Willie,
Just some good news about Oconee County. I think we forget that Seneca has an awesome recreational department and I would like to see them get the recognition they deserve. If it weren’t for some of the programs like football, soccer and basketball to name a few, where would we be? I also think that every now and then the paper should have some pictures related to these activities to show some of the positive things our kids are doing.
Willie says:
It’s good to hear a positive note and that the recreational opportunities our municipalities and the county offer are appreciated. The sports department does run some recreation news and would run more if it were called in or provided in a form that was useable. According to the sports editor, however, there is less room during the high school sports seasons and also during Clemson football. I’m sure you understand that.
Willie,
I’m calling about the people who were having a church dinner and the waitress had a hickey on her neck. People are complaining about smoking and Mexicans and now hickeys? What else are they going to complain about?
Willie says:
I don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out!
Willie,
My husband and I just purchased a home from Powell Real Estate of Walhalla. I wanted to say thanks to Diannia Griffith for such wonderful service! From spending hours looking at homes to getting a little rowdy with the banker. Thanks!
Willie says:
Willie wishes you much happiness in your new home!
Willie,
In regards to the student at a public high school who has been bullied, I would like to suggest an alternative. We have a great academy called Oconee Christian Academy. It has a wonderful atmosphere and schools preschool through 12th grade. Perhaps the students would like to check it out. It’s a school environment with loving and caring teachers and students.
Willie says:
I’ll pass along your thoughts.
Willie,
This is to all family-owned businesses. If you have employees who can be trusted and who are dedicated to their job, they need to be acknowledged and appreciated for the work they do. Sometimes in family-owned businesses, the owners forget that the employees are not relatives and will not benefit from profits being made by the company. In my case, the family I work for cannot offer benefits, and it has been a long time since I have seen any kind of pay increase. Businesses are struggling because of our economy. It is hard to find a good job, and it is hard to find honest, trustworthy employees. Employers know there are many people looking for work that they don’t stop to think what impact it would have on their business to lose dedicated employees. There is time lost to hire and train a new employee. This time could have been used to bring revenue in for the company. Will this new employee be honest and dedicated or will it be going to recruits again in a few months? These are some things family-owned businesses should think about if they have honest, dedicated, hard-working employees.
Willie says:
Willie hopes your employers do appreciate your hard work and honesty even though they have not increased your pay. As their cost of living goes up, so does yours.
Willie,
I have this nagging question that maybe you can get to the bottom of. I saw on the news today that gas stations are running out of certain kind of gas and had to raise the prices on the rest. Also the owner of a station said he had plenty of oil. My question is if the owner has plenty of oil like he said on the news then why is his station increasing its gas over 40 cents in the past two days? If seems if there is a crisis near or far away, their prices always go up?
Willie says:
Even if one station’s supply is adequate, if other stations are running out it makes the first station’s gas more valuable to the consumers that need it. They can charge more — the law of supply and demand. Not fair. Just the way life is.
Willie,
Could you find out what the fine/charge is for having more than one driver’s
license/no South Carolina driver’s license? And, also for habitual offenders
of the crime? Just curious; it seems many people are arrested for this
violation.
Willie says:
The fine is $237.50 for the first and every subsequent offense. Never leave home without that driver’s license, unless you’ve got money to burn!
Willie,
I just read in the paper about this $700 billion bailout package. It seems that the only people who are going to have to pay for this are taxpayers who make less than $200,000 a year to bail these greedy thieving corporations. I don’t agree with it. They ought to just let these thieves go under and quit allowing them to steal our money. We pay enough to keep this country and the entire world going. It’s time for us taxpayers to get some help. Make them bail us out. George Bush has a hand in the oil industry. Isn’t it weird that he does not want to stop big oil from making huge profits off us taxpayers, yet he can get in his jet and go to Kennebunkport, Maine to play golf? Come on, dude. This is taxpayer money in the works. Get real, America, the world is getting worse every day. Like I said previously, we really need to start learning that the taxpayer has a say in what happens in this country. We have to stand up and fight for what we believe in. I don’t believe that we should have to bail out these greedy businessmen and women.
