Text The Times.

Text The Times.

So the government is shut down and the republicans are pointing the finger at the democrats and the democrats are pointing the finger at the republicans and we are all stuck in the middle and it don’t matter who is to blame we get the average people get the short end of the stick. So my question to you is what can we do about it? [ Editor’s Note: First of all, as long as we’re talking about fingers, I’ve got a finger I’d like to offer both political parties. But on a slightly more serious note, I’m sure there are folks who would argue the opposite here, but I don’t really care about this so- called “ government shutdown” as a bargaining tool business. I think we could do with a little less government. The stupidest part of that whole deal is that somehow, as you point out, “ it’s not my fault, it’s theirs!” is as sophisticated as American politics gets these days. As far as “ what can we do about it?”… well, this is an election year, so by all means vote. But the truth is, the two- party process is far past its expiration date but I’m not sure the massive overhaul it needs is ever going to come]

*** Magnet schools are great and all but what does that do for students with learning disabilities or special needs?

[ Editor’s Note: It’s worth noting that every student in the Marion School District will continue to receive all of the core curriculum and be placed in the learning environment that best suits them. The magnet school model, at least in the way Marion seems to be approaching it, will simply apply an enhanced layer of focused learning on top of that. If your child has some sort of IEP or 504 Plan in place, I’m sure those modifications and special education protocols will still be followed. I mean, why wouldn’t they?]

*** Somebody needs to do something about all of the trash being left all over the city. SPOILER ALERT!!! I’m talking about Marion… not West Memphis. It’s a shame what this town has become!

[ Editor’s Note: Well, no city is perfect. And as Marion has grown from 2,000 to 12,000 people over the past 20 years or so, there has been a lot of that small- town charm lost to progress, but I drive up and down the streets of Marion every day ( and occasionally remember to stop at the new stop signs) and I’ve not noticed a lot of random trash sitting around. Is there some specific trouble spot you can direct me to? I’m not saying you’re wrong, I just can’t picture to where you might be referring]

*** Thank you for running the crossword puzzle again. I won’t say it’s the only reason I take the paper *I love text the times too* but it is one of the main reasons. [ Editor’s Note: Well, we do what we can. I saw the top line of the puzzle was a little janky on Monday, but my Mom assured me she was able to work it anyway. I’m not sure which crowd gets more upset when there’s a problem, the crossword folks or the sudoku folks. Maybe we just don’t mess them up anymore, right?]

870-225-1456

Here’s what everyone is talking about this week: