Published: October 04, 2008 10:10 pm         

Public forum

Is censorship

always wrong?

The Sept. 28 Pharos-Tribune printed a letter from Gordon Southern concerning Gov. Palin and her censorship of books in Alaska libraries. Mr. Southern is using his letters to the editor in his campaign to be a member of the county council, but I fail to see what Alaska libraries have to do with Cass County government.

Since Mr. Southern brought up the subject, I think it would be fair to ask him about libraries and censorship. A few years ago Palladin Press published a book titled “Hit Man, a Technical Manual for Independent Contractors,” a self-help book for murdering people and not being caught by the police. The book has, in fact, been used for its intended purpose.

In one case, the families of the victims (which included a paraplegic child and his nurse) sued the publisher and won a hefty judgment. The usual bleeding hearts, however, supported the publisher on the grounds of free speech. The New York Times has since weighed in, stating that anything which is true should be published, even if it means that innocent women and children are likely to be killed as a result.

The question for Mr. Southern, therefore, is this: As a librarian, would he put the “Hit Man” book on the shelves of the Walton library for everyone to read? If he says yes, he is putting Cass County lives at risk. If he says no, he is engaging in censorship. His answer will, I think, be interesting as elected officials make difficult decisions on a regular basis.

Oh, and for the record, The Indianapolis Star and other fact-checkers have publicly declared the Palin library story, which is circulating widely on the Internet, to be a fake fabricated by her political enemies.

R.W. Julian

Logansport





Klinck the choice

for state senate

I am pleased to be supporting Linda Klinck for the 18th district seat in the Indiana State Senate.

I’ve known Linda for most of my life. Our families lived in the same neighborhood, and her sons and I were close childhood friends. It was always a great pleasure to go to the candy shop she owned after school, with the hope that she might treat us with a piece of delicious chocolate for a hard day’s work at school. We quickly learned that our insistent whining and begging didn’t always work, but we always remained hopeful. To this day it remains as one of my fondest childhood memories.

After moving back from Indianapolis a few years ago. I decided to become active in this community. Linda was one of the first people that I met upon getting involved with community issues. She mentored me on the finer points of community involvement and reassured me with her optimism that this community can become more than what we hope for, not only for ourselves, but for future generations.

Linda has a proven herself to be a valuable asset to this community. Her proven leadership has yielded some amazing results throughout her years of service to this community:

• Worked to help the city receive over $600,000 in grant money to help 37 homeowners with housing rehabilitation projects.

• Organized a partnership to initiate SUCEED (Stimulating Unlimited Cass County Entrepreneurs, & Economic Development) Linda has continued to chair the SUCCEED Committee since its creation.

• Served on the Board of Directors for Logansport’s Indiana Main Street program, Logan’s Landing. Fostering over $70,000 in improvements to downtown properties.

• Worked to help the city receive $333,000 in RECAP funding for downtown development.

• Oversaw the successful $1 million renovation and building of the historic Dentzel Carousel project.

Linda’s vast experience makes her the best candidate for state senate. Linda’s assertiveness, drive and love for community will ensure a brighter future for the citizens of this district.

Her proven bipartisan leadership will help build the solidarity of this district at the state level, thus bringing the hope of better state infrastructure investment, jobs and community development.

Linda Klinck is a proven leader with proven results.

Her life-long commitment of fostering a better quality of life for the citizens of this community should be rewarded by giving her our vote on Nov. 4.

Kado Downs

Logansport



More readers

ought to write

I have noticed a couple of references in the paper to the articles that I write for the Public Forum. I appreciate these responses.  

My original intent in writing was to start a dialog on the issues and possible solutions for the problems that plague our county. Too much in our county is done without a lot of public discussion. Not because our office holders try to hide anything, but because people often don’t make the effort to find out what is happening.

My thought was to use the newspaper to bring issues out in the open and to foster an open and honest discussion on them. I have not attacked anyone locally personally and do not intend to. I would welcome the other candidates writing to the Public Forum. Actually, I’m surprised that they have not taken advantage of this opportunity to tell their views and positions.

I started writing these articles long before the election campaign when I had no intent of being candidate. I intend to write these articles after the election, win or lose. My candidacy came about only because I felt people should have a choice.

I don’t think it is right or fair for people to go to the polls and only have one choice. The other candidates in the race for county council, I’m sure are good, honest people who share my desire to help our community. I would encourage them to write into the Public Forum and share their views on the issues so that people might know about the issues and where the candidates stand. I applaud the paper on printing the varying view points of citizens in the Public Forum.

Gordon Southern

Walton



Head deserves

voters’ support

We have known Randy Head and his wife, Lisa, for the past seven years. We have found them to be a good, upright addition to our community. They are dedicated public servants and have served as assistant prosecutors in the court system. Randy also has been involved in community organizations and is well known in the community.

Randy has had to make difficult decisions as an assistant prosecutor, and we are sure he will keep making good decisions as our future state senator. He will be a good listener for our people in the district.

Please join us in electing Randy Head as state senator.

Bill and Doris Fouts

Young America