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Opinion
REFLECTIONS
on Religion and Life
Rev. Dick Newsome
Pastor ;
First Presbyterian Church
Thank God for freedom
Though it may seem an odd thing in these days
leading up to Independence Day to listen to the
thoughts of one from beyond our shores, we al-
low it and even embrace it because we know that
the best reflections about America often come
from afar. And reflecting upon America was pre-
cisely the goal of a French historian of the early
19th century named Alexis de Tocqueville.
Travelling from port to port, reading, observ-
ing, listening, de Tocqueville went about the busi-
ness of capturing a perspective of our most un-
usual nation. And when his travels were
complete, his thoughts were compiled in a won-
derful book, "Democracy in Action."
When America first gained access to his
thoughts, many had a difficult time knowing
whether to love or hate de Tocqueville. In the
ways of a great historian, his thoughts are neither
exclusively positive nor negative. For instance, in
regard to our overactive appetite for all things:
material he writes,
"The love of wealth is therefore to be traced, as
either a principal or accessory motive, at the bot-
tom of all that Americans do." (Part III, 17).
Ouch! But by the same token, he clearly fell in -
love with the place he saw.
"America is a land of wonders, in which every-
thing is in constant motion and every change
seems an improvement.” (Part 1,18).
But more than any other element of American
life, this Frenchman was fascinated by our
deeply-held feelings about the freedom of reli-
gion. He found it fascinating that a group of peo-
ple could have so strong and so compelling a
faith in God, and yet be able to restrain their fer-
vor in relation to those who held different views.
As a many from a country dominated by one par-
ticular way of faith, he was awestruck at the pos-
sibility of a place where great enthusiasm and
great tolerance could live side-by-side. And in the
understanding of how rare that combination is,
we must know that de Tocqueville's awe and
- wonder and thanks should be ours as well.
In this time when the blessings of country come
upon us, may we thank God for that freedom.
And as each blessing comes necessarily with a re-
sponsibility, may we realize again that our free-
dom means not only our right to practice the reli-
gion of our choice, it means also our tolerance
and respectful allowance of views other than our
own.
TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil trea-
sure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abun-
dance of the heart his mouth speaks."
-Luke 7:45
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THE KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD
The advances in living standards and health
care has markedly improved the life expectancy
of most Americans living today to about 80-90
years. Our life may be cut short by a fatal acci-
dent, an incurable modern infection or a terrible
cancer detected too late to be treated effectively.
The fight against cancer still marches on with a
steady reduction in death rates from cancer over
the past 5 years. This is the result of advances in
cancer prevention, screening, early diagnosis and
much more effective treatment. There is still a lot
that we do not know about cancer. Genetics or in-
heritance and the state of the immune system is
very important in the growth and spread of most
cancers.
Cancers in children, the breast, and the blood
stream (leukemia and lymphoma) have much im-
~ proved survival rates from improved treatment
protocols. Widely available prevention education
screening plans for cancers of the lung, cervix,
breast, large intestine, prostate and skin have led
to early detection and treatment and resulted in
significantly reduced death rates.
Lung cancer - Never smoking or quitting smok-
ing is the best prevention against lung cancer.
Antismoking programs have markedly reduced
the cases of lung cancer in adult males.
Unfortunately, the increasing use of tobacco in
women and teenagers has led to and will main-
tain an increase in lung cancer incidence and
- death rates in these groups. Screening for lung
cancer with serial chest X-ray and sputum tests
for cancer cells have been ineffective.
Cancer of the cervix - The participation of sex
at a young age and multiple sexual partners in-
creases one's risk for this cancer in'addition to
sexually transmitted diseases. The pap smear is a
- very effective screening tool for the early detec-
tion of this cancer leading to reduced death rates
from early and effective treatment. Yearly pap
smears are recommended for almost all women
except those who have had hysterectomies.
Breast cancer - The early detection and cure of
breast cancer has been significantly aided by the
screening mammogram. The current recommen-
dation for a screening mammogram for women
between 40-50 years is every 2 years, and for
women over 50 is every year. Women with a
strong family history of breast cancer need an
earlier and more frequent screening as deter-
mined by their doctor.
_ Colon cancer - This can be prevented with a
high fiber, low fat diet and correct barbecuing
methods to avoid the generation of cancer caus-
Sidewalk Survey
HEALTH
DR. CHRISTIAN ANDERSON
ER Physician, KM Hospital
Internist, KM Walk-In Clinic
ing chemicals in food.
