Editor, Times-Union: Thank you for the opportunity to address Ms. Rector's letter published on the 11/09/04. While I'd like to comment on her criticism of me I find it difficult for she doesn't quote me but speaks for me. She states that I "seem to think" or that I am "under the impression." If she would quote from my letter and then criticize it we could have a reasonable conversation. So I'll just have to let the letters stand for themselves.
However, I would like to take a moment to address a quote of Ms. Rector's. She states, "So far, over and over again, our government has done what the majority of the people want ... guarantee that under specific circumstances and guidelines every woman, rich or poor, has a right to choose."
I found this quote puzzling coming from one who moments before was informing me of the workings of our government and the Constitution. I must ask, "When did the majority of the people, or our representatives for that matter, vote concerning the right to an abortion (right to choose)?" That decision came down from our Supreme Court, that up until 1973 had held that the Constitution prohibited abortions. The Supreme Court is appointed not elected. Our country did not get into this holocaust of killing millions of children each year by taking into account the will of the people, but by the decision of a few agenda-oriented judges. In regard to the Constitution, you will never find the right to an abortion there. All that one can say is that our Supreme Court said they found it there. However, you will find the rights of the unborn there. The defense of the unborn falls under the term "posterity" (those that are yet to be born). There are few among us that can muster the nerve to deny the fact that a pregnant mother is carrying her posterity.
Therefore, let me quote our Constitution's preamble. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America"
Well there it is "We the People ... secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." Now that's a quote to remember. This truth has been there for over 200 years and yet our present Supreme Court has yet to find it. However, one day all truth will be revealed and on that day those judges will find themselves seated before a higher court.
John Burtoft Warsaw via e-mail
Stolen Necklace
Editor, Times-Union: This past Saturday, I enjoyed the day being a crafter exhibitor at the Annual Zimmer Craft Show at the Center Lake Pavilion. Approximately 1:45 p.m., I left my table supervised by others and took a very short break. When I came back to my table, I discovered that a borrowed necklace valued at $105 was stolen. Since my party plan shut their doors this past week, I have been looking into a few other party plans to make extra money and was proud to display a few items dealing with home decor and a jewelry company. This jewelry in question was entrusted to me by the owner so I could have a good experience sharing with passersby and potential customers.
The jewelry lent to me is to be given back right away.
The necklace in question is a silver tight-wrapped 17-inch necklace, and it is designed to wear alone or with interchangeable slides on it that dangle down. The slide in question is about 1.5 inches long, teardrop shape with a silver vertical line down the middle, camillon color, or exhibits multiple colors like an opal, the silver teardrop edge swings out.
Whoever you are that just couldn't resist stealing this necklace combo, you should be really ashamed of yourself, and realize that in a world where the majority of items are really expensive and unaffordable, it is because of people like you. You took the necklace off of my yellow turtleneck that I used as a display and unhooked the anchoring safety pin. Do you think it was fair what you did? Are you so desperate that you have to hurt others for your own gain? Do you also realize that you could have done a party of your own and EARNED the things you want if you didn't have the money - rather than steal? You certainly left a bad taste in my mouth and all those who were exhibitors at the Zimmer Show. The game is over and you now have the opportunity to make this right, please take the entire necklace to the front desk of the Times-Union and there will be no questions asked. The question I ask myself is how you can live with yourself right now and I hope that with the description of this unique necklace, that you are found out and confronted. You have wronged me and a dear lady who entrusted me with her display items. Please do the right thing - return this item and clear your conscience.
If anyone has any information on where this necklace could be, please leave a note at the front desk of the Times-Union, thanks.
Jennifer Hyden Winona Lake via e-mail
AWL Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: The Animal Welfare League wishes to thank the people of Kosciusko County who have given us their support. The sale of the cash bonanza coupon books is going great. At this time we would like to apologize for a printing error in the books stating that we receive no local government funding. This should read that the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County is a non-profit organization that receives local government funding. Every effort has been made to correct any books that have been sold since the discovery. We are extremely sorry for this printing error and hope that the local government accepts our sincere apology, as we are very appreciative of our relationship with local government.
The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County
Board of Directors
Child Care
As I read your article about Daycare Providers "New Regs Miff Some Local Child Care Providers", I realize that the word 'miffed' doesn't really encompass all my feelings about the proposed rules by the FSSA. Astounded, Fearful, Frustrated... Those are a few of the more appropriate words.
For 20 years I have served the County of Kosciusko in my chosen profession. In those 20 years of inspections, surprise and scheduled, there has never been an infraction of any rule or regulation in my Daycare. I have taken the time to follow ALL the rules and go to ALL the training sessions required of me as well as a lot of classes that are not. Every Licensed Provider in this county does the same. =20
I am astounded by the audacity of the FSSA. The old adage about "power corrupting and absolute power corrupting absolutely" is very true in the case of the FSSA. They are now shocked that we mere peasants have deigned to question their orders, words and deeds when no one has for so long. They do not understand why we feel that their new rules are unbelievable in some cases and are downright dangerous in others.
