RIP Verna

Richmond Indiana’s most prolific letter to the editor writer has passed away. Let me be clear. I agreed with pretty much nothing she ever wrote. However, she was a fundamental, albeit minor, thread in the fabric of my childhood. I grew up in Richmond where I read the Palladium-Item every day. Every month you could expect something from Ms. Cohee to appear. Usually something that made me argue aloud to the paper. Eventually, I went away to college and didn’t read the Pal-Item any more. But, along came the Internet. And, after awhile, even the Palladium-Item became available online. Lo and behold, Verna was still writing. And I still found myself arguing aloud at her letters. I even went so far as to keep a “Cohee file” when I ran across her various letters.

The Palladium-Item article linked above mentions that her last regular letter arrived in August 2005 and that she passed away last Saturday at the age of 91. Like I said, I didn’t agree with much of anything she ever wrote. In fact, I was horrified by a lot of it. But, I have no doubt she was sincere. And, whenever a part of my childhood fades away, I can’t help but be a little sad. Rest in peace, Verna.

Below the fold, some of the entries from my “Cohee file.”

Tuesday, June 18, 2002

Political leaders have turned their backs on God

For the Ten Commandments to stay where they belong is breaking the law of the Supreme Court? Pardon me! The Supreme Court is breaking the law of God. His law was first. He ruled the Supreme Court. They are in error. They invoke, “God save this honorable court!” What’s honorable about a court that tells God, “You have no say in our court.”

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked (ACLU, NAACP) to overthrow the judgment of the righteous in judgment. Proverbs 5:18.

Yes, they have chosen their own ways and delight in their abominations. Isaiah 66:8.

The decline of the white race began years ago when the Democrat controlled government led by Ted Kennedy put restrictions on white European immigrants that were not applied to people of color. Why? To get their votes.

They all promise, with hand on the Bible, to defend and protect America against enemies both foreign and domestic. Isn’t it about time they got started?

Colin Powell said years ago he was going to change the Republican party. The Republicans have gone the way of the Democrat. They have not kept the faith of their own party.

Upholding Clinton in his law-breaking sinful ways may have led up to the bombing of the towers. He cut our home protection forces to the bone while giving us the highest tax rate in history.

Jefford’s switch to the Democrats’ side may have been because the Republicans didn’t take the opportunity given them by the almighty.

The government plus too many Americans have forgotten the most important fathers of all! Our heavenly Father and the father of our country. America is like a ship without a rudder.

Verna Cohee, Richmond

Tuesday, July 9, 2002

Court incident is really much ado about nothing

Re: Judge Hoelscher: Was she snoring, causing laughter? Disrupting the court? Disrespectful to the judge?

I thought there’s more to it than meets the eye. A sleepy driver is as dangerous as a drunk driver. If she were that sleepy, why didn’t she stay in the car? Perhaps she shouldn’t have been there at all.

If you feel Judge Hoelscher unreasonable, read on. I receive such as the following story all the time by unreasonable, thoughtless, liberal-biased judges.

This account was sent to me by a heartbroken mother.

Her daughter has been a policewoman for many years. She and her partner were sent to a burglary. Two men were on the roof. They were ordered to come down.

They put their hands up against the building as ordered. All of a sudden, they began to converse in Spanish, which neither officer understood. One suspect broke away running.

She turned her police dog loose. He caught the man by the leg. The man was taken to the hospital, treated and released, then both were taken in custody.

At the trial, she was ruled only doing her duty and released.

Then several civil rights groups filed charges claiming their civil rights had been violated. This liberal judge sentenced her to prison.
She has a two-year-old son.

Where were her civil rights? She and her dog were only doing what they were trained to do.

Turns out these men had been arrested for selling cocaine. Worse yet, these criminals are illegal aliens. Non-citizens!

Judges such as this one rule in favor of these kind of criminals all over the country because people who we didn’t elect to office are calling the shots and liberal judges are permitting them to do it: the ACLU and NAACP!

The Hoelscher case is much ado about nothing. And that’s my 2 cents worth.

Verna Cohee, Richmond

Tuesday, May 6, 2003

Protests are an affront to our founding fathers

If it weren’t for wars being fought and won by loyal, courageous, brave Americans, these protesters wouldn’t be free and “snug as a bug in a rug” while the brave face danger without protection and comforts of home. They should at least show gratitude for their freedom by not giving aid and comfort to the enemy. In bygone days that was a crime -treason, as it was a crime to desecrate the flag or incite to riot.

Some in Iraq are doing the same thing. Screaming “Americans go home!” “This is Muslim country!” after their American-won freedom. How ungrateful can one get? Imagine if Japan or Germany had won World War II. Think about it. English wouldn’t be our national language.

America was founded a nation under God on His principles. Now our children are being taught about other religions but not that of the Bible. This is an affront to God and our founders. Shots are called by atheists (ACLU) who put them above our elected government. Our founder lost his day of honor to a man who had nothing to do with founding, it was much before his time.

