Speak Out 11/16/02

Good movies to see

I CAN understand being upset when parents leave children unchaperoned at movies like "Red Dragon." But it's so hard for parents to know about movies that are coming out. As a parent, I know for sure that "Tuck Everlasting" is appropriate for my children. Maybe middle-school literature teachers could give bonus points if students see that movie, because it is a beautiful piece of literature and has a top-notch cast. William Hurt, Sissy Spacek and Ben Kingsley have won Academy Awards in the past and have earned the right to be in a classic movie such as this. For teenage students, maybe teachers could give bonus points for "Moonlight Mile" with Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman. It does have three times when characters use the Lord's name in vain, but again this is on the high school level. It's much better than a sexist show like "I Spy." Maybe teachers could give bonus points for teenagers who have the maturity to sit through a movie like "Moonlight Mile" and actually learn a little about how people deal with life's situations.

Lunch responsibility

I WORK for the public school system. No child receives a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for forgetting their IDs. They are told to go to the end of the line and wait while responsible kids get through the lunch line. As far as charging goes, where do we draw the line on charges? Do they realize how many children would charge? You can't go to McDonald's and charge a lunch. You can't go to Fazoli's and charge a lunch. You are allowed to charge school lunches, but after a certain amount a letter is sent home to the parents, and the child starts to receive peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. If that is neglect, I'm sorry. But that's life. Take responsibility and pay for your children's lunches.

Adultery isn't funny

SEMO UNIVERSITY has sunk to a new low putting on a play about adultery. There is nothing funny about adultery. Surely the university can do better.

Congratulations to GOP

I'D LIKE to congratulate and to thank David Barklage as head of the Missouri Senate election effort as well as state Sen. Peter Kinder on the seats added to the Republican majority. I want them to know their work does not go unnoticed.

Not good for kids

I'M READING the article in the paper about the retired cop who is trying to legalize marijuana. I wonder how this is going to keep the young people from getting drugs. This is ridiculous. Look at alcohol. It is legalized, and supposedly young people can't buy alcohol. But you hear about the parties on campus, people drinking until they kill themselves on a binge and all this kind of stuff. They act like legalization will stop drug abuse. It might control some of the trafficking for adults, but it won't have any effect on kids.

High-quality programs

NPR RADIO brings my spouse many hours of enjoyment, and it doesn't have the vulgarities that so many pop stations have these days. PBS TV is just wonderful for children. On Sunday mornings, any mother who doesn't let her children watch the "Anne of Green Gables" cartoon -- if they're not in church -- is really missing out. It's a values-oriented TV cartoon. Of course, everybody knows about "Sesame Street" and other like shows that are wonderful for PBS. Then there's the music at night. Occasionally they'll carry music that isn't opera. If you like country, they've even carried country. It's a good alternative to regular TV. And it doesn't hurt a child once in their life to be exposed to opera. Perhaps if parents were turning their kids onto the good things that PBS carries, then maybe they wouldn't want to go see garbage like "Red Dragon."

Time to take a hike

IT'S NO wonder the Republicans swamped the election. As David Limbaugh so aptly wrote of the Clinton vindictiveness, the American people have read of their spiteful comments and answered them at the polls. So, Bill and Hillary Clinton, take a hike.