Letters to the Editor 03-31-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Schiavo's Condition - FCCLA Success - Prescription Law - Comcast Issues - Interesting World
Schiavo's Condition
Editor, Times-Union:Media reports would lead us to believe that a majority of Americans agree that it was right to withdraw Terri Schiavo's feeding tube. The problem is that the question, in a widely reported poll, was incorrectly asked and led to a biased result.
The question posed by ABC news portrayed Terri as having "no consciousness" and being on "life support," rather than an awake, responsive patient with a feeding tube.
"Schiavo suffered brain damage and has been on life support for 15 years," the poll informed respondents. "Doctors say she has no consciousness and her condition is irreversible. Her husband and her parents disagree about whether she would have wanted to be kept alive. Florida courts have sided with the husband and her feeding tube was removed on Friday. What's your opinion on this case - do you support or oppose the decision to remove Schiavo's feeding tube?"
In response, reported ABC, "the public, by 63 percent-28 percent, supports the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube, and by a 25-point margin opposes a law mandating federal review of her case."
Since to most people, the phrase "no consciousness" suggests a coma and "life support" suggests a ventilator or other machinery, it's not surprising that many Americans, visualizing a comatose woman in a heart-lung machine, would consider Schiavo's life not worth living. The poll question also leaves out any reference to the fact that Terri's husband, Michael Schiavo, has been living with another woman for years by which he has had two children, and is waiting for Terri to die so he can marry his girlfriend. Many people don't realize that Michael has not provided therapy or rehabilitation since the early 1990s, and hasn't allowed her wheelchair to be repaired, sunlight in her room, or her teeth to be brushed.
Terri's parents insist their daughter, while severely handicapped, is responsive and demonstrates a strong will to live. Their opinion is supported by almost a dozen sworn affidavits signed by physicians disputing Terri's diagnosis as persistent vegetative state. Terri Schiavo is not hooked up to any machines, but she needs the feeding tube for food and hydration.
If the American people were informed properly about this I would imagine that the polls would show a much different result. Also, if they knew the facts about this case, which the media doesn't seem eager to look into or report, the American people would most likely support any efforts to save the life of this innocent woman.
Dave Koontz
Warsaw
via e-mail
FCCLA Success
Editor, Times-Union:As you may have recently read in the Times-Union, Warsaw Community High School's FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) did extremely well at our state competition in Indianapolis. We competed with more than 800 students from high schools all over Indiana. Eighteen of our 21 students competing received gold medals and 15 of us received top gold, which means we qualified for nationals.
While it is an honor for one group from a school to receive Top Gold and be eligible for nationals, WCHS has four groups that qualified! Our chapter started various projects in October, and we worked until the end of February perfecting them. In fact, many of us did so well that we received scholarship money.
This year's national competition is in San Diego, Calif. Because nationals will cost each of our 15 qualifying members $1,000, we need all the financial support we can get. Currently we are looking for sponsors. If there is any way that you could sponsor one student for $1,000, a partial sponsorship or be able to sponsor more than one student, we would greatly appreciate it. Any amount would increase our chances of raising enough money to go.
FCCLA believes that we need to give back to our community, and we have been doing this by volunteering. In addition, we have learned that leadership is one of the best opportunities a young person can experience, and FCCLA is building our leadership skills through the projects we complete. Our FCCLA chapter has been going to Washington Elementary to be positive role models for the after-school program. In addition, students in our chapter have visited nursing homes, educated children at elementary schools about nutrition, educated the middle school children about sleep deprivation, and shared an abstinence program with various youth groups.
If you could help support us in any way, it would be greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to Warsaw Community High School FCCLA. Your help would be tax deductible. Responding by April 30 will give us time to add various fund-raisers as needed. If you have any questions, call 574-371-5099 and ask for Ronna Kawsky.
Nationals will be an awesome experience for our FCCLA chapter. The memories that will be created will be treasured forever. We will not only represent Warsaw; we will represent Indiana. We are the future of our nation, and with your help, we intend to be impressive.
Alyssa Barnhart, Michael Blackburn, Kelly Carter, Brittney Elkins, Jacob Guy, Jillian Harrison, Benjamin Kawsky, Melissa Kawsky, Danielle Kessler, Sarah Goshert, Christie McCartney, Lindsey Munsch, Alicia Swank, Heather Vance, Ashton Yets, Erica Zuniga
Ronna Kawsky, Adviser
Judy Egolf, Adviser
Warsaw
Prescription Law
Editor, Times-Union:In the last few days I have seen on the news where Indiana is one of 11 states that is considering passing a law that gives pharmacists the right to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions based on their moral values.
I am hoping that this is not going to be a law and people should call their representatives in the state house and let them know that people who have legal prescriptions from their doctors should be able to get them filled.
Pharmacist are not doctors and should not be given the right to pick and choose what prescriptions they will fill.
Some woman are on birth control for other purposes then for birth control and should not have to worry if they are going to get their prescriptions filled. Furthermore, women should not have to be discriminated against for the type of prescriptions they need to take for their well being or personal choices.
