Letters to the Editor 04-05-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Terri Schiavo - Webster Programs - Wrong Submission - Speeding - Triton Fans - Donate Blood - Daylight-Saving Time
Terri Schiavo
Editor, Times-Union:An innocent woman has been killed all because seven years after her injury and soon after he was engaged to another woman, her husband conveniently "remembered" that Terri had said she wouldn't want to live this way (something that she never put in writing.) Michael Schiavo won a large lawsuit to supposedly provide therapy for Terri. Ever since then (1992) Michael consistently refused any rehabilitative therapy for her. When he discovered that nurses were feeding Terri pudding and jello by mouth he immediately put a stop to it. Michael never even allowed a swallow test to be done on Terri. Three nurses filed affidavits saying Michael withheld proper medical care from Terri. Children are taken away from their parents for less than this and yet Judge Greer and our court system wouldn't admit that Michael was not a proper guardian for Terri.
Even if she was in a persistent vegetative state, which many doctors, nurses, lawyers and other people close to Terri deny, she was still a human being. Terri was a human being whose parents and siblings wanted to care for her. Her parents even asked Michael to divorce Terri so they could take full responsibility for her care. Terri was not in a coma, not unresponsive, and not hooked up to machines keeping her alive. She was just a handicapped person who used a feeding tube. Why were we as a society not able to protect her instead of killing her?
Steven Ertelt of Lifenews.com summed it up well when he said, "We now live in a society that allows a husband to starve his wife for 13 days, deprive her of appropriate medical care and rehabilitative treatment, forsake his relationship with her and have children with a live-in girlfriend, melt down his wife's wedding ring, kill her cats, emotionally torture her parents and family and claim he's keeping her best interests in mind."
Disabled people all across the country watched this situation unfold with concern. Joe Ford, a Harvard undergraduate with severe cerebral palsy, stated, "Like many others with disabilities, I believe that the American public, to one degree or another, holds that disabled people are better off dead. To put it in a simpler way, many Americans are bigots. A close examination of the facts of the Schiavo case reveals not a case of difficult decisions but a basic test of this country's decency."
One of our government's responsibilities is to protect the lives of its citizens. Our society and government have failed in the case of Terri Schindler-Schiavo. If things don't change, the question is, who will be next?
Dave Koontz
Warsaw
via e-mail
Webster Programs
Editor, Times-Union:When the town of North Webster had the vision to convert the "old" school and create the "new" Community Center, we heard praise from all sides - "How wonderful it is that a small town could do such a great thing for its people!" and it's true. Now a building that might have been torn down or stood empty and be at the mercy of vandals is being used year-round. A fabulous new library facility with expanded space and extended hours and a senior center that provides meals, educational opportunities and other activities on an ongoing basis. The gymnasium and the walking program help people of all ages to keep fit out of the weather and in a safe place.
We've been happy with the YMCA bringing its program to the Center. Since North Webster does not have a swimming pool or sauna, its members pay a slightly lower annual fee. That seems fair to us. Now it sounds as if our fees are going to be raised to the same level as Warsaw's and that doesn't seem fair. We still will not have a pool or sauna.
Apparently we'd be entitled to use the facility in Warsaw - well, that's not really what most of us want. We use the Y at Webster because it's where we live; we don't have to drive far to get there. With the current price of gas, driving a 40-plus-mile round trip three times a week doesn't fit our budget. In winter we can usually make it into the Center; but traveling that distance on icy or snow-covered roads is pretty much out of the question.
We don't know how many of our fellow members will be able to continue their memberships if the fee is raised; but it would be difficult for us. And we would be sorry to see the YMCA not being used by the people who come there now.
Jim and Laura Hill
North Webster
via e-mail
Wrong Submission
Editor, Times-Union:Recently an article appeared in the Times-Union which credited "The Thaddeus" as its source.
"The Thaddeus" is the quarterly newsletter of the Kosciusko County Historical Society and can only be cleared for publication by its board of directors.
It is not the fault of the Times-Union that excerpts were published as it was an oversight on our part. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused to the readership.
Jerry Frush
President
Kosciusko County Historical Society
L. Michael Fletcher
Director
Old Jail Museum
Speeding
Editor, Times-Union:Doing 30 miles per hour on West Market Street this morning and I was passed by a sport utility vehicle doing at least 45 mph.
