Letters to the Editor 04-16-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Remove Your Hat - Tree Cut - Treason - Fiesta Thanks - April Musings - Medicaid Costs
Remove Your Hat
Editor, Times-Union:Over the years Americans have become lax in their etiquette concerning the practice of men removing their head-wear while indoors.
Never more noticeable was it than Tuesday at the gym, while citizens were in line to pay their respects to a fallen Marine, a couple of ignorant individuals failed to follow common courtesy by removing their baseball caps.
This is very disrespectful!
Allen D. Regenos
Claypool
Tree Cut
Editor, Times-Union:I am protesting the cutting down of the big maple tree in front of my house. The tree was cut down to put in a curb. Curbs do not make oxygen or shade, and the new curb will not benefit me in any way. Last fall a city worker told me that they would not do anything to my property without telling me. I came home and my tree was gone. I was prepared to fight for my tree, and now I won't even have the chance. That is a bad way to do business.
The City will claim that they have the right to do this because the tree was so close to the road. This attitude belongs in a big city, not a town the size of Warsaw. I should have been given the chance to speak. The curb could have gone around the tree. There could have been another solution, but it was easier for them to cut it down. do they really have the right to take away my shade and cleaner air? Did those things belong to the City?
I read that Mayor Wiggins is showing sensitivity to the environment by implementing a new curb-recycling program. How do curbs help the environment? It is strange because there isn't a curb in front of my house now that needs "recycling," and one is not needed to guide water. My tree was beautiful to me, and now it is gone. They are going to put a lump of concrete in its place. What a waste!
A. Ebersole
Warsaw
Treason
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is meant to clarify what treason is.
The 1997 Webster's Universal College Dictionary defines treason as "1) the offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign. 2) a violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or state. 3) the betrayal of a trust of confidence: treachery."
The U.S. Constitution, Article III Section 3, states: "Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on confession in open court.
"The Congress shall have the Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except, during the Life of the Person attained."
There are also some other obvious acts that can be counted as treason which are the following. If a current U.S. citizen does none or more of the following acts for a foreign country that the U.S. is at war with, or on the verge of war, or is hostile to the U.S.: 1) Joining that country's military; 2) Helping to train that country's military; 3) Assisting in the construction and operation of weapons production factories; 4) moving of guns, ammo, missiles, tanks, fighter-planes, bombers, warships, etc.; 5) Stealing and sending information about war plans, equipment, vehicles, weapons, etc.; 6) Engaging in acts of sabotage at military bases, weapons factories, ports and military convoys; 7) Intentionally starting riots, insurrections, rebellions, and waging guerrilla warfare to create chaos in the U.S. to help a foreign country in winning. (What the anarchists and communists recently did out in San Francisco with rioting in the streets seems to have been done more out of boredom and the desire to break things and be a nuisance.)
One should notice that openly disagreeing with and criticizing the current administration leaders, statements, actions and policies is not treason. Yes, even ex-CNN news reporter Peter Arnett's recent televised job interview with Iraqi State television, most likely a feeble brown-nosing attempt to get an interview with Saddam Hussein, had really only a minor propaganda value if any for the Iraqi military. If Mr. Arnett has any sense he should get out of Iraq and find another country besides the U.S. to return to. And finally, one would like to see the anti-war crowd do more criticism of the crumbling regime of Saddam Hussein and celebration for the Iraqi people, who have a chance for freedom that hopefully will not be wasted by the current administration and the Iraqi people themselves.
Michael Houze
Warsaw
Fiesta Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:A big thank you to everyone who helped make our Operation Care Package a huge success. To everyone who let us post fliers in your business, to the schools for all the postcards and letters. To the businesses who helped donate items and their time. And to every individual who took the time to bring items in. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and the military troops appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
The Staff
Fiesta Hair and Tanning
Warsaw
via e-mail
April Musings
Editor, Times-Union:It seems as though the month of April stretches from the ridiculous to the sublime. First comes "April Fool's Day," then there's a holy time referred to as the "Easter season," starting with Palm Sunday, followed by Good Friday, then Easter.
I recall that when I was in school, every year on April Fool's Day, we kids would remark to a fellow classmate something like, "Hey! Your shoestring is untied!" Then the classmate would glance quickly at his shoe, while the prankster gleefully shouted, "April fool!"
After April Fool's Day, later in the month comes Palm Sunday, ensued by a very grave, devout occasion known as Good Friday. I once knew of a little boy whose idol was that ever-valiant, ever-brave cowboy hero we know as "The Lone Ranger." Well, I understand that on a certain Good Friday, the little boy was told by a friend the terrible facts concerning the crucifixion. The child, filled with astonishment and concern, looked at his friend and uttered gravely, "Believe me, if the Lone Ranger had been there, that wouldn't have happened!"
