Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / Oct. 18, 1984, edition 1 / Page 12
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Viewpoints Private school laws need strengthening A school being operated in Hoke County is a good example of a trend in American education and of why the North Carolina Legislature needs to take another look at the lax state laws govern ing private institutions. The school, being operated on the "Missionvill Cherokee Indian Reservation," is providing questionable educational services, and the parents of the 16 students enrolled there may have jeopardized their children's future by sending them to the facility. The three teachers at Missionvill are not certified by the state and do not have college degrees. There is also a serious question about the level of literacy of some of the instructors. Because the legislature knuckled under in 1979 to pressure from religious lobbies, current state laws require private schools only to pass a fire and health inspection. The laws do not require teacher certification or that the schools teach a basic course of study. Although the organizers of the Hoke County school seem to mean the best for the students enrolled there, they may inadvertent ly be wasting the critical years in children's lives, and their actions could have tragic results. Missionvill is probably better than no education and perhaps is superior to some other private institutions operating in this state, but considering the resources of the facility, the school could not be providing the type of curriculum and training that is available for the 16 students in the Hoke County public school system. In North Carolina there are about 415 private schools, which are attempting to educate almost 60,000 students. Over half of the schools are affiliated with religious organiza tions, and some of those are offering educational services on a level with the Hoke County Cherokee school. This country made a commitment to public education more than 200 years ago, which guarantees an equal opportunity to all residents. By failing to regulate the quality of education being offered in an increasing number of private schools, we are failing to live up to that commitment. UniTl regulations are passed by the state, Wtfittl' would require teacher certification and a better curriculum . in private schools, more and more students are going to become victims of inferior education and to be denied a right to compete in today's high tech society. 4 American firms trying to beat competition Next week is National Textile Week, and textile and apparel manufacturers are using the occasion to get consumers to think about buying clothing which was manufactured in America. The theme of the week is "Crafted With Pride in U.S.A.," and American manufacturers, including Burlington and JRA industries, are emphasizing that US products are competing on a price and quality basis with those made in other parts of the world. In the last several years foreign firms have grabbed a large share of the apparel market in this country. American manufacturers have been working to meet the competition and to improve the quality of the clothing made here. Now they want consumers to take time to see what is available with a "Made in the U.S.A." label. As jobs slipped away, plants closed and the industry seemed doomed, American textile companies began improving equipment and their products. We believe shoppers should follow the suggestion of the textile in dustry, and if the price, quality and appearance of US products are equal or better than those made elsewhere, then buy American. It is not just jingoism. It is a matter of economic survival. MfeM Every Tbar*4ay fc? Dictuoa Piw, lac., hml Dkkm, Pt*?. 119 W Mwoo4 Aveaae, P.O. In S? Rat ford, N.C. 2137* irtuHpHw Rale* la A#?? c? la Com* Per Year? SIM* ? Maartw M M Oat of Coaaty Par Year? SUM * Moatta? tt.M LOUIS H. FOGLEMAN, JR. WAHQtN N. JOHNSTON . The News-Journal HENRY L. BLUE MM. PAUL DICKSON hotatiwSvpeniMr V C?JV>e.ci tWc ^ VY>e ^AfeeV. Said A.h?y needed rrve Cd<- ^eCofKi t>at>e. X V.v-\ou<^h^ ujan^cd rne to *>?cor>d V^:a*>e. f\ot be. i"t . . . _r " lni'S> t6 C^Oincj in rn\j K^cWuiro. vV Co-ops help farmers By Joha Sledge N.C. Farm Bureau Federation There is no more efficient systems of food production in the world today than America's family farmers, a tiny minority of our population that not only feeds the nation, but also helps feed the world. This efficient food production system could not exist without the support of farmer cooperatives to provide us with dependable sources of supplies, credit and markets. What do cooperatives-many of them located in rural areas? do for the average urban dweller whose only contact with farming is a trip to the local supermarket? A cooperative is a business voluntarily owned and controlled by its member-patrons and operated for them on a non-profit basis. Each cooperative member has an equal voice in his organiza tion and shares in benefits accord ing to the amount of his patronage. Without cooperatives many of the farmers' costs of operating would be higher. These added costs would then be passed on to the consumer. The existence of strong cooperatives helps small businesses survive and succeed. Many small farmers probably could not survive without such organizations. As community-oriented institu tions, cooperatives help build stronger communities and develop leadership. They add jobs and in come to communities. Perhaps, more important, they enable user owners to build self-reliance in business actions and help develop a business leadership that carries over to many other important fields. In short, cooperatives are a necessary and vital part of our private competitive enterprise system. Letters T o The Editor Missionvill article was very 'slanderous' To the Editor: We, the Cherokee Indians of Hoke County tribe and the Cherokee Indian Tribal Mission School of Hoke County do not ap preciate the slanderous manner in which the Raeford News-Journal did the story on us last week. And we do not appreciate the way that the article did commit slander against the Chief Rev. Edgar Bryant. The Lord called Rev. Bryant to be a Prophet of the ? Lord and he is more than just a minister of the gospel. When he wrote the editorial he was an nointed by the Holy Ghost and he sat down at the typewriter, which he has never really used and wrote' this wonderful letter. And the Chief hopes that you will read it and your Bible and see what God really says now and has been say ing all along but no one has been preaching it, the Holy truth of the gospel. But what does the Bible say about speaking one word against the Holy Ghost? It is a sin that shall not be forgiven in this world or in the world to come. When you speak against a Prophet or poke fun, then you do it to the Holy Ghost. "Touch not mine annointed and do my Prophets no harm," says the word of God. The Chief says that you can't hurt him, and he thanks God that his grammar even when he isn't typing isn't like the whiteman because he is an old Cherokee In dian living for Jesus Christ and walking in the Holy Ghost. They called the school the "Mis sion Vill School," why? The photographer took a picture of the school sign that said "The Cherokee Indian Tribal Mission School of Hoke County ^Holiness) Where Jesus is Lord." It only costs S3 1 to file a lawsuit. We already have the United States of America and the State of North Carolina sued in United States District Court. We have had to fight all our lives and taking on another opponent does not bother us at all. Finally we wanted to tell you that we are a tribal school and not a public school. Only enrolled tribal members can attend the school. There is one more point to make: we have the only school where all the teachers have the Holy Ghost. So poke fun if you want, we will go on serving the Lord. Oh yes, by order of the Chief and Tribal Council, the reserva tion, school and all is off limits to news reporters and any that trespass will be arrested by our reservation police of which I, Asst. Chief Wild Bear am chief. I used to be a wrestler and I weigh under 300 pounds, and I will protect my people with my life if necessary. Slander is not good grounds for journalism, but it makes wonder ful circumstances for a libel slander suit. You may not love us, but we love you because we are Christ following christians. May the Lord bless you real good. Signed the Cherokee Indians of Hoke County Tribe, Rt. 1, Box 129-C Lumber Bridge, N.C. 28357. J Chief Gray Eagle: Rev. Asst. Chief Wild Bear, Rev. Date: 9/12/84 Eligible voters should cast ballots To the Editor: The coming election on November 6 is very important to our country and the Carolinas. I want to encourage you and all eligible voters to do two things: Be informed about the can didates and their ideas. The things they say now indicate how they in tend to do business once in office. Vote November 6. I believe that every person's opinion should be heard in a democratic nation. Those opinions are heard and recorded most fairly at the polls. There everyone has an equal voice in deciding how our state, nation, and even our individual lives will be governed. Sincerely, G.W. Laster Charlotte Exception taken to cable rate hike To the Editor: I want to express my concern over the Alert Cable Co. trying to raise service rates while at the same time reducing service. I want bask service, which is what I bought, to include ESPN. If ESPN is taken off of basic service then I will give up cable and return to "basic antenna" which will provide ttiesame network pro gramming. I hope many other residents of Raeford feel as 1 do and will let the Alert Cable Co. know what their expectations are and what their reactions will be if programming or service deteriorates any further. Terry D. Houston EMS doing good job To the Editor: Dear Members of the Hoke County Emergency Medical System: In recent months I have become acquainted with, and I have watch ed several of you in action. I must say that I am very impressed with your professional manner and your quick response time. 1 feel that Hoke County residents should feel fortunate that you are here when needed. Therefore, I am submitting a copy (See LETTERS, page 3B) Made in USA averts altercation Last weekend, while on an outing to the beach, I bought a shirt which might have saved my life. Sure, it got me out of a jam after my wife left our suitcase behind, but it also got me through what could have been a very ugly scene. We'd been attending a series of birthday and wedding celebra tions, which kept cropping up all weekend. The festivities had gone late into the nights and on Sunday, when it came time to go, we were feeling a bit frazzled, but in good spirits. Before we hit the road, I donned my new shirt and returned all the other clothes I had been forced to borrow in order to survive the numerous activities, all of which required different outfits. I had bought the new shirt the day before from a coastal depart ment store, and at the time of the purchase, i had taken great pride in noting that it was made in the U.S.A. "It'll fall apart. It's too cheap," my wife had said. The shirt was a bargain, but the stitching appeared to be superior, so I bought it. * That night at the party I got a few compliments on my snappy ap pearance, and I took great pride in recounting to anyone who would listen to the tale of the day's purchase. "It's a shirt from the 1950's. It's made in America, and it was less than $10," I told several of my fellow guests who happened to be within hearing. I knew it was time to ease up, after I found myself in the yard, ex plaining the new shirt to a neighborhood cat who was standing on my chest, licking spilled dip from between the buttons. "You don't find bargains like this one any more," I remember telling the cat. Although the cat had gotten the shirt pretty clean, the next day it still looked a little rugged. "You look like you're left over frcm the 50's," my wife said, as we piled into the car to head home. In addition to the shirt, I was also wearing a pair of jeans, that sported a faded "Otve Peace A Chance" patch on one knee, and a nice pair of pink tennis shoes. Hie apperd had been given to me after one of the partygoers in formed the local chapter of the United Fund about our forgotten suitcase. The organization had apparently been trying to give the Warren Johnston * .The Puppy Papers clothing away to disaster victims for the last 10 years but had found no takers. About halfway home, we stopped for gas and a bite to eat in a combination, general store-filling station-pool room-restaurant. "It will be fine," I said over my wife's objections. "These places always have good food, and besides, gas is only 35.9 cents." I went in to check things out, as she cowered in the front seat with the car doors locked. When I entered, a bunch of the boys were standing around the pool table, watching an incredible three-rail bank shot. "Well, what have we got here?" one fellow said, noticing my out fit. "Look what wandered in. 1 think we got us a left wing pinko fag," another one said, as they forgot the bank shot and crowded their large beer bellies around me. Of course, I took exception to the remarks and was particularly offended when they accused me of being a "Yankee." After some moments, when they became surly and started bump ing me with their stomachs, I knew it was time for action. "I'll bet you are wearing a shirt which was made in a Communist country," I said to the leader. "My shirt, however, was crafted with pride in America," I haughtily added, quickly turning out my label so they could see the "Made in U.S.A." A hush fefl over the group. They all began craning their necks and trying to read the labels in back of their shirts. "See. Made in China," I shouted at the leader. The others shifted their attention from me and began shoving the rotund leader back against the wall. I slipped out the door. After about 10 miles, my heart slowed and I regained my voice. "See," I told my wife. "It pays to buy American."
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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Oct. 18, 1984, edition 1
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