Do you morons have to kill someone's child before you'll slow down?
Harold L. Kitson
Warsaw
Triton Fans
Editor, Times-Union:My name is Kurt Shively, and I have been the assistant varsity boys basketball coach for the last three seasons. I know, a red flag goes up at just hearing the school Triton mentioned. You know what, it should! Talking to the area coaches, some of our fans have the worst reputation around, and in my opinion, well deserved.
I'm not talking about just the varsity games, but at all levels. Just a few weeks ago, my wife was at a JH girls basketball game. One of our girls had to make a foul to stop the clock and almost knocked the other player down. Some of our fans yelled nice play, but that's not where it stopped. A couple of Triton parents went on to yell that next time they needed to push her harder so she would fall into the bench. I won't go into how many ways that statement is appalling.
Another incident happened two years ago at a varsity ballgame in Knox. There was a collision on the floor and a Knox player was hurt. The head coach and staff were attending to the player, and our fans were cheering because she was hurt. The Knox head coach turned around and looked up into the stands at our fans and said, "You idiots!" I had to agree with him.
I know not all the fans act this way and behave the way they should, but the old saying is true. If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
I did go to the school board meeting Feb. 28 where the school varsity coaches asked for Mike McBride's reinstatement. The building was packed and from what I could see, the majority was in favor of the reinstatement. I didn't speak up that night because it was clear to me early on in the meeting that the attorney had told the school board to keep quiet, or they had no backbone to do what was right. My guess is both reasons were true! My vote that night would have been to keep the coach and suspend the board and fans.
I can tell you that I have witnessed "verbal abuse," but it didn't come from the coaching staff. It came from the fans sitting in the stands. The comments and barbs I heard (the players also heard) sitting on the bench were worse than all the practices combined for the last three years.
Never at any time was I contacted by any member of the school board, athletic director or administration about any concerns they might have about the program. What does that tell you? It tells me that they were only interested in hearing one side.
I felt compelled to write this letter as both a parent of children involved in our basketball program and as a coach. I personally can tell you that I would not allow my son to be a part of, or be a part of a program myself, if it was being run the way some parents have claimed. Coach McBride will move on to a better and more deserving school and have great success. I wish him the best of luck.
Kurt D. Shively
Etna Green
Donate Blood
Editor, Times-Union:I am delighted that there will be six blood drives held throughout Kosciusko County during the month of April, as this creates many opportunities for the residents of our county to participate and donate blood. Please know that an ongoing need exists for blood donors of all types as our blood supply remains critical in many areas of our country!
During the month of April, blood drives are planned in accordance with the following schedule:
April 5 North Webster American Legion 3 to 7 p.m.
April 11 Mentone UMC 2 to 6 p.m.
April 12 Center Lake Pavilion, Warsaw 12:30 - 6:30 p.m.
April 15 Grace College, Winona Lake 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April 20 DePuy Corp., Warsaw* 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April 29 Warsaw Community H.S.* 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*indicates drive closed to the public
If you have thought about becoming a blood donor, I want to encourage you to participate during the month of April. As the summer months arrive, our schedules become filled and it is often difficult to fulfill all of our good intentions! The need is great and the time is now and you can save a life, perhaps several lives, by donating blood!
I would offer the following "tips" to new blood donors that will make your participation a good donation experience:
n Get a good night's rest.
n Eat a good breakfast or lunch prior to donating blood.
n Drink extra water and fluids, but avoid tea, coffee and other beverages containing caffeine.
n Eat iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, fortified cereals, raisins and prunes.
n Avoid fatty foods before donating blood as fatty foods can affect your blood composition (lipids) for several hours and may render your donation unusable.
In conclusion, if you are at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in generally good health, you most likely qualify as a potential donor. I encourage you to consider donating blood and make a difference in the life of someone you most likely will never meet! Please call 800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) to schedule an appointment today! Of course, you are always welcome to walk in to those blood drives open to the public. Thank you again for your generous support for our American Red Cross Blood Program.
