Letters to the Editor 11-02-1999
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Madison PTO Says Thanks - Gun Rights - 'Gun Mentality' - Just Society - Religious Freedom - Second Amendment - Valley Football - High School Students - Dalton Neighbors
Madison PTO Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the Madison Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, I would like to thank the many local businesses who donated items and gift certificates for our carnival raffle. I would also like to thank the individuals who donated their time and talents to the Madison Fall Carnival. It was a great success. A special thank you goes to R.R. Donnelley & Sons, our corporate partner, and their employees who volunteered their services in the planning stages and during the carnival. The moonwalk that they provided was a huge hit with all the students. We are truly thankful for the generosity that our community has shown this year and in the past.
Jennifer Ransbottom, Madison PTO President
Gun Rights
Editor, Times-Union:I was very disappointed with the letter written by Mr. Guard that appeared in the Tuesday edition of the Times-Union which appeared to me to challenge Mr. Kitson's sanity because he does regularly write in defense of the individual, not corporate, right to keep and bear arms given to us in the Bill of Rights. The thought of private gun ownership should not frighten any thinking American.The thought of a government that routinely chastens law-abiding citizens by demonizing a right given to us by the founding fathers should be what frightens all of us. An administration that routinely ignores the clear intent that all men (and women) be able to be armed is a cornerstone of our society. We do not get a thrill out of any of this, that is, what Hollywood and such like media ilk would like to portray as it continues to desensitize society with its moronic entertainment that it spews forth on a regular basis. (But I quickly add we all have a choice to turn that garbage off and not let it into our homes and minds - First Amendment you know.) Instead of teaching responsible use of firearms, including that of self-defense, we hear such nonsensical terms as sporting purpose and the like from the highest law enforcement in the land.
What could you possibly want with that type of firearm is another cry we regularly hear these days. I would note that part of our citizenship is that all, I repeat all, are a part of the unorganized militia according to U.S. title code! Why is this (refer back to the Second Amendment please) which says it all: A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Our founding fathers, in the debate that surrounded the entire Bill of Rights dealt with this in detail, something that is ignored these days. They also had an aversion to standing armies (remember those redcoats?) and held that all citizens were responsible for the defense of the nation, not just a professional hired army as was seen in our war for independence. It was also expected that those that violated the laws would be punished for that violation, that is something that the Justice Department should take up again instead of trying to ban this firearm or that firearm for the sake of a false "peace and safety." Mr. Guard, we as firearm owners, deplore the violence that we see in our society today. Please look to the real ills of society and not attack those that attempt to defend one of our rights as free citizens (not subjects) in a free Constitutional Republic.
Michael Houze, Leesburg
'Gun Mentality'
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is in response to Don Guard's letter (10-26), in defense of Harold Kitson, whom you obviously don't know. I have talked to him and believe it or not, I doubt if he has ever thought of shooting anyone, except maybe people like you, who think Adolf Hitler was a great man.
The Second Amendment is about protecting "our" personal freedom, giving you the right to not own a gun, if you so choose. It also protects us from communistic thinking people who would like to control every aspect of your life.
I have owned guns since I was 12 years old, and guess what, I have never shot anyone, nor robbed a liquor store, and neither has my children, who grew up with guns in the house.
We have too many laws on the books now. Just because a person gets arrested for driving after having a few beers, it doesn't make him a violent criminal, losing the right to own firearms, but he loses the right anyway. That is why they made DUI a felony in the first place. It is all about big monies to the law enforcement agencies and the ability to someday take everyone's firearms. Then, and only then, the government can have total control over your life.
I wish to applaud Mr. Kitson for his "gun mentality" and his constant efforts to help keep us informed about what is going on with the gun grabbers in Washington.
If you wish to live where people cannot defend themselves, I urge you to move from this great country and I'll help you pack!
