least they should be maintained. Otherwise, close them. This one, at least, gives motorists a sordid opinion of our state. everything from Gitmo to the Mexican- U.S. border fence). But wear a flag pin? Heresy! When The New York Times blabs classified information about terror ism investigations and is reported to have tipped off FBI investigations of terror charity front groups, ethics mavens yawn. But when Fox News anchor Chris Wallace dares to broach President Clinton’s war on terror failures, the mainstream media cater wauling crescendos. When Wallace is derided as a “monkey” for doing his job and Fox News head Roger Ailes’ weight is mocked, the civility police in our journalism schools shut their eyes and ears. When insipid New York Times col umnists recycle mediocre columns into their umpteenth books, they score multiple book reviews and fawning magazine covers. When the No. 1 cable talk show host tops the best-seller list (again), crickets chirp. Bill O’Reilly’s latest book, “Culture Warrior,” is as much O’Reilly’s story of success as it is Fox News Channel’s. O’Reilly’s fight against America-snubbing “secu lar progressives” is also Roger Ailes’. When The New York Times disparaged O’Reilly’s war on the war on Christmas as a manufactured hoax, it was dispar aging Fox News Channel’s decision to listen to its audience - and respond. The liberal media’s 10-year aller gic reaction to Fox News is triggered by any remotely positive exposure to American values on American air waves. Well, here’s to the next 10 years of giving establishment journalism the hives. Keep Old Glory flying high. It’s driving Ted Turner mad. Michelle Malkin is a Fox News Channel contributor. E-mail her at writemalkinCa vniail.com.