Homicides affect us all
The news the first few days of the new year was, again, that of a homicide.
Homicides harm all who knew the person, and, perhaps, even strangers who read of the deaths.
Aside from sociopathic killings, most homicides are committed in the heat of emotion. The emotion may be exacerbated by ingestion of alcohol or drugs.
The average person may not be able to thwart a sociopath, but all of us can be aware of emotional changes in co-workers, friends and family.
If we became more aware, we might be able to have a salutary effect. We might be able to intervene at a personal level with someone who might be experiencing stress. If we know of domestic abuse, we could refer someone to the Center for Nonviolence (456-4112) or the YWCA Women’s Shelter (447-7233). We can do something. We are not helpless in the face of many of these situations leading to homicides. Become a concerned citizen to make Fort Wayne a safer place. I, for one, am saddened by these deaths.
As John Donne said, “Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind.”
KATHI WEISS Fort Wayne
GOP presidential field uninspiring
What do we call the present Republican candidate show? Circus, side show or reality television? Better yet, a popularity contest? I have more money than them. I strayed, but now I’m faithful. I don’t know the job, but I can learn as I go. I can put more people to death and close those borders that people keep talking about. I’ve been in Washington for years, but I should stay there anyway.
Now we have “my hair is prettier than yours” Donald Trump making noise like an independent candidate. Let’s just add Sarah Palin to this mix since she can no longer get any media attention.
Don’t tell me what all the other candidates did or are doing wrong. Tell me why you have a plan for more jobs, less unemployment, financial security, closed borders, lower debt, less taxes, fewer government workers since Washington will be smaller, and get all of the countries to come together in four years or less (since that has been what is expected of our current president).
Is this too much to ask? Is this truly the best of the best?
SHIRLEY KORN Fort Wayne
Townships are still needed
Regarding the Dec. 29 editorial “Township conflicts”: First, and most importantly, township trustees are elected by the people of the township. Richard Uhrick’s residents in St. Joseph Township appear to have been well served in the changing roles of emergency service needs, and the TRAA board membership probably gave them an even better information base. Sons, daughters and wives in service to township government represent cost savings, and remember that the decision-maker still carries the support of the people. No replacement proposal allows that direct public response.
Without trustees, who will do poor relief, especially in the face of ongoing FSSA errors and lousy service? Who will provide emergency services in the face of county property tax caps? Who will manage our thousands of township cemeteries? And, lastly, what government entity will do it as well and cheaply as local townships and still respond to the call of constituents for many other needs? You used a very poor example.
FRED GILBERT Fort Wayne
Defense act repeals basic right
A front-page story on the first day of the new year said our system of justice proclaims you are innocent until proven guilty. Apparently the reporter does not read his own paper. Or maybe he does and there was nothing in the paper.
Innocent until proven guilty no longer applies. That’s been changed. The new law is you are guilty. Of what? Don’t know. The government doesn’t have to say. They just haul you out and throw you in jail. Maybe forever.
The president, elected by the people, signed a bill called the National Defense Authorization Act into law the last day of 2011 that proclaims the “homeland” part of the “battlefield” and allows for the indefinite detention of American citizens.
Or maybe it still applies to a man who beats a helpless little girl to death with a brick and cuts up her body with a hacksaw. If it does, he has more rights than you do for daring to express disgust at the values of this country. For that you can be branded a terrorist and hauled off to prison with no trial.
Is this a great country or what?
TERRY DORAN Fort Wayne
