Letters to the Editor 06-06-1997
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Father's Day - Justice System - Justice - Memorial Day - Scam Letter - Hatred - Complainers - Good Grief
Father's Day
Editor, Times-Union:I was watching television the other night and there was a commercial that asked, "What will you get your dad for Father's Day?" That commercial really hit me hard and immediately brought tears to my eyes, because this will be my second year that I don't have my dad here on earth to buy for. I miss you, Junior G. Goon, my loving dad, such a simple man with a big, big heart and a bright, happy smile. I miss telling you Happy Father's Day, giving you a big ole bear hug, and seeing you tear up when you open your present and your card that I took so long to pick out, so I could get just the right saying, so I'd make absolutely sure that you would get the message that I really loved you so very much and that I appreciated all the loving things you did for me even when I wasn't a daughter to be proud of. You were always there for me no matter what the reasons, good or bad, happy or sad, and I hope you knew how much it meant to me and that you took those thoughts with you on your journey with God. And Dad, what you were for your grandson meant so much to Jason and me. You were a dad and a grandpa, and you were excellent in both.
I'd just like to say that if you still have your father, love him with all the love you've got in your heart. When he's gone, you'll never get him back. So enjoy buying that special Father's Day gift this year, it may be the last one you'll ever get to buy him.
Sally Goon Leesburg
Justice System
Editor, Times-Union:The article you had in the paper Saturday, May 31, I believe to be one of your better accomplishments. You are correct. I believe the things you mentioned are no doubt thoughts in the minds of a lot of people who read the Times-Union.
I have a habit of trying to read the arrests and court column every day and to be truthful, like a lot of other people, most of the time I do not understand the outcome.
I am no longer a young person and the new laws and the way they are enforced now sure is different to what they were some years ago. If laws and the way they are handled today are supposed to be better, then why do we have a lot more crime today and need more buildings to confine these people?
I always thought the better things like this were controlled, the better for all people and much better for people paying the taxes to support all this. It must be that people some years ago were wrong about the way they did things.
I also have read the different articles about the accident where one person I believe lost his life and the other person was more fortunate. I may be wrong, but if I remember correctly, the accident was not witnessed by anyone and the person that died was not responsible. How anyone not seeing the wreck can make a lawful decision as was done, I will never understand. If this was one of my family I would be very upset.
As for the man who received a large sentence for being in the drug business, I believe the original decision was correct for the case. I do not know this man. I am sure there was considerable time wasted on this case by the police and a large amount of taxpayer money involved in the court proceedings. Then, as I understand it, one person has the right to change the whole decision. If I am wrong on this, I do apologize to the person making the decision. I do believe no one person on earth should be allowed to make decisions of this nature.
If I were on the police force things like this would bother me very much. I know you have to at times take risks you are not happy with. To me things like this are not making your job better.
I believe if it were me, I would seek other employment. You could wind up with a job that required hard work. To some I guess it would be a big change and perhaps "a hard row to hoe." You might be more comfortable the rest of your life though.
I knew a man back in the '30s who wrote a bad check for $5 and was arrested and confined in the state penitentiary. Today if that happened, he might not even get his name in the paper. If this is making progress, then why do a lot of people not see it this way?
I believe that is why God made people to live a certain length of time. Admit it ] when you get old you can't keep up anyhow. Till next time ] if there is one.
Des Bell North Webster
Justice
Editor, Times-Union:Another sad day for what we call Justice. Many months were spent at extreme cost deciding O.J. Simpson's trial. And even though positive proof was shown against him with DNA testing, he was still proclaimed not guilty.
Now we have a hurry-up trial, not one shred of concrete proof and Timothy McVeigh is proclaimed guilty of a bombing several experts say he could not possibly have done. According to the reports these experts have written, a truck bomb alone could not have done such extensive damage. There had to be bombs planted on the inside columns of the building. Also, why were there no BATF agents in the building? Why were they all told not to go to work that day and why was there a bomb squad truck sitting right down the street before the bombing? Were any of these questions answered?
Memorial Day
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to take the opportunity to thank those in attendance at the Memorial Day services at Oakwood Cemetery. A special thank-you to Mr. H. Dale Tucker, guest speaker for the ceremony, and Lt. Jeffery Horn of the Warsaw Salvation Army, for the worship services. The Warsaw Community High School band did an excellent job of providing music for the occasion. Also, a thank-you to the color guard units from the Warsaw American Legion and VFW posts for their part in honoring our deceased veterans.
