PAGE 16 - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16,1980 ------1----T PLAINDEALER Editorial Opinion ^^1 > v Weather Predictions Is our weather getting colder or warmer? The new World Bode Encyclopedia quotes authorities on both sides of the issue.;Some say the polar ice caps are gradually enlarging. Others say the increasing amount of chemicals released into the air by man are creating a sort of greenhouse effect, trapping more Of the sun's reflected rays, which otherwise would escape into outer space. If the experts can't agree, how can the average citizen hope to know? Well, a pattern will probably be clear about the year 2000-if you're still around. By that tinie, however, twenty more winters will have passed (as well as some of us). The hope of the moment is that the winter of 1979-80 will be like more of most recent memory. Computer Value During the holidays millions of American youngsters received their first computer. Now they can add, subtract, multiply and divide with these handy little gadgets-without going through the arithmetic. In some schools, computers are allowed these days-as if they constitue part of the owner's mental ability. How much of that is good and what are the dangers of too much reliance on computers by children? The danger is that children will learn to depend on a computer rather than learn math. When they are in the grocery store or in the marketplace elsewhere, without a computer, how will they calculate prices, bargains, mistaken charges? * Already we have a generation of children who can't read and can't do math-victims of the teacher kick of the sixties which deemphasized homework, basic learning and discipline. Too much reliance on computers is likely to produce another generation ignorant in the basics of math. Wonderful, vital instruments for business and government, computers should not be allowed to substitute for basic learning, for the development of the child's self-sufficiency in basic math. Coroner Cases James S. Flagg. coroner of McHenry county. has released information con cerning coroners' cases handled in December The total number of cases placed on coroners' cer tificates was 35. Of these.the breakdown is as follows: six deaths were auto-accident related: two deaths were ruled accidental carbon monoxide; tti/o deaths were ruled undetermined carbon monoxide deaths; two deaths were due to cancer. In addition, two deaths were aulo-pedestrian ac cidents; one death was due to accidental electrocution; 15 deaths were due to cardio vascular problems including heart attacks and other vascular problems; five deaths were from suicide. Of these thirty-five deaths there were ten autopsies and fifteen inquests held. Besides the above listed cases, the coroner's office also investigated over 40 other deaths but they were able to be signed out by the attending physician. James S. Flagg $6.4 Billion In Food Bought With Stamps Food stamp shoppers bought over $6.4 billion worth of food with food stamps last year, according to Carol Tucker Foreman, assistant secretary of agriculture for food and consumer services. This means that the poor spent $3 billion more on food in 1979 than they would have without the food stamp program. Food stamp dollars benefit U.S. food retailers and farmers, while helping to feed the nation's hungry, Ms. Foreman said. In a report on the economic effects of food stamps, the Agriculture department said spending for food as a result of the stamps increased ' the in come of food processors and distributors, by about $1.4 billion. «-- • Farmer income has in creased nearly $1 billion because of the increased spending brought on by food stamps\in 1979, according to the report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service. Overall, the value of food stamps issued in 1979 was 3.9 percent of the total sales of food through retail stores for home use. USDA reported. Ms. Foreman said a $1 billion cut in food stamp benefits next year would cost farmers $140 million in in come. Food distributors- including processors, packers, wholesalers and retailers-would lose about $210 million, and food ex penditures would decrease by $350 million. in spite of the fact that stamp users would substitute some of their own money for the stamps cut. Building Permits The City of McHenry has issued the following building permits for the month of December 1979. Thomas