Port Aransas South Jetty (Port Aransas, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 17, 1983 Page: 2 of 18
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Editorial
Page 2A, Thursday, November 17, 1983, South Jetty
MUST BE GETTING CU05E
T0THM«V1NG...THE
STORES kRE PUTTING UP
DECORATIONS.
YOU MEAN COLORFUL
DISPLAYS OF TURKEYS
AND PILGRIMS?
GUESS
again.
Rr
r>A
k*v
Tidemarks
NAME FX)R ME PLEASE. THOSE
crafts which are most dis-
liked, even least respected? Am I
right in saying you will answer,
journalist, lawyers, physicians and
the clergy? Quickly let me acknow-
ledge that wherever there is smoke
there must be some fire. But to the
defense. Name for me, if you will,
members of any other trades, crafts
or professions whose jobs are as
sensitive or open to public scrutiny
as those I have mentioned. But since
I am a journalist let me confine my
opinions to those whom I know best.
There has been a flap, an uproar,
coming mostly from telly network
news gatherers because news people
were not allowed to go into Grenada
for a few days. Vice President
George Bush gave a reasonable
answer to that a few days ago in
Corpus Christi. At least in part. Hie
operation was necessarily highly
secret, known almost entirely only to
the chiefs of staff. A leak could not
have been afforded. Agreed.
On the other side of the coin, the
press was not allowed on the island
for three days, a military decision. A
real boner. Military people are for
fighting, offensive or defensive
action, and are by and large very
darn good at the job. But in matters
politic, social, diplomatic, in fact in
anything not within the purlieu of
their trade they are all but hopeless.
In a word, the press should have
been notified and allowed to go onto
the island as soon as they could get
there after the first paratrooper
landed. Instead, the world was
dependent upon military news hand-
outs for three days. Perhaps I should
here mention that news people have
never asked the government, the
military to assume responsibility for
their safety. No reporter has ever
sued Uncle Sam for having been shot
in the foot.
I THINK OF VIETNAM WHERE
nearly 100 members of the press lost
their lives, and I recall a conversa-
tion with a reporter friend who was
there. There were two kinds of
newsmen in Vietnam, those who
hung around the Saigon bars and
showed up for the daily news
briefings, the government handouts;
and there were those who went into
the field, saw and found out for
themselves what was happening.
What is a military news handout?
Remember the daily enemy body
counts that were reported from
headquarters? Had anyone ever
totaled them they would have addea
up to their being no North Vietna-
mese or Viet Cong alive at the end of
the war they won.
PROTESTING NOT BEING ABLE
to go to Grenada at once was a
network which only a few days
earlier acquired and showed on telly
news film clips which in the eyes of
most if not all viewers proved that a
Los Angeles auto manufacturer
accused of selling narcotics was
guilty. A bonanza for the defense
attorneys and a circumstance that
will certainly make the trial more
costly to the taxpayer. In fact,
because of the tape, the attorneys
are asking that the case be thrown
out of court. One of the greatest
things about our country is that a
man is innocent until proven guilty.
Innocent until proven guilty - what
noble words, so clear, concise. Ah
but what trickery has come to pass
as the result of twisting words and
connivance. Nothing erudite then in
the observation which we hear at
every hand: Hiere is more protection
for the criminal than the innocent.
LET IT BE MY OBSERVATION
that few attorneys and physicians
like much if any publicity, except
their bad apples. To a lesser degree
this holds true for the clergy. Hie
journalist differs because his very
job, his livelihood depends upon
news and publicity. Amongst all
these people the overwhelming
majority go about their work, quietly,
efficiently and with good confidence.
Yet there is always the dud and
because of the nature of the work
involved their misdeeds stand out
I HAVE WRITTEN IN A DERO
gative vein on the subject of
Congressional fact finding missions,
Letters
Green light on tax
As frequent visitors to the Island,
we’ve noticed that the beaches are
very often quite dirty. We also notice
that it is most often, unfortunately,
the tourists that make it that way.
