Editor, Times-Union: When will we as a people require the truth from not only our elected representatives or the sacred cow industry in America, the news media? I have grown increasingly disgusted at our willingness to allow elected representatives and I use the term loosely "news reporters" to tell us half-truths and innuendos. As far as I'm concerned, news reporters have for the most part turned into "Carnal Teleprompters", spewing their personal or corporate views in the guise of news reporting.
For a little over two weeks we've watched as the disaster known as "Hurricane Katrina" has been used as a personal platform for taking jabs at the government, which by the way is you and I collectively, The President, or some agencies. We've heard that the response was pitifully lacking and horribly slow, as it relates to the government's response. As Sherman Potter on M*A*S*H would have said, "horse hockey." Last year when four hurricanes went through the Florida and the guard was requested, it took five days for them to appear in force. It took three days for the guard to arrive in force in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. As near as I can tell, that response is two days quicker.
How was it woefully slow? I am not aware of any teleporters that are presently in use by any agency. It takes time to move material. At the end of four days the United States people, "The Government," moved into a disaster area, the size of Great Britain, more than 14 million gallons of water and more than 3 million meals ready to eat. This was accomplished while recovering people who waited too long to leave before the hurricane and also those that were in a situation that made them unable to leave of their own volition. Were we able to help everyone instantaneously? No! And it is impossible to do so, as much as we might hope that it were possible.
Something that has not been explained to the American people is the fact that the "government", again those representing the people in the United States, could not just go in and takeover the operation. The governor and local officials have both the authority and the responsibility to their constituents to oversee the operation. It is against our laws to go in and takeover the governing responsibilities for a state without a threat coming from that state directed towards the other states or threat to citizens of that state by armed insurrection. When will the news reporting agencies finally report that "FEMA" cannot just go in and do everything instantly. FEMA does not have regulatory authority over the Governor of any state in the United States.
Wouldn't it be nice if finally a reporting agency or an elected official told us the truth, not what they think we want to hear or what we think we want to hear?
Doug Schue Warsaw, via e-mail
Support Whitaker
Editor, Times-Union: Congratulations, Sam! I think you will be elected to the position of Sheriff this time running because you have the GOP label on your resume, and as you and I know, in this city and county, that's a must have to get elected. In my opinion, the time you ran for this same office once before, you were the most qualified man (candidate) for the job, but my memory tells me that you ran on the Democratic ticket in your defeat at the polls (please correct me if my memory is failing). I say this to the people of Kosciusko County, "Sam Whitaker will be a good if not great sheriff for our county, just as he would have been the first time he ran, had he been elected." I voted for him then and I will vote for him again because he will be the most qualified candidate. My one true wish is that the GOP will want Sam to run again in 2009 and stay on as our sheriff for a second term (2010 thru 2013). "Sam, I wish you good luck and great success in all your future tasks as our next Sheriff."
Jonathan R. Mauk Warsaw, via e-mail
Register To Vote
Editor, Times-Union: While 2005 may not be an election year, in just a little more than a year (Nov. 7, 2006) there will be an election. This election will involve voting for municipal, state and national candidates. In the next several months and on into the early part of next year, there will be many opportunities presented to citizens for them to register to vote and encourage all who are not registered to start the registration process now. It is a very simple process. You can register at the county clerk's office located at the Kosciusko County Justice Building, the local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch or you can print out a voter registration form online at www.in.gov/bmv/forms Read the instructions, print out this form, complete it and turn it in at either the BMV or the county clerk's office. You can also mail your form in to the county clerk's office at 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw.
In this letter I would especially like to focus on our high school age youth who may not be aware that they are at an age where they are eligible to register to vote. You must be 18 years of age by or on the day of the general election next fall (Nov. 7, 2006) in order to vote. Therefore, if you are only 17 years of age now and will be 18 by or on the day of the general election, you can register now. Thus, you will also be able to vote in the May 2006 primary.
I realize that voting is not on the minds of citizens right at this time (and that is a good thing as it is nice to have at least some time off from the barrage of the media, mass mailings, etc), but I would simply encourage you that if you have not registered to vote, please consider doing so now. It only takes a matter of minutes to complete the form and turn it in. Next year will unfortunately not wait on us. It will come whether we like it or not. Please do not miss out on the opportunity to vote - especially you young people - you are our future. Thank you.
