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Viewpoints Our Opinions Congratulations are in order for Class of 1994 graduates Congratulations, graduates! In just a few short days, you will officially mark one of your life’s greatest accomplishments as you march up onto that stage and hold for the first time your high school diploma. Be proud of it, for you have worked 12 long years for it; cherish it and use it, for it is the first step toward your future ... a key cut especially for the doors of opportunity. You’re on your way! We, at the Houston Times-Joumal, congratulate you all on your accomplishment and wish you the best of luck as you embark on this new chapter in your lives. It is certainly comforting to know that our future lies in the hands of such fine young men and women. Your Opinion The only way to solve a problem is through the Lord Dear Editor: In response to Brenda Thompson's recent article about the Cafe Erotica, I want to commend you for your courage in condeming such a wrong thing that is happening there. But let us take it a step further. If we had the authority to close such a place, it would not be the best solution, for it would only pop up some where else. Jesus said: "You have heard it said by them of old, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth", but I say unto you, love your enemies. Pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you... Let's you and I, and anyone else who will, here, covenant together to pray that the Lord will show us what He knows is the most effective witness to cause these people to see the awfulness of their sins and it's consequences. Let’s be used of the Lord to change their hearts and minds and help them to get under connection and be converted to Christianity. That is the best solution to this kind of problem. James L. Long Deadlines For Submitting New Articles and Photographs 5 pm Monday for Wednesday Edition 5 pm Thursday For Saturday Edition *7tt*te4rfoocuuil *Welco*He& 'fyoun Aetten ScUt&i. *Ple<z<ie /lclcUe4& ~76e*rr: 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 Ay oa. m*itaiS fil. cvT, tA*/ cuv *Sv& cvua^/t&€/p/u*AZq <w tfc/ afy \HoS/ fX4XXfl£*s fi*nr+a&f4jr to> qAAxTv&£«4 a*uLta>fi4l>&^MvtX^oa/'2*/insn4Svts^a/i/a/-a«xi/iA«/a^^/u4L«4asuc«<fe 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: Jimmy Simpson 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 Many factors contribute to the rise in violent crimes My son and I discussed the recent House vote to ban "assault guns" over the weekend. Mitch is an avid hunter and sportsman, and yes, an owner of many guns. He even owns an "assault weapon" and has for several years, having fired it very few times. In fact over the years he has bought and traded so many guns that I wonder if he shouldn't be a gun dealer rather than a newspaper man. He is a long time member of the National Rifle Association. On the other hand, I enjoy an occasional deer hunt but that’s about the extent of my hunting. I grew up toting a 12-gauge shotgun at age twelve on rabbit hunts, and qualified as an expert with the M-l rifle while in service, but I don't have the passion for guns that Mitch does. I fully believe in the right to own weapons and I fully believe you can better protect your home and family from criminals by owning a gun. I keep a piston in my bedside table drawer and so does my wife Frances. In our discussion about the Perry Scrapbook New officers of the Beltish Club for 1984-85 were recognized at the club's spring luncheon. They were President Sara Ellen Anderson, Vice President Billie Thomson, Antique Show Chairman Jimmie Lu Leverette, Treasurer Marti Bloodworth and Parliamentarian Celia Daniel. Not pictured was Secretary Pat Buice. STREET TALK: Although most say they understand why the United States and many of its industries has had to convert to metrics in order to keep up with the rest of the world and the increasingly interlocking global economy, many say they just can’t understand why the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) feels the need to start changing speed limit and how-far-to signs on our nation’s highways from miles to kilometers. One senator, in fact, has already introduced a bill in an effort to put a stop to such a tran sition. This week we asked six local residents what they think about the possible change. Would you like to see our highways and byways go metric? ypsaSl ||p| '5- |§Smll§ | Hj •|pr pi • Tim Sigmon “I’m definitely against it. Everyone has grown up to understand miles, not kilometers.” . i ayr V k . Takesia Rogers “They should just live it like it is. We’ve always used miles; why changed it now?” Houston Times-Joumut House vote, Mitch pointed out that "assault weapons" was really a term used by the liberal news media, most of whom support all forms of gun control. Assault is a nasty sounding word, no doubt. Mitch and I do not fully agree on the ban on assault weapons. He feels it to be just another step towards the banning of other guns. We have just recently seen the Brady Bill pass and now the ban on the assault guns. Even though I fully support the right of American citizens to own guns for hunting, protection, pleasure, or