Editor, Times-Union: I thought to myself, "Now that I've read the front page, the obits and amused myself with 'Crankshaft' on the comic page, I think I'll check out the Opinion page for 'Letters to the Editor' for March 11."
What's this? An attack, of sorts, on the Oakwood Passion Play? The author of the letter, Don Kaiser, thinks the play and its promotion is a lot like an elaborately commercialized Broadway theatrical extravaganza. I chuckle, thinking, "Well maybe this spanks of the arrival of the Passion Play as a permanent part of the Kosciusko scene." He also calls it an activity controlled by "one special organization." Little does he seem to know what is really going on.
Hurrah for Dr. Bob Whitesel, the author, director, crew member, stage carpenter and sometimes actor in the Passion Play. Now Dr. Bob surely hasn't yielded his creative control to any one special organization or group of people. He does, however, count on many others to see that the staging, costuming and artistic flavoring is in place for the presentation. Thank you, Dr. Bob for being the creative genius who dreamed up this presentation of the Easter story right here in mid-America. Hundreds and hundreds of hours are freely given by many people. This greatly reduces production costs.
Now Don, I also have to say thanks to the Oakwood Conference Center for the availability of the hall in which the Passion Play is staged. It is beautifully transformed into another time and place for the presentation. And how nice it is the Inn can provide rooms and dining facilities for the expected crowd which is drawn to this corner of the world for this two-weekend extravaganza.
You also suggest the "masses" take up a donation to pay the production costs for this presentation. Oh please, not this. Too many letters, phone calls and door-to-door solicitors are tirelessly seeking money for all sorts of things.
As for the "dear little grandmother" who can't afford the price of a $9 ticket, I would suggest you quit your belly-achin' and give legs to your prayer. Buy her a ticket, pick her up in your car, take her out to dinner and enjoy the Passion Play presentation with her at your side.
Noel G. Reed North Manchester
Saddam
Editor, Times-Union: Saddam Hussein is a rat, without a doubt. When a rat is cornered it will fight with all its capabilities. If we go to war in Iraq there will be thousands of innocent people killed. Should Saddam have the weapons of war as alleged, he no doubt will throw all of them at us. Our people serving us in the military will face the worst punishment ever. Even now they are in misery with the sand storms, and worse is yet to come with the heat. With our threat of war, we have added to those people in other countries who hate us. We have played into the hands of the terrorists. Our policy has always been to defend ourselves and/or help those who have been attacked, not go to war on our own initiative. Surely the situation in Iraq can be resolved without going to war.
Fred R. Yohey Warsaw
Abandon Hope
Editor, Times-Union: It appears we may have to abandon the hope of Bush having a shred of sanity or decency and accept that he is as willing to squander lives as he is to squander resources. He and his administration, however, have no monopoly on evil. Many Americans appear equally arrogant with a "do as we say, not as we do" attitude, and are oblivious to how our brutal, self-seeking Middle East policy has contributed to the contempt held for America and even to the WTC incident. Our misguided support for Israel, foremost, is unconscionable considering how flagrantly in the wrong they are.
It is telling that those most familiar with the results of war on the people and land appear the least eager to see it occur, while those apparently most eager have not and likely never will ever see its carnage. Rather than pray for God to bless America, it may behoove us to pray for Him to forgive America and to save us from ourselves.
Bryan Ciula Warsaw
Flag Photo Discrepancy
Editor, Times-Union: I think it is wonderful that Harrison School raised $10,050 for Victoria Montel and it is not my desire to detract from the fund-raiser. But it is my desire to correct some of the discrepancies mentioned about the flag that was on the front page of the Times-Union Saturday.
The flag belongs to me and it was flown on the USS New Jersey BB62, not the Arizona as stated in the article. The Arizona is on the bottom of Pearl Harbor and is a national monument and tomb. The New Jersey is the most decorated battleship in U.S. history. I served on her during Vietnam as a Corpsman. She served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Lebanon. That flag was flown while I was on duty in Vietnam.
As a veteran, one thing that disturbs me is to see a torn flag flying that should be retired. The flags presented to the school by Bear Den of Cub Scout Pack 3772 were sent from the State House in Indianapolis upon request of my daughter, Christine. The flags were flown over the State House in Indianapolis, not the U.S. Capitol.
Dale A. Rigdon III Warsaw
Yellow Ribbons
Editor, Times-Union: As I drive through Warsaw I see no yellow ribbons tied around trees or posts. A yellow ribbon means you support our military troops who are serving at home and overseas. It doesn't have to mean you support a war.
Come on, Warsaw, show our servicemen and women we are thinking about them and "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree"!
Ruth Flora Winona Lake
Buffet Restaurant
Editor, Times-Union: In response to Lee Shephard's letter (3/18):
Duly noted! I agree wholeheartedly that there should be a buffet-type establishment in Warsaw. The Chinese Buffet is great - if you like Chinese. McDonald's is great - if you like screaming 3- to 10-year-olds at any given point in the day. Taco Bell is great - if you like Americanized, borderline "Mexican" food. I, being a young college-age adult, don't have the money to blow on any old over-priced meal, especially one that I had to choose off of a menu! Buffets, you will find, are a hot commodity when it comes to people my age - or of any other age - that don't make significant amounts of money. I had never even SEEN a Golden Corral until I went to Kentucky with a friend of mine - and when I said "What?" to the thought of going there, she looked at me like I was nuts! Point being: Bring on the Corral! (Or Ryan's ... or the Buffet).
P.S. Since we're on the subject of bringing businesses to Warsaw, how about a Border's or Barnes & Noble?
