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OPINIONS
Voice of the people
Americans vote against themselves
Something unusual has been taking place in America. Americans have been voting against their own best interests. Why would you vote for a representative who is going to make it impossible for you to financially survive?
There are many theories on how this came about. A number of theorists say that Americans have been sold the idea that some people deserve more than the others. Some believe this "voting against yourself" phenomenon is connected to the marketing technique that tells Americans that they are not patriotic if they do not fall in line with the right-wing agenda that is constantly promoted on talk radio and Fox News.
I recently heard some politicians speak on this phenomenon. They stated that what made this country strong in the past was a diversity of its opinions and a respect for those opinions. We have lost that. We need to get back to respecting others' opinions even if they are different from our own. It is healthy that we disagree on certain issues as long as we remain compassionate for our people.
In the months to come, many are going to tell us that if we want to stop the war, we are not good Americans. That is a lie.
This letter is directed to all those who work for a living. A friend of mine says, "If you carry a lunch box, you should vote Democrat." I'm starting to think that is a good rule to live by until this country is back to being the respected world leader it should be.
Bobby Taylor
Wheeling
Local man looks for family info
I am writing for Mr. Jesse Smith of Wayne. He is searching for information about some of his relatives who used to live on Shoop Street in Boyd County. They lived in this area around the early 1950s, and their names were Maggie and Sylvester Hicks. Mr. Smith believes they had a daughter, and he was wondering if any of their family is still alive and living in the general area. Maggie Hicks' father's name was John Hensley. It is very important to Mr. Smith that he find some information about these relatives, as he is trying to put his family tree together for his grandchildren.
If anyone has any information about the Hicks family or are in some way related to the Hicks family, please call Mr. Smith at 304-272-6510. He would greatly appreciate any information you may have to share with him so he can come closer to completing his family tree.
Shirley Danysh
Wayne
Off-shore drilling won't help now
Off-shore drilling won't do anything to ease the pain at the pump. The government's Energy Information Administration said it would take at least 10 years to bring any oil online. New coastal drilling wouldn't reach peak production for 20 years and would have an insignificant effect on gas prices.
Instead of the failed policies of the past, it's time to break our addiction to fossil fuels by shifting our priorities and our policies toward creating a clean-energy economy.
Gale Kelsey
Huntington
HHS students get conflicting advice
The Cabell County Board of Education Web site states that it is "Dedicated to the Success of Every Student." Recent policy decisions say otherwise.
Incoming freshmen have been instructed by counselors that they should sign up for honors classes because they would not be allowed to do so later. Further, they were informed they could change back to regular classes anytime before classes began. Huntington High is now telling freshmen they are not allowed to change classes.
One parent feels his son is not ready for a particular honors class. He fears his son will do poorly. Parents generally have a good grasp of their children's abilities and should have the final say in the scheduling. However, this parent is being told his child must stay in an honors class, in spite of the information the child was given when he registered for classes.
The student was given advice by a representative of the school system and told that a+b=c. A different representative, with more power and authority, now tells the student that a+b=f.
How can we expect students to respect teachers, administrators or any adult when they won't keep their word?
Tim Rowe
Huntington
