| OCR Text |
Show The Magna Times, Thursday, July 27, 1989 Editorialopinion Straight Talk by Albert D. Hattis I remember going up and back to school in mortal As a tall skinny fear of the school bully, who lived just down the block. He was big, strong, and mean. He enjoyed cornering, then catching, and beating on his prey, and taunting them as the tears flowed. Most of his victims just stood and took whatever he delivered. One day, I was particularly slow getting out of school, and Frank started after me. I was fast, good enough for junior track events, and almost made it home, free. When he cornered me, I dropped my lunch box and decided to punch Frank if he came at me. He did. I smashed him in the face with my longer right arm, and gave him a left in the belly. I was surprised to find Franks mouth bleeding and him crying, what I had expected to be doing. I left for home. Later that evening, our doorbell rang. Franks mother was there, complaining about my treatment of her son to my mother. The bully was rallying support to his side, when everyone, including my mother, knew that only terror had caused me to react. Franks mother would not believe that her son liked beating up on us neighborhood kids. sub-tee- n, Visiting Presidential Homes After commemorating the nations birthday in July, many families may choose to continue their celebration of American history by visiting homes of past U.S. presidents. Our presidents have hailed from the plains of Texas to the luxury of Hyde Park, N.Y. Located in Stonewall, Texas, an hours drive from San Antonio or Austin, is the Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park. A park tour includes stops at the school where the 36th president was educated, Johnson's reconstructed birthplace, his final resting place, his grandparents home and the church he attended. A charming and unpretentious country house, the Texas White House also is located in the park. The late presidents widow. Ladybird Johnson, still lives there. And a drive through the LBJ ranch reveals cattle being raised and crops being grown in the fields. Midway between New York City and Albany, the home of the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt sits majestically on bluffs overlooking the Hudson River, just south of Hyde Park. The home was built around 1826 and is surrounded by 200 acres of fields and woodland. Roosevelts father bought the house in 1867 and remodeled it in 1915. Visitors to Roosevelt's home can view the room where Roosevelts famous radio Fireside Chats originated. Visitors also can see the first presidential library and museum, adjacent to the home. Both President Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor are buried in the Rose Garden on block of white marble marks their resting place. the grounds. An Just three miles south of Hodgenville, Ky., is the site of the Lincoln Homestead State Park, honoring the birthplace of former President Abraham Lincoln. On the homestead stands the log cabin where Lincoln was bom Feb. 12, 1809. The homestead is located on 348 acres named Sinking Spring Farm for the deep rocky spring that provided the farm with fresh water. Visitors to Sinking Spring Farm can see the family Bible and view a short film on Lincolns life in Kentucky. Also, surrounding the farm are rail fences appropriate for a memorial to the Rail Splitter, as Linwas coln known during the 1860 presidential campaign and thereafter. Many visitors of presidential homes find themselves at the lush, rolling green fields of George Washingtons Mount Vernon plantation on the Potomac River in northern Virginia. Located a few miles from the nations capital. Mount Vernon is a picturesque representation of the 18th century. The majority of the mansion was built in 1735 by Washingtons father, Augustine, and was later enlarged by Washington when he made it his permanent residence in 1754. A total of 14 rooms are open to visitors, featuring several original furnishings. Mount Vernons grounds also have been restored to recreate the Colonial period. Outside buildings show where wool and flax fibers were grown and spun into cloth, where the familys laundry was washed and ironed and where meats were cured. Mount Vernons gardens boast a v wide variety of flowers and vegetables typical of the 1 8th century. For more information on historic presidential homes that are part of the National4 Park Service,' please write the Public Affairs' Office, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. 20013. Ill ot one-roo- 11989 PM Editorial Services Bankruptcy Is Very Harsh Consumers Should Seek Respected Credit Counseling (NU) - Many consumers wrong- ly conclude that they should declare bankrupty if they can not make their routine debt payments. What consumers dont realize is that the bankruptcy process is very harsh and may result in all assets being sold to pay off creditors. Typically, bankruptcy does not cancel all debts, only portions of them, leaving consumers to pay off the balances. Bankruptcy generally causes a consumer to have great difficulty obtaining any credit for the next 10 years including loans for mortgages, cars, education and credit cards. Consumers are advised to take firm action at the first sign of trouble by cutting back on expenses. Often lenders can al AT help. Most banks and other lenders which have extended loans will offer informal advice on debt problems and will help consumers rear- range debt payments and later restore credit. They do this because it is in their interest to help consumers stabilize their finances. Some of these are payroll deduction plans, savings programs sponsored by your bank and direct deposit of a payroll check in a bank account. For information on the Consumer Credit Counseling Service nearest you, check your telephone directory, ask your lender or write the National Foundation for Consumer Credit, Suite 507, 8701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md., 20910. A NEVER FAILS This story returned to my memory when I began to see and hear news coverage on what is happening in the middle east. I have never written about Israel or the Arab states or the Middle East, but poor journalism is once again giving us a distorted view of what is taking place. Some background and facts need to supplant a truly remarkable public relations effort before we begin to believe that little Israel, about 4 million people and the size of