Morgan Wheatly

Well, in the spirit of moving forward, Governor Rick has temporarily cast his indictments aside and headed to the more hospitable climes in New Hampshire. Never mind his problems at home; he has his eye on the Big Prize – the Presidency of the United States of America. Personally, I’m glad to have him out of the state for a bit.

Now, Governor Rick, never being a shy sort, has targeted his wisdom on foreign policy, namely what to do in Syria and Iraq, both bastions of democratic government. Actually, the truth be told, such is not the case, in spite of Dubya’s best efforts to democratize Babylon, lesser Iraq, and the greater portion of the Levant. Never mind that Dick “Darth Vader” Cheney pulled one over Dubya’s eyes; Iraq and the greater Levant cannot be democratized because they remain too close to their roots in the Stone Age.

Even so, Governor Rick has decided that we need to open a large can of whip-ass upon those irksome Islamic terrorists currently galloping around the Levant, showering mayhem and murder upon the citizens of the Arab world. For some reason, he thinks that spending more of our treasure and American blood to whip them into shape will somehow change thousands of years of animosity and angst against us, the “Infidel Crusaders.” He thinks we can put our steel-toed military boots upon their necks and force them into capitulation. It ain’t happening.

Our less than astute political leaders, including Governor Rick, need to understand the long history of the Levant if they are to effectively deal with those people. For example, Iraq was created by uppity British colonialists during the days leading up to World War I, better known as the Great War, or the War to End All Wars. They simply took a map of Mesopotamia, drew a few lines here and there, and shoe-horned three distinct ethnic groups – the Kurds, the Shiite Muslims, and the Sunni Muslims – into the new country, and viola, we had Iraq. Never mind that the three groups fiercely hate each other and can probably never get along. Sure enough, civil war erupted thereafter and remained a pestilence upon the land until Saddam Hussein eventually murdered his way into power and forced the different ethnic groups to get along or perish. We all know that this is a bit of an over simplification, but it remains reasonably accurate and saves precious space.

Governor Rick, allowing his somewhat limited intellect to soar to unfamiliar heights, has also decreed that we need to be more aggressive in Syria, arming and empowering the enemies of Bashar al-Assad’s government to throw the scoundrel out of office. Well, most of his enemies, it turns out. You see, the Islamic State folks, who have declared an Islamic Caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq, are the cold-blooded Dark Age religious wackos who are kicking up so much dust and terror through the Levant. So, we are actually, going to be fighting on the same side as Bashar’s boys in this case. In short, we are going to be part-time allies, and part-time enemies of Bashar.

Someone needs to realize that in both Iraq and Syria, folks are vigorously engaged in horrific civil wars. These people are as primitive and ignorant as anyone in the history of the world. Good grief, they are excited about being killed in the conduct of their respective jihads, so they can get an express train to paradise and be able to frolic throughout the eternities with 72 virgins of renowned beauty. How in the world can you reason with people who are so perverted and stupid?

It seems like the whole point of a civil war is that other countries are not invited to participate: otherwise it would not constitute a civil war. These civil wars are bloody, brutal, and absolutely horrific. The needless death and suffering of so many innocents – women, children, and old people – is an abomination. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to alleviate the suffering without a full-blown invasion of the country in question.

Consider our “ally” Pakistan: Since independence, Pakistanis have been told that their country is a “citadel of Islam,” that it is destined to be an Islamic state and its military is “the sword of Islam.” Supporters of modern, secular values, even pluralism, are belittled as “enemies of the ideology of Pakistan.” Pakistan’s political elite, led by its military, also seeks parity with India, not only in the legal sense of sovereign equality between nations but in military and political terms as well. This ideological situation has helped religious and political groups to exercise greater influence on national discourse than is justified, and led to the outgrowth of jihadi groups, each more extreme than the other.

We must come to grips with the fact that Islam harbors our enemy, Islamic Jihadists, and we are in a cultural war for survival. Islamic jihad is an existential threat to our way of life and we must prevail or perish. We must remain vigilant against Islamic terrorists and kill the jihadists wherever they are, without regard to national borders. If we fail to do so, they will eventually destroy us.

Their hatred for us goes back to the time of the Kurd, Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūb, and his battles and ultimate victory against the Christian Crusaders, way back in the 12th Century. We ignore this threat at our own peril and the peril of our children and grandchildren. We cannot invade and pacify every Islamic country, but we can use our superior technology to continually remove the head of the beast, wherever it may be.

Students in Donley County received a gift last week when Clarendon College announced plans to scholarship dual credit classes and cap tuition on regular classes.

CC President Robert Riza revealed the plan during the regular meeting of the Board of Regents on August 14 and said it was a way for the college to give back to the people of Donley County.

“These are the people who have spent some money to keep this college going and supported this institution for a number of years,” Dr. Riza said.

Under the plan, tuition charges would be capped at 12 hours per semester for Donley County residents, allowing students to take additional classes at no extra charge.

High school students residing in Donley County also benefit by having their second and third dual credit class per semester paid for by the college.

Clarendon High School Principal Larry Jeffers said the school district currently pays for one dual credit class, but the college’s offer will allow his students to acquire up to 36 hours of college credit at no charge during their time at CHS.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Jeffers said. “You can get a great education and a great price, and it will transfer to any other college.”