Richard Jones, Claypool
Just Society
Editor, Times-Union:I am a sophomore social work major at Manchester College. I am presently taking a course on social welfare in which we are discussing problems of society, and ways to alleviate these problems. I am writing to you on a topic I find highly disturbing in our society. We pay millions of dollars to pro athletes while we have others working extremely hard in professions which benefit the well-being of all, and these people are getting paid virtually nothing. While pro athletes make more money in a lifetime than they can possibly spend, we have people who are barely surviving. Police officers, firemen, teachers, nurses, social workers and other such professions which work to better the lives of others sometimes have to scrap for a living, while pro athetes are living the great life of luxury. How is this justified? Do not get me wrong here, I mean no disrespect to athletes, their jobs are just as important to them as anyone else's job is, and that is wonderful. My problem is with the fact that some people work very hard to make a living and just get by, while others are making enough to last them several lifetimes. I feel that we, as a society, need to take some action, there is surely a better way of paying those we benefit from. I feel that a change needs to come soon, before the people who make life better for the rest of us can no longer afford to be in their chosen career due to lack of funds. I feel that we should decrease the amount of money that is paid to pro athletes and use that money to increase the minimum wage, help feed the hungry, or give that money to other beneficial programs to help the needy.
Without change many may leave the occupations which help others in order to find higher paying jobs. Who could blame them? However, we need people in these positions in order to have a safe and comfortable society. I am not writing this letter because I have anything against pro atheletes, nor am I writing this letter because I am a social work major. I feel that being a social work major is my calling and God will take care of me. I am writing this letter because I feel that it is wrong to have people scrapping for a living when they are working to better the lives of others while pro athletes cannot even decide how to spend all of their money. I am simply ready to make our society a more just one.
Tara Niles, via e-mail
Religious Freedom
Editor, Times-Union:A threat by an Alabama school to discipline an 11-year-old girl for wearing a cross necklace shows why you can't trust government schools to protect religious freedom, says the Libertarian Party.
"Students go to school to learn, but what kind of lesson do they learn when the government says that wearing a cross is a crime?" asked Steve Dasbach, the LP's national director. "It seems the lesson of the day in Alabama is Religious Intolerance 101."
Early October, attorneys for Kandice Smith, a sixth-grader at Curry Middle School in Walker County, Ala., filed a lawsuit in federal court to overturn an "unconstitutional" dress code. In August, the school banned cross necklaces claiming they are "gang symbols." School officials threatened to discipline Smith if she didn't hide the cross under her clothes. Smith's attorneys argue the policy "violates free speech and free exercise rights, by denying her the ability to express her faith through the visible wearing of the necklace." The lawsuit also charges the school "demonstrates a hostility toward religion."
Libertarians agree, but have a better solution.
Any dress code that bans a popular Christian symbol is clearly unconstitutional and we're confident the court will agree. But changing this particular school's dress code isn't the answer.
After all, if Kandice Smith wins, the problems will be solved at Curry Middle School. But it doesn't change the fact that thousands of government school districts all across the country have the power to implement a similar anti-Christian ban tomorrow.
And it doesn't change the fact that government schools routinely teach values and beliefs that many Christians find abhorrent, while forcing them to pay taxes to subsidize those schools. That's why this lawsuit won't solve the real problem. So what will?
Most Christians support a separation of church and state because they understand that government should not come between people's relationship with their God. What Libertarians understand is that we need a separation of school and state for the same reason: To protect children like Kandice from the kind of religious intolerance she is experiencing at a government school.
That's why the underlying problem will only be solved when America starts moving toward a system where children are educated in free-market, religious or voluntary community schools, not tax-funded government schools.
In a free-market system, where people aren't forced to subsidize costly, failing government schools, parents would be able to send their children to schools that teach their values, and respect their beliefs. In a free-market system, Smith's parents wouldn't be forced to send her to a school that makes wearing a cross a crime.
The idea of moving away from government run schools and towards private alternatives can be somewhat unsettling for many Christians, Dasbach acknowledged. "But remember this: Jesus Christ was sentenced to death by his government," he said. "So, do you want to blindly trust our government to educate your children properly, especially after what it's done to Kandice Smith?"
