Editor, Times-Union: This letter is sent to inform the community of Warsaw about the organizational meeting of the CROP Walk committee. This committee will give leadership to the CROP Walk scheduled Oct. 14. CROP stands for "Communities Reaching Out to People." The funds received from this walk will benefit our own community agencies - Combined Community Services, Salvation Army and Our Father's House -Êand agencies that help feed the hungry around the world. The meeting will be held Tuesday at the Mennonite Church on Husky Trail, across from North Point Theater. Everyone interested in participating in the planning of the details of the CROP walk is encouraged to attend this meeting. We walk to "Help feed the hungry around the world and around the block."
Peter E. Albertson Assistant Coordinator Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice Inc.
The Money System
Editor, Times-Union: I will try to write this so those of you that only have a kindergarten education can understand it.
We are led to believe that the $5+ trillion that the U.S. is in debt is owed to itself. If this were the case, it could simply erase the debt and start over. This is not the case because this money is owned mostly by a privately owned banking cartel, known as the Federal Reserve Banking System. If the United States needs $1+ billion, it has $1+ billion in bonds printed. The privately owned Federal Reserve then gives the United States government a bank credit for $1+ billion or whatever part of this they are lending. The Fed has nothing to back this money, no silver, no gold. The United States must redeem the bonds for face value plus interest. The Fed has almost nothing tangible in this money created on paper.
Yet, even simpler, you make 10 jelly doughnuts and lend them out. You are supposed to get back the 10 doughnuts plus one in interest. They eat all the doughnuts. Therefore they can't even give you back one for the interest. Now suppose you lend another 10 doughnuts on the same terms, plus there is interest accrued on the first batch. This continues. This is why the debt can never be paid off.
Starting during World War II, some of the bonds were sold to private parties as War Bonds and after the war, as Savings Bonds. During WWII, many invested in these bonds. After the war, some continued to invest in these bonds. Over a 25-year period, I accumulated about $5,000 worth of these bonds. Some people had more, some people had less, but, a far greater number did not have any of them. My $5,000 worth amounts to probably less than 1/100,000 of one percent of those purchased. Take 100 pennies and divide each of them into 100,000 parts. Now take one of these parts out, that is my share. All of the bonds purchased by private parties, in all likelihood, do not amount to 5 percent of the total $5+ trillion debt.
For those of you that can't count past 100, a trillion dollars has 12 zeroes after it. It is highly unlikely that there is that much cash money in the world, since the entire system works on money that was and still is created out of thin air. If you go to your bank and ask for one million in cash, they could not give it to you even if they say on the door that they have $100,000 million in assets, because it is only on paper.
Neither your congressman nor your senator nor anyone on their staff seems to understand the money system.
The IRS is nothing more than a collection agency for the Federal Reserve. Furthermore, the Feds have helped back both sides of every War, starting with WWI.
If I provided the stamp, it is a U.S. flag. It is not upside down by accident.
C.L. Alfred, U.S. Mil. Ret.
Peru
Memories
Editor, Times-Union: I was really surprised when I received the June 6 newspaper. There was Hilda Young's picture on the front page. I thought of her many times over the years.
Right after graduating in 1954, I went to work in the W.R. Thomas dime store. That's when I first met Hilda. She was a widow raising her son.
My first impression of her was she wasn't going to be any fun to work around. I was very wrong. She'd get a good one over on you every once in a while. A very pleasant lady to work around.
I knew who you were, Hilda, before I saw the name under your picture. How many more birthdays?
Shirley (Miller) Newman Warsaw
Grand Slam Reading
Editor, Times-Union: I would like to thank those from our area who this year so generously supported Akron Elementary School's Grand Slam Reading school-wide reading incentive program. If not for their support, Grand Slam Reading would not have been such a huge success. In a period of a little less than five months, students in grades K-2 read 15,220 books while students in grades 3-5 read 473,909 pages. Students reached bases and hit home runs by reading predetermined numbers of books or pages. Each student who reached home plate at least one time was the recipient of a bright yellow Grand Slam Reading shirt, provided by Kosciusko Community Hospital. Eighty-three percent of the school's students earned shirts and qualified to participate in a special day with the Fort Wayne Wizards professional baseball team in May as a result of their reading efforts. Over 500 students, parents and staff members attended the game and had a great time. What a joy it was to see so many children recognized and rewarded for their reading efforts. Through the combined, supportive efforts of all who care about today's children, we can and do make a difference!
Brett R. Boggs Principal Akron Elementary School
Civil War Museum
Editor, Times-Union: My name is Harry Graves, I am the curator of the Civil War Museum in Mitchell. The reason that I am writing this letter is because I have started a new literary project and I need some assistance from the public to make it a successful book.
I am currently writing a book about railroad accidents that have taken place in Indiana. The name of this book will be "The Wreck of the Monon #63 and Other Memorable Hoosier Wrecks."
This will be an in-depth history that has not been covered extensively in the past. I am hoping that area citizens can provide me with photos and information. People probably have old photos that they have taken in the past tucked away in a scrapbook or shoe box. These are the things that I am looking for.
I am also looking for articles and photos that your paper may have in its files.
