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WINSTON E. ESPY Publisher
JAMES D. ESPY Managing Editor
WILLIAM T. ESPY Advertising Manager
WOODROW W. ESPY News Editor
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Editorials
Finding a Scapegoat
The recent Air Force announcement
that lawyers had been furnished names
of the crew of a B-52 bomber which by
mistake dropped its bombs in the wrong
place and killed over 100 Cambodian
civilians is disturbing.
One of the sorriest watersheds from
the nation’s tragic Vietnam experience is
the newly developed tendency of the
military services to try and punish men
in uniform who make mistakes carrying
out combat orders.
No doubt many mistakes were
made, and often tragic mistakes, and this
is always true in war. The blame for
these mistakes, which are inevitable, and
which have occurred in every war in
history, is that of the statesmen and
others who launched the war and issued
the orders for Americans to engage in it.
The Army, of course, first panicked
when so much national shame and con
demnation were heaped upon that serv
ice and America for the brutal, unjusti
fied killing of Vietnamese civilians by
the liberal and anti-war Press.
The Army began high-publicized
trials of many combat soldiers (to its
shame), most of whom were acquitted.
Ue Must lie Finn
Life in these United States often
seems better when we look beyond our
borders to other lands. In one strife-torn
South American country, for instance,
all it took was one saucy motorist stick
ing her tongue out at an army chief for
near-tragedy to strike.
According to witnesses, the woman
stuck out her tongue as she drove by the
general’s car in her red compact. He was
infuriated and ordered his driver to pur
sue her vehicle as he shot at it. Says a
Freedom Tastes Good
Americans are a funny people. One
minute we're lambasting high cost of
living, then we turn around and tell the
joke about the lady who went into the
butcher shop, took one look at the price
of liver, and exclaimed. “I want it for
dinner . . not for a transplant.” Or we
tack bumper stickers on our cars urging
the impeachment of everyone from the
President to the city librarian, yet let a
foreign country denounce the U.S., and
a burst of outrage is sure to explode
from many a citizen's lips.
Other Editors Sav:
Community newspapers with circu
lations of less than 25.000 are the back
bone of the nation's free press No gov
ernment agency has to give them a
license before they can turn their
presses, and they are free to express their
opinions w ithin the limits of good taste
and the libel laws.
If there is skulduggery in the court
house. the state capitol. the city hall or
in business enterprises, the inquiring re
porters and news gatherers of the local
newspaper are likely to be the ones to
dig up the facts and let the public know
about them.
Most people in the U.S. would
strongly resist any move to muzzle the
press. But, via the back door of an
inefficiently run enterprise called the
S Postal Service, thousands of inde-
But the damage was done, often to men
with fine records who were ruined pro
fessionally in the process.
Under the stress of combat, men
ordered by their country to fight for
their lives and for their country cannot
afterward be held to account as if they
acted in a civilian atmosphere, when
their lives were not threatened by the
enemy.
Irrational, inexcusable actions are
inevitable when men fight for their lives.
Self-righteous courts, sitting in safety far
behind the lines and far after the event,
cannot possibly dispense justice in such
cases.
In the recent case of the B-52
bomber, and the investigation, the radar
navigator was fined S7OO and re
primanded. Three other officers were
also disciplined, according to the Air
Force.
The nation needs no more scape
goats for the statesmen and higher-ups
who took the nation into the Viet
namese war. It’s cowardly and unfair for
the services to blame lowly combat men
for mistakes inevitable in combat.
resident who saw the incident, “I heard
the shot, I ran outside. I saw the general.
He was putting a gun to the woman’s
head and he was telling her to apolo
gize.”
This appalling event would be un
thinkable in America, where freedom of
speech and press are but two of many
sacred Constitutional rights, guaranteed
to all. We must be firm in our determina
tion that it always remain so.
Yes, we Americans are a stubborn,
irascible, crazy bunch proud of our
country and able to laugh at ourselves
and our troubles. We will defend our
constitutional rights, such as freedom of
speech to the death, if need be, while
we’re complaining about those free
spending men in Congress.
People in most other lands would
never be able to understand these seem
ing contradictions. To understand them
is to know how good freedom really
tastes.
pendent newspapers throughout the
country could eventually be put out of
business.
The method is very simple. Just
keep raising postal rates until small news
papers can’t pay them. Raise them high
enough and bigger ones w on’t be able to
either and neither will our magazines and
other publications One authority has
pointed out that along with the general
pressure of inflation, postal increases are
one of the major reasons why over 000
community newspapers went out of bus
iness in the past 10 years.
