Letters to the Editor 10-23-2001
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Great Music - Perfect Example - Perfect Example - Deport Illegals - Elkhart Officer - Libertarians Meet Saturday - Terror And Israel - Narrow-Minded Columnist - Narrow-Minded Columnist - Not A Biblical Stance - Rebutting The Rebuttal
Great Music
Editor, Times-Union:On Oct. 20, I had the pleasure of attending St. Anne's musical program, "Music for a Baroque Heart." The artistic director put on a marvelous program of chorale and string orchestra music. The Lakeland Youth Chorale conducted by Connie Meadows presented several delightful songs, including "Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me?" We were told later that they had only one month to prepare for the event. Miss Mary Parr sang a particularly moving solo titled "Tears Are My Daily Food." The program was well-prepared and performed and Mr. C. Alin Cass is to be commended for the delightful experience provided for all attendees.
On Oct. 21, I also attended a Fall Recital of "The Parish Strings" at Sacred Heart Church, which provided apiano string trio performance of classical, modern and patriotic music. The music director Mrs. Caryol Petrera provided piano and voice, Mrs. Janie Durkee played the violin and Mrs. Waverly Conlan played the cello. Music arrangements were by Waverly Conlan and Janie Durkee and songs were by Caryl Petrara. The popular "Pie Jesu" was one of the vocal pieces. This musical program was a free recital open to the public and at times, the public was encouraged to join in with the songs by the music director. It provided a pleasant Sunday afternoon entertainment for the family. All who performed are to be commended for the time and effort they put into the performance.
Desmond Joseph Conlan
Winona Lake
Perfect Example
Editor, Times-Union:Jesus cited a perfect historical example for our times - the tower at Siloam which collapsed, killing 18 people. He commented, "Do you think they were any worse than any other people in Jerusalem" I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish!" (Luke 13:4-5)
Leave it to Jesus to cut through all the blaming games. Whether at war or in peace, this is what he wants us all to recall. All human innocence is relative and, in His Father's eyes, all fall short of the perfection found only in His Son, Who graciously made a fail-safe way out of sin and death for all of us. all He asks is that we be willing to repent and believe that He can make us able to do so, which He said is so simple that even a child can do it and they often do! (It takes an adult to really mess things up!)
this repentance does not include our "wise" adult tendencies to make God generic? That is, a god of our convenience, who conveniently mirrors our merely human agendas. For instance, "Allah" is not just another name for the God of history, the Creator and the Father of Jesus. The hard, inconvenient and hidden truth is that "Allah" was originally the name of the god of the moon who was worshiped for centuries in Mecca alongside a female goddess of the sun and a host of other minor gods such as we see in Hinduism today. Most Muslims could not tell you why the symbol of Islam is the crescent moon, but this is the reason. This is very much unlike the Cross, whose meaning is abundantly clear even to those who oppose or reject it.
I have Islamic friends, have been in a mosque twice and was invited to Pakistan for a wedding. But whatever good may be said of "mainstream" Muslims who worship this god, it is still a false one promoted by a false prophet (about whom Jesus said there would be many and warned us to wait for Him) who distorted oral versions of Bible material and borrowed ad lib from the Word in order to justify physical conquest. Why is it so hard for us to see that this emperor has no clothes? Probably because we think we will become a terror target. So what? Jesus told us plainly that this too would happen to those who believe in Him, but added, "I am with you, even to the end of the age," and "Fear not."
But finally , is our generic god of American "civil religion" of any more use to us than gods of the moon, sun or stars? Jesus still says no. WWJD? He said, and still cries out to us, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to My Father but by Me." This was uttered at the home of Lazarus and if we believe the Master/Maker, we too can rise out of our deadness and the "ash heaps of history" and no longer be afraid of, "the terror by night; nor the arrow that flies by day; nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness" (such as in envelopes); "nor for the destruction that wastes at noon." (Ps 91) A "terrorist" is a misnomer as it applies to those who would torment and attempt to intimidate those who believe in Jesus.
William Schuler
Pierceton
Perfect Example
Editor, Times-Union:A big thank-you to all who participated in the Kosciusko County CROP Walks to help stop hunger! Approximately 200 people walked in the walks that took place Oct. 7 in North Webster and Oct. 14 in Warsaw. Because most walkers turn in donations after the walk, an exact dollar amount is not yet available. However, the projected amount raised is $15,000. We had beautiful fall weather on both Sundays, and again would like to thank all who made these walks possible, especially the people who walked and those who sponsored them. If you have not yet had an opportunity to help, please call us.
Thanks for helping us in the war against hunger!