A. Janik, 113 N. Green street, single family dwelling. McHenry State bank, 3510 W. Elm street, parking lot. Lois Shea, 4509 W. Elm street, sign. McHenry Medical group, 1110 N. Green street, foundation. First National Bank of Woodstock, 1113 N. Fourth street, alteration. William W Busch, Jr., 3614 W. Johnsjreet, alteration. Brittany builders, 6616 Hayward court, single family dwelling. Granny's Quilts, 4509 W. Elm street, sign. Brian Cunat, 1210 Riverside drive, three car garage. Kentucky Fried Chicken, 4503 W. Elm street, signs. Kentucky Fried Chicken, 4503 W. Elm street, drive-thru window. F o r V o u r I r e f o r m a t i o n ' Dear friends. A satisfying social life is necessary to good health at any age. Our heart goes out to lonely, shut-in older people who have lost contact with the outside world and lead a life of boredom. We need to open new vistas for them. The secret of a good social life is sharing - thru volunteer work, by telephoning friends, by in viting someone to share a meal. Respectfully, jfni.L' w 4.*.--J PETER M.JISTEN & SON FUNERAL HOME PI A1N0 AI.1 K -Let ters to the L.d i tor Public Pulse (The Ploindeoler invites the public to o*e thi* this column oi an expression of their views on subjects of general interest in our community Our only request is that the writers give signature full address and phone number We ask too that one individual not write on the some subject more thon once eoch month We reserve the right to delete any material which we consider libelous or in objectionoble taste I Hotline For Radiation MONDAY MUSINGS "Dear Editor: "It's a typical Monday mprning, the massive traffic jams on1 the highways, school busses making the rounds attempting to giet all the children to school on time, mothers heading back to bed after witnessing the school bus pass her window, cars with their motors running outside the local restaurants, as their owners run in for a cup of coffee. For some, it's the beginning of a typical week, for others possibly the beginning of a new job, career, business, all concerned with their own personal experience, when suddenly on every available means of communication comes a message from Washington that the Soviet Union has launched a nuclear attack upon the United States. Panic strikes in the country, within 1 hour their missiles will start striking targets in the United States. "Each individual starts thinking of his or her alternatives. 'Should I head for home, no - I'll go to school to pick up my kids", or "Will my wife do that? I'll call home, can't get through, the phones are all jammed. Ho\v about my mother and father; we41, they will have to take care of themselves, because I have my own family. Maybe I should head for the store and buy as much food as I can, I'll need money, I'll head for the bank. Will they be open? " 'I can't believe this traffic jam, I may not make it home in an hour. What will their first targets be? Maybe it won't be the Chicago area. They might possibly avoid this area completely, we might be home free, unless, unless the Russians have ' caught us by surprise! No, no couldn't happen. I'm sure we already launch a counter attack, we'll blow them right off the face of the earth. But why did they attack us then? They must have believed they could defeat us. " 'That's crazy we're as powerful as them, or more powerful. What was detente, arid Salt-1 all about? Wasn't it to balance the weight of power, to help offset any thoughts of war by either side. Salt 2 put the final touches on limiting the proliferation of present weapons and the research into more powerful nuclear armaments. If all these agreements were accepted by both sides, then why the attack? Weren't these salt agreements to even up the 'sides" We were ahead, weren't we? I thought we were doing them a favor to. show our good faith, so they would not feel threatened by us. They seemed to want Salt more than we did. I wish I could remember all the details of the agreement, but I was always so busy, oh, what difference does it make now? "Would this sound like you" The Russians now. as in past negotiations, have been secret, illusive, and uncooperative when it came to revealing the amount of missiles and launchers and any other information as to their strategic inventory. Ye! Salt 2 is presented to the American people as an ultimatum Take the package as it is or there will be noSalt agreement now, or