Daniel Stevens, Warsaw
Second Amendment
Editor, Times-Union:Don, I'm so terribly sorry I "frighten" you!
Let me give you a little advice. Before reading "Letters," scan all the signatures. If you see my name, skip that one. About 99 percent of the time, the subject is going to concern the Second Amendment or the gun issues. And I'll tell you something else ... Don, I don't give a damn whether you or anyone else likes it or not! My letters are written for the information of some people in this area that are interested in those issues but don't have some of the resources that I have.
I made up my mind back in 1968 that I would do all in my power to fight people like you and the longer this goes the more determined I become. As a soldier told General Robert E. Lee after the failed attack at Gettysburg, "We'll fight them till hell freezes over then we'll fight them on the ice!"
You make statements like "don't forget to vote," but I'm not sure you even know what that means. If all you're interested in is security at the expense of the Constitution, I'd just as soon you did forget to vote. Your "U.N. mentality" is the most frightening aspect of this entire society. Does the word "Liberty" mean nothing to you anymore? Or is it that it never did?
One more thing, Don. In the future, please don't include me in a letter with Mr. Albert Smith. From what I've read he seems like a very good man, but I consider him a liberal and I'd just as soon not be associated with that sort of thing.
Don't forget to check under your bed for the bogey-man tonight.
Harold Kitson, Warsaw
Valley Football
Editor, Times-Union:It's Thursday night, all four sons are home from football. I finally relax and grab the sports section to read up on Valley's big game. There was nothing! Why not?
This team won their sectional. That spelled "VICTORY." The others lost. This team deserved a write-up in Thursday's paper.
My family never misses a game, as we have two sons that play for Tippecanoe Valley High School. Last week, the bleachers at Russiaville were packed. There are a lot of parents who look to your paper for those articles about the games.
A lot of parents and grandparents clip articles especially if a son or grandson is mentioned.
In the next three years, the Valley Vikings should have a lot of coverage. We have an upcoming group of boys that have carried a good record from 7th grade to the present. They have a chance to be a winning team, starting next year, if the talent is combined well enough.
Win or lose tonight, the bleachers will be full, my family present as usual. This team goes up against Norwell, the fourth ranked in the state in Class 3A. This is a big game. To wait until Friday's paper to print something is pretty bad out of the paper. If Warsaw would've won, we would've read articles all week. Do a better job, Times-Union staff!
We're sick of reading all the trash that fills the paper. My suggestion is to fill it with local school events and things that a local reader needs to know about. Good luck, coaches and players at Tippecanoe Valley High School.
Sheryl Carnes, Burket
Editor's Note: A feature story and game preview on Tippecanoe Valley were published in Friday's Times-Union.
High School Students
Editor, Times-Union:ÊWe would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Dax Snyder and Mr. Craig Kuhn for being such great role models. These boys took the time to make our son feel very special! If more high school kids would take the time and look at the examples they are setting for our young people, maybe they would try harder to suceed in positive ways. We are very thankful that we have gotten to see the positive feedback these two have shown.
Great season, Valley Vikings, and thanks again, Dax and Craig. Jordan says you're the greatest!
Jeff & Shawnitia Boggs, Mentone via e-mail
Dalton Neighbors
Editor, Times-Union:We have said we do not want to close Daltons. This is the third time we have said this. We (the neighbors) also had nothing to do with the removal of the race track. We just want them to clean it up.
All they have on TV is about global warming. They say it's because of our air pollution. That is why we have had these strange weather patterns. And if everyone, including cars, power plants and factories don't help clean up the air, it will get bad.
The odor from Daltons is very bad with the wind from the north; south wind goes over the town and some schools. Several men were working on a house across the street with the wind from the north. They said they couldn't breathe. They also ask how can you stand it. It isn't easy.
