Editor, Times Union: Glenda Moser, I never wrote that drugs were not life threatening. I said I did not want my tax dollars spent housing drug users in some prison country club where they can get all the drugs they desire. I also never said anything about dealers, only users. And yes, drugs do affect people in a negative way, I never said they didn't. So do a lot of other things such as alcoholism, gambling, poverty, etc.
Let's face reality here. If we can't even keep drugs out of our prisons, how do you thing we are going to keep them out of the country?
I think what we need here is some common sense. If a person happens to be caught with a substantial amount of drugs, hard drugs, or happens to be caught dealing, I don't necessarily have a problem with that person being arrested. But when someone gets caught with a small amount of marijuana or residue on a pipe, I don't care to have my tax dollars wasted prosecuting this person and tying up the courts. You are right about the danger of hard drugs and I should have explained my position better.
As for your statement that Mr. Kolbe apparently agrees with me, I don't think that could be farther from the truth. From my observation we don't agree on anything. I wholly support the Constitution and the Bill of Rights that this country's freedom was founded and based upon and I certainly cannot say the same for him.
Another thought, I have yet to read of an accident caused because someone had been smoking marijuana. Whereas there are many accidents due to the influence of alcohol. And while we are at it, tobacco is extremely addictive and very damaging to one's health, so should we ban it also?
I think all government officials should be subject to random drug tests for substance abuse, including the president. I don't care to have my country run by someone under the influence of drugs.
Deanna Newton Warsaw
Bloodmobile
Editor, Times Union: Time has become a precious commodity. There never seems to be enough of it. It's probably the downside of today's technological advances. We can do things faster so we keep doing more and more. "I just don't have the time," is a remark I overhear quite often. Unfortunately, it's something I hear quite often in reference to donating blood. Not only is that sad, it could be dangerous.
Even with all of the advances in modern medicine, there is still no synthetic substitute for human blood. When someone needs a blood transfusion, it can only come from one source - a healthy volunteer blood donor.
Waiting to donate until someone in your family requires blood is not possible. Blood has to be tested and on the hospital shelf when an emergency situation arises. It takes between 24 to 48 hours to test a unit of blood.
Donating blood is safe, easy and important. The actual blood donation takes between 8 to 10 minutes. The entire process takes approximately an hour and fifteen minutes - a small price to pay to save a life.
Sometimes our very busy days are filled with events that aren't so important in the big scheme of things. By donating blood you can give someone else another birthday, another anniversary, another chance at life.
Please plan on rolling up your sleeve at the Red Cross blood drive today at the Center Lake Park Pavilion, Warsaw, between 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. For additional information, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
Your time and gift really can make a difference. Be a hero. Be a blood donor.
Morrey Hester American Red Cross Blood Services
Rebecca Notestine Director, Kosciusko County Chapter
Winona Alcohol
Editor, Times Union: First let me say that, generally, I applaud the work of Brent Wilcoxson and Dane Miller in the restoration of Winona Lake. When I came here in 1990, the town was suffering from many areas of substandard and dilapidated housing. There were parts of the town I felt uncomfortable walking through. Now, we can see some great improvement, and for that I am thankful.
However, as a resident, I am greatly disturbed by the recent revelations that these men favor changing the city ordinances to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in the town. In fact, as I understand it, they wish to put a bar in the old hotel, and build a new restaurant with a bar. This town, with its godly Christian heritage, does not need a restaurant with a bar. It would only serve to create a "resort" atmosphere, and is inconsistent with the town's heritage. (I wonder what Billy or Ma Sunday would say?) I know what Christians throughout the town ought to say: No to alcohol in any form in Winona Lake!
If it is argued that we can't get a classy restaurant chain without a bar, I would like to see the evidence. But even if this were true, then let's have no restaurant, and have a quiet, peaceful community.
It may be argued that these would not be bars but part of classy establishments with the implication that only the "right kind of people" would be there. Now, whether it is called a "bar" or "lounge" or whatever, a rose is still a rose - and this rose has an unsavory aroma! You can get equally drunk whether the cocktail cost $1 or $5. It seems inconsistent to have an open container ordinance in this town, and allow the sale of the stuff in a bar.
Again, I applaud these men's efforts to improve our town, but skip the liquor, please!
