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JOURNALE DITORIAL
KOMENCOMMENT
Legacy of
Scoop still felt
r~is last spring a larger-than-life
ronze bust of Henry M. Jackson
as placed in Everett's Grand Av-
enue Park. It had been 100 years since his
birth, and his hometown marked the mo-
ment with ceremony and pride.
But Scoop Jackson wasn't just an Ev-
erett boy who made good. The entire state
held him as its own.
By JOHN
KOMEN
His sudden death in
1983 was a stunning
shock felt in every city
and county.
For 45 years, Wash-
ingtonians had known
him for the titles he
earned in elective of-
rice. First county pros-
ecutor in 1938, then
congressman in 1940,
finally senator in 1952.
He was just starting his sixth six-year
term in the U.S. Senate, and then sud-
denly he was gone.
His was a great political career, ad-
mired by his fellow Washingtonians and
trusted by his colleagues in the Senate.
He was half of the "Scoop and Maggie"
duo that became the most effective two-
man delegation in the history of the U.S.
Senate.
Their like has not been seen since.
When Sens. Jackson and Warren
G. Magnuson acted, the government
responded. Their state of Washington
became a power center of the country
and prospered by their attention. When
Jackson and Maguuson spoke on foreign
afl~tirs, the world's nations paid attention.
Three times his home state won spe-
cial attention when Scoop Jackson and
the presidency of the United States were
mentioned in the same breath. In 1960,
he was nearly named as John F. Kenne-
dy's vice presidential running mate. Then
in 1.972 and 1976, Scoop Jackson ran for
president. (For those who are wondering,
the nickname "Scoop" came when, as a
child, his sister thought he resembled a
character named Scoop in an Everett Her-
ald comic strip.)
The campaigns in '72 and '76 were
heady days for Washington state. Scoop
was on the front pages of the nation's
newspapers; he appeared on the cover of
Newsweek; the country's political pundits
lavished attention on the man from Ever-
ett.
But the fact he hailed from the far
Northwest corner of the country, from
a state with only a handful of electoral
votes eventually proved to be burdens too
heavy. The Eastern Establishment and
states dominant in the Electoral College
got in Scoop's way as he fought for the
White House.
Jimmy Carter placed Jackson's name
before the Democratic National Conven-
tion in 1972, but Scoop finished second in
the delegate roll call, far behind George
McGovern. The Vietnam War was a rag-
ing issue. Scoop supported the war; Mc-
Govern was the anti-war candidate.
"I'm not a hawk or a dove," Sen. Jack-
son once said, "I just don't want my coun-
try to be a pigeon."
In 1975, Jackson set out again to cam-
paigu for the presidency. He was quickly
the frontrunner. But, hindered again by
the left wing of his Democratic Party,
Scoop's effort finally ran its string when
he finished 12 points behind Carter in the
Pennsylvania Ibrimary.
Out of campaign funds, Scoop Jackson
withdrew. Never again has a Washingto-
nian made a serious effort for the presi-
dency of the United States. On Step. 1,
1983, shortly after a news conference in
his home town of Everett, he died at 71
of an aortic aneurism. President Ronald
Reagan called him "one of the greatest
lawmakers of our century" and posthu-
mously awarded Scoop Jackson the Presi-
dential Medal of Freedom.
One flurry of controversy arose right
after his death when Sea-Tac Airport was
renamed "Henry M. Jackson Interna-
tional Airport." The protests were quick
to come -- especially from Tacoma -- and
the name quickly reverted to Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport.
• John Komen, who lives on Mason
Lake, was for 40 years a reporter and edi-
tor, TV anchorman, national TV network
corre.~pondent, producer, columnist, edito-
rial writer and commentator. His column,
Komen Comment, appear each week in the
Shelton-Mason County Journal.
Marijuana initiative could provide tangible benefits
espite the large number of ques-
I tions lawmakers, law enforce-
ment agencies and the public
have about Initiative 502, it appears
the back-logged court systems in Wash-
ington may find some relief.
A number of current district court
cases involving marijuana possession
in Mason County will likely be dropped,
Mason County Prosecutor Mike Dorcy
said last week.
Prosecutors and authorities in King
and Pierce counties, the state's two
most populated counties, announced on
Nov. 9 they will dismiss more than 200
pending marijuana possession cases as
they gear up for the recently passed ini-
tiative to go into effect Dec. 6.
Regardless of how you voted on the
matter, which allows state residents to There are other benefits. Supporters
possess up to an ounce of marijuana if say that revenue from the taxes and
they're 21 and older, there are tangible revenue generated from sales of mari-
benefits, juana could be in the billions of dollars.