I love to attend breakfast at the church on Easter morning. There is always a very devout and inspirational sermon, followed by good visitation and camaraderie over coffee and a nice breakfast in the basement. There is truly something very beautiful and very sacred that infiltrates the atmosphere surrounding Easter breakfast, and whenever I attend one I feel very close to the Almighty.
Of course, there is also a frolicsome side to the Easter season and that is when the kids gather in the parks for their annual Easter egg hunt. And speaking of Easter eggs - I once knew a lady whose male acquaintance every Easter would boil eggs, put them in a bowl, cover them with milk and sugar and gobble them down. Well, to borrow a word from the vocabulary of today's youth, all I can say as regards the man's unusual taste for Easter eggs is, "Yuk!"
Don Kaiser
Warsaw
Medicaid Costs
Editor, Times-Union:It's no secret that our state is in a budget deficit so great that we must decide not if, but where to cut spending. Despite the desire to continue to increase funding for services, our state cannot spend money that it does not have. In Indiana, the Medicaid budget is currently 11.5 percent of our state general fund spending and is second in size only to education. This is the time when such large budget items must be reviewed.
Nationwide, Medicaid costs increased by 12.8 percent in 2002; however, state revenues grew by an average of only 1.2 percent during this period. With rising costs, it has become impossible to provide the amount of funding that the current Medicaid guidelines will require. This year, the legislature has been forced to flatline the Medicaid budget; that is, we are maintaining the same level of funding that was appropriated for 2003. The governor has the authority to streamline Medicaid's budget, but has shown no desire to provide leadership in this area. Legislators have asked the administration to re-evaluate the Medicaid program, to no avail. Instead, the governor wants to throw more tax dollars at a program that is long overdue for a tune-up.
Nearly 15 percent of Hoosiers rely on Medicaid for health care. Nationwide, the program pays for one-third of all births. Our state additionally provides Medicaid coverage for 21 optional services that are not federally mandated and may need to be cut back. This kind of coverage goes above and beyond the original purpose of Medicaid: to help those who cannot help themselves in desperate times. We cannot afford to continue subsidizing these services to this many people. Medicaid can and should be contained to help control government spending. Our only other option is to raise taxes, which is something we do not want to do.
In light of our state's fiscal crisis, it is a blessing that the current level of Medicaid funding can be maintained, rather than suffering deep cuts. We hope that our state's economic situation will improve soon. In the meantime, it is in the best interests of our state as a whole to cut government spending and control the growth of subsidized programs.
State Representative Kent Adams
Warsaw
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- Remove Your Hat - Tree Cut - Treason - Fiesta Thanks - April Musings - Medicaid Costs
Remove Your Hat
Editor, Times-Union:Over the years Americans have become lax in their etiquette concerning the practice of men removing their head-wear while indoors.
Never more noticeable was it than Tuesday at the gym, while citizens were in line to pay their respects to a fallen Marine, a couple of ignorant individuals failed to follow common courtesy by removing their baseball caps.
This is very disrespectful!
Allen D. Regenos
Claypool
Tree Cut
Editor, Times-Union:I am protesting the cutting down of the big maple tree in front of my house. The tree was cut down to put in a curb. Curbs do not make oxygen or shade, and the new curb will not benefit me in any way. Last fall a city worker told me that they would not do anything to my property without telling me. I came home and my tree was gone. I was prepared to fight for my tree, and now I won't even have the chance. That is a bad way to do business.
The City will claim that they have the right to do this because the tree was so close to the road. This attitude belongs in a big city, not a town the size of Warsaw. I should have been given the chance to speak. The curb could have gone around the tree. There could have been another solution, but it was easier for them to cut it down. do they really have the right to take away my shade and cleaner air? Did those things belong to the City?
I read that Mayor Wiggins is showing sensitivity to the environment by implementing a new curb-recycling program. How do curbs help the environment? It is strange because there isn't a curb in front of my house now that needs "recycling," and one is not needed to guide water. My tree was beautiful to me, and now it is gone. They are going to put a lump of concrete in its place. What a waste!
A. Ebersole
Warsaw
Treason
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is meant to clarify what treason is.
The 1997 Webster's Universal College Dictionary defines treason as "1) the offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign. 2) a violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or state. 3) the betrayal of a trust of confidence: treachery."
The U.S. Constitution, Article III Section 3, states: "Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on confession in open court.
"The Congress shall have the Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except, during the Life of the Person attained."
There are also some other obvious acts that can be counted as treason which are the following. If a current U.S. citizen does none or more of the following acts for a foreign country that the U.S. is at war with, or on the verge of war, or is hostile to the U.S.: 1) Joining that country's military; 2) Helping to train that country's military; 3) Assisting in the construction and operation of weapons production factories; 4) moving of guns, ammo, missiles, tanks, fighter-planes, bombers, warships, etc.; 5) Stealing and sending information about war plans, equipment, vehicles, weapons, etc.; 6) Engaging in acts of sabotage at military bases, weapons factories, ports and military convoys; 7) Intentionally starting riots, insurrections, rebellions, and waging guerrilla warfare to create chaos in the U.S. to help a foreign country in winning. (What the anarchists and communists recently did out in San Francisco with rioting in the streets seems to have been done more out of boredom and the desire to break things and be a nuisance.)
