THE HOGANSVILLE HOME NEWS
usPs 620-040
A 0rinum tthlh:atimt
Millard B. Grimes, Preskleflt
M_mE HAI
PUBLISHEPJADVERTISING DIRFk.OR
JOHN KVYKL'mAt
ASSOCIATE PtmtzsrroR
BRYAN GElXR
AssocIATE EorroR
JAVNE
BUSINESS MANAGER
Phone (700) 846-.:1188, Fax (706) 846-2206
12. O. Box 426
ltogansvine, 30230
Eyeing John Rocker
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein and Iraq
continues to be a thorn in the
side of America.
The conflict between Iraq
and the U.S. has been going on
years. When things really
got out of hand.was during The
Gulf War, which you all might
remember was not really a war
but a conflict, according to his-
tory books.
The air strike of five mili-
tary sites on the outskirts of
Baghdad Friday night has been
called a self-defense measure
by the Pentagon. Officials said
the attack was meant to counter
Iraqi radar, communications
and anti-aircraft defenses that
have fired on U.S. and allied air
patrols in recent weeks with
increasing frequency and accu:
racy. They have also called the
hit a 'warning."
Please, a warning for
Saddam Hussein? He doesn't
need a warning, he needs a good
old fashioned whipping.
THE CONFLICT with Iraq
will never end as long as
Hussein is in power. He has
refused to work with the U.S.
on every corner, including the
nuclear weapons inspections.
This country needs to quickly
figure out that Hussein will con-
tinue to be problem until some
thing is done to stop him.
The problem with Hussein
is that he has no respect for Life
other than his own. He will send
his soldiers out to die and not
even blink an eyelash when
making the decision to do so.
The word "crazy" comes to
mind when one thinks of
Hussem.
President Bush was right in
ordering the air strikes. In
recent months, Iraq has been
more aggressive in firing anti-
aircraft missiles at planes
enforcing the no-fly zone
imposed at the end of the Gulf
War in 1991. However, Hussein
does not recognize the no-fly
zone and is willing to once again
go to war if necessary over
something vial.
I DO NOT condone war for
many reasons. First, I don't
want to see U.S. or Iraqi sol-
diers, or even more important-
ly innocent civilians, die
because of crazy man.
However, it stands to reason
nothing will change and U.S. tax
dollars will continue to be spent
trying to keep Hussein in check
as long as he is in power in Iraq.
Maybe the time has come to de-
throne him.
Rocker Keeping Quiet?
wen, it almost baseball time
again and the Atlanta Braves
are in traimg. The promise of
another successful season
abounds. Or does it?
The Braves have seen many
changes since last season,
including the loss of The Big
Cat and Javy Lopez in the line-
up. They will Pave to work hard-
er this season, perform as a
team and keep their heads on
straight ff they 3xct to make
the playoffs again. Sometimes,
that can seem impossible when
you have a controversial play-
er like John Rocker on your ros-
ter.
REPORTS from Florida
right now are that Rocker is
keeping his mouth shut, work-
ing on a split-finger fast ball to
replace his change-up, but most
importantly appears to be get-
ring along with his teammates.
It was reported that Rocker and
Brian Jordan even gave each
other a hug. That's a good start.
Rocker told reporters he
isn't talking about last year, just
the new stuff for this seastm_
If what is beingsald is true,
Rocker keeps his temper in
check and his teammates keep
the attitude they have now, the
Braves shouldbe a contender
again this seasoh:
So, it appears the team of
the 90s will begin /lew decade
with a new attitude.Qr at least,
let's hope so.
We gladly welcome
letters to the editor/
'ruE. Hock: H< Ntes is published weekly by the Star-Mercm
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STAFF
Publisher and Advertising Director .................................................................... Mike Hale
Asx:iate Publisher and Editor ................................................................ John Kuykendall
Asmcime tor .............................................................. ................................... Bryan Geter
Assistant Editor ........................................................................................... Rob Richardson
Business Manager ...................................... ................................................ Jayne Goidston
Staff Wfi ..................................................................... .Michael C. Snider, Billy Bryant
AsmsIanl Advertising Manager ....................................................................... .Laurie
Advertising Sal ....................................................................... : ......................... I.xm Camp
Aistant Editor ............ , .................................................................. , .......... .Rob Ri
Compcing .................................................. Valinda Ivery, Smith, Lanm King
Lcgals ............................................................................................................ Jae
Reeeptit and Classifiects .............................................................................. Cleta Young
Production Manager .............................................................................................. Todd Laird
Presstm ................................................................ .David Boggs and Wayne Cathowski
Commtax O--FFms
President .................................................................................................... Millard B. Grimes
Vice President ...... : ................................................................................. Charlot S. Grimes
(00pinions & Ideas
PAGE 4 - HOGANSVIIA.E HOME NEWS - FEBRUARY 22, 2001
AR E1
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Bad Weather, Cows, Golf, crocoallgii!
Human pain works its way out
of our consciousness over time.
