Carnivore-The
More Things Change, The More They Remain The Same
(By Sam Merier)
Almost
a year ago the Clarion Issue covered a little
known FBI surveillance tool known as Carnivore. This program
was designed to allow the FBI to search and seize information
from the Internet through any server. While this action
required a warrant for specific information being gathered,
it allowed the FBI access to any and all business and
personal correspondence (email) and all other information
passing through that server. While the FBI claims that
Carnivore allows them to seek and read only the email
of the person or persons named in the warrant, the FBI
has yet to offer any proof of this claim. Today, Carnivore
is still with us. It has a new name, but like a rose,
"it still smells the same."
In the initial article the Clarion Issue
reported that "ECHELON" had not been confirmed;
however, at this time ECHELON is a confirmed reality and
is probably being used in the US by the National Security
Agency (NSA) and/or by the National Reconnaissance Organization
(NRO). ECHELON allows the user, in this case the Federal
Government, to monitor any and all electronic communications
from cellular telephones to radio and TV. While the US
Government law enforcement agencies have remained mute
on ECHELON, several European Governments are holding hearings
on the technology.
As technology develops, the ability of government surveillance
to eavesdrop on the personal communications of an individual
goes unchecked. However, we as Americans are guaranteed
certain things by our Constitution including a "reasonable
expectation of privacy" by the Fourth Amendment.
This includes protection against unreasonable search and
seizure. Today this is being challenged in a New Jersey
case.
The case involves an alleged mobster in New Jersey who
used an encryption code (PGP) to shield his email from
government surveillance. The accused, Nicodemo S. Scarfo,
used his computer to conduct business. The FBI received
a warrant to place a device or program that read his keyboard
strokes before they could be encrypted and sent out over
the Internet. This device or program could be either software,
hardware, or some type of unknown device. The FBI is closely
guarding this program or device, including its name. At
this time a federal judge hearing the case has ruled that
the Government has to reveal the technique or device used
by the FBI against Mr Scarfo. The FBI has claimed that
this will endanger our National security and the lives
of our intelligence agents.
The Scarfo case seems closely linked to the recent case
involving the use of a thermal imaging device to detect
the cultivation of marijuana inside a private home. The
US Supreme Court ruled this was an illegal search and
the conviction in the case was overturned.
While the Clarion Issue believes in positive
law enforcement and supports the brave men and women who
have the difficult job of keeping our cities, counties,
and nation safe and secure, we also believe in our Constitutional
liberties. The right to privacy will be a major issue
for the next 20-30 years. Americans must guard this right
with close scrutiny.
As the Clarion Issue celebrates one year
in publication, I wish to thank all the people who have
supported this endeavor and hope you will continue to
read and support the causes we bring to your attention.
Write, call and communicate with your elected officials
often. Remember they represent you. Remind them of that
fact!
West
Nile Disease Reported In Georgia And North Florida 
Back to Top
A
dead crow infected with the West Nile virus was discovered
in July near the South Georgia city of Valdosta. The disease,
which infects both humans and animals, cannot be spread
from human to human, but mosquitoes can spread the virus.
There is no known cure for the virus.
The virus, known as the Flavivirus Japanese Encephalitis
Antigenic Complex, is carried by infected birds and
transmitted by mosquito bites to animals and humans. The
disease was first reported in Uganda in 1937 and has since
spread to Europe, Asia, and North and South America. It
first appeared in the US in 1999 in New York where 62
people were infected and 7 died. So far 27 fatalities
are blamed on West Nile Disease.
According to health experts, most healthy people suffer
only Flu like symptoms when they become infected, but
a few will develop meningoencephalitis (swelling
in the brain and spinal cord) which can be fatal. The
virus can also infect horses. According to the Center
for Disease Control (CDC) the virus is an evolving virus.
Valdosta, Georgia, is about 15 miles from North Florida
and less than 150 miles from Alabama. There was also an
infected hawk reported near Atlanta, Ga. The North Florida
area had already reported dead birds infected with the
virus, some of these were near Tallahassee. A Madison
Co. (Fla.) man has been found to have contacted the disease,
and a woman in Atlanta died from the disease in mid-August.