Because of Christ,
Russ Reahard
North Webster Coordinator
Gary Richard
Warsaw Coordinator
Deport Illegals
Editor, Times-Union:I hope all is well with your people. After the attack on the Senate, I have decided that time for suggesting the immediate deportation of all illegal immigrants is past. Perhaps it is time for an immediate enforcement of 1996's immigration laws as a start. If we had enforced laws in effect we probably would have been able to forestall the scouting of our response system by Al Queda. As it is we need stronger laws, as the introduction of bio-terror agents into the home of our governments legslative branch has shown. It is no longer only select groups in America that are under threat of violence. It has occurred to me that we need to retract our international presence somewhat in order to regroup. America has the largest consumer market in the free world and it would be in our interest to restrict trade to only close allies.
All internal threats must be treated with at least as much interest as the military challenges we face. Capitalism needs be refined by American internalization of manufacturing in order to concentrate jobs in the home market. We need manufacturing to be adaptable enough to be easily militarized and the localization of middle class jobs will aid our economic recovery.
Timothy D. Rafferty
Unionville
via e-mail
Elkhart Officer
Editor, Times-Union:I have been following the story about the Elkhart County police officer, Werner Wegener, very closely. And after being filled in about what is happening with the hearing, I am just sick to find out that my tax dollars are being spent to defeat this wonderful man.
Lawyers against Officer Werner Wegener, this is just a guess, have had to cost Elkhart County well over $300,000. That is terrible! This officer has put his reputation and his career on the line to defend what he feels is the right thing to do. I, for one, commend him for his service and his patience and beg for his forgiveness. I'm sorry that my hard earned tax dollars are supporting lawyers against him. Officer Wegener is fighting to keep his job because he did his job. Even when people higher up would rather the whole case disappeared.
For those of you that don't know, the murder of Marie Kline is what started this whole situation. Officer Wegener has a suspect that he pursued zealously. That is his job, to find murderers and get them off the street so that fathers like Wayne Kline can rest easy with the knowledge that his daughter's killer is caught and convicted and locked up tight. Officer Wegener has met with obstacle after obstacle and evidence has been brought to view that his superiors conspired to see that this suspect not be brought to justice.
My question is "WHY?" Don't they have daughters that are in peril with this suspected killer on the streets? What do they have to gain by him being free? Or worse, what have they already gained?
Superiors in the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department have decided to change lawyers, again! This one has taken a new tactic to try to intimidate Officer Wegener. This lawyer hired an expensive shrink (again paid by taxpayers) and prejudiced him against Officer Wegener with bad information before the shrink could even meet with the officer. If this low-life, underhanded tactic is the best that they can do, then think again. Someone like me saw right through that, so I'm sure everyone judging Officer Werner Wegener can see it as clearly as the nose on his or her face.
It is my opinion that any person or persons with children, especially single daughters that are dating, should support Officer Wegener. He has stood up for what he believes in and I believe in him. He is honest and trustworthy and in no way, shape or form deserving this horrible treatment from his superiors.
If any one of you believe the same as I do, you need to write to the papers and call the television stations and support Officer Werner Wegener. He deserves to not only keep his career, he deserves to solve this case and catch this suspected killer. I feel safer knowing he is out there protecting my loved ones.
I have only one more thing to say: It could be your daughter's killer that Officer Wegener goes after next time. Or worse, the same killer could get your daughter, because Officer Werner Wegener was prohibited from doing his job.
Kellie Aleman
Nappanee
via e-mail
Libertarians Meet Saturday
Editor, Times-Union:The Libertarian Party of Kosciusko County is having its regular monthly meeting Saturday at 10 a.m. at Courthouse Coffee in Warsaw. These are casual get-togethers. You can come and leave when you want to. These are times that worry Libertarians. These are times that governments use to tighten their control over their citizens. Our government is no different. Already they are adding new bureaucracies, passing laws to further invade your privacy, discussing federalizing airport security, etc. This will cost you more of your hard-earned income and freedom. Don't believe anyone who tells you different. I understand we are still paying a telephone tax that was enacted during World War I.
Stop in on Oct. 27 and visit awhile with people like yourself who believe that our government has already gone way beyond the powers granted it by the Constitution. Talk with people who believe we can and should fight terrorism and not have to give up one ounce of freedom to do it. We call ourselves Libertarians. Come and join us. Isn't it time you started feeling good about your affiliation with a political party.
Charles Carnes, Vice Chairman
Kosciusko County Libertarian Party
Terror And Israel
Editor, Times-Union:I enjoy Gary Gerard's columns every Saturday and this past column (Oct. 13) provoked a response from me.
