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Show !EfQ1Q?0 KG Free Press - Wednesday, November 23, 1994 - Page 4 You Editorial n Either I hadn't realized that the Thanksgiving week was already here or I wasnt praise of the thankful for anything. The other day, as I watched my oldest son hold my youngest son, I realized that it was a case of the former since I felt a marvelous array of emotions. Our three oldest children are each three years apart, and for six years after the third one was born, we thought that was going to be the size of our family. This year brought us a new baby, and we've had to some ofthe infant care ideas we had learned with the other three. But along with our refresher course came a pleasant sort of awe, that we were allowed to have a baby in our home again. I am thrilled to watch him as he looks at the world around him; I wonder what he's thinking about all of the new things he sees, and I worry about the things that I will need to teach him and his brothers and sister so they can reach their potential. As I watched the oldest and youngest together, I was reminded of the age difference between my sister and me, which is the same as those two brothers. While I pondered on their relationship, I thought about my relationship with my sister and I was thankful for her, for the many activities we've had through the years, and for the example she has set, even though I don't always follow it. Lately, I've also pondered some of the .other things in my life that I should be grateful for, but haven't recognized. It's easy to grouse about the annoying car, a things in life, such as a broken-dowhome that needs repairs, or the high cost of living. Then, when I take the time, I recognize that some people don't have cars, or even the money to pay for public transportation. Thanksgiving turkey prepare for our annual Thanksgiving feast, here are a few words of praise for the meal's As we centerpiece the turkey. Some of the following facts were compiled by Norbest. Although the term "turkey" has come to bear a negative connotation, at one time the national opinion of the fowl was much higher. Benjamin Franklin was of the opinion that the turkey, rather than the bald eagle, ought to be named the national bird. That's high praise from a very prominent American. After all, this is an ancient and very American bird. Recent fossil evidence shows that turkeys have roamed this continent for about 10 million years. Archeological evidence shows that Native Americans in the Southwest confined the turkey as long as 2,000 years ago -before the birth of Christ. Aztecs may have been the first to domesticate the turkey. And there is a good chance that when the Pilgrims arrived in America they were already familiar with turkey, since Christopher Columbus and Hernando Cortez both acquired a taste for turkey and both took some back to Europe with them. By 1530, turkeys were being raised domestically in Italy, France and England almost 100 years before the first Thanksgiving feast was celebrated by can't have turkey with your grouse the Pilgrims. And turkeys have played a major role in Thanksgiving day celebrations held ever since that one celebrated in 1621. Pres. Abraham Lincoln made the day an official national holiday in 1863 after a national campaign by Sara Josepha Hale, a magazine editor who also penned "Mary Had a Little Lamb." It was a good year for the turkey. When someone suggested that a pet turkey owned by Lincoln's son, Tad, might make a great holiday dinner, Tad made such a fuss that the pet was issued a "presidential pardon." Such pardons have been common ever re-lea- rn since. But enough about a bird. While the turkey traditionally forms the centerpiece for our Thanksgiving dinner, a sense of gratitude should be the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving celebration. Most of us enjoy an abundant life. We live in a country where political revolutions can be carried out in an orderly fashion witness the Nov. 8 general election. The people can make a difference. Statistics show that we are prospering. Certainly, if the Pilgrims in 1621 found good cause to give thanks for their bounties and their survival, we have even greater cause. Enjoy your Thanksgiving . n - happy. you." I was not have watched all of the ads for Generations with tremendous interest, and awaited its Nov. 17 opening. After all, the television program had been cancelled seven years after it opened, and five years after it got good. The actors were apparently ready for a break, but we trekkers needed a new fix, and Deep Space Nine wasn't it. (Although it is good, and we now plan our weekends around it.) We were a bit dismayed that the movie was showing at the Academy Theater the one in downtown Provo. After all, the Academy sports the oldest gum on the bottom of its seats in Utah Valley. But when Dana called up Saturday af-- So he called me and asked me to go visiting with him. He made an appointment with me for the next evening. He picked me up