CISD Superintendent Monty Hysinger was also excited by the college plan.

“I think it’s wonderful, and it’s a win-win for everybody,” Hysinger said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of dual credit classes through Clarendon College.”

Hedley Superintendent Bill Wood said the college paying for the second and third dual credit classes per semester would be of enormous benefit to his students where 70 to 75 percent of households have low incomes.

“It’s a blessing to Donley County and to our kids,” Wood said. “How can you beat it? I think it’s a great deal, and one that is going to result in a lot of savings for families.”

The tuition cap and dual credit offer applies to all residents of Donley County, and Riza said that means students in Memphis, McLean, or Groom high schools will benefit.

In other college news, regents approved fiscal year 2015 general and auxiliary budgets totaling $9.3 million and voted in favor of adopting an ad valorem tax rate of $0.220802 per $100 valuation in the Clarendon College District, which is all of Donley County. The tax rate is slightly lower than the current rate but will bring in about $31,000 in additional revenue due to higher property valuations.

The board also approved the college policy manual as presented and ratified the hiring of Lana Ritchie as the Vice President of Administrative Services and of Amanda Fefel as softball coach. Regents acknowledged the resignations of John Havens in maintenance and of Bridgett Parks, an administrative assistant in Pampa.

Board Chairman John Howard praised Dr. Riza’s performance as president and his work in many areas, including the budget, the policy manual, and community relations. Howard said he believes regents made the right choice in hiring Riza.

At a public hearing before the meeting, publisher Roger Estlack spoke favorably of the work of the administration and the board in terms of the budget, taxes, and moving the college forward.

Donley County Commissioners are proposing a slightly higher tax rate to support a fiscal year 2015 budget that is $63,000 higher than the current budget.

Commissioners have spent several hours in called meeting to prepare the $2.175 million budget, and County Judge Jack Hall is happy with the results.

“I think our budget looks really good this year,” Hall said.

Valuations on properties subject to the county’s ad valorem tax rate are $17,118,475 higher than last year. Commissioners want to increase the county’s total tax rate by about one penny from $0.632279 to $0.642546 per $100 valuation. The total county tax levy on a $50,000 home would increase by about $5.13.

The budget includes raises for county employees to the tune of $1,000 across the board for full time employees, and part time employees who work half a day would receive a $500 raise. The budget also reflects increased health insurance premiums of about 5.1 percent.

To avoid a deficit in the Road & Bridge fund, the 2015 budget will move part of the expense for road hand salaries into the general budget for the county.

A review of the proposed budget reveals no significant changes compared to the current budget. The proposal maintains a county contingency fund of $18,000 as well as a $30,000 line item for any ongoing preservation work that may need to be done on the 1890 Courthouse. Hall said in the next fiscal year the county will look at repairing cracked plaster and sandstone that is spalling.

Hall also said the proposed 2015 budget will carry over a “capital murder” line item of $30,000 from the current budget for any appeal expenses that might arise from the Robert Babcok case.

The county’s budget process began in July, Hall said.

Public tax hearings will be held September 8 and 12, and both the tax rate and the budget will be voted on by commissioners on September 15. All meetings will start at 9 a.m.

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Howardwick residents were battered by high winds Saturday evening, August 9, resulting in thousands of dollars in property damage.

No human injuries have been reported. Trees in the community took the biggest toll with some limbs and trunks of approximately ten-inch diameters being snapped, although many were already weakened due to persistent drought and disease.

Howardwick Fire Chief Joe Hall said he estimated the Clarendon Country Club golf course alone sustained $8,000 to $10,000 in damage to trees.

The storm hit about 6:30 p.m. and knocked out power with winds reaching sustained speeds of more than 75 miles per hour, and Hall said a microburst may have accompanied the storm. City officials said much of the damage was along Haskell Street between Columbia and Pampa streets.

Two mobile homes were destroyed near Haskell and Columbia, and the residence of Billy and Lois Woods suffered heavy damage at the corner Haskell and Pampa. A the couple’s wood structure carport was collapsed onto their vehicles, and their two-car carport that covered their boat and was anchored in concrete was ripped from its location and came to rest in a nearby field about a quarter of a mile away. Mayor Mike Rowland said he found a washtub-sized piece of concrete from that carport in his field.

The Woods also lost their covered porch, which was folded back over onto their roof, causing significant damage to their home.

Heavy damage also struck on Frederick Street near Columbia where the roof was torn off the home of Melodean Mitchell, causing damage to a nearby carport. Some of the debris was dropped on a nearby RV while the remainder was scattered several yards from the property.

Hall was in a fire truck near City Hall and watch the storm peel the roof up on the old Canteen store and saw the sign at the Howardwick Baptist Church blow away.

“I couldn’t see the front of my fire truck for about five minutes” due to the rain, Hall said.

The storm also downed tree limbs and twisted swings at the city park

“I’m very grateful no one was hurt,” Hall said. “And I’m proud of the way our firefighters handled their jobs.”

Hall thanked the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, the Donley County Sheriff’s Office, and the Associated Ambulance Authority for their assistance during and following the storm. He also said his department is in need of donations, and more information can be obtained at City Hall.

Officials also urge citizens to be wary when hiring contractors to clean up storm damage. Hall says property owners need to make sure their contractors are insured, and Enterprise columnist Bob Watson has more advice on this subject in this week’s issue.