Right after the Sept. 11th attacks I told a co-worker in my office that I bet some will connect the dots of this and blame Israel and by association the U.S. for its support of Israel. I think Mr. Gerard perpetuated a position that needs to be refuted and that is that Israel is at fault for this conflict in the Middle East and thus gives radical elements the fodder to launch offensive and terrorist acts. There is nothing that can be said or thought to justify what occurred on Sept. 11th. There is no moral equivalent. To me if some try and connect the dots and link Islam to Palestinian people struggles, then they should of been protesting when Jordan or Egypt had control of the land and kept the so-called Palestinians in squalor. It is funny that those who sympathize with Bin Laden do so by linking the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and in the name of Islam. But then they are put off when others then connect this position to Islam and they say we are against them and their religion. Mr. Gerard pointed out the poll taken of West Bank Palestinians where 25 percent agreed that the Sept. 11th attacks were "consistent with Islamic law." Can they have it both ways? Terrorist acts have no moral equivalence. None. To link it to the Middle East conflict is intellectually vacuous. People have a right to live within peaceful secure borders and around neighbors that view their right to exist.
The Arab countries are as divided among themselves and there is no love lost among them. They only unite over their hatred of Israel. I think when given an opportunity we need to point out our allegiance with any nation who curries freedom and liberty for its citizens and peace to co-exist among its neighboring countries. Israel gets the short end of the stick especially in the area of coalition building. I have to give countries of Islamic rhetoric credit - you know where they stand. We need to stand with Israel. They have been the victims of terrorism for decades.
Nothing can be stated that allows for actions like we saw to be justified due to viewing Israel as a provocateur. We need to discount the argument when others make it about Arab support for other Muslim nations as it being viewed as fact and truth. Are we to be afraid to continue to do the right thing for fear of this support? Would we expect them to not support their own given the limited news they do hear that is slanted and biased against the U.S.? They hate us regardless if we hear about it or not. We need to still do the right thing.
The Sept. 11th attacks were done was by evil people and if they want to say they have done it in the name of a religion and thus sully a religion, then clerics and supporters need to come out loud and strong and denounce those responsible for their actions. I would welcome this and then we know where they stand and they can then be a viable member of the international coalition. But when they say sympathetic things of terrorists' actions it lends credence to them and positions them and their religion as being on board with their cause. They can't have it both ways.
Paul De Renzo
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Narrow-Minded Columnist
Editor, Times-Union:(A response to Mike Harden's article, "We Could Trade Jerry Falwell for bin Laden")
I was shocked as you were as I watched the terrorists crash those planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, but they missed America! They buried that huge plane into our Pentagon, but they still missed America. They used helpless Americans to kill other Americans, but like a poor marksman, they still missed America.
You see, America isn't about buildings, even if they are among our biggest, and while we may be the richest country in the world, our finances are not what bind us together. God forbid that we lose any more of our great citizens, but America is even bigger than its people.
You see, America is about an idea ... an idea that a nation could be free to follow their heart and God. America was founded upon religious liberties and that is the reason we are different from any other country on God's green planet. That's why we had "in God we trust" printed on our money from the start. Americans follow an idea that all people are free. Free from tyranny, that's why we are called, "The United States."
When a narrow-minded columnist like Mike Harden postulates that it would be a good trade to swap Osama bin Laden for Jerry Falwell, he has misunderstood the premise on which America stands. America is the only country that would allow an immoral and ungodly columnist to write such words. Any other country would have ushered him out the door in a box ... feet first.
The God that Jerry Falwell seeks to follow is a God of grace, not like the god of Islam. While Jerry Falwell is far from perfect, he like Billy Graham are calling our nation back to a place of repentance and forgiveness under the one true and living God, Jesus Christ. And our country ought to be grateful for such courage.
Mr. Harden, you ought to thank the true and living God that you live in America and not Afghanistan ... they wouldn't be so gracious.
Dr. Keith A. Gillming
St. Louis, Mo.
Narrow-Minded Columnist
Editor, Times-Union:(A response to Mike Harden's article, "We Could Trade Jerry Falwell for bin Laden")
I was shocked as you were as I watched the terrorists crash those planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, but they missed America! They buried that huge plane into our Pentagon, but they still missed America. They used helpless Americans to kill other Americans, but like a poor marksman, they still missed America.
You see, America isn't about buildings, even if they are among our biggest, and while we may be the richest country in the world, our finances are not what bind us together. God forbid that we lose any more of our great citizens, but America is even bigger than its people.
You see, America is about an idea ... an idea that a nation could be free to follow their heart and God. America was founded upon religious liberties and that is the reason we are different from any other country on God's green planet. That's why we had "in God we trust" printed on our money from the start. Americans follow an idea that all people are free. Free from tyranny, that's why we are called, "The United States."
