Letters to the Editor 09-28-2001
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Gas Rebuttal - Reps Work Hard - Arabs - Arabs II - Arabs III - Canada Kindness
Gas Rebuttal
Editor, Times-Union:In response to Mike Pitt's (executive director, Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association) Letter To The Editor published 9/24/01.
Such a feeble attempt at justifying profiteering deserves a response.
Mr. Pitt: "... gasoline retailers had just cause to expect significant increased costs to replace the fuel in their tanks."
Response: The gas sitting in the storage tank at the gas station before the events of 9/11/01 a.m. was paid for by the owner and was being sold for a certain price and should have remained at that price until the next shipment. The common practice is to pass the cost of doing business on to the consumer AFTER said cost is incurred by the owner and not in the anticipation of such increase. Does the owner pay a certain price for a storage tank full of gas and then lower the price to the consumer before the next shipment arrives in "anticipation" of the supplier lowering his price?
Mr. Pitt: "Retailers who raised their prices a modest amount were doing what they normally do for the usual reasons. They were not price gouging."
Response: Can't argue with the first sentence. However, I don't agree with Mr. Pitt on the second sentence.
Mr. Pitt: "Our organization does not condone and will not defend those few retailers who saw fit to charge as much as $3-$5/gallon." ... "we want the public to understand that retailers who may have raised their prices as much as 30-40 cents had justifiable reasons."
Response: Translation - In the absence of increased costs to the owner, a little profiteering is OK during a national crisis.
The consumer did make a fool of themselves on Sept.11th. There are a lot of $1.99/gallon gas cans sitting in garages today. However the scare was not totally without merit. Mr. Pitt notes that a few station owners did raise the price to $3-$5/gallon. We, the consumer, should reward the few stations like White's Amoco in North Webster whose owners had more on their mind that tragic day than profiteering from their fellow Americans.
Mike Kissinger
North Webster
via e-mail
Reps Work Hard
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is in direct response to the letter regarding "Expensive 'Vacations.'"
Mr. Guard, I take offense to your letter. You have no idea what is expected of a State Representative on an hourly, daily, weekly and yearly basis. A legislator's job is more than cutting taxes and pork. Imagine a phone that never stops ringing. A portable phone that rings every day, holidays included, no matter where you are. Not to mention the mail and e-mail that must be responded to. A life where people constantly question your every intention and decision, and knowing those decisions affect everyone. I have been on one of those "vacations," and it is anything but. You travel to a beautiful location, where you get to sit in meetings and seminars all day and listen to a thrilling lecture in the evening. I take particular offense to the statement, "We are fed up and disgusted with your arrogance and overall attitude. You think we don't matter? Think again." You have obviously never met my father. Anyone who has met my father knows he is neither arrogant nor does he have attitude. My father became a politician because he enjoys making other peoples' lives better and because he enjoys the work that comes along with it. The next time you decide to preach, please get at least some background information on your subject. If our elected officials "stayed at home and did there jobs" as you suggest, they would be left in the dark about the positive moves made by other states and left behind by the rest of the world. I want a government that isn't afraid to look around and see what others are doing, not a government that sits in the State House with blinders on.
By the way, the Council of State Governments meeting in Alaska was CANCELED. Even if your letter was written before the trip was canceled, it does not excuse your ignorance of what our elected legislators do for our state and our communities.
Matt Wolkins
(proud son of The Honorable State Representative David A.)
Winona Lake
Arabs
Editor, Times-Union:Mr. Deeter if you think that the terrorists represent the Arab-looking people, would you use the same scenario with Tim McVey?
Yes, Mr. Deeter, "God Bless America."
