Del Rio News Herald from Del Rio, Texas • Page 4

DEL Rio NEWS-HERALD FLORA LEWIS 4-DEL RIO (TEXAS) NEWS-HERALD, Monday, March 2,1981 very special day Today, March 2, is a very special day for Texans. It marks the 145th anniversary of Texas' declaration of independence from Mexico. The declaration was issued at a convention at Washington-on-the- Brazos, even as the Alamo in San Antonio was under siege. At the convention, Sam Houston was named commander-in-chief of the Texas army, made up of volunteers from other states and other areas. Four days after the convention, the Alamo fell and the battle cry of "Remember the Alamo!" aroused Texans; they joined Sam Houston and won the Battle of San Jacinto.

On May 14 Santa Anna recognized the independence of the Texans and withdrew his forces. Texas was a republic for nine -ears before becoming a part of the Jniled States. Those were not ranquil years but they nurtured a ense of independence in the state ihat is in evidence in many of the uatives. March 2 is observed by Texans all over the world; frequently they are LETTERTO EDITOR joined by celebrants who have never set foot on Texas soil but think the anniversary is worthy of note. Texans and honorary Texans gather in New York at a large bar; in Chicago, a sea of Margaritas is mixed for the occasion.

The largest contingent of celebrants is made up of graduates of the University of Texas, anyone who ever attended the University of Texas, friends of the University of Texas and some with just a nodding acquaintance of the University of Texas. On March 2, the university's colors of burnt orange and white blossom, sometimes in unlikely places, and the "Hook 'em Horns" signal is flashed. The Del Rio Ex-Students of the University of Texas will celebrate a little late this year on March 7, but the date will not affect the enthusiasm of the Exes, their friends and even an Aggie or two. An independence day deserves recognition; the Texas independence day is considered special. Worth waiting for ''o The Editor Del Rio News-Hrerald Dear Sir: ortcd "Transportation Feb.

24,1981, stating that approval of funding for eight new bus routes for San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District is being considered by the Texas Education Agencyls School This "being considered" phrase is an insult to the intelligence of our taxpayers. routes have been in use since August 1980 and the funding will be retroactive if this is approved, you said. In other words, the cart was in motion before the horse was bought to pull it and there was no doubt that the horse would be made available. So, why go through the disguise of saying it is being "considered" when the foregone conclusion is that their dictates shall be made fact? We hear a constant harangue about the oil shortages and the ever-escalating price of gasoline. Consider the price of every bus, the driver's wages, the cost of maintenance and the gasoline used huge bus on its route in transporting school children.

Then, multiply all that by every bus used by every school in every city, town and hamlet in all the 50 states in our United States of America. It is incomprehensible, treasonous and disgusting to say the least to continue the ridiculous busing of U.S. children to and from school. We should revert to neighborhood schools, with parents totally responsible for their children's transportation; then, we could tell the OPEC nations where to go with I heir oil and we could use the money saved to help build up our defenses against antagonistic nations who now spit upon us. To go a step further about the economic quagmire that now threatens our country's very survival, let the mothers get up off their "so and so's" and cook their children's breakfasts and lunches instead of casting their children upon public feeding troughs, to be paid for by the taxpayers who are almost beyond hope for paying their own bills including feeding their own families by the sweat of their brows.

When the vampires have sucked all the lifeblood out of the working middle class (taxpayers who now pop up the government's spending programs), who will be left to support the government and to make possible these extravagant doles? The answer is simple: the Russians will have "buried" us and not a shot to be fired will be necessary. Too, considering the cost of food and the threatened cutoff of the extravagant free food programs, which consideration is far too late, all able-bodied people should plant thejr yards in gardens to put food.on their tables. Surely, in these difficult times, people can do as much as their forefathers did'during World War II, when gardens sprang up everywhere to supply necessary food. I have a very vivid memory of tall corn growing along sidewalks all over Indianapolis, Indiana, my hometown; no one went hungry and we didn't ask aid, in any form, from "father Instead, all people in all former economic classes tilled their gardens and they preserved what they didn't eat fresh from their gardens, to carry them through the winters. Are people now more deserving of necessities and luxuries than were their ancestors who faced the hardships of creating and securing our country? As old saying goes, "Anything worth having is worth waiting for, and it is worth working for." Very sincerely, MRS.

RUTH E. HILL 304 W. Fifth St Del Rio, Texas 78840 DEL Rio NEWS-HERALD (DSPS 151-700) Published each afternoon except Saturday, and also Sunday Morning by Del Rio Publishing Inc. Second Class Postage paid at Del Rio, Texas. SUBSCRIPTION RATES-By carrier in Del Rio $4.25.