When a narrow-minded columnist like Mike Harden postulates that it would be a good trade to swap Osama bin Laden for Jerry Falwell, he has misunderstood the premise on which America stands. America is the only country that would allow an immoral and ungodly columnist to write such words. Any other country would have ushered him out the door in a box ... feet first.
The God that Jerry Falwell seeks to follow is a God of grace, not like the god of Islam. While Jerry Falwell is far from perfect, he like Billy Graham are calling our nation back to a place of repentance and forgiveness under the one true and living God, Jesus Christ. And our country ought to be grateful for such courage.
Mr. Harden, you ought to thank the true and living God that you live in America and not Afghanistan ... they wouldn't be so gracious.
Dr. Keith A. Gillming
St. Louis, Mo.
Not A Biblical Stance
Editor, Times-Union:This is in response to Mr. Goss' letter published Oct. 17. According to Mr. Goss, Jerry Falwell has every right (which he does) to state his opinion on the reasons for the events of Sept. 11. Based, according to Mr. Goss, on his vast knowledge of the Bible. That alone does not make him right. In this case, he's far from it.
I'm sure given the opportunity a person could sit down with Charles Manson and find out he also has a vast knowledge of the Bible obtained through memorization. That does not make him am ambassador of God's word. Not in God's eyes, anyway. You can also find thousands of other Bible scholars inside prison walls. I am in no way saying all people behind bars are sinners, I'm sure they're not. God makes those decisions. I do think it's safe to say that the six or seven Texas prison inmates who escaped this summer and killed, robbed and stole their way all the way to Colorado only to be caught in an RV park posing as Bible scholars, aren't born again Christians, regardless of their Bible knowledge.
I am also pretty sure that Jim Jones or David Koresh could do a great job of quoting the Bible.
Having a working and loving relationship with God according to the contents of His Word is much more important. In fact, it is of the utmost importance. It boils down to integrity and character. One can be altered to fit the needs or wants of the moment, the other remains steadfast. The Bible is integrity.
God did not create the tragedies of Sept. 11 because of gays, lesbians or abortionists. In fact, God never creates evil or bad things, although he sometimes allows them. All is done according to God's plan. The book of Job explains it in great length.
Our nation as a whole has turned our backs on God. By and large it is the whole country, not just a couple of isolated groups. It is a culmination of our anti-Christ, not the antichrist way of life that has brought us to where we are today as a nation.
You are right about one thing, Mr. Goss. If America doesn't take steps to bring herself back to God, we are in for some tough times. But let's not be so shallow as to blame our nation's recent developments on just a few people even though the few mentioned by Falwell are not in compliance with the word of God. We all play a role.
I might add that I am very disappointed in Mr. Falwell for taking that stance. It wasn't very biblical.
Jeff Foerster
Warsaw
Rebutting The Rebuttal
Editor, Times-Union:In reply to Mr. Goss' rebuttal, which was printed 10/17/01 titled "Defending Falwell," I wish to make the views I presented clear. I feel they were skewed my Mr. Goss' letter in which he claims I have publicly denounced God by simply disagreeing with Falwell's statements. Falwell proclaimed that "pagans, abortionists, feminists, gays and lesbians" are responsible for the terrorist attacks, inciting the wrath of a vengeful Lord.
I will say you certainly know your Bible, and I will claim some ignorance on my part. I will tell you that my belief is that our Lord is a forgiving one, and not vengeful. That my opinion differs from yours is perfectly fine. Apparently, that I consider myself a feminist, and I am NOT a pagan, abortionist, gay or lesbian - in your eyes deems me unholy. And I am very offended that you have the gall to lump me as a feminist into the same category as the evil men responsible for taking almost 6,000 lives.
How would you like it, Mr. Goss - that I say you are directly responsible for the loss of 6,000 innocent lives? Being that you are most likely white, certainly male, perhaps middle-class income, isn't that exactly what spurred the envy that those fanatical terrorists felt toward our rich, industrial nation?
Falwell went out on a limb making his statements, I'll trust you have no objection to my doing the same regarding your blame in the terrorist attacks. Think about that. ...
I consider myself intelligent enough to recognize Falwell's statements as self-serving, in which you claim they were not. He felt inclined to publicly apologize for the statements he made after suffering some public backlash; I wasn't entirely wrong in my views given he has done that. Or perhaps he is such a man, that when he felt he was losing public support, most likely meaning a loss in dollars to himself also, that he apologized. So much for conviction.
God bless America.
