Speak Out 9/17/06

Teaching basics

TEACHERS AT Jefferson and Blanchard elementary schools are there for one reason. They love to teach and want to reach the students. It is not as if teachers go into the profession for the money. Unfortunately, the state tests make it impossible to teach the basics. If a teacher concentrates on the basics, which make sense for students to build upon, students have no chance of passing the state test. Important basic skills get lost in the process. If people would come into the schools to observe and lend a hand, they would have a better idea of what is going on.

Asking questions

I VOTED for the county sales tax that passed and was supposed to eliminate the road property tax. I assumed that I would be treated fairly, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. When the county commissioners put that carrot in front of your nose, we should have asked a lot of questions.

Opening our eyes

STEVE IRWIN, the Crocodile Hunter, was a great conservationist. If he hadn't taken all the risks he did, we may not have known how important some of these animals are. He taught us to respect animals in the wild. I believe he was put here to open our eyes to a world that we were afraid of. To Steve Irwin, thank you for all that you have done. We will miss you.

Second language

IT'S A mystery. Why are business and many elected officials in such a hurry to convert our country to a Spanish-speaking nation? "Press one ... ." Well, you know the drill.

Religious evil

I REALLY believe that most of the evil in the world is because of religion. It has been going on forever. Even in our community church-going folks cannot get along. They argue all the time. They split up, start another church and then split up again. Look in the church directory at all the churches. Most are spin-offs.

Distorting the facts

I AM a Roman Catholic, and I support Missouri's Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, Amendment 2. What I do not support is Notre Dame Regional High School allowing speakers into our great school who have distorted the facts surrounding this very promising research.

More misconception

ROBERT A. Hrabik's letter was eloquent. It touched on nearly everything that was said at the Christians Against Human Cloning rally. However, he continues the misconception that somatic cell transfer is not human cloning. What is being created when you discard the nucleus from one human cell and replace it with someone else's, thereby creating a new cell with the genetic material of one person only? If it isn't human, won't our bodies' immune systems attack it when it is re-engineered and put into our bodies? Do we want something inhuman injected into our bodies? Hrabik should look to the more immediate future using adult stem cells taken from your own body for your recovery. At least 26 people have begun their recovery using their own cells.

Living expenses

I AM a teacher. I bring home approximately $19,000 a year after insurance, taxes and retirement -- $19,000 to raise a family of three. Yes, I'm in it for the money.

Only variable

SOMEONE ASKED, "Why do we still see the same teachers, the same principals schools with low test scores?" It is because there are students who are doing well on the MAP tests. If two students are exposed in the same learning environment, same lessons and same assessments, then the only variable is the child. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't force it to drink.

Still opposed

WHOEVER SAID "If these opponents to stem-cell research had family members who were sick and could benefit from stem cells obtained without cloning and without destroying life, they would have a different swing on the whole deal" needs to under stand that there are some of us who do have ailments that could benefit from stem-cell research who are against it. We don't care if it does or doesn't deal with abortion. It is the death of a creation of God. We may bring them to life in our bodies as women, but God made the eggs and sperm. As soon as they meet they are alive. No life should be cut short for scientific testing. I believe that I have been given my disease for a reason. Don't kill possible children.

Smoking vote

WHEN THE proposed cigarette tax goes on the ballot in November, I hope smokers go vote to send a message to these self-righteous people who are trying to take away some little enjoyment that us smokers have in life.

Try a generator

I'M WATCHING TV about the battery-powered cars that only run so long. It looks like automakers would come up with a generator for battery-powered cars. You've got wheels turning that would keep the battery charged as you drive.

Amendment hype

ALL THE hype for possible stem-cell cures is promoting exploitation of women and the harvesting of eggs for experiments. The list of treatments from stem cells ethically obtained from adults is at 72 and growing. Destructive embryonic stem-cell research is yet to produce a single medically advantageous application, yet embryonic stem-cell proponents want taxpayer funding for the destruction of human embryos with no evidence of its usefulness. Do not let us blindly follow what the ads are saying. We should all research this amendment.

Make them pay

DO NOT wait in doctors' offices. I allow 20 minutes for each appointment. If they go over that, make them reschedule you or deduct the amount you make per hour from their bill.