°®¶¹app churches urge clemency for Corcoran
Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren and Plymouth Congregational Church request Gov. Eric Holcomb grant clemency for Joseph Corcoran, scheduled to be executed by the state on Dec. 18. Our faith teaches us to value every human life as sacred and to seek justice with mercy. Guided by these beliefs, we ask he grant clemency to Corcoran.
We do not condone or downplay the tragic crime committed by Corcoran, which profoundly impacted our community. The loss of life caused immense pain for the families of the victims, as well as sorrow among neighbors and residents in our community who continue to feel its impact 27 years later. As violent crime continues to shake our well-being, the public attention to yet another killing °®¶¹app“ a scheduled, hugely premeditated killing °®¶¹app“ adds to the violence and cruelty in our society. In fact, the death penalty is not a deterrent, and states with the death penalty have higher murder rates than states without the death penalty. Killing people who kill people does not demonstrate that killing people is wrong.
As Christians, we are called to speak out and defend the poor and vulnerable. The severely mentally ill are one such vulnerable and stigmatized population. It would be unChristian of us to prioritize judgment over mercy, especially for someone like Corcoran who has suffered from paranoid schizophrenia since adolescence and well into his adult life.
We want Holcomb°®¶¹app™s legacy to be life-giving °®¶¹app“ grant clemency, we pray.
Anna Lisa Gross
Fort Wayne
Gambling pitches deserve strong opposition
As a mother and grandmother, I°®¶¹app™m deeply troubled by proposals the Indiana legislature is considering to expand gambling in our local community by allowing video gaming terminals and e-pull tabs in places such as bars, restaurants and truck stops.
These machines, which are basically slot machines, would bring a casino-style gambling environment into everyday spaces where families gather. I don°®¶¹app™t want my grandchildren °®¶¹app“ or any children in Indiana °®¶¹app“ growing up in an environment where gambling is everywhere they turn.
These venues won°®¶¹app™t have the safeguards to prevent underage gambling or support individuals facing addiction, which would lead to more families experiencing financial hardship and emotional strain. This is a risk that would lead to further decay in our communities.
Let°®¶¹app™s keep Indiana a place that values strong families and healthy communities over risky policies. For the sake of our children, grandchildren and neighborhoods, I urge Rep. Chris Judy and all of our legislators to stand against these proposals.
Linda Zimmerman
Columbia City
Responsible drinking as easy as ABC
A festive holiday cocktail can help make the season merry and bright, but only if consumed responsibly. Whether you°®¶¹app™re enjoying an Irish coffee after caroling through your neighborhood or enjoying a glass of poinsettia punch at the office party, it°®¶¹app™s important to remember the ABCs. A: Alcohol is alcohol; B: Be mindful of alcohol content; C: Consume in moderation.
For more than 30 years, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines have defined moderate drinking as up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men, based on decades of scientific research.
Beer, wine and spirits come in a range in alcohol contents and container sizes, so it’s important to know the alcohol by volume. An easy tool to determine how many drinks are in a container is the drink calculator at .
Here°®¶¹app™s to the holidays. Stay safe, drink responsibility and let°®¶¹app™s make it one to remember!
Kathleen Zelman
Adviser, Distilled Spirits Council
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Continuing an annual tradition, °®¶¹app asks for your thoughts on events you’d like to see happen in 2025. A representative selection will be chosen for our Jan. 1, 2025 edition. Send your submissions to letters@jg.net.