Sarah Lowe
Warsaw, via e-mail
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- Great Music - Perfect Example - Perfect Example - Deport Illegals - Elkhart Officer - Libertarians Meet Saturday - Terror And Israel - Narrow-Minded Columnist - Narrow-Minded Columnist - Not A Biblical Stance - Rebutting The Rebuttal
Great Music
Editor, Times-Union:On Oct. 20, I had the pleasure of attending St. Anne's musical program, "Music for a Baroque Heart." The artistic director put on a marvelous program of chorale and string orchestra music. The Lakeland Youth Chorale conducted by Connie Meadows presented several delightful songs, including "Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me?" We were told later that they had only one month to prepare for the event. Miss Mary Parr sang a particularly moving solo titled "Tears Are My Daily Food." The program was well-prepared and performed and Mr. C. Alin Cass is to be commended for the delightful experience provided for all attendees.
On Oct. 21, I also attended a Fall Recital of "The Parish Strings" at Sacred Heart Church, which provided apiano string trio performance of classical, modern and patriotic music. The music director Mrs. Caryol Petrera provided piano and voice, Mrs. Janie Durkee played the violin and Mrs. Waverly Conlan played the cello. Music arrangements were by Waverly Conlan and Janie Durkee and songs were by Caryl Petrara. The popular "Pie Jesu" was one of the vocal pieces. This musical program was a free recital open to the public and at times, the public was encouraged to join in with the songs by the music director. It provided a pleasant Sunday afternoon entertainment for the family. All who performed are to be commended for the time and effort they put into the performance.
Desmond Joseph Conlan
Winona Lake
Perfect Example
Editor, Times-Union:Jesus cited a perfect historical example for our times - the tower at Siloam which collapsed, killing 18 people. He commented, "Do you think they were any worse than any other people in Jerusalem" I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish!" (Luke 13:4-5)
Leave it to Jesus to cut through all the blaming games. Whether at war or in peace, this is what he wants us all to recall. All human innocence is relative and, in His Father's eyes, all fall short of the perfection found only in His Son, Who graciously made a fail-safe way out of sin and death for all of us. all He asks is that we be willing to repent and believe that He can make us able to do so, which He said is so simple that even a child can do it and they often do! (It takes an adult to really mess things up!)
this repentance does not include our "wise" adult tendencies to make God generic? That is, a god of our convenience, who conveniently mirrors our merely human agendas. For instance, "Allah" is not just another name for the God of history, the Creator and the Father of Jesus. The hard, inconvenient and hidden truth is that "Allah" was originally the name of the god of the moon who was worshiped for centuries in Mecca alongside a female goddess of the sun and a host of other minor gods such as we see in Hinduism today. Most Muslims could not tell you why the symbol of Islam is the crescent moon, but this is the reason. This is very much unlike the Cross, whose meaning is abundantly clear even to those who oppose or reject it.
I have Islamic friends, have been in a mosque twice and was invited to Pakistan for a wedding. But whatever good may be said of "mainstream" Muslims who worship this god, it is still a false one promoted by a false prophet (about whom Jesus said there would be many and warned us to wait for Him) who distorted oral versions of Bible material and borrowed ad lib from the Word in order to justify physical conquest. Why is it so hard for us to see that this emperor has no clothes? Probably because we think we will become a terror target. So what? Jesus told us plainly that this too would happen to those who believe in Him, but added, "I am with you, even to the end of the age," and "Fear not."
But finally , is our generic god of American "civil religion" of any more use to us than gods of the moon, sun or stars? Jesus still says no. WWJD? He said, and still cries out to us, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to My Father but by Me." This was uttered at the home of Lazarus and if we believe the Master/Maker, we too can rise out of our deadness and the "ash heaps of history" and no longer be afraid of, "the terror by night; nor the arrow that flies by day; nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness" (such as in envelopes); "nor for the destruction that wastes at noon." (Ps 91) A "terrorist" is a misnomer as it applies to those who would torment and attempt to intimidate those who believe in Jesus.
William Schuler
Pierceton
Perfect Example
Editor, Times-Union:A big thank-you to all who participated in the Kosciusko County CROP Walks to help stop hunger! Approximately 200 people walked in the walks that took place Oct. 7 in North Webster and Oct. 14 in Warsaw. Because most walkers turn in donations after the walk, an exact dollar amount is not yet available. However, the projected amount raised is $15,000. We had beautiful fall weather on both Sundays, and again would like to thank all who made these walks possible, especially the people who walked and those who sponsored them. If you have not yet had an opportunity to help, please call us.
Thanks for helping us in the war against hunger!
