The Times Recorder from Zanesville, Ohio • 6

Opinion C. A THE TIMES RECORDER SAT. OCT. 21. 1989 umei Took Advantage Of Americans Flag eir JACK ANDERSON the arts.

Indeed, the names Carnegie. Duke, Guggenheim, Mellon and Stanford, to cite a few, are more identified with education and culture they they are with the families whose lucre set them up. But as foreign firms have taken over American businesses, this tradition of giving has fallen off. Universities that have budgeted for corporate contributions have found that the overseas headquarters of once-benevolent companies are now saying no. All over America, desperate college fund-raisers have had to educate the new owners.

One money-short college president told us that the Japanese are being much more cooperative than Europeans, but it is still an uphill battle to get dollars from the new foreign owners. bate. Soldiers don't die for symbols. At the worst, some soldiers die because they are stuck in a place they don't want to be. At best, some die to protect their country or another country from a hostile takeover by others who would limit their freedom.

We don't have to wait for a hostile takeover by outsiders to limit our freedoms. We have Congress and the president and anyone who insists that flag-burning should be against the law. Now we have a law that sets a precedent for eliminating other rights of expression, and all because one American set fire to a flag. The members of Congress who supported the bill did so either through blind patriotism or fear of losing votes. The majority of those who voted against it didn't have the courage to say it was a bad idea.

Instead, they said that they opposed law because a constitutional amendment is what we really need. Why smash the American spirit with a fly swatter when you can use a sledgehammer? President Bush comes from the sledgehammer school of lawmaking. He says be doesn't like the bill because it isn't enough. He wants a constitutional amendment, maybe something that can be squeezed in right under the Bill of Rights. Bush's shallow presidential campaign was based on exactly the same blather that prompted the flag-burning bill.

Candidate Bush didn't give the country a clue about how he would stop the drug epidemic or eradicate the deficit or achieve world peace or house the homeless or feed the hungry. By ANDERSON and DALE VAN ATTA WASHINGTON Gregory Lee Johnson did something worse than burn the American flag at the Republican Convention in Dallas in 1984. He started a fire" under one of the seedier elements of democracy those who would fight until death to protect their right to tell others what to do. Sadly, there are enough of those people in the United States to constitute a hefty voting bloc, and now they have their representatives in Congress stuck between that bloc and a bard place. For the record, we never met Gregory Lee Johnson, but we don't like him anyway.

He took advantage of the very country that he despises by burning the flag to show his contempt. Then, be dragged the case against him all the way to the Supreme Court, which painfully had to admit that Johnson had a right to burn the flag. Johnson was right and his case was solid, but don't expect us to invite him over to dinner for a spirited debate on freedom of expression. He offended every American who cares deeply about this country. Now Congress has compounded that offense by compromising the right to freedom of TftSS.TKE OFFICIAL PRESS AGENCY OF THE SCViET UNION.

REPORTS THE LANDING CP ALIENS FRCM OUTERSPACE eZTtj From The City Desk ajaeaaBeBeBeBeae-, AttjMili VOL) STILL UAMET BftTVWW STUFF? 1 Bctf are ysy I THE 7 Regrets Mistake. A Cincinnati gift shop owner would like to commend a Zanesville boy for admitting his mistake, but be can't contact him. Gary Fisher, owner of Smokes and Stuff, a gift shop at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Cincinnati, said he received a letter from a boy in Zanesville apolo- for taking a small item rom the shop. The child returned the item. However, the letter was damaged in the mail and all the store owner can make out is the name "Adam." He said the writing appeared to be that of about a third grader.

Fisher also said someone had called the store when he was not there to ask if the letter had been received, but left no name or number. Fisher said he thought it was commendable that the unknown boy tried to correct his mistake. Quick Response. Zanesville residents are quick to respond when local people or those living in other states face tragedy. First there was the help for people who suffered the devastation But, by golly, he promised that your children would say the Pledge of Allegiance every day whether they wanted to or not Gregory Lee Johnson doesn't deserve a law in his honor, much less a constitutional amendment.

What he deserves is for everyone who witnessed his little bit of street theater to tell him exactly what they thought of it. He expresses himself, we express ourselves and nobody gets 8 rrGs ted DONATIONS OFF The buyout of American companies by Japanese and other Asian and European firms has had a disastrous effect on American universities and related institutions. Ever since the industrial revolution, companies in the United States have contributed mightly to the support of colleges, universities, non-profit hospitals and PUBLIC INVITED TO VISIT CAMP To the Editor: Camp Solidarity near Castlew-ood, has served as headquarters for the UMWA District 28 since a strike against Pittston Coal) Co. began April 5, 1989. The camp is 2 miles off Highway 71, out of Lebanon, Va.

