Editor, Times-Union: I am currently a student this summer at Indiana University's Intensive Freshman Seminar. One assignment for our class, Poverty in the U.S., was to research our local town's poverty rate and the agencies in that area that assist those affected by economic hardships.
While completing this assignment, I learned how hard it is to stay out of poverty in a society where the poverty thresholds are unrealistic and minimum wage is no where near the "living wage" needed to survive.
Although minimum wage hasn't been increased in nearly a decade, the U.S. Senate refuses to raise the minimum of $5.15 to the $7.25 it should be set to. Additionally, when you consider inflation and higher costs of living, including increasing gas prices; minimum wage just isn't cutting it anymore.
I would personally like to commend all of those who are involved in continually keeping Warsaw's and Kosciusko County's poverty rates so low in these economic conditions. With Indiana's poverty rate at 10 percent in 2003 and the lowest state average, New Hampshire, coming in at 6.4 percent, it seems as though we're doing something right in Kosciusko County with a poverty rate at a comparable 7.5 percent in 2003.
I encourage everyone to do what they can to get involved. Whether it is volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of Kosciusko County, donating household good and clothing to Our Father's House, or getting involved at any of the other positive organizations in Kosciusko County, the smallest effort can make a difference in the lives of people across the county. I challenge everyone in the community to engage in one of our many excellent organizations that interest them in Warsaw and around the area as these communities fight the war against poverty.
Katie Hileman, via e-mail Akron currently in Bloomington
A Losing Battle
Editor, Times-Union: Recent editorials by Cal Thomas (July 17), Michael Reagan (7/20) and your News Views (July 22) were all excellent commentaries on the Middle East turmoil. It makes me realize that President Bush may win the present battle with a great loss of Americans but for no earthly good.
I fought in WWII, lost a brother in that war and one in the Korean conflict, and I do not support Cindy Sheehan. But I do not think President Bush, or any other president, will ever win. Look at all the wars and battles that have been fought with all the Arab tribes over the centuries.
I don't think any battles or wars are going to settle this Arab-Israeli hatred. It goes back to the 16th chapter of Genesis when the angel of the Lord told Hagar that her son Ishmael would be a "wild donkey of a man" (a jackass in modern parlance); that everyone's hand would be against him and he against everyone and that he would live in hostility toward all his brothers. I do not pretend to be a theologian but I think I've read enough of the Bible to glean some pertinent truths. As I understand it, this was the beginning of division between the Jews and the Arabs. Bible scholars and historians may have a different slant on it, but as I read it this is where all the bitterness and hatred began.
We can sacrifice our men and women in this cause (war in the Middle East) until the Battle of Armageddon and until once again the prophecy has been fulfilled. That is the only reason I would say to bring our sons and daughters home now. The curse is really not ours. So I say to President Bush (and to Cindy Sheehan), it is and always will be a losing battle.
Cal Thomas shows that we cannot trust the Islamic people. Their loyalty is a veneer - American on the surface but underneath, loyal Islamists; just as Jews are American citizens but they are Hebrews first. No doubt the same for the "good" Islamists who enjoy the American way of life, but I'm afraid if push came to shove they would pop up like oil and water in a hot pan - Islamic, or to the Muslim, Sharia law.
Since the formation of the idiotic suicide squads of Hamas and Hezbollah, they are killing off many, many of their teenagers and young men and women. They are also teaching hatred in their schools. So, you see, with the present teachings and the fact that this is a religious war (like the Catholic and Protestant war in Ireland) and because the "pot" is always boiling with anger and fomenting with radical ideas, there is little hope to end the fighting.
