The West News (West, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 5, 2001 Page: 2 of 12
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The West News - Thursday, April 5,2001
«
GAYS WAGE UNHOLY WAR AGAINST SOCIETY
"America is in the midst of an enormous cultural
struggle over homosexuality. ”
by F.R. Duplantier
“The best community for human beings to be bom
and grow up in is a family based on the stable bond
between a husband and wife,” declares Christopher
Wolfe of the American Public Philosophy Institute.
“The relationship between a husband and a wife is
complementary,” he explains, “one in which the union
is solidified by the distinctive contributions of mascu-
linity and femininity.”
In a new book called Same-Sex Matters, Wolfe
emphasizes the status of marriage as “the institution
that provides the framework for conceiving, bearing,
and educating children. It is irreplaceable,” he affirms.
“Many of our current social pathologies arise from the
fact that our society has not been successful in
handing on the heritage of social norms supporting a
strong, intact family .” Wolfe recommends reinforcing
“traditional notions of sexuality in which sex is
legitimate only within the perspective of family life.”
In a chapter contributed to the same book, Robert
Knight of the Family Research Council warns that
“the freedom to disagree with homosexual activism”
is receding. “The cultural struggle we face is no
longer about whether Judeo-Christian morality will
prevail as the dominant value system,” he argues. “It
is now about whether biblical Judaism and Christi-
anity will be permitted at all.” Knight paints a grim
picture of the prospects for moral traditionalists.
“Homosexual activists have commandeered virtually
all mainstream media,” he charges, “including tele-
vision, print, and the entertainment industry. They
also have a commanding presence in academia and an
increasing role in corporations.”
Knight identifies the homosexual rights movement
as “the spear point in the cultural war to destroy
traditional religion. Its goal,” he contends, “requires
nothing less than the public marginalization of Chris-
tianity and, in some cases, the criminalization of
conduct based on Christian principles.” Knight reports
that “more and more Christians are denied tenure at
universities or admission to medical and law schools
because of their ‘outmoded’ attitudes toward life and
morality. Employees in corporations and in govern-
ment,” he notes, “are being subjected to diversity
training that directly challenges their most deeply held
religious beliefs.”
Knight emphasizes that “the gay rights movement
is making impressive gains because traditionalists
have not mobilized their forces, fashioned a plan, or
constructed a simple, effective message. Homosexual
activists, on the other hand, have pounded out a com-
pelling three-part message: we are bom this way; we
cannot change; therefore, we deserve civil rights
status.” He points out that many corporations now
include sexual orientation as “a minority category in
workplace protection rules,” while others “have even
elevated homosexuality to virtual marital status by
offering domestic partner benefits.”
Knight believes that the battle is “heating up on all
levels. Unless traditionalists and Christians step up
their efforts,” he warns, “they will soon find them-
selves out of jobs, and some will even land in jail. It
is that serious. The gay rights movement is the great-
est threat today to religious freedom, free speech, and
freedom of association,” Knight asserts. “It will be
stopped only when the truth emerges about the threat
it poses to civil liberties....”
Race for the Cure needing runners
Anyone wishing to join the "West team" on April 28 to participate in
the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - Breast Cancer Foundation,
is asked to send their entry form to Jane Mashek at 1005 Jerry
Mashek Dr, West, Tex. 76691 or call her at 826-5755. The deadline
for those wishing to join the West team is no later than April 12.
Walkers are also welcome to join.
Baseball registration for ages 13-18
Registration for area youngsters wishing to play baseball this
summer is scheduled to continue through April 14. Boys ages 13-14
are asked to contact Raymond Kolar at 826-4226 and those ages 15-
16 are to contact Philip Orler at 826-3823. Boys ages 17-18 are to
contact David Kolar at 826-3874.
Wt\t Pbsi
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"The oldest business in West, established in 1889“
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The West Times The West News
Established in 1889 Established in 1909
Consolidated January, 1913
Larry Knapek Linn A. Pescaia
Editor Publisher
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Texas Press Association member
Another Point of View
Just before I started this
Penelope High
One Act Play
advances to area
competition
Penelope's One Act Play,
"Harvey" was one of the advanc-
ing plays in District competition
March 27 at Navarro College in
Corsicana. The play will perform
at Area competition on April 5 at
Lon Morris College in Jackson-
ville. The plays begin at 9:30
a.m. and Penelope's play will be
first to perform.
