JEERS: To the Texarkana Gazette for publishing the comment “kind of gay” on page 3A, Friday, Feb 1, 2008. I understand that the comment published was the young man’s opinion, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be published. That remark is incendiary, to say the least. Surely, in this day and age, the press has moved past publishing “gay” as an insult. Shame on you for your lack of sensitivity.—K.H., Texarkana, Texas



CHEERS: And more Cheers to the Texarkana Gazette, especially to Ethel Channon, for the outstanding report on the Arkansas School System. She is right on the money in what she said about this school system. The only problem she did not mention that goes hand in hand with these problems and her excellent solution was that this side of town is and always put more emphasis on athletics rather than education and I have no idea how you could change that.

As long as we have this mentality among the general public, we will keep on hiring people like the current administration. As I mentioned, her suggestion is excellent, but if they put what has been done to this school system on their resumes, who do you think would hire any of them?—L.T.M., Texarkana, Ark.

 

JEERS: To M.B. of Ashdown, Ark., for stating that a picture in the Texarkana Gazette (1-24-08) was the most insensitive that he/she has ever seen yet. When I first saw said picture, I also thought it was not appropriate. However, I have a bad habit of looking at a situation from all sides and not just the one other people want me to see. Everyone should try this sometimes. The picture had no malice and was not done to hurt Mrs. Young. I feel it was showing her pain at the loss of her pet. I came to this conclusion because a few days earlier, the Gazette ran a picture of a little girl hugging her big sister. If this did not move you then you have a heart of stone. The two pictures in the Gazette amounted to a contrast of life. A hundred people can look at a picture and draw a hundred different conclusions; that is human nature and people need to deal with it.—G.J.W., New Boston, Texas



CHEERS: To Americorp volunteers for their presentation on the Life and Works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Washington ABC Pre-K Center. The children enjoyed the stories you told, the coloring sheets and especially the delicious pecan chocolate chip cookies and punch. You made our children feel very special with your presence at our school.—T.L., Texarkana, Ark.



CHEERS: to the Twin City Dynamic Cheerleaders. They were selected to go and work out with Kitty Carter of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders for a Stylized Jazz Dance class. You girls were great. The Cowboy cheerleaders really enjoyed you. Good luck at nationals.—C.D., Texarkana, Texas



CHEERS: To the true and loyal Republicans who are working to ensure that we have a two-party election campaign in Bowie County and not just a Democrat ballot. Thanks to the hard work of our current Bowie County Republican chairman, we are well on our way to having a true two-party system in Bowie County again. No longer do you have to file as a Democrat to have a chance at an elected position. Bowie County’s voters have given the Republicans a majority in the last several state and national Elections; why not Bowie County? We do not need a new county chairman as we are seeing positive growth within our organization; we do however need change in other areas of our party and are confident that we will see these changes in the primary election of March 4, 2008.—C.C., Texarkana, Texas