and we started to walk. "Tom," he said, "we are only going to visit one home tonight, and I must warn you that the lady we are going to visit is badly crippled. In fact, her whole body is misshapen. She was born that way. I have wondered many times why God has let her live. There is only one reason and before this visit is over you will see that reason." We knocked at her door and a young woman answered. "Come in bishop, Lisbeth is waiting for Non-trekke- ready for what I saw. Lisbeth was sittingin an oversize child's high chair. Around the upper part of her body was a cloth that was secured at the back of her chair to prevent her from falling forward. "Bishop," she said, "I am so glad you came. It's been a trying day. Would you give me a blessing?" "Of course," said the bishop. "I invited Tom to come with me. He can assist me." Lisbeth reached out a bony hand to me. "I am so glad you came. I don't have m any visitors." lE'Offjsingl -- honey-colore- naughty reputation. Cars entering would be directed to a whether specific bungalow, dependingon or more less the guests were spending than four hours. Weekend evenings it was not unusual to see dozens of cars circling, waiting ior video-tape- d 1 the new movie, Star Trek: Generations. We ff By TOM GRIFFITHS The bishop placed his hands on her head and signalled me to do likewise. Her hair was silky and thin. The bishop's words came from a humble heart. "Sister Lisbeth, you know I can't bless you with health and strength. That is the will of God. But I can bless you that His spirit of peace and love can attend you and bring you comfort this night." It was almost time to go. Then Lisbeth uttered words that became my lesson. "Thank you, bishop and Tom, for coming. God has been good to me and I am grateful." On my home I couldn't speak. I had such a lump in my throat. That night sleep did not come easy. Over and over I heard the words of Lisbeth. "God has been good to me and I am grateful." With the dawn came a new world for me. Gone from my mind was all doubt and bitterness. A little old lady had taught me a lesson. Saving the 'historic' When the automobile put America on wheels in the 1920s, Highway 66 was America's Main Street. Roadside campgrounds evolved into little villages of frame cabins with steel cots and, sometimes, indoor plumbing. The more grand establishments had tiny screened porches. Gradually, the barracks-like cabins became fancier. Some were designed like tepees, sombreros or taco stands. Then there was the Coral Court Motel. It was something else! Where 66 bypassed St. Louis on the west, the Coral Court was on the north side.' A lawnscaped driveway led to a access to 74 gated entrance the only each with tile bungalows, d an attached garage. The attached garages were for privacy. The Coral court had a deliciously rs - j PGIUl I. ... Paul Harvey Product Inc. 1994 an "opening." More than just another motel, the Coral Court had a veneer of refinement. Rooms had glass ashtrays and chenille bedspreads. The builder and owner, John Carr, had a frayed reputation. Once the village treabrothel, surer, he also owned a and his underworld connections were such that criminals in hiding were sometimes accommodated at the Coral Court. But and mostly, the streamlined lavatory-til- e bungalows were noted for the liberal guest policy and the notable absence of police surveillance. An unsentimental search of history reveals that Coral Court room keys were no-te- glass-bric- k Others don't have shelter, much less a house, or high heating bills. I may not like the amount of the bill, but it represents the good fortune of having a home. The same could be said of one's employment, vehicle, government at any level, neighbors or weather. But positive things could be found in each one to warrant our thanks. With therapy being all the rage these days, we are more aware of our psychological make-up- . Unfortunately, some people blame their circumstances or their parents their problems. As a parent myself, I h ave come to realize that parents in most cases do the best they have with what they've got. They aren't for perfect, and they are really blessed if their children can recognize that and love them despite their faults. Speaking of faults, I can remember complaining about someof the mission companions I worked with in Japan. It's not always easy to live and work with another person, but it teaches valuable lessons. I didn't learned one of those lessons until the night before I left Japan to return home. I had had a great month with a missionary that I really looked up to. We were productive and happy, and we even shared the same birthday. the way. On the eve of our departure, as we gathered for a final dinner with the mission president and his wife, someone brought me a note from my former companion. In his brief, yet profound message, he thanked me for the things that I had done while I was working with him, for my patience and understanding with him, and for the example that I was to him. I had no idea