Infected birds and an infected horse were discovered near
Jacksonville, Florida, at the end of July. Citizens are
encouraged to report all dead or sick birds to local authorities
or the CDC.
While no major outbreak has been forecast, we remind our
readers in the South that there is still two months of
mosquito season left. So take precautions when outside,
use repellant, and make sure mosquito breeding areas are
removed from around your home. Remember mosquitoes only
need one gallon of water to reproduce.
Georgia:
Special Session Money Watch
Back to Top
Redistricting
for the State Senate and House districts is complete and
Georgians are upset. The map adopted by the General Assembly
in mid-August and has been criticized by Republicans and
even some Democrats. Created by the Georgia Governor's
Office and approved by the respective houses with little
debate, the new map is sure to be challenged in court.
The General Assembly will take up Congressional Redistricting
in late August.
It should be considered a hypocrisy for any elected official
to claim "to put the interests of" their "constituents
and the State of Georgia first" and vote for either
of these maps (the new Georgia Senate map or the new House
Map).
Redistricting is supposed to be about equal representation
for the electors (citizens) but it has become a process
where the incumbent legislators try to pick their constituents
and maintain their power.
Our Founding Fathers created three branches of government
to keep each other in check and the State of Georgia has
emulated that system. Redistricting is supposed to be
a process of the Legislative branch, but the Georgia State
Senate abdicated its responsibility to the Executive branch.
Governor Barnes and a hired out of state political consultant
drew the Senate map. They would have drawn the House map
as well but had to compromise in areas with House Speaker
Thomas Murphy, who carries a big gavel.
Surely the third branch of government will also be involved.
The Justice Department must approve the maps. Political
observers are positive there will be legal challenges.
The Voting Right Act of 1965, which mandates Justice Department
review for any changes affecting voting in Georgia, and
fifteen other states focuses on minority rights. While
the Democrat leadership maintains that there was no weakening
of minority voting district, there are at least two African-American
legislators who took exception, Senator Regina Thomas
and Rep Dorothy Pelote, both of whom are Democrats from
Savannah. Both saw the voting age African-American population
of their districts reduced when they had to give up black
voters to shore up neighboring white Democrats.
The courts have addressed three other issues in addition
to minority districts; compactness, communities of interest,
and the "one person, one vote" principle. The
Senate map has a 15% variance in population and splits
87 counties. Counties are clearly a community of interest.
At least one map discussed had only a 5% variance in population,
split only 22 counties, and reportedly complied with the
minority district requirements, but it pitted incumbent
Senators against each other. This map represented the
best interest of Georgia's citizens but did not protect
and cater to the politicians especially the Democrats.
The House map has 24 "super-sized" districts
containing 2,3, or 4 posts. "Multi-member districts'
were thrown out by the courts after the 1980 census reapportionment
when it was used to reduce African-American voting strength,
primarily in the Atlanta area. This time it is being used
to dilute Republican voting strength. It is believed by
many to be a violation of the "one person, one vote"
principle and will not stand up to Justice review. Why
should someone living in DeKalb County get to vote for
four Representatives while a citizen in Camden County
only gets to vote for one?
While costing us $45,000-50,000 per day the politicians
have turned what could have been a two-day process into
weeks. By perpetuating partisan politics and self serving
self protection they have gerrymandered a map that will
be challenged in court and will cost many more hundreds
of thousands of our tax payer dollars. These are the people
we have entrusted as stewards of the public trust. They
should just do the right thing but it appears the prime
concern of each of them is to save their own 'seat'.
Clarion
Issue: News Briefs
Back to Top
14
Year Old Gets 28 Years For Killing Florida Teacher
Nathaniel Brazill (14) was convicted and sentenced for
the death of a Lake Worth Middle School teacher last year.
Brazill went to the teacher's room and asked to see two
female students in Mr. Barry Grunow's class. When the
teacher denied the request Brazill shot him with a pistol.
The incident was recorded on videotape. Brazill was tried
and sentenced as an adult. While many feel that the sentence
wass too harsh, there are appeals.
Perhaps states need to enact special laws dealing with
violence toward teachers. Teachers, unlike policemen,
are unable to carry weapons to defend themselves. Killing
a teacher needs to be murder one, tried as an adult, with
a sentence of life in prison without parole.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist Dies in Jacksonville, Florida
Back to Top
49 year old Leon Wilkeson, the bass player for southern
rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died on July 27, 2001 in Jacksonville,
Florida. Wilkeson was a survivor of the 1977 plane crash
in Mississippi, which claimed the lives of several band
members. The band was famous for many songs including
Sweet Home Alabama, Give Me Three Steps, and Freebird.
Wilkeson's death was from natural causes. The band plans
to continue their summer tour.
Texas
Set To Execute A Man Sentenced To Death For A Crime When
17
Back to Top
Napoleon
Beazley was sentenced to death for a fatal carjacking
and murder he committed when he was 17 years old. Today
at 26 he is one of 31 Texas inmates on death row for crimes
they committed while 17. Beazley does not deny he committed
the crime. Amnesty International is opposing the execution
on the grounds that he was too young to receive the death
penalty for a crime at 17. His execution is set for 15
August 2001.
Beazley and two others carjacked a Mercedes Benz and killed
the owner John Luttig. The other two turned state's evidence
on Beazley and received lesser sentences. Amnesty International's
web site is www.amnesty.org .
Two days before he was to die (August 15) Beazley's case
was heard by the US Supreme Court. In a 3 to 3 vote his
pending execution allowed to stand. Two judges excused
themselves due their being an acquaintance of the victim's
son (J. Micheal Luttig) who is also a federal judge. Justice
Clarence Thomas was also forced to abstain from the case
for the same reason. Beazley was given a reprieve by the
Texas authorities and his case is under review.
Moon
Unit Zappa Writes First Novel
Back to Top
Moon
Unit Zappa, daughter of guitarist and songwriter Frank
Zappa, has written a novel about a daughter of a famous
person with a unique name growing up in America. The novel,
America the Beautiful, is about 17% autobiographical
according to the author. Moon Unit describes the book
as a girl's breakup book. Moon Unit Zappa was the featured
vocalist on Frank Zappa's 1982 hit song Valley Girls.
Moon Unit and her brother Deweezel Zappa also made appearances
as DJs on MTV. Frank Zappa died several years ago of cancer.
His albums included Apostrophe, Over-nite Sensation,
Sheik Yerbouti, Cruising With Ruben & the Jets,
and the movie & soundtrack 200 Motels.
The World
Back to Top
War
Crimes Tribunal Convicts Krstic
The War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague has ruled that the
massacre of over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men in and around
Srebrenica was genocide and convicted one of the Serbian
Generals responsible for the killings. On 2 August 2001
General Radislav Krstic was sentenced to 46 years in prison
for what has been called 'Europe's worst civilian massacre
since World War II'.
Gen. Krstic is the highest-ranking Serb military officer
to be tried by the court to date. He was charged with
planning and implementing the deaths of the Moslem population
in the UN-declared safe haven of Srebrenica.
CIA Blows Another One
Back to Top
The American public was stunned in early August when the
video and audio evidence was released concerning the death
of two US citizens in Peru during April. Ronnie Bowers
and her 7-month old daughter were killed when a Peruvian
air force plane shot down the plane they were traveling
in, over the Amazon River. Mrs. Bowers, her husband Jim,
their 6-year-old son Cory, and baby Charity were missionaries
in the region. The pilot Kevin Donaldson was also injured
when the Peruvian fighter shot down the unarmed plane
thinking it was smuggling drugs. The CIA plane was both
observing and advising the Peruvian plane.
After listening to the tapes it is clear that the CIA
agents had a very limited knowledge of Spanish, and that
they were unable to communicate with the Peruvian pilot
or the ground. This blunder cost two American lives. What
is more upsetting is this is our major spy and espionage
agency. If they don't have enough smarts to send people
who speak the language to a foreign country, no wonder
Hanson could spy for Russia for 20 years.
America is moving closer to actual wars in several Latin
American countries. Many Latin American watchers are fearful
of gradual American involvement in the internal civil
and drug wars in Columbia, Peru and elsewhere. We already
have 'advisers' and technicians in these areas. We helped
the Peruvian Air force bomb and destroy an innocent village
earlier this year. We need to remember about how we inched
into the Vietnam and Southeast Asian War.
California Play Set In 'The John'
Back to Top
A California actor/playwright, Bob Ernst, has written
and produced a play set in the men's room of theater.
The play is named, appropriately, The John. Bob
Ernst portrays a theater grower (Alvin) who visits the
bathroom during a performance of Shakespeare's King
Lear, only to find that death is ready to snatch him
from this vale of tears.
The hero is taken aback by this encounter with death,
and as the play unfolds, Alvin and death sing and swear
at each other for the entire play (which takes about an
hour). Death eventually gives up, and Alvin lives to see
another play.
Not only is the play set in the John, but it is also preformed
in the restroom of a theater. Ernst rented a theater for
the show and had seating installed (pardon our pun) for
about 20 between the first and forth stalls.
Ernst has not commented on any major movie deals as of
yet: however, the Clarion Issue staff
speculates that this will not be next year's summer blockbuster.
The staff looks for The John to go straight to
video and to become the last of triple features played
on long airplane flights or on the Moscow to Vladivostok
leg of the Trans-Siberian railway.
At
this time the Clarion Issue arts editor
is trying to research the possibilities of a proposed
sequel to Cats. The musical, Cats II, Just Hanging
Around the Litter Box, is rumored to be looking for
a theme song, producer, and major investors. According
to one critic"After the successful resurrection of
Rocky Horror, anything is possible".
House Passes Bush Energy
Bill
Back to Top
The US House of Representatives passed the proposed Bush
Energy Bill 240-189 in early August. The bill will open
2,000 acres of the Alaskan Arctic Wildlife Refuge to oil
drilling and much more. This bill includes a $35 billion
tax incentive to the oil, gas, coal and nuclear power
industries to increase research and exploration. This
is pure Bush-Cheney payback to these already wealthy industries
for their money and support during the 2000 election.
The bill also relaxes the new government required fuel
efficiency for the new SUVs. The GOP used to stand for
the "Grand Old Party"; now it means "Gas,
Oil, & Plutonium".
The US Senate will take up the bill later in the year.
You still have time to make a call or send a letter to
your state's Senators. Remember only you can fight special
interests by making your voice heard.
Nea Offers Teachers
'Killed-On-The-Job Insurance
Back to Top
The National Teachers Association, the largest teacher's
organization in America, is now offering teachers a $150,000
policy in case they are killed-on-the-job. Since 1992
there have been 29 school personnel killed on the job
due to violence. As a teacher I'm going to check this
out.
House Passes Flag Amendment
Back to Top
The US House of Representatives passed the proposed Bush
Energy Bill 240-189 in early August. The bill will open
2,000 acres of the Alaskan Arctic Wildlife Refuge to oil
drilling and much more. This bill includes a $35 billion
tax incentive to the oil, gas, coal and nuclear power
industries to increase research and exploration. This
is pure Bush-Cheney payback to these already wealthy industries
for their money and support during the 2000 election.
The bill also relaxes the new government required fuel
efficiency for the new SUVs. The GOP used to stand for
the "Grand Old Party"; now it means "Gas,
Oil, & Plutonium".
The US Senate will take up the bill later in the year.
You still have time to make a call or send a letter to
your state's Senators. Remember only you can fight special
interests by making your voice heard.
Navajo
Code Talkers Given Awards For World War II Services
Back to Top
On 26 July 2001, 29 Navajo code talkers (25 of whom are
deceased) from World War II were honored by President
Bush with the Congressional Gold Medal. When World War
II began 29 young Navajo men joined the Marine Corps.
They developed a code that could be used in combat, but
was unbreakable to anyone unless they spoke the obscure
Navajo language. The code was used in the Pacific Theatre
and was never broken by the Japanese. The code was classified
until 1968. The award and recognition were long overdue.
Sliced
Peanut Butter Coming To A Supermarket Near You
Back to Top
First
there was sliced bread. Then there was sliced meat. Next
there was sliced cheese. Now consumers can look for sliced
peanut butter.
The sliced peanut butter was developed at the Oklahoma
State University and is to be tested at Wal-marts around
Tulsa. The product is designed to make it easier for children
to prepare their favorite snack and lunch food, the peanut
butter and jelly sandwich. Only regular peanut butter
is to be available in slices; people who prefer crunchy
peanut butter will still have to use the jar variety.
At this time there was no information about the cost of
the product or of the possibility of sliced jelly.
New
Georgia Flag Voted Ugliest State Flag In United States
Back to Top
(By Al Pearson )
In
a recent Internet poll conducted by the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, the new Georgia State Flag,
adopted in January 2001, was voted the ugliest flag on
the North American Continent. The survey, conducted over
a three-month period, included average citizens and over
400 vexillologist (flag experts). The poll showed that
74% of the 12,851 respondents felt that Georgia's new
state flag was the ugliest state flag. Responses included
comments such as "hideous," "simply awful",
"desolating", and "by far the ugliest".
The new Georgia banner received 10 times as many negative
comments as its closest competitor, the state flag of
Nebraska.
According to leading vexillologists a good flag has a
simple design, uses two or three colors, and it should
not contain complicated state seals. The Georgia Flag
has very a complex seal, at least six colors, 89 stars,
and 13 words. Vexillologists find this very "vexing".
Political analysts speculate that the flag will become
an issue in the next gubernatorial election in Georgia.
Several major Republican candidates have already indicated
they will make the flag an issue. Groups such as the United
Sons of Confederate Veterans refer to the new flag as
the 'Barnes rag', a reference to Georgia's Governor Roy
Barnes who maneuvered the flag through the Georgia General
Assembly earlier this year.
While Georgian's had mixed feelings about the need to
change the flag adopted in 1956, they seem united on the
felling that the new flag is ugly. So what do you do with
an ugly flag? Vexillologists say change it and keep it
simple-stupid!
The new Georgia banner is now available at various Wal-marts
and other stores throughout the state in the flag section.
If you are able to distinguish it from the pineapple and
rainbow hospitality banners now popular in suburban America,
and you don't mind flying an ugly flag, hop on out and
purchase one. It may become an historic flag before long!
By the way, the state flag of New Mexico was voted number
one. It is a yellow flag with a red Native American water
jug glyph in the center. It is very tasteful.
News From Southerndomains.Com
Back to Top
The web site http://www.southerndomains.com
was recently added to the list of the 100 best web sites
in the south, which is listed on the web site http://www.AnythingSouthern.com.
While southerndomains.com was listed as a site for the
sell of southern domain names, there is a lot more going
on at the site. Southerndomains offers free southern e-mail
and is the web address for the Clarion Issue,
which has now been in publication for one year.
The first Clarion Issue appeared before
the 2000 election and discussed the important issue of
privacy. The staff of the Clarion Issue
believes that this will be one of the very important
issues in the information age. The staff also believes
in the freedoms expressed in the first amendment, and
the best way to defend them is to ensure that the second
amendment is preserved. We believe that 'the government
that governs least governs best', and that an individual
should be held responsible for his or her actions. We
feel that legislators need to repeal laws, not pass more
laws. We favor reasonable protection for our environment.
The staff contains both liberal and conservative contributors.
Other articles and opinions are welcome.
For our web readers there is hard (paper) copy of the
Clarion Issue available if you wish to help distribute
it. We will send it to you on your request. We ask that
you photo copy the issue and put it in a coffeehouse,
a sandwich shop, of any type of location where people
meet and discuss political issues. We already reach several
cities through this 'Clarion Connection'. We also
ask that you e-mail the Clarion Issue
to your friends as a link. The link is http://www.southerndomains.com/newspaper
.
Southerndomains is also planning a southern calendar of
events that will include re-enactments, festivals, and
other southern events. To include your town's event contact
us at apearson@ClarionIsh.Com.
Please be sure to include the event name, date (usually
a weekend such as the 3ed weekend in October) and a web
address where people can go to obtain more information.
Part B: Local Issues From Camden County
Back to Top
A
Letter To The Citizens Of St. Marys, Ga.
From:
Deborah Hase
202 Barkentine Drive
St. Marys, Ga.
My
name is Deborah Hase and I have been a resident of St.
