We had planned to begin a short series on the new hospital, but apparently what we considered a minor issue is a major problem in this area--and many are condoning it. Let's look at some salient points concerning drag racing:
1. It's illegal. What do parents not understand about that? If you say to your child that you can break some laws, where do you draw the line?
2. It's not just teens, but adults including police who are engaging in this illegal activity.
3. How would you feel if you had small children and you suddenly found your quiet county road tuned into an illegal drag strip?
4. To say that drag racing prevents pregnancy is comparable to saying it prevents these teen/adults from robbing mini-marts.
5. The Shoals has nothing to do? Just drive to Lawrenceburg and ask some teens about what they do on weekends. Almost universally, they will tell you that they have to come to the Shoals to find anything to do. You see how that works? Everything is relative.
6. Remember, we're happy to publish your comments, but not when it contains vulgarities and derogatory references to the mentally impaired.
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So how widespread is illegal drag racing? (This one may have a permit, but just that it existed, surprised us.):
We'd say that's pretty widespread. Now for any parents who encourage this or any young people who participate in this, we have one suggestion: Ask any successful person you may know if he/she ever participated in illegal drag racing. We're not shy to predict that not one would say yes.
Let's teach our children to strive to do better, not to live by the "If it feels good, do it" philosophy.
Shoalanda