The Gaffney Ledger from Gaffney, South Carolina • Page 4

Page 4 The Gaffney Ledger Monday, July 26, 1999 flit (MNM (If Ml tftlHlffi Democrats must be shaking in their boots The George W. Bush juggernaut continues to roll merrily along. Recently, he was even wined and dined (and pockets lined) by some very important Hollywood gbtterati, such as Terry Semel, head of Warner Bros who hosted the The Gaffney Ledger Louis C. Sossamon Executive Editor. Cody Sossamon Editor.

Ktonie Jordan Advertising Director. Robert Martin Col. Ed. F.W. Sossamon, 1887-1979 CONGRESS shal make no law respecting an estabSshmerrt of religion, or ptohtoibng the free exer-ithereotw nbriortg the twedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

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Partodcaa) poataga paid a) Galaxy. VI LA event. This should send quite a chill up the spine of Vice President Al Gore and his minions. Those attending the event, as well as the host, were all staunch Clintonites It must have been astounding for George W. to press the flesh with such noted Dcm supporters as Warren Beatty, Jon Peters (former beau of Democratic cheer Tha GalMey Ladgaf, PO.

Bot 670. QaSnay, S.C. 20342. VA budget in big trouble To The Editor "Earn this." That was the challenge at the end of the movie "Saving Private Ryan" from one hero of World War II to another. "Earn this." In the movie, the phrase means: Honor the sacrifices of America's combat veterans by living a truly good life.

For those of us in The American Legion who work every day with countless Private Ryans from every major conflict of this century, we know that the hardships and sacrifices of military service have earned America's veterans the right to a modern, accessible VA health-care system. For the burdens of military service dont end when the battle flags are furled and this nation's Private Ryans take off their uniforms and return home. Wounds may heal and injuries may improve but many veterans leave the military with medical problems that stay with them the rest of their lives. Commonly, these problems worsen with age. Fortunately, over the decades, this nation has built an impressive network of 173 hospitals dedicated to serving veterans under the Department of Veterans Affairs, still known as the VA.

Unfortunately, the VA health-care network, by some standards the largest in the nation, where half of all physicians receive a portion of their professional training, is on the verge of collapsing through financial neglect. The VA, you see, is in its third year of a frozen, no-growth budget. And Congress is in the process right now of putting together a VA budget that could guarantee a fourth year with spending locked at 1997 levels. This sort of belt-tightening made sense in 1997 when a burgeoning federal deficit threatened to drag down our economy. Veterans have always been willing to share the pain during the tough times.

But why, when the federal government estimates it will take in at least $100 billion more than it spends this year, is anyone having any pain? We cant freeze the medical reeds of veterans. Our World War II veterans are making more demands upon the VA medical system Newer vets are trying to enter VA hospitals anJ clinics every day with their own problems UMCHFTON RATES to Courty 3 mrta $12: 6 mortha $24; 1 yaar $46. Otf 1 yaai $67 50 Out 01 Caroanaa: 3 montia 2S, mortha $40, 1 yaar $75. The VA's top doctor has estimated that he will have to lay off 8,000 medical workers, reduce hours, eliminate programs and even consider closing hospitals if Congress does not remove the financial shackles of a no-growth budget. To reverse this alarming trend, The American Legion has embarked upon a campaign to preserve the VA medical system from slow financial strangulation.

We call it "Budget Warning 2000." We're urging our 2.8 million members, their families, and the rest of America's 26 million veterans to contact their members of Congress and insist that the VA's medical system received adequate funding. The American Legion has determined that less than $2 billion, added to the $18 billion now being considered in Washington for VA care, would put the VA back on the right track I urge everyone who cares ntxmt veterans about the Private Ryans of tins country to call or write the people who represent them in the U.S. Senate and I louse of Representatives. Members of Congress work for you. You're not stepping out of line by contacting them.

Let them know what you want them te do Tell them that you want them to increase the VA budget by $1.9 billion over the President's promised recommendation. Tell them that if the VA is not properly funded, the VA may resort to the rationing of medical care with the possibility of eliminating care for nonservice-connected veterans, treatment and screening of veterans with hepatitis termination of critical health care providers and the possible closure of medical facilities Ietters with details about the way you depend upon the VA -and the effect upon you of future cut hacks are especially effective When America's Private Ryans were called upon to serve their country, not one suggested that we take a no-growth appmach to pain and suffering. They did what this country asked them to do. Like Private Ryan, they earned it. Now it's our responsibility to honor that debt.

