Letters to the Editor 03-25-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Pershing's Solution - Schiavo's Condition - Local Channels - Censor Coulter - Schiavo Dispute - War's Prize - Arena Scores - Fuel Prices
Pershing's Solution
Editor, Times-Union:Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing was born Sept. 13, 1860, near Laclede, Miss., he died July 15, 1948, in Washington, D.C.
Highlights of his life include:
1891, professor of military science and tactics University of Nebraska
1898, serves in the Spanish-American War
1901, awarded rank of captain
1906, promoted to rank of brigadier general
1909, military governor of Moro Province, Philippines
1916, made major general
1919, promoted to general of the Armies
1921, appointed chief of staff
1924, Retires from active duty, education, West Point.
Just before World War I, there were a number of terrorist attacks on the United States forces in the Philippines by Muslim extremists. So Gen. Pershing captured 50 terrorists and had them tied to posts for execution. He then had his men bring in two pigs and slaughter them in front of the now horrified terrorists. Muslims detest pork because they believe pigs are filthy animals. Some of them simply refuse to eat it, while others won't even touch pigs at all, nor any of their byproducts. To them, eating or touching a pig, its meat, its blood, etc., is to be instantly barred from paradise (and those virgins) and doomed to hell.
The soldiers then soaked their bullets in the pigs blood, and proceeded to execute 49 of the terrorists by firing squad. The soldiers then dug a big hole, dumped in the terrorists' bodies and covered them in pig blood, entrails, etc.
They let the 50th man go. And for the next 42 years, there was not a single Muslim extremist attack anywhere in the world.
Maybe it is time for this segment of history to repeat itself, maybe in Iraq? The question is, where do we find another Black Jack Pershing?
Howard Elder
Pierceton
via e-mail
Schiavo's Condition
Editor, Times-Union:Terri Schiavo is not in a coma. She is not in a persistent vegetative state. She is not brain dead. Except for her need of food and water, she is not on life support.
In a recent World Net Daily article it reports that when she was told that the feeding tube was to be removed she cried. When she was told that if she wanted to live she would need to say so. At that, according to this report, she yelled out, "I want to live." This was heard by her lawyer, sister, brother-in-law and the police officer stationed by her door. Terri has spoken before, but never as articulate as this.
Why is her husband so insistent that she must die? Why has he not ordered the therapy that could correct her problem. He says that he loves her and she wouldn't want to live like she is, but he is living with another woman and has fathered two children with her. I question his love.
The "Incapacitated Persons' Legal Protection Act" that our Congress is voting on and the president says he will sign is not just for Terri Schiavo. It would protect many others on feeding tubes in similar conditions.
If we withheld food and water from our pets, the law would be after us. If not the law, PETA surely would scream.
Next time you feel hungry or thirsty, pray for Terri Schiavo. If her nourishment is not restored, it will take eight to 10 days for her to starve to death.
Joyce Goss
Warsaw
via e-mail
Local Channels
Editor, Times-Union:Recently Comcast realigned their cable line up for Warsaw residents. Several Fort Wayne stations were not included in their new channel offerings. Our family particularly enjoyed WANE TV with their news coverage of the Warsaw area and in particular the weather with Sandy Thompson, which I thought was good for Kosciusko County.
After repeated phone calls to Comcast, they said there was nothing they could do about it. My understanding is that the South Bend stations were upset that their market share in the growing town of Warsaw was being eroded by Fort Wayne stations. FCC regulations guide cable companies that they only have to carry one network affiliate like CBS. Somehow Comcast was convinced that Warsaw was a part of the South Bend community and not Fort Wayne.
South Bend weather coverage has always been more focused on their region with Lake Michigan and southwestern lower Michigan. I would like to see our coverage with Fort Wayne reinstated. Unfortunately, apparently I am the only one in the county who has voiced an objection to the new situation. The voice of the people can rule, however. If you would like to see Fort Wayne's WANE TV back on your list of choices, call Comcast and complain. Then call or e-mail the FCC. They will listen to customers of cable companies if enough people raise their voices.
David Anuta
Warsaw
via e-mail
Censor Coulter
Editor, Times-Union:James Townsend's letter on March 16 regarding Ann Coulter's diatribe on March 14 was right on. Applause! Applause!