that I had been that positive, but I knew then the importance of being a good partner in all relationships. Which brings me to my final, yet most important blessing in my life. Thirteen years ago tomorrow, my good friend became my bride. That relationship hasn't always been easy and it hasn't been without its problems. It is, however, a good relationship that continues to develop, even though we may not be able to see our progress objectively. Sometimes it seems like a matter of sheer toleration for the other, but there have also been deeper, unrivaled emotions that have forged the bond. This year, with our anniversary coinciding with Thanksgiving, you can be assured, my love, that while we have our turkey, 111 be thinking of you. ll Editions J : By MARC HADDOCK ternoon about 5 telling us he had tickets to the 7 p.m showing of the movie, we were thrilled. We figured we would have to stand in line for hours just to get tickets. We were wrong, and we were right. as We got to the theater abaui6:30 soon as we could make it and laughed at the line of suckers outside the theater snatch up tickets. The line went down the street to the bank, turned the corner and kept going. But we had tickets, we thought. We would avoid the cold wait and just pop right in. Right? Wrong! When we took our much cherished tickets to the front door we were directed to take our place in line. It seems these chumps standing out in the cold were the ticket holders for the 7 p.m. movie. The guys in the front of the line sniggered at us as we made our way back, way back, to the end of the line. To wait. And wait. And wait. At 7 p.m., the crowd started getting restless. After all, the movie was scheduled to start, and the doors still hadnt opened. Were they beginning the movie without the audience? And there were so many of us. Would we all fit in the theater? Had they oversold the movie, like some thoughtless airline more interested in money than people? Thus we murmured and hardened our - - wait-ingt- o hearts. A couple of very brave theater employees, one dressed in a Star Fleet uniform and alien the other decked out as a blue-face- d (probably an Andoran) came around the corner with tricorders and phasers, trying to lighten up the darkening mood of this mob of trekkers. As they neared us, we plotted our revenge against these representatives of the establishment which was forcing us to wait out in the cold for our movie. "Let's take them hostage and force our way inside the move," one man said. "Nah. Let's just kill them!" said the woman behind me. But in the end we did nothing, for trekkers are a civilized bunch. And when the had filtered previous bunch of movie-goeout, and the doors finally opened, we cheered as the line surged forward. We even found reasonable seats, despite the fact that we were near the end of the line. Mollified, we settled in for what we knew would be a treat. And then the trailers started you know, those cute previews of coming attractions. There was one for something about Getting out of Paradise, and the remake of Miracle on 34th Street. We were ready for the show to start. We got another preview, and another, and another. Into the sixth preview, the crowd started getting restless again. Only this time, instead of being strung out along the sidewalk, we were all packed together in this one big room. We all began to see how a mob forms. Following the previews there were two advertisements. I don't remember what the first one was about. We didn't care. The previews were over and the movie was at hand. But when the ad for a Bose CD player started, the crowd reached its collective breaking point. We booed the ad like it was a BYU rs - quarterback who had thrown three incompletions in a row. We were getting ready to throw sucked on Milk Duds at the screen when the ads finally ended and Star Trek: Generations finally got underway. The movie was great. But someone ought to take a photon torpedo to the Academy Theater. Letters to tune edit!? WTO is same old global socialism with new name Editor: The WTO is not something new and innovative. The first attempt at such a once so coveted that St. Louis curio shops sold counterfeit ones - while originals commanded a handsome price. Today, half a century later, Coral Court, behind its locked gates, is decaying and condemned. The lawns have gone to weeds. Inevitably, the eight acres of land on Watson Road lured developers who were prepared to wreck what's left of the Coral Court bungalows and build a shopping center. Suddenly, from the surrounding area, came a chorus of resistance. Tear down our Coral Court? Never! There's no known connection, but snicker that half the babies in South County were conceived in the Coral Court. The resistance mobilized, and lawyers were hired. The lawyers got architects to name the ramshackle buildings as "the finest example of depression streamlined modern architecture." And today, any would-bdevelopers are promptly advised, "Sorry, gentlemen, but the infamous motel is on "The