TERRORISM COMES TO AMERICA 
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By
Sam Merier
What
more can be said...The United States of America received
a wake up call on 11 September 2001. This writer first
heard about the attack over the phone when my sister called
and told me about the first report. Everyone was still
in shock and not quite sure what had happened. When the
day was over it was a day that everyone will remember.
Like Pearl Harbor, the day President Kennedy was assignation,
and the day Timothy McVeigh blew up the Oklahoma City
Federal Building, every American will remember when and
where they were when they heard of this atrocity.
We now know that four planes were hijacked. Two were successfully
crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City and
one crashed into the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. Another
plane crashed in the Pennsylvania county side.
The plane that crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside
had at least five REAL AMERICAN HEROES on board. After
the hijacking the passengers of United Flight 93 had been
in contact with authorities and loved ones; they were
aware of the plight of the other three planes. These brave
men knew everyone aboard was going to die. They knew they
had to stop the terrorist from using the plane as a guided
missile. They attacked the terrorist and saved the people
in the chosen target. At least five of these heroes have
been identified. Thomas Burnett, from San Ramon, California
was a father of three. His last words to his wife were
"I love you honey." Jeremy Glick, a second member
of the HEROES leaves behind a wife and three month old
baby girl. Todd Beamer was a 32 year old manager for the
Oracle software giant heading from his home in New Jersey
to the company's Silicone Valley headquarters. Mark Bingham
was a San Francisco publisher. Lou Nacke was a toy company
manager on his way to Sacramento, California, for a day
trip. The self-sacrifice of these men saved untold hundreds
or thousands of lives on the ground on September 11, 2001.
President Bush has indicated that the terrorists and their
terrorist organizations are to be held responsible. He
also indicated that the countries and governments that
provide safe harbor, refuge, and training areas will be
considered the same as the terrorists and treated accordingly.
The terrorist killed innocent people, typical Americans,
going about their regular lives. Four airplane crews,
four commercial flights filled with people going to visit
family and friends, going on business trips or vacation,
innocent people going to work in the World Trade Center
and the Pentagon became targets for the terrorist who
committed these acts. Many fire and rescue personnel gave
their lives trying to save others. Over 6,000 people were
killed and many others were injured. They all became victims
of these cowards. Many of the killed or injured were not
even US citizens.
There are Americans among us that consider any retaliation
by the American Government and people to be wrong. Yet,
they offer no alternative to stopping the violence other
than indicate that America should treat the countries
that allow terrorists and terrorism with respect. They
ask for Americans to understand the problems those countries
face and work to solve the problems of these countries.
America gave Afghanistan over $117 MILLION dollars in
food and aid. The United States is currently providing
money to aid Afghan refuges in Pakistan. What else do
they want America and her citizens to do?
Osama bin Ladin is not some poor uneducated moron. He
is a multimillionaire, and his organization, al- Qaeda,
could have as easily supplied the Afghani people with
food and supplies. Yet he chose not to. The American government
came to the Afghan people in their hour of need. The Afghan
government, led by conservative Islamic clergy (theTaliban),
responded by sheltering bin Ladin and his terrorist.
Osama bin Ladin and his associates have been considered
responsible for numerous acts of terrorist attacks against
America and her citizens around the world. The bombing
of a US Military barracks in Saudi Arabia, the first bombing
of the World Trade Center, the bombing of two US embassies
in Africa, and the bombing attack on the USS COLE in Yemen
have all been linked to bin Ladin and al-Qaeda. It is
time for America to stand together like we did after the
first day of Infamy in 1941. We must PROVE TO THE WORLD
THAT WE ARE THE UNITED STATES! America is at war. It is
a new type of war. A war unlike any ever before and with
the rules that are being written as you read this article.
This is a war against those who hate America and what
America stands for. A war with an enemy that counts on
America's diversity as a people to divide us and allow
the enemy to conquer. This is not a war of major battles
or winning territory. This is a war about killing and
eliminating those who hate and attack America.
This enemy will most likely strike again, perhaps with
biological or chemical weapons. Hopefully, they do not
have any nuclear devices or access to nuclear debris or
material. To this enemy that we now must fight every American
is a combatant. There is no collateral damage. There is
no such thing to the terrorist as innocents. This enemy
is as vicious a rabid dog.
America is now at war, and we are going to be inconvenienced.
We have profiling to help identify a possible terrorist.
A person being detained for identification purposes should
understand and should be compensated for the flight or
flights they were forced to miss. We must work together
as Americans and forget about race, religion or creed.
We are all American Citizens. No one is being asked to
give up his or her rights. No one is going to be forced
into a concentration camp. A few moments of identity verification
for the safety of the passengers, the crew, and all American
citizens is not to much to ask in this time of national
crisis.