By dropping district court cases deal- A portion of that revenue would go to-
ing with simple marijuana possession, ward marijuana education and preven-
prosecutors can theoretically focus tion.
their attention on larger, more involved The majority of Mason County vet-
cases. The same can be said for Shelton ers agree. The initiative collected 55
police and Mason County sheriffs depu- percent of the vote in our county, gar-
ties; fewer marijuana possession arrests nering 15,415 votes compared to 12,478
means -- potentially -- more arrests for against, as of Friday.
violent crime, burglaries and domestic Hopefully we'll know more as we get
violence, closer to Dec. 6. But as it stands now,
Additionally, it'll take some of the we need our public officials and authori-
strain off of Mason County's already ties to be proactive in answering the
crowded jail, leaving that space for in- questions about the enforcement and
dividuals who pose a threat to our pub- federal conflicts that surround the state
lic safety, initiative.
A
h their programs, person running, only what they tasks that free up police officers
story In addition to the success our "stand for" or"against." to respond to more urgent mat-
ere
teen members have showcasedYour interviews with the ters. I have a friend who is a
Editor, the Journal in the area of academic success, candidates were very interest- part of this program because
This is a story of two heroes, they also had the opportunity ing. They are people too, and it helps his community. It also
On Nov. 2, my son Grady was to learn new skills through our that came across well. I bought helps him find veterans and
riding around on his dirt bike Healthy Habits program, learn- extra newspapers for family other people at risk who need
and noticed our neighbor Mike ing about nutrition, exercise and friends so they could read shelter. Interested in helping
laying on the ground. He yelled and how to incorporate sensible the Voter's Guide, too. your community?
up to my husband Gary, who diets into an active lifestyle. "Our purpose is not so much
was on the roof cleaning. Gary Every day, one of our commit- Julie Moore to help poor people as to build
quickly got off the roof and had ted volunteers works with our Sheltona better community for us all."
Grady call 911. He stayed on teens to prepare healthy snacks This was stated by Lois Smidt
with 911 getting and giving while she teaches them valu- in "Beyond Welfair." I know
instructions while Gary started able independent living skills G ire to that this purpose resonates
CPR. in the kitchen. Through this with many here in Mason
Luckily, another neighbor is program, one of our teens real- United Way County bocause we provide ser-
a medic and heard the call. He ized her passion for cooking, vices. We have a cold weather
came right over and continued and received a scholarship to a shelter located at St. David's
CPR. Gary called Mike's wife culinary arts program. Editor, the Journal Parish Hall. It opened Nov. 1.
Julie at work and she ran home Many of our teens are musi- As an employee of an agency Except it may not open at all
in time to ride with Mike in the cally talented and have planned that receives United Way ftmd- ffwe do not act. This shelter
ambulance to Providence St. numerous open mic nights ing, I am writing to ask ev- may need to close next year.
Peter Hospital. Mike had had a throughout'the year, giving eryone to consider donating to We need your participation
massive heart attack, them and their peers a safe, United Way of Mason County's and support. Contributions
He got home on Nov. 10 and positive place to showcase their Fall Campaign. are needed in the amount of
is doing well. Mike does not talents on Friday nights. Teens Senior Services for South $5,000 a month. We need to
remember coming out of his also volunteered in December Sound provides Meals on raise $20,000. We do not have
house but just luckily he did wrapping presents for the Giv- Wheels for homebound adults money to operate the cold
and thankfully Grady found ing Tree event. We are proud of in our community who are over weather shelter after 2012 and
him so quickly and Gary start- the work our teen members are the age of 60. Many of these are sounding this warning so
ed CPR. doing in the community and we older adults, our parents and you can respond with your con-
Just goes to show that things are excited to see more in the grandparents, struggle with tributions.
do happen for a reason, future as the attendance con- difficult medical and economic I know you care about people
tinues to grow. issues. They are no longer able who need shelter. Many of us
Lisa Cress to drive, to do their own shop- would find it hard to function
Shelton Christy Garne~" ping or to cook a full meal. Nu- and live in the temperature
Bremerton tritious meals, delivered with when the shelter is closed.
a smile, can allow our elders to Around freezing and below is
remain independent in their not livable. We need our cold
Teen center Thanks for own homes and retain their dig- weather shelter. Weneedto
nity. United Way funding helps make a contribution to people
has grown your support vitalSeni°r Services to provide thiSservice, littleWh° may at first seem to haveto offer or who may need
Editor, the Journal Meals on Wheels is onlysome support to help them to
The North Mason Teen Cen- Editor, the Journal one of the programs funded by become contributing citizens.
