Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

> —«ay, VMi| I IMIUv-VUMf I Mil Page 4A Viewpoints Houston Times-Journal P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069 Ph0ne:(912)987-1823 Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association M pmJjiLitiAy, tHu. pi**, cvt/aXUJy/vy <w t£*/ p/i*AA< aa- nAu^lj ta>aA4 ArrJUL^ Your right to read this newspaper is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Our Goa! 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: Jimmy Simpson, Pauline Lewis Sports: Veto Roley Advertising: Jimmy Simpson Composition: Stacey Shy Classified Advertising: Melanie Bullington Bookkeeping: Judy Morrow 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 Your Opinion Lasseter’s 50th to be July 24 Dear Editor: Our parents, Mr. and Mrs. Verner Lee Lasseter, Sr., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 20, 1994. This is a feat so rare that obviously we wanted to give them the opportunity to celebrate with their friends and family. However, due to the recent illness of our father, we have had to postpone the anniversary celebration scheduled for Sunday, July 24, 1994 at the First Baptist Church. With best regards, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Lasseter, Mr. and Mrs. Greer Lasseter, and Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Lasseter Directions created confusion Dear Editor: Thank you for your part in the Big, Bang Boom July 2, celebration; however, a serious error was made in directing the traffic out of the West Gate by forcing the two left lanes to turn left (South) after the fireworks. Most people wanted to go Ncrth either into Perry or the 1-75 on ramps. Many of the people who turned South made an illegal U-turn and came back to the West Gate bottle-neck. I can walk to the Fairgrounds from my house in 12 minutes but we did not get home until almost midnight and 1 had two small children with me. We could have seen the fireworks from cur street. Please, investigate this and try to work out a better traffic control plan before the next major event at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Rev. F.D. Henzler No reasons are found for United States’ invasion small nation of Haiti The Monroe Doctrine was popu lar with United States presidents in the late 1800 s and early 1900 s, giv ing them the pretext they needed to go into various Central American nations, and run them like the United States wanted them ran. The Monroe Doctrine, however, was not so popular with the various Central American nations the United States sent its forces into, either to regulate customs, collect taxes or restore stability. In 1905, the United States looked at a nearly bankrupt Haiti, taking over its custom houses. That lasted until 1941. From 1915 to 1934, United States Marines main tained direct rule over the poorest nation in the Americas. When the United Stales declared war against Germany in the wan ning days of 1941, the Monroe Doctrine was all but repudiated. The German government had great sym pathy among our South American neighbors, who harbored long memories of United Slates troops on their soil. In order to secure the cooperation of the Central American nations, nations that could offer port facili ties, training grounds, air bases and the such like to the Germans, the Monroe Doctrine had to go. What does that have to do with today? Well, it seems that President Bill Clinton has rediscovered the Monroe Doctrine. From all appear ances, it looks like Clinton is about to replay 1915. But, should we invade Haiti? The short answer is no. There was some justification for the United States action in the early 1900 s. We need to remember that the world was far different then than it is now. At the turn of the century, the world was multi-polar, meaning there were several superpowers in the world. Several of these super powers, Germany, England and France, to name a few, were not happy at Haiti's government not meeting their interest payments. Those superpowers were about to lake matters into their own hands, and do to Haiti what they did to China during the Boxer Revolution. That situation docs not exist to Georgia will rebuild after dramatic flood is assessed and lives rebuilt There are not too many Georgians around who remember the big flood of 1925, but there will surely be a number of us around for years to come who remember the floods of 1994. Frankly, I cannot believe what has happened in the middle and southwestern portions of our state recently. It made one wonder if God was about to destroy our land with flood waters as in the days of Noah. Prior to the coming of these tremendous rains caused by tropical storm Alberto, could many of us ever be convinced that towns such as Montezuma, Americus, Albany, Bainbridge and others could have been almost totally submerged with water ten feet high. There is no way, we would have said. But they were. Many have said the raging flood waters have caused more destruction than any other happening, and is by far our state’s most widespread disaster. Gov. Zell Miller compared it to Sherman’s march through Georgia during the civil war. “This is a body blow of major proportions, make no mistake STREET TALK: Voter participation in Tuesday’s general primary is being regarded as one of the poorest turnouts ever in Houston County. Many people eligible to vote often choose not to visit the polls to cast their ballots on election day. This week we asked people, “Do you feel like the American public disregards voting?” y '^ao ' psli ■ m pP Marguerite Messer “I think it is great that most people do. I think that’s because a lot of people are very self conscious.” Paul Molini “I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. When you see only a quarter of the people get out, then...” day. In fact, there is no reason for the United States to invade Haiti. Haiti, for instance, does not pose even a minimal national security risk to the United States. It is far fetched to even imagine an attack from that nation. If we were to say that drugs coming through Haiti posed a na tional security risk, and drugs do pose a risk, then we must immedi ately acknowledge that there are other nations, namely Columbia, in the hemisphere that pose a much greater risk. There is no great ideological threat coming from Haiti. For years we opposed Cuba because of its ideology and willingness to spread it throughout Central Ameiica; but, there is no threat from Haiti. When looked at closely, the ar gument that people are being op pressed also does not justify an in vasion. Haiti's government, while no model of moderation, is not the worst government in the hemi sphere. Only one nation, North Ko rea, is more