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Viewpoints Our Opinions Humanitarian aid to foreign lands is idealistic, but nobie President Bush, perhaps recalling the glory of his Persian Gulf intervention, leaped into Somalia in his last month in office with high humanitarian goals. It was a three-month operation--it was said. A few days ago, after fifteen months, dozens of U.S. fatalities and hundreds of U.S. casualties, plus hundreds of Somalians shot or killed, the last American soldier departed. Chaos began again next day--the same factions and warlords shooting each other in the capital city. The "bad man" we swore to capture eluded us easily, U.N. forces committed one gaff after another (once arresting their own man in a middle of the night helicopter extravaganza). Attempting to intervene and settle the domestic problems of foreign nations is beyone U.N. or U.S. capabilities. In this case humanitarian aid (food) was the justification for the U.S. human and economic sacrifice and cost Even if idealistic, it was a noble undertaking. Country simply can’t afford NASA theatrics any longer The Congressional Budget Office, after an investigation of the hugely expensive NASA operation (each space shuttle ride costs hundreds of millions!), has recommended to Congress shuttles be discontinued or limited and that the multi-billion dollar space station project be put on hold or terminated. In spite of a contrived effort by the massive NASA bureaucracy to impress the taxpayer with varopis gimmicks, stunts and space experiments on repetitive shuttle flights (which long ago outlived their usefulness), perceptive voters sense that continued space orbits are now primarily show biz, and a waste of money. What rats do in outer space is of minor interest, in other words. The nation's economy and deficit demand an end to the billions earmarked (in former years) for continuing space rides and play. When the time and finances are right for a space station, that enormously expensive project can be undertaken. Meanwhile, no other country is a threat to build and orbit one any time soon. One feels for the many nicely-paid NASA employees, who have dutifully jumped up and down in mission control before the TV camera to create drama in the past. But the country just can't afford this show, their theatrics, any longer. Deadlines For Submitting New Articles and Photographs 5 pm Monday for Wednesday Editlbn 5 pm Thursday For Saturday Edition A. "2{Jelco*ue& 'fyoun Wettest *7* *7&e Sdct&i. 'Pterz&e /4cUote4& *7&e*K: Editor Houston Times-Journal P.O. Drawer M Perry, GA, 31069 Houston Times-Journal P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069 Phone: (912) 987-1823 Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association Ut. v no- P«w 'itff'pvc( cm- Pc«Pnn«»l- oa- paaiv<li«-tx/v<j/ tii*.- ozva£'uW,jui<j »- oj 7 ep«fccp, aa tf»4r/ pAe*A* oa p#OjiP«/ p«ci<«ciPli| to- ciA«««m£P«, cinet to- |»tf tctcaiv- «Aiwn«nL joa a - dn«<- Your right to read this newspaper is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Our Goal The Houston Times-Journal is published proudly for the citizens of Houston and adjoining counties by Houston Publications Inc.,Perry Ga. Our goal is to produce quality, profitable, community-oriented newspapers that you, our readers, are proud of. We will reach that goal through hard work, teamwork, loyalty, and a strong dedication towards printing the truth. Bob Tribble Daniel F. Evans Julie B. Evans Mitch Tribble President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Our Staff Brigette Loudermilk Editor and General Manager Eddie Byrd Advertising Director News: Brenda Thompson, Pauline Lewis Sports: Veto Roley Advertising rTeresa M. Gavilan Composition: Stacey Shy Classified Advertising: Melanie Bullington Bookkeeping: Judy Hubert Circulation: Donnie Forehand Our Policies •Signed Letters to the editor welcomed. Please limit to 300 words and include address and phone number. •Liability for an error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. •We cannot be responsible for return of pictures or material unless stamped return addressed envelope is included. The Houston Times-Journal (USPS 000471) is published semi-weekly for SIB.OO per year by Houston Publications, Inc., 807 Carroll Street, Perry, Ga. 31069. Second Class Postage paid at Perry, Ga.,POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Houston Times-Journal, P.O. Drawer M.PerryGa. 31069. ISSN:IO7S-1874 ""'aHiHHH papaa i " l bHK pp, ibb h m&r # mmi / i ■ Jmm t - - iH > I .4 ,ffi fkb W ■ ■P m -T Mkm ••••• £?.>'*-• <m IHHBI mel / - UlSBB; R m§ iwwiinr *&Sp v J ibmhbr ;%BBB|MB|h: \• f' • «BPHK .