August 22, 1974 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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Telephone callers and people on the street have asked us
what we are going to write about in this column now that
King Richard has been relieved of his crown and scepter.
All of them seem to infer that we have been obsessed
a
with the man and his henchmen for the past five years.
That, of course, is ridiculous. A glance at the back files
a
P
[I
t,
[3
Pt
would probably show that during the Watergate
Administration's incumbency we wrote no more than 200
pieces on the subject, a truly restrained reaction considering
the (expletive deleted) they administered to the American
people. A truly obsessed writer could have produced at least
two, maybe three, more editorials during that period.
But that is all water over the gate (or is it blood over the
stonewall?). And there are many things about which to write.
For instance, we might ask Governor Dan Evans if he
could spare a few days away from sitting on the left hand of
Ford the Father to solve the mounting problem of prisoners
:/ escaping from state institutions. With a little concentration
he might come up with an answer, in spite of jet lag and
K pinnacle-power poop.
We might explore the question of why more people don't
tell hospital personnel, voting registrars and other data-happy
types to go to bell when they ask for Social Security
numbers. All it takes is a simple no and you can help delay
that day when you answer only to a number, not a name. If
you wonder what difference that makes, just remember the
trouble you had arguing with a computer over an erroneous
billing and conjure what will happen to you when a police
computer mistakenly spits out your number as a crime
suspect. Lots of luck.
Another likely subject might be speculation on what has
become of Billy Graham, Bob Hope and John Wayne. The
three seem to have disappeared from sight. There are rumors
from Palm Springs, Lend.on and South Africa that the three
have abandoned their political careers for the fields of
evangelism, comedy and moom pictures.
We might inquire why the federal government is shipping
about $25 million worth of tobacco to poor countries in this
fiscal year under Title I of Public Law 480 - the "Food for
Peace" program. Lung cancer is an extremely inefficient way
to reduce a fast-breeding population.
Daniel J. Evans, Governor
Olympia, Washington 98501
Dear Governor Evans:
It might be interesting to explore why Warren Magnuson
asks the voters to return him to the United States Senate
because of his long years and experience in that body. If he
had been a member of the minority party during those years,
it might be understandable, but why would a man who has
been in the controlling party brag about what has happened
since 1937? In the 38 years Maggie has been in Congress, the
United States has been in three wars and won one, the
national debt has gone from $36,424,614,000 to years, 1 have some knowledge of
$473,300,000,000, an increase of 1,214% while the the pr0blem superintendents face
population has increased 63%, and Congressional with the man year situation. I
know that the Legislature
expenditures have risen from $23,077,000 to $540,000,000 designates a specified amount of
(2,248%). monies for salaries to each
As a service to the Nixon loyalists, in the winter of their
discontent, we might provide news of whether or not their
hero is being kept toasty-warm by the $13,500 electric
heating system the grateful taxpayers provided at his modest
San Ciemente retirement shack.
We might discuss the grand larceny being perpetrated by
state officials under provisions of a retirement act which
allows cast-off politicians to increase their pensions up to
400% by working a couple years at a higher-paying job.
We might issue a plea to the new darling of
middle-America, Gerald Ford, to devote time not only to the
restoration of the bundling board and ice cream socials but
the language we lost in an avalanche of misspokes, modified
partial hangouts and inoperatives.
And, it is a foregone conclusion we will have to write an
editorial defending the first high school boy thrown out of
school by his shaggy elders for wearing a crewcut.
~M~Bmm~mmm~nnm~m~u~m~ll~m~m~m~mm~|~l~l~
Mack McGinnis'
I am a resident of the Dayton
Community, located 8 miles
northwest of Shelton in the
immediate vicinity of the
Washington Corrections Center,
and 1 have a problem I am hoping
you can hdp me with.
We have resided in this area
for the past 11 years and used to
enjoy the peace and quiet of our
secluded valley, but for the past
two years, that peace has changed
to apprehension and fear. The
reason for this fear is the
increasing frequency of inmate
escapes from the corrections
center.
Since 1 have been employed
with the state for the past eight
department and that the office of
O.P.P.&F.M. designates to each
department head how to utilize
these monies for "man years" in
the employment of staff.
How can security be
maintained at a correctional
facility when positions are cut
from their budgets which would
cause them to close down the
towers at night. (WCC has seven
towers. Three - 1, 4 and 6 - are
manned during the day and only
two - 1 and 4 - on the swing and
graveyard shifts.) There is a
"roving patrol" but it is obvious
after the break on August 13, that
they cannot do an adequate job
of patroling the perimeter. This is
through no fault of the custodial
staff, for the layout of the center
is quite extensive and two roving
patrol units per shift is not
eno ugh.