Marys for over 18 years, and I am a Savannah, Georgia
native. I worked for you, the citizens of St. Marys, for
over 16 years, in the capacity of City Clerk for four
years and in the Finance Department until I resigned in
August of 2000. I am planning to run for St. Marys City
Council this fall in the November 6th election. I loved
working for the people of St. Marys, and I would like
to serve you again. I believe in a government "of
the people, for the people, and by the people". I
believe in the people of St. Marys. I have an earnest
desire to see that civility, accountability, respect and
responsiveness to the taxpayers, along with open government,
are returned to our city. If elected, I will not only
listen to you, but I will make every effort to incorporate
the peoples' desires into reality. I believe that good
leaders do not distance themselves from the people they
represent. I also believe that it is important that the
citizens feel that the decisions made are the peoples'
decisions, and not just those of city officials. In other
words, I think it is a good thing when the citizens believe
in their leaders, but it is a great thing when the leaders
believe in the people! I was dismayed last year when our
current body of government officials voted to restrict
the public voice at Council meetings by mandating that
we submit "requests" to address them at least
a week in advance of meetings. They also voted to change
the general public comments to the end of the meeting
instead of the beginning of the meeting. These alarming
actions indicate an unwillingness to listen to the public's
input regarding their concerns until after the council
has voted on the issues at hand. Our officials' actions
reflect an attitude of being unaware of exactly who it
is that they work for-the people of St. Marys, Ga.
Also,
I believe that it is time for the elimination of duplicated
services between St Marys and Camden County. Therefore,
it was also to my dismay to see the current elected officials
take action that was the opposite of what the community's
wishes were when the officials voted to once again start
the St. Marys Fire Department, instead of remaining with
the county department. In the referendum on last year's
ballot, it was voted overwhelmingly by the people that
we need consolidation of services. Yet, the city officials
ignored this referendum and continued down the path of
unconsolidating what had already been consolidated. If
elected, it is also my intention to introduce legislation
to seek consolidation of some other services with the
county including the following: elections (some citizens
now have to go to two places to vote), garbage collection,
tax collection, street maintenance, and building code
enforcement. I also believe that it is past the time to
take constructive measures to utilize our St. Marys Airport
Industrial Park. These facilities have been ignored too
long, and successful economic diversity is within our
grasp, if we take the necessary steps to claim it.
Although
this race is nonpartisan, I am basically Republican in
philosophy, and I am Christian in my beliefs and principles.
However, we have a wonderfully diverse community, and
I believe that there is a great future here for all of
us. I am interested in hearing from you, the citizens
of St. Marys. Please download the following survey and
send it to the address at the bottom of the survey. I
would appreciate your input. I am anxious to hear from
you.
Vote
Deborah Hase-A Vote for the People and Open Government
Point
Peter Residents Must Reregister To Vote In City Of St.
Marys Elections
Back to Top
The
Clarion Issue reminds all residents of Point Peter now
in the city (and all other areas recently annexed to the
City of St. Marys) that they must reregister to vote in
the city election to be held on 6 November 2001. Registration
will be open until 9 October 2001. Registration forms
can be obtained at City Hall during regular business hours.
The forms can also be obtained at other locations in St.
Marys. You can get this and other information concerning
the registration process by calling City Hall at 882-5516.
We'll see ya at the polls.
Survey:
Back to Top
1.
What do you believe should be given top priority for our
future?
__________________________________________________
2. If you are one of the citizens who has to vote in two
different polling places in some elections, how important
is it to you that this be changed to one?
_________________________________________________
3. How do you feel about the PSA (and the county recreation
programs)?
__________________________________________________
4. How do you feel about consolidation of services with
other government entities?
___________________________________________________
5. Which services do you think are the most important
to consolidate?
_________________________________________________________
6. Are you in agreement with how our taxes (all types)
are being spent?
__________________________________________________________
7. What suggestions do you have regarding changes in the
way our city government operates?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
8. Do you believe that we currently have "open government",
as it should be? Why or why not?
__________________________________________________________________________________
9.Other comments/concerns:
__________________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________Phone #:__________________
Please
send your comments to my attention at 202 Barkentine Dr,
St. Marys, Ga. 31558. Thank you and I look forward to
hearing from you.
VOTE
DEBORAH HASE-FOR CITY COUNCIL !
