Letters to the Editor 03-17-2006
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Redneck Newspaper - Tiger Basketball - Carter Responds - No Disrespect Intended - Opossum Photo - Pray For the Military
Redneck Newspaper
Editor, Times-Union:You know you might subscribe to redneck paper when you look at the front page headlines and the breaking news of the day shows a large picture of a dead opossum. What was that all about anyhow? I actually thought I would open up the paper and find recipes for roadkill stew inside. Did you really think your subscribers would think this was breaking news they needed to be aware of? How about next time having a live opossum on the front page.
Your wildlife pictures you normally have in your paper are great and well done, so I know you could do better! I found it rather depressing to think that your paper and the utility workers were so insensitive to the life of an animal.
Here are a few interesting facts on opossums: Did you know that the opossum is North America's only marsupial? This means the animal carries its young in a pouch the same as the kangaroo. Once the young opossums leave the pouch for the next 2 weeks they go about clinging to their mothers fur. Many people consider the opossum to be a dirty animal ,but, they clean themselves meticulously, and scrupulously as the most finicky house cat.The opossum is probably best know for faking death as a means of defense when attacked.When danger is past it will look for the nearest exit and waddle away. They are not accomplished fighters and are
rarely aggressive. So next time you see a opossum slowly crossing the road, have mercy on this animal and cherish the fact that you have just saved the life of one of the only marsupial species in North America.
The picture of the policeman chasing the chicken reiterated the thoughts of the redneck paper again. But, please continue the beautiful nature pictures, just use better judgment in the future.
Linda Bell
Bourbon
Tiger Basketball
Editor, Times-Union:I'm not a big proponent of "Letters to the Editor", yet here I am writing one. How ironic!
While I enjoy reading many of the letters, some of them offer no solutions to the problems they write about. In my opinion, angry people who only want to push an agenda or merely "stand up and be heard" are annoying. While freedom of speech allows them to do that, I don't care to hear it. Although my letter doesn't actually spell out the solution, it will be pretty obvious by the time you finish reading it.
Although I never had the opportunity to play against Warsaw, I've been around long enough to know one thing for sure...it used to be an intimidating experience to play The Tigers at Warsaw. Opposing coaches had to prepare to face one of the best high school coaches anywhere, while opposing players had to think about guarding Brandenburg, Lehmann, Grose, Fox, McKenzie, and Ault to name a few. The environment, the coach, talented players and many great teams made Warsaw a tough venue for any visiting team. Those days are over. To the opposition now, the Tiger Den is nothing more than a cat litter box.
The current Boy's Tiger Basketball program can be summed up in one word...mediocre. 54 wins and 35 losses over the past four years doesn't't cut it here...never has, and I hope it never will. Warsaw is supposed to win. Let's not forget that Warsaw is identified primarily with two things...Orthopedics and Tiger Basketball, yet people are promoting the 2006 Sectional Championship as if it were a state title. This attitude just goes to show that winning only 60% of the time causes people to lower their expectations. What a shame. That said, my intent is by no means to take anything away from the players who were on this year's Sectional Championship team. The players should be commended for beating a very good Columbia City team. Considering the circumstances, the players were as productive as they could have possibly been this season. Here's something to ponder. The seniors on this year's team were 20-0 as freshmen and 17-3 as sophomores. That means they've gone from 37-3 to 25-20 in two years. How? Why? Could the players have gotten worse, despite hundreds if not thousands of hours of practice over the past couple of years? Is there a possibility that the players' skill levels actually declined even though they play basketball almost year around? Maybe the players we've had in the past four years are just inferior to every player who played for Coach Rhodes. I know I know, it's getting really deep now! We know that players get better with practice and experience, and our players are no exception. But if the players are better than they were two years ago, what's the problem and what can we do about it? I told you the solution was obvious, and you're not even finished reading yet!
