Speak Out A 08/28/03

Protecting oil

I AM so tired of people saying that 9-11 was caused by the Iraqis. We have absolutely no proof of that. Most of them were from Saudi Arabia. We did not attack Saudi Arabia. It would disrupt the flow of oil.

Learning history

A RECENT caller attacked those persons opposed to the American invasion of Iraq by labeling them intellectual elites. He then thanked God that the Founding Fathers gave us a system controlled by the masses. In fact, in the system the Founders left us, the masses participated little. The president was chosen by an elite group, and senators were appointed. Only decades later, due to the efforts of elite intellectuals, was the vote extended to the masses. When citing history, it helps if you have learned some first.

Proud to be liberal

BELIEVE IT or not, "liberal" is a wonderful word. It means you're generous with your neighbor. Liberalism is Social Security, unemployment insurance, Medicaid, worker's compensation and eight-hour workdays. Liberalism means you can form a union to protect your job. I'm proud to be called a liberal. I think of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Harry Truman.

MAP scoring

THE SOUTHEAST Missourian had a headline on an article about how the state is a little concerned about the slight drop in MAP scores this year. As a teacher, I'm always concerned when MAP scores drop, even it's a small amount. But I think to be alarmed is silly. One of the rules of using data is that you look at the same group year to year to look for improvement. What they're doing with the MAP test is comparing one year's class to the next year's class to the next year's class. That's unfair. Any class tends to have a certain personality -- for example, some classes are very smart and some are very athletic, but they're all outstanding kids as far as citizenship and behavior. What the state needs to start doing is tracking the same group as it moves up. That would make more sense. I urge parents and community members to ask state officials how the MAP is written and how it's scored. The scorers change every year. Has the weight of different questions changed from year to year?

Target highway deaths

THE NATIONAL Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in the year 2002, 42,815 persons died in traffic accidents. If the activists and protesters would change their targets to drunken drivers, aggressive drivers and highway racing drivers, their efforts would be greatly appreciated by all of us.

Faith and sincerity

LATELY WE'VE had a rash of those who redefine the Bible in Speak Out and in letters to fit their own principles and way of life, from pro-choice groups to civil rights groups to the gay advocates. True believers don't have to change or rearrange or apply false meanings or look for a way for sin to be accepted. If you truly believe, the Bible is a simple book which all can understand, but it takes faith and sincerity.

Great tradition

HOMECOMERS IS a great tradition, and we love it in Jackson.

Don't change it

I HOPE Jackson never changes where Homecomers is held. It is wonderful to near the courthouse to watch the talent show. It's fun to have the streets blocked off and have the festive feeling. I'm sorry for any inconvenience for a one-time-a-year event, but for the most part people like this.

Safe to travel

INSTEAD OF looking at the White House as being on automatic pilot, let's think of it as homeland security. I'm glad that things are secure enough that our president can go on vacation. Thank goodness for homeland security that it is safe enough for our leadership to travel.