BND readers sound off on police protests, pee wee football, subsidence
Sidewalk protest
I am very happy to live in a society that gives its people the right to assemble and protest their grievances. My question is: Why does it have to take place in the middle of the street? Don’t other citizens who also pay taxes have access to these public places? Do businesses deserve to lose income and have their property destroyed? Who in their right mind would want to bring their business to St. Louis?
Why we’re angry
The announcing of the Anthony Smith murder trial verdict was terribly mishandled. The not guilty verdict was obvious when the police put in a fence and called up the National Guard. We’re angry now because the authorities think we’re stupid. It’s been obvious for weeks that the verdict was going to be “not guilty.” The DNA test was useless? Is it any wonder that the black community is angry?
Ideas, not chants
Why can’t we have an organized, safe and civilized assembly inside a building? Why can’t people take turns speaking for three minutes? At least you wouldn’t hear the same chants over and over again and maybe someone might have a workable solution.
Missing real issue
The protest narrative needs to change. The Stockley protests/looting/property destruction in St. Louis is a false narrative designed to hide the social disintegration in the black community. All the black reverends in St. Louis have threatened disruption, whatever that means, over the killing of a black man by policeman Stockley in 2011. Who cares about evidence and facts. All the politicians say we need frank discussion, but the black community doesn’t want discussions. I haven’t heard one black reverend or leader mention the 144 murders in St. Louis in 2017, 188 in 2016, 188 in 2015, 159 in 2014, etc. Ninety percent of these murders were black on black crime. I would think the black community would want to address the real problem.
Hurting jobs
St. Louis black community leaders have repeatedly encouraged the Stockley verdict protestors to disrupt business. The black leaders condone and promote breaking windows, looting and throwing bricks at policemen. Evidently, the black protestors can’t process the idea that the businesses they vandalize are the same businesses that give them jobs. Many of these businesses are minority owned.
Hate at age 8
Instead of teaching 8-year-old football players how to disrespect the United States of America and the American flag, the coaches and parents should be teaching kids about the opportunities the country provides them. It’s regrettable that the 8-year-olds have learned how to hate from coaches and parents. As Hillary Clinton pointed out, these people are despicable for teaching kids to hate. It’s shameful these 8-year-olds will now grow up believing it’s okay to disrespect our flag and country.
We stand
In Belleville, we stand for the National Anthem. If the 8-year-olds can’t stand for the National Anthem, then they should raise the money to buy their own park where they can play football. Eight-year-olds don’t get these sorts of ideas on their own. Their parents don’t have the guts to stand up for what they believe in.
Sinking for 20 years
Subsidence can take a long time to repair because you can’t start repairs until it’s finished. I live in the area and my house has been sinking for 20 years. Good luck, Wolf Branch.
Subsidence profit
I found the mine subsidence fund payout to be more than fair as far as paying for the damages to the house. I was able to repair the damage to my house and I had money left over to put down on the mortgage.
Teacher passing
Vince Torigian is truly a loss to the city of Belleville, the teachers and to the business of education. He inspired many students.
Sag makes me smile
I am glad Collinsville is doing away with the “Saggy Pants Ordinance.” It’s so humorous watching kids trying to hold up their pants when they walk or run. I laugh at the kids, who think hanging their rear ends out is cool. Hey, I had long hair.
Change in Belleville
I agree with the Sound Off about term limits at the local government level. Those of us who live in Belleville have been stuck with Mayor Eckert and his not-so-Good Government Party for too long. It is past time for change.
Taxed into exodus
Belleville Democrats have never passed a sales tax they didn’t like. Eckert and his TIF clowns have new sewers to build and TIF’s to provide to political friends. Did anyone really think the temporary Belleville sales tax would be allowed to sunset? Eckert said Belleville’s revenue was down $500K last year because people are moving out of Belleville. Eckert’s lack of common sense and business experience tells him to raise taxes on the people that remain. Eckert and his TIF clowns don’t understand the exodus will continue.
State of Belleville
Belleville residents have been lied to again. They told us that this sales tax would “go away” and now it’s never going to go away. Wake up, Belleville. They have to keep the sales tax because things are going so poorly with the state, says Mayor Eckert. Just a reminder, its his Democrat buddies who are running this state into the ground.
Taxes kill business
One of the reasons why many businesses are leaving Belleville for greener pastures is because of the high taxes. The best way to keep businesses around, business economists will tell you, is to lower taxes, not raise them.
Randle flips on tax
Ward 3 Alderman Kent Randle voted to keep the sales tax permanent. He flip-flopped on that issue. Didn’t he also vote to give the mayor a raise when that was on the agenda? Remember this around election time.
St. E’s gridlock
I read the article talking about the traffic congestion that’s going to be near the new St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Many months ago, when the hospital first talked about moving, that was a big concern from many people — the traffic not only in front of the hospital but also on South Green Mount Road and Frank Scott Parkway. Traffic is going to be a mess, even though St. Elizabeth higher ups insisted that there wasn’t.
Democratic dealers
Meth is making a comeback in Southern Illinois. Not just meth, but heroin and opioids. The Mexican drug cartels are supplying drugs cheaply to your kids or family members. Chicago is a sanctuary city, which helps ensure the illegal flow and distribution of drugs into the state. The Democrats give the drug dealers a safe haven in Chicago, while the cartel dealers distribute drugs freely. Instead of blaming the drug companies for the opioid explosion, the Democratic political idiots and police departments better start recognizing their self-made drug problem before it becomes uncontrollable. What’s more important to you? The safety of drug-free kids or an illegal voting Democrat?
Spilled beer tears
About the “beer spilled on the shoes” shooting trial, the only thing that St. Clair County prosecutors deserve credit for is screwing up the conviction. They’re not guilty of giving up justice in pursuit of conviction, they’re guilty of stupidity. Shame on you, Judge Kelley, for letting it go that far.
For the middle class
The BND article talks about the stark reality of incomes in St. Clair and Madison counties. Reality is, thanks to free-spending Democrats, your property taxes have increased significantly, sales taxes have increased significantly, and your state income tax has really jumped. You will be bringing home much less income than you have over the past years. Remember, Democrats are for the middle class and every dollar the middle class has.
Simple voters
Local race for state Senate seat will top spending records. Madigan and the teachers union spent close to $2 million to get Katie Stewart elected to the state house. What do you think Madigan will spend to get a state senator elected? Three million sounds low? Guess what the voters get for all the millions Madigan spends to get his politicians elected? Higher state taxes and higher property taxes. How simple can Illinois voters get?
Unimportant story
Do we really need to know that the schools will supply feminine hygiene products to schools paid for by our tax dollars? Is this really important compared to what is happening in St. Louis, events going on locally and in the world. This story could have been on the back page.
Civics education
The BND asked, “What’s in the First Amendment?” The findings of their questions were definitely troubling. I studied the government and constitution in grade school and high school. I had to pass a government and constitution test to graduate. Today, civics education is not a priority and testing is watered down so everyone can pass. Individuals who study to become U.S. citizens know more about our government and constitution than a high school graduate.
Commuting officers
Why do some Swansea police officers live as far away as Waterloo and Freeburg and not in Swansea? We have signs in town that say, “We support the police,” but it doesn’t seem like the police support us.
Mother America
Oprah says moms need to take care of themselves so they can take care of their family; the USA needs to take care of itself so it can help the world.
This story was originally published September 24, 2017 at 7:00 PM with the headline "BND readers sound off on police protests, pee wee football, subsidence."