Letters to the Editor 07-17-2006
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Defining Conservative - Needs Help - Etienne
Defining Conservative
Editor, Times-Union:Regarding my letter of 6-30-06 regarding the definition of liberal and my acceptance of that definition: I would like to thank Don Guard for his nice letter about it. I also appreciate the response by family friend, Jeff Bryan. I believe that hearing both sides of the issue is important.
To be fair, I decided that I needed to look up the definition of conservative. According to my Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, copyright 1961, a conservative is "disposed to maintain existing institutions or views: opposed to change."
Now I want to maintain existing institutions, if they are beneficial; but I also want to improve them. And the environment changes. We have gone from an agriculturally based society, to an industrial society. And now we seem to be transitioning from an industrial society to some sort of consumption or service society where the goods are produced elsewhere. We have gone through inventions and adoption of mass printing, automobiles, movies, etc. We have added states to the nation. It seems that change is inevitable and these changes affect our institutions. When I worked in a corporate environment, we moved from a management style of monitor and control to one of continuous improvement and delegating decision level and accounting downward in order to keep our company competitive.
Even Webster's definitions change. The Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, copyright 1984, includes a definition of conservatism to be "a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change." So, maybe conservatism is becoming more liberal. Then again, maybe not. The next definition is "the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change."
Regardless of the details in the definitions, it seems to me that the current executive and legislative leadership actions of declaring war on and occupying two sovereign nations; going from a $236 billion Federal budget surplus in 2000 to a $426 billion deficit five years later; proposing amnesty and possible citizenship for more than 12 million illegal aliens; implementing a program of spying on U.S citizens' financial records, e-mails, and Internet usage are hardly examples of behavior that match the definition of conservatism.
My point here is that both terms, liberal and conservative, are being mischaracterized by politicians, columnists and the media. It seems like there is a lot of name-calling and innuendo. Not all democrats are godless liberals as Ann Coulter would have you believe. In fact, each of us falls somewhere in a vast spectrum between ultraliberal and ultraconservative. There are liberals and conservatives in both political parties. I believe in our democratic form of government. I believe that it is best served if the voters are informed, if they have accurate information, if there is open and honest discussion and debate on the issues, and if they have a choice of candidates who will represent their constituents; their city; their county; their state; or their nation to the best of their ability with their best judgment regardless of political party and political party interests.
We need to get beyond the name-calling and misrepresentation of the various legislation being proposed and find a way to get accurate information so that we voters can choose candidates with integrity who will best represent our interests and the interests or our city, county, state and nation.
Howard Woodward Jr., via e-mail
Warsaw
Editor's Note: This letter was edited to conform more closely with the 500-word limit as stated in our letters policy.
Needs Help
Editor, Times-Union:I need your help.
Sometime between midnight and 1 a.m. July 10, a vehicle was traveling down Shady Lane here in Warsaw. My car was parked on the street and was hit, pushing the car approximately 30 feet out into the middle of the street. The car was totaled. The frame was bent, the radiator pushed into the motor, and the front bumper shoved into the tires.
According to police evidence collected, the vehicle was gold, beige, or gray in color, and was quite large, since it was able to drive away after the hit and run. The hit and run perpetrator probably was visiting a friend or relative in our neighborhood since this is not a main thoroughfare, but a (once) quiet and safe street. The car that was hit was small and had it been hit by another small vehicle, the driver would not have been able to drive away from the scene.
The driver had to have been traveling at a high rate of speed, moving west on Shady Lane from the Country Club Drive area. The passenger's side of the vehicle would be damaged.
If you know of anyone who has had their car repaired lately, been visiting this area of Warsaw, or any other information that might help us find the hit-and-run driver, please contact the Warsaw Police Department at 372-9511.
I appreciate any help you can give me. I now have to search for another car to replace the dependable car I have had since it was "born." The "replacement" value from the insurance company does not begin to cover the actual expenses involved in obtaining new transportation. My car was dependable, good on gas, and could easily have serviced my needs for another 10 years.
I am disappointed that the person who hit the car didn't have the courage to face what he/she did and take the consequences for their actions.
Cathy Mullett, via e-mail
Warsaw
Etienne
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to take this opportunity to let the whole community know how much Warsaw Schools will be at a loss this fall. This letter is in regards to Mary Etienne, our art teacher.
I work at Lincoln Elementary and have not only had the opportunity to work with her, but my daughter has been one of her students. Mary has this unbelievable way of seeing the artist in every child, no matter what their circumstance in life may be. Her class was always about what every child could do and the artist that is in each and every heart. I don't believe that the words can't or couldn't are a part of her vocabulary. There is no doubt in my mind that Mary, single handily, has changed lives forever. I know this because of my child's own experience in her classroom.
If anyone ever had the chance to walk Lincoln's halls or gaze into the glass case at the entrance of our school, it was very obvious that there was a little piece of Mary's heart in every project that ever came out of the art room. It truly was like walking through a museum of all the up-and-coming artists in Warsaw. Many times I would catch myself just staring at the art, being wowed by what she got from each and every student. Students would be willing to give up recess, for many days, just to get to draw or work with her.
I read something the other day and wanted every one to know that this poem sums up Mary Etienne. How like a Gardner ... who daily plants love and encouragement in the rich ground of a child's heart, and who with the kind hands of compassion, guides the rose to fill the trellis. Mary has guided many roses and will never be forgotten for her hard work and dedication to the children who were blessed to have had her in their lives.
I miss you already. God bless. Happy retirement.