what have you, I have no real problem the the House vote to ban those "assault weapons," as the liberal press calls them. At the same time though, I share my son's concerns that further attempts at banning guns will follow. When you look at the facts, only one percent of violent crimes are • committed with the "assault weapons" that the House voted to ban. Therefore common sense will tell you that the banning will have little or nothing to do with reducing Chris Noteware "I’m against it. We don’t need to use meters; we’re not set up for it.” Deran Blue "I think it should stay just like it is. We aren’t used to metrics and I think it would be hard for people, dally the older ones, to make the conversions." Page 4A -Saturday, May 21,1994 "Houston Times-Journal violent crime. The massacre of 23 people in Waco, Texas by a crazed gunman was done with a rifle and pistols, if my memory serves me correctly, not an assault weapon. The truth is there are hundreds of other weapons with which to kill, should a person decide to do so, other than the weapons the House voted to ban. Both the Brady Bill and the recent House vote appear to express a deep dissatisfaction with the ever increasing violent crime rates in this country. Over 70 percent of Americans favored the banning and they too were saying the violent crimes must stop. Stopping violent crime is a worthy goal, but there are so many other areas that contribute so much more to the cause than the weapons themselves. Things like the deteriorating family unit, drugs, alcohol, the drift of our people and nation away from God, the types of shows on television our young people see. We need td focus on these things Alice Gray "I think they should just leave it alone. I’d be lost out there all the time.” Donnell Webb "I disagree with that change. Too many people do not understand metrics. I’m is school and I don’t understand them.” that really grow the criminals more so than guns. If there were not a gun in this world and someone wanted to commit a violent crime they would do it with a kitchen knife or an axe handle. Bottom line is you don't have to worry about assault weapons or any other type guns that are in the hands of law abiding citizens who have the Constitutional right to bear arms. But we do have to worry about any criminal who might have a weapon of any kind in his hand. And if they can’t buy them legally, they will purchase their weapons off the black market, or switch to whatever weapon is available. Brenda ~L # 4 Thompson! M §. Staff writer I My own personal experiences with the 'rich and famous’ I finally picked up a copy of Reba McEntire’s new biography this week. Since I love biographies and I love Reba’s music, I’ve been pretty excited about reading it. So far, it’s pretty good. The thing that has struck me most while reading this book is that Reba seems to be a pretty humble person. Despite all the fame and fortune her talents have brought her, she is still just a person just like you and me. Her friends and family and, of course, God are still number one in her life and she seems to have a good grip on reality and priorities. As it should be. I, personally, have a lot of re spect for that. Unfortunately, though, not all people are like Reba. You’ve got folks, mostly wanna-bes, that sometimes lose that grip on reality and become something less than humble. Now, I am, by far, not an expert on stardom and what it can do to a person, but I have had the opportu nity to spend some time with sev eral well-known names-mostly dur ing my stint as public relations di rector for the Tennesee Walking Horse National Celebration. Some have been refreshing experiences, while others have left me very dis appointed. Because I like to think of myself as a positive thinker, I will start with the refreshing experiences. The first who comes to mind is the Rev. Billy Graham. Though my encounter with Rev. Graham was brief during a visit to Washington, D.C., I can honestly say that this is one man whose character and dedi cation have earned my all-out re spect. To this day, no matter how much power he has gained through his famous ministry, he still puts his beliefs before all else. And then, from the world of sports, there are folks like Scott Case of the Atlanta Falcons and Darrell Waltrip of racing fame. I visited both of these guys at their homes and got a chance to spend some time with them and there families. You can really tell a lot about a person just by looking around their homes and watching them interact with their children and families. Indeed these two guys may look rough and tough on the field and on the race track, but let me be the first to assure you they are just reg ular guys who love their families very much. They, too, have earned my respect... . . .As have country music greats such as Lee Greenwood, Loretta Lynn, Lynn Anderson, Brenda Lee and the Gadin Brothers, just to name a few. But, just as I said earlier, for all the good people you meet in both everyday life and on special occasions, you sometimes can make some other less desirable acquaintances. Though not the only one in this category, the infamous Please see THOMPSON, page 8A