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Show Sun Advocate 6 Thursday, October BO, 1SB8 The candidates and the cities Twenty years have passed since Lyndon Johnsons War on Poverty. In that time, America has learned much about the limitations of trying to combat urban and rural decay with massive infusions of federal money. Sadly, however, it also seems to have unlearned a few things especially about the toll that such decline can take on human lives and the overall well-bein- g. The United States can no longer afford to throw money at its domestic problems as it did in the 1960s and 70s. But neither can it afford to continue the indifference shown by the Reagan administration to the plight of the inner cities and economically-depresse- d rural areas. The next administration must find a workable middle course between the extravagance of the Great Society and the inattention of the Great Communicator. To a large extent, the problems of inner cities and troubled rural communities are the problems of the nation as a whole. In a letter to the National League of Cities, George Bush accurately identified drugs, schools and homelessness as the most pressing matters on the urban agenda. But like the economy, those are issues that affect all Americans, wherever they live. And the evidence is clear that one of the economic and, to assumptions of the Reagan administration of some degree, the Carter administration as well just isnt valid. A rising economic tide doesnt raise all boats. Thus Michael Dukakis can speak of a e economy, with holes of persistent economic depression in the midst of general prosperity. Those urban and rural holes require Washingtons special attention. As the U.S. Conference of Mayors recently proclaimed, the time has come for the federal government to revive its central role in urban growth and development. The mayors seem to mean, Give us more money. Some new outlays of federal cash may have to be part of the answer, but this time there cant be much of it. And what there is will have to be targeted to places that need it most and can use it best. Also, this time federal actions should be in close support of state efforts, which have had to expand to fill the Reagan gap. Federal development efforts must also be in partnership with the private sector. Government alone cannot fill all the holes in the cheese. Any presidential candidate who suggests that government can do it all is not to be believed. The same goes for any candidate who suggests that it can be done without federal Jjelp. Swiss-chees- V (Reprinted from The Minneapolis Star Tribune.) Life & other trivialities About trademarks By STEVE CHRISTENSEN Managing editor . Check out day care center first The number of households with single parents and parents continues to grow, making it more difficult to find affordable, quality day care. Here are some tips on where to look and what to look for. First, consider your options. Do you prefer a child care center or a private home? If you can afford it, you may even decide to hire someone to come to your home every day. Or, provide room and board in exchange for child care services. for Ask friends, neighbors and recommendations. Also check with church, club and civic organizations as well as your local YWCA or county extension service. To find out if there are licensing or state regulations, contact your local or state government. The state office may also be able to tell you the required ratio of children to adults. If you choose a center or private home, inspect it carefully. Does it have safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers? Are hazardous substances, such as cleaning products, out of childrens reach? If there are infants or toddlers, are stairways blocked off? Also ask how emergency situations will be handled. Interview the care giver about his or her background and experience. Ask for references and check them out. Also, observe how the care giver be wary if youre interacts with children once your in unannounced from dropping discouraged child is enrolled. In addition, discuss your views on discipline and religion in order to reach an understanding and avoid future conflicts. Its also important to let the care giver know if your child has any special needs, such as diet or medication. Determine whether the fees fit your budget. Some facilities base their fees on a sliding scale according to your income. Also ask about special services you may need. Will they pick your child up after school or drive them to music or dance lessons? Do they provide meals or snacks? Offer their services late evening or weekend hours? If possible, enroll your child on a trial basis. You can commit to a longer time period once youre satisfied with the child care services. two working . LETTERS, GUEST COLUMNS INVITED. In fairness to all, the following rules apply without exception: Writers must include a full signature, address and telephone number for verification. Unless the author can be established, the letter will not be published. Please keep letters short and accurately stated. A desired length is three hundred (300) words. Preference will be given to letters. short, typewritten (double-spaceNo more than one letter per month will be printed from an individual. Letters are subject to editing for space and clarity and should not violate libel laws. Those deemed not in good taste will not be considered. Effort will be made to return letters unacceptable for publication to the author. d) Did you know there is no such thing as a styrofoam cup? The latest issue of Washington Journalism Review (WJR) contains an advertisement that explains the accurate description of the item many people call a styrofoam cup is actually a plastic foam cup. is a registered traded STYROFOAM mark of the Dow Chemical Company. STYROFOAM brand products are sold as large boards or blocks. Theyre not used to make cups. The point is, the word STYROFOAM is a registered trademark a brand name, not a generic name for a plastic foam cup. There is an entire section in the WJR dedicated to trademarks, and the preservation of those trademarks. Were you aware that at one time escalator was a registered trademark? How about trampoline, raisin bran, dry