Letters to the Editor 04-03-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Vegetarians - Politics - Artist Says Thanks - Fair Retreat - Prosecutor's Race - Animal Welfare - Seeing Both Sides
Vegetarians
Editor, Times-Union:Ms. Heather Michael, I, again, put pen to paper in contention with something you have written. As I recall, at no time did I attack your personal beliefs. I believe what I said was that your priorities needed adjustment. In my opinion a discussion on the inhumane treatment of livestock is frivolous when there are much greater problems facing our nation.
As for your belief in vegetarianism, I'm all for it. When there is a lower demand for meat the price is forced down. Thank you, free market system. (Ham is on sale this week. Life is good.)
From what I remember of the other letters, they were upset by your portrayal of the livestock industry as this dark torturous malignant thing due to a few examples that are more exception than rule. If I worked in that industry I probably would have been offended as well.
Concerning your second paragraph, other than the first and last two sentences, a well written statement on the disastrous way in which our race has treated itself. I'm glad you find fault in this. Most of us do, but to dehumanize means to make less than human, which is redundant with animals. They (Surprise!) are not human. As far as how animals feel, when all we have to suffer pain, stress and fear over in this country is how our dinner was treated before it got to the table, I'll be sure to turn my attention this way.
As for caring about your body, depending on what you look like, maybe I care about it too. (Note: Above sexist comment is intended for purposes of humor only, and in no way constitutes sexual harassment, as her appearance could never influence my opinion on this issue.)
Nice statistical grouping at the end. According to this if I want to eat an 8-ounce steak and an 8-ounce potato every day for the next year it requires around 1,198 acres. I wonder if I could add a salad and keep it under 2 acres?
I guess that I think everyone should do the things they can to make life enjoyable instead of worrying about dying.
Since we're closing with quotations, I'll quote "Troy Recipe for Cherry Jubilee Ham." Score ham, rub with honey, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter mixture, bake at 250 degrees for 4-1/2 hours, covered, basting every 20 minutes with cherry pie filling and brandy sauce.
Troy D. Bouck
Warsaw
P.S. To Ms. Janis Vanderpool, since you believe me to be unappreciative of Ms. Michael's opinion as well as shamefully ill mannered, just because I voice my discontent, then I might as well add childish to the list...Nya-nya-nya-nya-nya...(sticks tongue out)
Politics
Editor, Times-Union:In response to Mr. Howard's letter, I would first of all say that members of Hampton's staff have not hesitated to state their support of his candidacy. Why should I stay silent about my support of Dave Kolbe?
I, like Mr. Howard, hesitated to write a letter to the editor, but I was sick and tired of seeing half-truths, innuendo, and in some cases outright lies used in an attempt to assassinate the character of David Kolbe.
I've known Dave a long time. He and his wife Kathy were youth leaders at our church and I knew them to be honest, hardworking folks with a strong faith in God. That's why I knew that the accusations being made were untrue!
As far as lumping all the police officers and firemen together, Mr. Howard, you are attempting to do what others writing in this forum have attempted to do. You are implying that all the police and firemen believe as you do and that is simply not the case! I believe that most of the people in law enforcement in this area do a fine job and are fine people! But as is evident in the case documented in this paper on Tues. March 31, there are a few bad apples willing to do almost anything. One of those officers was even quoted in Mr. Hampton's campaign ad, the same one who wrote a scathing letter to the editor. So, I'm sorry, Mr. Howard, I guess I was right about that one. The ones make the most noise are the ones not willing to follow the rules.
As far as Mr. Hampton's record goes, what else do we have to look at? He has only been a deputy prosecutor. But he has filed cases and worked them, he does have a record. As far as Girod (the former prosecutor) taking the lead, there were many times Mr. Girod was out of the county, in fact out of the country, leaving Mr. Hampton in charge of the local prosecutor's office. He set the tone, he ran the ship, and the record stands as a testament to his ability as a prosecutor. Mr. Hampton lauds those years of experience in his resume and he must stand by his record then and now!
Mr. Howard, as to Dave Kolbe always promoting himself? I think you should review the articles. Where you say it reads 'I,' it says 'We.' 'We did a good job.' I think this means all of us, not just law enforcement, the whole community! The individual who calls 911, who gives mouth-to-mouth to someone in need. The volunteer fireman, EMS personnel and volunteers, teachers, game wardens, the farmer that calls because he sees marijuana growing on a ditchbank, the neighbor next door who sees something fishy and calls law enforcement. We have all done our part to control crime in this community and we should be proud of the job we have done and continue to do it!
Mr. Howard, it is great you support your candidate. If he wins the election on the merits of his record and what he promises to do, then more power to him! That's what democracy is all about! But if he continues to follow the path he and his supporters have chosen (which is to smear Dave Kolbe by any means possible), then Mr. Hampton deserves to lose.
Don Zolman
Warsaw
Artist Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to publicly thank the people of Kosciusko County, Lowery's Sewing Center and the volunteers for making my exhibit of art quilts a successful one.
Volunteers from the center helped set up, take down and host the show for the months of February and March. People came from far beyond the county to see the show. It was an enjoyable learning experience for all.
This show was a success for two reasons. Attendance figures at the Art Center dramatically increased over previous years. Secondly, quilts both large and small were purchased by area residents. Art quilts are an emerging art form, and sometimes it is a struggle to show and sell my work. The ultimate compliment for an artist is to have someone buy your work! Thank you to everyone that took part in my exhibit.
Ann Fahl,
quilt artist
Racine, Wisc.
Fair Retreat
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to express the gratitude that I personally felt during the Community Retreat held at the fairgrounds March 31.
To those of you who attended, your encouraging and motivating ideas are what makes our community special.
Again, thank you for supporting the fairgrounds. I am confident we will be "Partnering for the Future" and into the 21st century.
Becky Thomas
Secretary of the Fair Board
Prosecutor's Race
Editor, Times-Union:Based on what you read, what you hear and what you see, you begin to form an opinion of someone. The information you accumulate is then analyzed based on your own experiences and morals.
Based on what I have read over the past several months in articles and letters to the editor in the Times-Union, it appears a few people have formed their opinions regarding the race for the Republican candidate for county prosecutor. I can only hope people continue to educate themselves. There is still much to be learned about our local politics.
The March 31 article "Business Owner Claims Cops Mixed Politics with Prostitution Investigation" was, to say the least, eye opening. I have read the letters from a few members of our law enforcement community. Their letters inferred that all police officers were of one mind in their support of certain candidates. I was very happy to hear this week that their opinion does not necessarily represent the majority.
The article helped me understand why certain "law enforcement" officers are at odds with our prosecutor. It is simply a matter of right and wrong. Nobody likes to be shown they are wrong. However, most adults use criticism constructively. Unfortunately, others blame those that provide the critique, in this case an elected official.
Sadly, this problem must run deep. Even though the police chief does not dispute the political allegations, no action was taken. No Action! The two officers literally blackmailed the subjects of an investigation by urging the owner and employee of Dating Dynamics to write a derogatory letter about Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe. Allegedly, the two officers were even drinking at the time. All of this, while being paid by county taxpayers. It now seems rather ironic that one of the involved officers recently wrote a critical letter about Mr. Kolbe.
My vote and my prayers support David Kolbe. The change that was requested, by vote, a few years ago obviously needs to be continued. As you form your opinion, keep in mind that David Kolbe has proven his ability to stand up for justice.
Lastly, in regards to the "Kolbe Warning," all Christians should be saddened by the officers' attempts to undermine prayer and their fundamental lack of respect for Christian values.
Michael Coon
Warsaw
Animal Welfare
Editor, Times-Union:Kosciusko County residents, I wish each and every one of you who has a real concern for the dear cats and dogs of this county could have been in attendance at the Animal Welfare League monthly meeting last Thursday evening. You would have heard a detailed history of the Humane Society of Kosciusko County Inc., from the lips of the founder, Dr. Richard Sasso, veterinarian, a very tender and compassionate man whose heart beats for the cats and dogs of Kosciusko County.
It was really sad to hear from the founder of the Humane Society, who certainly knows the facts, how James Butts was able to wrest the Humane Society of Kosciusko County from the true animal lovers and care-givers by alienating all of them by his actions and then close the membership to just three members. Tell me, where else in the world can anyone find a Humane Society which allows only three members! And then Mr. Butts turns around and writes an "Open letter to the public from the Humane Society of Kosciusko County Inc.," published in this newspaper on March 3. I wish each of you could have heard how Dr. Sasso, paragraph-by-paragraph, showed the absolute falseness of virtually every paragraph in this concocted letter. It's sad how Mr. Butts would foist such untruths on the residents of Kosciusko County.
