Letters to the Editor 09-17-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Eye Transplant - Earning Public Trust - Art In The Park
Eye Transplant
Editor, Times-Union:Matthew Borsellino of Yonkers, N.Y., was born with a corneal opacity affecting his left eye. The cornea is the clear outer covering of the eye. If light cannot pass through, impaired vision results. At 4 months of age, a corneal transplant gave him sight in this eye. Somewhere parents of an infant the same age as Matthew gave consent for the eyes of their deceased child to be used for transplanting. Without this cornea from a human eye, Matthew's sight could not have been restored. Synthetic corneas have not yet proven satisfactory.
The need for cornea transplants is increasing, but eye donations have not kept pace. Signing the back of your driver's license is good, but informing your next of kin will more likely assure that your wishes will be carried out when that critical time comes. Physicians are reluctant to take eyes or other organs without the consent of next of kin.
Have you discussed this subject with your next of kin? Have you told them of your desire to donate your eyes when you no longer have need for them?
Berniece H. Dwyer, Milford
Earning Public Trust
Editor, Times-Union:In 1988, ten years ago, the late Dr. Richard C. Halverson, Chaplain of the United States Senate, penned these compelling words in an article, "Earning the Public Trust":
"The people have the right - indeed the responsibility - to examine political candidates on the basis of more than their stand on issues, although issues are important. What is ultimately essential to a candidate's qualifications for public office is the trustworthiness of the candidate. Does she have integrity? Is he honest? Does he seek public office for legitimate reasons? Can she be depended upon to serve the common good even when it is unpopular to do so? Is he willing to take the political risks to work and vote as though he is not up for reelection?
"In this context, it is a contradiction to argue that the private life of a candidate is irrelevant to his/her qualifications for public office. If candidates cannot be trusted in their private affairs, they are not worthy to be granted the public trust."
One would hope that the American people would not lower the bar of integrity, honesty and personal ethics that we have a right to expect in our elected officials, at all levels, simply by the example of the person who now holds our nation's highest office. One would hope, in fact, that the backwash of public shame and disgust would cause us, for the benefit of future generations, to raise the bar!
Larry N. Chamberlain, Executive Director, Grace Brethren North American Missions, Winona Lake
Art In The Park
Editor, Times-Union:Art in the Park was again a beautiful day with bright sunshine, sparkling water, and many laughing children who love to make art. The Warsaw School Corporation art teachers enjoyed their day with these children at Central Park. All the people who need to be thanked for making this fun/learning day possible are the Morning Optimists, the high school art student volunteers, the park workers who make the park area so beautiful, the musical entertainer and the parents who brought their children to the park for a family day. Thanks for each and every person who made a beautiful day, a perfect day.
Sara Robbins, K-12 Art Coordinator
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- Eye Transplant - Earning Public Trust - Art In The Park
Eye Transplant
Editor, Times-Union:Matthew Borsellino of Yonkers, N.Y., was born with a corneal opacity affecting his left eye. The cornea is the clear outer covering of the eye. If light cannot pass through, impaired vision results. At 4 months of age, a corneal transplant gave him sight in this eye. Somewhere parents of an infant the same age as Matthew gave consent for the eyes of their deceased child to be used for transplanting. Without this cornea from a human eye, Matthew's sight could not have been restored. Synthetic corneas have not yet proven satisfactory.
The need for cornea transplants is increasing, but eye donations have not kept pace. Signing the back of your driver's license is good, but informing your next of kin will more likely assure that your wishes will be carried out when that critical time comes. Physicians are reluctant to take eyes or other organs without the consent of next of kin.
Have you discussed this subject with your next of kin? Have you told them of your desire to donate your eyes when you no longer have need for them?
Berniece H. Dwyer, Milford
Earning Public Trust
Editor, Times-Union:In 1988, ten years ago, the late Dr. Richard C. Halverson, Chaplain of the United States Senate, penned these compelling words in an article, "Earning the Public Trust":
"The people have the right - indeed the responsibility - to examine political candidates on the basis of more than their stand on issues, although issues are important. What is ultimately essential to a candidate's qualifications for public office is the trustworthiness of the candidate. Does she have integrity? Is he honest? Does he seek public office for legitimate reasons? Can she be depended upon to serve the common good even when it is unpopular to do so? Is he willing to take the political risks to work and vote as though he is not up for reelection?
"In this context, it is a contradiction to argue that the private life of a candidate is irrelevant to his/her qualifications for public office. If candidates cannot be trusted in their private affairs, they are not worthy to be granted the public trust."
One would hope that the American people would not lower the bar of integrity, honesty and personal ethics that we have a right to expect in our elected officials, at all levels, simply by the example of the person who now holds our nation's highest office. One would hope, in fact, that the backwash of public shame and disgust would cause us, for the benefit of future generations, to raise the bar!
Larry N. Chamberlain, Executive Director, Grace Brethren North American Missions, Winona Lake
Art In The Park
Editor, Times-Union:Art in the Park was again a beautiful day with bright sunshine, sparkling water, and many laughing children who love to make art. The Warsaw School Corporation art teachers enjoyed their day with these children at Central Park. All the people who need to be thanked for making this fun/learning day possible are the Morning Optimists, the high school art student volunteers, the park workers who make the park area so beautiful, the musical entertainer and the parents who brought their children to the park for a family day. Thanks for each and every person who made a beautiful day, a perfect day.
Sara Robbins, K-12 Art Coordinator
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