Editor, Times-Union: I hope everybody picks up a copy of April's issue of Field and Stream, it beautifully covers trout fishing and even how to tie good flies. But I would like to draw attention to the back page. Bill Pippin's article - "Ah, WilderMess." In the article he meets a guy named Gary and Gary tells him of a fine fly-fishing spot. As Bill drives to the spot he finds a place perfect for pitching his tent, but at a closer look he finds broken glass, plastic containers, pizza cartons, shell casings, tin cans and even a filthy pair of underwear. Bill then drives further to find another spot.
The next morning Bill heads out for a day of fishing and runs into Gary, they pair up and have a good time fishing. Bill had told Gary of how upset he was at finding the trash and Gary talked of how passionately he loved the woods and with a sudden flick of his wrist his soda can spun out the window of his truck. Bill says, "I think you dropped your can. Pull up and I'll run back and get it." Needless to say, Gary didn't stop, but kept on driving.
Few miles down the road Gary starts talking about how a bunch of liberal do-gooders want to turn America's wilderness areas into a vast Disney World. Bill agreed with some of it, but then added, "But I don't know what any of that has to do with your tossing trash into the woods."
Gary didn't say anything else and after dropping Bill off, he drove off, he threw more garbage out the window. Bill couldn't help thinking about Gary's strange ideas of freedom.
As Bill drove home he saw a group of volunteers picking up trash along the road. He honked and gave the thumbs-up and applauded Americans who spend their time picking up after the American Garys.
My friends and relatives know how I feel about this subject. I go nuts when I see lazy people throwing trash along the roadside. Recently I was at Dairy Queen and watched a woman throw a half-smoked cigarette along the drive-through lane, it took everything I had not to yell out my window at her to pick her trash up. Sitting in her newer SUV, I would have thought she would have been educated enough to know better.
Years ago I had visited family near Boston and I wanted to do some sightseeing. We came to one intersection and I could not believe my eyes. At this intersection, there was nearly an inch of cigarette butts covering the wayside. Blowing around and plugging in the gutters. Nobody seemed to care.
Stop and think before you throw out that butt or remnants of lunch. Not only is it rude to put your trash off on someone else, when you litter the wilderness it is no longer pristine and beautiful, it becomes a dump. And how many people do you see paying to go visit the Kosciusko County landfill?
Sean Ambrose Warsaw via e-mail
EdCom Expo
Editor, Times-Union: Hello, my name is Lauren Smolen and I am in the legal department from I C Stars Recording Studio. This recording studio is operated by Mrs. VanDuyne's fifth-grade class at Washington Elementary School. We had the students of our school sing patriotic songs, so we could burn the songs onto CDs and sell them to the people of our school.
Our class took this recording studio to Edcom Expo 2002, and presented projects about I C Stars Recording Studio and our department jobs to the judges.
The clock struck 12 and it was time to present our project, "I'm Gonna Call My Lawyer!" which got a first division ribbon.
If you couldn't make it to EdCom Expo 2002, I would like to invite you to come to EdCom Expo 2003 next year!
Lauren Smolen Warsaw via e-mail
Fisher Trial
Editor, Times-Union: Well, the celebrated murder trial is over, but we still don't know that Jason Fisher killed Kathy Vroman - a jury of his peers was not, and will never be, allowed to answer that question, thanks to the bargain he struck with the man who had originally charged him with murder. But just for a moment, let's assume that it was Jason Fisher who fired the fatal shot. And suppose that, in a moment of remorse, he admits to it - even takes a lie detector test to back up his confession. Where are we then? We are left with an admitted murderer, evidence enough to convict him, and a system that will never allow him to be held responsible for his crime - all because he agreed to blame somebody else for what he was charged with doing. According to Indiana law, murder has always been punishable by execution. It stands to reason that anyone who would kill someone, would go on to lie about it in order to save his own skin, even if that false testimony resulted in the death of someone else - slim chance that there was of that, given that the main evidence against him was the testimony of an alleged accomplice. So Ralph Fisher goes free - and the murder case of Kathy Vroman remains unresolved. This would not have been the outcome had our state legislators kept in mind a very basic principle when they made their latest round of tinkering with the capital murder laws of the state. This principle is found in a chapter of law that, although it formed the basis for the penal codes of civilized societies for over 3,000 years, has largely been abandoned in our lifetime. The primary source for these codes is the 19th chapter of the book of Deuteronomy, a book whose very name means "Second [Giving of the] Law." In this chapter are found the distinction between premeditated murder and manslaughter, provision for appeal, conditions of parole, requirements for valid legal testimony, and, tucked in at the end of the chapter, a provision that if a man falsely testifies against another in a capital trial, his punishment for perjury shall consist of exactly the same punishment to which his false testimony would have subjected the accused. Since an implied warning is included at the very end as to the societal consequences of abandoning this law, I will quote it in full for the benefit of those elected officials who have the power to restore this basic legal provision to our state's penal code: "And the judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified falsely against his brother, then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother; so you shall put away the evil from among you. And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you. Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
Daniel Buck New Paris via e-mail
Endicott Investigation
Editor, Times-Union: I can't believe in this society, with all we have been through, that a person is valued so little! I feel this county's lack of competence for justice. Children are not protected properly, alcoholics and druggies run rampant and people who come up missing are just missing people even though friends and family express grave concern. They never listened to the people who cared for the missing person and expressed that this was out of character for the missing person. So, three and a half months later, evidence has been lost and leads not followed up on. I think the sad part was if they would have listened, Heather Endicott would have been found three and a half months ago in the pond and her family would have been able to have closure. Instead they said good-bye to a picture of her tattoo and an urn. See, the pond is two miles from where they found her truck. And they never checked any of the lakes, ponds or rivers in the surrounding areas. She wasn't a victim yet, just a missing person. They were going on the assumption she committed suicide, even though family and friends who knew Heather said she would never do that. Yes, Heather did attempt suicide once, but everyone knows a person who commits suicide is usually found because that is their way of saying, "I need help." If Heather would have committed suicide she would have been found in her truck. Heather would never have done this because she would have never left her two beautiful babies. See, there's a thing called do your job. Come on, what's wrong with this county? Things never get done, it gets passed around and all in all avoided. Everyone needs to think twice about the elections coming up and how you would feel if it was someone you loved and cared about. All the family wants now is justice for Heather and her children. And our county has already screwed up the "Fisher case!"
