ntar Editorial Is This The Year Of The Elephant With Election Day less than six weeks away, Republicans seem to be poised for victory, if the polls are to be believed. Ronald Reagan is riding the crest of the popularity which accompanies economic recovery and appears unbeatable. Jesse Helms currently holds a comfortable lead in the latest Gallup poll, Jim Martin is gaining on Rufus Edmisten and the local Republican candidates are waging strong campaigns. Even here in Madison County, it appears that Republicans will make a good showing on November 7. Just last week, the county Republican Party opened a cam paign office on Main Street in Marshall for the first time in years. Not only did they open the headquarters, but the open ing attracted more of the party faithful than have been seen together in recent memory. While the Republicans' rosy prospects will have bedrock Democrats despairing, we see the resurgence of the Republican Party as a sign of a healthy political system. In order for democratic government to survive, we must have at least two viable political parties. One-party rule, as some insist we have here in North Carolina, reduces political conflict to party squabbles. Dif ferent philosophies of government have little opportunity to surface under the weight of conformity. Many of this year's races provide the electorate with con crete, fundamental choices. A vigorous campaign between the two parties provides the voters with genuine options in November. The recent Republican resurrgence isn't politics as usual in Madison County, but it is the sign of a healthy political system. 'Debate' Pollutes Air We'd like to suggest that the Enviornmental Protection Agency begin monitoring the debates between Sen. Jesse Helms and Gov. Jim Hunt. The two candidates are blowing enough smoke to create a major health hazard for North Carolinians. On the one hand, we have Sen. Helms blasting his opponent for voting for a "tax increase" at a Washington conference of governors, when Helms and everyone else knows that the vote had all the power of a campaign promise. Hunt, on the other hand, rebuffs the criticism by telling voters he has submitted a balanced budget for the past eight years as governor. The governor conveniently fails to mention that state law requires a balanced budget. For the past nine months, both candidates have polluted the airwaves of this state with negative advertising. With less than six weeks left in the campaign, we'd like to see the can didates tell voters what they will do in Wahsington next year. We've heard enough about both men's past record. The November election is about the future. Let both men reveal their goals and let the people decide which path to choose. Koenig's Corner Go, CubbieSy Go You were warned weeks ago. I told you if I didn't get some mail we could run as letters to the editor that I would present my own unsubstantiated opinions in this space. Here goes. Our many Michigan readers won't agree, but the Chicago Cute are going to win the World Series in Ave games. They'll play the first two games in Detroit as ordained by outgoing baseball czar Bowie Kuhn In Detroit, the Cubbies will win the opening game behind fttck Sutdiffe. Tbe Tigers will salvage a win before departing for the unfriendty confines of Wrigley Field. Upon arrival, the Tigers will be chewed up like a piece of Juicy Fruit It's only fair . Not only do the Cubbies have the best team in baseball, history is on their side. It was in 1906 when tbe Cubs last reigned over the baseball world. Back then, Teddy Roosevelt was president, American was at peace and the new century still seemed fraught with potential. Seventy-nine years later, we have fought four major wars, elected nine i and placed men on the moan and the lights still haven't coma on in j - _ a * _ . . _ r pi,:-0(tAnnc, 1' ?J .?; ,, .1 S. tenure generations 01 uiicagoans nave uvea ana aiea waiting t Cuba to win. The graveyards are swe to be I Heard And Seen By POP STORY " r /. ' T?*$ NEW NEWS RECORD LOCATION Although The News Record offices have been moved from the location of Main Street and Upper Bridge Street for three years now, a day seldom goes by that someone doesn't stop in my office on newspaper business. When I tell them that The News Record is now located bet ween the Shady Side Florist and Bowman's Hardware, some folks look at me like I was crazy. I don't mind folks coming in and I inform them that the former News Record office is now the home of Story Printing Co. I tell them that I do all kinds of printing, but that I've retired from newspapering, except for writing this column, of course. The usual comment is that they have been coming here for so many years, they just automatically associate the building with The News Record office. That's understandable, especially for those stopping in from out-of-state. When some residents seem surprised to learn of the location change, it surprises me. Be that as it may, I welcome all visitors and am glad to direct them to the present location of The News Record. PATRIOTS SCORE FIRST TD Jack and Helen Cole and I sat together on the top of the bleachers at last Friday's game between Madison and Rosman H.S. Jack and I reminisced about the keen rivalries which existed before the county's high schools were con solidated. We also agreed that O.E. Roberts Stadium is located an the most beautiful site in WNC. The public and students should be proud of the field and surrounding scenery. We also discussed other things as the night cooled and Rosman pulled in front, finally winning by a score of S4-8. With about five minutes left, however, Madison scored their first touchdown of the season and on the ensuing conversion, giving thefans something to cheer about. Now that the Patriots have 'broken the ice', maybe they will have more confidence and improve their offense. Here's hop ing. EVERETTE'S LATEST RIB-TICKLER An old Chinese servant of a San Francisco family was pro udly displaying a picture of a beautiful woman and two hand some teenaged boys. "That's my wife and two sons back in the old country," the servant told his employer. "How could that be?" the employer asked. "You've been with us for at least 20 years. How do you account for the boys?" "Oh, well," said the servant, "I've got friends over there." Living And Growing By CARL MUM POWER The AshsvWs Counseling Center Do you recall a western with Lee Marvin and Jack Palance called "Monte Walsh?" It was one of my all time favorites. In a nutshell, it was a story abpout the end of the cowboy era in the west It was a sad movie, full of touching loneliness. The movie's theme song was The Good Times Are Coming ' The message speaks to the hope that the heydey of the cowboys would return. It doesn't, and the experience of those who lost that life is very mov ing. You and I are not unlike those cowboys. When the good times are with us, we tend to take them for granted. When the good times are gone, we mourn the loss. It's a sad cy cle of unfulfUlment. This past weekend was a celebra tion for my wife and I. We intended to do something special for her birth day. The day before, however, she fell and broke her shoulder. Surgery, a week in the hospital and weeks of recovery are the consequences of her fall. Having a new baby around the house will further complicate life. Just the day before the accident, we were talking about how hard things have been lately. With more wort than we can both keep up with, a full time school schedule and the other things that tend to keep us against the ropes, we didn't really believe thii^s could get more hectic. The very next day, they did. Friends, we make a common mistake in living through yesterdays aad tomorrows. The good times may have been here yesterday, and they may come again, but what about to Continued On Page 6 Laurel VFD Says Thanks Know Comment By JOSEPH GODWIN t have respect and admiration far the intelligence of the American people. This intelligence would be noticeably improved, however, except (or three or four conspicuous faults in some of our otherwise fine people. There are those who act and react on emotional im pulse rather than on factually based logic or reason. Con sider the hundreds of thousands of pieces of mall in useless "protest" which were mailed to the Federal Com munications Commission because the senders had heard" that the FCC was planning to baa religions broadcasts. Any thoughtful American should have known that with our freedom of religion and freedom of speech such action on the part of the FCC would have been Im possible. The FCC would never tftii* of such folly. ? way t be American people will accept Any congreadrnl action that flies into the face of that decision wiU moet likely be promptly declared uncontitnttoaal. Prayer, in my Judgment, is extremely important However, prayer in public school is not nearly so impor tant as teaming bow to rand, write, and compute, and bow to respect the person and tbe rights of others. If there is anything more out of place tban a potitictan running a church, it is a religious cruuder in public of fice. Tbe latter Is far more dangerous. I am a religious man, but I believe that a person's rvNgton is as private aa the heart that beats within his guidance on another . by that act, parts company with tbe Christ Who commanded. Do unto others as you would have them do unto ym."