New Jersey, is picking a fight with its 202 million Arab neighbors, whose ground area is the equivalent of 669 New Jerseys! Also, remember that these Arab nations are loaded with billions in gold, dollars, and oil, while Israel is a piece of the desert with little Will in the way of resources. Israel was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Immediately, its Arab neighbors rejected its creation and existence and massed a military attack. These Arab nations have never been willing to work out solutions to problems. There have been repeated wars and continuing assaults by terrorists. The Arabs have even attacked Israel on its holiest day. While Egypt has finally becalmed its relationship with Israel, no other Arab states have been willing to work things out. Every time the Arabs have fought Israel, the Israelies have won the battle. Lots of lives have now been poured into these wars, and they have been Israeli lives, not ours. They are on the front line. They got exposed to terrorists and terrorism, not us. When it is suggested that the Israelies cave in to the Arabs and hope that there will be peace, we are placing their lives in jeopardy. We shouldnt be surprised if the Israelies dont take our advice because the world knows we are a lot of hot air when it comes to standing tall. We talk a much better case than we perform. The Palestine Liberation Organization is constantly taking aim. Its leaders continuously admit to their real intention ... destruction of Israel. For years they have planned and encouraged attacks, and we recognized the PLO for what it is. Now, with some good public relations, they are encouraging terrorism in Israel by Arabs living in Israel. These Arabs are tossing rocks and shooting bullets. The Israelis, with no place to hide, are trying to put down the terror. If they listen to our advice and give away high ground and defensive posiwill protions, you can be sure that when they are attacked, the advice-givevide assistance that is too little and too late! Our free advise is worth about what it costs! Thats Straight Talk! rs success spoil Utahs efficiency efforts? After a number of years of serious financial problems, Utah concluded the fiscal year with a substantial surplus. Will this success spoil Utahs efin the future? That was the question asked by Utah Foundation, efforts ficiency the private tax research organization in their latest analysis of state and local employment trends in Utah. According to the Foundations report, fiscal necessity encourages economy of operation and greater productivity, while fiscal abundance tends to encourage It points out that the budget austerity practiced during waste and inefficiency. recent years and the determination to achieve greater productivity from the state workforce contributed to the recent improvement in state finances. On the other hand, the study noted that improved finances usually bring about strong pressures for increased spending from various special interest groups. It observed that many of the financial problems encountered by Utah during the 1980s were brought about by the prosperity enjoyed by the state in the 1970s, when surplus state funds encouraged binding for new and expanded programs without any thought given for achieving greater economy or efficiency in state 1988-8- 9 operations. Foundation analysts point out that an effort has been made during recent years to slow down the growth of state and local employment in Utah. When Utah experienced serious financial problems in the mid 1980s, the state and many local units imposed hiring freezes and focused attention on privatization and alternate approaches in providing public services in order to reverse the trend toward big government. In addition, the 1987 Utah Legislature approved a onetime option as a way of reducing the size of the state workforce. The study indicates that these efforts have achieved some measure of success. Although state and local employment has continued to rise in Utah, the increase has been less than the population growth. Over the past ten years, state and local in Utah while it was risemployment per 10,000 population declined by 4.2 in the nation as a whole. ing 2.3 The report notes that this record is even more remarkable when school enrollment changes are considered. School enrollments in Utah climbed by 33.5 between 1977 and 1987, but dropped by 8.2 throughout the nation during this same period. Education is the most costly function or activity of state and local government and accounts for the largest segment of state and local employment. Approximately 60 of all state and local employees in Utah consisted of educational employees. Throughout the naiton, educational employees made up about 49 of die total state of local workforce. The analysis concluded that Utah has become more efficient over the past ten years at least in comparison with other states. It was able to maintain an acceptable level of governmental services, without the continued build up in state and local bureaucracy experienced in other states. This greater efficiency was brought about largely by fiscal necessity. nt Rapid Rise of Mutual Funds They Are Now Fourth Largest Financial Group News USA (NU) - In a relatively short Because investors desired bond peri- od of time, mutual funds have become the nations fourth largest type of financial institution. Only commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, and life insurance companies are larger in terms of assets. In just one decade the number of mutual funds has increased over from 505 funds in five times 1978 to over 2700 at the end of 1988 according to a study by the Investment Company Institute. In the mid-i970- s, equity or stock funds held over half of the assets in mutual funds and money market funds were just starting to grow. By 1980, money market funds (combined with their version) comprised a major portion of assets. pt and income funds, a variety of cific funds ranging from mutual funds investing primarily in U.S. Government bonds to those investing in bond and income opportunities world-wid- e developed. The mutual fund industry has worked at responding to a rapidly changing economic environment and to meeting investor needs according to the News USA syndi- cate. Today, there are mutual funds to suit just about everyone from nineteen to ninety. ture and audio-visu- material: al Mutual Fund