£p ? JH .. : ■ ’.imM I MM fflWßjaji 8, . 'i *&&ragjSßfek^' The new Perry-Houston County Hospital was completed In 1969 when officials cut the ribbon' across the front door of the new medical facility. Pictured are H.C. Talton Jr., left, Houston County Commission Chairman; Houser Gilbert, Hospital Authority Chairman; Mrs. Jerros, director of Kicking the habit has to be a personal decision! I’ve been toying with the idea of kicking the habit a lot lately. Oh, how I long to experience that “new person” feeling that so many of my former fellow smokers tell me about. To smell again and to feel that sense of renewed energy is without a doubt a very attractive proposition. Problem is, I’m not sure I have the willpower to do it. You see, like the 80 percent of the 50 million smokers walking the streets of the United States today, I started lighting up while just a youngster. I can remember my cousin and I snatching a couple of my uncle’s Kools and sneaking out into the woods when I was barely a teen. I don’t think I was rebelling; I was just curious. From there, I continued to pick one up here and there, but didn’t re ally start smoking enough to deem it a habit until my high school years. It was then that I started purchasing them a pack at the time. Again, I don’t think I was re belling. If it were rebellion I was attempting, I think I wouldn’t have Your Opinion Local support sought in walk for Parkinson’s Disease Dear Editor: Last year at this time I wrote you a letter regarding an upcoming WALK-A-THON to support medcal research in finding a cure for Parkinson's Disease. Over seventy families and friends in Middle Georga generously responded to this request. These contributions went to the American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center, Emory University. Over $23,000 was raised by members of the Association. On the WALK-A-THON day at Emory nine members of my family were there to walk the five miles. This was a proud day for me-just to know that my family cared enough to support this worthy cause. You too would have been heartened to see the effort given by so many with PD. There were those of us with PD who could walk or jog at a fairly even rate. Then there were those stubbornly dedicated folks who required physical suppot or walkers to simply put one foot in front of the other. It was a wonderful day just to see folks with PD who haven't given up on life and continue to sustain faith that a cure is just around the comer. After the 93 WALK-A-THON, Patti Philpot, whose dad has PD, began a support group in Macon. This group meets on the last Thursday of each month at the Wellness Center, Northside Drive. Special programs are presented to inform and encourage PD patients and their care givers in ways to live quality lives. PD families are invited to attend. For those readers who are unaware of the effects of PD, let me explain. Basically, it is a common disorder of the brain. It’s the part which controls movement, posture, balance and walking. PD patients experience stiffness, tremors, slowness, poverty of movement, and difficulty in speaking. PD is a national problem with well over a million victims in the U.S. alone. There are 20 new cases of PD per 100,000 people per year. Although scientists have uncovered many of the brain's functions in PD, the cause of this disease ramains unknown. The most comforting fact is that intense research is underway to unlock the mystery of PD. Thus a cure is considered eminent. Funding of this research endeavor is at a critical level. Consequently, I again request that your readers contribute to the WALK-A-THON which will be held on May 14 at Wesley Woods Geriatric Center, Emory University. The lime is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please make your checks payable to Atlanta Area Chapter-APDA and send to me at 1802 Ross Street, Perry, Ga. 31069. Businesses, churches, clubs, etc. are welcomed as sponsors of this tax deductible fund raising activity. Please remember every dollar brings us one step closer to realizing ll^' Houston Times-Journal Perry Scrapbook stopped with puffing on cigarettes there was plenty of other vices right there at my fingertips-from alcohol to drugs. When driving, it just seemed the natural thing to do. When pulling all-nighters in preparation for my college exams, it seemed the necessary thing to do. Like it or not, I was hooked. The rest, as they say, is history. Yes, after nearly two decades, I’d say I am definitely a smoker. A person with a nasty habit; a habit that I know will not be a piece of cake to kick. All I can do is try. In the