There is a season of sadness. A
season of anger.
A season of tranquility. A sea-
son of hope. But seasons do not
follow one another in a lockstep
manner. At least for those in cri-
sis.
The winters and springs of
one's life are all jumbled togeth-
er in a puzzling array.
One day we feel as though the
dark clouds have lifted, but the
next day they have returned.
One moment we can smile, but
a few hours later the tears emerge.
It is true that as we take two steps
forward in our life's journey, we
may take one or more steps back-
ward.
But when one has faith that the
spring thaw will arrive, the win-
ter winds seem to lose some of
their punch.
Robert Venings wrote the
above in his book tiffed "A Gift of
Hope."
Reading those words, which
tell us that if we keep the faith the
spring thaw will arrive, reminds
me that never before have we
experienced such a cold winter,
!Geor
not to my memory, at least.
GROWING UP in Northeast
Georgia, I can remember the occa-
sional snow, running from the
wood heater to jump in a cold bed,
wind blowing through cracks in
the walls. But back in those days
there was no such thing as heat
pumps or insulated houses. The
weather in some ways seemed
colder, but really it wasn't. It was
the li,Ang conditions.
This winter my small herd of
cattle reminds me most every day
of just how cold it has been. Each
time I step out of the house they
begin talking to me with their
"moos" that tell me there is hay in
the barn and they want some of it.
On the very cold days the cows
hang around the barn as if it is a
three star restaurant, refusing to
go out into the pasture to seek any-
thing green.
SPEAKING OF COWS, a
stranger approached a Maine
farmer one day and asked him how
much he felt his prize cow was
worth. The farmer looked at the
stranger suspiciously and asked,
"Are you the tax assessor or did
"On the very cold
days the cows hang
arw.00d the barn as it
is a three star restau-
rant..."
you just run over my cow?"
Most golf course managers
will also verify that this winter has
been one of the coldest ever exp
rienced in this area. They are say-
ing that play on their courses has
been only a fraction of the usual.
You can bet your boots that when
the weather is so cold that it keeps
golfers off the course, it iSd th,
Mitch and I were platy cc
one morning in Upstatgh h,
Carolina. When we teed otlmt ma
below freezing, but there histc
frost, blem q
As we approached First
green my shot landed on ed
frozen lake that surrounttary
green. When we got to thor I,
I pulled out my ball snatdtnam
retrieve the hall. Mitch fight
"Why don't you walk outght 1
frozen lake, hit the ball riea
a stroke?" My answer of lled.
was, no way! .W y¢
Mentioning water remiemb
of this story about two m sol+
were about to cross a rive@ as tt
they noticed the crocodilesr, but
"Are you afraid?" ong e ra
asked the other. "Don't y inc
that God is merciful and , no
"Yes I do," the frighte "l he
said. "But what if God su( har
chooses right now to be I e f b,
the crocodiles?" ty"
la ede
IN CLOSING let me nd
with a thought for today. # tg
ful for your problems. If t rat:.
less difficult, someone , the
ability might have your r sla,
re
then
Celebrating the Family Ritual of Dea{!00
Nobody ever sent the dying
on their way with more fanfare
than my mama's family. Aunt
Benonia has been dying again
now for about two weeks. It's
her fourth time, I think...
Lynda, my sister, took her
keyboard to the foot of the hos-
pital bed at efforts number two
and three and sung her back to
this side both times.
Literally.
I can't r the details sur-
rounding her irn-st dying, but I'm
sure they were profound, joy-
ful, and so much fun that Aunt
Benonia just couldn't leave.
Wondering how we do it?
First, there has to be forewarn-
ing. Something like a doctor say-
ing, "He/she is dying. Organs are
shutting down• It's a matter of
hours or days at the most."
Now, nobody, to my knowl-
edge, ever set out to prove any
doctor wrong. We have great
respect for those health profes-
sionals we choose to help us cam
for the bodies in which we live
while residing on this side of
eternity.
WHAT WE DO when told a
dying is about to come down is
gather round the one who is get-
ting ready to pass over. Most
members of my family believe
the other side is going to be awe-
some. There's not a whole lot of
fear among us about death and
what follows after. And as you
will soon understand, the dying
is, in m__ny instances, something
we all actually ertjoy.
For example, with Aunt
Benonia's last dying episode,
Aunt June came up from
Florida. That was several
months ago mad Aunt June is
staying until the end.
With the onset of this dying
warning Cousin Maxine came
to town. She's here indefinitely
now, too.
When Aunt Benonia was
readmitted to the hospital a cou-
ple of weeks ago, the family was
called. They rallied. The dying
one has not been alone for a
moment Most of the thnethere
are two to four family members
in the room with her. The main
waiting room is crawling with
more family, and the parking lot
ain't void, either.
The dying's favorite food is
brought to the bedside. His or
her favorite songs are sung
(softly, of course soas not to dis-
turb others down the hall).