Willie says:
Willie had to bleep out a bit of your vocabulary, but I’m sure readers will get your message.
Willie,
I have been very critical of the Clemson Central Recreation Center, but I have to give them credit. They came through! They took a week off, fixed up the place, and the result is a place that is more than worth coming to again! The equipment works! Some equipment is brand new! The workers wear shirts with a logo so we know who works there and who doesn’t! The workers circulate and make sure everyone who needs help gets it! Best of all, they allowed my child to bring in a ball and play catch in the pool! Way to go, folks! You listened to the complaints and did something about it!
Willie says:
It’s great to hear from a happy camper like yourself!
Willie,
I know you don’t like to talk politics on here, Willie, but I think this election is too important. With McCain’s history of multiple bouts with cancer, he’s got little more than a 50 percent chance of making it through his term. He’s selected the least qualified, least intellectual person ever to be his running mate. I don’t understand the comparisons with Obama, either. Obama holds an advanced degree from Harvard, worked as a community organizer and law professor before spending the past 12 years in state and national office. Palin, two years ago she was mayor of a town half the size of Clemson and she left that place $20 million in debt. I think Larry Abernathy does a great job as mayor of Clemson, but I think he’d laugh if someone even suggested that he could be qualified for the presidency by 2010 if he spent a few months as governor. I think he’d admit he would have no business conducting foreign policy with dangerous nations, and he’d be right. And he’s far better and far smarter than Palin. C’mon folks, wake up and smell the toast burning on this one.
Willie says:
I guess folks can tell what ticket you’re backing. Be sure and exercise your duty as an American to vote.
Willie,
My child is constantly listening to music and loves his iPod. I was disturbed recently when I found out that he could no longer bring his iPod to high school. Why is this? What can be done to change this? I know my son and many other kids can concentrate better and block out the distractions of other students if they are allowed to listen to their iPods.
Willie says:
Nothing can or should be done to change this. Your son is not in school to listen to music during class. He’s in school to get an education to succeed in life.
Willie,
It looks like we’re headed for Columbine situation with them boys persecuting that boy at Seneca High School. Let’s publish the boys’ names and let the community deal with it.
Willie says:
No.
Willie,
I would like to comment about the NHSRA. First and foremost, this is a great thing for high school age kids who have a passion for the rodeo events. Every contestant has to be in an active school whether it be a public/private school, homeschool or a night school in order to gain a GED. They have to maintain attendance and a C or better average. The association is run by parents and other members that are elected. I am a huge fan and contestant of the rodeo and know people personally who were very active in NHSRA for years and without it would not be the people they are today. The kids work hard to practice and train themselves and the animals. A lot of them have a lot of responsibility for caring for the animals themselves. These kids are very good at what they do and take a lot of pride in it. Funding comes from entry fees and from within the association itself. But in the end, the best of the best walk away with the pride of winning nice prizes and scholarships and a chance of a lifetime to go out west and compete in the big national show with kids from around the world. If the person writing to you is concerned, they can always attend the meeting the SCHSRA/NHSRA every year and help with the rules and regulations by becoming an officer or supporter. I think they would be more than happy to have the help. And to the kids who compete all year-round, good luck to each and every one of you. May God watch over you and your livestock in every event. Ride hard, work hard and play hard!
Willie says:
I echo your good wishes for the kids involved in this worthwhile activity!
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iPod friendly version
October 10, 2008
7:37 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Amen, Willie! School is no place for iPods or cell phones, either!
October 10, 2008
7:48 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I totally agree CT.
October 10, 2008
8:07 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Oconee Christian Academy is not "bully proof" I now from a friend who moved his daughter from SHS to OCA because of mistreatment from other students. The only thing that changed was the faces and names. God forgive me for being honest but church going children and adults are far from perfect and sometimes worse than us heathens. There will always be bullies and victims. It's not a pretty world out there and all we can do is teach our children to be strong and carry on. It all starts within a child's heart and their parents guidance. Please don't think that just because you throw CHRIST"S name on something that it will be perfect. As long as humans are human people are going to hurt people. Just be strong and teach your kids to be compassionate and show them how to stand up and help the ones being bullied.
