Editor, Times-Union: Recently a Mr. Howard Elder of Pierceton submitted a letter concerning the quick and easy pacification and surrender of all Muslim terrorists (which in itself is an oxymoron because one cannot be both a Muslim and a terrorist). Mr. Elder has claimed to have found a solution so simple and so dire that it could virtually end decades of terrorism in a matter of minutes.
Being that you only published Mr. Elder's letter the remainder of my letter is addressed to Mr. Elder and not to you.
There are two major problems with your letter, Mr. Elder, the first one is that your proposed solution is asinine and an insult to civilization. It is hardly appropriate to use the "if you can't beat them join them" method when it comes to international terrorism. If and when we start acting like terrorists it will be safe to say that we have become terrorists.
The other problem is the information that you have simply copied from a chain letter, failed to research and then touted as factual, original ideas, is by and large all false. First of all, General Pershing was born in Missouri not in Mississippi. Not really that big of a deal, but what are we to think when even the background information you give is not historically accurate? The actual incident in which you claim that General Pershing tied 50 terrorists up and shot 49 of them with ammunition first dipped in pig's blood is completely ungrounded and has absolutely no basis in reality.
General Pershing, who at the time was only Major Pershing, was really in the Philippines in 1903 and more specifically in Jolo where the alleged incident took place. He was sent there to pacify 100,000 Mammedan warriors. After some difficulty he succeeded in surrounding the Mammedans who were holding out on top of a volcano and brought the insurrection to an end.
Mr. Elder, your ideas are appalling, but you are more than entitled to them. However, you are not entitled the right to pass off lies as the truth. A few Google searches and 20 minutes at the public library could have provided you with the same information that I have. Furthermore, General Pershing was a great American leader who fought hard for his country and for his place in our history. He deserves better than to be treated like a pawn in your plagiarized and absurd letter.
Micah LeMasters Winona Lake via e-mail
Hope For Kids
Editor, Times-Union: As you probably know, a school in Minnesota was riddled with bullets and shells after another tragic day in American history March 21. Not too long ago our nation was gripped with fear as the news from Columbine spread, now just a few years later we are once again in shock.
The fact that our teens are very troubled has come to the front page of our lives and we need to ask ourselves as parents, concerned friends and leaders, what are we doing to help. Jesus said in John 16:33 "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." In other words, Jesus promised that in this world filled with sin & selfishness, there was going to be trouble!
How are we giving our children hope and peace in the middle of it? How are we teaching our children to handle stress and anxiety and relationships and peer pressure, where are we turning our children to for help? MTV? Peers? TV stars? Athletes? May I encourage you to strongly consider the role that you have in your children's lives as their No. 1 example which no one else can replace. In the Bible, Deuteronomy 6:4-6 commands us as parents to be the primary source of teaching our children the word of God and the commandments of God and the example for them to follow? God help us as parents, leaders and examples!
Pastor Jim Baughman Pierceton via e-mail
Please Don't Litter
Editor, Times-Union: My name is Kelsey Bumgardner, I am in fourth grade at Harrison Elementary School. We are taught in school and by our parents to put litter in its place. Every day on my way to and from school we see trash along the road. On CR 200N it is on both sides of the road and not just a few things. There are lots and lots of trash. It is embarrasing to think that people don't care and just throw stuff out their car windows. Put litter in its place and not on the roads!
