Speak Out 10/21/08

A nice bike ride

PLEASE DO not call the Tour de Cape bicycle ride a race. It is not a race. It is an enjoyable ride or tour at any pace one chooses to go. There is no competition. To suggest that by calling it a race will keep some people from joining, and they will miss out on a nice ride.

Teaching the test

I UNDERSTAND that school districts have to meet requirements for No Child Left Behind, but the elementary building that my child goes to in Jackson seems to only care about test scores. All the students do is take tests to prepare for the big MAP test in the spring. The teachers don't do anything fun anymore. I know it isn't like this everywhere. The teachers are doing the best they can. Come on, administrators. Let the teachers have some fun and teach in a way that will allow our students to enjoy learning again.

Buckle up

PARENTS: I know in today's world everyone is so busy and tired, but please take the time to buckle your children up. If you are not doing this, please ask yourself which would be easier: To buckle them up, or go to their funeral?

Misleading headline

WITH A Gallup Poll of likely voters showing McCain gains to within two points of Obama I was surprised to see a poll headline in the online Missourian saying that voters have "soured" toward McCain. Buried deep in the article is the information that more Democrats were polled by a 3-to-2 margin. This built-in advantage that is present in many polls creates a predictable outcome and allows biased papers to run headlines designed to suppress Republican voting and encourage Democrats. I was disappointed to see it in the Southeast Missourian.