Butch Miller National Commander The American Legion. Diane Amantea II Hi flllM (III Da bums leader Barbara Streisand) and Sherry Lansing, head of Paramount You have to ask yourself: What's the fascination with George Why is he doing so well, so early? Why does it seem he has the nomination wrapped up well before the primaries take place'' I would say it's a matter of many things. George very much like Bill Clinton, knows how to connect with a crowd He knows just how to look them in the eye and "fee! their pain." And this is not merely an emulation of Clinton. This is genuinely the way George is, evidenced by his two successful gubernatorial campaigns in Texas. In California recently, he moved easily among the minority community, kissing black children and speaking Spanish in the Hispanic community.

He's a charmer, all right. And more than that, what he's saying has meaning to those who hear him speak. He talks of leaving no one behind in this booming economy. And, while Gore has I love baseball. I love everything about it.

I love the way it makes me feel when I'm sitting in the stands on a sunny afternoon, I love the cry of the beer man, I love the animated clapping hands on the big Jumbo-tron scoreboard, I love the organ spume and the public address announcer introducing the starting lineups, I love watching the kids oang over the railings trying to get autographs. Baseball has had a very profound impact on my life. As a matter of fact, the MOST MEMORABLE moment in my existence the one thing I will absolutely, positively never forget is the first time I walked into a major league baseball stadium. From the outside it looked pretty much like just a big giant hunk of concrete. Then we walked up some ramps that circled the outside of the stadium and then up this incline to fee scatinc ares.

From the bottom of that MFFT Mv L-iiinitUV Klonie Jordan b9al echoed those very same words, coming from George you believe it With Gore, the words somehow come out hollow and meaningless Gore's camp undoubtedly will pounce on George lack of "readiness" for office. Ah, but that is a two-edged sword. Who was less ready to take the national stage than Bill Clinton, the governor of a very small southern state? Who was less ready for foreign policy than Clinton? As then-President George Bush stated, his dog knew more about foreign policy Lest you think I'm proclaiming these two to lathe eventual nominees, think again. I think Bill Bradley is picking up a good head of steam Nervous Democrats with an eye on Al Gore's dis mal poll ratings are shifting toward Bradley In the long run, I believe the former senator from New Jersey is likely to give Al Gore a good run tor the big prize. It's not inconceivable that he may capture it after all As for George I feel confident that he will get the Republican nod.

I can only hope he chooses Elizabeth Dole for his running mate That ticket would be something to see' (EDITOR'S NOTE: Send comments to Diane Amantea, King Features Weekly Service, 2X East 45th Street, New York, 10017 or e-mail dork ert136aol.com.) mm 1 Coffee, tea, or perhaps some dried wood chips why beavers do it There is no way they would gnaw on tree if they ever found out about pizza delivery Anyway, the flight was scheduled to go directly to Houston, finally, after navigating iinmnd the sky for a several hours, we landed in New Orleans The pilot said there was fog in Houston No doubt it was manufactured by the ramp all you could see was clear, blue sky. But as I began to walk up it, the more steps I took, the larger the picture, the more gigantic and impressive the view, until finally there was this huge throng of cheering fans, and brightly lit message boards and players warming up on the field and all kinds of action and excitement and noises. It was like walking out of a small dark closet into the most expansive conglomeration of excitement you could possibly imagine. It literally took my breath away. I don't remember who was playing, I dont remember who won or lost But I DEFINITELY remember the sights and smells and sounds and the whole aura of something so pure and genuinely American it made me want to just bust right open with pride.

Since that time, there have been some change in baseball, but for the most part it has maintained its purity, ita sanctity, its lane place atop all other sports. And whomever said, The game's the thing was abaotutely right. Now we have unions and arbitrators and agents and other aaaarted slime and carrion eaters trying to take control of the gams. What has happened to the game, what is slowly undermining its punty are the vultures and the wolves and the jackals the people who cars more aboiTt the money and the control than about the 5-year-old eating his hot dag in the 10th row who is atisnchng his first-ever big league game. One of the pmru who wanta to Control the game is Richie PhiBipa, head of the umpires uiuon A couple of weeks ago, Mr.

Phillips and umpire union president Jerry Crawford announced that most of the major league umpires would resign in September They dtdnt say the umpires would go on strike, they aatd the umpires would resign just plain quit. But why September? Because thafs when the playoffs start At issue is a long -running power struggle bHawn major Irague baseball and the umpires untax The umpires dont think they get a big enough ahca of the financial pis and base ball thinks other aw So Mr. Phillips said his guys would quit in September. That's what he said. But what he meant was, "if you 6ao meet our demands by playoff time, you wun have any playoffs because then won be any umpires At this pomt let me say that because of the union a lot of umpires have gotten progressively and progressively worse.

They know the union wiH protect their jobs, so they dont try to be quite so exact anymore. There are also several umpires who SHOULD quit, some who should have never made it to the major league level in the first place. Commaasioner Bud Setg is standing his ground. He says any resignation submitted by an umpire will be gladly accepted and filed away. Good far him.