Annual screening tests for very small amounts:
of bleeding in the bowels help in the early detec-
tion of polyps and cancers in the large intestine
(colon) and about a 30% reduction in the death
rates from colon cancer. If the test is positive for
blood, a sigmoidoscopy or a colonscopy (looking
inside the colon with a light) is a good diagnostic
tool:
Prostate cancer - This has become a common
male cancer over the past 10 years since screening
blood tests are commonly used. It is estimated
that there will be 334,500 cases in 1997. This early
detection before the cancer can be felt with the
finger on rectal examination (*DRE) hasded to.
early treatment and great survival rates. It is rec-
ommended that men 50 years and over have an
annual DRE and PSA blood test
Malignant melanoma - This skin cancer is in-
creasing in incidence due to the increased unpro-
tected sun exposure at work, play, sunbathing
and tanning. 40,300 new cases and about 7,300
deaths from malignant melanoma will occur in
1997. Melanoma and other skin cancers arise from
healthy skin or from other skin lesions which are
flat, asymmetrical, with an irregular border and
color.
This can be prevented by limiting unnecessary
sun exposure and any kind of tanning and using
effective protective sun blocks. Screening is by
annual complete inspection of the skin and the
biopsy of any suspicious skin lesions for early di-
agnosis, treatment and cure.
Genetic testing as a screening procedure for
cancers still has a long way to go in its interpreta-
tion to resolve the puzzle of future cancer risks in
individuals.
To achieve our expected long life span and to
reduce deaths from cancers requires a healthy
lifestyle, and complying with the various cancer
prevention and screening protocols including the
ones listed above.
June 26,1997
Your Right to Say It
Thanks, Central Methodist
To the editor:
We would like to let the community of Kings
Mountain know about the generosity of Central
United Methodist Church.
~The church has given the use of their fellow-
ship hall for the Adult High School Class of
Cleveland Community College. Six of our stu-
dents received their high school diplomas in May,
and four more will receive their diplomas in
August.
The church and its members have helped these
ten students and the others involved in the pro-
gram gain a better way of life and achieve their
goals. We want to thank the members of Central
United Methodist Church for their support and
community spirit.
Rochelle Dellinger
Barbara Franklin
Support Right to Know Act
To the editor:
What if Congress were presented with legisla-
tion that would prevent toxic pollution, enhance
Americans’ knowledge of toxic hazards in their
communities, and save companies money all at
the same time? Representatives Henry Waxman
(D-CA) and Jim Saxton (R-CA) recently intro-
duced such a bill, the Children's Environmental .
Health and Right to Know Act.
The theory is simple: Require companies to tell
the public what toxic chemicals they use in manu-
facturing. Where it has been tried under state law
- in the major manufacturing states of New Jersey
and Massachusetts - this approach has been a
huge success. ’
New Jersey reports that its industries have cut
their hazardous waste generation by 50 percent
since 1987. Massachusetts recently reported: that
state industries have reduced their use of toxic
chemicals by 20 percent and hazardous waste
generation by 30 percent in the last five years.
Meanwhile, for the nation as a whole these types
of hazardous wastes have increased for the past
five years. ;
At the same time the laws have saved millions
of dollars in New Jersey and Massachusetts. A re-
cent survey of New Jersey companies found that
for every dollar spent on additional reporting,
companies saved an average five to eight dollars
in reduced chemical use or reduced toxic waste.
A comprehensive analysis conducted in
Massachusetts found that companies had saved
$14 million as a result of their Toxic Use
Reduction Act. ois
Nevertheless, since 1989, the chemical industry
spent more than $31 million on political candi-
dates to maintain industry's addiction to toxic
chemicals. ;
Congress should swiftly adopt the Children's
Protection and Right to Know Act and protect the
people they are elected to serve. Representatives
Myrick and Hefner should join the Rep. Clayton
from this state who has already signed on to sup-
port this important legislation and making it a
. top environmental priority in this Congress.
Debra Lynn Berry
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* By Elizabeth Stewart
cation?
PAULA JACKSON
Homemaker
1 plan to spend time
with my three children.”
ANGIE BORCHERT TINA WOOD
Police dispatcher
“I plan to take my two “I plan to spend time
kids to the beach.”
~ with my family.”
WILSON GRIFFIN
Drug store employee Retired druggist
“Enjoy summer in
KM and catch up on
home chores.”
MELISSA GORE
; Student
“Doing stuff with
youth at East Gold
Wesleyan Church.”