Jokes are told. Gossip is
shared. Memories are resur-
rected. All this in the presence
of the dying one. It is so much
fun that the one who lays there
dying just can't leave. They have
"come out of it" more times than
I can begin to count. Remember,
I have a huge family, hundreds
of us, counting just all the aunts,
uncles, first and second cousins.
• OF COURSE, eventually it's
for real. When the dying one
fhmlly has absolutely no
strength left, when the final
breath is drawn, when all hands
have released their grasp, the
ded
our own passing and t c°In
mate family celebratio# e th
awaits us. rote H
Of course, most of uS The
for some degreeofw titu
sudden deaths are hardeY w
automobile accidents, out
t. tt loss
ings, fatal heart attacks +
without prior warfting. O tledraC
they happen too. Still, w
brate. Maybe the celeb, t to
doesn't get to be as lo ed
drawn out. And there n an
some degree of regret t@ sou
, ,; Wifll.4mUSthat}s hol lld b
• " this world," and lea I
late that we don't.
641,
• I KNOW each and !=--.
"q/Ve cry well, too. family has their own wa
Just as well as we dealing and coping wit
hugh. But not for passing of their loved one
I know only too well how p 'j
/Og." it can be. Never would I at .,',_
to push my family ritual i,"
another and I don't meaV "t#_
disrespectful to anyone, t
crying commences, pose I am just sharing m[ t
We cry well, too. Just as well trations this week becau
as we laugh. But not for long. sent circumstances prev
Just a few hours, two or three from being there in
days at the most. And we all participate in Aunt
know without a doubt that we present dying
are crying for ourselves Ah, but it's only
because the dying ritual]cele- the heart that loves
bration is over once more. no barrier, not even
THE LOVED ONE who f'mal-
ly pulled off his or her exit is
sorely missed. No doubt about
that. Yet there is some degree
of wonder on this side, and a tad
of excitement as we think about
Response to th/s
shou/d be mai/ed to:
MJ Holt, PO Box
00o21s
Is It Free Speech or Just Filthy
America is a great nation.
Many people see the foundation
of that greatness as lying in dif-
ferent aspects of our country.
To hear recent popular politi-
cians speak, that greatness is in
diversity, while others Irmd that
greatness in schools' technolo-
gy, medical advances and the
like. There are others still who
f'md America's greatness in her
Declaration of Independence,
her Constitution, and her Bill of
Rights. It is true that these
things set America head and
shoulders apart from the rest
of the world, but I like what
French writer Alexis de
Tocqueville, after visiting
America in 1831, said, "I sought
for the greatness of the United
States in her commodious har-
bors, her ample rivers, her fer-
tile fields, and boundless
forests-and it was not there. I
sought for it in her rich mines,
her vist world commerce, her
public school system, and in her
institutions of higher learning-
-and it was not there. I looked
for it in her democratic
Congress and her matchless
Constitution-and it was not
there. Not until I went into the
churches of America and heard
her pulpits flame with right-
eousness did I understand the
secret of her genius and power.
America is great because
America is good, and if America
ever ceases to be good, America
will cease to be great!" That is
a message that needs to once
again be heard from our pulpits.
America is being inundated
with a constant flow of frith from
pornographic cesspools.
Someone has made the state-
ment, "Not since Manhattan
Island was sold for $24.00 has
so much dirt been available for
so little money as today."
These proponents of pornog-
raphy claim free speech as their
right to promote their pervert-
ed pictures. If our forefathers
saw what is done in the name of
free speech I honestly believe
they would shudder in horror.
The First Amendment does not
guarantee totally free speech.
For you see, a person cannot
slander someone without being
held accountable, nor can you
liable someone without being
prosecuted. A person cannot
yell "fire" in a crowded build-
ing nor can something be false-
ly advertised. Even the use of
certain speech can be limited if
it is proven that the speech
incites violence. Speech is free
as long as it does not bring harm
to another.
May I submit to you that the
wickedness that is sold even in
our local stores and bleeds
through our own cable TV is not
free speech but filthy smut.
Pornography is not a harmless
pastime but a terrible cancer
that is spreading throughout our
country. It is not free speech
because it is harmful.
To those that say let people
do their own thing and we
shouldn't interfere may I ask a
question? If a restaurant was
selling contaminated meat
should something be done to
stop it or should that business
be allowed to continue? The
point is that America has been
sold a bill of goods telling them
that pornography isn't harmful
Proverbs 14:34 says,
"Righteousness
nation: but sin is a
any people."
PORNOGRAPHY is
ful because it is a
the way God intended
be between a husband
wife. Whether it
label of hardcore or
homosexuality or
bestiality or
marital sex or
forms of
destructive.
destroys families,
women, defiles
deters the
of the husband and
Pornography will
pie personally, it will
people psychologically,
destroy people
destroy people
it will destroy people
ly. There are
verted organizations
destroy the very moral
of this country. For
Los Angeles there is the
Guyon Society whose
says, "Sex
it's
have no religious
be cited as to the
nature or pornography.