It is my hope that before long authorities whose job it is to look at the facts and make a ruling based on them will so rule that the money willed by Mr. and Mrs. Putt for the welfare of the precious cats and dogs of this county will have to be relinquished for that use rather than held in a cold bank by people who love power.
The only truly humane use of this money is to use it to establish a no-bill shelter, where all animals who never asked to be born are allowed to live. Such a facility is unrealistic only to those who are satisfied with the bandaid approach to the animal holocaust in Kosciusko County. It is, however, a beautiful certainty to those who are aware that it is a reality in shelters across our nation who care enough to make it so. The San Francisco SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is such a beautiful reality - not one adoptable cat or dog has been put to death in San Francisco's shelters since April 1, 1994. Specific details on how this goal has been achieved are listed in Cat Fancy Magazine, April 1997. If a large city like San Francisco can achieve this goal, surely this caring county has enough caring people in it to cause it to become a reality here. If this money ($208,000) were used now in response to the desperate cries of 3,000 dogs and cats this year who cry out to us for a chance to live now, this annual holocaust would not be necessary, and our county could be known for not shutting its ears and hearts to the beautiful animals whose lives are snuffed out so needlessly.
Chuck Orlando
Warsaw
Seeing Both Sides
Editor, Times-Union:Ridicule Ms. Vanderpool? Bad manners? I'm not sure you know the meaning of either but let me give you an example. The following notice appeared in a Portland, Maine, newspaper.
"Urgent Notice To Landowners
Post your land against trespassing and demand police enforce it! Thousands of innocent deer, fawns, bear and moose die in quiet agony each year to pander to the blood lust of the cruel or ignorant hunter-"sports"-killers and the greed of the state! Who wants armed and dangerous killers (like the trash who kill fawns) on their land or around their homes? Hunters are a mortal danger to your health and life!
Save yourself - save your family - save a deer
Post all your land now!"
This is by no means an isolated instance, Ms. Vanderpool. Hunters, fishermen and firearms enthusiasts live with this sort of thing today. Do we get tired of it? You bet! Do we sometimes strike back? You bet! But compared to what we take it's nothing.
I'm sorry you took offense at my letter but if you were on this side of the issue you might see things a bit differently.
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
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- Vegetarians - Politics - Artist Says Thanks - Fair Retreat - Prosecutor's Race - Animal Welfare - Seeing Both Sides
Vegetarians
Editor, Times-Union:Ms. Heather Michael, I, again, put pen to paper in contention with something you have written. As I recall, at no time did I attack your personal beliefs. I believe what I said was that your priorities needed adjustment. In my opinion a discussion on the inhumane treatment of livestock is frivolous when there are much greater problems facing our nation.
As for your belief in vegetarianism, I'm all for it. When there is a lower demand for meat the price is forced down. Thank you, free market system. (Ham is on sale this week. Life is good.)
From what I remember of the other letters, they were upset by your portrayal of the livestock industry as this dark torturous malignant thing due to a few examples that are more exception than rule. If I worked in that industry I probably would have been offended as well.
Concerning your second paragraph, other than the first and last two sentences, a well written statement on the disastrous way in which our race has treated itself. I'm glad you find fault in this. Most of us do, but to dehumanize means to make less than human, which is redundant with animals. They (Surprise!) are not human. As far as how animals feel, when all we have to suffer pain, stress and fear over in this country is how our dinner was treated before it got to the table, I'll be sure to turn my attention this way.
As for caring about your body, depending on what you look like, maybe I care about it too. (Note: Above sexist comment is intended for purposes of humor only, and in no way constitutes sexual harassment, as her appearance could never influence my opinion on this issue.)
Nice statistical grouping at the end. According to this if I want to eat an 8-ounce steak and an 8-ounce potato every day for the next year it requires around 1,198 acres. I wonder if I could add a salad and keep it under 2 acres?
I guess that I think everyone should do the things they can to make life enjoyable instead of worrying about dying.
Since we're closing with quotations, I'll quote "Troy Recipe for Cherry Jubilee Ham." Score ham, rub with honey, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter mixture, bake at 250 degrees for 4-1/2 hours, covered, basting every 20 minutes with cherry pie filling and brandy sauce.
