Letters to the Editor 06-12-1997
Racing Thanks
Editor,
Times-Union:
McCleary Racing would like to thank our sponsors for helping in
our first win of 1997 at Bunker Hill Dragstrip.
Thank you for your support.
Garry and Jackie McCleary
Property Rights
Editor,
Times-Union:
There are some unanswered questions about the problems between
the North Webster American Legion and the Covered Bridge
Retreat.
How did the North Webster Legion justify building a deck on
someone else's property?
Why did the owners of the Covered Bridge Retreat have to go to
court to get an illegally built structure removed from their
property?
Did any of the North Webster veterans fight for a right to
encroach on someone else's property?
Most of us who served in the military were protecting the
property rights of people like the Scotts and Millers. Some of
the Legion members seem to be overlooking the fact that the
Legion started all this by building a deck on someone else's
property. Now they are upset because they have been forced by a
court to adhere to the very laws and principles they fought so
hard to protect.
Richard Jaynes
Warsaw
Fair Queen
Editor,
Times-Union:
I would like to encourage all girls between the ages of 16 and
20 to vie for the title of Fair Queen 1997. Unlike years past,
the contest concentrates on the abilities of young women to be
poised, have future academic goals as well as community goals,
and to be able to interview well.
What I can promise for the queen is a fun-filled summer working
with a group of wonderful people. Of course the scholarship
money going toward the college of her choice is always most
welcome.
I can tell you from experience that the rewards are many. After
winning my title, I was able to use the money toward much-needed
books for college. These rewards may be enjoyed by many of the
young ladies in the county.
Hope to see you at the pageant!
Janae Oler
1996 Kosciusko County Fair Queen
Warsaw
Disarmed
Editor,
Times-Union:
Deanna Newton's letter of June 6 has prompted me to write a
letter I have been thinking about for quite some time. What
Deanna says about America being disarmed in order to install a
One World Government is quite true. Not only would an armed
America resist such a move, but the rest of the world would
never accept America with the Second Amendment in place. (I'll
pass on her theory concerning Oklahoma City) When Bill Clinton
was elected in 1992 the anti-gunners were licking their chops.
They now had the most anti-gun president in the history of
America. Coupled with an anti-gun Congress they were sure the
Second Amendment was dead in the water. But let's take a hard
look at just what they have actually accomplished.
Early in 1994 we got the Brady Law, which affects nothing but
handguns. This mandates a waiting period and a background check.
The background check is before the Supreme Court at this time
and is very likely to be struck down. The whole thing goes by
the way-side once the instant background check is in place
sometime in 1998.
In September of 1994, we got the Assault Weapon Ban and the
10-round magazine limit. But only on weapons manufactured or
imported after the signing date. Any weapon made or imported
prior to that date is quite legal to possess, buy or sell. Also,
most of the weapons on that list have been modified to the point
that they are quite legal.
In 1996, we got the Domestic Violence Law and the 1,000-foot
school ban. The 1,000-foot school ban has already been struck
down by the Supreme Court the first time it was passed. I'm not
sure passing it a second time is of any value. Congress is at
this time attempting to modify or repeal the Domestic Violence
Law due to all the police and military people they trapped with
it (tells you how much thought went into that one).
And all the while the states have been loosening their
restrictions. In 1995 and 1996, 11 more states passed some form
of concealed carry permit, bringing the current total to 33.
Many are working on reciprocal laws and pre-emption laws.
Indiana is even considering dropping their 10-day waiting period
once the instant background check is in place.
So take heart, folks. The news is not as black as the media
would like to make us think. They would like us to give up and
go away, but it ain't gonna happen. We must keep up the fight,
but within the law and system. Incidents such as Ruby Ridge and
Waco are counter-productive, to say the least.
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
Militias
Editor,
Times-Union:
As a rule the comments by Charles Reese, King Features
Syndicate, are informing and thought-provoking even when I don't
totally agree with his views. The May 30 column, however,
brought the hair up on the back of my neck, because of its
blatant disinformation ] and I quote: "The language of the
Second Amendment is quite clear. It says, 'The right of the
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.' It doesn't
say 'the right of the states' or the right of the militias.' It
says 'the right of the people.'"
Now he uses phrases like "lacking in integrity" and
"anti-democratic in intent" to open his volley against the "gun
control nuts." Whoa! What could be more lacking in integrity and
anti-democratic in intent than a purposeful (to make his point
stronger) disquote of the people's Second Amendment?! The Second
Amendment does not start with "The right of the people" that he
so elaborates on by furthering phrases such as "the right of
militias," "the right of the states" not being used in it. He's
right there, but he is dead wrong to (1) give only half of the
words of the one sentence Amendment, (2) capitalize a word (The)
as if it were the first word of that short sentence and, (3) to
imply that Militia is plural and not capitalized. Read it! It
actually says ] and I don't believe the writers of the
Constitution were ignorant of the proper use of our language,
nor were they careless in their choice of punctuations ] " A
well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a
free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall
not be infringed." Period. End Quote.
Make of it what you will, but thoughts that come to mind are:
What exactly is a "well regulated Militia?" How would I describe
a "free state"? Why is Militia capitalized ] and singular? Does
a neighborhood gang armed to the teeth qualify? Do the recent
crop of disgruntled militias count? What exactly does "well
regulated" mean?, etc. Add your own thoughts to it and answer
them however you will, but don't be prey to those who misquote
our great gift of the Constitution in forming your opinions. I
have no quarrel with folks who find it necessary to bear arms.
(Does "bear arms" properly describe what the hunter is doing as
he heads out for a day's shoot? ] or is there another intent to
the whole amendment having nothing to do with
recreational/leisure use of firearms? If "well regulated" were
not words used to describe "Militia" would they even have been
used? What is "well regulated" and by whom?) It gives lots of
room for thought on what cannot be denied is a monumental
problem in our country, but expecting folks to form informed
opinions is not served by columnists, or others, who display a
lack of integrity by deforming the truth. In fact they might
even be called "anti-democratic," eh?
When the paper uses a syndicated columnist, is it obligated to
print all of their offerings or only those it chooses? I don't
know. But if there is a choice, it might serve readers better to
just skip those that are so blatantly misleading.
There's another amendment (or two) that are about as short as
this one ] is it the 14th? "The enumeration in the Constitution,
of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people." Perhaps like the right to feel
safe on our streets? We have a problem. Here's to all who are
dedicated to solving it democratically.
J. Nieter
South Bend
McVeigh
Editor,
Times-Union:
Timothy McVeigh committed a violent act of terrorism against
the American people. Innocent men, women and children died.
Putting him to death would be too easy on him. Locking him up
in a room with those who lost a loved one ] now that would be
justice.
Mike Wood
Warsaw
Warsaw Schools
Editor,
Times-Union:
After reading Chuck Orlando's letter concerning the condition
of Warsaw Community Schools, I felt compelled to respond. I am
very appreciative of Mr. Orlando's kind words, and I agree
wholeheartedly with him that the schools our children attend
here in the Warsaw area are very well cared for, especially when
compared to our nation's schools as a whole. The credit for this
noteworthy accomplishment belongs to the dozens of dedicated
maintenance and custodial professionals who work in the 13
schools that comprise our district.
Our energy conservation efforts, led by Dan Wray, have been
successful because of the cooperation of all faculty and staff
throughout the entire school corporation.
The community certainly has reason to take pride in its school
facilities and in the abilities of the teaching and support
professionals who make it their goal to provide quality
education to all students. I'm proud to be a part of this
dedicated team.
Greg Schroeder
Director of buildings and grounds
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