Letters to the Editor 06-26-2000
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Before It's Too Late - Mature And Compassionate - Straight Talk - Getting Away With Murder? - More Balanced
Before It's Too Late
Editor, Times-Union:Almost daily in this column, Christians, Satanists, Agnostics, Atheists, Animists and others of various religious stripes trade arguments. However, one second after each of them dies, they will know the truth.ÊBut sadly, then they will not be able to change their minds - ever! I am voting for the one and only living God while I am still alive.
W. Shank
Syracuse
via e-mail
Mature And Compassionate
Editor, Times-Union:This is in response to "Something Evil." I am so sick of seeing all this bickering back and forth about Christianity and who's right and whose wrong. Let me start by saying that I have attended a Catholic church, a Presbyterian church, a Baptist church, Free Methodist church, Pentecostal church, and spoken with people associated with the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses'. I have read the satanic Bible (which is a religion I totally disagree with) and read books with several other occult things. I guess you could say I study all the different religions, but actually follow none.
I have read several books on Wicca (also known as witchcraft) and although I don't follow that either, they have very sensible beliefs. Wiccans aren't satanist, they believe in doing no harm to others, treat all creatures (big and small) with kindness and compassion, and treasure the Earth, for it is our home. Wiccans' only animosity towards other religions is that they all claim to be "the ONLY way." They don't do sacrifices, they don't try to pull others into their religion, they don't put curses on people, they don't ride brooms or howl at the moon.
Now that I have shared my knowledge on this, I'm quite sure that I will soon be getting labeled as a "witch" or "freak" due to the small-mindedness of this town. In my 21 years of life in this town, I have only met a handful of people who are not judgmental and personally it makes me sick. Don't you people have more important things to worry about than what everyone else is doing? Why can't people be more accepting and compassionate? This would be such a better world if everyone could mind their own business. Didn't everyone's mom and dad teach them that if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it at all? Who cares what religion anyone is? If you don't like someone, then don't talk to them. People gripe about prejudice and you know what, they are the same people who are prejudiced against a religion other than their own.
I'm embarrassed to be a citizen of a town like this. I've spent my whole life being judged in this town for my clothes, car, and because I don't think like everyone else. I don't care what you all think of me. I have more important things to worry about. Pretty sad to say, I'm more mature and compassionate at 21 than most of you will ever be in your whole lives.
Shanna Burrous
Warsaw
via e-mail
Straight Talk
Editor, Times-Union:Governor George W. "Oil Well" Bush of Texas is running for president. And the price of a gallon of gasoline has been going up in regions of the country that are politically strategic to the 2000 election ever since "Super Tuesday." For anyone who learned how to connect the dots in preschool, THIS is a "no-brainer." (Duh)
Allow me to be the first person who coins the phrase that will become the definitive slogan in the 2000 election... "It's the Special Interest, Stupid."
Are you hopping mad about these gas prices? Do something about it! Call your Congressman and your Senator. Tell them that you want full disclosure of 527 groups. Tell them that you want McCain/Feingold Campaign Finance Reform now.
Laurie Patterson
Leesburg
Getting Away With Murder?
Editor, Times-Union:It appears that George W. Bush has gotten away with murder again, NOT, maybe for now, George W., because no one has arrested you for it. So you think you're off the hook, just untill you die, then you will be brought up on charges in God's court. Then we'll see if you got by with murder or not. Personally I hope and pray he shows no mercy on your soul. Have A Nice Day.
Michael L.Stevens
Pierceton
via e-mail
More Balanced
Editor, Times-Union:It appears that you have, unfortunately, succumbed to the ever-growing practice of reverting to name-calling when the facts of a case do not support your arguments. I refer, of course, to your editorial of Saturday, June 24, as well as your previous editorial, in which you coined the terms "NIMBY and ACAC" in lieu of researching the issue in which you take your position in support of Meijer's case. I would like to suggest a more balanced approach in the future:
1. Attend the meetings to actually understand what went on. If I were you, I would not rely solely on the stories written by your reporters. I have spoken to at least a dozen other people who attended all Plan Commission and City Council meetings on this issue. I have yet to find one person who believes the issue was reported accurately and fairly, with equal consideration given to both sides of the argument. This would give you the opportunity to gauge the tone of the arguments presented by Meijer and the remonstrators-something you can't get by reading a reporter's rendition, no matter how well written.
2. Interview the City Council members and the Plan Commission members. Publish the interview verbatim. Since each vote to deny the petition was approved unanimously, I would think that their reasons should have some weight in your analysis. These Council persons were elected because they are highly regarded members of this community. If the residents trust their judgment enough to elect them to their offices, shouldn't the newspaper at least ask them why they did this?
3. Read in depth and publish the two Meijer proposals. Perhaps reading them would enlighten you and your readers as to what was actually happening. Reading the proposals might also help to understand the votes taken by the Plan Commission and the City Council.
4. Poll the public. My perception is that the overwhelming number of Meijer supporters live outside of Warsaw (Steve Snyder, your letter writers, Meijer itself and of course, you). Perhaps my perception is wrong, and most people want the proposal as written, but I believe that the residents of Warsaw have a better perception of the needs of this community than those who don't live here.
Mr. Gerard, I have come to expect more of your paper than the treatment we have received from this story. Yes, I'm a NIMBY, but one who would very likely have financially profited from the building of this complex across the street. You have often made a persuasive case about the media bias at the national level. I am disappointed that you have elected to allow this bias to appear at the local level.
Jerry Hogan
Warsaw
via e-mail
Note: If the letter writer would like to explain how to write an opinion column - or letter to the editor, for that matter - that is devoid of bias, I would be happy to listen.
