Monday, October 27, 2008 Issue 4
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Headline News

  

Top News

  

Gov. Palin energizes crowd at campaign stop

by Caroline Basile, editor-in-chief

ROSWELL, N.M. – Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin recently spoke to a crowd of about 10,000 supporters, referencing not just "Joe the Plumber," but also "Ed the Dairyman."

Palin, the governor of Alaska, addressed the crowd in an airplane hangar at Great Southwest Aviation at the Roswell International Air Center Airport on Oct. 19. Gov. Palin spoke to voters about the economy, cautioning voters about the Democrats’ plans to raise taxes "on America's hard-working families and our small businesses, and a lot of folks just like Joe the Plumber and Ed the Dairyman out there." Gov. Palin said that as she pointed in the crowd to a man holding a sign labeling himself as "Ed the Dairyman."

Gov. Palin, who appeared near a large American flag and a large sign reading "Victory in New Mexico," challenged the tax plan promoted by Sen. Barack Obama, which she said would extend government and "destroy jobs" by redistributing wealth.

"Barack Obama calls it spreading the wealth,” Gov. Palin said. “Joe Biden calls higher taxes patriotic. But Joe the Plumber and Ed the Dairyman, I believe they think it sounds more like socialism. Friends, now is no time to experiment with socialism."

Joe Wurzelbacher, a plumber from Holland, Ohio, became a media sensation recently after meeting with Sen. Obama during a stop in Toledo. Wurzelbacher told the Illinois Senator that his tax plan would keep him from buying out the business where he is currently employed. McCain referenced the exchange between Sen. Obama and Wurzelbacher during the final debate after both candidates were asked to compare their economic plans.

 "Obama's plans to raise taxes on some in order to give checks out to others is not a tax cut,” Gov. Palin added. “It is more government growth, and it's another government giveaway. Whatever you call his tax plan and that redistribution of wealth, it will destroy jobs. It will hurt our economy. And, it's about time that we all called Barack Obama on it."

Warning voters about Democratic plans to raise taxes, Gov. Palin said that McCain would cut business taxes, double child tax deductions for families and cut capital gains taxes.

"In this great time of worry and hardships, McCain has a plan that will help keep our families in their homes and our retirees to keep their savings," Gov. Palin said, blaming economic problems on “corruption and greed in Wall Street and Washington."

"Our esteemed elders are worried about their savings," Gov. Palin said as she spoke of McCain and solutions to the economic crisis. "Under John McCain and I's watch, we will make sure they are secure. Our strong economic plan will get this economy back on the right track."

Gov. Palin is the first female vice presidential candidate since Geraldine Ferraro ran alongside Walter Mondale on the Democratic ticket in the 1984 race for the White House. Palin has served as governor of Alaska since 2006.

The mother of five emphasized energy policy reform,  explaining that New Mexico and Alaska have something in common concerning energy. Calling for drilling in the United States in order to reduce dependency on foreign oil, Gov. Palin drew cheers from the audience when she said, "We'll drill here; we'll drill now."

Gov. Palin added that all possibilities should be considered for energy, including solar, wind, clean coal and offshore oil and gas drilling.

"Our opponents keep saying, 'No, no, no,' to sound and responsible energy solutions," she said. "Drilling in New Mexico and elsewhere can be an economic engine to provide jobs."

Gov. Palin said McCain wants her to take charge of helping families with special needs children. She was carrying her son, Trig, who has Downs Syndrome, when she exited the plane after landing in Roswell.

“We have a vision of America where every life counts,” she said. “That is the spirit I want to bring to Washington.”

As Gov. Palin wrapped up her speech, she said the country has a “choice between a politician who puts his faith in Washington and a leader who puts his faith in you.”

She stressed that the upcoming election was “going to come down to what we believe in.”

“America is not the problem; America is the solution," Gov. Palin said. "We make mistakes, but we learn from them.  America is that beacon of hope for all. We still believe that we are that shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan used to speak of.”

