Letters to the Editor 05-11-1999
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Seeds Of Hatred - Yugoslavia - Leading By Example - A Matter Of Trust - Second Amendment - Relay For Life - Klan Response - DARE Thanks
Seeds Of Hatred
Editor, Times-Union:"And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up." (St. Mark 4:4)
My family has been a part of this community for sixteen years and know that Warsaw is a good place to live. Over these years, our community has grown and changed and we all have worked hard to be pro-active, rather than reactive, to diversity issues resulting from these changes.
This weekend, Warsaw demonstrated once again, the reason why we continue to take pride in being a part of this community. The display of community unification and togetherness shown at "A Celebration of Cultures, Community and Christ" Friday night in Central Park, coupled with, and in stark contrast to, the official reception the hooded visitors received during their short (non-speaking) visit Saturday, is a loud, clear and unified testimony to anyone attempting to sow seeds of hatred or racism in our community. Warsaw is unfertile ground. Saturday, the seeds of racism fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air devoured them.
Thank you, Kosciusko County.
Lynn Pulliam, president Committee to Commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Yugoslavia
Editor, Times-Union:How in the world did our nation ever get involved in this horrible mess in Yugoslavia? The Province of Kosovo wants to break away from the Republic of Serbia. Serbia says "no," and a civil war ensues. How is that pertinent to our national interests? It is a EUROPEAN problem, not ours!
In 1995, Croatia decided there were too many Serbs in Croatia. They, the Croats, "expelled" the Serbs. Serbs were killed, their homes confiscated, etc. NATO did not get involved then. Why not?
So far, this debacle has proved only one thing: without U.S. Forces, NATO is a "paper tiger." The U.S. is providing well over 80 percent of all fighter attacks and low-level aircraft and crews, the entire air fleet of refueling, AWACS, ground-support and Apaches are U.S. flown and manned!
A head count of NATO member nations who have provided nothing but lip service tells it best ... Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Norway, and on and on!
The United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy have provided assets: U.K. - one aircraft carrier (small; handles Harrier jump jets only) and Tornado all-weather fighters; Germany - Tornado all-weather fighters and F-16s; France - one aircraft carrier (don't count on it staying long if "things get hot") and Mirage fighters; and Italy - the air base at Aviano.
Congress had an opportunity to get us out of this mess by invoking the War Powers Act, but wimped out! The losers? America's elderly! The so-called "surplus to save" Social Security and help the elderly pay for prescription drugs through Medicare will now pay for a "political" war. Again!
The year 2000 isn't that far off. Take a good, hard look who now represents us in Congress. We need to make some serious changes.
Donald Guard, Leesburg
Leading By Example
Editor, Times-Union:We have a President who stands up in front of God and everybody and tells our kids not to settle their conflicts with bombs and guns, but yet he's bombing Yugoslavia, killing people, I guess he's leading by example,right? This country also puts people to death, (capital punishment) is this also leading by example? Also how many kids are killed each year by abortion? I heard 35 million have been. Maybe before we start dictating to our kids, we need to stop all these other things first. Wake up, America. We stopped Dr. Death and his suicide machine, let's stop all the rest before it's too late. Just like Clinton, don't do as I do, do as I say, and this comes from a man who committed adultery. Have a nice day.
Michael L.Stevens, Pierceton
A Matter Of Trust
Editor, Times-Union:Citizens of America and the world, take note of this date: 7 May 1999 - for on this day was a statement uttered by the greatest of all American Leaders. This statement will ring through centuries to come. Hold your Breath.
Our great president and beloved leader was talking to some people in Germany. One of the group asked if the president would meet with Milosevic. President Clinton responded, "No." The questioner asked why not? The President responded, "Because Milosevic's words can't be trusted."
Doesn't that bring a lump into your throat?
Robert Rinesmith, Warsaw
Second Amendment
Editor, Times-Union:For those who have not seen this and may still care, following is Teflon Willie's current shopping list of anti-gun legislation.
n Background checks on buyers at all gun-show sales. This is the first step in making the private sales of firearms from individual to individual a crime.
n Raising the legal age for handgun possession from 18 to 21. In other words, if your child is under 21 he or she is a potential mass murderer.
n Banning juvenile possession of certain semiautomatic rifles. Same as above.
n Mandatory prison sentences of three to 10 years and $10,000 fines for adults, including parents, who allow children access to guns. Want to go to prison for taking your child hunting or target practicing? Anti-gunners know that most firearms enthusiasts start at a very early age. They are simply trying to break the father/son cycle.
n Mandatory "safety locks" on all guns sold. Absolute garbage and that's where most of them will end up. They make a firearm totally useless in an emergency. With some 200 million firearms in this country, who is going to see that they are used.
n Making buyers of explosives subject to the same Brady law background checks as gun purchasers. Does this include fertilizer and propane gas?
n Halting imports of ammunition clips that hold more than 10 rounds. I'm not sure what that means. In experienced hands it takes less than two seconds to change magazines.
n Limiting individual handgun purchases to one per month. OK, so if that doesn't work, what next? How about one a year or maybe one in a lifetime.
n A lifetime ban on gun ownership for people who commit violent crimes as juveniles. So what's the definition of "violent crime?" Right now it could be an old-fashioned fist fight over a girl. Like to pay the rest of your life for something stupid you did as a kid?
n A three-day waiting period for all handgun purchases, with an additional two days if law officers need them to complete their investigation. The anti-gunners got mad when the waiting period was dropped and they see a chance to get it back.
The punks in Colorado broke at least 19 gun laws in their school massacre. Does anyone out there believe they would have worried about another 10?
It's just 10 more nails in the coffin of the Second Amendment. Back in 1993, the anti-gunners thought they could bury it in three to six years. They're somewhat behind schedule but Colorado should get them back on track.
Harold Kitson, Warsaw
Relay For Life
Editor, Times-Union:Saturday, June 5th at 8 a.m. at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, the American Cancer Society will kick off the second annual event known as the Relay for Life! This is a unique opportunity for groups of friends and family to come together and spend the day camping, visiting, walking and being entertained! All the while doing a worthwhile service by raising money for cancer research.
I would venture to say that no one in our community has escaped the effects of cancer. It is likely that each of our lives has been affected by this disease in some manner. This is an opportunity for us to come together in a positive and fun atmosphere to remember loved ones lost and honor the survivors. Youth pastors, help your young charges understand that they can make a difference. Put a team together and spend several quality hours making a difference! Pitch a tent, bring your grill and have a great time in fellowship with one another! Boys & Girls Club leaders, do the same thing!
For more information on forming a team and participating in a truly special time, call Jo Lemon at 267-3618 or Lisa Hirsch at 269-5323. Together, we can make a difference!
Lisa Hirsch, Kosciusko County American Cancer Society
Klan Response
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to commend our community's leaders for their positive actions in response to a group of people that wanted to spread hatred in our midsts.
I would like to recommend one further response. Instead of our elected officials paying the $20,000 to $40,000 bill for security and saying there is nothing else we could do, I feel there should be city and county ordinances written that would require any group to pay for inordinate amounts of money needed to create a secure environment when that group is exercising their constitutional right to gather.
Brad Green, Warsaw
DARE Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office D.A.R.E. program, I would like to send a personal "Thank You" to all that were in attendance at the WNDU Channel 16 basketball game. With such a large turn out, this kind of support shows how much the citizens of Kosciusko County care about "our" youth. Your contributions will support many children. Keeping them off drugs and away from violence is a key to raising future productive citizens. This is the goal of the D.A.R.E. program and the Sheriff's Office. Also, a personal thank you to Reneker's Sports Shop, University of Notre Dame football players, On The Scene Printing, Martin Becker and the band. A special thanks to Lakeview Middle School for allowing us to hold the game in a central gymnasium, located in Kosciusko County. Lastly to the players, thank you for your contribution and donated time to the Sheriff's Office Project D.A.R.E.
If your organization would like a guest speaker in regards to project D.A.R.E., contact me at the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office at 267-5667, for a date and time.
