Speak Out 4/27/06

Thanks for help

GOOD PEOPLE exist even in this day and time. I was having trouble with my van on Saturday evening behind Rhodes 101 Stop on William Street. I would like to say God bless and thank you to a young man who works at an oil-changing job, Officer Young, and Tammy and Howard Fasig. Also thanks to many others who stopped and offered help.

Fraternity relations

WHEN I was a student and fraternity member at Southeast Missouri State University in 1990, each fraternity had a party on a different night of the week. We would go to these parties and form relationships with members of other fraternities, and we did not have damaging pranks like we do today. After the crackdown by the SEMO administration to limit fraternity parties and other functions, members of other fraternities have not formed as many relationships, and dangerous rivalries are being created. This is not the only reason these pranks occur. It is just one part. Stop restrictions on legal fun and you might curb the illegal fun.

Valuable lesson

I WOULD like to express my gratitude to the gentleman who taught my two children and their friend one of the most valuable life lessons they will ever learn. I paid the girls, a toddler and second graders, $3 to wash my car. They decided to start a car-washing business. They worked tirelessly on the sign, gathered the supplies they would need and set up shop in our driveway. I was proud yet sad about the disappointment they would face when no one would take the time to stop. I was already preparing my "never give up" speech" for this critical teachable moment. After 30 minutes of sign holding and reducing their price, this gentleman took the time to stop and give the girls not only great memory, but a great start to a path of connecting hard work and financial gain. I then found out from my husband that the man heard the girls advertising their service and made a special trip just to bring them some business. I want this man and others to know that this is better than any parental talk I could have given them about core values they will need to guide their lives. Thank you, Danny, for helping me teach my children.

Power and wealth

A MAJOR argument against immigration amnesty is that we shouldn't change the law just because many people are breaking it. However, this same scenario happens every day in the corporate world, as companies ignore environmental protection laws and finance and antitrust laws and hire undocumented workers. And Congress enables this lawbreaking by either changing laws or removing regulations. If we're going to talk tough about law enforcement, set an example and go after those with power and wealth as well.

Right to leave

ENGLISH IS the official international language of aviation. English is the de facto language of international business. It seems ridiculous that I must always press one to choose English whenever I call an 800 number in America. America is one of the few countries in the world where people are fighting to get in rather than to escape. That's because America is still a land of unparalleled opportunity. Certain rights are guaranteed by law -- but only for its citizens. If someone wants to assume the responsibilities inherent in citizenship, then we say welcome. But if all they want is the opportunity with zero commitment and if they aren't even willing to learn the language, then there is one right America guarantees to everyone, citizen or not: the right to leave.

Water district

THE RURAL areas of southern Scott County need to be aware that they are the ones most in need of a county water district. If they don't sign up now, the number of people in northern Scott County may not be great enough to initiate a cost-feasible program. Too many people in the northern part of the county have deep wells that are safe and healthy, and these people are less likely to hook up to the system. With the likelihood of it taking at least 10 years until the district comes to fruition, it's hard-telling who will still be living in their same location. Will the cost of hookup transfer to the next owner if properties are sold? What amount will homeowners have to pay during that 10-year period past the initial $150?

Blue-collar criminal

FORMER ILLINOIS Gov. George Ryan is considered a white-collar criminal and receives special treatment. Rightly or wrongly, Gregory Sparkman is considered a blue-collar criminal and gets the book thrown at him. That's the way it works.

Education football

STATE EDUCATION tests will be necessary forever and a day unless we decide to prevent elected officials and bureaucrats from kicking kids around so that they become exploited political footballs.

Good column

I JUST finished reading June Seabaugh's April 22, column and I thought she spoke the truth with humor. Good job, June.

Rights and obligations

IT IS so true that all men are created equal and all have certain rights -- until they break the law and take advantage of the rights they have been given. Everyone wants rights, but they don't want to do anything to deserve them.

Movie blasphemy

I WANT to comment on "The Da Vinci Code" film. Christ came into this world to preach the kingdom of God and call sinners to repent. He healed the sick, cast out devils, raised the dead, restored sight to the blind, held the brokenhearted and preached deliverance to the captives. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord, his mission in this life was not to indulge in earthly desires (Luke 8:2). Christ cast out seven evil spirits from Mary Magdalene. Being free of the evil spirits, she was grateful and wanted to follow Christ in his teachings. It is absurd to think Christ married Mary Magdalene and had a bloodline. According to Luke 1:32 and 35, God by the Holy Ghost planted a seed in Mary, Jesus' mother. The angel Gabriel said Jesus shall be great and shall be called the son of the highest. Fiction or non-fiction, this is blasphemy against Christ and God.

Speed uses more gas

HIGH GASOLINE prices haven't changed people's driving much. I live close to Mount Auburn Road, and people still drive 45 to 50 mph. No telling what they do on the interstate. Anybody who doesn't think speed takes more gas needs to have his head examined. It makes a difference.

Time to fight back

IT'S TIME for us to show our backbone regarding the oil problem our country is facing. Our foreign policy for the past 15 years has been built around ensuring the flow of oil from the Middle East at the expense of the lives of our sons and daughters. Our family has taken steps to reduce energy consumption by weatherproofing our home and lowering our thermostat. By driving an economical car, we have reduced our gasoline use by 10 percent. We don't drive around aimlessly or take irrelevant trips. Help our country and ourselves. Fight back. Use less.

No to sidewalks

PLEASE SAY no to the proposal to install sidewalks in some neighborhoods where they are not needed. The request for more paving for the safety of others is another way to spend grant money. Most of these neighborhoods do not have that many pedestrians who would use the sidewalks.