National Register of Historic Buildings." Which it sure enough is! -- uns mid-tow- n - motel no-te- ll U By RUSS DALY a trekker who lives with a family of trekkers. A trekker is re-run- s. Jfeg-- file A brief preface: I am Life's important lessons learned out of school I d Someone should photon torpedo the theater defined as an individual who follows the exploits of those who inhabit the universe of Star Trek with some degree of fanaticism. use the term "trekkies" to describe us, simply because they don't know any better. If they knew better, they'd be trekkers, too. At least, that is the fervent belief of most trekkers. I've watched the program since its inception in the 1960's as prime time television, thoroughly enjoying the exploits of Capt. James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, "Bones" McCoy and others. My wife is of the same era. Dana wasn't born when Star Trek was first broadcast, but he grew up watching For seven seasons we have the around Star Trek broadweekends planned casts. While Dana was on his mission, we every new episode religiously of Star Trek: The Next Generation for two whole years and after he came home from Poland, he retreated into eight video tapes to of TNG as part of his normal society. Dana has a Star Fleet uniform. I don't, but just because they don't mass produce them big enough to fit the old Scotty and that's about the size I would need. All of this build up is to let the reader understand how we feel about the advent of All ofus during our lifetime have lessons we learn outside of regular schools. I had left my native Wales and a month or so after I arrived here I had a terrible case of homesickness. My father and I were never really close, but my mother was ever so close and tender with me. So when she died when I was 12 it seemed that part of my world was in darkness. So in this new land I missed her. Apparently my bishop sensed there was something wrong with me because I had pulled into a shell and he knew I wasn't and he But the month was short-livewas transferred to another assignment. In his place, I was to have one of his former companions, and I was told about some of toproblems they had when they worked gether. Instead of following those preconceptions, I accepted him without any outward reservations, and we began serving together for the next two or three months. We had our ups and downs, but for the most part, we got along well, fulfilled our responsibilities, and had afew laughs along old-time- rs first-bor- n e no-te- ll global trade tribunal was called the ITO (International Trade Organization). The ITO was a product of the Bretton Woods conference in 1994; it was rejected by the U.S. Senate, primarily as a result of pressure from small business. We slew the dragon once and we can slay it again! Since the time our Constitution was written, our Congress has made two major mistakes. 1. When in 1913, passed the Federal Reserve Act, a cartel. 2. The New World Order. (One world government) called the United Nations. Now Congress is poised to vote for or against this third major mistake, GATT, this November. Thecompletetextof theintaglioof agreements that make up GATT is 26,000 pages long. The length of the document alone should lead us to suspect the truth of the matter, namely, that GATT has nothing to do with "free trade," but is, in fact, an attempt at managed trade (a la managed currency, managed environment, managed housing, managed wages, etc., etc.). The U.S. would have no veto power int he WTO. Our vote would be -- ;ual to the likes of Morocco, Bahrain and Zimbabwe. The enforcement of penalties against nations that violate terms of the agreement would entail either ( 1) forcing the offending nation to change its laws including our state laws which their sovereignty of the separate states would also be under assault, since the WTO is supposed to take steps to persuade member nations to get all government entities to tow the line. (2) exacting payment of damages from the offending nation i.e. from its taxpayers, or (3) imposing sanctions on the offending non-centr- al nation. It is easy to see what a tremendous threat to U.S. sovereignty this would entail. GATT and especially the WTO are international socialism, pure and simple. They have been conceived on the premise that trade can only be carried out under the auspices of a bureaucratic elite. Thus the underlying philosophy of GATT is indistinguishable from that of the socialists who have been trying for years to run economic affairs domestically. Most "conservatives" in Congress appear to support GATT. The label "free trade" is apparently so beguiling that few seem willing to subject this agreement to critical scrutiny. Baugh Orem Policy on letters to the editor We welcome letters to the editor. All letters should be typewritten and double spaced. Letters must also be signed, and must include the writer's name and telephone number. Please send letters to Editor, Newtah News Group, P.O. Box 7, American Fork, Utah, 84003. |