Letters to the Editor 11-21-2006
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Environment - Troops Worthy - Plutocrats - Animal Shelter
Environment
Editor, Times-Union:We have been given an incredible responsibility of stewardship of our environment by our Creator, one that perhaps we have been squandering over the last several years. I must confess my own passion for the outdoors. I love trees, especially evergreens. I have planted many, all by hand, at our property in Seward Township and at our home in the Walnut Creek addition. I suppose a lot it has to do with my childhood in the Allegheny Mountains at the foothills of the Appalachians. My family comes from Pennsylvania where my ancestors settled in the late 1700s and I have fond memories of the hills and mountains covered with pines and spruces. Will those gorgeous vistas be preserved for my children and theirs to come?
It is significant to know what some of our Congressman have had to say about the environment most recently. Newly elected House Whip Roy Blount, Republican from Missouri, declared that nothing would be done about global warming because "the information is not adequate yet for us to do anything meaningful."
Senator Conrad Burns, the defeated Republican Senator from Montana, had stated that as long as he was in charge of the subcommittee overseeing the EPA "nothing meaningful will be done" to fund monies with respect to keeping sewage out of rivers, lakes, and drinking water. "Americans can buy drinking water with their tax cuts," he suggested.
Representative Peter King, a Republican from New York, said "you can forget about" requiring nuclear power and chemical plants from guarding from terrorists attacks. "If these patriotic companies are willing to risk their facilities," King said, "we should applaud their bravery."
Joe Barton, a Republican Congressman from Texas, said "Don't hold your breath" waiting for coal-fired power plants to be ordered to clean up their mercury emissions. When confronted with the fact that mercury-tainted fish may diminish intelligence, Barton said, "Voters are plenty smart. They keep electing me, don't they?"
Representative Charles Taylor, a Republican from North Carolina, the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, promised that U. S. Forest resources would not redirect protection of rural communities during his tenure. He said, "We're going to stay the course: Our emphasis will remain on subsidizing big timber companies."
Ted Stevens, Republican Senator from Alaska, has assured voters that dollars will continue to flow to bridges to nowhere. He said "We have more nowhere in Alaska than any other state and we need access to every bit of it."
Republican Richard Pombo of California, chair of the Committee on Resources, has said that under his leadership there is no chance of any new habitat for endangered species. He said, "It's time those hapless toads learned how to get along with the rest of us."
Senator Pete Domenci, a Republican from New Mexico, chair of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, promised to keep drilling along the nation's coasts. Regarding protecting scenic beaches he said states like New Mexico do not have any and, "Why should the burden fall on us? Now it's Florida's turn."
Finally, Republican Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma, chair of the Committee on Environment and Public Works said, "We're not going to worry" about protecting children from pesticide residues in their food. He said, "Now that Tom DeLay is gone it's up to Oklahoma to stand tall for DDT."
It seems to me that arrogance and ignorance is no way to manage the stewardship of our environment. Time will tell whether the new House and Senate will more responsibly address the environment. If the leaders follow the example of the great Republican Theodore Roosevelt, who started the National Park Service, the answer will be self-evident. But for now rather than end with some a conclusory statement I am going to break a rule of expository writing and end with a question: If our great country is worth protecting, is it also worth preserving?
David C. Kolbe
Warsaw, via e-mail
Troops Worthy
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in response to Mr. Metzger's letter on 11/13/2006.
I have spent the last 16 years proudly serving my community, state and federal government in the Indiana Army National Guard. The last three years have been as the recruiting and retention non-commissioned officer here at the Warsaw armory.
Mr. Metzger brought up some good points about corruption and mismanagement with the Iraqi and our own government. Good points and well taken. But then, Mr. Metzger, you ask young men if we really believe it is worth dying for?
Well, sir, I assure you that the reason I serve this great nation is because I believe in our freedoms and values. I agree government corruption and mismanagement is out of control, but soldiers are not the ones who fight this. The voters are the ones who fight that battle.
There are many young men and women in this community and everyone like it across the country who serve their fellow citizens like I do. Because we do what we do, you sir have the freedom of writing a letter to the editor questioning us on the fact of whether it is worth it.
I have spent time in Iraq. Believe me, the furthest thing from a soldier's mind while in the desert is whether the government is corrupt. I believe what I do is worth it very much so. I am sure if you had family members in the twin towers on 9/11 you would not be asking if it is worth it.
I will continue to do what I do because the fact is, there are many more people in this country who appreciate the sacrifices made by all of our service members rather than question their resolve.
