Stutzman supporting further disenfranchisement
I just received a newsletter from Congressman Marlin Stutzman. It begins with a sentence which, if not an error in spelling (spelling Republicans D-E-M-O-C-R-A-T-S) is a lie or proof of dementia.
I quote: “For far too long, Democrats have shown they are willing to use every tool at their disposal to gain and maintain power, one of which is lopsided redistricting.”
This statement is absolutely true if the word “Republicans” replaces “Democrats.”
Let’s check the facts: The GOP holds seven of nine congressional seats (78% to 22%). In the 2024 election, the GOP received 58% of the vote while Democrats received 40%. Yet Stutzman would like to redistrict our state to give Donald Trump one or possibly two more seats in the House. This would result in the GOP having 89% to 100%, leaving 3 million Democratic Hoosiers without representation.
The state legislature is no better with 71% GOP in the House and 80% in the Senate.
I’m sure Stutzman would like all this to be a fair process. He is probably working on a bill to have bipartisan redistricting committees in all 50 states. Or, more likely, just keep lying to his constituents.
Terry Kelly
Fort Wayne
US must step up to end Gaza genocide
The world’s leading experts have spoken. The International Association of Genocide Scholars has formally concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the definition of genocide. Professor William Schabas, a foremost authority on the Genocide Convention and himself the child of Holocaust survivors, has said there is “a very strong case” that genocide is underway.
The International Court of Justice has issued repeated emergency orders, recognizing a plausible risk of genocide and directing states to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. Holocaust survivors have pleaded with the world to act, warning that “never again” must mean never again for anyone.
This is not a distant tragedy; it is one our tax dollars are funding. The United States supplies weapons and political cover while entire families are starved and destroyed. That makes our government complicit.
Indiana’s leaders, and indeed all Americans, must demand an end to this. A permanent cease-fire, suspension of arms transfers and full humanitarian relief are not optional — they are our moral and legal duty.
Brian K. Garrison
Hudson
Christ’s love commands embracing refugees
I am deeply committed to following Jesus Christ’s teachings, and I feel compelled to respond to Virginia Reiter’s Aug. 7 letter regarding immigration enforcement.
Jesus himself was a refugee. Throughout his ministry, Jesus consistently welcomed the stranger, fed the hungry and showed particular concern for the marginalized. In Matthew 25, he tells us that how we treat the stranger among us is how we treat Christ himself.
The Hebrew Scriptures repeatedly command God’s people to welcome the foreigner: “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt” (Leviticus 19:33-34).
Many of those seeking refuge in our nation are fleeing violence, poverty and persecution — conditions that would drive any parent to risk everything for their children’s safety. These are not “criminals” in any moral sense, but human beings made in God’s image, deserving of dignity and compassion.
Rather than reporting our neighbors for deportation, we are called to show mercy to those in need. The early Christians were not known for turning people in to authorities, but for their radical hospitality and care for the vulnerable.
I pray we might see this moment as an opportunity to embody Christ’s love rather than fear, to build bridges rather than walls, and to remember that we are all sojourners in need of grace.
The Rev. Kate Penney Howard
Columbia City
Co-pastor, Peace United Church of Christ
Because of a reporting error, a Sept. 13 editorial misstated the approval process for a housing amendments ordinance. City Council gave final approval on Sept. 9.