Ms. Coulter's bitter harangues seem unending. Her outpourings spew a bitter venom across our editorial pages all too often. Perhaps she has an ulcer.
Her remarks are intended to be clever, however, she is a pathetic, mean-spirited woman.
Her freinds, if any, are most likely either innocuous and/or Republicans. Who else would be willing to be the recipient of her vitriole?
Patricia A. Stangis
Warsaw
Schiavo Dispute
Editor, Times-Union:The case of Terri Schiavo raises an issue that each of us should take care of immediately: our personal wishes in the event of being rendered physically and/or mentally incapacitated. If you do not have a living will, it is time to create one ASAP. If you have a living will it is time to update it and provide legal copies to more than one member of your family, as well as your doctors and lawyer; and perhaps you should consider giving a copy to your best friend.
Terri Schiavo will not die a cruel and painful death if her feeding tube is allowed to remain out. She will gradually and eventually lose consciousness and stop breathing but she will not suffer needlessly or endlessly. This will allow her to die with the peace and dignity she deserves.
Two years ago, my sister-in-law chose to have her feeding tube disconnected after years of living in a disgusting health care facility in Indiana. She died on the 10th day after her feeding tube was removed but she was not in pain and she was not suffering. She suffered more in the hands of Indiana's inadequate health care and Medicaid systems than she did on her deathbed. Unfortunately she got the best care of her life in the last 10 days of it.
Terri Schiavo's case is not really about life and death: It is a family dispute. Terri's parents are fighting with her husband in much the same way as divorced parents fight custody battles over their children. Yes, it is tragic that Terri has been in her persistant vegetative state for 15 years. But it is simply inhumane to continue to remove and re-insert her feeding tube while the fight drags on and on and on. We would not do this to an animal: Why do we do it to humans?
Shelly Gilliland
Pierceton
via e-mail
War's Prize
Editor, Times-Union:Re: Our development by Bryan Ciula.
We invaded Iraq to pillage their resources? Why the hard sell? Gaining control of commerce is war's prize. Controlling it robs the opposition of the wealth it exploited to retain power. The fact that the new regime can now distribute that wealth fairly and equitably is a win for the Iraqi people.
Pillaging is what a band of pirates do to a passing merchant vessel. If the pirates, upon seizure of the treasure, would have then distributed its wealth to the crew of the merchant vessel, what then was the purpose of this mission? Since this did happen one might assume the underlying motive was to increase the size of the pirate ship's crew.
Since it is common knowledge that a kingdom divided cannot stand, the goal of the corporate kingdom is to assimilate global commerce whereby all commerce operates from their pre-determined array of rule sets. This in effect strengthens the ship's crew.
Corporatism also known as facism has as its goal the advance of corporatism and utilizes whatever rule of law benefits the rule of money in order to achieve its goal.
Securing Iraqi commerce secures war's prize for the corporate tribe because of what it produces, which is another cheap foreign labor pool as well as its newest foreign investment opportunity.
The commercial voyage may or may not advance democracy and freedom but if you're seeking financial backing from the American public, it can't hurt to suggest that it does. After throwing in a slide of America's advanced weapons technology there remains only the suggestion of the possibility of some unforeseen terror if the mission were to be unsuccessful and we hear the age-old mariners cry, "Set sail."
What seems to matter most to Americans is who rules the sea at day's end. Isn't facism clever?
Steven R. Frantz
Warsaw
Arena Scores
Editor, Times-Union:I always read Dester Bell's letters to editor, very insightful. I knew Des when he and I worked for my dad just after the south lost the war.
I was trying to watch commercials and every so often they would interrupt them with a football game; "know what I mean."
I went to see a fight and a basketball game broke out.
Also I would like to know why arena football scores are not in the Times-Union. This is football as it used to be played. Lots of action, players going three ways offense, defense and special teams. A little difference in the rules but a lot less commercials. Can you just see the 350-400 pound NFL players on offense and defense. Ha. Well, so much for now.
Thanks for your time.
David Runyan
Warsaw
Editor's Note: Arena football scores and standings are not available from our wire service, Associated Press.