Rolland Crowel, Commander American Legion Post 49
Scam Letter
Editor, Times-Union:Recently we received a "scam letter" postmarked Nigeria, mailed in a brown envelope and hand-addressed in block print ink letters. The sender was Dr. Rotimi Roberts, who gave no return address, only fax and telephone numbers. The letter was a "request for urgent business relationship" and read, in part:
"First, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction. This is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret. You have been recommended by an associate in the foreign office of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce and Industry who assured me in confidence of your ability and reliability to prosecute a transaction of great magnitude involving a pending business transaction requiring maximum confidence."
The letter went on the say that, if we would cooperate with their plan, they would transfer $15,500,000 U.S. dollars into our bank account, 20 percent of which would be ours to keep, 70 percent would go to the Nigerian "officials" and 10 percent would be used to "settle taxation and all local and foreign expenses."
All they wanted us to do was fax them our bank account number, bank address, telephone and fax numbers, and the beneficiary of the account.
While we immediately recognized the letter for what it was, we were concerned that other recipients of the letter might be unaware of it being a scam. So, your publishing this letter may help to warn others. The old saying, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is," needs to be etched into the minds of all of us ] especially older people with no one to help them think through the consequences of yielding to a great temptation to become rich with nothing to do but give out information that should never be given to strangers.
Thanks to Prosecutor Kolbe, the scam letter is now in the hands of the FBI.
We hope this letter may help to alert other people to not get involved in any offer that looks too good to be true.
Alvon and Grace Abbott Warsaw
Hatred
Editor, Times-Union:Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Just exactly which part of this would you like to see repealed, Mr. McQueen? You are so worried about what Abe Lincoln and Martin Luther King would think of all this. What do you suppose our founding fathers would think of your letter?
I agree with you that organizations such as the KKK and Neo-Nazis are deplorable but attacking the Constitution is not the answer. The answer lies in the teaching of tolerance. In showing our children and grandchildren that differences and variations are what make this world and this life bearable. It will certainly take longer than passing a law or amendment but I'm sure we will all be happier with the result.
I would remind you of one other thing, Mr. McQueen. Hatred is hatred. What makes yours any better than theirs?
Harold Kitson Warsaw
Complainers
Editor, Times-Union:For years we who love where we live, the United States of America, have had to endure a few constant complainers in your circulation area. I'm tired of it and am going to make a few statements of my own.
Yes, taxes seem high, but look at what we have. We have the most miles of roads and most are decent. We have the best and largest education system in the world. We have wonderful libraries, museums and parks. Why are we complaining?
Yes, our legal system isn't perfect. It is run by people ] fellow human beings just like you and me and we aren't perfect. I personally think it is ridiculous that any woman can charge any man for harassment or sexual advances after one month, but certainly no more than 60 to 90 days. I really don't appreciate the media polluting the airwaves and newsprint with that garbage. We have had a lot of it the past four years.
If we are teaching our children how badly we as a nation treated the Afro-Americans (and we did) shouldn't we teach them about the organized oppressors like the KKK? I read nothing in the paper that I wasn't taught in junior high in 1944-46. Why is it wrong to teach the truth? It didn't make a KKK sympathizer out of any of us, but it made us knowledgable about the KKK. Once again the media had a field day over something that shouldn't have been in my and many others' opinion.
If you don't want to pay taxes, you don't want all the good things we have, then try running for office to change it. I love our country. I don't mind paying for the good life. I don't mind paying to help those less fortunate (if they are trying).
I don't mind signing my name. I am proud to be an American from the state of Indiana, the county of Kosciusko.
Alice E. Waggoner Etna Green
Good Grief
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to thank the members of the Warsaw Police Department, Multi-Township EMS, Warsaw Fire Department, Kosciusko Community Hospital emergency room staff and chaplain. I made a 911 call in February after having found my mother at her home and unresponsive. They were very quick to respond and supportive throughout the ordeal. My sons and I later benefited from the volunteer efforts of all those who established a grief support group for elementary-aged children and families here in Warsaw. They called it "Good Grief." They contacted children and families that they were aware had suffered recent loss and sent home flyers with elementary students to get the word out that this service would be available. They had at least 15 children whose lives were positively impacted by this very worthwhile effort. There were that many adults who attended in support of their children also. We all benefited from the experience. They would like to continue this effort and extend the support to teen-age youth who have been touched by the many forms of grief. I am proud to live in a community with such a great support system. I would hope that the funds would be available to continue and extend the very worthwhile efforts to support children and youth in dealing with grief. Thank you to all who have touched our lives so positively as we deal with our own grief.
