Suwannee Countians, it’s time to speak your mind! How? By calling the Suwannee Democrat Rant and Rave hotline. The hotline never closes and is your way to let it out. You can let everyone know how you feel — as long as you express yourself in a respectful way.

Note: In written entries to Rant and Rave, errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation are those of the authors.

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I am calling about the observance that we had in Millennium park in Live Oak on Saturday, the 11th of September, in memory of the Twin Towers and this was such a wonderful, uplifting service. There were about seven ministers there. They had wonderful music, and there was a little girl that read scriptures two different times, from the Bible, and she did an excellent job. And to see and hear our county leaders and our city leaders get up there and say a few words and then pray, it was just more than you could have asked for. It was absolutely wonderful and I just think we should have more of such as this. Thank you very much.

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Yes I am calling in regards to the killings in Suwannee County. According to the paper they said that there was five people that knew ahead of time. I feel like those five people should be charged just as much as the three people that they did get, because they knew about it and they did not report it and if  it was not for those people, if they would have come forward then those people wouldn’t have been killed in Suwannee County. Thank you.

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Is the Rant & Rave section of the Suwannee Democrat the deciding factor in determining whether or not “foul-mouthed, sexually explicit” music is played on the government run school busses?  It is astonishing to me that there is only one parent in all of Suwannee County who gives a rip what kind of trash is served up to their kid on the bus. What a sickening commentary on today’s society, today’s parents and today’s educators. This is yet another example of  the ‘give them anything they want so long as it’s easy, and I don’t have to bother myself to be involved’ mentality. Heaven forbid we should actually teach and demand that the little darlings demonstrate proper and acceptable conduct on the bus, even without music. What a concept! The school board’s new guidelines are a joke. And the children who cannot behave themselves are the ones whos parents should be doing the driving.

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I attended the game in Fort White on September 17th and noticed at least 3 Suwannee County Sheriff deputies. Why are we paying for “security” at a High School football game outside of our county? Anyone else have a problem with this? Budget cuts? Who needs them? They can just rape us more!!!!

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Hi, I was excited to hear that the Dancing Dolls are back at the high school. Now I hear after all their hard work, that they only got to perform at two of the high school football games. Would somebody please explain why. Last week they put on a beautiful, exciting show and I would love to see that repeated at one of our other football games. Thank you very much.

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Hi, I am just calling in response to the situation about the water meters being read. And I just want to say I think the guys are doing a great job. I have never had any problems. I know mine is being read and I feel like everybody’s is. I’m quite shocked we only have two water meter readers. I think they do a fantastic job and I just wanted to call and rave.

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There was a prayer rally in the park on the 17th of September. Really? Who would have known? Who could have guessed? I wonder what park, I wonder what time? Did anybody tell anybody about it?

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To the person ranting about $1.98 could possibly get him out of here, he is welcome to leave. No matter what it costs. He or she doesn’t know how to communicate. But that’s OK.

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After all the negative response on Sept. 10, I must give Ms. Mullen credit. She doesn’t give up. Kinda like the bird that sees itself in the car mirror and keeps flying into it, till it knocks itself stupid or completely out. Yes, I give her credit, she doesn’t give up. But, by courtesy of your photo in your Sept. 17, edition, it is plain to me that she is an alien from the plant Censor. I can tell by the shape of her head and she must have flown in here on the space ship “My Way.” Thank you.

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In response to Ms. Mullen’s  situation about the music on the school bus radios. I do commend her for taking a stand for her children. I do feel like she has that right as a parent, and I think it’s very sad that we live in a society that cannot accept that fact, whether it be right or wrong, but I do not think she should be scrutinized for standing up for her children. She does have a right whether or not they ride a bus and I don’t feel like she should have to take them to school, if she feels that that is not necessary. But as a parent of a student that attends one of the public schools in Suwannee County, I know policies and procedures do change like the weather. So I commend Ms. Mullen  and I tell her to continue to fight for her children.

