OpinionSeptember 26, 1997
SPEAKOUT
I'M THE parent of an athlete who attends Scott City High School. I'm very displeased and disappointed in some of the policies that were passed recently that concern the athletes. It's very upsetting that as parents we elect these officials to keep the best interests of all the students, and instead only a few chosen students seem to matter. As a parent, I urge others to call the board and the school administration to let them know this kind of behavior is unacceptable on their parts...
Upset over Scott City athletic policies
I'M THE parent of an athlete who attends Scott City High School. I'm very displeased and disappointed in some of the policies that were passed recently that concern the athletes. It's very upsetting that as parents we elect these officials to keep the best interests of all the students, and instead only a few chosen students seem to matter. As a parent, I urge others to call the board and the school administration to let them know this kind of behavior is unacceptable on their parts.
Trying to do something for the poor
THIS ERA we're in is a disgraceful era. The richest country in the world, and this is the biggest gap we've had between the poor and the rich since 1926. There are millions of people going without food and shelter. That is a disgrace. I am not on welfare. I'm on a fixed income, but I'm going to put my money where my mouth is. I have about an acre of land. I'm going to raise vegetables and try to see that the poor get what I don't need. I'll at least try to do my part to feed the hungry. I wish I could do more to speak for the medical care we need. We need a national health-care bill.
Report about good youths is appreciated
MANY THANKS to the Southeast Missourian for the front-page coverage of the "See you at the pole" gatherings at the schools. It's too bad the TV stations spend their time glorifying kids who have messed up their lives or showing ones with weird colored hair or goofy hair cuts. No wonder the kids who try to do well and obey the rules get frustrated.
When will God's patience expire?
MY COMPLIMENT is hereby extended to Dr. John R. Schoenberger for his recent letter on the Opinion page on partial birth abortions. He called it what it is, an atrocity. Synonyms for atrocity are inhumanity and wickedness. The letter was a scathing commentary on Gov. Mel Carnahan's veto of the new state law to outlaw this heinous thing. In the same issue, John Dannenmueller of Scott City hit the same note on the same subject. The whole thing is nauseating. When does God's patience expire bringing with it retribution?
Don't judge handicapped by their looks
THIS IS to the individual who called in about normal people parking in handicap parking spots. Well, there's an old saying that goes, "Never judge a book by it's cover." Never assume you are so intelligent that you know what is going on in the inside of a person that you can judge whether or not they are handicapped. Think about it.
Politicians aren't normal either
MISSOURI ATTORNEY General Jay Nixon was recently quoted in the Southeast Missourian as saying those on death row are not normal. I am willing concede the point but will in no way back off my contention that neither are elected politicians like Nixon.
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Grades more important than hair length
WHAT KIND of school would suspend a boy making good grades over a haircut? It takes a while to grow hair. It's a fad with young kids. As long as they make good grades, that's more important than haircuts. Those teachers need to realize what is important in life, hair or education. I'm a 74-year-old grandmother. I've seen it all.
Is this road work really progress?
THIS CALL is in regards to the road construction along Silver Springs Road. All summer long we've put up with excavating, dirt flying and that horrible beep-beep-beep noise as well as having to drive six extra miles to get to work. Just when we thought it was all over and we could relax under the shade trees, here they are back, cutting, sawing, chopping down beautiful 100-year-old trees, one pecan tree that the neighborhood squirrels live on. I ask you, is that progress?
Examples of need for the death penalty
OPPONENTS of capital punishment say it's no deterrent to crime. I don't know the statistics whether it is or isn't, but some people are so bad and evil they don't deserve to live or our support to keep them up for medical expenses and all. I was a guard at a penitentiary for the Illinois corrections system for 15 years, and I can name you three definite instances that there were murderers who did not get the death penalty and then killed correctional officers and killed other inmates who weren't there for violent crimes. If those guys would have been executed, those guards and those inmates would still be living.
Sixth goblet is waiting for you
TO THE young gentleman who purchased six wine goblets at a yard sale on Friday, you only received five goblets. Please return for the sixth goblet. I'm sorry for my error.
Thank God for penitentiaries
TO QUOTE Richard Pryor after a week of interviewing inmates in San Quentin, "Thank God for penitentiaries."
Child is spanked in public
LET ME say first that I agree with all of you people who are going to call in and say I could have called the police, but I didn't. So I'm calling Speak Out instead, even though the people concerned probably don't read newspapers, let alone Speak Out. But the rest of you do, and you all are going to know what I mean. Recently, at a store in Cape there was woman, a man and a little girl crying, not too loudly or not disturbingly so, but being smacked around and told to hush it up repeatedly by whom I guess was her mother. This little girl was tired. She needed to go home. She probably needed a nap. They'd probably been dragging her around all day, but let's not speculate. I stopped and looked. The man saw me. He was fatally embarrassed. He didn't know who I was. I could have been the mayor's wife, child protective services, a cop, a lawyer -- he didn't know. He's concerned about his wife. He says something to her. She looks over at me and she says, "This ain't none of your business." And I said, "None of my business? I could make it my business." I gave her a drop-dead look and walked off. That wasn't enough. I agree with you. And I'm not happy about it, but it was something. If you want to spank somebody in private, that's one thing. Don't beat on your kids in public. It was a sorry scene, and I'm sorry I saw it, and I'm sorry I have to call in about it. But they know who they are. And if they read this, they'll recognize it. I just want you to know I've got your number.
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