Some effective limitation on the
financial depredations which the U.S.
Postal Service is pennit ted to commit
upon the body of the free press seems
much in order. Industrial News Review
TIME TO USE THE BIG STICK.’
REPRINTED FROM INDUSTRIAL NEWS REVIEW
Peace After 25 Years
For the first time in 25 years, the
nation is without a military draft. In
accordance with the Military Selective
Service Act of 1971, the authority tp
induct men into the armed services ex
pired June 30, 1973. For the foreseeable
future, the nation’s military security,
from the standpoint of adequate man
power will hinge on the success of plans
now being implemented to build an all
volunteer army.
Among knowledgeable authorities,
sharp divisions of opinion exist as to
whether an all-volunteer army can suc
ceed. The problem quite naturally is one
of persuading large numbers of men each
year to submit to the disciplines and
sometimes dangers of military life, and
do it of their own free will without the
compulsion of the draft.
U.S. News & World Report observes
that, ”... career officers, particularly in
the Army, are still skeptical that suffi
cient volunteers can be attracted at a
cost the Congress and public will
accept.” Recruiting campaigns are being
pursued with a vengeance, and pay levels
have been sharply increased, particularly
for lower-rated or ranking enlisted per
sonnel. Very substantial special bonuses,
which will probably go higher, are being
offered to men willing to enlist in the
more high risk occupations, as for
example, ground combat units in the
Army and Marine Corps.
One study reported by U.S. News
predicts that through July, 1974 the
Army and Marines will fall 11,000 to
83,000 men short of the 354,000 re
cruits that will be needed ....
U. S. News reaches the conclusion
that the volunteer army is in a critical
period. During the summer and early fall
months, it must attract its share of this
year’s crop of high school graduates,
From Our Early Files j
:£ 10 Years Ago S
SEPTEMBER 5. 1963 |
Congressman John Davis said this week that Chattooga and Floyd x
§ counties may soon start obtaining rights-of-way for the Armuchee Creek S
g flood control project.. . Some 2,500 persons turned out for the Summer-
£ ville Civil Defense Unit’s big Labor Day event at a North Commerce Street
£ supermarket parking lot, resulting in its being termed “a big success.”
* ♦ * x
£ 20 Years Ago $
£ SEPTEMBER 3, 1953
The Rev. John L. Hottel, who recently accepted the pastorate of Menlo £
£: Presbyterian Church. was guest speaker Wednesday of the Summerville-Trion $
£ Rotary Club at Riegeldale Tavern .. . Apparently few newsworthy events £
£ happened this week twenty years ago. as the front page contained mostly £
£ state and national news. £
* ♦ *
:$ 30 Years Ago
£ SEPTEMBER 2. 1943
From the classified ads: Wanted to Rent-One two-horse farm with good £
£ house that must be wired for electricity .. . The Chattooga County Fair, £
which had been cancelled for a time due to the war. will definitely be held £
£ Oct. 13-16... From grocery store ad: 48 Lbs. Flour-$2.00; One Gallon £
£ Vinegar-30 cents. £
”... who, for the first time in more
than two decades, will not be faced with
the pressure of the military draft. If the
services can’t pull in the young men they
need then, a new appraisal may be called
for.”
Aside from the regular forces of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps, another
problem that has arisen is that of the
reserve and National Guard units. Many
men joined such units as an alternative
to selective service induction. Guard
units for the most part, were up to full
strength and had waiting lists. Now with
the threat of the draft gone, the Army
Reserve and National Guard are both
suffering.
All in all, it is a changing military
scene in the United States. Our people
are not oriented toward the military life,
but it would seem that with proper
incentives and management a sufficient
number of individuals could be attracted
to make the whole idea of a voluntary
military force a workable reality. It will
require the backing of the American
people from the financial standpoint and
consistent support from the Congress.
There is certainly no way to reduce our
military budget while facing the neces
sity of increasing the monetary induce
ment for military service and developing
and supplying the modem weapons
which an effective Army, Navy, Marines
Corps and Air Force must have. In this
case, second best is not good enough.
As usual, what happens will finally
be up to the people of the United States,
whose moral as well as financial, support
is really the only power on earth which
will be able to create and sustain a
volunteer military service for this nation.
The alternative will be reimposition of a
draft at sometime in the not too distant
future.