Doris Amstutz, Warsaw
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- Madison PTO Says Thanks - Gun Rights - 'Gun Mentality' - Just Society - Religious Freedom - Second Amendment - Valley Football - High School Students - Dalton Neighbors
Madison PTO Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the Madison Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, I would like to thank the many local businesses who donated items and gift certificates for our carnival raffle. I would also like to thank the individuals who donated their time and talents to the Madison Fall Carnival. It was a great success. A special thank you goes to R.R. Donnelley & Sons, our corporate partner, and their employees who volunteered their services in the planning stages and during the carnival. The moonwalk that they provided was a huge hit with all the students. We are truly thankful for the generosity that our community has shown this year and in the past.
Jennifer Ransbottom, Madison PTO President
Gun Rights
Editor, Times-Union:I was very disappointed with the letter written by Mr. Guard that appeared in the Tuesday edition of the Times-Union which appeared to me to challenge Mr. Kitson's sanity because he does regularly write in defense of the individual, not corporate, right to keep and bear arms given to us in the Bill of Rights. The thought of private gun ownership should not frighten any thinking American.The thought of a government that routinely chastens law-abiding citizens by demonizing a right given to us by the founding fathers should be what frightens all of us. An administration that routinely ignores the clear intent that all men (and women) be able to be armed is a cornerstone of our society. We do not get a thrill out of any of this, that is, what Hollywood and such like media ilk would like to portray as it continues to desensitize society with its moronic entertainment that it spews forth on a regular basis. (But I quickly add we all have a choice to turn that garbage off and not let it into our homes and minds - First Amendment you know.) Instead of teaching responsible use of firearms, including that of self-defense, we hear such nonsensical terms as sporting purpose and the like from the highest law enforcement in the land.
What could you possibly want with that type of firearm is another cry we regularly hear these days. I would note that part of our citizenship is that all, I repeat all, are a part of the unorganized militia according to U.S. title code! Why is this (refer back to the Second Amendment please) which says it all: A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Our founding fathers, in the debate that surrounded the entire Bill of Rights dealt with this in detail, something that is ignored these days. They also had an aversion to standing armies (remember those redcoats?) and held that all citizens were responsible for the defense of the nation, not just a professional hired army as was seen in our war for independence. It was also expected that those that violated the laws would be punished for that violation, that is something that the Justice Department should take up again instead of trying to ban this firearm or that firearm for the sake of a false "peace and safety." Mr. Guard, we as firearm owners, deplore the violence that we see in our society today. Please look to the real ills of society and not attack those that attempt to defend one of our rights as free citizens (not subjects) in a free Constitutional Republic.
Michael Houze, Leesburg
'Gun Mentality'
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is in response to Don Guard's letter (10-26), in defense of Harold Kitson, whom you obviously don't know. I have talked to him and believe it or not, I doubt if he has ever thought of shooting anyone, except maybe people like you, who think Adolf Hitler was a great man.
The Second Amendment is about protecting "our" personal freedom, giving you the right to not own a gun, if you so choose. It also protects us from communistic thinking people who would like to control every aspect of your life.
I have owned guns since I was 12 years old, and guess what, I have never shot anyone, nor robbed a liquor store, and neither has my children, who grew up with guns in the house.
We have too many laws on the books now. Just because a person gets arrested for driving after having a few beers, it doesn't make him a violent criminal, losing the right to own firearms, but he loses the right anyway. That is why they made DUI a felony in the first place. It is all about big monies to the law enforcement agencies and the ability to someday take everyone's firearms. Then, and only then, the government can have total control over your life.
I wish to applaud Mr. Kitson for his "gun mentality" and his constant efforts to help keep us informed about what is going on with the gun grabbers in Washington.
If you wish to live where people cannot defend themselves, I urge you to move from this great country and I'll help you pack!
