April 17, 2008 11:01 pm
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What is wrong with America?
I believe the problems in America can be broken down, and when it comes down to it, society as well as every community is to blame.
Within a community, there are supposed to be principles, resources and advice. Communities are not built upon morals and help any longer.
“The children are our future” is a familiar slogan. But how is it that they are the future when so many of our youth are enraged, incarcerated, pregnant, on drugs, or on the road to disaster? I don’t want the children of today telling me what’s important and how to run my life.
Society says discipline is wrong. When I was younger, it was discipline applied by my parents that kept me on the right path. Today, we live in a society that just doesn’t care.
If you have a child who is out of control, you do what? Try to seek help. Basically, when you ask for help, it’s a major run around. Society looks down upon the people who ask for help, and if doesn’t seem important enough, nothing is ever done.
In my experience of asking for help, nothing ever got done, and no one helped. Everything I had looked into was placed on a waiting lists, referrals, or cost a lot of money.
America is messed up, and we’re all to blame. We as Americans live in a society in which our communities don’t have adequate resources. Or if we do have the resources, no one cares enough for our youth to do what’s necessary to get the help that’s needed.
If we could just take one minute a day to reprioritize what we believe and make a stand, America would become better and our youth truly would be our future.
Heather Stuart, Ashland
Purse is stolen during church
This letter is in regards to a theft that took place while I was at church Sunday evening, April 13.
During our evening service, there were two vehicles broken into on our church parking lot. I thank the person who broke my driver window, stole my purse and has given me the opportunity to show how God has been working in my life. In my purse were some items that were very dear to me, my pictures and a set of pearls. The pictures included some of my family and pictures of my deceased daughter.
I do forgive the thief. I invite him (or her) to attend church and receive the free gift that is given from God. I teach Sunday school and junior youth on Sunday evenings. While the thief was breaking into my vehicle, we were teaching our youth about true friends and how we can depend upon them. The thief has given me the perfect opportunity to show my kids forgiveness and willingness to turn a negative into a positive. The theft has allowed our church to show our youth the perfect friendship that God has given us within our church. God teaches us to forgive one another and I have forgiven the person who committed this crime against me.
Should someone find my purse, please return it to my church, Salt and Light Worship Center, 2020 Carter Ave., Ashland, on Sunday morning, and I ask that you join us for our service which begins at 11 a.m. There is no monetary reward for my purse, just forgiveness for the person(s) who stole it and much appreciation to the one who returns it.
Melissa Sprouse, Ironton
Gays want equal, not special, rights
This is in response to the April 14 letter, “Clinton vows to defend gay rights,” from Darrell Damron of Prichard, W.Va. Mr . Damron says Hillary Clinton stated on the Ellen Degeneres show that she would work to ensure that homosexual couples are treated fairly and would work to eliminate disparities for same-sex couples in federal law.
Mr. Damron apparently disagrees with this.
At no time did Mrs. Clinton say “special rights.” She only spoke of “equal” rights. Homosexual couples deserve the same protections and rights as other citizens. Gay people simply want equal rights.
I wonder how Mr. Prichard would feel if his wife wasn’t allowed in his hospital room or couldn’t authorize treatment for him?
This is the scenario that homosexual couples face every day. It’s time for our legislators to stand up and grant equal, not special, rights to everyone.
Mark Pennington, Russell
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