Letters to the Editor 12-23-2002
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Repeating History - Great Program - Thanks To Volunteers - Birth Of Choice - Toy Sale Success
Repeating History
Editor, Times-Union:I feel I should speak out about some of the articles appearing in newspapers concerning Iraq and possible U.S. intervention.
I grew up in the 1930s and witnessed some of the things that led up to World War II. Most nations shut their eyes to events leading up to this most destructive war in history.
When Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland in 1938, the French army was considered the largest army in the world. The German generals were frightened by this and gave the orders for an immediate withdrawal if the French army made any movement eastward.
The French reacted immediately to this violation of post-World War I agreement, but the British panicked and persuaded the French to halt any confrontation with the Germans.
At this time the British and French could easily have called HItler's bluff and it would probably have caused the collapse of his fascist regime. It could have been done with little if any loss of life. It certainly could have prevented the loss of millions of lives and well over a thousand cities destroyed, but the naysayers prevailed. Hitler was correct in that the western powers would do nothing.
Shortly thereafter Czechoslovakia was abandoned and sold down the river to trade land for peace (Where have I heard that before?). Neville Chamberlin flew back to Britain with his famous "scrap of paper." Cheering crowds hailed it as "peace in our time." This further emboldened Hitler.
Meanwhile here we had the same reaction. World traveler, lecturer and Manchester College professor, Dr. Cordier had just returned from a tour in Europe and told us just what we wanted to hear. He had traveled around Germany and flatly stated that Germany was in no way prepared to fight a war. He also told us that Germany would be a fool to attack France as they could in no way get through the Maginot line. Well, hardly out of my teens, serving with the U.S. Army, I went through the Maginot line and I could see how the Germans went around and over it.
I don't think I would put much credence in statements concerning military matters made by college professors or their adherents. Living in a fool's paradise led to Pearl Harbor and certainly 9/11. As far as the United Nations is concerned, I agree with Pastor John Hagee of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas: "It should be called a 'United Nothing.'" It is merely an anti-U.S.A. and anti-Israel debating society.
I was the class of '42 and my generation paid a heavy price for the failure of government to take any pre-emptive action when there was plenty of evidence of what was going on in Europe and in Asia.
There were over 30 million killed in World War II and millions wounded. My generation all lost classmates, friends and many family members. Unfortunately I am hearing some of the same things I heard in the 1930s: people wanting proof that these dictators are up to no good. Dictators simply cannot be trusted to honor any agreements they make; North Korea seems to be the latest. Passing resolutions means nothing.
If history repeats itself again, I guess it is true that all we learn from history is that we don't learn anything from history. Look for more 9/11s.
George Plew
Warsaw
Great Program
Editor, Times-Union:Last night this community was treated to one of the finest elementary programs I have ever seen. Mr. Dillon and his assistants did a wonderful job directing a huge crew of students to sing and play musical instruments for our listening and viewing pleasure. The set and costumes were creative and beautiful, and the students were attentive and well behaved. Thank you, Mr. Dillon, staff, and students for a delightfully fun evening!
Mike and Sheryl Hanna
Warsaw
via e-mail
Thanks To Volunteers
Editor, Times-Union:There are too many of you to list everyone, but I want to thank all of you for furnishing transportation for me to Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital for my radiation treatment for my cancer.
Mary Russell
Warsaw
Birth Of Choice
Editor, Times-Union:Imagine this:
A handsome stranger appears at the door of a 13-year-old girl. Upon learning that she is home alone, he convinces her to allow him into the house, wherein he makes an outrageous and provocative proposition, which she accepts. It seems logical to a 13-year-old. Upon completion of the deed, the stranger leaves, and is never seen again in the town.
Several weeks later, this confused, scared and altered child confesses to her parents and boyfriend what she and the stranger had done. Her horrified parents take her to the clinic, where it is confirmed that she is pregnant, although the girl refuses to admit that she has ever had sexual intercourse. Obviously a child in such a condition, delusional and in denial of the truth, is not fit to become a parent, so an abortion is arranged, and a baby boy is ripped from her womb and thrown out with the trash.
This is what might have happened had Mary of Nazareth's parents taken her to Planned Parenthood. Today we might be celebrating the birth of "Choice" rather than the birth of Christ.
Imagine that.
Jerry Hogan
Warsaw
via e-mail
Toy Sale Success
Editor, Times-Union:At this time I would like to recognize Ami Pitt and her friend Tina for their many hours which they volunteered to organize the Combined Community Services "Toy Sale and Give-Away" at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds. During my brief time of volunteering, I found it overwhelming to see the amount of items donated by our great community and wondered just how many hours it would take to put this all together. Whatever the amount, these girls both deserve a "Golden Crown." Thank you for being so generous! Happy Holidays!
