Letters to the Editor 11-19-2004
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Democracy Hill - Contemporary Worship - Good Samaritans - Spell Check - Madison Thanks - The Reasonable Man - Sense Of Community - Appalling Republicans
Democracy Hill
Editor, Times-Union:On the way to Democracy Hill on Election Day, Dora and Boots had to cross over the blue bridge, find the key to open the blue gate, then follow Liberty Road all the way to Democracy Hill. There they would gather with their Democratic friends in a celebration for the new president and vice president of Democracy Hill.
Now Dora and Boots had a very important role to play in the election, they would carry all of the votes of the Democratic Party in their backpacks. Also in the backpacks were provisional, absentee, black and Hispanic, and all the important military votes. ... After stopping at election headquarters, Dora and Boots, with their backs bulging with Democratic votes, began their journey to Democracy Hill. Singing a happy song as they walked by the river toward the blue bridge - we did it - we did it - Yeah! - We did it.
As they crossed the blue bridge they could see the blue gate off in the distance. As they neared the gate, they noticed a tree full of keys of various colors. At the very top of the tree was a blue key.
Dora and Boots had to take off their heavy backpacks and sit them by the tree while they climbed to the top to retrieve the blue key. While they worked feverishly to retrieve the key, Karl Swiper Rove, unbeknownst to Dora and Boots, sneaked in and exchanged the backpacks with backpacks stuff with millions of votes for Swiper's candidates for president and vice president ... And he said as he walked away, you'll never prove that Bush and Cheney didn't win now! If only the Federal Elections Commission could have been there to say Swiper, no swiping!
Not to worry, we Democrats will find a silver lining in this dark cloud of Republican rule ... We will receive much pleasure from watching the Republicans sink into the quicksand of their own irresponsible actions and failed policies ... This sinking begins in January 2005, when borrowed must be paid ... borrowed money from China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and many others. These debts come due in January along with the bill for the occupation of Iraq ...
Gene May
Etna Green
Contemporary Worship
Editor, Times-Union:Said my grandson to me, "But grandpa listen to the words of the song which we are singing in the worship service." To which I responded, "I'm sorry, but I just cannot hear them, and it's just too loud."
To worship is to become aware of the presence of God. In his presence we acknowledge his authorship of all life, human, plant, animal, celestial, and this compels a bowed head and knee in prayerful humility.
A story from England tells us of a gathering of great men at which one was heard to say, "If our king were to enter our room now, we would all rise to honor his presence. If our Lord would enter, we would bow down before him in heartelt worship."
To worship God is to acknowledge such great unimaginably sacrificial love above our comprehension, by his son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. The noise of crowd in "The Passion of Christ" movie is countered by the quiet breath-held worship demeanor of the glued, tearful people in the theater watching Jesus suffering for them and their sins, which put him on the cross.
Does present day Woodstock-like entertainment in some of our Christian churches help us to worship God? Do we observe the pop culture and psychobabble saying that we, to be happy in worship, must make ourselves the center of the universe? Is worship to please me?
In the Bible Elijah was hiding from Jezebel, who threatened to kill him (I Kings 19:ll-13) and after a strong wind, an earthquake and fire, a still small voice from God got him back on track as God's prophet.
Are some churches communicating the false idea that God exists to give us excitement and all we selfishly want? Can we loudly demand it , even in church worship hours of God?
Fellow humans worship is not about self pleasure. It's all about God, who loves us in spite of our faults. Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."
Grandson, I hope and pray that you are worshiping in your contemporary worship hour, but for me, an old fogy, in quietness and seeking and thanksgiving I will worship God.
C.L. Hendrix
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Good Samaritans
Editor, Times-Union:Too often we only hear or read of the negative things that go on in our tired old world. A few weeks ago I had a knock on my door and there were several adults and many young people. They wanted to rake my leaves!
I live on a corner lot with six big trees. So there were many leaves! They wanted nothing in return.
This group was from the Mentone Methodist Church Youth group and their leaders. Thank you!
Later, someone has cleared out the front curb. Thank you all. What a blessing for one who can't do a lot of these things for one's self.
God bless you, each and every one.
Phyllis Bowser
Mentone
Spell Check
Editor, Times-Union:Wow, Sarah. You sure put me in my place! I am so humbled that it's all I can do to go out to face the public. Guess I'll use spell check like you do. ...
Your friend Dyrell.