If I am able to use any of the information that I receive, the provider will be given credit in the book. If you have anything that you feel might help me with this, please send it to me at 214 N. Seventh St., Mitchell, IN 47446, or drop it by the museum in Mitchell.
Thank you very much. Harry S. Graves Mitchell
Missing Dad
Editor, Times-Union: Here it is Father's Day again. It's my sixth year of not having my dad to celebrate with. God came for him at 5:10 p.m., Feb. 5, 1995. As the two of them walked hand-in-hand up the stairway to Heaven, I believe God knew our pain and left us a beautiful rainbow that we will never forget. I wish there was a mailbox in Heaven, so I could send a card to tell him what he means to me, how he's always on my mind, how very, very much I love and miss him, and how blessed I was to have such a wonderful father. I am so proud to be the daughter of Junior G. Goon of Leesburg, and if he were here I would give him the biggest hug ever. But he isn't here and I only have my memories and my belief that I'll see him again someday.
I just need to remind you to enjoy your dad, hug your dad, love your dad, because, take it from me, when he takes the stairway to Heaven, you also will be left with this lost feeling forever in your heart.
Sally Goon Leesburg
Bible Meaning
Editor, Times-Union: Hypocrite: a person who pretends what he is not.
Doctor Schuler tells us that a meeting with a Dr. Patrick last month was a little disappointing because of the lack of challenges to Dr. Patrick's position. Since I know nothing about Dr. Patrick or his position on whatever, I can't challenge Dr. Patrick. But I would like to challenge Dr. Schuler.
Am I correct to think that Dr. Schuler believes that those who were at Dr. Patrick's meeting without having any challenges were hypocrites? But why hasn't he, Dr. Schuler, challenged me about my "Ban the Bible?" He says it is an "interesting thought." But where is the challenge to learn more about the three most threatening words in this nation?
Some of those youth at the pro-life concert in Warsaw several weeks ago weren't afraid to challenge "Ban the Bible." About half of the youth who asked for "Ban the Bible," after having told me that they would read it, immediately tore it up. (What does the Bible, that is so holy, have to say about those who fib?) Has Dr. Schuler read "Ban the Bible?" Shouldn't "interesting thoughts" be challenged?
Because of having seen "Ban the Bible" in the Times-Union, two people had enough security to ask me for a copy of "Ban the Bible." One was a Christian and one was an atheist. Why only two when it is an "interesting thought"? Could it be that Christians are so insecure in their religion that they don't have the courage to read it? Do they believe that if they did read it they would help bring about the banning of the Bible? And if they are so scared that it might be banned, why don't they learn all about it so they could help prevent it from being banned? (Scripture tells about a time when "God's word" can no longer be found! Why would God "Ban the Bible?")
A bit more about those youth who were "working for Jesus Christ and his kingdom" at the park: one youth, in a group of youth, challenged me about something I said the Bible said. After telling him where it was found, he began to read it out loud for the others to hear. He didn't get many words out before one of the youth, who knew what was going to be read, grabbed the open Bible and closed it so it couldn't be read! The "workers for Jesus Christ" want Bibles. But they don't want to know anything in them that can be a threat to their religious security (that is so insecure).
Some of the few Christians who have had the courage to read "Ban the Bible" have also had the courage to tell me that they didn't understand anything they read. (If they can't understand anything about it, why do so many get so angry about it?) And they don't want to understand anything about it. Christians make the Bible come alive. They are the people who are not righteous, they don't understand and they don't want to understand.
Robert Stichter Milford Editor's Note: This letter was edited to conform more closely to the 500-word limit stated in our letters policy.
Sidewalk Reconstruction
Editor, Times-Union: As a downtown Warsaw business in the midst of city street and sidewalk reconstruction, we have surprisingly found many things to be thankful for. In the past months we've watched the construction project moving its way toward us. We were concerned for ourselves and our fellow downtown retailers and we were not looking forward to the time our block would be taken over by the backhoes and cement trucks.
Our renovation started right on time and we prepared for the probable customer slow-down. But we were very pleasantly surprised! As the street was torn up and the trip from the parking lot became an expedition through a working construction site, our customers still streamed happily through our door. We couldn't have been more proud of their loyalty.
Next, the sidewalks were also torn out, leaving only wood planks and dirt paths to walk on. Yet customers still made the adventurous journey to our store to buy office supplies. Our appreciation goes out to Lacy Francis and his crew along with the other contractors whose conscientious efforts enabled the customers to get to our front door.
Our new sidewalks are now in and soon we'll have a beautiful new street. Our many varied experiences with the reconstruction project will soon be just a memory. But the trials endured for us by our loyal customers will always remain a warm reminder of their true support.
We have a "Thank you" to the city for our new street and sidewalks that will be enjoyed by all. We have a hearty "Thank You" to all our block-mates who have all dealt with the same problems and are working bravely through it with us. But the largest, grandest "Thank You" must go to the wonderful people who have continued to support us throughout the construction project - regular customers and first- time customers alike. You inspire us to work even harder to keep the downtown traditions alive and locally owned businesses like us are the largest part of that.
For those who haven't been downtown lately, you should come visit the new, beautiful, visitor-friendly sidewalks of downtown Warsaw. It's shaping up nicely.
