Letters: Trump doesn't deserve credit Varvel gave him

I believe in optimism, in positive reports, in good outcomes. Gary Varvel's piece positing President Trump's successes was all of that. Sadly, though, it seems to express that Trump's mere existence caused great things. Several items listed by Varvel are certainly true in that regard: they did occur. But there is very little cause by the Trump administration that can be admired for them.

I am disappointed with Christian evangelicals. They simply cannot be both Christian and supporters of this president who has, in no uncertain terms, expressed his desire to violate women. His life, his actions, his voice, his style, and tweets indicate that he has no Christ-like views. 

Why are the media so "mean" to Trump? Look at those things that Trump has said of the media. Whatever is convenient for this president's ego is the only thing that is not fake to him.

Verl Wisehart

Stilesville

Thank you to police for visiting children

I want to give a big shout out to all of the law enforcement agencies who visited the Child Life Zone at Riley Hospital on Dec. 21. My son and I happened to be at "The Zone" during the time they were visiting. It warmed my heart to watch these grown officers sitting on the floor playing with the little kids, learning how to play a video game from a child, or playing pool or air hockey with the older ones. I overheard several officers commenting about how much they enjoyed being there. There were smiles all around, both adult and kids. Thank you for bringing a little joy and normalcy to the lives of these children!

Lynn Smith

Rolling Prairie

University fights tax reform but raises student tuition

On Dec 7, graduate students at IUPUI received a letter from Dean James Wimbush, expressing concern over the proposed taxation of tuition waivers for certain graduate students. He stated, …"all of us understand and strongly empathize with the uncertainty and concern you face about your finances." 

It’s difficult to believe this empathy is genuine when my tuition rose one-third between the fall and spring semester this year. For the same course load, my costs to attend IUPUI have risen 55% in the past two years. 

The taxation of waivers was eventually excluded from the tax bill, but I doubt if my tuition and fees will decrease.

Rosemarie Miller

Indianapolis

A day for celebration, inclusion

As you scroll through social media you discover a friend has posted pictures of a recent party. The healthy response is: 

“Good for her!” 

However, the response more often is: 

“Why wasn’t I invited? What’s wrong with me?”

It is so easy to shift from being happy for someone else to becoming insecure about yourself. Being left out of the party seems like evidence that you are the sort of person who can be overlooked, unwanted or unlikeable. 

In Luke 2, Caesar required everyone to travel back to their hometowns for a census. Bethlehem must have felt like a family reunion, high school reunion, and town festival all rolled into one. It was one giant party!

But not everyone was invited. Joseph and Mary had to make do for the night in an animal pen. The shepherds were stuck working third shift. These folks could hear the party. They just weren’t invited. Do you think they felt passed over, forgotten, or counted as unimportant?

Remember where Jesus appeared that night. He didn’t crash the party. He appeared in the stable. The angels didn't go to the party either but to the shepherds in the fields. Throughout his life, Jesus had a way of appearing with those who were left out, unconnected, and unaccomplished. 

God begins the party with those on the margins. The truth is all people are on the margins in one way or another. God invites everyone all the same. No one is left out. 

In this hyper-connected world others may appear to be smarter, wealthier, better connected, or more successful than you. Or it can seem like everyone is intentionally ignoring, overlooking, or putting up with you. These insecurities are almost always a lie--bigger, badder, and gloomier than reality. And they are common to virtually all people. 

God sees you, knows you, and loves you. He invites you to the party. May this Christmas find you capable of greater trust in the truth that you are dearly loved by God. May you experience more fully his love for you in the coming new year.

Nate Patterson

Mooresville