Speakout 12/23

Sunday, December 23, 2007

I'm calling concerning about Christmas and the true meaning. I just got done reading the SpeakOut column. Instead of speaking about kids at school and this and that, we should all start praying and thank God for the country we are living in and remember those who are not here. And to all the mothers, father, grandparents, sisters and brothers who have family members in Iraq, I just want to wish each and every one a very Merry Christmas. This whole month and everyday until our boys and girls come home from the war. let's just take a moment to pray. We're proud of the men and women who are serving.

Mike, I read your column about the network media and agree very much with you that we will find bias in our news reporting. You had it right when you said, "If you go back to the days of Walter Cronkite, the American public held our national media in high regard. We had faith they were telling the truth." The days of Walter Cronkite were the days before Fox News came along and taught media businessmen how to do opinions and make it look and sound like news. I'd venture to say that you've been guilty of similar slants, subtle as they may be, in your news reporting a time or two.

In the Humor Section, in the story "Pwease hep me unnerstand," I could not help but notice the following sentence: "But really, is it too much to ask for somebody who speaks English to get a job that's main requirement is to speak English?" If "that's" is a conjuction of "that is," the sentence appears to read: "...a job that is main requirement..." Perhaps the sentence should read "...to get a job for which the main requirement is to speak English..." Of course, I'm sure someone already knew that in view of their exalted view of their own mastery of English. Perhaps more reading and less Tivo watching would help. Thanks in advance for forgiving my sarcasm du jour.

Thank you for your fine words of wisdom. (Is the punctuation correct)? Of course, this SpeakOut was e-mailed and printed as is so anyone can see that you misspelled "conjunction." Perhaps more reading of "Sarcasm du jour" and less complaining would help.

My husband and I were cited by the city of Sikeston for code enforcement violations, supposedly. We pled not guilty and went to a trial. The judge, I believe is paid for by let's say, hmm, the City. Go figure. The city versus me. I wonder how many people in Sikeston or anywhere saw fair wrote on their trial. It was the judge's decision, not judged by 12 of my peers. That doesn't hardly seem fair that the person who is paying the judge's salary is also the one that I have the conflict of interest with.

I am calling about a recipe about banana pudding, made the old-fashioned way from scratch, not from a box. If someone knows how to make this, would you please report it to SpeakOut and I'll read it in the paper.

3/4 c. sugar, 1/2 c. flour, 1 tsp. vanilla, 3 sliced bananas, 1/4 tsp. salt, 2 eggs, separated, 2 c. scalded milk, 2 tbsp. sugar. Mix sugar with flour and salt. When using self rising flour, omit salt. Gradually add beaten egg yolks to scalded milk and pour slowly into dry ingredients. Cook 15 minutes in double boiler, stirring constantly until thickened. Add flavoring. Place bananas in wafer lined dish, cover with custard. Beat egg whites until stiff and add 2 tablespoons sugar and spread over custard. Bake 15 minutes in slow oven 325 degrees. Serves six.

This is in response to the article, The times they aren't a changing that was in the paper Friday, Dec. 14. In the beginning the caller said, "African-

Americans never sold people." They don't know their history. The slaves that were brought over from Africa were sold by Africans. The slave trade is still going on today in Africa. Black people are selling black people. They have and always will.