Signs show the way, welcoming all Labor Union members and supporters. Since then, between 50,000 and 55,000 men and women in camouflage gear, have spent time showing their solidarity, love and friendship in support of all striking miners. At one time, the camp kitchen cooks were serving 169 dozen eggs, 250 pounds of bacon and enough coffee to float a battleship per day. Camp Solidarity consists of 5 to 10 acres of pasture with available kitchen, showers, phone, bunk house and plenty of firewood for the woodturner. Coal miners from this area have camped at the solidarity camp on numerous occasions and have witnessed several judges making unfair and unjustified decisions about constitutional rights of the American citizen.

We have also witnessed historical moments, such as the 98 miners and one minister, who peacefully seized the tipple of Moss No. 3 Prep Plant on Sept. 17, during the Union Solidarity Rally in Morgan County, and an awesome exiting of that Prep Plant led by the UMWA International Vice President, Cecil Roberts, and our American flag, through 5,000 supporters. The minister closed this historical moment with the singing of "Amazing Grace." The camp remains open and the UMWA board is asking that all United Mine Worker members, other labor unions in the United States, and religious or civil rights groups, to visit the camp and support the coal miners. Please call Bo Givens for arrangements at (703) 762-5537.

Sam and Kay Myers Stockport TERRORIST' MINERS AIDED HUGO VICTIMS To the Editor: Miners who stand up for their rights are called terrorists. Children who organize walk-athons in support of the miners are threatened by State Police. If they cross the white edge line on the road, they will be arrested. On TV and in newspaper articles we are told to teach children police officers are people who will help you, protect you and are not people to fear. But in southwest Virginia, the State Police cannot be put in such a category.

The miners, who Pittston Coal have called "terrorists," left southwest Virginia, to aid the small fishing village of McClel-lanville near Charleston S.C., with chainsaws, shovels, lumber and a week's supply of food and water. Our point is that the 48 coal miners who have their own emo- 1 "The Lord shall reign for ever and ever." Exodus 15:18 It doesn't matter who you are and what you've done. You will come and go but the Lord will reign forever and ever. The wise choice for any man is to put your trust in Him. expression.

Johnson, who doesn't deserve the time it takes to tell him he is a ierk, has sparked a constitutional crisis. Last week, Congress approved the final version of an anti-flag-burning bill and sent it to the resident. That bill makes flag-urning a crime, punishable by up to one year in prison. If President Bush doesn't veto the bill, it will be a crime to express one's opinion by putting a match to one's personal property. Where do we go from here? Will it be a crime to tear up a copy of the Bill of Rights? Shall we lock people up for wadding up their "1040-EZ" forms? Shall we arrest them for setting fire to this column? Point Of Debate The flag is different, you say.

It's a symbol of our freedoms. People die for it. Since Gallup can take a poll of everyone who has died in the service of their country, that point is up for de left by Hurricane Hugo, and now local people are expressing an. interest in helping survivors of the California earthquake. Both the local Salvation Army and the Muskingum County Chapter of the American Red Cross are accepting cash donations to help earthquake victims.

Officials in California say money rather than clothing or canned goods are the best answer in this situation. Special Section. Next week The Times Recorder will be spotlighting home-owned businesses. We think you will find this section informative and interesting. There are many, many businesses in the Zanesville area which are home-owned and we appreciate their continued service in our city.

Birthdays. Best wishes go to Rita Paul, customer service representative in our circulation de- Eartment, who celebrates her irthday Monday, Oct. 23, and to Photographer Larry Rich for Friday, Oct. 27. S.

i PAMELA I I nnnrpn I rumen whom, he didn't say. But it worked nonetheless. Now let's take a look at some more recent examples of political fence-mending. During the last two weeks House of Representatives has voted to reverse two controver- Numbers Health Human Services 1-800462-9832 Housing Discrimination 1-800-424-8590 Missing Children 1-800-843-5678 Pesticide Information 1-800-858-7378 Runaway Hotline 1-800-621-4000 Small Business Aid 1-800-368-5855 Tax Forms, Publications 1-800-424-3676 Tax Questions 1-800-424-1040 Veterans Benefits 1-800-362-9024 Lawmakers Quickly Read Political Music tional and financial' troubles found love, time, and the talents of skilled workmanship to cut trees off houses, and get the school back in shape for the education of the Children. There were only words of raise for these UMWA mem-ers by the South Carolina peo- le.

We are very proud to say our amily is a UMWA family and, if an organization ever needed the support of the American people, the southwest Virginia miners do and the time is now. For support or donations, please write "Justice for Pittston Miners, UMWA District 28, P.O. Box 28, Castlewood, 24224 or call (703) 762-5537. Tom and Cinda White Stockport EVENING ATHLETES DESTROY MAI LBOXS To the Editor: After seeing the condition of my battered and beat up mailbox Sunday evening, I was compelled to write this letter for all those whose mailboxes have suffered the same indignities. But, before I do this, I would like to commend and congratulate those after-dark athletes who participate in the lost art of mailbox bashing.