We hope the town of Port Aransas
will consider passage of an ordinance
that will allow the City to levy a hotel
tax that will pay for the cleaning of
its beaches. For those who oppose
such a tax on the grounds that it will
drive people away, let us say: We
have traveled a great deal and when
asking the local hotel for the price of
a room, the clerk always says $--
plus tax. Never have we been driven
away from a city because of its hotel
tax.
Please pass the ordinance! Give
Port Aransas revenue to use in
keeping the beaches clean!
Sincerely,
Bill & Tonda Lawrie
Dallas
Action
I have just Finished reading your
comments in the Nov. 10th issue of
the South Jetty It will come as no
surprise to you that I fully agree with
the position you have taken regard
ing the city council. I write today
only to offer one or two minor points
which may serve to amplify your
already eloquent call for action.
First, I would caution the growing
number of people urging action on
our city council to be prepared to be
disappointed in some of the decisions
rendered Even under the best of
circumstances, the democratic pro-
cess will produce policies unaccept-
able to some.
At the same time, let us not make
the mistake the city council has
made. If we find we cannot agree
with the actions taken by our local
government, we must nevertheless
defend such actions as having been
made by, to use your words,
“thoughtful men sincere.”
Ultimately, the point is that we
have no need for more committees,
no need for more referenda. We hold
a referendum on a regular basis to
select a committee of experts, and
they are charged with making most
of our city’s tough decisions. The
referendum is called an election and
the committee is called the city
council. If we insist the council fulfill
its responsibility, these “thoughtful
men sincere," then we will have to
live with the consequences, at least
until the next election.
Very truly yours,
R. Lee Belfield
Port Aransas
w' .1 iannn
n UIU II 0(11 jupuil
| Editor's note: Readers may recall a
letter published a few weeks ago
from Askly Fenton, a native of Port
Aransas serving in the U.8. Marine
Corps in Japan. He asked for news
trots b«"*e vis a South Jetty
subscription. Borne of onr staff
members took heart, and included a
note with bis subscription His aunt 1
received this week.]
Hianks for acting so quickly! Also
thanks for the notes, T m surprised to
say the least. It was really nice of
Ashly Fenton
Spin off
IF NOTHING ELSE. OUR SO
called “Do-Nothing" City Council is
apparently moved by public opinion.
Complaints about streets and a call
to action on the proposed hotel-motel
tax increase were heard at city hall.
Hie council is setting in motion the
wheels of progress on street repairs
and it will vote on a first reading of
the hotel-motel (occupancy) tax
increase at its meeting tonight,
Thursday, Nov. 17. Thanks, fellas.
As pointed out in a letter to the
editor published on this page, the
council simply taking action isn’t
going to put a smile on every face in
town. Not everyone is going to agree
on the action taken. But as far as Tm
concerned it’s better than sitting on
high center forever. It also shows us
how our elected representatives are
functioning, and that’s the only way
we can evaluate them.
I have heard some very articulate
people address in broad terms issues
that are critical to our town; and I
have heard those who may be as
articulate but who only see with
tunnel vision. It’s really impossible
by C. M. Henkel Jr.
junkets. Last week Congressman
Solomon Ortiz visited Lebanon and
returned to tell us about the high
morale of the Marines. What else,
what’s new? No offense to Ortiz. He
was in company of colleague and
following an established pattern. In
the main I object because that trip
and other of the same nature
accomplish nothing and are a waste
of your money and mine. Had the
congressman on the otherhand spent
a fortnight in Lebanon, talked to
people on all sides of high and low
degree he might have had a story
telling.
THIS SHOULD BE A LAST WORD
to anti-nuk types and their like. Fat
Chancel Throughout history men,
nations have made non-aggression,
disarmament pacts. Nations have
constantly built war machines and
those few who have not have fallen,
deservedly. In other words all of
those things are utter nonsense. The
only way for men and nations to live
in peace is through tolerance, mutual
understanding, intelligent, give and
take. I can think of no time in the
history of mankind when he has even
approached any part of this idealism.
