ETR 8-17-2017

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STORY BELOW

Price of an Empire

How Social is Social Media

PLEASE, ADOPT ME

Patrick Buchanan

Jamie Stiehm

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C O M M U N I T Y, Vol. 21 No. 029

Smith County Agent Receives Awards

E D U C AT I O N ,

B U S I N E S S ,

P O L I T I C S

&

R E L I G I O N

N E W S

Complimentary Copy

August 17-24, 2017

Homeless in Longview

Longtime Smith County Extension Agent Chad Gulley was honored this summer with state and national Distinguished Service Awards. ...See SMITH COUNTY on Page 7

UT Tyler Receives System Grant

The University of Texas at Tyler is one of five UT System academic institutions that received about $800,000 to fund an innovative campus...See UT TYLER on Page 5

Women in Tyler Announces Theme The Women in Tyler Planning Committee announced the 2018 Women in Tyler luncheon theme, ...See WOMEN on Page 5

Teacher Training debut at UT Tyler

By Joycelyne Fadojutimi

H

omelessness is an ongoing problem in our country and in our city Longview, Texas.

A recent 2016 report from

Social Solutions, a data tracking organization indicates there are 564,708 homeless people in United States. They were living and sleeping in cars, on streets, homeless

...See TEACHER on Page 7

Of that total number 206,286 were in families, 358,422 were solitary, and a full quarter of the number are children. The stats go on, but remain tragic.

Longview ISD Invites Public to Convocation Sought after Reverend Charles Foster to keynote event

By ETR Staff Report Longview Independent School District (LISD), will host its 2017 Convocation on Friday,

August 18, at the Lobo Coliseum. The public is invited to attend. The event will start promptly at 8:00am. Longview High School ROTC will

Senior Center to host Extravaganza Dr. John Lamb

shelters and in subsidized transitional housing during a one-night nationwide survey last January. These shocking statistics are supported by others just as distressing.

The City of Longview / Green Street Recreation Center will host the 37th Annual Senior Citizens Extravaganza at the Longview Exhibit Bldg. on Saturday, August 19, 2017.

The program includes

local entertainers, Green Street Recreation Center members, door prizes, music, food, and much more. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for the meal and the ...See SENIOR CENTER on Page 3

College Scams to Watch

present the colors and lead opening ceremony pledge.

Longview ISD Superintendent, Dr. James Wilcox is excited about the keynote speaker, Reverend

Charles Foster. Wilcox feels Johnson will ignite the flame for the 20172018 school year.

National Night Out slated for October On Tuesday, Oct. 3, neighborhoods throughout Longview are being invited to plan neighborhood parties for the “34th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.

The City of Longview, the Longview Police Department, Partners in Prevention and the ...See NATIONAL NIGHT OUT on Page 3

...See GO-GIVER on Page 3

See full Story on www.easttexasreview.com

Texas Comptroller Kicks Off Tour: Visits to Central Texas Cities manufacturing plants today with visits to Samsung in Austin

Medicare talks Rights, Protections

By Bob Moos

Mayor Andy Mack cordially invites you to attend the first annual Go-Giver Gala, an evening of dinner and dancing honoring “Go Givers” of Longview. 100% of proceeds from the event will go toward funding Homeless projects in Longview.

The event will take place at 7 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2018 at the Maude Cobb Convention Center, 100 Grand Blvd. The attire for the event will be Texas Cocktail Chic.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar kicked off a tour of Texas

...See HOMELESS on Page 2 & 3

...See LISD on Page 3

Mayor Mack Schedules Gala It’s that time of the week again.

Pet of the week is looking for a lovely home.

Xena is a 4 month old 18 pound Shepherd mix.

She is very active, spayed and heartworm negative.

She is located at Longview Animal Care & Adoption Center 303 H.G. Mosley Pkwy.

Xena is available with a $25 adoption fee and approved application.

Give a Pet a new story and adopt XENA today.

There are 83,170 (15%) who are listed as “chronically homeless.”

This term describes someone who is disabled

and TECO-Westinghouse Motor Company in Round Rock. During

his Good for Texas Tour: Manufacturing Edition, Hegar will tour facilities, meet with local officials and release ...See TEXAS on Page 5

Remember how you learned back in your high school civics class that you have certain rights as an American. ...See MEDICARE on Page 7

Making the Most of Customer Reviews In this day and age, customer reviews are a very influential part of growing a business.

See full Story on www.easttexasreview.com

Senate Sends Voter Fraud, Abortion Reporting Bills to Governor Two of Governor Greg Abbott’s priority issues will soon await his signature.

See full Story on www.easttexasreview.com

The LORD is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2 NIV

2

Local News Homeless in Longview

August 17-24, 2017

David Brent Schaefer ...From Page 1

and has been homeless for at least a year, and those who are disabled and have endured at least four homeless episodes totaling at least twelve months during the past three years.

Families of at least one adult member that meets this description are also regarded as chronically homeless.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness describes it this way, “While people experiencing chronic homelessness make up a small number of the overall homeless population, they are among the most vulnerable. They tend to have high rates of behavioral health problems including severe mental illness and substance abuse disorders, conditions that may be exacerbated by physical illness, injury or trauma.”

A tragic 8% of homeless persons are veterans. This constitutes 47,725 people. Fortunately, this is a 35% decrease since 2009. These homeless veterans have served in conflicts dating back to World War II. Washington D.C. has the highest incidence of homeless vets with 145.8 per 10,000 residents. Fortyfive percent of these vets are black or Hispanic. While just 10% of all homeless vets are women, this rate is rising.

Because of poverty, overcrowding in government housing projects and a lack of support networks there are 1.4 million veterans in danger of becoming homeless. Statistics and research indicate vets from the late Vietnam War period and immediate post-Vietnam War period are the ones in the greatest danger of becoming homeless. Warrelated disabilities and disorders are major contributing factors to veteran homelessness. these conditions include crippling war wounds, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety and chemical addictions.

At the same time, five hundred and fifty thousand unaccompanied single youth aged 24 and younger have endured at least one homeless episode lasting longer than a week.

Approximately 380,000 of this group are 18 or under. Accurately numbering homeless children is especially difficult.

As the National Alliance to End Homelessness explains, “Homeless youth are less likely to spend time in the same places as homeless people in an older age range. They are often less willing to disclose that they’re experiencing homelessness, or may not identify [themselves] as homeless. They also may work harder to blend in with peers who aren’t homeless.” That is not all.

Equally important, one hundred

and ten thousand LGBTQ youth are homeless in America, and comprise one of the most vulnerable homeless populations. A significant percentage of these youth live in communities that do not accept them because they are LGBTQ. These children make up 20% of the nation’s runaways. They take to the streets because of family rejection, abuse and neglect. They are also much more likely than heterosexual runaway youth to be victims of sexual assault.

Worse yet, they are also twice as likely as heterosexual homeless youth to commit suicide. Still, homelessness is mainly a problem for America’s society’s older citizens.

Half the homeless population is aged 50 and older. Because of their ages, these people typically face additional age-related health issues. They are more prone to injuries from falls, to suffer cognitive impairment, vision and hearing problems, major depression and such chronic conditions as diabetes and arthritis. There are 830,120 beds available in various housing projects.

About half of these are set aside for the homeless, including: * Emergency shelters that provide temporary or nightly shelter beds to people experiencing homelessness. * Transitional housing that provides homeless people with up to 24 months of housing and supportive services. * Safe Havens that provide temporary shelter and services for hard-to-serve individuals.

The rest of these beds are set aside for recently homeless populations. Rapid Rehousing supplies short-term shelter and medium-term rental assistance, housing relocation and stabilization services to formerly homeless persons who are again homeless. Permanent Supportive Housing offers long-term housing with supportive services for formerly homeless, disabled persons.

Permanent Housing provides housing both with and without supportive services, but does not require its patrons to be disabled.

According to Salvation Army, there are several reasons why people are homeless. They include: Poverty, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, poor physical or mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, gambling, family and relationship breakdown; domestic violence, physical and/or sexual abuse.

Again, Salvation Army gives reasons for youth homelessness. They include:

Conflict or breakdown in family life; sexual, physical and emotional abuse in the home; lack of access to employment opportunities or insufficient income to pay rent and living costs; rising housing costs and the in-affordability of the rental market; difficulties in accessing income support payments and absence of support when in, or moving from, State Care; drug and alcohol issues; mental health issues, overcrowded living conditions or death of a parent.

The tragic statistics of homelessness in the USA and Longview are undeniable. However, there are many organizations and people working to end this heartbreak both here and in our nation.

Again, this homeless saga is one that touches us right here in Longview.

For instance, David Brent Schaefer started out with a happy, promising childhood. Born in Ft. Worth on November 22, 1959 he was raised by a father who worked as a policeman in Arlington, and a mother (who is still alive) and a lifelong nurse. His father also ran an auto body shop side gig. After the family moved to east Texas, David loved frequenting Lake O’ the Pines with his Dad while living in Ore City. “Dad built a smoker that could smoke a whole deer. That was how big that thing was,” said David.

“We fished and hunted whenever the season came around.” David even once, won third place in a KYKX Radio Bass Tournament.

He graduated from Ore City High School, and inherited his father’s automotive skills. After getting married in 1980, he went to work for Lone Star Steel, toiling there off and on for four years.

“I got tired of being laid off and called back to work, so I quit and went into mechanic work,” he said.

Taking a job in an Ore City transmission shop he lived happily with his wife and step-daughter. Then the sky fell on him.

He tells how a transmission dropped on his head and knocked him cold. He spent a lengthy period at Longview Regional Medical Center, almost dying eight separate times. After he was finally released, he moved into a nursing home, and things started going downhill.

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...Continued on the next page

August 17-24, 2017 June 22-29, 2017

Local News

3

National Night Out slated for October

it to be, that’s what it is going to be,” he says.

David does not get angry at former His roommate who shared the bill friends who see him and avoid him. with him was 15 years older. He died For example, he regularly sees an while David was hospitalized. During acquaintance who is divorced and his time recuperating in the nursing is now seeing a lady friend on the home the mobile home burned, southside of Longview. When this and David found himself suddenly man drives his pickup past David homeless. sitting in his makeshift home on He did have a job for a while at Mobberly Avenue, David always waves Longview’s Western Transmissions even though this ex-friend never following his hospital release, but he fell and re-injured his head. This latest waves back.

David describes how he has been injury sent him to Good Shepherd sleeping outside periodically for the Medical Center for treatment after past two years. He bundles his few which he started having seizures worldly possessions in a bag and uses following this last mishap. it for a pillow.

According to David, apart from He says he is willing to perform his elderly mother who lives in any kind of work to end his Brownwood, and a brother who has homelessness, but also has mixed recovered from addiction to illegal emotions about responsibilities. drugs, David has no close relatives.

TheHis house was packed with Longview residents eager to getelse, to know more Islam and the Islamic center If nothing his life is about free and other siblings were killed in a car uncomplicated. Granted there is crash many years ago. no order or expectations, he looks “I never thought anything like this at it as a not-so-bad existence. It is would happen to me. My toes have important to note, David has an act been cut off due to bad circulation, for cleanliness. He picks up litter on but life goes on,” he says. “There is Mobberly Avenue and says he does just no way of knowing how life will ...From Page 1 not like unclean environments. turn out like this, and no one wants “I do not miss paying bills even to help me.”

Gregg County Sheriff ’s Office proudly coordinate this annual event for the though I sleep outside,” he says. “I am It could be said, like Job, he has not first Tuesday in October. Parties can be as simple as hanging out with friends free to come and go as I please even let life’s misfortunes shake his faith in and enjoying some good food. In the past, some parties have had pony rides, though I have no home to go back to and devotion to God. In his younger dunking booths, music, and clowns. Take the first step in bringing your at the end of each day. I like working, days, he was always in church on neighborhood closer together and making it a safer place by registering your so I would still like to work.”

Sundays and Wednesdays. party.

He is considering returning to his “I do not worry about what the days National Night Out unites communities and local law enforcement by mother in Brownwood. bring. Whatever the Good Lord wants holding annual parties to encourage neighbors to get to know their neighbors, to build a partnership between the police and the community and to educate everyone on crime prevention. All this is done with the main goal of creating a safer place to live.

Thanks to everyone’s efforts. Last year, Longview placed 14th in the Nation by the National Association of Town Watch for Outstanding Participation for our population size. You, the citizens, hosted over 100 parties across the area in 2016. This year we would love to see even more parties hosted.

The National Night Out Kick-Off Event is on Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex, 100 Grand Blvd.

Attendees can pick up signs to promote the October parties, mingle with local law enforcement enjoy food (for the first 300 people).

Tariq Bashir and daughter Amna Tariq Tayseer Ali, Rehan Tariq, Fahad Noman, Anwar Khalifa,and Zain Khen,free Saad Noman ...From Page 1 a statewide unifying Kentucky and Texas, organization mobilizing including Second Baptist “We feel Reverend the faith community for Church of Lubbock and Johnson will fire up public education ministry Trinity Baptist Church our educators and staff and advocacy. Johnson of San Antonio. More members,” said Wilcox. serves on the Board of than this, he helped “He will also help some Trustees of the Child build a multicultural find their inner ‘teacher Friendly Faith Project and multiracial I enjoyed it all” as said.

“We are humans, and other.

From Page 1 voice’ by educating them guest, He Gailis Cowe have theof faith same blood a Another child’s advocate. community on“Ihow important it is to chrane, lived in Washington flowing in our veins.

We the author of numerous believe in live and let among a 6000-member 25 years, and shocked every Equally religion, and for pay attention to what is“Let respect publications, andishas congregation. live,” said McLeroy. by the racism prevalent in we want to tell the commuhappening in Austin. ” made guest appearances important, he served them worship the way Longview. nity who we are.”

Johnson, on several cable network they want. a pastor They don’t as interim pastor at “There is so much ignoThe mosque emer- news and education bother anyone.”advocate shows.

Immanuel Baptisthas Church rance about other people ald green and creme-colisBashir founder and co- some of Nashville and Broadway says Furthermore, other and cultures,” she said. ored carpets imported from Muslims givea faith Islam a Baptist Church in Fort pastor of do Bread, speakers include: Dr. “We need do more ofMark this.”

Turkey.

They are there bebad name. in Fort Worth, Worth. Moreover, he community JamestoWilcox, Dr. nobody professor is permitted Camp, The packed house was “We call these people ex- cause Texas.

He is a frequent and Dr. Jody was a visiting delighted by the to wear shoes in the main tremists,” “ We in want of preaching at Mercer preacher he andsaid. speaker Clements. Besides, sumptuLISD mosque where prayers are ous cuisine the hosts propeace. churches,Everyone universities,wants University and served a member Tammy Skinner, and worshippers lis- vided. There were both peace.

The people who dis- spoken businesses, and nonprofit will present Lamplighter two-year term as a faculty ten to the Imam.

Far Eastern and homespun rupt peace in the name of organizations. member at McAfee School essays. Even more, In addition, the event in- American offerings. Many Islam are not During hisMuslims.” thirtySecondary Teacher of of Theology.

Bashir reports his con- cluded a question-and-an- carried heaping plates six years of pastoral the Year 2016, Lisa Mize Successively, in 2013, gregation is building an swer session(see separate home with them. ministry, Johnson served will shareimportant her educational Johnson founded Pastors Most of all, open-to-the-public basket- stor y). churches in Mississippi, forGuest TexasJean Children, Wheatfall was itinspirations. ended as an evening of ...HOMELESS from page 1 & 2

Longview ISD Invites Public to Convocation

Sought after Reverend Charles Foster to keynote event

LONGVIEW: Muslims Seek Peaceful Co-Existence

ball goal. Anyone can use it. The goal of the Center to is Senior to reach Center the community, Extravaganza sohost they invited the public to the...From openPage house.

1 “We want the community show starts at 5:15 p.m. to know who we are,” he

Advance tickets may be purchased for $10 from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, at Green Street Recreation Center, 814 S. Green Street in Longview.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door the day of the event for $12. Local businesses, home health care agencies, retirement centers, and assisted living centers help sponsor the program, food, and door prizes.

For further information, please contact Green Officer John Rolls Street was on Recreation duty at Center at 903-237-1279 the opening or email lsuddeth@ longviewtexas.gov.

impressed with the open house.