Photo By Britni Palomino/Plainsman Press

  

Evans to be recognized with banquet, scholarship

by Jason Hartline, staff writer

One of the most influential and accomplished western writers has influenced South Plains College to create a new scholarship in his name. 

SPC will host a recognition banquet for Hockley County native Max Evans at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 to honor his achievements and become more acquainted with the individual responsible for the Max Evans Endowed Scholarship. Tickets are available for $25 a piece. All money will go toward the Max Evans Endowed Scholarship fund.

Prior to the event, Evans will host a book signing in the mall area of the Student Center, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Barnes and Noble will have copies of Evans’ books for sale in the mall area as well.

Max Evans Day events will begin in the SPC Sundown Room  of the Student Center with highlights of Evans’ achievements and a smoked prime rib dinner. The presentation of the Max Evans Endowed Scholarship will take place during the dinner.

Following the presentation, Evans and longtime friend Alvin Davis, chair of the Cowboy Symposium, will tell stories and reminisce in the Tom T. Hall Recording and Production Studio while being accompanied by some easy-listening music.

“We’re hoping to attract anyone who is into western fiction,” said Russell Hall, director of development at SPC. “We’re recreating the western environment that makes living in our area unique and enjoyable, and to have someone who is as accomplished and admirable like ol’ Max is more than an enjoyment, it’s an honor.”

Evans was born in Ropesville, Texas. Shortly afterward, his father, W.B. Evans, founded Humble City, near Hobbs in Lea County N.M. Max spent his early childhood there, learning the ways of horses, cows and the great prairie.

Evans went to work on a cow ranch south of Santa Fe N.M. just before his 12th birthday. A few years later, he owned his own ranch in Union County, N.M. Evans called this area “Hi-Lo Country,” and used that name in many of his writings.

Evans went from there into World War II, landing on Omaha Beach and fighting with the combat infantry through three major campaigns in France and Germany.

Evans returned to his Union County ranch in late 1945. He later moved to Taos, N.M. in 1949 to pursue a career as a professional artist. There he met and married Pat James. They had twin daughters, Charlotte and Sheryl, in 1954.

Evans studied art in Taos with internationally-recognized artists Dal Holcomb and Ida Strawn Baker, along with the renowned Potawatomie Indian artist Woody Crumbo.

Evans produced and sold approximately 300 water and oil paintings to private and public collectors. He was accepted in several jury selected shows, including the Harwood Foundation at Taos and the Museum of New Mexico in Santa Fe. Mixed media, limited edition prints and an oil painting are in the permanent collection in Van Vechten-Lineberry Taos Art Museum.

Once Evans became very successful with his art career, he decided writing was what he really wanted to do, so he began a serious profession of free-lancing. During those early years, it took a lot of imagination and perseverance to survive the transition.

Evans has written more than 42 books, novellas and articles.

Four films, including “The Rounders” and “The Hi-Lo Country” were based on his books. “The Hi-Lo Country” starred Woody Harrelson, Patricia Arquette, Billy Crudup and Penelope Cruz. This movie was Cruz’s first American film.

Evans also has written and directed  three documentary films.

He has been presented with 17 national, regional and local awards, including numerous hall of fame achievements, the Golden Chile Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cinema and the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in the Arts New Mexico’s highest arts award.

In 2006, Jim Harris, director of the Lea County Museum, in Lovington, N.M., bestowed Evans with a very special honor. The museum created a Max Evans Room, which contains a lifetime of personal memorabilia that is still growing.

Evans has also founded various influential groups in the state of New Mexico that have changed the state. He was the founding member of the Governor’s first New Mexico Film Commission, which brought in more than $1.5 billion into the state.

Evans has also been presented with five separate Max Evans Days in four separate locations. The fifth was issued by New Mexico  Governor Gary Johnson for the entire state.

“It truly is a surprise that Max isn’t more recognized in our area,” said Hall. “With all of his achievements, with all the Max Evans Days, taking into consideration he was born just down the road, and not to mention what a great guy he is, it’s a wonder why we haven’t done something like this already.”
 


 
  
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