Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 117, No. 99, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 12, 1999 Page: 4 of 46
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PACE 4A • THE POLK COUNTY ENTERPRISE, SUNDAY. DECO I BEX 12.1999
EDITORIAL
TNi POLK COUNTY I
Weekly Special
Reinventing government: Right to safety
By JACK ANDEKSON
Hd DOUGLAS COHN
WASHINGTON - How many
ibce were on fe: heat on fee street
stupid," ClUh
i? That
ia 1717? i
was bol This was consakmJ a
strictly local amticr. and local
■Mies icked apoa the Eng-
lish method of constables, the
predecessor of the modem shcnfls,
to keep the peace. Bin a constabu-
lary was not a police face that
waked the streets, deterring crimi-
nal activity by us presence, but
rather something more akin to
process servers who would serve
tapers, ordering people to court.
Only rarely did they carry weapons.
Then, in 1829, British Prime
MIhisicr Sir Robcn Peel instituted
a metropolitan police force, whose
members were nicknamed
Bobbies" in his honor In Amer-
ica, New York City followed suit
1844. Since that time, police
forces have sprung up in virtually
every community, apparently con-
firming the idea that there is no
need for constitutional interference.
The Founding Fathers never
dreamed ihw organized and unorgan-
ized lawlessness and random acts of
violence would become pervasive In
(he modern American city, touched
oil by such social phenomena as
Votiiburon. the Drag War and in-
ner city decay. They did not antici-
pate the advent of child criminals
wielding the firepower of 100 Con-
tinental soldiers.
But. providing for the public
safety is the foremost obligation of
any government Such a right
would empower people to demand
[roper police protection, just as
ky demand the other rights enu-
neraied in the Constitution. So it
i time to codify by amendment our
piplicd right to reasonable safelv.
• CLINTON'S LEGACY:
J.SSIMILATION - Remember
1
The implementation of the “Good
of national <*> Friday" Irish aooonl is the duett
penoaal safety result of U.S. intervention, md the
extraordinary patience shown by
former Senate Majority Leader
George Mitchell who acted as chief
negotiator, middle-man and hand
holder Appointing Mitchell was
stroke of genius.” says Arthur
Schlesingcr
Settling ethnic conflicts by
bringing people together is a novel
concept in much of the world,
where at the first sign of trouble,
dissidents want to form a new coun-
try. The theme that runs through
Clinton's intervention in Kosovo.
Bosnia and Northern Ireland is as-
similation. encouraging people of
diverse religions and ethnic back-
grounds to live harmoniously, or at
least tolerate each other without
resorting to violence and civil war
The homogenous populations of
the 21st century cannot buiki walls
high enough to keep out those who
are different. On his recent visit to
Kosovo, Clinton pleaded with the
Albanian majority not to seek
vengeance against their Serbian
neighbors, who may or may not
have been complied in the crimes
against them. The thirst for revenge
is strong, and it wasn't a message
they wanted to hear
Clinton has taken a similar activ-
ist stance in promoting peace in the
Middle East, where the election of
Prime Minister Ehud Barak earlier
this year put die peace process on a
more solid footing. Barak won of-
fice with die help of an American
campaign team that included Clin-
ton adviser Janies Carville and for-
mer Clinton pollster Stanley
Greenberg.
The same theme of bringing peo-
ple together is evident in Clinton's
approach to domestic issues.
etters to the editor
All here for a purpose
To the editor:
I would like to offer this poem,
which I have written, to help us
celebrate Christmas.
Dear Infant Jesus
How we love dice.
You were die Word come down
from heaven.
Through Mary, your Virgin
Mother,
you entered the world,
the King of die Jews, born in a
manger.
Three Wise Men came from the
East
following your star.
Telling us that you. our Jesus,
came for us all --
not just for the Jews, but for
the world
They bowed before you and
brought you gifts
of gold and frankincense and
myrrh,
perfumes to anoint the dead, for
you came to die for our sins.
How we love thee.
Sweet Jesus --
As you died for us, help us to
live for thee.
God has a plan for each of us,
from the time we arc conceived
If this is not so. then He would
have a plan for no one, because
God is not a respect or of persons.
We sue all his children. He has a
plan for die disabled and bedfast
and for the old and for the pre-
bom. We arc all here for a pur-
pose. Let us see God in everyone
because we are all his creation.
Have a blessed Christmas!
Lyn Elledgc
P.O. Box 535
Livingston
Teaches love, not hate
To the editor:
I am writing in reference to
Mr. King's letter calling mixed
race children "mongrels." People
who refer to these children as
mongrels, ugly misfits or mon-
sters have a serious problem star-
ing them in die (ace! Mixed race
children are some of the most
beautiful and intelligent children
on the earth. I know because I
was a teacher for 30 years and
taught dozens of these kids over
the yean.
My Bible (the same Bible you
mentioned) does am teach separa-
tion of races. The Bible describes
a person by family, tribe or na-
tionality. but it almost never s>
fen to a race or color of skin.