Richard Jones, Claypool
Just Society
Editor, Times-Union:I am a sophomore social work major at Manchester College. I am presently taking a course on social welfare in which we are discussing problems of society, and ways to alleviate these problems. I am writing to you on a topic I find highly disturbing in our society. We pay millions of dollars to pro athletes while we have others working extremely hard in professions which benefit the well-being of all, and these people are getting paid virtually nothing. While pro athletes make more money in a lifetime than they can possibly spend, we have people who are barely surviving. Police officers, firemen, teachers, nurses, social workers and other such professions which work to better the lives of others sometimes have to scrap for a living, while pro athetes are living the great life of luxury. How is this justified? Do not get me wrong here, I mean no disrespect to athletes, their jobs are just as important to them as anyone else's job is, and that is wonderful. My problem is with the fact that some people work very hard to make a living and just get by, while others are making enough to last them several lifetimes. I feel that we, as a society, need to take some action, there is surely a better way of paying those we benefit from. I feel that a change needs to come soon, before the people who make life better for the rest of us can no longer afford to be in their chosen career due to lack of funds. I feel that we should decrease the amount of money that is paid to pro athletes and use that money to increase the minimum wage, help feed the hungry, or give that money to other beneficial programs to help the needy.
Without change many may leave the occupations which help others in order to find higher paying jobs. Who could blame them? However, we need people in these positions in order to have a safe and comfortable society. I am not writing this letter because I have anything against pro atheletes, nor am I writing this letter because I am a social work major. I feel that being a social work major is my calling and God will take care of me. I am writing this letter because I feel that it is wrong to have people scrapping for a living when they are working to better the lives of others while pro athletes cannot even decide how to spend all of their money. I am simply ready to make our society a more just one.
Tara Niles, via e-mail
Religious Freedom
Editor, Times-Union:A threat by an Alabama school to discipline an 11-year-old girl for wearing a cross necklace shows why you can't trust government schools to protect religious freedom, says the Libertarian Party.
"Students go to school to learn, but what kind of lesson do they learn when the government says that wearing a cross is a crime?" asked Steve Dasbach, the LP's national director. "It seems the lesson of the day in Alabama is Religious Intolerance 101."
Early October, attorneys for Kandice Smith, a sixth-grader at Curry Middle School in Walker County, Ala., filed a lawsuit in federal court to overturn an "unconstitutional" dress code. In August, the school banned cross necklaces claiming they are "gang symbols." School officials threatened to discipline Smith if she didn't hide the cross under her clothes. Smith's attorneys argue the policy "violates free speech and free exercise rights, by denying her the ability to express her faith through the visible wearing of the necklace." The lawsuit also charges the school "demonstrates a hostility toward religion."
Libertarians agree, but have a better solution.
Any dress code that bans a popular Christian symbol is clearly unconstitutional and we're confident the court will agree. But changing this particular school's dress code isn't the answer.
After all, if Kandice Smith wins, the problems will be solved at Curry Middle School. But it doesn't change the fact that thousands of government school districts all across the country have the power to implement a similar anti-Christian ban tomorrow.
And it doesn't change the fact that government schools routinely teach values and beliefs that many Christians find abhorrent, while forcing them to pay taxes to subsidize those schools. That's why this lawsuit won't solve the real problem. So what will?
Most Christians support a separation of church and state because they understand that government should not come between people's relationship with their God. What Libertarians understand is that we need a separation of school and state for the same reason: To protect children like Kandice from the kind of religious intolerance she is experiencing at a government school.
That's why the underlying problem will only be solved when America starts moving toward a system where children are educated in free-market, religious or voluntary community schools, not tax-funded government schools.
In a free-market system, where people aren't forced to subsidize costly, failing government schools, parents would be able to send their children to schools that teach their values, and respect their beliefs. In a free-market system, Smith's parents wouldn't be forced to send her to a school that makes wearing a cross a crime.
The idea of moving away from government run schools and towards private alternatives can be somewhat unsettling for many Christians, Dasbach acknowledged. "But remember this: Jesus Christ was sentenced to death by his government," he said. "So, do you want to blindly trust our government to educate your children properly, especially after what it's done to Kandice Smith?"