Stephanie Brooks Pierceton via e-mail
Politicians
Editor, Times-Union: Look out folks, our Washington, D.C., politicians have recently granted themselves a $6,500 raise.
They have not given our service people their promised raise. I have a grandson in Germany who is on his second tour of duty. Don't they all deserve a raise more than our Washington politicians?
We who are retired should not have to pay any taxes. Retirees in the country of Germany have not had to pay any tax in decades, 40-50 years at least. Why cannot we Americans learn more about the current German government. I do know this for a fact: German politicians are all more honest than the ones we have in Washington, D.C.
Since we have a "resident" now in the White House, elected by the Supreme Court, the vice president is doing the "Res" job, while George II goes around the U.S.A. and now all over the world.
I also want to see our Electoral College abolished and trashed.
When are we going back to having a government of the people, for the people and by the people?
We vote all of the time, but we declare ourselves independent and not GOP or Demos.
We do not, as a people, hardly vote anymore. It does not count.
Look at our last national election: thousands of votes and people who could vote had their votes thrown away into the garbage cans.
Two or three terms is enough for any politician. Three terms only for our best.
Albert G. Smith Warsaw
Sports Stats
Editor, Times-Union: It's not the fault of the sports editor, the managing editor or the editor-in-chief, you all share equal responsibility, or, maybe that the great intangible, the budget which seems to motive some business endeavors these days.
Recently a reader wrote in concerning the Times-Union's poor coverage of Big Ten basketball, not even showing the current league standings. Voila! In the next issue or two, the standings began to be published - the journalism remained the same. Which brings me to my beef. Is the sports staff aware of the splendid performance of two fine Hoosier teams in the NCAA tournament - Notre Dame and Indiana?
Again, where's the beef? (Jasin journalism) Or, are they all a bunch of disgruntled Purdue fans sitting around there?
Yesterday two writers for the Indy Star wrote about Coach K's surprise visit with the Indiana players just after Indiana defeated Duke 74-73. Coach K told them they were the toughest team he had ever competed against and he wished them continued success at Atlanta. Both players and the writers stated, the Coach was one class act.
Picture this scenario: Saturday evening, when the Hoosiers take the floor, they look behind the Indiana bench and up in the stands. There, wearing his red sweater, sits the Coach. Yes, the General himself. Now, that would be a class act.
Make your own prediction. Frank M. Parker III Barbee Lake
Roving Chef
Editor, Times-Union: The Roving Chef will be opening a food pantry at 102 N. Main St., Sidney, which will serve those in need in, and within, 10 miles of Sidney. Starting April 1, the hours will be Monday through Friday, 4 to 8 p.m.
The pantry is supplied by food donations and monetary donations from the Kosciusko County area. We also purchase food from the Food Bank at 20 cents per pound, so your monetary donations are greatly appreciated as well as the food donations.
As funds are available, the pantry also will carry items that can't be purchased on the food stamp program.
The Roving Chef programs are all in progress and operating as normal. For more information, call 260-839-8503 or write to P.O. Box 705, Pierceton, IN 46562.
"Child in a box, bundled up against the cold,
As he roams among the towers, that raise above the asphalt under his bare feet,
Dodging in and out to avoid the predators roaming the street.
Digging in the trash for something to eat,
The crowds all around, yet nobody sees
As the young lad's tears run down his dirty cheeks.
Tears caused from hunger, loneliness, homelessness,
Being cold with no one who cares or to call his own.
Nobody sees this boy of 10, as he crawls into his cardboard box he calls home,
Upon the city streets where the wealthy roam." (C.J. Parker)
Chef Charlie Sidney
Helpful Young Men
Editor, Times-Union: I just want people to know about two fine young men who saw me shoveling snow and offered to help. I don't know them, and when I offered to pay them, they refused. I thank them so much and may God bless them mightily.
Marjorie Mitterling Warsaw
Murder
Editor, Times-Union: Am I the only person that's upset somebody got away with murder in Kosciusko County? I'll admit my knowledge of the case is limited to what I read in the Times-Union, however it seems to me the investigation and/or trial of the Vroman murder was botched badly. It is painfully obvious one or more individuals were inept in their duties. Whoever is responsible for allowing a murderer to go free should do the right thing and resign from their position(s).
Jan Warner Sidney via e-mail
Mike Davis
Editor, Times-Union: It's quite apparent that wholesome language, a hug or a pat on the back from Mike Davis does far more for a basketball team than a head butt, a kick in the shins and filthy language from Bob Knight.
Bob Inman (a proud Hoosier) Georgetown, Ga. via e-mail
Upward Organization
Editor, Times-Union: We would like to take an opportunity to thank the many countless volunteers, parents, children and community businesses for their time and contributions to the Upward Organization. This was the first year our children were able to participate in this wonderful organization. Our children not only learned about basketball (or cheerleading for some), but also how to glorify our Lord through ALL things. They have new mentors and friends.
We are greatful that obedient servants of Christ took the time to teach our children, and all the others, about Christ and serving Him in everything. Thank you for such a wonderful ministry where children can learn. Please accept our thanks and our prayers for all of you.
