COLUMN: Let them speak!

Keeping a positive attitude in our current day and age is a priority for me. I try to be a positive person and surround myself with things that make me happy. Still, there are things that rub me the wrong way, and I’ve decided to address a couple of those this week. We’ll call them “Things I don’t understand.”

First of all, I don’t understand why this year’s valedictorians and salutatorians weren’t allowed time to speak at Thursday night’s graduation. I do understand that there was a time crunch, but what I don’t get is why all four class officers gave speeches, but none of those honored for good grades got to utter even a thank you.

I’ve got nothing against the class officers because I’m sure they all worked hard in their positions, but those officers were selected by a vote, which means they were basically selected through a popularity contest. One could argue the same system is employed when we elect a president, but unless the class of 2009 really examined the candidates’ take on school issues, I say the comparison stops there.

What I do know is that Alex Cheser, Jacqueline Dragoo, Courtney Welsh, Katelyn Shouse and Brandy Smith worked hard to earn their titles. They studied, learned and did what they could to better themselves through 12 years of school to be given this honor. I know because I was once in their shoes, but I was fortunate enough to give my speech. Congratulations to all of you. I hope you keep up the hard work in college.

The second thing I don’t understand is why people think it’s unnecessary to use their turn signals. Apparently these people are more advanced than the rest of us and have developed the ability to send and receive messages telepathically. Otherwise, why would they expect us to just know they’re going to change lanes or turn left? Surely it can’t just be negligence on their part.

It’s not like flipping the signal on is difficult, and if you make an actual turn, it flips off by itself. It’s more than just common courtesy. I’m pretty sure it’s a law.

The third thing I don’t understand (and the last that I’ll address this week) is why people don’t do things that they say they will — especially when said things are a part of their job and they get paid to do so.

If it is your job to do something, don’t act like it pains you to do it. You get paid for it, and I would hope you get paid to do it right. Or, if for whatever reason, you are unable to do your job right, you should be man or woman enough to speak up and admit that something has gone wrong.

I won’t call out any company by name, but I’ve had my fill of these people lately. And without getting too specific, I’ve found that (again) negligence and laziness are evil things, and they’re things I just don’t understand.

Follow Shannon Mason Brock at Twitter.com/ANewsSBrock.