Editor, Times-Union: In response to the shooting of Charlie Kirk, President Trump attempted to put the blame on those who oppose him: “It's long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible.”

Editor, Times-Union: The headlines read, “Charlie Kirk is Dead.” I heard myself cry out, “No,” with a sob in my throat. I felt broken for humanity, the evil that is in the world frightens me so. And yet it has been here since the beginning of time. When Eve was seduced in the garden by the serpent and made her own choice to eat of the apple. This was the beginning of man telling God, “I don’t need you, I can choose my own path.”

Editor, Times-Union: Donald Trump, his obedient administration, and his MAGA followers are determined to rewrite the true history of America. Their plans include erasing all factual “bad” and “ugly” chapters of that history, restoring many of the place names, physical tributes to and reminders of past traitors and would-be destroyers of a struggling democratic republic, and imposing authoritarian rules created by an elite, oligarchic cabal of self-appointed rulers. They have already forcibly removed any and all persons who had powers to hold leaders accountable for their actions. Gone is the respect for our Constitution, our systems of law and order, our reliance on an impartial Supreme Court.

Editor, Times-Union: Hey. it’s me again. I’m coming to you from Beautiful Parent Drive Local Speedway.

Editor, Times-Union: The Democrats 40 years ago were far less insane than they are today. Sure, they were often corrupt. But they often got along with Republicans. Bill Clinton went along with Newt Gingrich and they balanced the budget.

Editor, Times-Union: To the lady who writes of hate all the time!

Editor, Times-Union: I enjoy reading Chip Shots every week but feel the latest column is a bit off base. 

Editor, Times-Union: Donald Trump once said of Joe Biden, “He has no idea what’s going on …. what he’s doing … what he’s saying or where he is.” Trump repeatedly talked about how bad it was to have people who aren’t President call the shots. Well, look what I discovered.

Editor, Times-Union: Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) is so deep that some people won’t acknowledge when Trump is able to create the tariffs and trade incentives to finally bring Putin to negotiate and help him and Laczynski to each save face and stop the war in Ukraine. TDS won’t allow them to recognize that Trump knows the “Art of The Deal” to help each leader come to a “Win-Win agreement,” and stop the bloodshed that’s killing hundreds of thousands of innocent people. TDS won’t allow them to realize there’s no other world leaders who are capable and willing to stop the war, and stand against the military industrial complex that wants to keep the war alive. TDS won’t allow them to recognize that Trump is working without a salary (even weekends), risking his very life, and allowing less competent employees to run his own businesses. TDS won’t allow them to realize he started peace in the Middle East with Arab countries recognizing Israel’s right to exist by beginning the Abraham Accords. TDS has them grasping at straws to find some reason Trump must be manipulating for his own power or financial gain.

Editor, Times-Union: The U. S. Constitution clearly states that no president has the power to dictate election rules. Sadly, that is precisely what has happened here in Indiana and across the country this last month. This power was given to the states by the Constitution. This rule has held for 249 years; why is it not being followed this year? Instead, our state is being told by Washington, D.C. to spend taxpayer dollars unnecessarily!

Editor, Times-Union: Regarding David W. Heim's rather longwinded letter-to-the-editor concerning the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, since he gets it wrong from the start it is difficult to take anything he says seriously.

Editor, Times-Union: I would like to expand “How Much Did You Pay.” First of all, I’m not a teacher or economist and I didn’t go to college. Hopefully, I can explain my point of view.

Editor, Times-Union: It has been said, "When one door closes, another door opens," and we are so thankful it does. The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary sold Teri Lynn nuts, fruit and candy to friends, families and companies for over 50 years. We were devastated when they notified us they were closing the business. Even though, through no fault of our own, we felt we were letting everyone down.

Editor, Times-Union: America the beautiful no longer seems to be the land of the free or the home of the brave. Under the dictatorial rule of our current leaders, our country has not become first; it has become last — and alone. The blueprint (Project 2025) of the billionaire puppet masters (Heritage Foundation) is literally being followed religiously by the authors themselves and our bought-and-paid-for leaders. The purging and replacement of government agencies, employees, and protocols is coming along as planned. Control of the masses is becoming a reality with the surrender of law firms, universities, media giants, political leaders and even the Supreme Court, to the dictates and whims of a blossoming oligarchy.

Editor, Times-Union: What can we say about the state of religion and government in our nation at this time? It is important to honor and respect everyone’s religious beliefs, recognize our diversity even within common faiths, and honor the Constitution that holds our nation together.

Editor, Times-Union: Perhaps I could be accused of being politically too picky in my opinion of what to expect from my American president to be and do.

Editor, Times-Union: I came to Warsaw the first of March 1957, following the conclusion of U.S. Army active duty training, to join the Times-Union news staff as reporter\photographer and sports editor. Suffice it to say, parking downtown was woefully inadequate even in those days.

Editor, Times-Union: Thoughts on Winona Lake State Board of Accounts audit for 2019 through 2022 (These thoughts do not cover everything in the SBOA audit.) Other towns in Kosciusko County should follow what the SBOA wants.

Editor, Times-Union: These measures signed into law (and/or promoted by our President’s Big Beautiful Bill) by our Republican governor, Mike Braun, supposedly will make Indiana great … falling in line with Donald Trump’s Project 2025 blueprint for making our entire country great.

Editor, Times-Union: Thoughts on Winona Lake State Board of Accounts audit for 2019 through 2022 (These thoughts do not cover everything in the SBOA audit.) Other towns in Kosciusko County should follow what the SBOA wants.

Editor, Times-Union: Thank you for the reference or credit of Mr. Markham.

Editor, Times-Union: Thank you to the thoughtful and generous person who paid for my meal at Wong’s Restaurant last weekend.

Editor, Times-Union: Do your own small bit of research to find who will benefit from the recently passed “Big Beautiful Bill.”

Editor, Times-Union: The Reconciliation Bill is over 800 pages. Each day aspects of this changes. It is impossible, even with fully committed staff, to read it. So I’ll summarize some aspects for you:

Editor, Times-Union: I fondly remember my high school Spanish teacher, Ms. Perry, teaching me about an important business decision. Research the proposed product name before you sell it in another language. The Chevy Nova, meant No Go, and was dead on arrival in Mexico, its intended country. Car makers can dream big and make costly blunders while they wreak havoc on local economies.