BawebaJl haant had a commissioner with any guts amos Bowie Kuha. As lr the mpura, thry would do well to remember this the tans come to see the play-era, not the umptreav Now go an, frt out of here, you bums. And take your seeing-eye dogs with you. Dave Barry Why? The answer is: marketing At some nnt American Airlines went to its Marketing Department and said, "We're going to stop nervine real food to people, and we neJ a gi) name tr it Marketing people love this kind of challenge Their motto is "When Lfe hands you lemons, lie And mo Uiey held a brainstorming wwuin, pmha bly at a nice French restaurant, and finally, ath i a lot of wine, they came up with "bistro m-mo-" hich sounds a LOT better, from a market me standpoint, than "a sack of inedible Giving things ridiculous names is a key mar keting tactic. That's why the gambling industry, when it became concern edfhat people might think it had something to do with gambling, chsnged its name to the "gaming" industry, as it people go to Las Vegas to play Capture the Flag But i think tistro service is even better It may be th best marketing concept I have seen since back in the 1970s, when McDonald whu does not wait or.

your table, does not cook vour food to order, and does not clear your table, came up with the slogan "We Do It All For You With thi9 kind of marketing ingenuity, there is no telling how far we can go. Perhaps some day, hen we board our airplane, we will each pickup a box of dirt this will be called "haute cuisine service We will take the box without complain ir.g because we are consumers, and our motto is "moo" I was getting ready to board an early American Airlines flight out of Miami, and they announced that it was going to be Tnstro service." "Pleaae pick up your "bistro' meal from the cart as you board the plane," they told I hmestly waant sure what "bistro" meant, but it sounded French, which I thought was a good sign French food is pretty tasty, except for the snails, which I do not betieve the French actually eat I beheve the French ait around their restaurants pretending to eat out of empty snail shells and making French sounds of enjoyment such as "Yummer (literally, But when foreign tounata order this "delicacy," the waiters bring them ahalla that still contain actual unretouched snails, which the tourists eat, causing the French people to duck under their tables and laugh until red wine spurta from their nostrils. But other than that, French food is pretty good So I had high hopes when, on my way to the plane, I stopped at the cart and picked up a paper sack cop taming my tastro meal. I was hungry, because I had not eaten breakfast, because I had arrived at the airport one hour early so that, in accordance with airline procedures, I could stand around. When the plane took off, I opened my "bistro" sack.

Here are the items contained (Da container of yogurt, (2) a breakfast bar" made from compressed dried wood chips, and (3) the greenest, coldest, hardest banana I have ever touched my life. If Ti had a tnaQet, I could have pound-. ed it straight mv a vampire's heart. So I didnt eat th banana. Needless to say I also didnt eat the jogurt.

My guess is, nobody ever eats the yogurt, at the end of the flight, the airline people jurt collect all the unuaed yogurts and put them back into Tastro sacks far the next fLght There are containers of airline yogurt still in ccrulahfsi that originally crossed the Atlantic with Charlsa Lindbergh. I bd eat the Tjreakiaat bar," because if you're hungry enough, you wiD eat wood chips. (That's Fog Generator, which every modern airport maintains right next to Uu Banana Freezer They didnt let the passengers off the plane in New Orleans, pissibly for fear that we would run away So we just sat there for an hour or so, rustling our "bistro meal" sacks and listening to our stem achs grumble Here's how bad it got: A woman acroHS the aisle from me finally broke down and ate her yngurt. I bet this really mecH up the accounting when the airline food personnel got ready to re-sack the yogurt for the rv xt flight There's one Anyway, we finally took off again and landed in Houston, where we dropped to our knees and gratefully bcked crumbs off the terminal floor So the story ended happily, except for the nagging question that remained stuck in my mind: Why did the airline call it Tastro service?" When 1 home, I looked up 1istro According to my dictionary, it's a French word meaning "a small wine shop or restaurant where ine is served The image it conjures up is of a cozy little place on a picturesque little street in Paris, with candle-lit table for two occupied by lovers kissing, drinking wine, enjoying French (bod and laughing at snail eating tourists. Somehow, the airline decided to use this word, of all the words in the world, to describe what was served on my flight EDITOR'S NOTE: Dave Barry has been at The Miami Herald smce 1983.

He won the Puhter Prve for commentary in 1968. Barry wntes about vanews major issues relatng to the international economy, the future of oernocracy, the social restructure and exptockng totters. The way to reach Deve is to wrrte him a letter using the Postal Worker Service The address is: Dave Barry. The Mist He'aU O-e Herald Raa, FL 33132.