Kids Need Loving Parents
Kids in trouble often need something money can’t buy.
“Many of the boys and girls in trouble are those with the $100 jackets, $80 shoes and the ‘box’ turned up at full volume,” says Marie Yates, who volunteered for nine years in the juvenile probation system.
Yates also has worked with and is impressed by Mel Carter of Spokane, a tireless crusader who tries to steer youngsters away from bad choices.
“What Mel Carter needs is responsible parents who give their children love and affection, not material things,” Yates wrote in response to last week’s “Bagpipes” column asking how Carter’s workload and those of a handful of activists like him could be spread more broadly.
“Several years ago,” Yates said, “the University of Minnesota asked several hundred 4- and 5-year-old children: If necessary, which would they give up - their television or their dad? Over one-third said, ‘My dad.’ There is no better baby sitter than a television apparently, but it doesn’t put any arms around you and say, ‘I love you.”’
Volunteers for beautification
Does downtown Spokane need a major face lift? Martin Aguilar says he thinks so, and he’d like to help it happen.
“I’ve had much discussion with a friend as to how much more could be done in downtown Spokane,” said Aguilar. “I really would like more information on how to get involved with that because downtown in Spokane needs a drastic change and improvement with all the lousy city blocks.”
Aguilar and his friend are college students. He said the friend is studying civil engineering at Notre Dame and wants to come back and get involved with city beautification.
Making the grade
What would make the American education system better?
“Schools have become multipurpose agencies, expected to solve problems that they are not equipped or created to solve,” says Jim Shamp of Cheney.
“Let’s make our educators’ job doable. Stop trying to solve social problems, expel those who are disruptive or do not wish to learn and concentrate on educating those who do.”
Put respect for learning back in the classroom,” says James Nelson of Spokane. “This could be attained by making the teacher the sole authority, backed by support from parents instead of threats from the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). It seems education was better off before students demanded and got all the rights they wanted.”
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