Columns/Opinions

It`s no secret the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been buying up all the available ammunition. It`s estimated that DHS plans to purchase 1.6 billion rounds in the next five years, or enough for two large armies to wage war for about 20 years.  But the question is: Why?
Up until last Friday the DHS lips were sealed. After pressure was brought forth by several members of Congress, they (DHS) claim it`s all a big misunderstanding. They regularly purchase goods and services in large amounts to get a better price. With 100,000 armed law enforcement personnel in the DHS, significant amounts of ammunition are needed for operations and training.

Dear Editor:
In 1969, I was drafted into the army. Back then, there were men from all walks of life. Due to the draft, there were college students, high school dropouts, circus performers, bankers and every occupation in between. There were even a goodly number of men who were given the option of going into the military or going to the jail for offenses ranging from petty crimes to murder. Some of these men made it through Vietnam and are better men for it; others did not. But, the same was true of those who volunteered. Some found fulfillment in serving their country, and others were scarred for life. Such is the nature of war.

I applaud the efforts of Gov. Rick Perry in trying to attract business to our state. It`s a win-win situation; it lowers our unemployment percentages and with no state income tax, relocating businesses tend to thrive.

I`m usually not such a pessimistic person, but the actions taken by Obama`s administration toward the energy producers in this country are quite frankly convincing me that few, if any middle class workers will ever really get to retire.
In his second inaugural speech, Obama blames crippling droughts and powerful storms on carbon emissions (which in turn cause global warming), and he plans to greatly curtail them. His primary target is coal-fired power plants, the largest provider of electrical power in the country. The plan is to have the EPA regulate these plants out of existence or at least to cause a huge jump in prices where they would fall in line with what it costs to produce power from solar or wind-driven generators. It doesn`t seem to matter that we do not have these solar or wind-driven generators in place; those are just details.

Dear Editor:
I observed a problem on a county road last week and had to call the Camp County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Jimmy Coleman responded quickly, and thankfully he was able to handle the situation. He was outstanding; he went above and beyond the call of duty.
I think we are very fortunate to have officers like Deputy Coleman serving us in Camp County.
 

Clinton Evetts
 

Last Sunday, at the commemoration of the historic Selma to Montgomery civil rights march, Vice-President Joe Biden expressed guilt for not joining in with the demonstration in Alabama nearly a half a century ago. At the time of the marches, he was attending the University of Delaware in Newark and almost all of this spare time was spent visiting his future wife Neilia Hunter who was attending Syracuse University in another state. So we are to believe Biden feels guilt for not attending what was then a radical demonstration instead of spending time with the love of his life and future mother of his children.

Dear Editor:
The Pittsburg Independence Day Blast event has been an integral part of our community for over 20 years. Each of those years, thousands of families and friends gather to celebrate this National holiday in Pittsburg and are truly captivated by the beautiful fireworks.
While most of us have attended this event with our families since we were children, it has now come to a point where it may be nearly impossible for us to continue to share these memories with our children and grandchildren, because the funding for the event will soon be depleted after the 2013 event. The event is funded by the sale of Parachute Bingo tickets, business donations and community donations. If the sale of Parachute Bingo tickets does not greatly increase for the 2013 event, it will directly impact the future of this event.

Dear Editor:
This year’s Camp County Community Chili Competition was a huge success. Thank you to all the participants: Doggy Style Saloon, Pittsburg Lions Club, Pittsburg Hot Links, Barefoot Bay Marina, Wilson Farms, Life’s A Beach, Cypress Bank and Sassy Girls Restaurant.
We appreciate everyone who came out and ate chili. We raised over $600. This money will go into the Community Fund to help fund worthwhile projects in Camp County.

If you have an idea for a project, please contact the Chamber of Commerce so that we can add it to the list of projects we are considering. We sincerely appreciate the First United Methodist Church for the use of their building and the Methodist Women’s Group for all their hard work.
Congratulations to Doggy Style Saloon for winning the best booth prize, and a big congratulation to the Pittsburg Lions Club for winning this year’s Best Chili award.

“Mardi Gras for the Museum” will be held March 23 this year. If you haven’t pre-registered for the Bike Run come to the office at 204 West Marshall or go see Elaine Barnwell at Tommy Lee Insurance agency. The first 50 to pre-register will receive free T-shirts. For those who do not pre-register, registration will be held March 23 from 8:30 until 10 a.m. at Valero Corner Express, 101 North Greer Blvd. Bikers will ride through town and on to the various stops.
If you did not receive an invitation to the Mardi Gras ball, don’t panic. Everyone is invited to attend. Tickets will be sold at a reduced rate until March 15, so call me at 903-855-7571, 903-856-1200 or come by the office to get your name in the pot early. The ball will be held at Princedale Country Club beginning at 6:30 p.m. the evening of the 23rd. Dudley’s Cajun Cafe from Longview will cater the event, and Randy Brannon will provide the music.

I need some goats to eat the brush in the back part of our land. People have been asking me what kind of goats I need. I don’t have a clue because my farming knowledge is very limited. I just want the kind of goats who eat brush and don’t bother my dogs or neighbors, low maintenance goats I would say.
My stepfather and I didn’t have the greatest relationship. One of the reasons was because I was totally ignorant about farm animals and living in the country. Riding tractors or feeding cows was never a part of my chores. He and my mother married in 1972 after I graduated from high school, so I would spend summers there during college. I think he thought he was going to put me to work when I moved there, but I liked to cook and entertain and paint my fingernails and do my hair. Farming was not in my plan during summers. I would say that is an acquired hobby or chore. One needs substantial experience to do well. I was not that person.