Speakout 8-16

It seems like all around you, people are talking about family fun, saying how families should do things together. How about a rodeo? Sound like a good way to have fun? It does, and it should be, however, if you have a family and you're not rich, you can't afford to go. After you buy the cheap bleacher tickets at $14 each, you get there and are not allowed to bring in coolers with drinks and food for your family. Instead, you're supposed to buy drinks for your family there. OK, I have four kids. We brought a cooler so we could have a family picnic while we were at the rodeo, but we had to leave it in the van, so of course, it wasn't long until all of the kids were thirsty, so off to the concession stands, long hot lines, fun-fun. Do you know what the charge for a bottle of water was? $2.25! Sodas $2.75! We won't even think about feeding the kids before we get home! So what about family fun? Tell me, who can afford it? Not me! Why do we allow this to happen to us. Why can't a family like mine go out together without either spending your whole check or having to tell your kids, "I'm sorry, guys. We just can't afford for you all to even have a bottle of water. We'll have to share." Why can't we all go out to a rodeo and not have to tell the kids, I'm sorry, you'll have to wait until we get home (at midnight) after the rodeo to eat. We just don't have enough money for all of you to eat." So what is all this ruckus we here about parents spending more time with their kids? Families spending time together? People are making a lot of money at the expense of these families who truly want to have fun with their families. Are we going to allow this to continue? Don't you think it's time for us to stand up and say "no thanks." Signed - mother of four.

On Wednesday, my husband and I attended the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, where Alabama performed. We sat in Section R in the bleachers in the seventh row. Shortly after Alabama's show started, two teen-age boys in row 4 in cowboy hats stood up and stayed standing. When adults asked them to sit down, they refused, saying they paid for their seats, and when the adults got frustrated enough and tried to get them to sit down (probably not in the best way), one teen found a cop and, of course, the adults had to explain why they were "picking on" teen-agers, who said they were 14 years old. However, if they were only 14, why were they smoking cigarettes. Parents, your boys were very rude. We paid for our seats too. They stood up for most of the show, and what little time they sat down, they had their hats in the air so we couldn't see then, either. Several people moved away so they could see. Your sons ruined our night out. Sure. The seats are cramped, but courtesy should prevail. We didn't stand up to see so we could be courteous to others behind us. One boy was a blonde, with braces, wearing a white straw cowboy hat, white T-shirt with a bucking bronco on the back with writing that said, "The difference between winning and losing is 8 seconds." The other boy has light brown hair, wore a black felt cowboy, a gold chain and a tan T-shirt that said, "Warning: This product was made entirely in the south and may cause slurred speech in Yankees. Dixie Apparel Company." Moms, when you do your son's laundry after reading this and see one of these T-shirts and know his friend has the other T-shirt, talk to your son about respect and courtesy to others.

If anyone witnessed the situation Friday night when a scuffle between a boy and some girls, please leave your number in SpeakOut so I can contact you.

I was sorry to hear of the passing of Robert "Bob" Mather. I worked with him a number of years ago at Noranda and I have never seen anyone with a quicker wit and sense of humor. It was a pleasure to work with him. My condolences to his wife and children.

I hear about this West Nile Virus on TV. What is Miner doing about it? I have seen the spray truck go by about twice the whole summer long. They don't do it on a regular basis. If everyone else is concerned, why doesn't Miner?

The city of Miner sprays the town once a week.

Thank you so much for the Chocolate Chess Pie recipe. I just saw it in the paper and I really appreciate it.