Editor, Times-Union: My name is Ron Barker and I live in Mentone. I was in the Navy for 22 years so my experience in regards to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is first hand.
Every year there numerous men and women, usually officers, that are dishonorably discharge or at a minimum are required to retire early for "conduct unbecoming an officer." There was a Captain in the Army just a couple of years ago that made the news who was court martialed for adultery.
Why is Congress so concerned about whether Clinton commited perjery when just his actions should have gotten him impeached?
How can the commander-in-chief of the armed forces be above the laws and regulations which he is required to enforce on others?
Many people have the attitude that "he is only human" and just made a mistake. I'm sorry, but anyone who wants to hold the highest office in the United States should refrain from illegal and immoral conduct for the four years that they intend to serve the people of the United States. This surely isn't too much to ask.
So he said he was sorry! I personally think that the only thing he is sorry for is that he got caught. If he was truly sorry he would not have commited adultery over and over.
Thank you for your time and I hope you publish this for comments from others.
I don't know who they poll but everyone I know feels the same as I do.
Ron Barker
Toys For Tots
Editor, Times-Union: Thank you Kosciusko! Once again, our residents of this county came through for hundreds of children this past holiday season. About 4,000 toys were collected and over $1,300 in monetary donations, both from private individuals and businesses. Toys were distributed to assist three major agencies in our county: CCS, Our Fathers House, Salvation Army, and other toys helped 150 families that were received by phone or in person as needing assistance.
I am unable to "thank" enough all the individuals, friends, families and businesses who gave of their time, efforts and buildings to make this toy drive possible. Toys For Tots received big help from many local businesses by way of: vehicle donations used to load and transport toys; use of their buildings for storage, sorting and distributing; the building for individuals to keep warm during the toy drive; those who provided the food and drinks; local news media and finally the businesses who helped by being drop-off points. Much gratitude is sent to all.
I know there is someone I may have missed or not directly thanked; my apologies. I would like to send a sincere thanks to all who came to our toy drive with Channel 16-WNDU, donated toys and money and those who donated toys throughout this season. Also to those individuals who gave of their personal time to make this drive the most successful one yet. I'd like for our county residents to know that Kosciusko was one of the top counties, just behind St. Joseph and Allen counties. This was possible by many generous hearts. I am looking forward to the next holiday season to make it another success for our Kosciusko children in need. A sincere "Thank You, Kosciusko!" and God Bless.
Gunnery Sgt. Morales, D. Sgt. Espinoza, S. USMCR
Driving Laws
Editor, Times-Union: Recently, my mail caught up with me in my travels and I noted the Times-Union printed the letter about Defensive Driving I wrote while in Warsaw in November 1998. Thanks for considering my thoughts.
I also noted a couple of letters printed from individuals denouncing defensive driving. But what then is the intent of Indiana Code 9-21-8-23: "A person may not start a vehicle that is stopped, standing or parked until the movement can be made with reasonable safety?"
I note from newspaper accident reports here also that many drivers do not stay their "right" to proceed at intersections nor remember their responsibility to avoid a collision when they have "the last clear chance." And, I have seen drivers run red lights and stop signs not only in the fine city of Warsaw, but in many of the places to which I have traveled from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast and in Alaska, Canada and Mexico.
Statistics at the MADD website that "drinking" drivers are not the only drivers that make mistakes are echoed at the National Safety Council website, which also notes that 43,000 persons lose their lives each year and an additional 2 million are disabled in motor vehicle crashes ... from "high speed, impaired or careless driving and not using occupant restraints. ..." 'Stop' signs do not stop motor vehicles. Drivers stop motor vehicles! So if you want to avoid some pain, Drive Defensively!
Secondly, as I see it, legal decisions should not be based on emotions or the guilty can go free, perhaps, a la Simpson, and the more innocent can be too harshly dealt with. I believe there are tort theories sufficient to handle liability claims and little except vengeance can be gained by piling on "criminal" allegations, especially to repentant first-time minor offenders. I have heard that it costs a minimum of $30,000 per year to maintain a prisoner in jail. The "victims" pay those costs through taxation.
Lastly, one writer mentioned the celebration of Christ's birthday. That same Christ taught "forgiveness." He is still "in control." His thoughts are "higher than our thoughts." He knows the Grand Plan better than we do. Trust in Christ and His Resurrection.