autocratic than Cuba. Where do we stop? Houston Times-Journot Tribble | about it,” the Governor said. “But also make no mistake about it that Georgia is going to come back. Georgia will rebound. Georgia will rebuild.” Very encouraging words from the Governor, and he is right, our people will rebound and they will rebuild, because they are made of the stuff it will take to move towards the future not looking backwards. Damages to our state’s property, farm crops and economy will run into the millions of dollars. It is too early to know the full extent of the damages. Large percentages of funds should be provided by the federal government to assist with rebuilding public structures, grants to individuals and other kinds of aid. In addition, our public officials have pledged to do whatever can be done to help the flooded cities and counties. David Holland "No. I feel that for most of the elections, we usually have a real good turnout, I think.” ' 'gjpifr Joanne Ogletree “Yes, especially this election... Because there was nothing, or no one, for anyone to vote for. If our goal is to spread the American Revolution through force, does that not mean that Cuba is next. And after Cuba, are not re sponsible to end political oppres sion wherever it might be found in the world? When, then, do we in vade China? Finally, there is the question getting out. The last time we were in Haiti, we stayed for just under two decades. Have we so quickly forgotten the lesson of Somalia, the lesson that nation building takes a long, long time. Are we willing to rebuild Haiti? What, then, should we do in Haiti? Perhaps we should realize that it is not our job to run the earth. The very definition of a nation means that nation has the right to impose whatever rule and government it wants. Yes, that docs lead to injustice, particularly in when the govern ment is like it is in Haiti, or Cuba, or North Korea, or China, or in most of the world. However, we have no more right to dictate the choice of government to Haiti, no The Georgia National Guard has been hard at work since the beginning of this catastrophe rushing supplies and equipment to flood ravaged sections of Southwest Georgia. More than 3,000 of our state’s part-time soldiers have also helped rebuild roads and stand guard in these areas. In addition they have furnished hot meals to evacuees, purified water and helped with the sandbagging. The point I am trying to get to regarding the Georgia National Guard is pretty well echoed by what Montezuma Police Chief Lewis Cazenave said. The Chief said that somebody higher up in the National Guard bureaucracy needs to take another look before locking the doors on guard armories around the area and state. “What are communities like this going to do without the National Guard?” he said. “They’re critical to us in times like this.” Yes, the Georgia National Guard, public employees, law officers and many others have worked around the clock during the flooding. They all deserve our utmost thanks. And, yes, Georgia will rebuild! Teri Simpson "Pretty much, they d 0... It’s a shame for people not to get out (to vote), but they do disregard it.” ■L* jp in- M Paul Felty "I definately believe the public takes voting for granted. They need to vote, instead of complain.” SVeto |j Roley I Staff Writer I matter how "enlightened" our views on the matter, than Haiti has to dic tate our form of government. In a perfect world, there would be no bad governments. But, the world is not perfect. Unless we are willing to accept long term military commitments, we should recognize the rights of other governments to behave as they wish. This does mean that we have to like what other nations, nor even approve of their systems. We can show our displeasure by halting trade, freezing funds and, in general, cutting off that nation from the outside world. But, if that nation docs not pose a direct national security risk, we do not have the right to invade. Brigette L |r i Loudermilk I 5? Editor !■ I'll be on the beach if you need me... It is with mixed emotions that I write this final column for you to day. It was not really that long ago that I walked through the front door of The Houston Home Journal as the city reporter (Nov. 1991). But, looking back on the time I've spent serving the public through the local newspaper, whichever name it was, or is, it sometimes seems like a lifetime. I don't know if it is because so many others have come and gone through the same door in just the past few years (almost four) I've been here, or if it is because so many of the people I’ve met in this community seem like lifelong friends. I'd like to take the time to say a special thanks to a few people *in particular: •To Perry City Hall: There are just too many names to mention because you've all been so kind (this includes Marion Hay). When I first came to town, you were the people I talked with daily and I'm glad I got to know each and every one of you. I can honestly say that everyone in Perry should be proud of each of you and should thank you all for the good jobs you do. There aren't many cities like Perry, and the community has you to thank for much of that. •To Perry Rotary Club: I have en joyed attending your meetings over the past year and I apologize for not joining your club. I feel that you have set good goals and that your work really helps those less fortu nate-keep it up! •To Peggie Williams and the chamber staff and Fay Tripp and the Welcome Center staff— thanks for always helping me out when I was a story short and a day late-you al ways seemed to pull something to gether for me. Also, you've all been good friends. •To Teresa Hawk and Sherri Wengler—although we don't work together anymore, I've enjoyed the lunches and will miss you both. I promise to call when we get settled down in the Sunshine state and I will have extra space if you want to take a vacation down our way. •To Laura and Kay, Connie and Donna (although you're no longer at the PD Momma Donna)-The things I said about the city staff certainly includes you girls, but I just wanted to give you a special thanks for your friendship-keep smiling. •To the HTJ staff—lt's been real and it's been fun, but it’s time for me to move on (finally). I've en joyed working with you all and it's comforting for me to know our readers are in good hands. Keep up the good work. I've enjoyed working in Perry and I've enjoyed working here, but, as they say, all good things must come to an end. So, this being my last edition of the Houston Times-Journal I'd like to say farewell to everyone who has been so kind to me. If you're down Florida way, maybe I'll see you on the beach. Subscribe Today & Enjoy All The News About Perry, GA Call 987-1823