Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 January 2003 — Page 7

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2003

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A7

READERS RESPOND

Cloning of humans alarms reader This is an edited copy of a letter sent to President Bush: Dear Mr. President, 1 hope you andyour family had a wonderful Christinas and I wish to extend best wishes for a fantastic New Year. I am writing to you regarding the “Cloning of People” that has already taken place and in multiples already. I am very concerned and alarmed that this has been allowed by law to happen. God has given us the brains to do well and learn. However, man has gone beyond the realm of helping and has crossed over into God’s will. These scientists and doctors should be working on the cure of Alzheimer’s, cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and many other uncured illnesses. The possibilities of all kinds of harm, mutants, freaks and who knows what else can become of doing cloning of humans. We must realize that people of means (financial) who are not for the well being of human mankind at all will seek this form out. For instance Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, Mafia, and criminals. Can you imagine what chaos and destruction this would have on the world? Imagine two or more Saddams, bin Ladens, and Mafia

heads, the world would not last very long under these conditions. The possibility if they haven’t already started cloning themselves. We need to stop this now before it’s unstoppable. Another thing to look at is the same DNA being used. How would you be able to tell the difference for identification, between the two. The criminals and terrorists will be able to get away with all types of crimes and not be punished for doing them because you couldn’t tell them apart. Please take the time to stop this unnatural and unspeakable act on mankind because of the consequences we may have to bear and live with in our world is too devastating and irreversible to change later. I plead for your immediate assistance and power to help preserve mankind and protect mankind against destroying itself and what God has made in his image and not in man’s image. I pray for God to help you in this very important matter and 1 pray for us all. Barbara Jones Indianapolis Hoosier teen drug abuse worse I ndiana parents and state politicians should have been neither

lulled nor misled by the Indianapolis Star’s front-page headline “Study: Teen substance abuse on decline" (Dec. 17, 2002). A more accurate reflection of our situation might have been “Study: Teen substance abuse worse'here than nationwide." A quick peruse of the paper might have led readers to believe things are in-check concerning cigarette, alcohol and marijuana abuse among our youth - including here at home in Indiana. However, a closer look at the Star’s own graphic of the University of Michigan’s survey results shows significant abuse - especially across our Hoosier state. Research among eighth graders showed cigarette use reached 10.7 percent nationwide, but 14.7 percent across Indiana Alcohol consumption within a month of the survey stood at 19.6 percent nationwide, but a staggering 24.9 percent statewide. Marijuana abuse among America’s eighth graders reached 8.3 percent, but was 11.1 percent among Indiana’s. Worse teen smoking, worse teen drinking and worse teen drug abuse - that’s the bottom line for Indiana parents and policymakers. Perhaps it’s high time each group starts holding the other accountable. Col. Scott Minier Executive Director Indiana Crime Prevention Coalition

OPINION

Because of Hope, I got faith and charity

tomboy who had the biggest ego, the worse attitude, and I would mouth off to teachers every time they did something I did not agree with. Hope taught me to humble myself. She advised that if I wanted to get accepted to college I had to change my attitude and learn to respect the individuals who were trying to help me get

there.

Hope has become one of the most important people in my life. She has been there for me through every struggle, disappointment, and

heartbreak.

During my third week as a freshman at North She has also been there to guide my decisions Central High School, I was facing a three day concerning boyfriends, college, and friends. She suspension. My friend and I were skipping our has also never hesitated to discipline me when I keyboarding class for the third time in two weeks was out of order. and got caught in the hallway without a legiti- I remember Hope and I would hangoutonthe mate hall pass. We were sent to Hope Hampton weekend and my friends from school would make who was the attendance dean and she proceeded fun of me on Monday because I was hanging out to use scare tactics to stop my friend and me from with an administrator. I did not mind because skipping class; it worked and she did not sus- we were forming a friendship with God in the pend us. center and I needed Hope in my life more than I Later in the same week, Hope approached me needed high school friends, in the school cafeteria and asked if I would be I have told Hope on many occasions how interested in joining The National Coalition of much I love her and the wonderful impact she 100 Black Women. I told her I was interested and has had on my life. as she handed me the application God took over. Along with God, she helped transform me It was God who brought Hope into my life from a bad attitude, irresponsible, smart mouthed because he knew I needed someone who under- teen-ager, into a young woman who respects the stood me. He knew that I needed guidance from authority of others and plans for the future, a woman who had gone through similar things in Our bond has become so strong that Hope is her life to help me get through the things I was more of a mentor, she is a mother figure, a sister, going through in my life. In high school, I was a and my best friend.

