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30 | November 2, 2012 Crested Butte News20 years ago todayBy LyNda JaCksoN petitoEditor Ervin presents presidentialendorsementThe October 30, 1992 issueof The Chronicle & Pilotwas filled with endorsements,including newspaper editorLee H. Ervin’s endorsementfor president of these UnitedStates. Under the heading“Vote your self interest,” Ervinendorsed Bill Clinton andAl Gore, over George H.W.Bush/Dan Quayle and RossPerot/James Stockdale. Hereare some excerpts from thatendorsement:We are the hollow menWe are the stuffed men.Leaning togetherHeadpieces filled with straw.—T.S. ElliotOne of the more curiousitems to emerge from theincreasingly nasty politicallandscape a week before thiselection, is the fact that theRepublicans have managedto electronically slice off TedKennedy’s big Irish head andplop it down upon Al Gore’ssmaller, environmentally-correctbody. On TV, Ted Kennedy’shead smiles as Al Gore’shand joins that of GovernorClinton’s held high in a victorysalute.To ask why the Republicanselectronically moved Sen.Kennedy of Massachusetts’head on top of Al Gore of Tennessee’sbody is not a happyinquiry. It plunges us into themean-spirited world of manipulationand mind controlwhere the Republican presidentialcampaign attemptsto manufacture sleaze, scumand excrement and hurl it onthe opposition. The idea is, ofcourse, to make the electorateuneasy, distrustful and afraid.It was never an ethical ormoral tactic but it has workedin the past. The good news thisyear is that few are buying intothe politics of fear. The resultson Election Day will announceour concern as a nation toevolve and move forward.George Bush will be defeatedby the biggest plurality of anysitting American president inthe 20th century. Like the Texasgovernor, Ann Richards, said acouple of weeks ago, “Stick afork in him. He’s done.” Not amoment too soon.Who needs leaders whoserecord of governance is sodismal that they must peddlefear and distortion, electronicand otherwise, to remain inpower? Are we to surmise thatleaders like George Bush andhis patrician handler, JamesBaker, are really good, compassionate,thoughtful, kind,caring individuals when thecampaign they conduct reeksof innuendo and negativity?Do we believe that these negativemen are positive leaders?We might as well believe thatdark is light and that pollutionis nourishment. Voltaire wrote,“If we believe absurdities, weshall commit atrocities,” andindeed we have.This election is not justabout economics, it is aboutshifting the direction and attitudeof America away fromhate, fear, war, dominance, dishonestyand avarice towardspeace, hope, quality, compassion,fairness and equality.This is a big-time election.The Mountain Theatre elected a new board of directors in October1992. The new board consisted of (sitting on stairs, l to r) KathleenRoss, RJ Harrington and Diane Markowitz, along with (standing, lto r) Kathy Murry, Will Bryan, Sam Sibley, Dana Dyer and theatermanager Cindy Petito. photo by Mark ReamanScuba diver Doug Tomes (left) is given some expert advice from Al Maunz before he dives into NicholsonLake in this photo from the October 23, 1992 issue of the newspaper. Tomes was looking for a whiskeywagon that legend said had sunk to the bottom at the turn of the 20th century. He also was looking to seethe bottom of the lake—both he and Maunz were disappointed that he found neither. photo by Mark ReamanTwo comparatively youngmen, baby boomers, childrenof the 60s if you will, standpoised to assume leadershipof this country. Bill Clintonat 45 brings the faults of any45-year-old. He also brings,with his quest for power, atleast a stated position and animplied and seemingly genuinepassion to heal and helpAmerica. A vote for GovernorClinton is at the least a vote forhope and renewal in a nationwhich desperately cries out forboth.Ross Perot? His mainvirtue is that he is not GeorgeBush. He appears, however, tohave an almost paranoid fascinationwith plots, surveillanceand authoritarian control. This,coupled with the fact that firsthe is a candidate, then he’snot, now he is again, make usmore than nervous about theTexas billionaire who wants toclimb under the hood and “fixit.”On November 3, we aregoing to join an overwhelmingmajority in the country andvote for Governor Clinton andSenator Gore. But with ourvote will also be a prayer forequality, peace and healing inthis nation and on this earth.In short, we are going to voteprotecting and preservingCrested Butte Newstrails, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, working rancheswww.Crestedbuttenews.ComAdvertise to theWorldseverAl options AvAilAbleContact Jill: (970) 349-0500 x110jill@crestedbuttenews.comcrested butte land trustwww.cblandtrust.orgdirector@cblandtrust.org970.349.1206photograph by: rebecca weil