Editor, Times-Union: I am writing in response to the letter regarding the Hunter Safety class. I am reading the letter regarding Hunter Safety class as I write this letter so I don't misquote anyone.
By the form of your letter it seems you are drawing conclusions on the class just because it involves guns. You seem to oppose it based on that fact rather than look at what it is teaching. You're afraid of guns because you don't understand them. I suggest you take the class with your kids to learn more.
You mentioned the book showing shooting stances, loading/unloading, ammunition types and their ranges. These are all fundamental to SAFE firearm handling. Shooting stances show how to handle the recoil of a firearm. Loading and unloading shows how and when to load a firearm to prevent an accidental discharge. Ammunition types and ranges show what to use to humanly harvest game without posing danger to a residential area.
You forgot to mention the focus on safety that book most likely presents. It undoubtedly says the following. Treat a firearm as if it is always loaded. Never point a firearm at anyone. Always be sure of you background. Always store ammunition and firearms separately. It would appear you didn't take the time to read those.
You are also against your children taking a safety class until they are "ADULT ENOUGH." I find the seventh grade a very appropriate time to talk about hunter safety. That is the age at which a young person normally begins to show interest in shooting sports. Like it or not your children may sooner or later develop that interest. I was in Boy Scouts at that age and we were taught how to safely handle and more importantly respect a firearm. I would like to know where your other letters are opposing other school safety programs. Your son by now has probably been through a "safe sex" program. Do you oppose teaching your kids about sex? Or are you going to pretend sex doesn't exist until he is "ADULT ENOUGH." Your son is walking around with a "loaded gun." And what about the driver's ed. class you're going to be paying for? I find a two-ton Buick far more destructive than a 50-grain bullet. If you read the paper then you have seen more headlines about car wrecks than shootings, accidental or intentional. So will your kids attend drivers ed? Your kids may come into contact with a firearm some day and its too bad you don't want them to know how to respect it rather than do what they see on TV.
I applaud the administrators who are willing to stand against ignorance and teach their students guns are a tool not a toy. Firearms are used in many sports in the Olympics and national organizations (ISPC, SASS) and it is appropriate to teach in a physical education class. We cannot let fear stand in the way of good judgment. Isolation never equals protection.
Lance Wilhite, Warsaw
More Hunter Safety Response
Editor, Times-Union: I should probably write more of my own thoughts but these responses are kind of fun.
Uh, Ms. Plew, if you feel that strongly about firearms, you may want to consider relocating. Like maybe to Japan, where they are not allowed. Living around Milford, you're absolutely surrounded by them.
I'm really sorry you don't approve of the "Hunter Safety" course offered by Milford Middle School. I was not aware that any school offered such a course until your letter. To me, it's a fantastic idea! As you probably know, the state of Indiana now requires all young people to complete such a class in order to get a hunting license. For those of us less fortunate that yourself, that can be a hassle. Did it ever occur to you that such a course is a lot more likely to prevent an accident than to inspire a school shooting? Would you rather your children learn the "improper" use of firearms on their own? Like it or not, Ms. Plew, there are some 250 million firearms in this country and your daughter is now less likely to accidentally kill or injure someone than your son.
You refer to "the destructive forces that guns represent." Funny, Ms. Plew, but there are some 80 million of us that don't consider firearms to be destructive at all. To us they represent a lifetime of recreation and enjoyment. They also represent liberty. "No people are so free as those allowed to keep arms."
If there are any parents who approve of this course, please do not allow people such as Ms. Plew to have the only voice. Wawasee Schools need to hear from you too. Let them know you appreciate what they're doing and ask them to continue with this great course.
Harold Kitson, Warsaw
Kuhn Drain Cleanup
Editor, Times-Union: Now that the Kosciusko County Drainage Board has voted to clean up the Kuhn Drain and if the terms and conditions under which the work will be done, as published in the Newswrap column on May 28 are in effect, then the property owners involved will be faced with unsurmountable problems as well as costs.
We have owned property on the west side of the Kuhn Drain in Warner subdivision for nine years. During the first few years, the water level was quite high and sufficient for fish and wildlife. Then something happened north of this area causing practically a stop to the flow of water until today the area called a Pond on the Plat is almost completely dried up. This location is where the $2,000 to $3,000 work will be done. A clean-up of this area alone will be more than what meets the eye. There are seven property owners along the pond who pay a yearly Drainage Maintenance Fee for the Kuhn Drain only to see the water dry up.
I would suggest to the County Drainage Board to concentrate on cleaning the area above CR 650N and restore the flow of water like it was in the early 1990s.
Kenneth Kessler, North Webster
Headline Disappointment
Editor, Times-Union: I was very disappointed in the Times-Union's headline on the sports page Saturday, June 12.
Why anybody would have wanted to print such a headline like "Knicks Finish Hicks" is just plain awful and stupid.
For a state known for its love of basketball, it was unthinkable to print such a statement. The Pacers are our state's pro team and we should all be very proud of them.
I have no idea who wrote the headline, but it was disrespectful to the Pacers, the State of Indiana and its citizens. I'm sure if such a statement had been said about the Knicks in their area papers by us, they would soon be yelling like mad.
I just hope no Pacer had to read such a headline about themselves. They are a great team and it is a shame they lost, but please no name calling.
