Vox Pop

Which would be more effective? Spanking a bully, sending the bully to the principal or speaking out (as the teacher) in class about not taking advantage of people's weaknesses (including the bully's) to embarrass them? The first two would be soon over and breed resentment. The third method teaches an object lesson to the whole class and leaves potential victims feeling relieved. I hope everyone read Dr. Dobson's "Focus on the Family" column on Friday. He gives an excellent example of using leadership and the Golden Rule to deal with bullying. Another example of non-violence at work.

Religion section

I don't appreciate the religion section being hidden in the sports section of the Friday paper. It used to have its own section and I think it needs to otherwise things in that section will get missed. Please make the religion section a separate section.

Sacrifice is OK

In the Brainerd Dispatch paper Monday on Page 14A, there was a guest column titled "Meth product limits justified." It's regarding being screened when buying one jug of antifreeze, one thing of Drano, or one jar of cough medicine versus somebody else buying these things to make meth. It's like one bad apple makes it hard for the rest of us but if that's the sacrifice I have to make to keep the meth away from my children, that's good enough for me. I don't like being controlled but we do need to take control of this.

Doesn't like new format

Both my husband and I find your new format harder to read than the old format and neither one of us really likes it. Also, I find that when I'm reading the classifieds, the fact that it switches from ad to ad in print size is very annoying.

Concerns in writing

I agree with the lady who wrote in Open Forum about the ATVs being closed to riding in the Pillsbury State Forest. Those topics were discussed at that time, and the people attending were informed to write or e-mail the DNR. Putting your concerns in writing is better than giving your opinion at the open meetings. Please write, e-mail, fax or call the DNR office as soon as possible if you are concerned about this matter.

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