Fuel Prices
Editor, Times-Union:At the end of each work day I anxiously sit waiting to pull out onto the busiest highway in our county wondering why there has not been a reduction of traffic as fuel prices reach record highs.
I remember back to the late '70s when prices were driven up by a "so-called" fuel shortage and gas rationing was considered. I was forced to drive less and more sensibly due to my lower income. Unfortunately, today that does not seem to be an issue.
I was amused one morning as I listened to an economic analyst being interviewed on the radio. He stated that gasoline was still cheaper here than anywhere else in the world and we should be grateful. He also said even though we have to pay more at the pump we can still get great bargains at Wal-Mart and it all balances out in the end. He must not know that in most other countries a majority of the people ride bikes or use public transportation due to those high prices and that rising fuel costs will eventually affect the price of every product that has to be transported. I grow weary of hearing such rhetoric.
I am also very skeptical in matters concerning the oil industry because of something my grandfather told me years ago. He was a mechanic most of his life and claimed that gasoline was a byproduct of refining oil for lubricating purposes and that if we weren't using it as fuel it would have been discarded as waste. If this is true, it may explain their tremendous profits and why we never hear the process called "gasoline refining."
It is obvious that our elected officials' loyalties lie elsewhere so I as a "patriotic" American need to quit complaining and begin to take action by doing anything I can to decrease my consumption of energy before it becomes an economic crisis. This of course will require a somewhat dramatic change in my wasteful lifestyle.
Past generations of Americans have made great sacrifices for the good of our nation and I should be willing to do the same by tightening my belt for the good of all.
My contribution to this effort is minimal but together we could make a great difference if we would become more willing to park that second or third car a few days a week, car pool, purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles, ride a bike or walk when possible, lessen our energy consumption in our homes and businesses and basically try to live more conservatively. We would soon discover that our wallet is our most effective tool.
And let's not forget the most important benefit of all these efforts! Preserving God's natural creation for future generations.
Only after we begin to think for ourselves again and commit to a change will you see big business and large corporations nervously squirm and hear their howling in the distance as they slowly lose their grip on us.
Nick Yoder
Leesburg
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- Pershing's Solution - Schiavo's Condition - Local Channels - Censor Coulter - Schiavo Dispute - War's Prize - Arena Scores - Fuel Prices
Pershing's Solution
Editor, Times-Union:Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing was born Sept. 13, 1860, near Laclede, Miss., he died July 15, 1948, in Washington, D.C.
Highlights of his life include:
1891, professor of military science and tactics University of Nebraska
1898, serves in the Spanish-American War
1901, awarded rank of captain
1906, promoted to rank of brigadier general
1909, military governor of Moro Province, Philippines
1916, made major general
1919, promoted to general of the Armies
1921, appointed chief of staff
1924, Retires from active duty, education, West Point.
Just before World War I, there were a number of terrorist attacks on the United States forces in the Philippines by Muslim extremists. So Gen. Pershing captured 50 terrorists and had them tied to posts for execution. He then had his men bring in two pigs and slaughter them in front of the now horrified terrorists. Muslims detest pork because they believe pigs are filthy animals. Some of them simply refuse to eat it, while others won't even touch pigs at all, nor any of their byproducts. To them, eating or touching a pig, its meat, its blood, etc., is to be instantly barred from paradise (and those virgins) and doomed to hell.
The soldiers then soaked their bullets in the pigs blood, and proceeded to execute 49 of the terrorists by firing squad. The soldiers then dug a big hole, dumped in the terrorists' bodies and covered them in pig blood, entrails, etc.
They let the 50th man go. And for the next 42 years, there was not a single Muslim extremist attack anywhere in the world.
Maybe it is time for this segment of history to repeat itself, maybe in Iraq? The question is, where do we find another Black Jack Pershing?
Howard Elder
Pierceton
via e-mail
Schiavo's Condition
Editor, Times-Union:Terri Schiavo is not in a coma. She is not in a persistent vegetative state. She is not brain dead. Except for her need of food and water, she is not on life support.
In a recent World Net Daily article it reports that when she was told that the feeding tube was to be removed she cried. When she was told that if she wanted to live she would need to say so. At that, according to this report, she yelled out, "I want to live." This was heard by her lawyer, sister, brother-in-law and the police officer stationed by her door. Terri has spoken before, but never as articulate as this.