The people in this community
are the ones who have the most to
fear for the close proximity to the
center makes it a convenient place
to acquire transportation,
supplies, etc. What's more, these
continued breakouts have made
this area a less desirable place to
live and hence the value of
property could drop drastically.
I bdieve that the center has
an obligation to notify the
residents of this area when a
breakout has occurred, give a
physical description of the
inmates involved and whether or
not they are considered
"dangerous." Many of our
children go horseback riding on
the back trails and prior notice
would keep them from becoming
possible hostages. At the present
time they only notify a small
number of residents via stopping
to ask if they have seen any
strangers around the vicinity.
The thing that is really
worrying me is when are the
department heads going to find it
desirable to increase staff and
enforce a more strict security
system within the resident halls of
i~lUlnlflllmMimlmmlllmllillllllmllllllllllllllllllllmHIIllllllmllllllll
One bright spot in the football players' strike is that if it continues it'H
help reduce the violence on television.
(Clyde Moore in Columbus Dispatch)
"But I am ashamed of
beg#ng, Sir. I'm saving up
for a pistol."
William Ruckeisbaus, who was "fired or resigned" last October in a
di ment with the President over his refusal to rure Watevgate
Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, spoke here to a meeting of legislators
from across the Midwest. Excerpts follow:
"'It's true that I started a law office in Washington. It's not true that
Chuck Colson is going to be one of my partners.
'I used to he afraid to tell stories.., for fear that it had been heard
before. But rye always been sustained by the words of Augustine
B~.._rdo, who once said, "Never hesitate to say anything for fear that's
been heard before, for in every audience there is always a significant
number of people who have never heard anything.'
"As ! was sitting here tonight, it struck me as an ex-state legislator
that you are almost a perfect audience. Mark Twain, you know, once
described a perfect audience as intelligent, witty, capable,
iaquisitive.., and dru .
"1 was asked to talk about the situation in Washington. But rve
been gone for two hours and haven't the foggiest idea what's going on
there."
(B. J. Gilley in Indianapolis news)
A football expert is a person who can tell ff a game is inter-divisional,
inter-conference, intra-cunference or inter4eague.
(Mark Beltaire in Detroit Free Press)
"Sales Talk" says streaking was begun by a stock broker leaving town
with all his possessions.
(Wayne Mackey in Oklahoma City Times)
gecretary, banding letter to the boss: "This one's marked 'Personal' but
it isn't, really."
(Gone Brown in Danbury News-Times)
•
)age 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, August 22, 1974
this facility? Are they waiting for
someone to get killed or perhaps
one of the daughters of the
community to be raped and carry
the scar of that experience with
her forever? There have already
been thefts of a truck, camping
equipment, food, etc. What comes
next?
The simple solution for me
would be to move, but - I have
lived here a long time and my
family has invested much time
and love into making our home a
peaceful place to live. Moving
would not solve the problem for
the rest of the community either.
So I am asking your help. As a
community what would be our
best course of action? We seem to
be getting a bit of run-around
from the administrative level of
institutions (state office level).
Thanking you for any
suggestions or help you might be
able to give, I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Jacquelyn W. Tobin
Route 10, Box 105
Shelton, Washington 98584
Editor, The Journal:
1 wonder what it is about a
new mailbox that turns some
people into stark raving
madpersons? While on a drive the
other evening I was noticing all of
the new mailboxes or super large
boxes were dented in or literally
demolished by being pelted with
rocks.
What a waste - the owners of
these mailboxes have spent quite
a bit of money to install a suitable
receptacle for their mail. Many
have painted and fixed them up
to be unique and individual. Then
comes along some kook who has
nothing better to do with their
time than pelting mailboxes with
rocks from cars.
How sad it is that some
people have never learned to
respect the property of others.
J. Tobin
a footnote, ours catches
this treatment on a rather regular
basis. 1 have reached the point
where I am saying, "What's the
use in trying to fix it up any
more?"
Editor, The Journal:
Because of tens of thousands
of letters against federal land use
control, the Land Use Planning
Act was killed in the House. At
that time Congressman John
Rarick warned that the feds
would try to get federal land
control by administrative
command. That was strong talk.
Could the strongly expressed will
of the people be cancelled by
executive order?
But it happened! In July
Russel Train, Administrator of
Environmental Protection
Agency, (EPA), announced that
his bureau had formed a new
division to deal with land use
problems. The New York Times
reported that Mr. Train's plan
could affect the whole nation.