I recently saw on TV a segment about a youth who made the varsity basketball team without telling anyone he was missing one leg below the knee. Positive thinking. Christ does not want us to fail. He wants us to succeed. I hope we can add the names of Tiffany Bartley and Monica Hatfield to the list of persons who achieve despite an affliction.
I pray Father in Heaven will bless us all.
Emmanuel Young Jr., Las Vegas
Back To A Monarchy
Editor, Times-Union: I believe I have discovered what we Americans have desired in our city, state and federal government. This in view of the scene presented to us in recent years.
We are envious of our British cousins. We want to install power in a royal house with King and Queen and loyal subjects.
The Senate would be the Royal Court, The House - the Supplicants. No Church. No Supreme Court. A cabinet of loyal courtiers and states and cities and public loyal subjects.
Sound pretty good? There would be no haggling over taxes, morals, work rules, racism, education. All would be dependent on the crown and think of money that would be saved.
Or should we dismiss this scenario and just seriously pursue the emergence of a strong reform party (not independent - they normally vote the liberal view). Reform to me seems the way to go and maybe, just maybe, we will be vindicated. We'll see.
B.J. Walker, Warsaw
Thanks To DARE
Editor, Times-Union: Thank you to everyone who helped put on DARE.
DARE graduation has blessed my husband and I so much! Helping us to teach our children about drugs, alcohol and violence means the world to us. We, as parents, can only do so much to help our kids learn about these things. With everyone helping together, I believe we can make a BIG difference in the future of kids everywhere. Now our kids can share this message with others and lives can and will be changed and lives will be spared!
God bless you all so much for all you do to better inform us and our children on these matters. We can make a difference because of people like you! Thank you again. One more thing, may I get a copy of the poem about Oatmeal Kisses? That was beautiful! It was a tear jerker! My family and I will hold up Ashley's family in our prayers for Ashley's birthday is on the same day as our daughter, Crystal. I am deeply sorry for their loss!
This school has blessed me in so many ways as I am sure it will continue to do so. And from now on I hope I remember my camera and tissues. Thanks for so many wonderful people and all that you do to help us to raise up winners!
God bless you and thanks so much for helping educate our kids and even us at times!
Mrs. Susan Wert, Mentone
Valley Fan
Editor, Times-Union: Come on! Enough is enough! Why is it when Warsaw gets stomped by Marion, it's a "mishap," but the Manchester Squires "took control" over Valley in Friday night's heartbreakers? Let's review the coverage you have given to the team in the last three games. Friday, January 22, Valley trounces Rochester in a heartstopping game leading to overtime with a three-pointer by Jarvis Shepherd that put Valley back into the ballgame in the last minute of play. Valley rated a small column of press coverage. The next night, Valley again put their opponent away, this time a South Bend school. Valley rates a little square, plus one photo. But, at the Valley-Manchester game, someone from the press managed to get to Manchester to give us more coverage on the loss than they had the previous other wins, plus the benefit of three photos.
Don't you think that we notice these things? Keep in mind that we are a Kosciusko County school, and that many of our students and their parents work in Warsaw, spend their money in Warsaw, and buy the Times-Union. Give us some R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
Pam Turner, A Valley patron, Claypool
Note: The Times-Union sports staff consists of two writers, an editor and one correspondent. We have two people available to take photos. We cover seven schools. Obviously, we can't cover every game. The 'small column of press coverage' the letter writer refers to was 30 column inches. It included a story, score breakout box and full boxscore that appeared under the headline "Vikings Win OT Thriller.' That game was attended by Times-Union sports staffer Dale Hubler. Jarvis Shepherd's three-pointer was prominently mentioned in the story. The South Bend game was staffed by a photographer only. We ran two photos (not one as the letter writer states) and produced a small story by telephone, including a boxscore. Since both Valley and Manchester are schools we cover, a writer and photographer were assigned and coverage was expanded. These assignments are scheduled well in advance. Without the luxury of a crystal ball, we don't know when a team will win or lose. Valley has a game tonight. Including that game, we will have staffed 12 out of 15 Tippecanoe Valley games so far this season with a writer and 7 out of 15 with a photographer. - Gary Gerard, Managing Editor
Compassionate Nurse
Editor, Times-Union: There is a small town east of Warsaw that has lost one of the most compassionate, caring nurses I have had the pleasure of knowing for quite some time. She was willing to help you in any way she could possibly do, within the medical criteria. Now she is no longer there, could somebody tell me why?
