Speaking out on speech

To the Editor:

I applaud your decision to print the cartoon on your “Opinion Page” by Clay Bennett, political cartoonist for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The simple illustration depicting public school administrations depriving students from hearing a motivational message for education from our president was sheer genius.

I am proud to proclaim that I am a graduate of the Corsicana Independent School District as well as a graduate of Navarro College. My education from our public school system has served me well and I sincerely thank the educators who taught me the three “Rs,” whether I wanted to learn them or not.

Even at times when I was inattentive or even rebellious, my teachers stayed the course and unlocked the mystery of written communication, math, science, and history. However, the most important lesson that I learned from my teachers was respect for my Constitution, my president, and the American way of life.

I served five years active duty in the U.S Army, and three years in the Texas Army National Guard. Instead of hiding behind a college draft deferment during the Vietnam War, I left my studies at Navarro College and served a combat tour as an infantry soldier in Vietnam. During my service to my country I served three different U.S. presidents. It made no difference to me what political party they were associated with. The only thing that mattered to me was that each of them was my commander in chief and my president.

I find it unpatriotic, shameful, self-serving, and cowardly that public school board administrators would anoint themselves as the high priests of public information and decree that, without their consent, public school students could not view or hear a motivational message regarding education from the president of the United States.

Johnny M. Russell



To the Editor: I read the reaction to Obama’s speech to be given to the school kids. Hey, wait a minute, this man’s only been in office approximately six months. Some people have decided that he’s an evil man that’s set out to destroy our country. His very name instills fear in some. He’s not the first president to speak to the schoolchildren.

Whatever happened to respect for our president? He’s being put down daily and I, for one, am “sick “ of this.

Please, he’s a human being that our country chose to lead our country. Give the man a chance!

It’s a difficult job!

Bette Nell Rash

P.S. One president said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”



Thanks from the kids

To the Editor: This summer the Corsicana 10 and Under Girls All-Star softball team participated in three Pony League state tournaments. The girls did an amazing job considering they only had a short amount of time to learn to play together after battling each other in league play in Corsicana. In the state warm-up tournament in Benbrook they came out of the loser’s bracket to play an outstanding team from Burleson. They won the first game to make it to the championship game. In the title game they lost a close game in extra innings playing until almost midnight and brought home a second place trophy. Next at the Pony sectional tournament in White Settlement they fought the heat and teams that were older and much larger than they were to finish third out of 10 teams. And in the Pony regional tournament at Benbrook they again battled the heat and older and larger teams to finish second to the same Burleson team they played a few weeks earlier. One of my proudest moments in my life was to stand at home plate and call these girls by name to come and get trophies. They are: Carly Cates, Taylor White, Skylar Kirk, Ally McKendree, Jada Woolley, Teleia Braziel, Maddie Moore, Iryssa Flores, Brianna Divin, Jordan Kirk, Grace Updegrove, Allison Spence, Jamison Teague and Ashlynn Ray. Outstanding coaches of this team were Tony McKendree, Jimmy Woolley, Connie Duwe and Steve Cates. Special thanks goes out to Laura White, Cindy Cates and Will Kirk for their help and support. Also, we could not have placed without these sponsors: I-45 Wrecker, Jones Medical Equipment, J&L; Construction, Memories by Melissa, Corsicana Glass and Mirror, Niles River Massage, Edge Medical Supply, Navarro Regional Hospital Outpatient Physical Therapy, Roy French Texaco, Coker Rehab, Fence Co., Dr Pepper of Corsicana, Corsicana Sheet Metal, Dr. Frank Means, Hand in Hand Hospice, Sterling Hyden Insurance, Dwayne Grounds Custom Cabinets, Custom T’s, Action Sign and Banner. Thank you to the parents of these outstanding girls for getting them to practice and to the tournaments. Thanks girls for the memories!

Steve Cates



A (puppy’s) birthday prayer

To the Editor:

To the people of person who dumped the nine newborn Fox Terrier puppies on Liberty Drive around July 23 ...

Dear heartless human: They were found accidentally and by pure chance deep in weeds. Five were already dead, eaten up by fire ants, four were alive. Try as hard as we could, three of the remaining four died. Mine lived. His name is Mad Maxx. Maxx is approximately six weeks old now, had his first puppy shots yesterday and now weighs 3.7 pounds — quite a difference from the three ounces that he weighed when he came to live with me, his forever mother. He is glorious and very smart and healthy. Maxx says to tell you he forgives you for what you did to his brothers and sisters, and hopes God will forgive you also. Personally, I don’t think God will forgive you, nor should He forgive you.

Renee’ Brown