Young boys spend hours and hours practicing the game of basketball, looking forward to playing for The Warsaw Tigers someday. Parents equip their kids through personal instruction and camps with the necessary skills such as cutting, shooting, and setting picks - the basic fundamentals of the game. Unfortunately, about half of what they learn is thrown out the window in order to play basketball the "Tiger Way". In all honesty, I'm not really sure what the "Tiger Way" is, but I do know that it hasn't worked the past 89 games. Without a change, it won't work the next 89 either.
This program currently has a special group of players that under the right leadership, could realistically bring Warsaw another State Championship. These young men deserve an opportunity to restore pride and respectability to Tiger Basketball. Let's give these players that opportunity, because a group like this doesn't come around often...and can be gone before you know it.
Isn't four years of mediocrity enough?
Brian Poe, via e-mail
Warsaw
Carter Responds
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to start this letter by personally thanking Gary Gerard for using my name as the title for the letter of rebuttal I am referring to. Now people who skim through these letters will associate my name with the abortion issue, whereas it was not central to my original point.
Thanks Pal.
I feel sorry for people who are so focused on one issue that they are essentially insensitive to any other. Perhaps this is why so many problems continue to go unsolved.
Obviously my point in the previous letter was lost, and that was a risk I was well aware of. That point would be the suggestion of possibility that local news organizations avoid politically controversial issues, out of fear of financial retribution from their advertisers.
I maintain that my position on abortion is that I have no position at all. I refuse to take a side and as a man I feel neither ent! itled nor compelled to do so, by you or anyone else. What is shameful is that as a Democrat and a purported Liberal, I can't bring other issues to light without them being overshadowed by abortion.
Where is the representation for those of us who agree and disagree with issues on both sides of the Liberal and Conservative divide. I'm tired of being pigeon holed, I'm tired of watching the general populace squabble over extremist ideologies and vote incompetent people into office because they stand a certain way on an issue regardless of what they can or will actually do about it. While we're standing around shaking our fists at each other over abortion or flag burning or Howard Stern, the people in power work their backroom, closed door sessions and continue to sell this country's future down the river. Did you know that yesterday congress voted to raise the national debt ceiling to $9 trillion dollars to prevent a first-ever default on U.S. Treasury notes? When the government reaches the new ceiling, expected sometime next year, the debt will represent $30,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States.
I suggest you wake up take a look around and what's really happening in this country.
Ted Carter
Leesburg
P.S. Feel free to put my name on top of this one Gary.
No Disrespect Intended
Editor, Times-Union:
In response to Ron Lightle's letter in Monday's paper and as a senior leader of the Tippecanoe Valley cheer block I would first of all like to apologize for our actions during regional action last weekend against Jay County. What has become controversy over the last week started as a way to show support for our team twenty-four games ago.
Every game we sing along and usually after the word, "brave" at the conclusion of our national anthem our student section yells, "Vikings." We have done this with our band, choir, guest singers, and other schools at every single game. However I guess there was some confusion among students after what was in my eyes a much longer than usual rendition of our nation's anthem by some, "talented," students from Blackford. We cut in and were booed rightly so.
On the other hand I do not agree with some of Mr. Lightle's comments. To say that our parents, the school administration, and our athletic director were part of it was wrong. We orchestrated the chant ourselves before the first game of the season and never has it caused trouble until now. Also to single out the entire student section is wrong. It is a group of students not the entire student body.
We did not mean to be disrespectful in any way especially since some of our fellow classmates have decided to join the military and serve our country in a time of conflict.
All year long we have gained praise from Coach Patrick and the administration for being well behaved and very easy to control. In our own opinions comparing ourselves to other cheer blocks we have seen this year we think we are one of the best.
One example: During sectionals after ending three different teams' seasons we never chanted taunts at them, instead respecting them for the hard work they had put in for the past few months and for seniors the past four years. That is much more than I can say for Jay County on Saturday at the end of both of their games.
One time we slipped up this year and we paid for it by letting down the coaches, players, administration, and all Valley fans.
And to Mr. Lightle we are very sorry to you and for all of the discomfort we must have caused you. But just a bit of information, next time you have a grievance it is ok to take it out on us for something we did, that's fine. However do not throw in a cheap shot saying how our players were defeated. They worked hard all year and deserve to be congratulated, not disrespected because of something the cheer block did.
