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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."