in the foreseeable future. If they are not willing to re negotiate any area of Salt 2 without its total collapse, it's because the present package -is tipping the scale of superiority in their favor. "Since President Carter and the State department completed the Salt 2 package, the Russians have shown how untrustful they are. The Kama river , truck factory, built by American technology, is now suspected of being used to make military equipment. The Russians deny it, but will not let in any American ob servers. In Iran, although our hostages are being held in a blatant breach of in ternational law, the Russians have remained ambiguous. Consider Afghanistan, their invasion of that country and the seizing at an opportunity to invade it, when its govern ment was in disfavor with its people, and if successful, shoving communism down their throats. Now is this the kind of coutnry you want to submit an ultimatum on a nuclear weapons agreement to us? "We Americans elected Carter because he was a powerful debater and a God loving, righteous man, but when it comes to negotiating with the Russians you can leave your morals and ethics in the locker room, and enter the discussions with your fighting gloves on. That's the language they understand and respect. They are gambling that the Americans, with Vietnam still fresh in their minds, are in an acquiescent mood, as witnessed by our lack of action on the Iranian situation and Afghanistan. "President Carter can achieve tremendous respect worldwide if he would call for an emergency meeting with the Russian Premier, and rip the Salt 2 package in his presence, sign a bill calling for the immediate development of the B-l bomber, the implementation of the MX missile, and production of the neutron bomb, send a message to the Afghans fighting the Russians that we will aid with weapons and artillery, and finally set a deadline for the release of bur hostages in Iran, and if not met, the Ayatollah and the militant students themselves will feel the hell and fury of an American attack. "These are dramatic, drastic measures, but, too many times in the recent past we have retreated with our tails between our legs, as in Korea and Vietnam. Just recently we have gone begging to the United Nations for its help in Iran. The United Nations is merely a podium for third world nations to belittle the United States. MI. da not want to find ourselves in the situation in which I opened this com mentary. We do not have to become bullies or ostensibly boastful, but must remain strong, powerful, and willing - at a moment's notice to defend our liberty and freedom. Write to your senator for information on Salt 2 and it will become clear that Salt 2 is a Soveit advantage and opportunity ARE YOU NEW IN McHenry Area? Do You Know Someone New? WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO OUR AREA!!!!! CALL JOAN STULL 385-5418 LORRAINE MONAHAN 385-5475 \ * \ •0 /Q<rt 'o* mutmm An independent group of specialists in radiation protection has been operating a hotline since Sept. 8 to answer questions from the public about radiation. Michael Howe, a health physicist with the group said, "When we started the hotline we expected more questions about nuclear power, but that simply has not happened. Illinois has more nuclear .power reac tors than any other state, but less than three out of a hundred calls are about nuclear power. Most have been about medical uses of radiation. This is very en couraging," he said, "because a 1972 report by the National Academy of Sciences found that medical diagnostic radiology ac counts for 90 percent of the total man-made radiation to which the U.S. population is exposed and that this could be reduced considerably without loss of medical in formation. "The next largest category of questions are about radiation from con sumer products such as microwave ovens, color TV, smoke detectors, luminous watches,, etc." "We receive calls from a wide spectrum of people, housewives, young mothers, mechanics, physicians, retired persons, teachers, truck drivers, technical w r i t e r s , l a w y e r s , salespersons, etc. Some callers need information and reassurance while others need to be cautioned." Elwyn' Dolecek, another health physicist with the group said, "Our reason for the hotline is to give people accurate, unbiased in formation so they can gain perspective about radiation and make informed