I'm sure that it requires years of devout study and ardent practice to hone those skills. I'm sure that most of you possess extreme degrees of agility and coordination which is a must if you are to strike a stationary object, such as a mailbox, with such force and regularity. And, should you be fueled by those liquids which increase both daring and bravado, it must be even more difficult. To all those after-dark athletes who wish to apply their skills in a more legitimate endeavor, please contact the U.S. Morons Committee on Mailbox Bashing, Nerdsville, U.S.A.

If you hurry, I'm sure there are still some openings. I am told that Mailbox Bashing falls into the same category as Cassette Rewinding and Shoelace Tying! I Dominic B. Brune, M.D. Zanesville The Times Recorder 34 South Fourth Street Zanesville, Ohio, 43702 Phone 452-4561 124th Year No. 294 18 Pages 2 Sections Largest nenuauet the Muskingum.

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The Times RecwoVc (Daily I SPS twt and Sunday Tuns Recorder tSunday USPS UMaoi are published sevea days per week, except for some hotadtvs. Second turn pasta re mm4 at Zanesville, Ohm. POSTMASTER: Send snores changes to The Times Recorder, M1F ourth St-Zanrsnue. 43701. AueM Bureeaef Orculauoa Gm amendment, which restricts Medicaid funding for all abortions except when it is necessary to save the life of a woman.

In a surprising move, the House narrowly defeated the Hyde proposal this year, with 28 lawmakers shifting their votes and allowing Medicaid to pay for abortions for women who are victims of rape or incest Rep. Doug Bosco used a commonplace strategy, relying on a spokesman to explain his vote. "He came to the conclusion that there are circumstances where (federally funded abortions) can be justified and this is one of them," the spokesman said. But Rep. Douglas Applegate, D-Ohio, was more dramatic.

He had been considering changing his strict anti-abortion stand for several years, and finally voted against the Hyde amendment out of concern for his granddaughters, ages 12 and 14, Applegate said. "What would I do if one of them was raped and became pregnant?" he said. "I would not want the child to bear that burden for nine months." Applegate conceded that his granddaughters do not rely on Medicaid for medical service, but he said Congress should not impose a dual standard that discriminates against poor women. Creative Explanation But the most creative move of the month came from Rep. Dennis Eckert, D-Ohio, who took a hint from rock'n'roller Dick Clark in explaining his vote to overturn the catastrophic illness insurance program.

"The (current) benefits clearly are not on everyone's Top 10 Hit Parade of anything they wanted," Eckert explained. In other words, he knows how to read the political music. Tune in next week when our interior decorator demonstrates how to pick out a tie that looks good on C-SPAJ. sial policies the catastrophic illness insurance program and a ban on federal funding for abortions for poor women who are victims of rape and incest On Oct 4 the House voted to scrap the one-year-old insurance program that was supposed to protect the elderly against the costs of a catastrophic illness. The vote followed months of protests from older Americans who said they did not need and could not afford the program.

The program had been adopted by an overwhelming majority in 1988, but nearly all of the original supporters voted to repeal the program. Let's examine bow these talented craftsmen explained this apparent flip-flop on an important issue. Kennedy Approach A few lawmakers took the Kennedy approach. Rep. Chris Shays, is a fine example.

"The question is, why did I vote for this bill the first time?" Shays said. "I made a mistake." Rep. Elton Gallegly, also ate humble pie, a spectacle constituents love. "That's the one vote I'd like to take back in the three years I've been in Congress," he said of his original vote in favor of the program. Others followed Reagan's example, maintaining that they were misled by trusted advisors.

In this case, many lawmakers blamed the American Association of Retired Persons, an influential lobbying group that supported the catastrophic illness insurance plan. "Senior citizen groups working on Capitol Hill do not represent the grassroots sentiment of the people out there," charged Rep. James Traficant, D-Ohio. Lawmakers faced another tough vote Oct. 12 when the perennial "Hyde Amendment" came up for a vote.

Last year the House narrowly endorsed the TR WASHINGTON BUREAU WASHINGTON And now. for another edition of "This Old House of Representatives," the program that shows you do-it-yourself politicians how to repair and restore your reputations and keep getting elected. In our first episode, we learned bow President John Kennedy single-handedly dispersed his critics by acknowledging that his Bay of Pigs invasion plan was a sensational flop. In a later edition, we saw how President Ronald Reagan denied all knowledge of the Iran-contra scandal but sincerely admitted "mistakes were made." By Hotline AIDS 1-800-342-2437 Auto And Highway Safety Complaints 1-800-424-9393 Cancer Information 1-800-638-6694 Consumer Product Safety 1-800-638-2772 EPA Information 1-800-424-4000 Elderly Eyecare 1-800-222-3937 Government Fraud Complaints 1-800-424-5454 Handicapped Publications 1-800-424-8567.