Starry Link to GIs an Enriching Idea

Twinkle, twinkle little gimmick. Or: Canis Major, $39.95 and patriotism, too.

As Operation Desert Shield drags on, the San Diego-based Star Heritage Society looks to the heavens for inspiration and profit.

For $39.95, you can have a genuine star (i.e. Polaris, Aquarius, etc.) dedicated to your loved one serving in Saudi Arabia or the Persian Gulf. Plus authenticity certificate and star chart.

The loved one gets a similar chart. The two can then gaze upon the same star at the same time.

Says the promotional material:

“They are drawn together, joined in a brief communion that lets them focus on each other; on thoughts of home, happier times and the day they will be re-joined. It is an age-old pledging of love.”

This is the work of Marv Gold, San Diego advertising man and president of Star Heritage.

He’s been selling stars for several years. Along came the standoff in the desert, and Gold knew a good thing when he saw it.

Gold says he’ll donate some of his profits to the USO, maybe 10%. Credit cards welcome, an 800 number is available.

“There’s so little for the troops to do,” Gold said. “If the dedicated star gives them something to look it, if it provides a little heart tug, a focal point in the sky, it has redeeming value.”

Of course, people could get their own star charts for free in any good astronomy text.

“Yes, but they wouldn’t have the certificate of dedication,” Gold said.

People could also adopt the moon: big, lovable, identifiable, centuries of poetry extolling it. “Stars are better. More personal.”

And there is the time difference. Saudi Arabia is 11 hours ahead of San Diego (also several centuries behind, but that’s a different story). Dark here, light there and vice versa. Making simultaneous stargazing difficult.

Details, details.

Politcal Payoff Overdue

It might be best not to mention the names Pete Wilson or Duke Cunningham at Point Loma Nazarene College.

The day before the Nov. 6 election, a Republican operative appeared at chapel (students must attend chapel three times a week) with a tempting offer: $50 for each student willing to spend an afternoon walking precincts.

Plus a $300 bonus for each of the five students whose precincts showed the highest voter turnout. Payment within five days.

A hundred students signed up and were shipped to precincts from Southeast San Diego to Chula Vista. A month later, they’re still waiting to be paid.

Stan Cherry, 22, a sociology major, called Cunningham’s office, Wilson’s office and Republican headquarters.

Cherry says he was told: The check is in the mail, your W-2 was filled out wrong, there’s been a snafu because so many students answered the call.

“We got out there and hustled votes,” he said. “Cunningham barely won. We put him in office, now we want to be paid.”

A Republican Party spokesman says the payroll people have been swamped but that the checks should arrive in a week or so. Cherry says he’ll believe it when he sees it.

Foot-Sore Attorney

Shoes are made for walking. Not removing.

Rancho Bernardo attorney Mike Klarfeld is fighting to overturn a rule that allows security guards to force people to remove their shoes to enter the federal courthouse in Los Angeles.

If the metal-detector goes buzz as you pass through the portals, you may be ordered to remove your wingtips.

Klarfeld sees no reason to remove his loafers and walk 20 feet over a dirty floor to retrieve them. “A bureaucratic abuse,” he fumed.

He filed suit. Thrown out.

The U.S. attorney in Los Angeles says the shoe rule is needed to guard against terrorism. Assistant U.S. Atty. Jim Sullivan calls Klarfeld “a knowledgeable and likable gentleman.”

Also persistent. Last week he appealed to the 9th Circuit Court in Pasadena.