Letters to the Editor 03-21-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Current Events - SUV Owners Defended - Improving Education - House Walkout
Current Events
Editor, Times-Union:The release of Martha Stewart from prison recently has received much attention from the public. Martha was not incarcerated for the crime of insider trading, she was imprisoned for perjury. It's obvious to me that Martha Stewart was used as a scapegoat for the hundreds of thousands of sharks who swim in the ocean of insider trading. In this ocean Martha was just a small fish. Some of the barracudas are now congressmen and governors, others who just stole people's retirement money still walk free. Those who used puzzling put options at the Chicago Board of Trades Sept. 10, 2001, made millions when American and United Airliners slammed into the World Trade Center Sept. 11. Armed with this information, it's obvious that somebody knew in advance that the tragedy of 9/11 was going to happen, and they made millions. We got Martha but these murderers walk free. Martha's was a simple case of selective prosecution. It won't end with her.
Bush orders Syria out of Lebanon. This causes much anger in Lebanon and Syria, anger directed at the U.S. government for interfering in those nations' internal affairs. Syria and Lebanon repel Israel's invasion and attempted occupation in 1982. Twenty-three years later, Bush demands Syria get out of Lebanon. Are we doing Israel's bidding again? A sound solution to this problem -ÊIsrael must abide by U.N. Resolution 242 which clearly defines its 1967 borders. This one act would bring about security and legitimacy for Israel.
In Indiana politics, the Democrats walk out. I recall not even a year ago the Republicans did the same thing because they couldn't bring a bill to the floor to amend Indiana's constitution to ban gay or civil marriages. Now that's the real high on the priority list! Maybe we should dock the Republicans' pay for being so frivolous. The Democrats were right to walk out. The mother of 132 bills is the one that gives prosecutorial power to the office of the governor. Not a good idea. The reasons are obvious. It gives him too much power over his political opponents, and it's the first step toward a dictatorial governorship and one-party government in Indiana. Democrats must block all radical bills crafted by the Republican majority that would be detrimental to Indiana. If that means walking out, so be it. If we were children one could say I am finger pointing, but since we are all adults, I am just holding those who should be accountable accountable.
A short response to the anonymous writer who sends mock letters to the editor to my mailing address criticizing my writing and me personally. This letter was suggestively threatening, vile and disgusting. FYI, Mr. Noname, my life is not pathetic, I have great job, family and friends who support me, I've lived at the same residence for 26 years, and I am not ashamed of anything in my past. I sign all my writings, but you, Mr. Anonymous, are a coward. Come into the light, so we can see you.
Gene May
Etna Green
SUV Owners Defended
Editor, Times-Union:I saw in Saturday's paper you chose to rail against SUV owners again. I always wonder whether the anti-SUV people are really as energy conscious as they proclaim. We have read that you drive a compact car, is that the only car in the family? If not, do others in your family also drive compact automobiles? Does your family plan shopping, school, work and other everyday driving so that you carpool as much as possible? Did you and your family plan your careers so that you could work near each other and carpool?
What about the other energy consuming devices in your life. I notice you live on a lake, surely you forgo a gasoline powered watercraft to not only save energy but to enjoy the exercise. I bet there are no motorcycles or ATVs in your family, you already have a car so you would not waste the energy required to manufacture a motorcycle? And an ATV on a lake property would just be a gas guzzling toy. Your home? I bet it is super insulated and less than 1,000 square feet because you are so energy conscious. Any bigger and you would be no better than us gas wasting SUV owners.
One last observation. Your newspaper has been feeling a little heavier lately. I bet you have not thought about the energy it takes to produce a page of newprint. And think of all those poor news carriers that have to lug those heavier papers. Cut back and save the paperboys/girls!
And you might save enough energy for me to get my SUV another mile or so down the road.
The point of all this is that supply and demand is cause of this problem and will also be the cure. As fuel prices increase, consumers will react and make purchases accordingly. We all can decide what level of convenience and comfort we want in our lives and how much of our budgets we are willing to devote to that.
Jim Martin
Leesburg
via e-mail
Improving Education
Editor, Times-Union:What can we do to make our students the best they can be? Wait! Don't answer this question now, come to a town meeting and make your opinions known to those who can make changes.