I am fearful for the parents of Daycare children in the State of Indiana. Are you, the parents of Daycare Children, aware of the fact that the FSSA has informed many of us that you as parents have no rights once you enter your child into Daycare? Any special requests that you have such as extra naps, special food or don't take my asthmatic child out today are not supposed to be recognized by your Licensed Provider if it conflicts with the rules of the FSSA. In fact the rules don't take into consideration any differences such as the possibility of a 'special needs' child or a 6-week-old infant. The rules have no room for discretion or common sense of any kind. All children are not the same but according to the FSSA they are required to be treated the same. A child is required to go outside to play in 24 degree or above whether - so is a 6-week-old newborn. They do not take into consideration wind, rain, heat, humidity, dampness of ground or the illness of child. There is no leeway. There is no discretion. There is no common sense.
I am frustrated by the lack of understanding that people have over what these proposed rules mean. Already, in the last year alone, the State of Indiana has lost over 1,000 licensed Childcare Providers because of the inflexibility of the FSSA. How many Providers can we as a community afford to loose?
The Professional Daycare Provider is an endangered species in the State of Indiana.
For almost a year now we have tried to get a moment of Gov. Kernan's time, only to be put off with excuses. We decided something memorable was in order. Saturday, in this county alone, 12 Providers mailed 379 pairs of shoes to Gov. Kernan's office with the following request: Before you sign these rules into law please "Walk a Day in Our Shoes". Give us a chance to show you how uninformed and impractical these rules actually are. They should have arrived on the doorstep of the State Building on Monday. Now, we wait and see.
I wait to see if I'll need to find a new job. You wait to see if you can find childcare so you can keep yours.
Michele Elrod Licensed Daycare Provider Winona Lake Editor's Note: This letter was edited to conform more closely to the 500-word limited stated in the Times-Union Letters Policy.
Price Of Oil
Editor, Times-Union: The price of crude oil has been dropping the past few days. In the past as soon as the price of crude oil went up the price at the pumps raised 15 to 25 cents a gallon almost the same day. Now the price of crude oil is dropping but the price at the pumps stay the same or might drop 1 or 2 cents three or four days later. How can the rise be adjusted so soon at the pumps but the drop takes so long to change and then just a small amount? Does this seem to be funny to me or do others feel the same way? It is all about the mighty dollar to the oil companies and to hell with the consumers.
I don't know what we as consumers can do about it but there should be something or way we could make our voices heard. It dosen't seem to make any difference to our elected officials. They must have them in their back pockets. Does anyone have a possible answer to this?
Todd Walters Silver Lake via e-mail
Youthful Destruction
Editor, Times-Union: On Oct. 29, Channel 21 announced that Indiana spent $100 million of our tax money working on meth lab problems last year.
Do your math, that is more than $16 per person JUST for that one problem.
Sept. 20, Times-Union told us that meth labs increased from 43 in 1998 to 1,260 in 2003. The crime is more desirable than the punishment is undesirable. (Why not change it?)
We were told that it cost on an average of $2,000 to clean up a meth lab. Of course, it would be cruel and unusual punishment to place these convicted criminals on a chain gang or something similar and insist they clean up their own messes. It is much more humane to give them a warm shower, a clean room, radio, TV, telephone, air conditioner, heat and or whatever they need. (Three meals a day and a comfortable bed.) Now these misunderstood and abused people are protected, clothed, sheltered, fed, medicated, entertained and even transported if and when necessary. What more can anyone ask for?
In Sept. 23 Times-Union we find this quote, "It is a Class B felony in Indiana to manufacture, deliver or possess meth with the intent to sell. A Class B felony sentence may range from six to 20 years and carry a $10,000 fine." (Who fears that around here?)
It would also be cruel and unusual punishment for them to be forced to live (while incarcerated) like the servicemen and women who protect our country.
From what I read, it seems that a construction worker who accidentally or in the line of work destroys a protected species, (mole, worm, fish, egg or bird) is in more trouble than one who destroys a dozen or more school kids with drugs. More of our youth are being destroyed for nothing (except money) than are being destroyed in Iraq for something.
Where are all the protesters against this crime and injustice? I keep looking for them but can't find them.
Suppose we made the punishment for this growing, thriving crime completely horrible, terrible and undesirable?
Remember the young American man in the '90s who went on a vandalism spree in Singapore? The penalty was caning (of course, that was uncivilized, barbaric, indecent, inhumane, cruel and unusual punishment). I doubt he did or would repeat that crime in Singapore.
Possibly, in Indiana, he may be slapped on the wrist, given a suspended sentence because he was misunderstood or came from a dysfunctional home, had mean school teachers or hateful grandparents, etc.
Unless we see change, it is onward through the fog of confusion and continuation of higher and higher taxes to clean up more and more meth labs, and more and more youthful destruction and destruction of our youth.
Gilbert Hawkins Warsaw
Advice To Demos
Editor, Times-Union: After reading the intellectually challenging letters from Janet Collins and James Townsend, I have some advise for them. First to Ms. Collins; Buy yourself a case of Pepto-bismol and hunker down for four years, Hillary will be along to save America from all us rascally Republicans ... Secondly to Mr. Townsend; With all your insights, why don't you run for office?