“It was very informative [I’m] ...Fromquite Page 1 surprised,” she said. “All I can say is we Various sponsorship need to understand each investment levels are available, starting at $600+ per table. To get tickets or become a sponsor, please contact event chair Mrs. Julie Brogoitti Woods at 903-987-9944.

History of Go-Givers in Longview: Shortly after his election as Mayor in 2015, Andy Mack hosted a communitywide “Mayor Mack’s Book Club” focusing on Bob Burg’s book “The GoGiver.” The book is a little story about the huge power of giving. During and after that book club, many individuals throughout Longview stepped up to be “Go-Givers” for by donating their time, energy, and money to important

genuine fellowship. Guests were armed with true knowledge of Islam; not what news pundits tend to needs in our community. feed their audience for ratThis gala is an opportunity ings. to recognize some of those individuals and to encourage others to follow their lead.

Why we are supporting Homeless initiatives: In 2017, Mayor Mack formed the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness.

This group included representatives from nonprofits, government, churches, and businesses, working together to develop a unified plan for addressing homelessness in Longview. The task force developed many wonderful ideas that will require funding to implement. Read more about the Task Force and their recommendations at LongviewTexas.gov/ Homeless.

Mayor Mack Schedules Gala

Vision Services Optometry & Optical

Wellness Pointe accepts most medical and dental insurance plans, CHIP, Medicaid, and Medicare. Affordable payment options are available for qualified patients.

Walk-ins and new patients are welcome at all locations!

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4

Opinion

August 17-24, 2017

Is the American Empire Worth the Price?

By Patrick Buchanan “When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight,” Samuel Johnson observed, “it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”

And the prospect of a future where Kim Jong Un can put a nuclear weapon on a U.S. city is going to cause this nation to reassess the risks and rewards of the American Imperium.

First, some history.

“Why should Americans be first to die in any second Korean war?” this writer asked in 1999 in “A Republic, Not an Empire.”

“With twice the population of the North and twenty times its economic power, South Korea ... is capable of manning its own defense. American troops on the DMZ should be replaced by South Koreans.”

This was denounced as neo-isolationism. And, in 2002, George W. Bush declared the U.S. “will not permit the world’s most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world’s most destructive weapons.”

Bluster and bluff. In 2006, Pyongyang called and raised and tested an atom bomb. Now Kim Jong Un is close to an ICBM.

Our options?

As Kim believes the ability to hit America with a nuclear weapon is the only certain way he has of deterring us from killing his regime and him, he will not be talked out of his ICBM. Nor, short of an embargoblockade by China, will sanctions keep him from his goal, to which he inches closer with each missile test.

As for the “military option,” U.S. strikes on Kim’s missile sites could cause him to unleash his artillery on Seoul, 35 miles south. In the first week of a second Korean war, scores of thousands could be dead.

If North Korea’s artillery opened up, says Gen. Barry McCaffrey, the U.S. would be forced to use tactical atomic weapons to stop the carnage. Kim could then give the suicidal order to launch his nukes.

A third option is to accept and live with a North Korean ICBM, as we have lived for decades with the vast nuclear arsenals of Russia and China.

Now, assume the best: We get through this crisis without a war, and Kim agrees to stop testing ICBMs and nuclear warheads.

Does anyone believe that, given his youth, his determination to drive us off the peninsula, and his belief that only an ICBM can deter us, this deal will last and he will abandon his nuclear program?

Given concessions, Kim might suspend missile and nuclear tests. But again, we deceive ourselves if we believe he will give up the idea of acquiring the one weapon that might ensure regime survival.

Hence, assuming this crisis is resolved, what does the future of U.S.-North Korean relations look like?

To answer that question, consider the past.

In 1968, North Korea hijacked the USS Pueblo on the high seas and interned its crew. LBJ did nothing.

In April 1969, North Korea shot down an EC-121, 100 miles of its coast, killing the crew. Nixon did nothing.

Under Jimmy Carter, North Koreans axe-murdered U.S. soldiers at Panmunjom. We defiantly cut down a nearby tree.

Among the atrocities the North has perpetrated are plots to assassinate President Park Chung-hee in the

1960s and ‘70s, the Rangoon bombing that wiped out much of the cabinet of Chun Doo-hwan in 1983, and the bombing of Korean Air Flight 858, killing all on board in 1987.

And Kim Jong Un has murdered his uncle and brother.

If the past is prologue, and it has proven to be, the future holds this. A renewal of ICBM tests until a missile is perfected. Occasional atrocities creating crises between the U.S. and North Korea. America being repeatedly dragged to the brink of a war we do not want to fight.

As Secretary of Defense James Mattis said Sunday, such a war would be “catastrophic. ... A conflict in North Korea ... would be probably the worst kind of fighting in most people’s lifetimes.”

When the lesson sinks in that a war on the peninsula would be a catastrophe, and a growing arsenal of North Korean ICBMs targeted on America is intolerable, the question must arise: Why not move U.S. forces off the peninsula, let South Korean troops replace them, sell Seoul all the modern weapons it needs, and let Seoul build its own nuclear arsenal to deter the North?

Remove any incentive for Kim to attack us, except to invite his own suicide. And tell China: Halt Kim’s ICBM program, or we will help South Korea and Japan become nuclear powers like Britain and France.

Given the rising risk of our war guarantees, from the eastern Baltic to the Korean DMZ — and the paltry rewards of the American Imperium — we are being bled from Libya to Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen — a true America First foreign policy is going to become increasingly attractive.

Kim’s credible threat to one day be able to nuke a U.S. city is going to concentrate American minds wonderfully.

Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of a new book, “Nixon’s White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever.”

The Shameful Blackout of Thomas, Sowell and Williams

By Larry Elder

Clarence Thomas, one of nine members of the Supreme Court and the second black to ever join the Court, is not in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Asked to explain Thomas’ absence, the chief spokeswoman for the Smithsonian said, “The museum’s exhibitions are based on themes, not individuals.”

Yet the museum plans to add a popular local D.C. television news broadcaster. The museum’s

founding director, Lonnie Bunch, said the broadcaster “symbolized that it was really important that America was changing and his presence was a symbol of that change.”

And Thomas, raised in poverty to become only the second black to sit on the Supreme Court, is not “a symbol of that change”?

Left-wing blacks — and that’s the overwhelming majority — feel that black conservatives like Thomas do not just have different or wrongheaded or illogical views. Thomas’ views, to them, damage the black community.

Never mind that most Clarence Thomas-haters could not identify a single case Thomas decided with which they disagree.

One line of attack against Thomas goes as follows. Thomas “took advantage” of race-based preferences to get into college and law school, but then “turned his back on those behind” by arguing that such preferences violate the 14th Amendment.

What these critics assert is that but for race-based preferences, Clarence Thomas would likely be working the deep-fryer at McDonald’s.

Assume, for the moment, that but for race-based preferences, Thomas would not have gotten into the particular schools he attended, College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Yale Law School. But in America thousands of colleges and universities, from community colleges to Harvard, accept students of varying abilities with financial assistance readily available.

Surely the driven, hardworking, academically oriented Clarence Thomas could have and would have found admission into schools matching his skills and ability.

Here’s another problem with racebased preferences.

Studies document a disproportionately high college-dropout rate for minority students

admitted with lower test scores and grades than their peers selected without preferences. How is this mismatching of value to the “beneficiary” if it leads to a higher dropout rate, with the frustrated student giving up and leaving school in debt? The student often blames his failure to succeed at this high level on unfair, if not racist, professors.

The African-American Museum’s discrimination against Thomas provides just one example of the black anti-conservative bigotry. Here’s another.

Every year, the black monthly magazine Ebony lists its “Power 100,” defined as those “who lead, inspire and demonstrate through their individual talents, the very best in Black America.” Each year Thomas is conspicuously absent. Apparently, as a sitting black justice on the Supreme Court of the United States, Thomas does not “lead, inspire and demonstrate ... the very best in Black America.”

Ebony not only excludes Clarence Thomas but also shuts out prominent conservatives Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams.

As for Sowell, he’s only an economist and writer whom playwright David Mamet once called “our greatest contemporary philosopher.” Sowell, who never knew his father, was raised by a great-aunt and

her two grown daughters.