Larry E. Peppel
Executive Director
American Red Cross
Small Congregation
Editor, Times-Union:
I wanted to tell people about a church in Warsaw that has a small congregation that most are on disability but are able to have a very nice food pantry that feeds approximately 30 families a month with what little bit the church takes in. It is wonderful what God has done for this small church. Our pantry is open every first and third Saturday of the month. The pantry is open 9 a.m. to noon. If there is anyone who is unable to come to the church at 210 W. Winona Ave. to pick up food, please call 267-8616 or 268-0155 and they can bring it to you.
Deborah Clark
Warsaw
Daylight-Saving Time
Editor, Times-Union:Again, I have to respond to the ridiculous waste of time our state representatives are spending on HB 1034 Daylight Saving Time. Since the invention of the various time zones of the United States, Indiana has been almost exclusively in the Central Time Zone but since the U.S. Uniform Act of 1966, most of Indiana was placed in the Eastern Time Zone. I am amazed that a handful of state representatives, most notably Torr (R-Carmel), are spending valuable taxpayer money conducting committee meetings on clocks! He stated his DST bill would correct a weird anomaly that causes confusion for businesses trying to meet deadlines, conduct conference calls and work with people in other states. Well, does he propose Indiana businesses only conduct business in one time zone?
Businesses and people in our state conduct business all over the world in a multitude of time zones. If I'm calling someone in Denver or Munich, I'm going to have to ask what's the current local time. I'll have a rough idea at first, but it's not hard to pinpoint the correct hour in another state or time zone after the first call.
The fact is, DST is not an answer to Indiana's financial problems as most often reported and that DST will not be an economic boon to our state. Studies and models will show what the proponents want. Rep. Torr and others are like a crew of a sinking boat and all they are focused on is what type of wax to use for the next cleaning!
Most people in Indiana do not want to run around twice a year changing clocks. Plus we are an agricultural state, like it or not. Farmers prefer getting up early and getting their work done before the heat of the day.
Get with it, guys, we are the smart ones. The other states eventually will come around and stop observing this outdated farce from the days of World War I and II.
I really hope the other reps decide to defeat this bill and move onto better and more serious issues of our state; reducing wasteful spending to keep the boat from sinking!
Robert A. Ragland
Leesburg
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- Terri Schiavo - Webster Programs - Wrong Submission - Speeding - Triton Fans - Donate Blood - Daylight-Saving Time
Terri Schiavo
Editor, Times-Union:An innocent woman has been killed all because seven years after her injury and soon after he was engaged to another woman, her husband conveniently "remembered" that Terri had said she wouldn't want to live this way (something that she never put in writing.) Michael Schiavo won a large lawsuit to supposedly provide therapy for Terri. Ever since then (1992) Michael consistently refused any rehabilitative therapy for her. When he discovered that nurses were feeding Terri pudding and jello by mouth he immediately put a stop to it. Michael never even allowed a swallow test to be done on Terri. Three nurses filed affidavits saying Michael withheld proper medical care from Terri. Children are taken away from their parents for less than this and yet Judge Greer and our court system wouldn't admit that Michael was not a proper guardian for Terri.
Even if she was in a persistent vegetative state, which many doctors, nurses, lawyers and other people close to Terri deny, she was still a human being. Terri was a human being whose parents and siblings wanted to care for her. Her parents even asked Michael to divorce Terri so they could take full responsibility for her care. Terri was not in a coma, not unresponsive, and not hooked up to machines keeping her alive. She was just a handicapped person who used a feeding tube. Why were we as a society not able to protect her instead of killing her?
Steven Ertelt of Lifenews.com summed it up well when he said, "We now live in a society that allows a husband to starve his wife for 13 days, deprive her of appropriate medical care and rehabilitative treatment, forsake his relationship with her and have children with a live-in girlfriend, melt down his wife's wedding ring, kill her cats, emotionally torture her parents and family and claim he's keeping her best interests in mind."
Disabled people all across the country watched this situation unfold with concern. Joe Ford, a Harvard undergraduate with severe cerebral palsy, stated, "Like many others with disabilities, I believe that the American public, to one degree or another, holds that disabled people are better off dead. To put it in a simpler way, many Americans are bigots. A close examination of the facts of the Schiavo case reveals not a case of difficult decisions but a basic test of this country's decency."