Everyone has the right to free speech. It is a freedom I fight for everyday. Please just remember when you are speaking your mind, that you are only allowed to do this because of the sacrifices so many young men and women have made throughout the history of this great nation.
Some march for peace, some sacrifice for it. I assure you, sir, no one in this world prays harder for peace than the soldiers you wish to question. Thank you to all veterans who have made this country the greatest in the world. God Bless the USA.
SFC Denny J Harlan, RRNCO
Indiana Army National Guard
Warsaw, via e-mail
Plutocrats
Editor, Times-Union:Question? Does anyone know why Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her husband own hundreds of millions in real estate in California employing hundreds of all non-union workers?
Pelosi received the Caesar Chavez pro labor award but will allow no unions to organize her and her husband's family businesses. Perhaps because her vineyards employ lots of illegal aliens along with her hotels and restaurant chain.
How can the Democrat party speak of championing the working person with such a leader? Her rating on immigration reform is 0.
The Plutocrats in both parties play the working people like a fiddle.
Tom Metzger
Warsaw, via e-mail
Animal Shelter
Editor, Times-Union:For those of you who are wondering what's been going on at our local animal shelter I have to say I am wondering the same thing.
I recently resigned from the Animal Welfare League Board of Directors after being on the board or involved with the shelter in some capacity for six years. The last two years I have served as treasurer. We have been through four directors in six years and our most recent director had the experience and passion needed to make positive changes.
I actually witnessed some of those changes. Unfortunately, after only three months, she has fallen prey to the board's inability to let the director do what they hired them to do and she is gone. I just can't endure the frustration of watching another director come and go so I'm gone. Back to square one? I honestly don't know. For me (and others who have served with me) it's been six years of taking one step forward and several steps back. We may have regressed beyond square one.
The important question is will any combination of people (board members, director, volunteers, employees, etc.) be able to move this organization forward?
Even though I (and several before me) have tried without much progress I still have hope that it can happen. It's going to take a shared vision and the ability to execute that vision. Do those currently involved have either one of these?
I would like to challenge the animal lovers in this community (myself included): What can we do to make this organization better, to move ahead and to achieve great things? Those precious creatures out there need our help. After all, aren't they the ones who suffer because of this lack of consistency?
Lynn Kleeman
Leesburg, via email
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- Environment - Troops Worthy - Plutocrats - Animal Shelter
Environment
Editor, Times-Union:We have been given an incredible responsibility of stewardship of our environment by our Creator, one that perhaps we have been squandering over the last several years. I must confess my own passion for the outdoors. I love trees, especially evergreens. I have planted many, all by hand, at our property in Seward Township and at our home in the Walnut Creek addition. I suppose a lot it has to do with my childhood in the Allegheny Mountains at the foothills of the Appalachians. My family comes from Pennsylvania where my ancestors settled in the late 1700s and I have fond memories of the hills and mountains covered with pines and spruces. Will those gorgeous vistas be preserved for my children and theirs to come?
It is significant to know what some of our Congressman have had to say about the environment most recently. Newly elected House Whip Roy Blount, Republican from Missouri, declared that nothing would be done about global warming because "the information is not adequate yet for us to do anything meaningful."
Senator Conrad Burns, the defeated Republican Senator from Montana, had stated that as long as he was in charge of the subcommittee overseeing the EPA "nothing meaningful will be done" to fund monies with respect to keeping sewage out of rivers, lakes, and drinking water. "Americans can buy drinking water with their tax cuts," he suggested.
Representative Peter King, a Republican from New York, said "you can forget about" requiring nuclear power and chemical plants from guarding from terrorists attacks. "If these patriotic companies are willing to risk their facilities," King said, "we should applaud their bravery."
Joe Barton, a Republican Congressman from Texas, said "Don't hold your breath" waiting for coal-fired power plants to be ordered to clean up their mercury emissions. When confronted with the fact that mercury-tainted fish may diminish intelligence, Barton said, "Voters are plenty smart. They keep electing me, don't they?"
Representative Charles Taylor, a Republican from North Carolina, the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, promised that U. S. Forest resources would not redirect protection of rural communities during his tenure. He said, "We're going to stay the course: Our emphasis will remain on subsidizing big timber companies."
Ted Stevens, Republican Senator from Alaska, has assured voters that dollars will continue to flow to bridges to nowhere. He said "We have more nowhere in Alaska than any other state and we need access to every bit of it."
Republican Richard Pombo of California, chair of the Committee on Resources, has said that under his leadership there is no chance of any new habitat for endangered species. He said, "It's time those hapless toads learned how to get along with the rest of us."