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Monday through Friday, I have the privilege of driving from south Suwannee County to Jasper to work. I am usually on the road at the same time as the school buses in both counties. I believe our children are our most precious asset. I see schools buses speeding and not bothering to stop at stop signs on a regular basis. Even if the buses are empty, it is still very dangerous to other vehicles. In case nobody else has noticed, they are a lot bigger and heavier than cars and pickup trucks. I challenge you to report this irresponsible bus driving. Safely write down the bus number, report them and let’s all be safer. Thank you.

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MY friend, the purveyor of the ‘doozy’ of a word.  It is to my shame that I, albeit with tongue in cheek, mocked your use of a very fitting word which I denigrated as a $1.98 term. My apologies as I deflected attention from the very important message that you presented. The anarchy you alluded to is apparently just over the horizon but socialism has never worked and never will. Only good old fashioned democracy is viable and folks like you and I must deem it imperative to get off our duffs and vote the despots out. Incidentally, in a follow up rant it was intimated that one or both of us were not native to the area and apparently used  another ‘doozy’ describing some sort of fuel that might propel our vehicles out of the area. Apparently one or both of us has rankled perhaps, ~~

TEA PARTY HAIKU

Beltway insiders

Made fun of the Tea Party folks

Who is laughing now?

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If a $1.98 would get me outta here, I’d never look back, pillar salt and all, don’t ya know! What’s to like is what the Good Lord provided,scenic beauty in spades. The good ol’ boy’s didn’t have nuthin’ to do with it. Reckon the only thing they got done was to set the stage for the next Scopes Monkey Trial,hope ya’ll are geared up for it!

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Way to go Bennie Thomas on your DUI on 09/20/2010…What a role model you are to the people in your District and Community.  If this is one of the qualifications to be a public servant, I would like to nominate several of the local transients up at US 129 and I-10.

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I just wanted to know if our current County Commissioners really think that Suwannee County can support a fourth fire/rescue station. Now I am certainly not opposed to this if it is needed AND the county can afford it. I just find it very difficult to believe that Suwannee County can afford to expand services when almost every other county is trying their best to maintain what they have and not have to layoff any current employees. It seems the Public Safety Director is being allowed to spend money that we dont have. We should all be urging our county commissioners to maintain the employees it already has and not continue to spend us into debt.

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This is a rave for the person that wrote an article about restraints for children. I have often wondered if it was going to take a child’s death in an accident to get something done about it. Correct me if I am wrong but aren’t there programs out there to assist parents and caregivers with obtaining car seats? I personally know of an LOPD officer that pulled a young lady over with her children unrestrained. no citation, no anything. She had to call a friend with car seats to pick up the children. Then the officer let the young lady drive away knowing that her Driver license were not valid. What kind of world are we living in?

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Can anyone explain why Florida State Universities accept non-state students while at the same time deny qualified in-state students admission?  Could it be the money????

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I want to personally commend Kristi Mullen for standing up for what she believes in as well as trying to provide a productive environment for her children. As a parent of a child that attends a school in Suwannee County I do know that procedures and rules often change like the WEATHER so I do understand. My question is though why are our school administrators and staff not held accountable. They want and require our children to follow the rules but it’s totally AMAZING how grown adults that are supposed to be so educated act so irresponsible and don’t uphold the same principles they ask our children to follow. I do understand and share different concerns and I thank God for parents like her that are willing to stand up and fight for her children. Keep up the good work Mrs. Mullen and never start fighting for your childrens rights and future. May God be with you.

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Callers to 386-208-8314 may express their thoughts, good or bad, 24/7 about community issues and politics, but not about private individuals or businesses. If you prefer, you may email your comments to nf.editorial@gaflnews.com. You don’t have to give your name, and please, keep submissions to less than 45 seconds (that’s about 150 words). We want everybody to have a chance to be heard. Submissions that are overly long will be discarded. If 45 seconds isn’t enough time, write a Letter to the Editor. (Guidelines for letters appear on Page 6A of our print edition.)