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Viewpoints Our Opinions Kuralt’s reports on the soul of the nation to be sorely missed One of the few television personalities who went to, and reported on, grass roots Americans and America, Charles Kuralt, has retired. All the reasons he retired so early are not yet generally known. What is known is that more than the entertainment millionaires reporting news out of New York for the networks, Kuralt had the real feel of the country, its people, their values, worries, and attitudes. That isn't leamable in New York City, where the trade center bombing is thought to have been the biggest news event in years, still reported on regularly-as is everything else in the city. Remarkable stories, inspiring stories, about everyday people who would never have been known of if there had been no On The Road program, have come to us from Kuralt. His reports on rural America, the spirit of its people, on the nation's soul, will be sorely missed. So will his unhurried, understanding speech and wisdom. What a contrast his programs were to typical Yankee shouting matches seen and heard on so many TV programs with everyone interrupting everyone and the loudest mouth prevailing. Tolerance should apply to all, not just to those who crusade Americans today are constantly reminded by idealists and the liberal media there must be equal acceptance of just about everything. Those who dare speak out against what they see as undesirable, are often smeared immediately, as reactionaries, or racists. Sincere, well-meaning citizens should be allowed to express views on sensitive subjects, publicly, without being tarred and feathered. We now stress to minorities they rightly should have pride in race. But if much pride is expressed about the race that settled and built the United States and its democracy, that's criticized. We are harangued today by those who say Hispanic children, Asian children, etc. have a right to be educated in their own language. Those arguing (rightly) this will handicap them for life, and isn't the American way, are called reactionaries or fascists. Likewise, those who truthfully point out that children of interracial marriages might face handicaps in life, are damned. We are told constantly American women are terribly mistreated and discriminated against Those who dare point out the many advantages and many unfairnesses faced by males, are labeled male chauvinist pigs. Tolerance should apply both ways. Reformers and crusaders today enjoy a near-monopoly on it. Deadlines For Submitting New Articles and Photographs 5 pm Monday for Wednesday Edition 5 pm Thursday For Saturday Edition The Houston Times-Journal Welcomes Your Letter To The Editor. Please Address Them To: Editor Houston Times-Journal PO Drawner 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 X-ff mote nofon' tut' tivc'jn**- oa llitf i’tfcfl, OA OA' </ p«a(4«£/<| to nOA*m ft 1 .. nnd to |tflthoH Div iyoV*Aii*n<nt|oA'O A«tA««'o^jA«V<mM*< 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 Advertisi ng Teresa 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 mcluded. 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 tc the Houston Times-Journal, P.O. Drawer M.PerryGa. 31069. ISSN:IO7S-1874 Nixon’s awareness of local fear was impressive THE DEATH of former President Richard Nixon took me back to 1972 when I had the opportunity to meet him. Several editors of small city newspapers had been invited to Washington to attend briefings we were invited to the White House for a reception hosted by the president and his wife. Many readers may recall that in late 1972 there was fear that Robins AFB would be closed. I can't recall the circumstances that led up to this fear, but it was real. When I reached President Nixon in the receiving line and was introduced to him he said, "Warner Robins, Georgia? You can go home and write in your newspaper that the base in your hometown will not be closed. I'm sure your readers will like to read that." His awareness of what was going on impressed me. What he said did, too. And I did come home the next day and write a column for the Warner Robins Sun telling my readers that President Nixon said that the base was safe. Wouldn't it be nice if someone could go to a reception in Washington today and hear the president give them that kind of news? * * * AT THAT reception President Nixon gave me a pair of cuff links with the presidential seal on them. I still have the cuff links. -rue. Your Opinion Kiwanians thank sponsors Dear Editor: The Annual Kiwanis Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament was held Friday, April 29, 1994 at the Houston Lake Country Club. The Board of Trustees for the Kiwanis Scholarship Fund would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the following sponsors which helped to make this tournament a tremendous success: American & International Travel Agency, Andrew-Pierce Travel, Arnold's Auto Service, Badcock's Home Furnishing Center, Bank South, CB&T Bank, Chancy Auto, Comfort Inn, Commerce Equity Mtg., Connor's Home Decorating, Country Village, Cracker Barrel, Crossroads Bank, Cut ’N’ Up, Earl Cheek, Edward D. Jones Co., Family Footwear, Farm Bureau, Fanner’s Furniture, Flint Electric, Frito-Lay, Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, Georgia Golf Outlet, Georgia Power Co., Graffiti Hair Salon, Hart Brothers Nursery, Hildebrand's, Holiday Inn, Houston Lake Country Club, Houston Times- Joumal, Impressions, Jones Jewelers, Kellwood, Kroger, Larry Walker, Life Tree Natural Foods, Little Caesar's Pizza, Lumpkin Shell, Mane Cutters, Moore's, Moss Pharmacy, Northrop, Movie Gallery, PDQ Photo Shop, Perry Book Store, Perry High Horticulture Club, Perry Hospital, Perry Pawn Shop, Piggly Wiggly, PPG, R. Thomas Pierce D.M.D., Radio Shack, Smith Animat Hospital, Sports Center, Squire Package Store, Stanley Furniture, Synovus Securities, Inc., The Travel Center, Tolleson Supply Co. and Trust Company Bank. The Kiwanis Scholarship Fund provides a two year, SI,OOO/year scholarship to graduating seniors, one each from Perry High and Westfield. The Kiwanis Club salutes a community which supports this worthwhile endeavor. Paul J. Hicks, Chairman Kiwanis Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament Generation ‘X’ looking in the wrong places for happiness Dear Editor: The recent editorial by Brigcltc Lottdcrmilk concerning the death of Kurt Cobain was particularly intriguing to me. While I missed Mr. Rooney's remarks, I agree that for anyone to make sarcastic and rude remarks about It was late in the evening when I left the White House. I had a plane to catch. Out on Pennsylvania Avenue it took a long time to catch a cab. Despite the fact it was late evening, few people were passing by at that time. I felt completely safe. Would that be true today? No way. Only an idiot would get out on Pennsylvania Avenue late at night and try to wave a cab down nowadays. A sad commentary on the direction our country has gone in the past two decades. ♦ * * IT HAS been my good fortune to meet two presidents face to face. The other was Jimmy Carter. I grew up in Sumter County. So did Jimmy Carter. His cousin Don gave me the encouragement and inspiration when I was a teenager to get into the newspaper business. My mother supported my two sisters and me as a beautician. Jimmy Carter's mother--Miss Lillian-used to come over from Plains to Americus for my mother to do her hair. She was a regular customer of my mother until she (my mother) had to close her shop because of a stroke. I was president of the Georgia Press Association during the time that Jimmy Carter was Governor of Georgia. I had many occasions to talk with him and was impressed with his intelligence and willpower. Houston Times-Journal page 4A - Wednesday, May 4,1994 "Houston Times-Journal Like most Georgians, after leaving the governor's office he confounded the entire country with a remarkable grass roots campaign that propelled him into the White House. Among my treasured items is a letter he wrote to me between the time he was elected president and his inauguration. * * # GREAT ANSWER: Last Monday was the final day for buying an automobile license without paying a penalty. As usual there were long lines. For some reason many people wait until the final few days regardless of the deadline. I was talking with a lady who sells tags and she told me about the man, quite annoyed, told her, "I've been waiting three hours in line for you to sell me this tag." She said she told him, "I've been sitting here for four months waiting for you." * * * NEWS ITEM: When many government offices closed last Wednesday for former President Richard Nixon's funeral an official said that only "non-essential" offices were closed. The cost of the holiday to the federal government was S3OB million. Overtime pay for federal employees who worked that day was about 526 million. Question: If they are "non essential” jobs why do we need them in the first place? And think the suicide of another is inappropriate, and Ms. Loudermilk should stand firm in rebuking any such comments. Then she went on to discuss a feeling of hopelessness that she and "this generation of young working people" feel. The generation to which she refers has been tagged as "Generation X" by the media. Kurt Cobain's rock group, Nirvana, played a type of music labeled "grunge rock" by the music industry. Nirvana's music was almost incomprehensible, at least to my discerning ears. However, for the millions of fans of Nirvana, it must have had some redeeming value. Naturally these fans heard this music on their CD player. My parents grew up with Victrola's, and only occasionally did they listen to music because the needle wore out so quickly and was very expensive. I grew up with 8-track tapes, which lasted for about 10 plays before they broke. Yet today, Generation X has high quality, digitally mastered, durable CD's, not only in their home, but at work, in their car, and portable for their convenience. Ownership of multiple CD players is a fundamental part of their existence. And Generation X wants it now! Ms. Loudermilk contends that the "state of society and the economy today is nothing to feel happy about..." I wonder what would make her happy? We have an economy that since World War II has absorbed women and youth into the workforce, not because the country needed them, but because they wanted more material possessions. Many claim that both spouses must work to pay the bills in today's society. Yet what are they paying the bills for? New cars when an older car will do? To pay the credit card bills on which the new wide-screen television, VCR and stereo system were purchased? And, without a doubt, to pay for the house in one of the nicest subdivisions around. Afterall, ya gotta keep up with the Jones'. Our parents live in nice houses now, but ask them about the amenities that they had when they were Generation X's age. I asked my grandmother what was the biggest improvement in the kitchen in her lifetime. I expected her answer to be some fancy appliance, most probably, the refrigerator. She said the answer was easy, running water was the biggest improvement. Of course, Generation X is not satisfied with running water or the refrigerator. Generation X has to have a microwave oven, trash compactor, gas grill, and certainly a television (so they can sec what they arc missing that everyone else has), all in the kitchen. And Generation X wants it now! Ms. Loudermilk contends that Generation X, working to climb the economic ladder and raise a family, has nothing to be happy about. How Please see LETTER, page 10A^ how far $334 million a day would go toward reducing the national debt. * * * SERIOUSLY: Wouldn’t it be more sensible when honoring someone to hold a memorial service and go back to work? How many people do you know who had the day off last Wednesday because of President Nixon's funeral who did any thing...anything...relating to honoring his memory? Didn't they take it as a day to do something for themselves? And isn’t this true when we have holidays such as Labor Day (supposedly to honor working men and women), President's Day (honoring past presidents), Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (honoring the slain civil rights leader). Is bringing the federal, state and local governments to a halt really honoring these people? Wouldn't a brief memorial service during the work day be more appropriate? It would not bring governments and businesses to a halt and really would result in emphasis on the reason for the special day.