Troy D. Bouck
Warsaw
P.S. To Ms. Janis Vanderpool, since you believe me to be unappreciative of Ms. Michael's opinion as well as shamefully ill mannered, just because I voice my discontent, then I might as well add childish to the list...Nya-nya-nya-nya-nya...(sticks tongue out)
Politics
Editor, Times-Union:In response to Mr. Howard's letter, I would first of all say that members of Hampton's staff have not hesitated to state their support of his candidacy. Why should I stay silent about my support of Dave Kolbe?
I, like Mr. Howard, hesitated to write a letter to the editor, but I was sick and tired of seeing half-truths, innuendo, and in some cases outright lies used in an attempt to assassinate the character of David Kolbe.
I've known Dave a long time. He and his wife Kathy were youth leaders at our church and I knew them to be honest, hardworking folks with a strong faith in God. That's why I knew that the accusations being made were untrue!
As far as lumping all the police officers and firemen together, Mr. Howard, you are attempting to do what others writing in this forum have attempted to do. You are implying that all the police and firemen believe as you do and that is simply not the case! I believe that most of the people in law enforcement in this area do a fine job and are fine people! But as is evident in the case documented in this paper on Tues. March 31, there are a few bad apples willing to do almost anything. One of those officers was even quoted in Mr. Hampton's campaign ad, the same one who wrote a scathing letter to the editor. So, I'm sorry, Mr. Howard, I guess I was right about that one. The ones make the most noise are the ones not willing to follow the rules.
As far as Mr. Hampton's record goes, what else do we have to look at? He has only been a deputy prosecutor. But he has filed cases and worked them, he does have a record. As far as Girod (the former prosecutor) taking the lead, there were many times Mr. Girod was out of the county, in fact out of the country, leaving Mr. Hampton in charge of the local prosecutor's office. He set the tone, he ran the ship, and the record stands as a testament to his ability as a prosecutor. Mr. Hampton lauds those years of experience in his resume and he must stand by his record then and now!
Mr. Howard, as to Dave Kolbe always promoting himself? I think you should review the articles. Where you say it reads 'I,' it says 'We.' 'We did a good job.' I think this means all of us, not just law enforcement, the whole community! The individual who calls 911, who gives mouth-to-mouth to someone in need. The volunteer fireman, EMS personnel and volunteers, teachers, game wardens, the farmer that calls because he sees marijuana growing on a ditchbank, the neighbor next door who sees something fishy and calls law enforcement. We have all done our part to control crime in this community and we should be proud of the job we have done and continue to do it!
Mr. Howard, it is great you support your candidate. If he wins the election on the merits of his record and what he promises to do, then more power to him! That's what democracy is all about! But if he continues to follow the path he and his supporters have chosen (which is to smear Dave Kolbe by any means possible), then Mr. Hampton deserves to lose.
Don Zolman
Warsaw
Artist Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to publicly thank the people of Kosciusko County, Lowery's Sewing Center and the volunteers for making my exhibit of art quilts a successful one.
Volunteers from the center helped set up, take down and host the show for the months of February and March. People came from far beyond the county to see the show. It was an enjoyable learning experience for all.
This show was a success for two reasons. Attendance figures at the Art Center dramatically increased over previous years. Secondly, quilts both large and small were purchased by area residents. Art quilts are an emerging art form, and sometimes it is a struggle to show and sell my work. The ultimate compliment for an artist is to have someone buy your work! Thank you to everyone that took part in my exhibit.
Ann Fahl,
quilt artist
Racine, Wisc.
Fair Retreat
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to express the gratitude that I personally felt during the Community Retreat held at the fairgrounds March 31.
To those of you who attended, your encouraging and motivating ideas are what makes our community special.
Again, thank you for supporting the fairgrounds. I am confident we will be "Partnering for the Future" and into the 21st century.
Becky Thomas
Secretary of the Fair Board
Prosecutor's Race
Editor, Times-Union:Based on what you read, what you hear and what you see, you begin to form an opinion of someone. The information you accumulate is then analyzed based on your own experiences and morals.
Based on what I have read over the past several months in articles and letters to the editor in the Times-Union, it appears a few people have formed their opinions regarding the race for the Republican candidate for county prosecutor. I can only hope people continue to educate themselves. There is still much to be learned about our local politics.
The March 31 article "Business Owner Claims Cops Mixed Politics with Prostitution Investigation" was, to say the least, eye opening. I have read the letters from a few members of our law enforcement community. Their letters inferred that all police officers were of one mind in their support of certain candidates. I was very happy to hear this week that their opinion does not necessarily represent the majority.
