Opinion Page
THE BRUNSWICKtSEACON
Edward M. Sweatt and Carolyn H. Sweatt Publishers
Edward M. Sweatt Editor
Susan Usher Ni'ws Editor
Terry Pope and Dorl Gurganus StaJJ Writers
Doug Rutter Sports Editor
Peggy Earwood Office Manager
Carolyn H. Sweatt Advertising Director
Timber ley Adams and Cecelia Gore ..Advertising Representatives
Dorothy Brennan and Brenda Clemmons Moore ..Graphic Artists
William Manning Pressman
Lonnie Sprinkle Assistant Pressman
Tracy Smith Photo Technician
Phoebe Clemmons and Frances Sweatt Ctrcuiation
PAGE 4 A, THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1992
Redistricting's A Mess,
But Make The Best Of It
Greater minority representation is a well-intended goal, but
surely there's a better way of seeking it than ripping across
counties and zig-zagging all over the state.
That's what has happened, you see. in the current effort to
meet U.S. Justice Department redisricting requirements. As
one local legislator pointed out, people don't live in nice, iittle
squares. To come up with black-majority districts in areas
where the ratio of whites to blacks is about 4 to 1 takes some
creative drawing.
Brunswick County has come through the finagling well, re
maining fairly intact compared to numerous other counties,
which may be split four or five ways in terms of representation.
It's only natural that Democrats and Republicans alike have
used the redistricting as an opportunity to try to make gains for
their parties while meeting Justice Department mandates.
But that's not really the point. The real question is do the
ends justify the means? Is having black majority districts worth
the price we're all to pay in terms of disruption and realign
ment?
One person, one vote is the principal behind our electoral
system. The current redistricting doesn't appear to further that
cause, and may indeed have unintended results.
There is a silver lining in this redistricting cloud, however,
though it's one this county of strong and independent people
may be reluctant to grasp.
For the new, zig zagging district lines to work, southeastern
North Carolina counties are going to have to start working with
each other instead of competing so fiercely. They've been talk
ing about cooperation and going to meetings, but it's a slow
process.
Redistricting may be the extra incentive needed to speed
the transition to a regional outlook.
Though we still have a lot to learn in Brunswick County
about working together, we've got a leg up on some ot our
neighbors. With our leaders used to dealing with the different
needs of "four counties in one," Brunswick County could
quickly emerge as a leader in rhr>se discussions.
For the region to get what is due it, our legislators are going
to have to work together now more than ever. That will require
building coalitions not just among themselves, but among the
people they represent ? black and white; urban coastal and in
land rural; natives and transplants.
We can't prevent zig-zagging lines across the redistricting
map, but we can make the most of a less than desirable situa
tion.
A New Image For Bats
BY BILL FAVER
One of my memorable experiences was sitting outside the natural en
trance to Carlsbad Cavern waiting for the nightly "emergence" of millions
of bats. We were not disappointed as bats poured out
of the ground and flew off in all directions to begin
feeding on the night-flying insects across the desert.
Today there seems to be another kind of
'?) emergence-one trying to bring out the truth about
bats who have suffered bad reputations for hundreds
% ? of years.
* Bats aie among the world's least appreciated and
j most endangered animals. They lose habitat and are
'? victims of pollution, much of it caused by humans
FAVFR acting out of fear and ignorance. Bats have had a bad
reputation for centuries. The truth is bats are not
blind; they don't try to get into your hair; they are not rodents; they sel
dom transmit diseases to people or pets and very few contact rabies, so
our concern should be no different than with other wild animals.
Bats are not birds, either. They arc mammals, give birth to young and
nurse them, raising only one pup each year. Their bodies arc covered with
skin, not feathers. Bats have good vision and use ccholocation, like sonar,
to travel. Bats consume vast numbers of insects and help control crop
pests. One species, the Little Brown Bat, is said to capture as many as 6(X)
mosquitoes an hour. Twenty million Free-tailed Bats in Texas can con
sume 'A million pounds of per night, according to one scientist.
