<font color="#FF0000">RANT & RAVE</font> - Jan. 15

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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To the individual who submitted the rant concerning media bias and the ownership of the Suwannee Democrat: Your submission was of interest, but far too long to publish. Please condense - considerably - and re-submit.

- Editor

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Before the self righteous hypocrites get started, I am not advocating, excusing or defending substance abuse. The good book states the fruits and herbs are here for man to use, serve the greiving wine, let the poor man enjoy his wine, etc. It cautions against excess. The point is the use of various intoxicants is as old as human history. The percentage of people attending events at our #1 source of tourist revenue who get arrested is fairly small. Some folks are stupid and would get busted wherever they are or came from. Our sheriff wisely puts more effort into busting local ongoing drug operations in our county. This is what is really important, not a few tourists. Many of these folks come from other places where simple poss. is not even a crime, no excuse, simply the truth. When you see the elderly & disabled arrested for selling gov't. funded perscriptions, this is a social illness. Sometimes these people simply need the money to survive. Not condoning it, stating a fact. Suwannee county is not a mecca for drug dealers!! Even when they get caught, they are still leaving money in our local economy. Once again our alledged "moral superiority" is simply a by product of the cattle industry

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I am a Suwannee County resident working in Lake City (don't most of us?), at one of the hospitals in town. Our hospital recently had a big flat-screen TV installed in the cafeteria. My problem is that they have chosen Fox News (Faux News) as the default channel. Firstly, I don't think a news channel is the best choice for our customers to have to watch while they are in our lunchroom. They are already here visiting sick friends and family, there is too much Doom and Gloom on ANY news channel, let alone Fox News. If the hospital feels that news is the best choice, at least they should tune the TV to a reputable, non-biased, nuetral station, one that presents NEWS, not OPINION. Better that the TV is tuned to an informational channel where our customers can come away with something positive. There is a Patient Health Channel that is produced by our parent company (HCA) but that is not shown in the cafeteria.I am reluctant to go to anyone in administation in fear that we don't share the same views and that my employment will be in jeopardy. Maybe they will read this...

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In response to the "want to be" mayor of Live Oak in the edition of Friday, January 8. Does he want to take these junkets to Atlanta, Jacksonville or wherever at the city's expense to seek new business. In Nov. 2009 the "want to be" mayor fought against a non-pollution business, a veterinarian hospital to come to Live Oak. This business would have created jobs. Some would have been after school for kids to work after school. It so happens this business was to be located in his neighborhood. There are at least eight businesses on this street, but the "want to be" mayor fought the veterinarian clinic to come to Live Oak. It wouldn't be suitable for this area. Why "want to be" mayor, there are at least eight businesses on this street which includes bars, vacant buildings, pet shops. Citizens of Live Oak I don't think that this "want to be" mayor has the experience or personality to hold this position. Citizens of Live Oak does this "want to be mayor speak with a forked tongue? Thank you.

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I am so happy someone is running for Mayor. Perhaps a new mayor can remember when he sends a city truck out to the chicken plant to help a local contractor against city policy. I hope our new mayor doesn't have to drive the city's SUV to Tallahassee for an ethics hearing.

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from a Jan. 13, 2010, news article:

"'It's our goal for all students to make AYP at every school site, Scarborough said.'" and

"Reading and math remediation is available ONLY to African-American and economically-disadvantaged students..." Why isn't remediation offered to ALL those needing it? Federally-sanctioned discrimination?

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Do you REALLY love your country? Listen to the video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtjfMjjce2Y

Also, try to figure out how the 300% increase in unemployment taxes for businesses are going to HELP Suwannee County!

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Raves to the Democrat for it's new editorial policy regarding endorsements in politics. Historically folks have looked to newspapers for opinion at election time. While newspapers are struggling to survive, this adds relevance to your publication and might open some eyes around here.

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Let's see, fourth graders moved to the sixth grade because they 'aged-out' and couldn't continue to be retained (aka, held-back.) Is this how the No Child Left Behind program is suppose to work? I'll bet the sixth grade teachers just love having these students! I'm willing to bet hard earned cash who will be dropping out of school - or become home-schooled :) - by the time they turn sixteen. Suwannee County School System, PLEASE prove me wrong!

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Hi, I have a question for the City Fathers. Why, if we can't afford our own public works department, do we farm it out to somebody who makes the profit? So if they're making a profit then it is actually costing the city more than if they were running it themselves. First, have you looked at the city street and curbs and sidewalks, they are in such a poor state of repair that you can trip and fall over most curbs in the city. It just seems to me that it is just outrageous that things aren't taken better care of. And by the way, I was beside a city truck the other day with bald tires on it so if the public works department is being efficiently run, why are we running around on bald unsafe tires? Maybe someone can answer that, give it a shot. Bye.

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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.)

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