Published: June 25, 2009 06:49 pm      

LETTERS: June 26, 2009

Hooray and hallelujah for Cheney



At long last, one man has stood up with some straight talk about what has been going on with our government, our country and possibly our way of life. We can’t say that we weren’t warned — we were.

We were told that the man occupying the White House was the No. 1 liberal in the Senate. We were told that he had very little experience or qualifications for the job he was seeking. We were told and shown examples of his poor judgment in the company he kept for more than 20 years, practically all his adult life; and if not poor judgment, then outright dedication to the principles that his radical friends espoused. But did the majority of us listen?

Either we didn’t listen or we didn’t care. Now, one man has stepped up to state the truth about some of the things that should have been addressed prior to November 2008. One man who has no political ambitions, and nothing to gain personally, but simply to set the record straight.

That man has been vilified by the press and liberal media like almost no other in history. Brutal despots and dictators have enjoyed better press and less condemnation than former Vice President Dick Cheney. So, what does he have to gain or lose by speaking out?

Obviously, no one else was going to do so. He has addressed the issues with facts, figures and a fresh boldness that has been missing in political talk for too long. He doesn’t mince words. Oh, and he couldn’t care less about political correctness, whatever that cowardly concept is supposed to be. His opponents and critics can’t argue with his straight talk and are no match, not even close to him, in intellect. Their only recourse is to attack him personally, make jokes and tell untruths — the only recourse left for those unable to debate a topic or personality.

As for me, Mr. Vice President, for what you have done and what you are doing now, I salute you. For qualities rarely seen in the world of politics, or acknowledged in the media, I salute you. Thank God for honesty, integrity and courage to speak the truth, while we still have that right.

— John Kettler, Greenville





Sheltered livestock care facilities lower taxes



On June 18, 2009, a Purdue University team of extension specialists presented its preliminary findings on the impacts of livestock farms on local communities. They discovered what most of us in agriculture already know: regulated farming operations are environmentally responsible, and like any other business, the taxes they pay support county budgets and lower property taxes for local homeowners.

The Purdue study’s snapshot of 50 swine and dairy farms in eight Indiana counties includes four sections: owner/operator characteristics, a review of environmental incidents, tax and budget implications for local governments, and suggestions for local planners when working with new or existing sheltered animal farms.

According to the study, the farmers interviewed are a young and well-educated group compared to the general farming population. Most reported they had no problems with neighbors or local planners when establishing their livestock farms. In fact, 80 percent of those surveyed rated community response as mostly or all positive.

Data also indicated that sheltered livestock care facilities purchase most of their feed and supplies both locally and within Indiana, and hire more local labor than a typical farm. Wages on larger livestock farms average $12.38 per hour, compared to an average farm wage of $8.50 an hour.

The Purdue study also found that environmental violations by sheltered livestock operations were uncommon. From 1995 to 2008, only 15 of the 325 environmental violations cited in the eight county study area were attributed to large livestock operations. The rest were issued to a variety of sources including cities, businesses, churches and parks.

The impact of larger sheltered livestock farms on local government budgets and taxes was mixed, according to the Purdue study. Analysis showed that many operations generate enough added tax revenue to cover any costs they create. But in all cases, part of the tax burden born by livestock farms provides property tax relief for existing homeowners.

Any Indiana livestock farmer who has been in business for any length of time can tell you sad stories of how things used to be. Unsheltered animals were subject to extremes of summer heat and winter cold; mortality rates were high because animals couldn’t be closely monitored and treated; fighting for territory, to the point of injury or death, was common; newborns and younger animals routinely suffered attacks by foxes, coyotes or their mothers.

Research, applied animal science and new technologies now provide a safe, secure and sheltered environment for Indiana livestock. The men and women who manage these modern farms care for their animals every hour of every day to ensure we have safe and affordable meat, eggs and milk. Indiana Farm Bureau thanks them for their hard work and dedication. All Hoosiers should do the same.

— Don Villwock, president, Indiana Farm Bureau



‘Mr. Wilder trashed in a trash can’



That was the title on the story as it aired on WKMG Channel 6 in Orlando, Fla.

I grew up in Jeffersonville in the late 1950s-60s and try to make it back there once a year to visit since I still have family in the area.

What gets me about this story is the mayor’s outrage at the police officers. That they released pictures to the media in my opinion is hardly outrageous. What I think is outrageous is that Mr. Wilder was not arrested.

Did he not break two laws?

One being drunk in public, and two, trespassing. What the mayor should be outraged about is that the officers walked him home rather than arrest him. Had that been me or any John Q. Public, it would have been an escort to lock-up.

Mr. Wilder needs help and I hope he gets it. But the one thing I’m glad to see is that he stated to the camera that he held no contempt for the officers and would defend them if necessary.

Mayor Galligan, maybe you should take Mr. Wilder’s viewpoint.

— Robert L. Campbell, St. Cloud, Fla.



Reader says get creative with Haven House support



Any person who is called to help the homeless needs to have vision, be creative and open-minded, be able to influence, have integrity and be loyal. Mrs. Barbara Anderson certainly has all of these qualities.

When we have a person like Mrs. Anderson, we must give the tools to do the mission. Resources are needed. Financial support is needed. Fresh ideas are needed so the organization can stimulate growth.

There’s constructive and destructive criticism. I haven’t read many comments made that were helpful, loving or kind toward Mrs. Anderson. I believe that in order for people to succeed, they must have affirmation.

I really don’t know many people who could stand up to critics the way she has. If she didn’t really care about Haven House Services Inc.’s homeless shelter and the people in it, she wouldn’t continue to go through all this grief.

Please stop right now and say a little prayer for this mission and its director. Nobody’s perfect. And she’s not claiming to be.

If the shelter is too crowded, perhaps an addition or annex could be added or satellite locations. The Home Depot makeover was a great success. How about another business in this line of work doing makeover work.

At a fundraiser for another shelter this spring, a retired construction/electrician worker auctioned off 40 hours of labor to the highest bid and the money went to that local shelter.

I challenge everyone to think of creative ways to keep Haven House going. Please open your heart and minds to the possibilities. Thanks.

— Judy Powlen, Batesville