SpeakOut 11/19

Tuesday, November 19, 2002

Call 471-6636

I think that a police officer is called to Sikeston Public Schools when there is a problem with his or her child, or a close friend's child, another officer should be called. It may cloud your judgment.

To the person looking for holders for souvenir spoons, they are available at Welcome Home in the Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores.

I wouldn't mind not raising a few hogs myself. I wouldn't even mind not raise cows for that kind of money.

Mike, I would like to say thank you to Public Safety Director Capt. Drew Juden for a good job on the drug trafficking in Sikeston. Keep up the good work, Captain Juden.

I have been dealing with the same bank since the early 1980s, and without referring to them directly, my relationship with them has been a rocky one. In most cases the problems have been relatively small with them making just a few dollars off of my company and me. But the straw that broke the camel's back got me for over $200. This is something that you should all be aware of. The bank decided to change its policy and not tell the customers about it. When I called to discuss the ghastly charges on my statement, I was lied to and juggled from person to person until they decided I wasn't going to go away. Their story then changed to suit their needs. What happened to "the customer is always right" or at least somewhat right? When I first called to discuss this new fee, they told me that I was informed of the new charge in advance in my September statement and that the charges were to start Oct. 1. I then informed them that the charges showed up on my September statement and that there were no notices in my September or August statement for that matter. Their story conveniently changed to explained that they had the right to change business accounts at any time with no notice and that they wouldn't refund any of the money. To make a long story short, the bank has somehow gotten away from the main ideas of business. They no longer cater to their customers and have developed an organizational culture with a low level of integrity coupled with shallow business ethics. A bank should promote economic growth in an honest manner, not steal from the poor and give to the rich. Which seems to be the agenda of all these fees, which they have developed for companies and individuals that fall below a certain level of monetary status in their accounts. I understand that they have to make money too. I just ask that they be up front about it, and honest. I think my money would be better off in a jar, or at least at a bank that knows my name, and not just the size of my account.

I was watching the news tonight and there was a story about a man from Delta who was accused of sexual abuse with a child. The mother of the accused said there is no way he could have done that and the child was probably making it up. I know it would be hard for any mother to think her child could do something like that. But let's face it. There is a lot of this going on these days. On the news it also said, "Why would a child make up a story like that?" I say God bless you to any child who can find the strength and courage to stand up and say, "You were wrong for doing that to me and I'm not going to let you do it anymore." And parents, please, if you care for your children, stand by them. Let them know that you are there for them and that it is not their fault if something like that has happened. Our children are our future!

I'm calling about the Harry Potter issue. I am a member of Miner Baptist Church and I just want to let this person know that our belief - it's not really about a belief; it's about having a relationship with Jesus Christ. The caller suggested that we think our belief is the only way to get to heaven. There's only one way. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no one can come to the Father except through me." If you feel that strongly about it, then I am sorry. I will be praying for you.