Published: September 06, 2008 03:55 pm            

Readers forum: Sept. 7, 2008

TERRE HAUTE — McCain VP pick

creates dilemma

How torn Ms. Stephanie Salter seems to be in last Sunday’s column. There is now a women on the Republican ticket and Ms. Salter would love to have an elected female in the VP office, but not a Republican. What can she do? Vote Republican? Support the McCain/Palin ticket? Or write off the feminist movement as only worthy of a Democrat female? Dilemma, maybe not.

Near the end of Ms. Salter’s column she talks about a “mysterious friend” who is or was an employee of Gov. Palin in Alaska. This employee was quoted as saying in an e-mail that the governor is in no way qualified for the position of VP.

Now, let me see, an underling of Gov. Palin is qualified as an expert on vice presidential picks. Come on, Ms. Salter, you can do better than this. Does this friend really exist? If so, why not give us a name so we can determine his/her credibility in making this statement. A good journalist would not allow charges like this in a column with out presenting some credentials to support the statement.

So, I think there isn’t a dilemma for Ms. Salter, she will kiss off the feminist movement and any support for Gov. Sarah Palin.

As I see it, the Democratic ticket is the reverse of the Republican ticket. Democratic ticket equals inexperience/experience. Republican ticket equals experience/inexperience. Which seems best? Inexperienced leadership or experienced leadership? I think our country is at a point in time where we need good, strong leadership with a lot of experience. We do not want a leader who has to look over his shoulder for help.

— D.R. Phillips

West Terre Haute

Strong support for

National Night Out

On Aug. 5, the City of Terre Haute hosted the 25th Annual National Night Out. There were approximately 10,000 adults and children who attended the event. What made the event such a huge success was the involvement and generosity of our sponsors.

We would like to thank Mayor Duke Bennett and the City of Terre Haute, Duke Energy, Vectren Energy, Time Warner Cable, Indiana American Water, WTWO-TV, WTHI-TV, 100.7 MIX-FM, B102.7 Crossroads Communications, Tribune-Star, Rally’s Restaurants, Sam’s Club, First Financial Bank, Vigo County School Corp., Junior Achievement, Terre Haute Parks Department, Terre Haute Fire Department, Vigo County Juvenile Justice Center, Vigo County Juvenile Probation Office, Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office, Vigo County Emergency Management Agency, Pepsi Cola, Vigo County Lifeline, Ralph Long Auto Sales, Climb Time Towers, Indiana Government Center, Project ChildSafe, Wabash Valley Road Runners, 13th Street Corridor Neighborhood Group, Catholic Charities, United Way, Anderson Chiropractic, Zorah Shrine Clowns, Terre Haute Neighborhood Partnership, Crime Stoppers, Department of Child Services, Vigo County Victims Assistance, Terre Haute Humane Shelter, Harmony Haven, Vigo County Animal Coalition, Spay-Neuter League, Project HOPE, Paitson Brothers Ace Hardware, Maplewood Christian Church, Cross Tabernacle Church, B&B Foods, CHANCES for Youth, Minton’s ATA Black Belt Academy, Manning’s Tae Kwon Do, Big Brother/Big Sister, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ryves Youth Center, MD Wise of Indiana, Gibault Children’s Services, Recovery Associates, Inc. and all city employees and their families.

Several new partners joined us this year and we would like to acknowledge their participation. Thanks to the American Cancer Society, Ivy Tech Community College, Council on Domestic Abuse, Wabash Valley Optimist Club, Substance Abuse Council of Vigo County, P.S. 33 Band, Joe’s Airboats, Lamar Advertising, National Child Safety Council, Starbucks, Eli Lilly and Co., Superior Ice, Dancing for Fitness, Indiana State University, Kid Care, Kool Smiles Dentistry for Kids, Terre Haute Human Relations Commission, Clabber Girl, Altrusa Club, Wigwam Skating Rink, Cross Lane Community Church, Vigo County CARE Council, Terre Haute Family “Y”, Terre Haute Children’s Museum, Mental Health America of Vigo County, and the Vigo County Public Library.

Thanks to the participation of all the local law enforcement agencies: Terre Haute Police Department, Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State University Police Department, U.S. Federal Prison, Indiana State Police, West Terre Haute Police Department, Seelyville Town Marshall, Terre Haute International Airport Police, Indiana Excise Police and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations.

A special thanks to the Local Coordinating Council of Vigo County for their support by awarding the Terre Haute Police Department a grant in the amount of $6,000.

This unique event brings the community together with law enforcement, utility companies, businesses, organizations, civic groups, the faith community, colleges and local officials to heighten crime and drug awareness and strengthen police-community partnerships.

We are looking forward to National Night Out 2009. If you have not been involved in the event and are interested in participating, please call Sgt. David Smith at (812) 244-2276.

— John Plasse, Chief of Police

Sgt. David Smith,

Juvenile Division

Terre Haute Police Department

Church volunteers

keeping city clean

We would like to thank The King’s Harvest Foursquare Church for volunteering to clean up Terre Haute.