THE
SWINGIN' MEDALLIONS
APPEARING IN ST. MARYS, GA. OCT. 6, 2001 7:OO P.M. @ THE
WATERFRONT PARK TICKETS $12 ADVANCED $15 AT THE GATE SUPPORT
THE WATERFRONT THEATRE
Sports Shorts :'Holy Cow' Mama Said There
Would Be Days Like This
Back to Top
( By R.
A. Pearson )
The powers that be in the Chicago Cubs Organization are
making plans to add 2,100 seats in the outfield at Wrigley
Field. The proposed expansion of the seating at Wrigley
will include the addition of a 33 feet high wall, which
will block off the view of the field from the rooftops,
some of which are only 35 to 40 feet away. This will destroy
an American sports tradition, as much a part of Chicago
as gangsters, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and stuffed
ballot boxes.
The original plans for Wrigley Field included the concept
that it be 'roof top friendly'.
Wrigley Field is one of the oldest ballparks now in use
and was one of the last to put in lights for night games.
The view of the crowds watching the game on the rooftops
is always a part of a Cubs game.
While the rooftop seats are no longer a poor fans ticket
(the typical rooftop seat now costs $100) it is as much
a part of Cubs baseball as a long ball by Sammie Sosa.
Corporations often lease a rooftop for their clients or
as a reward for their employees
Today the issue appears headed for a political solution,
and it seems that Mayor Richard Daily, son of the infamous
Mayor, may deliver the last word. Daily has recently returned
from 2000 Presidential Election where he was a major spokesman
for the Gore Campaign. Both the rooftop owners and the
Cubs owners (the Chicago Tribune) have hired political
"heavy hitters" to represent them in the upcoming
discussions.
The official designation of Wrigley Field as a historical
landmark may impede the addition of the seats and the
addition of the wall. A true sports fan can only wonder
what the Cubs late, great announcer, Harry Carry, would
say. Maybe Harry would say 'Holy Cow-They can't do that'.
I'm sure Harry is in heaven about to choke on a hot dog
and strangle on a Budweiser. Don't worry Harry, we feel
the same way.
Speakin' Southern: Military
Ranks And How To Use Them
Back to Top
Military
Ranks and How to Use Them
General-A
term that denotes the utmost respect among southerners.
It is reserved for two men, Robert E. Lee and Thomas J.
"Stonewall" Jackson, both of whom are dead.
All other individuals who held or hold this rank do so
because these two men are unavailable.
Colonel-A
term that denotes respect in the South usually reserved
for 'the man in charge' of an operation or the 'brains
of an outfit'. He is usually smart, and he has a great
deal of business sense and 'salve-wa-fair'(savoir faire).
He often attends church and works for the betterment of
the community. There is an ol' saying down South ... "When
you get five southerners together, one of 'ems gotta to
be a Colonel".
Major-A
term usually reserved for the number two man in an outfit.
He is usually not as physically imposing or as flamboyant
as the man he works under, but he is often considered
to be more intelligent. Recently the term Major
has been replaced by the term 'Cheney'.
Capt'en
(Captain)-A term sometimes given to highly respected
northerners that come south and work to better the communities
in which they live. They usually are well-placed in industry
or other economic endeavors. Of course these men attend
church and are highly educated. If they were southern,
they would be Colonels. Also a token title given
to the heads of county criminal work farms, wardens of
prisons, and the boss of the local chain gang.
Lieutenant-A
term usually reserved for current and former servicemen
who actually hold or held the rank. If he is still alive,
it is because he took advice from the Sergeant.
Sergeant
(Sarge)-A term totally reserved for men who actually
hold or held the rank. He is usually respected and obeyed
by all, especially Lieutenants.
Corporal
and Private - A term never used by a southerner. Everyone
always promotes himself to Colonel or Major.
Navy
ranks-In general Navy ranks are not recognized in
the South. This phenomenon is due to the lack of a successful
Confederate Navy during the "War of Northern Aggression".
If an individual is wearing Navy ranks he/she will most
likely be addressed by the army counter part.
An
example: "Good day Cap'en".
"Good day to you, but it is Lieutenant, not
Captain"
"Sorry Cap'en, I just ain't never heard of
a 'Double
Lieutenant' before".
The
Swingin' Medallions: Appearing- St. Marys, Ga. Oct. 6,
2001 7:00 P.M.
Back to Top