Bart Huffman
Silver Lake
via e-mail
Arabs II
Editor, Times-Union:I feel compelled to respond to George Deeter's Letter to the Editor on 9/24 concerning Screening Arabs. Do the words "Hitler and Nazism" strike a chord? "National screening" of all persons of Arab descent, including the ones born in this country, and forcing them to carry or wear an ID? Perhaps a numbered tattooed on the inside of the arm? Do the 1930s sound familiar to you, Mr. Deeter? This is what the Nazi Germans forced, first in Germany then in the other countries they occupied during World War II. No one of Jewish descent was overlooked, whether or not they were practicing the Jewish faith. Then, for their "own protection" they were gathered together and put into ghettos. The next step as we are all aware of is the concentration camps where the murder of over 6 million Jews, political prisoners, mentally challenged and homosexuals were put to their deaths. I know that isn't what Mr. Deeter is suggesting, but it is a repeat of history. As for putting everyone "of Arab descent" into "internment camps" like we did the citizens of "Japanese descent," some of whom were third generation "Americans" and had fathers, husbands, sons and brothers serving and dying to protect our country - no Mr. Deeter, these suggestions are not what America is all about. Most of the people of "Arab descent" are in this country legally or even born in this country. They should not be made to feel that they are suspect due to the actions of a handful of crazed individuals. Remember Tim McVey and the Oklahoma bombing or Ted Kazinski, the Unibomber? These were white American citizens; should all white American citizens be required to carry and show ID on demand? Do you realize that anyone with criminal intent most likely would not register in the first place but would go into hiding? We as a country have done enough damage to different cultures, faiths and religious background starting with the Native Americans. This is a regretful situation that should not be compounded. Let's pray that history does not repeat itself. ...
Mary Jo Stapleton
Warsaw
via e-mail
Arabs III
Editor, Times-Union:To make it short and to the point: In regards to George Deeter's letter of Sept. 24, 2001: Where do you live: United States of America or in Nazi Germany!!!!
Enough said, or I'll say more than I intend to.
Carolyn M. Smith
Warsaw
via e-mail
Canada Kindness
Editor, Times-Union:We have heard and read so much about the outpouring of help and concern within our country but I haven't heard anything about the response from Canada, our good neighbor to the north. My husband and I just returned from a vacation near Saint Gabriel du Valcartier. This is a small village (pop. 1,500) north of Quebec City, Quebec. Tuesday evening, 9/11, as the news unfolded on the TV, the volunteer firemen and their wives felt a need to help the firefighters of New York City. They decided to have a community brunch on the next Sunday to attempt to raise some money. As soon as the word got out, offers of food came from local merchants and all the food was donated. The firemen and their wives cooked and served the food and asked only for donations to the fund. The people were lined up across the parking lot waiting to get in and before the day was over, nearly $7,000 had been raised with more expected as residents were calling in and wanting to donate even though they were unable to attend the brunch. We need to reflect on this caring concern from this part of our North America family.
Barbara Nicholls
Warsaw
via e-mail
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- Gas Rebuttal - Reps Work Hard - Arabs - Arabs II - Arabs III - Canada Kindness
Gas Rebuttal
Editor, Times-Union:In response to Mike Pitt's (executive director, Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association) Letter To The Editor published 9/24/01.
Such a feeble attempt at justifying profiteering deserves a response.
Mr. Pitt: "... gasoline retailers had just cause to expect significant increased costs to replace the fuel in their tanks."
Response: The gas sitting in the storage tank at the gas station before the events of 9/11/01 a.m. was paid for by the owner and was being sold for a certain price and should have remained at that price until the next shipment. The common practice is to pass the cost of doing business on to the consumer AFTER said cost is incurred by the owner and not in the anticipation of such increase. Does the owner pay a certain price for a storage tank full of gas and then lower the price to the consumer before the next shipment arrives in "anticipation" of the supplier lowering his price?
Mr. Pitt: "Retailers who raised their prices a modest amount were doing what they normally do for the usual reasons. They were not price gouging."
Response: Can't argue with the first sentence. However, I don't agree with Mr. Pitt on the second sentence.
Mr. Pitt: "Our organization does not condone and will not defend those few retailers who saw fit to charge as much as $3-$5/gallon." ... "we want the public to understand that retailers who may have raised their prices as much as 30-40 cents had justifiable reasons."
Response: Translation - In the absence of increased costs to the owner, a little profiteering is OK during a national crisis.
The consumer did make a fool of themselves on Sept.11th. There are a lot of $1.99/gallon gas cans sitting in garages today. However the scare was not totally without merit. Mr. Pitt notes that a few station owners did raise the price to $3-$5/gallon. We, the consumer, should reward the few stations like White's Amoco in North Webster whose owners had more on their mind that tragic day than profiteering from their fellow Americans.
Mike Kissinger
North Webster
via e-mail
Reps Work Hard
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is in direct response to the letter regarding "Expensive 'Vacations.'"
