create (anonymous) says...

From a teacher's perpective, so much time in front of the one-eyed babysitter is troubling. No coloring books? No drawing? No listening to children's literature on audio books? You can get free downloads from State of Kansas Library. Ever listen to Peter and the Wolf with them? I did this with my grandchildren when they were little only a few short years ago. They loved it.

The past several days have been lovely, so cool. I hope your children were able to get outside.

July 24, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

under_score (anonymous) says...

I don't think he was speaking literally.

July 24, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

Most parents who have ever seen Spongebob can tell you that ten minutes seems like 10,000 hours. I feel the Walkers' pain. The ideal is that the kids get way less than their max tv/video game time in the summer as it would be replaced by outdoor time, but with all this rain, they're still getting their two hours a day and despite what the clock or timer says, it seems like a lot more on summer days than it did in the winter.

My question is about the ark.....Chris, do you know something we don't ? Should I be worried?? ;-)

July 24, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

biscuitboy (anonymous) says...

I agree....what kids want and need most is just time spent with mom and dad. What they do with you is much less important than just being with you.

July 24, 2009 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthefacts (anonymous) says...

Heck, Chris; turn off the boob tube and turn on the computer, if your kids follow the forums in your own paper they will:

See more cornball drama than daytime TV;
Learn more colorful metaphors than on MTV;
Be dumbed down sooner by backwoods logic than a game show; and
Meet more clowns that if they had gone to the circus.

July 24, 2009 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

justthefacts,

Thanks! :)

Seriously R. Folks

July 24, 2009 at 6:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

b3bill (anonymous) says...

What a stupid article, and it is just another example of the low quality content in The Gazette these days. As a subscriber to The Gazette, I am not bashful to say I think it is making new lows all the time in most of its content.

Mr. Walker, why not write something constructive on a weekly basis in place of Friday Thoughts? For example, in light of the economic situation in Emporia and surrounding areas, why not have a dedicated weekly article about the progress made in attempting to get businesses to relocate or expand here for more decent paying jobs?

Contact the City Commission, Chamber of Commerce, other city boards in Lyon County, etc. and tell them you are writing a weekly article on the progress of improving the job market around here. Report what progress has been made, or the lack thereof, the past week. If some of these commissions/boards feel that is unnecessary or imposing, report their lack of concern and/or cooperation in the same way as you would their cooperative input.

A lot of people are in a poor economic situation around here, and those responsible for trying to get the job market to expand here should be questioned on a weekly basis by the local media, which includes The Gazette. It seems like coverage of this has been very limited and perhaps avoided. It is time for The Gazette to make this a priority issue to thoroughly cover on a weekly basis.

July 24, 2009 at 11:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthefacts (anonymous) says...

That's right, Hitler burned books, I guess we can hang a few heretics for having the nerve to try some intellectual levity. The absolute nerve of some people. Just because they own the paper..just what do they think they are in a country where free speech is a Constitutional right or something?

July 25, 2009 at 12:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

In the print edition, there is a note that states that Friday Thoughts is meant to be a light-hearted commentary. I think that should be included here for the online only readers who don't seem to get that.

C'mon, people, lighten up!!! It's Friday........well, Saturday now, but you know what I mean.

July 25, 2009 at 12:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthefacts (anonymous) says...

Oops I thought everyone here was being light hearted commentators..you mean they were serious???

July 25, 2009 at 12:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

b3bill has a terrific idea worth looking into, Chris. An article that holds feet to the fire would sell more newspapers too. Think about it. One weekly column featuring solid investigative reporting that just might step on a few toes would be just exactly what we need around this town.

I remember when my friend, an investigative reporter for the Honolulu Advertiser, wrote a series exposing the existence of underworld crime in Honolulu. Oh my! Newspaper sales soared, and that's all people talked about for weeks and weeks afterwards. It even got the police department off their duffs to do more thorough investigating whenever they found a dead body buried up to its head at low tide. Many arrests were made when names were published. Of course Gene's life was in danger for awhile, but that's the name of the game.

Try it. I double dog dare ya. Good idea, b3bill.

July 25, 2009 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

Some folks 'round here don't take kindly to lighthearted readin'.

Seriously R. Folks

July 25, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Chris,
I find your lighthearted comments, well, lighthearted.

Keep them comming.

But I also think that b3bill has an idea that deserves some consideration. Maybe just a paragraph or two in the Go Emporia section?

July 25, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

justthefacts (anonymous) says...

Be careful about exposing the underworld though, I'm not sure the cockroaches and raccoons take kindly to light and exposure.

July 25, 2009 at 10:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...

an ark for the community is a great idea to protect us from the national agenda of liberal ideas. this is the worst flood in years.

July 26, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

lol

July 26, 2009 at 8:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Chris,

While having the light-hearted commentary weekly is a great idea, let's go back to b3bill's idea. Instead of Pats on the Back, it could be titled "A Slap upside the Head"

July 26, 2009 at 10:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )