The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 12

A12 Friday, June 28, 1996 Tf'fi'f The Pantagraph The Pantagraph Independent in everything, neutral in nothing, i Founded Jan. 14, 1837, by Jesse W. Fell Donald R. Skaggs Publisher FYed Kardon Executive Editor Bill Wills Managing EditorEditorial Jan Dennis Managing EditorNews Editorials No complacency, leniency for cowardly bomb terrorists An explosion that killed at least 19 Americans and wounded about 270 more at a military apartment complex in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, appears to be another despicable terrorist act. It must not go unpunished.

Despite increased threats against American personnel in the region, evidently a truck bomb was able to reach the perimeter fence of the complex, where the bomb was detonated. Whether security measures were stringent enough should be a priority of the investigation. Greater efforts must be made to ensure the safety of Western military personnel serving the cause of peace in the Middle East. The region should be considered an active war zone, and troops placed on a corresponding level of alert. Access to bases should be tightened even more.

President Clinton must make good on his pledge to track down the criminals responsible for this cowardly attack and bring them to justice. It was ironic that the bombing fell on the eve of an economic summit that marked the first anniversary of a decision by seven nations to draft anti-terrorism measures. The order was given by leaders of the nation's seven richest nations at last year's economic summit, but hadn't been discussed since then. Thursday, Clinton urged adoption of anti-terrorism measures at this summit. Clinton didn't say what those measures are, and back in Washington, administration aides acted as though they didn't know about any measures.

In addition to American investigators an FBI team has been sent to the scene other nations should join the effort. The Saudis have already posted a $2.7 million reward and agreed to assist FBI investigators. The impact of terrorism is not limited to any one country; the madness harms the security of all. Moreover, the patrons of terrorism, who pay others to do their dirty work, should be made aware that swift and certain retribution is their just reward including military strikes, if necessary. This latest atrocity carries renewed warnings: To protect American lives in this violent region there can be no complacency.

And against cowardly terrorists, there can be no leniency. Letters to the editor Edgar's changes improve bill on religion in schools people, by the people, so let's finally hear from the people. We will not tolerate anymore talk of these so-called injustices to the convicted criminals of this state and others. We will not allow these criminals to endanger the lives of the men and women that we have hired to detain them. We will not give these criminals the opportunity to dictate to those of us taxpayers that are financing their stay at our penal institutions.

Let's face it, prison was not meant to be the Holiday Inn. Today it resembles it quite a bit Inmates have TV, radio, newspaper, magazines, Name-brand clothing, along with razors, shanks and numerous other devices that can potentially kill innocent individuals when hidden behind curtains. So please, we the people need to make our voices heard. We have had enough! Vicki L. Nixon Colfax In the 15th District, elect a congressman who cares Thank you for the "Snapshots" coverage (June 19) of the gathering that celebrated the success of the Race For The Cure recently held in Peoria an event that brought out 18,275 women who are acutely aware of the tragedy of breast cancer and who are determined that ways be found to stop it So many women! Such courage! How proud they must be to have been part of the largest all-women's race in the nation.

Women in the 15th Congressional District should know that their representative in Washington, Tom Ewing, voted against funding for breast cancer research to H.R. 2507, National Institute of Health Revitalization Act). What are women's lives compared to the appearance of fiscal prudence? Tom Ewing is being challenged in the coming election by Laurel Prussing, a woman who knows the difference between fiscal responsibility and blatant indifference to women's problems, indifference that is only more costly in the long run. The 15th District deserves a representative who can see beyond the immediate and past appearance. Linda J.

Ketcham Bloomington years, I think I have hauled just about everything. I have hauled everything from catsup to miniature golf courses but I have never hauled drugs of any kind. The insinuation that 18-wheelers haul illegal drugs is not appreciated. This is just another slap in the face for the trucking industry. I think this writer should go back to school and brush up on his journalism techniques.

Somewhere he should have learned to report true statements. Richard L. Puckett Streator Stop letting the prisoners dictate to the taxpayers In response to a letter written by an inmate at Pontiac that was published recently, I would like to know what ever happened to the notion that you lost your rights when you were convicted by a jury of your peers of a crime? All of the commotion about removing the curtains from the cells is uncalled for if you believe that our justice system has been executed to its fullest As a law-abiding citizen and the fiancee of a corrections officer at Pontiac, I don't think that the inmates' concerns of privacy are very founded. Where were their concerns when the innocent victim was being violated? Is it so hard to remember that these people are criminals? I believe that it has come to the point that they possess more rights than the hardworking men and women on the state's payroll that are trying to detain them. I think it's high time the citizens of this state stand up and say we're fed up with demands of convicted felons.

Our government is supposed to be of the Letter guidelines The Pantagraph welcomes letters commenting on current public issues. All letters are subject to editing and can be no more than 350 words. No more than one letter from the same person within 30 days. Letters must includes the writer's signature and complete home address. A daytime telephone number is required for verification.

Mail to: The Pantagraph Letters to the Editor 301 W.Washington St. Bloomington, IL 61702-2907 Fax number: (309) 829-7000 E-mail: bwlllspantagraph.com Don't worry about Whitewater. Just fire that stupid travel staff. That Bob Woodward's a nice fellow. Central Illinois Look-Alikes This month, Ron Swan, chief of the Illinois State University police department; Patrick Stewart, the famed "Star Trek" actor; and lately, Demi Moore.

Lawmakers should accept the changes made by Gov. Jim Edgar in a bill protecting the freedom of teachers to instruct students using documents that mention religion. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Edward Petka, R-Plainfield, prohibits censorship of historically significant documents and writings based on religious content in schools. Teachers and school administrators could not be barred from using, posting or reading from such documents as the Declaration of Independence because of references to God.

Edgar amended the bill to make it clear the documents must be used for academic, not religious, purposes. He also preserved the power of school boards to enforce separation between church and state. Edgar's changes may weaken the bill in the minds of those who wanted a clear statement of religion's place in the classroom. However, they are necessary to protect the religious freedoms of all. The changes do not alter the intent of the bill.

Even without Petka's bill, there is nothing to prevent teachers from teaching students about the Be thankful for the heroes who find evil unacceptable In the June 24 Pantagraph you showed two vivid scenes (Page Al) that contrasted each other immensely. You showed the ugly side of the Ku Klux Klan in a sign reading KKKlegacy of hate." And then you showed the heroism of today's youth in an 18-year-old, Keshia Thomas. In 1968, my brother went south with some other classmates to drive black voters to the polls. That was heroic. The house they were staying in on their trip was fired upon.

But they were true to the good in their hearts. So much of today's troubles aren't blackwhite issues or rich vs. poor. It's basically good vs. evil.

Burning black churches is evil, and to be strongly condemned. Mexico abolished slavery before the U.S. did. We brought slaves here to use and abuse them. That was an evil, to not recognize their humanity.

It was an evil to push the Indians aside even though often times they were at war with each other. All these things were done in the name of progress and still an evil stench permeates the acts that suppressed these people. Another evil is the destruction of self with drugs. So much we read about: babies left in hot sweltering rooms orcars to die of heat exhaustion while parents numb their brains is another evil. But I'm thankful for all the Keshia Thomases in this world who have the spirit to face it, call it what it is, and to rise high above it.

I will never forget her name as long as I live. Laura Pettie Bloomington Reference to truck drivers was careless, irresponsible Upon reading the article about the Interstate Highway System on Page A5 of the Sunday, June 23, edition, I became very upset I wonder what the writer of the article was thinking about when he wrote the statement, "Eighteen-wheelers haul everything from catsup to cocaine." To me this was very irresponsible on the part of the writer. If the writer had checked he probably would have found out that almost all drug trafficking is done by cars, RVs, and vans not by 18-wheelers. Having driven an 18-wheeler for 23 ington's Pepper Ridge Elementary "I like the Fourth of July because once I tied a G.I. Joe to a bottle rocket and shot it up.