Mentors are individuals who take the time to encourage young people using their personal experience and triumphs to guide them in the right direc-

tion.

I believe mentors make an

important impact on the lives of those who need direction the most. They are often the key reason^any young people change

their lives for the better.

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ft

•y IrUka P. Thompton Stall Wrltar

Energize Indiana expecled to boost state economic health By 00V. FRANK O'BANNON sify our economy and create high- sity technology. skill, high-wage jobs by sparking Energize Indiana is about the The new year brings with it innovative thinking; by helping future. If we - as individuals and hope and optimism for what lies existing businesses expand and as a state - are to better take adahead. As we embark on 2003, new ones get started; by stimulat- vantage of an economic recovery we feel a marked change from our ing research and development by and weather the next inevitable moodatthebeginningoflastyear, universities and the private sec- economic downturn, we must diwhen we were deep in a national tor; by helping workers get the versify our economy. If we as a recession with no end in sight, education they need to fill high- state are to keep the commitment Today there are positive signs that tech jobs; and by assisting rural we have made to our citizens, esour state and nation may soon communities to develop. pecially the most vulnerable emerge from this devastating re- Energizelndianabuildsonour among us, we must create an cession. state’s strengths, including our economy that generates a tax base It is with that sense of opti- ever-improving educational sys- sufficient to pay for the impormism that Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan tern and our existing inventory of tant services our citizens need and and I last month proposed Ener- businesses in four targeted indus- deserve, such as education; Medgize Indiana, our plan for trial areas - advanced manufac- icaid health care and home health Indiana’s long-term economic turing, life sciences, 21*' century alternativesforseniorsand people health. The General Assembly has logistics (high-tech distribution) with disabilities; children’s health started its work on the state bud- and information technology. insurance; and prescription drugs get that w ill govern spending for It also builds on our past ac- for seniors, the next two fiscal years. But it is complishments.includingthehis- Energize I ndiana offers us hof>e not enough that we consider the toric business-tax restructuring for a prosperous future - one in next two years. It we are to make the Legislature achieved last year, which our working citizens can a meaningful difference in the making Indiana more attractive find meaningful, satisfying jobs; economic future of Hoosier fami- to businesses that create jobs and our young people can get toplies in all the communities of In- cutting homeowners’ property notch educations and choose to diana, we must envision a better taxes. And it builds on our past remain in Indiana after graduaway and we must act on that vi- and ongoing investments in the tion; and our residents, especially s ' on - educational system - K-12, the the most vulnerable citizens of Energize Indiana uses no state Community College of Indiana Indiana, can get the services they tax dollars to provide a realistic, and universities; local road con- need and deserve from their state, attainable and innovative vision struction; state infrastructure; Please ask your legislators to supfor Indiana s future. It will diver- university buildings; and univer- port Energize Indiana. Republicans Want to Help? Try HBCUs By RON WALTERS sional Black Caucus on attempt- never adopted a bill. One probing to get funds for Historically lem was the amount of matching Black leaders are now being Black Colleges and Universities funds required. A similar bill inasked what agenda they would (HBCUs). troduced in 1996 required Black recommend that new Senate One of those he worked with colleges to match federal funds Majority Leader Bill Frist and his was Rep. James Clyburn of South by 50 percent, an amount that colleagues support, now that Re- Carolina, who sp< nsored a bill in was difficult for them to meet. In publicans seem to want to take the last Congress to provide fund- the current version, the match w:us advantage of 1 rent Lott’s demise ing for the restoration of historic cut to 30 percent. I believe it and seek to do something positive buildings on Black campuses. As should be eliminated altogether, for “civil rights. a graduate of Fisk University, I given the contribution that I use quotes because there is know how important these funds HBCUs have made to this nation, some evidence that Blacksshould have been in shoring up our im- Black colleges and universities be wary of Republican intentions portant legacy buildings. The fact can help beef up the national cabecause of indications that they that there are many such build- pacify to add to the security of also are attempting to change the ings on HBCU campuses means local communities, which is called meaning of civil rights to include that such money adds a great deal for in Homeland Security legisla-faith-based programs, school to the capital fund of these insti- tion to train so-called “first revouchers and the like,. I n any case, tutions. sponders” such as police, fire and Black leaders have been offering A study by the federal General medical personnel at such institheir individual lists for consider- Accounting Office said that the tutions. But America has always ationby Senate Republicans. rehabilitation and preservation of taken HBCUs for granted and has With this method, Black lead- such buildings may amount to as gotten by on the cheap by underers risk losing this moment be- much as $755 million, and al- funding these institutions, cause of disunity and if they put though Clyburn proposed $533 Against these odds, HBCUs have forth a series of unconnected million, or 70 percent of this producedoutstandingBlackleadagendas, they could only contuse amount in his original bill, the ers at less cost than more expenboth Senate Republicans and version that passed the House had sive Ivy league schools. Blacks ;is well, proposed no set amount of fund- No doubt this bill will he put I he antidote to potential con- mg. back on the table in the House by fusion is for Bhu'k leaders to meet, This fact bred trouble in the Rep. Clyburn and hopefully by hammer out a priority set of is- Senate, which wanted to specify Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., sues and take them into the room amounts to be spent in each of again in the Senate. But it would united and determined to gel several years that the new pro- be great to see it sponsored, not something done. gram is in force, and proposed the just by Lieberman, but by Frist Since I won the in the room, let totally inadequate sum of $10 himself. Why not? If they want to me remind them of one thing, million for each of the program's do something, why not do someRepuhlicans have always looked first two years. thing that has real significance? favorably upon Black colleges and This caused David H.Swiqfon, universities, even when - or per- president of Benedict College in Ron Walters is Distinguished haps because - they didnt want Columbia, S.C., to note that the lA-adership Seholar, direetor of Blacks to gain entry into elite amount offered was not as high as the Atiican American leadership white institutions. In fact, former it should have been. Institute, ami professor ofgovRep.J.C. Watt of Oklahoma, who Nevertheless, negotiations on eminent and polities at the Vniwas the lone Black Republican in the bill proceeded with consider- versity of Man land. His latest the House, proudly cites his work able urgency in the last days of hook is Afriean Ameriean Lead with members of the Congres- Congress’session, but the Senate ership, with Robert Smith.