They lived in Harlem, where he was the first in his family to make it past the sixth grade. He left home at 17, served as a Marine in the Korean War, graduated magna cum laude from Harvard, earned a master’s degree at Columbia University the next year, followed by a Ph.D. in economics at the University of Chicago.

Sowell, at 87, authored some four dozen books (not counting revised editions) and wrote hundreds of scholarly articles and essays in periodicals and thousands of newspaper columns.

In 2015, Forbes magazine said: “It’s a scandal that economist Thomas Sowell has not been awarded the Nobel Prize. No one alive has turned out so many insightful, richly researched books.” Yet, thanks in part to the Ebony shutout, many blacks have never heard of him.

How does Ebony justify excluding economist and writer Walter Williams, former chairman of the economics department of George Mason University, where he still teaches?

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Raised by a single mother, he lived in Philadelphia’s Richard Allen housing projects. He served as a private in the Army before earning a bachelor’s degree at a state university, followed by a master’s and a Ph.D. in economics at UCLA. Williams has written a dozen books on economics and race, including the inspirational “Up From the Projects: An Autobiography,” and was recently the subject of a documentary about his life.

The exclusion of people like Clarence Thomas, Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams explains why there’s no serious discussion in the black community about government dependency; school choice; the damage done by high taxes, excessive regulation and laws like minimum wage; and why blacks should rethink their allegiance to the Democratic Party.

The failure to acknowledge conservative blacks is a failure to engage their ideas, to the detriment of the community. This is not merely an injustice to them: It is an injustice to all Americans.

August 17-24, 2017

The Devices We Depend On: How Social Is Social Media?

By Jamie Stiehm WASHINGTON — In our semisweet summer in the city, far from sandy Nantucket Island and grassy Bedminster, New Jersey, I have some behavioral notes on my fellow humans here — residents and visitors alike — stored up from autumn, winter and spring.

First, “situational awareness” is eroded by the devices we depend on to make it from moment to moment, place to place. Bumping into people’s heads on the sidewalk happens. We put religious faith in our GPS to navigate our way through the days and streets — and somehow know them less well.

Situational awareness, by the way, means knowing what’s going on in front and in back of you — close up and at a distance. Sideways, too. You’ve got to keep your head up and know the environment. The Army teaches soldiers that skill, but it’s also useful for civilians.

Everyday casual conversations in public are

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Business

suffering a slow death in the nation’s capital. Like the dog that didn’t bark in the Sherlock Holmes mystery, it’s the absence of casual chats I miss.

I’m old enough to remember striking up conversations, crossing borders of age, race or situation, with perfect strangers on the subway, the bus stop, outdoor cafes, the airport, you name it. Now we have an unspoken code that you are interrupting if you speak to somebody staring at a device. Lost in translation are the seemingly small “visits,” as my grandmother called chance chats, passing the time of day.

Public transportation is how I get around, living at a scenic crossroads. So the morning drill is: get on the bus at Massachusetts Avenue, barely acknowledging the neighbors waiting alongside you, because you were all looking up the time the bus was arriving on your app.

Once on, you pass a map of the world — rows of embassies on both sides,

Texas Comptroller Kicks Off Tour: Visits to Central Texas Cities

from the British to the South African. A Winston Churchill statue faces a Nelson Mandela statue right across the stately avenue. Mike Pence, the vice president, lives high in a white naval residence. At the foot of the curving downhill ride stands the Islamic Cultural Center and the fancy Cosmos Club.

That’s what you miss if you don’t look out the window — and I am as guilty as any.

If you look around inside the bus, full of smart, goodlooking people, chances are every single one, suited up for work, is buried in a smartphone. Same goes for the Metro trains. Any given hour, hundreds — or thousands — of people are sharing physical space. But each seems lost in a smallscreen digital realm.

Eye contact with the guy or girl of your dreams? That takes two. Mr. Darcy might be on that train while you’re on social media.

How social is social media?

I ask myself late at night when I hang with fun people I’ve never met or last saw at a

Women in Tyler announces theme ...From Page 1

...From Page 1

the results of a study the Comptroller’s office recently completed examining the economic impact of the manufacturing industry.

“Texas has an extraordinary manufacturing economy,” Hegar said. “The state’s resources make it a natural leader in petroleum and chemical manufacturing, our research institutions have fostered computer-related and other high-tech manufacturing, and our business-friendly environment and skilled labor force have helped create a dynamic automotive manufacturing sector.”

The computer and electronics subsector, which includes Samsung, is responsible for $47.1 billion in annual exports from Texas and more than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs, and contributes $28.6 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“This subsector offers high-paying jobs and provides a considerable portion of the state’s exports,” Hegar said.

“It is, by far, our fastest growing in terms of economic activity, increasing by 584 percent in the last 20 years, and averaging an annual growth rate of 11.3 percent.”

The electrical equipment, appliance and component subsector, which includes TECO-Westinghouse, accounts for $11.7 billion in annual exports and more than 45,000 Texas direct and indirect jobs, and contributes $2.5 billion to the state’s GDP. “This subsector comprises several innovative and advanced industries that offer above-average wages,” Hegar said.

In all, Texas manufacturers were responsible for 3 million direct and indirect jobs in 2016. The average annual salary for direct jobs is nearly $75,000. In 2016, Texas manufacturers exported $210.3 billion in goods and contributed $225.8 billion to the GDP.

graduation. The journalism diaspora is also found in these pages. I hope to meet more of my 1,126 friends someday, but it’s a job keeping up.

To be fair, I’ve met a precious few new friends on Facebook. But here’s what it does when all’s said and done: It strengthens weak ties but loosens strong ties. It gives the illusion that you have a world full of friends.

It’s like an opiate for an anxious age with fragile bonds and no certitude.

On the fourth floor lives a graduate student from California. We text back and forth, but haven’t seen each other’s place. We leave things now and again. The vanilla pumpkin marshmallow candle was a charming gift.

Just sayin’ — texting opens little windows, but can create an invisible fence.

Barriers popped up in my newsroom in Baltimore, where the city desk used to sound like “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” Telephones ringing — yes, telephones — the police scanner crackling, shouted questions and laughs all day long. One reporter spoke in Russian to the spies he covered. Then it all went quiet and online.

Things got lost in translation, and that human touch can’t be measured.

Worst of all, Twitter helped create an angry monster.

President Donald Trump’s rise from that realm is living proof that social media can be deeply anti-social in the end.

To find out more about Jamie Stiehm and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit creators.com.

“Women Who Light the Way” on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the McClendon House. The community is encouraged to send in nominations for this prestigious annual award

by Aug. 25, 2017 to P.O. Box 1432, Tyler, TX 75710.

Honorees will be announced in January 2018 and will be honored at the Annual Women in Tyler Luncheon on March 22, 2018, at the Rose Garden Center.

Women in Tyler was founded in 1999 to celebrate Women’s History Month and to honor women who have contributed to the quality of life in our community.

Each year, a diverse planning committee has gathered to select women who are then honored at a celebratory luncheon held each March.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of their founding.

This year’s co-chairs are Leigh Hunt-Goodson and Charlcie Stone.

“We chose ‘Women Who Light the Way’ to honor and celebrate those women who saw a need and figured out how to fulfill it,” said

Ms. Hunt-Goodson. “This is an opportunity to honor these women Who Light Up Tyler with their generous contributions.”

Past honorees have included women who have made their mark in the arts, in business, through volunteerism, in historic preservation, health care, education and many other areas.

“If anyone would like to participate in planning this event, they should come to the first meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 at the Tyler Chamber of Commerce Building, Genecov Room, located at 315 N. Broadway Ave.,” said Ms. Stone. “After that, all meetings will be on the first Monday of each month at the same time and same location.”

Tickets are $30 and are on sale now for the Luncheon to be held on March 22, 2018. Those interested in attending should purchase tickets in advance, as this event frequently sells out.

Reservations and payment may be made to P.O. Box 1432, Tyler TX 75710. To learn more about Women in Tyler, visit them online at www.womenintyler.com.

University of Texas at Tyler receives System Grant ...From Page 1

based project designed to enhance student success, Dr. Michael Tidwell, president of The University of Texas at Tyler, announced.

