Speak Out A 04/14/02

A good thing to do

THIS CALL is regarding the comments about the skateboard park. I've been to several skateboard centers, some community-owned and some owned by individuals. They have been great. Every kid I have seen there is responsible, safe and respects the other skaters. It is a place where kids can go to challenge themselves. I'm sure the people who are calling and not wanting tax money to go toward this have never been to one. This could be a place where kids can go to hang out and stay out of trouble, if it is organized correctly. I have traveled almost an hour to take my son to a skateboard park or center and have never had any trouble with any kids or parents. As far as the tax money goes, some people don't have kids at all, but they still pay a school tax. Is that fair? Whether or not you think it is, you still have to pay it. Taxes pay for many things in a community. Be open-minded. Skateboarding is in.

Personal attacks

ON a recent Rush Limbaugh program, Limbaugh again took time to make personal attacks on Chelsea Clinton. Note the hypocrisy of conservatives who have no complaints with this but are quick to complain when a Bush niece is publicized for forging prescriptions to illegally obtain drugs. Also remember that Limbaugh started his attacks on Chelsea when she was 12 years old, showing her picture on TV while calling her the family dog. Is it any wonder why free-thinking people refer to Limbaugh's show as hate radio?

Pray for peace

PRESIDENT BUSH gave a good speech on the Middle East problem, but I wish he would have talked about Bible prophecy found in Zachariah 12:3: "And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people. All that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces though all the people of the earth be gathered against it." Also in chapter 12, verse 9: "And it shall come to pass in that day that I will seek to destroy all nations that come against Jerusalem." Israel belongs to the Jews and their God, and there will never be peace until Jesus comes back and rules from Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

How they would vote

TO THE person who said everybody should vote: I fully agree. But if this person is a Republican, he probably would like it to stay just the way it is. If everybody got out to vote -- the working poor, the poor and 90 percent of the elderly -- Jo Ann Emerson wouldn't be in Congress today. If everybody would have voted, George W. Bush would not have carried Southeast Missouri. This is why we're in the condition we're in. The rich person votes while most of the poor don't.

A teacher explains

FOR PEOPLE who are so upset that teachers are at the mall the day of teachers' meetings: Why didn't you call the school district and ask for an explanation? They would have been glad to give it to you. Why didn't Missourian reporters call the school districts and ask them and then print a response? Here's the answer. Up until a couple of years ago, this teachers' meeting was a paid contract day and teachers were required to attend. The Missouri State Teachers Association became very popular in this area several years ago. Many teachers don't belong to MSTA and didn't want to go to the meetings, but some teachers still wanted to go. So the schools in this immediate area no longer count that as a contract day. So I don't have to go. I choose not to go because I used to go, and it was just meaningless drivel. I don't go to the mall. I work on my school work even though I don't even get paid for it. That's the same thing I do most nights when I'm not getting paid either. So stop worrying about whether you're getting your dollar's worth from local teachers.

Still at it

JOCELYN ELDER, Bill Clinton's surgeon general, is still spreading her sex ideals and trash literature endorsements. How disgraceful and despicable and filthy and offensive can this woman get?

Catch the racers

I THINK our police chief needs to take a spin around town after midnight. I was coming in from vacation last Friday night. It was like a drag strip on Independence Street. Three kids were racing. I thought they were going to have a pileup. What I'm concerned with is this: I saw three cop cars across from the old driver's license bureau waiting for the college kids to come from the pool halls and bars on Main Street. They need to get the speeders and other people who break the law. I am furious.

Let big business pay

I THINK it's ridiculous to want taxpayers to pay for a stadium for the Cardinals. There's nothing wrong with the one they've got. All they want the big new stadium for is to sell big businesses tickets. I think if they want big business to have the tickets, then let big business pay for a stadium.

Turning in neighbors

I FEEL for the single parent who called in and said her neighbors were always turning her in to the Division of Family Services. My dad has always said that living in a town is not really a natural way for people to live. My parents told me that living in the country would be a good thing for me. This person has Gestapo-like neighbors who turn in people instead of helping out. It doesn't hurt anyone to kind of keep an eye out for neighbor children and to redirect them to their home. That's more how it used to be in neighborhoods and cities. This business of turning people in to Family Services is a sick and twisted thing. Family Services should be ashamed to be interfering in people's lives.

Musical diversity

I THINK the Hope for America crusade is a great thing, but I have a problem with the musical entertainment. Every night is southern gospel performers. I would think that the organizers would have liked to put a little more variety into the week by providing different styles of Christian music. I think some inspirational or adult contemporary would have been nice.