OpinionDecember 27, 1997
SPEAKOUT
I SAW on the news where an artist had drawn Santa Claus on a cross with presents underneath. They were trying to make him take it down. But is he very far from being wrong? Are the stores in the malls becoming the biblical money changers? I believe we really need to think about the meaning of Christmas. God bless you, and have a nice New Year...
Think about the meaning of Christmas
I SAW on the news where an artist had drawn Santa Claus on a cross with presents underneath. They were trying to make him take it down. But is he very far from being wrong? Are the stores in the malls becoming the biblical money changers? I believe we really need to think about the meaning of Christmas. God bless you, and have a nice New Year.
More attention for deserving sports teams
I JUST read the sports section and was disappointed that Barry Sanders, the running back for the Detroit Lions, only got a small section on Page 1, whereas the Rams, who finished last in their division and didn't even clutch a playoff seat, got a front-page huge story. I would like to see more sports attention focused on those who deserve it and not on those who have disappointing seasons.
Please take your trash home with you
I WANTED to speak out about the fact that there's too much trash thrown out of cars on South Middle Street. I would like for people to pick it up and take it in their houses.
Jackson decorating crew gets high praise
I WOULD like to thank Kenney Abernathy and the Jackson line crew for the wonderful job they did decorating the Jackson City Park. I drove through it, and it's beautiful the way they did it. If you see these guys, let them know what a good job they did and how much you appreciate it.
Please don't steal my newspaper
MY NEWSPAPER was stolen this morning. I got up at 7 and looked out at my sidewalk and at the paper in front of my home. By the time I could get outside to pick it up, the paper was gone. I think this person is the meanest thief. It's not like robbing a bank, of course, but it's awful because it upsets people's schedules. This has happened to me many times before. Look, tightwad, borrow a paper or go to the library, but don't steal someone's paper.
Maybe they shouldn't have holiday off
I WOULD like to ask why government employees and people who work for the American Civil Liberties Union should have Christmas Day off when they don't think it's appropriate to have nativity scenes and things.
Look in cypress trees for mistletoe
IN RESPONSE to the party who called about what tree the mistletoe grew in, when we lived in Southern Illinois it grew in cypress trees.
Put park shelter in a better location
I'M CALLING because I'm concerned about the shelter that was built at Litz Park this summer that fell down. I think the Jaycees built it, but they couldn't have picked a hotter or worse place in that park to build it. There's no parking there, and the water runs down the hill over it. There are plenty of beautiful places up on that ridge where there would be plenty of shade and plenty of room for parking lots. Before they set that thing back up, I think some of the aldermen should step in and pick out a spot up there where it would be better. The little dab of concrete wouldn't be much to redo. Instead of letting the Jaycees pick their spot, the city should pick it for them.
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No TV censorship in a free country
MURPHY BROWN critics, be happy that there are quality TV shows to watch. If you want your TV censored, move to Iraq. After all, this is supposed to be a free country.
What happens if women soldiers are captured?
GETTING BACK to military, where the women want to be as equal to the men, what would happen if the women would be captured in a war? Would the enemies put them up in the Hilton Hotel or the Waldorf-Astoria? Women better wise up. They better stay out of combat and let the men do it.
Bootheel area needs more entrepreneurs
I'M CALLING in regard to the comment that the person made about recruiting students from the Bootheel to go to Southeast Missouri State University. I am from the Bootheel, and I'm pretty offended by the comment. The caller seemed to be implying that no one from the Bootheel is very educated. I received a degree from SEMO, and I know many people in the Bootheel who attended college. I don't know of too many people who go to SEMO who are going to be entrepreneurs, which is what the area needs to build jobs. I don't think people who graduate from area schools are going to make enough money to run down their and build a factory and put everyone to work.
Response from a military man
I'D LIKE to address the Speak Out comment titled "No one dies for his country." I've been a military man since 1964. I'm ready for retirement. I've gone to do what my country's asked me to do for my country because I enjoy the freedom under which I'm living. We have done this in the military since our ancient fathers fought for our independence. The comment stated that the military gets paid very well for choosing that way of life. I'm looking at a 1998 pay chart for the military in which Clinton and his people so kindly gave us a 2.8 percent increase in our wages. A pay grade of E-5 with four years of service gets $1,462.20 a month base pay, which qualifies him and his wife and child for food stamps. True, he chose this way of life because the democratic way of life has not got jobs in the economy where he can stay to work.
Many in military paid the ultimate price
TO THE Speak Out caller who said that people join the armed forces not because they have any patriotic inclination but because politicians send them, I would like to say this: What are you doing now and why and to whom do you owe it? I was in and out of Vietnam for seven years, and I hauled some dead bodies out of there. None of them were dead because of politicians. They were dead because they were trying to do something for their country. I fought the Cold War for 20 years, and I know something about these things.
Package sent parcel post still not here
I RECENTLY heard a report on TV that the U.S. Postal Service is the best way to send your Christmas packages. The first of the month, I called in an order to Bass Pro Shop and it was mailed Dec. 9 at a rate of $5.95. Here it is Christmas Eve and I haven't received it yet. I've learned two things from this: Don't believe everything you hear on TV, and try to avoid using the U.S. Postal Service.
Here's hoping elf thieves wind up in jail
OUR HEARTS go out to Kim Baker on the loss of her elves. They were so cute and unique, and we just loved them. The total display always lifted our spirits when we passed by. We were hoping that they would make it through another holiday season. These people who were so challenged to steal them should also be challenged to spend some time in jail.
Children of drug addicts make choices
I JUST now read in Speak Out that children who are 10 and 11 years old should not be able to make decisions for themselves. Most children who are 10 and 11 years old and have that choice are the children of drug-addict parents who can't make choices for the children. All they want is for the children to grow up and do drugs like them. When the children rebel against their parents, which they've learned in school, they buck up to their parents and don't want to live with them. When they realize what their parents are doing, that's when they start standing up for themselves.
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