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PAGE 12-PLAINDEALER-WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24. U79 /* Pl. A I N O I A l F R Editorial Opinion Perspective NO USEFUL PURPOSE' By RONALD REAGAN The Washington Post greeted the new year with an editorial on the tragedy of Iran and the Shah. It made some good points, chief of which is that a quarter of a century of Iranian stability was ending. The Post recognizes that the troubles in Iran did not add up to good news for us. But then the Post goes on to say, "But we think no useful purpose will be served by a domestic debate over 'Who Lost Iran?' " That sentence caught my eye because I'd seen the phrase "No useful purpose" so many times before. It seems to represent an attitude that characterizes much of the opinion-making in the United States. When we express concern about why New York City -the richest city in the world - went broke, we are told, "it will serve no useful purpose" to investigate that financial disaster. When we ask why our foreign policy has, in recent years, brought forth such debacles as Vietnam and the steady loss of confidence in us by our allies and such documents and phenomena of doubtful value as the SALT treaties and detente in its many forms, we are told it would serve no useful purpose to, as they say, dig up the past. True, there may be common sense to such an argument in . some cases. A nation can't live •' a healthy and dynamic life if it •spends every waking hour trying to assign blame for disasters, major and minor. Americans have a live-and-let- live attitude that says, in effect, "Look, what's done is done. Let's learn from our mistakes and move forward." But, in the cases just men­ tioned, we have not learned from our mistakes. For example, it seems to me that one of the best things that could have happened would have been a full-scale investigation as to how we ever did start down the no-win road in Vietnam. After all, while a majority of Americans were against our involvement in the war, more were against it because we refused to do what was needed to win as were against it on so-called "moral" For Your Information Dear friends, The funeral director knows from repeated experience that grief is a severe emotion. He cannot help but be concerned for those he ser­ ves. From experience, he qualifies to counsel the bereaved in their deep grief. Yet, as an un­ trained psychologist, he is aware of his limitations and must remain restrained in his counseling. Respectfully. PETEPM.JUSTEN A FUNERAL HOME McHENHY, IU IN6 IS - 3854063 Junk Foods In School The Best Years? To a generation which remembers the America of the thirties and forties, the best years are gone. That, understandably, may not be true for some who faced greater handicaps or discrimination. * But for the majority, who remember a united country in World War II, with a purpose, who remember the spirit of the thirties and forties, even with depression and war, today's attitudes are disappointing. „ There wasn't much television in those years, not so much to do. People were together more. Life was still patterned on the traditional, old American ideals-desire to work, and get ahead, community cooperation, pride in America and patriotism. There were problems, but drugs were not everywhere. There was a more cohesive society, with generally accepted standards and conventions, including acceptance of church. The dollar was the giant of all the world's currencies. The JJ.S. stood alone atop the world in military and financial power. Those days are gone with the wind. Today pornography, crime, cynicism, drugs, militancy, strikes, a spirit of get what one can, whatever the effect on others, etc., dominate a different society. Abusing The System A private investigative group recently charged that a leading milling firm was pricing its high-vitamin cereal thirty cents higher than another brand, though the two were practically the same in content. The main difference, it's said, is that the high vitamin cereal has an extra two cents worth of vitamins. This charge is of special interest because several years ago congressional investigators found the same high-vitamin cereal and other high-vitamin cereals were considerably overpriced. The assumption at that time was that the makers would do something about it. The condition apparently remains unchanged. Of course, makers can price their products at the level of their choice. But abuses of the free enterprise system, if based on misleading consumers, are certain to bring about greater and greater government contrdl-and manufacturers guilty of such practices will have only themselves to blame. Q. What authority does the agriculture department have to restrict competitive food sales in local schools? A. In 1977 Congress amended the Child Nutrition act, returning to the secretary of agriculture the authority to regulate the sale of competitive foods in schools which have federally assisted food programs. Congress had originally granted the authority to the Secretary in 1970, then in 1972 decided that states and-or local school districts should set their own competitive foods policies. In 1977, when Congress saw that few states or localities had taken action, the authority was