The members of cast receiv-
ing awards were Aleisha Kelley,
Best Actress; Jo Harlin, Best
Actor; Ashley Adams, All Star
Cast; DeAnna Beseda, Honor-
able Mention; Tanner Svacina,
Honorable Mention. Other cast
members are Ysela Herrera, Keri
Wright, Natalie Matula, Crystal
Lozano, Mario Herrera, Jason
Atkins, Morgan Ferguson, Lisa
Dudik and Joey Jaska. Crew
members are Melissa Garcia,
Cassidy Sherman, Martin Dudik,
Billie Jo Jaska and Jamie Har-
ris, alternate. The play is di-
rected by Gloria Walton.
The earliest known vending
machine was a device that dis-
pensed holy water in Greek tem-
ple in Alexandria, Egypt in the
200s BC.
column, the House voted on the
income tax reduction bill that
was proposed by President Bush.
The bill passed and now goes to
the Senate where it will more
than likely run into stiffer
opposition. There was
considerable opposition in the
House, but most of it was simply
a ploy by the minority to muddy
the waters. There was the usual
lying about the proposed tax-cut's
size. It is 1.6 trillion dollars over
the next ten years. The reduction
will be phased in over the next
six years at a small reduction
each year in each rate category.
The opposition would have
everyone believe that the whole
amount would be reduced this
year. It simply is not true! In the
next ten years the government
will collect 15 trillion dollars so
the proposed reduction is only
slightly over 10 percent. Bill
Clinton and A1 Gore repeatedly
said that in the next ten years
there would be more than a 5
trillion-dollar surplus. Oneofthe
arguments by the opposition is
that such a large tax reduction
could hamper the debt reduction
that has been promised. I have a
question. Is the opposition saying
that Bill and A1 were lying about
the size of the surplus simply to
make it appear that their
admi nistration was frugal? Most
Democrats and some
Republicans say a cut that large
would stifle new initiatives and
damage efforts to reduce the
national debt. That statement
requires some translation. What
is means is that giving a tax cut
would hinder their spending
habits. Wouldn't that just be too
bad? There are two ways to fix a
budget that doesn't balance, as
any household knows. Either
income must be increased (raise
taxes) or reduce spending.
Congress has a lot to learn about
reducing spending. This year's
budget is eight percent higher
than the budget last year. The
budget for next year is proposed
by the president to increase no
more than four percent. This is
certainly a step in the right
direction.
Senator Max Baucus, the
senator from Montana said, "It
would be prudent to be a little
conservative on tax cuts to avoid
the yo-yo effect." What he means
is that if the Democrats get a
majority in the Congress in 2002,
they will just raise taxes again.
Remember that Bill Clinton and
the Democratic Congress gave
us in 1992 thelargest tax increase
in the history of income tax. We
deserve a tax cut now. Congress
should not consider a surplus
their money. It is our money and
we should not be required to
finance their spending
campaigns to perpetuate
themselves in office.
Congress is going to make
every attempt to. get their hands
on as much of OUR money as
possible. Also, this week a
bipartisan group of House
members started pressing the
leadership to approve a daily
allowance of $165 to help cover
the costs of living in Washington.
The leadership quashed the
proposal only a month ago, but
the rank-and-file Democrat and
Republican lawmakers are trying
to revive it. This stipend would
amount to $25,000 per year per
congressman, and guess what, it
would be tax-free. This is a
ridiculous requ.est and casts some
light on the mentality of our
Congress. House members now
make $145,000 per year. If that
is not enough for them to live in
Washington, then they should
resign and move back to their
home districts. Would they do
this? Not on your tintype. When
one of them is voted out of office,
they invariably get them a job
and stay in Washington. We may
have more to say on this subject
later.
Senate education passes
school start date bill
Waco church hosting media production
Victorious Life Church is to host "The Saving of Private Ryan," a
dramatic multi-media production depicting the supreme sacrifice of
many to save one. This production is at 7 p.m. April 21 and 22 at the
Victorious Live Church located at 1-35 and Hewitt Exit 328. Admis-
sion is free and for more information, call 662-5552.
San Antonio - Texans for a
Traditional School Year today
praised and thanked the Senate
Education Committee for quickly
passing a revised Senate Bill 108.