The University of Texas at Tyler’s $803,234 grant will support OnCourse, a suite of course-level provisions to increase first-year GPA and retention of first-time, full-time freshmen.

The grant is part of the $8.2 million allocated by the UT System Board of Regents to fund projects that support the System’s student success initiative, “Make a Quantum Leap in Student Success: Finances, Advising and Belonging.”

“We are dedicated to giving our students every opportunity to succeed,” Tidwell said. “By creating an environment where we can bring academic support to students at any time and location, we can provide them with resources to master course material and connect with faculty in new ways.

We are excited about this program and grateful to The University of Texas System for supporting this initiative.”

Through a competitive process, UT’s academic institutions prepared grant proposals, and grants were evaluated by higher education experts outside of Texas as well as UT System reviewers.

Proposals were evaluated based on the case they made for “quantum leapworthy” change, that is, projects that would take bold, outcomes-focused, data-driven and sustainable approaches to student success with new or scaledup initiatives with proven track records.

Additionally, all proposals addressed one or more of three research-identified pillars – finances, advising, and belonging – that form the foundation of the System’s initiative.

The student success effort is aligned with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s 60X30 Plan, which calls for at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 to have a certificate or degree by 2030.

As part of the $10 million allocated by the Board of Regents in February, each of UT’s eight academic institutions will also receive funding to support Graduation Help Desks, which are onestop shops, virtual or brick and mortar, for students who encounter barriers in the path to timely graduation.

“We designated Student Success as a Quantum Leap effort because it should be clear to everyone that putting our students on the road to success is, and always will be, job one,” Chancellor William H. McRaven said. “Providing institutions with the resources to create and expand innovative programs that support and motivate students to earn their degree and make the most of their time in college is exactly the type of investment we should be making, and I’m grateful to the regents for their support.”

A total of almost $1.7 million will provide dedicated staff and infrastructure to help students graduate on time by connecting them to the right people and resources across campus.

Modeled after a successful program at UT Austin, these centralized help desks allow institutions to identify barriers to graduation that might not otherwise be recognized by individual departments or colleges.

The goal of System’s Student Success initiative is to ensure that every UT student is prepared and positioned to succeed in high-quality learning environments.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at The University of Texas at Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 10,000 highability students. The University of Texas at Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.

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6 Gospel Spotlight

August 17-24, 2017 June 22-29, 2017

The Pain of Forgiveness Why Is Doing What is Right Forgetfulness Help

6 Gospel Spotlight Always Best? (Part 1 of 2) When June 22-29, 2017

By Michael A. Guido, D.D.

“Papa,” he asked in the innocent voice of a four-year-old, “how long will it take you to forget something?”

Puzzled and intrigued, I responded, “Well,

By Michael Guido, D.D. Keller, I’m notA.sure.

Sometimes I forget right away and sometimes I We are all grateful for our “first responders.” They think about things for a long, long time.” save lives, bind wounds, bring food, give clothing, proBy Michael Guido, D.D. Just as puzzled andA.intrigued as I was, then our vide shelter and restore power. They havehebecome asked, “When you were a little boy did you ever We are all grateful our “first responders.” “rescuers.” And, indeed, theyforfulfill a critical role. They break something and hide it?

And when your save lives, bind wounds, bring food, give clothing, proBut as Christians, when we face a time of trialPapa or tragvidegot shelter and restore power.

They have become our found it and mad how long did it take him to edy, we have One who been for us to call “rescuers.”

And, has indeed, theywaiting fulfill a critical role. forgetHim thatwhen you broke something?” upon need help. is always for But aswe Christians, whenHe we face a time ofwaiting trial or trag“Oh my, Keller, I’m not sure I remember.

Did edy, we have One who has been waiting for us to call an opportunity to prove His power whenever we face a upon Him when Iwe need help. He is always waiting for something go wrong?” asked. difficult situation. an opportunity to prove His power whenever we face a “I broke Nonie’sabout cup and it under thewas bedinand One morning, fourhid o’clock, Peter seridifficult situation.

Ious want her to forget about it and not be mad at me, ”seritrouble. One He and a fewabout of his small morning, fourfriends o’clock,were Peter in wasa in ous trouble.

He and a few of his friends were in a small camefar hisfrom answer. boat shore when a fierce storm arose out of boat far from shore when a fierce storm arose out of nowhere.

Fearing for lives became David was aware thattheir his sin hadthey damaged his even nowhere. Fearing for their lives they became even more frightened when they saw what they thought relationship with God. He sensed God’s displeasure more frightened when they saw what they thoughtwas was awith ghost. screamed in of terror.

And over thethehowling a ghost. screamed in terror.

And over howling himThey and hisThey feelings guilt overwhelmed him wind a sternthat voicesaid, that said, “Stop beingafraid.” wind a stern “Stop being whichcame added tocame hisvoice problem.

He knew why Godafraid.” “hid It was Jesus assuring them that there was no reason It was Jesus assuring them that there was no reason His face” from him. for them to fear for their lives because He was there to forBut them tosave fear for when their lives because He was there to them they needed Him the most. those feelings changed.

Why? He repented, “If it is really you,” said Peter, “tell me save them when they needed Him the most. cried for God’s mercy and knew that he was to come to You – letyou,” me walk on the water!”

“Certainly,” Jesus, “If it is When really said Peter, “tell to said come to forgiven. he had God’s mercy heme said, “come on.

You’ve nothing to fear!”

He got“You out of the You – letmy me walk the water!” said Jesus, boat, felt on the wind and the “Certainly,” waves, lost Hisgive faith and turned wailing into dancing...and I will Yoube“come on.

You’ve nothing to fear!”

He got out of did. the gan to sink.

He shouted, “Save me, Lord,” and He thanks forever.” is never thethe eloquence length of faith our prayer boat, felt theItwind and waves,orlost His and that beWe all have experiences like and Keller and David. but our simplicity sincerity. is never a forgan to sink.counts, He shouted, “Save me, Lord,” Itand He did.

We do something wrong, feelwillguilty, filled mula but our faith. He alwaysare come to ourwith rescue if It is never eloquence or length of our prayer that wethe call Him in a faith thatitbelieves in Him. fear and want toon know how long will take to enjoy counts, but our simplicity and It isinnever a forPrayer: Lord, we do sincerity. indeed believe Your power God’s blessings once again.

Like David, ask,whenever pray, andfaith.

Your promises.

Increase our faith mula but our He will always come to our rescueweif repent receive His doubt.

Name, Amen. we call and on Him inInaJesus’ faithforgiveness. that believes in Him.

YouHelp When Need It The Most

You Need It The Most

Scripture for this week: Psalm 12:1 Help, LORD,

Prayer: for Lord, we do indeed believe in Your power no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have Prayer: please givehuman us the confidence to comewe vanished fromIncrease the race. and Your Lord, promises. our faith whenever to You In forJesus’ the forgiveness we need that will restore our doubt.

Name, Amen. joy.Scripture In Jesus’ Name, Amen. for this week: Psalm 12:1 Help, LORD, Today: Psalm 30:10 forScripture no one isfor faithful anymore; thoseHear who LORD, are loyaland have be merciful to me; my help.” vanished from the LORD, human be race.

Why Is Doing What is Right Always Best? (Part 1 of 2)

By Carey Kinsolving

Psalm 23 speaks of the Lord leading his people in paths of righteousness. A “When you have a baby biblical proverb promises sister, and sometimes you that the Lord will direct trick her, then God will not Psalm 23 speaks of the By Carey Kinsolving thein paths of those who aclike that,” says Victoria, 8.

Lord leading his people knowledge him in all their paths of righteousness.

A Babyyousisters seem to “When have a baby biblical proverb promises ways (Proverbs 3:6). sister, sometimes you haveand radar for discovering that the Lord will direct trick her, then God will not Doing good or evil begins they’ve been duped — at the paths of those who aclike that,” says Victoria, 8. with knowledge him in all their the decisions we make. least baby sister Baby my sisters seem to did. ways (Proverbs 3:6). Paths, the directions we have radar for discovering Parents also possess this Doing good or evil begins travel in life, start with paththey’ve duped — at same been radar, as Katelyn, 8, with the decisions we make. least my baby sister did. ways in the brain. Whatevcan testify: “I was faking Paths, the directions we Parents also possess this er we fix our minds on will travel in life, start with pathsick,radar, and Iasgot grounded for same Katelyn, 8, ways in the brain.

