Straight Talk from Straight Kids
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 24, 1999
GEOFFREY MICHEL / L’Observateur / February 24, 1999
A couple of weeks ago, I was out eating with my family. (Actually, I reallydidn’t want to eat at this particular place, but my mom made the final decision.)As we were sitting down eating our food, a woman walked into the restaurant with two young children. The lady bought them ice cream cones. I watched asthey sat down at a table nearby, and I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Wow, this is what families should do once in a while.”Then I overheard her warn the children not to leave with anybody. When shestood up, I thought that she might be going back to her car to get something, or that she might be going to the restroom. What a fool I am! Of course there was areason that she was treating them so nice. The next thing that she did was enterthe area where the video poker games were. Wow! I couldn’t believe it. She leftthose children alone and unsupervised so that she could gamble.
I don’t guess I should have been surprised to witness something like this. Iremember the young girl who was murdered when she was taken from the casino while her parents were gambling. I also remember when a child was left to diealone in a car while the babysitter was gambling. It saddened me to be remindedof those events as I watched these two children eating their ice cream alone.
I realize that adults have the right to choose whether or not to gamble. That isnot the issue. I’d just like to appeal to you on behalf of your children. Pleasedon’t gamble with their lives.
I left the restaurant burdened for those two children, and thankful for my mom.
Even though I sometimes disagree with her choice of restaurants, she would never neglect me or my sisters.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at straightkids@juno.com or P.O. Box 1493, LaPlace, LA 70069.
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