Jews were taught to live sepa-
rately from Gentiles, but they
were not separate races as we use
the term today.
God dU not crease separate
but
evolved over date. He only dme
paw Hood18— are important it
when yon me trying » IN* a
purebred animal for breeding or
God does have natural laws that
protect the separate species of
life. Animals that are not alike
cannot mate and produce off-
spring If hones could cross with
cows a mixed animal would have
taken their place thousands of
yean ago. Yea, tigen do not
mate with elephants, but animals
that belong to the same biologi-
cal group often mate and produce
offspring. Yellow rat snakes
cross with black rat snakes and
produce greenish rate snakes.
Hones cross with donkeys and
produce mules. Dogs cross with
wolves. Cows cross with buffalo
God created perfect laws, but
pfofi; HQ pot perfect and cannot
live perfect lives. Millions would
be pot to death each year if we
followed the taws of the Old Tes-
tament (not just homosexuals, ei-
ther).
God sent his son, Jesus, to
love red I
Through word and deed, he has won
the loyalty of African-Americans to
the point where writer Toni Mor-
rhoo calk him “the first black
president." lie has altered the *»-
ktguc on tobacco md guns axi
gays, three hot-button issues where
partisan lines have begun to blur,
as majorities m both panics move
towwd common-sense solutions and
tolerance
Clinton's approval ratings remain
high, higher than President Rea-
gan's ai a sunt Lit pouit, yet Clm-
•uio is also the most hated president
since Richard Nixon and maybe
since FDR. Granted, he has given
his detractors plenty to work with
Yet impeaching Clinton1
unpopular ta the country
Prosperity has eased tome of the
animosity against Clinton With
the stock market up, welfare roils
cut in half md crime down, no Re-
publican running for president will
tkse ask: Are you better off today
than you were eight yean ago?
To order a signed edition of Jack
Anderson's autobiography, "Peace.
War A Politics.” call (730) 821-
3434.
CwrWH IfM.
Do you have an opinion?
The Polk County Enterprise encourages readers to submit letters ex-
pressing their views and opinions.
The letters will be published in the Enterprise s "Letters to die editor’
column on Thursday or Sunday
The ietten may he written on my subject or issue of general interest
Letters must he accompanied by a name and mailing address and will be
subject to editing far grammar, punctuation, spelling and length.
Letters must include a telephone number for verification. We will not
publish the telephone number.
Readers should keep their letters brief and to the point Each letter
should contain no more than 630 wards Letters exceeding that length will
be subject to editing or withheld from publication.
Letters will also be subject to editing for libelous statements md
commercialism.
This column is not meant as a forum for political candidates, although
we welcome comments from the public concerning campaign issues.
During election campaigns, we will not allow reference to specific local
CantU talrt
Letters may be submitted in person; mailed to "Letters to the editor."
Polk County Enterprise, P.O. Box 1276, Livingston, TX 77351; sent to
the Enterprise by fax to (409) 327-7156 or sent e-mail to
<polknews#livingston.nei>.
Deadline for letters is 5 p m Tuesday for Thursday's newspaper and 5
p m Friday for Sunday's newspaper.
"The family suggests
that memorial
contributions be made
to the American
1 leart Association."
When people want to
honor a loved one
and fight heart disease.
American Heart
Association^
Fighting Hun 0»mm
sna Stroll*
AMERICAN HEART
ASSOCIATION
MEMORIAI5 k TRIBUTES
1-800-AHA-USA1
Thu IOICI provided *• * puOK serve*
01994 American H*art Allocation
R.D. Hendrix
It 3 Box 1225
Llvlnnafn
POLK COUNTY
ENTERPRISE
ALVIN HOLLEY, PUBLISHER
Telephone Number 327-4357
(USPS 437-340)
WEBSITE: *ww livingsion.net/polknews E-MAIL: pulknews9livingstoa.net
Texas 77351 under the Act of Congress of March 3,1987. Entered
as Second-Class Matter at the Post Office at Livingston,
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
Barbara White, Editor
Van Thomas, Sports Editor
Greg Peak. Area News Editor
Vicki Coker. Living Section Editor
Emily Banks. Reporter
Gordon LeBarron, Photographer
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT
Cameras / Platemaking
Don Holeman. Paul Holley
Pressroom Personnel
Adrian Dunn, Beamon Goodwin, Willis Woods
MaUroom / Circulation
Lee Torres. Lourdes Celedon
Dorothy Wilson, Composition Supervisor
Jennifer Kingsbury, Stephanie Seek, Joan Alexander
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT
Linda Holley, Ad Manager
Sandra Jackson, Kay Loy Cuevas, Kelly Rood
Linda Jacobs, Classified Manager
Patty Hankerd
PRINTING DEPARTMENT
Jennifer Birdwell, Supervisor
BOOKKEEPING DEPARTMENT
Georgia Bailey, Manager
Barbara Wilson, Laura Bright, Dee Sisson
SUBSCRIPTION RATES - $20.00 per yew tax included, in county,
$22.00per year, out of county, $24.00per year out of stale. Published semi-
weekly, Sunday and Thursday at 100 Calhoun in Livingston. Texas by die
Polk County Publishing Co.