Certainly not today. Above all else
Homo sapiens have and seem ever to
remain above all else aggressors.
Face it. Men - and women have an
obsession for blood and gore, only
they call it sports -- boxing,
wrestling, football, hockey, cock
fighting, bull fighting on ad infini-
tum. They go to the auto race track
in tingling acticipation - of the crash
and collision.
to the editor
ya’ll to take time out for me.
T m sending you a check as well as
a couple of pictures. Tm sorry but I
don’t drink, so I don’t have too many
sakies. As for your question about
when Til be coming home, it’s hard
to say. Since the latest action in
Lebanon and Grenada, leave has
been hard to come by. All that stuff
has stirred up some anti-American
sentiment over here. A few bases
have already had bombs set and
exploded, we are supposed to be
next. Security is at the max to say
the least.
Til do my best to get back before
Fort A’s little winter swell from the
southeast dies out for the summer.
Again, thanks a lot.
Ashly Fenton
P.F.C.-U.S.M.C.
"The more we nueat m peace,
The leu we bleed in tuor."
P.S. ril be carrying the U.S. Colors
(flag) for the President next week at
Yokota Air Base!
The custom of "knocking on wood” began because people
hoped the noise would prevent evil spirits from hearing
aoout tneir gooa iuck ana taKing it away from tnem.
Subnrription Form (.lip-out
Please send SOUTH JETTY to:
Name
Street-
Tereasa Oualey also took heart and
paid for the subscription Following
Is the response, dated Nov. S,
Price: 112 per year
lie turn to: SOUTH JETTY
Boi 1116
Port Aransas. Texas 7637)
to believe that anyone can truly be
representative of all the people. But
there are those who make attempts;
and there are others who make no
bones about the special interests
they represent. Both types are vital
to our system of government.
I would encourage these people
who have expressed a deep concern
for the future of our town, whether
in broad or special interest terms, to
give serious thought to helping shape
our town. Hiat’s a side-wise way of
by Mary Henkel Judson
saying, “hey, quit jawing and do
something run for city council!
Hie time to start filing for office is
just around the comer, so it’s time
now to do some serious thinking.
As we have done in the past, the
South Jetty will invite all the
candidates to announce their inten-
tions free of charge. More about that
later.
For now, just how much do you
care about Port Aransas? Enough to
sit on the hot seat?
Archibald Cox, fired by Richard
Nixon as Watergate Special Prosecu-
tor, is now the chairman of Common
Cause, the citizen's lobby that is
widely acclaimed for its efforts in
keeping ours “a government of the
people, by the people, for the
people.”
His organization, along with many
others, has been and still is gearing
up for the 1984 political campaign. In
a letter seeking new members and
financial support, Cox points out that
various special interest groups,
through their political action com-
mittees, will be pouring millions of
dollars into next year’s presidential
campaign and congressional election.
In turn, he spotlights three
survival issues affecting the common
interests of all people. Hiese, he
feels, must be aired during the 1984
campaigns. They must be addressed
by all candidates.
First is the integrity of our form of
representative government. Cox
charges - and many office-holders
have agreed - that the democratic
process is being crippled by narrow,
special interest groups concerned
only with privilege and favoritism.
Common Cause is supporting
passage of the Obey-Leach bill.
Reps. David Obey (D-Wisc) and Jim
Leach (R-Iowa) are the principal
sponsors of a bill limiting PAC
contributions and overall campaign
spending. Supporters claim this bill
will take the “For Sale” sign off
Congress.
Hie second survival issue for Cox
involves equity and fairness. Saying
that equal treatment is not available
in our country at present, Common
Cause seeks to reform “our out-
moded and unfair tax system.” It
also advocates passage of the Equal
Rights Amendment, enforcement of
our civil rights laws and protection of
the jurisdiction of our federal courts.
Hie third issue, Cox and Common
Cause cite, is that of survival itself.
Control of nuclear arms, it is stated,
is the paramount issue of our times,
with the outcome determining the
very survival of civilization as we
know it.
In a candid statement, Cox writes:
“Please, don’t misunderstand. We
are not naive or unmindful of the
very real Soviet threat to our national
security. We are just equally mindful
of the very real nuclear threat to
civilization.”
He goes on to say that a free,
self-governing people simply cannot
afford to leave nuclear arms policy
solely to the so-called experts and to
the politicians.
Common Cause is seeking to
mobilize thousands of citizens to
press all 1984 candidates on their
commitments toward achieving
meaningful nuclear arms control.
At the same time, according to
Cox, the organization is continuing
efforts to block funding of the MX
missile system and is lobbying for
bilateral and verifiable - these are
key words for a lot of us - nuclear
arms control treaties.
Integrity, equity and fairness, and
survival are the core of 1984 political
issues, in the view of Archibald Cox
and Common Cause.
It's stuff like that that dreams are
made of.
With enough folks insisting,
dreams can become realities.
Get yourself involved. One way or
another.
Sitting on your hands is a good
way to give up your freedom!
Streets
would pay, for example, a certain
amount per $1,000 of assessed value.
Hiat is also being considered by the
city.
At this point a cost estimate would
be premature, especially since costs
will vary widely anyway based on the
extent of the street work necessary,
the city manager said.
An assessment program would not
be a mandatory operation by the city.
Instead, at least 51 percent of the
property owners on a street would
have to petition the city to repair
their street. A public hearing on the
petition would be held before the
council could initiate the project.
That way the city can be relatively
sure of avoiding delinquency in
paying for the work. Another
advantage pointed out by Pulich was
that the assessment program re-
covers costa from those who directly
benefit from the improvements.
A bond issue could be floated in
addition to assessing costs to
property owners to help the city pay
for its share of the work, and there is
from page one
also the possibility of getting state
funds to help with work on the
business routes such as Cotter and
Alister streets.
It was also suggested that the city
designate truck routes as a safety
measure as well as to reduce the
wear on residential streets not
designed for the weight of heavy
trucks or the excessive wear caused
by heavy traffic flow.
The council agreed that a drainage
plan is essential and that clearing of
ditches and at least repairing of
street shoulders should be initiated
as soon as possible.
At the mayor's breakfast Saturday
Urban Engineers presented a list of
streets and estimated costs for the
ditch and shoulder work. Hiat work
will be paid for with available funds
and not through an assessment
program, Pulich said. Hie funds for
street work will come from the
$100,000 surplus in last year's
budget that the council agreed to use
for street maintenance.
Southern Publishing, Inc.
749*5131
P.O. Box 1116 Port Aransas, Tx. 78373
141 W. Cotter
Subscriptions: $12 per year
Co- Publishers
Murray and Mary Judson
Advertising Manager
M urray Judson
Reporter/Ad Sales
tmunm .Minuiufis
Office Supplies / Classified
Becky Flores
Managing Editor
Mary Judson
Office Manager
vsiene i nrnim
Composing
Barbara Yates
The South Jetty is published every Hiursdav by Southern
Fnbuahiag. in«. at 141 W . C-eUe« Avenue in Ton Aransas Any
erroneous statement regarding corporations, linns or individuals
will be giadlv corrected when railed to the attention ol the
editor*
Second (lass Postage is paid at Port Aran Baa Tains 7H.17.1
ISibliration Number 946 02b
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Judson, Mary. Port Aransas South Jetty (Port Aransas, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 17, 1983, newspaper, November 17, 1983; Port Aransas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth623844/m1/2/?q=+%22Amarillo%22+%22streets%22: accessed May 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Ellis Memorial Library.