Whatevinfluence our brain’s pathcan testify: “I wasI got faking three weeks. in trouer we fix our minds on will and our life’s paths. sick, I got grounded for that’s ways bleand with my dad, and influence our brain’s paththree weeks. I got in trouThe results of a 17-year bad.” ways and our life’s paths. ble with my dad, and that’s study The results of a 17-year in the journal Science bad.”Katelyn, your life will be study in the journal Science reported that 5.7 percent of Katelyn,more your life will be much peaceful and reported that 5.7 percent of much more peaceful and youths who watched less fun if you do the right thing. youths who watched less fun if you do the right thing. than one hour of television Takea tip a tip Keeleigh, than one hour of television Take fromfrom Keeleigh, a day committed aggresa day committed aggres11:“If“If do right 11: youyou do right all theall the sive acts against others in acts against others in sive time, you won’t get in troutime, you won’t get in trousubsequent years.

That figble, you won’t get fussed at, subsequent years. That figble, you won’t get fussed at, ure jumped to 22.5 percent and you will have more fun. for those who watchedure one jumped to 22.5 percent andmeans you will more fun.

That you have will make Too much television time for children: Good or bad? to three hours a day for andthose who watched one God happy and have bet- make That means youa will 28.8 percent for those to whothree hours a day and Too much television time for children: Good or bad? real life, the “fun” ended few it’ll be grief/ To the law ter relationship with Him.” God happy and have a betDoing the right thing when Bonnie Parker and a relief/ But it’s death for watched more than three percent for those who ter relationship with Him.” real the “fun” ended few it’llpossibly be grief/ law 28.8 hoursrepay a To day.the Byhaving Rachel whenlife, Thad invested in a Clyde.” could (See right, about the than kind three drove into Bonnie and and funTulloch may sound Clyde Barrow more Think about for this: watched You Doing the a relief/ But it’s death Bonnie Parker and a hail ofwhen bullets fired by You don’t have to be a contradictory, but theright Bible thing risky business deal with Matthew 18:21-35). of restoration what you The think. Parents hours a day. that does lawmen Clyde waiting inBarrow ambush drove bank robber know that calls fun state andthis having fun “blessmay sound andare Clyde.” into toBonnie Wendell Berry tells his son and lost out. master originally threatens not reverse the pain, who consider television a Bible says, wages along a tree-lined ed.”

Many people think fun Bible Think about this:but You contradictory, but the You don’t havebabysitter to be ashould a hail Louisiana of bulletsthefired by “The benign of sin is death.”toWe’ve all servant’s family comes whenofthey the story two break friendsroad. Humiliated and falling sell the moves beyond it toward what you think. Parents callsMany this movies fun state waiting in ambush bankMany robber to again. knowChildren that are think are earned those wages.

Shortlylawmen before her death, rules. depict“blesswho lived in a small into despair, Thad drank and possessions to get something new.television a who consider vulnerable to the strangthe part Bible ed.” Many fun Parker alonggave a tree-lined Louisiana a poem times, the second of says, “The wages lawless peoplepeople having think all Bonnie community in Kentucky himself into a stupor some return debt, And just as wrongs ersfor whothe invade your home babysitter should to her mother, which proved that scripture isof not the fun. sinquotis death.”

We’ve all benign comes when they break road. through television.

Doing “but the giftbut of God is the to be prophetic.

Here’s how ed: Remember the movie in the year 1912.

Ben and then headed over when servant begs cannot be erased by think again.

Children are Shortly before her death, earned those rules. Many movies depict rightwages. begins Many by thinking eternal life in Christ Jesus the poem ends: “They don’t “Bonnie and Clyde”?

RobstrangFeltner and Thadhaving Coulterall Bonnie to ask his friend Benafor for mercy, the master punishmenttoor the repayment, times, second part of vulnerable Parker poem lawless or des-gave our Lord” (Romans 6:23).the If right. bing banks people looked like so think they’re tough ers who invade your home were part of a close-knit Memorize this truth: “For help.

Ben did not want to is gracious and forgives they cannot really herknow mother, which proved thatthescripture is not quotthe fun.

Bonnie had known secThey the law much fun in the movie. In perate./ to as he thinks in his heart, so through television.

Doing ond half, she might havethe always wins./ been with agrarian community discuss options Thad the “but debt.

Yetgift the of same ed: God is be erased by simple to beThey’ve prophetic.

Here’s how Remember the with movie is he” (Proverbs 23:7). shot at before/ But they do avoided a life of crime. beginseither. by thinking strong ties to each other, in his condition, and so servant not only refuses forgiveness When the poem ends: “They don’t eternal life in Jesus Ifright “Bonnie and Clyde”? not RobAskChrist this question: you ignore/ That death is “Doing what is right is right. feed debt on a of diet of television to thebanks land, and to hard refused to talktough with him to forgive the his our Lord” 6:23).

If the master forgives the think or best des-because bing looked like theso wages of sin.they’re always once (Romans Memorize this truth: whatsecare you you do the first time, you “Someday they’ll They know theit law Bonnie hadviolence, known the much in the movie.

In perate./ work. fun Yet tragedy ensued until the nextgoday when fellow servant, but also has servant’s debt, the debt“For prone to do? almost been can’t stop doing it,” she might have as he thinks in his heart, so down together/ they’ll always wins./ They’ve ond half, he wasAnd sober.

However, him thrown in prison as does not simply disappear. bury them side by side./ To says Cecile, 10. is he” (Proverbs 23:7). a life of crime. shot before/ But Thadatsuccumbed tothey the do avoided punishment.

The master takes the Ask this question: If you “Doing what is right is not ignore/ That death is darkness creeping over Sometimes we treat loss! He accepts the full feed on a diet of television always best and because the of sin. home himwages and returned forgiveness justiceonce as violence, brunt of the debt himself. what are you “Someday they’ll go you do it the first time, you to get his gun, which he though they are mutually Similarly, when a person down together/ And they’ll almost can’t stop doing it,” prone to do?

then used to shoot Ben exclusive. If we choose the Feltner in a drunken way of justice, we think rage. The rest of the story the options are reparations was a beautiful tale of or retribution—either the forgiveness and mercy guilty person makes up offered by Ben’s family for a wrong or is punished and the community. Yet for it. These are the sadly, Thad himself was only options the servant unable to experience offered his debtor. Since that forgiveness because the second servant could he could not bear to live not repay, he was then knowing he had killed his punished. However, the best friend, and so ended master chose the way of his own life. mercy when he forgave The narrator then the debt, neither requiring makes this profound reparation nor inflicting comment: “People retribution. If God has sometimes talk of God’s really forgiven us like love as if it’s a pleasant the master forgave the thing. But it is terrible, servant, we ask, then why in a way. Think of all it all the pain and death includes. It included Thad of the Cross? Does the Coulter, drunk and mean Cross undermine God’s and foolish, before he mercy? Is it merely an killed Mr. Feltner, and it underhanded way for included him afterwards.”

God to force repayment “God’s love is terrible, from humanity or exact in a way. Think of all it punishment on us? includes.” I have often In asking these been asked, “Could God questions, we betray a not have forgiven people misunderstanding of both without going through justice and forgiveness. the pain and the violence Justice can never be of the Cross?” As nice achieved by reparation or as that sounds, reality retribution alone because forces me to ask: When is like the servants’ debts, forgiveness not painful? true wrongs can never be True forgiveness cannot repaid. The hurt and pain www.facebook.com/EastTexasReview • www.EastTexasReview.com • @EastTexasReview occur unless the hurt is caused are not reversible. acknowledged and called Punishing the guilty for what it is. When person does not undo you look a wrong full in the hurt either, even if it the face but choose to brings brief satisfaction accept the hurt instead to the victim, just as the of returning it on the one first servant did not get who did it, that is always his money back simply painful. because the other man Jesus illustrates was in jail. Justice must forgiveness by telling be about much more than the story of a servant balancing out the wrongs who owes his master of the world. It must more money than he be about making things bury them side by side./ To says Cecile, 10.