We as a nation and the world seem to accept profiles of
serial killers. Not every person that meets that profile
is a serial killer. Not every person of Arabic, Middle
Eastern, or Muslim heritage is a terrorist. Yet,
the group responsible for these acts are of that heritage.
Should our FBI and other law enforcement agencies be forced
to overlook this important tool? As Americans we should
be willing to accept some inconvenience to protect our
loved ones, our national interests, and ourselves.
To be sure America and her citizens received a hard hit.
New Yorkers and Pentagon employees are receiving all the
help and empathy that people from all over America and
all around the world can offer. America has been united
in a way that no politician or political party ever could
unite us. Walk down the street. Look at the flags. Look
at the people giving blood, time, money, food, water,
and donating anything that they can. It is not about Muslim
or Christian, not about Hindu or Hebrew, not about Shinto
or Buddhist, and not even about Republican or Democrat...
It is about AMERICANS helping AMERICANS in response to
the single, most heinous hate crime the entire world has
ever experienced. September 11, 2001 is a day that will
live as long in Infamy as the attack on Pearl Harbor on
December 7, 1941.
The Eagle still flies high and proud, AND FREEDOM STILL
ECHOES IN HER CALL.
WHO IS OSAMA BIN LADEN ?
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By
R. A. Pearson
Osama
bin Laden is an Islamic fundamentalist and major supporter
of anti-American terrorist activities throughout the world.
He was born in Saudi Arabia in 1957. His father moved
to Saudi Arabia from Yemen to serve the Saudi government
as a major building contractor. Bin Laden's family grew
wealthy as the Saudis built with the oil money from the
1970s. Estimates of Osama bin Laden's share in the family's
money range anywhere from 20 million to 300 million dollars.
Osama bin Laden learned the tenets of militant Islam during
the Afghan-Russian war in the 1980s. While his role in
the war is uncertain, bin Laden witnessed the willingness
of the faithful Moslems to fight and die in a holy war
against an enemy considered a threat to the Islamic faith.
He formed al-Qaeda (the base) near the end of the war
to help raise recruits and funds for the holy war. After
the defeat and withdrawal of the USSR from Afghanistan,
bin Laden became convinced that ultimate victory was possible
against all odds in a holy war fought by the faithful.
Bin Laden also became convinced that the United State's
support of the Israeli occupation of Palestine was a major
factor in Israel being able to hold and occupy the area,
causing major suffering to the Palestinian people. His
anger at the United States was compounded by the presence
of US troops on the 'holy soil' of Saudi Arabia during
the Gulf War in the early 1990s.(The Saudi cities of Mecca
and Medina are holy Islamic cities due to their links
to the life of the profit of Islam, Mohammed.) Ben Laden's
criticism of the Saudi Royal Family eventually caused
his expulsion from Saudi Arabia in 1991.
After a stay in Sudan from1991-1996, Osama bin Laden settled
in Afghanistan and has been protected by the Taliban (a
group of conservative Islamic clerics trained in the schools
of Pakistan) who govern the country. Bin Laden established
terrorist schools in southern Afghanistan. In 1996 he
issued a fatwah, a religious ruling urging Moslems to
kill US troops in Saudi Arabia and Somalia. In 1998 a
second fatwah called for attacks on US civilians. Bin
Laden's group has forged alliances with other Islamic
groups such as Egypt's Al Jihad, Iran's Hezbollah, the
National Islamic Front in Sudan and various 'jihad' groups
in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia.
Bin Laden's groups have been linked to major terrorist
strikes against the US and other groups, including strikes
against moderate Islamic leaders. The current list of
terrorist attacks attributed to Osama bin Laden include:
the attack on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998,
the attempted attack on the United States west coast cities
during the millennium celebrations (targets the Seattle
Space Needle and Los Angeles International Airport) of
1999-2000, the 2001 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen, the
assassination of General Ahmed Shah Massoud (leader of
the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan) in early September
2001, and the recent 11 September 2001 attacks on the
World Trade Center and Pentagon which killed over 5000
American citizens.
Osama bin Laden has four wives and at least 15 children.
He travels around Afghanistan in a convoy of 20 vehicles
with a well-armed body guard. He often sleeps in caves
with little heat and without running water. He is not
well versed in the sharia, Islamic law based on the old
Arab tribal law. His whereabouts on any given day are
very hard to determine.
Osama bin Laden's stated targets are all US citizens-men,
women, and children. His contacts reach deep into the
security agencies of many Arab and Islamic states, even
many whose governments may be friendly or cordial to the
Unites States. The US must not only root out bin Laden
but must find and deal with his trained terrorist, his
lieutenants, and the states that support his terrorist
holy war. The US must find and freeze his millions used
to bankroll his activities. The US needs to dig in for
a long war, but Osama bin Laden's world has already started
to change.