Dyrell Hackworth
Warsaw
via e-mail
Madison Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the students, parents and staff of Madison Elementary School, I wish to express my thanks to the Warsaw Police Department for taking time from a very busy morning to escort the entire Madison student body to the Food A Thon at WRSW.
To serve and protect is certainly appropriate for these fine people.
Jeffrey K. Neumann, Principal
Madison Elementary
Warsaw
The Reasonable Man
Editor, Times-Union:Just when I was wondering whatever happened to "the reasonbable man," the concept on which American jurisprudence supposedly is based, comes a voice espousing this very concept with these thoughts on how we Americans can get along together.
Liberals need to understand that in time of war public criticism of every twist in the conduct of the military is destructive to morale and puts lives in danger.
Conservatives need to make sure military action is conducted in a manner above reproach and to severely punish those who break the law.
Liberals need to stop their assault on religion. Removing the Ten Commandments from a courthouse is not dealing with the issue of separation of church and state; it is an example of attacking religion in general.
Conservatives need to make sure there is room for all religious views in this diverse country and not to condemn one while endorsing another.
Both liberals and conservatives need to drink clean water, breath fresh clean air and be safe from hazards posed by uncaring and greedy businesses and corporations.
Liberals need to understand that America is not a socialist country.
Conservatives need to understand that some forms of regulation are necessary to ensure a fair playing field and that money does not buy license to do "whatever."
Both liberals and conservatives need to stop screaming at each other and to engage in respectful, intelligent dialogue.
The venomous diatribes of the likes of Ann Coulter and Michael Moore do nothing to move us to meaningful discourse and to enhance our common life together. Both perspectives need to take a serious look at how Bill Clinton worked to arrive at a middle ground and liberals need to listen to people like Evan Bayh and Joe Lieberman and Richard Lugar. Those who seek consensus should be our heroes rather than extremists like Howard Dean or Jesse Helms. What is called for is less adrenaline activity and more brain cell activity.
I am struck by the thought that for over two millenia, Europe has watched with growing envy and admiration how those puny 13 colonies beside the sea have put aside their varying perspectives on politics, religion, economics, etc. to form one strong and enduring bond - E pluribus unum, One from many.
It would be both ironic and tragic, as Europe is getting its act together and forming a common bond despite centuries of rivalry and animosity, they should witness the disintegration of their shining model - us!
Tam Vogel
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Sense Of Community
Editor, Times-Union:Recently, my brother-in-law, Thomas Sharpe, passed away. Trying to keep up with his lawn on a part-time basis has been quite a challenge, especially with the fall leaf drop. At times I felt like I was trying to empty the ocean with a thimble. One of the neighbors, Mrs. Jeffrey A. Grill, came to me with a flier she made, inviting the neighbors to participate in a leaf raking party on behalf of the Sharpe children. At 4 p.m. Saturday, at least 15 men, women and children showed up with rakes, leaf blowers, tarps and one John Deere lawn tractor.
Within an hour, the lawn was green again and leaf piles were burning. Talk about what the power in numbers can do! I was impressed with the turnout and their consideration to help another neighbor in need. So on behalf of my brother-in-law, Thomas Sharpe, his children, and myself, we would like to thank them for their time. I am sure Tom would have appreciated it.
Andy E. Martinez
Warsaw
Appalling Republicans
Editor, Times-Union:House Republicans have done something truly appalling. They've knocked down an ethics rule that banned House members from holding leadership positions if they've been indicted on felony charges.
They did it on behalf of House majority leader Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas). A number of his associates have already been indicted by a Texas grand jury and he's expected to take a similar hit in the near future.
I strongly urge you to editorialize against this move. What's astonishing about it is that the Republicans just repealed a provision that THEY put in place back in 1993 when they said they were cleaning up Congress.
This is no mere act of hypocrisy, though. Nor is it just a Beltway issue that's only relevant in Washington. This is a national moral lapse that cuts to the heart of our government. It's an utter outrage, and you need to stand up for the public good and shine a spotlight on it.
Tom DeLay has already been rebuked four times by the House Ethics Committee for various violations. It makes people like me - who play by the rules and pay the taxes that provide for Tom DeLay's salary - even more cynical about politics and American democracy. Just imagine how great Republicans like Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt would react. It's a disgrace.
Please devote some of your coverage to addressing this dirty move. Have the vision to editorialize against it and play the role of the public watchdog. We, the people, are ultimately the caretakers of our democracy. When politicians fail to govern with dignity, we must stand up, speak out and hold them accountable.