SB 108 would require school
districts to start school no earlier
than the week in which August 21
falls.
"My biggest concern is a little
statistic that I received not too long
ago that indicated 250,000 kids
were absent the first day of school,"
said Senator Eddie Lucio (D-
Brownsville), the bill’s author. "SB
108 gives school districts a lot of
flexibility while addressing the
concerns of parents and teachers,"
he said. "This bill has changed dur-
ing the last few months to reflect
compromises stemming from the
input I have sought."
In addition to low attendance
numbers, according to Senate hear-
ing testimony, the early-August
school start date creates headaches,
heartaches and hardships for Texas
teachers, students and families.
"When school is allowed to start
earlier and earlier in the summer
months it inhibits teachers’ abilities
to continue their education," said
Tina Bruno, executive director of
Texans for a Traditional School
Year, a state-wide grassroots organ-
ization.
"With all the discussion about
the need for teachers to receive
advanced training in specialized
areas, it is more important today
than ever to ensure teachers have a
full summer to pursue advanced
degrees," Bruno added.
"Starting school in early August
also minimizes students’ opportu-
nities to gain workplace experience
yet it provides no additional class
time or educational benefit to our
students," Bruno said. Other
Senate hearing testimony revealed
that the early August school start
date is adding to ozone-related
problems, increased electric bills
for schools and a possible decline
in revenue for the state.
Among the other groups signing
cards of support for SB 108 were
the Texas State Teachers
Association, the Weslaco
Federation of Teachers, Rio Grande
Labor Council and the Greater
Houston Partnership.
A spokesman from the Texas
Federation of Teachers said his
organization was not taking a posi-
tion on the legislation, but reported
a recent survey by his group which
revealed 68 percent of their mem-
bers surveyed agreed school dis-
tricts should be prohibited from
starting classes prior to September
1.
Critics of the proposed legisla-
tion say it takes away local control
from the school districts.
Texans for a Traditional School
Year is a grass-roots, non-profit
organization concerned about the
negative impact the early-August
school start date has on students,
teachers and families. Their mis-
sion is to raise pubic awareness
about this issue an its direct impact
on Texas youth and the education
we expect them to earn.
For more information on the
negative impact of the early-
August school start date on teach-
ers, families and students, contact
Texans for a Traditional School
Year toll-free at 877-531-9011.
1991 WHS grads plan 10 year reunion
The 1991 West High School grads are in the process of planning
their 10 year reunion. They are currently seeking the addresses of
several classmates. Please call Jenny Matus Tacker at 826-4395 or
Kathy Sykora Pustejovsky at 582-7384 with any addresses.
Junior softball registration extended
The West Baseball-Softball League has extended its registration
deadline for girls (ages 13,14 and 15) wishing to participate in the
junior softball league this summer. For information and to register,
contact Adolph Kolar at 826-3596 after 6 p.m. No registrations are
to be accepted after April 14.
Material scraps for Project Linus
Area residents are invited to donate scraps of material to West
Brownie Troop 7208. The material scraps are to be given to the Waco
Chapter of Project Linus and volunteers are to turn the scraps into
blankets. These blankets are to be given to underprivileged, seri-
ously ill or traumatized children in the area. For further informa-
tion, contact Melissa Morgan at 822-0159.
INCOME TAX PREPARATION
by
'i Peggy Hill and
Laura Lankford, CPA
West Bank & Trust Annex
(254) 826-4240 (dzo
Don’t settle
for any ordinary
IRA
I Tax advantages
I Flexibility
I Tailored investments
I Personalized service
Transferring your
existing IRA is easy.
Call or stop by today
for details.
Ellen D. Bordelon
209 E. Oak St., Suite B
P.O. Box 477
West, TX 76691
Bus: 254-826-3677
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
Edwardjones
Serving Individual Investors Since 1871
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WEST bank & trust
is here to serve you.
200 W. Oak St.
West, TX 76691
254-826-5333
Member F.D.I.C.
420 N. Hewitt Dr.
Hewitt, TX 76643
254-666-7333
An Edward Jones
self-directed IRA
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Knapek, Larry. The West News (West, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 5, 2001, newspaper, April 5, 2001; West, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth715450/m1/2/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting West Public Library.