Rants and Raves

Published 9:33 pm Monday, December 5, 2005

for April 17, 2003



Show me the money

“To the person ranting about ‘In God We Trust’ being on the new state flag being proposed: I guess since those four words are so offensive to you that you have no need for money. I suggest you take any money you have and give it to someone who needs and and would not be offended by anything printed on it.”



Spending too much

“The U.S. spends $400 billion a year on the military, more than the defense budgets of the next 14 biggest militaries combined, and more than all other U.S. expenditures combined! That’s right, more than half of your tax dollars go to support military actions, not education, not health care, not social programs. Many of us think that’s way out of line, and it is our right and our duty to say so.”



Attacking leaders

“Osama Bin laden attacked America. George Bush attacked Saddam Hussein. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”



More are needed

“I was recently in a bad car accident, and a young man stopped me and stayed with me until the police and ambulance arrived. Thanks for doing this. We need more people in the world like him.”



Proud of ribbons

“I have always been proud to be a citizen of Valdosta but never more than today. The yellow ribbons placed downtown do not signify that we wanted a war. Those ribbons mean our community loves and supports the men and women representing the United States of American, Moody Air Force Base and our beautiful Azalea City. Thank you, city leaders.”



Treasonous words

“The person who called in on the Dixie Chicks was totally right. The Constitution does give you right to free speech in America. If you are out of the confines of the border of the United States, then you keep your mouth shut. As for me who has 27 years of the military, the Dixie Chicks should be held responsible for making treason statements against our country.”



Widen your views

“Valdosta isn’t just small in size, but also views. Open up, Valdostans, and quit being so small-minded!”



Sports first

“OK, recent college graduate, if you will teach English and math for six periods per day, forego your lunch period so you can do paper work, I will pay you $24,000 a year. Wait, if you will coach a sports program, I can increase this to $40,000 a year. Yep, academics is still second, athletics first. I say kill all sports programs for three years and let’s get the funding back to where it should be for the academics.”



Views on flags

“I was opposed to the sudden change of the flag to appease certain special interest groups. However I do think that yet another vote on this issue would be a mistake. That said, I think reinstating the pre-1956 flag would be the best for everyone involved.”



Salary issues

“Just because Coach Darlington’s salary is on par with other ADs doesn’t make it right. I am a teacher in the classroom and it makes me sick to see someone get paid that much money on the football field and then to see my measly salary for shaping students’ minds. I guess my job isn’t as important.”