Opinion | Journal Gazette

Shocking meth arrest

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

If anyone questions how pervasive the problem with methamphetamine is in northeast Indiana or the drug's potency to lure people into abuse, an arrest this week should shatter any remaining doubts: The deputy town marshal of Topeka, 28-year-old Zachary Miller, was charged with conspiracy to deal methamphetamine and official misconduct.

Cheers & Jeers

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

CHEERS to Culver's of Fort Wayne for donating $1,376.21 through Parkview Foundation to benefit the Parkview Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Parent Connection Group.

Letter (Web version): Climate change, health care bills should not pass

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

In the article "GOP boycotting panel's work on climate change unhelpful" (Nov. 9), The Washington Post commented on the John Kerry-Barbara Boxer mark-up session regarding the climate bill legislation that passed the House and was sent to the Senate. The bill primarily is the House version that was written by the Apollo Alliance, not Reps. Henry Waxman or Edward Markey.

Letter (Web version): Helping all with health care is the moral thing to do

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Listening to the many different voices on health care, I have been struck with how seldom the discussion addresses the common good of the nation. The discussion seems to always degenerate into the numbers of uninsured who would have access to health care if a health care bill were to pass.

Letter (Web version): Liberals using language to alter issues

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Words are powerful. They can martial armies. They can arouse citizens to demonstrate against injustices. They can delude; they can enlighten. A political observer once said he who controls the language and the words can control debates .

Web-only letter: Don't give free health care

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Well, Nancy Polluter has presented a 2,000-page monstrous health care bill to the citizens of the country. She is bound and determined to steal billions of dollars from the citizens as a socialist redistribution of wealth and government control of your lives.

Harper's index

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Facts compiled by the editors of Harper's magazine: •Year by which, under international law, the U.S.

Hamilton qualified to judge

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Congress' approval of a Hoosier judge to the federal appeals court is a welcome, if belated, triumph of good government over partisan sniping.

Sessions' record

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, is the GOP's point man against President Obama's judicial nominees.

Don't let people opt out of plans with low penalty

Robert W. Hillman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Despite much of the overheated rhetoric in the health care reform debate, there are a number of principles on which nearly everyone agrees. One of those principles is that everyone has the right to affordable health care. So, why is Congress moving forward with legislation that will actually raise rates for many in Indiana.

IDEM chief's toxic pile

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Many Hoosiers gave Tom Easterly the benefit of the doubt that he would put his duty to protect the environment before business interests as director of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. It appears he is taking unfair advantage of their generous nature.

Skip a mammogram, end a life?

Stacey Stumpf — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

The report released Monday from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggesting radical revisions to breast cancer screening recommendations leaves me concerned - and a bit suspicious.

Obama wrong to welcome undemocratic China

Washington Post editorial — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

President Obama's central message to the Chinese government and people during his first visit there as president has been a remarkably positive one. Acknowledging and occasionally marveling at the country's rapid ascent toward superpower status, Obama has been saying that not only does the U.S.

Letter (Web version): Treat all property taxpayers the same

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

What is wrong with treating Indiana citizens and taxpayers equally.

Letter (Web version): Elect officials with leadership characteristics

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

During the television Mass in February 2006, the Rev. Ronald Reider of Huntington made the statement, "that we are living in a world today that is very, very pagan. We are governed by materialism, secularism, hedonism, all the isms that pull us away and detract us from what is important."

Revising revisions for teacher licensing

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Educators across Indiana are watching today as the state's Professional Standards Advisory Board begins work on proposed licensing rules that need plenty of revision. The process began with a top-down approach scornful of expertise and experience.

Mayor's letter worthy - but late

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

The problem with Mayor Tom Henry's mass mailing to city residents about the dispute with Indiana Michigan Power isn't so much the cost as the timing: It comes more than three months after IM President Helen Murray sent her own letter to local customers.

Letter (Web version): Founding documents don't mention health care - or women's right to vote, etc.

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Holy constructionist! The ongoing debate about health care reform has included legitimate concerns over deficit increase, increased taxes and increased government involvement. I have those concerns as well but believe that we can overcome those issues and pass a health care insurance reform bill.

Letter (Web version): Memories of late 1930s, 1940 spelling bee

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Once again it is time for the National Spelling Bee. I really enjoy watching in on national television because I was beginning to wonder whether the schools no longer emphasized the importance of spelling in education. The words the children are given boggle my mind.

Letter (Web version): Government public option would be a mistake

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

It's a sad day for America. It looks as if both the House and the Senate are proposing the public option (or as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi frames it, the "consumer's option"). And, the worst part about all of this? The majority of Americans now appear to back it.

Letter (Web version): Town of Roanoke is fiscally responsible

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Regarding Brian Secor's letter, "Tax caps should lead to cuts" (Oct. 27), regarding the Department of Local Government Finance:

Bishop D'Arcy's legacy

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

Over the last quarter-century, Bishop John D'Arcy was the authoritative, sometimes controversial leader of one of the nation's key Catholic dioceses. His retirement and the appointment of Bishop Kevin Rhoades as his replacement mark a changing of the guard in one of the most important community positions in northeast Indiana.

Welcome, Bishop Rhoades

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

On Jan. 13, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades will assume leadership of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Rhoades, 51, has served as bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., since 2004.

Before changing health care system, fix what's broken

Francis Price, Jr. — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

As a physician, I owe it to my patients to help get health care reform right. That's why as a member of the Coalition to Protect Patients' Rights - an organization of more than 10,000 medical professionals - I've chosen to join the debate.

FHA - yet another housing agency imperiling taxpayers

Washington Post editorial — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:00 EST

The cost of the housing bailout continues to rise. The government-run mortgage giant Fannie Mae requested another $15 billion from the Treasury to help cover a loss of $19.8 billion in the third quarter. That brings the total tab for rescuing Fannie to $60 billion so far. Fannie's twin, Freddie Mac, has received $51 billion.