By mail in town or out of Fritz Wirt Publisher Dan Bus Editor Ima Jo Fleetwood Associate Editor Jean Sullivan Business Manager Oscar San Advertising Manager Joe San Miguel Circulation Manager Jesus Trevino Production Manager Bill Lamb Pressroom Foreman Any erroneous reflection upon the character, standing pr reputation ol any person, firm or corporation will gladly be corrected when such occurs in the columns of this newspaper and are brought to the attention of the management. The Publisher is not responsible for copy omission, typographical errors, or any unintentional error that may occur other than to make corrections after being brought to Advertising accepted on this basis only. TIMELY QUOTES "I believe in giving away money so I can see where it goes, William Black, philanthropist who has donated about $10,000,000 to various causes "It's ridiculous. I'm a 42. year-old married man with a gray beard and a pot belly." Kenny Rogers, 220-lb.

singer, on his recent status as a sex symbol (People) Team has no theme By FLORA LEWIS c. 1981 N.Y. Times News Service WASHINGTON The main surprise about foreign policy in the Reagan administration so far-is that it can't be found. Despite some bombastic rhetoric and a road show documenting Soviet support for Salvadorean guerrillas, basic U.S. attitudes on a series of urgent issues have yet to be developed.

Allied and other friendly ambassadors in Washington are being pressed by their governments for answers to questions which have not yet been seriously considered by the new government. One reason is that so many working-level jobs remain unfilled. The diplomats complain they have scarcely anyone in authority to talk to, and are obliged to put minor as well as major matters to the harrassed people at the top. But the slow pace of restaffing Washington is only a part of the problem. More important is the fact that for all the tough campaign talk and conservative position papers before the.

election, the Reagan group is still far from being a team with a theme. A fairly broad spectrum of views, often contradictory, is represented at upper levels of government and nobody knows yet which ones are going to dominate. The annual Wehrkunde study conference on military affairs at Munich this weekend reflected the situation. Originally, John Lehman, the 38-year-old Secretary of the Navy, was supposed to go and present what in effect is the first considered statement on alliance policy by the administration. Lehman is a superhawk, gung-ho on pressing the arms race as far and as fast as possible.

His argument is that lots more nuclear weapons will force the Soviets to spend far more, though he isn't bothered by the fact that this means Moscow would certainly acquire lots more offensive as well as defensive arms. Fearful of the impact on the allies at this stage, the State Department and higher-ups in the Pentagon told Lehman he'd better stay home and mind the budget. Instead, Deputy Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci was to go to Munich to deliver a speech written in collaboration with the State Department, which simple temporizes on questions being reopened here. The crucial issue is whether and when the United States plans to go on with negotiations to limit medium-range missiles in Europe. The 1979 NATO decision to deploy U.S.

missiles by 1983 also committed the United States to try for an agreement with Moscow to cut down on both sides. The arrangement to send Carlucci to Munich with a marking-time speech came none too soon. Word reaching Washington this week was that State Department envoy Lawrence Eagleburger heard some strong talk in Brussels where he was briefing the allies on El Salvador. Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy, among others, made clear that they mean to hold the United States to the negotiating pledge if Washington wants deployment to go through. Some of the new Washington crowd want to ask the Europeans bluntly whether or not they feel a Soviet threat, and if so what point they see in negotiations.

Others are aware of the risk of confrontation within the alliance, but as yet there is no sign of a clear policy. The question of the Middle East and Persian Gulf is similar. Here again, friendly countries say the haven't been able to find out which direction Reagan is going. With elections in Israel set for June 30, there is a new chance for the United States to have a strong and constructive influence on future Israeli policy provided Washington knows what it wants before the next government is formed in Jerusalem. Bat there are differences within the administration, and potentially grave differences with the European allies, on whether Middle East troubles can be handled separately with the Arab-Israeli issue in one bundle and the Persian Gulf in another, or whether must be linked.

It is frustrating, and at times irritating, for foreign leaders beginning to trek to Washington to realize they can't get a fix on American positions because the answers aren't there. All the diplomats have discovered so far is a tendency to view practically every conflict in the world through the prism of East-West rivalry, but without guidelines on what should be done about it. That may be just as well. The newcomers haven't arrived with nearly so many recipes for settling the world as their statements implied. Marking time isn't exactly what was advertised for Reagan, but if it means the administration is going to listen and consider before it plunges into action abroad, some bad mistakes that might have been made can be averted.

The question is whether confusion is a style or a pause for reflection. FUR Ttt FIRST LMY 13 "To DON GRAFF Hope for the exceptions By DON GRAFF NEA News Analyst NEW YORK (NEA) Give President Reagan high preliminary marks for one achievement. Despite that morning-coated inaugural and all the talk of a new age of elegance in White House social affairs, he has been going out of his way to avoid the trappings or at least the appearance of power that tripped up a number of his predecessors. He has gone out of his way to cultivate a personal relationship with Congress. And he has made himself reasonably accessible to others outside the immediate White House staff, including selected representatives of the press.

