Speak Out 9/23/07

Helping one another

I KNOW the woman at the Revival Center in Jackson is trying to do what Jesus told us to do: Love one another. That is for all of us to do.

Trashing schools

I'M TIRED of so-called conservatives trashing public schools as a talking point. I am a conservative Republican and a Christian, as most who teach in our public schools are. Most teachers are kind and caring and love our children. Those of you who trash the public school system don't know how it is or have had a bad experience because of your own rotten kids. I'm sick of parochial-school parents talking out of both sides of their mouths, trashing the public school system while sending their learning-disabled children there for treatment they can't get in the parochial schools.

Teaching methods

I COULDN'T agree more with the editorial discussing the fact that some high school graduates are lacking in basic skills needed for life beyond high school, be it college, the work force or anything else. As a high school English teacher of almost 20 years, I used to emphasize the very things students now lack. Why did I change my teaching methods and what I cover? Because the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has mandated what I must teach, and I can assure you that many of their objectives are ridiculous. Furthermore, my administration here at Jackson is focused on and requires me to focus on trendy things such as group work (disguised as "collaborative learning"), incorporating the latest technology (i.e., Smart Boards) that are absolutely unnecessary and extremely expensive and many other things they incorporate because it's the newest thing. The students and the basics of a quality education have been lost in all these so-called big shots trying to show off for the person ahead of them on the food chain.

Pool shut down

HUNDREDS OF kids are affected by the lack of maintenance of the Central Pool. That's the only usable pool in the area, and it's where virtually all high-school and independent teams practice. City officials have been turning a blind eye to the need of better maintenance and a permanent structure, and now the pool is closed because something broke and there's no budget to fix it.

Fair accessibility

AS A person using handicapped parking at the SEMO District Fair, I have a question: Why is the handicapped parking farther back than the regular parking? Handicapped parking should be closer to the entrance gate.

Help with flat tire

FRIDAY I was coming across the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge when I had a flat tire. I continued to the other side, then pulled over to change tires. A man from the Missouri Department of Transportation stopped and offered help. I hope this man reads this and knows how much I appreciate his kind offer and help. Thanks again. You made my day.

Need another pool

I WOULD vote for increased taxes if I was assured we would have another swimming pool, which we need badly. Whether it's part of a water park or not, it doesn't matter to me. But we need another swimming pool.

Field is hypocrite

AT THE Emmy awards show, Sally Field using God's name in vain, shrieked, "If women ruled the world, there would be no blankety-blank wars." As a big supporter of women's lib, I wonder if Field would stop the millions of babies murdered as a woman's right. That doesn't seem to matter to her. What a hypocrite.

Drug issues

WITH BIG pharma pushing the new cervical cancer shot for teens, I believe the drug companies need to educate the public on trial results. In light of the recent lawsuit settlements they have paid in recent years, I need to know this. The drug companies agree it's cheaper to pay for a few lawsuits than pull a drug, but we are people, not dollar signs.

Offended smoker

THIS IS in response to the person who said smokers are trashy people. As a smoker, I take great offense to that. Just because a person smokes doesn't mean he's trashy. Smokers have clean homes and clean bodies. When you're pointing one finger at someone else, you have four pointing back at you. I'm sick and tired of people being discriminated against because of differences in color, lifestyle and any other thing people don't like about someone. The God I serve created everyone equal. It is ignorant statements that make this world a difficult place to live in.

More recycling

MY FAMILY recycles cans, cardboard, glass and paper, yet I see government buildings, businesses, the university, schools and churches throw out recyclables that fill trash bins. I feel like the little boy who put his finger in the crack in the dam to stop a torrential flood. Why can't those who don't recycle care about our national resources and help us cut down all excessive waste? After all, our world deserves to be saved.

Waiting at signals

I WANT to thank whoever got the traffic signals set right. Now when somebody comes off a side road, the signals don't switch automatically the second they show up. That's the way it ought to be done. They should wait and let a couple more people come up behind them. Now if we can get Jackson to do the same thing.

School drug testing

I BELIEVE mandatory drug testing in schools is a necessity. It would give parents peace of mind and give teenagers more needed ammunition to say no and send drug dealers packing.