Speakout 2/8

Could you please tell me the difference between the Miss America Beauty Contest and the Miss U.S.A. Contest?

In 1952, Catalina Swimsuits founded the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants as product promotion tools. Developed by the Miss America Organization, the Miss America program exists to provide personal and professional opportunities for young women to promote their voices in culture, politics and the community. Almost all contestants have either received, or are in the process of earning college or postgraduate degrees and utilize Miss America scholarship grants to further their educations. The Miss America Organization is the leading provider of scholarships for young women in the world. Although some young women compete in both Miss America and Miss USA, the two systems are completely separate. The Miss America Pageant began in 1921 as a gimmick by Atlantic City businessmen to extend the summer tourist season.

I'm calling about the winter situation we have with the schools being closed in Sikeston and surrounding areas. I'm not a student, but my wife is. She goes to the nursing program in Sikeston. I feel like the kids' lives are not worth the risk of going an extra day or what have you. Sikeston, you need to change your policy on going to school. Sikeston, if there is snow on the ground, you don't need to go to school. It's as simple as that. We don't need to take our lives for granted. We need to enjoy everyday we are here on earth. A little bit of snow is enough. If you have to slow down because of weather, then the kids shouldn't have to go to school. Lives are important.

This is in response to the Money talks on Jan. 31st. If we are referring to the big yellow and red store in the middle of town, you come on down and purchase your gas with a check. You will not get a cash discount with your check. Just thought you should know that before you come down complaining and moaning.

I'm calling about the boy that hit the lady and killed her and now they sentenced him. He didn't do any worse than Kennedy did. He drowned a woman, killed her, left the scene for 24 hours, he was drunk. They never done nothing to him. I think it's a shame. The boy did it, he made a mistake. But he wasn't the only one. Look at Kennedy. He gets on television now and puts everybody down. I wouldn't show my face if I had done what he's done.

I'd like to tell you that I'm upset with you putting pictures with women with low tops in the paper. I was wondering why this has to be done. We're becoming a society that doesn't really care anymore. I wouldn't want to let my young children see these pictures. I know they see them everywhere. Why does it have to be that way? Why do we have to give in? I don't understand it.