Because of Christ,
Russ Reahard
North Webster Coordinator
Gary Richard
Warsaw Coordinator
Deport Illegals
Editor, Times-Union:I hope all is well with your people. After the attack on the Senate, I have decided that time for suggesting the immediate deportation of all illegal immigrants is past. Perhaps it is time for an immediate enforcement of 1996's immigration laws as a start. If we had enforced laws in effect we probably would have been able to forestall the scouting of our response system by Al Queda. As it is we need stronger laws, as the introduction of bio-terror agents into the home of our governments legslative branch has shown. It is no longer only select groups in America that are under threat of violence. It has occurred to me that we need to retract our international presence somewhat in order to regroup. America has the largest consumer market in the free world and it would be in our interest to restrict trade to only close allies.
All internal threats must be treated with at least as much interest as the military challenges we face. Capitalism needs be refined by American internalization of manufacturing in order to concentrate jobs in the home market. We need manufacturing to be adaptable enough to be easily militarized and the localization of middle class jobs will aid our economic recovery.
Timothy D. Rafferty
Unionville
via e-mail
Elkhart Officer
Editor, Times-Union:I have been following the story about the Elkhart County police officer, Werner Wegener, very closely. And after being filled in about what is happening with the hearing, I am just sick to find out that my tax dollars are being spent to defeat this wonderful man.
Lawyers against Officer Werner Wegener, this is just a guess, have had to cost Elkhart County well over $300,000. That is terrible! This officer has put his reputation and his career on the line to defend what he feels is the right thing to do. I, for one, commend him for his service and his patience and beg for his forgiveness. I'm sorry that my hard earned tax dollars are supporting lawyers against him. Officer Wegener is fighting to keep his job because he did his job. Even when people higher up would rather the whole case disappeared.
For those of you that don't know, the murder of Marie Kline is what started this whole situation. Officer Wegener has a suspect that he pursued zealously. That is his job, to find murderers and get them off the street so that fathers like Wayne Kline can rest easy with the knowledge that his daughter's killer is caught and convicted and locked up tight. Officer Wegener has met with obstacle after obstacle and evidence has been brought to view that his superiors conspired to see that this suspect not be brought to justice.
My question is "WHY?" Don't they have daughters that are in peril with this suspected killer on the streets? What do they have to gain by him being free? Or worse, what have they already gained?
Superiors in the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department have decided to change lawyers, again! This one has taken a new tactic to try to intimidate Officer Wegener. This lawyer hired an expensive shrink (again paid by taxpayers) and prejudiced him against Officer Wegener with bad information before the shrink could even meet with the officer. If this low-life, underhanded tactic is the best that they can do, then think again. Someone like me saw right through that, so I'm sure everyone judging Officer Werner Wegener can see it as clearly as the nose on his or her face.
It is my opinion that any person or persons with children, especially single daughters that are dating, should support Officer Wegener. He has stood up for what he believes in and I believe in him. He is honest and trustworthy and in no way, shape or form deserving this horrible treatment from his superiors.
If any one of you believe the same as I do, you need to write to the papers and call the television stations and support Officer Werner Wegener. He deserves to not only keep his career, he deserves to solve this case and catch this suspected killer. I feel safer knowing he is out there protecting my loved ones.
I have only one more thing to say: It could be your daughter's killer that Officer Wegener goes after next time. Or worse, the same killer could get your daughter, because Officer Werner Wegener was prohibited from doing his job.
Kellie Aleman
Nappanee
via e-mail
Libertarians Meet Saturday
Editor, Times-Union:The Libertarian Party of Kosciusko County is having its regular monthly meeting Saturday at 10 a.m. at Courthouse Coffee in Warsaw. These are casual get-togethers. You can come and leave when you want to. These are times that worry Libertarians. These are times that governments use to tighten their control over their citizens. Our government is no different. Already they are adding new bureaucracies, passing laws to further invade your privacy, discussing federalizing airport security, etc. This will cost you more of your hard-earned income and freedom. Don't believe anyone who tells you different. I understand we are still paying a telephone tax that was enacted during World War I.
Stop in on Oct. 27 and visit awhile with people like yourself who believe that our government has already gone way beyond the powers granted it by the Constitution. Talk with people who believe we can and should fight terrorism and not have to give up one ounce of freedom to do it. We call ourselves Libertarians. Come and join us. Isn't it time you started feeling good about your affiliation with a political party.
Charles Carnes, Vice Chairman
Kosciusko County Libertarian Party
Terror And Israel
Editor, Times-Union:I enjoy Gary Gerard's columns every Saturday and this past column (Oct. 13) provoked a response from me.
