May 10, 2008 09:02 pm
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Children not disciplined like in ’70s anymore
In reply to Mr. O’Neal on disciplining children, I do agree with you on this.
In the ’70s, parents were able to raise and correct their own children and nowadays, someone is always there to tell you how to raise your children.
In the ’70s, you had one parent that could work and keep food on the table and a roof over the children’s head; nowadays it takes both parents to keep this. And now there is no one in the home and no one has time to discipline the child.
Also in the ’70s, children actually got outside and did physical activities and parents weren’t afraid of stupid lawsuits. The children in the ’70s learned how to do garden work, take care of livestock, etc. They enjoyed camping, fishing and other outdoor activities and now the lower-class families can’t afford to take them camping, and do other things with their children.
Also then you had local mom and pop stores, local non-alcoholic teen towns.
Back then you actually had neighbors and friends to help watch over the children. Nowadays nobody wants to get involved because they are afraid to socialize. Also then, divorces were taboo. Nowadays you have the divorce industry, and the children don’t have the benefit of both parents to raise them.
I am from the ’70s and I can remember when the teachers were able to paddle a student in school when they needed it. The teacher would send a note home to the parents letting them know that the child got a paddling and the parent corrected you again.
Back then the lower-income parents could actually go to your nearby school to ball games, etc.; now with all these school consolidations the parents cannot afford to travel to these new locations. The classrooms are overcrowded, and the teachers cannot teach them properly.
What about morality?
As I said, no one is home to correct the children if both parents have to work.
Because both parents are working and trying to make a living to keep a household going, it is very difficult for the working parents to keep a close eye on their children and most of them are not aware of their children doing drugs, etc.
This is where it comes in that other adults should be able to help without being afraid of being sued.
Back then, because all adults were able to correct the children, they grew up with respect for their elders and neighbors.
Addy Booher
Princewick
Town employees need to obey laws
I certainly hope that you will print this letter to let the people of southern West Virginia know just how law abiding the employees of the Town of Fayettville are.
On May 2 at 8:15 a.m., I was driving along Route 19 between the Oyler Avenue and Main Street exits of Oak Hill obeying the speed limit of 55 mph when a white pickup truck with a camper shell and Town of Fayetteville logo on its side passed me going at a rate of speed exceeding the posted speed limit. Since the city police of Fayetteville are so quick to ticket people that exceed the posted speed limit in their jurisdiction, I would think that the employees of the town would be keenly aware of posted speed limits.
Just to attempt to check the speed of the vehicle, I moved my speed up above the posted limit trying to match this vehicle’s speed, but I was unable to even close the gap at 65 mph. I slowed my speed and wrote down the time and the license number, which is a blue and white city tag, clearly visible when it passed me.
Just so you will not think this is sour grapes from someone who has been ticketed by their police department, not true, I nor any of my family have received a ticket from the Fayetteville Police Department. I just think that if I am expected to obey the law then so should city, county, state and federal employees. Just remember there are more people out here on the road who can and will report your actions if you consider yourself above the law.
Tom Muncy
Oak Hill
Gas prices are not high enough
I’ve wanted to write this since the spring of 2006, but putting it off until now may have even more effect.
Gas prices are not high enough, at least not high enough to make people change their habits. With that said, before the reader joins a coalition to have me hung, read on.
I have a 2003 Honda Civic 4-door. On the interstate my car will average 46 to 50 miles to the gallon and 35 to 38 mpg in town. It is not a hybrid version. This is done by driving technique only: keeping unnecessary weight to a minimum, gradual starts and stops, and most importantly, keeping the speed at 55 miles per hour or less. Everyone on the interstate passes me, some with strange looks ... but I doubt their mileage is any better.
The speed limit needs to be reduced again to 55 and I am let down that no one in office has the leadership to make this call. Perhaps it is ignorance: A person I spoke with last March stated that “going faster saved gas.” I was shocked by such thinking.
Gas prices are not high enough ... or maybe people just don’t know how to get more out of a tank.
Greg Blackburn
Daniels
Who makes up ‘don’t ask’ rules?
Recently I changed my voter registration from Democrat to Independent, at which time I was told that I could vote either the Democrat or Republican ticket.
Today I went to the courthouse to vote, gave them my registration card and they set up the voting machine. The clerk did not ask which ballot I wanted. I voted for the board of education and that was all that was on the ballot. I asked the clerk where the rest of the ballot was and she said that was all I could vote for as an Independent.
The more I thought about it the madder I got, so when I got home I called about it. I was told that I could have had a Democrat or Republican ballot but I had to specifically ask for one or the other, that they were not allowed to ask which ballot I wanted.
This is asinine! I have had my right to vote for the candidate of my choice taken away. Who makes up these “don’t ask” rules? I feel my rights were violated.
William Baldridge
Beckley
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