Viewpoints

To the Editor:
What ever happened to respect and trust for our justice system and the people we employ to uphold it? Have we become so skeptical that we feel compelled to challenge these people at every turn?
Don’t get me wrong, there are a small amount of bad apples amongst them and it seems there are debatable laws but we do have an orderly, non-destructive method to deal with such instances.
Here’s a simple test we each might ponder. If/when you’re initially stopped or confronted by a peace officer: Are you apologetic and courteous to him or her? Are you a bit embarrassed? Does your heart race? Do you berate yourself for carelessly speeding or breaking some other law? Do you make lame, thoughtless, excuses to yourself for your behavior? Or: Do you belligerently back talk or loudly defend your fault? Do you consider fleeing? Do you physically resist arrest? Do you aggressively attack the official?

To the Editor:
We should all be bereaved about what’s happening in Baltimore. Many innocent taxpaying citizens are being hurt because of a group of hoodlums rioting, burning and demanding the six policemen be punished (crucified).
Attorney General Mosby charged all six officers with serious crimes. This was a well thought out public stunt to pacify the mob and I guess it worked, but it will backfire. These six will be found not guilty in a court of law.
Our law enforcement people are doing a great job and need our full support. I think they should sue the city government of Baltimore for false arrest. We all know they are totally innocent, just doing their job.

To the Editor:
An electromagnetic pulse is an electrical energy created by exploding an atom bomb in the upper atmosphere. That energy bombards the Earth, destroying any, if not all, electrical circuitry. In other words, electricity in your home or business may be non-existent depending on where the bomb was set off. Those who want to destroy us know the altitude where an explosion will do the most damage.
Refrigerators, freezers, lights, telephones, computers, vehicles, televisions, anything electronic won’t work. Furnaces also. Have you enough food in your home to last for some months to come? How about water? I understand a gallon per person per day is a reasonable calculation. Please think of the implications this would have on your lives and extended family.

by State Senator Mike Breitbach

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

To the Editor:
Reading the report of the Waukon City Council meeting in the Standard Newspaper of Wednesday April 22, 2015 I saw where Bruce Torkelson and Steve Pladsen expressed their disappointment that the City Council decided to purchase two new vehicles from Brown’s Sales and Service in Elkader. Our Mayor Loren Beneke said the Council had not done much study before approving the purchase (shame on the Council and the mayor). Then the Mayor threw Police Chief Phil Young under the bus by saying they followed the recommendation of the Chief. The Chief was not at the meeting. The Mayor and the City Council members are the elected people. They are the ones who should take the blame not the Chief.

Steve Paul
Waukon

To the Editor:
I wasn’t going to write any more of my opinions, as I’m supposed to be nice or it doesn’t get printed. But it’s OK for Mr. Engle and Mr. Schilling to write many very one-sided remarks degrading our local Representative from this district and President Obama. It appears Mr. Engle turns out to still be unhappy with the election results and I never saw in any print in 12 years in The Standard by Mr. Schilling about the invasion and 12-year Iraq war, the loss of innocent lives and the use of torture, according to the laws of the Geneva Convention. I believe both men should read the laws of the Geneva Convention.
Oh, I know all about elected officials and am reminded of the fact that they leave themselves open for negative remarks. I believe Waukon’s City Council is also elected by the citizens. And I was wondering about the City Council and Waukon Economic Development - who’s running who or who’s in charge?

by State Representative Patti Ruff

by State Senator Mike Breitbach

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus