My Two Cents
“My two cents” is an American idiomatic expression, taken from the original British idiom expression: to put in “my two pennies worth”. It is used to preface the stating of one’s opinion. By deprecating the opinion to follow — suggesting its value is only two cents, a very small amount — the user of the phrase hopes to lessen the impact of a possibly contentious statement, showing politeness and humility. However, it is also sometimes used with irony when expressing a strongly felt opinion.
Herald readers are invited to submit their two cents on-line on stories which have appeared in the newspaper and on our website at www.yalnews.com. Below are some of the best taken from recent submissions.
On the story about Yalobusha and Oxford officials touring Caterpillar’s temporary location in the Water Valley Industrial Park, a reader had this comment:
I think they are committed to going back to their own building but I wonder if Caterpillar has any other divisions looking for a home? Maybe even another company. Treat people right and word gets around.
Another reader added:
They should work on keeping that plant here and bringing some more to Water Valley.
The story about recent repairs at the Blackmur Memorial Library being done on time and way under budget prompted this comment:
At first I thought Joe Newman was doing this for hire. I didn’t understand he was doing this at NO CHARGE for the city. I should have guessed from the low price. Good for you, Joe Newman!
Several comments were generated by the story about Oakland expanding its boundaries with its latest annexation:
Let’s all give Oakland a hand for being forward thinking enough to annex where the growth is coming. I wouldn’t be surprised, in the next 20 years, that Oakland will outshine Water Valley and Coffeeville with its growth and development.
Another reader added:
To bad Water Valley can’t annex. They can’t provide services for the citizens they have now.
On the topic of economic development in the county, one reader questioned:
Why are we not talking to Toyota people? Batesville gets a tier one supplier and we don’t seem to even be in the ballgame.
The recent letter to the editor about the economic stimulus package passed by the Legislature created this reader response:
If we had people in the Senate that really cared for this country, none of them would have voted for this package at all, even the Democrats knew this package was not doing anything for the country but yet they still voted on it and even added to it. This is called vote getters. It is just like the housing market, we are going to help bail out all those people who are living beyond their means. They ought to let the market play itself out. We are going back to the good ole days of government take care of me for I know not what I do. Oh by the way if you really do trust your politicians, you really do need to seek mental assistance.
Herald columnist Charles Cooper used the term “primitive” to describe the medical technology available decades ago to Dr. George Brown. One reader wrote a letter to the editor (see page 5) while another posted this on the web:
Dr George operated on me in 1936 Things were quite different back then. We all survived a lot of things that people today take for granted.