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Letters to the Editor

 

The Lincoln Daily News publishes letters to the editor as they are received.  The letters are not edited and do not necessarily reflect 
the views of the Lincoln Daily News.


 

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Lincoln Daily News.com
601 Keokuk Street
Lincoln, IL 62656

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Lincoln Daily News publishes daily news about the Lincoln/Logan County area on the Internet at www.lincolndailynews.com. (We are not a print publication).  All subscriptions are free!

 

Our mission:

The mission of Lincoln Daily News is to tell the stories of Logan County in a contemporaneous manner, with lively writing and a predilection for simple truth fairly told. Lincoln Daily News seeks a relationship with the good people of Logan County that is honest, neighborly and never patronizing. Lincoln Daily News presents news within a full context that contributes to understanding. Lincoln Daily News is more interested in the marketplace of ideas than the competition of personalities. Without shrinking from the bold delivery of unvarnished fact, Lincoln Daily News operates from the premise that God's creatures deserve the presumption of right motive. Lincoln Daily News eschews malice and cynicism; it approaches every person with dignity and every subject with equanimity. In short, Lincoln Daily News informs, stimulates and entertains.

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The articles published in Lincoln Daily News are the result of research and interviews.  Any opinions expressed are those of the writers.

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Please contact us by phone, fax, mail or e-mail with any information about mistakes, typos or erroneous information.  If the error is in an item which is still in the paper, we will correct it online immediately.  All corrections will be shown on the "Corrections" page.

 

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Writer opposes anti-ballistic missile defense system Bush wants to build

11-2-00

Dear Editor:

Each time George W. Bush reiterates his intention to build an anti-ballistic missile defense system, an act that could well restart the Cold War, my heart leaps into my throat with fear for my country and family. I recently heard him state this intention yet again on, of all places, the David Letterman Show. Yet media spotlighting on this issue has been scarce at best. This defense system is malignant and unworkable. Of the few press items concerning it I have been able to find, the most noteworthy is a letter from a M.I.T. physicist to the White House Chief of Staff (reprinted in the August 2000 issue of Harper's Magazine) which pleads for Clinton to halt progess on what is certainly another case of Pentagon hubris.

As it now stands, the anti-ballistic missile defense system, which by this point should get a nice military title such as the George B. McClellan Missile Defense System or, even better, the Maginot Line Missile Defense System, can be duped by so little a thing as a weather balloon. If it could miraculously be constructed, it would probably better serve for shooting down asteroids, but the Pentagon and Bush and Co. would instead put it to a use that would upset the balance of nuclear power. Russia and China have both warned against this, and Russia has pointed out that such a defense system would violate several nuclear treaties. Bush's response, which came on the day Clinton put a delay on the system's construction: 'It doesn't matter what they think. We need to protect ourselves.' Marital relations cannot survive on the 'it doesn't matter what they think' attitude, so how can international relations? As for protecting ourselves, such a system, even if working, would be no guarantee; the recent tragedy of the U.S.S. Cole proved that terrorists don't need to go to all that trouble of launching a missile. And anyway, protecting ourselves against whom? So-called 'rogue states' like North Korea? That's that same old Reagan-era 'evil empire' garbage. As with the old, spooky communist nations of the past, countries like North Korea can barely feed their citizens, let alone invade the U.S.

Bush would build this system, despite the possibilities of upsetting the balance of power, ruining relations with Russia and China, and restarting the Cold War, all for a real Swiss cheese chunk of defense. Of Bush's many humanity-threatening platforms, from his environmental policies to his distaste for 'nation-building' to his hawk-like statement that the military must be used to 'fight and win wars' (which wars is he planning on fighting?!?), this stance is by far the scariest. And yet, by the media and voting public alike, the anti-ballistic missile defense system is also the least observed.

Sincerely,

Guy J. Jackson

Chicago

 


Renovation has drawbacks; new construction can respect the past

10-30-00

To the editor:

We are so fortunate to live in a society, where freedom of expression and the right to choose are respected. Voting on Nov. 7th gives us the privilege to do both.

I have been following the published articles regarding our local school issue with much interest and concern. I, too, revere our past. It defines who we are and makes us unique. I respect the sincerity of those who want to retain the outside aesthetics of the two schools at issue. However, I have an important question that never really has been addressed – at least – not to my awareness.