Why is her husband so insistent that she must die? Why has he not ordered the therapy that could correct her problem. He says that he loves her and she wouldn't want to live like she is, but he is living with another woman and has fathered two children with her. I question his love.
The "Incapacitated Persons' Legal Protection Act" that our Congress is voting on and the president says he will sign is not just for Terri Schiavo. It would protect many others on feeding tubes in similar conditions.
If we withheld food and water from our pets, the law would be after us. If not the law, PETA surely would scream.
Next time you feel hungry or thirsty, pray for Terri Schiavo. If her nourishment is not restored, it will take eight to 10 days for her to starve to death.
Joyce Goss
Warsaw
via e-mail
Local Channels
Editor, Times-Union:Recently Comcast realigned their cable line up for Warsaw residents. Several Fort Wayne stations were not included in their new channel offerings. Our family particularly enjoyed WANE TV with their news coverage of the Warsaw area and in particular the weather with Sandy Thompson, which I thought was good for Kosciusko County.
After repeated phone calls to Comcast, they said there was nothing they could do about it. My understanding is that the South Bend stations were upset that their market share in the growing town of Warsaw was being eroded by Fort Wayne stations. FCC regulations guide cable companies that they only have to carry one network affiliate like CBS. Somehow Comcast was convinced that Warsaw was a part of the South Bend community and not Fort Wayne.
South Bend weather coverage has always been more focused on their region with Lake Michigan and southwestern lower Michigan. I would like to see our coverage with Fort Wayne reinstated. Unfortunately, apparently I am the only one in the county who has voiced an objection to the new situation. The voice of the people can rule, however. If you would like to see Fort Wayne's WANE TV back on your list of choices, call Comcast and complain. Then call or e-mail the FCC. They will listen to customers of cable companies if enough people raise their voices.
David Anuta
Warsaw
via e-mail
Censor Coulter
Editor, Times-Union:James Townsend's letter on March 16 regarding Ann Coulter's diatribe on March 14 was right on. Applause! Applause!
Ms. Coulter's bitter harangues seem unending. Her outpourings spew a bitter venom across our editorial pages all too often. Perhaps she has an ulcer.
Her remarks are intended to be clever, however, she is a pathetic, mean-spirited woman.
Her freinds, if any, are most likely either innocuous and/or Republicans. Who else would be willing to be the recipient of her vitriole?
Patricia A. Stangis
Warsaw
Schiavo Dispute
Editor, Times-Union:The case of Terri Schiavo raises an issue that each of us should take care of immediately: our personal wishes in the event of being rendered physically and/or mentally incapacitated. If you do not have a living will, it is time to create one ASAP. If you have a living will it is time to update it and provide legal copies to more than one member of your family, as well as your doctors and lawyer; and perhaps you should consider giving a copy to your best friend.
Terri Schiavo will not die a cruel and painful death if her feeding tube is allowed to remain out. She will gradually and eventually lose consciousness and stop breathing but she will not suffer needlessly or endlessly. This will allow her to die with the peace and dignity she deserves.
Two years ago, my sister-in-law chose to have her feeding tube disconnected after years of living in a disgusting health care facility in Indiana. She died on the 10th day after her feeding tube was removed but she was not in pain and she was not suffering. She suffered more in the hands of Indiana's inadequate health care and Medicaid systems than she did on her deathbed. Unfortunately she got the best care of her life in the last 10 days of it.
Terri Schiavo's case is not really about life and death: It is a family dispute. Terri's parents are fighting with her husband in much the same way as divorced parents fight custody battles over their children. Yes, it is tragic that Terri has been in her persistant vegetative state for 15 years. But it is simply inhumane to continue to remove and re-insert her feeding tube while the fight drags on and on and on. We would not do this to an animal: Why do we do it to humans?
Shelly Gilliland
Pierceton
via e-mail
War's Prize
Editor, Times-Union:Re: Our development by Bryan Ciula.
