Readers' Hotline 5/18/11

Endangerment
I am one of the people who was in the vehicle on the road the day the toddler boy — 5 years or younger — was driving the adult Gator on Creekview. To correct the caller, I do have a four-year college degree. There were two toddlers; one driving; one toddler girl in the back and a man slumped over in the passenger seat. He didn’t appear to be able to drive for some reason. There were two cars on the road and as we tried to pass the Gator, a car came over the hill. This was a dangerous situation and could have caused a serious accident. The toddlers had no seat belt or head safety gear and could have been killed, as there were two cars and even two cars of families could have been killed that day. The passenger in our vehicle thought there was going to be an accident and grabbed the video. So, it’s all on video along with the slumped man cursing and yelling and making obscene gestures as we passed. If you or law enforcement would like to view it at any time, just let us know. This has happened before and needs to be investigated and stopped before somebody gets hurt.
Editor’s note: I think you should put that on YouTube. Then we can link it on our website!

Let up
I just read the comment about the couple that lives together and they started going to church. This person thinks they shouldn’t be there because they are sinners. We are all sinners. You think the person would be happy they are coming to church. Maybe they will hear something that will help them in their lives and make their lives right. Maybe they don’t have the money to get a divorce. You need to pray for them instead of talking about them. Keep on and you may keep them from coming to church at all. I guess you are perfect and free from sin? From my understanding, sinners and those that are lost are the ones God wants in church.

Think
I’d like to respond to the call about living in sin. All I have to say is, you people who cast the first stone, think about it.

Not so proud
I read in the paper about “don’t steal from the dead.” It really breaks my heart to know that this stuff happens in this community. And we say we are proud. How can we really be proud? Veterans are treated with disrespect and it has been going on for years. I feel like it is time to say, yes, Jesus Christ is Lord. Bring back God to the schools and the 10 Commandments. We need them. Our community is hurting and I see it every day — the stealing, the robbing, the thieving.

No better
I don’t see why Joe Vaughan shouldn’t run for Grayson County supervisor again. Ones running against him are no better. The new ones coming in or new ones trying to be elected — where is it going to be any better? You might as well have what’s in there. That or no experience whatsoever. How do they think somebody with no experience is going to do anything? They don’t have any idea how to run anything else, much less running a county. We wouldn’t be any better off.

What about the food?
An area restaurant claims they have a high rating for the cleanliness of their kitchen and that may be, but does anybody rate the quality of the food? They may have a clean kitchen but terrible, terrible food that’s not fit for human consumption. Does anybody rate the food quality of a restaurant?
Editor’s note: When it comes to the quality of food, customers vote with their dollars.

No stones cast
In reference to the caller, “living in sin,” may I refer you to the King James version of the Bible and John Chapter 8, when the scribes and the pharisees brought to Jesus a woman that was taken in to adultery. In verse 8, Jesus said, “Let he that goes without sin cast the first stone.” No stones cast. A man and a woman living together is no worse than the sin of you gossiping about them. Man puts degrees on sin, not God. If you think their sin is so great, is not church the very place they need to be? Maybe you could stand to spend a little time in church listening to God’s word and learning. I know I could, and no, I have no idea who you are referring to. Just judge not lest ye be judged.
Editor’s note: Okay. Enough casting of stones. No more calls on this subject after this week.

Not neutral
I’m calling about the double whammy comment. I do believe Galax’s real estate taxes have been raised. Well, it says they have been neutral for 20 years. I am only 35 and my real estate taxes have gone up and I live in the city.
Editor’s note: “Neutral” referred to the amount of revenue the city received from taxes, not the tax rate or amount paid.

Hamburger scandal
What is wrong with all these stores nowadays? You can buy a pack of hamburger and pay a fortune and it looks really good. You get home and make it out in to patties and it’s got all the old mixed in with the new. I was raised on a farm and I know what good hamburger looks like. When you see all these dark spots mixed in with the other, that is the old mixed in with the new. This needs to stop.

Campaign spending
Could someone tell me where the candidates who are running for election get their money to buy signs and hats and shirts and all the things they give away?