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS UNDER THREAT
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By
R. A. Pearson
The US Justice Department may have violated the well established
practice of allowing the press to protect their sources
by drawing up a secret subpoena for an Associated Press
(AP) reporter's phone records. Robert Miller approved
the subpoena shortly before President Bush nominated him
as Director of the FBI. According to the AP the subpoena
was highly unusual and hastily drawn up.
Miller approved the subpoena after the publication of
a story on 4 May 2001 that covered the Justice Department's
investigation of fund raising irregularities by New Jersey's
Senator Robert Torricelli. Torricelli had allegedly been
talking to relatives of a Chicago crime figure and his
phone was tapped. John Soloman wrote the article about
Torricelli's contact with the crime family and quoted
from the wiretap intercepts. It was Soloman's home phone
records that were subpoenaed.
The purpose of the writ was to discover who in the investigation
had leaked information to Soloman; however, the AP said
that in the entire history of the AP this action by the
Justice Department was new.
The Justice Department had not contacted Soloman or any
of the AP executives prior to the subpoena. According
to the Justice Department's own guidelines, the Department
should exhaust all other possible and reasonable attempts
to get the necessary information from reporters before
using a subpoena.
The Clarion Issue hopes that in his new
job as FBI Director Miller will show restraint in dealing
with the First Amendment freedoms found in the US Constitution
and our common law.
OLYMPICS IN BEIJING
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(OPENING CEREMONIES TO INCLUDE 200 MILLION
MARCHING RED CHINESE MILITIA REENACTING THEIR HEROIC VICTORY
OVER A FEW THOUSAND UNARMED STUDENTS)
By
David S. Pearson
In case you've been on a vacation to the moon or in an
Afghan Taliban prison and missed the news, Beijing, China
was awarded the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. I really want
to puke. The site of the most publicized human rights
violation of the 1990s is going to host the Olympic Games.
The Olympics are supposed to be about transcending politics
and peace and all that touchy-feely stuff. China, North
Korea, and Cuba are now the last bastions of good old-fashioned
communism. You remember those wonderful people who brought
you the 'Cold War'. The Olympics are about politics, and
as such, every person who believes in personal and civil
liberty should BOYCOTT EVERY OLYMPIC EVENT AND LET THE
BRIBE TAKING COMMITTEE STICK IT! Oh yes don't forget the
bribe factor. That is, after all, how the Peoples' Republic
of Salt Lake City got the upcoming Winter Olympics.
OK, the athletes and spectators MAY be safer there, I
doubt any bombs will be planted at their Olympic parks.
There are 200 million Chinese soldiers to see to that.
If that ain't good enough for ya, there are 2 billion
militia to back them up. I bet ya there will be no Statutes
of Liberty either, no free speech, and no Bibles handed
out. You'll also need to leave your Falun Gong pamphlets
at home unless you relish time in a reeducation camp memorizing
the Quotations of Chairman Mao and harvesting
rice.
China played an important role in the history of the previous
century. China allowed the US of A to help them with men
and material when the Japanese invaded them in 1936 (that's
WWII, the Big One). They graciously thanked us by ousting
their legitimate government and inviting us to leave.
They showed their part for world peace by entering the
Korean War and prolonging it to this day. Doug McArthur
(along with Thad and Winston Pearson should'a been allowed
to deal with that baby in the 1950s. The Chinese have
shown their humanitarian side by supplying the struggling
nations of the world with their imitation of the AK47s
(the infamous SKS), their cheap rpgs (rocket propelled
grenades) and other materials necessary for terrorism
or guerilla warfare. It sure was nice of them to do that-the
Laotian and Cambodian children could rest peacefully knowing
some Imperialist, Capitalist American wasn't gonna sneak
some FOOD or MEDICINE into their country. Oh yes, don't
forget the supply of mustard gas necessary to use on refugees
trying to get to Thailand. China could not stand by and
let those people avoid the concentration camp farms where
they were suppose to work to death. China also provided
the nuclear weapons for Pakistan to use on India. Now
that area of the world can rest in peace.
It is doubtful that all the little liberals riding around
in their new VWs, with the arch design and FREE TIBET
bumper stickers, will think of an Olympic Boycott. They
will watch the soccer, swimming, and gymnastics because
their hero, Bill Clinton, is sure to be there. Clinton
was, after all, the best spy China ever had. Bill sold
them all the military technology they needed to protect
themselves from the imperialist, capitalist Republic of
China on Formosa and their ally the US of A.
China will start to work on their new Olympic facilities
with the forced labor provided by their numerous political
prisoners. There are plenty of Falun Gong practitioners,
Christians, and freedom loving students to provide an
endless supply of slave labor for the project. Who knows,
China may stop executing 7000 people a year to provide
even more labor. If so, this humanitarian gesture might
possibly get Amnesty International off China's back for
a while.
Pack light if you plan to go to Beijing. The penalty for
smuggling is death. Remember the Chinese will bill your
family for the bullet it takes to execute you. Look for
more travel tips in the Clarion Issue closer to 2008 Olympics.