1 \
MOTOR FUEL USAGE DOUBLES
One indication of why we may be facing a shortage
of motor fuel is the fact that Georgians have been using
these fuels in increasing amounts during the last 12
years.
Figures released by the Georgia Department of
Revenue, based on taxes paid to the state treasury, show
motor fuel usage has more than doubled since 1962.
This use of more motor fuel may have helped to
bring about the so-called energy shortage.
During the past 12 years, it was reported, consump
tion of motor fuels—gasoline, diesel fuel, and LP gas—
has increased 115 percent in Georgia, from more than
1.4 billion gallons in fiscal 1961 to more than three
billion in the fiscal year just ended.
The figures from the Department of Revenue reveal
some interesting data: Diesel fuel consumption over the
past 12 years has almost tripled, up 293 percent. The
second largest increase—l 73 percent—was noted in the
usage of LP gas, a fuel not thought to be used in motor
vehicles. Gasoline is by far the most-used petroleum
product by Georgia motorists. In fiscal 1972, Georgians
purchased more than three billion gallons of gasoline.
This was an increase of almost 105 percent during the
last 12 years.
* * *
MADDOX WEARS MANY HATS
There is no doubt about it: Lester Maddox wears
many hats.
Georgia’s lieutenant governor will be a featured
guest on an upcoming segment of the Mike Douglas
Show, a nationally syndicated TV talk and variety show.
The appearance will mark the national television
debut of Maddox as a musical entertainer. Backed up by
the Goss Brothers Trio, Maddox will sing, play the
harmonica, and do his own “Epitaph of America: God
Forbid It Be Our Fate.”
Taped Aug. 9, the program will also feature sports
caster and former pro-football quarterback Don
Meredith as guest co-host, and as understudy to Maddox
in a bicycle-riding interlude.
This edition of the Mike Douglas Show will be seen
in the Atlanta viewing area at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 7,
on Channel 17, WTCG-TV.
Life must be interesting around the Maddox home.
* * *
IT’S ALMOST CRACKER CRUMBLE TIME AGAIN
According to Editor’s Forum, Georgia politicians
are busy these days ordering their custom-tailored suits
of armor. It’s Cracker Crumble time again.
The 1973 edition of the popular political spoof is
co-sponsored by the Georgia Press Educational Founda
tion, Inc., and the Associate Members of the Georgia
Press Association.
It is scheduled Saturday evening, Oct. 20 at the
Atlanta Marriott Motor Hotel. Tickets are on sale (the
public is welcome) from the Georgia Press Association,
1075 Spring St., NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30309. The tele
phone number is 404-872-2467.
* * *
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: A young woman was^
mailing the family Bible to her brother in a distant city.
The postal clerk examined the heavy package carefully,;
and inquired whether it contained anything breakable..
“Nothing but the Ten Commandments,” was her
quick reply.
” -
By JOE C. HUMRICHOUS, PASTOR
Calvary Baptist Church
1 will be presenting to you in the next few weeks
Dr. Jack Van Impe’s article on “How To Love Life And
See Good Days.” I trust that it will be a help and a
blessing to every reader:
Is it possible to live above the world while still in it? ?
This is a question that is asked by those who seek a
life of power, harmony, fellowship, and victory.
So often we find ourselves merely existing, rather
than living. God has promised “good days” or “living”
to those who follow His instructions. Many who have
taken Christ as Saviour have failed to make Him Lord
and Master of their life. This perhaps is one of the
biggest hinderances of the unsaved about us. We should
work at living the Christian life, but one might ask, {
What blueprint are we to follow?” May I submit to
you that the Bible should be our blueprint and guide, if
we are to be pleasing to God and really live the Christian v
life. J
First, you must have a “know-so salvation.” Be
certain of your own bom again experience. You can
know this by God’s Word. We are made safe by the
blood of Jesus Christ and the written Word makes us
sure. Consider the verses found in I John 5:11, 12, 13. j
Salvation is not dependent upon us putting things out of
our lives, but rather putting Someone (Jesus Christ) into .
our hearts. If you have received HIM, according to John ’
1.12 you are in His family and under His care. Our *
feelings may change with time, but His Word never
changes, it is just as sure as the oxygen one breathes. *
Salvation is by faith, not feeling. Faith is built by
hearing or reading the Word of God as stated in Romans
10So, this is the FIRST STEP toward victorious '
living in a world of desnair and defeat.”
Thursday |
Comment]
Woodrow Espy:^-^^
THIRTY
MR. JOE
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