On March 23 and March 31, Warsaw Community Schools will hold public meetings in the Lakeview auditorium, hoping that you, the community, will come and help them out.
I know I, being a student at Edgewood Middle School, have many opinions myself that I'd like to get out, and I can't be the only one.
If you care about the betterment of the students of this town, please make your voice heard. This is the best way; you will get a say that will not fall on deaf ears.
Our school system can change for the better, we just need you to make it possible. The meetings are both at 7 p.m. I hope to see you there!
Jared Highlen
Warsaw
via e-mail
House Walkout
Editor, Times-Union:Recently in the Indiana State House of Representatives, there was a deadline set for a vote on Daylight-Saving Time along with 129 other pieces of legislation. These were pieces of legislation (bills) that had been drilled and discussed for close to two months in various committee meetings. In other words much time had been spent on them and these bills had earned a vote.
However, according to the Indiana Constitution there needs to be a 67-member quorum present to take a vote and on this specific day only the 52 Republican members showed up for the vote. The 48 Democratic members of the House simply did not show up. Instead, acting like children on a playground who do not get to "play" according to their rules, they left for the day and the vote on 130 bills did not take place.
Sadly, the people of the state of Indiana were put on the backburner that day and a political party's agenda was placed in the front. Granted, the minority Democratic members were probably only following the orders of their minority leader when they abstained from showing up for the vote on March 1. However, I have two questions for them as individuals: 1) Where was your courage or your conscience that day and where will it be the rest of this session and next year's session and the next and so on when something does not go your way? And, 2) would the vote on these bills have been of more importance to you had the election gone your way in November?
Regardless if you are for or against a piece of legislation, the least you can do is show up and say with courage that you did your part for your state and your constituents by voting "yes" or "no." Otherwise, your weakness is made obvious.
As I write this I realize that the above two questions can and should be addressed to members of any and all political parties. Are you willing to vote with courage, vote your conscience and stand as an individual? You will gain the respect of many more if you do.
Tami Miller
Winona Lake
via e-mail
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- Current Events - SUV Owners Defended - Improving Education - House Walkout
Current Events
Editor, Times-Union:The release of Martha Stewart from prison recently has received much attention from the public. Martha was not incarcerated for the crime of insider trading, she was imprisoned for perjury. It's obvious to me that Martha Stewart was used as a scapegoat for the hundreds of thousands of sharks who swim in the ocean of insider trading. In this ocean Martha was just a small fish. Some of the barracudas are now congressmen and governors, others who just stole people's retirement money still walk free. Those who used puzzling put options at the Chicago Board of Trades Sept. 10, 2001, made millions when American and United Airliners slammed into the World Trade Center Sept. 11. Armed with this information, it's obvious that somebody knew in advance that the tragedy of 9/11 was going to happen, and they made millions. We got Martha but these murderers walk free. Martha's was a simple case of selective prosecution. It won't end with her.
Bush orders Syria out of Lebanon. This causes much anger in Lebanon and Syria, anger directed at the U.S. government for interfering in those nations' internal affairs. Syria and Lebanon repel Israel's invasion and attempted occupation in 1982. Twenty-three years later, Bush demands Syria get out of Lebanon. Are we doing Israel's bidding again? A sound solution to this problem -ÊIsrael must abide by U.N. Resolution 242 which clearly defines its 1967 borders. This one act would bring about security and legitimacy for Israel.
In Indiana politics, the Democrats walk out. I recall not even a year ago the Republicans did the same thing because they couldn't bring a bill to the floor to amend Indiana's constitution to ban gay or civil marriages. Now that's the real high on the priority list! Maybe we should dock the Republicans' pay for being so frivolous. The Democrats were right to walk out. The mother of 132 bills is the one that gives prosecutorial power to the office of the governor. Not a good idea. The reasons are obvious. It gives him too much power over his political opponents, and it's the first step toward a dictatorial governorship and one-party government in Indiana. Democrats must block all radical bills crafted by the Republican majority that would be detrimental to Indiana. If that means walking out, so be it. If we were children one could say I am finger pointing, but since we are all adults, I am just holding those who should be accountable accountable.