October 10, 2008
8:13 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Amen mountainman.
October 10, 2008
8:35 a.m.Report inappropriate content
mountainman it's know, not now
: )
I just wanted to repay the favor.
Great post.
October 10, 2008
8:38 a.m.Report inappropriate content
If you notice in the "Arrest Record" in the Daily JM, most of those who are arrested for having more than one driver's license have "south of the border" names. I wonder how many of these "south of the border" types, just pay their fines and flee the county and move back and forth across state lines having never been prosecuted?
October 10, 2008
8:52 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I see nothing wrong with kids having their cell phones at school, as long as they do not use them during class.
October 10, 2008
9:01 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Come on parent...You know what is wrong with this and you are just playing dumb. If you want your child to listen to music all day, keep him at home and home-school. That seems to be what alot of parents do when their kids (who run the home) don't want to conform to public life. Just remember that you are training them to get along in society, and not always getting what they want or love to do. It is parents like you that cause children to think that they should be able to act in public like they do at home, and become brats. I bet he/she listens to music at the dinner table, too. That is good for blocking out family conversations and other important things that he/she doesn't want to be distracted by. STRUCTURE.
October 10, 2008
9:02 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Wow...stinks and I agree on something...someone document this day! ; )
superduper, first of all, why does a kid need a cell phone at school? If the parent needs the kid, the parent can call the office of the school. Further, saying that kids can have them, as long as they're off on on silent or whatever is great, but...trust me, I know...they OFTEN forget to turn them off, or put them on silent. Have you ever tried to teach a class and someone's "Baby Got Back" rigtone goes off in your class? Not fun.
October 10, 2008
9:40 a.m.Report inappropriate content
First, I agree ... no phones in the school. If there is an emergency and a phone call is needed, call the school office.
Secondly, I take offense to the person saying Senator McCain has a 50% chance of making it through his first term. Glad to know you think he will become our next President! What a disrepectful, uncompassionate comment to make when there are so many cancer survivors who have beat it, are in good health, and making a difference in their lives and the lives of others because of the trial they have been through.
Third, she is GOVERNOR Palin to you. She has an 80% approval rating in Alaska, and I am almost certain she could intelligently talk circles around you.
Fourth, Obama: Where shall we begin? Oh I know, let's start with Rev. Wright - 20 years??????????? I had no idea what kind of a man he really was. Bill Ayers - give me a break!!! He changes his story each time he says how he met this guy and there is to many documents coming out to prove that he is lying - sure we will hear yet another story in his 1/2 hour ad coming a week before elections. Odinga/Kenya - can't wait to hear that story on Monday night on Hannity/Combs - of course, I am sure once again it will be someone else's fault in his campaign that he will throw under the bus. And let's not forget about ACORN - I don't have to put the facts on here everyone has heard about this group.
You know you don't have to agree with each other about policies and that's great - but to say someone is going to die because of cancer before he can even live out his term is just down right disgraceful and you need to apologize!
October 10, 2008
9:44 a.m.Report inappropriate content
No, Fred, she should be called VICE-PRESIDENT PALIN, GOVERNOR Was her LAST JOB.
October 10, 2008
10:14 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Regarding John McCain's health and Sarah Palin's tenure as mayor of Wasilla:
John McCain's doctor has pronounced him as in excellent health. Also, keep in mind that genes are an important factor in longevity and John McCain's mother is 96 years old!
Sarah did leave Wasilla in debt but, the facts are that the sports arena and road paving projects responsible for this debt were voted on and approved by the residents of Wasilla. So who's really to blame?
October 10, 2008
10:23 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Fred and odj, you guys are witty this morning.
Nobama's chances aren't any better. Here's a list of Presidents who died in office.
William Henry Harrison 31 days in office died of PNEUMONIA and PLEURISY AGE 68
Zachary Taylor died from BAD CHERRIES AND MILK. AGE 65
Abraham Lincoln ASSASSINATED by John Wilkes Booth AGE 56
James A. Garfield ASSASSINATED by Charles Julius Guiteau AGE 49
William McKinley ASSASSINATED by Leon Frank Czolgosz AGE 58
Warren G. Harding HEART ATTACK. Some speculation of murder. AGE 57
Franklin Delano Roosevelt CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE AGE 63
John Fitzgerald Kennedy ASSASSINATED AGE 46
It just occurred to me that Nobama is the same age as Kennedy was, isn't he?
