Speak Out A 12/22/02

Advice for dump trucks

SOMEONE NEEDS to tell the dump truck company that operates on Highway U all day long to slow down and stay on your side of the road. I hate traveling on Highway U now.

Double standard

I CANNOT believe the media feeding frenzy over the Trent Lott issue. You never hear anything about prominent Democratic senators who were once members of the KKK. Nor does the media pounce all over a Democratic senator when he uses the "n" word in an interview on national television. The double standard displayed by the national media is so blatant that it would be funny if it were not for the many tragic consequences caused by their lopsided presentation.

Need to know

I HAVE a good idea for people who do not want their names in the police reports: Don't break the law. The reason these names are published is so you know if the guy that drives carpool with your kids has a DUI or if your neighbor is selling meth out of their house. They are not guilty until proven so in a court of law, but at the same time you want to know. That's what a public newspaper is all about.

Same treatment

TO THE caller who claimed that Bill Clinton's apology was accepted, so they should have accepted Trent Lott's: Lott repeated pro-segregation remarks that he made in the 1980s. While he has been successful in bringing pork-barrel jobs to Mississippi, his legislative record is abysmal with regard to minority rights. Because of a lie about marital fidelity, Clinton was impeached. After he left office, there were vicious lies claiming that the Clintons stole from the White House. I think Lott deserved exactly the same sort of treatment for his racist remarks and actions.

Distasteful coverage

THE MEDIA gets carried away again. In the article about the man who was killed by being thrown from his truck after being hit by a dump truck because of the low visibility on a foggy day, I believe it was very distasteful to include Coroner Mike Hurst's comments about what the man's condition could have been if he had been wearing a seat belt.

Hairdresser etiquette

THE NEXT time you visit your hairdresser, take into consideration that we are licensed professionals. We work in a small space. If customers would sit in the waiting areas while a family member or friend is receiving a service, it would be most appreciated. The shears we use are extremely sharp. Because of this, we do not need anyone close by. Also, we are not able to watch your children while you run an errand.

Not fooling anyone

It is hard for me to take those who spout their personal relationship with God and profess how good they are and yet are so full of hate and bitterness. Whom are they trying to fool? Themselves? Certainly not God and the rest of us who have to be near them.

Chipping at freedoms

One of these days we're all going to wake up and find ourselves living in a police state. President Bush and Attorney General Ashcroft are chipping away at our freedom little by little. Bush is also increasing the government by more than anyone since FDR. How can these people call themselves Republicans?

Don't abuse grades

I am a student at Jackson High School. I am appalled at how some students of low ranking are treated by teachers. I feel that if a teacher despises a student, she should tell that student face to face and not take it out on his grade.

Hoping for survival

Isn't it interesting what we're not talking about right because of "the war"? How about 6 percent unemployment, Enron, WorldCom, corporate scandals, rising homelessness, lack of health care and huge cuts for everyone except the rich. Is this accidental? It's going to be an interesting two years. I hope we survive it.

Members are bosses

I'VE BEEN a union member for 51 years. I take umbrage at Peter Kinder's references to union bosses. Members are the union bosses. We elect the officials of the union.

Park activities

I LIVE close to Cherokee Park. Disgusting activities have gone on there over the years. I wouldn't send my kid to this park unsupervised. Changing the name may give it a new image, but putting offenders in jail would do more good.