That question? Just how will this renovation process take shape?? ? Regardless of the rhetoric that says "it can be done" or "Chicago has done this", we have not had the advantage of information regarding a specific time frame or architectural insight that tells us so. Two options seem to come to mind; one – either displace the students in temporary housing during the renovation process or – two - as has been suggested, renovate around the students in the existing buildings. Either option has obvious drawbacks directly affecting the learning atmosphere the attention and focus of students during regular class periods without further disruption or distraction. My hat is certainly off to those dedicated teachers, administrators, and support staff at Central and Jr. High, that daily try to bring quality education to our children under conditions that most of us as adults, would never tolerate.

I have been told by those opposed that new construction could not retain the architectural embellishments that make either school what it is. This is not necessarily true because buildings are designed with integrity and respect for the past all the time. Facades are sympathetically incorporated into new construction, bricks are salvaged and used, compatible materials enhance, and cornerstone highlighted to name just a few. New construction does not have to compromise the integrity of the past. Rather – it can envelop and preserve it for the future.

As a very timely case in point, I would like to direct your attention to page 8A of the Bloomington Pantagraph for Sunday, Oct. 29th. Under the heading: New ISU building to mix old, new design", shows an architectural rendering for ISU’s new College of Business that will have a traditional Georgian shell with an inside of a modern corporate atmosphere.

To quote: "While stressing that education relies on people, not bricks and mortar, Dean Mills said, "our future will be greater because of this building".

Can there be a better reason than this to vote YES?

Jean Gossett

 


Parent is interested in a ranking list for area schools

4-8-00

To the editor:

I was wondering if you would know where I could find a school ranking list for the schools that have grades K-6.

I just want to know where my children’s schools ranked with other area schools.

My children go to Central school.

THANKS,

BRIAN DUTZ

 


 

Writer would like to secure funding for District 27 now

10-26-00

Dear District 27 Voters:

With reference to the district 27 referendum, I offer the following comments.

This should not be a strictly "bricks and mortar" issue. The issue is - how do we plan now, and in the future, to educate the children of our community.

The issue is - now that we are on the approved list to receive 8.3 million dollars in funding to move our educational facilities to the 21 st century - will we be a responsible community; or do we put at risk the issue of when we will again be put on a priority list to receive funding and at what amount. I am certain that our number will come up again, but when. I opt for the "bird in the hand".

Some of my very good friends favor renovation; I respect the sincerity of their opinions. While not particularly thrilled with the prospect of razing buildings, I temper this lack of enthusiasm with the following thoughts. When would the renovation be done? Obviously, when students are not present. Surely, we would not consider using non-district facilities in various parts of town. This leaves summer months; can contractors be found, who will work around the clock seven days a week and at what expense? I truly doubt this could be accomplished in one summer.

Support of this referendum will secure 8.3 million dollars for District 27 NOW if the referendum is successful. Support of this referendum allows us to say to "our kids" WE CARE, we want you to have what you need and deserve to move into the 21 st century.

Sincerely

Bill Gossett

 


Task force appreciates participation in vigil for domestic violence awareness 

10-25-00

Dear Editor,

The members of the Logan County Domestic Violence Task Force would like to express our gratitude to all who attended and participated in our first Candle Light Walk and Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil on Thursday, October 12, 2000. We were pleased with the number of people who came out to take a stand against violence and show support for victims.

We wish to publicly thank Judge Donald Behle for his moving words, the Kingdom Life Expressive Worship team for their interpretive dance, the Lincoln Jr. High School H.Y.P.E. kids (Helping Youth in a Positive Environment) for offering their time and service for child care, and all of the task force members who put time and effort into making the evening a success.

Because October is the national Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we plan on making this an annual event. We invite everyone to get involved and be an agent of change in our community. Concerned citizens, domestic violence survivors, social service agency reps., pastors, young people, anyone who wants to get involved and join the task force, can call 732-7890.

Again,thank you everyone who came out and participated.

Curtis Sutterfield

Logan County Domestic Violence Task Force

Lincoln

 

 


 

 

Please send your letters by e-mail to ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com or by U.S. postal mail to:

Letters to the Editor
Lincoln Daily News
601 Keokuk St.
Lincoln, IL  62656

Letters must include the writer's name, telephone number, mailing address and/or e-mail address (we will not publish address or phone number information). Lincoln Daily News reserves the right to edit letters to reduce their size or to correct obvious errors. Lincoln Daily News reserves the right to reject any letter for any reason. Lincoln Daily News will publish as many acceptable letters as space allows. 



 

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