A recent letter to the editor (Dec. 8) criticized the religious coverage placed in the Saturday edition of the Tribune-Star. As a pastor, also mentioned as a brain-washing agent in the letter, I was surprised that one member of the incredulous population is upset by the once-a-week news and activities of various churches. Let me explain.
My church has a food pantry that feeds between 10 and 15 local families weekly. Throughout the year my church has provided gas cards, helped with rent and even filled a propane tank for a family needing help with winter heat at a cost of around $500. On top of that, we support Terre Haute ministries with monthly support that helps people in our community meet their needs. So when I read on Saturdays that a church is having a chili supper to raise money to support the Light House Mission or their own church food pantry, then I see it as a valuable contribution to the local community.
Speaking of contributions, the church has impacted our culture in very powerful ways. Most of the colleges and universities in this country had religious foundations, so books, education and learning are the products of a religious heritage. Most hospitals, both here and around the world, had a religious foundation where helping the hurting was emphasized. Art and architecture also owe a great debt of gratitude to its religious roots. Orphanages and the value of human life have their beginnings in religious teachings where the “least of these” were and are valued.
So to imply that the Tribune-Star is wasting valuable space by briefing the community at large on events within the religious community is a bit naïve. The church community in Terre Haute is feeding the hungry, helping people stay in their homes, fixing homes after the flooding several years ago, investing in marriages and families, and providing encouragement and relationships with fellow believers. If a church wants to advertise its programs and outreach events once a week on Saturdays, then the religious language of our founding fathers and our founding documents confirm our right to do so.
The only question I have remaining is this. What are the other letter writers doing to impact their communities, feed the hungry or introduce people to their understanding of truth. In other words, the church is impacting our local community and that is news.
— Pastor Dana Coverstone
Terre Haute
Chestnut Street project a waste of taxpayer dollars
The closing of Chestnut Street on the ISU campus, at a cost of $776,612, is a perfect example of the use of federal stimulus funding for nonessential projects. Specifically, ISU is using this valuable funding to close a street that does not need to be closed.
One of the goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was, “to invest in infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits.” The education portion of ARRA was designed “to prevent layoffs and cutbacks, with flexibility to use the funds for school modernization and repair (State Equalization Fund).”
As an alternative, ISU could have proposed to use stimulus funding to make the campus more green and sustainable, with long-term savings for the university, including preventing layoffs.
Closing a street will not provide long-term economic benefits. It is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer dollars.
— Margaret Moga
Terre Haute
Beware leaders cozying up to money changers
It’s time to celebrate the birth of Christ. We should acknowledge Jesus as the second well-known libertarian. (The first, also crucified, was Spartacus.)
This year we should focus on the story of the money changers. Jesus used violence against these rats because manipulating the currency hurts the poor the most. Ben Franklin suggested the Revolutionary War was fought to free the colonies from the Bank of England. Madison then called central bankers money changers. Jackson started the Democratic Party to oppose re-charter of the so-called Second National Bank of the United States. After the Federal Reserve triggered the Great Depression, the term banksters was often used in place of money changers.
Now we see the largest transfer of wealth in history. We know who, but the how is often portrayed as inscrutable. Similarly, we have our TARPies, so-called representatives who voted for the bailout. Ellsworth, Lugar and Bayh represent today’s banksters, not the people. Government (Roman or U.S.) in league with money changers means rough economic times ahead.
The Libertarian Party National Platform (section 2.5) returns to the solution of Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Jackson. It would be nice to see a similar plank in “Corporate Party D” and/or “Corporate Party R.” (Notice I have cleverly disguised party names to protect the guilty.)
If you are energized by the words of Bon Jovi’s “We Weren’t Born to Follow” or even Glenn Beck; visit lpin.org to find an affiliate and level of action.
— Ed Gluck
LPIN 8th District Representative
Marijuana in pill form not illegal
Couple of items …
In reply to Michael T. Lawson concerning addiction to marijuana.
What makes smokeable marijuana illegal are not the psychoactive properties, or possible addiction to the active chemicals within the cannabis plant. What make the natural reproduction, processing and use of marijuana illegal is government control and taxation. Cigarettes, even though known killers, are legal because solid production, distribution and taxation systems are in place and functioning quite well.
There is marijuana in a pill form prescribed quite frequently called “Marinol,” which is manufactured as a gelatin capsule containing synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in sesame oil. Marinol may be prescribed for the treatment of cachexia (weight loss) in patients with AIDS and for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional antiemetic treatments, including Compazine, Haldol, Phenergan, Reglan and Thorazine, each of which relieves pain and nausea. However, in pill form distribution and taxation is firmly controlled.
In reply to Shirley A. Thomas’ concern over e-mail lies:
I receive the same or at least the same type of e-mail several times a day, every day. Most are negative remarks about President of the United States Barack Obama. I understand the frustration because many of these forwarders of unproven e-mail are your family, friends and co-workers. Do not waste your time trying to prove or disprove this electronic garbage; most of the senders of these items fail to read them fully before “forwarding to all your friends.” In some cases if you do not open such, but delete it, the sender will have a message saying “You mail was unopened and deleted.”
There is a far more serious consequence for speaking out against those in authority over us, ranging from parents to presidents. Consistently speaking out against those God has put into leadership often has regrettable consequences described several times in the Bible. Jude 1:10 states, “Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals — these are the very things that destroy them.” Those that spoke out against Moses had the earth open up and swallow them. Adios!
— Van W .Cottom
Terre Haute
Thanks for support for Christmas Walk
Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department would like to express its appreciation to the Village Folk and the many volunteers who donated their time and energy to making Pioneer Village Christmas Walk a success. This year approximately 3,500 people attended the candle-lit pioneer activities.
Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department would like to extend a special thank you to the bands, carolers and musicians who contributed to the excitement of the event with beautiful and cheerful music. The Parks and Recreation Department also would like to acknowledge and thank the media and local businesses that advertised the events.
The Pioneer Village is continuing to expand and develop. Construction of the log schoolhouse is continuing and the Foltz Cabin is being assembled. The public is welcome to come out and see the progress!
The Pancake Breakfast is Feb. 20 and 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fowler Park Log Barn. All are welcome to come and join the festivities.
— Keith Ruble
Superintendent
Kara Kish
Assistant Superintendent
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