meantime, however, while I’m not particularly proud of my little vice; I am proud of the fact that I have always been a consider ate smoker—lighting up only in places where non-smokers wouldn’t be bothered or offended. I don’t even smoke in my own home, because, one, I am concerned about my little girl and the effects second hand smoke may have on her, and two, I hate the way it makes the furniture, carpet and clothes smell. Page 4A - Saturday, April 23,1994 "Houston Times-Joumal nursing; Austin Click, hospital administrator; Mayor Richard Ray. Standing In the background are some of the members of the medical staff of the hospital. The public is invited to the hospital's 25th anniversary celebration which begins at 1:30 p.m. today on the hospital grounds. As for quitting, I’m attempting it for my own reasons. Not because of the government or anti-activists that are hitting the warpath stronger than ever before. No amount of badgering and ex pense will make anyone stop that doesn’t want to already. It has to be a personal decision. That, I know from experience. Cigarettes have been as much as $2.25 cents a pack and I didn’t stop then. Smoking has been banned in many public places and smokers have been forced outside in rain, sleet and snow. Still I didn’t quit. Personally, I don’t have a prob lem with smoking bans in public places-knowing that not everyone is conscientious about their smok ing, I think it’s quite appropriate that second hand smoke not be forced pn those who do not care to partake. However, I will say this. I think activists and the government are taking their efforts a little too far. Some of the bans are bordering on the ridiculous. dream of millions of Americans-a cure for PD. Sincerely, Earl "Chip" Washington Perry Volunteers are needed to for the community’s sake Dear Editor: Across the nation, the demand for human services is escalating. Yet governments at all levels are being forced to cut back social assistance programs because of limited financial resources. For many, the cycle of poverty, joblessness and broken homes seems inescapable. The increasing number of "at-risk" children are prone to drop out of school or become involved in drugs and violence, are not just statistics. They are individuals, each one of whom deserves hope for a brighter tomorrow and the encouragement to excel in school, stay away from drugs and gain job skills. The lack of government resources has left a crucial service gap. A large part of this gap is being filled by volunteers who serve in every community across the nation and in honor of whom National Volunteer Week is being celebrated April 17-23. This year's theme is, "Volunteers, the Promise of the Nation." It illustrates the crucial role volunteers play in our country; the promise of real solutions to serious social problems lies within individuals who are willing to give of themselves to make a difference in the lives of people in need. Volunteers in Houston County serve many roles: some help battered, abused, or handicapped children, some serve in soup kitchens and food banks, some do the necessary clerical work for agencies, some spend time in nursing homes making new friends, and some work at museums and other arts organizations, for example. All volunteers serve crucial roles in helping to solve this community's problems. Although the number of volunteers nationwide is impressive and their work is extraordinary, the need remains great for individuals willing to engage in community service. Volunteers are an important part of the nation's answer to serious social problems as they act to overwhelm these problems with solutions. More volunteers are needed now than ever before. If you want to become a volunteer but you're not sure how, call 953- 9333 to make an appointment to talk with us. Join the ranks of those whose efforts ensure hope for their communities and the country. Volunteers, they're the promist of our nation. Carolyn B. Hanna Volunteer Houston County r Warner Robins Brenda \ f Thompson! Staff writer 1 I* ■ Banning smoking in bars and at a public, outdoor fireworks display are two instances that I see as such. And, yet, it is happening. Again, I say, if people want to smoke, they will, and have every right to do so. Even if it means watching your smoking life come full circle and, again, having to traipse deep into the woods just to light up in peace. I’m just glad I’ve finally decided to work on quitting. Who knows? Like so many other smokers, mine is such a deep-rooted habit that my efforts may prove useless. Then again, they might not. Lord knows, I won’t know until I try. Wish me luck.