A short response to the anonymous writer who sends mock letters to the editor to my mailing address criticizing my writing and me personally. This letter was suggestively threatening, vile and disgusting. FYI, Mr. Noname, my life is not pathetic, I have great job, family and friends who support me, I've lived at the same residence for 26 years, and I am not ashamed of anything in my past. I sign all my writings, but you, Mr. Anonymous, are a coward. Come into the light, so we can see you.
Gene May
Etna Green
SUV Owners Defended
Editor, Times-Union:I saw in Saturday's paper you chose to rail against SUV owners again. I always wonder whether the anti-SUV people are really as energy conscious as they proclaim. We have read that you drive a compact car, is that the only car in the family? If not, do others in your family also drive compact automobiles? Does your family plan shopping, school, work and other everyday driving so that you carpool as much as possible? Did you and your family plan your careers so that you could work near each other and carpool?
What about the other energy consuming devices in your life. I notice you live on a lake, surely you forgo a gasoline powered watercraft to not only save energy but to enjoy the exercise. I bet there are no motorcycles or ATVs in your family, you already have a car so you would not waste the energy required to manufacture a motorcycle? And an ATV on a lake property would just be a gas guzzling toy. Your home? I bet it is super insulated and less than 1,000 square feet because you are so energy conscious. Any bigger and you would be no better than us gas wasting SUV owners.
One last observation. Your newspaper has been feeling a little heavier lately. I bet you have not thought about the energy it takes to produce a page of newprint. And think of all those poor news carriers that have to lug those heavier papers. Cut back and save the paperboys/girls!
And you might save enough energy for me to get my SUV another mile or so down the road.
The point of all this is that supply and demand is cause of this problem and will also be the cure. As fuel prices increase, consumers will react and make purchases accordingly. We all can decide what level of convenience and comfort we want in our lives and how much of our budgets we are willing to devote to that.
Jim Martin
Leesburg
via e-mail
Improving Education
Editor, Times-Union:What can we do to make our students the best they can be? Wait! Don't answer this question now, come to a town meeting and make your opinions known to those who can make changes.
On March 23 and March 31, Warsaw Community Schools will hold public meetings in the Lakeview auditorium, hoping that you, the community, will come and help them out.
I know I, being a student at Edgewood Middle School, have many opinions myself that I'd like to get out, and I can't be the only one.
If you care about the betterment of the students of this town, please make your voice heard. This is the best way; you will get a say that will not fall on deaf ears.
Our school system can change for the better, we just need you to make it possible. The meetings are both at 7 p.m. I hope to see you there!
Jared Highlen
Warsaw
via e-mail
House Walkout
Editor, Times-Union:Recently in the Indiana State House of Representatives, there was a deadline set for a vote on Daylight-Saving Time along with 129 other pieces of legislation. These were pieces of legislation (bills) that had been drilled and discussed for close to two months in various committee meetings. In other words much time had been spent on them and these bills had earned a vote.
However, according to the Indiana Constitution there needs to be a 67-member quorum present to take a vote and on this specific day only the 52 Republican members showed up for the vote. The 48 Democratic members of the House simply did not show up. Instead, acting like children on a playground who do not get to "play" according to their rules, they left for the day and the vote on 130 bills did not take place.
Sadly, the people of the state of Indiana were put on the backburner that day and a political party's agenda was placed in the front. Granted, the minority Democratic members were probably only following the orders of their minority leader when they abstained from showing up for the vote on March 1. However, I have two questions for them as individuals: 1) Where was your courage or your conscience that day and where will it be the rest of this session and next year's session and the next and so on when something does not go your way? And, 2) would the vote on these bills have been of more importance to you had the election gone your way in November?
Regardless if you are for or against a piece of legislation, the least you can do is show up and say with courage that you did your part for your state and your constituents by voting "yes" or "no." Otherwise, your weakness is made obvious.
As I write this I realize that the above two questions can and should be addressed to members of any and all political parties. Are you willing to vote with courage, vote your conscience and stand as an individual? You will gain the respect of many more if you do.
Tami Miller
Winona Lake
via e-mail
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