Right after the Sept. 11th attacks I told a co-worker in my office that I bet some will connect the dots of this and blame Israel and by association the U.S. for its support of Israel. I think Mr. Gerard perpetuated a position that needs to be refuted and that is that Israel is at fault for this conflict in the Middle East and thus gives radical elements the fodder to launch offensive and terrorist acts. There is nothing that can be said or thought to justify what occurred on Sept. 11th. There is no moral equivalent. To me if some try and connect the dots and link Islam to Palestinian people struggles, then they should of been protesting when Jordan or Egypt had control of the land and kept the so-called Palestinians in squalor. It is funny that those who sympathize with Bin Laden do so by linking the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and in the name of Islam. But then they are put off when others then connect this position to Islam and they say we are against them and their religion. Mr. Gerard pointed out the poll taken of West Bank Palestinians where 25 percent agreed that the Sept. 11th attacks were "consistent with Islamic law." Can they have it both ways? Terrorist acts have no moral equivalence. None. To link it to the Middle East conflict is intellectually vacuous. People have a right to live within peaceful secure borders and around neighbors that view their right to exist.
The Arab countries are as divided among themselves and there is no love lost among them. They only unite over their hatred of Israel. I think when given an opportunity we need to point out our allegiance with any nation who curries freedom and liberty for its citizens and peace to co-exist among its neighboring countries. Israel gets the short end of the stick especially in the area of coalition building. I have to give countries of Islamic rhetoric credit - you know where they stand. We need to stand with Israel. They have been the victims of terrorism for decades.
Nothing can be stated that allows for actions like we saw to be justified due to viewing Israel as a provocateur. We need to discount the argument when others make it about Arab support for other Muslim nations as it being viewed as fact and truth. Are we to be afraid to continue to do the right thing for fear of this support? Would we expect them to not support their own given the limited news they do hear that is slanted and biased against the U.S.? They hate us regardless if we hear about it or not. We need to still do the right thing.
The Sept. 11th attacks were done was by evil people and if they want to say they have done it in the name of a religion and thus sully a religion, then clerics and supporters need to come out loud and strong and denounce those responsible for their actions. I would welcome this and then we know where they stand and they can then be a viable member of the international coalition. But when they say sympathetic things of terrorists' actions it lends credence to them and positions them and their religion as being on board with their cause. They can't have it both ways.
Paul De Renzo
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Narrow-Minded Columnist
Editor, Times-Union:(A response to Mike Harden's article, "We Could Trade Jerry Falwell for bin Laden")
I was shocked as you were as I watched the terrorists crash those planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, but they missed America! They buried that huge plane into our Pentagon, but they still missed America. They used helpless Americans to kill other Americans, but like a poor marksman, they still missed America.
You see, America isn't about buildings, even if they are among our biggest, and while we may be the richest country in the world, our finances are not what bind us together. God forbid that we lose any more of our great citizens, but America is even bigger than its people.
You see, America is about an idea ... an idea that a nation could be free to follow their heart and God. America was founded upon religious liberties and that is the reason we are different from any other country on God's green planet. That's why we had "in God we trust" printed on our money from the start. Americans follow an idea that all people are free. Free from tyranny, that's why we are called, "The United States."
When a narrow-minded columnist like Mike Harden postulates that it would be a good trade to swap Osama bin Laden for Jerry Falwell, he has misunderstood the premise on which America stands. America is the only country that would allow an immoral and ungodly columnist to write such words. Any other country would have ushered him out the door in a box ... feet first.
The God that Jerry Falwell seeks to follow is a God of grace, not like the god of Islam. While Jerry Falwell is far from perfect, he like Billy Graham are calling our nation back to a place of repentance and forgiveness under the one true and living God, Jesus Christ. And our country ought to be grateful for such courage.
Mr. Harden, you ought to thank the true and living God that you live in America and not Afghanistan ... they wouldn't be so gracious.
Dr. Keith A. Gillming
St. Louis, Mo.
Narrow-Minded Columnist
Editor, Times-Union:(A response to Mike Harden's article, "We Could Trade Jerry Falwell for bin Laden")
I was shocked as you were as I watched the terrorists crash those planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, but they missed America! They buried that huge plane into our Pentagon, but they still missed America. They used helpless Americans to kill other Americans, but like a poor marksman, they still missed America.
You see, America isn't about buildings, even if they are among our biggest, and while we may be the richest country in the world, our finances are not what bind us together. God forbid that we lose any more of our great citizens, but America is even bigger than its people.
You see, America is about an idea ... an idea that a nation could be free to follow their heart and God. America was founded upon religious liberties and that is the reason we are different from any other country on God's green planet. That's why we had "in God we trust" printed on our money from the start. Americans follow an idea that all people are free. Free from tyranny, that's why we are called, "The United States."