We invaded Iraq to pillage their resources? Why the hard sell? Gaining control of commerce is war's prize. Controlling it robs the opposition of the wealth it exploited to retain power. The fact that the new regime can now distribute that wealth fairly and equitably is a win for the Iraqi people.
Pillaging is what a band of pirates do to a passing merchant vessel. If the pirates, upon seizure of the treasure, would have then distributed its wealth to the crew of the merchant vessel, what then was the purpose of this mission? Since this did happen one might assume the underlying motive was to increase the size of the pirate ship's crew.
Since it is common knowledge that a kingdom divided cannot stand, the goal of the corporate kingdom is to assimilate global commerce whereby all commerce operates from their pre-determined array of rule sets. This in effect strengthens the ship's crew.
Corporatism also known as facism has as its goal the advance of corporatism and utilizes whatever rule of law benefits the rule of money in order to achieve its goal.
Securing Iraqi commerce secures war's prize for the corporate tribe because of what it produces, which is another cheap foreign labor pool as well as its newest foreign investment opportunity.
The commercial voyage may or may not advance democracy and freedom but if you're seeking financial backing from the American public, it can't hurt to suggest that it does. After throwing in a slide of America's advanced weapons technology there remains only the suggestion of the possibility of some unforeseen terror if the mission were to be unsuccessful and we hear the age-old mariners cry, "Set sail."
What seems to matter most to Americans is who rules the sea at day's end. Isn't facism clever?
Steven R. Frantz
Warsaw
Arena Scores
Editor, Times-Union:I always read Dester Bell's letters to editor, very insightful. I knew Des when he and I worked for my dad just after the south lost the war.
I was trying to watch commercials and every so often they would interrupt them with a football game; "know what I mean."
I went to see a fight and a basketball game broke out.
Also I would like to know why arena football scores are not in the Times-Union. This is football as it used to be played. Lots of action, players going three ways offense, defense and special teams. A little difference in the rules but a lot less commercials. Can you just see the 350-400 pound NFL players on offense and defense. Ha. Well, so much for now.
Thanks for your time.
David Runyan
Warsaw
Editor's Note: Arena football scores and standings are not available from our wire service, Associated Press.
Fuel Prices
Editor, Times-Union:At the end of each work day I anxiously sit waiting to pull out onto the busiest highway in our county wondering why there has not been a reduction of traffic as fuel prices reach record highs.
I remember back to the late '70s when prices were driven up by a "so-called" fuel shortage and gas rationing was considered. I was forced to drive less and more sensibly due to my lower income. Unfortunately, today that does not seem to be an issue.
I was amused one morning as I listened to an economic analyst being interviewed on the radio. He stated that gasoline was still cheaper here than anywhere else in the world and we should be grateful. He also said even though we have to pay more at the pump we can still get great bargains at Wal-Mart and it all balances out in the end. He must not know that in most other countries a majority of the people ride bikes or use public transportation due to those high prices and that rising fuel costs will eventually affect the price of every product that has to be transported. I grow weary of hearing such rhetoric.
I am also very skeptical in matters concerning the oil industry because of something my grandfather told me years ago. He was a mechanic most of his life and claimed that gasoline was a byproduct of refining oil for lubricating purposes and that if we weren't using it as fuel it would have been discarded as waste. If this is true, it may explain their tremendous profits and why we never hear the process called "gasoline refining."
It is obvious that our elected officials' loyalties lie elsewhere so I as a "patriotic" American need to quit complaining and begin to take action by doing anything I can to decrease my consumption of energy before it becomes an economic crisis. This of course will require a somewhat dramatic change in my wasteful lifestyle.
Past generations of Americans have made great sacrifices for the good of our nation and I should be willing to do the same by tightening my belt for the good of all.
My contribution to this effort is minimal but together we could make a great difference if we would become more willing to park that second or third car a few days a week, car pool, purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles, ride a bike or walk when possible, lessen our energy consumption in our homes and businesses and basically try to live more conservatively. We would soon discover that our wallet is our most effective tool.
And let's not forget the most important benefit of all these efforts! Preserving God's natural creation for future generations.
Only after we begin to think for ourselves again and commit to a change will you see big business and large corporations nervously squirm and hear their howling in the distance as they slowly lose their grip on us.
Nick Yoder
Leesburg
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