One of our government's responsibilities is to protect the lives of its citizens. Our society and government have failed in the case of Terri Schindler-Schiavo. If things don't change, the question is, who will be next?
Dave Koontz
Warsaw
via e-mail
Webster Programs
Editor, Times-Union:When the town of North Webster had the vision to convert the "old" school and create the "new" Community Center, we heard praise from all sides - "How wonderful it is that a small town could do such a great thing for its people!" and it's true. Now a building that might have been torn down or stood empty and be at the mercy of vandals is being used year-round. A fabulous new library facility with expanded space and extended hours and a senior center that provides meals, educational opportunities and other activities on an ongoing basis. The gymnasium and the walking program help people of all ages to keep fit out of the weather and in a safe place.
We've been happy with the YMCA bringing its program to the Center. Since North Webster does not have a swimming pool or sauna, its members pay a slightly lower annual fee. That seems fair to us. Now it sounds as if our fees are going to be raised to the same level as Warsaw's and that doesn't seem fair. We still will not have a pool or sauna.
Apparently we'd be entitled to use the facility in Warsaw - well, that's not really what most of us want. We use the Y at Webster because it's where we live; we don't have to drive far to get there. With the current price of gas, driving a 40-plus-mile round trip three times a week doesn't fit our budget. In winter we can usually make it into the Center; but traveling that distance on icy or snow-covered roads is pretty much out of the question.
We don't know how many of our fellow members will be able to continue their memberships if the fee is raised; but it would be difficult for us. And we would be sorry to see the YMCA not being used by the people who come there now.
Jim and Laura Hill
North Webster
via e-mail
Wrong Submission
Editor, Times-Union:Recently an article appeared in the Times-Union which credited "The Thaddeus" as its source.
"The Thaddeus" is the quarterly newsletter of the Kosciusko County Historical Society and can only be cleared for publication by its board of directors.
It is not the fault of the Times-Union that excerpts were published as it was an oversight on our part. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused to the readership.
Jerry Frush
President
Kosciusko County Historical Society
L. Michael Fletcher
Director
Old Jail Museum
Speeding
Editor, Times-Union:Doing 30 miles per hour on West Market Street this morning and I was passed by a sport utility vehicle doing at least 45 mph.
Do you morons have to kill someone's child before you'll slow down?
Harold L. Kitson
Warsaw
Triton Fans
Editor, Times-Union:My name is Kurt Shively, and I have been the assistant varsity boys basketball coach for the last three seasons. I know, a red flag goes up at just hearing the school Triton mentioned. You know what, it should! Talking to the area coaches, some of our fans have the worst reputation around, and in my opinion, well deserved.
I'm not talking about just the varsity games, but at all levels. Just a few weeks ago, my wife was at a JH girls basketball game. One of our girls had to make a foul to stop the clock and almost knocked the other player down. Some of our fans yelled nice play, but that's not where it stopped. A couple of Triton parents went on to yell that next time they needed to push her harder so she would fall into the bench. I won't go into how many ways that statement is appalling.
Another incident happened two years ago at a varsity ballgame in Knox. There was a collision on the floor and a Knox player was hurt. The head coach and staff were attending to the player, and our fans were cheering because she was hurt. The Knox head coach turned around and looked up into the stands at our fans and said, "You idiots!" I had to agree with him.
I know not all the fans act this way and behave the way they should, but the old saying is true. If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
I did go to the school board meeting Feb. 28 where the school varsity coaches asked for Mike McBride's reinstatement. The building was packed and from what I could see, the majority was in favor of the reinstatement. I didn't speak up that night because it was clear to me early on in the meeting that the attorney had told the school board to keep quiet, or they had no backbone to do what was right. My guess is both reasons were true! My vote that night would have been to keep the coach and suspend the board and fans.
I can tell you that I have witnessed "verbal abuse," but it didn't come from the coaching staff. It came from the fans sitting in the stands. The comments and barbs I heard (the players also heard) sitting on the bench were worse than all the practices combined for the last three years.
Never at any time was I contacted by any member of the school board, athletic director or administration about any concerns they might have about the program. What does that tell you? It tells me that they were only interested in hearing one side.