It may not last. Such well-meant gestures at the beginning of an administration very often do not. But it is an encouraging start and carries some hope that while this administration very often do not. But it is an encouraging start and carries some 'hope that ROBERT WALTERS while this administration may inevitably become more functionally formal, it will have the sense and the will to stop short of a full- blown "imperial presidency." Another hopeful indication in this direction is the report out of Washington that the Reagans have no desire to keep up with the Nixons. This president wants construction and other changes at his Cailfornia ranch kept to the minimum.

The minimum when it involves accommodating a president, however, can be extensive. Secret Service and Defense Department spokesmen mention a helipad, fencing and alarm systems and housing for essential staff members. But nothing like the working over of Richard Nixon's residences at Key Biscayne, and San Clemente, the cost of which, estimated in the millions, would have been worthy of palaces and continues to be a cause of some controversy. While the mountaintop ranch near the Santa Barbara will be Reagan's principal private residence after he completes the sale of his Palos Verdes home, it is not to be designated the Western White House. At least not yet.

To repeat, much at the beginning of an adrninstration can change by its end. But we can always hope for exceptions. Second Thoughts on Headlines Department: "New York unveils plan to revitalize Times Square Area." (From the Wall Street Journal, reporting on the latest plan by city and state officials to rescue the Manhattan crossroads from its present blight of pornography shops, sex movies and street hustlers of a new business and theater complex at an estimated cost of $750 million.) Wouldn't it be simpler just to veil Times Square? (NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISE ASSN.) Quite an awesome display By ROBERT WALTERS NEA News Analist WASHINGTON (NEA) Never before had the nation witnessed such an awesome display of the power of the.news media, especially 'the television networks, to influence and manipulate the emotions of millions of people. DEL RIO Back When FROM THE FILES OF THE DEL RIO NEWS-HERALD TEN YEARS AGO March 2,1971 Candidates scrambled for ballot positions in the school district trustee elections, leaving Glen Scallorn unopposed and creating a three-way race for Paul Halaroicek's position. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO March rcnn County Commissioners approved of $5po per month toward operation of the new Del Rio-Val Verde County Health Department.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO March 2,1956 Farmers Home Administration established a permanent Del Rio office to serve Val Verde and surrounding counties. THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO March 2,1946 City crews painted strteet names along curbs and on markers to meet requirements for mail delivery to Fairview, Holman and Farley Additions. FORTY-FIVE YEARS AGO March 2,1936 Del Rioans joined, in the celebration as Texas celebrated its looth birthday. FIFTY YEARS AGO 193) j.c. Penney Co.

advertised students' suits for 19.90 and "The Hampton" shoe for per pair- The occasion, of course, was the release of the 52 American held captive in Iran for 14 1 A months an event that brought to fruition all of Marshall McLuhan's fondest hopes and worst fears. The "global village" that McLuhan predicted television would create became reality on the night the hostages were freed, as satellites relayed live coverage of events occurring halfway around the world, As a result, viewers sitting in living rooms in Duluth, Des Moines and Detroit could watch as the former hostages changed planes Algiers, disembarked in Frankfurt and checked into a hospital in Wiesbaden. The cameras followed their flight to liberation from West Point to Washington, inspiring a tumultuous nationwide celebration whose cathartic effect can only compare with V-J Day at the close of World War II. But it became impossible to distinguish between television's stimulation of an artificial sense of ecstasy and its reporting of that joyous mood, "The medium," said the prescient McLuhan, "is the message." The exaggerated news coverage of the recent events becomes obvious when compared with the more appropriate reporting of two similar earlier instances the release of the crew of the u.S.S. Pueblo and the freeing of the prisoners of war seized various countries' embassies throughout the world, frequently taking "hostages.

On none of those occasions did the coverage even approach that focused on the Tehran events. No less an authority than CBS correspondent Dan Rather has suggested there are "serious questions that all of us journalists have to ask ourselves about how we covered this particularly in the early'stages." In those early days, the networks allowed themselves and their audiences to be manipulated by the Iranian militants, whose street demonstrations were to a great extent staged for television coverage some of it errelevant, tasteless and even irresponsible than any event since the birth of that medium, "America Held Hostage" blared an ABC news program created specifically for the occasion and broadcast every evening. Some families of the hostages were subjected to harassment and invasions of privacy by over- zeulous reporters determined to interview and befriend them. News organizations that purport to mam- tain policies prohibiting "checkbook journalism" offered members of those families free cross-country and trans-Atlantic plane trips and other amenities in return for their cooperation, When one major newspaper discovered that its leading competitor had lined up the first interview of a former hostage during the recuperation period in West Germany, an editor told reporters assigned to the story that they were authorized to offer a free trip to Europe to any family will to aid beating the competition by pressuring a hostage to talk. There were, of course, exceptional achievements notably the ABC documentary narrated by Pierre Salinger on the secret diplomatic negotiations to gain the hostages freedom, possibly the most compelling television news presentation since the days of Edward R.Murrow.

But there remain troublesome questions about both the power and the performance of the television networks and other news- gathering organisations. Their influence this time was benevolent but it may be quite harmful next time-.