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Intelligencer Journal from Lancaster, Pennsylvania • 8

Location:
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Issue Date:
Page:
8
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

J. J. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1991 INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL, LANCASTER, OPINION Intelligencer a Journal Founded 1794 Published every morning except Sunday at 8 West King Street, Lancaster Pa. 17603 LANCASTER NEWSPAPERS, INC. A Steinman Enterprise Willis W.

Shenk John M. Buckwalter Chairman of the Board President Chief Executive Officer William H. Cody Editor Harold E. Miller Jr. Dennis A.

Getz Vice President, Marketing Vice President Controller Publishers Co-Publisher 1866-1917 Andrew Steinmen 1921-1962 Hale Steinman 1921-1962 John F. Steinman 1963-1980 John F. Steinman Member of the Associated Press IN OUR VIEW The state of adoption Not all changes have been for the better ast ries week's "Filling the -day Cradle" sedetailed the changes that have taken place in the adoption field in recent years. In some ways, adoption procedures have improved. In others, they are worse.

Many problems still exist. Experts say an estimated 2 million couples want to adopt but only 20,000 children are available annually. That has led, in some cases, to high bidding by couples and ethical questions about the practice. Also, foreign nations that previously permitted adoptions have, in recent years, tightened regulations or halted adoption proceedings altogether. And even when parents are fortunate enough to adopt a foreign child, the exchange often takes place in a crowded airport on short notice.

Such conditions hardly evoke thoughts of a blessed family occurrence. But if adoption itself is harder today, the changing attitudes of society have made the difficult decisions of birth mothers less difficult. Birth mothers now have a say as to who gets to adopt their child- Ending an 0 will ment Amtrak's this week with announce- that feder- it comply al regulations to halt the dumping of human waste on its tracks we say: It's about time. For more than 100 years, Amtrak has been dumping human waste on its right-of-way. The dumping was permitted until 1971, when it was banned by the federal government.

In 1976, Amtrak received received a special exemption from Congress to spray the waste in a fine mist. Two years ago, however, a jury in Palatka, found Amtrak guilty on four felony counts of commercial littering when fishermen were sprayed by a passing train. In response, Amtrak threatened to cut off service to Florida. Florida isn't "By successful defense and managed to internationalize the Clymer DELANEY Political Writer diplomatic Croatian forms In the 1988 election, 4,536,251 people voted for president in Pennsylvania, including 2,300,087 for George Bush and 2,194,944 for Michael S. Dukakis.

There were also 41,220 votes just under 1 percent of the total presidential vote Consumer Party candidate Eugene J. McCarthy, Libertarian Ron Paul, New Alliance hopeful Leonora B. Fulani, Populist David E. Duke (yes, Louisiana's David Duke) or Workers League candidate Edward Winn. In Lancaster County, there were 1,068 voters who opted for candidates other than Bush or Dukakis out of 137,029 votes cast for president here in 1988.

All of which serves to illustrate how dominant the American two-party system is when it comes to accommodating competition. But James N. Clymer is undaunted and undeterred. Clymer, an attorney from Manor Township previously active in the most conser- Updated Map of Yugoslavia AUSTRIA HUNGARY INSANIA ROMANIA CRANKISTAN LUNACIA MANIAKISTAN MORONIA SUICIDINIA CRAZIA BULGARIA. ITALY BOZONIA Sea READERS' FORUM Singles not looking to adopt? Yes they are To the Editor: I was disgusted by the article "Singles Not Looking to Adopt" (Intell, Nov.

19). As a prospective single mom I was dismayed to find this article filled with prejudicial lies and a blatant misuse of the media to propagate Mrs. Pat Wolf's biases. I contacted Mrs. Wolf when I decided to include a child or children in my life.

She told me I was not a candidate for a child unless was of teen-age years, severely physically challenged or held a diagnosis of mental retardation. Now she claims singles are not as concerned with the healthy white infant and that they are more interested in adopting older children, foreign, or those with handicaps. Thornburgh owed apology by paper To the Editor: nation, an apology. Warren P. Rupp Maytown Shame on the Intelligencer Journal for the photographs you had on the front page of your Nov.

