Editor, Times-Union: The construction of the cardboard boats was a difficult challenge and the students in our honors physics took it. We spent weeks beforehand studying the concepts and ideas that were entailed in the floating of the boats. We learned about buoyancy force, density of fluids, and all laws associated with motion, among other things. As for the time frame to build the boats, the three days which Mr. Weihler mentioned, is a definite understatement. My partner and I spent well over a week building our boat, while keeping a log of every activity, constructing a miniature prototype, and writing a one-page summary of what we learned during the process. That in itself will help with labs, and experiments a Purdue, IU, and Ball State. About the grading scale, the last time I checked several college classes base well over half the grade on final exams, and tests. As a student in the honors physics class at Warsaw High School, I would like to thank the administration, and the faculty for challenging me the way Purdue will challenge me next year.
Jeff Phillips, honors physics student
Physics Class
Editor Times-Union: ÊÊÊ I am a college freshman at Indiana University. I graduated from Warsaw Community High School, and I did take physics. In my physics class other than learning how to build a bridge, I learned many formulas. To this day I have never used one of them outside of class, but I do still remember them and can still do the problems I did last year. In my opinion I have learned more from building the bridge than the formulas, because in building the bridge, it was easy to see that the students who thought things out and used the formulas, to benefit them, did considerably better. It taught us about problem solving, something we probably don't learn enough of. I would like to thank that physics teacher, you know who you are, and thank you.
Paul Kibiger
Hypocrisy
Editor, Times-Union: From where I'm sitting, it seems that the ones who were sold a jackass were those who voted for this President who presented himself as a "Southern Moderate" and promised the "most ethical administration ever."
I would ask Mr. Zimmerman to defend his claim that Republicans have opposed civil rights. Please cite examples.
There is plenty of hypocrisy to point out on both sides. What about the Democrats who trashed Clarence Thomas and rejected Judge Bork because of their positions on original intent, now suddenly clinging to every point of law and quoting the "Federalist Papers"?
I would agree with Mr. Zimmerman that it is wrong to hate Mr. Clinton, especially those who have a calling to preach love and grace. But in all fairness, if you criticize televangelists for "wrapping themselves in the flag and clutching the Bible to their chests," remember that Mr. Clinton has demonstrated against the flag and how quick he is to be seen been shown clutching the Bible under his arm for the photo-ops.
Brad Snyder, Roanoke, Va.
Library Complimented
Editor, Times-Union: If our public library would receive a compliment each and every day from their "clients," it still would not be enough...
I took an MRI at the local hospital recently and was told that I had a mild case of gall bladder trouble. Dr. Neal VanNess is another earthly angel, he said "if it isn't broken, I'll not fix it." So I went to the 2nd floor of the library and asked for any information that was published on gall bladder/stones. My best helper, a young lady dressed in a size 3 or 4, often assists me in my research. She is a wonderful person, and wears a smile no matter how tired she is. Many thanks to you all and stay in good health in 1999. I only wished that our "Nationwide," "Statewide" and our local educational systems would operate as efficiently as does our public library. Personally we need to send some of our people to Germany and learn why they are so far ahead. I know because I married one.
Albert Smith, Warsaw
Lessons To Kids
Editor, Times-Union: As a teacher and a sometimes coach, I find it eye-opening what we are teaching our children and youth about sports today. It's OK to cheat in boxing, even to the point of biting off an opponent's ear; a "lifetime" ban won't last very long. It's OK to physically attack your coach; you'll get to continue to play and make millions of dollars. Now I see that the Pacers were actually considering adding Latrell Sprewell to the team; I am extremely disappointed. I can't imagine Larry Bird wanting to coach Sprewell, but I can see the message our kids are getting: Be a spoiled brat; you know more than any old coach; if you're a star, you are more important than the coach. I just can't decide whether all this means we are taking our sports too seriously, or not seriously enough.
Jeff Hunn, North Manchester
Concerned Woman
Editor, Times-Union: Being a woman and reading the "court briefs" tonight (Jan. 22) really upset me!
Does a man have to kill a woman before he gets prison time? To get a suspended sentence for a class D felony with a consideration to reduce it to a class A misdemeanor; sounds like a slap on the wrist!
This does not sound like much security for a "battered woman."
