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Wednesday, September 14,1994, Houston Times-Journal Page 4A Viewpoints Houston Times -Journal P. O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069 Phone: (912) 987-1823 Th« 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 Parry, Ga., POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Houston Times-Journal, P. O. Drawer M, Perry, Ga. 31069. ISSN: 107 S-1874 * Bob Tribble, President Jim Kerce, Editor and General Manager Eddie Byrd, Advertising Manager News: Jimmy Simpson, Pauline Lewis. Sports: Veto Roley. Composition: Lori iimpson. Classified Advertising: Melanie Bullington. Bookkeeping: Judy Morrow. Your opinion Articles are really enjoyable Editor: I am a former resident of Perry. I sincerely enjoy Pauline Lewis’ column. It allows me to keep up with the latest news in Perry. I look forward to her future columns. Mrs. Cynthia Williams Carrollton 'Dixie 1 debate needs review Dear Editor: I would like to know where this doctor gets off on condemning the song “Dixie”? I hope he knows that he is criticizing our ancestors, both black and white, who fought and many died in the Civil War! I consider that to be an insult, an insult of the deepest form. Abraham Lincoln requested the song “Dixie" be played at the White House after the Civil War ended because he liked the song even though it was used as a campaign song against him by the south. Now, if a president can have the song played at the White House, I see no reason why high schools can’t play the song if they wish. This doctor who is putting down the song “Dixie” said the survey by WMAZ-TV could have been untrue. He said over 400 people could have called 10 times to get die total of over 4,000 who were for the song being played at high school football games. Does he realize the reverse could also be true? Twenty-seven people could have called 10 times to get the 270 who were for the abolishment of the song at games. And, besides, even if 400 people did make 10 calls a piece, 400 is twice 200, doesn’t majority rule anymore? The song “Dixie” was written in 1859, before the Civil War, in New York City by Daniel D. Emmett, a member of a minstrel-show company for the closing number permitting a parade of the whole company. The song became popular immediately. It was nothing more than a part of a comic show. In a way, I Find it comical that a man with the education of a doctor is causing such a stink over a song. Maybe he needs further education on public etiquette! David Shelnutt, Kathleen ’Letters to Editor' welcome The Houston Times-Joumal welcomes letters to the editor from its readers. Letters should be signed and include home address and telephone number for verification. Any letter not signed, or without proper information, will be discarded. We always give priority to letters written by local residents, or any subject which concerns local activity. Letters should be mailed to: Houston Times-Joumal, P.O. Drawer M, Perry 31069. Letters can also be brought to our 807 Carroll St. office. Here's how to get your news, photos printed in the Journal In an effort to cover as broad a spectrum of community activities as possible, we at the Times-Journal encourage our readers to submit their local news to the newspaper. Since we believe nearly every aspect of community life in Perry and South Houston County is ‘newsworthy,” we ask that you share news of interest to you with readers in our coverage area. We are interested in printing news about your clubs, social events, businesses and churches. In addition we want your news about events, such as engagements, weddings, births, birthdays, family happenings, class reunions, promotions, honors and just about anything you consider important to you, your family and friends. Pictures are especially important in coverage of your news events. For that reason, we encourage you to snap pictures at special events and submit them with your write-up. (Color snap shots are fine!) So, if you're are having a reunion, church event, or club function, be sure to include a picture to go with your write-up. When you are ready to get your news into the newspaper, bring or mail it to the Houston Times-Journal, 807 Carroll St, P.O. Drawer M, Perry, Ga. 31069. You can FAX articles to the newspaper at 988-1181. Our phone number is 987-1823. Should you bring an item by our office after our regular 8:30 a.m.—5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday hours, drop it in the mail slot on the front door. 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. Our Goal The Houston Times-Joumal 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. Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, arid to petition the Government for a redree of grievances " Your right to read this newspaper is protected by the First Amendment ot the United States Constitution THE. T’EAHO’T GALLU&Y [JTj] \T\\ II /(I /I —-411 i ” f QfOVBrJ ONE. CALL THAa/Ria/G U 5 \ fl~ I PoRJDWeri/jg TAXES, Bur let ]. / V US RAISE THEM .1 MIL Aa/D f—- - - ■ J fjk 4 Our worst enemy in today's society often comes by way of government Paul Craig Roberts wrote in the August 1994 issue of The American Legion magazine that “our own government is our worst enemy. Government is no longer of the people, by the people and for the people. Government has its own agenda, and it differs fundamentally from the aims of the productive men and women whose everyday struggles carry this country along.” Ayn Rand wrote in a book, Atlas Shrugged, “the only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted, and you create a nation of law breakers.” Over the past years it seems our government has headed in the direction both of the above writers allude to. Take the wetland laws as an example. Farmers cannot even clear drainage ditches on their own property, clear bottom land, repair levies or put up a fence without running the risk of criminal prosecution. If they are not careful, they have violated the wetlands law that supposedly protects endangered species and says to heck with the farmers, or anyone else who might disturb the “waste land”. Environmental laws governing landfills for household garbage are akin to ridiculous. Hazardous waste is one thing, but household garbage is entirely another thing. Dealing with these unfounded government regulations might eventually break our local governments, or more correcdy the local taxpayers. r ' \ (The following information was compiled by Pauline Lewis, Society Editor, from the Houston Home Journal’s files.) 50 Years Ago ♦Mr. Earl Marshall is entering G.M.C. next week. * Mrs. Mildred Evans Schnell and Mrs. Horace Evans, Jr. were hostesses at a delightful morning party Monday at the home of the former. A variety of lovely flowers was used in decorating. Forty guests were present at this affair. ♦Mrs. J. N. Buff is visiting relatives in Reynolds, Ga. this week. ♦Mr. Allen Whipple entered the college department of Gordon College, Bamesville, Monday. He graduated from the high school department in June. 25 Years Ago * Methodists plan Roll Call on Sunday, Sept. 14. Ministers and officials hope that every active member will be in church that day, and a goal of 645 has been set for Sunday School. ♦New Church of Nazarene on Gaines Drive to be dedicated Sunday in special services at 3 p.m. on Sept. 14. Dr. M;trk Anderson will give the dedication message. Rev. W. W. Thompson, pastor, will welcome the members and friends, and greetings from Perry will be Our Constitution’s Fifth Amendment states that no person shall be deprived of live, liberty, or property, without due process of law. If wetlands regulations don’t deprive people of their property without due process of law, then I don’t know what does. Exxon, our largest oil company, wound up paying the government SI billion in fines and restitution for the accidental 1989 Valdez oil spill. This was a case of the federal government treating an accident as a crime- and Exxon settled rather than stand up for its shareholders or force the government to prove that the spill was intentional. There is a little known law that says you may be committing a federal crime if you use an overnight shipping service, such as Federal Express. The law requires that, for you to use a private carrier to deliver mail, you must pay at least twice the price of a first class stamp and your shipment must be considered urgent. The law allows the U.S. Postal Service to audit mailings to see if they are indeed urgent. Inspectors recently visited Equifax, an Atlanta credit reporting agency, and found it was using overnight services for non-urgent mail. Equifax was fined $30,000, the amount the Postal Service would have collected if the materials had been sent first class. During the past year, twelve companies, including GTE, have been audited and asked to pay $312,000 in what USPS calls recovered revenue. The Postal Service defends its audits by pointing out that it could prosec ate violators, but has chosen not to. The Clinton Justice Department handed Aurora, 111 a surprise Christmas present last year in the Remember when? A look back at events from Perry's past brought by Mayor Richard B. Ray and Dr. Mark Gutzke, pastor of the Perry Presbyterian Church. * W. A. “Pete” Whitehurst announced the opening of his new office in Larry Walker’s new office building at 909 Ball Street. * Dr. A. G. Hendrick and the new Perry-Houston County Hospital received praise from a traveler who required medical attention here this summer. Mr. Wayne H. Dillon of Southgate, Mich., was so impressed by the good doctor's attention and treatment at the new hospital that he wrote the American Medical Association. ♦Lt and Mrs. Harvey NeSmith, Jr. of Valdosta, were the weekend guests of Mrs. Macy Skinner and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey NeSmith, Sr. 10 Years Ago * U. S. Senator Matt Mattingly visits Perry; says Georgians want economic recovery to continue. * Balvaunuca Club members are busy selling tickets for “Art in Autumn”, the club’s second annual art show and sale to be held Sunday, Sept. 25, from 1-5 p.m. at The Bank of Perry. The works of many professional artists from the Southeast will be featured. Tickets are $2.00 in advance, $2.50 at the door. Patrons may buy 2 tickets for $15.00. 