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JIM
HEFFNER
&
Columnist
Clean up or shut up
I must be getting old, and what the youngsters call,
"out of step.”
The reason I say this is that, as I've said before, I
don't think of "rap" as music, nor do I think some of
the so-called lyrics associated with this trash, appropri-
ate. Most of the words are downright filthy, and should
be banned from the airwaves as insulting to the sensi-
bilities as well as the intelligence.
Oh I know all the arguments about free speech and
all that, but I just don't care. The supreme court has so
twisted the constitution that it has little resemblance to
the document created by the founding fathers.
If the first amendment allows the flag to be dese-
crated and obscenities to pour forth from the radios in-
to our children's delicate ears, then we need to change
that amendment. Call me un-American, but I'm saying
this precisely because I love my country, and have
concern for its children.
Some of the subjects covered by rappers these days
are the killing of policemen, the sodomizing of chil-
dren, illicit sex in all forms and random murder.
An enraged movie actor, Charlton Heston, recently
read a rap lyric to the board of directors of Time-
Warner Incorporated, publisher of the rap piece in
question. The words were just plain nasty, that's all
that can be said about them.
Time- Warner savs they will do nothing, citing the
first amendment. Maybe Time-Warner will change its
tune when people boycott their products. It could hap-
pen. I might just compile a list of their products for my
friends.
But it isn't just that company. There are many firms
that produce records, tapes and CD's, and more that
present TV shows and movies that are offensive.
Tim Jay, a linguist at North Adams State College in
Massachusetts, has completed a study of profanity in
films. Jay's study tells us that Eddie Murphy:
Delirious contained an expletive every eight seconds;
the Spike Lee film, Do the Right Thing has one every
17 seconds; Scarface, one every 34 seconds; Lethal
Weapon, one every 44 seconds; Ferriss Bueller's Day
Off. one every 79 seconds.
These are popular films, heavily promoted and
viewed. Surprisingly, a hard-core porn film included in
the study had one profanity every minute, 50 seconds.
The average number of profanities in hard-core
films was 69, R-rated movies had 75 and PG-13 en-
tries contained 37.
Interestingly, Rebel Without a Cause, produced dur-
ing the mid-50's, had no curse words.
People are beginning to sit up and take notice, and
some are trying to do something about it.
Last week a school principal in Florida took a stand
when he began a program of visiting the parents of
students attending his school because his teachers
complained that most of them used vile language as a
matter of course.
The principal, Dennis Reed of Tampa, Florida, be-
lieves society has an obligation to fry to stop the use of
profanity by children. "What will become of our kids
if we allow the continued use of raw language without
"contesting it?" he said.
Reed is correct when he says that moral training be-
gins at home. We need more people like him running
our schools.
A Public Broadcasting System in North Dakota has
taken a bold step by banning the "Masterpiece
Theater" production of Portrait of a Marriage.
Larry White, manager of Prairie Public TV, said the
decision came about because the show was laced with
profane language and nudity that "violates community
standards.”
I stopped taking my children to high school football
games years ago because it was impossible io walk to
our seats without being subjected to foui language
from students talking among themselves. My brother-
in-law was attacked in a movie theater because he
protested the use of reprehensible language by young-
stexs in the row behind he and his wife.
Television shows allow course language as part of
the dialogue regularly. There is one radio station in
Charlotte that permits its newsman to use gutter lan-
guage almost every day. Ironically, this newsman is
widely experienced and has no need to incorporate
profanity into his reports. The FCC used to clamp
down on stations like that, but they don't have the au-
thority anymore because of the supréme court's inter-
pretation of free speech.
I'm no prude. I've used profanity myself, and I've re-
gretted it, but I certainly have made an effort to keep
my language clean around women and children. My
point is simply this: our children will be better citizens
and morally straighter if we adults do our best to guard
against the use of bad language and the influence of
those who would teach them to hate and kill.
Opinions
KM'S TOP LEGION WINNER - The Kings Mountain Post 155 American Legion baseball team this
year became the town's first 20-game winner and the first Legion team since 1959 to play for the Area IV
championship. This year's team won 21 games, topping the old mark of 18 victories set in 1959 and tied in
1969. Team members include, front row, left to right, Kevin Melton, Todd Ware, Mike Smith, Robert
Wingo and TeeGee Goforth. Second row, Shane Webb, Doran Moore, Caja Ormand, Chris Rider, Rick
Marr and Tommy Payne. Back row, Donald Bell, David C. Jenkins, David R. Jenkins, Damon Putnam,
Stephen Fisher and athletic officer Jimmy Littlejohn.