Catalog, Investment Company Institute, 1600 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. Hearing Aids Help Most Deafness Many Americans Misinformed About Available Help News USA (NU) - Hearing experts say that too many Americans dont realize that more than 90 percent of all hearing loss can now be helped medically, surgically or with hearing aids. These ear specialists are concerned because there are about 22 million Americans with hearing problems but only a few million of or less than 15 percent them have taken advantage of available help. Dr. Gale Gardner, an ear specialist on the advisory board of the Better Hearing Institute, says that popular myths arid misinformation are the biggest obstacles to effecand that many tive treatment general practitioners are not aware that hearing aids can help most of International Markets Open to American Mutual Fund Investors If you want to find out more about mutual funds, you may write for a catalog of mutual fund litera- their nerve deafness patients. Institute director, Dr. James G. Jones, M.D., president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, agrees. In fact, he says that 95 percent of all hearing aid wearers have nerve deafness, the most common type of nerve loss. This loss comes from nerve damage in the inner ear, most often resulting from aging and sudden or extended exposure to loud noise. The Better Hearing Institute advises those who suspect they have a hearing problem to have their hearing checked by a local hearing help professional. For further information, call the Institutes toll-fre- e Hearing HelpLine at WELL from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.ft News USA (NU) - In 1970 over two-thirof the total capitalization of publicly available wealth was represented by the U.S. market. Today, because of the phenomenal growth the U.S. of economies world-widrepresents less than forty percent of securities available. How do you invest in this world-wid- e market? Finding accurate information and the costs of investing are two obstacles facing individual investors. International mutual funds proe, vide a vehicle for Americans to participate in the total range of world-wid- e opportunities. Through diversification and professional management, a mutual fund can eliminate some of the risk and all of the inconvenience of investing abroad, according to the Investment Company Institute. It reports that international mutual funds provide a vehicle for Americans to participate in the total range of world-wid- e opportunities. Through diversification and professional management, a mutual fund can eliminate some of the risk and all of the inconvenience of investing abroad. Funds Subject to Federal Laws The Institute says that internay tional funds are American-base- d funds fully subject to federal and state securities laws. These funds invest in overseas securities. The professional managers of these international funds are equipped to assess a variety of unfamiliar political and economic scenarios and cope with differences in accounting standards and financial reports. Americans invest overseas because different countries experience their economic cycles at different times, and because solid investment opportunities exist around the world, according to the News USA syndicate. Consider investigating international mutual funds to give your personal investment portfolio an international flavor. For more information about mutual funds, write to the Investment Company Institute, 1600 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.& Goodwill Makes It Work Provides Broad Vocational Help for the Disadvantaged 1988 Goodwill (NU) Industries of America served more than 86,000 people with disabilities and other special needs in its vocational rehabilitation programs. More than 15,300 of these clients were placed in competitive employment. A total of 53,276 clients and other people with disabilities were employed in Goodwill facilities, retail outlets, and industrial contract programs. - In MAGNA TIMES USPS 3255-800- 0 9145 WEST 2700 SOUTH MAGNA, UTAH 84044 J. HOWARD STAHLE Editor Publisher-Managin- g BONNIE STAHLE Advertising-Offic- Manager e KIM FOLSOM Assistant . Editor-Writ- er KENT GOBLE Features-Sport- Writer s DEANA JONES , Typesetter-Offic- e Help PUBLISHED THURSDAYS Poatmaatar nnd Chang of aMroo 14S Waal 2700 South, Magna, Utah 04044 Magna Times Readers Letters to the Editor should be typewritten and double-space- d whenever possible. Letters will be edited for clarity, good taste, and length. The Magna Times will not publish unsigned letters, but the authors may request anonymity. The author should include any pertinent telephone numbers and addresses r such information will be kept strictly confidential and is only for the editors use. Address such correspondence to: The Magna Times, 9145 West 2700 South, Magna, Utah 84044. The publication can be reached at Office hours are 8:30 to 5 p.m. Mon- day through Friday. 250-565- Help for Illiterates and the Retarded TOWN The largest single client group served by Goodwill Industries is people with vocational tages such as illiteracy, a history of criminal behavior, or a total lack of work experience. Mentally retardmake up the second ed people largest group of clients. Other clients have physical or emotional disabilities or behavior disorders, and many are multiply disabled. Help by Job Placement and Training TOPICS WILL YOU CASH I A CHZCK? Vocational services provided by I Goodwill agencies fall into four categories: vocational evaluation, vocational adjustment, skills and placement, and sheltered employment for those clients for whom competitive employment is not a realistic short-rang- e goal. Many Goodwills also offer personal social adjustment training, case job-seeki- management for industrially injured workers, supported employment, and skills training in such areas as data processing or food service. WOULDN'T CASH A FOR MY OWN CHECK BROTHER) Help Through State Agencies Clients come to Goodwill through a variety of referral sources. The state vocational reha- bilitation system is the largest referral source, accounting for 40 percent of yearly referrals. Other clients are referred through the federal Job Training Partnership Act (implemented by state departments of labor), state mental healthmen-ta- l retardation offices, insurance companies, and other private sources, ft |