Becky Thomas
Warsaw
via e-mail
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- Repeating History - Great Program - Thanks To Volunteers - Birth Of Choice - Toy Sale Success
Repeating History
Editor, Times-Union:I feel I should speak out about some of the articles appearing in newspapers concerning Iraq and possible U.S. intervention.
I grew up in the 1930s and witnessed some of the things that led up to World War II. Most nations shut their eyes to events leading up to this most destructive war in history.
When Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland in 1938, the French army was considered the largest army in the world. The German generals were frightened by this and gave the orders for an immediate withdrawal if the French army made any movement eastward.
The French reacted immediately to this violation of post-World War I agreement, but the British panicked and persuaded the French to halt any confrontation with the Germans.
At this time the British and French could easily have called HItler's bluff and it would probably have caused the collapse of his fascist regime. It could have been done with little if any loss of life. It certainly could have prevented the loss of millions of lives and well over a thousand cities destroyed, but the naysayers prevailed. Hitler was correct in that the western powers would do nothing.
Shortly thereafter Czechoslovakia was abandoned and sold down the river to trade land for peace (Where have I heard that before?). Neville Chamberlin flew back to Britain with his famous "scrap of paper." Cheering crowds hailed it as "peace in our time." This further emboldened Hitler.
Meanwhile here we had the same reaction. World traveler, lecturer and Manchester College professor, Dr. Cordier had just returned from a tour in Europe and told us just what we wanted to hear. He had traveled around Germany and flatly stated that Germany was in no way prepared to fight a war. He also told us that Germany would be a fool to attack France as they could in no way get through the Maginot line. Well, hardly out of my teens, serving with the U.S. Army, I went through the Maginot line and I could see how the Germans went around and over it.
I don't think I would put much credence in statements concerning military matters made by college professors or their adherents. Living in a fool's paradise led to Pearl Harbor and certainly 9/11. As far as the United Nations is concerned, I agree with Pastor John Hagee of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas: "It should be called a 'United Nothing.'" It is merely an anti-U.S.A. and anti-Israel debating society.
I was the class of '42 and my generation paid a heavy price for the failure of government to take any pre-emptive action when there was plenty of evidence of what was going on in Europe and in Asia.
There were over 30 million killed in World War II and millions wounded. My generation all lost classmates, friends and many family members. Unfortunately I am hearing some of the same things I heard in the 1930s: people wanting proof that these dictators are up to no good. Dictators simply cannot be trusted to honor any agreements they make; North Korea seems to be the latest. Passing resolutions means nothing.
If history repeats itself again, I guess it is true that all we learn from history is that we don't learn anything from history. Look for more 9/11s.
George Plew
Warsaw
Great Program
Editor, Times-Union:Last night this community was treated to one of the finest elementary programs I have ever seen. Mr. Dillon and his assistants did a wonderful job directing a huge crew of students to sing and play musical instruments for our listening and viewing pleasure. The set and costumes were creative and beautiful, and the students were attentive and well behaved. Thank you, Mr. Dillon, staff, and students for a delightfully fun evening!
Mike and Sheryl Hanna
Warsaw
via e-mail
Thanks To Volunteers
Editor, Times-Union:There are too many of you to list everyone, but I want to thank all of you for furnishing transportation for me to Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital for my radiation treatment for my cancer.
Mary Russell
Warsaw
Birth Of Choice
Editor, Times-Union:Imagine this:
A handsome stranger appears at the door of a 13-year-old girl. Upon learning that she is home alone, he convinces her to allow him into the house, wherein he makes an outrageous and provocative proposition, which she accepts. It seems logical to a 13-year-old. Upon completion of the deed, the stranger leaves, and is never seen again in the town.
Several weeks later, this confused, scared and altered child confesses to her parents and boyfriend what she and the stranger had done. Her horrified parents take her to the clinic, where it is confirmed that she is pregnant, although the girl refuses to admit that she has ever had sexual intercourse. Obviously a child in such a condition, delusional and in denial of the truth, is not fit to become a parent, so an abortion is arranged, and a baby boy is ripped from her womb and thrown out with the trash.
This is what might have happened had Mary of Nazareth's parents taken her to Planned Parenthood. Today we might be celebrating the birth of "Choice" rather than the birth of Christ.
Imagine that.
Jerry Hogan
Warsaw
via e-mail
Toy Sale Success
Editor, Times-Union:At this time I would like to recognize Ami Pitt and her friend Tina for their many hours which they volunteered to organize the Combined Community Services "Toy Sale and Give-Away" at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds. During my brief time of volunteering, I found it overwhelming to see the amount of items donated by our great community and wondered just how many hours it would take to put this all together. Whatever the amount, these girls both deserve a "Golden Crown." Thank you for being so generous! Happy Holidays!
Becky Thomas
Warsaw
via e-mail
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