THE UNADDRESSED ISSUES AT THE UN CONFERENCE ON RACISM
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By
R.A. Pearson
After dominating the news for weeks the UN Conference
on Racism, held in Durban, South Africa, came to an end.
The conference allowed itself to be dominated by the Palestinian/Arab
bloc from the Middle East condemning Israel and the states
of Africa demanding reparations for the African slave
trade 300 years ago.
The Palestinian/Arab bloc that demanded Israel be labeled
an apartheid state and that Zionism be equated with racism
failed to mention Yasser Arafat turned on the violence
and terrorism almost a year ago and found himself unable
to turn it off. This action by Arafat caused a change
in the government in Israel, which ousted a government
that had all ready offered the Palestinians a reasonable
peace and a state. The fact that the Palestinians are
an oppressed people "occupied" by Israel is
in part due to Arafat's unwillingness to accept reasonable
peace terms. Arafat also distributes millions of dollars
of foreign aid money to his "good ol' boy" cronies
who get richer instead of developing a Palestinian economic
infrastructure to provide jobs for the people. Maybe if
the Palestinian people had jobs to go to they would not
be throwing rocks, rioting and staging drive-bys and bombings.
The Durban Conference also condemned the African slave
trade, which was a world disgrace 200-300 years ago. However,
the slave trade began in the interior of the African Continent
and was perpetuated by intertribal conflicts. The African
slave traders in the interior and the coastal area got
as wealthy as white slave traders. The UN Conference also
failed to mention that SLAVERY IS STILL PRACTICED IN AFRICA
TODAY! The states of Sudan, Mauritania, and several states
along the bight of Africa still practice slavery or indentured
servitude. Several months ago the World watched in horror
as a shipload of children destined for the plantations
along the bight of Africa was identified as a slave ship.
It was lost, and later found without the children on board.
Observers speculate that the children were probably thrown
overboard to the sharks.
The conference omitted the illegal seizure of white farms
in Zimbabwe by hostile, armed mobs. There was no discussion
on how to end Africa's countless Civil Wars caused, in
part, by warring tribal ethnic groups whose antagonisms
reach way back in history. The conference did not bother
to cover or mention these issues.
Instead of working on today's issues that needed to be
addressed the conference dealt with the past. Topics such
as terrorism, adjusting the boundaries of African nations
to include tribes that are not hostile to one another,
and enlarging African states to better share resources
needed to compete in a world economy could have been discussed.
However, the UN Conference became a sounding board for
anti-Zionism perpetuated by groups that endorse terrorism,
and the slave trade, an issue settled in the west over
two hundred years ago. The conference could have accomplished
so much; yet, it turned out to be a total waste of time
and money.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE BIRD FEEDER
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One
fall day I observed a funny situation on my front porch.
When I looked out I saw a hummingbird hovering around.
Since my mother had loved hummingbirds I took a closer
look remembering her hummingbird feeders and her hummingbirds.
The bird was making several passes at a red hurricane
lantern that hangs on my porch. I wondered what he was
doing when I realized the similarities between the lantern
and the hummingbird feeders that are so popular today.
I guess my neighbor's feeder was temporarily out of food,
and the hummer needed to lunch elsewhere. I had a soft
chuckle and thought to myself ' I reckon he's disappointed.
No free lunch today'. Then I realized he was lucky he
could not find a way into the kerosene that fuels the
lamp.
There was no lunch today, but although he didn't realize
it… 'He was one lucky hummingbird'.
SPEAK,EN SOUTHERN
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Southern Political Terms And How To Use Them
Cow-cil-mun- A term used to describe a man who
helps make local ordinances for a small town in the South.
The cow-cil-mun is usually a well-placed man in the business
community. He usually owns an important business such
as the local liquor store or feed store. He is a church
goer (usually a Baptist or Methodist) and often pushes
'pet projects' like paving the street in front of his
business.
Mayah- Is the elected head of the small southern
town. He also owns an important business like a Funeral
Parlor. He makes the speech to welcome everyone to the
Watermelon or Hog-Jawl Festival and cuts ribbons to open
new town buildings. It is usually a ceremonial job; therefore,
no one takes him seriously.
Cah'mish-nah- One of the officials elected in
a Southern county to pass ordinances for the county. He
is often seen with the other Cah'mish-nahs making up excuses
for failure of county services like garbage pick-up, missing
tax revenues, or why his nephew's bootleg liquor business
is never raided.
Sher'f- The chief law enforcement official in
a Southern County. He is often a relative of and a close
ally of Da Boss. If he stays in office long enough,
he usually becomes the subject of a Grand Jury investigation
looking into local corruption. Many sher'fs spend their
last days in prison with the people they helped put away.
Boss- The unelected head of a southern county.
He usually has enormous wealth in both land and industry.
