Published: August 12, 2008 02:36 pm            

In Your View — 08/13/08

Canceling show

Canceling show was rash decision

It’s been over a week since the Ashland Community and Technical College staircase debacle but an emptiness lingers inside me. Although I wasn’t on the unit when it collapsed, I witnessed it; it was scary.

However, I think ACTC President Greg Adkins’ decision to cancel the show (“Sweeney Todd”) was rash and unsympathetic to the production’s cast and crew.

Everyone involved with “Sweeney Todd” worked too hard to see their show die so soon. We all gave the majority of our summer learning the music, building the set, sewing the costumes, making the props and rehearsing the show. We shared a common passion: Putting on the best show possible.

No one was seriously injured by the collapse. While five cast members received medical care, all were released with only some bruising, aches and pains. What saddens me the most about these wonderful people is that they were injured in vain. Canceling the show left them with nothing but the pain.

We could have fulfilled the old theater adage: “The show must go on.” Accidents happen; it’s a fact of life. We had the manpower to rebuild the staircase and ACTC maintenance offered some suggestions on how to make it more sturdy.

In the end, President Adkins’ decision robbed us of “Sweeney Todd.” We were left with no cast party, no goodbyes and no sense of closure. I, personally, was left with an aching void punctuating my summer. Though none of the cast ended up with broken bones, most of us suffered from broken hearts and shattered dreams. I would like to encourage you to support ACTC Theater by letting the college know how important it is to the area.

Brian Cook, Raceland



10 Commandments not for the ungodly

The 10 Commandments were written by God for his people after he had removed them from ungodly Egypt and before they had reached thee Promised Land.

Religion is not mentioned in the Bible until Acts 26:5 and then only four times thereafter. The commandments are mentioned 171 times. So where is the connection between the commandments and religion that the American Civil Liberties Union is always talking about? It is never mentioned.

The 10 Commandments are for God’s people only and do not pertain to the ungodly, who are always complaining about them. It doesn’t make sense. It they are offended by the commandments, then that is their choice. No offense was ever intended. Yet the press continues to grant them space in which to complain.

To those who insist on being offended by the very sight of the 10 Commandments, I suggest they read Matthew 18:6: “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out.” Now that is going to hurt, and if you still insist on being offended, you will need a seeing eye dog.

Earl H. Stewart, Grayson



Fond memories of a state title

The calendar says it has been 20 Years. On August 8, 1988, Ashland Stan Musial won the Kentucky State AABC Baseball crown. It’s the only Ashland championship for the Musial Division, which was that of unlimited age. The Ashland team was comprised of college players from Paintsville to Flemingsburg with a solid base of Ashland players as well.

The team played from 1982 to 1991, compiling a record of 208-79.

There are fond memories of championships such as the Cocoa Beach Expo in 1985, the 1988 West Virginia Invitational crown, third place in the state tournament in 1989 and the prestigious West Virginia Buckstove championship in 1990.

But the foremost memory was the summer of 1988. The Ashland team won the state tournament and moved on to the regional tournament in Nashville to meet the 1987 defending champions, Atlanta, Ga.

The winner would advance to the 1988 AABC World Series in Battle Creek, Michigan. Ashland won 3 of the 5 games there in the double elimination tourney.

One of the wins was over Miami, Fla. The two losses were to the 1985 champions Nashville and Atlanta in the championship game. Ashand had defeated Atlanta in the opening game.

The miracle season ended August 18, 1988, with Ashland having a record of 32-7.

This letter coincides with the pending celebration of Central Park’s CP-1. There’lI be a mini-reunion of the 1950s kids who played on CP-1 over the years on Aug. 23. I certainly will attend.

Gary Wright is to be commended for his efforts. I was fortunate to have played my high school baseball on CP-1 in the 1950s like a thousand others.

CP-1 was home to Ashland Stan Musial for 10 years. I hope we added to its legacy in some way.

Mike Tussey, Florence



Sunday School is better alternative
The candidates are shying away from very serious problems such as the southern invasion by Mexicans and others and the university invasion by rich Muslims turning our children against America and Israel. Other issues are abortion, adultery, alcoholism, drugs, divorce, gambling, homosexuality and pornography,

Some counties are considering public smoking bans, although some places already ban smoking and some people are quitting smoking because of high fuel and food prices. Government should not be invading private businesses more than it already is. We need less government.

How about getting ahead of the situation and prevent smoking? When was the last time you saw a regular Sunday School attendee smoking? They're rare! Motel people in the Covington area brag on youngsters visiting the Creation Museum because they are polite, respectful and don’t drink or smoke. Why? They're mostly Sunday schoolers and home schoolers!

Good things usually happen when Dad takes the family to Sunday School and church; bad things usually happen when he doesn't.

Idealistic? Yes, but consider the alternative. The church makes better use of money than the government can.

J.A. Armstrong

Bardstown

        

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