If a woman chooses birth control for birth control purposes, isn't that better then using abortion as a birth control method?
Do these people want to have forced pregnancies and unwanted children being born?
My thoughts are if these pharmacists' moral standards are that high, then maybe they should change careers and become a member of the clergy.
In closing, I do commend those who stand up for their beliefs, but they should not expect states to pass laws that would affect other people's health.
Tina Barnett
Warsaw
via e-mail
Comcast Issues
Editor, Times-Union:When Comcast came out with its new channel listing and pricing structure, the WGN/TBS package was placed as a part of the basic service charge. When I questioned the bill in February, I was advised by our local office the WGN/TBS charge was in error and I would receive a credit on the March statement.
When no credit appeared, I returned to the local office and again was advised I should receive it this month. At that time I talked to the girls about the interference I was getting on channel 19 carrying the WGN programming.
They told me that the office requested Comcast not utilize channel 19 because of the prior poor experience Insight had with this Channel and they couldn't help.
I then called the Comcast service number (866-594-1234). After talking with the lady answering the call and being placed on hold twice, I was told she couldn't help with the problem and I should contact Comcast Chicago support on the Internet (comcast.com/customersupport.asp).
After sending them a message about the interference caused by the local police, fire and/or EMS radio transmissions, I received an e-mail that no previous complaints were on file and no action would be taken.
If you had a charge on the February billing for the WGN/TBS, you might want to request a credit on you account. If you watch Channel 19 WGN programming, you might try to call the toll-free number and/or reach them on the Internet.
Robert Savage
Warsaw
via e-mail
Interesting World
Editor, Times-Union:The other day while listening to my usual lineup of talk show hosts, I decided to take a drive. Friends and neighbors have been talking about the school construction, so I decided to take a look. In driving through the area, I was very impressed.
Some of the construction was a little difficult to see as I was afraid of bumping into one of the several hundred cars in the student parking lot. Leaving the construction site, I made a wrong turn and found myself driving through one of the upscale housing developments. Did I see the evidence of a prosperous community?
I then headed for the farm house we have called home for 57 years. Ninety years ago, I'm told, my grandfather spent the summer moving the house over a quarter of a mile to its present site. He moved it on rolling logs pulling it with horses, As I entered the house the phone was ringing.
A telemarketer wanted to discuss some mortgage agreement. I thought of offering them prospective customers for a commission, but decided against it. I found my easy chair trying to figure it all out while waiting for suppertime. It is truly an interesting world in which we are living. Thank you for reading this.
Bob Plummer
Warsaw
via e-mail
[[In-content Ad]]
- Schiavo's Condition - FCCLA Success - Prescription Law - Comcast Issues - Interesting World
Schiavo's Condition
Editor, Times-Union:Media reports would lead us to believe that a majority of Americans agree that it was right to withdraw Terri Schiavo's feeding tube. The problem is that the question, in a widely reported poll, was incorrectly asked and led to a biased result.
The question posed by ABC news portrayed Terri as having "no consciousness" and being on "life support," rather than an awake, responsive patient with a feeding tube.
"Schiavo suffered brain damage and has been on life support for 15 years," the poll informed respondents. "Doctors say she has no consciousness and her condition is irreversible. Her husband and her parents disagree about whether she would have wanted to be kept alive. Florida courts have sided with the husband and her feeding tube was removed on Friday. What's your opinion on this case - do you support or oppose the decision to remove Schiavo's feeding tube?"
In response, reported ABC, "the public, by 63 percent-28 percent, supports the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube, and by a 25-point margin opposes a law mandating federal review of her case."
Since to most people, the phrase "no consciousness" suggests a coma and "life support" suggests a ventilator or other machinery, it's not surprising that many Americans, visualizing a comatose woman in a heart-lung machine, would consider Schiavo's life not worth living. The poll question also leaves out any reference to the fact that Terri's husband, Michael Schiavo, has been living with another woman for years by which he has had two children, and is waiting for Terri to die so he can marry his girlfriend. Many people don't realize that Michael has not provided therapy or rehabilitation since the early 1990s, and hasn't allowed her wheelchair to be repaired, sunlight in her room, or her teeth to be brushed.
Terri's parents insist their daughter, while severely handicapped, is responsive and demonstrates a strong will to live. Their opinion is supported by almost a dozen sworn affidavits signed by physicians disputing Terri's diagnosis as persistent vegetative state. Terri Schiavo is not hooked up to any machines, but she needs the feeding tube for food and hydration.
If the American people were informed properly about this I would imagine that the polls would show a much different result. Also, if they knew the facts about this case, which the media doesn't seem eager to look into or report, the American people would most likely support any efforts to save the life of this innocent woman.
Dave Koontz
Warsaw
via e-mail
FCCLA Success
Editor, Times-Union:As you may have recently read in the Times-Union, Warsaw Community High School's FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) did extremely well at our state competition in Indianapolis. We competed with more than 800 students from high schools all over Indiana. Eighteen of our 21 students competing received gold medals and 15 of us received top gold, which means we qualified for nationals.