Mr. Guard, I take offense to your letter. You have no idea what is expected of a State Representative on an hourly, daily, weekly and yearly basis. A legislator's job is more than cutting taxes and pork. Imagine a phone that never stops ringing. A portable phone that rings every day, holidays included, no matter where you are. Not to mention the mail and e-mail that must be responded to. A life where people constantly question your every intention and decision, and knowing those decisions affect everyone. I have been on one of those "vacations," and it is anything but. You travel to a beautiful location, where you get to sit in meetings and seminars all day and listen to a thrilling lecture in the evening. I take particular offense to the statement, "We are fed up and disgusted with your arrogance and overall attitude. You think we don't matter? Think again." You have obviously never met my father. Anyone who has met my father knows he is neither arrogant nor does he have attitude. My father became a politician because he enjoys making other peoples' lives better and because he enjoys the work that comes along with it. The next time you decide to preach, please get at least some background information on your subject. If our elected officials "stayed at home and did there jobs" as you suggest, they would be left in the dark about the positive moves made by other states and left behind by the rest of the world. I want a government that isn't afraid to look around and see what others are doing, not a government that sits in the State House with blinders on.
By the way, the Council of State Governments meeting in Alaska was CANCELED. Even if your letter was written before the trip was canceled, it does not excuse your ignorance of what our elected legislators do for our state and our communities.
Matt Wolkins
(proud son of The Honorable State Representative David A.)
Winona Lake
Arabs
Editor, Times-Union:Mr. Deeter if you think that the terrorists represent the Arab-looking people, would you use the same scenario with Tim McVey?
Yes, Mr. Deeter, "God Bless America."
Bart Huffman
Silver Lake
via e-mail
Arabs II
Editor, Times-Union:I feel compelled to respond to George Deeter's Letter to the Editor on 9/24 concerning Screening Arabs. Do the words "Hitler and Nazism" strike a chord? "National screening" of all persons of Arab descent, including the ones born in this country, and forcing them to carry or wear an ID? Perhaps a numbered tattooed on the inside of the arm? Do the 1930s sound familiar to you, Mr. Deeter? This is what the Nazi Germans forced, first in Germany then in the other countries they occupied during World War II. No one of Jewish descent was overlooked, whether or not they were practicing the Jewish faith. Then, for their "own protection" they were gathered together and put into ghettos. The next step as we are all aware of is the concentration camps where the murder of over 6 million Jews, political prisoners, mentally challenged and homosexuals were put to their deaths. I know that isn't what Mr. Deeter is suggesting, but it is a repeat of history. As for putting everyone "of Arab descent" into "internment camps" like we did the citizens of "Japanese descent," some of whom were third generation "Americans" and had fathers, husbands, sons and brothers serving and dying to protect our country - no Mr. Deeter, these suggestions are not what America is all about. Most of the people of "Arab descent" are in this country legally or even born in this country. They should not be made to feel that they are suspect due to the actions of a handful of crazed individuals. Remember Tim McVey and the Oklahoma bombing or Ted Kazinski, the Unibomber? These were white American citizens; should all white American citizens be required to carry and show ID on demand? Do you realize that anyone with criminal intent most likely would not register in the first place but would go into hiding? We as a country have done enough damage to different cultures, faiths and religious background starting with the Native Americans. This is a regretful situation that should not be compounded. Let's pray that history does not repeat itself. ...
Mary Jo Stapleton
Warsaw
via e-mail
Arabs III
Editor, Times-Union:To make it short and to the point: In regards to George Deeter's letter of Sept. 24, 2001: Where do you live: United States of America or in Nazi Germany!!!!
Enough said, or I'll say more than I intend to.
Carolyn M. Smith
Warsaw
via e-mail
Canada Kindness
Editor, Times-Union:We have heard and read so much about the outpouring of help and concern within our country but I haven't heard anything about the response from Canada, our good neighbor to the north. My husband and I just returned from a vacation near Saint Gabriel du Valcartier. This is a small village (pop. 1,500) north of Quebec City, Quebec. Tuesday evening, 9/11, as the news unfolded on the TV, the volunteer firemen and their wives felt a need to help the firefighters of New York City. They decided to have a community brunch on the next Sunday to attempt to raise some money. As soon as the word got out, offers of food came from local merchants and all the food was donated. The firemen and their wives cooked and served the food and asked only for donations to the fund. The people were lined up across the parking lot waiting to get in and before the day was over, nearly $7,000 had been raised with more expected as residents were calling in and wanting to donate even though they were unable to attend the brunch. We need to reflect on this caring concern from this part of our North America family.
Barbara Nicholls
Warsaw
via e-mail
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