Now, one of two of our most sacred holidays (Easter) was ignored by some, including the Palladium-Item. News of Easter has always graced the front page but it got no notice this year. What’s going on? Have we really lost it?

This is certainly not the way God and our founders meant it to be. Our culture is being trampled under foot while others are celebrated. What are our boys fighting and dying for? Children not being taught their country’s history and culture – what kind of defenders will they be? America will always need defending. God save America. Bless our troops.

Verna Cohee, Richmond

Opinion – Wednesday, July 2, 2003

Some thoughts on recent stories:

Much has been done to try to find the missing black woman (Niqui McCown). She’s on my prayer list with the prayer she will be found unharmed.

We know the heartache of not knowing what happened to a loved one. My beloved only brother in 1985 and my little sister in 2002 were both found dead in their own homes. And no one seemed to care. Not the authorities or the public, only friends and family. That hurts too.

Dr. Antonio Paraiso has been on my list ever since I learned of his illness. What a thrill it was to read his story! May God grant him a return visit.

Herschel Gulley was right. He put it all together – what I’ve been writing in the bits permitted me for years. Wake up, Americans! We’re losing everything we hold dear by the loss of our Christian principles.

ACLU has been permitted to kick God out; the NAACP, our founders and history. Our children’s heritage! Who will they know as our founders and what God will they worship?

Democrats want George W. Bush investigated. His credibility is doubted. No weapons of mass destruction. How did Saddam kill the masses that are being dug up? He had ample time to take his weapons and self to another country with the delays in the invasion.

Bush is trying to prevent another sneak attack. Clinton lied under oath. Cut our defense and funds for war on drugs. Deep silence.

We have mass destruction of life right here (abortion). Americans travel to China to adopt 5,000 babies a year. China hates America and those babies grow up. America was never meant to be multicultural. Now Muslims are crying “their rights” are being violated! America is being destroyed as surely as if by weapons of war.

Verna Cohee, Richmond

Opinion – Monday, September 1, 2003
New Americans taking over from those of history

Much of what I write is from observation or experience. I draw on memory or history as written by those who lived it (and the Bible), also parents and grandparents who grew up in yesteryear. American history began with the founding of America. History cannot be rewritten. Not one second of what happens today can be changed tomorrow.

Colin Powell stated young blacks commit crimes because of slavery. All they know of slavery is what they have been taught. Slavery didn’t begin in White America. (It did end long ago.) Never mentioned are the white and other slaves.

No one “owes” anybody anything! Life is what you make it. All one hears by some is “racism.” What’s that? Discrimination has no face.

We never heard the words “racism” or “sex” in our school. We were taught the Ten Commandments and to respect all people. To honor God, our founders and to obey parents and teachers. Ancient history is just that. My interest is in the “now.”

Our white founders came to found a “new and different country.” They were from many different countries. However, they became Americans. “One for all and all for one!” Americans born and bred – this is our country! Our only country.

Not long ago we were reading “the browning of America.” “Soon there will be no blue-eyed blond Americans!” Others – “come help us take back our country!”

They send our males to defend countries from a takeover by others while permitting others to take over their homeland (uncontrolled immigration).

Verna Cohee, Richmond

Originally published Monday, September 8, 2003
Founders made trails that others used to come in

Hey, aren’t we all given the right to free speech in America? There are those that try to deny that right to anyone they don’t agree with. There’s a word for that — communism.

There were no American Indians before our white founders came and made this land America. There is a difference in founding and building. Yes, others became Americans and helped to build. (Not like today.)

Our white founders blazed the trail in the wilderness that others were later to come in on. Many lives were lost on both sides. Whites paid an awful price for the land and the freedoms you now enjoy.

Just imagine if it were possible to return this land back to the Indians just as it was before becoming America. What would you have to give up, eh? Think on it! A lot of white blood was shed to free the slaves including my great-grandfather. When freed they had the option to return to Africa. Many did not. Which would you choose?

Columbus is so honored because he discovered the land which was to become America. However he died without knowing what he had discovered. God bless Columbus.

To the ungrateful among us — where might you be but for these? Wake up, Americans. Hitler was ignored until it was too late.

Letters of late show a need for the return of American history to return to its “roots” and the classroom. American children are being kept from learning about the brave, godly men that gave them this wonderful country in which they live. When respect and honor were given to God and our founders, America was a very different place to live. God so richly blessed our nation and people.

Verna Cohee, Richmond

Originally published May 26, 2004 Democrat candidate is Clinton clone

John Kerry is a Clinton clone! He lies and steals Republican ideas. He proposes things that are already in place by Bush. He now proposes things he voted against in the Senate. Why didn’t he propose some of these ideas in his 20 Senate years?

He accuses Bush of things he himself could not have prevented. Bush has experience to get the job done. Kerry does not. All he talks is plans.

Clinton and Kerry both have supported our enemies in time of war. Keep a real patriot in office. Vote Bush.

Verna Cohee, Richmond