These members listed below do a wonderful service for our city — Jason Harris, Diana Day, Jessy Froschauer, Josh Long, Thelma Leek, and Rose Mundy.

These individuals have taken great pride in their community by “Adopting a Block”. Approximately once a month this group of people gets together on the weekend and cleans up the alleys, roadways, any area that is in need of a clean sweep.

The Code Enforcement Division picks up and disposes of the trash they pick up. They do a wonderful job. We really appreciate the hard work and dedication they are giving to our city.

On behalf of the Terre Haute Police Department Code Enforcement Division, we thank you.

— Marty Dooley and Staff

City of Terre Haute Police Department

In hot pursuit of

oil independence

In this current economy, with the war in Iraq still being fought, and the impending presidential election, all Americans are looking to our future. Unfortunately, with gas prices going higher it all seems to point back to our dependence on foreign oil and failed U.S polices.

Currently there is a bill in the U.S. Congress which could help end our dependence on foreign oil. When Congress returns this fall they will have the opportunity to debate legislation which could help turn around past mistakes by our leaders. H.R. 6709, the Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act would help move the United States toward energy affordability and security by expanding access to domestic energy resources and using the funds to support alternative/renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation and environmental restoration.

I think we should be opened-minded about exploration. In order for the United States to become truly independent from oil in the Middle East, we need to expand our current sources. We can find and extract oil from ANWR and the continental shelf cleanly and efficiently and we need to begin now.

Also, Congressman Ellsworth has pointed out several times; we need to also invest in alternative and renewable fuels. If passed, H.R. 6709 would include these goals which will also help us move closer to oil independence.

When Congress returns this fall and debates H.R. 6709 hopefully the bill is not just another piece of legislation for political campaign rhetoric. Americans can’t afford useless rhetoric, we need meaningful reform.

Please write to Congressman Ellsworth and ask him to support H.R. 6709.

This is a battle we can’t afford to lose.

— Kevin O’Laughlin

Terre Haute

Be aware of Bush

executive order

A relatively obscure news insert in this week’s Time deserves attention. I have seen nothing in newspapers or other magazines alerting us to the fact that President Bush has issued an executive order that would allow doctors to deny medical services on the basis of their religious or moral beliefs.

This rule “which applies to 584,000 hospitals and clinics could block access to everything from birth control to abortions to end of life care,” according to Time Magazine. This technique is often used by presidents, particularly to circumvent legislatures, to push through personal agendas. It is likely to be supported by McCain, if elected, inasmuch as it is consistent with policies he has stated.

A similar law applying to pharmacists was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. A customer can leave a pharmacy and go elsewhere, but this option is less viable in the case of emergency medical care. This represents a serious intrusion into people’s personal lives and could lead to patients asking for everyone’s religious affiliation or moral stance before selecting a health-care professional.

I hope the health professionals dedicated to the care of their patients will take advantage of the 30-day commentary period.

All persons who do not agree with the proposed executive order should contact their representatives to protest.

— Raymond Quist

Terre Haute

‘Smaller’ is better

than ‘more efficient’

The arguments of the Kernan-Shepard report have been accepted by virtually anybody who is anybody in the political establishment: Our local governments must be made more efficient through consolidation.

Given the example of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, however, we might want to think a bit deeper about that.

Isn’t a smaller, more accountable government what we want, not necessarily a more efficient one?

History tells us that making government more efficient can mean making it larger and more difficult to monitor through democratic processes (Mussolini making the trains run on time). Indeed, the word “efficient” speaks to how resources are used, not the amount of resources required or, most certainly, who gets to use them.

In Alaska, one of the most backward states in the nation by the standards of the Kernan-Shepard report, a self-described hockey mom got elected mayor of a city with a budget no bigger than most Indiana townships.

From there, using nothing more efficient than her middle-class values, she strung together a series of election victories that turned the power structure upside down. And she didn’t have to eliminate a single elected office to do it.

Now, you may be one of those who think it a bad idea to turn the power structure upside down. If so, consolidation and government “efficiency” are your tickets.

The rest of us, though, will be looking around for more Sarah Palins.

— Craig Ladwig

Indiana Policy Review

Allen County

McCain destined to

do well in election

To letter writer Mr. Tomasi:

Where do you get all your wonderful ideas? McCain intentionally throwing the election so the Republicans can sabotage the economy and orchestrate terrorist attacks? Your ideas are as close to idiocy as any one person can come up with. No, I do NOT intend to “sit” out this election (wink, wink). I (and many other straight-thinking Americans) will be voting for Mr. McCain.

No, McCain was not my first choice for president. My first choice is not running (no, I do not mean Clinton) for president. My first choice was Colin Powell.

However, I think McCain will do quite well.

Mr. Tomasi, see you at the polls!

— Joe DeLorme

Clay City

        

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