Senator Pete Domenci, a Republican from New Mexico, chair of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, promised to keep drilling along the nation's coasts. Regarding protecting scenic beaches he said states like New Mexico do not have any and, "Why should the burden fall on us? Now it's Florida's turn."
Finally, Republican Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma, chair of the Committee on Environment and Public Works said, "We're not going to worry" about protecting children from pesticide residues in their food. He said, "Now that Tom DeLay is gone it's up to Oklahoma to stand tall for DDT."
It seems to me that arrogance and ignorance is no way to manage the stewardship of our environment. Time will tell whether the new House and Senate will more responsibly address the environment. If the leaders follow the example of the great Republican Theodore Roosevelt, who started the National Park Service, the answer will be self-evident. But for now rather than end with some a conclusory statement I am going to break a rule of expository writing and end with a question: If our great country is worth protecting, is it also worth preserving?
David C. Kolbe
Warsaw, via e-mail
Troops Worthy
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in response to Mr. Metzger's letter on 11/13/2006.
I have spent the last 16 years proudly serving my community, state and federal government in the Indiana Army National Guard. The last three years have been as the recruiting and retention non-commissioned officer here at the Warsaw armory.
Mr. Metzger brought up some good points about corruption and mismanagement with the Iraqi and our own government. Good points and well taken. But then, Mr. Metzger, you ask young men if we really believe it is worth dying for?
Well, sir, I assure you that the reason I serve this great nation is because I believe in our freedoms and values. I agree government corruption and mismanagement is out of control, but soldiers are not the ones who fight this. The voters are the ones who fight that battle.
There are many young men and women in this community and everyone like it across the country who serve their fellow citizens like I do. Because we do what we do, you sir have the freedom of writing a letter to the editor questioning us on the fact of whether it is worth it.
I have spent time in Iraq. Believe me, the furthest thing from a soldier's mind while in the desert is whether the government is corrupt. I believe what I do is worth it very much so. I am sure if you had family members in the twin towers on 9/11 you would not be asking if it is worth it.
I will continue to do what I do because the fact is, there are many more people in this country who appreciate the sacrifices made by all of our service members rather than question their resolve.
Everyone has the right to free speech. It is a freedom I fight for everyday. Please just remember when you are speaking your mind, that you are only allowed to do this because of the sacrifices so many young men and women have made throughout the history of this great nation.
Some march for peace, some sacrifice for it. I assure you, sir, no one in this world prays harder for peace than the soldiers you wish to question. Thank you to all veterans who have made this country the greatest in the world. God Bless the USA.
SFC Denny J Harlan, RRNCO
Indiana Army National Guard
Warsaw, via e-mail
Plutocrats
Editor, Times-Union:Question? Does anyone know why Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her husband own hundreds of millions in real estate in California employing hundreds of all non-union workers?
Pelosi received the Caesar Chavez pro labor award but will allow no unions to organize her and her husband's family businesses. Perhaps because her vineyards employ lots of illegal aliens along with her hotels and restaurant chain.
How can the Democrat party speak of championing the working person with such a leader? Her rating on immigration reform is 0.
The Plutocrats in both parties play the working people like a fiddle.
Tom Metzger
Warsaw, via e-mail
Animal Shelter
Editor, Times-Union:For those of you who are wondering what's been going on at our local animal shelter I have to say I am wondering the same thing.
I recently resigned from the Animal Welfare League Board of Directors after being on the board or involved with the shelter in some capacity for six years. The last two years I have served as treasurer. We have been through four directors in six years and our most recent director had the experience and passion needed to make positive changes.
I actually witnessed some of those changes. Unfortunately, after only three months, she has fallen prey to the board's inability to let the director do what they hired them to do and she is gone. I just can't endure the frustration of watching another director come and go so I'm gone. Back to square one? I honestly don't know. For me (and others who have served with me) it's been six years of taking one step forward and several steps back. We may have regressed beyond square one.
The important question is will any combination of people (board members, director, volunteers, employees, etc.) be able to move this organization forward?
Even though I (and several before me) have tried without much progress I still have hope that it can happen. It's going to take a shared vision and the ability to execute that vision. Do those currently involved have either one of these?
I would like to challenge the animal lovers in this community (myself included): What can we do to make this organization better, to move ahead and to achieve great things? Those precious creatures out there need our help. After all, aren't they the ones who suffer because of this lack of consistency?
Lynn Kleeman
Leesburg, via email
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