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forgives, he or she accepts the full brunt of the hurt or injustice rather than returning it on the one who caused it. Although it is painful, this is the way that healing and restoration begin. This is why there is no way to avoid the bloody Cross.

And this is why God’s love is terrible. Think of what it includes: us, with our best and our worst, with our failed attempts and outright cruelty, with our wrong motives for right actions and our right motives for wrong actions... us, with the mess we have made of the world, with our brokenness and despair, with our rebellions and inadequacies. We are the ones included in and redeemed by the deep and wide love of God. Paul is astonished by this reality when he emphasizes that Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8)!

Instead of demanding that we pay what we cannot, instead of punishing us for not paying what we cannot, the God we see in Jesus Christ accepts the loss himself and opens his arms even to those who would murder him. The Cross does not represent God’s mercy being tamed by his anger; rather, it demonstrates that God’s mercy is much bigger than we think. The Cross is a graphic picture of God’s terrible love. Think of all it includes.

Local/State

August 17-24, 2017

7

Smith County Agent Medicare talks Rights, Protections Receives Awards

...From Page 1

...From Page 1

Gulley, County Extension Agent - Agriculture and Natural Resources for Smith County, received the 2017 Distinguished Service Award, along with four other agents from Texas, at the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 9-13.

He was also honored with the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association (TCAAA) Distinguished Service Award at its Annual Meeting in Odessa, July 16-19.

Gulley has served the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for more than 17 years in Polk, Nacogdoches and Smith counties.

He has been responsible for programming and clientele inquiries in beef and forage, horticulture, wildlife, aquatics, volunteerism, environmental stewardship and 4-H Youth Development.

His dedication to agriculture is evident through his leadership on various local, district and state committees.

Gulley provides leadership to numerous agricultural groups in East Texas, and he serves as a mentor to several Early

Career Extension Agents in neighboring counties.

“It is an honor to be selected by my peers to receive the NACAA and TCAAA Distinguished Service Awards,” Gulley said. “It was truly a humbling experience to walk in at the NACAA Annual Conference Banquet to a standing ovation for all the winners from across the United States.”

Gulley said since he helped his grandfather and dad while growing up on the farm, agriculture has always been his passion.

“Teaching and helping people with their agricultural inquiries is a very rewarding part of my job,” he said. “We all eat and wear clothes which makes us all involved in agriculture in some way or another.”

The Distinguished Service Awards given to county extension agents from these associations is the highest award given. The Distinguished Service Awards are presented to members who have served at least 10 years as members of the Cooperative Extension Service, who have conducted outstanding programs, are held in high esteem by their fellow workers, and are approved by the State Director of Extension.

Teacher Training debut at UT Tyler ...From Page 1

The University of Texas at Tyler and Greater Texas Foundation have partnered to enrich math education in East Texas.

With a $203,296 GTF grant, The University of Texas at Tyler offers “Middle Math Matters” training to Grades 6 – 8 mathematics educators in rural area school districts.

For associate professor of mathematics education Dr. John Lamb, it’s the perfect equation to enhance intermediate math education in East Texas by providing quality professional development for rural area teachers.

“Our focus is on rural and smaller communities. We utilize our face-to-face time and online tools to help connect teachers across East Texas to build a community that seeks to provide the greatest

mathematics instruction possible,” said Lamb, who was instrumental in bringing ‘Middle Math Matters’ to The University of Texas at Tyler. He’s worked at The University of Texas at Tyler and with area schools since 2005.

“Our program focuses on Problem Based Learning and stresses teacher implementation of purposeful problemsolving tasks,” Lamb said.

“Teachers are challenged to implement these tasks with students, bring student work to trainings, and discover ways of identifying algebraic and proportional thinking, in addition to providing feedback and questioning to students.”

About 50 intermediate math educators from more than 20 East Texas independent school districts are current participants.

“The training has challenged me to rethink the way I have taught math for the past two years,” said Elysian Fields ISD teacher Chad

Commander. “I will take what I have learned and implement it in my classroom and allow time for the students to shine and learn in their own unique ways.”

Interested teachers may email Lamb, jlamb@uttyler. edu. Continuing Professional Education credit, stipends and materials are included.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at The University of Texas at Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 10,000 high-ability students. The University of Texas at Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.

As we all know, those individual rights make up the first 10 amendments to our Constitution. But now that you’re older, you may not realize you also have certain rights as a Medicare beneficiary.

Let’s go through the most important ones so that you can protect yourself, if need be.

As someone with Medicare, you have the right to: • Be treated with dignity and respect at all times. That should be so obvious that it doesn’t bear repeating. Even in the most stressful situations, there’s no excuse for anyone in the health care system – from health care professionals to insurers -- to treat you with anything other than care and concern.

• Be free from discrimination. Every company that works with Medicare can’t treat you differently because of your race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex. If you think you haven’t been treated fairly for any of those reasons, contact the government’s Office for Civil Rights at hhs.gov/ ocr.

• Have your personal and health information kept private. If you’re enrolled in the

traditional Medicare program, your privacy rights are spelled out in your “Medicare and You” handbook, which you receive each fall.

If you have a private Medicare Advantage plan, your rights are outlined in your health plan’s materials.

• Get clear and simple information about Medicare to help you make health care decisions. You should be told what services and items will be covered, what portion of the bill Medicare will pay and how much you’ll be expected to pay yourself.

You should also be told what to do if you want to file a complaint or an appeal.

• Have your questions about Medicare answered.

You can visit Medicare’s website at medicare.gov, call the help line at 1-800633-4227 or contact the Texas Health Information Counseling and Advocacy Program at 1-800-2529240. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a drug plan, you can also call your plan.

• Learn about your treatment options in language you can understand. You have the right to participate fully in all your health care decisions. If you don’t think you’re able to do that, ask a family member, a friend or someone you trust to help you make a decision about what treatment option is best for you.

• Get emergency

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care when and where you need it. You can get emergency care anywhere in the United States. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you don’t need to get permission from your primary care doctor first. But if you’re admitted to the hospital, you or a family member should contact your plan as soon as possible.

• Request a review of certain decisions about your claims or services. You can file an appeal if you disagree with a coverage or payment decision

by Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan. Visit medicare. gov/appeals or call 1-800-633-4227 for details. And remember to keep a copy of everything you send to Medicare or your plan.

• File complaints about the quality of your care. If you don’t speak up, you may not get a resolution to your problem.

Complaints about the quality of your care can be directed to the Quality Improvement Organization in Texas. Call 1-844-4309504. Beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can also contact their plan.

Know your rights as a Medicare beneficiary and stand up for them.

They’re designed to protect you and ensure you get the care you require.

8

Health

June 22-29, August 17-24, 2017

Local Physician Physician Talks Talks

Dr. Christopher ChristopherYancey Yancey

D D

By Joycelyne Joycelyne Fadojutimi and Kelly Kelly Bell, Bell, East East Texas Review By Fadojutimi and Texas Review r. Christopher Yancey is a local.

He He r. Christopher Yancey is a local. attended Mozelle Johnston Elementaattended Mozelle Johnston Elemenry School, Judson MiddleMiddle SchoolSchool and tary School, Judson and Longview High His School.

His Longview High School. brothers brothers became but became engineers, butengineers, when the oilfields whenproducing, the oilfields stopped stopped one of thoseproducbrothone Christopher of those brothers ers ing, advised to takeadvised another Christopher to take route--specifically thehad onethe route--specifically theanother one leading to medicine. He leading to medicine.

He had the grades and did indeed grades and did indeed take this direction. He has spent the take 20 this direction.

He has spent the past 20 years as a past years as a beloved specialist in delivering babies beloved specialist in delivering babies and treating some and treating some forms of infertility. He loves his work, forms of infertility.

He loves his work, and his patients and his patients love him. love him. has served as Chief of the Division of OB/GYN Yancey Yancey has served Medical as ChiefCenter. of the Division of OB/ at Longview Regional He matriculated GYN at Longview Regional Medical Center.

He matricfrom the University of Texas Medical School in Houston ulated from theofUniversity Texas Medical in and University MississippiofMedical Center inSchool Jackson, Houston and University of Mississippi Medical Center Mississippi. He is a member of the American Medical in Jackson, Mississippi.