Ted Sautter
North Webster
via e-mail
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- Democracy Hill - Contemporary Worship - Good Samaritans - Spell Check - Madison Thanks - The Reasonable Man - Sense Of Community - Appalling Republicans
Democracy Hill
Editor, Times-Union:On the way to Democracy Hill on Election Day, Dora and Boots had to cross over the blue bridge, find the key to open the blue gate, then follow Liberty Road all the way to Democracy Hill. There they would gather with their Democratic friends in a celebration for the new president and vice president of Democracy Hill.
Now Dora and Boots had a very important role to play in the election, they would carry all of the votes of the Democratic Party in their backpacks. Also in the backpacks were provisional, absentee, black and Hispanic, and all the important military votes. ... After stopping at election headquarters, Dora and Boots, with their backs bulging with Democratic votes, began their journey to Democracy Hill. Singing a happy song as they walked by the river toward the blue bridge - we did it - we did it - Yeah! - We did it.
As they crossed the blue bridge they could see the blue gate off in the distance. As they neared the gate, they noticed a tree full of keys of various colors. At the very top of the tree was a blue key.
Dora and Boots had to take off their heavy backpacks and sit them by the tree while they climbed to the top to retrieve the blue key. While they worked feverishly to retrieve the key, Karl Swiper Rove, unbeknownst to Dora and Boots, sneaked in and exchanged the backpacks with backpacks stuff with millions of votes for Swiper's candidates for president and vice president ... And he said as he walked away, you'll never prove that Bush and Cheney didn't win now! If only the Federal Elections Commission could have been there to say Swiper, no swiping!
Not to worry, we Democrats will find a silver lining in this dark cloud of Republican rule ... We will receive much pleasure from watching the Republicans sink into the quicksand of their own irresponsible actions and failed policies ... This sinking begins in January 2005, when borrowed must be paid ... borrowed money from China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and many others. These debts come due in January along with the bill for the occupation of Iraq ...
Gene May
Etna Green
Contemporary Worship
Editor, Times-Union:Said my grandson to me, "But grandpa listen to the words of the song which we are singing in the worship service." To which I responded, "I'm sorry, but I just cannot hear them, and it's just too loud."
To worship is to become aware of the presence of God. In his presence we acknowledge his authorship of all life, human, plant, animal, celestial, and this compels a bowed head and knee in prayerful humility.
A story from England tells us of a gathering of great men at which one was heard to say, "If our king were to enter our room now, we would all rise to honor his presence. If our Lord would enter, we would bow down before him in heartelt worship."
To worship God is to acknowledge such great unimaginably sacrificial love above our comprehension, by his son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. The noise of crowd in "The Passion of Christ" movie is countered by the quiet breath-held worship demeanor of the glued, tearful people in the theater watching Jesus suffering for them and their sins, which put him on the cross.
Does present day Woodstock-like entertainment in some of our Christian churches help us to worship God? Do we observe the pop culture and psychobabble saying that we, to be happy in worship, must make ourselves the center of the universe? Is worship to please me?
In the Bible Elijah was hiding from Jezebel, who threatened to kill him (I Kings 19:ll-13) and after a strong wind, an earthquake and fire, a still small voice from God got him back on track as God's prophet.
Are some churches communicating the false idea that God exists to give us excitement and all we selfishly want? Can we loudly demand it , even in church worship hours of God?
Fellow humans worship is not about self pleasure. It's all about God, who loves us in spite of our faults. Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."
Grandson, I hope and pray that you are worshiping in your contemporary worship hour, but for me, an old fogy, in quietness and seeking and thanksgiving I will worship God.
C.L. Hendrix
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Good Samaritans
Editor, Times-Union:Too often we only hear or read of the negative things that go on in our tired old world. A few weeks ago I had a knock on my door and there were several adults and many young people. They wanted to rake my leaves!
I live on a corner lot with six big trees. So there were many leaves! They wanted nothing in return.
This group was from the Mentone Methodist Church Youth group and their leaders. Thank you!
Later, someone has cleared out the front curb. Thank you all. What a blessing for one who can't do a lot of these things for one's self.
God bless you, each and every one.
Phyllis Bowser
Mentone
Spell Check
Editor, Times-Union:Wow, Sarah. You sure put me in my place! I am so humbled that it's all I can do to go out to face the public. Guess I'll use spell check like you do. ...
Your friend Dyrell.
Dyrell Hackworth
Warsaw
via e-mail
Madison Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the students, parents and staff of Madison Elementary School, I wish to express my thanks to the Warsaw Police Department for taking time from a very busy morning to escort the entire Madison student body to the Food A Thon at WRSW.