Debra L. McClintock Warsaw
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- Father's Day - Justice System - Justice - Memorial Day - Scam Letter - Hatred - Complainers - Good Grief
Father's Day
Editor, Times-Union:I was watching television the other night and there was a commercial that asked, "What will you get your dad for Father's Day?" That commercial really hit me hard and immediately brought tears to my eyes, because this will be my second year that I don't have my dad here on earth to buy for. I miss you, Junior G. Goon, my loving dad, such a simple man with a big, big heart and a bright, happy smile. I miss telling you Happy Father's Day, giving you a big ole bear hug, and seeing you tear up when you open your present and your card that I took so long to pick out, so I could get just the right saying, so I'd make absolutely sure that you would get the message that I really loved you so very much and that I appreciated all the loving things you did for me even when I wasn't a daughter to be proud of. You were always there for me no matter what the reasons, good or bad, happy or sad, and I hope you knew how much it meant to me and that you took those thoughts with you on your journey with God. And Dad, what you were for your grandson meant so much to Jason and me. You were a dad and a grandpa, and you were excellent in both.
I'd just like to say that if you still have your father, love him with all the love you've got in your heart. When he's gone, you'll never get him back. So enjoy buying that special Father's Day gift this year, it may be the last one you'll ever get to buy him.
Sally Goon Leesburg
Justice System
Editor, Times-Union:The article you had in the paper Saturday, May 31, I believe to be one of your better accomplishments. You are correct. I believe the things you mentioned are no doubt thoughts in the minds of a lot of people who read the Times-Union.
I have a habit of trying to read the arrests and court column every day and to be truthful, like a lot of other people, most of the time I do not understand the outcome.
I am no longer a young person and the new laws and the way they are enforced now sure is different to what they were some years ago. If laws and the way they are handled today are supposed to be better, then why do we have a lot more crime today and need more buildings to confine these people?
I always thought the better things like this were controlled, the better for all people and much better for people paying the taxes to support all this. It must be that people some years ago were wrong about the way they did things.
I also have read the different articles about the accident where one person I believe lost his life and the other person was more fortunate. I may be wrong, but if I remember correctly, the accident was not witnessed by anyone and the person that died was not responsible. How anyone not seeing the wreck can make a lawful decision as was done, I will never understand. If this was one of my family I would be very upset.
As for the man who received a large sentence for being in the drug business, I believe the original decision was correct for the case. I do not know this man. I am sure there was considerable time wasted on this case by the police and a large amount of taxpayer money involved in the court proceedings. Then, as I understand it, one person has the right to change the whole decision. If I am wrong on this, I do apologize to the person making the decision. I do believe no one person on earth should be allowed to make decisions of this nature.
If I were on the police force things like this would bother me very much. I know you have to at times take risks you are not happy with. To me things like this are not making your job better.
I believe if it were me, I would seek other employment. You could wind up with a job that required hard work. To some I guess it would be a big change and perhaps "a hard row to hoe." You might be more comfortable the rest of your life though.
I knew a man back in the '30s who wrote a bad check for $5 and was arrested and confined in the state penitentiary. Today if that happened, he might not even get his name in the paper. If this is making progress, then why do a lot of people not see it this way?
I believe that is why God made people to live a certain length of time. Admit it ] when you get old you can't keep up anyhow. Till next time ] if there is one.
Des Bell North Webster
Justice
Editor, Times-Union:Another sad day for what we call Justice. Many months were spent at extreme cost deciding O.J. Simpson's trial. And even though positive proof was shown against him with DNA testing, he was still proclaimed not guilty.
Now we have a hurry-up trial, not one shred of concrete proof and Timothy McVeigh is proclaimed guilty of a bombing several experts say he could not possibly have done. According to the reports these experts have written, a truck bomb alone could not have done such extensive damage. There had to be bombs planted on the inside columns of the building. Also, why were there no BATF agents in the building? Why were they all told not to go to work that day and why was there a bomb squad truck sitting right down the street before the bombing? Were any of these questions answered?
Memorial Day
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to take the opportunity to thank those in attendance at the Memorial Day services at Oakwood Cemetery. A special thank-you to Mr. H. Dale Tucker, guest speaker for the ceremony, and Lt. Jeffery Horn of the Warsaw Salvation Army, for the worship services. The Warsaw Community High School band did an excellent job of providing music for the occasion. Also, a thank-you to the color guard units from the Warsaw American Legion and VFW posts for their part in honoring our deceased veterans.
