Speak Out A 04/15/02

Child fighters

IT APPEARS that Yasser Arafat is not sending millions of martyrs to die for his cause. He's sending a bunch of kids to do his fighting for him. Brainwashing is what you call it. It makes me ill.

Don't cut education

VOTERS, REMEMBER these politicians at the ballot box who want to slash educational funds causing students to pay higher tuition to get an education while these politicians want to fund multimillion-dollar sports arenas for millionaire owners and million-dollar players. The future of our nation is in education, not sports. These greedy politicians have got to go. They even want to raid the state's Rainy Day Fund to pay for these sports arenas, and the governor wants unpredictable gambling revenue to pay for education. Let the gambling revenue pay for the sports arenas. Education should not be gambled with.

Defending teachers

I DON'T understand why people continually want to pick on teachers. Generally speaking, teachers get off during the summer, but that's not a paid vacation. The typical teacher's contract is for nine months. A teacher doesn't have a choice of days off or when to take a vacation. The calendar is set by the school board. The public elects members of that school board. Lest some people forget, teachers pay taxes too. I guess that means they're paying part of their own salary.

Terrorist or patriot?

IF THE United States was subjected to the indignity of the virtual occupation by a foreign power that is gradually appropriating your land for its own use, would anyone among us sacrifice his life in an attempt to redeem our sovereignty and dignity? Would he be a terrorist or a patriot? Remember Nathan Hale, when awaiting the bullets that would end his life: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

Harsh punishment

THE SCHOOL system talks about how important it is for our children to get an education and then suspends an 8-year-old child who does a back flip in the aisle on the school bus from riding the bus for two weeks. That's the only means of transportation the family has of getting him to school. I think it would be better to suspend him two or three days and then let him back on the bus so he can get to school. It's normal for 8-year-olds to bounce around a bit. I'm not condoning the child's behavior, but it seems like two weeks of not riding the school bus is excessive punishment.

Palestinian war

I'M INCENSED by the liberal who proclaimed that we're partially responsible for Sept. 11. This person is either extremely biased or entirely ignorant of what is going on in the Palestinian territories and in Israel. Just a few years ago, Israel offered Yasser Arafat and the Palestinians almost 100 percent of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Instead, the Palestinians chose to continue this war.

King's legacy

THE LEGACY and memory of Martin Luther King is being trashed and degraded by those who shame his character and ideals by using him to enhance their fame and careers. King led by character and deed. It seems money and position is the only thing some people want. Even the King family is cashing on his name for profit. These politicians who present him as a fighter for abortion and homosexuality rights should be ashamed. His memory deserves more than this, and his Christian message should not be forgotten.

Democrats in charge

ILLINOIS CERTAINLY had enough -- 26 years -- of Republican legislature and Republican governor. That's what's going to happen to the country if we keep the Republican administration in. It takes a recession, depression or a loss of a lot of jobs before the people get wise. I only hope they get wise this congressional election and send the Congress back into the hands of the Democrats, the working man's friend.