7 issue of Senator-elect Harris Wofford and former Attorney General Richard Thornburgh. It is an example of how far the liberal press will go in demeaning another human being who does not believe in their ultra liberal philosophy. The voters have spoken and we must live with that choice. Just as we have to live with Gov. Casey who has given us the biggest tax hike in our state's history.

It will be up to Senator-elect Wofford to work for the things he has promised the people of Pennsylvania. I pray he will not join the liberalocrats in Congress who have worked so hard to cause the recession we how find ourselves in. The election was a call on the liberal Democrats, who have controlled Congress for most of our adult lives, to wake up to the needs of the people rather than an issue for the next election. Iam not going to cancel my subscription to your paper. It does much to strengthen my own conservative beliefs and philosophy.

Your editorial staff is the best friend the Republican Party of Lancaster County has. I do think you owe Richard Thornburgh, a man who has given 25 years of his life to this state and Editor's note: The photos were carried on the national AP wire. The Intelligencer Journal endorsement of Harris Wofford noted that the state was fortunate to have two capable candidates vying, for the seat left vacant by the late Sen. John Heinz. U.S.

Taxpayer Republican Party as as the Religious Pennsylvanians, to join the U.S. incorporated the U.S. Pennsylvania, and he registered member of the Lancaster Office. He's also alone on the local does not feel like a trailblazer spearheaded nationa former Nixon who now heads the Washington. organize in all 50 into a national candidate in might be hasn't have been nice but it looks like Republican ticket," Buchanan to the USTP ability to have 1992, Clymer said, long term, beyears at least to could have a sig- RICHARD COHEN Washington Post A rebirth of racism a practice two many mitted One tion is children The ground family Many screening earlier problems.

We the fact of every conceived nancies. Society single tional gle agerstheir their The signed of gard, We hope minds. today that caring, old the only were Complaints in Oregon, rado. We ers of passenger against plan to gued the of-way, splinter entities, not But permitted wherever vised designed senger unhealthy It's that was decades ago. Furthermore, birth mothers are perto see their children.

area that deserves attenthe private placement of with adoptive parents. law now requires a backcheck of the adoptive prior to placement. in the field believe that prospective parents would lead to fewer will not pass judgment on that mothers keep four five children in unwanted pregEach case is different. is more receptive to parents today. But nastatistics show that the overwhelming majority of sinwomen -especially teen- who bear and keep children wind up living lives in poverty.

Intell series was deto shed light on the state adoption today. In that reit opened people's eyes. it also opens people's The problems that exist require solutions. And requires a dialogue among informed people. practice place where people upset with the practice.

have also been filed California and Colo- have long been supportAmtrak, the national rail line. We argued President Reagan's cut subsidies. We aragainst plans to sell off Northeast Corridor rightwhich could eventually Amtrak into smaller some of which would survive. no organization should be to dump its wastes it chooses. Amtrak's announcement that it has dewaste-retention systems for -distance pastrains should bring this practice to an end.

about time. negotiations, Croatia has President Franjo Tudjman. the vative elements of the well as organizations such Roundtable and United has recently left the GOP Taxpayer's Party. Clymer recently Taxpayer's Party of is currently the only the party on record with County Voter Registration state chairman. But while he may be all registration rolls, Clymer lonely.

Instead, he feels for "a new movement ally by Howard Philips," administration official Conservative Caucus in "There's an effort to states first and then unite party and have a presidential 1992," Clymer said. Who the USTP nominee been determined. "It would if it had been Pat Buchanan, he's going to run on the Clymer said. The failure to win banner hampers the party's a significant impact in but "We're really looking yond 1996, figuring 8 to 10 get to the place where we nificant It is people like Mrs. Wolf who make decisions as to whether or not even privileged to fill out an application.

She claims singles are not knocking down the doors to get children and that the singles do not follow through with adoption. The only information I received was one that spoke of a new program for married, people which added insult to injury and did not encourage me to respond if I had other needs. I hope this letter will dispel the misconceptions provided by Mrs. Wolf and offer support to all who hope to adopt a child or are struggling through the journey of adoption to be more aware of the frustrations and confusion we are faced with. Singles, be assured that there are many agencies that you can work with that will welcome you with open arms and minds.

