TERRE HAUTE —
• Gibault needs to get better handle on its residents
Less than a year ago the south side of Terre Haute was briefly terrorized by guests in our community from Gibault School, now again, three kids aged 13 to 15 from outside our community are accused of beating, attempted carjacking and attempted armed robbery of at least one of our citizens while on hiatus from the Gibault School.
It’s time for this to stop. In October 2011, three 17-year-olds attacked a shopper at Wal-Mart, and then later stole a man’s truck from the White Castle parking lot after hitting him in the head with a board, eventually crashing while fleeing police and killing one of the criminals. Now three criminals less than 16 years old are accused of doing nearly the same (except for the death) while fleeing from the Gibault School. Do we need this in our community, I say no.
These violent kids are not from our community, the first three (in October 2011) were from Gary, more than 150 miles away and the latest escapees from Gibault are “not from the Terre Haute area” according to the Tribune-Star. Will it take a violent criminal from another community killing a Vigo County resident to get the attention of the Gibault School? Twice in only nine months escapees from this “school” have terrorized members of our community. We do not need this to occur ever again. Get them under control, or get them out of our community. Did Gibault do anything to notify the community that they were in danger because of the escape? It does not seem so.
If the Gibault School (is this really a school?) can’t control the criminals they house, then build a wall around it just like at the federal prison. They’ve had their chance and failed to control their clientele and as a result they have permitted those criminals to escape to injure and put members of our community in the hospital, twice in nine months.
Lock them down, move them with manacles and protect our community from criminals whose own community needed to get rid of them. If you’re going to bring them into our community, treat them like the criminals they are because they’ve proven, twice in the last year, that they don’t get it, that they don’t respect others, that they are violent and unrepentant, and that they will do anything, including hurting people from this area in order to escape.
Others like that populate our prisons, why should these “kids” be different. Lock them up for their crimes.
The record speaks for itself, excuses are redundant and I don’t want to hear them. It’s not kids from Honey Creek Middle school attacking people in the Wal-Mart parking lot, it’s kids from the Gibault School doing so, kids imported into this community because of bad behavior, or criminal activity, or that they weren’t wanted, and the threat to our community needs to stop now.
It’s simple, if Gibault can’t control them, get rid of them, lock them behind walls and barbed wire, whatever it takes, but stop the assaults on the south side, and don’t make excuses for criminal behavior.
It’s been proven by the temporary residents at Gibault that there are bad boys, six of them were at the Gibault School in Terre Haute, and hopefully five of them are behind bars today.
— James C. Kmetz
Terre Haute
• What’s the status of capitalism?
Has capitalism, like communism, failed? This year’s economic forum at Davos, Switzerland, debated this question.
The economic system should be based on socio-economic justice. But capitalism is not focused on social justice. Its main concern is profits. Unless our economic system is based on the paradigm that human beings are the creation of God and all resources at their disposal are held by them in trust for God to be used in a just manner for the well-being of all, societies will remain in turmoil.
This paradigm is a radical departure from the current dysfunctional capitalistic system. But it is not anti-free market. It is not the same as secularism in as much as the well-being of humans is not dependent primarily on maximizing consumption and wealth. It means achieving human well-being through organization of resources through cooperation and participation. It prohibits using war as a means of economic development or employment.
It is society’s responsibility to prevent excessive concentration of wealth in a few hands and to prevent exploitation of the people. Some examples of exploitation are “payday loans” or usury or charging exorbitant interest. To prevent excessive concentration of wealth and exploitation, a moral code is needed. Such a code would require redistribution mechanisms. This means that the affluent share their annual savings with the needy (the poor, the widows, orphans, the disabled, etc.) or pay higher taxes for the sake of fairness.
Capitalism without moral imperatives is histrionics and has failed humanity. It promotes selfishness, greed, callousness or even ruthlessness. It is also showing a total disregard for the welfare of the future generations.
— Khwaja A. Hasan
Formerly of Terre Haute
Wadsworth, Ill.
Opinion
READERS’ FORUM: June 15, 2012
- Opinion
-
-
EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
It’s not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, but the $2 million designated in the recent session of the General Assembly will begin the messy but necessary process of cleaning up Indiana’s voter registration rolls.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
Rich history all along the river
Great work by Duke employees
-
RONN MOTT: Rabid Republicans
The so-called news people at Fox News can hardly sit still long enough to report on the latest gossip or untruth about our sitting President. They can hardly contain themselves.
-
READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
• Great response to annual golf outing
• Doing your part on climate change
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
Remember when clean clothes smelled like fresh air and sunshine rather than fabric softener and dryer sheets?
-
READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
-
Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river
At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.
-
EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign
Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
-
FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
-
RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness
Someone wrote or said a few years ago a statement that would define the word “Hoosier.” According to this urban legend, a Hoosier is somebody dribbling a basketball around the Indy 500 while eating a fried, morel mushroom. It did not define me, at the time.
-
EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
-
RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force
Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
-
Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
-
Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
-
RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round
Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?
-
READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
-
READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
-
MARK BENNETT: Life at face value: Mom’s simple advice still presents a valuable daily challenge
Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
(Unless, of course, your mother is a scientific researcher. If so, carry a No. 2 pencil and take good notes.) -
EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes
The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?
-
GUEST COLUMN: Nursing more than medicine and bandages
Being a nurse … Like most nurses, I chose this profession because I had a strong desire to help others and no other career would allow me the opportunity to touch lives the way I have been able to through nursing.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013
Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support
Media ignoring important case on abortions
Proud to be old-fashioned
Guns in school? What’s next?
Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act
-
FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
-
RONN MOTT: ‘Raccoons II’
In the Algonquin Indian language, raccoon means “working with hands.” They are really cute little fellows until they injure a child, or a pet, or leave feces around where you certainly do not want it.
-
Readers’ Forum: May 11, 2013
I just wanted to express my disappointment at the lack of response shown by President Obama after the Boston Marathon bombings.
-
Readers' Forum: May 10, 2013
CANDLES event plants new seed: On April 26, CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center hosted an event called “Sowing Seeds of Peace: A Celebration of Spring” at the Apple House. Our purpose was to introduce people to our concept of forgiveness as a seed for peace.
-
RONN MOTT: ‘NRA Convention’
At the recent NRA Convention in Houston, Texas, where the right-wing political hot air almost lifted the convention's building off its foundation, the NRA trotted out the forever yours political dame of the right wing, Sarah Palin. Sarah did not disappoint.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
Today in History May 22
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
Former Rep. Weiner Running for New York Mayor
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
