m Thursday at Raeford, N.C. 2*376 119 W. EJwood A > tout SubKTipdoi Rales la Ad?am Per Year? M.00 6 Month.- $4.25 3 Months? $2.25 LOUIS H. FOGLEMAN.JR Publisher PAUL DICKSON Editor HENRY L. BLUE Production Supervisor BILL L1NDAU Associate Editor MRS. PAUL DICKSON Society Editor Si^lC. MORRIS Contributing Editor Second Class Postage at Raeford, N.C. (USPS 388-260) THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1982 Sanctions against USSR The economic sanctions ordered by President Reagan against Russia for the Soviet behind-the-scenes action in the martial law in Poland have been termed by analysts as weak and forecasting little impact, or words to that effect. Effects on tractor- factory workers and grain farmers also will be adverse, the analysts also say. They refer here to the postponing of negoitations on the grain-sale agreement and to require licensing to export an expanded list of oil and gas equipment. The latter, they say, will put some Mid-West factory workers out of jobs. The analysts also question whether some U.S. allies will take the sanctions as opportunities to pick up new business with the Soviets by supplying them with the materials the U.S. with withhold. Regardless of the truth of the analysts' views, it was a matter of principle for the president of the United States to make some kind of concrete expression protesting the violation of people's rights in Poland. If what the analysts say is true, then it is too bad that Reagan couldn't come up with something stronger and more effective -- short of a "nuclear shot across the Soviety bow " -? to impress the Russians at least sufficiently to cause them to make a new study of the Poland situation. On the other hand, the Reagan administration would get a worldwide reputation for integrity as a defender of human rights if it leaned as hard on the non-Communist suppressors of human rights in Argentina, Guatemala and Ecuador, among other places, as it is ready and perfectly willing to lean on the Communist dictatorships. Unjust imprisonment, executions without trial or only after a bare pretense of one. interrogation by torture, and lesser violations of human rights are wrong and should be condemned whether they are inflicted by Communist or non-Communists. They should be condemned publicly on an international scale by American government leaders, even if the president can't back up the condemnation with "behaviour-modifying" sanctions. As a practical matter, this is no time in history to play special privilege with nations merely because they are anti-Communist. Hitler's Nazi Germany and Musselini's Fascist Italy also were anti- Communist. That should be enough to remind U.S. government leaders of 1982 that what is important is violation of human rights, not what language or political faith it is being done in. ?BL Hand gun ban The governing board of a small town in Illinois may be the instrument for a new, hard analysis of what rights the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides. A federal judge December 29 in Chicago ruled the village of Morton Grove did not violate state or federal constitutions when it banned the sale or possession of handguns. Opponents of the ban have said they'd appeal the ruling, and supporters have said the ruling would clear the way for similar action across the nation. Let's hope the opponents do appeal and the U.S. Supreme Court gets to act on it. The result, whether upholding or rejecting the Chicago judge's ruling, should at long last explain exactly what the Second Amendment means and. consequently, what it guarantees and doesn't guarantee. The purpose of the Morton Grove ordinance is to strengthen the protection of the public against killing and other pistol-related crimes, though it "cramps the style" of the private citizen. The Illinois Constitution protects the right of people to have hand guns, but it also permits local governments to enact restrictions. The federal judge ruled that the Morton Grove ordinance came under the power allowed local governments. Of course. Morton Grovers who feel the need to have hand guns can always buy them in Chicago, only 15 miles away, or any other community outside their home town, provided they get a sheriff s department to issue the required purchase permits. That, however, isn't the point. Unless the U.S. Supreme Court rules otherwise, the Morton Grove ruling will open the doors to enactment of local ordinances banning the possession of hand guns. If the Supreme Court overturns the Chicago judge's ruling, it at least will have cleared away the fog that shrouds the Second Amendment for much of the general public. --BL The Upper Room Read Psalm 119:105-112; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for mj path. ? Ptalm 119:105 (TEV) The Bible is the greatest book in the world. It is also the most misused, misread, and misunder stood of all books. It is properly spoken of as the word of God. but should never be thought of as the words of God. When read in the light of the mind and spirit of Christ, it is gloriously liberating. Through the Bible, God speaks to the deepest needs of the human heart and satisfies the honest inquiries of the hupian mind. The primary purpose of the Bible is to bring God to us and us to God. through Jesus Christ, and to set- us free to be the kind of people we are meant to be within the fellowship of believers. The Bible is to be understood in the light of Christ's mind and spirit. We need to recover the Bible as the word of God. There will be no renewal in the church, no reforma tion of nations, and no transform ing of our lives without a return to