Often much of his wealth comes from illegal operations
such as his control of the gambling, liquor, and prostitution
in 'his county.' He is protected by the sher'f
. While the sher'f may go to prison, the Boss
never does.
Guv'na- A man elected to run the state. The term
also applies to anyone from Jaw-jah (Georgia) since the
1946-47 'Three Guv'na Episode'. In 1947 Herman
Talmadge claimed to be Guv'na when his dad (Gene)
died, so did the Luw-ten'nut Guv'na, and the former
Guv'na. Since then, everyone from Jaw-jah has been
referred to as Guv'na.
Vas-Pres'dunt- The number two man in the fedruh'l
guv-ment. His major jobs seem to be to attend funerals
and make excuses for his boss' (da pres'dunt) personal
indiscretions. When given an assignment his response is
"Yes sah, I'm on it like a politician on an intern."
Pres'dunt- The man who runs the country. He spends
most of his time bailing his daughters out of jail for
underage drinking, chasing interns, and thinking up things
for the Vas Pres'dunt to do. He is never as efficient
as Da Boss.
Da Pres'dunt- A term in the South used for Jefferson
Davis, who was the only Pres'dunt of the Confederacy.
Southern bumper stickers often read, "Don't blame
me. I voted for Jeff Davis".
BUNNIES AND BUNS OUTSIDE THE RAYBURN BUILDING
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Over
the summer congressional staffers were treated to a picnic
of sorts by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(PETA). The event was called "Lettuce Entertain You".
It featured 'not dogs', a type of vegetarian hotdogs,
and a photo op with two skimpily attired Playboy bunnies.
The Playboy bunnies wore bikinis made of lettuce, and
posed for pictures with the congressional staffers. The
staffers were on it 'like a politician on an intern'.
PETA expected to feed about 500 staffers. While there
was no official count of the number of staffers who attended
the event the food for 500 ran out before everyone was
served. Most of the attendees were male, including at
least one congressman.
PETA had hoped to promote the benefits of a meatless diet,
but according to some of the staffers interviewed, PETA's
message was lost in the excitement over the Bunnies serving
the buns. Many of the staffers were asking, "Who's
PETA". When asked about the Bunnies lettuce bikinis,
the comments centered on nibbling on the lettuce and sampling
the buns. However, a few conservative observers remarked
that " PETA seemed more concerned with porn than
corn".
The event occurred on the lawn in front of the Rayburn
House office building. In the wake of the recent pledges
of Congress to police the FBI more closely, Americans
have to be asking themselves, "Who's policing Congress?"
No wonder Jessie Helms is calling it quits.
CLARION ISSUE BRIEFS
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The
South
JANET
RENO TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA
On 4 September 2001 Janet Reno announced she would run
in the 2002 Democratic Primary for Governor. Reno's announcement
included a promise of full disclosure of her medical records
concerning her current illness (Parkinson's Disease),
and she stated that the illness would not interfere with
her ability to perform the duties of the office.
Reno enters a crowded field but she seems to be the Democratic
front runner in the race. Her Democratic opponents include
state Senator Daryl Jones, US Representative Jim Davis
and two others. Former POW and ambassador to Vietnam,
Pete Peterson, has dropped out of the race. The Democratic
nominee will surely face Republican Jeb Bush in the General
Election for Governor.
Reno server as the Attorney General for the Clinton Administration
and took the fall for fiascoes such as Ruby Ridge, Waco
and the Elien Gonzalez case. The Elian Gonzalez case will
certainly hurt Reno with Florida's large Hispanic vote.
Reno failed to mention if the race would interfere with
future appearances on Saturday Night Live.
GABRIELLE REVEALS SHIPWRECK OFF FLORIDA COAST
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When Gabrielle passed over the coast of east Florida in
September she revealed a shipwreck over 100 years old.
The wreck was of a 19th century sailing schooner estimated
to be between 125-140 feet long. According to a local
archeologist the age and type of vessel can be determined,
and that information should help provide the history and
name of the vessel.
The wreck can be seen off Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida,
just north of St. Augustine.
KATHERINE HARRIS TO RUN FOR CONGRESS IN
FLORIDA
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Florida's Secretary of State, Katherine Harris announced
in early October that she would run for Congress in Florida's
13th congressional district. Harris made national headlines
during the 2000 Presidential Election as the Florida Cabinet
Officer responsible for holding elections in Florida.
It was Harris who was responsible for counting the votes
and certifying the election.
Harris, aged 44, hopes to represent the Sarasota, Florida,
area and win the seat being vacated by Representative
Dan Miller (R). Harris' net worth is estimated to be near
7 million dollars and she is expected to be a good fund-raiser
for her party. Katherine Harris, you will recall, is a
Republican.
GEORGIA SUPREME COURT ENDS USE OF ELECTRIC CHAIR
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The Georgia Supreme Court voted 4-3 to end the use of
the electric chair in the state on October 5, 2001. The
court indicated that electrocution was a violation of
the cruel and unusual clause of the US and Georgia Constitutions.