decisions. In our high technology society we could become so burdened with anxiety about risks that we lose the advantages technology could give us. The public has to be able to put the small risks in per spective and deal decisively with the large ones. It would be unfortunate to. waste our efforts trying to reduce small risks while leaving large ones unattended. On the other hand, we must know enough not to accept any risk, even small ones, without weighing the benefits." • Dolecek, said further that fhe group feels they have a for superiority and we must reject it. "Thank you 'Ronald J. Salgado" responsibility to provide the public with person-to-person information.! Healt^ physicists specialize in protecting man and his environment from the° harmful effects of radiation while encouraging its best use for the benefit of mankind. • • * V .« The Illinois group is keeping alive the tradition that started the health physics profession. It began with the concern of some physicists for the health of people working on the first nuclear reactor at the University of Chicago in 1942; They took" on the assignment of coping with Legislators StateSenators Jack Schaffer (R) - 33rd. 56 N. Williams St. Crystal Lake, 111., 60014 Phone 455-0309 Springfield Phone 217-782^6525 Karl Berning (R) - 32nd. 625 Deerfield Road Deerfield, 111., 60015 Phone 312-945-3200 State Kepresentalives Thomas J. HanahanJD) 4801 W. Route 120 McHenry, 111., 60050 Phone 385-3427 Springfield Phone 117-782-6476 Calvin L. Skinner, Jr., (R) 33rd. P.O. Box 308 Crystal Lake, 111., 60014 Phone 459-6050 Springfield Phone 217-782-8000 Donald E. Deuster (R)- 32nd. 510 N. Lake St Mundelein, 111., 60060 Phone 312-566-1972 Daniel M. Pierce (D) - 32nd. 580 Roger Willaims Ave. Highland Park, 111., 60035 Phone 312-433-2551 Betty Lou Reed (R) - 32nd: 927 Holly Court Deerfield, 111., 60015 U.S. Senators Charles H. Percy (R) 230 S. Dearborn Room 3859 Chicago, 111., 60604 Phone 312-353-4952 Adlai E. Stevenson (D) 230 S. Dearborn Room 3960 Chicago, 111., 60604 4 Phone 312-353-5420 i e , U.S. Congressmen John B. Anderson (R) 301 W. State St. Rockford, 111., 61101 Phone 815-962-8807 Robert McClory (R) 326 N. Genesee St. Waukegan, 111., 60085 Phone 312-336-4554. the radiation hazards and were called health physicists. The hotline group has 15 volunteers who take turns answering calls. Most of the calls come on weekday mornings. People who call during off-hours can leave their name and phone, number with an answering machine. A health physicist calls the next day at the time requested. "Most of the callers seem to be satisfied with our answers," Dolecek said. "We have at our finger tips: references, phone numbers, addresses, and contacts that could take years to assemble. We hope to con tinue the hotline as long as the calls keep coming." Funds for phone service and mail are provided by a grant from the Health Physics society, a not-for- profit organization which has a worldwide mem bership of about 4,000. Anyone in Illinois can call the toll free number 800-942- 9440 and talk directly to a health physicist. January Days The last half of January contains, perhaps, as many important birthday anniversaries as any other like period of the year for Americans. Daniel Webster, one of the nation's great orators, a Cabinet officer,^ a ' Senator (from Massachusetts), was born at Franklin, New Hampshire, on the 18th in 1782. Robert E. Lee, considered by many the most able military strategist in the Civil War, was born on the 19th, in 1807, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Edgar Allen Poe, one of the nation's greatest writers, was also born on the 19th, in Boston, in 1809. "Stonewall" Jackson, the most daring tactical military leader in the Confederate armies and perhaps in U.S. history, was born on the 21st, in 1824, at what is now Clarksburg, West Virginia. Fred Vinson, 13th Chief Justice, was born on the 22nd in 1890, at Louisa, Kentucky. Douglas MacArthur, one of the most able strategists of World War II, was born on the 26th at Little Rock, Arkansas. (The 26th is also Michigan Day, the 29th Kansas Day.) William McKinley, 25th President, was born on the 29th at Niles, Ohio, in 1843. Thomas Paine, who gained fame and popularity writing in the cause of the American revolution, was born in England on the 29th in 1737. (He lost mifch of his popularity as Samuel Clemens was to do in later years.) Franklin Roosevelt was born on the 30th, at Hyde Park, New York, in 1882 -the only President ever elected to four terms (the nation's 32nd). He is credited with doing much to bring the nation out of the depression of the early thirties and with the successful direction of military strategy in World War IL KNOW YOUR AREA ROYAL WELCOME DOES IT BEST SERVICE LINE McHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 385 4300 FAMILY SERVICE & MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC 3409 W Waukegan Road McHenry ' 385 6400 PARENTAL STRESS LINE OF McHENRY Meeting PkiceMcHenry County 24 hours a da^. 