Saluting Kings Mountain's top-winning Legion team
When Kings Mountain American Legion Post 155
reorganized its baseball program three years ago it
drew opposition from some fans of other posts in Area
IV.
Representatives from at least two neighboring posts
opposed allowing Kings Mountain back in the league.
A supporter of one post said Kings Mountain only
wanted to play legion baseball to take advantage of the
players from the 1989 Kings Mountain High School
state championship team. A representative of another
post, which would have to give up some of those play-
ers if Kings Mountain were allowed to play legion
ball, said Post 155 would be drawing from just one
high school - Kings Mountain - and could not compete
against other posts drawing from three or more
schools.
Kings Mountain has not only competed, but has
competed quite well.
In the three years since reorganizing its program,
Post 155 has been in the Area IV playoffs twice, and
would have been in the other year but was disqualified
for not getting paper work turned in to the commis-
sioner's office by the deadline.
In 1990, Kings Mountain won its first round-playoff
series with regular season champion Taylorsville, and
later was eliminated by a Caldwell County team which |
went on to win the state championship and came with-
“irone run of winning the Southeast Regionals and"
a
“qualifying for the American Legion World Series.
This summer, Post 155 went four rounds in the state
playoffs, eliminating Forest City, Shelby and a power-
ful Pineville team before losing to Taylorsville in the
Area IV championship series. By the time this season
is over, Kings Mountain may be able to say it was
eliminated by another state champion because
Taylorsville has the talent to go all the way.
This year's team became only the second in history
of Post 155 baseball to play for the Area IV champi-
onship. The last time KM had gone that far was in
1959 when Post 155 fell to Mount Holly-Paw Creek in
seven games.
This year's team also won 21 games, three mor¢
than any other team ever. The 'S9 and '69 teams each
won 18 games.
The success of Legion baseball here over the past
three seasons has been due to hard work of
Legionnaires, Coach Bruce Clark and his assistant
coaches, outstanding fan support, and, above all, the
talented young men who filled the uniforms.
Much has been said about accomplishing so much
while drawing from only one high school. That's cer-
tainly true, but we also think the fact that Post 155
drew only from one high school was a key factor in the
team's success. The young men who represented
KMHS and Post 155 have been friends, neighbors and
classmates for years and they have a team chemistry
that is unmatched by teams which draw a few players
from several different high schools.
The players and coaches are to be commended for
their accomplishments. Win or lose, they always repre-
sented the community well. They played 58 baseball
games during the high school and legion seasons com-
bined, and they won 41 of them, giving them four 20-
win seasons in four years under Coach Bruce Clark.
With 19 of them returning to the high school ranks
next year, and 15 of them to legion ball, Kings
Mountain fans can look forward to another year of
success.
A dull race, or what?
We're beginning to get the idea that no one really
gives a hoot about who wins and loses in the upcom-
ing Presidential election.
Last week the Herald surveyed over 100 area citi-
zens, asking them if the election were held today who
would they vote for. To our astonishment, 49 percent
of them said they were undecided - even if the election
were held today - and many of them didn't even know
who was running for president.
Nineteen percent said they would vote for President
Bush, 18 percent said they would vote for Bill Clinton
and 14 percent said they would not vote at all.
We hope that Kings Mountain people are weighing
all the issues so they can make an intelligent choice in
November. We fear, however, that voters everywhere
have become so disgusted with elected officials that
they will choose to stay at home on election day.
Finally, good news
Economically, it has been a long, dry spell. The ex-
perts keep saying better times are just over the hori-
zon, but it seems someone keeps'moying the horizon.
Although. nothing earth- -shaking, Kings Mountain -
‘has gotten'some good economic news in the past cou-
© ple of weeks.
Two weeks ago, Advance oi] Parts opened a new
store in the old TG&Y building, providing jobs for
Kings Mountain people and a valuable service to the
citizens.
Also, Plonk Brothers announced that it was expand-
ing its department store and will change its operation
to a "General Store" concept, offering hardware and
other items in addition to clothing needs.
Just today, it was announced that Firestone will
move its Gastonia operation to a new 65-acre site pur-
chased by the Suber Family of Kings Mountain near I-
85 and Highway 161.
The Firestone operation could provide a number of
jobs for Kings Mountain area citizens, and will add to
the city's coffers through the purchase of utilities.
With a new Economic Development Committee in
place in Cleveland County - representing the entire
county - we can look forward to more development in
the Kings Mountain-Grover area.
Bill Stone will be missed
The passing of Bill Stone Tuesday came as a shock
to his Kings Mountain acquaintances who had not
heard that he had been diagnosed with cancer just two
months ago.