One should notice that openly disagreeing with and criticizing the current administration leaders, statements, actions and policies is not treason. Yes, even ex-CNN news reporter Peter Arnett's recent televised job interview with Iraqi State television, most likely a feeble brown-nosing attempt to get an interview with Saddam Hussein, had really only a minor propaganda value if any for the Iraqi military. If Mr. Arnett has any sense he should get out of Iraq and find another country besides the U.S. to return to. And finally, one would like to see the anti-war crowd do more criticism of the crumbling regime of Saddam Hussein and celebration for the Iraqi people, who have a chance for freedom that hopefully will not be wasted by the current administration and the Iraqi people themselves.
Michael Houze
Warsaw
Fiesta Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:A big thank you to everyone who helped make our Operation Care Package a huge success. To everyone who let us post fliers in your business, to the schools for all the postcards and letters. To the businesses who helped donate items and their time. And to every individual who took the time to bring items in. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and the military troops appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
The Staff
Fiesta Hair and Tanning
Warsaw
via e-mail
April Musings
Editor, Times-Union:It seems as though the month of April stretches from the ridiculous to the sublime. First comes "April Fool's Day," then there's a holy time referred to as the "Easter season," starting with Palm Sunday, followed by Good Friday, then Easter.
I recall that when I was in school, every year on April Fool's Day, we kids would remark to a fellow classmate something like, "Hey! Your shoestring is untied!" Then the classmate would glance quickly at his shoe, while the prankster gleefully shouted, "April fool!"
After April Fool's Day, later in the month comes Palm Sunday, ensued by a very grave, devout occasion known as Good Friday. I once knew of a little boy whose idol was that ever-valiant, ever-brave cowboy hero we know as "The Lone Ranger." Well, I understand that on a certain Good Friday, the little boy was told by a friend the terrible facts concerning the crucifixion. The child, filled with astonishment and concern, looked at his friend and uttered gravely, "Believe me, if the Lone Ranger had been there, that wouldn't have happened!"
I love to attend breakfast at the church on Easter morning. There is always a very devout and inspirational sermon, followed by good visitation and camaraderie over coffee and a nice breakfast in the basement. There is truly something very beautiful and very sacred that infiltrates the atmosphere surrounding Easter breakfast, and whenever I attend one I feel very close to the Almighty.
Of course, there is also a frolicsome side to the Easter season and that is when the kids gather in the parks for their annual Easter egg hunt. And speaking of Easter eggs - I once knew a lady whose male acquaintance every Easter would boil eggs, put them in a bowl, cover them with milk and sugar and gobble them down. Well, to borrow a word from the vocabulary of today's youth, all I can say as regards the man's unusual taste for Easter eggs is, "Yuk!"
Don Kaiser
Warsaw
Medicaid Costs
Editor, Times-Union:It's no secret that our state is in a budget deficit so great that we must decide not if, but where to cut spending. Despite the desire to continue to increase funding for services, our state cannot spend money that it does not have. In Indiana, the Medicaid budget is currently 11.5 percent of our state general fund spending and is second in size only to education. This is the time when such large budget items must be reviewed.
Nationwide, Medicaid costs increased by 12.8 percent in 2002; however, state revenues grew by an average of only 1.2 percent during this period. With rising costs, it has become impossible to provide the amount of funding that the current Medicaid guidelines will require. This year, the legislature has been forced to flatline the Medicaid budget; that is, we are maintaining the same level of funding that was appropriated for 2003. The governor has the authority to streamline Medicaid's budget, but has shown no desire to provide leadership in this area. Legislators have asked the administration to re-evaluate the Medicaid program, to no avail. Instead, the governor wants to throw more tax dollars at a program that is long overdue for a tune-up.
Nearly 15 percent of Hoosiers rely on Medicaid for health care. Nationwide, the program pays for one-third of all births. Our state additionally provides Medicaid coverage for 21 optional services that are not federally mandated and may need to be cut back. This kind of coverage goes above and beyond the original purpose of Medicaid: to help those who cannot help themselves in desperate times. We cannot afford to continue subsidizing these services to this many people. Medicaid can and should be contained to help control government spending. Our only other option is to raise taxes, which is something we do not want to do.
In light of our state's fiscal crisis, it is a blessing that the current level of Medicaid funding can be maintained, rather than suffering deep cuts. We hope that our state's economic situation will improve soon. In the meantime, it is in the best interests of our state as a whole to cut government spending and control the growth of subsidized programs.
State Representative Kent Adams
Warsaw
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