Opinions expressed in columns are those of die writer and not i
ily (hose of this newKnsr.
Ooffiiom expressed in editorial are those of (Ik Enternme
POSTMASTER: Postage Paid At Livingston, Tx. Please Send Address
Changes To P.O. Box 1276, Livingston, Texas 77351.
BfranuM rwoTo iv comxin utARaoN.
SANTA MEETS AN ANGEL - Most children tell him that *
they have been good all year long, but Santa will be the first to
admit that he rarely encounters a real angel. This one is Ste-
fany March, who was dressed for the part as a member of the
Beech Creek Assembly of God Children's Choir that per-
formed at the recent Christmas on the Square celebration at
Livingston City Hall. <
On-line ideworks
ARLINGTON, VA - More than matron, he clicks on the “Submit”,
250,000 men have registered with button and instantly receives his
Selective Service using the Internet Selective Service number. AtU-
since the program's inauguration tionally, he receives a formal ac-
exactly one year ago. Agency offi- knowledgment postcard in the mail
rials say on-line registrations now within two weeks. Men also can
account for about one quarter of in- register by returning a mail-back
coming registrations. December 2, registration form received in the |
1999, marks the first anniversary of maii. by registering at any U S. I
the Selective Service System's post office, or by checking a box
popular Internet registration pro- on government forms such as the *
gram. Its start-up received world- student financial aid application.
wide press coverage last year.
Even so, Coronado points out that
Federal tow requires men turning the fastest and easiest way to regis-
18 who reside in the United States, ^ »through the Internet.
citizens and non-citizens alike, to
register with Selective Service
Although late registrations are
within 30 days of their 18th birth- neeqaed,
day. About two million men are re- rcach,ng 26 Fa urC
quired to register every year. Male is a felony and causes a man to be
U.S. citizens reaching age 18 must ineligible for student loans and
register regardless of where they grants for college, most federal and j
live, so Internet registration is es- many state jobs, jobs with the U.S.
pecially convenient for American Postal Service, and federal job trim- ,
men who reaide overseas. ing programs. Moreover, male im- .
"When Selective Service began migrants who are subject to the reg- ,
the on-line registration program, it istration requirement also may be j
was an immediate success,” says denied U.S. citizenship if they cb (
the Honorable Gil Coronado, dree- not register. »
tor of Selective Service. “It is grati-
^XS^nTbv^kSl military to J
M Ji^^tS vt aimnuiJfs i day, Selective Services continues to -
on and registering via computers at national defense man-
ichoois. libraries, and home and “ “ Dot pro-
from overseas locations. In fact, no tn rrinitiurYfTk
ho. «des 4* mcan* 10 reinstate a tair
other fervroe we re provided has tai Stable draft, if necessary
£ “Without Selective Service and die
hne registration. Its popularity sur registration program, Amen-
passes our most optuntstic expccta- far to
lUTn nn lin, n man with a H***1 * «««•" Coronado ex-
* nnmhpr m„U P,ain5 *'n* MCCeSS °f °°'linC
ro istration is not only a milestone in
connect to the Selective Service Anarov's history it is a mile-
Web Sit at http://wwwjss.gov. Af- °® -
ter keying in his registration infor- stonc Amcrt“ ‘ m"9’
Thirty years given
Although the U.S. relies primar-
from page 1
Hon said Sonnier is the stepfather
of one of the victims and unde to
the other two.
Hon atkfaJ that Sonnier has
charges still pending in Harris
County.
In other recent court activity, a
Polk County jury convicted Cart
Wayne Sutton, 32, of agpavmed
aexaal assault of a child aid tade-
cency with a child ta Ota's cowl
Hb victim was a 6-year-old girl.
The jury assessed a 30-year sea-
fence for the first charge, a first
degree felony, md a 20-year sen-
tence for the second charge, a see-
the incident occurred on July 27,
1998.
According to Polk County Dis-
trict Attorney John Hoik man. who
tried the case, Sutton is married to
the victim's natural paternal grand-
mother.
Hoileman said the victim was
livtag ta Abilene with her mother,
hot had gone to visit her father,
who lived with fee victim’s pater-
nal grandmother ia Houston. How-
ever. fee crime occuntd while the
family was sfeymg ta their lake
staying ta
Ik County.
Detective Janie Cain of die Polk
County Sheriff's Department inves-
e-*wair ,'JLu—• •
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White, Barbara. Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 117, No. 99, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 12, 1999, newspaper, December 12, 1999; Livingston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth790702/m1/4/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Livingston Municipal Library.