All I found were the legs." Note to Sen. AI D'Amato, There's a very fine line between making a good point and becoming a total pain in the D'Ass. FLAK FROM THE FLOCK: "Curiously, just what did Geronimo yell when jumping out of the plane?" "Isn't Net-'N-Yahoo already an Internet search engine?" (Dan Swaney, Bloomington, referring to new Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu) "Same-sex marriages? Personally I'd like to see more on some-sex marriages, too." (Paul Funn Dunn, Bloomington) Secrets overheard between Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary: Change your hairstyle every week. Bill Flick V-'-' sA Mayflower Compact or other historical documents that mention God nothing except the fear in this overly litigious society that nearly every action can trigger a lawsuit. That fear is what Petka's bill tries to counter.

Religion plays an important role in the history of this country and the world. How can one teach about the Pilgrims coming to this country without including the religious context? Yet, how can one learn about the Pilgrims without remembering a driving force behind their journey and the motivation of many other colonists who came to America? They came here for religious freedom. They came to escape government interference in their religious beliefs. That is why the governor's changes improve the bill. The amended bill would, as Edgar said, "assure these important documents can be used in our public schools," but it would also preserve the separation of church and state.

If the goal of the bill's supporters is really to teach, not preach, then Edgar's changes should not bother them. think they're right Jesse Smart's Own Readability Poll 1. Not Money magazine. 2. Not Money magazine.

3. Not Money magazine. 4. Not Money magazine. 5.

Not Money magazine. TODAY'S QUOTE: "When authorities warn you of the sinfulness of sex, there is an important lesson to be learned avoid having sex with the authorities." Matt Groening So the Unabomber moves from a one-room, unheated cabin in the middle of nowhere to free room-and-board with running water, a toilet, free haircuts and three square meals a day? Geez life can't get much better than this. Our own Fourth of July moment And now again, from out of the "Flying Horse" entries one of our own favorite parts of the paper comes this observation from Matt Helton, a fifth-grader at Bloom- OLYMPIC WATCH: Let the Games begin, finally, pullease "I -7 kwJ llIL.El"Jl I "il I Spending a day with Arnold Palmer many chain restaurants. TODAY'S ADDITIONAL QUOTE: "Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you're aboard, there is nothing you can do about it." Bob Dole Six Sure Signs of Summer in B-N The line at Gene's and Carl's.

A world-class system of road constructiondetour ahead signs. On languid evenings with a good west wind, the Smell O' Purina. "Pfffftttt Pfffftttt Pfffftttt. Pfffwhhat?" (the sound of your yard sprinklers, immediately followed by arrival of your water bill.) Dueling lawnmowers. You go home every night and all your digital clocks are flashing again from yet another power outage.

Hillary's husband to Eleanor's husband "Uh, Mr. Roosevelt, you honestly wanted to go through this for four terms?" Bill Flick is a Pantograph columnist. To hear the FLICKLINE bulletin hoard, call 829-9000, enter 2450. To submit your own entry, enter 2400. His e-mail address: flick(t pantagraph.com FLICK FLAK, thoughts thought while waiting for June to either bust out all over or just be over: Why am I beginning to feel worn out and the Olympics haven't even started yet? Let's be honest has Fidel Castro ever changed clothes? Henry Schultz Update Remember Henry, the good ol' boy in Bloomington who uses the so-called "Ember Days" to "read" the weather? Last fall, he predicted winter would be dry and cold.

And it was. In February, he predicted spring would be wet and very cool. And it was. So we asked again. Henry's forecast for summer? July will start wet, then dry out, followed by August and September, which also will be very dry and hot.

We apologize for asking. Like mother, like child Ever thought that for the next nine months, Madonna's baby will be naked most of the time, too? Obvious problem with the political right they're intolerant of anyone who doesn't Stewart Moore Swan Demi Moore without clothes or hair: Semi Moore? Monthly Consumer Quandary If we can send man to the moon and create computers the size of a beer can tab, why can't we create a pair of Fruit of the Looms that don't shrink three sizes the first time they're washed? Our recommendation The pastas at Richard's in downtown Bloomington, a gulp of fresh air in a city sometimes staled by so i.