7 days a week Call 815-344 3944 Parents Anonymous meetings on Wednesday STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HOTLINE 217 522 5514 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 202-755-8660 Hours 7 30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m week days (Ever had a problem involving the federal government and not known where to cal l ' And then been given a r j^naround or referrals by persons who meant well but didn t know how to help9 Ten special ist avai lable at this center.) NATIONAL RUN-AWAY SWITCHBOARD I l l inois Phone 800-972-6004 (For confidential conversations on problems deal ing with run away chi ldren ) MOVING HOTLINE Phone 800 424 9213 (Complaints about interstate moving by companies buses or trams Sponsored by Interstate Commerce commission) 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 wheather a part icular model has ever been recal led Valuable for those interested in buying a used car) ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES Child Abuse Center McHenry County (312)546 2150 ~ ~£QNSUMfR PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION ^ 800 638 2666 (Operates f ive national l ines Answers inquires about or repor t ing on the safety of products from kitchen appl iances to c h i l d r e n s t o y s . ) ' • ' NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER 800 523 2929 P O Box 1607 Rockvi l le Md 20850 iDispenses information on solar systems for heating and cool ing to anyone fram architects to home owners looking for a sun powered hot water system) CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 312 793 3580 . ' ' Chicago i l l BIRTHRIGHT e Pregnant' Need' Help' Counsel ing Service 385 2999 24 hour Answering Service YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNTY 471$ W. Elm St.. McHenry Phone: 344-3240 24 hour Crisis Intervention and Confidential Counsel ing for youth and famil ies Are you- e«nc-erend about youi angry fgehnqs toword you?-- chi ldren' 2A hour Parental Stress l ine 344 3944„. i ,v__ ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Plione 21 7 522 551 J Answer to questions on government 'oqulahons » EARL R. WALSH & JACK WALSH INS. Fir*. Auto. Farm. Lil* Representing RELIABLE COMPANIES 4410 W. Rt«. 120. McHenry 385-3300 DENNIS CONWAY AUTO LIFE FIRE State Farm Ins. Co. 3319 W. Elm Street McHenry. III. M5-7111 DR. LEONARD BOTTARI 303 N. Richmond Rd.. McHenry Eyei examined Contact lenses Classes fitted Man.. Tues.. Thurs.. Fri. 4-4 pm Tues.. Thurs.. Fri. 7-9 pm Sat. 9:30 to 3:00 Phone MS-4ISI or 3*5-2242 McHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES SERVICE « RENTALS Mon.-Sat. 9-5:30 Friday til 9:00 93 Grant St., Crystal lahe Phone 459-122* McHenry Telephone Answering & Letter Service •Answering Service Ph. 385-0258 •Cor, Teiphone I Paging Service •Complete Mimeographing A Printing Service •Typing 4 Photocopying Farm Equipment George P. Fremiti. Inc. Case - New Holland 4102 W. Crystal Lake Rd., McHenry Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 11 relIT RADIAL TIRES FOR ALL CARS Europa Motors, Inc Q 2 3 1 8 R t e 1 2 0 8 1 5 - 3 8 5 - 0 7 0 0 %W at our quick-action copy center. FINEST QUALITY COPIES MADE ON XEROX EQUIPMENT See us, also, for every kind of Printing Need I PRINTING 3009 W MAIN 385 7600 TRAILERS HORSE « CATTLE TRAILERS DUMP FLATBED! CAR HAULERS TRAILER HITCHES (EXPERT INSTALLATION) SUNNING BOARDS • JRAOEN WINCHES ADAMS ENTERPRISES Cooling System Specialist* * CLEANING * • REBUILT * RE-CORING * NEW/USED Drive-In Exchange Service AUTOTRUCKTRACTOR-HEAVY EQUIPMENT ABTOMOVILE HEATERS SERVICE & REPAIR ALL MAKES -ALt MODELS Air Conditioning - Service ft Part* Go* Tank Repairs HAYDEN ft i Heater Core* ft Service Distributer for ACOELCO, Auto Air I -•Jr.,