Letter to the Editor

A recent episode regarding the dismissal of a TV anchor because of his hurtful language toward a womens basketball team caught the attention of people worldwide. Everyone has an opinion and I have one, too.

Lets make lemonade out of lemons. As bad as Mr. Imus comment was, some good can come from it, as it highlights how far we have slipped in our choice of words. For a long time, America has been falling into a permissive state where its language is concerned. We must clean up our act and it wont cost us a dime. Theres no federal grant involved, and taxpayers wont have to wonder if their money is being wisely spent. Simply put, there is an overwhelming need to weed out gutter language and racial slurs.

This weeding-out starts with us as individuals. We all know right from wrong. Why not be on our best behavior and, as the song says, ‘Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative?

We Americans can do better than Mr. Imus words would have you think. Lets each resolve to set a decent example for all. I believe the ripple effect will be tremendous.

Alice B. Yeager

Texarkana, Ark.

Better days

TO THE EDITOR:

Over the years, Ive heard people talk of the ‘good old days. Everyone has their stories, good and bad, but I never gave it much thought until now. I remember the simple times, carefree days of my childhood. I grew up in the city where you would leave home for hours and your parents didnt worry as they need to today; you played games such as stickball, marbles, bottle caps, basketball; chores were limited to washing dishes, taking out trash; dinnertime was between 5 and 6 and we all sat around the table with the black and white TV off. Saturday nights we played games as a family and took Sunday drives in the country. Summers were hot, sticky and short, but you looked forward to trips to the beach; winters were long, didnt seem as cold then and lots of snow.

The simple times were replaced with jobs, family of my own, responsibilities and worrying about my children and now grandchild. Ive lost a lot of friends and family since then and I miss them a lot, but I have the memories to cherish.

Ive been blessed with longer life than I deserve, longer than a lot of younger people, and I do question why sometimes, but I am grateful to have lived this long. Since life is short and we dont always get the opportunity to mend our ways, Id like to ask those who know me, those I have come in contact with, to forgive me if I made your life unpleasant in any way. I know I havent been much of a good friend to a lot of people and I keep things to myself. But I am not mad at anyone and I hope youre not mad with me.

Stephen A. Harris

Atlanta, Texas