YOUR VOICE How would you feel if a relative or close friend were deployed overseas for a possible war wirii Iraq? “In a sense, I would be proud of them doing “Well, even the Bible speaks of‘wars and rusomething for out country. But I wouldn’t enjoy mors of war.’ So, in this world, war is imminent, the possibility of them being killed in battle. I I have one son who’s my only child, and if he had would also be upset if they died fighting some- to go to war, I would be proud of him. He would body else’s war. Far too many people are trying to be obediently responding to his duties and progo out and fight this war and they’re not sure tecting our country. He wouldn’t be fighting just what for." for himself or me but for all of us. Regardless of — William Dullen the reason for war, we should support our loved ones who go out to fight, and I would be proud of “It depends on who exactly the relative or my son if he had to join them.” friend is. I wouldn't be worried about an uncle — Mary Nicholson who’s a career soldier in the Army as much as I “If they were sent to war, it would be very sad would an 18-year-old cousin who has no experi- for us. We just believe that the people we love ence and is just now joining the military. But the wouldn't even have to face this scary scenario if fact is we don’t know how long the so-called war Bush and others in charge wasn’t going around on terrorism will go on. I’ve never liked war, but messing with smaller countries. Iraq might have we must be prepared for the possibility of seeing certain weapons, but they are many miles away.” more of our relatives go into action.” — Danika and Shanika Wright — Chrisson Collins “I would hate to see somebody I care for go to “I would not be happy to see my loved one war because there’s basically no reason for our shipped away. They keep sending our soldiers soldiers to fight. They (the American govemout to get hurt for lame reiisons. 1 have a nephew ment) already had a chance to get Saddam who's a career member of the Air Force. I feel Hussein during Desert Storm in 1991and they that we too often meddle in the affairs of other blew the opportunity. They should have taken nation affairs. I mean, come on. Do they really care of business then. If George W. is so tough know and can they really prove Iraq has these and wants war so badly, then he should go to Iraq weapons?” and fight himself.” — Josephine B. — Wayne Scott

Mary Nicholson William Dullen Chrisson Collins Shanika Wrlqht