Delta FFA breakfast

I WANT to compliment the Delta High School FFA and its new adviser, Alisa Swindell, on their great FFA community breakfast. It was the best one held in the past 10 years. Excellent job, Delta FFA.

Earned-income credit

I WOULD like to comment on the budget problem that the United States supposedly has. One way the government could eliminate a lot of the problem is to do away with the earned-income credit. When you have people getting $4,000 and $5,000 from the IRS when they didn't pay anywhere near that in taxes, it means we're draining the money the rest of us pay.

Downtown facilities

DOWNTOWN merchants have addressed the bathroom issue. There are public facilities in the Convention and Visitors Bureau building. Restaurants also have public restrooms. During activities on the riverfront, portable toilets are provided. The problem you get into with every little shop having a bathroom is that the buildings are so old it is very complicated and expensive to put in a bathroom up to code. Such expenses could and would put many little shops out of business. When in the mall I do not ask to use the restroom in every shop. I use the main restroom. Why should downtown be different?

The powermongers

THE SITUATION at hand is this: Now is the time to wake up from our long slumber. It's time to start questioning our government and holding officials to their promises as well as calling them on their wrong-doings and the spin that seems to forever keep us confused to the point of throwing our hands up in the air and saying to heck with it. It does matter. These powermongers are constantly up to no good, and it is imperative that we know this and understand that our country -- and world -- is being taken over by them. Only we the people can stop them.

Deepest sympathy

I WANT to send my deepest sympathy to the Koehler and Smith families. These two souls were kind and friendly people and are truly going to be missed. This is a tragedy to the class of 2003. I feel for all of you as you mourn the death of not only a classmate, but a friend. I want to also wish that you do your best for the remaining of your school year.

Not mainstream values

I'M SORRY, but referring to Nora Jones winning eight Grammys as a testament to good values in mainstream America is wrong. The Grammys are voted on by a group of people who appreciate artistic music because it's the cool thing to do. That is why the Grammys get worse every year. When the MTV Video Music Awards come along in September, we'll see what mainstream America thinks. Maybe some other deserving artists like Nelly, Eminem, John Mayer and Avril Lavene will get some respect. I would also like to know where you think Nora Jones will be for the Grammys next year. I'll wager she won't be behind the podium.

Doing your duty

PEOPLE JOIN the military and reserves for the educational benefits. Our country is paying for their education. Now they are being called to do their job, and it is just too hard for them. I am going to school on the GI Bill now, but I also paid my dues by serving on active duty. I have a family now. If my country calls me to go back to the desert where I have already been, I will do so proudly not only for my country, but for my family's future as well. God bless America, this land that I love.

Self-esteem is important

ONE OF the many valuable lessons taught by the late Mister Rogers was that one needs to love oneself before being able to love others. That's why I was so distraught to read David Limbaugh's column debunking and demeaning attempts by schools to increase student self-esteem.

More than looks

I CANNOT believe anyone would use the term "fat chick." I feel sorry for any woman who dates the caller who said that. It's superficial individuals like this who cause girls to develop eating disorders because they feel they need to fit into what is considered "perfect." Physical attraction is necessary, but looks don't make the marriage.