returned to the Secretary of Agriculture. Q. What are competitive foods? A. Competitive foods are any foods sold in competition with the type A lunch served in the national school lunch program. Q. Last April the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed regulations to restrict the sale of candy, soda water, frozen desserts and chewing gum until after the last lunch period in schools taking part in the national school lunch program. Why weren't the regulations made effective for the 1978-1979 school year? A. The comment period on the proposed regulations was extended twice because of a large public response - more than 2,100 comments were received. Although many commentors were in favor of some sort of regulation, significant issues were raised which the department feels should be addressed. Therefore, the -proposed regulation was withdrawn and early in 1979 the department will hold three public meetings to gather additional in­ formation and comments before drafting a new proposal. Q. How can I find out more about the issues on which the department is seeking com­ ments? -- A. For a written discussion of these topics, write to Margaret O'K. Glavin, Director, School Prorams Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D C. 20250. Q. May I submit written comments on the issues to be discussed? A. Yes. Written views and information should be sub­ mitted by Feb. 16, 1979, to the Director of the School Programs Division at the above address. Q. Would most schools be affected? A. Yes. Because most schools have federally assisted food programs under the National School Lunch Act and-or Child Nutrition Act. Q. When will schools have to comply with any new regulations? A. The department expects final rules to take effect in time for 1979-1980 school year. First, however, testimony from the public meetings must be analyzed and new regulations proposed, comment must be received and a final rule adopted. Until then, schools will continue operating under present rules. Q. What are the current regulations on competitive foods? A. Present regulations allow states and local authorities to set their own policies on the operation of competitive food service in schools so long as any profits from such services accrue to the benefit of the school's food service, the school, or to student organizations approved by the school. Q. What affect would a federal rule have on state or local policies on competitive foods? A. If a final regulation were to be adopted, it would set a minimum standard for use by state and local officials. It would not preclude local schools or states from setting their own stricter rules. B 9 M CSPS Letters to the Editor Public Pulse (Tho Plaindoolor invito* tho public to ut« this this column as on oxprostion of thoir vitwi on sub)oc9t of gonorol intorost in our community. Our only roquost is that tho writors givo • signature, full addross and phono number Wo osk too. that ono individual not writ* on tho samo tubjoct moro than onco oach month. Wo rasorvo tho right to daloto any matorial which wo considor libolous or in ob|octionablo tosto.) grounds. What did happen in Vietnam? Our children will be taught it was an immoral war, that we were wrong and that we were fighting to prop up a dic­ tatorship. That is nowhere near the whole truth, but if we ask for a different version we are told (as we were by so many opinion-makers at the time) "It will serve no useful purpose." More than $5 million of our tax money has just been spent on a House committee in­ vestigation of the murders of President Kennedy and Martin Luther King. After $5 million, two years, countless words and innumerable witnesses, we are now told there were "con­ spiracies." Just who was in the con­ spiracies, why were they formed, when did they begin, who knew about it then, and what can be done to prevent them in the future? The House committee did not tell us. Now that sort of exercise does not serve any useful purpose, if you ask me, but liberal opinion- shapers in the press supported that hunt for witches, real or imaginary. I'd like to see a full-scale congressional investigation into the financial scandal in New York city. When former U.S. Sen. James Buckley called for such an investigation, he was told - you guessed it - it would serve no useful purpose. So, billions of tax dollars of New Yorkefs and all the rest of us simply blew away and we weren't supposed to ask for a definitive study of where they went. And, on the other side of the globe, the U.S. loses a good friend in the Shah - but don't ask why it happened. I think I'm beginning to understand it all now. If we ask for an investigation it is a Witch Hunt. When they, the opinion- makers of "the Mediacracy" (as author Kevin Phillips calls them) ask for an investigation, it is a social necessity. George Orwell called that kind of thing "Double Speak." God has given you one face, and you make yourself another. •Shakespeare. IN EMERGENCY "Dear Public Pulse; "Since the storm brought out the best in teo many public employees WlXvolunteers helping each other out, I thought it should be noted that the postoffice responded in its usual manner. After two days of no mail delivery, we made a temporary mailbox and put it in a drift so the