Speak Out 12/29/01

Just a coincidence?

A CALLER on Lexington lamented he can't get any sleep due to rattling windows caused by loud music. He also claimed the neighborhood was going to the dogs. You're not going to believe the word-play coincidences, but the rumored title of Snoop Doggy Dogg's forthcoming CD is said to be "Rattling Windows."

Good punch line

THIS IS in response to "Unsafe driving." The comment that people are easier on girls who drive is the funniest thing I've heard in a while. Keep 'em coming.

Don't cut back

WELL, I'LL declare. The nerve of some Speak Out callers. Take the one who said we should have a hiatus on Speak Out commentary during the holiday season. He needs to ask himself what he would do, think or say if, particularly during this time of the year, someone called for a halt to the publication of material pertaining to his religion.

Hide the guns

I FEEL that if you are keeping a gun in plain sight and your car is broken in and stolen, you should be charged with reckless endangerment. If you are home, keep your gun inside the house where it can't be seen by everyone.

A lump of coal

LET ME tell you about the lump of coal Santa Claus left in my stocking. They have raised my property tax again. I am a widow and am retired. I don't think it is fair. I have worked hard and paid taxes all my life.

Tipping garbage workers

THIS CALL is in response to the person who called about tipping the sanitation workers. Why would you want to tip someone who can't pick up a 50- to 75-pound trash can and move it five feet to their truck when I have to? They would rather write a ticket and stick it on my can than do the work.

Tip for good service

TALK ABOUT your good-hearted rich people. They take the waitresses' tip money and deduct it from their salaries. The cab drivers make below minimum wage, and they take their tips and deduct it from their salaries. That is theft from the word go. When I give I tip, I do it because I appreciate the service. It should have nothing to do with the salaries their employers pay.

Call for help

I READ in Speak Out about an animal tied with no shelter. The caller contacted the animal-control officer, and no one came. The caller must live in Jackson. If the animal control person doesn't do anything, you must call the police or anyone who can help.

Do it again

I WOULD like to congratulate anyone who had anything to do with "Sons of Mistletoe." It was simply a wonderful story, and I hope it will be encouraged for next year.

Disturbing comments

MANY OF the recent comments in Speak Out are truly disturbing. One caller suggests removing evolution studies from school. Others suggest Harry Potter is witchcraft and sorcery. Others bemoan the hiring of minorities at SEMO. Another caller gave boys credit for having more sense than girls. And many callers think homosexuals are the end of civilization. Are these callers a special covert hee-haw branch of the Taliban? They would like nothing better than a central authority which oppresses minorities, women and homosexuals, destroys any independent thought and prosecutes controversial viewpoints. If this truly sounds so appealing to these callers, maybe they should move to Afghanistan, Iraq or China.

Please move over

TO ALL drivers who insist on driving 10 mph under the speed limit in the left (passing) lane. You want to know who the crazy person is behind you? The one riding your tail, flashing their lights and honking his horn? I am that driver. My suggestion: Go back to driver's ed or pull the heck over to free up the passing lane.