4A —Houston Times-Journal jMlßob | | Tribble I form of a lawsuit. Aurora doesn’t have any police officers in wheelchairs or any firefighters with chronic back problems. Therefore, they are charged with discriminating against the disabled! Our government is not only creating a nation of lawbreakers, but is taking steps to see we have no legal council when charged. In an all out attack against attorney client privilege, the government slapped the Kage, Scholer Law Firm with a $275 million suit for failing to disclose damaging evidence against its client to the government. The government froze the assets of the firm and the personal assets of the partners, and the firm settled for s4l million without admitting wrongdoing. Asset freezes destroy the defendants’ ability to defend. A 70 year old black grandmother lost her house in Washington, D.C. because police claimed that one of her 16 grandchildren had drugs in her house. Donald Scott lost his life after he refused to sell his 200 acre ranch to Malibu to the Park Service. Federal drug agents decided to seize the ranch on the suspicion that drugs might be present. Scott was shot when the 30 person raiding party broke down his front door. Yes Mr. Roberts, it does appear that many times our own government is our worst enemy. * Comprehensive study to be conducted by the Middle Georgia Area Planning and Development Commission (MGAPDC). * Charter officers of the Perry- Marshallville Sertoma Club are: Kim Mullins, director; David Cawthon, president; Bill Richard, secretary/treasurer; Davis Cosey, director; Danny Evans, vice president; Jim Sexton, vice president; Lyman Prickett, Jr... sergeant at arms; Bob Arcos, vice president; Michael C. Garland, director, and Mark Hamby, director. 5 Years Ago ♦Older American Council Senior Center (OAC) receives $25,000 state money to help in finding new site. Rep. Larry Walker presented the check Friday to Mayor Jim Worrall. Walker was instrumental in obtaining the money, provided by a grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, whilch will go toward a building fund for a new OAC Center in Perry. ♦The Houston Lake Country Club held the third Annual Georgia Sheriffs Tournament to benefit needy, dependent and abused children, and the team of Sissienn, Herb Wells, Ross Tolieson and Ed Chapman took home the first-place prize with a 15 under prize score, 57. HVeto L Roley I Staff Writer I Remembering July, 1991, and the crash It was July 4, 1991. The singles' group at the Homewood Church of Christ had gathered to watch the fireworks show. One of the people at that gather ing was Glenn Phillips, a 29-year old wholesale perfume salesman. Glenn had just taken a new position with Georgio. I still remember the plans that he had for his new office. His com puter had arrived, and he was talk ing with another friend and I about how to set up the computer and fax machine. I remember that he was very ex cited about his new job. He had a lot of plans and a lot of dreams. Glenn only had one more trip to make for his old company before joining Georgio. July is the month many stores make their purchases for Christmas. And, Glenn’s old company had asked that he make one last trip to Mobile to make Christmas orders. And, he went. On July 10th, a severe storm struck the Birmingham area. The pilot of Le Express Flight 503 de cided to try to make the Birmingham aiiporL Just minutes outside the runway, a wind shear hit the small com muter plane, sending it into a house about 20 miles short of the runway. Of the 15 people on the plane, 13, including Glenn, were killed. I wish that I had known Glenn better than I knew him. Although I had been in the same general sin gles' group for almost two years, taking part in many events over those two years, that Wednesday be fore he died was only the second time we had talked. I also found out the value of friendship. Although, Glenn and I did not know each other, we had several mutual friends in the sin gles' group. On Thursday, the members of the singles’ group gathered at the house of the singles' minister as word got around that Glenn was on the plane that crashed. Some came to mourn Glenn, others, like me, came to support friends who had known Glenn. Time and time again, I had seen the group come together to cele brate at social events, come to gether to learn and discuss at Bible studies, even come together to help others in service projects. On this particular Thursday, they came to gether to grieve together. The singles' group, at that time, was rather large, numbering over 300 people, and, as large groups are, it was divided into various groups. In addition to the official cliques—Singles I (younger sin gles), Singles II (older singles), Singles Again and College-age— there were many unofficial cliques. One of the reasons that I did not know Glenn well was that he was a member of one clique and I was a member of another clique. But, I remember sitting at the preacher's house Thursday night with all the cliques there. No longer were we members of these various smaller groups; but, we were a community. And, I remember wish ing that could remain permanent I also remember from that week how one person could influence others' lives. When you go to a fu neral, you hear good things said about the deceased. Many times, the memories are selective, with the bad times being intentionally left out. At Glenn's funeral, I didn't catch any of the negativism that is nor mally in the background. Everyone noted what a genuinely good person Glenn was. Even the company that Glenn was leaving closed shop in his honor, showing the impact that he had made with that company. When you go to a funeral, you hear good things said about the deceased. Many times, the memo ries are selective, with the bad times being intentionally left out. And, I sometimes wonder what would have happened if the pilot did not try to land in the midst of a thunderstorm.