Brandon Newcomer, via e-mail
Mentone
Opossum Photo
Editor, Times-Union:
See the front page of your paper Feb. 25, 2006. Is this all the news you could print and photograph?
I realize an opossum may not be everyone's favorite pet, but during the time the utility workers took to paint the opossum, couldn't they remove it from the road?
Carl E. Wise Jr.
Warsaw
Pray For the Military
Editor, Times-Union:
Earlier this week a brave Marine, LCpl. Daniel J. McNulty, left Warsaw to return to his base at Camp LeJeune, NC to await his deployment to Iraq at the end of March. He joined the Marines with two other classmates upon graduation from WCHS. They responded to the Marines' search of "Looking for a few good men." In these three men, the Marines ended this search. Now LCpl. McNulty is trained and ready to help protect America.
I have the privilege and responsibility to pray for him as well as others. Often we hear people say, "At least I can pray for you." That is not the least, but the most that we can do, touching the Throne of Heaven with our petitions.
One of the three graduates entering the Corps together was LCpl. Chris Foreman who was deployed to Iraq in early November, 2005. He was surrounded with prayer by his relatives, members of the Breakfast Optimists and others. During one patrol his squad was engaged in, the Hummer he was in was too crowded, so he was asked to move to another Hummer. Shortly after he made the change, the seat where Foreman had been sitting was hit by a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG). Chris' grandparents, Mike and Janet, had been awakened prior to the incident and at the time were asking the Lord's protection on their grandson.
Marine Mother Carol Lovelace, friend of the McNultys, began a network of prayer for the Armed Forces which she titled "Operation Enduring Prayer." This prayer effort observes each Friday noon when across the Nation prayers are spoken in behalf of those serving in the military. She shared this concept with Dr. Laura Schlessinger who promoted it nationwide on her radio broadcast. Will you participate in this privilege?
R. Wayne Snider, via e-mail
Winona Lake
[[In-content Ad]]
- Redneck Newspaper - Tiger Basketball - Carter Responds - No Disrespect Intended - Opossum Photo - Pray For the Military
Redneck Newspaper
Editor, Times-Union:You know you might subscribe to redneck paper when you look at the front page headlines and the breaking news of the day shows a large picture of a dead opossum. What was that all about anyhow? I actually thought I would open up the paper and find recipes for roadkill stew inside. Did you really think your subscribers would think this was breaking news they needed to be aware of? How about next time having a live opossum on the front page.
Your wildlife pictures you normally have in your paper are great and well done, so I know you could do better! I found it rather depressing to think that your paper and the utility workers were so insensitive to the life of an animal.
Here are a few interesting facts on opossums: Did you know that the opossum is North America's only marsupial? This means the animal carries its young in a pouch the same as the kangaroo. Once the young opossums leave the pouch for the next 2 weeks they go about clinging to their mothers fur. Many people consider the opossum to be a dirty animal ,but, they clean themselves meticulously, and scrupulously as the most finicky house cat.The opossum is probably best know for faking death as a means of defense when attacked.When danger is past it will look for the nearest exit and waddle away. They are not accomplished fighters and are
rarely aggressive. So next time you see a opossum slowly crossing the road, have mercy on this animal and cherish the fact that you have just saved the life of one of the only marsupial species in North America.
The picture of the policeman chasing the chicken reiterated the thoughts of the redneck paper again. But, please continue the beautiful nature pictures, just use better judgment in the future.
Linda Bell
Bourbon
Tiger Basketball
Editor, Times-Union:I'm not a big proponent of "Letters to the Editor", yet here I am writing one. How ironic!
While I enjoy reading many of the letters, some of them offer no solutions to the problems they write about. In my opinion, angry people who only want to push an agenda or merely "stand up and be heard" are annoying. While freedom of speech allows them to do that, I don't care to hear it. Although my letter doesn't actually spell out the solution, it will be pretty obvious by the time you finish reading it.
Although I never had the opportunity to play against Warsaw, I've been around long enough to know one thing for sure...it used to be an intimidating experience to play The Tigers at Warsaw. Opposing coaches had to prepare to face one of the best high school coaches anywhere, while opposing players had to think about guarding Brandenburg, Lehmann, Grose, Fox, McKenzie, and Ault to name a few. The environment, the coach, talented players and many great teams made Warsaw a tough venue for any visiting team. Those days are over. To the opposition now, the Tiger Den is nothing more than a cat litter box.
The current Boy's Tiger Basketball program can be summed up in one word...mediocre. 54 wins and 35 losses over the past four years doesn't't cut it here...never has, and I hope it never will. Warsaw is supposed to win. Let's not forget that Warsaw is identified primarily with two things...Orthopedics and Tiger Basketball, yet people are promoting the 2006 Sectional Championship as if it were a state title. This attitude just goes to show that winning only 60% of the time causes people to lower their expectations. What a shame. That said, my intent is by no means to take anything away from the players who were on this year's Sectional Championship team. The players should be commended for beating a very good Columbia City team. Considering the circumstances, the players were as productive as they could have possibly been this season. Here's something to ponder. The seniors on this year's team were 20-0 as freshmen and 17-3 as sophomores. That means they've gone from 37-3 to 25-20 in two years. How? Why? Could the players have gotten worse, despite hundreds if not thousands of hours of practice over the past couple of years? Is there a possibility that the players' skill levels actually declined even though they play basketball almost year around? Maybe the players we've had in the past four years are just inferior to every player who played for Coach Rhodes. I know I know, it's getting really deep now! We know that players get better with practice and experience, and our players are no exception. But if the players are better than they were two years ago, what's the problem and what can we do about it? I told you the solution was obvious, and you're not even finished reading yet!
Young boys spend hours and hours practicing the game of basketball, looking forward to playing for The Warsaw Tigers someday. Parents equip their kids through personal instruction and camps with the necessary skills such as cutting, shooting, and setting picks - the basic fundamentals of the game. Unfortunately, about half of what they learn is thrown out the window in order to play basketball the "Tiger Way". In all honesty, I'm not really sure what the "Tiger Way" is, but I do know that it hasn't worked the past 89 games. Without a change, it won't work the next 89 either.
This program currently has a special group of players that under the right leadership, could realistically bring Warsaw another State Championship. These young men deserve an opportunity to restore pride and respectability to Tiger Basketball. Let's give these players that opportunity, because a group like this doesn't come around often...and can be gone before you know it.
Isn't four years of mediocrity enough?
Brian Poe, via e-mail
Warsaw
Carter Responds
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to start this letter by personally thanking Gary Gerard for using my name as the title for the letter of rebuttal I am referring to. Now people who skim through these letters will associate my name with the abortion issue, whereas it was not central to my original point.
Thanks Pal.
I feel sorry for people who are so focused on one issue that they are essentially insensitive to any other. Perhaps this is why so many problems continue to go unsolved.
Obviously my point in the previous letter was lost, and that was a risk I was well aware of. That point would be the suggestion of possibility that local news organizations avoid politically controversial issues, out of fear of financial retribution from their advertisers.
I maintain that my position on abortion is that I have no position at all. I refuse to take a side and as a man I feel neither ent! itled nor compelled to do so, by you or anyone else. What is shameful is that as a Democrat and a purported Liberal, I can't bring other issues to light without them being overshadowed by abortion.
Where is the representation for those of us who agree and disagree with issues on both sides of the Liberal and Conservative divide. I'm tired of being pigeon holed, I'm tired of watching the general populace squabble over extremist ideologies and vote incompetent people into office because they stand a certain way on an issue regardless of what they can or will actually do about it. While we're standing around shaking our fists at each other over abortion or flag burning or Howard Stern, the people in power work their backroom, closed door sessions and continue to sell this country's future down the river. Did you know that yesterday congress voted to raise the national debt ceiling to $9 trillion dollars to prevent a first-ever default on U.S. Treasury notes? When the government reaches the new ceiling, expected sometime next year, the debt will represent $30,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States.
