OpinionApril 4, 2007
Speak Out 4/4/07
Being accountable; School projections; Weather patterns; Fire-lane parking; Equal fines; Broken promises; Statistical question; Foul pudding; Smoking in Illinois; Stepping on toes; Making sacrifices; Foreign policy
Being accountable
Daily we are treated to stories of highly placed politicians who develop a selective memory. We wonder how someone could rise so high in a position and not realize the obligations of the office. Still, it doesn't directly affect us. Today it has. All week we have felt our obligation to our Central Junior High School child during her MAP testing. We made sure she was getting enough sleep, exercise and in a good frame of mind. Now she tells us that her principal was out shopping for a new file cabinet for his office during the MAP testing instead of being there for them. She and her classmates feel betrayed, as they were told how important the testing was but now realize that it wasn't to this administrator. Will the principal be able to spin this and say don't do what I do but what I say and develop a selective memory of what he did? As parents, we will be blamed by the district if our MAP scores don't make the grade. But we are involved and we support our school. Will this administrator be held accountable? I am disappointed.
School projections
First of all, let's give thanks that class size is an issue in the Jackson School District. There are a lot of other districts struggling to keep the doors open. But before I approve higher taxes for a new building, don't tell me about the class size today. Show me the trends of growth and the projections that show this building is needed in the future. If you can do that, I'll get 100 percent behind a new school building.
Weather patterns
The caller who mentioned Milankovitch cycles of Earth's temperature changes sounded like she knew what she was talking about. Looking up Milankovitch cycles in an online encyclopedia, it looks like the Earth has been in temperature cycles for hundreds of thousands of years. The one thing we know in Missouri is that the weather changes, and it is not President Bush's fault.
Fire-lane parking
I THOUGHT parking in a fire lane in front of a store was against the law. There are sometimes four or five cars parked in the fire lane when there are ample parking spaces in the lot.
Equal fines
THE FOLKS at Leopold have it all wrong. They want to redraw the school district lines. What about Bell City? That district was fined and had to pay back money. Why not Leopold? It seems that people at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education need to be fair to everyone. Fine Leopold for breaking the law.
Broken promises
I AM upset with AmerenUE and have been for some time. They charged us $5,000 to hook up electric where we live. All the other electric companies nearby said they wouldn't charge anything. Ameren was willing to give us discounts if we went with electric appliances. We are at the end of the line, and we are the last ones to get service. But we are still expected to pay our bills on time. Other electric companies would have serviced us, but Ameren would not allow them to cross their lines. Ameren made many broken promises to us.
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Statistical question
IF OUR region's total income is about $500 million a year less because high school students are not graduating, does that mean this area has $500 million worth of jobs that are not being filled? Ah, the wonderful world of statistics.
Foul pudding
THE PUDDING used for proving Al Gore's claims is as foul as his theory. We have heard/read/seen enough of his suppositions being pushed as reality while he continues to use his private plane and other ozone-destroying devices.
Smoking in Illinois
ILLINOIS IS going smoke-free. What a joke. People are going to smoke. The only way lawmakers will stop people from smoking is to close down all cigarette manufacturers. I understand that a smoke-free environment is better for your health and the health of others. However, how many of these same lawmakers smoke? Will they follow the law?
Stepping on toes
I READ the article about the Easter egg hunt, and it made me think of the story you ran in December about Christmas toy giveaways. It seems ironic to me that some of these parents are the type who can find a way to take their children to get free things like this, but they can't find a way to get to parent conferences and open houses at church. It's also ironic that they can attend religious events (yes, Easter and Christmas are religious holidays) where they can get something, but they can't find the time or means to take their children to church. Notice I said "some" parents. If you're angry about this comment, maybe you should examine your feet to see if I'm stepping on your toes.
Making sacrifices
THE DEFEAT of Hitler and Tojo did have the backing all Americans. There is one significant difference. World War II was a declared war, Vietnam and Iraq were started on a lie. What has the average Southeast Missourian given up except for those who are serving and their families?
Foreign policy
OUR FOREIGN policy to bring democracy to the world is dependent on other governments that are not democratic and do not answer to the public. Some are on the list of worst human-rights abuses, torture and death to those who disagree with them. Does anyone else see the irony in this?
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