Daniel Stevens, Warsaw
Second Amendment
Editor, Times-Union:Don, I'm so terribly sorry I "frighten" you!
Let me give you a little advice. Before reading "Letters," scan all the signatures. If you see my name, skip that one. About 99 percent of the time, the subject is going to concern the Second Amendment or the gun issues. And I'll tell you something else ... Don, I don't give a damn whether you or anyone else likes it or not! My letters are written for the information of some people in this area that are interested in those issues but don't have some of the resources that I have.
I made up my mind back in 1968 that I would do all in my power to fight people like you and the longer this goes the more determined I become. As a soldier told General Robert E. Lee after the failed attack at Gettysburg, "We'll fight them till hell freezes over then we'll fight them on the ice!"
You make statements like "don't forget to vote," but I'm not sure you even know what that means. If all you're interested in is security at the expense of the Constitution, I'd just as soon you did forget to vote. Your "U.N. mentality" is the most frightening aspect of this entire society. Does the word "Liberty" mean nothing to you anymore? Or is it that it never did?
One more thing, Don. In the future, please don't include me in a letter with Mr. Albert Smith. From what I've read he seems like a very good man, but I consider him a liberal and I'd just as soon not be associated with that sort of thing.
Don't forget to check under your bed for the bogey-man tonight.
Harold Kitson, Warsaw
Valley Football
Editor, Times-Union:It's Thursday night, all four sons are home from football. I finally relax and grab the sports section to read up on Valley's big game. There was nothing! Why not?
This team won their sectional. That spelled "VICTORY." The others lost. This team deserved a write-up in Thursday's paper.
My family never misses a game, as we have two sons that play for Tippecanoe Valley High School. Last week, the bleachers at Russiaville were packed. There are a lot of parents who look to your paper for those articles about the games.
A lot of parents and grandparents clip articles especially if a son or grandson is mentioned.
In the next three years, the Valley Vikings should have a lot of coverage. We have an upcoming group of boys that have carried a good record from 7th grade to the present. They have a chance to be a winning team, starting next year, if the talent is combined well enough.
Win or lose tonight, the bleachers will be full, my family present as usual. This team goes up against Norwell, the fourth ranked in the state in Class 3A. This is a big game. To wait until Friday's paper to print something is pretty bad out of the paper. If Warsaw would've won, we would've read articles all week. Do a better job, Times-Union staff!
We're sick of reading all the trash that fills the paper. My suggestion is to fill it with local school events and things that a local reader needs to know about. Good luck, coaches and players at Tippecanoe Valley High School.
Sheryl Carnes, Burket
Editor's Note: A feature story and game preview on Tippecanoe Valley were published in Friday's Times-Union.
High School Students
Editor, Times-Union:ÊWe would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Dax Snyder and Mr. Craig Kuhn for being such great role models. These boys took the time to make our son feel very special! If more high school kids would take the time and look at the examples they are setting for our young people, maybe they would try harder to suceed in positive ways. We are very thankful that we have gotten to see the positive feedback these two have shown.
Great season, Valley Vikings, and thanks again, Dax and Craig. Jordan says you're the greatest!
Jeff & Shawnitia Boggs, Mentone via e-mail
Dalton Neighbors
Editor, Times-Union:We have said we do not want to close Daltons. This is the third time we have said this. We (the neighbors) also had nothing to do with the removal of the race track. We just want them to clean it up.
All they have on TV is about global warming. They say it's because of our air pollution. That is why we have had these strange weather patterns. And if everyone, including cars, power plants and factories don't help clean up the air, it will get bad.
The odor from Daltons is very bad with the wind from the north; south wind goes over the town and some schools. Several men were working on a house across the street with the wind from the north. They said they couldn't breathe. They also ask how can you stand it. It isn't easy.
Doris Amstutz, Warsaw
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