I suggest you wake up take a look around and what's really happening in this country.
Ted Carter
Leesburg
P.S. Feel free to put my name on top of this one Gary.
No Disrespect Intended
Editor, Times-Union:
In response to Ron Lightle's letter in Monday's paper and as a senior leader of the Tippecanoe Valley cheer block I would first of all like to apologize for our actions during regional action last weekend against Jay County. What has become controversy over the last week started as a way to show support for our team twenty-four games ago.
Every game we sing along and usually after the word, "brave" at the conclusion of our national anthem our student section yells, "Vikings." We have done this with our band, choir, guest singers, and other schools at every single game. However I guess there was some confusion among students after what was in my eyes a much longer than usual rendition of our nation's anthem by some, "talented," students from Blackford. We cut in and were booed rightly so.
On the other hand I do not agree with some of Mr. Lightle's comments. To say that our parents, the school administration, and our athletic director were part of it was wrong. We orchestrated the chant ourselves before the first game of the season and never has it caused trouble until now. Also to single out the entire student section is wrong. It is a group of students not the entire student body.
We did not mean to be disrespectful in any way especially since some of our fellow classmates have decided to join the military and serve our country in a time of conflict.
All year long we have gained praise from Coach Patrick and the administration for being well behaved and very easy to control. In our own opinions comparing ourselves to other cheer blocks we have seen this year we think we are one of the best.
One example: During sectionals after ending three different teams' seasons we never chanted taunts at them, instead respecting them for the hard work they had put in for the past few months and for seniors the past four years. That is much more than I can say for Jay County on Saturday at the end of both of their games.
One time we slipped up this year and we paid for it by letting down the coaches, players, administration, and all Valley fans.
And to Mr. Lightle we are very sorry to you and for all of the discomfort we must have caused you. But just a bit of information, next time you have a grievance it is ok to take it out on us for something we did, that's fine. However do not throw in a cheap shot saying how our players were defeated. They worked hard all year and deserve to be congratulated, not disrespected because of something the cheer block did.
Brandon Newcomer, via e-mail
Mentone
Opossum Photo
Editor, Times-Union:
See the front page of your paper Feb. 25, 2006. Is this all the news you could print and photograph?
I realize an opossum may not be everyone's favorite pet, but during the time the utility workers took to paint the opossum, couldn't they remove it from the road?
Carl E. Wise Jr.
Warsaw
Pray For the Military
Editor, Times-Union:
Earlier this week a brave Marine, LCpl. Daniel J. McNulty, left Warsaw to return to his base at Camp LeJeune, NC to await his deployment to Iraq at the end of March. He joined the Marines with two other classmates upon graduation from WCHS. They responded to the Marines' search of "Looking for a few good men." In these three men, the Marines ended this search. Now LCpl. McNulty is trained and ready to help protect America.
I have the privilege and responsibility to pray for him as well as others. Often we hear people say, "At least I can pray for you." That is not the least, but the most that we can do, touching the Throne of Heaven with our petitions.
One of the three graduates entering the Corps together was LCpl. Chris Foreman who was deployed to Iraq in early November, 2005. He was surrounded with prayer by his relatives, members of the Breakfast Optimists and others. During one patrol his squad was engaged in, the Hummer he was in was too crowded, so he was asked to move to another Hummer. Shortly after he made the change, the seat where Foreman had been sitting was hit by a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG). Chris' grandparents, Mike and Janet, had been awakened prior to the incident and at the time were asking the Lord's protection on their grandson.
Marine Mother Carol Lovelace, friend of the McNultys, began a network of prayer for the Armed Forces which she titled "Operation Enduring Prayer." This prayer effort observes each Friday noon when across the Nation prayers are spoken in behalf of those serving in the military. She shared this concept with Dr. Laura Schlessinger who promoted it nationwide on her radio broadcast. Will you participate in this privilege?
R. Wayne Snider, via e-mail
Winona Lake
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092