There are almost 1000 species of bats worldwide and that accounts
for almost % of all mammal species. Canada and the United States can
claim 42 species. Fruit and nectar eating bats in the tropics are very im
portant to the survival of the rain forests. In West Africa, the claim is that
bats carry 90-98% of the seeds of pioneer plants for reforestation. In the
Sonoran Desert bats play a key role in pollinating Organ Pipe Cactus,
Agave, and other plants. According to Bat Conservation International,
over 300 plant species need pollination or seed dispersal by bats. Some
bat-dependent crops they list arc dates, figs, bananas, plantain, peaches,
avocados, breadfruit, mangoes, carob, cashews, balsa wood, and tequila.
Maybe we need to lake another look at bats and learn to appreciate
what they do for us. In the United States, we arc told 40% of the bats
species arc on the endangered list. Bats have been neglected by conserva
tionists and scientists and are the least studied of mammals. We need to
learn that bats are among the most gentle, beneficial, and necessary ani
mals sharing the earth with us. Baba Dioum, a conservationist Irom
Senegal, writes:
In the end, we will conserve only what we love.
We will love only what we understand,
And we will understand only what we are taught.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? WRITE
Bats Conservation International
P O Box 162603
Austin, TX 78716
Bats Conservation International is the international leader in bat con
servation and education. They have pioneered research and other projects
and have gained protective legislation saving bat caves and restricting
pcslicidc use afTccting bats.
For a contribution, BCI will send you information on protecting and
attracting bats and plans for making bat houses for your backyard.
The 'Hanging Judge'
Leaves An Impression
You could tell that Brunswick
County Superior Court Judge Joe
Freeman Brut had grown impatient.
He stood, and his voice rallied ihc
courtroom.
He leaned forward, placed his
knuckles about shoulder's length
apart on the judge's bench before
him, and gave a terse, quick lecturc.
He immediately drew the attention
of everyone there, as though a class
room full of elementary kids had
been caught disobeying a principal's
order. Lawyers, defendants, court re
porters, probation officers, family
members and prosecuting witnesses
were shaking in their boots.
"Let me explain how this court
rixnii works," Brill began. His black
robe glistened. Thai towering figure
demanded respect. A hundred pairs
of eyes were bulging out of their
sockets.
He explained ihat people in his
courtnxMii were expected to behave
like jurors. Jurors are not allowed to
come and go as they w ish, to prance
dow n the aisles and to cause distrac
tions in the middle of a trial. Persons
in the audience must keep their seals
until a recess is called or until court
Terry ?
Pope
&? k.
is adjourned. His orders weic firm
and to the point.
"If you do not have to be here, if
you do not want to be here, then
leave Now the time,' he stated.
No one left. The shuffling of papers
and the ereaking of doors had all
stopped. Seat cushions that had made
an orchestra of anxious noises before
the lecture began had suddenly
grown silent.
He has a nickname. Anyone
around the courtroom can tell you
that it's "The Hanging Judge" be
cause he has quite a reputation for
giving out maximum sentences and
for being tough on criminals.
No doubt, there were a lot of con
tinuances of criminal cases in
Superior Court last week, but as the
saying goes, "You can run, but you
can't hide." Judge Britt of Robeson
Couniy lias been ttSSi?nC\i *0
Biuiiswick County, along with
Supenor Court Judge Giles R. Clark,
lor the next six months.
The first case More him last
week involved an 18-year-old who
had violated his probation by failing
to meet with his probation officer
and by failing to perform community
scrvicc work.
"Do you admit or deny the allega
tions?" Britt asked. Yes, he had done
the things he was accused of. he
started to tell the judge, but... Bwjm!
Probation revoked, two years in
prison. Next case.