I felt compelled to write this letter as both a parent of children involved in our basketball program and as a coach. I personally can tell you that I would not allow my son to be a part of, or be a part of a program myself, if it was being run the way some parents have claimed. Coach McBride will move on to a better and more deserving school and have great success. I wish him the best of luck.
Kurt D. Shively
Etna Green
Donate Blood
Editor, Times-Union:I am delighted that there will be six blood drives held throughout Kosciusko County during the month of April, as this creates many opportunities for the residents of our county to participate and donate blood. Please know that an ongoing need exists for blood donors of all types as our blood supply remains critical in many areas of our country!
During the month of April, blood drives are planned in accordance with the following schedule:
April 5 North Webster American Legion 3 to 7 p.m.
April 11 Mentone UMC 2 to 6 p.m.
April 12 Center Lake Pavilion, Warsaw 12:30 - 6:30 p.m.
April 15 Grace College, Winona Lake 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April 20 DePuy Corp., Warsaw* 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April 29 Warsaw Community H.S.* 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*indicates drive closed to the public
If you have thought about becoming a blood donor, I want to encourage you to participate during the month of April. As the summer months arrive, our schedules become filled and it is often difficult to fulfill all of our good intentions! The need is great and the time is now and you can save a life, perhaps several lives, by donating blood!
I would offer the following "tips" to new blood donors that will make your participation a good donation experience:
n Get a good night's rest.
n Eat a good breakfast or lunch prior to donating blood.
n Drink extra water and fluids, but avoid tea, coffee and other beverages containing caffeine.
n Eat iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, fortified cereals, raisins and prunes.
n Avoid fatty foods before donating blood as fatty foods can affect your blood composition (lipids) for several hours and may render your donation unusable.
In conclusion, if you are at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in generally good health, you most likely qualify as a potential donor. I encourage you to consider donating blood and make a difference in the life of someone you most likely will never meet! Please call 800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) to schedule an appointment today! Of course, you are always welcome to walk in to those blood drives open to the public. Thank you again for your generous support for our American Red Cross Blood Program.
Larry E. Peppel
Executive Director
American Red Cross
Small Congregation
Editor, Times-Union:
I wanted to tell people about a church in Warsaw that has a small congregation that most are on disability but are able to have a very nice food pantry that feeds approximately 30 families a month with what little bit the church takes in. It is wonderful what God has done for this small church. Our pantry is open every first and third Saturday of the month. The pantry is open 9 a.m. to noon. If there is anyone who is unable to come to the church at 210 W. Winona Ave. to pick up food, please call 267-8616 or 268-0155 and they can bring it to you.
Deborah Clark
Warsaw
Daylight-Saving Time
Editor, Times-Union:Again, I have to respond to the ridiculous waste of time our state representatives are spending on HB 1034 Daylight Saving Time. Since the invention of the various time zones of the United States, Indiana has been almost exclusively in the Central Time Zone but since the U.S. Uniform Act of 1966, most of Indiana was placed in the Eastern Time Zone. I am amazed that a handful of state representatives, most notably Torr (R-Carmel), are spending valuable taxpayer money conducting committee meetings on clocks! He stated his DST bill would correct a weird anomaly that causes confusion for businesses trying to meet deadlines, conduct conference calls and work with people in other states. Well, does he propose Indiana businesses only conduct business in one time zone?
Businesses and people in our state conduct business all over the world in a multitude of time zones. If I'm calling someone in Denver or Munich, I'm going to have to ask what's the current local time. I'll have a rough idea at first, but it's not hard to pinpoint the correct hour in another state or time zone after the first call.
The fact is, DST is not an answer to Indiana's financial problems as most often reported and that DST will not be an economic boon to our state. Studies and models will show what the proponents want. Rep. Torr and others are like a crew of a sinking boat and all they are focused on is what type of wax to use for the next cleaning!
Most people in Indiana do not want to run around twice a year changing clocks. Plus we are an agricultural state, like it or not. Farmers prefer getting up early and getting their work done before the heat of the day.
Get with it, guys, we are the smart ones. The other states eventually will come around and stop observing this outdated farce from the days of World War I and II.
I really hope the other reps decide to defeat this bill and move onto better and more serious issues of our state; reducing wasteful spending to keep the boat from sinking!
Robert A. Ragland
Leesburg
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