Editor, Times-Union: This is in response to Doug Calvelage's letter to the editor which ran Nov. 23.
First of all, Mr. Calvelage, I did not write those letters to the editor which carried the names of two of my daughters. They wanted to respond to what they deemed to be a grave injustice. They wrote them on their own.
Secondly, do I even know you? I don't believe I do. Neither do my daughters. Therefore, you could have no idea what kind of father I've been for the past 17 years. I grew up a long time ago and have accepted my responsibility since the day I learned I was going to be a father. You have no idea of the history I have with my children and absolutely no clue of how proud I am of them as well as no inkling of what I've meant to my kids. I will however, quote a portion of a Sept. 10 letter by middle school teacher Sherry Plummer in this very newspaper which read in part ... "I decided to assign approximately 50 7th-graders the writing topic 'The Person I Most Respect.' The results were extremely interesting and perhaps surprising. Over half chose members of their family as the people they most respected. In fact, 13 moms and nine dads (including the Times-Union's own Phil Smith) were the most respected people in their children's lives."
Unlike you, I have lived in this area all my life with the exception of a time I spent defending our country. So, while you are ignorant to what kind of father I am, there are hundreds of people reading this newspaper who, I'm sure, can tell you how wrong you are.
You were right about one thing, Mr. Calvelage. Even parents sometimes make mistakes. But I feel I've earned the respect of my children by admitting that I am not perfect, while also setting a stable example of treating folks with respect, not passing judgment on people I've never met and by respecting my children.
Respect for the children means giving them the credit of being able to think for themselves and allowing them to voice their opinions. My daughters, Mr. Calvelage, have minds. They are human beings who feel emotions - emotions that you may not agree with if they differ from your own ideology.
I am a journalist by trade - which means that I learned a long time ago not to form an opinion based on one side of a story. You apparently are not that enlightened.
There is also a lot about the story and about the "God-loving, family-loving family" you don't know about. I have restricted myself from writing those things here because of my understanding and respect of libel laws.
If you want to form an opinion of me, Mr. Calvelage. Meet me in person first.
Phil Smith, Warsaw
Price Of Food
Editor, Times-Union: Do you want lower food prices? Then please demand them! We pork producers want you to know that we are currently paid 16 to 17 cents a pound for our market hogs which are the source of your pork.
Yes, there is some waste between pig and pork, but it is minimal. In 1986, before a program called check off was forced upon us, we received 41 cents for every dollar spent on pork (Source - The Farmer's Exchange, May 15, 1998). Since this program began, which was to "help us," we have watched our share plummet to where you now pay $2 - $3 per pound and we receive 17 cents. Your price hasn't fallen at all. It must!
All hog farmers in the U.S. are currently losing money with every market animal they sell. No matter how big or small the operation, how efficient or intelligent the operator, they are losing money - a lot of money. Why should you continue to pay prices as if this were not true? Demand lower prices.
True, farmers need higher prices, but when and if that ever happens, don't allow packers and retailers to raise their prices beyond current prices. They are already charging the price they charged when we were making some profit.
Keep the food quality which farm families provide America. Demand your fair share. It's up to you.