D.A.R.E. Officer Timothy L. Sammons, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office
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- Seeds Of Hatred - Yugoslavia - Leading By Example - A Matter Of Trust - Second Amendment - Relay For Life - Klan Response - DARE Thanks
Seeds Of Hatred
Editor, Times-Union:"And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up." (St. Mark 4:4)
My family has been a part of this community for sixteen years and know that Warsaw is a good place to live. Over these years, our community has grown and changed and we all have worked hard to be pro-active, rather than reactive, to diversity issues resulting from these changes.
This weekend, Warsaw demonstrated once again, the reason why we continue to take pride in being a part of this community. The display of community unification and togetherness shown at "A Celebration of Cultures, Community and Christ" Friday night in Central Park, coupled with, and in stark contrast to, the official reception the hooded visitors received during their short (non-speaking) visit Saturday, is a loud, clear and unified testimony to anyone attempting to sow seeds of hatred or racism in our community. Warsaw is unfertile ground. Saturday, the seeds of racism fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air devoured them.
Thank you, Kosciusko County.
Lynn Pulliam, president Committee to Commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Yugoslavia
Editor, Times-Union:How in the world did our nation ever get involved in this horrible mess in Yugoslavia? The Province of Kosovo wants to break away from the Republic of Serbia. Serbia says "no," and a civil war ensues. How is that pertinent to our national interests? It is a EUROPEAN problem, not ours!
In 1995, Croatia decided there were too many Serbs in Croatia. They, the Croats, "expelled" the Serbs. Serbs were killed, their homes confiscated, etc. NATO did not get involved then. Why not?
So far, this debacle has proved only one thing: without U.S. Forces, NATO is a "paper tiger." The U.S. is providing well over 80 percent of all fighter attacks and low-level aircraft and crews, the entire air fleet of refueling, AWACS, ground-support and Apaches are U.S. flown and manned!
A head count of NATO member nations who have provided nothing but lip service tells it best ... Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Norway, and on and on!
The United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy have provided assets: U.K. - one aircraft carrier (small; handles Harrier jump jets only) and Tornado all-weather fighters; Germany - Tornado all-weather fighters and F-16s; France - one aircraft carrier (don't count on it staying long if "things get hot") and Mirage fighters; and Italy - the air base at Aviano.
Congress had an opportunity to get us out of this mess by invoking the War Powers Act, but wimped out! The losers? America's elderly! The so-called "surplus to save" Social Security and help the elderly pay for prescription drugs through Medicare will now pay for a "political" war. Again!
The year 2000 isn't that far off. Take a good, hard look who now represents us in Congress. We need to make some serious changes.
Donald Guard, Leesburg
Leading By Example
Editor, Times-Union:We have a President who stands up in front of God and everybody and tells our kids not to settle their conflicts with bombs and guns, but yet he's bombing Yugoslavia, killing people, I guess he's leading by example,right? This country also puts people to death, (capital punishment) is this also leading by example? Also how many kids are killed each year by abortion? I heard 35 million have been. Maybe before we start dictating to our kids, we need to stop all these other things first. Wake up, America. We stopped Dr. Death and his suicide machine, let's stop all the rest before it's too late. Just like Clinton, don't do as I do, do as I say, and this comes from a man who committed adultery. Have a nice day.
Michael L.Stevens, Pierceton
A Matter Of Trust
Editor, Times-Union:Citizens of America and the world, take note of this date: 7 May 1999 - for on this day was a statement uttered by the greatest of all American Leaders. This statement will ring through centuries to come. Hold your Breath.
Our great president and beloved leader was talking to some people in Germany. One of the group asked if the president would meet with Milosevic. President Clinton responded, "No." The questioner asked why not? The President responded, "Because Milosevic's words can't be trusted."
Doesn't that bring a lump into your throat?