the word of God. Through the Bible God speaks to us the word we need. PRAYER: We thank You, our God, for the record of Yonr lore for in at put rred In the Bible . Thank Yon for the guidance we receive from Your word for the ordering of oar Ihres. In Jmu' name. Amen. It's a Small W orld Bv Bill Lindau During lunchtime the other day I took a couple of papers and a photo of two sisters to them at their home on Airport Road. The papers contained a story about high school students and their teacher de livering stove wood to the sisters. The picture of the women was published with the story. When I got out there I noticed they had a dog outside. So I left some Meow Mix for him, with the papers and picture. Meow Mix is cat food. But I doubt if he gives a hoot: food is food, at least to my dogs and cats. My two dogs eat cat food regularly, and will have nothing to do with dog food -- except when the regular visiting dog. Samantha. shows interest in the dog food I keep around for her. On the other hand, one of the cats likes dog food. It's all a matter of taste. Anyway, cats and dogs can't read the labels. ? ? ? A headline in last week's edition of The News-Journal says: "Yule Business Good To Fantastic." A headline in The News-Journal of January 1, 1981, says: "Christ mas Sales 'Good' To 'Terrific.' " After seeing last year's headline I started hoping nobody's memory was any better than mine when I wrote the one for last week's Christmas sales story. I could have done worse, which is the consolation. Up in Michigan, for example, a headline writer wrote this one for a report of a man being wounded by another hunter: "Father of 10 Shot Bv Accident -- Mistaken For A Rabbit." Speaking of having a lot of children, a wise farmer named all the living creatures of his family, regardless of sex. and including the dogs. "Betsy," which was his wife's name. Explaining the reason to a friend, he said: "When I holler 'Betsy,' they all come; then 1 pick out the one I want and send the others away." iBrowsing in the files I of The News-Joornalj 25 years ago Thursday, January 3, 1957 People of Hoke County are given official notice this week by County Tax Supervisor John W. MePhaul of the tax program in progress in the county for the 195? listing. ? ? ? M.D. Yates, who was sworn in as clerk of the Hoke County superior court and ex officio clerk of the recorder's court by Judge O.K. Niniocks on Saturday. December 22. this week completed details of qualifications to enable him to fully perform the duties of the office. ? * * On Wednesday afternoon, De cember 26. Mr. and Mrs. Hallie Leon Gatlin kept open house from three until six o'clock during which friends called to congratulate them, this being their fiftieth wedding anniversary. ? ? * Lawrence McNeill. Jr., L.S. Brock. Jr.. Joe Culbreth. Johnny MePhaul and Jimmy White at tended the Dixie Classic in Raleigh on Friday. ? ? * The Hoke County High School boys and girls basketball teams will return to action after the Christmas holidays in conference games against Hamlet High school in the local gymnasium Friday night. Athletic Director Floyd Wilson announced this week. ? ? * Lt. Cmdr. and Mrs. Watson Gillis and daughter of Pittsburg, Pa. spent the Christmas vacation with Cmdr. Gillis' parents. Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Gillis. 15 years ago Thursday, January 5, 1967" A Fort Bragg soldier and one of four passengers in his car were killed near Rocktish shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve. closing out Hoke County's traffic count at 14 for 1%6. * * * New auto license tags went on sale here Tuesday and for the first time in several years. Zeke Wiggins didn't get the first set of plates. ? ? * A quick-thinking Hoke County Marine. Pvt. W.J. Bennett was credited with saving the life of a woman motorist trapped in a wrecked automobile. ? * * Hoke- County commissioners were asked this week to appropriate S2.000 in the next fiscal year to employ a coordinator to work with Hoke County council on Mental Retardation. * * * "The town budget set last June is a tough one." Ed Williams, town manager, said this week, "and in order to stay within it. we must collect delinquent taxes." ? ? * Hoke High school wrestlers ap parently were not softened by the Christmas break, for they returned to action Tuesday night and romped over Wadesboro 40-20 at the local gym. * * * Headline: McGregor nets 42, but Bucks lose. CLIFF BLUE . . . People & Issues CARRY OVERS. ..Several topics from 1981, and before, will be carried over into 1982 to be solved. --The proposed Nixon Library has not been settled as yet. --The Jeffrey McDonald murder case at Fort Bragg is still up in the air, after years of court pro ceedings, resulting in McDonald's acquittal and later being found guilty. GENERAL ASSEMBLY. ..The 1981 General Assembly of North Carolina will not be regarded as the most proficient in history. After two sessions during the year, the Assembly still faces the mandate for a fair and constitu tional re-districting of congres sional districts for our Washington representatives, and also our state senatorial and representative districts. Today, they appear to be as far from providing fair and propor tional districts for the citizens of North Carolina as was the situa tion a year ago. And, it would not be a hard job, if the legislators would just forget their selfish interests and do what is fair and right; something that is pretty hard for a legislator and other people sometimes to do! GUBERNATORIAL. ..Gover nor Hunt made a good governor during his first term, but pushed for a constitutional amendment to provide