HeAssociation, is a member of the the Wiser American Association, Texas Medical and MedicalIn Association, TexasisMedical and Society. addition, Yancey a FellowAssociation, of the American the Wiser Society.

In addition, Yancey is a Fellow of the College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“I love delivering babies,” he says. “My work has diversi“I love delivering babies,” he says. “My work has ty of what I do. There is more than delivering babies in my diversity of what I do. There is more than delivering practice. I have delivered everybody, and have walked with babies in my practice. I have delivered everybody, and some to the grave.” have walked with some to the grave.”

Still some of his patients are have difficulty having chilStill some of his patients are have difficulty having dren. This condition is known as infertility. Infertility is children. This condition is known as infertility. Infertility the inability of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple is the inability of a sexually active, non-contracepting to achieve pregnancy in one year. couple to achieve pregnancy in one year.

Some while Some of of his hispatients patientscannot cannotbecome becomepregnant, pregnant, while others cannot carry a pregnancy full term.

The emotional others cannot carry a pregnancy full term. The emotionheartbreak of this statestate is crushing.

When couples cannot al heartbreak of this is crushing.

When couples conceive, it is vital that both husband and wife see doccannot conceive, it is vital that both husband andthe wife tor because in 30% of cases, the problem lies with the man. see the doctor because in 30% of cases, the problem lies Age another factor. withisthe man. Age is another factor.

A 21-year-old woman has has time A 21-year-old woman time on on her herside, side,but butififa a woman to to attend to her woman is is 38 38 and and still stillchildless, childless,she sheneeds needs attend to biological clock while it is still ticking.

There are many her biological clock while it is still ticking. There are factors to consider. many factors to consider.

Smoking, specific lifestyles and some medications can

Smoking, specific lifestyles and some medications can cause infertility.

Women who smoke increase the chanccause infertility.

Women who smoke increase the chances they will be unable to become pregnant or will suffer es they will be unable to become or willtheir suffer miscarriage.

Yancey urges them to pregnant wisely manage miscarriage.

Yancey urges them to wisely manage their lifestyles so as to not work against themselves. lifestyles so as to not work against themselves.

“Healthcare is a relationship,” he says. “So, I do my part “Healthcare is part a relationship,” says.

“So, the I dogoal my of and you do your so the couplehecan achieve part and you do your part so the couple can achieve the having a baby.” goal of having a baby.”

Yancey treats specific aspects of infertility, recommends Yancey treatsspecialists specific aspects of infertility, recomother infertility if necessary, and sends husmends other infertility specialists if necessary, and sends bands to urologists for examination and treatment when husbands to urologists for examination and treatment needed. He also has personal reasons for pursuing this when needed. He also has personal reasons for pursuing calling. this calling.

“My wife and I always wanted a large family, but wanted “My wife and I always wanted a large family, but to wait until I finished school,” he says. “The prospect of wanted to wait until I finished school,” he says. “The starting a family was exciting. First bath, first words, first prospect of starting a family was exciting. First bath, first steps, riding a bike,riding coaching littlecoaching league, dance words, first steps, a bike, little recitals, league, pinewood derby, fishing, bedtime stories, tea parties, playdance recitals, pinewood derby, fishing, bedtime stories, ing dress up, building forts.

It was all too exciting.

When tea parties, playing dress up, building forts. It was all too do we start?

Signdo uswe up.start? ” exciting.

When Sign us up.”

It did not work out as and It did not work out as expected. expected.One Oneyear, year,two twoyears, years, thenthen threethree with with no babies.

WhenWhen they went an infertility and no babies. they to went to an inspecialist he could find no problem to treat, and told fertility specialist he could find no problem to treat,them and theythem wouldthey likely neverlikely have never children.

Knowing sheKnowwould told would have children. be crushed, Yancey did not share thisdid lastnot bitshare of informaing she would be crushed, Yancey this last tion with his wife. bit of information with his wife.

The loneliness ofof The lonelinessofofinfertility infertilityset setin–the in--thesensation sensation having lost something having had having somethingprecious preciousbefore beforeeven even having had it. It It is a problem understand. it. problem one onehas hastotoexperience experiencetoto understand.

The afflicted must mustresist resistbecoming becomingembittered, embittered, espeThe afflicted especially cially around with children.

It was difficult doubly around those those blessedblessed with children.

It was doubly difficult for Yancey because of the medical capacity for Yancey because of the medical capacity in which hein which served.he served.

“I obstetricalresident residentininaalarge, large,inner-city inner-cityhospihos“I was was an an obstetrical pital.

We cared for people who did not want to get pregtal. We cared for people who did not want to get pregnant,” nant,” says.

“Wefor cared forwho people did not need he says.he“We cared people didwho not need to get to get pregnant.

We cared for patients with serious drug pregnant. We cared for patients with serious drug probproblems, prostitutes, people angry at their unwanted lems, prostitutes, people angry at their unwanted pregnanpregnancies.

I didn’t understand.

It just fair.” cies. I didn’t understand.

It just wasn’t fair.wasn’t ” Yancey gavehis hiswife wifeaayellow yellowlab labpuppy–Sadie puppy--Sadie HawYancey gave Haw-Lo-

kins Dance. This canine Yancey becamekins a substitute cal Physician Talkswonderful Dr. Christopher Dance. child.

Climbing fences, climbing onto furniture This wonderful canine became a substitute child. and climbing them.

She was going Climbingonto fences, climbing ontopriceless furnituretherapy, and climbing everywhere with them. onto them. She was priceless therapy, going everywhere “She loved riding in the car. We would never dream of with them. putting her in a kennel if we on a trip, so dream she went “She loved riding in the car.went We would never of with us,” he says.

“She was our child and she was our putting her in a kennel if we went on a trip, so she went therapy, what“She she was did most for us was there.

She with us,”but he says. our child and shebe was our therwould be there as we suffered the pain of infertility. She apy, but what she did most for us was be there. She would never spoke, she never gave advice, she never told us be there as we suffered the pain of infertility. She never she knew ‘how we felt.’ A lesson in unconditional love.” spoke, she never gave advice, she never told us she knew In time the couple’s problem was solved, and they ‘how we felt.’ A lesson in unconditional love.” were blessed with two wonderful children who came to In time the couple’s problem was solved, and they were love Sadie as much as their parents did. She was their blessed with two struggle wonderfulwith children who taught came tothem love first child.

Their infertility Sadie as much as their parents did.

She was their first the value of life, and Sadie taught them the value of child.

Their struggle “being there.” with infertility taught them the value of life, and Sadie them “being there.” fixaYancey’staught devotion tothe hisvalue workof and a compulsive Yancey’s devotion to his work and a compulsive tion on doing everything in his power to help his fixation patients on doing everything in his power to help his patients has actually led to him being labeled “overcautious.”has actually ledadmits to himto being “overcautious. ” Hestems readily He readily this,labeled and that this tendency admits this,personal and that this tendencywith stems his own, from histoown, experience thefrom heartbreak personal experience with theofheartbreak of infertility.

His of infertility.

His treatment childless couples and his treatment of childless couples and his success in treating success in treating them means he has no interest in themnumbers. means he has no interest in case numbers. case “I’ve never never kept up with “I’ve with how how many manybabies babiesI’ve I’vedelivered delivbecause then they a number, ” he says.he says. ered because thenjust theybecome just become a number,” “Every itsown ownstory, story,life lifeand andfamily–not family--notjust a “Every delivery delivery isisits just a number.” number. ” He how infertility infertility infuses infusesits itsvictims victimswith witha He knows knows well well how alife lifeperspective perspective incomprehensible to those incomprehensible to those whowho havehave never never experienced it. experienced it.

“This deepenedfor forme mebecause because a “This life life perspective perspective deepened ofof a yelyellow Labrador who provided comfort taught low Labrador who provided comfort andand taught empathy,” empathy,” he says. he says.

At developedaatumor tumorthat thatslowly slowlycrippled cripAtage age 13, 13, Sadie Sadie developed pled her.she Asslipped she slipped Dr. Phillip her. As away, away, all Dr.all Phillip YanceyYancey could do could do was “be there” for her.

He was. was “be there” for her. He was.

For or to to contact contact Dr DrChristopher Christopher For more more information information or Yancey, call(903) (903)757-6042.

757-6042.

Yancey, please please call

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