I know many single people who are having their dreams of family come true and so can yours. Cynthia M. Goodman Lancaster Say no to more tax increases To the Editor: It wasn't enough that Gov. Casey squandered the $348 million surplus left to him by the former administration; it wasn't enough that he raised our taxes to an alltime high, driving business and economic growth right out of the state. Now our illustrious leader wants to find another $130 million to save "for a rainy day." And where might Mr.

Casey "find" this bankroll? By cutting waste and spending? No, by yet another tax hike. According to news reports (Intell, Nov. 18) Casey's office is already preparing us for the bad news by refusing to rule out another hike. I don't know about the rest of you taxpayers out there, but my family's budget can't handle another tax or giveaway program. On top of all this, Mr.

Casey's cohort, Harris Wofford wants to legislate national health care. Who in the world is going to pay for this brainstorm? During Mr. Wofford's campaign, I could not believe my ears when I heard the television commercial where Wofford is standing in a doctor's reception office and he says something to the effect of "this is a doctor's office, but congressman don't have to come here and pay all those medical bills. They get free health care, so why shouldn't It terrifies me that this man actually won the election! We don't need another giveaway program. The answer is to take all these "freebies" away from the congressman who already make too much money and cut the billions of dollars of waste in all levels of government.

Additionally, we the people need to expect less from our government in terms of handouts. Barbara A. Karmilowicz Strasburg Haitian refugees: Not our problem To the Editor: I'd like to comment on your Wasting resources To the Editor: Yesterday I received another telephone book as did thousands other people in this area. I thought of the millions of books across the country, trash cans, wasting Wouldn't it be nice if who got one of these books didn't want it) called the and told them to come back get it? Besides, people aren't lowed to throw things on porch, it's littering. Give them a call you'll ter.

Idid. Matt Party have some unifying printhat its followers espouse, "American nationalism and opnew world order," Clymer the United States should to all the international orgathe United Nations and look interests." Party shares many of its Libertarians, such as favorof the income tax and leavstates rather than the federto outlaw or legalize drugs," he said. current leadership of the Clymer said the USTP is on the issue of abortion on the issue of homosex- goal for now, Clymer said, groundwork to gather the that will be needed to get Party on the 1992 ballot in tougher for minor parties to get presidential ballot in Pennthis year's U.S. Senate Harris Wofford and Dick boosted voter turnout above normally be in an odd year organizations seeking a ballot signatures on a petition GREECE Nov. 21 editorial "Compassion missing." I totally disagree with you and your view on the Haitian migrants.

Let me inform you that it is not the responsibility of our federal government to house, feed or provide for people around the world. I believe the president should honor groups, individuals and organizations that provide humanitarian aid to needy but don't force it upon us through our government. Furthermore, I believe our government should not allow mass migrations of people who claim political asylum except in life-threatening situations. The only threat to the lives of the Haitians was the threat of drowning at sea which they accepted will- Brad L. Witmer Lancaster equal to 2 percent of the vote for the highest vote-getter the previous year.

In 1987, Democrat Doris Smith led the statewide balloting for Commonwealth Court with just under 1.3 million votes. Two percent of that comes out to around 26,000 signatures, which is the approximate number of signatures the Consumers, Populists, New Alliance and Libertarians needed to gather to get on the ballot in 1988. Wofford got 1.85 million votes statewide this year, meaning that independent political bodies seeking a spot on next year's November ballot must gather around 37,000 signatures. "In essence we have just one party. They may argue a little over how we get things done, but essentially they're headed in the same direction.

This last summer the Republicans (in Harrisburg) could have kept this latest tax increase from being passed, but you had leaders of both parties getting together and agreeing among themselves what they could vote for and who they'd let off the hook. It just sickens me. They broker away our rights. We need a party that really represents the people," Clymer said. The USTP of Pennsylvania has its registered headquarters at the law offices of its chairman at 23 N.