The state will switch to lethal injection as its form
of execution. This leaves Alabama and Nebraska as the
only states to rely solely on electrocution to carry out
capital punishment.
There are currently 128 men and one woman on death row
in Georgia. Georgia did not need an electric chair; they
needed electric bleachers.
76 YEAR OLD GEORGIA ESCAPEE CAUGHT AFTER 47 YEARS
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J.C. Fuller (76) was recaptured in Miami, Florida, earlier
this year after being on the lam for 47 years. Fuller
escaped from a Georgia work detail after reporting snakes
in a stream near the work site. Fuller said the guard
told him if he didn't like the conditions to hit the road,
and he did just that the very next day.
Fuller made it to Florida where he lived an unobtrusive
life for almost 30 years. He went to church, went fishing,
and even voted. He is currently serving the rest of his
4-year sentence (4 months) for the attempted murder of
his girlfriend. He holds the record as the longest escapee
from the long arm of Georgia justice.
PHIL GRAMM OF TEXAS TO RETIRE FROM THE US SENATE
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Phil Gramm, the conservative Republican Senator from Texas,
announced he would not seek reelection in 2002. The announcement
came after the Labor Day Congressional recess. Gramm stated
he had accomplished what he came to Washington to do,
and he felt sure that with the Republicans in control
of Texas a suitable replacement would be elected. Gramm
had served over 20 years on Capital Hill both as a Democrat
and then as a Republican. He staged an unsuccessful bid
for the Republican Presidential Nomination in 1996. Gramm
is being considered as a future President of Texas A&M
University.
Gramm was often accused of 'Gramm Standing', and one person
once remarked that the most dangerous place in Washington,
DC was between Phil Gramm and a camera.
JESSIE
HELMS OF NORTH CAROLINA ALSO CALLS IT QUITS;
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ELIZABETH DOLE TO RUN
After 50 years of public service to the people of North
Carolina, Senator Jessie Helms has announced he will not
run for reelection. Helms served 29 years in the US Senate
and was often the Chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations
Committee. Helms cited poor health as the reason for retirement.
Helms, a noted and sometimes controversial conservative
Republican, took unpopular stands on the United Nations,
presidential appointments and even art.
Elizabeth Dole, former Secretary of Labor (and wife of
former Senator Robert Dole of Kansas), Has announced she
will run as a Republican for Jessie Helms seat in 2002.
Dole also served as Secretary of Transportation and as
the head of the Red Cross. Dole enters a crowded field
with three other Republicans and two well-known Democrats.
Mrs. Dole must also overcome the 'carpetbagger' attacks;
however, she was born in North Carolina and her mother
still lives in the state. Polls seem to indicate the 'carpetbagger'
tag will not stick, and Mrs. Dole has a good chance to
win the seat.
TENNESSEE BUS HIJACK KILLS 6, INJURES 34
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A man armed with a box cutter like the ones used by the
September 11 terrorist tried to hijack a bus out of Tennessee
bound or Florida on October 3, 2001. The assailant identified
as Damir Igric, a 29 year old Croatian who entered the
US on a one-month visa, attacked and cut the throat of
the Greyhound Bus Driver according to eyewitnesses. The
bus crashed killing 6 and injuring 34 others. Greyhound
suspended travel for a while but resumed service late
that day.
The one-month visa was issued to Igric over two years
ago. Igric was unemployed. Where is the US Immigration
Service?
BIN
LADEN PIÑATAS ON SELL IN TEXAS
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The
outburst of patriotism demonstrated by Americans in the
wake of the attacks on September 11th has been a welcome
site, at least most of the time. However, some people
may think the glass containers of popcorn sold in K-mart
with God Bless America and a flag printed on it was a
little overdone. Finally a Texas entrepreneur has produced
a must have 'New War' product that every collector will
want: an Osama bin Laden Piñata.
The bin Laden piñatas are being made and sold by
the Rene Karam, owner of JJ's Party House in McAllen,
Texas. The bin Laden piñata will sell for $30.
10% of the profits will go to the New York firefighters
who suffered during September 11th attack. Karam indicates
that the piñatas will be sold over the Internet.
There have been several orders from overseas and large
orders from stress relief clinics. Karam believes that
allowing clients to bash bin Laden piñatas can
be a great way to relieve this 'New War' stress.
The Nation
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NICHOLS
TO FACE 160 COUNTS OF CAPITAL MURDER IN STATE COURT
Wes Lane, the Oklahoma County District Attorney, has announced
that he would pursue the 160 counts of capital murder
against Terry Nichols that were not covered in the original
plea agreement in the Oklahoma City Bombing Case in 1995.
Nichols had pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and agreed
to turn states evidence against Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh
was found guilty and executed for the crime.