Gary Gerard, Managing Editor
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- Before It's Too Late - Mature And Compassionate - Straight Talk - Getting Away With Murder? - More Balanced
Before It's Too Late
Editor, Times-Union:Almost daily in this column, Christians, Satanists, Agnostics, Atheists, Animists and others of various religious stripes trade arguments. However, one second after each of them dies, they will know the truth.ÊBut sadly, then they will not be able to change their minds - ever! I am voting for the one and only living God while I am still alive.
W. Shank
Syracuse
via e-mail
Mature And Compassionate
Editor, Times-Union:This is in response to "Something Evil." I am so sick of seeing all this bickering back and forth about Christianity and who's right and whose wrong. Let me start by saying that I have attended a Catholic church, a Presbyterian church, a Baptist church, Free Methodist church, Pentecostal church, and spoken with people associated with the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses'. I have read the satanic Bible (which is a religion I totally disagree with) and read books with several other occult things. I guess you could say I study all the different religions, but actually follow none.
I have read several books on Wicca (also known as witchcraft) and although I don't follow that either, they have very sensible beliefs. Wiccans aren't satanist, they believe in doing no harm to others, treat all creatures (big and small) with kindness and compassion, and treasure the Earth, for it is our home. Wiccans' only animosity towards other religions is that they all claim to be "the ONLY way." They don't do sacrifices, they don't try to pull others into their religion, they don't put curses on people, they don't ride brooms or howl at the moon.
Now that I have shared my knowledge on this, I'm quite sure that I will soon be getting labeled as a "witch" or "freak" due to the small-mindedness of this town. In my 21 years of life in this town, I have only met a handful of people who are not judgmental and personally it makes me sick. Don't you people have more important things to worry about than what everyone else is doing? Why can't people be more accepting and compassionate? This would be such a better world if everyone could mind their own business. Didn't everyone's mom and dad teach them that if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it at all? Who cares what religion anyone is? If you don't like someone, then don't talk to them. People gripe about prejudice and you know what, they are the same people who are prejudiced against a religion other than their own.
I'm embarrassed to be a citizen of a town like this. I've spent my whole life being judged in this town for my clothes, car, and because I don't think like everyone else. I don't care what you all think of me. I have more important things to worry about. Pretty sad to say, I'm more mature and compassionate at 21 than most of you will ever be in your whole lives.
Shanna Burrous
Warsaw
via e-mail
Straight Talk
Editor, Times-Union:Governor George W. "Oil Well" Bush of Texas is running for president. And the price of a gallon of gasoline has been going up in regions of the country that are politically strategic to the 2000 election ever since "Super Tuesday." For anyone who learned how to connect the dots in preschool, THIS is a "no-brainer." (Duh)
Allow me to be the first person who coins the phrase that will become the definitive slogan in the 2000 election... "It's the Special Interest, Stupid."
Are you hopping mad about these gas prices? Do something about it! Call your Congressman and your Senator. Tell them that you want full disclosure of 527 groups. Tell them that you want McCain/Feingold Campaign Finance Reform now.
Laurie Patterson
Leesburg
Getting Away With Murder?
Editor, Times-Union:It appears that George W. Bush has gotten away with murder again, NOT, maybe for now, George W., because no one has arrested you for it. So you think you're off the hook, just untill you die, then you will be brought up on charges in God's court. Then we'll see if you got by with murder or not. Personally I hope and pray he shows no mercy on your soul. Have A Nice Day.
Michael L.Stevens
Pierceton
via e-mail
More Balanced
Editor, Times-Union:It appears that you have, unfortunately, succumbed to the ever-growing practice of reverting to name-calling when the facts of a case do not support your arguments. I refer, of course, to your editorial of Saturday, June 24, as well as your previous editorial, in which you coined the terms "NIMBY and ACAC" in lieu of researching the issue in which you take your position in support of Meijer's case. I would like to suggest a more balanced approach in the future:
1. Attend the meetings to actually understand what went on. If I were you, I would not rely solely on the stories written by your reporters. I have spoken to at least a dozen other people who attended all Plan Commission and City Council meetings on this issue. I have yet to find one person who believes the issue was reported accurately and fairly, with equal consideration given to both sides of the argument. This would give you the opportunity to gauge the tone of the arguments presented by Meijer and the remonstrators-something you can't get by reading a reporter's rendition, no matter how well written.
2. Interview the City Council members and the Plan Commission members. Publish the interview verbatim. Since each vote to deny the petition was approved unanimously, I would think that their reasons should have some weight in your analysis. These Council persons were elected because they are highly regarded members of this community. If the residents trust their judgment enough to elect them to their offices, shouldn't the newspaper at least ask them why they did this?
3. Read in depth and publish the two Meijer proposals. Perhaps reading them would enlighten you and your readers as to what was actually happening. Reading the proposals might also help to understand the votes taken by the Plan Commission and the City Council.
4. Poll the public. My perception is that the overwhelming number of Meijer supporters live outside of Warsaw (Steve Snyder, your letter writers, Meijer itself and of course, you). Perhaps my perception is wrong, and most people want the proposal as written, but I believe that the residents of Warsaw have a better perception of the needs of this community than those who don't live here.
Mr. Gerard, I have come to expect more of your paper than the treatment we have received from this story. Yes, I'm a NIMBY, but one who would very likely have financially profited from the building of this complex across the street. You have often made a persuasive case about the media bias at the national level. I am disappointed that you have elected to allow this bias to appear at the local level.
Jerry Hogan
Warsaw
via e-mail
Note: If the letter writer would like to explain how to write an opinion column - or letter to the editor, for that matter - that is devoid of bias, I would be happy to listen.
Gary Gerard, Managing Editor
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