To serve and protect is certainly appropriate for these fine people.
Jeffrey K. Neumann, Principal
Madison Elementary
Warsaw
The Reasonable Man
Editor, Times-Union:Just when I was wondering whatever happened to "the reasonbable man," the concept on which American jurisprudence supposedly is based, comes a voice espousing this very concept with these thoughts on how we Americans can get along together.
Liberals need to understand that in time of war public criticism of every twist in the conduct of the military is destructive to morale and puts lives in danger.
Conservatives need to make sure military action is conducted in a manner above reproach and to severely punish those who break the law.
Liberals need to stop their assault on religion. Removing the Ten Commandments from a courthouse is not dealing with the issue of separation of church and state; it is an example of attacking religion in general.
Conservatives need to make sure there is room for all religious views in this diverse country and not to condemn one while endorsing another.
Both liberals and conservatives need to drink clean water, breath fresh clean air and be safe from hazards posed by uncaring and greedy businesses and corporations.
Liberals need to understand that America is not a socialist country.
Conservatives need to understand that some forms of regulation are necessary to ensure a fair playing field and that money does not buy license to do "whatever."
Both liberals and conservatives need to stop screaming at each other and to engage in respectful, intelligent dialogue.
The venomous diatribes of the likes of Ann Coulter and Michael Moore do nothing to move us to meaningful discourse and to enhance our common life together. Both perspectives need to take a serious look at how Bill Clinton worked to arrive at a middle ground and liberals need to listen to people like Evan Bayh and Joe Lieberman and Richard Lugar. Those who seek consensus should be our heroes rather than extremists like Howard Dean or Jesse Helms. What is called for is less adrenaline activity and more brain cell activity.
I am struck by the thought that for over two millenia, Europe has watched with growing envy and admiration how those puny 13 colonies beside the sea have put aside their varying perspectives on politics, religion, economics, etc. to form one strong and enduring bond - E pluribus unum, One from many.
It would be both ironic and tragic, as Europe is getting its act together and forming a common bond despite centuries of rivalry and animosity, they should witness the disintegration of their shining model - us!
Tam Vogel
Winona Lake
via e-mail
Sense Of Community
Editor, Times-Union:Recently, my brother-in-law, Thomas Sharpe, passed away. Trying to keep up with his lawn on a part-time basis has been quite a challenge, especially with the fall leaf drop. At times I felt like I was trying to empty the ocean with a thimble. One of the neighbors, Mrs. Jeffrey A. Grill, came to me with a flier she made, inviting the neighbors to participate in a leaf raking party on behalf of the Sharpe children. At 4 p.m. Saturday, at least 15 men, women and children showed up with rakes, leaf blowers, tarps and one John Deere lawn tractor.
Within an hour, the lawn was green again and leaf piles were burning. Talk about what the power in numbers can do! I was impressed with the turnout and their consideration to help another neighbor in need. So on behalf of my brother-in-law, Thomas Sharpe, his children, and myself, we would like to thank them for their time. I am sure Tom would have appreciated it.
Andy E. Martinez
Warsaw
Appalling Republicans
Editor, Times-Union:House Republicans have done something truly appalling. They've knocked down an ethics rule that banned House members from holding leadership positions if they've been indicted on felony charges.
They did it on behalf of House majority leader Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas). A number of his associates have already been indicted by a Texas grand jury and he's expected to take a similar hit in the near future.
I strongly urge you to editorialize against this move. What's astonishing about it is that the Republicans just repealed a provision that THEY put in place back in 1993 when they said they were cleaning up Congress.
This is no mere act of hypocrisy, though. Nor is it just a Beltway issue that's only relevant in Washington. This is a national moral lapse that cuts to the heart of our government. It's an utter outrage, and you need to stand up for the public good and shine a spotlight on it.
Tom DeLay has already been rebuked four times by the House Ethics Committee for various violations. It makes people like me - who play by the rules and pay the taxes that provide for Tom DeLay's salary - even more cynical about politics and American democracy. Just imagine how great Republicans like Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt would react. It's a disgrace.
Please devote some of your coverage to addressing this dirty move. Have the vision to editorialize against it and play the role of the public watchdog. We, the people, are ultimately the caretakers of our democracy. When politicians fail to govern with dignity, we must stand up, speak out and hold them accountable.
Ted Sautter
North Webster
via e-mail
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