Mouths flew open. The defendant
turned to question what had hap
pened with his probation officer,
who never moved an inch. Assistant
District Attorney Lee Bollinger ap
proached the judge's bench with a
sheet of paper, and the two talked
bnelly. Judge Britt's head shook off
whatever it was that Bollinger had
asked.
"May 1 say something? I'm his
mother!"' a voice came from the
courtroom.
"No you may not! You can talk to
the District Attorney and he can re
lay any information he mav wish
but ! will not talk with anyone in the
audience," the judge replied.
Next probation case. Boom! Two
years in prison. Next probation case.
Boom! Ten years in prison. All max
imum sentences. The deputy was
kept busy escorting persons to the
jail.
Bui who could argue? Whv
shouldn't all judges be as strict, es
pecially will) those criminals who
have wasted one chance already?
What has happened in the past to
make the kind ol respect that Judge
Brilt demands in his courtroom seem
eccentric today? Shouldn't criminals
be corral led into the courtroom shak
ing in their boots? Shouldn't a light
sentence for the defendant seem a
rarity, that some unusual condition
exists to merit lesser lime in jail?
It doesn't seem that way in today's
courtrooms. Judge Brut left quite an
impression during his four-day stay
in Brunswick County, and he will be
back. Criminals were sweating; vic
tims were smiling.
Isn't that what courtrooms are for?
fcHRBWR
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rAfti UlVA
I ?
There's A Dance In The Old Dame Yet
Looking ai Swcctpea's photo
graph on my desk it is hard 10 be
lieve my mostly-dachshund is 15
years old.
Sorry adding (ihe basics of math
truly did never sink in) had us be
lieving, until Don did the calculation,
that she was 16 this yeai.
Sweet pea came to me as a gift
from Fred Hardee, who still lives at
Hickman s Crossroads; the rest of
the litter has since died.
My big black labrador had been
shot by hunters in the woods behind
my house in Burke County. The next
dog would be a "house" pet.
That Christmas of 1976 Swcetpea
was six weeks old and the size of an
elongated mouse. She wrapped her
self around my neck, digging claw
like toenails into my sweater, and off
we went to Glen Alpine. She made
the trip with me from Burke County
to Raleigh, adapting better to city life
than 1 did. She enjoyed our ycar-and
a-half or so at Ocean Isle Beach and
took to downtown Shallotte with its
bustle and noise. But she was ready
for the country quiet of our subdivi
sion when that move came.
For those of you who've been ask
ing, she's doing preuy well to be
such an elderly litde lady. The pic
ture on my desk was taken just six
years ago, when Sweetpea's fur was
the color of honey and her eyes like
warm amber.
Sweetpea's as loving and allec
tionate as ever. While still a litde on
the plump side, she hasn't gained
weight in several years.
There are some parts breaking
down ? she has trouble digesting fat,
so she's on low-fat diet, and she has
a heart murmur.
Her bladder control isn't what it
used to be; she has to go out a lot
during the middle of the night. Don
and I once thought the only dung
we'd ever have to get up for at 2 a.m.
were baby feedings. Instead we have
Sweetpca, needing to go out one
more time.
i'm not sure how well she can see,
and her hearing's not what it used to
be. These days she's hoary with
frost, more white than honey in most
places. Her eyes are clouded with
senile cataracts, which supposedly
don't affect her vision. But some
times it takes her a moment to figure
out it's me.
She sleeps a great deal; in fact, 1
think she sleeps most of the day,
with our aging cat. Nosey, curled up
nearby. You'll find them in the sun
niest part of the yard. Evenings, she
curls up in front of the gas heater,
whether it's on or not, or retires early
to her blanket by the bed.
But Sweelpea's a spunky old gal.
Sometimes she has the get-up-and
go of puppy hood, chasing one of the
cats around the corner of the house,
or spooking a strange dog that comes
in the yard.