Robert Rinesmith, Warsaw
Second Amendment
Editor, Times-Union:For those who have not seen this and may still care, following is Teflon Willie's current shopping list of anti-gun legislation.
n Background checks on buyers at all gun-show sales. This is the first step in making the private sales of firearms from individual to individual a crime.
n Raising the legal age for handgun possession from 18 to 21. In other words, if your child is under 21 he or she is a potential mass murderer.
n Banning juvenile possession of certain semiautomatic rifles. Same as above.
n Mandatory prison sentences of three to 10 years and $10,000 fines for adults, including parents, who allow children access to guns. Want to go to prison for taking your child hunting or target practicing? Anti-gunners know that most firearms enthusiasts start at a very early age. They are simply trying to break the father/son cycle.
n Mandatory "safety locks" on all guns sold. Absolute garbage and that's where most of them will end up. They make a firearm totally useless in an emergency. With some 200 million firearms in this country, who is going to see that they are used.
n Making buyers of explosives subject to the same Brady law background checks as gun purchasers. Does this include fertilizer and propane gas?
n Halting imports of ammunition clips that hold more than 10 rounds. I'm not sure what that means. In experienced hands it takes less than two seconds to change magazines.
n Limiting individual handgun purchases to one per month. OK, so if that doesn't work, what next? How about one a year or maybe one in a lifetime.
n A lifetime ban on gun ownership for people who commit violent crimes as juveniles. So what's the definition of "violent crime?" Right now it could be an old-fashioned fist fight over a girl. Like to pay the rest of your life for something stupid you did as a kid?
n A three-day waiting period for all handgun purchases, with an additional two days if law officers need them to complete their investigation. The anti-gunners got mad when the waiting period was dropped and they see a chance to get it back.
The punks in Colorado broke at least 19 gun laws in their school massacre. Does anyone out there believe they would have worried about another 10?
It's just 10 more nails in the coffin of the Second Amendment. Back in 1993, the anti-gunners thought they could bury it in three to six years. They're somewhat behind schedule but Colorado should get them back on track.
Harold Kitson, Warsaw
Relay For Life
Editor, Times-Union:Saturday, June 5th at 8 a.m. at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, the American Cancer Society will kick off the second annual event known as the Relay for Life! This is a unique opportunity for groups of friends and family to come together and spend the day camping, visiting, walking and being entertained! All the while doing a worthwhile service by raising money for cancer research.
I would venture to say that no one in our community has escaped the effects of cancer. It is likely that each of our lives has been affected by this disease in some manner. This is an opportunity for us to come together in a positive and fun atmosphere to remember loved ones lost and honor the survivors. Youth pastors, help your young charges understand that they can make a difference. Put a team together and spend several quality hours making a difference! Pitch a tent, bring your grill and have a great time in fellowship with one another! Boys & Girls Club leaders, do the same thing!
For more information on forming a team and participating in a truly special time, call Jo Lemon at 267-3618 or Lisa Hirsch at 269-5323. Together, we can make a difference!
Lisa Hirsch, Kosciusko County American Cancer Society
Klan Response
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to commend our community's leaders for their positive actions in response to a group of people that wanted to spread hatred in our midsts.
I would like to recommend one further response. Instead of our elected officials paying the $20,000 to $40,000 bill for security and saying there is nothing else we could do, I feel there should be city and county ordinances written that would require any group to pay for inordinate amounts of money needed to create a secure environment when that group is exercising their constitutional right to gather.
Brad Green, Warsaw
DARE Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office D.A.R.E. program, I would like to send a personal "Thank You" to all that were in attendance at the WNDU Channel 16 basketball game. With such a large turn out, this kind of support shows how much the citizens of Kosciusko County care about "our" youth. Your contributions will support many children. Keeping them off drugs and away from violence is a key to raising future productive citizens. This is the goal of the D.A.R.E. program and the Sheriff's Office. Also, a personal thank you to Reneker's Sports Shop, University of Notre Dame football players, On The Scene Printing, Martin Becker and the band. A special thanks to Lakeview Middle School for allowing us to hold the game in a central gymnasium, located in Kosciusko County. Lastly to the players, thank you for your contribution and donated time to the Sheriff's Office Project D.A.R.E.
If your organization would like a guest speaker in regards to project D.A.R.E., contact me at the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office at 267-5667, for a date and time.
D.A.R.E. Officer Timothy L. Sammons, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office
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