E.P.A. regulations published
in the Federal Register last
February have already established
almost total control over U.S.
construction industry. NOw
E.P.A. requires that states present
land use plans that include air
quality considerations.
Does Environmental
Protection Agency plan to rule
the nation by dictatorial order?
The protection we need is from
unelected agencies.
Congressman Rarick calls this
the "Congress and the public be
damned" attitude of the
executive branch. Land Use
Planning has been established by
the federal government although
it was rejected by Congress.
Congressman Rarick calls this "a
frightening exercise of raw power
by Washington's unelected army
of social planners."
Rarick, with other
Congressmen, is working to limit
the power of E.P.A. by amending
the Clean Air Act to place those
matters in local control.
It is to be hoped that those
tens of thousands and many more
will back the congressmen in this
effort.
Winifred Bunker
Editor, The Journal:
I have complained many times
about the Shdton.Matlock Road,
but this time I am very upset
about its condition.
About two weeks ago, my
daughter and I were donating our
time and truck to haul lumber for
a new fire hall. As we were
driving, about three or four miles
out of Shelton, we were struck by
a logging truck and thrown into
the ditch while he was trying to
pass us. (! am not aiming this at
the driver of the logging truck).
Luckily we were only bruised.
! was driving at a speed which
I thought was safe for a truck
loaded with lumber. The logging
truck was empty so he could
travel at a faster rate of speed
than !. Unfortunately, the road
was not wide enough for both of
US.
If we can keep up with
progress by sending men to the
moon and back safely, it seems
strange to me we can't keep up
with progress in our own
communities so we can have safe
roads to travel. The school buses
which carry your and my children
to and from school also have to
travel these TOO ROUGH, TOO
NARROW roads.
The road between Shelton
and Grays Harbor has been in
very poor condition for a very
long time.
We pay our share of gas tax
and license fees and I am quite
sure the truckers who have to put
up with this road also pay their
share.
Does someone have to get:
SERIOUSLY INJURED or
KILLED before something will be
done about this road?!!
Mrs. Geraldene Brehmeyer
Editor, The Journal:
It has been said that you would print anything on your editorial page if it was signed.
We know you can dish it out - now let's see if you can take it, especially from one of
your peers. I submit the following article in the public interest. Thelma L. Puhn,
FRANKLIN B. SMITH
The American press has destroyed a
Presidency of the United States. Al-
though it is too late to help the victims
and relieve the enormity of this act,
perhaps the press finally will realize the
need to reform itself and to rot. to its
basic and historical mission.
What the press helped to accomplish
in this last week was a bloodless revolu-
tion. It was done with precision, passion
and piety.
First it. was essential for Spiro T.
Agnew to be driven from office. This
was achieved through news leaks, specu-
lative stories and other press behavior
that once was considered unethical in
our profession. Then, with Mr. Agnew
out of the Vice Presidency, Richard M.
Nixon became fair game and the press
zealots hounded him unmercifully to the
desired conclusion.
The result is this: Less than two
years after the Nixon-Agnew Administra-
tion was resoundingly supported by the
people, in a free •election, this nation
today for the first time in history has a
President unelected by the public he
serves. The revolution was complete.
The press, in effect, helped to over-
throw our Government, and it did so
through means and methods elearJ v
sanctioned by'constitutional law or moral
code. The First Amendment to the Con-
stitution g u a r a n t e e s freedom of the
press, hut the horrible perversion of that
freedom is license, which must not be
condoned inside or outside of our profes-
sion.
The platitudes about "shooting the
messen=er of bad news s mply are not
relevan[ here. The publication of news,
good or bad, is the essential pro'pose of
the American press, but news leaks.
speculations and analyses are masquer-
ades that are demonstrably lethal.
If there is a place for press partisan-
ship, and there certainly is, it is on the
editorial pages. Often we are reminded
by our colleagues that the American
press, on its editorial pages, overwhelm-
ingly supported the Nixon-Agnew Admin-
. I i ,
FrankUn B. Smithis editor of the
torial page of The Budington Free Press,
Burlington Vt.
istration during two national elections
and therefore, they assert, the
hardly could be accused, of anta
towardthe administration. But
apologists miss the whole point: The an-
tagomsm, masquerading as news, aP"
peared on the front pages. This is ho.w
the press destroyed a duly elected PreS"
dent.