For over 30 years, Bill had been a permanent fixture
at Harris-Teeter where he was a dedicated employee
and friend to all co-workers and customers.
He was also a dedicated public servant, spending
many valuable hours in volunteer service to Grace
United Methodist Church, the Lions Club, and other
organizations.
His pet project was the Lions Club White Cane
drive, which benefits the blind. He recently raised over
$5,000 for that project.
His friendly personality and giving spirit will be
missed in Kings Mountain.
Booster's Club
needs members
To the Editor:
I would like to introduce the Kings Mountain High
School Booster Club.
Everyone that I have invited to join the Boos C
Club asks, "What do you do?" It's time everyone foun
out. 1
The Booster Club as been in existence for at least 1°
years, probably longer. At present our membership is
low and we do need new members. Maybe this insight
will help.
The primary focus of the boosters is to help all the |
athletic programs. There are many difference needs de-
pending on the sport. In order to help these sports fi-
nancially, we must organize fund raisers. Our fund
raisers, 10 name a few, are beauty pageants, ads for the
football programs, concession stands, parking stickers,
cow patty bingo and raffles. At the meetings, a mem-
ber may suggest anything that they feel is helpful and,
of course, everyone is ready to discuss it. The time in-
volved in being a member is very small and complete-
ly voluntary.
Most people who grew up here and graduated here
are very proud of our school and its accomplishments.
For example, look how many people follow our teams
to far away places. How many 3-A schools have their
football and baseball games on the radio?
Next time we play away, look at the home team's fa-
cilities. In most cases, you will then realize what we
have here and just how very nice our facilities really
are. Also, if you step back and look at all the different
sports that KMHS offers, you will realize just how im-
portant these fund raisers are.
Some people would ask, "Why do we need all these
sports?" The only obvious reason is, that our school
and athletic leaders understand that everyone is not
alike. Everyone does not want to play the traditional
football, baseball and basketball. Therefore, Kings
Mountain High School allows these students with
broader interests to pursue their interests.
The boosters meet once a month on the first
Monday of the month. Our next meeting is Monday,
Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m. at B.N. Barnes Auditorium.
Please attend this meeting and be a booster. The kids
need yous Kim Peeler
Thanks, beach staff
To the editor:
I am writing to express my appreciation to the Moss
Lake beach staff and a few kind people who helped
with my son Chase after he stepped on a piece of glass
on Saturday, July 11 at the swimming area. ;
Thanks to their help, I was able to quickly get him
to the Gastonia Children's Clinic where he received
five stitches in his foot. He's now doing fine.
~ Again, thanks to those whe took, the fime to care.
~Karen Roper
Kick 'em out
Letter to the Editor:
This letter is in response to a letter from Cleveland
County Democratic Party Chairman Dean
Westmoreland. In a letter that ran in the July 16, 1992
K.M. Herald, Westmoreland attempted to defend the
record of our delegation to the North Carolina House
of Representatives: Jack Hunt, Edith Lutz, and Bill
Withrow, all democrats of course.
In the letter, Westmoreland attacked James Falls for
a letter in which he had written citing a report from the
North Carolina Taxpayers Union criticizing our three
legislators. The North Carolina Taxpayers Union,
which is a non-partisan group of community and busi-
ness leaders who work to expose government waste
and overtaxing, has received much attention and re-
spect in recent years for being accurate and fair in their
research. In their research they annually compose a
ranking of North Carolina General Assembly members
and their record on taxing and spending issues.
Our three state legislators all got extremely poor rat-
ings. Why? Because they have consistently voted to
increase our taxes at every opportunity. It is good that
there are organizations that bring this to our attention.
However, Mr. Westmoreland and the "good ole boy"
Democratic party network that have ruled politics for
so long in Cleveland County - and gotten us into the
mess we are in today - don't want you and I to know
these facts.
Congratulations to Mr. James Falls (who even stated
that he was a Democrat) for writing a letter to tell us of
this information. At least now the voters can be more
informed when November comes. And considering the
lousy job our legislators are doing, we should probably
follow his advice and kick the bums out.
Regards,
Kelly Ware
ES TT ET NR SR
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Back izsuce, one month or older, when 2
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What are the most important issues in the presidential campaign?
Rev. Timothy
Goode
nink the: economy
needs to be set on
the right track.
Rev. Clifton Mor ai:
Abortior and gra yer
in the schools.
Fred Hamrick
Iie economy, health
insurance and tte
budget.
Paty 1 inAlin
Crime ana the
economy.
Terri Reeves
Unemployment,
health care and
education.
Rev. Wayne Kirk
Abortion.
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