for a second term. We doubt that he will go out of office in any greater esteem at the end of his second term as he would have at the end of four years. We question the wisdom of the General Assembly and the citizens of North Carolina in approving the constitutional change. We hope that in the next gover nor's race the issue will be revived to permit a second term, but a governor desiring a second term would have to skip a term to be eligible for re-election again. We note that three of our former governors are opposed to four year terms for the General Assembly rather than the two year terms as is now the case. POLAND. ..Poland has been constantly in the headline news in recent weeks. With Russia suppor ting and behind the military take { over in Poland, the United States and peace-loving people throughout the world will hope and pray that this will not be the beginning of another holocau^ such as has started wars before.^ i ENCOURAGING... According to a UPI report, four survivors of , a Christmas Eve plane crash in the Colorado Rockies, huddled together inside the wreckage for j warmth, ate snow and read a biblical tale of enduring faith until "miracle workers" ended their five-day ordeal. ASHLEY FUTRELL.. .Ashley Futrell, publisher of 7"Aj? Washington (N.C.) News writ<0 "There is a very discernable at titude change right here in Eastern North Carolina which could not have happened even 25 years ago. "First of all, in today's political arena women are making fine can didates and we do not detect any move to vote against any candidate because she happens to be a woman. As a result, all over our state and nation more and moA women are being elected to pubtW , office. There was a time when a women hardly dared to become a candidate because she felt it would be impossible to get elected. That has really changed. Then 25 years ago for a black candidate to win among an elec torate made up of about two thirds white and one third black would hardly have happened. But today, the color line takes second place ^ such other factors as ability, ne?9 and community understanding. We've changed a lot in a quarter of a century, writes the former president of the N.C. Press Association and State Senator for Beaufort County. LONG AGO. . .Many years ago a man, speaking about gasoline and oil prices would say: "Give me 5 gallons of gasoline and a quart of oil!" Gone are the days of 20 cer^P gasoline and 20 or 25 cents oil! 211 Prophet Watch Jerusalem, in 1982. it could be compassed about with armies: there is uncertainty upon the earth, air and sea. signs in the sun. moon and stars nations are distressed. Unusual weather condi tions unpredicated storms - intense fear and pressures will cause many to sutler heart attacks. When these things begin to come to pass look up and lift up your head; for your redemption drawth nigh. The verdict is given. Satan roars as a raging lion, sin rages -- darkness and gloominess are in the earth. War clouds are forming for the battle of the end-time. Nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom. Impurities of every na ture. foul and unclean spirits from hell are invading the earth. World leaders have no answer for the dilemma -- earthquakes; un predicted storms, famines. leaving thousands in their path^T ? destruction. False prophets are invading the world, forming their own plans, organizing their own programs and denying the power of God. Greed, selfishness, strife and deceit are their weapons. They preach one doctrine and live an other. This prophet predicts 3 snows this winter, here. 2 good ones at^ one flurry. So be prepared. ^ Amen, Earl H. Shannon Puppy Creek Philosopher Dear editor: Every time a person turns around it looks like a new year is upon us. For 1982 1 don't have any predictions, other than the flat prediction that times will get either better or worse or stay the same. But I do have a suggestion. As you know. 1982 is an election year, from ground level on up to the U.S. Congress. Ever since elections were in vented candidates have gotten elected on promises they don't keep. Figure out what the people want, promise it. get elected, and forget it. I've figured out something that can be done about this. As you know . in order to bind the sale of a farm, say, sometimes the buyer has to put up a forfeit called earnest money, which he loses if he backs out. Why don't we require candidates to underwrite their promises by putting up earnest money? If a local candidate promises to pave the road in your area, a candidate for the legislature promises to cut state "taxes, a candidate for governor promises to reduce the number of state em ployees, a congressional candidate promises to slash Federal spending, a presidential candidate promises to balance the budget, require each to put up a forfeit guaranteeing delivery. To prevent the forfeit from becoming just another promise, each candidate would sign a bind ing contract agreeing, if elected, to assign 20 percent of his salary to the treasury every month his promises go unfulfilled. The agreement should stipulate that the office-holder couldn't raise his salary to pay for the unfulfillment. You might argue that, even if a candidate signed the agreement and reneged, he'd hire some twq^ bit lawyer to fight the case in courj^Bi dragging it out for years. I don't believe so. Tell me where in these high-priced times you can find a two-bit lawyer. Yours faithfully, J. A. 1 Age has tax benefits? a break on the sale of a home, a double 4 exemption, a tax credit. You'll find details in free IRS Publication 554 A cxjbttc service me??*oe from the Internal Revenue Service