Comments by apsuz
Page 1 of 3 | Next
Posted on January 7 at 1:46 a.m.
“We’re looking to make this into a resort-style place,”
"apartment complex for Emporia State University students."
Is it just me, or do these two phrases not exactly go together? What college student can afford a "resort-style" apartment? Even if there are 4 students in one of the 4 bedroom apartments, with all the amenities listed, it sounds like it will be a little pricey. Most (traditional) ESU that I have known had little to no extra income, working at places fast food or similiar jobs that don't pay much. Most (non-traditional) students that I have known are more concerned about supporting families than having a fancy apartment with all these extras. It's a great idea, if it can be affordable too the students. But I could think of better things to do with extra space than put a movie theatre or tanning beds in a complex being built for students. How about a study lounge with wireless internet (internet is a little iffy, but a lot of research and projects can be done online, as opposed to in a tanning bed or while watching a movie). I'm still puzzled as to how college students are going to afford apartments like this. I hope they will be furnished, because I'm willing to bed that students that will fork out the cash for these apartments won't have anythng left over for furniture, except maybe inflatable beds and lawn chairs. Not to mention the extra for food. Sorry, I just think this is a little ridiculous to be meant for students.
Posted on December 30 at 2:07 a.m.
"We didn't record your vote, because it wasn't valid."
Mine wasn't valid either, but I didn't call anyone a Nazi, lol. Wonder what I did wrong...
Posted on December 25 at 10:36 p.m.
"if individuals maintain their language of origin at home, and that home includes children, they are putting their children at an educational disadvantage which generally manifests itself in a socioeconomic fashion for generations."
I have to disagree with this. I know many families in which the parents speak one language (not English) and the children learn that language first, then learn English (properly, I hope) in school. Studies have shown that bilingual children have higher learning and grade levels. Not to mention the opportunities they will have as adults entering the workforce in a global economy! I do have to say that I don't like seeing the children being used as interpreters, there are many times where they end up involved in conversations completely inappropriate for young persons. But as far as them using their native language at home, I see no way that they are putting their children's future at a disadvantage. In fact, I have a 2 1/2 year old that is currently learning two languages. I am a native English speaker, born and raised in Emporia (no longer live in Emporia, but it's still my hometown). My spouse is from another country and the main language at home is not English. Currently our daughter chooses to speak the non-English language (which language is completely irrelevant), however she can speak, and understands both very well. I have also tried to expose her to other languages, even though I'm not in a position to actually teach her something I don't know myself. We also try to expose her to culture and traditions from both sides of the family. However, diversity goes beyond language, culture and traditions. Even though she is young, I try to use every opportunity I can to teach her to respect others for whatever reason they may be different from her, be it race, language, disability, economic status, etc. People are people and no two people are alike. Everyone should be treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve.
Posted on December 23 at 2:06 a.m.
I have worked at 3 different packing plants (IBP in Emporia and 2 pork processing facilities), and not once got paid extra for changing clothes or washing equipment. I have also worked in several positions that required nursing scrubs, again not getting paid for changing in and out of uniform. When I've worked in restaurants, hotels, etc, I was not paid for changing in and out of clothing needed for those positions either. I currently work in a pork processing facility and have no complaints about the 5 minutes it takes me to change and the couple of minutes to wash my equipment. It's just ridiculous sue over something as frivolous as this. Kind of reminds me of lawsuits over hot coffee. Heck, I spend more time trying to find a parking spot at work (I work 2nd shift) than I do changing or washing my equipment. Maybe I should sue my employeer for the time, gas and wear/tear on my car when I'm driving around the parking lot or waiting for a spot for sometimes 45 minutes everyday. Oh wait, I could just go straight to the back of the parking lot and save 40 minutes plus get some exercise. But then I would have to sue because I didn't get to park as close as 1st shift. Or maybe I should sue because we aren't allowed to bring our own food in (for sanitation/pest control reasons) and I have to eat the food in the cafeteria if I'm hungry even though I don't like what they serve.
On the contamination issue, I agree that everyone should be careful no matter what their job. But I still have never had a job that paid me for changing just for that reason. Even in the 13 years I worked in long-term care, I didn't get paid to change in/out of scrubs. If I didn't want to leave the facility wearing the uniform I worked in, I was on my own time to change. Where I work now, we wear company-provided uniforms over our street clothes and steel-toed boots that are not allowed out of the facility unless they are not coming back in. We also have hand sanitation stations all over the plant, including near the entrance. Anything beyond that is a matter of personal hygiene, and therefore not the responsibility of the company. From the first day of orientation, a new hire is made aware of what we do and don't get paid for. Anyone that doesn't agree with company policy is free to leave and go work somewhere else. If you aren't aware of your company's policy on what you do and don't get paid for, it is your responsiblity to find out. Don't wait until you get laid off and sue for a few minutes of each day. I know time is precious, but this is just (for lack of a better word) stupid!
Posted on November 8 at 1:53 a.m.