For nearly two years the press
the front pages into an obsession
the Watergate affair. The m a t t e r
doggedly pursued by legions of
with, an intensity of purpose never
nessed before and most
to be witnessed again. Why? Not
it was a government scandal of
dimensions, because only later did.
gain that appearance, but rather
cause of a highly partisan distaste for
administration in power.
We are told that "luck"
major role in the progression of
gate disclosures and allegations.
break-in' at the office of a
National Committee might have gone
noticed, a Federal judge less
than John J. Sirica might have pro.,
at the original trial, the tape
might never have been revealed, and
on. But the overkill in press
Watergate was not a product of
It was calculated and it was
of everything for which this nation
to stand.
Now, the tragedy having reached
culmination, the press must search
collective soul and ask whether
cause of responsible freedom mi
ter have been served by a
the basic purposes of news gathering
news dissemination.
The role of the press ought to
of a spectator, alert and concerned,
not that of a participant, intruding
oartisan.
Editor, The Journal:
What a contrast in editors and philosophy. Your policy seems to be: 1. Grossly
exaggerate a man's sins. 2. Never give a sinner any credit for any good he may have done.
I am thankful there are some editors who can see both sides.
Bob Slettedahl
The following editorial fromthe Bainbridge Review accompanied Mr. Slettedahl's letter.
re
THE JUDGMENT of historians awaits the
future, but Richard Nixon may win higher marks
than he gets today from his contemporaries.
Intense as they may seem to Americans. the
issues of domestic polities are petty compared to
the greater questions of war and peace and the
relationships between nations.
Here, Richard Nixon's record was a trium-
phant one.
We are holding conversations with China, the
world's most populous nation, after a quarter-
century of pretending the Chinese weren't there.
We are making an honest effort to replace
cold-war rhetoric with an era of accord between
our eouhtry and the Soviet Union.
Thanks to American efforts, a dangerous war
in the Middle East has halted.
And if the huliets are still flying in Southeast
Asia, at least bur own military involvement there
is finally over.
Such accomplishments don't justify anY i
things that happened here at home.
President Nixon erred badly, and then
In the end, those who suffered the
were the very people who believed in Mr.
and who believed what he said. Saddest of
our eyes was a film clip that
daughter Julie defending him as a
But with all that, this flawed and
man did something that perhaps nobody
today's political scene could have done. I-Is
a start at tearing down the walls of
standing that
adversaries in the world.
If our children and their children grow
world of peace because of the hopeful
that were started by Richard Nixon,
Watergate and its aftermath aren't
very large in the perspective of historY.
Editor, The Journal:
"The King is dead. Long live
the King." So said Paul Harvey
the other day.
But who ever heard of a dead
king receiving $60,000 a year
pension and $96,000 a year
allowance for franking privileges
and other benefits?
He has always been "Slick
Dick" and will continue to be
until the day he dies. Only once
before was he called to account,
and fined a few thousand dollars,
for mishandling funds in a deal in
California.
Like Agnew, he proclaimed to
the wodd his innocence and said
what a fighter he was and that he
would never resign. Then, when
he knew that "We the People"
had a bellyful of his lies and tax
evasion and coverups and aiding
and abetting breakins and other
misdemeanors and that he would
be impeached and removed from
office, did he scurry, like the rat
he is, to hide behind his letter of
resignation.
He knew if he was kicked out
he would lose all that beautiful
green stuff that "We the People"
will have to pay him and his wife
for as long as they both shall live.
While in office he feathered
his magnificent nest in California
to have to hide himself snugly in
when the roof should fall. And
don't think 1 have mixed my
metaphors because rats do build
nests, especially pack rats, of
which variety Nixon is one. He
has packed more plunder from
the job he hdd than anyone can
imagine.
If "ignorance of the law" is
no excuse when one has
committed a crime, then
"knowledge of the law" should
make a criminal twice as guilty.
And no one can say Richard
Milhous Nixon is not a
knowledgeable man. A smart
man? No, never. Had he been
smart he would never have been
implicated in all the shameful
things that went on while he was
"Commander in Chief," as he so
liked to call himself.
He should be tried in a court
of law, for falsifying his income
tax returns; the same
man, you or 1 or Joe
well ashis
in the Watergate affair,
all those other men
serving time
. indictment.
He had his fun and
pay the piper. If he
scot-free, we had
words "liberty
from our
Another thing
disbarred from
were Agnew and
that he will ever need
law as long as "We
pension him off.
Believe it or not, t
some.., oh, beck!
can one say?
Mailing Address: Box 430, Shelton, Wa. 98584
Published at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Mason
Washington 98584, weekly.
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EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ......................