Rolland Crowel, Commander American Legion Post 49
Scam Letter
Editor, Times-Union:Recently we received a "scam letter" postmarked Nigeria, mailed in a brown envelope and hand-addressed in block print ink letters. The sender was Dr. Rotimi Roberts, who gave no return address, only fax and telephone numbers. The letter was a "request for urgent business relationship" and read, in part:
"First, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction. This is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret. You have been recommended by an associate in the foreign office of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce and Industry who assured me in confidence of your ability and reliability to prosecute a transaction of great magnitude involving a pending business transaction requiring maximum confidence."
The letter went on the say that, if we would cooperate with their plan, they would transfer $15,500,000 U.S. dollars into our bank account, 20 percent of which would be ours to keep, 70 percent would go to the Nigerian "officials" and 10 percent would be used to "settle taxation and all local and foreign expenses."
All they wanted us to do was fax them our bank account number, bank address, telephone and fax numbers, and the beneficiary of the account.
While we immediately recognized the letter for what it was, we were concerned that other recipients of the letter might be unaware of it being a scam. So, your publishing this letter may help to warn others. The old saying, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is," needs to be etched into the minds of all of us ] especially older people with no one to help them think through the consequences of yielding to a great temptation to become rich with nothing to do but give out information that should never be given to strangers.
Thanks to Prosecutor Kolbe, the scam letter is now in the hands of the FBI.
We hope this letter may help to alert other people to not get involved in any offer that looks too good to be true.
Alvon and Grace Abbott Warsaw
Hatred
Editor, Times-Union:Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Just exactly which part of this would you like to see repealed, Mr. McQueen? You are so worried about what Abe Lincoln and Martin Luther King would think of all this. What do you suppose our founding fathers would think of your letter?
I agree with you that organizations such as the KKK and Neo-Nazis are deplorable but attacking the Constitution is not the answer. The answer lies in the teaching of tolerance. In showing our children and grandchildren that differences and variations are what make this world and this life bearable. It will certainly take longer than passing a law or amendment but I'm sure we will all be happier with the result.
I would remind you of one other thing, Mr. McQueen. Hatred is hatred. What makes yours any better than theirs?
Harold Kitson Warsaw
Complainers
Editor, Times-Union:For years we who love where we live, the United States of America, have had to endure a few constant complainers in your circulation area. I'm tired of it and am going to make a few statements of my own.
Yes, taxes seem high, but look at what we have. We have the most miles of roads and most are decent. We have the best and largest education system in the world. We have wonderful libraries, museums and parks. Why are we complaining?
Yes, our legal system isn't perfect. It is run by people ] fellow human beings just like you and me and we aren't perfect. I personally think it is ridiculous that any woman can charge any man for harassment or sexual advances after one month, but certainly no more than 60 to 90 days. I really don't appreciate the media polluting the airwaves and newsprint with that garbage. We have had a lot of it the past four years.
If we are teaching our children how badly we as a nation treated the Afro-Americans (and we did) shouldn't we teach them about the organized oppressors like the KKK? I read nothing in the paper that I wasn't taught in junior high in 1944-46. Why is it wrong to teach the truth? It didn't make a KKK sympathizer out of any of us, but it made us knowledgable about the KKK. Once again the media had a field day over something that shouldn't have been in my and many others' opinion.
If you don't want to pay taxes, you don't want all the good things we have, then try running for office to change it. I love our country. I don't mind paying for the good life. I don't mind paying to help those less fortunate (if they are trying).
I don't mind signing my name. I am proud to be an American from the state of Indiana, the county of Kosciusko.
Alice E. Waggoner Etna Green
Good Grief
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to thank the members of the Warsaw Police Department, Multi-Township EMS, Warsaw Fire Department, Kosciusko Community Hospital emergency room staff and chaplain. I made a 911 call in February after having found my mother at her home and unresponsive. They were very quick to respond and supportive throughout the ordeal. My sons and I later benefited from the volunteer efforts of all those who established a grief support group for elementary-aged children and families here in Warsaw. They called it "Good Grief." They contacted children and families that they were aware had suffered recent loss and sent home flyers with elementary students to get the word out that this service would be available. They had at least 15 children whose lives were positively impacted by this very worthwhile effort. There were that many adults who attended in support of their children also. We all benefited from the experience. They would like to continue this effort and extend the support to teen-age youth who have been touched by the many forms of grief. I am proud to live in a community with such a great support system. I would hope that the funds would be available to continue and extend the very worthwhile efforts to support children and youth in dealing with grief. Thank you to all who have touched our lives so positively as we deal with our own grief.
Debra L. McClintock Warsaw
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