Lime St. "I'm in the phone book and they can call me whenever they catch up with me. I'm always happy to talk about it," the new party leader de- This week's cover of The Economist magazine shows the back of a man's head, the hair shaved to form the Nazi insignia for the SS storm troopers. "Racism's back," says the magazine and indeed it is. Inside, The Economist lists the countries affected the United States, Poland, England, France, Austria, Switzerland, the old Soviet Union and Germany.

But only one, really, disturbs the sleep. It's Germany. Why? The answer is as obvious as World War II and the Holocaust. When mobs of young men are setting upon the foreign and the foreign-looking, when other Germans, understandably afraid, look the other way, then anyone with either a memory or an education must wonder if they are seeing anything other than warning. Germany, whether it likes it or not, remains on parole.

But Germany's political leadership apparently does not see things that way. Assaults on foreigners more than 900 in October alone has led to a kind of political minuet. Instead of a fulldenunciation of the violence, Germany's politicians are maneuvering for political advantage. With some local elections scheduled for the spring, Chancellor Helmut Kohl is once again showing that Tip O'Neill can teach him nothing. Not only is all politics local, but everything is local politics.

That includes Germany's refugee problem (1,000 a day) and the growing hostility to foreigners. Kohl has done the minimum denounced the violence, but not so as to upset anyone. In contrast, Richard von Weizsaecker, (alas) largely ceremonial president of Germany, not only condemned the violence, he has made three visits to the homes of victims a melange of Eastern European and Third World peoples claiming political asylum but really work. (Germany accepts political refunot immigrants.) Kohl, asked repeatedly to make a similar visit, has not. This is like AIDS in our own country: The one thing more unpopular than the disease is its typical victim.

Until recently, there was no way an American could mention right-wing violence to a German and not get a two-word response: David Duke. In other words, we too had our right-wing nuts. But even before Duke went down in a landslide defeat, the muttering of his name by defensive Germans was inappropriate. The United States has a perfect record of taking demagogues and marginalizthem. Germany, on the other hand, installed one of them in power and then fought tenaciously to keep him there.

This is not something called history. This is recent memory. But in an odd way, the muttering of "David Duke" in a German context is not wholly inappropriate. All the German polls show little support for right-wing hooliganism although anti-foreigner sentiment is high in the economically impoverished, formerly communist East and among young people there. But the best poll in Germany is Kohl's political nose.

When it twitches, it's because the chancellor has picked up the scent of popular sentiment. He did that in 1990 when, in advance of unification, he became ambiguous about the permanence of Germany's border with Poland the Oder-Neisse line imposed at the end of World War II. At least until the election, Kohl cared more about German voters than Polish sensitivities. Now, something similar may be happening. But just as George Bush's pandering to white racism contributed to the Duke phenomenon (his past associations, not his rhetoric, marginalize Duke), so may Kohl's intent to use the refugee problem for his own political purposes contribute to an acceptance of violence.

No one, least of all a German, should think that racism can be calibrated or that zealots can be manipulated. Not only does this genie not go easily back into the bottle but many Germans are stunned that it's come out at all and with such virulence. People have been stabbed, thrown from trains, beaten and their homes set on fire sometimes to the roaring approval of bystanders. Ultimately, Germany will deal with its refugee problem maybe by following von Weizsaecker's advice and instituting Americanstyle immigration quotas. But the plight of young people, tracked vocational education and thus into a socio-economic dead end, will remain and so, too, will their resentments.

These people, as dim as they might be, ready learned a lesson in the political efficacy of violence: A as good as a vote any day. Those Germans who think that their crisis at the moment is political refugees are sadly mistaken. It's political weakness instead. of these filling trees. everybody (and company and alyour feel bet- Chambers Lancaster in GIL The USTP does ciples and tenets including position to the said, declaring "Stop catering nizations like out for America's The Taxpayer's goals with the ing the abolition it up to the al government "recreational But unlike the Libertarians, staunchly pro-life and is less tolerant ual rights.

The primary will be to lay the 37,000 signatures the Taxpayer's the state. It will be on next year's sylvania because race between Thornburgh what it would election. Political slot must gather.

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