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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Thanks for Rant & Rave. It has given me a new appreciation of the folks who live in Suwannee County. I moved here because of a love for the country's slow pace but I found some of the SC residents a bit too religious. They seemed too willing to allow some preacher-man (a mortal human being) a control over their lives. I've lived in large metropolitan areas and never was asked "What religion are you and what church do you attend?"... But here that was the second question after "Hot/Cold weather we're having". Since R&R; I had a change of heart. There are 'Thinkers' out there amongst the 'Sycophants' and that means enlightenment exists. I believe in separation of Church and State, so concerning the liquor laws here, they're ANTIQUATED! My mother had a saying she would use quite often when it came to obstinance. "Cutting off your nose to spite your face!"

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I'm encouraged to see so many intelligent people in favor of making Suwannee a wet county. When will it be up for our vote and is someone making sure that it makes it's way on the ballot?

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On Independence Day, July 4th 2009, I drove thru (3) local housing subdivisions, looking for homes displaying the American flag. This is what I found. Foxboro Subdivision 20 homes displaying flags out of 95 = 21% Savannah Plantation Subdivision 0 homes displaying flags out of 11 = 0% Carriage Place Subdivision (4) homes displaying flags out of 17 = 23-1/2% Conclusion Patriotism doesn't seem to be alive and well in the Live Oak area.

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I went to visit my friend at the jail and I called first and they said yes come along that will be fine. But when I got to the jail the person told me I needed my driver’s license so I had to go back and get that. Then, everybody knew who I was. Then they told me I couldn't visit him period because I wasn't on the list. Please tell the people before they go to the jail what they need to bring and if they're on the list. It would make it very nice for the visitor.

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I would just like to call to say that I find it very disappointing that a prominent church in Live Oak would have the pastor would stand up in front and actually run down our President Obama. It was very disappointing. We went to visit a church in Live Oak and that was what occurred. That President Obama was put down for what he's going. And for my child to sit there and hear that was very disappointing to see a preacher not show any respect to our president. Whether you voted for President Obama or not he is still the president of the United States and I think more respect should have been shown to him. And I find that disappointing. And I that think in church we should certainly show respect to the heads of our country.

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I would like to ask the people of Live Oak one question. Have we elected a city council or have we elected a bunch of lobbyists. I'm going to find me a spot for a livery stable cause the next Live Oak ordinance could be for a horse and buggy.

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I think they raised the prices on cigarettes is wrong. They should have raised the prices of alcohol. After all people drink and drive and that kills people. Smoking and driving doesn't. I think the prices should have been raised on alcohol and not cigarettes.

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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.)