While it is an honor for one group from a school to receive Top Gold and be eligible for nationals, WCHS has four groups that qualified! Our chapter started various projects in October, and we worked until the end of February perfecting them. In fact, many of us did so well that we received scholarship money.
This year's national competition is in San Diego, Calif. Because nationals will cost each of our 15 qualifying members $1,000, we need all the financial support we can get. Currently we are looking for sponsors. If there is any way that you could sponsor one student for $1,000, a partial sponsorship or be able to sponsor more than one student, we would greatly appreciate it. Any amount would increase our chances of raising enough money to go.
FCCLA believes that we need to give back to our community, and we have been doing this by volunteering. In addition, we have learned that leadership is one of the best opportunities a young person can experience, and FCCLA is building our leadership skills through the projects we complete. Our FCCLA chapter has been going to Washington Elementary to be positive role models for the after-school program. In addition, students in our chapter have visited nursing homes, educated children at elementary schools about nutrition, educated the middle school children about sleep deprivation, and shared an abstinence program with various youth groups.
If you could help support us in any way, it would be greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to Warsaw Community High School FCCLA. Your help would be tax deductible. Responding by April 30 will give us time to add various fund-raisers as needed. If you have any questions, call 574-371-5099 and ask for Ronna Kawsky.
Nationals will be an awesome experience for our FCCLA chapter. The memories that will be created will be treasured forever. We will not only represent Warsaw; we will represent Indiana. We are the future of our nation, and with your help, we intend to be impressive.
Alyssa Barnhart, Michael Blackburn, Kelly Carter, Brittney Elkins, Jacob Guy, Jillian Harrison, Benjamin Kawsky, Melissa Kawsky, Danielle Kessler, Sarah Goshert, Christie McCartney, Lindsey Munsch, Alicia Swank, Heather Vance, Ashton Yets, Erica Zuniga
Ronna Kawsky, Adviser
Judy Egolf, Adviser
Warsaw
Prescription Law
Editor, Times-Union:In the last few days I have seen on the news where Indiana is one of 11 states that is considering passing a law that gives pharmacists the right to refuse to fill birth control prescriptions based on their moral values.
I am hoping that this is not going to be a law and people should call their representatives in the state house and let them know that people who have legal prescriptions from their doctors should be able to get them filled.
Pharmacist are not doctors and should not be given the right to pick and choose what prescriptions they will fill.
Some woman are on birth control for other purposes then for birth control and should not have to worry if they are going to get their prescriptions filled. Furthermore, women should not have to be discriminated against for the type of prescriptions they need to take for their well being or personal choices.
If a woman chooses birth control for birth control purposes, isn't that better then using abortion as a birth control method?
Do these people want to have forced pregnancies and unwanted children being born?
My thoughts are if these pharmacists' moral standards are that high, then maybe they should change careers and become a member of the clergy.
In closing, I do commend those who stand up for their beliefs, but they should not expect states to pass laws that would affect other people's health.
Tina Barnett
Warsaw
via e-mail
Comcast Issues
Editor, Times-Union:When Comcast came out with its new channel listing and pricing structure, the WGN/TBS package was placed as a part of the basic service charge. When I questioned the bill in February, I was advised by our local office the WGN/TBS charge was in error and I would receive a credit on the March statement.
When no credit appeared, I returned to the local office and again was advised I should receive it this month. At that time I talked to the girls about the interference I was getting on channel 19 carrying the WGN programming.
They told me that the office requested Comcast not utilize channel 19 because of the prior poor experience Insight had with this Channel and they couldn't help.
I then called the Comcast service number (866-594-1234). After talking with the lady answering the call and being placed on hold twice, I was told she couldn't help with the problem and I should contact Comcast Chicago support on the Internet (comcast.com/customersupport.asp).
After sending them a message about the interference caused by the local police, fire and/or EMS radio transmissions, I received an e-mail that no previous complaints were on file and no action would be taken.
If you had a charge on the February billing for the WGN/TBS, you might want to request a credit on you account. If you watch Channel 19 WGN programming, you might try to call the toll-free number and/or reach them on the Internet.
Robert Savage
Warsaw
via e-mail
Interesting World
Editor, Times-Union:The other day while listening to my usual lineup of talk show hosts, I decided to take a drive. Friends and neighbors have been talking about the school construction, so I decided to take a look. In driving through the area, I was very impressed.
Some of the construction was a little difficult to see as I was afraid of bumping into one of the several hundred cars in the student parking lot. Leaving the construction site, I made a wrong turn and found myself driving through one of the upscale housing developments. Did I see the evidence of a prosperous community?
I then headed for the farm house we have called home for 57 years. Ninety years ago, I'm told, my grandfather spent the summer moving the house over a quarter of a mile to its present site. He moved it on rolling logs pulling it with horses, As I entered the house the phone was ringing.
A telemarketer wanted to discuss some mortgage agreement. I thought of offering them prospective customers for a commission, but decided against it. I found my easy chair trying to figure it all out while waiting for suppertime. It is truly an interesting world in which we are living. Thank you for reading this.
Bob Plummer
Warsaw
via e-mail
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