carrier could reach it fromthe confines of her warm car. She refused to put mail in it because she said it was against regulations. "When so many other public employees have responded to an almost emergency situation in ways demonstrating concern for others and exerting almost herculean efforts to get the job done, the postoffice never fails its image which we the customers have gleaned frompast experience. Since their regulations are absolute and their individual in­ flexibility leaves no room for e x t r a o r d i n a r y c i r ­ cumstances, their type of service is forever etched in memory. I am only grateful that their attitude is not found in other public employees. "Our temporary mailbox situation was minor and we eventually got through a 3- ft.drift to clear it in accordance with regulations. But a larger questions is raised-what of those who are unable to clear their mailboxes? Will they wait till April? And what motivates an emplyee to be so rigid that the circumstances of her route customers who may be elderly or incapacitated are irrelevant to her? The letter of the law but not the spirit is observed. "Sandra Eckstein "3706 Young Street "McHenry" THE WORN FLAG "Dear Editor: "In reply to 'Musin and Meaderin' of Jan. 17 pertaining to the worn flag flying at the corner of Waukegan and Third streets. "I wender if the lady who complained about that one noticed the first time it was flown there. A new flag was raised on that pole shortly after Oct. 30, 1978. As Americanism chairman for the Ladies auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4600 I had « H Si 3 Willi nil mi linn LANDMARK... Royal Bri­ tish lion and unicorn adorn Boston's Old State House. Built in 1713, while the colonies were still under the rule of an English king, its graceful ai^d unusual architecture,/actually o Dutch derivation, influenced1 construction of that, period. ARE YOU NEW IN McHenry Area? SG668888SSSS 0# Ym Know Someone New? WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO OUR AREA!!!!! CALL JOAN STULL 385-5418 .c , Xs- X. mnmnn , KNOW YOUR AREA-ROYAL WELCOME DOES IT BEST Support For Saccharin presented two flags to the city at their meeting, one to fly over the city hall and the other at Third and Waukegan streets. At the end of one month I had noticed the flag was beginning to wear and immediately contacted Valley Forge Flag Co., from whom the flags were purchased. "Perhaps now it will be observed that no flags are flying at either city hall or Waukegan and Third streets. Hopefully they will be replaced by the Valley Forge Flag Co., which incidentally states in its catalog that it is the flag sup­ plier for the United States government According to information given to me at city hall, the flag at Third and Waukegan streets had been taken down around the first of January, 1979. "When the worn flags are replaced, will those who complained make a commentf or will if\go unnoticed? / - "Gerry Kuck 'Americanism Chairman "Ladies Auxiliary, "Veterans of Foreign Wars i "post 4600" Caution A modern country is one which bans fireworks and produces nuclear bombs. -Tribune, Des Moines. Close to 75 percent of American adults continue to oppose a ban on saccharin despite the ongoing con­ troversy concerning the only a v a i l a b l e n o n - c a l o r i c sweetener, a nationwide opinion survey has found. About one-third of Americans age 18 and over consume saccharin, according to a study sponsored by the Calorie Control council, an association of manufacturers and suppliers of dietary foods and beverages. More than 80 percent of those who do not consume saccharin choose not to for reasons of personal taste in foods and beverages, the survey found. Only 15 percent of those not consuming the sweetener cite apprehension that the non- caloric sweetener might negatively affect their health. The Calorie Control council commissioned the survey to gauge public attitudes on saccharin, to check for public awareness of the recently published report of the National Academy of Sciences' sac­ charin committee, and to check the report's high estimate of young children consuming the sweetener. The survey found that 15 percent of children under 10 years old consume saccharin at least once every two weeks. "This figure appears much more realistic than the 33 percent figure mentioned in the report," Robert H. Kellen, council president, said. "Children generally do not eat a product sweetened with saccharin when they can choose one with sugar. Most of the reported consumption would probably be attributed to a small amount of an adult's food or drink from time to time, to diabetic children, or to chewing gum, which no longer contains saccharin. The Calorie Control council is an association of more than 60 suppliers and manufacturers of dietary foods and beverages. TURN ONS I caught my boyfriend flirting I caught rnirw the same way Service Line McHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 385-4300 FAMILY SERVICE ft MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC 3409 W. Waukegan Road McHenry 386-6400 PARENTAL STRESS LINE OF McHENRY COUNTY Meeting Place: McHenry County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Call 312-463-0390 STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HOTLINE 