Nichols has been trying to appeal his federal sentence,
but he has offered to drop the appeals if the Oklahoma
DA will drop the current charges.
Since the federal charges and plea agreement covered only
the eight Federal Agents killed in the Murrah Federal
Building, Nichols is not in double jeopardy. He can be
charged with the deaths of the 160 men, women and children
killed in the 1995 attack.
13
GUNG HO MARINES FINALLY COME HOME
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The bodies of 13 Marines killed in the Marine Corps raid
on Makin Island in 1942 were returned to US soil in August
2001 to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The
Marines were part of the 2nd Marine Corps Raider Battalion;
their motto was 'Gung Ho'.
The Marines were buried on the island 59 years ago. The
island is now known as Butaritari. The Marines were finally
discovered after an island native who helped bury them
was located and led searchers to the site of the graves.
The 2nd Marine raider Battalion was the subject of the
1943 film Gung Ho staring Randolph Scott and Robert
Mitchum. Lt. Col. Evans Carlson commanded the unit. The
attack occurred on 17 August 1942.
The 13 Marines arrived in the US on 17 August 2001 and
were buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The newly
interred Marines included Sgt. Clyde Thomason who had
received the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously.
USS INDIANAPOLIS CAPTAIN CLEARED OF CHARGES IN
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SINKING OF HIS SHIP DURING WOLD WAR II
Captain Butler McVay, the Captain of the ill-fated USS
Indianapolis, has been cleared posthumously of court-martial
charges incurred after the sinking of the ship in the
Philippine Sea on 30 July 1945. The USS Indianapolis was
torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine after it delivered
vital parts of the atomic bomb to Tinian Island. Captain
McVay was used as a scapegoat by the US Navy for many
of the men lost to Japanese submarines during the war.
The cruiser went down in 12 minutes and lost around 300
men initially. About 900 men went into the water and were
adrift for four days. Over 500 men were lost to exposure,
lack of water, and shark attack. The sinking of the Indianapolis
was made popular by the movie Jaws.
A new book, In Harmes Way by Doug Stanton,
covers the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the ordeal
of the crew and Captain McVay.
CARNIVORE TO ADD WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TO ITS MENU
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The FBI is trying to expand its ability to monitor email
and other electronic communications to hand held communication
devices such as cell phones and palm pilots. The surveillance
device, originally known as 'Carnivore' and now called
DCS 1000, has been used by the FBI for over two years.
The FBI could possibly have this extended version of 'Carnivore'
in place by October 2001.
There is a bill in Congress that would require the FBI
and Attorney General to submit a detailed report on the
use of these and other surveillance systems to the Congress.
The Clarion Issue encourages all of our
readers to contact their lawmakers about this important
issue and the pending legislation to regulate it.
FORMER COLONEL GIVEN LIFE IN PRISON FOR SPYING
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George Trofimoff, a retired Army Reserve colonel received
a life sentence in late September 2001. Trofimoff led
the Army section at the Nuremberg Joint Interrogation
Center in Germany during the Cold War where he furnished
top secret documents to the KGB for over 20 years. He
was paid over a quarter million dollars by the Soviet
spy agency. He was arrested in March 2001 and tried in
Federal Court in Tampa, Florida. President Bush pushed
for the stiff sentence.
Trofimoff was born in Germany and became a US citizen
50 years ago to the day he received the life sentence.
He is now 75 years old.
The World
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DROUGHT
IN CENTRAL AMERICA
Farmers
in several Central American counties are having one of
the worst droughts in recent memory. The countries of
Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador are especially
hard hit by the lack of rain in the past six months. The
drought has been so severe that the poor farmers in the
area could harvest almost no corn. Maize (Corn) is the
staple of the diet of the peasants, and the supplementary
beans and peppers have also suffered from the lack of
rain. Compounding the problem was the lack of corn seed
needed to plant and make a second crop this summer and
fall.
International groups are trying to aid the area with emergency
food and seed. It is hoped the late summer rains will
enable the farmers to make a crop to sustain them though
the winter.
After El Nino, a major flood, and Hurricane Mitch the
area needs several good seasons and harvests.
ALABAMA 911 CALL
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A
couple of rednecks from Alabama are out in the woods hunting
when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem
to be breathing, and his eyes are rolled back up in his
head.
The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls 911.
He gasps to the operator, "Bubba is dead what can
I do?"
The operator, in a cool, calm soothing voice says, "Just
take it easy. I can help. First lets make sure he's dead."
There is silence… then a shot is heard.
The guy's voice comes back on the line. He says, "OK,
now what?"
SPORTS SHORTS PARENTS AND SPORTS
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By R. A. Pearson
The recent controversy concerning an over age player in
the Little League World Series demonstrates the major
problem facing children's sports in America. The problem
is that parents are willing to win at any cost. Across
the nation and in all sports, parents apply pressure on
coaches, officials, and players to be winners. The real
purpose of children's sports should be to build sports
skills, be active, to enjoy being on a team, and to learn
sportsmanship.