October 10, 2008
10:26 a.m.Report inappropriate content
As for the penalties for multiple drivers licenses, if a person has, for example, three drivers licenses, at least two of them are illegal. The current fine may still be the $237.50 Willie reported, but our new state law on illegal immigration ups the ante. Now, a person "...having in his possession a false, ficticious, fraudulent, or counterfeit identity document including, but not limited to, a drivers license or social security card..." is subject to fines up to $500 and/or a prison sentence up to five years for a second offense. Notice he just has to have a phony drivers license in his possession to violate the law. The same goes for anyone who creates or produces phony documents. We need to make sure the law is enforced, and that anyone who gets caught with a phony license more than once is charged and prosecuted as a FELON, not just fined and turned loose.
October 10, 2008
10:31 a.m.Report inappropriate content
The person complaining because their child couldn't listen to their ipod at school surely was pulling Willie's chain.
What responsible parent would want their child "tuning" out what's going on in their class.
As for cell phones, I think they should have them, but turned off until or when they have an emergency. Let's pray that we are never faced with a Virgina Tech situation, but if so would you want your child to be able to let someone know where they were and that they were safe? I am certainly glad that my grandson has his phone with him at all times....
October 10, 2008
10:36 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Sparrow, I agree that his age has no bearing, as long as he is good health(already confirmed & has great genes)and you are pretty witty yourself this morning, or was the assassination remark RE: Kennedy & NObama, a serious one?
TeeHee
I'm sure that you, as well as the rest of us don't wish him dead, just to go back into his hole, and when he rears his ignorant head, he sees his shadow and goes back in and we won't have any more bad politics(bad weather) whatever..... for awhile.
October 10, 2008
10:41 a.m.Report inappropriate content
odj, would I do that? Just sayin'!
October 10, 2008
10:48 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Hey ODJ, Ken, and Mountainman, WE Agree on something, the posts about education and parenting and kids that is. Definitely not the Robot Girl comments, but definitely on the school stuff.
I find that some parents think their kids rule the house and are always totally innocent and the teacher is always wrong. What are u teaching them for the future in their lives? They can't cry to you when their bosses get onto them. Are u going to go to their place of employment in 20 years and tell the boss that your child is right for having a cell phone at work when it is clearly stated that one is not allowed? This mentality is EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING to me. Because your kids are going to school with mine. And u know what? Mine gets punished for disrespecting the teachers rules. So in a few years when they are peers in high school I hope I have taught mine that your kid is not the one to respect, but that the teachers deserve the respect. Knowledge and Respect could save our country a lot of heartache in its FUTURE.
October 10, 2008
11:03 a.m.Report inappropriate content
On another note, I love the new format, it's so much easier to read.
October 10, 2008
11:07 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Hey openup, I am sure that we agree on alot of things, just not in politics, and that is okay.
I too, raised my boys to respect and that they went to school to learn, and if they didn't enjoy it, too bad.
I still would not have allowed them to take anything to school for their personal enjoyment, if it was against the rules.
Why not let them ride their bikes in the halls, take the TV to watch Hannah Montana, & oh yes, water guns to spray the teachers when they didn't want to do the work asked of them. There isn't a kid out there who wouldn't think that those are enjoyable distractions.
October 10, 2008
11:12 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I agree with odj and openup ... hey openup i think you are a closeted republican - you need to come out of the closet!! I bet we agree on tons of stuff and we will welcome you with open arms!!