When a narrow-minded columnist like Mike Harden postulates that it would be a good trade to swap Osama bin Laden for Jerry Falwell, he has misunderstood the premise on which America stands. America is the only country that would allow an immoral and ungodly columnist to write such words. Any other country would have ushered him out the door in a box ... feet first.
The God that Jerry Falwell seeks to follow is a God of grace, not like the god of Islam. While Jerry Falwell is far from perfect, he like Billy Graham are calling our nation back to a place of repentance and forgiveness under the one true and living God, Jesus Christ. And our country ought to be grateful for such courage.
Mr. Harden, you ought to thank the true and living God that you live in America and not Afghanistan ... they wouldn't be so gracious.
Dr. Keith A. Gillming
St. Louis, Mo.
Not A Biblical Stance
Editor, Times-Union:This is in response to Mr. Goss' letter published Oct. 17. According to Mr. Goss, Jerry Falwell has every right (which he does) to state his opinion on the reasons for the events of Sept. 11. Based, according to Mr. Goss, on his vast knowledge of the Bible. That alone does not make him right. In this case, he's far from it.
I'm sure given the opportunity a person could sit down with Charles Manson and find out he also has a vast knowledge of the Bible obtained through memorization. That does not make him am ambassador of God's word. Not in God's eyes, anyway. You can also find thousands of other Bible scholars inside prison walls. I am in no way saying all people behind bars are sinners, I'm sure they're not. God makes those decisions. I do think it's safe to say that the six or seven Texas prison inmates who escaped this summer and killed, robbed and stole their way all the way to Colorado only to be caught in an RV park posing as Bible scholars, aren't born again Christians, regardless of their Bible knowledge.
I am also pretty sure that Jim Jones or David Koresh could do a great job of quoting the Bible.
Having a working and loving relationship with God according to the contents of His Word is much more important. In fact, it is of the utmost importance. It boils down to integrity and character. One can be altered to fit the needs or wants of the moment, the other remains steadfast. The Bible is integrity.
God did not create the tragedies of Sept. 11 because of gays, lesbians or abortionists. In fact, God never creates evil or bad things, although he sometimes allows them. All is done according to God's plan. The book of Job explains it in great length.
Our nation as a whole has turned our backs on God. By and large it is the whole country, not just a couple of isolated groups. It is a culmination of our anti-Christ, not the antichrist way of life that has brought us to where we are today as a nation.
You are right about one thing, Mr. Goss. If America doesn't take steps to bring herself back to God, we are in for some tough times. But let's not be so shallow as to blame our nation's recent developments on just a few people even though the few mentioned by Falwell are not in compliance with the word of God. We all play a role.
I might add that I am very disappointed in Mr. Falwell for taking that stance. It wasn't very biblical.
Jeff Foerster
Warsaw
Rebutting The Rebuttal
Editor, Times-Union:In reply to Mr. Goss' rebuttal, which was printed 10/17/01 titled "Defending Falwell," I wish to make the views I presented clear. I feel they were skewed my Mr. Goss' letter in which he claims I have publicly denounced God by simply disagreeing with Falwell's statements. Falwell proclaimed that "pagans, abortionists, feminists, gays and lesbians" are responsible for the terrorist attacks, inciting the wrath of a vengeful Lord.
I will say you certainly know your Bible, and I will claim some ignorance on my part. I will tell you that my belief is that our Lord is a forgiving one, and not vengeful. That my opinion differs from yours is perfectly fine. Apparently, that I consider myself a feminist, and I am NOT a pagan, abortionist, gay or lesbian - in your eyes deems me unholy. And I am very offended that you have the gall to lump me as a feminist into the same category as the evil men responsible for taking almost 6,000 lives.
How would you like it, Mr. Goss - that I say you are directly responsible for the loss of 6,000 innocent lives? Being that you are most likely white, certainly male, perhaps middle-class income, isn't that exactly what spurred the envy that those fanatical terrorists felt toward our rich, industrial nation?
Falwell went out on a limb making his statements, I'll trust you have no objection to my doing the same regarding your blame in the terrorist attacks. Think about that. ...
I consider myself intelligent enough to recognize Falwell's statements as self-serving, in which you claim they were not. He felt inclined to publicly apologize for the statements he made after suffering some public backlash; I wasn't entirely wrong in my views given he has done that. Or perhaps he is such a man, that when he felt he was losing public support, most likely meaning a loss in dollars to himself also, that he apologized. So much for conviction.
God bless America.
Sarah Lowe
Warsaw, via e-mail
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