ice, linoleum. shredded wheat, yoyo, kerosene and nvlon? All were once registered trademarks. Today they are generic terms, listed in dictionaries without capital letters. Some companies vigorously protect their trademarks. I personally received two letters from attorneys while working for another newspaper because I had inand correctly used the words Mace case where Quality Inn tried to start a new line of motels called McSleep Inns. McDonalds corporation took Quality Inn to court, saying they were attempting to horn in on their famous trademark. The case is pending. There are numerous other cases where a company has fought to keep use of its trademark exclusive, and there are bound to be a lot more, since there are 650,000 words, Velcro. The letters werent threatening, but phrases or logos currently registered as specifically made the point I was not to use trademarks. There are about 70,000 new their trademarks as generic terms again. I trademarks registered every year. There is an interesting dichotomy in all of didnt realize either of those words were trademarks. I do now. this. Companies generally want their I doubt a huge corporation would resort to trademarks to become household words. suing a small newspaper, especially over an The whole point is name identification. innocent mistake. But, by writing letters Then, when it becomes a household word, they show judges they are interested in they get angry when it is used in a way that protecting their trademark. Then, when does not identify it as a registered someone stands to profit from that trademark. Oh well, I think Ill go to the Frigidaire , trademark, they have cause in court to stop it. get a Coke , take two Anacin , sit in the The WJR article tells about a recent court Jacuzzi and read TV Guide . mike royko Killer of a thought on how to get votes Sometimes I have second thoughts about my decision to become a newborn Republican. For example, last night I attended another meeting of my local chapter of the Bush-Quayl- e, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, g Motherhood and God, Society. friend My conservative the chaired and meeting Grump asked for suggestions on how we might gather votes for Bush and Quayle. I stood up and said we should contact the Bush campaign office and ask them to have Bush kill a criminal. Grump looked startled and said, Bush should do what? I repeated my proposal that Bush kill a criminal. My goodness, Grump said, why should he do that? To show the decent, citizens of America that he doesnt believe in coddling criminals. And the best way to demonstrate that is to kill one. But he has already said that Flag-Wavin- law-abidi- ng hes against criminals. Saying it isnt coddling doing it. You never saw John Wayne say to Lucky Ned Pepper and his gang, I will not coddle you. He shot them full of holes. When Clint Eastwood goes up against scum, riff and raff, he doesnt say, I must advise you that you will not be coddled. He doesnt even read them their rights. Just a mean squint and he blows them away. But Bush Why not? A cant do that. presidential candidate cant just go around shooting people, even criminals. It would be illegal. at all. We can surely some persuade Republican sheriff to deputize him. Then he will be legally authorized to kill a criminal. Believe me, when he does it, it will lead the evening news, especially if we can make the shooting a photo opportunity. But where would he find someone to shoot? Thats easy. There are cops all over this country who know where there are drug dealers, dope dens, vicious street gangs. They can take him there and when the cameras are all set up, he can kick in the door and bust in with his guns blazing and kill the dirty rats. You must be insane, A presidential Grump said. candidate cant do something like that. Why not? They kiss babies to show they love babies. They eat pizza to show they like Italians. So why cant he kill a criminal to show he hates them? Because that is the job for the proper authorities. The police, the prosecutors, the Not judges and juries, and all the other law enforcement agencies. But obviously they have failed. If they hadnt, the coddling of criminals would not be an issue. So it is up to George Bush to do something about it. He is doing something. He is taking a tough stance, speaking out against coddling, and vowing to make our streets safe again. Thats not enough. Ronald Reagan said the same things eight years ago. He said he was against coddling criminals. And what do we have today? The same old stuff. Murders, mayhem, muggings, dope- dealing and even peeping toms. And do you know why? No, why? Because criminals dont care if a candidate says he wont coddle them. Do you think John Dillinger wanted to be coddled? Of course not. He wanted to rob banks. Do you think A1 Capone craved coddling? Nonsense. He liked hitting people with baseball bats. Believe me, if you walk up to the average criminal and try to coddle him, he will conk you on the head and take your wallet and Rolex and ravish your female loved ones. So the threat of just makes criminals snicker derisively at Bush. I can just hear them saying, Hey, who non-coddli- ng wants to be coddled by a skinny tennis player like you, Im sure hes the anyway? laughingstock of every prison. No, if hes to be believable, he must kill a criminal. TTiey understand that and theyll know he surely means business. Impossible. Bushs staff would say we are insane. Besides, why should Bush kill a criminal? Dukakis hasnt. Of course Dukakis hasnt. And thats the entire point. Dukakis is a Democrat, so we dont expect him to kill a criminal. But as Republicans, we expect more from our hero. "It is out of the question. Well, then if Bush wont kill a criminal, what makes him any tougher on them than Dukakis is? Grump shouted: Because at least Bush says that when hes president, hell have somebody doit for him. Sort of like a good butler or live-i- n cook? Grump scowled. Im beginning to doubt your commitment to our cause. I apologized, then suggested that maybe Dan Quayle could beat a confession out of a suspect. That, Grump nodded, might make a fine photo opportunity. Yes, especially if Dan slaps the villain with his sand wedge. I I O'JIW off ifcfWi i whtii |