October 10, 2008
12:28 p.m.Report inappropriate content
LOL Fred. I was raised Republican. and Southern Baptist. I ran as quick as I could away from both once I got a bit of education. Just kidding, kind of. Of course there are some views that I 100% agree with Republicans on. Capital punishment being one of those. Really though I don't believe the Democrat and Republican parties as we have known them will continue much longer. I don't want parties. I want results. Socially I am Liberal. And no the Southern Baptist comment does not mean i am not a Christian. I am a Christian. I do not believe in abortion personally, however, I also do not believe in taking a woman's choice away. If she has the kid because abortions become outlawed, and does not give the kid up for adoption, and finds out she can sell it to the local molestor or let her boyfriend beat the hound out of it, does that make it all worthwhile? Not in my book. Satan helps women choose abortions, not me or Barack Obama.
October 10, 2008
12:45 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I gave my child a cell phone in middle school. He takes it with him every day. #1 He only turns it on if he needs to call his family to pick him up from practice or he's staying late, etc. #2 No one in our family has text messaging. Lots of the parents are texting their kids at school!! If it's that important, parents should call the office and leave a message. Again the school is having to do the parenting instead of the parents. The only time my child was allowed to have an iPod at school was during PACT testing and they could only use them after they finished the tests.(seems was only way to keep them quiet while others finished test)
Now anyone who says that I don't know if he's using the phone at school... my phone bill shows every number to and from his phone; time and date. If he abuses this privilege, he looses use of the phone.
October 10, 2008
1:50 p.m.Report inappropriate content
BlueBell3, I'm glad your child can be responsible...most can not.
October 10, 2008
3:25 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Sparrow brings about good points, you just never know what could happen at any time. I agree on the new format.
October 10, 2008
3:27 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Also Sparrow, don't forget that Reagan was almost added to that list.
October 10, 2008
10:10 p.m.Report inappropriate content
To all who do not agree with me about the cell phones. In case of an emergency, example this as happened this year and last I tried calling the school to tell my child not to ride the bus home and couldn't get anyone to answer the phone he is to young to stay at home alone. I didn't just try calling the school once or twice I tried calling several times. NOBODY WOULD ANSWER THE PHONE!!!!! I actually drove to the school one day because I couldn't get through and the office was full of people talking about what they were going to have for dinner. My children will continue to take their phones to school with them because of reasons like this. By the way I don't allow my children to download songs onto their phones. THANK YOU!
October 10, 2008
10:41 p.m.Report inappropriate content
By the way I even called a man at the school board about this, and he tried calling the school and couldn't get through. So don't tell me my children shouldn't be able to carry a phone to school. There's alot of things that can happen to a child and I feel better sending my children out into the world knowing if something happened to them I'm just a phone call away.
October 15, 2008
5:04 p.m.Report inappropriate content
OCA!!!!! yeah right, if the kids arent the problem the staff is. If you dont mind being completely hounded to pay them extra fees all year long, or constantly GIVING to them all year long, or willing to pay outragous fees for the year and books that continue to rise while they pay the assistant teachers 5.25 per hour, and that doesnt change with the increases from parents, OCA is right for you. But now the staff does make more than 5.25 an hour for sitting in the office making sure your kid hears the word of God. And their pay will go up each year as the fees do, just not the teachers who are actually the ones teaching them....OH and just so you know, if you ever have a problem with one of the staff members, you may as well leave. Because even if it means hiding the truth, they will at any cost.
GO OCA~
October 21, 2008
12:17 p.m.Report inappropriate content
My father was a Baptist minister, and believe me, myself included............the children who go to church and are raised in a Christian environment are not immune to bad behavior. But, we were punished because of it, and thought better of it, before doing it again. We were just normal, sometimes well-behaved, sometime "not", children of parents who did try to get us to be good kids. That said, just try to get your children to behave and if all apply this rule, then maybe the bullying will be less of an issue. I have also been a teacher of 4-5 year olds @ church, and believe me, they are children of God, but NOT angels, and the things they say and do. Sometimes, toooo funny, sometimes toooo sad. But, I sure enjoyed them all and loved them, just the way they were.
October 21, 2008
12:33 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Christian children misbehave but Christian parents discipline. It is lack of discipline in the home that breeds incorrigible brats.
October 29, 2008
10 a.m.Report inappropriate content
yea the preachers kids usaly get into the most my kids were always wrecking the cars billy randal had plenty of busness the girls would blow the motor and the boy would just roll it