The child in question, Danny Almonte, was 14 when he played
in the Little League World Series. The cut off age was
12. His father, Felipe Almonte, had secured a false birth
certificate and brought him into this country from the
Dominican Republic. Danny was never enrolled in school
in school in New York City where his team, the Bronx Baby
Bombers, played. The father, the coach, and even the other
players knew that Danny was over age. So they forfeit
their games, no harm no foul-right. Wrong!
It has gotten to a point in America that children's sports
are taken too seriously. Forty years ago little league
started in the summer. It was a summer activity. Now it
starts in spring. The games begin as late as 9:00 PM,
and children go to school the next day tired and with
incomplete homework. Parents criticize coaches who play
kids with less skill and lose a game rather than play
the 'best kids' all the time and win every game. Leagues
that encourage the coaches to let every kid play are criticized
by parents. Umpires and officials that call the games
are insulted, booed and even cursed by parents. Parents
have been known to cause fights in the stands because
a coach took a good kid out so a child with lesser skills
could play. Fights have even occurred when an opposing
team's parents were cheering for their child's team. League
officials are often forced to ban parents from their child's
game.
Another sign that children's sports are taken too seriously
is the regional, national and international competition
in these sports. Years ago at the end of the season an
all star team might be announced in a town, and they would
play the next town over in an all star game. Now the teams
raise money by holding raffles, car washes, and bake sales
to travel great distances to play in various tournaments.
For a ten-year-old child this is absurd. There is plenty
of time for competition outside of the child's town later
in life.
Finally, I applaud the parents, coaches, and organizers
of the children's sports and recognize the time, effort
and money put into the kids. But America needs to put
the emphasis back where it belongs. Children's sports
are supposed to build skills, sportsmanship, and a healthy
body. Let's emphasize the child-not some trophy that will
gather dust in some coach's or sponsor's attic.
MICHAEL JORDAN TO RETURN TO NBA;
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WILL DONATE SALARY TO VICTIMS OF SEPT. 11 ATTACK
Michael Jordan has announced that he will return to the
NBA as an active player for the 2001-2002 season. After
working out all summer he has signed a 2year contract
with the Washington Wizards, a team he was part owner
of and one where he actually hired the coach. Jordan will
give up all ownership shares and front office duties while
he plays.
Jordan returns to a league that needs a superstar with
a positive image. The retirement of the 'good guys' like
Michael Jordan, Larry Byrd and Magic Johnson left the
league with out anyone to step into the supper star role
model needed by the league. Jordan was a five-time league
MVP and led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles during
the 1990s. Jordan was also known for kid movies like Space
Jam and commercials featuring Loony Tune cartoon characters.
Jordan has indicated that he would donate his salary for
this season to the relief agencies working with the victims
of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington,
DC.
BARRY BONDS BREAKS HOMERUN RECORD
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Barry Bonds, the slugger for the San Francisco Giants,
hit 73 homeruns this season, breaking the record set by
Mark McGwire in 1998. While much sports ink and commentary
has been spent on Bond's lack of eagerness to talk to
the press and his aloofness, Bonds' accomplishment puts
him in the record book besides the great players like
'Babe' Ruth, Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, Ty Cobb, and
many others.
Bond's negative press and the failure of a homerun race
to develop during the season have limited the coverage
to the Sports pages. The Clarion Issue congratulates
Bonds in his successful season, and we realize that Bonds
works in private to support his charities and community.
Bonds also broke Ruth's 1923 season record for walks in
a season.
CAL RIPKEN AND TONY GWYNN RETIRE FROM BASEBALL
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Cal Ripken will retire after the 2001 season ending a
21-year carrier. Ripkin is best known for breaking the
record set by Lou Gehrig for the most consecutive games.
Ripkin's new record was 2,632 games. Ripkin also earned
several golden glove awards and was a threat at the plate.
Tony Gwynn will also retire from baseball at the end of
this season. Gwynn's 20-year career produced 3,140 hits,
a .338 batting average, and two World Series appearances.
Both Ripken and Gwynn are expected to be elected to Baseball's
Hall of Fame as soon as they become eligible for induction.
The Clarion Issue wishes them good luck
in their retirement.
ELECT DEBORAH HASE, MAYOR OF ST MARYS, GA
NOV. 6 2001
(paid for by the candidate)
DAR-LIN GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH
"FIND YOUR FAMILY TREE"
email:
912-576-2675
UPCOMING EVENTS
MULE
DAY IN CALVARY, GA
FIRST WEEKEND IN NOV.
SWINE
TIME IN CLIMAX, GA
SAT. AFTER THANKSGIVING
RATTLESNAKE
ROUNDUP IN WHIGAM, GA
LAST WEEKEND IN JAN.
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