Letters 11/3/05

Nov. 2, 2005

Howl of the Wolf
Re: The Wolf Man of Brethren.
I hope you continue to follow up on this story. “Wolf” was a different type of person, but from what I could tell the two times that I had conversations with him, he was a decent man. I know the pissing contest between him and police, DNR, local authorities and others had gone on for a long time but he did not deserve to die for it. The authorities obviously escalated this into something it did not need to become.
“Wolf” appeared to be standoffish both times I met him. However, once you started talking to him, he would open up and was quite friendly and conversational. I could also tell that he had a big heart with great love for his animals. So what if I and others thought the way he was living was a bit strange, this is America isn’t it?
I hope the whole truth eventually comes out about this tragic event and I hope this paper will see to it.

Kenneth Riopelle • New Boston

(Look for more of Anne Stanton‘s
stories on the death of John Patrick Sutherland in upcoming issues. -- ed.)

No reason to kill
I am sending you this email in regards to that article in the October 13 Northern Express (“The Wolf Man of Brethren“). I was literally appalled by what that Brenda Wiggins had to say. To me (and to others I have talked with) she contradicted herself on things she said. First, she talked about John Sutherland going to her parent‘s home and her going over to his home, about him mending her dog‘s paw, and then she states she feared for herself, her children,and her dogs. If she was so worried about John, why didn‘t she take her dog to a veterinarian and have the work done and pay for it? Also, she stated that she was in fear of those wolves, yet she also said that she went into their pen and petted them!
To me, John took better care of those wolves than most people around Brethren take care of their families. I know for a fact that there was a woman that used to live by him that let her child lay next to those wolves and they didn’t do anything to that child.
Why, in god’s name, did it take an estimated 30 officers to go to John’s home? Why was the SWAT team called in? Why couldn‘t those officers wait until John’s friend arrived, so that he could talk with John?
John WAS going to give his gun to his friend, but to no one else.
We live roughly three miles from where this all took place, and when the shooting went down, all we heard were numerous shots all at once... NOT one shot and then a bunch after that, like it was reported. Had John shot first, we would of heard one shot, followed by numerous ones from the police, but that’s not what we heard.
I also noticed that hardly any paper has said nice things about John and his wolves. Grant you, he was protective of his wolves -- it’s no different than people being protective of their children. People who knew John and understood him know that he gave his life for those wolves that he dearly loved, and that’s a shame. There was no reason for those officers to kill him.

Roberta J. Gabriel • Brethren

More local music please
I see that the Express is changing. I’m sure this was inevitable but I am sad that you are not writing much about local bands any longer. I loved reading this section the best. It is a shame that we have some extremely talented bands in the area that deserve some recognition.
A band called SMYT is a great example. Volunteering their time playing numerous hurricane relief concerts, going to local schools and offering community support through music, being featured twice on the 95.5 the Zone, 97.5 KLT and becoming a favorite at Streeters. I think you should def look into adding an article to your newspaper about these GREAT guys as they are really a great asset to the community.
Thanks for listening to a fan of the
Express.

Jacquelyn Abeyta • Grand Valley State University Northern Michigan Regional Center

(Ouch, that hurt. Possibly you missed our recent articles on Mariam Pico, The Red Barn Allstars, and the musicians playing Petoskey‘s open mic scene. Look for upcoming stories on Anthallo, the Swiss Girls, Zillion, the 11Eleven show and a roundup review of local CDs. Of note, the Express has been in contact with SMYT, planning a story timed for the release of their next CD. Rest assured, covering local music is very important to us. -- ed.)

Pitch for 7% sales tax
Congratulations to Sen. McManus and Rep. Booher on the creation of a rural retention tax credit. This legislation allows the Hayes Lemmerz facility in Cadillac, a worldwide supplier of auto parts, to stay in operation, saving 400 jobs that otherwise would have left the state. This tax credit helps make the facility “an affordable asset where manufacturing can continue.”
A good start! As you proved, reducing taxes can create and retain jobs. Now do something for the rest of the state, pass the “FairTax“ for Michigan (www.fairtaxmi.org ). The FairTax, eliminates the Single Business Tax, business-to-business sales tax and personal income tax. It‘s replaced by a 7% retail sales tax expanded to include services.
When a good or service is purchased the cost of business taxes, rent, supplies, utilities, etc. are built into the price of the item. This “hidden“ tax is paid by whomever purchased the good or service. While revenue-neutral for the State, the elimination of the “hidden“ tax will allow Michigan businesses to sell their products at lower prices while maintaining profit margins. Michigan will become more attractive for businesses to stay, locate, and expand as you have proved. Keep up the good work, look at www.fairtaxmi.org

A. Russell Schindler • TC

2,000 dead
2,000 U.S. humans are dead. Fifty times that many Iraqi humans are dead. Three hundred times that many humans are partially dead. One million times that many have been affected by the most vile, barbarous act of inhumanity ever conceived.
War is about numbers. The small number of humans who have much to gain by war. The large number affected. The small number who sit home and rally the large number to send their kids to die physically or mentally. The financial numbers so huge that millions aren’t accounted for, and millions more are paid in bonuses.
I’m a Vietnam infantry veteran who has taken the time to peal away the onion of war. Strip off the uniforms, strip off the flags, strip off the nationalities, strip off the slogans, strip off the titles. War is, at best, the failure of leaders to solve problems. At worst, war is a massive money generating machine with no regard for life. It‘s all in the numbers.

Arnold Stieber • Grass Lake

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