ter has experienced tremendous I want to thank you for your United Way in Mason County. During this Thanksgiving
growth over the past two years, support during the election and United Way improves lives and season and holiday season
In January 2011, our average your vote (as Mason Countymakes this a better place to live we will be in the community
daily attendance was 28 mem- PUD 1 commissioner) on Elec- for all of us. I hope you will give asking you to contribute. The
bers a day. As of October 2012, tion Day. I also want to thank their Fall Campaign your sup- Coalition of Churches will have
our daily attendance is 76. The those that helped me during pert. a new name soon. It has a mis-
teen center's average increased the campaign by their gener- sion to feed, clothe, shelter and
by 47 and continues to grow. ous donations and support. Eleanor Morris provide shower facilities to the
Through the continued My job is to represent you and Grapeview unemployed, under employed
growth at our teen center, there your interest as well as being and homeless. I know that we
have been more high school available. Please contact me are doing the mandate of this
students that have attended anytime you have a question or community. But, it cannot be
the club. In 2012, seven ~eniors issue at 877-5867. done without your contribu-
that attended the teen center Me ~ tions and support. Perhaps, we
graduated and are attending Jack Janda u nteer need to have a C.A.R.E. pro-
college or pursuing careers this Hoodsport gram. We do; it is you.
fall. By offering academic sup- Editor, the Journal Join us in this volunteer
port every day after school, our The Gig Harbor Police community effort. When
teen members get the necessary Voters' Guide DepartmenthasaC.O.P.S. people join together, theybuild
support to help them become program. Citizens Offeringpower to help commtmities
successful when achieving their he]nft~] Police Support (C.O.P.S.) is the help themselves. For more
goals. In addition to the home- ~/a s...iv_. citizens' volunteer branch of information, email Joe Mikel
work/tutoring that is offered, their department. These citizen at josephmike@aol.com or Jim
staff planned a career aware- Editor, the Journal volunteers assist the depart- Smith at mjimsmith@wave
ness program, which brought in Thank you for including your ment with various duties such cable.com.
volunteers from various careers Voters' Guide in the Oct. 18, as disabled parking enforce-
to talk about what steps to take edition of the Journal. Political ment, speed monitoring, vaca- Jim Smith
in order to get involved with ads do not say much about the tion security checks and other Grapeview
In The Best of Mason County: 2012
Journal Reader's Choice Winners, Auto
Detailing and Auto Body Repair were
omitted from the list. Auto Detailing win-
ners were: Finish Line Auto Detail (1st);
mission Plus, Vanderwals and Gillis (tied,
2nd); and Denny's Automotive and D & L
Automotive (tied, 3rd). Additionally, the
winner of the Physical Therapist category
was a massage therapist; Greg Fulling
pageant titles," an entry fee to the Mason
County preliminary International Girl
pageant is listed as $5 or a donation to
Kitten Rescue of Mason County. Tickets
to attend the event are $5 or a donation to
Kitten Rescue. The entry fee for the com-
1[~ Shelton-Mason County 1~| Gillis Auto Center (2nd); and Perfect Re- (lst) and Joe Zygar (2nd) were the top fin- petition is
I1[ ~ I, 1/i ll~_~llt~L~ ~, || flections (3rd). Auto Body Repair winners ishers.
$65.
i ~: . ~ ' ' were Advanced Automotive (lst); Trans- In the article, "6th grader wins national The Journal~, regrets the errors.
She~ton-Mason County Journal is a, member of Kari Sleight, publisher Advertising: Composing room:
Executive William Adams, graphics
USPS 492-800 Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. Dave Pi~ikl Sr: Acct. . ..
Newsroom" Maggie I~UrOlCK, ao represemauve
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sheiton-Mason SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Adam Rudnick, editor Front office: Pressroom:
County Journal, RO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. $37 per year for Mason County addresses, Natalie Johnson, reporter Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper
Published weekly by Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc. $51 per year in state of Washington but outside Gordon Weeks, reporter
at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Washington Mason County, $61 per year out of state. Emily Hanson, sports reporterCricketRene6 Chaplin,carter, mailroomCirculati°n
Mailing address: RO. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584
Telephone (360) 426-4412 • www.masoncounty.com
Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington
Owned and published by
Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc
supervisor
Kelly Riordan, production manager
Travis Miller, press operator
Mary Northover, press assistant
Page A-4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012