USNretired: Military benefits are great for those that can get them. But what about the millions of people that for whatever reason don't qualify to even join the reserves or national guard? Sure, they can apply for student loans and grants, but that won't cover everything. Especially for a single parent trying to keep a roof over the head of his/her child(ren). I'm not trying to make excuses, just a point. I myself have more in student loans than I make in a year and a half, don't have time to finish my education because I have to work to support a family, and can't even make my loan payments so going back in the future is looking like less and less of an option. I am proud to say that as a former high school drop-out, I have completed over 2 years of college. But that's not doing me much good right now. My only option right now because of family responsibility and location (not in Emporia anymore) is an online "degree mill" such as Phoenix or DeVry to name a few. Eventually I will figure out how to go back to school and support the family at the same time, but until then we need the income and benefits from my 48/hour a week job. Can't complain too much though, I see people with degrees making less than what I make right now. I guess because they don't do much besides sit at a desk, while I'm doing physical labor. And at least I get a work-out at my job, so I don't feel so bad if I skip a day or two at the gym, lol.
Posted on September 10 at 1:52 a.m.
It is really sad to hear about things like this, but I am glad to know at least these men will have their day in court. I am a survivor of sexual abuse, and not one of my abusers ever even went to court for what they did to me. Kudos to the victims, and parents, for speaking out and doing your part to put these predators away. That being said, I do have a comment that will probably get some negative reaction but must be said. I don't personally know anyone involved in any of these cases, so I am not comparing to them. But I have personally known girls who, as minors, portrayed themselves as being "of age" to consent. I know of at least 2 that "tricked" the men into thinking they were older, then turned the men in (who where only a few years older than them) in for statutory rape of a minor. Girls who do that need help. I hope that isn't the case in any of these situations, and that the true violators will be prosecuted.
On In three separate cases, men charged with having sex with young girls
Posted on August 24 at 10:03 p.m.
Although I do not personally know these boys, or their parents, I agree with what tj9802 is saying. All the hatred being spread around in this case is not going to help these children. I make no excuses for their behavior, because I am not in a position to do so. I can speculate about what may have happened, but that doesn't change the facts of the situation. It is up to the court to decide what to do. I also have to agree with those who know there are "no perfect parents and no perfect children". I, too, was raised in a loving Christian (very active in church activities) and disciplined home and still found ways (without good reason) to sneak out in the middle of the night just to wander around town. Granted, I was never accused of breaking into anyplace or killing anything, but the fact remains that I was still out running around while my parents thought I was sound asleep in bed. However, there is a big difference between just "sneaking out" and burglery, cruelty to animals, etc. There are obviously some other issues going on here. Perhaps it's not in the home, but maybe even at school or someone else's home. If they are guilty, they should not only be disciplined for the crimes of which they are accused, they should also be required to attend extensive counseling both alone, and with family if needed, to get to the root of the problem before they become career criminals. Give these boys a chance to turn around and become productive members of society as they grow, rather than condemn them to become criminals for life because of whatever caused these outragous actions. My suggestion is a combination of community service, counseling and postive mentoring to show these boys that not only are they responsible for their actions, but also that they are worth more than this and that someone truly believes in them and that they can do better.
Posted on August 5 at 9:41 p.m.
On a more positive note, this children are still young enough that maybe being caught and punished (if indeed they are guilty), maybe they will learn a lesson and change their ways. It's better for everyone if children who have a tendency for violence to have that abated while still young instead of ignoring it as "boys will be boys" or something along those lines. I'm not trying to take away from the seriousness of what these boys are charged with. I'm just praying that they see the wickedness of their ways before they grow up to become rapists, drug lords or serial killers. And when/if returned to the parents, hopefully the parents will also recieve support to help the children grow into productive adults.
Posted on July 31 at 12:08 a.m.
Yankee, I don't think anyone is really trying to punish the parents by making them pay child support. And trying to collect support for everyone that is incarcerated would be ridicoulous. However, until these children turn 18, the parents should be financially responsible for them, regardless of where they are. I think that is the point being made here. If the children where in foster care long term, the parents would most likely be required to pay child support. If the parents where divorced, one would most likely be required to pay child support. If temporary custody where assigned by a judge to another person (friend, family, etc), the parents would most likely be required to pay child support. So why not continue to financially support the children while in custody for criminal acts if found guilty? If I were the parent of a child in a similiar situation, I would continue to be financially responsible for the child because it is the right thing to do. I choose to be a parent, and choose to accept the responsibilities that come along with it, no matter how difficult. However, in a situation like this, I believe that the children should not recieve unnecessary extras. Perhaps any extra money beyond necesities could be put into a college fund to be accessible by the children only when/if they graduate from high school and are accepted into college. Maybe this would help the children by knowing they have something they have to work for to get. And maybe that's just wishful thinking, hoping for a turn-around that is possible with proper guidance.
Page 1 of 3 | Next
Posted on January 8 at 1:25 a.m.
I don't care who is paying for the students to go to college, but I assure you that there are many who's educations are not being paid for by their parents. And those that are need to learn to earn extras such as those being planned for this complex, and it takes time and hard work in the real world for luxuries like this. Isn't this part of why we are having problems with the economy already, people wanting more than they can honestly afford? Yeah, let's teach future America how to live beyond their means so we can have another Great Depression!
On Tumbling Down