When we're home, Swcetpca
makes a show of giving the UPS
truck a fit. She's still convinced ? or
maybe she's trying to convince
us ? it is her barking and nipping at
the tires that makes the truck leave.
After all, it works every time. Same
thing with the school bus that used to
stop next il<x>r and the garbage truck.
Sweetpea used to walk with us. In
fact she would go to the door and
beg to go walking she liked it so
much, good encouragement for us.
We u walk at what we thought was a
pretty brisk, aerobic pace, with her
short, fat legs racing to keep up and
her tas! wagging al! the while.
These days, she can't make it
around one side of the block, unless
we slow our pace to a slow ramble.
As we circle by the house, she trots
out to greet us then retires to the
yard.
This past summer it sunk in that
Sweetpea probably wouldn't be with
us much longer. Either she would die
one day soon, or we would have her
put to sleep because life had become
too painful or difficult for her.
Hien, on a "Roots" outing to the
Tabor community near the Bladen
Cumberland County line, my sister
Carol and I met a 23-year-old
dachshund that looks a lot like
Sweetpea.
There may be a dance or two left
in the old girl yet.
They Say We Make Too Much
Money
Current economic situations state
wide and nationwide must be in truly
sorry shape.
Al out house, we're getting some
quick economic lessons of late.
I read in a Wilmington newspaper
yesterday that my husband and I,
w ith our combined income, are clas
sified as Upper Middle Class by
North Carolina standards.
That's a little haru to believe.
It's true we both have jobs that en
sure that we can afford the necessi
ties to lead healthy, stable lives (in
surance, food, clothes, utility bills,
apartment rent and car loans).
We also can afford to save a little
money for that rainy day.
I wouldn't say we're hurting, but
we're certainly not running out to
buy the camcorder or 500-millimeter
zoom lens for the camera or that nice
pair of shoes we saw in a mail order
catalog.
There is very little that we need,
and for that I'm grateful, but the
things we want often seem to be out
of reach.
Uuii
Cosgrove
Gurganus
That's why it's hard to read the
words Upper Middle Class and not
break into pathetic laughter.
We can't even afford to buy a
house or even make loan payments
on such an expenditure!
I always imagined Upper Middle
Class to be where my parents are sit
uated. They can afford to take days
off from work to go on vacations,
dine at restaurants on more than just
special occasions and can build a
greenhouse on the back of the house
when they please.
My husband doesn't get paid if he
lakes a day off from the U.S. Postal
Us?
Scrvicc. So, lo guarantee a dcccni
si/cd paycheck, he works six days a
week, every week.
We car. afford ihe payments on
our own cars, but there's no way we
could go out and buy a new one at
our incomc level.
What's even sillier is that when
we applied to the Farmer's Home
Administration (FHA) fur a house
loan, they said we make ux> much
money to qualify for assistance.
So we've got the government
telling us we're more than just com
fortable, we're downright cozy.
Doesn't it seem, then, that we'd be
a good risk in paying them back?
OK, OK, I know we're not truly
needy.
But all we can afford lo pay is
apartment rent
And that house, new car and vaca
tion to Ireland are seeming more and
more out of reach with most prices
soaring higher and higher.
And then we hear one economist
on television deny that the nation is
in a recession, and another report
liiat people are going bankrupt iell
and right.
President Rush refutes news of :i
recession, but reportedly people arc
being laid off and businesses are go
ing under every day. And his oppo
nents say that things will just get
worse!
Who should I believe?
I'd like to get a straight answer on
what's going on.
Watching television news and
reading newspapers isn't doing it.
If I'm rich, I think I'll use some of
my wealth to buy one of those new
fangled dictionaries of economic
definitions and ideals.
If my husband and I are Upper
Middle Class, then how would the
government classify a family that re
ally can't afford health insurance or
doctor's visits for the kids, new
clothes, healthy meals and repairs
and insurance for the family car?
Lower Middle Class?
Just one more tiling to make you
go, "Hmnimm."