217-522-5514 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 202-755-8660 Hours7:30a.m. to5:30p.m. weekdays (Ever had a problem involving the federal government and not know where to call? And then been given a runaround or referrals by persons who meant well but didn't know how to help? Ten specialists available at this center.) NATIONAL RUN-AWAY SWITCHBOARD Illinois Phone: 800-3"2-6004 (For confidential conversation on problems dealing with run-away children) MOVING HOTLINE Phone 800-424-9213 (Complaints about interestate moving by companies, buses or trains. Sponsored by Interstate Commerce commission) v_>CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Phone 800-638-2666 (For questions or complaints on products ranging from toys to ovens) NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Phone 800-424-9393 (Answers questions about automobile safety defects or whether a particular model has ever been recalled. Valuable for those interested in buying a used car) ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF" CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES Child Abuse Center McHenry County (312) 546-2150 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 800-638-2666 (Operates five national lines Answers inquiries about, or reporting on. the safety of products from kitchen appliances to children's toys) NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER 800-523-2929 P.O. Box 1607. Rockville. Md 20850 (Dispenses information on solar systems for heating and cooling to anyone from architects to home owners looking for a sun-powered hot-water system) CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 3x2-793-3580 Chicago, III. KIKTHHK.IIT I'rt- jEnam? Nr«*«l Help? ( i>iin»«-liiij» S**r\ir»*. 21-liour \»i- ««rrin|[ Srr*!«•«*. YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNT\ 840 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock , Phone:338-7360 24-hour Crisis Intervention and Confidential Counseling for youth and families. Are you concerend about your angry feelings toward your children? 24-hour Parental Stress Line. 344-3944 ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Phone 217-522-5514 Answer to questions on government regulations. V.A. NEWS Editor's Note: Following are representative questions an­ swered daily by VA counselors. Full information is available to any VA office. Q--I am the widow of a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. My husband never used the government home loan benefit provided for such veterans. Am I entitled to this loan? A-You are only if your husband died as a result of a service-connected disability incurred during his World War II or Korean service, and you are presently unmarried. The fact that your husband may or may not have obtained a GI loan would not affect your entitlement to this benefit. Contact the VA regional office or veterans service organization in your area for specific information. Q--I held on to the National Service Life Insurance term policy after WWII. Is it true that if I continue to hold this policy during my older years it could cost me as much as $554 a month for this $10,000 policy? A-That's correct. Term insurance while you're young is e x c e l l e n t , i n e x p e n s i v e coverage. As you grow older, the cost increases dramatically. You may convert to a permanent plan which will build cash reserve, and the premium will not increase in cost with age. Check with your nearest VA regional office. Q-What is the amount of the new VA automobile grant which became effective Oct. 1, 1978? - A--$3,800. Wrong Direction Many people are like signposts. They spend their lives pointing in the right direction, but never go that way themselves. -Tribune, Ames, la. Sen" & pro.tesSl Dirn­ dl t o * V EARL R. WALSH & JACK WALSH INS. Fi re . Auto . Farm, L i fe Represent ing RELIABLE COMPANIES 4410 W Rte 120 . McHenry 385 3300 DENNIS CONWAY AUTO L IFE F IRE State Farm Ins. Co. 3319 W E lm St McHenry , I I I 385 7111 DR. LEONARD B0TTARI 303 N R ichmond Rd McHenry E yes examined Contac t Lenses G lasses f i t t ed Mon ^Tues . T h u r s F r i 4 6 p m Tues Thurs F r i 7 » p m Sat » 30 to 3 00 Ph 38} 4151 o r 385 2262 McHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES SERVICE a RENTALS Mon Sat 9 5 30 F r iday t i l 9 00 93 Grant S t , Crys ta l Lake Ph 459 1226 McHenry Telephone Answering & Letter Service • Answering Service ' Cor. Telephone & Poging Service • Complete Mimeographing & Printing Serivc»» • Typing & Photocopying Ph. 385-0258 Gateway • SSOC>»'t* PEALTOPS 3932 W. Rt. 120. McHonry "GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE" CALL US (815) 385-4810 Farm Equipment George P. Freund, Inc. Cot* - New Holland 4102 W. Crystal Lake Rd McHENRY Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 Ii r eTl i RADIAL TIRES FOR ALL CARS Europo Motors, Inc. 2318 Rte. 120 815-385 0700 4t our quick-action copy center. FINEST QUALITY COPIES MADE ON XFR0X EQUIPMENT See us , a lso , fo r every k ind o f Pr in t ing Need" 3909 W MAIN 385 7600 ( NEW TRAILERS used HILLSBORO ft OWNES DUMP-FLATBEDS-CAR HAULERS \ Stidham Horse & Cattle Trailers L Plus A CompUt* Lin* Of Bradon Winches * ADAMS ENTERPRISES 3017 W.Rt«. 120 McHENRY, IU. 815-385-5970 E I