Lisa Glass, via e-mail
Warsaw
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- Defining Conservative - Needs Help - Etienne
Defining Conservative
Editor, Times-Union:Regarding my letter of 6-30-06 regarding the definition of liberal and my acceptance of that definition: I would like to thank Don Guard for his nice letter about it. I also appreciate the response by family friend, Jeff Bryan. I believe that hearing both sides of the issue is important.
To be fair, I decided that I needed to look up the definition of conservative. According to my Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, copyright 1961, a conservative is "disposed to maintain existing institutions or views: opposed to change."
Now I want to maintain existing institutions, if they are beneficial; but I also want to improve them. And the environment changes. We have gone from an agriculturally based society, to an industrial society. And now we seem to be transitioning from an industrial society to some sort of consumption or service society where the goods are produced elsewhere. We have gone through inventions and adoption of mass printing, automobiles, movies, etc. We have added states to the nation. It seems that change is inevitable and these changes affect our institutions. When I worked in a corporate environment, we moved from a management style of monitor and control to one of continuous improvement and delegating decision level and accounting downward in order to keep our company competitive.
Even Webster's definitions change. The Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, copyright 1984, includes a definition of conservatism to be "a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change." So, maybe conservatism is becoming more liberal. Then again, maybe not. The next definition is "the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change."
Regardless of the details in the definitions, it seems to me that the current executive and legislative leadership actions of declaring war on and occupying two sovereign nations; going from a $236 billion Federal budget surplus in 2000 to a $426 billion deficit five years later; proposing amnesty and possible citizenship for more than 12 million illegal aliens; implementing a program of spying on U.S citizens' financial records, e-mails, and Internet usage are hardly examples of behavior that match the definition of conservatism.
My point here is that both terms, liberal and conservative, are being mischaracterized by politicians, columnists and the media. It seems like there is a lot of name-calling and innuendo. Not all democrats are godless liberals as Ann Coulter would have you believe. In fact, each of us falls somewhere in a vast spectrum between ultraliberal and ultraconservative. There are liberals and conservatives in both political parties. I believe in our democratic form of government. I believe that it is best served if the voters are informed, if they have accurate information, if there is open and honest discussion and debate on the issues, and if they have a choice of candidates who will represent their constituents; their city; their county; their state; or their nation to the best of their ability with their best judgment regardless of political party and political party interests.
We need to get beyond the name-calling and misrepresentation of the various legislation being proposed and find a way to get accurate information so that we voters can choose candidates with integrity who will best represent our interests and the interests or our city, county, state and nation.
Howard Woodward Jr., via e-mail
Warsaw
Editor's Note: This letter was edited to conform more closely with the 500-word limit as stated in our letters policy.
Needs Help
Editor, Times-Union:I need your help.
Sometime between midnight and 1 a.m. July 10, a vehicle was traveling down Shady Lane here in Warsaw. My car was parked on the street and was hit, pushing the car approximately 30 feet out into the middle of the street. The car was totaled. The frame was bent, the radiator pushed into the motor, and the front bumper shoved into the tires.
According to police evidence collected, the vehicle was gold, beige, or gray in color, and was quite large, since it was able to drive away after the hit and run. The hit and run perpetrator probably was visiting a friend or relative in our neighborhood since this is not a main thoroughfare, but a (once) quiet and safe street. The car that was hit was small and had it been hit by another small vehicle, the driver would not have been able to drive away from the scene.
The driver had to have been traveling at a high rate of speed, moving west on Shady Lane from the Country Club Drive area. The passenger's side of the vehicle would be damaged.
If you know of anyone who has had their car repaired lately, been visiting this area of Warsaw, or any other information that might help us find the hit-and-run driver, please contact the Warsaw Police Department at 372-9511.
I appreciate any help you can give me. I now have to search for another car to replace the dependable car I have had since it was "born." The "replacement" value from the insurance company does not begin to cover the actual expenses involved in obtaining new transportation. My car was dependable, good on gas, and could easily have serviced my needs for another 10 years.
I am disappointed that the person who hit the car didn't have the courage to face what he/she did and take the consequences for their actions.
Cathy Mullett, via e-mail
Warsaw
Etienne
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to take this opportunity to let the whole community know how much Warsaw Schools will be at a loss this fall. This letter is in regards to Mary Etienne, our art teacher.
I work at Lincoln Elementary and have not only had the opportunity to work with her, but my daughter has been one of her students. Mary has this unbelievable way of seeing the artist in every child, no matter what their circumstance in life may be. Her class was always about what every child could do and the artist that is in each and every heart. I don't believe that the words can't or couldn't are a part of her vocabulary. There is no doubt in my mind that Mary, single handily, has changed lives forever. I know this because of my child's own experience in her classroom.
If anyone ever had the chance to walk Lincoln's halls or gaze into the glass case at the entrance of our school, it was very obvious that there was a little piece of Mary's heart in every project that ever came out of the art room. It truly was like walking through a museum of all the up-and-coming artists in Warsaw. Many times I would catch myself just staring at the art, being wowed by what she got from each and every student. Students would be willing to give up recess, for many days, just to get to draw or work with her.
I read something the other day and wanted every one to know that this poem sums up Mary Etienne. How like a Gardner ... who daily plants love and encouragement in the rich ground of a child's heart, and who with the kind hands of compassion, guides the rose to fill the trellis. Mary has guided many roses and will never be forgotten for her hard work and dedication to the children who were blessed to have had her in their lives.
I miss you already. God bless. Happy retirement.
Lisa Glass, via e-mail
Warsaw
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