IndyStar.com: Letters to the editor
Indiana's leading news source for all the top stories, local news, sports and weather.
Remember Commerce Connector? Let's try it again
The Oct. 22 propane truck accident on the Northeastside, bottling up traffic on both I-465 and I-69 for many hours, makes a strong case for renewing consideration of a Commerce Connector that would reroute truck traffic around the city. Thousands of...
Beyond politics: Reasons to be suspicious of health plan
Once again Dan Carpenter’s view of government-run health-care reform (“Criers of wolf make foxy hares,” Nov. 15) sounds like something Americans should be ashamed to not support because not doing so is just right-wing, anti-Obama...
Bike lanes could be solution to Allisonville's dangers
In response to Ann Hanley’s letter (Nov. 7) outlining “dangerous spending on Allisonville bike lanes,” it seems that Hanley has answered her own questions. Is it not obvious that any reduction in vehicle travel in one of the...
Republic's survival at risk with current president
It’s good to know columnist Eugene Robinson believes the republic “will survive even” Sarah Palin ("Being Sarah,‘’ Nov. 17). I wish I felt as confident about the republic’s ability to survive Barack Obama. Jim...
Terrorist trial will only comfort the enemies
By stating that Americans won’t find it "offensive at all’’ when (Khalid Sheikh Mohammed) is convicted and when the death penalty is applied to him, President Barack Obama has unquestionably prejudged any future trial. Once the...
Young survivors understand value of early detection
As a breast cancer survivor, I am saddened and angered by the study released recommending mammograms start at age 50, and also discouraging the use of breast self-exams. I found a lump at age 34. I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. After...
Book gives good guidelines for schools on religious issues
Robert King’s Nov. 14 article regarding the Anti-Defamation League’s efforts in Washington Township, “Focusing on religion in public schools,” illuminated a thorny issue for school administrators, teachers and parents. The...
Columnist helps make freedom of religion a reality
Thanks to Dan Carpenter for his thoughtful and compassionate remarks in “Madness and mass suspicion” on Nov. 11. His thoughts will reach hearts and minds that the apologies and press releases of Muslim organizations will undoubtedly miss....
For healthy state of being, make Indiana smoke-free
The time is long overdue for Indiana to become free of tobacco smoke in all public areas and workplaces. It is no longer a matter of opinion whether smoking is harmful, not just to the smoker but to those around her or him. Smoking tobacco shortens...
IPS needs visionary, not someone who gives up
With sadness, I have followed Matthew Tully’s columns concerning the deterioration of Manuel High School. Now IPS Superintendent Eugene White has announced that its struggling, meager football team won’t exist next year along with the...
Mayor stands up for freedom, not nanny-state control
I am a fan of The Star and happen to agree with its editorial positions about 95 percent of the time. However, I must take exception to the Nov. 11 editorial’s (“Mayor’s choice: health or foul air”) crucifixion of Mayor Greg...
Ballard's position contradicts goal of a healthier city
I am quite surprised by Mayor Greg Ballard’s opposition to the proposed smoking ban, suggesting that removing hazards from Indianapolis workplaces would have a negative economic impact. It would seem the mayor is contradicting his statements...
No apology for responding to those who brought war here
I read Fran Quigley’s column with interest (“This isn’t what we hoped for,” Nov. 16). My question simply is, what are we to do? A freed reporter states that his captors are upset about civilians being killed by drones and men...
NFL would call legislators out of bounds
I doubt that Peyton Manning has ever invited an NFL game official along for an all-expenses-paid visit to Hawaii during Pro Bowl week. No player would ever think of extending such an invitation, and league rules would never allow such an obvious...
It may be legal, but that doesn't make it right
I commend The Star for another excellent series on the corruption of our government ("Access to Power’’). This is what credible and responsible journalistic organizations are supposed to do. Now, it’s up to the people to put...
Crane's Solarstiks could generate jobs for Hoosiers
In response to Pierre Atlas’ column concerning the Crane base, one has to wonder why we aren’t taking advantage of the technology available (“In heart of Indiana, Crane pumps up U.S. military,” Nov. 12). Unemployment rates are...
Bishop could start at home with socialized health reform
I find it interesting that Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein and other North American Catholic bishops are calling for the passage of socialized health insurance legislation. To me, this seems rather hypocritical, especially when the church...
With guns here to stay, let's co-exist safely
Two recent letters to the editor discussing the Second Amendment have opposing views; image that. The Constitution is a wonderful evolving document, but for some reason the Second Amendment is stuck in the 18th century. It is time for the federal...
No bullying to speak of, just more free speech
As a fellow professor at Purdue University, I have to say that the notion that conservative blogger Bert Chapman is being “bullied,” as Professor Jonathan Katz claims, for expressing his views about homosexuality is nonsense. Let’s...
Why accept gifts if there's no effect?
Legislators always say that the gifts they receive from those lobbying the Statehouse have no effect on their votes. If that is so, why do they take the gifts? (“Access to Power,” Nov. 15). Pascal de Caprariis Martinsville
Let's be like the Irish, ban indoor smoking
It is disheartening that the leaders of Indianapolis are hesitating to pass the smoking ban in public establishments. Medical evidence has shown that exposure to smoke is dangerous and even lethal. We make it illegal to drive without a seat belt and...
Not putting our money where our water problems are
An article in The Star on Indiana’s water quality problem with blue-green algae quotes the Indiana Department of Environmental Management as saying, "an algae monitoring system would cost millions of dollars to operate.’’ On...
It's great to be a Bayh: good health care, nice income
Don Young (Letters, Nov. 8) rightly calls attention to the largesse bestowed upon Evan and Susan Bayh by the insurance and pharmaceutical industries and calls into question the senator’s ability to serve the people who voted for him. It is not...
Pool makes big splash as property tax exemption
I recently visited the Washington Township Assessor’s Office to file an appeal on my property taxes. While there, I made the discovery that while there is indeed a 1.5 percent cap on the property tax, a little-known provision of the law exempts...
Jobless wait, as Dems pursue lower-priority health reform
With the unemployment rate topping 10 percent, you would think the Democratic-controlled legislative and executive branches might be focused like a laser on job creation. But the U.S. House and President Barack Obama are more concerned with...
IPS drops the ball with plan to end football programs
I am disappointed that the IPS Board of School Commissioners is considering no football for Washington Community School. Basic sports programs are essential to providing a well-balanced education for our youth. The football program provides...
Back in my grandma's old barn
My Grandma Cauble’s old white barn still has the Frankfort Milk Market’s Grade “A” Milk Permit tacked to the milk room door. The barn, standing between Kempton and Ekin in Tipton County, is typical of Indiana — a gambrel...
It's not the guns: People are root cause of violence
In response to Dr. Stephen Dunlop’s Nov. 11 letter about re-examining the Second Amendment, the purpose of the amendment was to protect us from our own government as much as from any outside forces. That would be hard to do if all we had were...
Historic IPS school restored with eye to past and future
Indianapolis Public Schools deserves special mention for its beautiful renovation of School 57 in Irvington. I attended the recent open house, and the district has done an excellent job of preserving a nationally recognized historic landmark while at...
Bayh worried about debt? What about war and health?
About Sen. Evan Bayh’s call to focus on the national debt: Perhaps Bayh should have focused on that before he stood in the trumpet section of Congress’ press conference approving an unprovoked war on Iraq that is streaming toward a $2...