The article helped me understand why certain "law enforcement" officers are at odds with our prosecutor. It is simply a matter of right and wrong. Nobody likes to be shown they are wrong. However, most adults use criticism constructively. Unfortunately, others blame those that provide the critique, in this case an elected official.
Sadly, this problem must run deep. Even though the police chief does not dispute the political allegations, no action was taken. No Action! The two officers literally blackmailed the subjects of an investigation by urging the owner and employee of Dating Dynamics to write a derogatory letter about Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe. Allegedly, the two officers were even drinking at the time. All of this, while being paid by county taxpayers. It now seems rather ironic that one of the involved officers recently wrote a critical letter about Mr. Kolbe.
My vote and my prayers support David Kolbe. The change that was requested, by vote, a few years ago obviously needs to be continued. As you form your opinion, keep in mind that David Kolbe has proven his ability to stand up for justice.
Lastly, in regards to the "Kolbe Warning," all Christians should be saddened by the officers' attempts to undermine prayer and their fundamental lack of respect for Christian values.
Michael Coon
Warsaw
Animal Welfare
Editor, Times-Union:Kosciusko County residents, I wish each and every one of you who has a real concern for the dear cats and dogs of this county could have been in attendance at the Animal Welfare League monthly meeting last Thursday evening. You would have heard a detailed history of the Humane Society of Kosciusko County Inc., from the lips of the founder, Dr. Richard Sasso, veterinarian, a very tender and compassionate man whose heart beats for the cats and dogs of Kosciusko County.
It was really sad to hear from the founder of the Humane Society, who certainly knows the facts, how James Butts was able to wrest the Humane Society of Kosciusko County from the true animal lovers and care-givers by alienating all of them by his actions and then close the membership to just three members. Tell me, where else in the world can anyone find a Humane Society which allows only three members! And then Mr. Butts turns around and writes an "Open letter to the public from the Humane Society of Kosciusko County Inc.," published in this newspaper on March 3. I wish each of you could have heard how Dr. Sasso, paragraph-by-paragraph, showed the absolute falseness of virtually every paragraph in this concocted letter. It's sad how Mr. Butts would foist such untruths on the residents of Kosciusko County.
It is my hope that before long authorities whose job it is to look at the facts and make a ruling based on them will so rule that the money willed by Mr. and Mrs. Putt for the welfare of the precious cats and dogs of this county will have to be relinquished for that use rather than held in a cold bank by people who love power.
The only truly humane use of this money is to use it to establish a no-bill shelter, where all animals who never asked to be born are allowed to live. Such a facility is unrealistic only to those who are satisfied with the bandaid approach to the animal holocaust in Kosciusko County. It is, however, a beautiful certainty to those who are aware that it is a reality in shelters across our nation who care enough to make it so. The San Francisco SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is such a beautiful reality - not one adoptable cat or dog has been put to death in San Francisco's shelters since April 1, 1994. Specific details on how this goal has been achieved are listed in Cat Fancy Magazine, April 1997. If a large city like San Francisco can achieve this goal, surely this caring county has enough caring people in it to cause it to become a reality here. If this money ($208,000) were used now in response to the desperate cries of 3,000 dogs and cats this year who cry out to us for a chance to live now, this annual holocaust would not be necessary, and our county could be known for not shutting its ears and hearts to the beautiful animals whose lives are snuffed out so needlessly.
Chuck Orlando
Warsaw
Seeing Both Sides
Editor, Times-Union:Ridicule Ms. Vanderpool? Bad manners? I'm not sure you know the meaning of either but let me give you an example. The following notice appeared in a Portland, Maine, newspaper.
"Urgent Notice To Landowners
Post your land against trespassing and demand police enforce it! Thousands of innocent deer, fawns, bear and moose die in quiet agony each year to pander to the blood lust of the cruel or ignorant hunter-"sports"-killers and the greed of the state! Who wants armed and dangerous killers (like the trash who kill fawns) on their land or around their homes? Hunters are a mortal danger to your health and life!
Save yourself - save your family - save a deer
Post all your land now!"
This is by no means an isolated instance, Ms. Vanderpool. Hunters, fishermen and firearms enthusiasts live with this sort of thing today. Do we get tired of it? You bet! Do we sometimes strike back? You bet! But compared to what we take it's nothing.
I'm sorry you took offense at my letter but if you were on this side of the issue you might see things a bit differently.
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
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